Chapter 11

"Okay, fellas we're letting you run pick on this meeting. As future Alpha and Beta, you need to be able to handle the Vampire Elders." Lyall looked at the boys as they stood outside of the meeting hall.

It was more of a church than anything. Both Elders agreed to meet in the human territory to give both sides mutual grounds. Neither side was religious in terms of human spirituality but they both respected the sense of a higher deity guiding them through the meeting.

Dion gave his father a solid nod as nerves ate away at his mind. This was an important meeting, more important than the few he's been to at his cousin's pack. This could make or break the peace between the two species which could lead to war. Something he and Azaria didn't want.

"We won't disappoint Beta Lyall. It's great to have you back." Kyle smiled before giving his father a determined look.

Being the Future Alpha, Kyle had a lot riding on his shoulders. However, with Dion as Beta, it was his job to lessen that burden to help maintain control.

Soon the four of them made their way towards the back where the meeting was to take place. Dion took a deep breath and gained a bit of strength from his wolf as they entered the small room.

Sitting at the table was Azaria and her parents along with some guy next to her. She was leaning her body away from him with a sour look on her face. She caught his eye and he raised a questioning eyebrow.

He watched as she discreetly rolled her eyes and mouthed 'Jordy'. Dion nodded his head as he took his seat in front of her with Kyle to his left and his father to his right.

Soon both sets of Elders entered the room greeting everyone before taking their seats.

"We are here to discuss the on-going peace treaty between the Ravenwood Coven and the Esteria Pack. Who will be presiding over this meeting?" Elder Kane spoke. He was one of the most respected Werewolves in all the lands. He's been around for hundreds of years. This wasn't his first time working on a treaty between Werewolves and a different species.

Kane stood from his seat and bowed respectfully towards the elders. "As the future Alpha of Esteria, I along with my future Beta will be presiding over this meeting."

Elder Kane gave a nod of approval then turned to Azaria's family. Dion watched as she stood and took a deep breath.

"As the future leader of Ravenwood, I, Azaria Smith will be presiding over this meeting."

"Wonderful now let's get this meeting on the roll."

Elder Kane then went to read the terms and agreements of the last treaty. Highlighting the main topics that each party had concerns about. It was long and drawn out, but he had to listen closely. He only knew about bits and pieces of the treaty, but listening to them in full detail he was ready to just leave everything as it was.

"Now onto the amendments,"

That was their cue to say what they wanted to change or add if any. Azaria stood capturing everyone's attention.

"I would like to address Section 3; Subject A. Coexistence. If we're to really coexist with one another, we can't keep living divided. Whatever feud there was between us, was long ago. Times have changed and I believe we shouldn't let years of hatred keep us apart."

Dion didn't think she would have addressed that issue so soon. He carefully watched everyone around the table. The Vampire Elders held curious looks on their faces. Her parents seemed somewhat neutral, yet the guy next to her had the nastiest look in his eyes. He was going to be a problem.

He then glanced at his parents who seemed surprised with her statement. Kyle just seemed bored with it all and the Werewolf Elders held a neutral look. This could go either way.

"Does anyone honestly know why Vampyres hate Werewolves so much?" Although it was a rhetorical question everyone shook their heads admitting they had no knowledge of that fact.

Dion was suddenly curious as to where she was going with this.

"Our kind has hated each other for generations and no one has any real reason as to why that is. Think about all the good we can do if we work together instead of against each other." She talked so passionately about the topic Dion himself felt compelled to speak up.

He slowly rose from his seat, eyes now on him.

"If I may?" he looked to Azaria for permission to speak, it was customary to gain permission instead of talking over one another. It was a sign of respect for both parties.

She gave him a small nod with a smile and took her seat.

"I believe Leader Smith is right. When I was a kid I didn't care about what species anybody was, I just wanted to make friends. It wasn't until later that I grew to know the hostility us wolves had against the vamps. I didn't understand it but I respected it.

"I do have to agree with Leader Smith. A moto us wolves live by 'There's strength in numbers'. If we drop the hate and learn to work together, life can be a whole lot better between us."

The sour look on Jordy's face deepened even more. He looked to Dion for permission to speak. He didn't want to give it, but he had to show respect.

"Good evening Elders. My name is Jordy Willow, the grandson of Elder Cassius Willow," he made a small gesture towards his grandfather who made no move in accepting the acknowledgment.

"I sadly have to disagree with both Beta Nixon and my Chosen Miss Smith. I fear combining our species together will only bring forth more trouble than it's worth. We have done well for ourselves living separately and being tolerable with one another. But, intermingling will cause more harm than good."

Dion watched Azaria closely, her eyes nearly popping out of her head when he called her his Chosen.

"If we may address something really fast," Elder Kane spoke up. "Leader Smith when you started this meeting, why did you fail to inform us of your Chosen?"

He watched Azaria take a deep breath with her eyes closed. He wanted nothing more than to go and hug her and let her know it was going to be okay.

"Elder Kane, I hadn't introduced Mr. Willow here as my Chosen because he is not. It was a recent conversation that came upon my family in me having a Chosen. My parents think Mr. Willow here just seemed to be the perfect candidate," she spared her parents a quick glance as they held their ground.

"He is only here out of formality and respect to Elder Cassius. His opinions are not to be weighed in such agreements if they are not directly asked for. He is only here to observe and nothing more," she shot Jordy a death glare trying to emphasize her point. He was here to listen and not speak, Dion could deal with that.

Elder Kane nodded his head understanding the situation.

"Mr. Willow, as great as your opinions are, as your leader said, you are to observe only. Understood?"

"Yes your Excellency," Jordy bowed his head respectfully, but Dion didn't miss the look in his eye as he spared Azaria a brief glance. That didn't sit right with his wolf, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Okay, does anyone else have anything to say regarding Coexistence?" Elder Kane looked around the room at everyone.

Kyle stood and addressed the room respectfully. "Although I'm not completely comfortable with the idea, as Future Alpha I want what's best for my pack. If my Beta feels it'll be good to integrate then I am willing to entertain the idea on a trial basis."

"Beta Nixon, Leader Smith, are you two okay with a trial run?" This time it was Elder Cassius who spoke. He and Elder Kane were usually the only ones who spoke at these meetings. Dion always wondered why they needed the others if they never chimed in on anything.

"Agreed," Dion and Azaria spoke at the same time.

The meeting continued on as Elder Kane made different motions regarding the terms of the treaty. Azaria held her ground on a lot of topics she had disagreed with. Everything stemmed down to her wanting a better future for everyone and giving them a chance to mend what was broken long ago.

Jordy would roll his eyes or mumble under his breath whenever he didn't agree with her choices. Either she didn't hear him or she chose to ignore him on purpose. She did, however, bring her parents in to weigh their opinions when she wasn't too sure on a topic. Ultimately she made the final decision.

He and Kane nearly agreed on everything and stood their ground when Azaria made a remark they didn't like. The conversations were civil and coherent, and each party clearly understood where the other went. Neither tried to hide their motives or make compromising implications against the other.

The trio seemed to work well together and was able to come to a compromise when neither party would budge from their standpoint.

"Okay, onto our final point in the treaty. To keep the binding of this contract in good standing we oppose the Werewolf community to marry anyone of the Vampire community. If such actions are done the treaty is null and void and war will be brought upon both parties," Elder Cassius read the final section.

At the mention of marrying the other side, Azaria and Dion locked eyes. He wasn't sure what to make of this part. Everywhere else he had strong opinions, yet with the sealing of the deal, he was lost.

"With all due respect, I think we should keep that part as is. We only agreed to intermingle on a trial basis. If that doesn't work this will solidify our differences." Kyle spoke first.

Azaria raised her hand once he was done.

"I think we should change it. I mean everything else we have been discussing has been to the benefit of us both. That will only draw a wedge in between. Yes, we agreed to a trial basis, but what if things happen to turn out great. In a few years, wolves and vamps alike are living amongst one another and they happen to fall in love. Would you really tear someone's happiness away by telling them they couldn't get married?"

They both had a point and Dion was finding it hard to choose who to side with. His wolf was loyal to Kyle by default, yet he had a strong connection with Azaria.

"That's only by a long shot and we're talking years from now. What harm can it do to have a contingency plan in place?" Kyle argued.

Then the answer fell into Dion's lap. He held his hand up to gain everyone's attention.

"Since both sides feel strongly against each other," he started. "Elder Kane I'd like to propose a plan. As my Alpha unknowingly just delivered. We set in place a contingency plan. We remove that statement for the duration of the trail run. If no progress has been made within the first five years then it shall be set in stone," Dion offered.

"We can also add that this treaty will become null and void if someone of the opposite party harms the other in any way."

"Alpha Kyle, Leader Smith? Any objections to what Beta Nixon just proposed?" Elder Cassius spoke looking around the table.

"I am pleased with the outcome." Azaria bowed her head towards the elders.

"I am too okay with that outcome."

The two species always revisited the terms and agreements of the treaty every five years to ensure their end is being held up to standard. After ten years they meet to revise as they have just done tonight.

"Wonderful!" Elder Kane announced. "If there aren't any more pressing matters we may adjourn this meeting."

"Wait!" Azaria raised from her chair and took her cell phone from her pocket. She gave her parents an apologetic look before tapping away at the screen.

"Elders if I may. I came across something very peculiar during my studies. It's a symbol, and I thought it may be best to ask with both Elders available."

Dion was a bit confused about what she was talking about, then he remembered the symbol their necklaces made together. He hadn't told anyone about it and chose to do research of his own. So far he had no such luck in finding anything remotely close. All the articles and pictures he found were of both pieces, never together.

He watched as she passed her phone to the Elders and they took turns studying the image.

"Child, where did you say you found this?" One of the Vampire Elders asked. Dion couldn't remember her name or her rank.

"I came across a book about the Moon Goddess and found that image on a few pages. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a  mixture of our Crest with the stone of their pack."

The look on the Elders face said it all, she was dead on with her assumptions. The question then becomes, what did it mean?