Chapter 41

Present, 2220

Kattcha sighed and thought about her son. Donil owed her an explanation about his behavior at the Newsome's home and Britta's cryptic remarks. She turned off the car, got out and took a cleansing breath of night air. She froze when she caught a whiff of a familiar scent.

"This is becoming a bad habit, Stefan. One that I won't encourage. Showing up unannounced, very rude." She watched him emerge from the shadows with a genuine smile on his face.

"Come now, Kat, you know that games are a feline's forte."

"Maybe for some, but this feline is getting too old to play them. Speak your mind, Wolf. I'm tired and would like to sleep."

"Always loved that about you, Kat. Forthright and dependable. I need to speak with Donil as well."

She considered Stefan's request and decided to hear him out. "Come inside. My son is in the study hoping to avoid his nosy mother." She chuckled and led him in the house.

They went straight to the study. Kattcha gestured for Stefan to wait and then entered first. Donil grimaced, no doubt imagining what she would scold him about. To forestall his excuses, she spoke first. "We have a visitor." Turning, she shouted, "Stefan, hurry up and get in here. We don't have all night."

"Sheesh, woman, announce my presence to the world!" Stefan growled.

She smirked. "Serves you right. Every time you come by and want something, I end up with gray hairs."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, blame it on Henry's indifference and the Council's refusal to assist me. Oh, hello, Donil."

Donil had risen and was glaring at their visitor. Kattcha grinned as her son tried to intimidate the other male. He was very powerful, but Stefan was seasoned at winning power plays. The tension rose and her nose caught the smell of increased testosterone mixed with the sharp tang of Alpha power from both men. She regarded Stefan more closely. He had never had the feel of Alpha power like Henry. Perhaps time had caused it to emerge in him. An interesting thought, and something to watch for.

"Did you forget, Little Kitten, about our e-comm conversation?" Stefan goaded as he watched Donil's face.

"Conversation? He called you, and you didn't tell me?" Kattcha glanced at her son and saw him flush in anger.

"Yeah, I was letting him know I had information about Laylah and the Council. I also came to warn your brash son to lay low and not bother my niece because Henry will react badly."

"You saw Laylah today? Donil, you promised to be cautious!" Kattcha gave her son her full attention, disappointed that he was behaving rashly.

"Mom, I was there to pick up Britta for the dinner tonight. Laylah happened to be there at the same time. That's it. I didn't plan anything. Oh, and Jacques showed up, too," he hastily amended when Stefan coughed.

"Donil Vince Silentshadow! I raised you to use your head! Not go off and do stupid things that could get you killed!"

"You know what? I'm getting tired of everyone questioning my judgment. I know what I'm doing! You act like Henry is some monster who will destroy Laylah if she's seen with me. He may be a cold, ruthless, self-centered egomaniac, but I can't see him harming her."

"See, you proved your mother's point," Stefan snorted. "You can't be that naïve, Alpha Silentshadow. Henry is all about power and control. Laylah is a possession. And like any object, she can lose value and be traded for something worthwhile."

"Meaning?" Donil's tone lowered and he gripped the desk hard enough that it creaked in protest.

"If you continue to pursue her, Henry will move her out of your reach permanently."

Kattcha's breath caught. "He won't kill her! Even he wouldn't go that low. She's more valuable alive. I wouldn't put it past him to put Laylah in some isolated place out of spite."

Stefan looked unhappy. "I don't know, Kattcha. My twin becomes more unfeeling by the day. No, that's not true. He does feel, just not the kinder emotions. And having Zina around complicates things."

"He'll never help Zina!" Donil's adamant denial was immediate. "Zina killed Helena and we all know how Henry felt about his wife. I agree Zina's return is a cause for concern, but I think more for Laylah than the rest of us. Zina wants Henry and, to her, Laylah is the final roadblock. She's not above a little murder."

Kattcha saw Donil's eyes change from blue to emerald green as his feline half threatened to emerge. "Calm down, my lad. Remember you're not the only one Zina has hurt." She spoke soothingly and waited for reason to reassert itself. Stefan stood to her left, silent and thoughtful.

Donil struggled and regained his composure. He gave them an apologetic look. "Sorry. Every time I think of Miss Crazier-Than-Thou harming Laylah, it makes my blood boil."

"Good, it should, especially if Laylah is your true mate. And your Alpha instincts will keep you both alive longer. You need to know that the Council will do nothing to help until the last possible moment. I, however, will watch your back and do what's best for my niece."

"We believe you, Stefan. It's after ten. Some of us need to sleep. I'll see you out." Kattcha gestured for Stefan to follow.

"Very well. Donil, one last piece of advice. When you hurt a girl's feelings, lots of groveling is good."

Kattcha saw her son turn red. She stared at Donil. Embarrassed, he ducked his head and ran his fingers through his hair. She gave him a grim smile. "Don't think I have forgotten about our little chat we will have, my lad."

He grimaced and Stefan laughed before following Kattcha from the room. She wished Stefan a good evening and watched him disappear into the night.

She stood quietly for several minutes pondering Stefan's warnings. She'd hoped the Council would solve the Zina problem, but now it appeared, that true to form, they would do nothing until too late. Fine, then. She had her own plans in place to protect her family and Laylah. First, she and her son needed to have a chat. Satisfied with her thoughts, she went back to the study.

Donil sat in the comfortable desk chair, drumming his fingertips on the desk. He was brooding and she stifled a chuckle at his martyr's expression when she closed the door. "Come now, my son. I'm not going to spank you and send you to bed with no supper."

"Very funny, Mother. Please, no teasing. And don't yell either. Look, I hurt Laylah's feelings today though I wasn't trying to. The good news is that she stood up for herself and made me proud and ashamed all at once."

"Donil, how did you upset her?"

"Well, um, last time she was here, I promised to keep in touch but didn't. And besides…." He squirmed, rose and started pacing.

"And?" Kattcha's eyes narrowed, her arms crossed as she fixed her son with a look.

He stopped moving and kept his back to her. "I might have stolen a kiss."

"You, what! Donil, have you no shame! You don't kiss a girl and forget to call. That's what you did, didn't you? Son, I know you're a grown man, but sometimes you have the brains of a teenager!" She did not relent at his woeful expression.

"No wonder Britta is on the warpath! You've upset her best friend! You listen to me, young man. You find a way to apologize to Laylah, preferably without physically being near her." Kattcha huffed and shook her head. "I'm going to bed. Sweet dreams." She smirked at his surprise and left him to his thoughts.

~***~

Britta stared at the calendar. Her party was in two days. This time, she was going to make sure Laylah was there. It was 10:30 pm and the perfect time to contact her friend. She picked up her ear comm and called Laylah. Impatiently, she waited until a sleepy Laylah answered.

"Hey, Chica! I'm sorry to wake you."

"No, it's all right," Laylah mumbled.

"So, did he call?" She curled up in her bed, brimming with curiosity as she waited for Laylah to get her thoughts in order.

"No, no one's called, except you. He's not going to, either."

The hurt and conviction in her friend's tone sparked Britta's temper. "Stop it right this instant, Amiga! I'm not going to let you wallow in self-pity any longer. Donil is crazy about you! He's going about it all wrong. Men can be dumb that way, sometimes. And they don't get it when a woman doesn't act like they expected. It's funny, really. Please, give him a chance, Laylah. That's all I'm saying. Can you do that for me?"

She heard Laylah's sigh of defeat and smiled. A little guilt never hurt anyone. "Change of subject. You ready for my party Friday?"

"Britta, I want to come but I don't think…it's the same as before. I know Father. He'll find something to ground me for. I know that any party you throw will be great. I don't think I'll be allowed to go."

"Well don't give up yet, Amiga. You will be there. I'll make sure of it. Now, get some rest. Donil will probably call you tomorrow."

"Um, ok. Hey, Britta?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being my friend. I don't think I can ever say it enough."

"Hey, now. Don't get all mushy on me," Britta replied gruffly. "If you cry, I will too, Chica." She heard her friend's choked laugh and smiled. "Much better. It's off to bed for me. Catch you in the morning."

"Night, Britta."

Britta put away her ear comm and stared at the picture on her nightstand. She and Laylah had taken it at the mall last year. It was one of the few times her friend had been relaxed enough to smile. She touched the frame. "I promise, mi amiga, you will be happy and free from your crazy father." She reached over and turned off the lamp, satisfied with her plan.