Chapter 2

Maddy

Since Viola''s declaration of war on TV, I''d been in a perpetual state of anxiety. It had been bad enough when she and her cronies operated in the shadows—now things were much worse. Viola had shown her cards, and that meant it was open season on us. She didn''t have to cover up our deaths. Her zealots would kill us just to please her. That terrified me.

My wolf raged inside me, ready to attack, but we had no one to focus that anger on. It amped up the anger thrumming in my veins. We''d already been through so much, and it should have been over. Donatello''s reveal had been our ace in the hole, the final stake through her heart that was meant to end the royals and their bitch of a spokeswoman. Yet, here we were, hiding away in Nico''s compound, terrified to go out, terrified of what was coming.

Now that I was in control of my wolf and could shift at will, I longed to see Viola face-to-face again. There would be no mercy, and that was fine. I wasn''t a violent person by nature, but a person could only put up with so much before they lashed out.

Before I walked in on Nico and his dad''s stupid conversation, I''d been visiting my parents. They''d taken residence in one of the vacant pack houses near the forest. The one-bedroom cabin was small, much smaller than their real home, but neither they nor I wanted them to be out in the world without protection. Not when they were still targets. Viola wouldn''t hesitate to kidnap them again if she thought it would help her get the vial.

Nico had offered the house to them, and I''d been relieved when they''d accepted. They''d be as safe as they possibly could be here, behind Sinthy''s wards. I was glad they were a bit removed from all the action and meetings at Nico''s house—the less they knew, the better.

As for Nico, he and his father were sitting in the living room, looking like two little boys who had been chastised. As well they should. That they''d even entertained the idea of Nico ingesting the contents of the vial was madness. Like I''d let him risk his life like that. There was no way we could know what might happen. Nico flipped through the channels to find a news station. Donatello''s text

meant something important was coming. How did the man have so many connections? Of course, it was his money. Money always paved the way.

Did he say what announcement to look for? I asked as I sat down beside Nico.

He stopped once he''d found a channel and shook his head. "All he said was to turn it on."

A moment later, a commercial was interrupted. For them to cut off one of their precious advertisers, it must be important. The anchor looked harried, as though she''d rushed through makeup and sprinted to her chair to give the update in time.

Good afternoon. We interrupt your previously scheduled broadcast for a special announcement from the president on The Monroe Group and Shifter Crisis. We take you now to the West Wing.

The screen switched to the president stepping toward a podium. Dozens of flashbulbs went off and at least a half dozen reporters in attendance started shouting questions. The president raised his hand for silence.

Once the rumble died down, he spoke. "Good day. I have a statement to make. Unfortunately, I will not be taking any questions today."

He cleared his throat. "As you all know, The Monroe Group and most specifically CEO, chairman, and majority stakeholder Viola Monroe, has come under fire in recent days. Their complacency in the kidnapping, experimentation, torture, and murder of shifters is now known and being investigated. The federal government is exhausting all avenues to ensure that not only she but all guilty parties are brought to justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with Interpol and several other law enforcement agencies across the world to find her and bring her in.

"One thing must be stated. And this is a direct and total affirmation. Though Viola Monroe is a resident and citizen of the United States, she does not speak for this country. We abhor and renounce the vile bigotry she has spouted, and none of America''s allies stand with her.

Until this matter is settled, shifters of all species are under protection. Anyone attempting to harm, harass, or intimidate a shifter will be subject to the harshest laws of our land. You will be charged not only with assault but a hate crime. This evening, I will sign an emergency bill into law that will make any crime against a shifter a federal crime."

Let there be no question, any who decide to follow Miss Monroe''s call to arms will face the full and unyielding vengeance of this country, a minimum of twenty years in prison, seizure of physical assets such as real estate, vehicles, and stock holdings, as well as...

fines beyond measure."

The president looked directly into the camera and leveled a finger at it. "Viola Monroe, I implore you to turn yourself in at the nearest law enforcement location immediately. For those watching who think they might agree with her stances? I would think twice before tempting Fate. That''s all for today."

He turned on his heel and strode away as his press secretary stepped up to the podium to dismiss the reporters. I couldn''t remember the last time I''d seen a president look so pissed. The speech was great and touched all the appropriate points, but it was cold comfort. I doubted it would do an ounce of good.

That''s fine," I said. "But how many of these crazy douchebags will listen to that? These people have been waiting decades for a reason to hunt us. A nice speech won''t scare them. Not when they''re so full of fucking hate they can''t see straight."

Gabriella gave a curt nod. "They won''t stop until we''re all eradicated, or they''ve been beaten so resoundingly they tuck tail and wait a few more decades to come out of the shadows again."

Maybe not, Nico said. "There must be a lot of people who saw that press conference and got a little nervous. A bunch of people might have been on the fence. Those might have been beaten back from joining Viola''s cause. That should bring the numbers down a little, right? At least for a while."

He sounded so hopeful, and I wished I could feel the same. He might be right, but I doubted it.

The news anchor was back on the screen. "All registered shifters should report any signs of violence or intimidation to their local law enforcement. A special fund has been set up to add bodies to the police force. US Marshals and secret service agents will be dispatched to areas in need of special assistance with shifter-related crimes."

Nico snorted. "Well, at least we won''t need that. Sinthy''s wards are better than a few guys with guns, from what I''ve seen so far."

It looks like pretty much every other government has given basically the same stance as ours over the last fifteen minutes, Gabriella said as she scrolled through her phone. "At least it''s a united front."

Viola must be pissed, I said. "I think she probably hoped at least a few of the outlying countries might side with her and give her a base of operations."

Carlos grunted. "Yeah, but as we''ve discussed there will be people in those governments who will still provide her with assistance. Hell, some of the countries might be paying lip service. I mean, does anyone think a country like North Korea won''t jump at the chance to help some crazy rich bitch like Viola?"

He was right. We all knew that.

Regardless of what the news or any politician says, Viola wants a war on shifters, but we all know what she wants most," I said.

The others looked at me intently, but they knew what I meant. I was the prize. Me and the vial that only I could access and use. She wouldn''t stop until she had both. Even if she had to wade through all the armies of the world, the woman was too crazy to understand the odds. Would anything short of death ever stop her?

I need some air, I muttered.

Are you okay? Nico asked as I headed for the front door.

I''ll be fine. A little sun will make it better.

He looked at me as though he wanted to say something else but he nodded and let me go. I stepped out onto the front lawn and took a breath. It did feel better. Ever since gaining contact with my wolf, nature soothed me.

Grunting sounds came from the house next door. Glancing over, I saw Luis and Sebastian sparring in Nico''s parents'' yard. I strolled over and watched them.

It looked like it was nothing but training. That was a relief. I had no clue whether the two had completely buried the hatchet or not but the fact that they weren''t bloodying each other was a good sign. If nothing else, the animosity between them had markedly decreased since Viola''s announcement.

Hey, chick, Abi said from behind me.

I turned, surprised to see her there. "Hi."

Abi was the reason for the friction between Luis and Sebastian. Everything that had passed between her and the two friends still hung over them like a dark cloud.

So, have you worked things out with Sebastian yet?

She visibly deflated. "No. We haven''t really talked about it."

Abi, I told you weeks ago you needed to lay it all on the table.

The little charade Abi had pulled had turned the two best friends against each other. Sebastian had nearly believed she and Luis were a thing. Luis, for his part, had played along to goad his friend but had stopped when he saw how upset it was actually making Sebastian.

I know. That''s what I wanted to talk to you about.

I sighed with relief. "Good. Are you going to do it today? Is that what brought you out here?"

Abi chewed at her lip uncertainly before saying, "No. At least not yet. I, uhm... I think it''s time I leave the compound."

Her words rooted me to the spot. Not only that but Luis and Sebastian stopped sparring. Their shifter hearing must have picked up her statement. Abi went red in the face when she saw them look our way.

Hold up, I said, throwing my hands into the air. "You want to go back to your apartment? You do realize this is the safest place for you."

don''t you? You''re still a target. Viola may try to take you again. Christ, my parents are staying until all this is over."

Abi shook her head adamantly. No. I don''t think I''m still a target. Things have gotten bigger. I''m probably not even on her radar anymore."

I couldn''t believe how dense she was being. Of course, she was still on Viola''s radar. The one thing that woman wanted more than anything was me. Why the hell did Abi think she wouldn''t try to kidnap her again? What I had to say next wasn''t pleasant but it was the truth.

Abi, you''re not going anywhere. I''m sorry, but I won''t let you put yourself in danger.

She''s right. Sebastian stalked toward us, adding his two cents. Luis hung back.

You shouldn''t go anywhere, Sebastian continued. "Maddy''s right. It''s safe here.

Abi scoffed. "You don''t get a say in this."

"The hell I don''t. My friends almost died trying to save you and Maddy''s parents. We put our lives on the line to get you guys back. Of course, I get a say.

Abi whirled on him and dug a finger into his chest. I''ve already thanked all of you for that, but it has nothing to do with this."

Wait, I called out, an idea suddenly springing into my mind. "Is this about you two?"

Sebastian''s eyes slid off Abi and onto me. His face told me the thought hadn''t occurred to him until I said it.

Oh my God, Maddy. Seriously? Abi asked incredulously.

She could say what she wanted and she could put all the feeling and emotion into the words but I knew her. The look in her eyes told me I was right.

Sebastian must have seen the same thing I did because he leveled a grim smile at Abi. "You can''t run off and put your life in danger because you can''t face the repercussions of the decisions you''ve made."

When Abi rounded on him, I thought for a split second she was going to deck him, but she didn''t. Instead, her lips trembled as she slammed her palms against his chest, knocking him back a step.

That''s really fucking rich, Sebastian. You''re a goddamn hypocrite. What about your actions and what you did?

Things were quickly going sideways. If I didn''t step in, one of them would say something they couldn''t take back. Luis looked nervous, but he hung back. I stepped between them and gripped Abi''s shoulders, staring into her eyes.

"Abi, try and remember who you were before all this started. You''ve been through a lot. So damned much. I understand that.

Through it all, I think you''ve lost yourself. You need to find that. I stopped talking, suddenly realizing what I was going to say next."

You... maybe you''re right. Maybe you do need to leave.

Sebastian threw his hands up and stomped away from us toward Nico''s house. Heat built in my belly and chest, hot and strong. I''d never felt it before. Probably a response to the fight. I shook off the feeling and gestured at Sebastian''s retreating figure.

"Once you''re back to yourself, you better fix that.

Abi huffed and rubbed a hand across her face.

And,"" I added, ""if you do decide to go, you won''t be leaving unprotected and you won''t be going back to your apartment. I have an idea."""

I headed back toward the house.

Abi called from behind me. "What idea?"

Come on, and you''ll see.

Abi hustled to catch me. We found Nico standing in the kitchen, making a sandwich. He glanced up, and the smile forming on his face died when he saw our expressions.

He slapped the sandwich on the counter. "What now?"

Okay, hear me out," I said. "Do you think Donatello might be willing to hide Abi for a while?"