The Offering

Trial Two

Arrow woke feeling happy. Foreign feelings to her over the last six years. She couldn’t remember the last time she woke with a smile.

She knew today was another trial but yet, she was still excited.

“Another note ladies.” April shouted.

Stephanie and Arrow rushed to April to hear the contents of the note.

“Good morning,

Today is your second trial. Today is about Diplomacy. You each will be given an issue at hand where you will have to figure out a solution for. You each have a stack of documents pertaining to your issue. A Luna is a mother to the pack and it is up to her to sometimes come up with a reasonable solution.”

Each one of them grabbed the stack of papers that had their name on the front of the manilla folder.

“Overflow of children in orphanage.” April read out loud.

“Childrens education.” Stephanie read.

“Guard watch hours conflict.” Arrow said in confusion.

Arrow knew this was going to be difficult but was up for the challenge.

They might not realize Arrow was already trained for this. She was up for the task.

Arrow sat there and read through all the files, twice.

Each complaint, all the hours, salary information, all guards information. Including those who were available to become guards.

All complaints were nearly identical.

‘Working twelve hours is not the problem. Working seven days a week takes time from my family. Never able to spend much time with them.’

‘The money is great but I could afford to work shorter hours during the week if it meant more time with my family.’

‘I just want to be able to spend time with my friends and family. During the week all any of us have time for is work, eat, train, sleep.’

Arrow went to work writing down numbers.

All the math she could do on paper and come up with a plan to help everyone out.

She then wanted to make this look professional.

“Hey April, do you know where the Library is?” Arrow asked.

“Yeah, first floor. Why?” April responded.

“I wanted to type all this up and create some graphs. Make it look professional.” Arrow answered back.

“That is a great idea. Do you care if I join you?” April asked.

Arrow was shocked she wanted to join but shrugged it off. “Sure, you can lead the way.”

April and Arrow gathered their documents and papers to head out.

“Do you know where Stephanie is? I was going to ask her to join as well.” Arrow asked.

“No she darted out of here about twenty minutes ago. She’s been gone quite a bit lately.” April said.

Arrow furrowed her brows but had no time to waste.

When they entered the library Arrow began putting her files together.

Creating graphs and charts for comparison for them all to go along with.

Half way through arrow stretched her stiff muscles. She looked at April and she looked frustrated.

Yes this was a competition but that doesn’t mean you cant give advice.

“What’s up?” Arrow asked April.

“I feel like this sounds like a child wrote it.” April said pulling at the bottom of her hair in frustration.

“Care if I read. I will give you my honest advice?” Arrow asked.

“Sure, why not?” April stepped aside to let Arrow sit.

Arrow began reading the document. In the beginning was the mathematical part.

Explaining the budgets, add-ons to the building for extra rooms. Very detailed.

“This looks great, very detailed. What are you having a problem with?” Arrow asked confused this time.

“I wanted to include something to help with the children being adopted. Not just making space for more.

I mean everyone deserves a family to be loved. Cared for. A place to call home, family.” April said.

Arrow was touched by her passion.

“That definitely needs to be in there. The pack could hold events where they get to know the children.

Even hosting events with the packs trusted allies. Same-s*x couple, infertile couples. There is more than one way to have a family.” Arrow says with a smile.

“Thanks. That sounds great.” April said smiling back at her.

Arrow read over her file a few more times before printing. She then made copies of her graphs and charts for the others.

Just as she finished the last copy she heard the Beta’s voice. “Arrow, you are up.”

‘Dang time flew by.’ She thought to herself.

She quickly grabbed everything and followed the Beta.

She knew this was it, the moment of truth. She was trained for everything an Alpha would have to handle. She wanted to test that theory.

The Beta opened two large golden doors. She entered the large room with a long thick wooden table in the middle.

She presumed this was the meeting hall. At the head of the table sat King Azazel. The Beta took a seat next to him on his right.

The chair on his left was empty. She assumed that was meant for his Luna.

Then sat the Gamma, Azazel’s secretary, and the Head Warrior.

“Hello Miss Winsdor, you have the subject of the guard's hours and conflicts. You can begin whenever you would like.” The Beta said.

Arrow began passing out her charts and graphs to each of them.

“These are for you to go along with here in a minute.” She began.

She stood confidently in front of them and began her speech.

“After reading each guard's complaints and thoughts regarding the issues of hours and money, I have done some reevaluation on what can be done.

You have eight guards on duty per shift, with only two shifts equaling twelve hours.

There are a total of sixteen guards. So, these guards are working seven days a week each week.

That does not give them much time with their families, their friends, or any time for themselves.

Going through the files there are plenty of warriors who have qualified for guard duty when or if ever needed.

So the first graph I have for you if the schedule the guards currently have. The second if with sixteen extra guards.

These warriors are qualified to become guards.

“How can we put new guards on duty all at once. They have never done this consistently before?” The Gamma spoke.

“You don’t put them all on the same shift. Four new guards with four old guards.” Arrow answered quickly.

“How will this effect the budget though.” The head Warrior asked.

“I am getting to that. First off, you are paying the current guards $6,500.00 a month. That is each of their salary pay. I presume that is to help cover the consistent overtime.

With putting the guards thoughts into action there will be a decrease in salary.

Guards now are working eighty-four hours a week. Every week. Per guard that is three hundred thirty-six hours a month.

With the new schedule, guards will be working one week of thirty-six hours, the next forty-eight hours.

This is a rotating schedule one week they have Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday off. The other half will have Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday off.

This gives everyone at least two weekends off a month. More time with their families.

The decrease in salary will go along with the hours. So, the new salary will be $3,000.00 a month per guard.” Arrow was very professional.

Azazel was listening to every word and was very intrigued by the depth she went into with this.

“As a current standing with the monthly salary with each guard in total is $104,000.00 a month.

Dropping the salary by adding more guards to equal out the shifts will also drop the total.

With thirty-two guards on a $3,000.00 monthly salary will equal $96,000.00 a month.

That saves $8,000.00 from the current salary already being put out.”

“Nice work. What is this other list here?” Azazel asked.

“Well, even though being in a pack is known that there are certain tasks you are to perform.

It is still a great feeling to be appreciated. Your pack members are loyal and true. Why not show some appreciation.

With the $8,000.00 being saved each month that totals in $96,000.00 a year.

This is June. So, starting the New year give them a New Year Bonus each year. Each guard receiving a $1,000.00 bonus.

That equals out to $32,000.00. Which some will be left over to continue through the year.

Then a Christmas Bonus. That will help them for the holidays. $1,500.00 to each guard for a Christmas bonus.

That equals to $48,000.00. Money still left over after each Bonus. This is a way you could show them appreciation.”

Arrow finished her speech and felt proud of her work.

“Thank you Arrow, that is outstanding work. We will consider these ideas.” Azazel said as he stood up from his chair.

Arrow left feeling confident. She went back to her room knowing it would be a little while before the elimination.