Page 35 of Wilde Beta

“What is half-mate, and why do they not live here with him?” Adam asked.

“He has children with her, but he has not mated her. Emilio considered her beneath him, and so the children were also beneath him," Hector explained.

“Have them brought here. I have no use for someone who does not care for their children. We will find a place for them and see that they are cared for," Adam explained. “Is there anyone else who needs attention?”

“Many in the village are in poor shape, and their houses are terrible. That would just take time, and we will have to work through them one family at a time," Hector offered.

“Is there anything we can do to make things easier on them?” Adam asked.

“Many of the children do not get enough to eat, are wearing rags, have no shoes for their feet, and the shelter they're living in is poor. I'm unsure what you can do about that," Levi explained.

“I see you looking at me. You ensure they have food, and I will see what I can do about the clothing and the shoes. The shelter is also your problem.” Mel declared.

Chapter 9

The Village

“Perhaps I should tell you that the two missing betas may have gone to another pack. If they have, they may be planning to attack us.” Hector mentioned.

“Is that not something you should have told me right away?” Adam asked.

“I'm not sure they can attack because of the magic surrounding us. There may not be anything you can do about it if they decide to," Levi added.

“It is also true that the neighboring pack is small, and their fighters are no better than ours. An uneasy peace has developed because neither our pack nor theirs can afford to lose more people. We have been fighting each other for so long that no one can remember when it started, and it has decimated both packs. At one time, the two packs were one. There was a power struggle between two brothers, and to avoid destroying the pack completely, the father divided the pack between them," Hector explained. “Since then, they have battled back and forth, neither side gaining the upper hand.”

“That is good to know. Do we have anyone guarding the perimeter?” Adam wondered.

“No, but we have a perimeter alarm that alerts us if anyone tries to enter that should not," Levi replied.

“Will that alert us if the two betas return?” Adam wondered.

“I don't know. They are technically still considered pack even though they're not acting like it," Hector answered.

Adam suspected that meant they could come and go at will. He thought they might try to incite the pack members into rebelling against him. They might also know a way to sneak fighters in and attack unexpectedly. Routinely patrolling the perimeter was necessary, and two guards needed to do it so that if one was attacked, the other could contact someone. Doing everything needed with such a small pack would be difficult, but it had to be done.

“We need the perimeter patrolled. Two guards checking on a nonstop patrol. If we don't, we will be left open to attack, which is unacceptable. The other alpha will probably feel we are weak right now, and he can come in and take everything. We need to show them that isn't true. Do you know who we have available? These will be eight-hour shifts, so we will need six and someone to cover the days off," Adam directed.

“There are some who are not working, but most are either old or young, as in teenagers," Levi said.

“Those are acceptable because if they are attacked, they need to retreat. The main purpose of patrolling the perimeter is to get a warning before an attack.” Adam explained. “How much are guards paid?”

“The former alpha didn't pay anyone," Hector admitted. “That's why no one wanted to work for him.”

“The young guards will be trainees and paid slightly less while the older experienced ones will be paid the going rate. Everyone realizes that they will receive a pack tax, right? That is ten percent above and beyond whatever is paid as earned tax by the government," Adam explained. “If we get businesses going and making a profit, the tax will no longer be charged.”

“The old alpha charged fifty percent. Everyone will be pleased that they will no longer have to pay so much," Levi commented.

“Fifty percent is ridiculous. I'm beginning to understand why everyone is so poor here," Adam offered. “Who keeps the books?”

“I'm not sure who he uses. It is an outside accountant. One of those big companies, I believe," Hector answered.

“Is there not anyone in the pack trained to keep books?” Adam wondered.

“There is, but he did not want a pack member to keep his books. He hid everything from us because he feared his secrets would get out," Levi replied.

“What secrets?” Adam asked.

“I believe he was involved in illegal activities. Too much money came in without explaining where it came from," Hector explained.

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