Total pages in book: 202
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Brody wags his finger in correction while shaking his head. “I am putting my own savings into it, but the Arcana Falls alpha council has agreed to finance the rest and hold the mortgage. Since they insist on doing that interest-free, I’ll be looking to all members of the pack to help me in ways that include contributing labor to whatever we get into so we can pay that down as fast as possible. Like I said, there’s a building suitable for a number of business opportunities on site and I have some ideas. But there’s no rush; we won’t go hungry while we establish our pack and business. What I’m tryin’ to illustrate is this is an opportunity for me as well. And I’m buying that property to set up a pack and want to get into the black on the books as soon as possible. The way I see it, if you all decide to leave after a few months to go on and forge a different path, that’d be acceptable. I’ll be puttin’ word out that we’re open to families and able-bodied individuals applying to join us, starting with sending that bulletin out to those on the waiting list to move here to The Falls. I’m not holding any one of you prisoner. All this has shown me I’m ready to do this, so if you all choose to come with me… provided that they accept my offer… you don’t have to stay unless you want to. If this works out long term, we’ll consider buy out options for your homes, too. I don’t intend it all to be just my land.”
“That’s what you say now,” an older woman mutters.
“That is what I say,” Brody responds. “I’m not planning on a bait and switch situation. The main house and twenty-five acres will be in my name as that’ll be my home for me, my mate, and our future family. I may want the majority share of the business in my name with the pack as my partner. Arcana Falls council members might also have some equity. It’s all to be determined and we’ll outline all that. The rest will be in a company name I set up and once it’s built and working well, we can talk about stocks or profit sharing for whatever business we start for the pack. Do I deserve a stake in it as the one who put up the risk, the money, and the sweat into it? Yeah. That’s fair, isn’t it? Arcana Falls council is backing this project because it’s me and because of Stacy Blackwood’s connection to you all. They’re doing it also for all of you because of the shit you’ve been through and I know they want your pack to be able to stand on its own feet. This is who we are here in The Falls, plain and simple. We help.” He pauses, then adds, “Though I can appreciate apprehension after what you’ve all been through with your previous alpha, I’m happy to outline something in writing with accountability. Accountability for not just me but also for all of you. A pack is only as strong as its people and this hasn’t been a functional pack in a while. It’ll be blood, sweat, and probably a few tears getting everything going but it’ll also be very worth it to build something great together. Something we can all benefit from now as well as set things up for our next generations. So we can be the sort of pack that helps others, too. Pay it forward.”
Conversations are now buzzing through the space and there’s excitement.
“Guys…” Malachi calls out, then blows a wolf whistle, which has the desired effect of halting the conversations. “Maybe we should deal with the vote for Wyatt’s fate here and now, and we can talk more about the rest after we all get some rest. It’s been a big day. I like Patricia’s idea of a trial period. It sounds like Brody isn’t holding us to anything and his generosity is something we can show appreciation for. He showed me the property listing and it’s… you guys, it’s absolutely awesome. A hundred times better than what we had. There are ponds full of fish, there’s loads of forest, even a trickling waterfall coming from a spring. An actual spring, you guys. The property has artesian wells, too. How much have we all yearned for clean water the last decade? And he has a list of improvements he wants to make so if we all do our best to help him build the property into a great community then we’re not just freeloaders. Once everyone is in and settled and contributing, you’ll pay your own way. We’ll contribute to pack money matters. We’ll have a bookkeeper and the books will be open to anyone in the pack to see them. Based on everything Brody’s said to me, it won’t just be a tribute paid to someone who uses it however they want. Those who invest in the business Brody sets up with their sweat equity could have a stake in it.”