Chapter 76

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "What meeting?"

"Just a little while ago I got a message asking if I can arrange talks between the parties."

"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed, looking at Charles with widening eyes. "But I don't see what I can do except raise hackles from one side."

"I need you to come and just be yourself. Waft, maybe, a little."

"Waft?"

"That lovely scent of yours."

Charles and Amy worked tirelessly to get the heads of many city departments and their overseeing bosses together in one room as quickly as possible, and two days later we were all sitting around a table in a conference room at City Hall, similar to the ones Matilda and I had tried to get to a few weeks ago for a hearing.

Charles was thoughtful enough to think that no one wanted to negotiate on an empty stomach, and so had brought in a caterer. A buffet table of pastries, donuts, and coffee lined the back of the room.

Each person arrived to find a notebook and a fresh pen at their place at the table, indicated by a name plate that was set up with both the department they belonged to and the number of years they'd worked for the city.

No one present had anything less than a decade and I marveled at the breath of experience the people coming brought to the discussions.

Charles had strategically placed me in front of an air duct and made sure I had water and a jacket so I wouldn't dry out as the air blew past me into the room.

Where I sat off to the side, I could see almost everyone but still stay out of things, as I requested. This was Charles' arena, not mine, and it became obvious the moment people started walking into the room that he was in his element.

He greeted people, remembered who everyone was, made them feel important and yet easily maintained his authority. It helped that he stood head and shoulders above everyone in the room.

Despite the obvious tension in the air, Charles looked cool and collected, and when he began to speak no one dared interrupt him.

He started strong, saying things had developed in a disturbing way into other cities as well but that it was their duty to make sure the inhabitants of Lustrum were safe and free to live the lives they wanted no matter what happened elsewhere.

Mr. Culpepper stood up in the middle of it and then sat back down when Charles' eyes turned toward him. Despite his years of position and power, Culpepper was unable to stand up under a true Alpha's glare.

"And I hope we can all work together. As Mr. Culpepper has stood up, it appears he is eager to speak. Thank you for waiting patiently, Mr. Culpepper. What are you so eager to bring to the floor before we even start the talks?"

Culpepper wilted slightly, but cleared his throat. "This video that is circulating, the one that allegedly shows me making a deal with non-werewolves. I want everyone to know it is slanderous, and obviously a faked video."

"I'm glad to hear that," Charles said. "No one wants to think that one of our leading citizens would betray our people that way."

There was an uncomfortable shifting around the conference room, many of the workers glaring at Culpepper. From the majority of the expressions, no one believed the video was faked. One or two males, however, frowned at Charles and then Culpepper.

"Let me tell you what I've heard," Charles said, standing and pacing slowly around the room so that each person present could feel his energy. "The heads of the city departments know what to do to fix things. They are the people who work every day in their fields, and you can see on their name plates how many years of service and how much experience they all have. They also are here, willing to work together if their overhead fails them."

All eyes followed Charles. "They are willing to work without pay for a as long as possible, but they will be telling the people very loudly if there is a lack of cooperation from above. It would look better if there was a united front, if the leaders would start supporting the workers again and paying attention to the programs."

"We aren't just not doing our job," a male next to Culpepper objected. "We have reasons."

"Then sharing those would help us all understand, and I think transparency is one of the main things this side is asking for, correct?" Charles looked at the side of the table with the workers who nodded vigorously. "Simple rejection of proposals or denial of funds are not going to cut it anymore, so yes, please help your people understand."

"I for one am more than ready to have these talks," a City Hall man two down from Culpepper said. "I've wanted to for a while and have been directed to stand down to show solidarity, but I'm done. Even a hint of scandal with other shifters is too much for me. I'm for Lustrum and I always have been."

"Don't be so hasty, Wessle," Culpepper said. "Can't you see this is a blatant power grab by Rafe Media?"

A small uproar went around the room at that. Charles calmly kept walking, though he gave Amy a small nod, and she pushed some buttons on the remote control for the thermostat. I felt the air kick in behind me and start blowing into the room.

The people in front of me instantly mellowed. It was bizarre to see how my scent was moving invisibly around the room as little by little people began to calm.

Finally, Culpepper and one other were the only two talking, and they were mostly ranting at each other and confirming each other's conspiracy theories concerning Charles.

"Gentlemen," Charles said softly, and they stopped. "I am here to get things going and to check in. I will not be involved in the politics as I have enough to deal with as it is. The only thing I will do is publish stories about how well you all have decided to work together. Or not."

"You may be the Alpha here," Culpepper said, beginning to sound belligerent. "But I see what you're up to. You can't fool me. Just wait, I'm going to make sure you and your girlfriend go down. What's she doing sitting in the corner over there by the way?"

To my surprise, someone beat Charles to an answer. "You leave her out of this and pick on someone your own size," Wessle said. "If you're not going to be productive, then you'd better leave. I'd like to get some work done today."

A cheer went up around the table and Culpepper stood, throwing down his pen. "You all are in contempt of our system. This is criminal."

People shook their heads and waved as he gathered his belongings. The other male who was next to him also got up to leave. At the door Culpepper turned to begin yelling again and the officer standing at the door pulled him out and shut the door before he could say more than a few words.

There were cheers all around the table as the door slammed.

"Now," Charles said, beaming around at everyone. "You all know who your corresponding heads of departments are sitting at the opposite ends of the table. We were optimistic and have smaller rooms set aside for you to have discussions in."

Amy handed out papers with room assignments.

"Let's meet back here in two hours and settle on a follow-up date for this oversight committee. I also expect for you to set your own meeting times amongst yourselves as I know you'll need to be in constant communication. If you need anything, I am at your disposal."

For the next two hours, Charles, Amy and I did our own work from laptops set up in the meeting room, but there was a giddy air of expectation.

A few times Charles got up and wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my hair.

"She's our secret weapon for sure," Amy said, smiling at us.

"It's so weird to see people's reactions," I said. "I'm not used to it. I don't know what's happened."

"Maybe it's love?" Amy said, and gave me a wink. "It brings out the best in some people."

When people came back, looking tired but satisfied, it was clear there had been progress.

"So, how did it go?" Charles asked, looking around the expectant faces. "Will Lustrum stand?"