Chapter 65

He'd left early, kissing the top of my head and inhaling deeply before he went out the door of my apartment to his waiting car.

He told me not to worry, that he'd been to plenty of these government meetings before and had friends there he was happy to see. He would be back that night.

"We have a party to go to tomorrow morning, right?" he'd said, giving my hand a final squeeze.

I nodded, trying to smile and be brave. I knew it was unlikely anything would happen to him there, but I was still nervous at the way he'd been summoned. I didn't like it.

It was Saturday, but the protests were even larger as people who weren't able to leave their jobs during the week were able to show up. I watched live streaming coverage, having agreed to stay home while Charles was gone, both because I knew he had enough to worry about and because Sally had called insisting I take it easy for at least the weekend.

I watched, texting Cathy and Sheila about what was happening and got photos of crowds and police, who were both trying to keep order and support the crowd, as they'd found their own funding and orders were effected as well.

Because of this unusual arrangement, there was relatively little violence and those who tried to stir up trouble were quickly subdued by the crowd.

It seemed like the longest day I'd ever spent. Charles sent me a selfie of him in the helicopter, and then a brief text that said landed safely, and then nothing.

I paced my apartment, I sketched out another article I'd planned for the following week, and I even baked more red velvet cupcakes for Charles to eat when he returned, and still the time wasn't going by fast enough.

I did yoga on my patio, paced the apartment some more, and reorganized my sock drawer. Every time my phone pinged I frantically snatched it up. Finally, around 7:30 came the text.

Heading home.

I had to stop myself from texting a million questions back, so I limited myself to I'm so glad. You okay?

I'm okay. Tired. Angry. More soon.

Angry, I thought. That's not good, but at least he's okay.

It was late when I heard the key I'd given him turn in the lock of my apartment door. I'd been snoozing on the couch in front of my favorite shifter soap opera but I sat bolt upright when I heard it.

When he opened the door and stepped in my entire body suddenly relaxed and I realized I'd been tense all day.

"Charles," I said, practically flying across the room to him. He did indeed look tired, but he was still standing tall and powerful, filling up my small entryway as he took off his coat.

He stopped with one arm in it to wrap me up in an enormous hug. "Ah," he said, after a deep inhale and exhale. "Next time I need to take you with me. Just a whiff of your skin makes everything better."

I raised my lips to him and he smiled, bending to kiss me tenderly, his full lips pressing softly against mine.

"And this is even better than that," he said.

He finished taking off his coat and followed me toward the couch.

"I'm making you tea," I said, and he nodded, grabbing a cupcake off the counter as he went.

"Good thing I'm not taking those to Matilda's party tomorrow," I said, teasing and laughing as he stopped, his mouth poised open, about to bite into the cupcake. "I'm sorry," I laughed. "They're truly for you. Eat them!"

He did in two huge bites and grabbed another before sitting on my couch with a sigh.

I poured us both streaming mugs of tea and sat close to him so he could smell me, and tried not to ask questions. I needed to let him decompress and talk when he was ready.

It took about ten minutes, him silently sipping and staring at the television before he said, "This is pretty juicy stuffy you're watching."

I nodded. "It's where I get all my inspiration for boyfriend behavior."

"Looks like I'd better start sending more flowers," he said.

"We've only officially been together a few days," I said. "I'll let it go for now."

"My merciful lady," he said, turning to me and kissing me again. I put my hand around the back of his neck and pulled him toward me, kissing him hard. He tasted like the cinnamon of his tea and the sweetness of the frosting on the cupcakes, and I smiled when I was through, leaning my forehead against his.

"You taste delicious."

"What was that kiss for?" he whispered.

"I'm relieved. I was worried, but you're back and you seem yourself."

He put his arms around me and nuzzled my neck quietly for a moment, then murmured, "Thank you for worrying. I'm all right."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes." He stood up from the couch and went to the kitchen. "It may be a two cupcake story, though."

He came back, peeling the outside wrapper off one.

"I have lot of contacts in other cities, people my father cultivated relationships with early and I've known some of these people my entire life. They all took me aside and said things were manifesting in similar ways in their cities, that there seems to be something wrong with how the municipalities are working."

I frowned. "Why? What's going on?"

Charles shook his head. "We can't figure it out. Why would werewolves intentionally sabotage their own cities? It doesn't make sense. I mean, there is such a thing as moon madness but this seems more than one person and it's systematic throughout many of our big cities."

"And the larger government wants to unite you to investigate, I'm sure."

"That's just it," Charles suddenly sat up to his full height, his face scowling. In an instant he had become his frightening Alpha self and he seemed to fill the small apartment with power and anger. It made me shrink back despite knowing it wasn't directed at me.

He went on, his eyes blue flame. "They want us to unite and say nothing is wrong."

Now it was my turn to sit up straight. "What?" I was incredulous. It was exactly the opposite of what I'd assumed a responsible government would do.

"Exactly, Elena. They said we need to stick together as a pack and support the city leaders. I could see in my colleagues' eyes that they were equally unhappy about this, except the city leaders of course. They were nodding along as if they'd been victims of some kind."

Charles shook his head in disgust. "I've never been so frustrated or disappointed. When I asked flat out if they were asking us to turn a blind eye to obvious problems, I was told the problems were largely fabricated by media companies to try to gain power."

I gasped. "Surely they aren't blaming Rafe Media!"

"Not currently, but it was a pretty obvious threat that I and our company will not be safe if I insist on seeing it that way."

I shake my head. "This is so much worse than I'd anticipated."

"I know. Some of my peers took me aside in confidence and warned me, but also sounded like they wanted to support me if they could. But they're in a tight spot as well. They're also getting pressure and veiled threats."

I was horrified, my mind whirling. "Charles, does this mean whatever is happening, it's coming down from a higher level?"

He was silent, looking off into the darkness outside my patio over the city. "I don't know, Elena," he said softly. He looked back at me like he was coming back from a long distance.

"My timing has been lousy, and I'm sorry for that. We shouldn't be starting a relationship at a time like this. It isn't fair to ask you to be around me or be involved with things look so negative."

I sat forward, leaning close to him. "Didn't you hear me when I said I loved you?"

He looked at me, surprise in his eyes. "I... I guess, but that doesn't mean you have to be miserable."

"Part of that means supporting each other through better or worse."

He smiled and took my face between his hands. He leaned forward and kissed me softly. "I'm so grateful for you."

We sat in silence for a while, leaning into each other, breathing in each other's scent, our eyes shut.

He straightened up and smiled at me. "One more cupcake before bed."

"What's our next move?" I asked as he grabbed the last cupcake.

He chewed thoughtfully. "I'm not sure exactly, but I am not going to be quiet or lay down for anyone. I'm the Alpha in this town and I'll be damned if I roll over."

I smiled, nodding, loving his confidence.

"I think I'll start with Matilda's party tomorrow, if she gives her consent. There will be press. Are you okay with that?" He kissed me gently with cupcake on his breath. "And with being my official date?"