Chapter 77

Sarah POV

Zane asked me to sit in on a PR strategy meeting with Tony Whitfield, so I ended up watching attentively in the study as they discussed how best to handle the fallout from the busted slavery ring. Right away, I could see Zane’s primary interest was making sure the ring was completely destroyed, whereas Tony (He insisted I call him that.) was mostly interested in making sure Zane’s image kept its shiny coat.

I supposed that was the main reason for having a publicist, but I knew that wasn’t going to be the type of person I wanted to help me with my public face. I needed someone to help me navigate the social media waters, not someone to zealously keep me from the public the way that Zane, quite understandably, needed. I needed a partner, not a guard.

Frankly, I was getting a little tired of guards.

Considering the attempted shooting and the rogue’s attack on Grace, to say nothing of the slavery near-rape-and-murder I had experienced, I completely accepted the need for bodyguards, but they were just always there, always in my eye line, always checking out rooms and asking me if I’d had any threatening emails or phone calls. This last part was particularly irritating because I was pretty sure they were monitoring my emails and phone well enough on their own.

At this rate, my publicist would need a bodyguard too. No wonder famous people needed so much money.

I followed along as Tony showed Zane an eLunaLight.com article on the slavery ring that he thought gave them “some direction moving forward.”

It started with the usual “Human Saves Humans” lede most of the articles used in the mainstream media, but then I saw what Tony was talking about.

But as much as we want to gnash our canines at the news of wolves who don’t treat humans as sentient, independent beings who share our earth, we also have a tendency to happily put such unpleasant thoughts from our social conscience once we feel we’ve spent enough time feeling bad about it.

The wolf prejudice against humans isn’t limited to those who would keep them as slaves. It involves those who fail to support laws that would make humans safer.

It’s there in every joke about human foolishness or weakness. It’s there whenever mixed-raced couples are given the bad table at a restaurant or a human alone in a crowd of wolves is ignored, or worse, is made to feel threatened.

As more information is revealed about the CHB slavery ring, the clearer it becomes that it was supported for over a century by rich and powerful wolves in dozens of territories. In fact, it would seem to be a tribute to the leadership of Alpha Zane that the ring was exposed and its supporters apprehended in his territory.

As for the human, Astor’s actions were undoubtedly heroic, but while we celebrate her, let us remember she should never have been put in such danger to begin with. If you’re out there reading this, Miss Astor, I want to offer my apologies on behalf of werewolves around the world who have been horrified by this latest news cycle.

The article’s byline read, “Steven Scrumber,” and was followed by an email address. While Zane and Tony continued to talk, I sent the address a quick message thanking him for his apology and noting that the actions by a few werewolves did not make all wolves guilty. Thinking about my public persona, considering he was a journalist, I added that I hoped to be able to help werewolves and humans live together in peace.

Then I realized they were saying my name a lot and looked up, trying to pretend I hadn’t been distracted.

“Darleen’s got the number one daytime show,” Tony was saying, “and she’s very pro-human rights. I do think she’s the best choice.”

Darleen, I wondered? Why were they talking about a daytime talk show host?

Zane scowled a little and then turned to me. “What do you think?”

“Darleen’s great,” I hedged. “I watch her when I’ve got a free afternoon.”

Tony nodded eagerly. “Great, that’s settled. I’ll reach out to her people. I’m sure we won’t have any trouble getting you two booked.”

Zane nodded, though he didn’t look particularly happy, and I realized what I’d just agreed to: namely, that Zane and I would be on her show.

I opened my mouth to object, but then, well, it really wasn’t a terrible idea. Darleen was highly popular in Zane’s territory, but she wasn’t syndicated. It would be a way for me to show support to the people who mattered.

Besides, people on Darleen’s show only spoke for about five minutes or so. It would be worth it, I supposed.

Tony left not long after that, and Travis came in to discuss security. I nodded and went to see what the girls were up to. Dr. Hayes nodded as I came into the room and told me they were just about done.

Today had involved an art class, and one of Grace’s lovely paintings was hanging to dry. I recognized the Celebration Garden from the arboretum and said show to get a beaming smile in response.

Chloe’s work, which I took to be a wood carving from the smell in the air, was covered by a cloth, so I just nodded at her and said I was looking forward to the great unveiling.

“You’re a silly,” Chloe said. But then she added, “No peeking.”

“Cross my heart,” I said, drawing a finger down and then across my chest. She eyed me narrowly.

“See you tomorrow, little alphas,” Dr. Hayes said as he put his papers and things into a briefcase.

“Alpha Zane is in his study,” I told him.

He smiled. “Alpha Zane has given me permission to come and go without going to him for formal recognition.”

I smiled back, pleased. “Excellent.”

The girls and I settled down for another game of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, their current favorite.

“Taco,” Chloe said, slapping down a pizza card.

“Cat,” Grace said and slapped down a cheese card.

“Goat,” I said and slapped down a goat card. We all slapped our hands down, and I was the last to slap. With a grumble, I took the cards and added them to my deck.

“Taco,” Chloe said, slapping down a gorilla card. We all beat our chests and laughed. In the end, Chloe won. She usually did with that particular game.

Before the next game, I decided to tell them their father and I might be on Darleen’s Den, which I had watched with them in the past, though they had complained there was “too much talking” on it.

“You’re going to be on TV?” Chloe asked, eyes wide.

“Just the local station, but yes. Do you think that will be fun to watch?”

They both just sort of looked at me. Then Chloe ran to the bathroom.

“Chloe?” I called in concern, half-rising from my chair.

But she ran back in holding my hairbrush. She stood next to me and put the brush to her mouth. “So, tell us, Sarah, what’s your favorite part about being a member of Alpha Zane’s household?” She put the “mike” to my mouth.

I batted my eyes and pretended to consider it. “I think it must be playing with my girls.”

Grace clapped and hooted.

“And how are things between you and Alpha Zane? Do you two get along?”

“Of course we do,” I told the brush. “We both love Chloe and Grace so very much, you know, so naturally we get along great.”

Chloe perfectly mimicked the “Oh, come now,” expression Darleen was famous for and asked, “And how about the way you feel about each other?”

I looked at them both, smiled, and said, “I feel it’s time for dinner.”

Grace and Chloe booed.