“Coalphas?”An older wolf’s voice cut through the whispers—Stephanie’s silver hair gleamed in the fading sunlight as she stepped forward.“In all my years, I’ve never heard of such an arrangement.This pack has always had a single leader, a clear chain of command.”
Larissa moved to respond, but Malcolm touched her arm lightly, sensing this was a time for listening rather than defending.The pack needed to voice their concerns openly.
“It’s not just about tradition,” Stephanie’s mate, Raymond, added.“What happens in a crisis?When decisions need to be made quickly?We can’t afford divided leadership.”
Heads nodded throughout the crowd.Larissa tensed beside him, no doubt already formulating counterarguments.But before either of them could speak, Anders cleared his throat.
“If I may?”The pragmatic wolf stepped forward, his expression thoughtful.“I’ve watched Malcolm and Larissa work together these past weeks.During the Hannah and Gregory situation, their different approaches didn’t divide us—they made us stronger.”
“That was one situation,” Ella, a wolf with three cubs, pointed out.“What about day-to-day decisions?Pack disputes?Territory challenges?”
“Valid questions,” Larissa acknowledged, her voice clear and steady.“Malcolm and I have developed a detailed framework for decision-making processes.For immediate threats, we’ll have clearly defined roles based on our strengths.For larger policy decisions, we’ll consult and reach consensus before presenting to the pack.”
“And when you disagree?”This was from Una’s brother Dante.“We all know your history.The fights, the competition…”
Malcolm stepped forward.“Yes, we’ve fought.Yes, we’ve competed.But as I suggested to Owen, even at our most divided, we’ve both put the pack first.That won’t change.”
“If anything,” Larissa added, “our differences make us stronger together.Malcolm’s instincts complement my strategy.His strength balances my diplomacy.”
A thoughtful silence fell over the gathering.Then Conall spoke up.“Show us.”
“Pardon?”Malcolm asked.
“Show us how this would work,” Conall elaborated.“Right now.Let’s say we’ve got territory disputes with the River Valley Pack to the south, just like five years ago.Walk us through how you’d handle it.Together.”
Malcolm and Larissa exchanged a glance.This was unexpected, but it was also an opportunity.Without speaking, they fell into the rhythm they’d developed over the years.
“The River Valley Pack has been pushing our southern borders,” Larissa began, her tactical mind laying out the situation.“They’re claiming hunting rights in the disputed zone.”
“Traditional response would be a show of force,” Malcolm continued.“Establish dominance, defend our territory.”He paused, then added, “But that’s not the only option.”
Larissa nodded.“We’ve mapped their hunting patterns.They’re pushing north because drought has affected their usual grounds.They’re desperate, not aggressive.”
“Which means we have an opportunity,” Malcolm picked up.“Instead of fighting, we can negotiate.Set up shared hunting zones, regulated times.”
“But backed by strength,” Larissa emphasized.“Clear boundaries, enforced rules.Show them we’re willing to help but not be taken advantage of.”
“Diplomacy with teeth,” Malcolm summarized, earning a few chuckles from the crowd.
The pack watched this exchange with growing interest.Understanding dawned on many faces as they witnessed firsthand how he and Larissa’s different approaches could merge into a more complete solution.
Stephanie spoke again, her tone less skeptical now.“And if they refuse to negotiate?If they challenge us directly?”
“Then they face both of us,” Malcolm said, steel in his voice.
“We’re not asking you to accept this blindly,” Larissa added.“We propose a trial period.Three months of coleadership, with regular pack meetings to assess how it’s working.”
“And if it doesn’t work?”Ella asked, though her expression had softened considerably.
“Then we step down,” Malcolm said firmly.“The pack’s welfare comes first.Always has, always will.”
Another silence fell, this one different.Thoughtful rather than skeptical.Malcolm watched as pack members turned to each other, speaking in low voices, weighing the proposal.
But before the pack could make any kind of formal decision, Malcolm squeezed Larissa’s hand, silently asking permission.She nodded almost imperceptibly.
“There’s one more thing the pack should know,” Malcolm said, his voice carrying across the mesa.“Something that helped us realize this arrangement could work.”
Larissa stepped closer to him, their shoulders touching.“Malcolm and I aren’t just choosing to work together as coalphas,” she said, her voice softened with emotion.“We’ve realized we’re mates.”
