The meeting lasted another two hours. And although they were able to draw up a rough plan quickly, the main problem was surprisingly - to convince Brian to restrain his enthusiasm.
"Listen, Bri." - For the umpteenth time, Lana tried to convince her brother. - "What's the point of organizing a major international conflict, just cause of two people. Innocent people can be killed in skirmishes. Generals do not fight on the front line after all."
"But we can spur them on. How long do we have to wait for them to act? Hour? Two? And what if it'll take a whole week?" - continued to rage Brian.
"Dear, Greg said that Lana has her own plans for this Angela. She needs time." - Risa attempted to reassure the guy from her side. This conversation has been going around in a circle for an hour now. At first, Brian didn't particularly object to all of Greg's proposals, but when it turned out that for himself there was almost no role left - Alpha's nature leaped.
"Well, then at least let me participate in these plans. For example, I can dig some porn videos with this trashy woman. If there is none, then we'll make our owns". - readily suggested the blond guy.
"Hey! What do you mean to make your own porn? Want to die?! "- immediately shouted Risa, slapping him on the shoulder.
"Baby, I'm talking about the fact that my specialists from Winter Corp. can do anything you want, draw, compel, etc. Even the video of her stealing two gorillas from the zoo, and then doing some indecent stuff with them. Or a video where she cuts and eats a still-living baby seal, as it's cries and calls for mama. Believe me, the very next day she will not only find experiments on her porch." - began to list the man, like a shopping list.
"Ugh! No! God, Brian, stop it. It's disgusting! And no plans with excrement and other human waste!" - Lana begged, remembering how much-perverted imagination on the subject of revenge Brian had in his childhood.
" What if it's not human's?" - Immediately threw a new suggestion her brother. - "We can sprinkle a female raccoon's urine in heat over their house and wait until all the horny raccoons from the neighborhood get together for a party. I can even throw a hundred or so as an extra."
Everyone stared at Brian silently. Even Tony stopped glowing with joy and began taking notes.
"Um ... why raccoons?" - Looking up from his notebook, Tony finally asked. All transferred wondering looks at him.
"It's just that recently one of them got into our house, it has stirred everything up. Then... Do not ask. Brian still barking in his sleep sometimes. Now he considers them agents of Satan". - Risa decided to justify the behavior of his boyfriend with a pained expression.
"They are demonic spawns!" - spat out Brian furiously.
"Okay! That's far enough. Let's finished here all the topics about horny raccoons, gorillas' orgy and crying seals as a dish. TBrian, please do console all of this letter with Lana! Although I would prefer something more standard, such as hiring a killer or infecting her with a deadly virus that will make her look like Jabba the Hutt." - now everyone was staring at Greg.
"Nevermind..." - He continued ignoring everyone's attention. - "I believe that at this meeting can be considered closed. It's time to disperse. "
And although the final words were heard, and some even nodded in agreement, but no one took off. Tony felt a few sidelong glances on himself.
"What?" - He immediately asked, perplexed and looking around.
"Tony, there's this thing ... we still need to discuss several family issues. Could you ...?" - carefully began Greg.
" But I'm your family too! You said it to me yourself, at that time when ..."
" Let's drop this matter!" - Greg interrupted him instantly, - "Brian and Lana have a complicated family situation. They are not yet ready to share it with everyone else. So ..."
Anthony narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
" Something smells fishy here!" - He said carefully looking at the sincere face of his friend. Too earnest to be true.
"Okay," - Tony suddenly gave up too quickly. - "Greg, you know that you are to me like a long-lost twin brother. Not as good-looking as I am, but still. So if anything, you know where to find me."
Having said this, the man stood up and looked expectantly at Franky.
" Oh, yes! Right! - The big guy didn't realize right away that he also was not really part of the family circle here. So there was no choice. Otherwise Tony will start to doubt them even more.
When this couple left the office, an oppressive silence fell. Everyone was well aware that it was time to discuss the most pressing topic. And now Greg did not dare to start the conversation first.
***
" Do you think father already knows?" - Lana exhaled and quietly spoke, looking somewhere to the side. Brian winced, although he was quite expecting this question. His hands reached out for a napkin in their pocket, but Risa stopped him, intercepting and intertwining his fingers with her own. The man threw a grateful glance at his girlfriend, sighed and answered in a suddenly hardened voice.
"I think, yes. Although he had already completely retired several years ago from the corporation's matters and wholly concentrated on the affairs of the Council. But this morning all the newspapers were full of our photos. But I don't care! He must answer for what he did." - The last phrases he practically snarled. His eyes lit up again, but this time he did not hide his beastly nature and looked directly at Lana.
"I'm sure that he knew from the very beginning that you and this freak, Ralph, weren't Mates. Maybe he never imagined that this scumbag was capable of ... "- With these words, his nostrils began to flare. Imposing fangs appeared from under the upper lip, which prevented him from completing the sentence. It took Brian a few seconds to finally pull himself together and continue.
"In any case, now we still can't make this case public. He holds a respected position on the Council. Besides, he is an Alpha of one of the largest pack in the country. And the only way I see now is for me to challenge him."
"No," - Risa intervened quickly. - "This is not the only way out. There is some tension in the pack now, and for a long time already actually. Many are outraged that Mr. Winterbourne is simply using his fellow kinsmen as cheap labor. He does not care about the problems of the pack, and for the slightest offense he punishes his kins very cruelly. Lana, I think you need to talk to your mother first."
"As if she would listen to me!" - Ruslana immediately started to boil. - "She was always on His side. She didn't give a damn about us."
"You are mistaken, sis." - Brian said in a tired voice. - "Mom has changed a lot in recent years. A lot has happened. She grew softer. Mother regrets a lot and misses you too. I am sure that she will also be outraged when she finds out the whole truth. After all, they are not real Mates with father too. "
Lana froze, staring in astonishment at her brother. He shrugged. In just a couple of minutes of conversation, he has changed a lot. His shoulders hung as if under an invisible weight, and his face was tense and pale. The eyes from bright yellow become grayish beige, like sand.
" What the ...?" - finally managed to squeeze Lana.
"We learned about this ourselves just a few years ago when we first started dating with Risa. Father was against our relationship and let it slip out in a fit of rage. Mom did not deny. Then she took our side and helped a lot. She even saved Rice's life when she was in danger. Therefore, I am sure that she will understand and the whole pack will follow her. She is the only one who has maintained this delicate balance all these years." - With every word, Brian's voice became more confident. In the end, he looked into Lana's eyes trying to open his heart to her again, to show that he was solely with her in this, without reserve, and ready to fight.
Lana did not know what to say. Over the years there have been so many thoughts, fears, worries, and disappointments. She needed so much effort and courage to trust Greg. Take his hand. And now, suddenly, so many hands stretched toward her, and she felt lost.
Suddenly, Lana sensed the heat from the back and a shadow fell on her. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice how Greg approached her. Without asking her permission, he grabbed Lana around the waist, lifted her and set, placing the girl in his lap. It has become so warm, cozy and calm this instance. He was like a safe haven, keeping Lana from the outside world, sharing his confidence and strength. Greg gently stroked her back and secretly began to scratch her ear, hugging her closer with his second hand and putting his chin on the top of her head.
"I think Risa is right. It is better not to enter into an open confrontation at once. I do not understand very well the whole system of the werewolves. But as a businessman, I can say one thing. It is better to first examine all the moves and exits, evaluate the enemy and enlist maximum support. And we always have time to start large-scale military actions. In the extreme case, I know where to get a pair of wide-range missiles." - His voice sounded over Lana's head, the girl smiled, covering her eyes from pleasure. Only unlike Brian and Risa, she did not witness at this moment that Greg's eyes were not joking at all.
The meeting lasted another two hours. And although they were able to draw up a rough plan quickly, the main problem was surprisingly - to convince Brian to restrain his enthusiasm.
"Listen, Bri." - For the umpteenth time, Lana tried to convince her brother. - "What's the point of organizing a major international conflict, just cause of two people. Innocent people can be killed in skirmishes. Generals do not fight on the front line after all."
"But we can spur them on. How long do we have to wait for them to act? Hour? Two? And what if it'll take a whole week?" - continued to rage Brian.
"Dear, Greg said that Lana has her own plans for this Angela. She needs time." - Risa attempted to reassure the guy from her side. This conversation has been going around in a circle for an hour now. At first, Brian didn't particularly object to all of Greg's proposals, but when it turned out that for himself there was almost no role left - Alpha's nature leaped.
"Well, then at least let me participate in these plans. For example, I can dig some porn videos with this trashy woman. If there is none, then we'll make our owns". - readily suggested the blond guy.
"Hey! What do you mean to make your own porn? Want to die?! "- immediately shouted Risa, slapping him on the shoulder.
"Baby, I'm talking about the fact that my specialists from Winter Corp. can do anything you want, draw, compel, etc. Even the video of her stealing two gorillas from the zoo, and then doing some indecent stuff with them. Or a video where she cuts and eats a still-living baby seal, as it's cries and calls for mama. Believe me, the very next day she will not only find experiments on her porch." - began to list the man, like a shopping list.
"Ugh! No! God, Brian, stop it. It's disgusting! And no plans with excrement and other human waste!" - Lana begged, remembering how much-perverted imagination on the subject of revenge Brian had in his childhood.
" What if it's not human's?" - Immediately threw a new suggestion her brother. - "We can sprinkle a female raccoon's urine in heat over their house and wait until all the horny raccoons from the neighborhood get together for a party. I can even throw a hundred or so as an extra."
Everyone stared at Brian silently. Even Tony stopped glowing with joy and began taking notes.
"Um ... why raccoons?" - Looking up from his notebook, Tony finally asked. All transferred wondering looks at him.
"It's just that recently one of them got into our house, it has stirred everything up. Then... Do not ask. Brian still barking in his sleep sometimes. Now he considers them agents of Satan". - Risa decided to justify the behavior of his boyfriend with a pained expression.
"They are demonic spawns!" - spat out Brian furiously.
"Okay! That's far enough. Let's finished here all the topics about horny raccoons, gorillas' orgy and crying seals as a dish. TBrian, please do console all of this letter with Lana! Although I would prefer something more standard, such as hiring a killer or infecting her with a deadly virus that will make her look like Jabba the Hutt." - now everyone was staring at Greg.
"Nevermind..." - He continued ignoring everyone's attention. - "I believe that at this meeting can be considered closed. It's time to disperse. "
And although the final words were heard, and some even nodded in agreement, but no one took off. Tony felt a few sidelong glances on himself.
"What?" - He immediately asked, perplexed and looking around.
"Tony, there's this thing ... we still need to discuss several family issues. Could you ...?" - carefully began Greg.
" But I'm your family too! You said it to me yourself, at that time when ..."
" Let's drop this matter!" - Greg interrupted him instantly, - "Brian and Lana have a complicated family situation. They are not yet ready to share it with everyone else. So ..."
Anthony narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
" Something smells fishy here!" - He said carefully looking at the sincere face of his friend. Too earnest to be true.
"Okay," - Tony suddenly gave up too quickly. - "Greg, you know that you are to me like a long-lost twin brother. Not as good-looking as I am, but still. So if anything, you know where to find me."
Having said this, the man stood up and looked expectantly at Franky.
" Oh, yes! Right! - The big guy didn't realize right away that he also was not really part of the family circle here. So there was no choice. Otherwise Tony will start to doubt them even more.
When this couple left the office, an oppressive silence fell. Everyone was well aware that it was time to discuss the most pressing topic. And now Greg did not dare to start the conversation first.
***
" Do you think father already knows?" - Lana exhaled and quietly spoke, looking somewhere to the side. Brian winced, although he was quite expecting this question. His hands reached out for a napkin in their pocket, but Risa stopped him, intercepting and intertwining his fingers with her own. The man threw a grateful glance at his girlfriend, sighed and answered in a suddenly hardened voice.
"I think, yes. Although he had already completely retired several years ago from the corporation's matters and wholly concentrated on the affairs of the Council. But this morning all the newspapers were full of our photos. But I don't care! He must answer for what he did." - The last phrases he practically snarled. His eyes lit up again, but this time he did not hide his beastly nature and looked directly at Lana.
"I'm sure that he knew from the very beginning that you and this freak, Ralph, weren't Mates. Maybe he never imagined that this scumbag was capable of ... "- With these words, his nostrils began to flare. Imposing fangs appeared from under the upper lip, which prevented him from completing the sentence. It took Brian a few seconds to finally pull himself together and continue.
"In any case, now we still can't make this case public. He holds a respected position on the Council. Besides, he is an Alpha of one of the largest pack in the country. And the only way I see now is for me to challenge him."
"No," - Risa intervened quickly. - "This is not the only way out. There is some tension in the pack now, and for a long time already actually. Many are outraged that Mr. Winterbourne is simply using his fellow kinsmen as cheap labor. He does not care about the problems of the pack, and for the slightest offense he punishes his kins very cruelly. Lana, I think you need to talk to your mother first."
"As if she would listen to me!" - Ruslana immediately started to boil. - "She was always on His side. She didn't give a damn about us."
"You are mistaken, sis." - Brian said in a tired voice. - "Mom has changed a lot in recent years. A lot has happened. She grew softer. Mother regrets a lot and misses you too. I am sure that she will also be outraged when she finds out the whole truth. After all, they are not real Mates with father too. "
Lana froze, staring in astonishment at her brother. He shrugged. In just a couple of minutes of conversation, he has changed a lot. His shoulders hung as if under an invisible weight, and his face was tense and pale. The eyes from bright yellow become grayish beige, like sand.
" What the ...?" - finally managed to squeeze Lana.
"We learned about this ourselves just a few years ago when we first started dating with Risa. Father was against our relationship and let it slip out in a fit of rage. Mom did not deny. Then she took our side and helped a lot. She even saved Rice's life when she was in danger. Therefore, I am sure that she will understand and the whole pack will follow her. She is the only one who has maintained this delicate balance all these years." - With every word, Brian's voice became more confident. In the end, he looked into Lana's eyes trying to open his heart to her again, to show that he was solely with her in this, without reserve, and ready to fight.
Lana did not know what to say. Over the years there have been so many thoughts, fears, worries, and disappointments. She needed so much effort and courage to trust Greg. Take his hand. And now, suddenly, so many hands stretched toward her, and she felt lost.
Suddenly, Lana sensed the heat from the back and a shadow fell on her. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice how Greg approached her. Without asking her permission, he grabbed Lana around the waist, lifted her and set, placing the girl in his lap. It has become so warm, cozy and calm this instance. He was like a safe haven, keeping Lana from the outside world, sharing his confidence and strength. Greg gently stroked her back and secretly began to scratch her ear, hugging her closer with his second hand and putting his chin on the top of her head.
"I think Risa is right. It is better not to enter into an open confrontation at once. I do not understand very well the whole system of the werewolves. But as a businessman, I can say one thing. It is better to first examine all the moves and exits, evaluate the enemy and enlist maximum support. And we always have time to start large-scale military actions. In the extreme case, I know where to get a pair of wide-range missiles." - His voice sounded over Lana's head, the girl smiled, covering her eyes from pleasure. Only unlike Brian and Risa, she did not witness at this moment that Greg's eyes were not joking at all.
