Chapter 148

Charles

I sat in my office at Grace's house, waiting for Astarte to answer. George was tense in the chair across the desk from me, ready to take notes. The projection was of a spinning hourglass as we waited. The seconds seemed to weigh heavily on me. Then, she answered, wearing vibrant blue lingerie this time. I wasn't sure if I was ready to have this conversation, but it needed to be had now, especially with the letter. Her eyes were warm as she appeared, then cooled.

"So... we're doing this now."

My lips twitched. "It seems so."

"Is this about Devin?" She asked, tilting her head. "Married to the alpha who hadn't even bothered to check the credentials or intentions of the man she handed it off to? It's not like you to get involved."

"Look, Astarte," I began, choosing my words carefully. "The Enforcers have been doing all the clean-up from the Blood Moon attack. Her brother is still recovering. I just want to understand what pushed you to this point. I know you."

Astarte said nothing for a long while, but her eyes spoke volumes.

"Let's not play games, Charles," she said. "It's unbecoming, and we're better than that. You know I'm Alpha Shadow; we don't have to beat around the bush, and you know exactly what's pushed me to this point."

I shook my head. "He is in--"

"He is fading," she bit out. I went silent. George went still. Her eyes watered, and her voice trembled. "The blood baths are no longer working. He's fading, and the only thing that hasn't yet stopped working are life elixirs."

She set her jaw. "The price isn't too high. What are one failing city, some silly half-lycan woman who doesn't even know the value of true family and a half-lycan man who is too soft-hearted to recognize that his sister doesn't give a damn about him? What are they to me, given what is at stake?"

"The medicines Wolfe Medical makes don't just help adults."

She scoffed. "Oh please, I'm more clever than that. Not a single building would have been harmed, and you know this. As far as I know, there were already plans to seize Wolfe Medical one way or another."

Her words hung heavy in the air. I didn't know what to say. If I were in her position, hell, if I'd had a love like hers and Seth's, a daughter like Raya, would I have even humored this call?

Would I have been able to stare stone-eyed into a camera knowing that Eason's life was going to be drained out of him and I would be making a whole city of orphans? The love of a witch is deep, as is a lycan's. My mother used to say I was doubly doomed in that regard.

Spirits help whoever dares to take your love from you... I can only hope you will spare the innocent in your wrath...

I swallowed. "Astarte, don't you think there could be another way? Can we discuss alternatives?"

George started taking notes again.

Astarte hesitated briefly, and when she spoke again, her voice was laced with weary determination.

"Charles, my husband's life is worth more than anything. You know this... If there were other options, I have already tried them."

"I don't think that's true." I hesitated. "Her brother, the healer you were planning to use for this ritual, you know he's broken compulsions. He has some training, perhaps he could--"

"What?" She asked. "Help? Do you think I have not had healers here? Do you think I haven't spent every penny, nickel, dime, and gold bar to find an answer?"

"I'm not saying you haven't tried, Astarte. I know you." I shook my head. "I also know that there has to be another way. In the whole world's magical potentials and research, there has to be something else."

She snarled. "If there is, find it, as I cannot spare the time to look."

"What do you mean?"

"Mooncrest is off the table until the end of the year. That will be enough time to undo the work your Enforcers have undone and open another rift. This time, bigger." Her lips twitched. "I have a feeling that brother of hers is already through the whole of the change now."

I swallowed. Something pricked at the back of my mind, but I couldn't parse out what it could be.

"You don't think she can do it?" I asked, tilting my head.

"I would never underestimate a desperate woman... and neither should you."

I hesitated. "Astarte... I understand. I know what Seth means to you. And... while I can say... with utter confidence that I couldn't be sure I would take a different path... I don't believe it's in you to punish the entire nation for the choices of one man..."

Though the Alpha President was becoming more of a problem at the moment.

"Perhaps not normally.... but it has been too long since I have had a semblance of normal."

"I--"

My phone chimed with an alert. I glanced at it as the message from the Lycan Enforcer Unit popped up.

There is someone following Kelly and the children. Units are monitoring the situation.

A sudden sense of urgency surged in me, but I maintained my composure, considering it.

"Give me a moment, Astarte."

She smiled wryly. "Need a break for round two?"

"Something like that."

I put a hold on the call and looked at George. "Tell them to keep an eye on it even after the pursuer leaves. Detain him if possible."

George nodded, and I stood, taking my phone with me and switching over to the normal phone interface. I called Kelly.

"Hi, Charles!"

"Hi, Kelly. Are you all still at the museum?"

"Yeah. Cecil just went into the bubbles," she laughed. "I think the new attraction is a hit."

"That's good to hear." I headed out with George. He brought the car around.

"I'll be there soon to get you, and we'll head to City Hall."

Kelly hesitated. "We'll stay in the building until we see you."

I smirked. "Atta girl."

I got in the car behind George and opened the connection to Astarte.

"Do you think you can trust the people you've linked yourself to?"

"Of course not," she snarled. "I made that mistake once, and look what it's cost me."

"What would happen if someone violated the terms of your agreement, the challenge, with Alpha Wolfe?"

"If I had knowledge and did nothing, I would lose my magic," she cocked an eyebrow. "Something you want to tell me, Charles?"

"I just want you to look after yourself, Astarte... like always."

She smiled. "I do. Perhaps next time we'll have something more fun to talk about?"

"Maybe," I said and bade her goodbye.

"Fuck," I cursed.

"Is there any chance that we could find an answer before she goes completely off the deep end?"

I shook my head. "I'll ask Seraphina, maybe even Grace. We pulled up at the museum, and I stepped out to wave at Kelly and meet them at the door. I ushered them all to the car.

"Hey, Cecil," I said, getting her in the car. "How was your day at the museum?"

"I got messy!" Cecil said. "And I painted on the wall. It was great!"

I climbed in behind Kelly as Richard growled at me.

Stranger.

Once the door was closed and the car was moving, I took Richard from Kelly's arms. He snuggled into my arms. Kelly sighed.

"Is it bad?"

"Not exactly," I said, rocking Richard.

"There was a man following us around," Cecil said. "I don't think Richard like him."

"What man?" Kelly asked.

"The man in red," she said with a frown. "Didn't you see him?"

I was proud. Both of them had noticed the man pretending to be Alpha Shadow but not the Enforcer. Their senses about who meant them harm were sharpening.

"I think this might be the last museum trip for a little while," I said lightly. "At least until things calm down a little."

Kelly nodded shakily as I pulled out my phone and texted Astarte.

I want to talk more about this. I need to know if there's really nothing that can be done.

She sent me back a heart. Typical Astarte

Until then, please. Don't do anything. It may give you Set back, but what will he think when he wakes up?

She said nothing, but I knew enough to know that she was thinking about it. Maybe she hadn't been allowing herself to think about it until now.

Then, my phone chimed with a message from Grace.

Alpha Shadow is at the museum with Kelly.

My eyes widened. I turned the camera. "Big smile, Cecil. Let's show your mom how much fun you had."

"Cheese!"

I took the photo and sent it to Grace even as my stomach turned. Astarte was being double-crossed. I sent another message to Astarte.

I'll be calling you back tonight.