Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 98: Chapter 98

After the Rogues were finally defeated, Leo and I wanted to plan our lives together. We were going to have a simple wedding. We would invite our pack and Ethan's and the doctors at the hospital.
But the other alphas had different ideas.
The eldest alpha, Titian, came to the pack army encampment the day after the battle.
“It is an honor to host you, Alpha Titian,” Leo said. “I apologize that we do not have a proper venue to offer for this visit.”
“Oh, don't be so formal, young one,” Titian said with a chuckle. “Your manor burned, and then you had two armies fighting it out in your front garden. Of course you don't have a proper room to offer me tea and dainty snacks. We're wolves, we know how to rough it.”
“Of course,” Leo said.
“Now, first off, I came to talk to you about this army of yours. Are you intending to keep this up? Or was it only a way to fight and beat those Rogues?” Titian asked.
“I promised these wolves a place in the world,” Leo said. “I asked them to fight for us, for people who had never accepted them. And they did. The least I can do is give them a home and a pack of their own.”
“And that is a noble ambition,” Titian said, “but the other alphas are worried about your other ambitions.”
“Other ambitions?” Leo repeated. “I don't have ambitions.” He paused. “Well, no, I do. I aim to marry this woman,” he nodded towards me, “and raise our daughter. I'm looking forward to building a family and a pack with her. I wanted to wait until I had a proper home to offer her first.”
What was wrong with the guest house? I would marry Leo if we had to live in a tent.
“Well, what exactly is it you intend to do with your own army?” Titian asked.
“They're not my personal army,” Leo protested.
“That may not be how the other alphas see it,” Titian warned. He added, “I've been sent to call you to a council meeting.”
“A council meeting?” Leo asked.
“Yes. All the alphas intend to convene. You have three days to prepare,” Titian said.
“Prepare for what?” Leo asked. “Am I on trial?”
“No, I would not say that,” Titian said. “You saved us all. Enough of us understand that. But some are troubled. This meeting has been called to let you explain your motives, and to reassure everyone as to your intentions.”
“That’s not fair,” I protested. “Leo hasn’t done anything wrong!”
“You know that, Healer, and I know that. And in three day’s time, so will the rest. Do not worry, everything will turn out fine.”
I wished I shared his confidence.
Titian left after politely inquiring about the health of baby Sable and my mother. I was impressed that he remembered them. I hoped his words meant that Leo at least had one alpha on his side for the upcoming council meeting.
So once again, Leo and I had to put aside our wedding plans. Instead, we met with Ethan, Leo and Ethan’s betas, and the archivists to work out what Leo should say at the upcoming council meeting.
“Look, it’s not so bad,” Ethan said. “The worst case scenario is they make us break up the new pack.”
“I can’t let that happen,” Leo protested. “I promised these wolves a home and a pack of their own. I can’t let that be taken away from them.”
I nodded. “That’s right. I’ve been talking to the ones who were injured. While I was healing them. They’re so excited. So hopeful. They’re talking about how good it is to have an alpha who listens to them. How much they’re looking forward to having a real home and a real pack.”
“Okay,” Ethan said, “so it is so bad. Because the other alphas are nervous. They look at this new pack, and they don’t see a bunch of misfits finally finding a place to belong. They see an army. They see a powerful, young alpha upsetting the status quo in a way no Rogue King ever could.”
“It’s not like I’m going to march on their territories or something,” Leo said.
“They don’t know that. They’re afraid,” Ethan said.
“Well, how can I prove my intentions? What can I possibly say to take that fear away?” Leo asked.
“You can’t,” Johann said. “But we can.”
“What?” Leo asked.
“You can’t go to that meeting alone. They’ll never listen to you. Not over the sound of their own fear,” Johann said.
“What do you suggest?” Ethan asked.
“Bring us. Bring the pack,” Johann said. “Let us speak for you. It’s time the alphas listened to their wolves for once.”
Leo nodded. “All right. Well, you can’t all come. The council didn’t pick a meeting space that big, and we shouldn’t leave the compound empty.”
Johann chuckled. “I’ll pick a few representatives. Ethan, you should do the same. Your wolves know what kind of alpha Leo is. And they can be trusted to be unbiased, as well.”
“Good idea,” Ethan agreed.
After that, there was nothing for me or Leo to do but wait. We spent our time in the former guest house, which I was slowly coming to think of as our home.
Leo insisted on taking his turn in the kitchen like everyone else. The only problem was, he’d never learned to cook. So my mother shared his shift, and taught him. I was surprised how well they got along.
Mom settled into the strange new pack Leo was building like she belonged. No one seemed to care that she was a human. They treated her like one of their own. It warmed my heart to see her treated with care and respect.
The day of the council meeting arrived. Leo and I left Sable with Mom where she’d be safe, no matter what happened. Johann drove ahead with his selected wolves.
The whole pack had wanted to come. And everyone had a reason why they should be one of the ones to speak up for Leo. Johann finally had to devise a lottery to select the representatives. A dozen wolves crammed themselves into a single van, all ready to tell the alphas whath they thought.
Ethan had sent an equal number of his own wolves, as well, although they mostly drove their own cars. So we made quite the convoy.
The council of alphas convened in a massive amphitheater in Titian’s territory. The wizened alpha stood in the center of an enormous crowd.
“As this is a matter which concerns not only alphas, but all wolves, each pack has brought representatives to witness,” Titian said. He turned to our group. “I see you have brought your own witnesses, as well, Alpha Leo.”
Leo nodded, but Johann stepped forward.
“No, Alpha Titian. We are not witnesses. We are here to speak.”
“And what would you say, young one?” Titian asked.
“You called Leo here because you’re afraid he’ll become another Rogue King,” Johann said. “But he’s defended us against the Rogues at the cost of his family, his strength, and very nearly his life. Leo is no Rogue king.” Johann turned to the crowed. “We are here to say, Leo is the Wolf King!”