PROJECT: CAYRO

Director Staroko:

September 11, 2025

08:12 CST

S.A.F. H.Q. Office

Cedar Rapids IA.

Five days had passed since my meeting with the Chairman, and the silence from him was beginning to gnaw at me. Normally, he left the day-to-day operations of SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation in my capable hands, trusting my judgment as he focused on higher matters. But in critical situations—especially those involving his daughter, Star—he would usually check in every couple of days. Yet, this time, nothing. Not a single email or message. Perhaps he genuinely believed that Katrina and I had everything under control. In most cases, I’d agree. But the presence of a young, volatile human-wolf hybrid was starting to seriously test my patience.

For the past three days, Cayro has made it abundantly clear that he harbors a grudge against me. I understand it’s the natural outcome of his recent augmentation and the powerful genetics now coursing through his veins. Werewolf instincts, especially in someone newly augmented, are a volatile mix—pushing him to challenge me, the perceived alpha, because we are both equally dominant. What Cayro doesn’t yet realize is that age and experience are formidable opponents. I’ve dealt with far more dangerous challengers in my time, and I’m still here. But rather than simply dismissing him, I’ve been planning a way to address this tension—a challenge match, a long-overdue tradition to rank everyone in this makeshift pack we’ve formed at SkyTeam. It would also be the perfect opportunity to formally introduce Star and Cayro to our world.

I had spent hours breaking down what we are to them. Remarkably, they seemed to take the information well—too well, perhaps. They didn’t ask many questions, simply listening and then leaving the conference room quietly. Since then, neither has come back to me for clarification or guidance. Maybe they’re still processing, or perhaps they’re just biding their time. Only time will tell.

Leaning back in my chair, I composed an email to the entire company. Everyone at SkyTeam knew our secret—what most of us truly were. It had been a while since we’d held a community gathering, and now seemed like the perfect moment for it. Not only to welcome our new shareholders but to solidify our bonds as a pack. As I typed, the words came easily, almost instinctively, as if some part of me had been waiting for this moment.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Companywide Luncheon

Good morning everyone,

I am pleased to announce that we will pause all work today at 1 pm for a companywide luncheon. This event will commemorate the events of twenty-four years ago and honor the arrival of two new company shareholders. In addition, as Alpha of the SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation Pack, I am announcing a tradition we have yet to perform here at SkyTeam: a Challenge Arena.

As many of you know, pack challenges have long been a tradition to establish pack hierarchy. Though we’ve ignored this tradition, having operated as a group of rogues, it’s time to embrace our identity. The Council has often expressed discomfort at the strength of our collective rogue status, not recognizing us as a true pack. Today, we will begin our transition from a loose collective of rogues to an official pack under the North American Wolf Council.

According to Council laws, every pack member over the age of seventeen must participate in the Challenge Arena to earn their place in the pack. Traditionally, these arenas are held annually, but I believe we should uphold our own tradition of defying convention. Participation in our Challenge Arena will be voluntary and held at my discretion. Those who choose not to participate are encouraged to attend and support their fellow pack members. Non-wolf members of SkyTeam are welcome to observe or even compete if they feel up to the challenge.

The Challenge Arena will take place at the training stadium starting at 3 pm today. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Stephan Staroko

Senior Director of SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation

After pressing send, I watched the email vanish from my screen. Almost immediately, I heard the familiar sound of pings echoing through the office as the notification spread, followed by a crescendo of cheers from the pack members reading the announcement. A smile tugged at my lips. If there’s one thing that has always brought me joy, it’s seeing my pack united and spirited.

Just then, my office phone rang, breaking my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID—Katrina. I picked up the receiver, bracing myself for whatever new complication she was about to bring to my attention.

“STEPHAN STAROKO! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR HOWLING MIND?” Katrina’s voice boomed through the phone, her thick Russian accent sharpening every word before I could even greet her.

“That depends on who you ask, Katrina,” I replied, a playful lilt in my voice that I knew would only irritate her further.

“Don’t play coy with me, Stephan. I’ll march into your office and drag you up and down the hall by your tail if I have to! We agreed not to push our members into a pack hierarchy because of their history…” she snapped, her frustration palpable.

“And we aren’t, Katrina,” I countered smoothly. “This Challenge Arena is completely voluntary. It’s meant to give our members a way to resolve disputes in a controlled environment, not to enforce some rigid hierarchy.”

“Are you seriously challenging the Council’s laws on the Challenge Arena? That law was established by the first King of the Wolves several thousand years ago, Stephan,” she growled, her accent growing even more pronounced, a sure sign that I was treading on dangerous ground.

“Yes, I am,” I stated, my voice firm. “The Council has been breathing down our necks for the past year and a half about our unofficial status. They want us to fall in line because of how fast and large we’ve grown. Based on our numbers alone, we’re the second largest pack in North America and the third largest in the world. The North American Council Pack is the largest, followed by the European Council Pack, and they only outnumber us by ten wolves. If you include the families of our wolves, we could easily rival the NACP. That’s what scares them.”

“I know, Stephan. That’s exactly why they offered you the chance to take the throne. You’re one of the strongest Alphas in the world—if not the strongest—and you’re not even of royal blood. They don’t want to risk you planning a takeover by force,” she explained, her voice laced with concern.

“Katrina, I know what they’re thinking,” I said, my tone softening just a touch. “But I don’t want to take on the Council or be the King.” She didn’t know that I had been there when those laws were written, that I had been the one who wrote those laws. It wouldn’t be long before someone else stepped up to claim the title—a leader who, in my heart, I knew would be the King we needed.

“Then why are you challenging them by not making the Challenge Arena mandatory?” she asked, genuine confusion replacing her earlier anger.

“Simple,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Our pack dynamics are different. We operate more like a business than a traditional pack. We have dominant wolves who are too damaged to lead, and submissive wolves who can guide and inspire others. A traditional hierarchy would stifle us. We’d lose the very thing that makes us strong. So, in keeping with our traditions, we’ll be an untraditional official pack.”

There was a heavy pause on the line before Katrina finally sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Stephan.”

“Me too, Katrina,” I said, a hint of weariness creeping into my voice. “Me too.” I hung up the phone and turned my gaze toward the large airfield outside my office window, my thoughts churning as I considered the uncertain path ahead.