"We are training more," Ann said. "And we have sent missives out hoping to hear back from some mixed bloods with healing skill who want to work openly. They will be placed under Dark Moon supervision for the first weeks and they will not work alone. Any pack that threatens them will lose access to their service."
The Alpha of Gold Oaks grimaced.
"You are going to make me behave, aren't you? Healers are in such short supply they're worth their weight in gold."
"Precisely," Ann said with a little smile. "And you will thank me when your second's lungs stop collapsing in the cold because a mixed blood put a healing weave in their blood that a wolf could not."
That earned Ann a few chuckles of admiration and the tension in the room lifted slightly. She let the relief settle and then tapped the table once.
"Now, Oaths.I want your words that you will stick to this and you know as well as I do that this is binding."
The room went still. They all knew it was coming.
Ann stood but she didn't ask for them to kneel. She didn't make a show of it. She just waited until each alpha had stepped forward to the head of the table.
Black Crag spoke first, voice clear and a little gruff, but honest all the same.
"Black Crag swears to the Alpha Queen's banner until the Lycan King falls and our dead are counted. We will not break pact while the enemy still stands."
Ethereum followed. "Ethereum swears as stated. We will not split ranks and will keep our word."
"Stone Lakes swears to you, Queen Ann. Not to the council. Not to any elder. To you."
And finally, The Alpha of Gold Oaks ground the words out. "Gold Oaks swears to the banner. Don't make me say it twice."
The other less vocal leaders came one at a time. Some spoke with pride, others with resignation but all of them sealed it with honest intent and not just pretty words. Ann took each vow and set it where it belonged.
Adam moved one step closer to her. He did not interrupt or add language, but he stood where she could feel him so that she knew he was proud of her. Although his pride radiated from him, Ann could still feel the fear that sat under it all, as plainly as the bruises that still shadowed his face.
When the last oath was spoken, Ann lifted a hand.
"Then listen closely, these oaths bind you to fight with us and follow the standards I have set today. They do not bind you to smile at a Lycan or invite a mixed blood to dinner. I am not interested in your hospitality, I am interested in your discipline and your results. If you break either, I will act. If you hold both, I will put my entire house between your people and the Lycan King."
She looked from face to face as she spoke and no one challenged her, and no one looked away.
"Then we are done," Ann said with a smile, "Go run your lists, take a moment to relax and you can all report at dawn."
The sound of chairs scraping and papers sliding into satchels filled the room as Beta's gathered their alphas with quick, quiet efficiency and ushered them out whispering quietly about the plan of action. The hall emptied in layers until it was only Ann, Adam, Eva, Coral, and two guards left at the door.
Eva let out a breath and slumped in her chair.
"That was a work of art, my Queen."
It was certainly work."Ann grumbled as she rubbed at her aching neck.
Coral grinned widely.
"At least it was work that ended with people not trying to strangle each other. I'm counting it as a miracle."
Adam did not smile as he stepped in front of Ann and searched her face.
"You held them accountable and you didn't even flinch when they challenged you. Please sit for five minutes before you go and try to solve the next problem."
"I will," Ann said with a smile, reaching up and kissing him on the lips softly.
She leaned back in the chair and let her shoulders drop.
"Make sure the oaths are recorded and filed, and send the healer placements to Ethereum first. She'll make the best use of them I think."
Eva nodded and moved to the side table to start the paperwork as Coral set a cup into Ann's hand and hovered until she took a drink. Adam stayed where he was, close enough to catch her if she tipped forward, far enough away not to cage her.
"You bound them all," Maeve purred,happily, "Not with pretty words, with stubbornness and rules that they would rather avoid. You tied the packs tighter together than most bloodlines."
Ann didn't answer out loud, instead she watched the door where the packs had left and pictured the map of the outer rings as the new rotations clicked into place. It wouldn't hold without constant pressure from the Alpha's, and they wouldn't fold if she kept her hands on them.
"A handful of leaders is still easier to manage than a campful of unruly packs.".Maeve grinned, "Savour the win this time and don't overthink things. Today was a victory."
Ann smiled to herself and then stood, stretching loudly before turning to Eva.
"Right. That's enough rest. Get me the first rotation confirmations as soon as they come in. I want to see who misses a check-in."
Adam's mouth curved into a soft smile for a second and then it was gone.
"You will see everything as soon as I do."
"Good," Ann said. "Because I mean to hold them to every line they swore."
Ann gathered the folders she needed for the afternoon and headed for the door with Adam falling into step beside her. The packs weren't at peace but they were bound enough to hold a truce at least.
It was fragile. It was conditional, but at least it was real.