Page 35 of Savage Daddies
Several times over the last few days, I’ve glanced out the window to see a family walking down the street together—mother, fathers, and children. Longing surged within me each time, a deep yearning to have my own family with my mates. I think of the loneliness and constant state of fear I experienced while in the group home and vow to never let any child I have feel the same way. My arms literally ache to wrap around a baby and my eyes fill with tears.
How could the Wise Leaders deny us the opportunity to have children? How could they tell us procreation was dirty and strictly forbidden? How could they force us to work the same job, day after day, and then kill us once we turn sixty-two?
Sheena.
I must send her a letter soon.
Setting my book aside, I find a piece of paper in a desk near the bookcase, as well as a pen. Clutching the pen, I stare at the blank paper and try to think of the best way to explain all that’s happened. The truth is probably best, or at least as much of it as I’m permitted to tell. She needs to understand exactly what she’s facing if she decides to escape Emerald. If she’d rather live in the techno-city her whole life, even knowing she’ll die once she reaches sixty-two no matter what, than become the mate of several savages, I want her to be able to make that decision with all the facts.
Dear Sheena,
Hello. It’s me. Joselyn. I’m alive, and I’m all right.
I’m in the wildlands.
During our hike, I was taken captive by two savages and they brought me to their village. They have two younger brothers who are twins. I cannot tell you their names or the location of our village. I hope you will understand. However, I want you to know that I’m safe and I think I’ll be happy here. Or, at least I’ll be happier here than I was in Emerald.
You see, I’ve learned something about the techno-cities and the Wise Leaders. We die at age sixty-two, not because our bodies give out naturally, but because the Wise Leaders want to maintain control of our population. The same number of babies is hatched each year as people who reach sixty-two and die.
In the techno-cities, we don’t die of natural causes, as the Wise Leaders would have us believe. Instead, poison is pumped into our bedrooms. They kill us.
I know this information may shock you, but I swear it’s true. I’ve met several individuals in the wildlands who are far older than sixty-two.
There’s something else. Something huge. In the wildlands, women are scarce. For every one hundred males born (yes, people are born in the wildlands), only one female is born. Due to the shortage of females, savages will sometimes steal women from the techno-cities to keep as their mates. From what I can tell, usually several savages—often brothers—will share one woman and take her as their mate. I have four mates.
The reason I’m contacting you is because you were my only friend in Emerald and I want you to know the truth about the techno-cities and the Wise Leaders. They control us, every aspect of our lives. Or at least they try to. It’s not right. No one in the techno-cities is free. Everyone is a prisoner, and everyone’s clock is ticking. Sixty-two. You likely won’t live a day past sixty-two—unless you leave.
I won’t lie to you. If you leave Emerald, you will probably be taken by a group of savage men. They will take you as their mate, and they will expect you to have real sexual intercourse with them and one day even give them children. Having real sex feels much different than VR sex, though I must confess I do find it immensely pleasurable.
It’s also beautiful in the wildlands. Better than any landscape I’ve glimpsed in a VR story. The air smells fresh and clean, and I’ve seen real sunrises and sunsets, as well as the real night sky—it’s filled with more stars than I would have ever imagined.
If you decide to leave Emerald, I hope you can find me. I’m sorry I can’t give you directions, or even tell you the name of our village, but there’s always a risk this message might be intercepted by the wrong person.
I wish you well and hope you find happiness in your life, whether you remain in Emerald or seek a new life in the wildlands.
Your friend,
Joselyn
I sit back and read my letter over twice, making sure I haven’t omitted any important details. My stomach flips when I realize I didn’t mention the public mating ceremony. Guilt fills me when I decide it’s best to leave it out. If Sheena makes it to the wildlands and is taken by savages and I happen to meet up with her, I’ll offer her my deepest apologies then. Even though my daddies took me in public, I’m glad I’m here. I certainly don’t wish to return to Emerald.
“What are you doing?”
I turn at the sound of Daddy Erik’s voice. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. He’s so handsome, with his wavy shoulder-length locks and the serious expression he always wears.
“I wrote the letter I’d like to pass to my roommate.” I pick up the missive and hand it to him as he approaches. “Would you mind reading it? To make sure I didn’t include any information that might put the village in danger?” Even though I know I didn’t put anything of the sort in my note, I suspect the brothers will want to read it anyway, just to make sure, and I’d rather it be my idea to let them read it than have it taken from my hands.
“Of course.” He accepts the letter and stands close by as he reads it. Once he’s finished, he passes it back to me with a nod. “This is acceptable. There are envelopes in the drawer. You can place it in one and write your roommate’s name and address on it.”
“Thanks.” I fold the letter in half and search for an envelope as instructed. “Any idea when a man from Misty Falls will be able to pass this off to a Ranger from Emerald?”
His face darkens for so slight a moment, I almost don’t catch it. “I’m not certain, though it might be several weeks, or possibly months. The King brothers venture near Emerald more frequently than any of us. I will ask if they are planning any impending trips, but there are matters in the village that must be attended to beforeanyoneleaves on a trip to the techno-cities,” he says vaguely.
The outcasts. Will they return? I try to keep my expression neutral, recalling Daddy Axel’s recent comment about how they can always tell when I’m upset. Damn. Why can’t I control my reactions? It seems I cannot hide anything from my daddies, I realize, as a suspicious gleam enters Daddy Erik’s blue gaze.
“I overheard you all talking about the outcasts,” I confess before he has a chance to interrogate me, hoping he’s not mad. To my relief, his shoulders relax and he cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle.
“What exactly did you hear us say, little girl?”
