Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Theo entered the meeting room in the admin building. He glanced around, sensing the tense silence blanketing the space. Poppy Miller stood near the far end of the large table, speaking quietly with Kai Morrow. Logan Carter leaned against the wall beside Jade Rivers. Alicia Reeves sat rigidly in a chair, her expression grave. Morgan grumbled beside her, arms crossed. Their collective demeanor left no doubt about the seriousness of the meeting.
Theo took a seat, trying to ignore the tightening knot in his stomach. He had expected some reaction to recent events but seeing everyone assembled made the situation feel dire. He caught Logan’s eye and received a brief nod in return. Poppy sat at the head of the table, clearing her throat to gain everyone’s attention. Her gaze swept over each face, lingering briefly on Theo.
She exhaled deeply. “I’ve called this staff meeting today because we have serious concerns about campus safety,” Poppy began. Her voice was steady but firm. “Several incidents have happened lately, incidents we can no longer dismiss as isolated. The mismarked trails, the cut rope at the climbing wall, and the recent scheduling chaos that ended with an injury.”
Kai frowned, nodding solemnly in agreement. Theo felt the weight of the moment settle heavily on his shoulders. Poppy continued, her tone tightening further. “These are no longer simple mistakes. We must establish stronger safety protocols.”
She turned to Alicia Reeves, motioning for her to speak. Alicia sat forward. Theo saw the worry etched deep in the lines of her face.
“As medical coordinator,” Alicia said, her voice resonant, “I’ve seen the dangerous consequences of these incidents firsthand.” Alicia paused briefly, letting her words resonate through the room. “The rope incident at the climbing wall could have killed someone. And a single email caused an injury. These issues must stop.”
Jade Rivers spoke next, her frustration evident. “Communication failures are causing serious risks. The recent scheduling confusion meant participants missed my hazard briefing. They went onto a dangerous trail unprepared. A sprained ankle could have easily turned into something much worse.” Jade looked around, eyes sharp and direct. “We need clear accountability and effective communication. This kind of oversight is unacceptable.”
Poppy gave Jade an approving nod before turning her attention to Theo. He shifted uneasily in his seat. “Theo,” Poppy began carefully, “while we acknowledge your quick response to the missing hikers as commendable, we must address your absence from the kitchen shift that day. Your position on SAR requires reliability. We need to know where you are and trust you to fulfill your responsibilities if you’re called.”
Theo’s heart sank. The room grew silent, and a flush crept up his neck. Shame and frustration mingled. He nodded firmly, accepting the reminder. “Yes, ma’am. You can trust me.”
Poppy nodded once more, signaling the meeting’s end. Chairs scraped as staff members stood and began quietly discussing their next steps. Theo lingered in his chair, his chest tight and jaw tense. Logan approached him, gently guiding him aside for a private conversation.
“Listen, Theo,” he began quietly. “We’re behind you. The shifters at the academy respect you. Your dad has a long history with SAR. And you were an amazing addition to the team when you were younger. But patience wears thin when incidents pile up.”
Theo rubbed his face, exhaling. “I know, Logan. It’s just—I’m trying to manage everything. Coming back here was supposed to help. Then I found out Serena is my mate. I tried to take her on a date, and my beast came out. It’s been… a lot.”
Logan nodded sympathetically. “I get it. But with everything happening around us, any personal slip-ups stand out. You need to stabilize yourself.”
“Thanks, Logan,” Theo said quietly. “I will.”
Logan squeezed Theo’s shoulder in support. “I have faith in you, Theo. But we can’t afford any more incidents.”