170. Night

Jax

I sat there everyone was eating their cake. It was good, Cora had left some for Max, which I knew he would appreciate. “Garrett and Grant tell me about the whole self-sustaining thing.” I said and they went into it. They knew a lot of information. It had to be a witch thing with what Cora could do with books made me think that witches had to be the most brilliant minds on the planet.

John being who he was, no wondered, had a love for them. They could learn anything they wanted to at any time. I wondered if some of the most famous minds out there were actually witches. With being able to learn everything they get their hands it didn’t surprise me if they would want to create things. Make them better, that is probably why Grant and Garrett were so well adept at all of this stuff. They had been running and living on the run meant they had to sustain themselves, so they had made a business of helping others achieve what they were forced to do.

It was interesting what they were talking about. That they could come up with a whole system of power. “In Singapore they burn their trash to generate power. That is what we created on a much smaller scale. The ashes can be used as well.” John cut in. “But burning admits toxic chemicals I thought?” I looked at Garrett. “Yes, but see here is the kicker the incinerator has a filtration system, and it keeps the air clean.” I was surprised. “Singapore in my opinion is leading the way in green sustainable energy. They really are some of the best minds out there.”

I found it interesting to say the least. I was surprised there was already a much larger scale operations to this thought process. Maybe I should have them see what they could do with my distillery. Not anytime soon obviously but it was clear the twins were passionate about conservation or at least the mechanics behind it. I looked at my mate who looked like she was having a hard time staying awake. Both of us were tired. We only had a few hours of sleep thanks to Kronos. I still couldn’t believe all of that had happened.

“I think Cora and I should be going to bed.” I said to everyone else who looked wide awake.” John mind linked me. “Where are they sleeping? Are they staying here.” Cora looked at all of them. “You guys can stay at your new homes I know you don’t have power or water yet, but the choice is yours.” I looked at them Lia spoke up “I live in my van as of right now so if it is cool with you, I will just park it.” That must be nice. Garrett and Grant had two small tents in their saddle bags and Jeanie had a hotel room. “John you and Anne can take the guest room. I would feel better if you stayed the night.” I mind linked my beta. He nodded.

Everyone left Cora had rested her head on the table as I walked them out. When I came back to the table, she was passed out asleep on it. I tried not to laugh in case I woke her up, but I could see the drool coming out of her mouth. She was exhausted. I went to pick her up and carry her to bed but when I pulled out her chair she shot up. “The fires” I was confused she went to the window, and I looked out and saw her put the tree poles out.

I again tried not to laugh. “You took care of it, let's get you into bed.” I said and she nodded sleepily, I scooped her up and before I even made it to the top of the stairs Cora was asleep again. I went back downstairs and was glad that the witches had cleaned and put everything away. The house looked immaculate. John and Anne came back into the house. “The guest room is all yours.” I said and Anne smiled and hurried off. John took a seat in one of the chairs. “Well, I would say that is a success.” John said and I agreed. “So what are you thinking about Jax?”

I sighed. “About whether we should be self-sustaining, I know the benefits and honestly it makes the most sense. But there are downsides. Like we most likely won’t be a town, which I mean would be easier but also harder because what are we going to do in the future? Like people need jobs and they won’t be welcome to work in Hemmings since I already told Tanner that he could keep Hemmings for his pack. If we don’t have a town, I don’t know how to make this place long term.”

I went on. “Also, there is the fact if we become totally self-sufficient, which is possible, that we are looked at like a commune or cult or something. Not having a school means sending kids to Hemmings. If we build one here and have no town again, we are going to be looked at like a cult. Which is good seeing as other packs won’t attack because the government will be watching us. But that also is bad because well humans would be watching us. Anyways I don’t know.” John studied me.

“Okay what do you want Jax, like tell me in a perfect scenario what would you want to happen with White Paw Pack?” “I would want everything in our pack to be able to sustain itself. Because it makes the cost of living lower and I want that for pack members. I also want a town, not as big as Hemmings, not a college town, but I do want a town, maybe a few miles away like how it was when I lived close to there. The packs’ homes I want to be off grid and the town to be on grid.” I told John. He smiled.

“Okay, then we do that. In the meantime, we renegotiate with Tanner tell him for the next ten years Hemmings is a shared town and is not in either pack territory and finish the homes we need get them to be self-sustaining and then work on the actual town. I think that is reasonable.” He said and I nodded. I knew this was a good idea. “He won’t want to let Hemmings go, and you know that.” John knew who I was talking about. “Tanner is going to fight you regardless, why not try and negotiate before and tell him what you want and then let’s say if he doesn't agree. Then after the fight you will take it all. He must know you are going to win Jax. He knows that, so I know he will agree.”

I sighed I knew he was right. “I will do it tomorrow. I am tired.” John looked at me quizzically. “So, what has you and the misses so tired? Muhm?” I shot him a glare. “Divinity.” I said and laughed, of course John didn’t get it. “Umm Jax” I looked at him, John looked nervous. “What is it?” I asked. John usually was not one for being hesitant about sharing information. “Nah never mind.” John said. “John what is it.”

He took a deep breath. “Courtney is back in Hemmings.” I stared at him. That was bad news. She had always been in something nefarious. Tanner had made her leave why would she be back. “Was she allowed back?” I asked John and he just shrugged and said “I don’t know, I am not beta there. All I know is she was seen in Hemmings heading toward her old house. So, make of that what you will. I just wanted to let you know.” I nodded.

There was so many things going through my head. She had always been a problem. I wondered how Cora would react now that she was leaving the house often. I wondered if she would seek her out and put a stop to her life. I don’t think anyone would be too broken up about it. I shook my head. Cora wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t sniff her out and fight her. She would if she felt like Courtney was a threat, but I doubted it. Cora really didn’t have threats, just people that pissed her off.

I leaned back into the chair. “You know I met the Titan Kronos.” I said to John who leaned forward waiting for me to tell him more. I snorted and went on to tell him all about Kronos. At one point we had decided some beers would be a good idea, and I guess both of us must have fallen asleep because I woke up to a pale small finger poking my nose. “Goodmorning Dad.” I smiled. “Morning Max.”