Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 97 - [K] Pack Politics With A Heart Elsewhere

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 - [K] Pack Politics With A Heart Elsewhere

***[POV: Busy Alpha CEO]***

"The environmental impact assessment came back favorably, and the proposed resort would create over two hundred jobs in the first year alone."

Despite my satisfaction as the presentation continued, I kept an aloof look. Seated at the head of the conference table, I watched the facial reactions of the assembled group rather than the projected slides I’d already skimmed.

To my right, Melvin Silverton’s perpetual frown deepened with each statistic. Across from him, three representatives from the Stonewater Pack sat with careful posture.

Their Alpha, Joseph Greyclaw, was flanked by their middle aged finance officer - also known as his Gamma - and their young head of development. Looking confident enough, just like they’d been coached.

The city’s zoning commissioner, Rozario Herrara, made careful notes on a tablet as one of my stellar interns at Lunarizon continued to deliver all the information that had been collected on the project. I must remember to get a full contract offer sent by Claire after this.

"Traffic patterns show an expected seventeen percent increase on weekends, but the infrastructure improvements we’ve proposed would actually improve flow for local residents by creating some alternate routes."

My phone vibrated in my jacket just once - and I could feel the spike of adrenaline hit me. I resisted the urge to check it immediately, despite the earpiece on one side alerting me who it was from.

That it was a picture attachment with a message made my need worsen. But I held strong as Lodestar spoke this information.

I forced my focus back to the meeting, but Joseph’s eyes had flicked to me... just briefly. He’d taken in my momentary distraction and would probably bring it up later when we spoke in private.

The Stonewater’s Alpha had survived decades of territorial negotiations and political maneuvering; he missed very little. Neither did the zoning commissioner.

"There’s no denying the economic benefits and how far the project has gone to address civil engineering concerns. But the city council remains concerned about the cultural impact. The casino feels pointless to harp on now, after eight good years, but this new resort complex would transform the entire northeast corridor."

"Human culture changes constantly. Preservation has the most value when it benefits the main needs of a civilization. The jobs, tax revenue, and tourism dollars would only enhance your city’s prosperity."

With confidence - but also a soft spoken kindness that only came with wisdom - the Alpha whose project I was helping mediate spoke his opinion. It was a fine bit of speech, circling back to the benefits most of all.

Yet, my fingers twitched and curled with the desire to reach for my phone instead of acknowledge his comment. My mouth opened, wanting to ask to be excused for a moment but lifted my water glass instead and drank like it could quench and compose my thoughts.

And it went noticed - as many of the eyes turned to my movements. I spoke about what I should, instead of what I wanted.

"Commissioner Herrara, the Lunarizon Foundation has already pledged to fund the expansion of emergency services in that district, regardless of this project’s approval."

The older hispanic human woman looked surprised at my statement, even though I’ve had nothing but a history of helping the city - especially once Lunarizon Industries really took off. She still treats me like the former Alpha sometimes, unwilling to invest in anything to do with humans.

Pack may come first, but the people that live in my city deal with my people every day. In that regard, they are an important part of our ecosystem and should be protected - not just used for profit.

"And as the presentation of Ms. Winters showed, the architectural plans incorporate numerous elements that honor local history. Culturally, it can even be argued as an improvement."

I didn’t need to add that Joseph’s pack had been in this region centuries before Vossden was founded, giving them more claim to local history than most of the city council combined. Except perhaps the Omega from the Cloudtail that worked his way in during the last election thanks to Whitecrest contributions.

With the sound of a short knock, the door opened and Luca slipped in quietly while nodding an apology for his tardiness. Unusual for my punctual Beta.

Claire, standing over near the projector controls, gave this the briefest smirk before her face returned to that forced professionalism. I’d have to ask her about that later - she rarely chose to show amusement during business meetings, even toward him.

"I still have reservations about this loss of territory. The casino footprint was agreed upon, but this expansion encroaches significantly more on old hunting grounds."

Melvin interjected, his hands folded carefully on the table. Despite carrying the name Silverton, he was very much a Rimecoat - and the representative of the dissenting voices to anything that bucks the still conservative pack views that exist.

Even though I’d expected this objection, I felt my wolf stir with irritation. The man had served my predecessor faithfully as one of his yes-men Gamma.

But... this insistence on maintaining outdated territorial boundaries had become problematic. In a city with a population gain of about eighteen percent over the last decade, the needs to grow and expand before it tears apart at the seams are greater than ever.

"Those ’hunting grounds’ haven’t seen actual hunting in over fifty years. If you’ve looked at the project, you’ll see that most of it remains green space in the proposed plan. Just with new maintained hiking trails that all packs’ members and visiting humans can enjoy."

"It sets a precedent. My concern is for future generations, not just some current convenience."

"Is it now? So you’re saying this is not also my concern and yours is the more appropriate one for the pack?"

A bit more irritated than usual because of wanting to run off and see the photo... or find her and mark her... or anything but deal with this man’s attempt to control me... my growl makes the old wolf avert his face.

Counting to ten while clutching the bridge of my nose, I turn and find the other Alpha’s eyes meeting mine for a moment. Gratitude flickered briefly in a turquoise glow before Joseph turned away himself first to give me a little further respect.

"My mind is always on our future. For everyone. Is that clear?"

The young Stonewater developer leaned forward after I spoke. Ellie Rushwater, if I remembered correctly?

"With respect, Elder Silverton, the Stonewater aren’t looking to take territory. We’re looking to use it, improve it, and share in its prosperity together. The same way that the Cloudtail did with their ventures in the warehouse district."

Their pack had indeed integrated successfully into that part of Vossden’s business community, thanks to some familial ties between their Omegas with some of our pack. Particularly the Whitecrest...

I wondered if that was what really bothered the former Gamma who worked with my predecessor? Not the territory itself, but the fear that our distinct pack identities would ultimately blend away into the human world around us.

As if the Lunar Goddess would hate us for working better together. If that was the case, why would she do things like bring a former Duskpaw into my life as my fated mate?

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