Chapter 5 — The Price of Discipline
1367 Words
Dean Ray stood for a moment outside the massive wooden doors of the Alpha’s office.
The Red Hollow pack house was very different from the elegant residence of the White Hunters. It was larger, louder, and far less orderly. Wolves passed through the corridors, some greeting the dean respectfully, others merely nodding before continuing their business.
Everyone knew who he was.
Dean Ray represented the university — neutral ground shared by several packs.
And when he came personally to speak with an Alpha, it usually meant trouble.
He knocked once.
A deep voice answered immediately.
“Come in.”
Dean Ray pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Alpha Elliot Tate stood behind a wide oak desk covered with documents. He was a large wolf, broad-shouldered and imposing, with thick dark hair streaked lightly with gray at the temples.
Despite his intimidating appearance, his expression softened when he saw the visitor.
“Dean Ray,” Elliot said warmly as he stepped forward and extended his hand.
The dean shook it firmly.
“Alpha Tate.”
Elliot gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.
“To what do I owe the visit?”
Dean Ray did not sit immediately.
“I came on business.”
The tone of his voice made Elliot’s smile fade slightly.
“That does not sound promising.”
Dean Ray finally sat down.
“Normally I avoid interfering in pack matters,” he said calmly. “Especially when they involve young wolves.”
Elliot leaned back slightly in his chair.
“But today?”
“But today,” the dean continued, “your son crossed a line.”
Elliot frowned.
“My son?”
“Yes.”
The Alpha’s jaw tightened.
Kevin had always been arrogant, but Elliot had hoped that the university would teach him some restraint.
“What exactly did he do?” Elliot asked slowly.
Dean Ray reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his phone.
“I think it will be easier if I show you.”
He placed the phone on the desk and pressed play.
The video began immediately.
The camera angle clearly came from one of the security cameras inside the university library.
Elliot watched silently.
On the screen Kevin Tate shoved a row of books off a shelf.
Beside him stood Stephanie Myers, laughing as she pulled several volumes from another shelf and tossed them onto the floor.
Timothy Myers hesitated for a moment before kicking over a small table.
Within seconds the quiet reading hall turned into chaos.
Books scattered everywhere.
Furniture overturned.
Students running away.
The video ended.
For a moment Elliot said nothing.
Then he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
“He has clearly forgotten why I sent him to the university.”
Dean Ray folded his hands calmly.
“I assume you did not send him there to destroy the library.”
Elliot exhaled slowly.
“No.”
The Alpha looked again at the paused image on the phone screen.
Kevin stood in the center of the wreckage, looking proud of himself.
Elliot’s eyes darkened.
“Who was the girl they were tormenting?” he asked.
“Florence Drake.”
Elliot sighed quietly.
“The omega.”
“Yes.”
Dean Ray leaned forward slightly.
“She did not tell me who did this.”
Elliot raised an eyebrow.
“She did not?”
“No.”
“Even though she knew?”
“She did not know about the cameras.”
Elliot stared at the desk for a moment.
“That girl has always been strange.”
Dean Ray did not respond.
Instead he continued calmly.
“You should also know something else.”
Elliot looked up.
“The library was built with funds from Alpha Anthony Clark.”
The Alpha of Red Hollow leaned back in his chair again.
“That complicates matters.”
“Quite.”
Anthony Clark was not a wolf anyone wanted to offend.
Especially not over something as foolish as student behavior.
Elliot pressed a button on his desk.
“Send Beta James to my office.”
The voice of a secretary answered immediately.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Within a few minutes the door opened again.
Beta James Myers entered.
He was a tall, serious man with tired eyes — the kind of wolf who carried responsibility quietly.
“Alpha,” he greeted respectfully.
Then he noticed the dean.
“Dean Ray.”
Elliot gestured toward the desk.
“Come here.”
James stepped closer.
Elliot handed him the phone.
“Watch.”
The beta pressed play.
As the video unfolded, the color slowly drained from his face.
When it ended, he stood completely still.
Stephanie Myers.
His daughter.
Timothy Myers.
His son.
Destroying the university library beside Kevin Tate.
James closed his eyes briefly.
Then he looked at the dean.
“I apologize,” he said quietly.
Dean Ray nodded.
“I appreciate that.”
James continued.
“My children will answer for this.”
Elliot studied his beta carefully.
“You are embarrassed.”
“Yes.”
“You should be.”
James lowered his head slightly.
“I am.”
Dean Ray leaned forward.
“I understand that Florence Drake is often mocked within the pack.”
James nodded slowly.
“That is true.”
“But that does not justify destroying university property.”
“No,” James agreed.
“Especially property funded by another Alpha.”
James sighed.
“That makes things worse.”
“Yes,” the dean said calmly.
“Much worse.”
For a moment none of them spoke.
Finally Elliot stood.
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention,” he said to Dean Ray.
The dean nodded and rose from his chair.
“My responsibility is to maintain order at the university.”
“And you have done that.”
Dean Ray gave a slight bow of respect and left the office.
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the room.
Elliot walked slowly toward the window overlooking the pack territory.
James remained where he stood.
Finally Elliot spoke.
“If we punish them publicly…”
James already understood.
“It will fall on Florence.”
“Yes.”
The beta nodded.
“That girl already suffers more than most wolves realize.”
Elliot turned back toward him.
“She is bullied by nearly everyone in the pack.”
James’s expression darkened.
“Even her own family.”
Elliot crossed his arms.
“She works in that library for almost nothing.”
James nodded.
“She told my wife once that she enjoys the quiet.”
“Or perhaps she simply enjoys being away from the pack.”
“That too.”
Elliot walked back toward his desk.
For a moment he looked again at the phone screen.
Kevin’s face filled the frame.
Arrogant.
Careless.
The future Alpha of Red Hollow.
James spoke quietly.
“If we punish the three of them, the others will blame Florence.”
“Yes.”
“They will say she reported them.”
Elliot nodded slowly.
“And the harassment will become worse.”
James sighed.
“It always does.”
Elliot leaned against the desk.
He was silent for a long moment.
Finally he spoke.
“As much as I would like to avoid it…”
James already knew what was coming.
“The next generation must be disciplined.”
The beta closed his eyes briefly.
“Yes.”
Elliot’s voice hardened.
“The future Alpha of this pack cannot behave like a spoiled child.”
James nodded.
“And my children will answer for their actions.”
Elliot walked toward the window again.
The moon hung above the forest.
Somewhere within that territory lived the quiet omega who had caused this entire problem simply by existing.
Florence Drake.
The red-haired girl no one defended.
Elliot sighed.
“As unfortunate as it may be…”
He turned back toward his beta.
“My priority is not Florence.”
James lowered his head slightly.
“I understand.”
“The priority is raising the next generation of this pack.”
And in the harsh world of werewolves, that meant discipline always came before kindness.
- Writer
