Chapter 157: Bonus - *
He continued, "There would be no freeloaders. Taking their resources, like money, food, materials would make the West Wood Pack members feel a little comfortable, while it would offset your pack member’s complaint and dissatisfaction. After all, no one wants to be inconvenienced by freeloaders."
"Besides," he added, "Who wouldn’t want to leave a pack that is being hunted by monsters daily? Trust they’d do everything to leave, even giving their wealth and half their lives." Ryder had lived enough to know how living things were.
Reana thought about it. What he said made sense. She liked it.
The West Wood Pack still has merchants bringing them goods every week. Reana could order them to stock up more on food, medicine, and clothes. And with her pack’s resources combined with theirs, they all might just make it through the harsh winter.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice firm. "Let’s do it. We’ll take over the West Wood Pack and prepare them for the winter fury..." she trailed off and frowned as she voiced her concern.
"Taking over the West Wood Pack would require the council of Alphas to acknowledge me as the rightful leader. But after what happened with Alpha Killian, I’m not sure that’s going to be possible."
"Do you care about their acknowledgement so much?" he asked, his voice low and even. "Does what they say matter? You could choose to do what you want and I’ll be solemnly behind you."
Reana shook her head, "That’s not how it works, Ryder. The pack is a complex system, and the Alphas have a say in who leads. If you try to force it, there will be resistance, and it could lead to war or we’d be ostracized."
Ryder’s expression remained calm, but Reana could sense a hint of amusement in his voice. "Are you afraid of war and to be ostracized?"