Page 24 of Escalating Alpha

“But we’re just supes, Summer,” I said sadly. “Well, my son is human. Maybe someone will care that a hitman was hired to kill my human baby son at least.”

One could hope and that we hadn’t fallen into that much darkness in our country.

Unbeknownst to me, Dain had recorded the whole time in the studio—the audio at least. And he must have sent it to a few people to warn them.

One of them Enzo because my phone rang just as I got into the SUV to head home.

“Your message was received loud and clear by the council,” he told me in way of greeting. “You’re not looking to go to war with us and will even allow us to use this to the advantage of our people. It has endeared you to a few people who still weren’t your fans.”

“Always a nice outcome but yes, you got the first part right. The second was really that I just want my people protected. That’s all I want, Enzo. I want that bitch to shut up and all this madness to de-escalate.”

“You might have thrown fuel on the fire instead.”

I snorted. “Our side needs it sometimes. We hid too many years and need to start standing up to fight. Not kill in the darkness butfight back. I’m not judging the refugees, but I’m shocked Iran didn’t happen earlier and with more countries.”

“We have said the same. And yes, we will hunt and help on this. It is time to handle this situation better.”

I chuckled darkly. “How much is that going to cost me?”

He was quiet a moment. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.

“Nothing, Seraphine,” he repeated. “Take it as our apology—my apology. I promised you my protection and help. I—Igwe was right here under my nose and I missed it. I suspected him of planning something and had my eyes on him. I’mfuriousI missed it. I am not a man who misses things.”

“You’re better than most to admit that,” I told him, switching to French. “We felt the same here that we didn’t do more with those fucking buildings. People think I’m so paranoid and over the top, but hopefully now they will understand I’m not. Others might think it’s a good idea to take a shot from a building near mine now that I said it on TV but—”

“Clever woman,” he chuckled. “Yes, it is a good way to take more people off the board or take out who might come after you. You do lay traps well.”

“I try my best. The problem is my son loves that damn pool.”

“I believe Elder Jezebel has a way to handle that.”

I snorted and then hurried to explain. “All of our issues and even how petty people can be and it’s so rare that we don’t use our proper respectful titles. Fine, some don’t like to call me ‘Mistress’ when I’m not a vampire. I don’t even think it’s to be mean, but it’s not their beliefs. They never just call me Ms. Thomas.”

“Yes, your current president is a petty man. I can’t say ours is much better most days, but at least he’s trying. I will let you go to handle what we should.” He cleared his throat. “You didn’t fail and it’s not your fault, Sera. It’s ours for not making the world better so all of this wasn’t on your young shoulders.”

He hung up before I could reply.

Not that I knew what I might even have said. I didn’t disagree, but I wasn’t going to poke that bear. I appreciated more people understood that they didn’t handle as much as they thought or should have done better.

I felt that all of the time about myself and I gaveeverythingto the fight constantly.

I was glad to be home, kicking off my heels before losing my jacket next and heading to the fridge… Only to find it empty. I didn’t think much of it and simply opened the freezer.

But it was mostly empty as well. There were a few bags of frozen treats that were there for late-night snacks and frozen fruit for smoothies, but that was it. No meals. Nothing labeled and stuffed to the brim.

Not even my chocolate-covered fruit fun from the twins. I knew that though since I’d eaten it all. I’d had help, and I wanted to beat people for that because it was so good. I wanted more.

I shook off my wandering thoughts. That wasn’t the point.

When was the last time Dain stocked my fridge and freezer?

A while. Two weeks?

After thinking about it, I realized it was at least two weeks.

I chuckled. I hadn’t had to think about food in so long really that it was odd, like I was at a loss.

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