Delilah and Riley by Melissa Nichols (best sci fi novels of all time TXT) 📕

I saw a hand go up and I pointed to the raised hand. “Ma’am, why are you doing this? I mean, I thought we were doing alright as we were.”

“I’m glad you asked that. See, even though we are a large pack, very old and technically successful, we aren’t very effective in utilizing all of the talents we have. The Lune pack has a similar infrastructure where everyone’s talents are put to the best use to benefit the pack as a whole. By continuing as we are, we aren’t being effective and that will ultimately hurt the pack. By doing this, we insure everyone is safe, fed and everyone pulls their own weight to help the pack do the best it can.”

The person who held up her hand nodded as someone else, a man, just straight up asked.

“So, why should we listen take orders from you? You’re a female and you weren’t born in this pack. As far as I’m concerned, you’re not worthy of commanding a group of children let alone changing the whole system of a long-rooted pack.”

Riley stood up and got up on the table beside me, growling. I was growling as well but it was Riley who answered. “You will listen to Delilah because she is my wife, my mate, and the Alpha Female of this pack. That means she outranks every one of you, including you, Damien. Also, you should know that I gave her permission to do this because I noticed how ineffective we were before. Many of you hunted, but went hungry. Others lost children to an infected cut or disastrous curiosity when the mother was distracted. I’m not blaming the mothers for the deaths so please don’t misunderstand. Also, there aren’t enough houses for everyone. With this new system, I believe that life can turn around for the better, for all of us. No more hunger, no more lost lives, enough housing for everyone and many more results. And I believe Delilah is the only one who can show us the way. She grew up in this sort of system so she knows how it’s supposed to be, what everyone’s supposed to be doing and how it’s supposed to be done. If you don’t listen to her and treat her with the respect she deserves, you’ll have to answer to me and I can guarantee you, you won’t like what happens.” With that, Riley stood down. I smiled at him and nodded my thanks. I saw Damien looking shamefaced.

Another hand went up. “So, if the hunters bring all of the kills to the kitchen, how do the rest of us eat?”

“Oh, I guess I should have explained a bit more, huh? I’m sorry. The hunters bring the kills to the kitchen so the kills can be dressed for meals. To make sure you’re all fed, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be set up and eaten in here and the dining room. This is the only room with enough space for all of us to sit. Each meal will be buffet style, meaning you’ll stand in line at one end of the table, grab a plate and make your way across, grabbing only what you’re going to eat as you pass the desired food. Then, you’ll grab your utensils and napkins and take a seat. With so many hunters and with such a large, untapped territory, I’m sure there’ll be more than enough for everyone to fill their bellies, and take some food home for snacks or something. Leftovers will be fed to the humans after we have eaten. This way, no one goes hungry.”

Shouts erupted in the crowd. Men gave a shout of joy and a few mothers wept. I was a little intimidated. It was that important to them? I’d have to ask Riley about that later.

Another hand went up and I quickly pointed to her. “I don’t know how to phrase this so please forgive me if it doesn’t make any sense, but what about the pack social classes? Will these new jobs affect the classes?”

“Could you clarify about the social classes, please?”

“Well, we don’t have any aristocrats here but will certain individuals be given more privileges than the others?”

“No. Everyone will be treated the same with no favoritism. Hunters will have the same benefits as the protectors and healers.”

“And will there be mating restrictions?” As she said this, she reached for the male beside her, one I remember I had marked as a hunter while she was a healer.

“No. I won’t restrict you to mates of your talent. That’d be interfering with love and I don’t want anyone being unhappy about not being with the one they love because they have different duties.”

Another chorus of shouts of joy resounded as females ran to their mates. I smiled and looked around for other hands. Finding none, I asked again if anyone had any more questions. Again, no response so I adjourned the meeting and climbed down. Everyone except the mothers filed out of the room. I turned to Riley.

“Darling, did your mother keep any of your old toys?”

“We have every toy that’s survived the life of the pack.”

“Good. Would you mind if I use them for the children?”

“Of course not. By all means.”

“Thanks, Riley.”

He nodded and he surprised me by kissing me.

“You handled that meeting beautifully, like the princess you are. Well done, sweetie.”

I blushed and smiled, then it was time to turn to the mothers. I walked with them through the ballroom, pointing out where everything would be and explaining further what they’d be expected to do. I even promised to bring down knitting and sewing supplies, enough to keep all of them busy. They could use it as they saw fit.

Once the mothers had all of the information they’d need for tomorrow, they left and I turned to directing the staff about the new expectations and demands they’d be expected to fulfill, such as bringing down the toys and putting them in here during the day, as well as placing and removing the tables, chairs and food for each meal.

By the time I’d finished with all of that, it was past lunch and I was quite exhausted. I could barely keep my composure during lunch when Riley had his meeting with the pack to hear and resolve any complaints. Since it was such a large pack, it took from lunch to dinner to hear all of the complaints. But because Father never let me or my mother chime in for this, I spent the time working on the hunter and protector assignments and figuring out what I’d teach the healers tomorrow. I knew I would fall asleep as soon as I went upstairs so it had to be done now.

After dinner, Riley and I immediately retired for the night. I was so exhausted, I could barely keep my head up. I stumbled twice on the stairs and Riley actually had to carry me, much to my dismay. I liked that he was so gallant, but I was perfectly capable of walking!

As I predicted, I didn’t have the energy for a bath so I just changed into my nightgown, climbed under the sheets and closed my eyes.

Text: This book in its entirety belongs to me, Melissa Nichols. Any works based off this without the Copyright will be reported.
Publication Date: 11-15-2011

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