Cian P.O.V

Pritcher and I kept finding ourselves going back to her. The other families chosen were good, especially since most would make him an only child; more likely to get the attention he deserved and probably craved. But Mrs. Leugen was just too good with Ashe, and we all knew it. The parents we had dared to meet Ashe weren't as receptive when they saw the real thing, and didn't seem comfortable talking to someone in a coma for hours on end while other people behind a two-way flipping mirror watched their every move. So, while the other families just kind of petered out, partially our own fault on that, Mrs. Leugen became a daily visitor while having no idea that she was the only one that still visited him after all this time.

"...And Sammy had tried so so hard to make the eggs that your father and I could only eat the undercooked and shell-infested eggs with smiles as he watched," Mrs. Leugen started laughing at her own tale, wiping at an eye as she calmed herself. I watched her look down and gasp, "Oh sweetie, is that smile for me? Thank you!"

She leaned down and kissed his forehead, rubbing his head and through his hair, "I wish they'd let me wash your hair, I don't think they do a very good job, lovey. Too bad you aren't awake yet to get all these wires off of you, or I would insist." She giggled.

We had been noticing Ashe beginning to slowly react to his surroundings, but every time we made a fuss over it, he would... The only word I could use was 'regress'. Instead, it was best to keep close yet quiet and unintrusive watch.

She squeezed his hand, "Oh lovey, look at the time. It's getting close to time for me to pick up those little troublemakers of ours. I'll have to go, but I'll come back tomorrow with a new story, okay?"

"Nnnnnn," the small sound is broadcast through the sound speakers attached to the cannula, making me jump up from my chair and lean closer to the glass.

"Oh, sweetie, I know you don't want me to leave, but I will be back," She replied, sadly. "I can feel you holding and squeezing my hand. I know you're there, but you just need more time, and I will be there for you when you're ready."

Her voice was quiet, but it echoed through the speakers as she leaned close to hug the boy and kiss him on the forehead again, "Tomorrow," She told him once more before departing.

Jay P.O.V

We had stepped away from the group as much as possible to give the disguise of privacy, though we didn't doubt that they could still hear us, "I trust you, Jay, and I really need your help with this," David pleaded.

"David, what was in that contract? Why can't we just go to your father with this?"

"I can't show you, Jay. I really can't," He looked me in the eyes, willing me to accept this; begging me to let it go. "I need you. Please, help me."

I stepped forward, hands on his upper arms as I placed my forehead on his shoulder. Taking a few calming breaths while David gave me the time I needed, regardless of company, I finally returned his stare, "Okay."

David released a big breath, most of the tension leaving his body when he knew he wouldn't be alone in this, "We'll make a contract deal, but Jay won't be signing any of it, and if I or Jay don't like something or think something is unfair, we will be given the right to rectify it so it is more fair."

"Those terms are simple enough, but I doubt that you will have much to disagree with," The hooded man slid another contract onto the desk. We looked at it for a few moments before walking over to the seats.

David picked it up first, asking for a writing utensil before sitting back to read it. He made a few notes in it before handing it to me. I took my time, underlining specific parts and considering the wording to make sure there weren't any items that allowed them more power than we would be willing to give. Luckily, the man was right, there really wasn't much to the documents; it was only three pages long, though the writing was fairly small and the paper was larger than the usual eight by eleven. The paper felt thick and expensive, though I couldn't say why it mattered to me.

"May I have a blank paper, please?" The man didn't move for several moments, as if he were surprised and thinking about it.

"You may not remove any papers aside from the finished contract from this room," He slid a couple papers toward me.

"If I can't do that, you can't view what I write in any way, shape or form," I replied with a smirk.

"We will destroy all evidence without looking at it after you have finished using it."

"You will do that, as well as try not to view it. That means the video cameras will not do closeups trying to catch what I write, nor will anyone else try to view it. I'm sure, though, that you'll try to figure out what I write as I do," I didn't know why I was doing this, other than to be a nuisance and see how much leverage and haggling was possible with him.

"I suppose," He negligently leaned back.

"Yes or no," We were starting to get a feel for each other.

He dipped his head, "A true future Beta in the making. Yes, I and everyone in this room will follow those outlines."

I nodded my head, ignoring the compliment, if it even was, from having any affect on me, "Clipboard? Book? I need something to more easily write on."

He opened a drawer and pulled out one, which I attached the blank papers to. I split the paper down the center, making notes on the left of what was in the document and writing pros/cons and any changes in wording that I might prefer. A couple items on another piece I fully intended to have struck or majorly adjusted. All in all, there actually wasn't too much to the contract, but that also made it so much more dangerous in itself, as less words made for more vague or unclarified motives and thus open to different interpretation.

"May I have another copy of the contract, please?"

The man slowly straightened then took out another copy. I put it on top of the one David had already written on, "Do you have a red pen?"

The man seemed to be getting annoyed, as the pen was placed down with an audible clink before he leaned back and switched legs, this time placing his ankle on top of his knee, "Thank you."

I then began overhauling the contract; bet they were starting to regret allowing my assistance...

***

After I had finished editing and writing down a few questions, then having David read it over and write notes on a scratch paper as well for me to consider and rectify, we had finally handed over our version of the contract. We watched as the hooded man read it several times over, his gloved hands tightening on the contract as his shoulders began to shiver ever so slightly... And then he exploded.

Both David and I looked at each other, having leaned back away from the man in surprise at the outburst. I was personally surprised at his warm laugh that echoed throughout the room. He even went so far as to lean his head on his open palm and bang his fist lightly on the metal table. Both of us wondered if this was a good or bad thing, as we knew some alphas that had done just that, according to rumor, before killing the source.

After a time, the man finally calmed, "I should hire you....?"

I was silent momentarily before deciding that he could easily find it out on his own, or already knew it and was giving me the choice to respond out of respect, "Jay."

"Jay... Full name, please? It is important in the business world to give professionalism by not using a nickname or shortened version."

"Jaybriel Galaspier of Pack Leitacar, also known as the Questing Frost Pack," I dipped my head to fulfill formality. "And yours?"

"After the contract, I will give you our... Society's name," I frowned as the man chuckled once more. "If we were on level footing, I would have fulfilled your request. Being as it is, giving you this is more than a favorable outcome, as you'll know just who it is you'll be working with."

I sighed in annoyance, but nodded.

"You know, I rather enjoy you, Jaybriel," The man leaned forward, and I could imagine him smiling, and that smile widening when David began to growl. "Not in that way, David. At least, not yet."

David banged his hands on the table, standing and leaning over it, before I pulled him harshly enough to knock him back into the seat, "David!," I hissed, "He's trying to get a rise out of you! Now, stop!"

David glowered, crossing his arms and leaning back, refusing to look at anyone.

"I've decided to give you an open invitation, Jaybriel," The man stated as I lifted a brow. "If you ever find interest in working with us, you will be allowed a place with us with an advantageous position and very attractive benefits."

I felt like the man quirked a brow at me when I didn't respond or refute the offer. After several moments of quiet, "Now I really like you, Jaybriel, and as such, I will be more lenient than I would have otherwise been toward this contract. This very much so favorable contract that you have so thoroughly edited."

I watched as he quickly typed into his laptop, the edited document to his right. After he had seemingly finished, the sound of the printer spewing out papers echoed through the room. The warm papers were handed to me not David, though he didn't appear to mind. I read through it, making a couple notes on what scratch paper was left, before handing it to once more to David, who seemingly only glanced over it before nodding and ignoring us in favor of glowering at the floor.

"Just three things I noticed," He nodded for me to continue. "I notice that you now have it relegated to ten years before a 'contract renewal' occurs. It's better than having no definite ending period, but we don't want to forever be in a contract tying us and our pack to you."

"Well, if you do well, you may only have one contract renewal and it may be an even shorter period or, who knows, you may actually like what you guys get out of it and agree to working with us on your own. Don't worry, I'll fix it that the second contract will be even more favorable for you than the first if you do your jobs well."

I nodded, knowing that it was still better than what it had been previously, "Then I'll allow that for this contract. Second, there is no weight limit or living/unliving specificity present. We don't want large shipments making our community and fellow pack mates question us."

"Hmm, I see you are right on that, but we can't just give small items to you without editing this part here, then," He pointed to a portion of the document stating how illegal or questionable the items are. "And it would cause too many shipments then."

"Mm," I leaned forward, reading it over again. "I don't doubt that you have your fingers in several legal enterprises, such as shipping foodstuffs?"

The man leaned back, "I am truly in awe of you, Jaybriel. You truly are only in high school?"

I shrugged, "Now, about these items. I don't want anything living such as children, nor any of your associates allowed to enter and exit without express permission and an outline of the monthly delivery's expectations. I'm sure we will hammer out how the shipments will go without too much discord over time."

"Children, I agree with," The man steepled his fingers together. "And how about for every shipment of a living being with human form, three months will be shaved from the ten years. This will be a rare occurrence and, aside from human deliveries, the shipments will weigh no more than one hundred pounds."

"No, no shipments of people. If that does occur, one YEAR will be taken off as well as a monetary recompensation," I replied, glaring. "In exchange, we will double the maximum weight load and not only take care of any animals shipped, but also be more... Accommodating for their weight limit as well... Within reason."

He was silent for several moments, "Jaybriel... You really aren't making this easy on me."

"Considering, I don't think I'm supposed to."

"Okay, I agree with your terms. Now, what is the last?"

"Well, I want a specific person relegated to us as the person we contact should there be any problems with shipment and such. Also, and I just thought of this, I want there to be an agreement that there will never be any tainting of any of our products from you or your competition. If so, there should be a large compensation. Oh, and if I have a problem with the person chosen, I will be allowed to voice my concerns and, depending, given a different one."

"You are a very dangerous Werlykos," The man printed out another version, handing rather than sliding it to me. I checked, then nodded in agreement. "I have never been so thoroughly pulled along and given so many liberties before, even against gentlemen calling themselves lawyers. Of course, that was also because we used fancier words with them. My mistake in this case, of course."

He pulled the document close to himself, applying his stamp before handing it to David to sign while another copy spewed from the printer. He snatched the first version, pulling it out of my reach, "Hey!"

"You only agreed to not looking at yours, not his."

I sat back as he looked over the items David had pointed out, "Now, if only I had haggled with David." He chuckled to himself before tossing the document behind him.

I glanced at David who was gritting his teeth while signing one document then reaching for the other, "If you have us sign two different versions, it'll be null." I had crossed my arms as I watched David compare the two.

"It's a good thing I'm not one to do such as thing," He replied lightly. "I would be offended if we had known each other better. Instead, I think you deserve a gold star and a cookie."

I grimaced as David finished signing and slid the items back to the man. He put the documents in two different folders, one going into the drawer. The other was put into a long thin combination lock box, then put into a laptop case, "Here's the combination to it. Remember it and we'll destroy the paper for you."

David and I looked at the numbers before nodding, him snatching up the laptop case and throwing it over his shoulder. We both rose, along with the hooded man, "Pleasure doing business with you," He put out his hand and, after a moment, I shook it, "Jaybriel." He didn't offer the same to David, who clenched his jaw.