The others look relieved that I have at least some semblance of a plan in mind. As they file out, Patrick and Brian linger behind.
“That man that you brought with you,” Patrick begins, “he refuses to enter the town.”
“Leave Logan alone. Just send him food, water, and clothes. He’ll be coming with me when I go to get Alex.”
“Are you sure you can trust him?” Patrick asks.
I give Patrick a faint smile. “I trust him. As does Alex. I need to see my mother and rest. I’ll tell you about him in the morning. Just make sure he has food and a place to sleep, even if it’s outside.”
Patrick studies me for a moment before nodding. “I’ll take care of it. You rest.”
As he heads out, he stops by the door and looks back at me. “We’ll get him back, Sophia. We will.”
I don’t answer him because I’m doing everything I possibly can to hold myself together right now. As soon as the door closes behind him, I let out a rush of breath, and then bury my face in my hands.
Brian’s hand comes up to rest on my shoulder. “This is a tough time for you, Sophia.”
I laugh, humorlessly, and he adds, “You are doing a fine job. You’ve really stepped up and become the leader I knew you could be.”
I lift my head and gaze at him. “A leader? Brian, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I don’t have leadership skills. Right now, I’m just saying what I think is the right course of action. It is you, Alex, and the others who are experienced leaders. I’m just fumbling in the dark.”
“We are here to guide you,” Brian tells me firmly, “but nothing you have said so far is wrong. You’re making the right decisions.”
His words do little to bolster me.
“I just want Alex back. I want a peaceful life. But the fates keep slinging problems my way. I wasn’t thinking about the North Alliance. I just wanted to save my mother. But now,” my eyes are flashing as I look at Brian, “if I don’t get Alex back, I will burn down the North, make no mistake about that.” The air aroundme crackles with the magic of fire and electricity. “And if anyone gets in my way, they’ll burn too.”
Brian's face doesn't so much as twitch. "Understood. You should go see your mother and get some rest."
Once he leaves, I lean back in the chair and close my eyes, finally allowing my grief to take control.
Marlene had wanted to teach me a locator spell but we had run out of time. I have her number. Maybe I can…
Walking out of the office with the small crossbody bag I've been carrying with me ever since I left the South Alliance, I make my way to the business center of the town. It's late, but maybe there's a shop open where I can a buy a new phone. Mine was left back in Oakrest Town. However, the shops are all closed.
The bars are open though, and a few drunk shifters are roaming around. Not all of them are drunk. A group of males see me standing in the middle of the street and approach me. I watch them cautiously, not scared, but wondering what they want.
They don’t seem drunk to me.
“Look boys!” one of them jeers, pointing at me. “There’s our new Alpha, the little Queen of the South.”
They surround me, all three large, hefty-looking male shifters. “Whose dick did you have to suck, bitch?”
“Man, they just let anyone rule over us.”
“Maybe she’s really good with her mouth.”
Hoots of angry laughter.
“Come on. Show us your technique, Alpha Whore!”
“I think you meant Queen Whore.”
Snickering all around.
“Open wide!”
They’re reaching for their pants, their intentions all too clear. But I’m not scared.