Page 40 of Feral
“He also tells me that you said it’s unhappy.”
I frowned. I was simplifying the concepts for a child, so I guess unhappy would be the right word. “It’s especially dry this year. Makes for difficult conditions for the wildlife and the forest.”
“Such as?”
“Poor feed, less water, the possibility of forest fires.”
“Solutions?”
“Goats.”
Radic coughed. “Excuse me?”
I chewed my lip, but Lorso had taught me never to make yourself small in front of a predator. Unless that predator was a bear. Then you had to hope to the Goddess he thought you were a bush or something, because no one wins in a fight with a bear. But Courtland wasn’t a bear, so I straightened my shoulders and stood taller.
“Goats. Last year was a good growing season, so the undergrowth is longer than normal. Despite what you’d think, long grass doesn’t make for good feed for wildlife. Combined with the dried up waterholes and the general hate of the Manix, all the herbivores have left and nothing will eat the tall grass. Good way for a fire to start. So we bring in goats, let them do what they do best. New growth will form once it isn’t being overshadowed by the tall undergrowth, meaning next year should be better.”
Both men stared at me like I’d suggested alien abduction. Finally, Courtland shook his head. “Do you want a job? I’ll make you your own position. Forest and wildlife management. There’s no pressure, and feel free to talk it over with your Pack first, but I feel as if no one would understand what the forest needs the way you do, yet we live right in the middle of it. So having someone who can understand its language can only be beneficial, wouldn’t you agree?”
My jaw unhinged as I blinked at him. My mind was running, but I was struggling to think of the right English words in my shock, so I just nodded. The other men beamed at me.
“Excellent. Let us know what you wish to do, but if you could come down and let Radic know how many goats we may need, we can get that underway as soon as possible.” He stepped back toward the door, holding it open for Radic. “And Omega?”
“Yes?”
“Congratulations again on your cubs. It is scary, but they are a blessing for the whole race.”
“Thank you, sir.” He gave me another soft smile, and then he was gone. I turned as I heard Darius come down the stairs.
“Everything okay? Sorry I took so long—I swear Corvin grows three extra arms when he’s drunk. He’s like a horny octopus.”
“Everything is fine. The Alpha General offered me a job. Forest and wildlife management.”
Darius whooped and grabbed me up in his arms. Hugging me tightly, he asked, “Are you going to take it?”
I snuggled my face further into his body, inhaling his spicy scent. It had changed since I first met him, due to the cubs, and if it was possible, it had become even more comforting. “Do you think I should?” I mumbled against his chest, and he rubbed my back.
I’d enjoyed the guys going back to work, although I missed them, because it meant I could spend more time with Darius. With the Alphas, everything was always so charged. But with Darius, it was easy. On days we weren’t at the Sanctum, we snuggled on the couch and Darius introduced me to all his favorite TV shows. We ate snacks, talked or napped. It was just nice. The new Omega in me enjoyed being with him. If I was honest with myself, she more than enjoyed his company. She loved him. I loved him. Actually, I lovedthem.
However, there was a little part of me always waiting for something bad to happen, for Lorso’s warnings to come true.
“It’s up to you, Kitten. You know we’ll support you, no matter what you decide to do. But if you want my opinion?” I nodded. “I think you’d enjoy it. It would allow you to continue to do what you love. Allow you to have some financial independence from the Pack too. I know you might need that security.”
I wanted to protest that I wasn’t going anywhere, but I’d be lying if I didn’t think about going back to my cabin whenever things seemed too much. I pulled back so I could look at him. “I don’t need money, Darius.”
“No, of course not, we’ll take care of you. We aren’t loaded, but we have enough to live comfortably. But sometimes, your own nest egg can make you feel more—”
I put my fingers over his lips. “No, I mean I’m rich. Lorso left me everything he had, the remainder of his Pack’s investments and money. I’ve got millions of dollars, last time I checked.”
Darius pulled back, his eyes wide. “Come again?” He shook his head. “But the guys, they brought you food and clothes and things.”
I shrugged, stepping away because I did feel a little guilty about that. “It made them feel better about leaving me out there if they thought they were providing for me. Plus, if they knew I had money, they’d have tried to make me leave and live in town, maybe try to find me a house. I didn’t want to do that. Lorso lived rustically, despite his wealth, and raised me to appreciate the things I could do with my own hands, rather than benefiting from someone else's labor. Also, it saved me from having to go to town. I hated going down into the village. How did the guys think I was surviving after they stopped coming?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t want to think about it. You survived and now you’re here with us, and that's all that mattered.” He let out a low whistle. “Wait until we tell the guys. They’re going to be so shocked.” He chuckled to himself gleefully. “I’ll have to set up my camera!”
24
DARIUS
