Chapter 139

As the video made the social media circuit, our approval ratings soared. Andrew was once again the favorite to win the Alpha King election. People even seemed to forget about my criminal record, something that diehard Bob supporters were quick to point out.

Has everyone forgotten that Crystal went to prison for manslaughter?! one comment on a tabloid article remarked.

She’s a criminal, and yet you’re all willing to let her have the ear of the most powerful werewolf in the world. Am I the only one who sees what’s wrong with this? another said.

One small riot prevented, and it exonerates them of all their sins? I don’t think so! said a third.

Fortunately, compared to the positive remarks, these were few and far between. Our supporters came out in troves to back us, and these comments were soon forgotten by everyone but Andrew, Dennis, and me. They didn’t even make the top of our list of concerns.

Unfortunately, having so many supporters meant having to deal with them. Andrew was accustomed to the fanfare, but I was not. I could hardly leave my apartment without getting swarmed, and it was just a good thing that Jeffrey was nearly always by my side to disperse the crowd before things got out of hand.

Then came the day that I tried to go to the grocery store.

Despite spending so much time at the mansion, I had run out of several essentials and needed to make a quick run. Jeffrey tried to convince me to order through a delivery service instead, but I wanted—needed—to spend some time outside of my apartment, the mansion, and Andrew’s campaign rallies. The errand would be fast, I argued, and no one would bother me at the grocery store.

The parking lot was crowded, so Jeffrey and I had to choose spaces three rows away from each other. I didn’t think it would be a big deal since he still had an eye on me, and I trusted his ability to be at my side in a moment’s notice.

I stepped out of my car, and all Hell broke loose.

“Is that Crystal Blanchard?” a woman asked from the parking space next to me.

“I think it is!” another exclaimed as she abandoned her cart full of groceries to run toward me.

“Crystal! Crystal!” a chorus of voices began to call as women and men alike converged on me.

“Crystal, can I have your autograph?” one young woman asked as she made her way to my side.

“Me first!” another said as she pushed her way past the first young woman.

“No, me!”

“Crystal, can we take a picture?”

“Crystal, I love you so much! I love what you’re doing for the werewolf community!”

“Crystal!”

“Crystal!”

“CRYSTAL!”

They closed in on me, pressing me against my car. My mind flashed back to the vampires as they circled me, preparing to strike. I let out a soft whimper, so low that no one could hear my distress.

They continued to call out my name and make demands, proclaiming their love for me. My chest heaved rapidly as I tried to keep myself under control. My nails dug into my palms, leaving imprints.

I should have gotten back into my car until Jeffrey found me, but I couldn’t move to find the door handle. I could only dart my eyes about, looking desperately for my savior.

“Attack,” Susan growled. “Show them who is in charge. Make them back away.”

“I can’t,” I responded. “They’re just fans. They don’t want to hurt me—”

“ATTACK!”

I snarled as Susan started taking me over.

My nails extended into claws, drawing blood from my palms. My fangs distended in between my panicking pants. My vision sharpened, and I could suddenly see every detail of the scene all at once.

I identified my closest assailant, a woman about my age. She kept pushing her autograph book towards me like an excited teenager meeting her greatest idol. Normally, the adulation would have touched my heart; right now, though, it only caused me—and Susan—great agitation and anger.

“Attack!” Susan repeated.

I was about to obey, aiming for the woman’s throat, when Jeffrey came to my side and grabbed me in a bear hug.

“Calm, Crystal,” he whispered in my ear so that no one else could hear. “It’s going to be okay. Just breathe.”

I stiffened in Jeffrey’s arms, squirming. Gradually, his voice as he whispered reassurances brought me back to myself, and I forced myself to breathe deeply. Slowly, Susan retreated.

“Back off!” Jeffrey yelled at the gathered crowd, his voice deep and demanding. “Ms. Blanchard will not be signing any autographs or taking any pictures today!”

Everyone grumbled in disappointment. Many of them looked as though they were going to protest. One sharp glare from Jeffrey, though, and they all dispersed, leaving for their respective cars or the grocery store itself.

“Are you okay?” Jeffrey asked as he retracted his arms.

I shook my head.

“Jeffrey, I…Susan, she…” I started sobbing uncontrollably as Jeffrey’s body hid me from the public eye. “She wanted me to attack them, and I almost did it.”

“It’s all right, Crystal. Everything is fine now. Everything is going to be just fine.”

Jeffrey stood straight-backed and watched me as I cried, unsure of how to comfort me.

“Do you still want to go into the store?” he asked.

I shook my head again.

“I just want to go home.”

• * *

Jeffrey stayed inside my apartment as I waited for my groceries to be delivered. I silently berated myself. Jeffrey was right, I should have just had them delivered in the first place.

He watched me as I stared blankly at the television, not really paying attention to the program that I had selected. Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell that he was deep in thought about something. I only hoped that it wasn’t me.

“Are you sure that you’re feeling all right now?” Jeffrey asked.

I nodded.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“You don’t look fine.”

“Well, I am.”

Jeffrey paused.

“You need to tell Andrew what happened.”

I turned off the television and faced Jeffrey fully.

“Why? Why should I tell him about how I almost lost control of my wolf because I was panicking?”

“You weren’t just panicking. You were having a panic attack. There’s a difference.”

I didn’t respond.

“Andrew can help you,” Jeffrey continued. “You only need to let him.”

I ran my hand through my hair.

“He’ll be disappointed—”

“No. He’ll be understanding, and he’ll find a way to help you get this under control.”

I ran my hand through my hair again and groaned in frustration, grabbing my hair tightly.

“I don’t understand what’s going on with me. Sometimes, Susan comes out too slowly when I’m under duress. Other times, she comes out prematurely, even when I argue with her not to.”

Jeffrey’s expression softened momentarily.

“You’ve been through a lot. It will take a lot for things to get back to normal—and even then, not everything will be perfectly normal.”

His expression returned to neutral, and his voice became firm.

“But you need to tell Andrew. You won’t get any better if this stays between the two of us.”

I contemplated his words for a few minutes. Then I pulled out my phone and dialed Andrew’s number.

“Andrew? We need to talk.”