Chapter 254

Debbie makes everything always sound so dramatic so I have no idea how serious she really is with that statement. So far, from what I can tell from the commentators face, and even the rival’s surprise, is that the brothers’ appearance is so unexpected that everyone is too shocked to truly comment on it yet.

“I’m sure the brothers have their reasons,” I say.

“What could they possibly be, to turn them against their father?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “What if he’s not such a great guy after all?”

“That seems unlikely,” Debbie says. “Every time he’s on tv, he seems so genuine.”

“Outward appearances aren’t always the truth.”

“Yeah, but… I can’t imagine him doing anything so bad that his own kids would turn against him. Especially… well… nevermind.”

“What?” I ask, prompting her.

“I know you are friends with them now, but I don’t think I need to remind you about how things were at the start of the year…” Debbie’s voice trails and I know exactly what she means.

The brothers might be highly regarded and beloved, but they also have a reputation for being a bit cold-hearted and aloof.

When I first met Debbie, I didn’t even know her name because the brothers had taken it from her and made her an outcast.

Which helped me understand Debbie’s position now. Compared to the father, who always appeared genuine on television, she has had personal experience with the brothers, who, though she admires them, she also knows the cruelties they are capable of.

If forced between having to choose between father and sons, Debbie would clearly choose the father.

What worries me is that many others might share her position. I don’t know enough about politics to properly weigh in. I have no idea if this is a misstep or a bold move in the right direction.

Hopefully Debbie’s opinion is not reflexive of everyone else.

The rival – ah, his name is Johns, finally the news scrawl tells me – takes the stage to begin his speech. Unusually, as the commentators point out, the brothers take the stage beside him.

Mr. Johns’ aids seem rightfully alarmed by this. They keep trying to sneak onstage to whisper to Mr. Johns, but he waves them off.

“I’m honored to have here tonight, the support of four unexpected benefactors!” Mr. Johns pauses for the crowd to clap and cheer. Everyone in this audience seems happy to see the brothers, at least, despite what Debbie has said. “Perhaps you boys would like to say a few words.”

“Oh my Gods, he’s going to let them actually speak?” Debbie gasps. “I’m recording this right? Let me make sure I’m recording this.”

The Hayes brothers look at each other, before Neil steps confidently forward. They all look good in form-fitting suits. Neil has his hair tastefully back in a tight knot.

At Mr. Johns’ insistence, Neil walks to the podium. He adjusts the microphone.

“Thank you,” Neil says.

The crowd cheers for a while, but eventually, with Neil’s raised hands, they go quiet, likely eager to hear what he says. I’m eager too. I’m pacing in front of my television, too amped up to sit down.

“We are pleased to be able to attend tonight’s event in support of Mr. Johns as the next Alpha King,” Neil says.

The crowd goes wild again, and it takes several long minutes for them to calm down again. Neil, a statesman at heart, lets the crowd have their fun, but eventually brings them back to attention. He’s a master at this, even at such a young age.

I’m in awe just watching him work.

“Gods, he is hot,” Debbie says.

“Debbie!” I say, surprised.

I can hear her eyes rolling. “I know you think so too.”

She’s not wrong. I’m just surprised to hear her say so.

“Our father,” Neil says, motioning to his brothers, “has led this nation well enough for the past many, many years. But his leadership has turned stagnant. He has grown too complicit in his role. The recent power outage reflects this. Something like that should have never happened under the Alpha King’s watch.”

Interesting. So Neil is using his father’s intimidation tactics against him. Pride immediately swells through me.

“It is time for my father to step down,” Neil continues. “He should allow someone else to fulfill the role of Alpha King and bring our nation into a new era.”

While most everyone clapped, one person in the front row must feel as Debbie does, because she shouts loud enough for the cameras to pick up, “Why turn on your own father?”

Families and bloodlines are important to werewolves. To some, the Hayes brothers’ actions here might seem a betrayal of the highest order, even if it’s for the candidate they prefer.

Neil is unfazed by the impromptu answer though. He simply keeps his head high and answers, “I know better than anyone that he is no longer fit to lead.”

The crowd quiets some and the whispers start.

“What does he mean by that?” Debbie asks.

“There must be more going on here than we know,” I say. I can’t tell Debbie everything, not just because she loves to gossip but also because it’s not my drama to tell.

If Neil wants the world to know that his father imbedded silver into his chest, then he has to be the one to tell them. Not me. Not Debbie.

“I don’t know,” Debbie says. “This all feels so surreal.”

I can agree with that. I have no idea how I feel about it, other than worried. I’m definitely worried. A move like this is going to catch the Alpha King’s attention for sure. And Neil’s words are going to have people questioning.

The commentators are already on top of that. Some of the panel of newscasters are taking the Alpha King’s side, calling the brothers ungrateful. The others are posing questions about what the Alpha King might have going on behind the scenes. Perhaps he’s been combating illness?

It’s all wild speculation, but without facts, anything could be true.

“Debbie, do you think that –”

A knock sounds at my door and whatever I was about to ask goes right out of my head.

Who could it be here at this hour? It’s obviously not Debbie, I can hear her television in the background of our phone call. She’s in her dorm room for sure. And it can’t be any of the brothers, they are all at the event. Carrie’s in the wind. Tides in a coma. Mom wouldn’t just show up without calling first.

“Debbie, let me call you back,” I say.

“Uh… you okay?” she asks.

“Someone’s at my door.”

Debbie pauses a moment. Then she asks, “Who?”

It’s kind of her to care. She likely went through the list of possible visitors same as I did. Debbie might not understand the full extent of the danger I’m in, but she knows that I’m on the brothers’ side and that sometimes gets me into trouble.

“I can stay on the line,” Debbie says.

“I’ll call you back,” I tell her again, and say goodbye. I’m not going to keep her on the line. It’s probably nobody. A drunk on the wrong floor, for instance. Or a delivery guy with the wrong room number.

The brothers have tabs on all the comings and goings of the building. They would be alarmed if they saw someone strange coming here.

But the brothers are very busy at the moment…

No. I refuse to be afraid in my own home.

I go to the door and peek through the peephole.

It’s a middle-aged woman with dark hair up in a tasteful bun. I don’t recognize her right away. She must be lost.

“Who is it?” I call through the door.

“Is this the residence of Chloe?” she says back. Her words are formal, her accent stiff, the kind like rich people have. “I think it’s time we have a talk.”

“Who are you?” I ask again.

“Me?” She places her hand to her chest. “I’m Mrs. Hayes.”

My breath catches.

The brothers’ mother. The Hayes Matriarch.

What is she doing at my door?