“We are chopped liver to him,” Ciro drawls, finding a spot to get comfortable. There are a couple of chairs that have found their way into the room, but my pack largely enjoys sitting on the floor with my bed as a backrest. “They like you best.”
“I need something to do. Please distract me,” I beg. “How are things going with the shelter?”
“We’ve hit a standstill because we need staff for the organization and a group to manage it,” Silas explains. “People have been incredibly supportive, and when I reached out after the event to gather leads for the shelter, I received pages of suggestions.”
“You have six willing volunteers to help share the load of calling,” Pablo says, shrugging. “Shall we?”
“Fuck yes,” Easton says. “The mayor is a cunt and won’t leave the police force alone about the homeless population.They just want somewhere to sleep, they don’t deserve to go to jail. Then we have nowhere else to put the criminals. It’s a vicious cycle. Savannah needs to clean house.”
“When is the mayor’s term up?” I ask.
“Elections begin next year, but it’s said he’s going to run uncontested,” Lyle grumbles.
“So why don’t one of you run?” I ask. They all get the wide eyed deer in the headlights look, and I roll my eyes. “That’s not a response.”
“Okay, okay. Fuck. We need to think about that,”Easton admits.
“Consider us chastised,” Lyle chuckles.
“Here are our current obstacles,” Silas says smoothly, picking up his computer as he pulls us back on track. “We bought the building that’s large enough for our needs for the shelter. It’s central enough to accommodate those who will need its services, but it needs renovation. I need to list the job to take bids from the city for it. There is a building next door that would make a good location for an outreach center. It’s listed at a really decent price.”
“It makes the most sense to buy it," I say, resting my head on my arms. “What kind of services will the outreach provide?”
“It’ll be where the hotline’s location will be tracked back to. With the auction head hunters in the city, we don’t want the shelter to become an easy target,”Silas explains. “The police don’t want to admit even now that we have a problem, and people are beginning to show concern. Everyone is at risk who goes out to dinner, events, or comes home late from school or work. We’re considering a solution that involves offering our own security measures.
“It’ll be a phone number people can call if they need to be walked to their car or home. Various people will receive thatcall, and whoever answers will provide the help needed. We can’t patrol the streets, but we can do this.”
I stare at the men who once offered me space when I needed it and take as large a breath as I can. “This will help,” I admit, swallowing hard. “I really love this idea.”
The nine of us continue to discuss plans moving forward, and then Silas divides the list up and emails it to Pablo to print out. We may be only six houses apart, but this is a nice way to work together. No one is left to manage a million calls, and we’re in each other’s company.
My pack recently bought me a new phone, and Pablo uses a burner while the video call continues. Silas mutes himself and Pack Mayor also gets to work.
My phone rings as I make my first call, and I wait nervously for Carla to answer. She is someone in the community who offers people help by meeting them where they’re at, which is the streets. People trust her, and since omegas aren’t trusting when they’re already vulnerable, she’ll make a good contact to speak to.
“Who is this?”
“Hi, my name is Rosalia Domino. I am trying to get an organization off the ground for people who are vulnerable. This would be omegas, female alphas, and other people. We would want to vette males who are betas or alphas due their ability to stay at homeless shelters,” I begin. “Your name was given to me as someone who may be interested in helping with an organization like this.”
“Is this the one that the fancy charity event was set up for?” she asks suspiciously.
“It is. Sometimes, you have to wine and dine people to convince them to give you money,” I reply. “We had some hiccups after the events and now we’re back on track.”
“I really thought you all just ran away with the money. It’s been over a month since anyone has heard about this. Where is your accountability?”
“My accountability has led me through a kidnapping, stabbing, and lengthy surgery,” I explain. “I am currently at home recovering from multiple skin grafts. I did not ask to be taken off the street from my pack, just like I didn’t want to be away from helping get this organization off the ground. However, I’m back now, and making calls from bed. Any other questions?”
I wouldn’t normally trauma dump on someone, but I need her to actually give me a fucking chance. I have the phone on speaker due to how I’m laying, while everyone else is sprawled out speaking normally. This isn’t an ideal situation. I can’t have interviews or meetings like anyone else can, which is why we’re making calls like a phone-a-thon.
At the end of the day, done is better than fucking perfect.
“You…People like you have money. Why isn’t someone else calling me, like a secretary or some shit so you can rest?”
“I don’t have a secretary,” I snort. “I’ll rest when I’m dead, and be glad it’s not today. Making calls is keeping me sane while I’m on bed rest. It’s been weeks of being in bed, and I’m already tired of it. I need todosomething.
”I am twenty-one years old, and no one’s hero. This all started because my alpha was homeless for three weeks and almost herded into a cage by auction hunters during her time hiding from people even worse than they were. Everyone deserves a safe place to lay their head. That’s why I’m doing this. I need people who give a shit to do the footwork because I can’t. I haven’t earned the trust of the community we want to serve, but it sounds like you have. If you want a hand in helping shape what this place could be, then let’s work together to make this happen.If you’re not interested, then I’m sorry I wasted your time. I will not beg.”
My tone is cool by the time I stop speaking, and someone’s warm hand rubs my ankle. Based on the callouses on his palm and fingers, I can tell it’s Nico. I’m not surprised he can tell exactly how upset I actually am despite my cool demeanor. My pack keeps an eye on me, ready to end the call if necessary.
