Involvement

Involvement
Cadeon
I'm walking past my father's study when I hear harsh voices coming from within. 
Frowning, I take a few steps back, hoping I can pick up on what the hell is going on. Without even looking, I know that it's Timmon in there. For the past few days, he's been uncommonly agitated which isn't like him at all. 
My brother tends to be calm. Collected. I'd ask him about it but for some reason, he won't talk to me. Things between us are tense and I'm acutely aware that I'm the one to blame for this newfound drift between us. 
There's doors are partially open but I still can't hear what's being discussed. I have to move even closer, my ear nearly touching the wood, and that's when I succeed in picking up a few words. 
I'm an Alpha yet here I am, eavesdropping. This is far from dignifying.
"...do much about it. Understand that, son! The pack is already in shambles because of this Omega. I'm sorry but there's not much I can do."
Timmon slams his hand on the table so hard that even I flinch. "That's ridiculous! Someone got hurt and all you're worried about is what everyone will think? The academy is supposed to protect her. We're in charge of it this year! She's from our pack, Dad!"
"Timmon, I'm going to have to ask you to leave this matter alone. The decision has been made. If you want a different response, why don't you ask your brother?"
A bitter sound leaves his lips. "As if he cares about anything to do with Omegas."
I must admit that when he mentioned the Omega, my interest was piqued. What's he referring to? She got hurt? When?
And why is he so furious about it?
"We can't afford to start any conflicts with our neighboring pack. You know as well as I do that the Wylde boy isn't under our jurisdiction."
I hear footsteps rapidly approaching and back away quickly but not fast enough. When Timmon opens the door, our eyes meet, and embarrassment courses through me but only briefly. 
"Is something wrong?" I ask, hoping this will be enough to get him to confide in me. 
"No," is his harsh response before he continues down the hallway. 
I stare at him and for a second, contemplate what to do. Our father would tell me everything if I asked but I want to hear it from Timmon. 
So, I follow him. 
"I can tell that something's wrong. Why won't you just tell me?"
"I don't think it'll interest you," he claims, not stopping for a second. "Since you became Alpha, all you're worried about is acting like a dick."
"Timmon," I begin, unsure of how else to get through to him, "I just want to have the chance to help you. Tell me and I'll do my best to set things right."
This time, he halts, and when he turns his head to look at me, a dark chuckle leaves his lips. This once more catches me off guard because my brother isn't like this at all. 
Angry isn't a word I ever thought I'd use to describe him. 
"No, you won't. You've become like everyone else and I don't recognize you anymore. You won't even listen to me most days whereas before, all we ever did was talk and share everything—do you realize that?"
Guilt gnaws at me and I feel like shit. "I know. Maybe I can do something to make it up to you."
"Forget it," he stubbornly declares before continuing down the hallway, his heavy footsteps muffled by the carpet underfoot. 
Giving up, I go straight to my father. It seems he'll be the only one to clear this misunderstanding for me. I knock on his door before stepping inside. When he sees it's me, he sighs in relief. 
"I thought it was your brother again."
"What's going on?"
My father waves his hand dismissively. "Something to do with the academy. For some who didn't want to join the program, he's showing a lot of interest in the place."
"But what happened?"
"The Omega again," he claims before rubbing his face. 
"What about her?"
"Nothing notable."
Frustration courses through me. I move closer to his desk and say, "Dad, come on. Just tell me."
I'm starting to think that something truly terrible has happened—what could provoke such a reaction from Timmon who tends to be a fairly calm guy?
"There was a...misunderstanding between the Omega and Golen Wylde's son. And Timmon being who he is got involved, broke the fight."
That man. I clench my jaw instantly, prickles of frustration spreading through me before he even explains. I thought I warned him to stay put that night. Could it be that he disobeyed me? I might not be his Alpha, but I'm still an Alpha. 
"What did he do?"
"Hit the girl, it seems," he claims before waving his hand once more like he couldn't care less about it. "I've left it for the administration to handle. We can't take care of every little thing—we're doing more than enough as it is."
"He hit her?"
My father meets my gaze steadily, not uttering another word. I'm seeing red. "Why would he do such a thing? Aren't there rules at the academy? He's a male. He can't hit her!"
"Cadeon," my father begins, exhaustion lacing his voice. "Not you too. My health is frail and I can't stand listening to both of you go on about...about an Omega who shouldn't even be at the academy in the first place. There are people in our pack who want her dead, as I'm sure you remember, so whatever transpired between her and the Wylde boy means nothing! She should be glad she's still alive."
Now I understand my brother's frustration. "And Timmon was the one who broke the fight?"
"Your brother's head is filled with delusions," my father bitterly claims. "This is how things have always been. I'm not sure why he's so eager to change them now."
"Dad," I begin carefully, not wishing to betray my true feelings about the matter, "I'm not happy about the Omega either, but that doesn't mean I condone violence against a woman. She's still under our jurisdiction and he isn't. We must do something about it—she's in the running to become a Luna! That grants her protective rights!" 
"She might be in the running but that means nothing, as you well know."
"And what if it does mean something!?" I burst out, the loudness of my voice surprising me, too. "What if she ends up being the chosen one? What would that mean then?"
The look he gives me sobers me up enough to step back and clear my throat but I'm not ashamed of my outburst. "I'll look into the matter and handle this. I'd appreciate your support."
"Cadeon, if you do this and people find out, they'll be furious. I suggest we forget the matter and wait for you to remove her from the competition when the quarter ends."
"No."
"Son—"
"I've warned the Wylde boy before about messing with her and he deliberately disobeyed me."
A flicker of shock crosses his face. "When was this?"
"A few days ago. I don't have time to explain. I'm going to Noctem Lunae now and I'm getting to the bottom of this. Excuse me."
I head toward the door and ignore it when my father calls my name.