Chapter 253

Grace

Charles sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We're still gathering information, but the timing can't be a coincidence."

"Where's Thorne?" I asked.

He smiled and checked his phone to see. "On his way to the airport."

"You have a tracker on the liaison?" Eason asked, grinning. "Grace give this man a blowjob at every opportunity."

I scowled at him as Charles laughed.

Amira gasped. "He's going to be here within the hour!"

"Likely," Charles said.

"This isn't good," I muttered, my voice heavy with worry.

"We'll figure it out, Grace," Eason assured me, his voice firm. "He's probably just here to irritate you and about the press conference. I won't leave you alone with him."

I nodded. Charles squeezed my hand gently, his touch a silent promise of support.

"Don't worry," he said, his gaze unwavering. "You can handle Sean. I'll get out of here before he shows up."

I nodded, a wave of gratitude washing over me. It was good not to feel alone, though I wished he hadn't had to go.

I sipped my hot chocolate, enjoying the slight increase in energy in me. I knew Eason was adding things to my drinks to help. I didn't know how long it would take for it to kick in, but I hoped it was before Sean arrived.

Exhaustion gnawed at my bones. It had started from the moment the press conference had started. I was ecstatic though. The press conference had been a success, a spark of hope ignited within the pack and the rest of the States, but the news of the Alpha President's unexpected visit, coupled with Jackson's presence, had cast a over my hard-earned victory.

Little did I know, an even greater headache awaited me.

"So much for that nap I hoped for."

"Nonsense," Amira said. "If he can show up unexpectedly, he can wait."

Eason smiled. "Hell of a beta you've got there."

I wished it was him, but I nodded and finished my drink. Charles tucked the jacket I'd been wearing as a cloak around me and kissed my forehead.

"Rest for now. Eason will be in here being dastardly. I'll put Enforcers on your door."

"Thanks."

My nap was short but perfect. I got up feeling so much better than I expected given how tired I'd felt earlier. Eason was still working. Margaret and Seraphina had come up. I grinned and sat up.

"You aren't planning the clinical trials without me, are you?"

Seraphina snickered. "Wouldn't dream of it. We just got up here and through security."

I nodded, grateful. "Is Charles gone?"

"He's downstairs in the finance department," Eason said. "Headed out. Sean arrived a few moments ago... apparently there was traffic."

I sat up and stretched to join in the conversation about the clinical trials. A few moments later, my intercom buzzed.

"Alpha Wolfe, Alpha President Caldwell is here to see you, as is Liaison Thorne."

I rolled my eyes and got up. Eason stood.

"Conference room?"

I nodded. There was no way in hell I wanted him in my fucking office. We headed down the corridor to the conference room and I picked up the call there.

"Escort them to the conference room, please, Amira?"

"Of course, Alpha Wolfe."

I settled in a seat. Eason set up his laptop and spread out some bland documents. We looked busy. Then, the familiar scent of arrogance and entitlement wafted through the doorway. There, leaning against the doorframe, stood Sean, a smirk plastered across his face. Just behind him was Edgar in his usual suit. Both of them looked at us with a calculating gleam in their eyes.

"Well, well, well," Sean drawled, his voice dripping with condescension. "What a surprise for you to be up and about and stirring up so noise after your case..."

I smiled blandly. "President Caldwell, how interesting that you would grace my pack with your presence."

My jaw clenched. The last thing I needed was Sean and Edgar's brand of troublemaking. I was tired and hoping to get things set up to move forward. Edgar cleared his throat.

"Alpha Wolfe," he addressed me, "the Alpha President has expressed a desire to tour Wolfe Medical, specifically your research facility for Project Moonlight Phoenix."

I narrowed my eyes. A surge of anger coursed through me. The President hadn't scheduled this tour and hadn't even notified me. This reeked of bad intentions. I glanced at the documents Eason had slid in front of me and sat back.

"I'm afraid," I said, my voice laced with steel, "that this is a research facility, not a museum. I don't give tours. To anyone to maintain the integrity of our research." I narrowed my eyes. "Given your connection to Lunar Remedies' CEO, it would be a bad idea."

Edgar snarled.

"But Alpha," he stammered, "the President--"

"The President," I interrupted, my voice leaving no room for argument, "is not a medical professional as far I know. I don't give tours of my lab." I smiled. "You're welcome to have a walk around Mooncrest... with Mooncrest Police and an Enforcer as escort."

Sean scoffed. "You're taking an oddly hard stance... Isn't this a bit overdramatic, Alpha Wolfe? I deserve to know what the tax dollars are funding."

"Wolfe Medical is not funded by tax dollars," I countered, my gaze unwavering. "That would be the free clinics and the free public transportation. Have fun on the bus."

He opened his mouth to retort, but I cut him off. "If that's all, I have work to do."

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a scalpel. Sean's face contorted with frustration and shot me a venomous glare before turning his attention back to the liaison. They mumbled something in hushed tones, a heated discussion brewing.

Why wasn't he leaving?

"Very well," Sean said, entering the room and taking the seat beside me. "Then, I'll just sit in on this little meeting. It'll be good to see how you're progressing through your training. Edgar says you're not taking much of his advice."

"Telling me not to announce the drug, distancing myself from my support staff, and generally being rude to me and my staff seem to be reasons not to listen to him." I smiled. "But you're welcome to sit and stay."

Taking a deep breath, I adopted my most professional demeanor and turned to Eason. "Let's get on, hm?" My voice was calmer than I felt. "Where are we standing on the publicity reception?"

Eason grinned. "Good. Damn good."

He glanced at Sean and narrowed his eyes. "People are hyping it up. We should probably be prepared for the backlash."

I set my jaw. "Your thoughts?"

"Bullshit rumors about the drug being fake, about the clinical trials, and probably more than that."

Sean raised an eyebrow. "No details."

Eason smiled thinly. "I have no reason to talk to you."

He titled his head. "You hate my niece and nephew, my sister.... and probably hate me more."

Eason leaned forward. "You and your liaison haven't been much help, and just because you're president, we have to cooperate. At this point, it's starting to look like harassment."

Sean's lips twitched. "Such hard words for someone connected to a terrorist group."

I leaned forward. "Don't talk to my brother like that. Eason has avoided being killed by Blood Moon... and we all know who has the real connection to Blood Moon."

His lips twitched, and he stood. "I was really expecting a warmer welcome... considering that you want a seat on the Senate. Requires a vote."

"A public vote," I said. "Not your vote, especially when I have all the requirements for it."

He chuckled. "You'll regret not showing a bit more hospitality."

They left. He glanced back over her shoulder with a sneering smirk. As soon as they were out of sight, I reached for my phone, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm. I needed to get a message to Charles – and fast. With a silent prayer, I typed a frantic text telling him everything that had happened.

Eason tapped his hand on the table, tilting his head this way and that. His eyes flashed and flashed again.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Something..." He shook his head. "I can't put my finger on it yet, but it's coming. I know that."

I didn't like the sound of that, but I nodded. A prickle of unease ran down my spine. I couldn't focus on this. Magnus was due to arrive any minute to talk about our allegiance. Sean had practically threatened to block my path to Senate. With a trembling hand, I reached into my pocket and retrieved the vial Charles had procured from a witches' territory.

"Can I take this with what you're dosing me with?" I asked, holding it up for him to see.

He smiled and nodded. "You probably need it after dealing with that asshole."

I popped another longevity pill, tossed the vial back and took a deep breath. Hopefully, I'd be able to keep awake for long enough to get some work done.

I took a deep breath, feeling the rush of energy through me. The metallic tang of the potion lingered on my tongue.

How much longer would it be before none of this worked any longer?