"I'm telling you, we're the luckiest café workers in the whole damn world," Jordan said to Sandra as he wiped down the counter.
Sandra didn't even look up from the espresso machine. "Why?"
"Because she barely leaves her house, but whenever she does, she comes here."
Right on cue, a group of excited teenagers burst through the door, clutching books.
"Lillian, can we get your autograph?" one of the boys asked, clearly the leader.
Lillian barely lifted her eyes from her laptop. "Sorry, but no. You'll get it tomorrow at the signing." Her voice was polite but final.
The teenagers' faces fell. At that exact moment, Miles Hudson walked in through the far entrance.
Every head turned. Miles wore a sharp dark-blue suit that screamed money. His buzz cut highlighted his high cheekbones and strong jaw. He flashed a million-dollar smile as he headed straight for Lillian.
"Hey, Lillian."
She turned, and a rare, genuine smile broke across her face. Phones came out instantly, cameras flashing.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as he stopped in front of her.
"I figured you'd be here. You shouldn't be working on another novel right now—you should be resting at home," Miles said, voice warm with concern.
"I just didn't feel like staying home today," Lillian replied, sounding tired.
"Wait—Lillian, are you writing another book?" one of the teenagers asked eagerly.
"Yes, and I'll let you know when it's ready," she answered while Miles helped her pack her things.
Lillian stood up to leave when a customer raised his hand.
"Excuse me. Are you two living together?"
The entire café went quiet.
Lillian's expression turned ice-cold. "That's none of your business," she said with a tight smile, then walked out.
Miles blinked, surprised by her sharpness, but he quickly followed.
"She's so lucky to have a guy like that as her boyfriend," someone whispered.
---
Across town, Hazel paced behind her massive CEO desk. At fifty she looked thirty-five, as if time itself feared her. She was Mirabel's mother and the head of one of the biggest publishing houses in the country.
Mirabel knocked and stepped inside.
"I'm here," she said quietly.
Hazel turned, eyes sharp. "Have you started your next novel?"
"No, I told you I needed a break—"
"And I told you to be better than Lillian," Hazel cut in.
Mirabel stared at the floor.
Hazel's tone softened. She crossed the room and placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Mirabel, baby, you know I only want the best for you, right?" She stroked her cheek. "That witch stole your father's love and destroyed our family. You have the looks. Now surpass her on the page."
She pulled Mirabel into a tight hug.
"I'll make sure she never wins another award," Mirabel whispered against her mother's shoulder.
"That's my girl." Hazel released her and smiled. "Show the world you are the daughter of one of the greatest authors in history. And that Lillian is just a nobody."
Mirabel managed a small smile and left.
---
Hazel had just settled into her chair when a man in a black trench coat, black sunglasses, and a black hat entered. A dark, dangerous aura followed him.
She gestured to the visitor's chair. The man sat, removed his sunglasses, and placed them on the table. His face was rough, cold, and clearly over fifty-five.
"What brings you here, Drake?" Hazel asked with a tight smile.
"Every supernatural being now knows about the Savior of the werewolves," Drake said, his voice smooth and menacing. "We have to stop her before she saves them."
Hazel's stomach tightened. "Her? Who is she?"
Drake leaned forward. "Lillian Silver. That genius author."
Hazel froze.
"We need her gone before the next six full moons," he added.
Hazel recovered her voice. "We'll have to wait. She's still staying with my ex-husband. He may have retired from hunting vampires, but he still has the weapons to destroy us. The moment she moves into the castle, we strike."
Drake stood and put his sunglasses back on. "When she moves out, inform us immediately. In the meantime, we'll send were-panthers to test her." He smirked and left.
Hazel watched the door close, then sank back into her chair with a smug smile.
"That witch has been destined to die by our hands."
---
That same night, Tony, Shawn, Blaine, Diana, Tyler, Tiana, and Luna gathered at Blaine's café.
"Are you the guy Blaine bit?" Tiana asked.
"Yeah, I am," Tony answered.
Diana sighed. "Now, Tony, why did you call all of us together on a Monday night when we should be home resting?"
"I heard the young alphas group has seven members. Where's the seventh one?"
"Bryan is performing emergency surgery at the hospital," Luna replied. "So tell us what you have."
Tony's eyes widened. "A werewolf performs surgery on humans? How do you control yourselves when you see all that fresh blood?"
Diana shot him a sharp look. "Tony. Focus."
"Okay, okay." Tony leaned in. "Herakim told me last night that the vampires already know about our Savior. They'll kill her if they get a chance. But right now she's staying with an ex-vampire hunter who built his entire house with Schracula and Panthera."
The group went silent.
"Herakim said we need to convince her to join us before she moves out."
Blaine nodded. "That changes things."
"Last night I could hardly smell any vampires," Tony continued. "But today I smelled them everywhere — even while I was working. They were all wearing trench coats, but the scent was mixed with something else…"
"Daylight rings… they probably wore daylight rings," Blaine finished.
"The vampires are getting stronger day by day," Tyler added.
Blaine leaned in. "Tiana — you're no longer going to the signing just to get her scent. I already remember it."
Tiana frowned. "How? You never got close to her."
Blaine's jaw tightened. "Werewolf senses. One glance is enough."
Tiana nodded slowly.
"You, Tyler, and your Betas will protect her at the signing. Tony stays in the crowd so he can alert us if he smells any vampires."
"What will you guys be doing?" Tiana asked.
"We'll be watching out for mercenaries in case the vampires send one," Blaine replied confidently.
The others exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they nodded.
For the first time, they looked at Blaine like a leader.
---
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Who's your favorite character so far – Lillian, Blaine, or someone else?