"I know, honey, you're disappointed, and I don't blame you," Colin's gentle voice crooned.
I was, frankly, fucked up. Of course, Damon and Mariella, as well as the Salvatores, had gone to the Azores after vampire heat. Damon had simply announced it to Charles as if nothing was wrong between us anymore. He was an idiot, a pussy-slave.
Consequently, this left me in a precarious position, as I now had to make decisions that would affect us for the next thirteen years. Well, not all of us, as most of these guys wouldn't be part of it, but for those who would, my decisions would be crucial. And now, here we were, waiting in this freaking dull living room, made even duller by the fact it was stripped down, for Reddington to appear and give us the rest of the instructions.
The last three weeks had been hellishly busy, leaving me cranky, tired, and in no mood for this shit. But, as usual, I didn't have much choice. I calculated they'd have about three weeks in the Azores before they were summoned back here, and it was a surefire thing they'd continue mating here as well.
Therefore, we had created a private mating wing for them, closed off so they would have the peace to fuck there. Surely, they wouldn't even give it a second thought, as sex seemed to be their entire lives.
We had acquired a significant amount of supplies, and meat was arriving in abundance, a necessity given the circumstances. I had spent weeks chopping and processing carcasses, so much so that I thought I might never want to do it again once this was all over.
Our new pack was almost complete, with the exception of the mating group. In addition to our existing members, we had four of my girls – Emmylee, Vivianne, May, and Lily – and four girls from Mariella's group: Ashley, Britney, Daisy, and Rose. To my surprise, these newcomers were not airheads or lust-crazed individuals; instead, they were no-nonsense females with a good attitude and a genuine desire to be part of our pack.
They also held a certain disdain for their parents' activities, which I found more than surprising. However, it was refreshing to see that these girls were making decisions with their own minds, not driven solely by their desires. Meaning they had brains in their heads, not pussy, which made decisions. Furthermore, they readily acknowledged my status as a leader, unlike my own girls, who were constantly challenging me and questioning my decisions, which often irritated me.
I directed the new girls to organize our new wings and rooms according to their designated purposes. This meant creating large storage areas filled with clothes, baby supplies, and even furniture like chairs, sofas, and tables. I was determined to avoid spending money on these items if possible.
As I sat on a chair I had brought from Moldova, I felt the strain of trying to create a home amidst all this chaos. There was no time to relax, and the pressure of my pathos was weighing on me. I wondered if I would even be able to unload during these next 13 years, and whether I would be too strong for the Salvatores and the boys. More importantly, I questioned whether they would even want me to unload.
Now, I was faced with the responsibility of assigning jobs to everyone. We would be receiving our dossiers and CVs, and while changing workplaces wouldn't be forbidden, it seemed risky to do so once we had a position. There was no guarantee of finding another job. However, it would ultimately be everyone's decision.
Wulfe, who was sitting next to me, had promised that I wouldn't have to make these decisions alone and that they would assist me. Considering how pissed off everyone was at the Salvatores and Mariella, I wondered what kind of jobs we would assign to them.
My own job was already decided, leaving me with no choice in the matter. I was just wondering what the hell it would be. Would I be completely overwhelmed and overworked, or was this some sort of trial by fire, perhaps involving PR gigs? Overall, it felt like a very daunting task.
The shimmering in the air signaled Reddington's arrival, and a palpable tension filled the room. I knew no one regretted being present; rather, they were eager to help. I could sense their desire to save the world, and I suspected Mimosa possessed a deeper understanding than even Wulfe or myself, yet she remained silent.
She and the other girls had visited my sheds to select the perfect one for their torturing purposes. Colin and the wizards also wished to participate, but Mimosa promised them a few Sarks and Krychecks, specifying that these would be exclusively for them. It seemed I wasn't alone in seeking revenge.
I realized Mimosa had been a part of me for a long time, and perhaps she had developed her own darkness, despite usually being my opposite. Now, it was time for her to embrace this side of herself, bringing a kind of balance.
Reddington, who had once been a criminal boss, was my friend who had been crucial for me to make the fleas, but in reality, he had been a fallen angel, and interacting with me had shown him the way back home to heaven. Dressed in white once more, moved through the crowd, shaking hands and touching people as if bestowing a blessing.
When he finally reached me, I stood and embraced him, muttering, "By God, I have missed you. I wanted to show you so much, tell you everything that has happened, and now you're here."
He returned the hug, saying, "I have missed you too. I check in from time to time to see what you are up to. Don't worry, Chosen One, you are doing brilliantly. Believe me, those upstairs are very impressed by you, and not so much with Mariella and Salvatore."
As I released him, Wulfe stood up and hugged him as well. I had no idea if they had ever met, but Wulfe had become a cuddlebug from time to time, emulating me in such gestures. He muttered something in a language I didn't recognize, and Reddington seemed to reply, leaving me completely in the dark about their conversation.
Finally, Reddington entered the drab living room, its ugly green walls and bare floors—the rugs having been removed to accommodate the constant flow of deliveries—accentuating the still-ugly, limply hanging drapes. He glanced at us before conjuring a stack of dossiers from thin air.
"Now," he announced, "these contain your lives: your history, education, health records, vaccinations, and CVs. I will provide Mimi with a list of jobs, and she will assign one to each of you. Most of these positions are not particularly glamorous, but they will provide sufficient income and opportunities for career advancement. Becoming a doctor is not forbidden, but in this reality, there are no shortcuts. It requires seven years of education, and becoming a fully qualified doctor will take even longer and be incredibly expensive. So choose wisely; you might have your medical qualifications at the end of these thirteen years. Is it worth it?"
He paused, looking around at us, before handing out the dossiers. "Within these folders, you'll find information regarding your finances and potential career paths, as well as details about available insurance and support systems. Given your dual citizenships, you may also be eligible for assistance from those countries, so be sure to sort out your insurance and any other potential support."
I opened my dossier to discover that my citizenship was Finnish and American. Good, I would have to investigate the current regulations of the Finnish social support system.
May exclaimed, "We're Finnish as well!"
Rose chuckled, "Good for you. It seems we're Latina, Spanish to be exact. Oh, I can't wait to see Mom's expression when she finds out; it will be epic."
I rolled my eyes. Damon and Salvatore would be Italian, while Adam was probably German.
As for Wulfe, I wasn't sure, but he muttered, "I am Greek and American."
The other boys—Lepard and Demon—were Italian like Damon and Salvatore, leaving Charles as the unique case: partially Native American. Although fully American, his heritage was recorded, entitling him to certain benefits.
As I examined my dossier more closely, I noticed I was listed as a botanist with a significant body of work on plants. That was fine, but then there was my job: I owned a flower shop. Oh, shit.
No insurance, but I had a whole damn business to upkeep. Fine, talk about challenges. However, I would try my best, and maybe having my own little flower shop in the middle of the community would be an ideal place for us to blend in, learn about the community, and live as part of it.
Reddington then said, "Now, it is up to Mimi to decide when and what you can tell the Salvatores or Mariella if they ask. So ask her, and she will give you the okay. You will also start to notice what you can tell them. Even if one of them asks the right questions, you can provide answers, but Salvatore has the same rules: he can't tell others unless they ask."
I rolled my eyes. This was going to be a really rough start to a long journey, and it might affect the pack for a long time.
Reddington handed me a pile of dossiers detailing the jobs and said, "It is up to you to decide who gets what. You can use others to help you, so they can pick and choose what they want."
I nodded. There was a folder for me, for my company, and everything else. First, I would have to get insurance, as I was the sole owner, so there was no employer-provided insurance.
Reddington continued, "You have done well. You still have time to gather more. This will start on the 7th of November, so until then, don't worry. The Salvatores will come back here when the time is right; the god himself will make it happen. And Mimi, congratulations."
He smiled at me, and I just didn't get it, not right away.
He added, "It will be new to you, as you will experience it much slower, like humans."
He glanced at my belly. Oh my god! I was pregnant! Hell.
Wulfe smiled and gripped my hand. Colin smiled too. Charles was on top of the world, as were Adam and the boys. All the girls started to chatter like birds about how and who gets to take care of the babies. I somehow also knew that Mariella would be pregnant too, blissfully unaware of her state until it became more prominent. Well, now I knew why I wasn't hungry in the mornings.
After Reddington delivered his final instructions, which were essentially blessings for Mimosa's and others' torture plans for the baddies, he faded away. It was all about balance; since it was our side, we got to show the baddies, or Mimosa, Shadow, and the others, what was what.
Magnum smirked, stating, "I am glad I am not part of this. I couldn't handle your hormones for nine months, so good luck, Wulfe; you will have your hands full."
Wulfe simply smiled; as far as he was concerned, this was the epitome of perfection. Fine, my babies would also be partly Finnish if I wanted, and I might get a maternity pack and maternity allowance from Finland, along with the possibility of a longer maternity leave. However, it also meant I would have to go to the doctor's or nurse's office for examinations—no biggie, right?
I said, picking up the list of jobs and preparing to make this happen. I could tell not everyone was going to be thrilled with their assignments, especially the Salvatores and Mariella, as we were feeling a little, or not so little, vengeful, so it would be what it would be. "First, we have our only doctor's job here, an ER doctor. The hourly wage is 184 dollars; it's long days, hectic, stressful, and not much time to lounge around. Any ideas?"
Wulfe said, "Number one, so he has less time to spend with 'pussy,' he will be stressed, tired, and has to work with people, no hope of the three-day rule, as this is innate for him. He is a healer, so he will get on with the job."
I smiled and wrote it down for number one, slipping the folder inside his CV, which showed experience as a doctor in the ER. Wulfe had read the dossiers for the Salvatores, so he had an idea of who would have a CV matching the job.
Next, I took the next folder, opened it, and said, "Now we have truck driving gigs here, actually four positions, so any takers?"
To my surprise, Adam and Charles, as well as Demon and Lepard, took them. They wanted to be truck drivers, and as their CVs had the necessary credentials, it was a go.
I said, "Now we have two types: the first two will spend two weeks on the road and two weeks home, and the other two will have a week in, week off. It will be grueling; you are spending a lot of time out of here on the road, but this pays well."
Adam and Charles took the two-week gigs, and the other boys took the week in, week out, already planning who starts when so I would have someone at home all of the time.
We were all feeling rather catty, or perhaps it was just me. Mariella landed a job as a mental health technician at a community mental health center, which wasn't as exciting as it sounded. In reality, she was essentially a glorified clerk, handing out forms and directing people to the nurses.
Meanwhile, I became more creative in my placements. Several Salvatores secured jobs at bakeries; given their love for cooking, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for them to bake and create cakes. Numbers nine and ten became security officers, a role they seemed content with, and perhaps I had a soft spot for them.
May desired social media influencer internships, while Wulfe took on the role of data analyst and clerk. One of the Salvatores also became a data analyst. Number three secured a position as a customer experience manager.
A few of Mariella's girls took on fast food jobs and the possibility of later internships, should they feel inclined. Number two became a bakery manager, as others had gained internships in bakeries and restaurants, lessening their need to cook at home since they would be doing it all day.
Everyone was quite excited about their jobs, and no opportunity seemed too small for the girls, as they were eager to gain experience. After all, thirteen years is a long time, and they might change jobs or advance in their careers.
As for me, I knew I would have to excel at running my shop, considering my salary wasn't going to be huge. However, being in a somewhat isolated town up north meant there weren't many flower shops, so I might have a real chance here.
Adam then chimed in, "Well, it's not too hard for us to put up a few greenhouses on our farms and raise annuals in the spring and summertime for your flower shop. Who knows, maybe it will expand into a pack mutual business."
I rolled my eyes. Of course, those eager beavers were keen to help me. The girls were also eagerly seeking internships at my company, but I had to explain that I would most likely have to make it public, meaning others would be applying too, unless they were willing to work without pay.
With our wings now ready, we still had a few weeks to prepare and hoard as much as possible. After assigning everyone their jobs and watching them eagerly pore over their dossiers, I headed toward a cooler in the yard.
It was stocked with primal cuts of beef and pork, and a huge delivery of birds had just arrived—perfect timing for Thanksgiving. I walked inside, grabbed a piece of meat, and began to butcher it.
I prepared the meat in several different ways to offer a variety of cuts. As each piece was finished, I laid it out on a table in anatomically correct order, knowing the girls would soon arrive to pack, label, and weigh my cuts. They would then either freeze them or place them in a cool space to tenderize.
Because there were also meat scraps and organs to be packaged, Mimosa, Shadow, Elena, and Katherine were kept busy. They all chatted about my pregnancy, eager for belly pics, video diaries, baby pictures, and other recordings. They had made sure we had plenty of video cameras, cameras, laptops, and data storage.
I was busy making baby back ribs from pork, having just removed most of the skin and fat, which were also carefully weighed and packaged. Meanwhile, the men delivered fish and seafood. Most of it was smoked, cured, or processed, with only a small amount being frozen raw due to its shorter shelf life.
Fortunately, we had five huge smoking houses and a team working an outside pit to cook double-muscle beef. Some of the meat was also roasted and then frozen. Knowing that we would need even more food once the babies arrived, it was imperative to hoard as much as possible to avoid any future shortages.
I had taught both my girls and Mariella's girls to butcher birds, making them responsible for that task. Adam, Charles, and the others had already broken down over 50 carcasses into primal cuts, so I had my work cut out for me.
But in a way, this felt right: preparing and hoarding. I knew that the men would now direct the influx of supplies into the new rooms and move the packaged meat into our new cooler rooms or the huge room-sized freezers located in our wings.
I had no idea what we would receive, and some of the items would be quite surprising when I found out. Fleas usually sent me messages about shipments, and I simply replied, instructing them to bring everything in and place it in one of the remaining free rooms.
A lot of our clothes had been moved, along with the newest household appliances, all of which had guarantees. I, or we, had chosen these appliances for several reasons, considering not just my personal preferences but also durability, user-friendliness, and ease of maintenance.
Adam and Charles were also handy with machines, so they could easily identify the ones that would be easiest for them to fix. This prompted them to acquire as many tools and materials as possible for upcoming problems, as well as spare parts. Consequently, we had a lot to do, and time was running out; with only a few weeks left, it was no time to slack off.
There were about 50 fleas bringing stuff in, while the witches of the magic house were planting fruit trees and berry bushes, also protecting them from the upcoming winter and ensuring there were no harmful herbs anywhere.
As I mentioned, it took a lot of people to get all of this done, and the Salvatores had no fucking idea about any of it. Despite the fact that it might have occasionally angered someone, for us, it was a fitting punishment, as they were not worthy of this.
Given my emphasis on the importance of additional income, we were receiving massive truckloads of rocks, geodes, and various other items. Some of these shipments were quite surprising, and I often only discovered their contents as they were being unloaded. However, as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason.
While it was a stressful time, I managed to gain significant momentum. The best part was that we had just finalized our order of succession. Charles, adhering to werewolf customs, was pack leader, which meant that I assumed the role whenever he was working. While the others were fine with this arrangement, I knew that the Salvatores, especially Mariella, would take it hard.
Charles warned me that Damon might eventually attempt to reclaim his position as pack leader, but by then, I believed this "snowball" of momentum would be unstoppable, preventing any Salvatore from easily controlling me.
This idea, which Wulfe seemed to glean from my thoughts, caused him to smirk as he envisioned future conflicts between us. Little did I know, they had even more plans for me than I could have imagined.
At that moment, I was simply butchering meat, not even consciously considering the specific cut unless someone asked, "What is this?"
I would then examine it and identify it as steak, tri-tip, or loin cut, or whatever it happened to be. Following identification, the meat was labeled, weighed, and packaged. Meanwhile, with children on the way, the boys were procuring supplies for baby food, including fresh vegetables and other necessities.
They would then prepare the baby food and store it in the cold room, ensuring it was ready when needed. Additionally, my milk reserves, along with a lot of "bump," drugs, and medical supplies, were collected and stored. Only time would tell what would ultimately come of all this.