Saturday July 30th Pt. 4

“This isn’t a debate, Damian. It’s a starter meeting to inform you and the rest of the group of the changes coming to patrol guidelines. These families will be leaving everything behind to enter an unknown pack’s land where both the alpha and his pack are rumored to be some of the worst wolves you can meet. While I’m certain my pack’s reputation comes from a generalization the alpha’s….” 

I stop as I was truly shocked to hear what Declan had to say. I sigh hard as I pace, leaving Damian in the middle of where I’m speaking from. 

“The reason Declan came looking for me the way he did is because of you, Damian.” 

I stop my walk and look straight into his eyes. 

“Declan is the only adult beta male left in that pack that was loyal to Hunter and Melina that wasn’t killed and hasn’t run off. There have been several gamma and delta level wolves, both mated and unmated males and females, that have attempted to get help from us that were chased back to Blue Ridge. All of them felt your aura, angry and oppressive before they ever saw you. They described a jet black wolf with four white feet and bright blue eyes tackling them to the ground. Sinking his teeth and claws into their flesh when they were found in human form on a clearly marked trail. 

When the wolf finally stopped attacking and shifted they all claimed that they talked to a young alpha with ink black hair and ice blue eyes. They all described both your wolf and human form back to Declan so he could be prepared for what was coming his way but nothing could have prepared him for you. Blue Ridge is in a state of chaos. The members have been abandoned by their alpha and allowed to reach such a desperate and critical state that they are reaching out to an alpha they wrongly believe wants to tear them apart.” 

His aura is blazing hot and it’s easy to tell that my explanation has fallen upon deaf ears. 

“They brought this upon themselves when they didn’t protect their alpha. They don’t deserve our help. They deserve every bit of what I have given them!” 

He explodes with a level of hatred that I never expected and I know in my head what his punishment must be. It will not happen now, in front of all my warriors but even Parker looks shocked at Damian’s boldness against me. 

I close the two steps it takes to reach him, taking advantage of his blinding anger to grab his neck roughly. 

“You will submit.” 

I growl out with my own aura on full display. He resists me with surprising defiance. 

“Submit!!” 

I put even more force through my voice as I finally feel him move to his knees. I walk away as soon as he’s down, going to the table for a drink. 

“Why?! Why are you so inclined to help them?!” 

He shouts at me as he stands back up. While there’s obvious anger in his question for the first time I also hear frustration and pain. At the moment neither matters as his challenging of my position has crossed the line and I’m done with his defiance. I cross the five feet between the table and him, again, grabbing the back of his neck. My aura is now angry, not just dominant, as I turn his energy back on him. 

“Alpha Damian Alexander Black you will submit! Down, hard, now!” 

I bellow as I make my strength undeniable. 

“If you know what’s good for you, you will stay like this until I release you.” 

I growl quietly beside his ear. I stand beside my son, my grip on his neck is uncomfortably strong making him whimper and squirm. I look up upon my warriors. Every single one of them have bowed their heads in respectful submission with my low level deltas and high level gammas actively engaging in the deep breathing exercises that were taught to them to handle situations that don’t involve them. Just because it’s been proven that the moon goddess doesn’t punish those who disobey the alpha doesn’t mean their wolves aren’t compelled to act upon it. 

I turn my back to the crowd as we all attempt to regulate our emotions before continuing my meeting. It’s as I slowly regain my composure that I start running through the list of things I wanted to cover today. I sigh hard as my train of thought has been completely destroyed. 

“While normally I would keep going despite such an outburst I do feel that I have covered everything that was needed this morning. You are free to pick up additional food on your way out or stop at the banquet hall for a larger variety. I will have two more meetings to cover all of my warriors and additional meeting times will be set by Tuesday morning. I thank all of you for your time and patience as we navigate this new relationship.” 

I wrap up the meeting as I walk slowly back over to Damian. He managed to control his anger enough that he stayed on his knees, his rear sitting upon his heels with his arms to his side and his head bowed to the ground. His eyes are closed as I stop behind him. I squat down so I’m closer to his level. 

“You may relax but you are still under the command of submission. I will release you fully once everyone has left. I have decided upon your punishment. Your behavior today leaves me no choice but to implement what was ordered by the council. You already know what it will be so take this time to prepare yourself.” 

He nods silently as he adjusts his position. I have never placed a hard submission on a pack member and expected them to hold it more than five minutes. Even the youngest members who have never been injured have had issues with losing circulation to their legs during long hard submissions. It takes several minutes but once everyone is gone and breakfast is cleaned up, I return to Damian. 

“While I don’t normally do it this way you will report to my office after my last meeting with the night patrol warriors. The meeting is at seven, I expect you to be in my office at eight. Due to the severity of injuries that you caused Declan and the amount of hatred that you expressed at today’s meeting you will be receiving your age. The first eight will be bare with the last nine being in clothing. You are to report in a pair of shorts or sweatpants, no jeans. Outside of meals, my expectation is for you to remain in your room for the rest of the day until you report to my office. Do you understand my directions?” 

My voice is stern but not angry as he takes my hand. The fear in his eyes hurts me more than I’m allowed to show him.