Page 52 of Escalating Alpha

I glanced at my watch and sighed. Yeah, we weren’t going to get the bodies to Cook County ME before closing, and no matter the strings, they wouldn’t sit around and wait for us either. Late morning would be the best we’d get to start probably.

“Yeah, make it work.” I pulled him down for a quick kiss, apologizing for my tone. He gave me one back, clearly understanding where my head was and how overloaded we were.

So what else was new?

13

I knew something was really going on when Virgil didn’t pull his normal goof with jumping me and saying he was a man and a wolf to expect it. It was funny when it was him and our chemistry was so intense, not as creepy as when I told people about it.

I found it endearing.

But there was none of that—a huge warning that I wasn’t going to like what was going on.

“Hey, Sera, thanks for dropping everything and coming,” he said as he kissed my cheek.

“You’ve done it enough for our pack and we’re friends,” I replied easily, kissing his cheek back. “But things are bad in St. Louis and I can’t stay overnight even or—” I swallowed a sigh when his mother snorted.

“Ma,” he said, his tone warning. “No, I get it.”

I didn’t think he did, and people were already jumping to conclusions, so this would be fun. I thanked him when he offered me a seat but stayed standing. “Sit, please. The ride over—I need to stand a bit longer and the tension—”

“Yes, of course, your comfort over what’s polite and will set others at ease,” his mother snarked.

“Ma!” he snapped.

“What is this?” I asked, gesturing to her. “Last time we met or talked we were good. I don’t know what this is and I know I certainly haven’t done anything to deserve it when—”

“When you’re trying to steal my son from me?” She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.

I held up my hand to hold off Reagan and Freddie who were growling. “Is he your possession? Do you own him?” I snorted when anger filled her eyes. “I read people for alivingand you give off too many red flags.” I leaned back and saw Ashley down the hall. “This is why your parents aren’t overbearing and too much, kiddo.

“They care about protecting you while you find your path, put up bubble wrap around you or those bumpers in the gutters at bowling. Freddie would hover and punch anyone out of your path who might hurt you, but he wants you to liveyour path. These are the red flags to worry over. Virgil ishers. It’s ownership and creepy.”

“You have no right to come into our family home and say that,” she snapped.

“You started it if we’re going to be childish and it’shishome. I was invited here by him and it’s his home,” I reminded her gesturing around the open concept kitchen and living room that dozens of people were in. “And I’m not doing this again with Memphis. I was asked here because you want something from me, and I’m not taking this shit.

“I’m certainly not stealing your son. He and I will never be a real item and I’m looking at the reason. You win. I won’t ever be with your son.” I snorted when she looked thrilled. “You’re a bitch. He could be ridiculously happy with me, but all you care about is what you want. But yeah, I won’t get into anything I know is toxic.”

“Ouch, Sera,” Virgil whispered, looking like I’d kicked him in the nuts.

I gave him a sad look. “You’re ready to jump on me for calling her a bitch, Virg. Which side you fall on this is apparent, and I’m not getting involved with someone who allows this in my life. Brian’s parents can be tricky and pains at times, but he would never, noteverlet them talk to me like this. They wouldn’t. They actually and truly like me. His grammy too.”

I shrugged. What else was there to say? I would never, not ever have a toxic mother-in-law situation. Life was too short for that bullshit.

And I was immortal.

“Mom, shut it or leave,” Virgil bit out. “She’s right and our pack has already embarrassed itself. The fact Chicago is still allies with us after how we behaved is a miracle and I’m not letting you burn down this bridge.”

“Especially when they want something from us,” Reagan drawled, looking too on edge as well.

“Des Moines. They want the Des Moines deal,” Freddie surmised.

I kept my face neutral, not reacting either way while people watched me. Virgil had already admitted to me that he’d been considering the idea and for a while, but I’d never betray his confidence like that.

“Yes, we want to know how much she offers as the buy-in,” someone else said as he stood, clearly an elder of the pack or something.

“Buy-in?” I mumbled. “Are you offering me a condo timeshare in Florida?” I felt better when most of the people with me snickered.

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