Page 44 of Magic and Muffins

“What happened?” I braced for news of another Orphia video or a new protest.

“Are you serious right now? Don’t you watch the news? The producers are thinking of cancelingThe Other Housebecause of the protests. Despite the DOS’s announcement that the werewolves are helping, the network doesn’t want to promote controversial content. Can you believe that shit?”

I let out a relieved breath. While I’d hate for our favorite show to get canceled, worse things could happen.

“It’s all because of Orphia and her hate videos. The show will be pulled if public opinion on wolves doesn’t change. What are we going to do, Ev?”

“We? I don’t thinkwecan do anything.”

“Is Shepard with you?”

“I’m here,” Shepard said between bites.

“This is a dire situation. I need your full attention and cooperation.”

“I’m listening.”

“You’ll need a multifaceted approach to rebuilding the werewolf public image—from media exposure to grassroots canvasing—and it all needs to be done swiftly.”

“While I think Vena is going overboard—” Cross started.

“It’s not going overboard to save something you love.”

“—I do think she has a point. On my way home, I saw groups of protesters outside more businesses, and I heard there was trouble at the Shadow Trade market. The mood is turning. People are embracing the fear Orphia was instigating in her videos. Public opinion is swinging.”

“Swinging like an ax,” Vena added. “So, what are we going to do about it?”

Shepard looked thoughtfully at his half-eaten sandwich. It had to be hard to know that people who didn’t even know him hated him and his pack. People who didn’t know how much he did and sacrificed for their safety.

I placed my hand over his. “I can do the cookie class for werewolf mates. It’s not much to tip the scales, and it’d only be for a few people, but the kitchen is operational.”

“Orphia’s vileness is spreading past D.C.,” Vena said. “We’re talking national and worldwide. A dozen women making cookies for wolves isn’t enough.”

“It has merit to be more, though,” Cross said. “If it gets media attention.”

“I’ll call Hugh and see if he has any ideas,” Shepard said.

“Good,” Vena said. “Call him now.”

“Vena, let Shepard finish his lunch first,” I said.

“Wolves eat fast. I’ve seen Anchor. Timed it even. Two double cheeseburgers gone in four bites. Makes you think about them eating other things, right? Like things downsta?—”

“Bye, Vena.” I ended the call.

Shepard shoveled in the rest of his meal and stepped away to make a call. Rather than listening to a one-sided conversation, I asked Cross to give me a play-by-play.

“Hugh was about to call Shepard,” Cross said quietly. “He agrees something needs to be done before public opinion sways too far. It will be hard to regain the trust once it’s gone, and the humans need the wolves.”

“True,” I said.

“He’s proposing to do a spotlight to show how coexistence is possible, using me and Shepard as an example.”

“Really? That’s good for Shepard and the werewolves, but what about you? Publicly declaring yourself as a vampire when your kind is still living in the shadows is kind of scary. For every person who believes werewolves are a threat, more will see you as a bigger threat. You’ll be putting a target on your back for every vampire hunter out there.”

Cross’ slow smile didn’t amuse me, but my annoyance amused him. He pulled me into his arms and kissed my cheek.

“Everly, your concern is precious to me, as is your answer, even when I don’t take it seriously. Since I woke up to this endless life, no one has cared about me as much as you do. Thank you.”

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