Page 86 of Chasing Savannah
Chapter 27
Carlos stared up at the unassuming brick building that was the current location for the panther council meeting. Brianne told him it rotated every month. It was his first council meeting…ever. Up until the day he’d merged his prowl with the Tampa one, theirs had been too small for representation at the Tri-City’s council. There had been twenty of them, small by anyone’s standards and with no territory of their own. Their lack of representation had made it easy for the tri-city alphas to run them out of town.
Not now.
Now, they had both territory and the manpower to claim a place on the Florida panther council. And not just that, Brianne had informed them that they were also on the high council. That council consisted of every species of shifter in Florida. Pride tightened his chest, that and a smidge of panic. It was a huge responsibility, one he wasn’t all too sure he was ready for. He adjusted the cable knit sweater he wore, cursing Florida’s seemingly year round heat. He ran a hand down the front of his black slacks, knocking off imagined dust.
“Stop it, you’re more than prepared for this.” Derrick stood in front of him, blocking his view.
He nodded at his best friend, adjusted the heavy gold watch on his arm and took a deep breath. He let his claws grow on his hands until they were fine points. His panther bucked for more control, but he quashed the animal. Subtle would be better for this first meeting.
“Remember, start as we mean to go on.” Derrick whispered.
Brianne’s sports car pulled up in the space next to them. She got out, she wore a pair of skinny navy blue slacks and a stark white button down, tucked into her trim waist. Her face all business. “Are we ready?”
They all filed in behind her and entered the building. Brianne waved to the receptionist and they entered a private elevator, hidden off to the side of the lobby. They were quiet, tension riding down the prowl link. Some he knew came from him. He suddenly wished for the calming touch of his mate. Though they’d talked last night, he hadn’t had the chance to see her. She claimed work, and while disgruntled, he couldn’t argue.
The elevator stopped on the fourth floor. There was a short hallway that led to double doors. Brianne opened both doors to let them in. The place was cavernous…and full. Carlos looked at Brianne and she raised an eyebrow but shook her head. Which meant it was not normal to have so many in attendance. They approached the large oak table in the center of the floor. They took the seats left in the middle of the table. Brianne and Theo sat first, with Carlos settling in the seat in the middle of them. The rest of his group lined up behind them, crowded among the other panthers.
His panther was riled, the alpha power in the room provoking it. He settled back in the chair and crossed his ankle over his knee. He’d been prepared for the shock to his senses, so he breathed deep and sent calming waves down the prowl link. The crew behind him visibly relaxed, the ease of their poses all the more intimidating in contradiction to the tense panthers surrounding them.
Brianne shot him a smile and pulled her tablet out of her purse. She greeted the council. “Gentlemen, I hadn’t realized every alpha would be here.” Undeterred by the silence, she pulled out her glasses and perched them on her nose. “If I may introduce the new Felix of the West Florida prowl, Carlos Ayala, and our Beta, Derrick Lincoln. Also, along with myself, Theo Santiago will be our council rep.” She introduced him to the neighboring Alphas, explaining their territories. Carlos met the eye of every alpha sitting, showing no sign of nervousness.
Brianne finished her introduction and settled back into her seat. “We’re ready to begin the meeting when you are.”
His gaze had skimmed over his biological father, but he didn’t linger. He studied the alphas, and the panthers they brought with them, searching for any smug faces. He saw curiosity, from the alphas, but the enforcers around the room all stood at the ready, their bored faces belying their alert postures.
“We weren’t aware your grandfather was looking for a new Felix.” Someone at the table commented, drawing his attention. “Or did this one sneak into town and take over a prowl.
Brianne gave them a scathing look. “Our prowl’s business is ours and no others.”
Yasim’s eyes narrowed. “You are Samella’s?”
Carlos inclined his head in agreement.
Yasim’s inhaled a long moment, taking in his scent. “How old are you?”
“Does it matter?” He asked almost bored like.
“There is a familial bond between this one and the Miami prowl.” One of the other alphas snarled. “What’s to stop you from consolidating your power, and taking more territory?”
Carlos kept his body language loose. “Yasim means nothing to me.”
Shocked silence met his statement, and the representatives around the table shuffled in discomfort.
Yasim growled, “You are the son she took from me.”
Carlos laughed. “Quite the revisionist history, Yasim. Everyone else tells the story different. My sister was ten at the time, but I trust her recollection of events more than yours. Either way, it doesn’t matter. My territory is mine and mine alone. We ain’t got shit to do with you or yours.”
Yasim stood and slapped his hands on the table. Everyone in the room tensed. “You are my family—”
“And what I said still stands. You are no more my father than the panther that sits beside you. You have no claim to anything of mine.” Carlos didn’t stand, didn’t raise his voice, just flexed his panther and his power.
The gazes in the room bounced between the two men.
“You think a new prowl has a chance against me?”
Brianne pushed her glasses up on her face. “Are you declaring war against a prowl who’s done nothing to you…in front of the whole council? Is that what we’re doing today?” Her voice was sharp, a verbal slap down that made every liaison wince.
