Roses and lust filled Felix' nose even long after he and Sera had parted ways to prepare for the meeting that night. He stood upon a balcony outside his own room in the castle, now dressed and ready for the meeting. He closed his eyes, a blissful smile resting on his face as he thought about how the rest of the evening after the council would play out. A powerful hand clapped onto his shoulder before being joined by a voice full of disgust.

"Again I approach you, and once more you reek of corpse, brother," Adrian said.

Felix smirked and shook his head, "That is because you take after father and scents are what you believe them to be. Your mind fools your nose," Felix replied, having not opened his eyes as he breathed the fresh air from so high up.

"I disagree... perhaps I am merely more attuned to it than you are," Adrian argued with clear disdain, crossing his arms. "It's a disgrace... But it's also none of my business," He stated before stepping away. "I'll see you at the meeting, brother... Do try to be civil."

"I'm always civil, Adrian, but thank you for your concern," Felix waved his hand in farewell before looking out to the forest. It sure did feel like a fine afternoon for a walk - help him gather his thoughts before the meeting...

-----

Finnegan O'Shaugnessy, a large, middle-aged brute of a man looked to the rest of his pack. He was now two-hundred-and-fifty years old and the Alpha of the most esteemed pack in the world. Soon, he was to hand off the gauntlet to Felix Allistor and take his retirement in stride. However, the leader-to-be had yet to appear, though it was unlike him to be late for anything. The Alpha looked over the others before resting his eyes wearily on Adrian and beckoning him forward.

"Adrian... You will be my right-hand this evening, understood? Don't speak and don't look at anybody wrong. We just need somebody in that chair and the others can relate you to him, even if you aren't. Speak [i]only[/i] when spoken to, and only the bare minimum. I've been doing this for nearly a hundred years... Just... Do not ruin it," He said sharply.

Adrian shook his head, "Sir, with all due respect... This is not a good idea... I believe perhaps you would be better to take another in until Felix returns - after all, whatever is keeping him is certainly important and he will likely return soon, yes?"

"You will do as I say. For this evening, you [i]are[/i] your brother until we can find him once more." The Alpha looked down somberly - he was still required to step down... If Felix did not return, then he would inevitably have to crown Adrian in his place.

Finally, Finnegan looked around at the highly ranked members of his pack who had all been invited to observe the meeting, placing his hands behind his back. "All of you, listen. Felix, our brother, has not yet returned to the castle... He left earlier and there has yet to be any word from him; in order to keep from delaying the meeting, Adrian shall be joining me at the delegation. As far as all of you are concerned, there is no issue. Adrian and his brother are one and the same tonight - Adrian is Felix and you shall refer to him as such until we are able to recover our missing comrade. Nothing is out of the ordinary," He said, looking to Abigail; she was Adrian's since he had turned her - it was his job to make sure that she adapted to the new life and understood the rules and that she quickly met the standards of their pack. "None of you have seen him, have you?"

Adrian looked over at her curiously, wondering why the Alpha would asked Abigail of all people. She was neither his mate nor one who kept track of wherever he went. Then again, he realized the man was addressing the pack and sighed, looking out of the window tiredly. He needed his brother back... he was not leadership material nor diplomatic... That was why he had always been with the other man - he liked his position...