Page 70 of Escalating Alpha

“Youare getting the chance here to make things right and do better. I’m not taking any more lip service or promises. I already did that with people assuring me that it wouldn’t really be so bad or it was all politics and bullshit. Except it wasn’t. It was way worse than even I saw coming.Twodifferent insane presidents pulling shit.

“So you want me to use my influence and help out—which you really shouldn’t even be asking—you need to prove it to me that you’re really going to do what’s right. For all the citizensof this country, not just the ones who contributed to your last campaign.” I smirked at him. “We don’t really have much to go over then, right?”

“I understand things have been difficult and over the top, but I came here to show I’m sincere,” he argued.

“Lie,” I chuckled. “You came here to silence your own conscious about what you hate most about me. That I’m raising a human child and you think that’s wrong. You came here because most people cannot say no to the president’s face. Hell, I used to be one of them. I’ve done several things that were against my best interest. I’m over that. I’m a smarter Sera.”

I might have said more, but my phone vibrated at the same time two ancients came flying into the room.

“Our guy at O’Hare caught panther shifter scents. A lot of them,” one of them informed me. That wasn’t a big deal. It was an international airport. We had all kinds of supes that weren’t from Chicago daily with layovers.

“The scents left the airport, and they’re not Chicago panthers,” the other one added. “Maybe an hour ago.”

“Simone,” I whispered and pulled out my phone, fear filling me when I realized that vibration was her sending me her location. “Get who you can. She’s a few blocks away at the other building and I think they found her.”

“I’ll call the council and make sure it’s not sanctioned,” Hagan said.

“They wouldn’t risk pissing me off,” I replied but was already at the elevator. I turned to meet the president’s stunned gaze. I simply shrugged.

I’d really said all I wanted to, and my friend was way more important to me than he was.

Waiting for the elevator was torture. It felt like ages even though I knew it wasn’t remotely that long. The moment the doors opened I ran as fast as I could… Supremely glad that Dainhad given me casual clothes and sneakers to change into after I shifted and shredded what I’d been wearing.

I blinked and I was blocks away and immediately identified the problem. I barreled over the supe. I let out my power at the same time and flared it until the other panthers released who they were holding and dropped to a knee, all baring their necks.

I went back for the one who had been fighting Simone and practically ripped all his hair out when I picked him up. I kicked him in the face, but he was strong enough to be able to focus even with my power riding him.

He got free and rolled to his feet. “You cannot interfere in panther business, wolf.”

I moved in front of Simone and didn’t hide my amusement. “You’re right—if this was legal, but we both know it’s not. This is a fuckinginvasion. A non-sanctioned invasion and I’m really sure she didn’t do anything for the few exceptions to be in place. Like someone sent a hitter for me.” I turned my head enough to see them both. “Did you—”

“Of course not,” she huffed. “He got kicked out of my birth pack years before I was born and now apparently is getting revenge onthemby taking me over here.”

There was definitely more to it. He’d probably had a million chances to do that before I came into the picture, but no one had. Fine, people thought Engle was stronger than he had been and… Actually, that was probably part of it. Plus, the penis.

It really always came back to who had fucking penises.

The guy tried to make a move to get to Simone and I thrust my hand at his chest with enough force that I heard and felt ribs snap.

Hagan caught up and had his phone visible. “It’snotlegal, and Councilwoman Haton has several words for you about doing this without the approval of the feline—”

“We don’t have a feline elder but a bitch who doesn’t know her place,” the guy hissed. He groaned in pain but still got up.

That was actually impressive.

But now I was extra annoyed, so I broke his kneecaps. I pointed to one of the panthers that went to move. “Don’t. I will start taking hearts and heads instead of just handing you over to the council if you don’t behave.”

“You cannot take us all,” he countered.

I snorted. “In what world would I come alone? So we can’t be council members or the boss and we’re stupid too?” I glanced at Simone, but she gave me a look like she didn’t know why I was bothering to ask as she wiped blood from her lip.

Fair enough.

A bunch of the ancients arrived and I felt him with them. No matter what was going on between us and the pain, relief hit me that he was there. I knew he would protect me and I could rest.

“I’ve got you, Sera,” he whispered as he moved up behind me. “We’ve got this. You can let go.”

I nodded knowing he felt that I was on empty. That last flare of my power had pushed me too far with the lack of sleep… All of it. I didn’t have to fight it anymore.

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