Wednesday, October 10th Pt. 8

“Under what grounds do we have for doing such a thing?” Arthur sounds surprised that Andre would make such a request.
“My father used the link to torture Cole for weeks when he first got here. He also set everything up for Cole to be attacked by five of his pack members knowing Cole would run after dad abandoned him here.” Andre sounds exasperated that he has to even explain what they are already aware of.
“Can you explain why your brother would agree to leave Crimson Dawn just to run back to them after twelve weeks at White Ridge? If things are so bad at Red Fang for him why did he choose to return and why is he choosing now to try and run?” I’m shocked at the sudden callousness that Arthur has towards Cole.
“Alpha Whiteman and I met with the three of you multiple times concerning the attack Cole was under where his father was using his broken linking ability to torture him. All of you agreed that it was torture and approved using the link blocking medication. Why are you suddenly so willing to turn the other cheek?” I can’t help but question the sudden change.
“We told you we would look the other way if you took a minimalist approach to helping him run. The run was a failure and there’s nothing else that we can do.” Arthur spits defensively.
He opens his mouth again, obviously forgetting about the digital recorder still sitting in the middle of the table. Marie places her hand on top of his, stopping whatever verbal rampage he was about to embark on.
“We understand everyone’s frustration. The truth is, there is no precedent for a case like Cole’s. Yes, we agree that he’s being abused and we did agree that his father trapping him into the link was torture but we are bound by the laws created by the council and approved by the committee. The Transportation Transparency laws were created to keep track of all full blood and hybrid werewolves so that problem wolves could be adequately tracked and prevented from harming others.”
“Cole isn’t a danger to anyone, human or werewolf. My father is lying to you.” Andre is struggling to keep his tone of voice from portraying the frustration and anger that he’s feeling.
“We understand how you feel, Andre, but the truth of the matter is with your father having turned in the application necessary to start the investigation into Cole being a feral wolf we cannot activate Operation Underground. We cannot assist him in running away.” Daniel tries to explain gently.
Andre’s growl tells all of us easily that he’s not having it.
“Max, Amos. What did dad tell the five of you?” He growls.
“I don’t know what he told Dallas, Richard and Andrew. All I know is what he told me, told us.” Amos explains calmly.
“Can you walk us through how all this came about?” Daniel turns his attention to Amos.
“I’m not certain if this is too far back but I feel it started when Alpha Redmen called us into his office two weeks before leaving and told us he signed us up for the next run.”
“Is that unusual?” Marie picks up on the question I wanted to ask.
“We haven’t been sent on a run since Andre came back from California five years ago.”
“Please continue.” She states as she writes the information down.
“He told us that it sounds like Cole is planning on coming home because the council is asking about him sending a ride to Crimson Dawn. Even though the alpha there played the part he expected when he locked Cole into a link, he wasn’t satisfied that Alpha Black was the cruel and unforgiving alpha that Cole needs to be controlled by. The best that he could do is send a group to the brand new pack White Ridge and force Cole to expire the six month permit that he gives, allowing Cole out of the territory.”
“Did he explain what would happen to Cole if he expired this permit?” Arthur has finally calmed himself enough to participate in the conversation.
While all council members are familiar with the permit system as a means of tracking potentially dangerous wolves it has never been implemented by an alpha outside of a court’s order.
“I asked about the permit as neither of us had ever heard of a wolf needing one to leave the territory.” Max is finally comfortable enough to start talking. “Alpha Redmen explained that because his pack law makes it illegal for a wolf to leave without permission, everyone in the prospect program receives one without them knowing about it. He said that it’s an old law that overlaps the Transportation Transparency Act and the Treatment of Broken and Feral Wolves Act. When a wolf is deemed dangerous, either because they are broken or feral, there are additional laws they must follow when they are not jailed or otherwise institutionalized. The travel permit is something he can implement on anyone. The only wolves that get one are those who go into the warrior program or need to be out of the territory longer than a week on known business. Since no one has ever stayed longer than six months he doesn’t bother with extending the permit. When the permit expires he’s allowed, at his discretion, to change the wolf’s status to rogue.”
“It’s a set up.” We hear Andre whisper on the phone. “Everything dad is doing is in an effort to justify beating Cole, quite possibly to death.”
There’s a distinct waver in Andre’s voice as he chokes on the end of his sentence.
“The council has made it clear that trespassers and rogues are not to be dealt with in that manner. If Alpha Redmen has chosen to force his son into rogue status then the most he can do is jail him and call the council to come remove him.” Marie explains the council’s stance.
“Are you even aware of who or rather what my father is? He doesn’t follow your rules, councilwoman. He abides by his own set of fucked up, bull shit rules that he changes on a whim to suit his needs.”
“We are unaware of any reports to the council regarding wrong doing by your father.” Arthur comments.
“Andre is correct, councilman.” Amos picks the conversation back up, turning everyone’s eyes to him. “Alpha Redmen told us that he will wait until the day the prospects return to change Cole’s status to rogue and as soon as he gets off the bus he will grab him and lock him in the training room with Alpha Kristoph as it’s been a while since Kris has gotten his hands on Cole.”
There’s a sharp growl that emanates from the phone before the shuffling feet of pacing becomes apparent.
“You need to act. There has to be some law somewhere that would allow you to move Cole back to the Crimaon Dawn pack.”
“We already explained that we can’t implement Operation Underground.” Marie tries again.
“Why? He has been neglected since he was born. He’s being abused and tortured by my father. Abused and tortured by both his brothers. Why can’t you help him?”
“Things get complicated when a ferality investigation has been requested? We have to consider the wolf dangerous until it is proven that they aren’t. He has to be carefully tracked and monitored until a judge rules on his case.”
Marie is the only one keeping up the conversation as if she doesn’t realize what was just said. The two councilmen appeared shocked by Andre’s confession.
“You’re telling me that when it comes to being classified as a feral you're treated as guilty until proven innocent?” Andre growls as the rest remain quiet.
“Not exactly. The wolf remains free in their home pack until the investigation reaches the point of removing the wolf and the council moves in.”
“So what’s the difference between him returning to Red Fang and sending him, preemptively, to Crimson Dawn? You still know where he is and he’s under the watch of a strict and unforgiving alpha.” Andre’s frustration is understandably rising.
“It just doesn’t work that way. I’m sorry, that’s not a decision that level one council members can make. Only high ranking council members or a judge can make that decision.”
It is a fearsome growl that gets cut short that tells me we got disconnected. I quickly pick up my phone and proceed to reach out to him by using the number left on my phone from his call. It’s as my fourth attempt goes straight to voicemail that Amos speaks up.
“You're not going to reach him, Alpha Moore.” Amos’s voice is quiet and submissive as I put my phone down on the table.
“Why not?” I can’t help but ask even though I’m almost certain of the answer.
“He smashed his phone against the wall. His temper is the last thing he needs to rid himself of. It’s the only part of his father that’s left in him and it’s the most difficult for him to let go of.” Amos speaks in monotone alerting me to him being back in the link. I place my phone in my pocket as everyone’s attention is now on Amos.