Chapter 9 — The Alpha’s Judgment
1044 Words
Elliot stood behind the large wooden desk and watched the three teenagers standing in front of him.
None of them dared to look him directly in the eyes.
The room was silent. So silent that even the faint ticking of the clock on the wall seemed louder than usual.
On the laptop screen in front of them the security footage was playing again.
And again.
And again.
The video showed everything clearly.
Kevin pushing the shelves.
Books falling to the floor.
One of the rare encyclopedias tearing apart when he threw it against the wall.
Stephanie covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes were red, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
Timothy looked pale. He kept staring at the screen as if hoping the scene would somehow change if he watched it long enough.
But Kevin…
Kevin wasn't looking at the screen at all.
His jaw was clenched.
His arms crossed over his chest.
And in his eyes there was no shame.
Only anger.
Anger and resentment.
“That little snitch…” he muttered under his breath.
Elliot slowly closed the laptop.
The sound of the lid snapping shut echoed through the room.
All three teenagers flinched.
Elliot leaned back slightly and studied them for a moment.
“You do know,” he said calmly, “that this library was built with the funds of Alpha Anthony Clark.”
Kevin lifted his head instantly.
The surprise on his face was genuine.
He was reckless.
Arrogant.
But he wasn't stupid.
If he had known the library belonged to Anthony Clark…
He would never have touched a single book.
Behind Elliot stood James.
Kevin’s father.
He hadn't spoken a single word since the meeting began.
But his presence filled the room like a storm cloud.
His eyes were fixed on his children.
Cold.
Sharp.
Disappointed.
Elliot turned his attention back to Kevin.
“Explain something to me,” Elliot said quietly.
“What possible reason could justify destroying nearly a dozen books that together cost more than most people earn in a year?”
Kevin didn’t answer.
He stared at the floor.
His shoulders were tense.
His fingers curled into fists.
But he remained silent.
Elliot wasn't surprised.
At that moment Kevin wasn't afraid of his father.
He was afraid of something else.
Of the name Elliot had just mentioned.
Anthony Clark.
Stephanie suddenly sniffed quietly.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Elliot looked at her.
“You could have stopped him,” he said.
Stephanie wiped her face quickly.
“I… I tried,” she whispered.
Her voice shook.
But Elliot didn't soften.
“You should have stopped him,” he repeated.
“Or at the very least you should have walked away.”
Stephanie lowered her head.
Elliot turned to Timothy.
“And you.”
Timothy straightened slightly.
“If you want to become his beta someday,” Elliot continued, “then you must be his conscience.”
Timothy swallowed.
“If he cannot see where the truth is, you must point it out to him.”
Timothy nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir.”
Kevin suddenly laughed bitterly.
“This is all because of Florence,” he muttered. “That stupid librarian.”
Elliot’s expression changed instantly.
The calm in his eyes vanished.
“Florence did nothing,” Elliot said sharply.
Kevin looked up.
“She told on us!”
“She didn’t say a word,” Elliot replied.
His voice was colder now.
“There are cameras in the library. Cameras she didn't even remember existed.”
Kevin frowned.
Elliot continued.
“She is a weak girl. But she is not foolish enough to cause herself more trouble.”
Kevin barely listened.
His jaw tightened.
In his mind the blame had already been placed.
And nothing Elliot said was going to change that.
Elliot sighed quietly.
He said a few more words to Stephanie and Timothy.
Their punishment was simple.
Extra patrol shifts.
Community service in the library.
And a written apology.
When he finished speaking, James gestured toward the door.
Stephanie and Timothy left the room quickly, almost running.
The moment the door closed, the room felt heavier.
Now only three people remained.
Elliot.
James.
And Kevin.
Elliot leaned forward slightly.
“Were you on patrol last night?” he asked.
Kevin blinked in surprise.
“I was…”
Before he could finish the sentence—
Elliot struck him.
The slap echoed through the room.
Kevin staggered back a step.
Shock spread across his face.
“Two deer were killed on our territory last night,” Elliot said coldly.
Kevin slowly lifted his hand to his cheek.
“Wild wolves.”
Elliot’s gaze hardened.
“On your patrol sector.”
Kevin said nothing.
“The other three wolves assigned to patrol with you admitted something,” Elliot continued.
Kevin's heart dropped.
“They said you sent them home.”
Kevin clenched his fists.
“And instead,” Elliot finished, “you spent the night drinking and celebrating with Stephanie.”
Silence filled the room.
Kevin lowered his head.
Traitors.
All of them.
That was the only word running through his mind.
Elliot watched him for several seconds.
“You are punished,” Elliot said finally.
Kevin didn't look up.
“For the next week,” Elliot continued, “you will patrol twice a day.”
Kevin’s head lifted slightly.
“Morning and evening.”
His eyes widened.
“Your credit cards are confiscated.”
Kevin's jaw tightened again.
“And you will attend every lecture at the academy.”
Elliot paused.
“If you miss even one…”
His voice became quieter.
“The punishment will become significantly worse.”
Kevin understood.
Elliot stood.
The meeting was over.
Kevin turned and walked toward the door.
His cheek still burned from the slap.
His pride burned even more.
Just as he reached the door, Elliot spoke again.
“One more thing.”
Kevin stopped.
Without turning around.
“Leave Florence alone.”
Kevin nodded slowly.
“Yes, sir.”
But when he stepped into the hallway, a different thought crossed his mind.
Florence had humiliated him.
She had made him look like a fool.
And Kevin Clark did not forget humiliation.
The librarian would pay for what she had done.
Soon.
Very soon.
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