“I do believe that I was the first, although I also believe that others have followed. What happened was the council and committee in this region discovered an imbalance of power. The national committee members had recently passed regulations on how many both needed to have in each region. It was discovered that the committee in this region was low by ten members so they went to each of the ten regional council headquarters that they are in charge of and asked each one for a list of the members who they would consider promoting to the committee. I heard that it was an extensive process but considering my interview and promotion offer was at the tail end I wasn’t informed of everything that went into their decision. They were shocked when I told them I felt I still had work to settle at the council and I wasn’t willing to move unless I could come back. They never explained why but they allowed me to keep both positions and I was very active in both positions until eight years ago. As
“Something happens if you return after the deadline?” I shake my head trying to rid myself of the regular welcoming I tend to receive. “I only know what happens when I return with the rest of the prospects three months into a run. I’ve never been this close to his deadline.” “Your welcome home isn’t very welcoming, is it?” I shake my head again as I go silent. “Thank you. I understand better why Demetri and Xavier have taken steps to make your request to return so seriously so quickly. The current state of the council makes things move at a snail's pace and time is not on your side. You asked about information on operation underground. I believe your now secondary plan for returning to Crimson Dawn is reliant on it.” I nod my head but again stay silent. “As I said, I can’t get into details on how it works as that’s not something anyone knows until they are actively in it but I can give you history on how it got started.” I cock my head, curious to hear what was never taught in
(Jamison’s POV)“Stop it! Just leave me be! Why isn’t it enough that you’ve abandoned me here with the sole purpose of forcing me to miss your deadline! What have I done to deserve this torture!” I startle awake as my best friend screams. The last four days have been an utter nightmare for Cole as his father has found the perfect way to torture him without ever touching him. His unrelenting links with Cole has left him exhausted and riddled in pain and that’s just the physical effects. On one of his father’s longer breaks yesterday, he managed to tell me some of the things that Alpha Redmen has told him. He started early in the morning Tuesday randomly rattling off all the things he plans to do to Cole when he gets home. Despite his inconsistency with exactly what he’s planning on doing or using on Cole, one thing has remained the same, he’s not coming to get us. Cole’s deadline will expire and his welcoming will be “the best yet.” Cole did report that his father has been consistent
(Jamison’s POV)It’s been a month since Dr. Moore received permission to medically sever Cole’s link. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked the way it normally does. This medication has made it even more obvious that Cole’s linking abilities are vastly different then everyone else’s. I’ve attended several meetings for Cole between Alpha Black and Alpha Whiteman. Both alpha’s stances remain the same at every meeting. Alpha Black continues to beg Alpha Whiteman to send Cole back before the council gives permission for it to happen and Alpha Whiteman, while he’s willing to help Cole escape, he is steadfastly against making a move before the council approves it. Cole has spoken several times of simply running from White Ridge, the problem with that plan is how weak his father has made him. With only his feet to carry him he’d be lucky to find his way out of the White Ridge territory. I’ve made my way, once again, to Alpha Whiteman’s office. We’re supposed to be having lunch with him but Cole
(Cole’s POV)It’s been nearly twelve weeks since my father deceived the council and left Jamie and I at White Ridge. Dad took advantage of my closeness to the pack for six weeks, using my abnormal link for the sadistic pleasure of causing me both physical and mental pain. It took two weeks after Dr. Moore stopped giving me the blocking medication for my father to finally tire of the energy he was putting into creating my misery. It took several days of him leaving me alone for us to believe that he might actually be done. That’s when Jamie finally opened up to me about the plan Alpha Whiteman was encouraging us to form which includes the plans Jamie wanted to create before we even left. I am ashamed of myself for not listening to my beta sooner. Alpha Whiteman’s plan is to give me access to an emergency cabin five miles into the woods. I would only be able to carry a single pack with my most important items but the alpha did reassure me that if I successfully ran to the cabin before
The first hour of my journey is uneventful as I pick my way through the thick trees. We’ve traveled this overgrown path many times but the darkness of early morning is proving even more difficult to navigate than in the daytime despite my partial shift. ‘Beware, Dallas.’ My wolf whispers in my head. Unfortunately, my father using the link to torture me for six weeks and Alpha Andrew’s attempt to block him resulted in even my wolf talking to me being very uncomfortable. I pause my movements, turning slowly in a circle, looking and smelling for him. I find myself at quite the disadvantage considering how I’m traveling upwind. Unable to detect anyone in the woods with me, I continue but at a slower pace. I may have gained half the weight I lost when I first got here but I’m still about fifteen pounds lower than where I was at Crimson Dawn and about forty pounds less than peak condition. Add my low body weight to my anxiety and asthma issues and this five mile hike is quite the underta
“Why would your father risk destroying the pack just to turn you over to the council?” “Haven’t you heard, Dallas or was that one of the days you skipped school?” I’m shocked at the tone Amos is using considering he’s my brother’s delta. “What?” Dallas snarls back. “Feral alpha males are euthanized within months of their conviction. What do you have to lose by letting him go?” For a moment it actually feels like Amos is trying to defend me without putting his hands on Dallas. I relax my arms in the slim hope that maybe Amos will get through to him where I can’t. Suddenly a foot connects with my face, forcing my entire body backwards as I yelp and scream in pain. I have no concept of what’s going on around me as chaos breaks loose. I take several more hits to my face before I’m able to force my body to function enough to roll out of the way. While my legs may be working better it’s not enough for me to physically get up and run for the cabin. I curl into a tight ball, covering my
The ride back to the pack house proves uneventful as Alpha Whiteman informed the two wolves with us that as long as they remained submissive and cooperative they would not be restrained and there was a chance the council would go easy on them. Alpha parks the mule in the garage, turning it off and stepping out as the door closes. Alpha Whiteman leads the way followed by the beta and delta with myself closing the rear. To Winston’s expectations, the two deltas and the gamma involved in the fight are already in his conference room next to his office. It would appear that only the gamma was cooperative enough to earn his handcuffs being removed. The other two have simply been made more comfortable with their hands being moved to the front. “Take a seat.” Winston instructs gruffly, maintaining his no nonsense attitude. He walks quickly to the northernmost point of the round table, stopping in front of his seat. Looking around to see that none of the prospects have moved, he’s visibly c