“Well, they have access to a few specialized clubs on campus. Plus…” Mrs. Sandalwood trailed off.
“What is it?” I prompted her to finish her thought.
She lowered her voice and leaned in. “It really depends on the Alpha. Some blow through their money quickly at the clubs.”
“You mentioned them. What are they?”
“There are a few sports bars and one dance club. Only ranked wolves can get in. But Alpha’s has a VIP section, and it costs more. The flashier ones spend their money there. Then the others, they are more respectful and sponsor kids.”
“Sponsor kids?”
Mrs. Sandlewood kind of sighed. “Some of the unranked wolves don’t have a lot of money. Or none at all. They get jobs around campus to earn their meals.”
My mother covered her mouth, and I felt my face fall. “But these kids are here to study, and now they have to worry about eating?” I turned to my mom, and she shook her head.
“That’s horrible.”
“I know you aren’t allowed to give me the names, but are you able to see how many students have a zero balance on their cards?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed my father.
“Of course.” Mrs. Sandlewood worked for a few minutes on the computer as I rang my father.
“Baby?” My father’s deep voice rang out, and I watched my mother shiver next to me. “Is something wrong?”
“Yeah, dad there is.” I drew a breath. “I need you to transfer me a lot of money.”
“What?” My dad chuckled. “Why?”
“I’m at the university, and we are getting ready to load my meal card.”
My dad burst out laughing. “They still do that bullshit.” He cackled for a few more minutes, obviously proud of himself. “Okay. Okay. What do you need for your meals?”
“It’s not my meals I'm worried about, Daddy.” I started, and he fell silent.
“There are three hundred low-ranked and unranked wolves with no money on their food cards.” Mrs. Sandlewood whispered to me, and I nodded.
I covered the phone and whispered back to her. “How much does a basic meal plan cost, just three meals a day, and the cost of textbooks for a semester?”
She clicked a few times and then scrunched up her face. “Around ten thousand dollars.”
“Daddy…I need three million.”
I listened to my father choke on whatever he was drinking. “Okay, but explain.” I heard my father whisper a few things to Ronnie, who also choked. He laughed again.
“I just found out that lower-ranked wolves, and some of the unranked wolves, have to take jobs around the campus instead of focusing on their studies.”
“What?” My father’s voice faltered.
“Yeah.”
“When did this happen? There used to be a basic food plan included in tuition.” Mrs. Sandlewood’s eyes widened as she looked away.
“The integrated food plan was removed about ten years back.” She answered, and I did the math. I leaned the phone towards her and hit the speaker button to make this easier.
“Alpha Vince was appointed as Dean ten years ago.” My father’s voice was dark, and I knew he was angry.
“That is correct.” Mrs. Sandlewood answered, but she wouldn’t meet my eye.
“How much is the basic food plan?” His voice was controlled, but I knew my dad.
