Salvatore declared, spreading his robes with a flourish before assuming his own seat. The circle of ancient wolves obediently took their seats at the scarred round table. Salvatore glanced around the circle, nodding in acknowledgement at old friends and even older enemies. They were the Council of Elders, the Brotherhood of surviving alpha patriarchs from each governing family of the seven world regions. As Grand Master, Salvatore was leader and alpha to them all. For now. There were those who would like nothing more than to see him fall hard from grace. He would do anything to prevent that from happening. “May the light of the Almighty guide our actions as we fulfill our sacred obligation to defend mankind and rid the earth of the demons of darkness,” Salvatore intoned. “Amen,” the Council members resounded in unison. “My brothers, you have been summoned to this gathering at the request of Brother Mark Wolf.
