Donil stayed annoyed with Britta during the drive from the school to her parents' house. The teenager had yet to stop harping on his lack of finesse in dealing with Laylah. If she called him an idiot one more time.... He felt bad about his behavior. He really shouldn't have acted all Alpha but, dangit, Jacques was too arrogant for a Beta. He had to show the other male he was the boss.
"Yo, chico! I'm talking to you!"
He grimaced at Britta's sharp tone. "What? Run out of ways to insult me? Or have you invented some new ones?"
"Working on it. You hurt her feelings, Donil. You might as well have stabbed her. And Laylah doesn't get over such things quickly like most people."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, I said I'm sorry. And I'll call and apologize to Laylah, later, ok? Now, can you please drop it?"
"Sure."
He saw her grin out of the corner of his eye and wondered what it meant. Donil had to give Britta credit. She had definite ideas of how the world should work and was known for fixing problems accordingly.
"So, about your party…. Is it humans only or are Weres invited?"
"Of course, Weres are invited! I'm asking you to be there, aren't I?"
"True, but that doesn't mean others can, Britta."
"I don't discriminate, ever. Anyhow, my new boyfriend is a Were."
He glanced at her in surprise. "Wait a minute! When did you get a guy?"
"Are you jealous?" She batted her eyelashes and blew him a kiss.
"No! You're like a younger sister to me, Britta. Besides, I'm interested in someone else."
"Oh? Found another conquest from your groupies?"
Donil saw her glare and grimaced. "Big deal if I have women following after me, Britta. I'm a grown man with needs. One day you'll understand."
She sputtered indignantly, but he was saved from a tongue lashing when his ear comm rang. "Sorry, got to take this." He answered the call and was unhappy when he heard Stefan's voice. "What do you want?"
"No need to bristle, Kitty Cat," Stefan taunted.
"Don't call me that!" Donil growled, almost missed his turn, and had to quickly jerk the wheel to go down the lane to Britta's home. He didn't need this kind of distraction right now.
"You are too easy to tease, but that's not why I called."
"If there's a point you need to make, Old Man, then spit it out before I disconnect."
"Young people, always so impatient. How do you get things done when you're always in such a hurry? Tell me, Donil, what made you think you could visit my niece without ramifications?"
"How did you know I saw her?" Now on guard, Donil focused on Stefan's next words.
"I told you that I keep track of Laylah. I watched you face off with Jacques. Very stupid, by the way. You don't have much fighting experience and he could kill you if he chose to. By showing up at her school, you've now made it twice as hard on her at home because of your little stunt."
"What do you mean, 'twice as hard'? Spill it."
"Henry has all his Betas watching Laylah. There has also been an increase in activity in his Ohcale office. He's plotting something and I don't think it bodes well for my niece."
Donil felt his blood turn cold. "What can I do? How do I help her?"
"You need to contact her, find out what she knows. And, for once, be discreet. I'll come by your place tonight to share more information with you and your mother."
"All right." Inwardly, he bristled at Stefan's attitude. He was Alpha, not Stefan. He should be giving orders, not taking them. Dead silence followed, signaling the end of the conversation. He felt Britta's intense stare. "What?"
"Fine! Don't tell me," she huffed.
"You don't need to know everything, Nosy Butt. Ah, there's Mom and your parents." Donil parked the truck and got out. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Newsome." The older man's grip was firm as they shook hands.
He noticed the gray in Mr. Newsome's black hair and thought about his age. Ahdum Newsome's assessing hazel eyes took in everything and his shrewd mind made him a formidable Tri-Ruler of the Citrus Unified District. It helped that his hulking stature and deep rumbling bass voice cowed most criminals into repentance and confession.
His wife, Mahriah Newsome, was vivacious and stood only five feet tall. Mahriah was content caring for her family. She only participated in a few community activities, despite numerous offers to join more. Adding to the black haired beauty's list of talents was a warm heart and great cooking.
"Mrs. Newsome, you are looking very lovely today. May I ask, what's for dinner?" He grinned when his mother laughed.
"You'll have to excuse Donil's manners, Mahriah. When the bottomless pit he calls a stomach starts growling, we all have to watch out."
Mahriah grinned. "Nothing wrong with a healthy appetite, Kattcha. Come, dinner is served."
Talking happily, the group headed inside.