Page 73 of Escalating Alpha

Because he had the same gut feeling I had and this wasn’t something isolated and we needed to know more. Yeah, nothingwas ever easy enough that it was some sort of freak accident and we’d never see it ever again.

The updates from everywhere were amazing. Summer was getting all kinds of interviews and footage from what we were doing in Indiana. Apparently, most of the pack were all about giving her an in-depth look at their lives and how they were treated.

Apparently, I was going to have to kick the asses of a lot of people in Louisville. Always fun. I was still dealing with that in Sioux Falls… Which actually had some amazing updates as well.

Two of the city council members were out. We uncovered enough that they knew it was time to tap out and thought we’d drop it if they did.

Stupid people. No, and one was going to be arrested soon. I didn’t know all of the details since that remote team was under a different office, but I knew it was going to be good.

The FAA finished their full investigation and the mayor decided he was not running for reelection. One of the air traffic controllers was singing. That was all Brian knew, but the smirk on his face said his gut said we were going to have quite the show to watch soon.

I loved to sit back and watch drama unfold that wasn’t mine.

As long as the bad guys were punished in the end.

Mauro was all for Virgil’s idea of a traveling Beta to dig into my packs more. He thought it was a really smart idea and one he was going to handle, but he could use the backup especially since I’d just expanded with three packs.

Yeah, I did my best to stress people out.

No, but… Again, what else could I have done? Left it alone?

Not when I liked being able to sleep.

Ohio was a bit more complicated because it was a niece of Eva’s, but from her consort’s side of the family, and they didn’t like me much for killing Bernard. She was also a problem andwild, in the camp that this would be easy and she could be a cute queen here now.

The look I gave Eva that I didn’t have time for that was so loud without words that they could probably have felt my annoyance in Greece.

“I understand, but this will go a long way to show the family that you are family to them too,” she said, her voice even in a way that I’d not heard before.

Meaning she had alotto say on the topic and was trapped in the middle.

“Ihavedone a lot for the family already,” I told her. “I’ve done a lot to help Greece and point out flaws. Melicent will be an amazing queen because of the training wheels I’ve given her the ability to have. Yes, I’ve also received a lot, but this is underhanded and we’re not going back to this. I have no crime to pay for, and that is what theywant.”

“Agreed,” several people said, Mauro included which made me feel better.

“What would you propose then because she’s already on her way?” Eva said, and again, carefully.

“Did Mom approve this?” I checked. I sighed when it was all over Eva’s face. No, Alena didn’t, and someone went behind her back and was trying to be… Fuckers.

So I pulled out my ace and called Melicent. She wasfuriouswhen she learned the full story and what had happened. She said there were way better candidates and the people of that pack were already traumatized under that leadership. It was not the time to use them as a way to kick a spoiled brat into shape.

“Let her be one of your temporary Betas to work with Uncle Mauro or whomever to learn how things are done here. I was groomed for leadership, and I would have drowned if not for your constant support and allies guiding me,” she said firmly.“The other two I have heard nothing but good things. I know Mother was careful in her selection. This is meant to fail.”

“No, because they want this child to succeed,” Eva corrected. “It’s a mess they want to dump off and put Seraphine through her paces or whatever. I believe that with all my heart.”

“It still shows dissension in the ranks, Grandmother,” Melicent said gently. “They went behind our backs and that cannot be. If nothing else, you deserve more respect than that. Mother has done nothing wrong for one of your consorts to undermine her. She has always been good to them. They are punishing her for not taking revenge on Seraphine forher son.”

“It has to end, and I know I sound biased when I say that, but it’s not because of me,” I sighed, glad when I saw the same in Eva’s eyes. “Divert them here and with the change of plan or tell them to turn around. We could use the help here with our people covering all over. I want the peoplemy motherworked out for me knowing this was the plan. I won’t agree to undermine her.”

“I ask you allow me to handle this, Sister,” Melicent said gently. “I will take the anger for it.”

“You can handle it, but make it clear I was the one who made the call. I’m not letting them think you guys puppet me either. I’m not backing down from this. There is too much we could lose for these stupid games.”

I was glad they all agreed and it would be handled.

Tanner and his team were doing well in Indiana, and I found out this was his team’s last mission. I knew they’d all put in their notice, but they had to give the council time to train people up. What I didn’t see coming was Tanner talking about retiring too. Apparently, he’d had it with the bullshit.

Oh boy. Another reason for the council to blame something on me.

---