"Don't worry, we will come back if there's any problem. We can't stay here for so long but Cassian has agreed to call us immediately if there's any problem."
I rolled my eyes as I watched Keiran trying to convince the omega and her mother that it was safe to stay in my pack without them. They nodded even though I could still see their fear.
The girl glanced at me for a moment to which I replied with a raised brow, causing her to avert her eyes immediately.
Evelyn said some words to them before saying goodbye. We sent them off with some gifts and stuff before retreating towards the pack house.
Today will be a busy day.
I have to assign training sessions and work for the new members. But for that, I'll have to learn about their skills and interests too. It's too much work. I could have given this responsibility to Ryder and focused on the paperwork and training the warriors if Ryder was here.
I took a deep breath. The pack house was crowded today more than usual. I saw many unmated members lingering here and there to see if any of the new members were their mates.
I went straight to the study and made a call to Ryder. Redglow pack doesn't have a good reputation. It is a pack of sketchy people and they aren't very welcoming. Ryder is perfectly capable of calming people with his words and getting the information he needs but I still need to check on him.
"Cass, I just reached their packhouse," Ryder said as soon as he picked up the phone.
"How did they react? Did Alpha Hunter say something?"
"Well, he wasn't very ecstatic to see me. He snapped at me a few times and made some backhanded comments. I think he's still pissed about us not taking his business offers from last time. I don't know how he's going to react when I ask about this Scott guy."
I hummed. "Let me know if he goes overboard. I will pay a visit to him myself. If he gives you more shit for rejecting his business offers, then tell him to improve his business skills so he'll at least be worthy of having a business meeting with us."
"Relax, Cass. I'll deal with this. He's a little snappy but I can deal with it. I have experience dealing with you."
I rolled my eyes at Ryder's sarcasm.
"Just finish the job as soon as possible and come back. All these rogues are making me lose my mind." I sighed.
"Members, Cass. You accepted them into our pack, remember?"
"Yeah, except for two. They're still rogues."
"Oh, that girl and her mother? Come on, Cass, an omega and beta is making you lose your mind? What happened to you?" I could hear the amusement in Ryder's voice.
"Do your work, Ryder. I'm hanging up." I said and quickly hung up the call. He asks too many questions.
I sat on my chair and took a deep breath. I know it might seem weird to some people that I'm being hard on the girl and her mother but I have this weird feeling about them. I don't know what it is and that uncertainty annoys me. I'm not used to feeling like this.
They seem harmless but I can't take any risks. I'll be strict with the laws. My pack comes first.
*
*
*
Assigning jobs and training for the new members wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Most of them lacked educational skills so there weren't many options for them other than joining hunting and farming. The women opted for cooking and cleaning.
I assigned them training hours in the morning and learning hours in the evening. No matter how old they are, they need basic knowledge of reading and writing. I don't want anyone in my pack to be lacking in anything.
"Cassian, come down. Dinner is about to start. Are you busy?"
My mother's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see her in the doorway.
"I was sorting out some files, mom. Did I make everyone wait?" I dropped the files on the table before looking at the clock.
"No, dear. I was just checking on you. It seemed like you were really busy today since Ryder isn't here. You even skipped lunch. I was worried." She sighed.
I gave her a soft smile. "Don't worry, mom. I just got caught up in the work. I'll eat double at dinner to make it up for lunch."
My mother laughed and shook her head, her wavy hair falling into her heart shaped face. I gave her a toothy grin before going to hug her.
She placed a kiss on my cheek, standing on her tippy toes to reach me.
"Cassy…. I know since that incident…. your priority is only the pack…" She started, causing me to go stiff.
My mom never brought up that incident. I know it is painful to her as it is to me. She never mentioned it unless she was seriously worried about something.
"I want you to take care of yourself too. You're pushing too hard. Training day and night, and working like a slave won't do any good to you… I can't see you like this…" She gently caressed my head.
I closed my eyes. "I need to, mom. I don't know what else to do. I don't know why the goddess let me live. I should have gone with my mate. The goddess…she's cruel to do this to me…"
"Don't say that!" My mom hushed me immediately. "The goddess always does what's the best for you." She sighed. "Come on, let's go have dinner."
My lips pulled into a gentle smile. "Is dad back?"
"No, he'll arrive tomorrow morning." Mom replied as she walked out of the study with me trailing behind her.
*
*
I stopped when I saw the girl and her mother walking towards the dining room.
"Stop," I ordered. "Your food will be delivered to your room from now on. The dining room is only for pack members." I said.
I saw her look at me in surprise for a moment before her face turned red as she looked around the room. I followed her gaze to see a lot of pack members staring at us. A lot of them were snickering while the others looked at this situation in pity and surprise.
My mother had a horrified look on her face. "Cass! That's so rude! They came down to have dinner. Don't reject them food."
I frowned. "I didn't do that. I told them their food will be served in their room."
"But it's insulting to send them back. Let them have dinner at the table this time." She insisted.
"No. I have things to discuss with the pack members over dinner. I don't want outsiders to hear it."
My mom was about to argue again but a soft shaky voice beat her to it. "I-It's okay… We're fine to eat in our room. Don't worry…" The lady said with a soft smile.
The girl was glaring at me and looked like she wanted to say something but the frail arms of her mother were gripping her tight, holding her back from saying whatever it was that she wanted to spit at me.
"See, they're okay with it. Let's go." I gave the girl an amused look before walking towards the dining room.
My mom gave them an apologetic look before following me. She was nagging me the whole way to the dining room but I gracefully ignored her.
I could feel the omega's heated stare on my back.
She still dared to look at me like that even after I made her submit to me.
What a feisty creature….