Friday, 11:00 pm
Ahdum Newsome stared thoughtfully at Henry Le Croix who paced in front of the cold fireplace. January evenings were cool, but not freezing. Tonight had been a little warmer than most. He thought about his first meeting with the Wolf Alpha Le Croix. Ahdum had not been impressed. Now, seventeen years later, he respected Henry's business prowess and power.
He did not, however, condone the man's treatment of his only child, Laylah. Ahdum still could not believe anyone would be so callous and indifferent to another person. Yet, Henry did it easily. Poor Laylah. He truly felt for Britta's best friend.
Now, because of his daughter's foolish plan, that friendship was about to end. He personally felt the Alpha was overreacting to the situation.
"Henry, why don't you go home? You sent your enforcers out to look for your daughter. I've met your men. All are very thorough and capable."
Henry stopped moving and stared at him. "It is not my men that concern me. It is what that she-bitch will tell Laylah when she has her."
Ahdum was confused. "And what would that be?"
"That Laylah is not human." Henry turned his back on him and studied the mantle. "What, no witty retort, Newsome?"
"Sorry, but I don't have one. You mean to tell me, Henry, that your child does not know she is Were?"
"That's correct. I raised her as one of you. She has the same general knowledge of Were society as a human, but that is all. And besides, she's never exhibited any Were traits or changes that all Were children and teens show. That being said, the only logical conclusion is that her feline and lupine genes cancel each other out and have made her null or human."
Ahdum was shocked and tried to wrap his mind around the explanation. "So you figured it was better to lie than to be honest? How did you explain away the first kidnapping to her?"
"I didn't. I had Jacques come up with a plan to protect my assets."
"You mean, protect Laylah," he corrected.
Henry glanced over his shoulder and his blue eyes glittered. "No, I said what I meant."
Ahdum felt a chill at Henry's words. Did the man feel nothing for his daughter?
"I see." And he did, with a clarity that changed his perception of the Wolf Alpha. He didn't know Henry Le Croix as well as he thought he did.
Henry cleared his throat and Ahdum focused on the conversation. "Yes?"
"This is a Were matter and our Council, as well as myself, would appreciate no human interference."
He didn't like Henry's words or the implied threat. "Another one of those 'mind your own business' moments? Afraid that if humans saw your idea of justice, it might sully your PR hype?"
His guest chuckled. "Something like that. Don't worry, Tri-Ruler Newsome, none of your media broadcasts will get so much as a whiff of what is about to occur. Keep your daughter home and all will be well."
"You know I don't respond well to threats, Alpha Le Croix," he warned. He was Head Tri-Ruler and law interpreter. The law would always come first.
"Oh, I know. Thought I'd inform you. Good night, Tri-Ruler Newsome."
Ahdum watched Henry leave. He stared at the fireplace for a long time and wondered what insanity would come from this night. He hoped he would never find out.