The Beta's Salvation

Ten

Neo POV

Sitting in the dim light of my room, the only glow came from my laptop screen, flickering images of discipline and control from a site not known to the softer souls of our world. "Reform and Remold," the website promised, a place for werewolf alphas to send their wayward sisters, daughters, and female pack members to learn obedience, far from the forgiving eyes of their families. The camp, masked as a reformatory institute, was nothing short of a prison, its programs designed not to nurture but to break.

As I scrolled through the testimonials, a twisted part of me lit up with a perverse satisfaction. The descriptions of the camp's regimen detailed a tortuous journey through rigorous physical trials that pushed the inhabitants to their limits, breaking them down to rebuild them as submissive members of their packs. Mentally, the training was even harsher, with techniques that bordered on psychological warfare, stripping them of any defiance or personality traits deemed undesirable.

The images on the site showed lines of young women, eyes hollow, faces empty of the rebellion they once carried. It was the emotional reconditioning that really drew a dark fascination within me. They used isolation tactics, emotional manipulation, and harsh punishments to root out any sense of self-worth these women might cling to. It was cruel, inhuman even, and part of me wondered just how effective it would be on Sky.

She had always been the golden child, loved and adored by everyone; her natural charm and ease with people were something that gnawed at me. It wasn't jealousy—I was above such petty emotions—it was a matter of order, of ensuring that the pack remained under control and that I was seen as the unequivocal leader. Sky's return threatened that, her easy smiles and laughter drawing people to her, a beacon of light that might outshine my rule if left unchecked.

Closing the laptop with a sigh, I stood and straightened my suit. Tonight's dinner had to be perfect. I had arranged for the staff to go all out for the welcome home meal, a clear display of my power and generosity. Zeke and a few other high-ranking members of the pack were invited, and while I anticipated their loyalty, I knew the unpredictability of Sky's behaviour could pose a risk.

My gaze flickered back to the laptop, the screen now dark. The idea of sending her to that boot camp lingered in my mind like a tempting shadow. It would solve many problems—remove her influence and ensure no further embarrassment to me or the pack. Yet, part of me relished the challenge of keeping her close, under my watch, where I could ensure her spirited demeanour was crushed beneath the weight of my authority.

As I left the room, the weight of the evening pressed down on me. Everything had to be controlled and measured, just like the discipline I yearned to enforce. Tonight, Sky would see the extent of my power, and if she stepped out of line, I had the perfect solution waiting in the shadows, ready to strip away the very traits that made her who she was.

But Sky wasn't my only issue...

The spark I saw ignite between Zeke and Sky earlier today gnawed at me as I walked down the corridor. It was a look that went beyond mere recognition—a flare of something deeper, something that could challenge the very dynamics I had set in place. I didn't like it. Not one bit. Zeke's loyalty was supposed to be to me, not to Sky. He had the audacity to question my brotherly duties, insinuating that my decisions might not be in Sky's best interest. How dare he? Fated mates or not, I was convinced I had more to offer than any predestined bond bestowed by the moon goddess.

I mind-linked Zeke as I continued my stride, the polished floors echoing the rhythm of my discontent.

"Is everything ready?" I asked, my voice stern even in the silent communication of our minds.

"We're just finalising the preparations. Dinner will be ready shortly; everyone is in their places," Zeke responded, his mental voice trying to project calm.

"Almost ready?" I snapped back. It should be served precisely at 5 PM." I seethed as I checked my watch. It's 4:52 now. How much longer will it take?"

"I'll check and update you," Zeke replied, a hint of irritation bleeding into his tone.

"Make it quick." I barked as I severed the connection, my mood darkening further. Every second delayed was a slight against the order I sought to uphold. It was almost as if the world conspired to test my patience tonight.

As I passed Sky's door, I rapped sharply on the wood, each knock a punctuation of my growing bitterness. I waited for her to answer, ready to unleash a torrent of reprimands for any perceived slight. This dinner was not just a meal; it was a display of my control over the pack and my family. Any deviation from my plan was unacceptable.

"Who is it?" Sky yelled through the panelled wood as I stood there, my mind racing with potential scenarios of confrontation.

"Does it matter? Open up?" I yapped. Sky's presence had always been a catalyst for chaos, her carefree spirit clashing with the rigid order I enforced.

"I could be naked, bro.. Seriously?" She mocked, her tone light and carefree. My jaw tightened as I counted to three slowly. Tonight needed to be flawless, and her alignment with my rules was non-negotiable.

"Dinner is being served in.." checking my watch, I groaned before answering "six minutes. You best not be naked." I huffed.

"Goddess, have mercy, you are such a control freak. I will be ready. Okay." She moaned childishly. I had grown up with her; I knew damn well she wouldn't be ready. She could not turn up on time for her own funeral, let alone a dinner—even one in her honour.

"I will meet you down there then, in three minutes. Okay?" I commanded and waited silently for her to reply.

"Sky?" I growled when she ignored me, and the soft music she was listening to turned up no doubt to drown me out.

"Yeah, yeah." She laughed as she began to sing, the sound of a hair dryer blasting loudly to piss me off further.

"This was a mistake." I moaned as I walked away, already certain in my mind that If she showed even a hint of defiance, it would reinforce my thoughts about the necessity of the reform camp. Maybe it was time she learned that her actions had consequences, that not even the moon goddess's whims could protect her from the realities I had crafted within our pack. Tonight, Sky needed to understand just where she stood in the hierarchy I had painstakingly built. Her behaviour tonight would set the tone for her visit—and potentially her future under my roof.