Chapter 106

Almara’s POV

No other reporter asks another question. They all wait in hinged silence, wanting the answer to the first and only question asked- who is this old woman?

Bess raises her chin the air and speaks with a calm confidence. “I am Elizabeth, generations past female alpha of the Hurricane Pack. Victorious over war with the vampire nation.” She speaks with pride in her identity, but disappointment in it being revealed.

As soon as the words leave Bess’s mouth, it’s evident that her life won’t be the same. Now that her face is on T.V with her victorious title, people are going to want to everything about her life and the media will give as much as it can take.

It dawns on me that this is all my fault. The news of Arthur being bit, Bess’s identity being revealed, making everything that’s a private family issue public. To be fair, this really is all because of Noah. Lily says, trying to comfort me.

Don’t worry, Lily. I’m blaming him too. Though if he has one good quality about him, it’s that he

could keep a secret. I watch in horror as the reporters jump on this new revealed piece of

information and being to pry into her.

“Is this because of your friend?” Roman asks stepping into my line of vision.“No.” I answer truthfully. “It’s because of me.” As though the temperature dropped, my blood runs cold as something sinister settles in Roman’s eyes. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to.” I hate to grovel in fear, but what else can I do? My only saving grace would be Roman’s ability to forgive.

“You know, the baby has already been born. Your duty has been fulfilled. As far as I’m concerned, you’re no longer needed.” The harshness of his words cut to my heart and my mouth goes dry. Roman sneers and turns to walk rescue his mother from the reporters.

“Roman, wait.” I call after him. He slowly turns around and stands tall.“I know I messed up. What I did was a mistake, if you kill me or get rid of me that’ll be on purpose. Arthur loves me and he’ll never forgive you make me disappear.”

“As if I need the forgiveness of my son if doing what’s best for our family involves removing you.” Roma’s voice rises with anger and shame floods my face. I hope the reports didn’t hear that.

My mind thinks of Emma and of if she heard my father-in-law spoke to me that way she would never let me hear the end of it. Her and everyone else.

“He would never leave me.” I say with more confidence than I feel, but in my heart I know it’s true.

“Let’s see if we find my son first.” Roman says and walks away to be patted on the back in support by Jack. A cool breeze brushed my hair and cools down the heat in my face.

I refocus my attention on Bess who seems to have the reporters wrapped around her finger. Just as Roman goes to pull her away she holds up a hand to him, signaling him to wait a moment. Bess looks into the camera and removes her stoic warrior look and sports a concerned, loving grandmother face.

“If anyone knows any remedies to overturn the vampire curse, we ask that out of the kindness of your hearts you reveal such information by calling this number,” Bess gives the very well-known number of Roman’s publicity agent.

Roman reacts in haste and pulls Bess out of the spotlight, perhaps a bit too roughly as there’s some judgmental murmurs among the news crew.

“Oh, she’s won war before. She’s fine.” Roman waves off the cameras. He turns to Bess and speaks in a low voice to her. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but he looks to be scolding her. He’s probably wondering why she just confirmed their son’s condition. Bess doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by her son’s anger.

During this lull while Roman and Bess heatedly work out their issues, the reporters have decided to sign off for now. They go to the camera bags and touch of make-up, discuss notes with the camera men, and answer text messages.

It amazes me how when the cameras stop rolling, they no longer care who they’re in the presence of or what’s really going on. As if Arthur is only missing when the cameras are rolling.

I walk up to Jack. Though we met in the living room during the initial meeting, I think my first impression may have just gotten soiled.

“This really is an amazing place.” I say, not knowing how else to start the conversation.

“Well, it was. Now it’ll be ruined by fans who would do anything to step on the same land that the Hurricane Pack have walked.” He gives me a side-eye and I grimace under his scrutiny.

“I was only trying to shut a girl up who was peaking ill of Arthur, I didn’t know she would alert the media.” I say waving my hand in the general presence of the crew.

“We’ll have to work on appreciating the beauty of not fearing man what man says or does.” Jack nods towards Roman, “Otherwise, you yell at your own mother if something comes undone from your control.”

I decide to keep my mouth shut rather than agree and create more of a schism between me and Roman, but I smile in appreciation. I can see where some of Bess’s wisdom rubbed off. “So, what are waiting for? Why haven’t we gone to get Arthur yet?”

Jack looks up at the sky as though measuring something, squinting one eye and then the other. “It’ll be dark soon in a full moon. Roman called in some special forces to . . .” Jack trails off, searching for the right word. “Minimize any damage.” He settles on with a tight smile.

I nod in understanding. We might need some extra muscle considering we don’t know how the powers of the moon will affect Arthurs rabid state.

The sound of feet approaching grabs everyone’s attention. The footsteps are slow and controlled, yielding suspension with every step. Could it be Arthur? Did he hear us and decide to turn himself in.

Then, the feet come closer until an appearance is made. Robert steps onto the scene.

The hustle of camera gear being picked up and set up indicates the reporters know something major is about to unfold. Their voices announcing breaking news topple over one another as each reporter tries to be the first to make the claim.

Robert ignores the attention of the cameras and lights and instead keeps his eyes fixated on Roman. He has an amused look about him. Meanwhile, Roman is fuming with anger.

The two hold each other’s gaze until there a mere few inches apart. Each journalist knows not to asks any questions and let the scene unfold naturally. The rest of us hold our breath. There’s a change in the air and every instinct in me kicks to overdrive. A fight is going to break out.