Chapter 26: Simon
“These numbers are ridiculous. The company is growing so fast that we can’t even keep up. We will need to ask for an extension until we can hire more manpower.” Jared said as he shuffled through the papers on my desk.
“I do not like having to ask for an extension, but it seems that is what we will have to do. Do you have a rundown of what manpower we will need to be able to keep up with demand?” I looked up at Jared who furrowed his brow at the papers in front of him. As if he were willing the numbers to change into something more manageable.
“I did a rough estimate last night. To keep up we will need at least twenty-five guys to support. But, looking at these new numbers, we will need at least fifty. I have a list of professions needed on my computer. We can use general laborers as well as workers that specialize in specific fields.”
“Ok, I want to see that list. If we can send it to our neighboring packs maybe, we can get some help sooner rather than later. Right now, any assistance would be a big help.”
“I’ll run and grab my laptop. We can finalize that list now and send it out to the other Alphas.” Jared stood and walked out the door.
I continued to shuffle through the papers, I got an idea of where the biggest need for workers would be. A soft knock came to the door.
“Come in!” I shouted.
Two pack members walked in. They were familiar but could not recall their names. An older woman and a balding man stood in front of me, eyes to the ground in respect.
“Alpha.” The man cleared his throat and spoke.
“Yes?” I said and looked back at the papers in front of me.
“Madge and I wanted to make you aware that a familiar witch is residing within pack lands. We have met her a couple times and she seemed to mean no harm. I am renting out the cabin across the lake to her.”
“Is that so?” I said, I put down the papers and stared at them.
“She’s just the sweetest little thing, it looks like she had a rough patch a little while ago, but she is so nice.” Madge started to chatter nervously.
“What do you mean rough patch?”
“Well, um.” Madge said and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Yes?”
“She came in all bruised and beaten,” Madge said. “And she was half starved, like she hadn’t had a good meal in a while.”
“Something apparently went down awhile back with her coven, and she just recently escaped.” The man said.
“Yes, Wilber is right. She also was open about saying what she was. She’s a strong one.”
“Hmmm, that’s interesting. The other day Eric came forward and let me know about this strong witch. I’m assuming its one in the same?”
“Yes, she mentioned Eric and how he was nervous around her,” Madge said.
“I think it’s just because he’s a young pup. Hasn’t had a lot of experience around other magical beings, so he didn’t know what to expect,” Wilber chimed in.
I took a moment and thought about the information they brought to me. This was the second time a pack member brought information about this witch. And this was the second time that they said she was powerful. Maybe it was something to investigate. “In your opinion, she isn’t here to cause harm?” I asked.
“No, sir,” Wilber said.
“Not a bit of harm,” said Madge.
“It may be important to keep tabs on this familiar witch in case something changes.” I said to them, and they nodded in agreement. “For now, you two will keep an eye on her. If something changes, you come to me first. Understood?”
At that moment Jared walked in with his laptop at his side. Madge and Wilber looked over at Jared. “What’s going on?”
“Madge and Wilber just shared similar information to what Eric shared the other day. We have a very powerful witch among us.”
They nodded at that statement.
“And they are saying that she means us no harm.”
The nodded again.
“Hmmmm, and what do you suggest we do?” Jared asked as he walked over and put down his laptop on the desk.
“I’m having them keep an eye on her. If she means no harm, so be it, but if something changes, they will come to me with updated information.”
“Did you want to have a scout look in on her?”
“Wouldn’t hurt. Get Bruce to investigate it. At least we can get a general idea of what we are dealing with.” Jared nodded; his eyes clouded over to white as he channeled his mind link to get Bruce to investigate this witch. After a few moments his eyes shifted back to normal.
“He said he would go and give an update within the hour.”
“Good.” I looked over at Madge and Wilber, they stood and listened to our conversation. “You two are excused.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” Wilber said as they walked out of the office.
“Do you think this will be a problem?”
“Nah, this witch is probably just looking for a quiet place for a bit. I’m not too worried about it.”
“Might I offer my suggestion?”
“You will no matter if I say yes or no.”
“True.” Jared said and smiled at me. “I think that we should have a scout check this witch out a few times a day. Just to make sure that there is no funny business.”
“Let’s just do a round twice a day. No need to waste the manpower on something that is probably going to be nothing. And Madge and Wilber will keep an eye on her as well.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Let’s sort out these numbers so we can get some back up in those mines.”
Jared pulled out his laptop and typed away at it. He pulled up a spreadsheet that had the numbers of what was needed and where we were currently at. I never was much for computer work; I never could figure out how to construct graphs using equations. I was lucky to have Jared as my Beta. He enjoyed this type of work. He was happy to do the computer work as I focused more on the growth and safety of the pack.
“What are you looking at?”