CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Once back at the headquarters of the pack, Renato and the girls went straight to the Alpha's residence. They had to tell him they were safe and then to listen to his scoldings for a while.

All three were nervous and on alert, even though Lucretia wasn't as frightened as the other two. Her brother wouldn't be capable of being angry at her for too long, right?

Luciano Polenta was already there, sitting on the armchair and turned to the door, waiting for their arrival.

«First of all, Lucretia... You are grounded for two weeks,» he said rather calmly. «You won't go out unless necessary, and it won't be necessary if I have a say in it. You wanted to avoid being at home, and now you'll get the same result after being dragged back. Was it worth it, Lucretia?»

«Somehow,» she murmured. «I hate being stuck inside the quarter... At least I got a few hours of freedom before that.»

«Lucretia, who said about being inside the quarter? You're not allowed to leave your room, let alone this very house. You'll stay in your bedroom without a phone, computer, or anything allowing communication with the outside. For two weeks.»

«Brother...» she murmured, her eyes filling with tears once again.

«You challenged my decisions, Lucretia. In front of everyone! Don't you think that has consequences on the pack? The power stability depends on how much others believe in me... And if you, a teen wolf, can disobey, then why shouldn't the elders do the same?»

He was fuming mad, yelling from his armchair and glaring at the three people in front of him. His eyes had turned dark of anger, and his face was stiff, a grimace crossing his lips.

«Don't you realise how severe it was?» he continued, his tone turning calmer yet chilly. «Now, go before I change my mind and make it a month.»

Lucretia sighed, trying to send a plea with her eyes. Still, the man was unmovable. That one in front of her wasn't her brother but Alpha Luciano.

She turned on her heels and ran away, sobbing quietly and locking the door behind her back. She was going to stay alone in her room for two weeks... How was she supposed not to turn crazy?

As for Amanda, she had nothing protecting her except for her brother. She had no position, no power... And she was weak: for the Alpha, she was completely useless.

«As for you,» he said, fixing his cold, ice-like eyes on her. «You put my sister in danger and helped her disobey my orders. You brought her out of the pack... Should I exile you?»

«Alpha!» Renato said, taking a step forward as if to protect his sister from a blow. «Things are a little d

He calmed down before saying something more and turning the situation potentially worse. He had to stay calm even if what was happening seemed unfair.

«You'll be locked for four days,» Alpha Luciano said. «In the cells, of course... Not in your room. No food nor water until I give you permission to leave.»

Amanda's face turned pale, and she looked at her brother in search of help.

«Renato...» she whispered.

«Renato can't help you. Don't you see why? I am the Alpha. I make decisions and punish those who act against the well-being of the pack. Your standing will also decrease to Omega. Until you convince me you've understood your place.»

«Why so much?» Renato murmured, trying to reason with his boss.

«You're too concerned for your sister, Renato. She's put the pack in danger...»

«Still, an Omega... Isn't it too much? She's just a teenager, and she didn't know anything about the situation. How could she act any differently?»

«Are you questioning me, now?»

«No... Just... It's too much, isn't it?»

«Hmm... You're right. Your sister will be locked for two days, then. Forty-eight hours, isn't that awesome?»

Renato dropped his jaw, his hands trembling out of... He didn't even know how he was feeling!

«Amanda is just a teenager, Alpha. She can't bear hunger and thirst for so long; her wolf is weak.»

«So what? Is being weak an excuse, now?»

«No, of course not... I'm asking you to reconsider the punishment and choose something that won't bring her long-term damage. Becoming an Omega and, even worse, being locked in a cell for days will leave signs for long.»

«Renato, you're becoming too wide-mouthed. Is this how you're thinking of acting from now on? Being a little useful for the pack doesn't mean you can discuss my orders. You also are demoted to Omega, which means you're not required to come to work for a while. Your position is taken away unless I reconsider and allow you to be a Beta again. The pack will know in due time...

You two can go now.»

«Alpha...»

«My words are definitive. Now, go!»

Since no one stopped them, Renato and Amanda left the residence. It seemed that only part of the punishment would be carried out, in the end. They couldn't help but sigh in relief. The cells were the worst, after all: being locked, alone, and hungry was every wolf's nightmare.

Still, being demoted from regular members of the pack to Omegas would have been hard to bear.

«Your friends won't talk to you for a while, and you won't be able to use the facilities. Even those where Omegas are admitted,» Renato explained. «Sometimes, you can go to a public place, but people will stare and gossip so much, making you wish you had never stepped in there. It's difficult, but you will get it through, Amanda. You're stronger than this, believe me.»

At his words, the girl started sobbing. Her black eyes shined in the dark while she tried to wipe the tears before making a mess with her face.

«I didn't know it was dangerous,» she stuttered. «It seemed like a regular tantrum to me! I'm really sorry!»

Renato's heart stopped, but he had to comfort his little sister before explaining any further how to bear with the situation. Being Omegas was difficult, sure, but there were many worse fates.