Monday, July 23 Pt. 6

“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 I explained, ten years ago Alpha Whiteman reached out for help and had left his pack in the hands of a beta. The problem he ran into was he did not have a beta when he left for rehabilitation which resulted in him assigning a beta that had never held such a leadership position. The power of ruling over the pack went straight to his head leaving the pack mentally, physically and financially worse than it had ever been under Alpha Whiteman.

Upon his return the council had to intervene as he was ready to kill the beta that was left in charge. The beta was removed from the pack and charged with multiple crimes against the pack. Alpha Whiteman was so livid that he swore off having a beta at all, claiming that the pack ran better without one.

To back the story up slightly, while Alpha Whiteman was at the council’s headquarters undergoing rehabilitation for ptsd, there were several therapy sessions that, similar to you, resulted in some very nasty panic attacks. Fortunately, unlike you, he was not asthmatic but it was during those attacks that he came to me. Like most higher ranking wolves I have studied various disciplines and, like Angela Pierce, you have already found out that I am a doctor. It was while I helped him through those attacks that he got to know me and my fated beta.”

I can’t help but look at him before looking at Beta Michael, receiving a nod from both as I put the two things together.

“I’ve been told that an alpha finding his or her fated beta occurs less often than finding their fated mate. It’s even more rare to find both. Somehow we found each other without finding our mates.” Beta Micheal chimes in.

“The council gave Alpha Whiteman a week to settle down. They knew if they pushed him into getting a beta after seeing the destruction that the money laundering and sheer neglect of the pack the other beta caused would result in him pushing everything they had worked on away. It took several meetings and over a month before he requested me, by name, to be his beta. It took several more meetings before I kicked the other members out of my meetings with him and after about a month I started including Mike in the meetings. After another month of meetings Alpha Whiteman announced Beta Michael as his new beta and member of the pack. He also announced that I would be taking over the medical program here in the territory as it was failing its members before he ever left.”

I cock my head in silence looking at him, studying him.

“It’s because of his connection with Angela that I made a special request. As much as I know you don’t want information about the possibility that your father is trying to turn you in as feral to be known, I was hoping that Dr. Moore’s continued connection with the council and committee could benefit us in at least finding out if he did indeed turn in the paperwork.”

I gasp and choke violently as my throat suddenly won’t even allow my own saliva to swallow down. My mind is suddenly spinning with the feeling of betrayal from the one wolf I was beginning to believe I could trust.

“Easy son. I need you to breathe.”

Alpha Demetri’s voice is calm and soothing over the phone as I duck my head down into my hands, ignoring the pain my elbows digging into my knees create. I barely hold back my yelp as Jamie starts rubbing my shoulders.

“I’m sorry for speaking about your business but Andy really wants to help. When he spoke to Angela Friday night he expressed a very deep concern for you. White Ridge may be brand new to the prospect program but as both a council member and committee member he’s very familiar with the telltale signs that someone needs help. I spoke to him Saturday and Sunday morning. It was after my second, long conversation with him that I decided to ask for his help. He was able to find your father’s application for a ferality investigation.” Alpha finishes quietly.

“He wasn’t lying.” I state in a simple whisper.

I had truly hoped when hearing about how no matter if it’s dropped or not that he and the way he rules the pack would be investigated that he was simply lying. Telling me what he felt would bring me back to the pack.

“Do you know how far it has made it?” I can’t help but ask.

“What I was able to do is download a copy of what he submitted including the initial evidence his lawyer plans on using during the trial.”

“Lawyer?” I can’t hold back the fear in my voice.

“Don’t shut down on us Cole. It’s very important that you listen and understand what’s happening. I promise you that you are not alone in this. I know Angela didn’t mention the possibility of lawyers being involved as it’s unusual for the alpha requesting the investigation to lawyer up at the beginning.”

“That is correct Demetri. Usually, lawyers do not get involved in the case until it reaches the committee investigation portion. When I downloaded the application and evidence that has been turned in so far, I was able to check on the status. It appears that your father may have a lot of connections in the area.”

“I told you it would be easy for him to make me a feral.” I sigh before yelping.

The stress of this meeting is causing me to overreact to an embarrassing extent.

“What happened?” Alpha’s voice is calm but concerned.

“I grabbed his hand. He’s having a really rough time with this meeting.” Jamie explains.

“I imagine so. Andy, can you explain what you found that makes you believe that his father has connections? Cole expressed a lot of concerns when we explained that portion of the ferality investigation.”

“Yes sir. What I found when I checked on your status is that they were unable to establish a neutral four party investigation team within the council. I will have to do some additional research as I was only able to get to the document this morning but I do believe that this is the first time a committee has had to send the investigation to a headquarters outside of the original jurisdiction.”