Ridian’s POV
“Alright,” I said to Francis Sawyer, the alpha of Oakwood pack. “What is it that you want from my pack?”
“I want to buy shares in some of your mines,” he said. “I want partnership so that I can put some funds into your operations, increase your scale and we both benefit. My pack is located in a terrible area, unlike yours that’s in a very strategic location. I’ve heard that you don’t sell shares easily so this is my one chance to get what I want from you.”
“I see,” I said. I did not like partnering with other people because very few were trustworthy. Francis Sawyer was one of the people I’d usually stay away from, but for Cilla’s sake, I was considering the risky venture.
“You don’t need to give me an answer right now,” he said. “You can get back to me later. If you want, I can even take you to see those children so you can know for sure that they’re here.”
“That’s a good idea,” I said. I was curious to see the condition in which Cilla’s siblings were living in. Knowing how this man and his pack treated innocent children would come in handy while I made a decision on whether to partner with him.
“Alright, c’mon. Let’s check out those weaklings.”
We found about ten children working in a large vegetable garden. They were all doing different tasks. Some were watering the vegetables, others were harvesting and others creating seedling pods in the corner. All the children seemed healthy which really shocked me. Almost everything I had heard about Oakwood pack was negative. I was relieved to see that things were not as bad as I thought. I had visited other packs and their child slaves always looked miserable and worn out. These ones looked content and well fed.
“This is the only work they can do without messing up,” Francis said.
“They look good,” I commented.
“I’m sure you expected them to look like starved prisoners,” the alpha said. “I don’t treat my slaves very well, I won’t lie. But, I have nothing against children. They’re innocent creatures who see a lot of good in the world. For this ones, their view is tainted of course, but I don’t want to take everything. I need them to remain connected to their humanity or I’ll have a big problem a few years from now when they’re grown up.”
The man was really wise. Most children who were treated badly while growing up turned into monsters or sadists in adulthood. There was a pack that had been wiped out because of ill-treatment of child slaves. The slaves had grown up and turned against all the pack members who had mistreated them while they were growing up. To instil love for the pack in them, slaves had to be treated well to a certain extent. If they loved the pack, it would be safer for everyone.
“Yeah, I’m pleasantly surprised.” I said as I looked closely at the children. After a few seconds, I found what I was looking for. Two identical faces, one male and a female.
“I see you’ve spotted them,” Francis said.
The girl was among those collecting vegetables. She was plucking eggplants from the plants and putting them in a small basket that she held with the other hand. The boy was holding a hose and using it to water the plants. They looked very much identical, the only differences being the clothes they were wearing, hair style and physiques. The boy’s features were sharper than the girls.
The children looked good and healthy. It seemed they had adjusted to life in the pack. I glanced at Francis and realised that he was judged too severely by the people outside his pack. A person’s treatment says a lot about him. I developed a new found respect for the man, and made my decision to work with him. I decided not to tell him at that moment because I didn’t want to seem too eager which would make him exploit me.
“You have taken good care of them,” I commented. “I, for one, have no idea how the slave children at my pack are treated and now I feel quite ashamed of that. I don’t know if those in charge are taking good care of them. All I know is that the children are not supposed to be mistreated, but have never bothered about them.”
A new family had recently joined the pack and I had no idea how things were going for them. I remembered bargaining about the price of the children and that was it.
“Children are very important, even those of the slaves. Their wellbeing will determine a lot of things as they grow up. They may seem like a clueless bunch but never be fooled.”
I nodded. “You’re right. Okay, I will get back to about the deal. I’m glad I was able to see the children and they’re in good condition.”
Francis nodded. “That’s okay. Get back to me within two days.”
“Will do.”
“Good. Jota!”
A man came running to where we were.
“Escort this gentleman to where his car is.”
“Good day, Alpha Sawyer.”
“Good day, Jamison.”
I was feeling good when I left. I wished Cilla knew that her siblings were doing very well. She wouldn’t stress herself so much. I resolved not to tell her immediately. I had to first do more research about Francis Sawyer and see if he was worth going to business with. The man had been nice, but some people always put up appearances when visitors show up. Sometimes, there was more than meets the eye behind the scenes.
I arrived at the pack late in the evening. Instead of going straight to the house, I decided to take a stroll in the garden. Jane had changed a lot in the months she had been away, and was wearing me out. She had turned into some insecure control freak and I didn’t know what to do with her. Being patient was not helping.
The blue sky was covered by small white patches of cloud. There was a slight wind blowing and the air felt cool. The flower garden had bloomed with a variety of bright coloured flowers and sent a glorious smell into the atmosphere. My intention was to pass by the flower garden but I stopped when I sensed a certain scent. It was Cilla.
I stood for a while, trying to decide whether to continue or stop and check on her. Looking around, I saw that there was no one in the vicinity. I sniffed around as well to check if there was someone hiding nearby. I couldn’t catch any scent other than that of Cilla Markle. I was pretty sure she had sensed me as well. Following the scent.
I found her at the edge of the garden. She was seated on a large rock, her legs dangling over it. I watched her for a while before walking over to where exactly she was.
“Hey,” I said.
She turned her head. Her eyes looked glossy and red, a sign that she had been crying a short while ago.
“What happened to you?” I asked.
She turned away and looked the other side.
“Nothing. Just feeling sad. Don’t mind me.”
“What happened to you?” I asked again.
“I was punished.”
“By who and for what?”
“By Jane Willow.”
“What did you do?”
“I refused to follow all her orders. I have no interest in giving a grown woman a bath. I was not informed that it was one of the duties of a personal maid. I wouldn’t have taken the offer if I knew.”
“It’s not your duty to bathe her.”
“She punished me for not doing it.”
“What kind of punishment?”
“Fifty whips. My back’s just healed but the emotional scars are not gone. I know you’re the alpha but I would like to be alone.” She said, while climbing off the rock. “I’m sorry for disturbing your peace.”
“No, no. you can stay. I was passing by anyway. I realised you were here and came to see if everything was alright.”
“Okay, now you know.”
“Come with me,” I said. “We’re going to have a conversation with Jane. I need to know what exactly happened.”
“Oh, you don’t believe me? Not surprised.”
“Let’s go,” I said. I was too exhausted to start arguing with Cilla about Jane.
Cilla followed me. When we reached the house, she wanted to take the stairs but I invited her to the elevator. She appeared too stiff as she stood next to me. It was like she was trying too hard not to accidentally touch me. On the other hand, I wished she would come closer.
When we got to my floor, we went to find Jane Willow. I didn’t bother to knock, but just opened the door. There was no one in the living room. She was in the bedroom.
“Jane Willow,” I said. “Come out.”