I'm very grateful to those of you who have followed this from the start, and for those who have given your input. The next few chapters have been reworked from what I had originally written, and I hope it doesn't show. Your feedback is taken to heart at Jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com.
The sex isn't a major part of it, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. There will be many slow times in this story, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be boring days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.
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As I entered the large conference room, everyone stood, looked in my direction, and bowed their heads. Most looked surprised when they saw six of the nine Council Princes following me into the room. Some gave Joshua a confused look, not knowing who he was or his role. Joshua stayed at the back of the room with the other princes as I walked to stand at the head of the table with Billy standing behind me.
"Please, be seated. First, I need to apologize for being
late. As you've noticed, several Princes of the
Council are here with us today, to listen to what I have to say to you. I was
meeting with them and our meeting ran late. I'd like
to tell you a bit about myself, my views on what it means to be an Alpha, what
it means to be a pack, and a few things I insist on from those who claim to
serve me. After that, I want you to feel free to speak your mind on any issue I've mentioned, or any that I've failed to mention."
"I'll start with a bit about me. Many of you know this, but some don't, so I'll tell it all. I was born human, January 30,
2003. I met, and fell in love with Scott Warnick before I knew anything about
vampires, or the world I've come to know. I had a
fatal accident, and in order to save me, James changed me. Shortly after that,
my human father was in an auto accident, and died. While dealing with that, I
found that I had a newborn human brother, so I adopted him. Since then, I've added two mates, and 12 other pups to my family, Joshua
there, is one of them." I said, pointing to him.
"On finding my beast, I also found I was an Alpha. I had no
idea what that meant, but I fell into the trap of thinking it meant I needed to
manage the businesses my father gave me. I soon learned that it means something
much different. Being an Alpha means being a loving father figure to vampires
that look to me for the things they can't do for
themselves, either as individuals or in their family units. It means providing
for the education of the pack's pups. It means providing for those who can't care for themselves; the orphans and homeless. It
means helping someone who grew up in Victorian society understand and deal with
21st century society in ways that are appropriate. You all need to
consider your personal strengths and weaknesses, and be honest with yourself,
and me. Are you truly an Alpha that fits into my concept of what that means? Or
are you an excellent businessman, and is it time for you to step down and let
another take the reins while you serve your pack in that arena?"
"I say an Alpha is a father figure, and that's the
best choice of words, because to me, a pack is a family. Families care for each
other, they help each other, and above all, they love each other. Everything we
do as a pack is done because we want our members to be the best they can be. To
do that, our pups need the best education we can provide, to challenge them to
achieve all they can, so they can raise families of their own, and lead the
pack to higher standards of living. In this pack, all pups will be provided an
education up to and including a four-year degree of their choosing, or an
education in a trade, if they so desire. Any pup that wants to continue past
that, can contract their services to the pack in their chosen profession, and
the pack will pay for that education. The details are still being worked out,
so that is something we should discuss today."
As I looked around the room, I realized that Cullen Beck from Akron, Theo Chester from the Bronx, and Prince Hasim from Dubai, were the only non-whites in the room, and there were no females. It took me a minute to process this, but I realized that until the last 20 years or so, a female or a person of color in such a powerful position would have attracted the attention of humans. I didn't like this, but it was a fact that couldn't helped. I decided I needed to try to start changing that aspect of our world as well.
"I look around the room and notice we're all male, and
mostly white. While I can't force the fates to phase
Alphas of my choosing, I can certainly encourage you all to pick Deltas who can
best serve you, regardless of their race or gender. Hopefully, this group will
become more diverse as time goes on. Members of this pack are encouraged to be
who they are. By this, I mean that all vampires in this pack should feel free
to live the life they want, be they gay, straight, bi, transgendered, or
whatever other labels there may be. If a family can't
accept a pup, for any of these reasons, our pups should know they can come to
you for support, and you can find them a loving home. If you can't
do that, due to your own prejudices, please speak up, and we'll find a place
for you, and a replacement Alpha for your pack."
"I'm assuming all of you are aware of the prophecy, and the assumption has been
that I am the King mentioned in it. I stand here today to tell you that I have
fed from the vampire who wrote the prophecy, and I have seen the vision that
became that prophecy. I saw my face in that vision, standing as the King." As I
said this last part, I let my eyes change to royal purple and everyone lowered
their gaze in submission.
"I'm not here to rule over you, but to help you lead as you
should have been doing all these years. I'm not asking
you to bend a knee in submission, I'm asking you to guide me as we guide our
pack. As part of our discussions today, I'd like your
input on how we can manage in the future. In the past, the Council simply sat
back and let the Super Alphas handle their territories, with Alphas and Deltas
taking care of the vampires in the packs. Super Alphas answered to no one, as
long as they didn't stray from the rules the Council
set forth. I think it's time for a change, with the
Council playing a more active role."
"I see a Council of Princes acting as the next step above the Council of 27.
The 27 will lead Super Alphas as they lead Alphas. I'm
struggling to put this into words properly, but I hope I'm succeeding. All of
this that I'm talking about is in regards to pack
issues, personal issues and such. I see the business interests of vampires
being taken from the hands of Alphas and put into the hands of businessmen with
the sole purpose of providing the funds to care for our pack."
"I think I'm done my sermon now, so I ask you to
please, speak your minds. Most of you have done quite well before I came along,
and I know we can learn from each other." I looked around the table and the
various expressions I saw were a mixture of sadness, smiles, concern, and
acceptance. I could tell they were all considering everything they had heard,
and I expected a few to be angry.
When George started to step forward, Joshua blocked him with
his arm, then stepped around the table to stand beside me as he said "I am
Joshua Warnick, Crown Prince and heir to my father, the King. I sense that a
few of you have concerns about what you have heard this afternoon. Maybe what
you are about to hear will alleviate your worries. Prince Hampton, would you
please repeat what you said earlier in our meeting? The part about your role in
the future."
George looked confused for a minute, then realized what Josh was talking about.
He stepped forward, knelt at my side and said "I will serve in whatever
capacity you decide, Sire. As a Prince, a Super Alpha, a Serving Alpha, or even
a Delta. I need to serve my pack, Sire. Please allow me to, once again, do that
with honor."
Just as in our earlier meeting, the other princes joined George in kneeling on either side of me, all of them saying "As will I, Sire."
Joshua's move had the desired effect. Every Alpha in the room stood and pushed his chair back, knelt in place with their heads bowed in my direction and said "As will I, Sire."
I smiled at Joshua and nodded my thanks for his insightful move. By demonstrating how willing the most powerful vampires in the world were to simply serve their pack, he had solidified our pack behind me. Now came the easier work, the nuts and bolts of providing for the needs of the pack.
"Please, return to your seats. Let's discuss our pack, the world can wait." I said, as I sat.
Everyone sat, and the princes joined us at the table. Billy remained standing behind me, but pulled a chair up so Joshua could sit at my side. We spent the next two hours discussing schools for pups and providing shelters for homeless vampires. A few Alphas said they were torn between the business and pack, and would let me know where they decided they belonged. Alpha Rizzo was quite clear on his position, as he handed Billy a folder containing all his business information, saying he needed to be a pack Alpha, and we could take his businesses for the good of the pack. All the Alphas that had come with him this afternoon did the same, saying they needed to return to serving their vampires. Joe McQueen and the Alphas from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana made similar declarations. I told them all to work with Mike on the legalities of transferring their businesses to Warnick Industries ownership.
Marcus said that he felt in his heart that he needed to serve his pack. He asked Mike to draw up papers to transfer all his businesses to Warnick Industries. He then turned to tell Joshua that he was sorry he couldn't take the job managing the Automotive Division, and Joshua laughed, saying he was starting to think we needed to find someone for his job, as he was going to be busy as a prince.
Bruce Wright asked if I would put his son in charge of his businesses as he focused on pack issues, and all of the Alphas from New York agreed that their meager business interests were better handled by Warnick Industries. The Alphas from California all had been serving their packs in a manner that fit with this new system, and they would adjust their businesses to allow themselves more time to devote to their packs.
I told the London three that I would have to sort out their situation at another time. They agreed, but they were anxious to get started with schools and help for those in need. The most surprising development came from the Swiss and German Alphas. Matthias, Lenz, and Karl spent several minutes deep in conversation, then another several minutes including Lorenz. I intentionally didn't listen to what they were saying, but from the look on Lorenz's face, I knew I was about to be shocked.
Lorenz looked to me and said "Greg, er, Alpha, er, Sire..."
I laughed and said "All of those fit me Lorenz, but just pick one, and relax."
He smiled as he said "I think Alpha fits this time. Matthias, Lenz, and Karl
have asked me to do something and I have agreed, if you will allow it, Alpha."
"I trust their judgement, and I trust yours, Lorenz. Am I to assume you are now
the Alpha for my pack in Germany and Switzerland? They want step down and focus
on business, as they have for centuries?"
"That would be correct, Alpha. It makes sense for Uncle Gunther to continue managing
our business in Zell, but sometime in the near future, he and Karl will be
forming Zell Industries, to include everything in Germany and Switzerland.
These three and Uncle Gunther will sort out the management of it all, if that
is ok with you?"
"I think it's a great idea Alpha Stuber. I'm sure the vampires of Germany and Switzerland will be well cared for." I said, smiling at my brother-in-law.
Once again, I looked around the table. "It seems we have
several things solved, but many more to discuss. In my mind, we're
on our way to one pack, worldwide. Does anyone disagree with this concept?" No
one spoke, so I went on "There will be a lot of things for everyone to adjust
to, and in the near future, we'll sort out everyone's role."
Alpha Shelby interrupted "Sire? If I may?" I nodded, so he continued "I think
most of us have some military experience, and you're talking about a chain of
command. We all accept that we have our place, and that place will be decided
by you. Please appoint leaders as you see fit, we serve the pack, in whatever
role you desire. We'll adjust fine, don't worry about us, worry about the
pack."
Everyone nodded, and I heard several saying "Exactly." or "That's right."
I stood and said "Well, we could sit here for hours and discuss
details, but we're off to a good start. I think we'll
call it a night. I would invite you all to dinner, but our table only seats 48.
I will see you all tomorrow at 11 for the funeral. Considering everything,
please be alert for problems."
With that, Billy, Josh, and I headed for the elevator. Eric and Lorenz rode
down with us and there was a Regent car waiting for them as we got in the GLS
and headed home.
I walked in to find Derrick and Frederick waiting in the entrance hall. They both spoke at the same time.
Derrick "Dad, you gotta see this!"
Frederick "Sire, I don't think you should change Derrick yet."