Instead, Cameron looked like an overbred aristocrat. His glance was haughty instead of warm, as Howard’s had been. He surveyed the Howlers with a superior smile before mounting the steps to the dais. Although he shook hands with Neil, and after that with Howard, neither of the other Weres smiled.
Heidi leaned toward Kate. “Methinks our boy is not very popular.”
“Methinks you’re right.”
“But he supports the Howler position, so we gotta vote for him.”
“Yes, we do.”
Neil called for other nominations, and when there were none, he asked for volunteers to pass out and collect ballots. With only two candidates the voting went quickly. Kate had arranged for one Howler, one Woofer, and one undeclared delegate to be present as a staff member counted the ballots at a table in the back of the room.
Heidi turned to watch the counting. “If this becomes an annual event, you might have to introduce a more sophisticated system.”
“Like voting booths and electronic ballots?”
“Well, no, but something more official than four people and a legal pad.”
Kate laughed. “You’re right, but Grandma Elizabeth said we didn’t have to get fancy this time, so we didn’t. The three watchdogs will keep anyone from challenging the results, and I can promise you the resort staffer doesn’t care who wins. Grandma Elizabeth won’t allow her staff to be political, especially at this conference.”
“I hate to tell you, but I think it’s a foregone conclusion. Even if all the Howlers vote for Cameron, and there’s only about seventy of us, there are quite a few undeclared delegates sitting in the back. The Woofers will give Howard sixty or seventy votes, and I’ll bet the undeclared Weres go for Howard, too. He just looks presidential.”
“When you’re right, you’re right.” Kate wasn’t surprised when Howard was named the first president of the first-ever Were Council. It was a setback for the Howlers, but she’d always heard that Howard Wallace was fair and open-minded. She wasn’t giving up hope for her cause, but she grew very tired of hearing an endless chorus of woof, woof, woof.
Duncan believed in his cause. Hell, he was passionate about his cause. He’d devoted considerable effort toward building a coalition that would bring a new era of openness and cooperation between Weres and humans.
And yet, he hated seeing Kate’s disappointment. He didn’t want her faction to triumph during this conference, but she’d worked hard, too, as hard as he had. She’d just suffered a defeat, and he could see in her expression that she wasn’t happy.
Sometime in the past eighteen hours her happiness had come to matter to him. But he was on the horns of a dilemma, because in order for her to be happy, he had to give up the fight. He wasn’t going to do that, which meant that he was actively working to make her unhappy. Damn.
Once Howard had been declared the president of the fledgling council, which Duncan had thoroughly expected to happen, the delegates had to elect six council members to serve with Howard. Nominations flew furiously, punctuated by a chorus of woofs or howls, depending on the candidate.
Duncan anticipated that he’d be one of them and so would Kate. He wasn’t sure how that would work out, but at least he’d have an excuse to be near her instead of sitting on the opposite side of a large room. That had been no fun at all.
When the dust finally settled and council members had been nominated and voted on, the council consisted of Duncan; Kate; Jake Hunter, from Alaska; Knox Trevelyan, from Seattle; Nadia Henderson, from Chicago; and Giselle Landry, from San Francisco. Duncan was the only international member. He assumed that was because a fair number of the delegates were from the US and would logically vote for US delegates.
Howard had taken over the mike from Neil, thank God. Duncan wasn’t sure he could have stomached much more of Neil’s self-congratulatory style. Interestingly, Elizabeth Stillman had not yet addressed the conference goers. Duncan hadn’t met Kate’s grandmother, and he was becoming curious.
He’d had a short but terrific visit with both Aidan and Roarke Wallace during the break to count the votes for the council members. He’d met Aidan’s mate, Emma, the novelist he’d interviewed online for his book, and Roarke’s mate, Abby, a redhead who was recovering from a bad sunburn after accompanying Roarke on one of his archaeological digs in Africa.
Both Wallace brothers would help Duncan’s cause, and with their father as the new president of the Were Council, Duncan considered his chances of success were good. He doubted that Kate had the same confidence. He longed to talk with her, but that might not be possible. Angela Sapworthy prowled the perimeter of the hall, searching out juicy tidbits. He didn’t want her to find any that involved either him or Kate.
After announcing the names of the new council members, Howard asked for a recess so that the newly elected representatives could meet and decide on a course of action. Duncan’s hopes shot up. He might finally have a chance for a few quiet words with Kate.
Howard motioned his six council members to the front of the dais. “Kate’s informed me that there’s a small meeting room right through that door.” He pointed to his left. “She said the staff has put some coffee, tea, and a few snacks in there. Make yourselves at home and I’ll be right along. Those who don’t know each other, introduce yourselves.”
Duncan glanced over at Kate. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.” Her smile was brief, as if she didn’t dare meet his gaze for too long.
He understood. They had a potentially volatile situation and had to be careful. But he hoped she knew that when he’d mentioned the coffee, he wanted to remind her of the mug she’d brought him first thing this morning, when all she’d been wearing was a robe, and he’d worn nothing at all.
“I know the presidential election didn’t go the way you wanted,” he said.
“No, it didn’t.” She gave him a quick glance. “What the heck did you do with that crown?”
“I told them I was afraid it would get damaged, so I took it up to my room for safekeeping. My plan is to keep it there for the duration.”
She laughed softly. “I knew you’d think of something.”
“I must have looked like the egomaniac you’ve accused me of being when I let them put it on me. I saw you on the far side of the lobby taking in the whole damned spectacle.”
“I didn’t think you looked like an egomaniac. You looked like a Were trapped in an impossible situation.”
He sighed with relief. “I’m glad you didn’t think I liked the idea. Did the Howlers try a stunt like that with you?”
“They wanted to, but my assistant headed them off, so I didn’t have to—”
“Excuse me for interrupting, but I want to make sure I introduce myself to you, Kate.” Jake Hunter fell into step beside her. “I hope this isn’t a private conversation.”
“Not at all,” Kate said immediately.
Yes, it bloody well is. But Duncan had no right to say that.
“I didn’t join your Howler movement because I live in a fairly remote area of Alaska and my Internet reception is dicey,” Jake said. “But I fully support your cause.”
“Thank you, Jake. That’s good to know.”
Duncan found himself bristling. Who did this Jake think he was, butting in like that? Then reason reasserted itself. Jake was a fellow council member and a supporter of HOWL. Of course he’d want to connect with Kate.
Except Duncan didn’t want him to do that. Jake had the makings of a rival. From his build, he must be a lumberjack or some other outdoorsy occupation. His dark, wavy hair hung to his shoulders and his green eyes were trained with far too much interest on Kate.
“So, Jake,” Duncan said. “Did you leave your mate back home tending to your offspring?”
“No,” Jake said. “I haven’t been lucky enough to find the right Were. Alaska’s population is small, and its population of Weres even smaller. But that doesn’t mean I’m interested in mating with a human female. That’s just wrong.”
&nb
sp; “I doubt the Wallace brothers would agree with you,” Duncan said.
“I’m sure they wouldn’t, but I consider their actions dangerous to the general Were population. As you may or may not know, all the packs in North America, including the Wallaces, are descended from the Alaskan Weres. When Kate talks about honoring our legacy, she’s referring to the traditions handed down from those first Weres in Alaska. That’s important.”
Duncan wasn’t about to be intimidated by tradition or Jake Hunter. “As a Scotsman, I’m very aware of the value of tradition. It can be a warm and wonderful part of any culture. But when it becomes a straitjacket that limits the options of that culture, then—”
“MacDowell, you’re not going to convince me, so you might as well save your breath.”
“And we’re here,” Kate said as they reached the door. “Shall we go in and have some coffee?” She walked through the door.
Duncan eyed Jake as they stood shoulder to shoulder, neither one ready to let the other go in first.
“Excuse me.” A tall, willowy female with dark red hair approached. She wore a purple Howler T-shirt. “I’m Giselle Landry from San Francisco. Is there a problem?”
“No!” Duncan and Jake said together as they quickly separated to allow access to the room.
“I’m Jake Hunter, by the way.” Jake held out his hand to Giselle. “And I support the Howler cause.”
“Nice to meet you, Jake.” She shook his hand.
“And I’m Duncan MacDowell.” Duncan extended his hand and wished he’d done it before Jake.
Giselle accepted his handshake. “Oh, I know who you are. Everyone does. I think you’re cute, but crazy. Can’t go along with your ideas at all. Sorry.”
“Well, then, Giselle,” Jake said. “You and I have something in common. How about sharing a cup of java with me?”
“I’d be delighted, Jake.” The two of them went inside.
“I heard Howard say ‘coffee’ and I could use a jolt of caffeine.” The female who approached was easily as tall as Giselle, but she had long black hair that hung straight down her back and a model’s sense of style. She wasn’t wearing a purple shirt or buttons proclaiming any allegiance.
By process of elimination, Duncan figured out who she was. “You must be Nadia Henderson.”
“I am.” Her handshake was warm. “And you’re Duncan, of course. Aidan and Emma are big fans.”
“You know them?”
She laughed. “I keep forgetting that news doesn’t always travel across the ocean. I was pledged to Aidan for years, but then he ended up choosing Emma, instead.”
“You don’t seem very upset about it.”
“I was at first, but they’re so happy. Besides, I’ve found my own true love, Aidan’s cousin Quentin. It all worked out.”
“So how do you feel about Were-human mating, since you obviously know the Wallaces so well?”
“I’m not sure. If the human is completely trustworthy, like Emma, or for that matter Roarke’s mate, Abby, then fine. But I think there are some dangers there, if the wrong person finds out about us.”
“Hey, folks, are we going to debate this issue out here or go in where there’s coffee and eats to sustain us?” The last council member came over and greeted them both with a smile. “I’m Knox.” He shook hands first with Nadia and then with Duncan.
“Knox Trevelyan.” Nadia pointed a finger at him. “You own a commuter flight operation in Seattle, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“And you were the one who transported that Bigfoot mated pair for my friend Roarke Wallace.”
Knox wrinkled his nose. “I was. Smelliest job I’ve ever had, hands down. Hope never to have to do that again.”
“Now, that’s something I want to hear about,” Duncan said. “Let’s go in.”
“That was my plan.” Knox gestured for Nadia to precede him.
As Duncan started through the door, he was brought up short by Howard’s voice behind him.
“Wait a minute, Duncan. I need to ask you a favor.”
“Oh?” Duncan stopped and glanced at Howard in surprise. “How can I help you?”
“I’ve been talking to Elizabeth, and the two of us have come up with a plan. I hope you’ll like it.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“We have two strong factions at this conference, and somehow we need to make sure those factions don’t divide us before we even have a name for the organization we’re trying to form. I think we need a mission statement, and you’re a writer.”
“I’d be more than happy to take a crack at it.” Howard’s election as president was already paying dividends. He’d write a mission statement that helped pave the way for more openness between Weres and humans. He began crafting it in his head.
“That’s good to hear, but Elizabeth and I thought it would be beneficial if you and Kate worked on it together.”
He went very still. “Together?”
“I know it’s a bit unorthodox, and of course I have to make sure Kate’s willing. But Elizabeth and I thought if the two of you crafted the statement, then both Howlers and Woofers would accept it.”
Duncan was no longer thinking about the mission statement. That issue had been eclipsed by the prospect of spending time alone with Kate, time that had been blessed by none other than the council president himself.
Howard studied him. “You seem a bit taken aback. Do you think you can handle the job?”
Duncan had no idea. The potential problems could be enormous. They might end up arguing endlessly about the wording, but at least he’d have a reason to be with her. And maybe, just maybe, they’d actually settle their major differences. Miracles did happen.
He nodded. “Absolutely. If Kate agrees, that is.”
“I think she will, especially if I mention that her grandmother recommended her for the job. Now, let’s go get a cup of coffee.”
Duncan gestured toward the open door. “After you, Mr. Wallace.”
“Howard, please. We’ll all be working very hard, and I don’t want anyone standing on ceremony.”
“All right, Howard. But you still get to go ahead of me through that door. That much is bred into me.”
Howard chuckled. “Fine.”
Once Howard was through the door, Duncan closed his eyes and clenched his fist in victory. He had been assigned to work with Kate. Jake hadn’t been assigned the job. Knox hadn’t, either. Just him. Life was definitely looking up.
Chapter 9
Sniffer Update: @newshound—Kate Stillman and Duncan MacDowell to coauthor Were organization’s mission statement. WTF? #gridlock
As Howard proposed his plan to Kate, she carefully avoided looking at Duncan. He stood in a far corner chatting with Knox Trevelyan as the council members waited for Howard to finish his conversation with Kate. No one had taken a seat at the rectangular wooden table for eight that dominated the center of the room.
“I realize I’m asking a lot.” Howard sipped black coffee absently, but his gray eyes were trained on Kate and only Kate.
She held a cup of coffee in both hands but didn’t drink it. Her tummy was already churning from this unexpected suggestion. Judging from Howard’s ability to focus so completely on her, she had no trouble imagining him as the successful head of Wallace Enterprises of New York, one of the wealthiest werewolf conglomerates in the world. His personal charisma aside, he was better-known than Cameron Gentry, so his election as president probably had been assured from the beginning.
“Time is an issue,” Howard continued. “Not only is the schedule packed with seminars, but we’ve had to eliminate most of the breaks to make up for the late start.”
“Which is because of Duncan and me. I’m sorry we delayed everything.”
“Couldn’t be helped, and there was no point in starting until you were both here. Once Elizabeth knew when to expect you, she had everything under control. But I don’t think you and Duncan will have any chance to hash this out during th
e day, and I’d like to have a rough draft by tomorrow. When he agreed to do this, I didn’t think to mention to him that it would have to be after hours.”
“So you’re suggesting we work on it tonight?” She did her level best to make that sound like a sacrifice when inside she was spinning with excitement. They had an excuse to be alone tonight! Yes, they’d have to work on this project, but when they’d finished…She pushed the resulting image out of her mind as she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“I hate to ask it of you, but I think it’s the sensible solution.”
Yes, throw me in that briar patch! “I agree, and I’m sure Duncan will, too.” She hadn’t a doubt in her mind.
“Good, then it’s settled. I want the two of you to get away from the warring factions and just talk to each other about how we can unite this group under one banner. If the two of you can’t come to an understanding, then we have no chance to create something worthwhile this weekend.”
“We’ll do our best.” She clutched her coffee cup and worked to subdue the trembling produced by a sudden adrenaline rush.
Howard lowered his voice. “I realize you each have to play to your base with all the Sniffs and so on, but I have confidence in a more meaningful dialogue.”
“You mean something that can’t be said in a hundred and forty characters or less.”
“Exactly. I’ve known your grandmother for years. She assures me you’re an intelligent and sensible Were. I respect your convictions, Kate, but a standoff between Woofers and Howlers wouldn’t be constructive for our brand-new organization.”
Her joy dimmed a little. Yes, she was being given a chance to spend time alone with Duncan, but what were Howard’s motives for that? After all, he had two sons who’d mated with human females. One other Howler had been elected to the council—Giselle—and one Howler sympathizer—Jake.
Nadia wore no identifying buttons, but she couldn’t be a strong Woofer supporter or she’d have indicated that somehow. Knox was also without campaign buttons. Maybe Howard thought the scales were balanced in the Howlers’ favor and hoped Duncan could change her thinking.
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