Chapter 0375

My heart swells with pride for my pack. Their thoughtful gifts to our ranked females reveal their deep loyalty to our growing community. This generosity strengthens our mission—to build a sanctuary for those with nowhere else to belong.

Sebastian, Seraphina, and his foreman, Donovan, arrive just before lunch. Isolde and I greet them at the entrance and guide them to a private table on the back patio, where we’ve prepared a meal. Donovan and Seraphina join us.

"Dr. Whitmore, how are you settling in?" Sebastian asks her.

"Please, call me Seraphina, Alpha. Everything is progressing wonderfully. The vision for this place excites me—I’m honored to contribute," she replies warmly.

Sebastian grins. "If you ever miss the comforts of Nightshade Pack, our doors remain open."

Seraphina smacks his arm playfully, and he feigns injury, rubbing his chest with an exaggerated wince.

"What are your plans for the pack hospital?" Seraphina asks, steering the conversation.

Seraphina launches into her detailed vision, sketching ideas in the air with her hands. Donovan listens intently, scribbling notes on his clipboard.

After lunch, Donovan and I lead Sebastian and Donovan on a tour of our territory. We start with the hospital site, and I can practically see the blueprints forming in Donovan’s mind. Next, we inspect the half-finished homes, the structures marked for demolition, and the piles of salvaged materials.

Donovan examines the reclaimed wood and bricks with a critical eye. "Impressive work. Reusing these will cut costs significantly," he remarks, jotting down more notes.

We regroup in Leopold’s office to discuss the budget. The projected cost tightens my stomach into knots.

Sebastian leans forward. "Remember, you’re rebuilding an entire pack. Break it down per house—including the hospital and packhouse—and it’s manageable. Your pack will repay this loan through their labor and loyalty."

I exhale. "Alright. What’s the timeline?"

Donovan taps his clipboard. "We start Monday. Two crews—one for demolition, one for construction. Once demolition wraps, both teams will focus on rebuilding. Priority goes to the partially finished homes." He hesitates. "May I suggest something?"

"Of course."

He flips a page. "Beyond essential structures, have you considered commercial spaces? Restaurants, shops—businesses that could sustain your pack long-term. You’re close enough to Blackthorn and Nightshade Packs to attract their members. It’s worth discussing with your people."

The idea strikes me like lightning. Neither Isolde nor I have lived in a functional pack in years—we overlooked this crucial aspect.

"I’ll bring it up at the next meeting. Thank you, Donovan."