Renaissance

Episode 1

*Autry's POV*

I was determined as I climbed the stairs down to the Alpha Office. Great Gerald Garrett! I have to pursue him somehow to let me go for three years to live in a human city. I took a deep breath. It was for the sake of our pack. Although mighty, my father's way of management was now outdated, and our business and our pack were endangered. It is no longer considered enough to have power only. Soon we will become unable to provide for our pack members, and it was unacceptable. We had to change, but I had no idea how.

I reached the massive wooden doors to his office in the packhouse and knocked twice.

"Come in, Son." My father, the Alpha, called from inside, and I let myself in.

"Alpha Gerald," I bowed my head respectfully. He raised his head from the documents scattered on his table with a tired expression.

"What brings you here, Autry? I can not recall summoning you." He said.

I sighed, of course. I never bothered him while he worked. Always respected his hardworking demeanor, although it no longer seemed enough.

"Father, may I have some time with you? I wish to discuss an issue and have your opinion on it." I asked, still standing in front of him. He gestured for me to sit on the couch opposite his massive table.

"You have me intrigued. Tell me, what is it?" His honey-colored eyes were searching into mine. I took a deep breath.

"Father, with all due respect, I am aware that the Pack business is not as good as it used to be, and I know we are tight on resources." I saw the stern look flashing in my father's eyes.

"You should worry about your training."

I nodded my head, affirmative.

"Yes, father, I think you are right. That's why I want your permission to go to a business school, which is said to be the best but is located in human territory. If you would permit me, I will receive a sped-up training course for two years and come back hopefully with many new ideas for our future." I explained, hoping he wouldn't dismiss me without consideration. I knew for a fact that we were becoming very tight on resources. He locked his eyes to mine. I looked directly into his, trying to show my determination to him.

"I can not send you to human territory alone."

"I know, that's why I want Damon and Kenneth to come with me. I need their education to be level with me too. It will ensure better security as well." I argued.

"What about accommodations? We cannot provide a lot of money."

"We will stay at the public house. Your highness shall decide our budget. We plan to catch some jobs for experience, anyway." I answered. He sighed exasperatedly.

"Alpha," I called, pausing for an instant, "Father, please. I want to help; I want to be worthy. Share our problems with me so that I know what to search for."

"When does that training start?"

"In four months, we are expected to start the classes," I reply.

"You three, starting from tomorrow, you will work as trainees of alpha, beta and gamma until you are required at that training. You'll have enough time to see for yourselves all the issues we are facing. I am cutting your income to half, and you will feed your men with only that. I expect not to hear from you, except you have a solution for me. Is that understood?" My father asked.

"Yes, sir," I answered with enthusiasm.

"I want you three here and ready tomorrow at 8:30. You are dismissed now." He said. I bowed my head and turned to leave. "Make me proud, son," he whispered behind me; I smiled without turning back.

*Damon's POV*

My brother, Autry, was an extraordinary leader. He was raised to become one, after all. However, his vision has always been beyond Father's. He had his way of seeing the big picture since we were kids. I always adored his leadership. Therefore, I never doubted his claim to the throne. I just wished I would be able to grow this pack by his side and be helpful. I turned around to find my brother by the door.

"We got it!" He said. I felt Ken tense up next to me.

"You mean?" We were just able to blink at him unintelligibly.

"I mean, we will be working hard. But it'll be worth every tear; we will save the pack." It took me a few seconds to digest the news. When I did, I ran to and hugged my brother.

"I knew he'd come around! You can even pursue the devil!" He pushed me away with a funny face.

"You are lucky you are my brother, or else I killed you. Don't hug me, Damon, for Goddesses sake."

"But you adore me so much…."

"Stop messing, Damon; we start our jobs as trainees tomorrow at 8:30. Rest well, you two. For the next four months, we have one goal, to understand and determine the key issues. We can not find a solution to an unknown problem. I will see you tomorrow. He said and closed the door behind him.

" Can you believe him?" I whined to Ken.

"I can. And let us go rest as well." That cold-blooded murderer! Kenneth was a God at war. He was a genius tactician; he was devoted to his role as the bodyguard of the Prince, he never knew how to have fun.

"Aye, Captain!" I said, rolling my eyes, and left the study room.

*Autry's POV*

The last few months have been skeptical. Our pack has a few problematic points. Although we did have many companies specializing in various sectors, they were all managed by my father. He did not have enough time. Therefore, everything received only very little attention from him. We had to change that. Also, the profitability of our services and products have been decreasing gradually for the last decade. Some of the companies were nothing but cost centers and had to be cut.

On our last week at the Pack, we had a meeting with the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. And I wanted to report these for immediate action. I walked into the meeting room with Damon on my right side and Kenneth on my left. My father was seated on the top of the meeting table; Beta Desmond and Gamma Vulcan were sitting at each side of the Alpha. I bowed my head respectfully to my father.

"My Alpha,"

"Come, boys. Get seated." We did as we were told.

"So you have been working with us for the last few months. What are your findings? "

I cleaned my throat before speaking.

"We have too many businesses. We should cut some of them since they require too much energy, although some are no better than constant cost centers." I started to explain, "I think we can sell forty percent of the companies. Such as the clothes company, toy company, why do we own a concrete company in the first place?" I ask. "Some of these businesses don't make sense. It will allow your schedule to take a breather, and you will be able to concentrate better on the companies which actually make money."

"Forty percent is a lot. We have pack members who earn a living over those companies." Desmond disagreed.

"Indeed, although when all our companies become bankrupt, they won't be supported at all, now, will they?"

They knew I was right. Those men before us were glorious leaders in a feudal world. It was just that their methods were no longer enough in this capitalist world, and we needed to find new solutions.

"And? What will happen to those who lost their jobs?" Vulcan asked?

"We will focus on high potential businesses, like the hotel or security service and event planning… things we know and are experienced with," I explained. "We will expand those businesses, providing more income for more families. We will focus on our strengths and quit mourning after our bad investments. Plus, we can sell those businesses and hopefully use the income for expansion of our core businesses."

"We inserted some of the companies into the market; they make excellent money. Here, you can see their selling prices now." Damon introduced them to the listing prices of all businesses. I was proud; this one was all his idea. I studied the faces of three wolves. I could see their struggle accepting the pups' have grown up.

"Okay, we are still keeping a lot of the companies. Our main problem is not solved yet. The management…" Alpha Gerald asked with worry.

"If I may, sir?" Kenneth asked permission, which was granted by my father immediately. "We taught about this. We think we need to distribute the administration. For the security company, my father will be responsible. For the organization company, Beta Desmond will care. Luna will manage the Hotel; all the above will report to your highness every three months. You will be able to see the overall picture without much thought about trivial issues. You will have more time on your hands to care for the Pack."

"If we find another business area, we will bring the idea in immediately. For now, we think this will help all of us to calm down and think clearly, avoiding the panic point." I concluded. We watched as their eyes clouded while they discussed our presentation over their mind link. I knew they were to accept the offer; there was no other way out from the current chaos.

"We will suspend the cost center businesses until your training is over." My father concluded. "We will see how things will go. I am against having my Luna work. Therefore I will take care of the Hotel myself."

"Father, Mother, is more than capable of managing the hotel business, and you know it." I started but was cut off by his raised hand.

"Traditions, son. I can not ignore them." His words seemed to be final. So I didn't pursue it any further. I bowed my head.

"We expect great things from you, pups. Go become modern heroes of our pack!" The Alpha spoke. We all bowed our heads and said in unison

"Yes, Alpha!"