Page 16 of Escalating Alpha (Seraphine Thomas #18)

“You are lucky that I’m not tossing you all out now that I’m Alpha,” I sneered at him as I shoved the aunt to the ground. “We’re family? Yeah, right. You left the twins high and dry when they became orphans. You didn’t call them when they got out of the military or came back to Chicago. You didn’t call them when I was missing or they were drowning—constantly under threat and could have used help.

“You didn’t call them when they adopted a son . Nothing. All the chances to reach out and reconnect and be a family , but you didn’t do any of that. You only contacted them when you wanted something. A ridiculous ask and you have the gall to—you’re fucking nuts. You’re not even a Beta and you think I’ll just name you Alpha? You greedy fucks are—”

“I think it’s time you leave before you leave in pieces,” Freddie suggested, not hiding his amusement. “And I would be very careful what you say going forward because kicking you out is absolutely on the table after you walked in here and lied to us like we’re too weak to sense it or too stupid to check. Either way, the twins will be furious when they—”

“They already know,” Dain interjected, holding up his phone. “They’re on mute, but I can only guess what they’ll say when I take it off. Which one of them do you think will be here first to rip your heads off?”

I was with him until that last part. “They’re not coming here to bother with this bullshit. We have piles of everything to deal with and a son who needs them. If they want to get something off their chests, I’m sure the ancients will gladly drag these stupid asses to Chicago so the twins can smack heads from asses.”

“No, I don’t accept this,” the cousin blasted. “The pack won’t allow this! They’d much rather have me than—”

I threw an elbow and he was out before he even hit the ground. I glanced between the aunt and uncle. “A pack isn’t a democracy. You are born wolves and know that. School your son better or next time I won’t hold back and will snap his neck. Now get the fuck out of my sight while I’m still being kind.”

They believed me and listened.

Wonderful.

I talked to Antony and Galvin about the situation in Indiana and what I was doing with Summer. Galvin was less than thrilled as the director of the FBI… But he understood as Scott and having seen how much I’d put up with.

“We’ll make sure you can see any clips or parts that remotely have any mention of the FBI or affect her professionally,” Dain told him. “HBO already understands that and is willing to sign pretty much anything for this chance.” He smiled at me. “ And they’re willing to donate a hefty amount of money from the viewership for your new scholarship program.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. But then I snorted. “You’re turning it into that? I was just going to pay for people—”

“Of course, I’m going to protect you better than that and get you all of the tax breaks you deserve. More than that, I want people to chip in as well. Too many complain everything is broken or enough isn’t done while not doing anything to help.”

I wasn’t sure what I was going to reply, but Emilio handed me my phone and I sighed when I saw the message from Davis. “The ME’s office can’t get us today with their rushes and pressing backlogs. Not when this has already been delayed. Best they can do is start tomorrow.”

“I’m not surprised,” Galvin sighed. “But they are the best option given it’s the Midwest for your office.”

“We asked Haton if they had any investigators who have ever seen anything so weird but…” I trailed off and gestured towards Antony.

“You wish me to review something on a case?” he asked, trying to keep his tone even.

“It’s something the ancients haven’t ever even seen or heard of,” I told him quietly. “It’s something that shouldn’t be possible, and—my gut is telling me this is the time to ask everyone.”

“Haton says your gut is ridiculously accurate.” He nodded. “If you’re heading to Chicago—I could stay a night and see whatever in the morning. Of course.”

I caught the hint and it was fine. Really, it was.

Demi was ready to take instruction and get things going with Freddie until help came from Greece. She understood there would be a legal side to start and Gere and his team were on our side for this to help the wolves.

But if they found a bad guy in their midst, not to stop them or get involved. We didn’t know these wolves to protect them.

I was impressed she immediately navigated what we’d laid out and set perimeters where she would be able to question anyone in those instances before they were hauled off. She wanted to know for her own conscience that they were actually guilt because even if acting Alpha, she took that seriously.

A woman after my own heart.

He agreed and she relaxed when he told her that he already knew this routine after New York and New Jersey, also having worked with Melicent.

I managed a bit of sleep on the helicopter ride home, worried about Indiana since I wasn’t there or someone like Demi wasn’t in charge. Reagan was more than capable. He was amazing and could handle it. I just… There was a risk always and I’d put him there.

It made me nervous to pass off danger. I had too much to do and I didn’t really have anyone to blame but myself this time.

Well… Mostly.

There was a situation beyond what I could have ever fathomed when I arrived home, and instead of addressing who I should have, I was furious with the ancient at the desk. I couldn’t even hide how bad it was and cranked up my power.

“No one from the government being allowed in here without my authorization means no one ,” I seethed as I moved closer. “Did Christos explain that? How could you be so stupid to—”

“I apologize, Mistress—Master, but having them wait out on the sidewalk seemed like a security issue too and something that could become a spectacle which is the last thing we need. I immediately informed the right people, and they agreed they would not leave this lobby.”

I tried to tone back my anger. “That’s not legally binding. Once they’re in the building or on the premises, they have…” I sighed. The lobby was more of a gray area since the door wasn’t locked. The individual units were seen as the homes, but sometimes nothing was sacred. “Next time, you have them wait in their vehicles with the blacked-out glass.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do and not make it worse in the moment.”

No, he didn’t, and he was one of the ones who left the council’s employment so he didn’t have to deal with high-stress situations like this. I moved closer and ran my hand over his hair. “I know. I’m sorry. We’ll come up with new scenarios and update procedures for you all to not have to guess.”

“Thank you.”

I turned my anger on the right people now. “You knew I wouldn’t have liked this if you had half of a brain and—”

“I think you need to remember who you’re speaking with, Alpha Sera,” someone interjected. “This is what your people asked for .”

I met the aide’s gaze and raised an eyebrow. “Did you see the signs that only authorized personnel are allowed to be armed in this building? None of you are. We have everything posted including no one is allowed to enter our packhouse without invitation. Were you invited?”

“Yes,” he snapped. “Your lover said the only way this would happen would be if the president came in person!”

That was news to me. I couldn’t have seen any of them doing that.

But it was true. The new president’s eyes were confident.

“You don’t need this many Secret Service agents. Send half of them out,” I instructed. I growled when they argued. “You’re not supposed to be in here armed. I was giving a fucking concession. You can’t save him if I want him dead anyways, so it’s insulting that you came—there are a dozen of you armed to the teeth like I’m a fucking threat.”

“Do it,” he agreed. “Two of you stay.”

If he was going to be reasonable, I would be too. “Thank you.” I turned to the aide. “Who did you—” I tried not to flinch when Hagan came bursting through the door.

His eyes were comically wide before he looked at me. “Okay, I fucked up and I’ll accept any punishment, but I thought the guy was screwing with me. They need to communicate better and enough with this cloak and dagger shit.”

I got enough from his emotions and images since I’d already taken off my ring. “You didn’t know he was an aide to the president.”

“No, he sounded like a crazy guy,” he sighed, shrugging when several people didn’t like that response. “He wouldn’t tell me who he was and pulled the whole ‘I know who he is’ when I asked for ID or like information. Then he was getting too upset that I wouldn’t call you home like I was the boss of you and he was the king of the moon. I told him—”

“I get it,” I sighed. I went to address it, but Brian came flying through the door next.

“He doesn’t follow politics or the administration, but I do, and I didn’t recognize you either, so clearly you’re not working in anyone’s best interest here,” Brian said firmly. “And I think you need to leave with the other agents.” He glanced at me. “Welcome home.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I haven’t slept and I’m starving again. Everything is a mess and—”

He moved closer and kissed my hair. “You did the right thing. You always do and we’ll get through this. All of it. Say the word and we’ll kick him out of Chicago.” He nodded when I couldn’t hide my shock and gestured to the president in his ball cap and normal clothes. “He’s not here officially. We know what he wants.”

“I want a real discussion with Alpha Sera who I have never even met before we figure out how to de-escalate the situation and get our country back on track,” the president interjected, his gaze never leaving mine. “We do have similar goals and—”

“Don’t,” I chuckled darkly. “Don’t start this by underestimating me.”

Hagan snickered when he seemed confused. “You have something prepared that won’t be lying because you’re not stupid, but you’re also not going to be real with her. That’s not going to win you anything here. We’re real in Chicago. Sera’s worked with a lot of people who—sometimes you have to work with the devil for the greater good. We all know this.”

That got a reaction and he gave Hagan a pissed look. “I’m not the devil.”

“You might be to us depending on where you land,” I told him. “It’s also why none of us are addressing you with respect. We’re tired of giving it when we don’t get it.”

“I called you Alpha. It wasn’t a dig. I do respect the order you keep,” he responded… Carefully. He sighed when I didn’t bite. “I don’t want you all shipped to Greece and bombed. That’s insanity. You didn’t do anything to have a hit taken out on you. Nor your son. You’re not animals. You are citizens.”

“He’s telling the truth, but there’s more to what he’s saying,” the ancient hedged.

Yeah, there was.

I had the flash of a generic baby and understood. “You don’t like that I’m raising a human.”

“No. And yes, I want to see the child before I go on the—I need to know the child is truly as well taken care of before…”

“I can’t hate him when his worry is filling the whole lobby,” Hagan grumbled. He met my gaze. “I don’t like this though.”

“Me neither,” Brian sighed, probably realizing that I would do it though.

“You can take one agent with you— unarmed ,” I told the president. “I haven’t been home in two days nor seen my son. You can come up and view the honest reaction and how loved the little bugger is—how happy he’ll be to see me and two of his dads even.” I waited until he nodded. “But if either of you ever speak about any of it—”

“We’ll bury you,” Brian growled deeply.

“I don’t know we can call him Boy Scout anymore,” Hagan muttered.

The president met Brian’s gaze. “Because he’s a father first. I am too, and I fully understand where his head is.” He looked at me. “Which is why I’m here. I want a better future for all our kids. The country is in trouble and focused on the wrong damn things. And yes, I promise.”

So did one of the agents… Who I recognized. He’d been to Chicago before with a president. He started handing over his weapons and gear to the other guy. That shocked them, but he simply shrugged and said he trusted me more than others in the Secret Service.

Nice.

“How much time can you actually give to this?” I asked him.

“Today. I have to be visible back in DC tomorrow,” he answered honestly.

“Fine, I’ll take it, and you’ll get a real education about us which you sorely need, but I want two more sneaky days soon to really learn. Your hate is based in fear.”

“I don’t hate supes,” he corrected.

Brian snorted. “You have supported policies and proposals birthed in hate.”

That was more than fair to say. He was smart enough to not deny it.

“I’m warning his nanny and security,” I told them as I pulled out my phone. I also said to stash Deanna in my apartment if she was there. I was relieved when Maya texted back that she was in the other guest apartment for now resting since they didn’t want to introduce her to Topher without me around.

Perfect. I really loved that woman to bits.

“Good choice on the system,” the agent said as we took the elevator up. “You get this from Noah Drake? I bet he had a field day tricking all of everything out.”

“You sound like you know him,” Brian hedged.

“He trained with us when I was in special forces. Good guy. Really cared most about getting everyone out alive when a lot of the instructors and experts they brought in tried to make us accept losses we shouldn’t have.”

“That’s Noah,” I said, Hagan and Brian saying something similar. It really was. He knew reality, but he would fight for every life and never let them be wasted.

It was something I loved about him.

We had a welcoming party in the hallway and they were all frowning.

“I’m a princess to fae, and they are very protective of our alliance and the progress we’ve made joining together to save people,” I explained. “Plus, Topher’s just the cutest bugger ever.” I looked at the guards. “I don’t think you can pat down the president, but we watched the agent take off his weapons.”

“He still has a knife on his ankle, Princess,” one of the guards bit out.

“Accident,” the agent quickly said. “Truly an accident. I don’t normally wear it.” He kept his hands up and turned to Brian. “Can you please get it, Chief?”

Everyone chilled with that and the president even let himself be patted down. That surprised us, but he muttered that he would want the same with strangers around his kids.

“He is too full of aggression and upset,” Maya said as she practically stared into his soul she was so focused. “I beg you not allow his energy touch the baby.”

I nodded. “She’s been a nanny for hundreds of years. When I realized I was in over my head, we called in the best. That’s better than most parents who are too stubborn or get offended when people try to help them.” I was glad when they seemed to accept that.

Maya was still nervous though.

“A lot of people don’t like supes raising a human. They didn’t—it was different when Brian was human and his father.”

“Oh yes, well, much better to be left with your family who are monsters instead of us non-humans. Of course, we’re the ones without the correct priorities.”

Hagan snorted and we went inside.

“Mama!” Topher screeched, saying it again and again as he waved his arms and flailed about from the stroller that they’d put him in for the moment. He got even more excited when he saw Brian and Hagan with me, ignoring the other two.

I rushed over to him and knelt down. “Hey, baby boy. I missed you too.” I already had my ring off and cooed at him while sending him images to not be special and that we didn’t trust these people.

He accepted that, but he really didn’t care. He’d really missed me.

My eyes got watery as I took him out of the stroller and hugged him. “I know, I know. I missed you too. Mama will take a whole night off and it will just be us. Want to take another fun bubble bath?”

“There’s no way he understands that,” the president whispered, his eyes too wide.

“I’m a clairvoyant. He was thinking of it and I just agreed. A child this age can know simple words like bath,” I told him. “Plus, he’s a smart one.”

“And Sera’s already diligent with his education,” Brian bragged. “Do the thing, babe.”

I chuckled and started softly singing a German children’s song as I danced with Topher. Then I switched to one in another language and Topher squealed when he realized the change in language. I did it a few more times and the two humans were beyond stunned.

“You might not have had the right role model on how to be a mother, but the way your brain works makes you the perfect mother,” Maya praised. “I’ve talked to several of our elders about your working with Topher so early on recognizing languages and they say you are setting him up for success. Not only is it a bonding game you share, but—well done.”

“Thanks, Maya.” I felt my face flush, but then I went back to singing and danced towards Brian. I met the president’s gaze. “I get your concerns. We don’t talk about it all publicly, but Brian still doesn’t come around Topher alone near the full moon.” I nodded to how he was standing behind me while touching Topher. “We are careful.”

“But you want him to become a wolf like you one day. That is my problem,” he admitted. “It’s like indoctrinating a baby into a cult that…” His eyes went wide as Brian growled and immediately stepped across the room from Topher.

“It’s not a fucking cult ,” he bit out. “And your prejudices make you cruel .” He gestured to Topher when they were confused. “We’re immortal now. All of his parents are. And you are saying it’s better for us to all suffer him getting older and dying because of your beliefs . Are you insane?”

“Let’s not get into this debate around Topher,” I interjected, feeling how upset he was because Brian was. I kissed his face. “It’s fine. Dad’s defending you.” I met the president’s gaze. “We all agree he doesn’t make any choice until he’s at least thirty and his brain is fully developed and he’s lived . If something happens to him—that’s different.”

“And you’ll accept if he wants to stay human and you have to watch him die like he just pointed out?” he pushed back.

“Yes,” I said firmly—immediately. I sighed when Brian and Hagan went tense. “Yes. We agreed on this.”

“I know, but thinking about it is…” Hagan rasped, his eyes only for Topher. “I can’t think about watching him getting older and dying, Sera.”

“If it’s what he wants, then we do, and we know he’ll be taken care of by your parents. Brian’s grandpa. All the ones we’ve lost,” I reminded them. “And we have twenty-nine years for this to be the conversation even. We know people who didn’t choose to become a vampire until their forties and fifties.” I kissed all over Topher’s face. “Will you be a salt-and-pepper fox?”

“You might be a better person than I am,” the president whispered. “I don’t know that I could accept that if the situation was reversed.” He cleared his throat. “You’re definitely a better person than I thought.”

I gave a half shrug. “Women have to be bitches to survive the FBI and public spotlight or we’re weak and get taken advantage of. You’re praised all of the time for being young and assertive to have risen so quickly and with new ideas—all of it. What would I be? Be honest.”

He nodded, clearing his throat as he glanced around. “I’m surprised he has his own apartment.”

“That’s never to be disclosed,” I warned him. “But yes. Given the target I am—if we are ever breached, they will know the owner’s huge pad and think he’s there. That gives us an edge.” I decided to fib. “He also doesn’t stay here always. We move him.” I shrugged when they both gave me shocked looks. “How big of a target is he?”

“Especially now after the former First Lady’s madness,” Hagan growled but then changed his attitude when Topher got upset. He took him from me and twirled around. “Sorry, buddy. Dad’s fine. I even special-ordered some new fruit for us to try. Your great-grandma hooked me up and it’s coming in on a plane with… I forgot.”

“You are too adorable,” I chuckled as I rubbed his back. “Did you get enough to share?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, and it was not cheap, and Eva is a bad influence on me spending-wise. So I apologize for your credit card bill this month.”

The others chuckled, but I snorted. I rolled my eyes at him. “You think I even notice or pay attention? Vinn is the adult of all of that. And it will be lost among the tens of thousands of dollars I spend a month buying food for everyone. Seriously we use UberEats so often they need to wave all fees.”

“I would recommend switching apps every few months so you have a different pool of drivers and no one figures out your patterns or preferences,” the agent said. “With the way you guys eat, it would be one of the best ways to get at you.”

“Thank you, that’s helpful,” I accepted… Knowing we already did it. I promised Topher that I would be back for a nap with him and handed him over to Maya, gesturing to the others it was time to leave.

And handle the fun part of why they were really here.