Kayla had a full medical evaluation when she got off the plane against her wishes. Her fractured hand was indeed confirmed by her x-ray, but she had three broken ribs.

It seemed like forever, but Kayla managed to wake up. Still lethargic from the pain medication, she rose up from the bed that she was lying on, only to find out she has been fully clothed, with her ribs taped up and her left wrist in a cast. She sighs in disbelief, knowing that she has not been caught yet.

As she lies back down, she looks at her temporary arrangements. It is far too decent looking to be a jail cell. A lovely comfortable bed, a television, a bathroom, a desk, a mirror, and a window.

She would look out the window, seeing the view of the city. Alarmed hearing the footsteps, Kayla decides to sit up again to create whatever is coming her way.

Suddenly their other person was a slender young woman with long purple hair that came down to her shoulders wearing a black seasonless sheath dress. She was holding a metal tray as she walked towards the desk.

The metal tray was holding a glass of water, two tablets, and a spoon. She placed the plate on the desk and immediately put it to the two effervescent antacid tablets in a glass of water as it started to dissolve. She placed the spoon inside of the glass and rolled the chair towards Kayla, and sits in front of him near the bed.

She elegantly crosses her legs and next to the drink but the spoon gently without clanging on the glass. Kayla immediately recognizes the woman but could not get her name. She looked very familiar, yet why was she would go such lengths to show her any kindness? She wanted to know why.

“Who are you?” Kayla asks faintly.

“I am surprised you don’t even recognize me. It has been years…” The woman answers. “You’ve been in been bed all day.” The woman stops stirring the glass and gives Kayla the glass of carbonated water. Kayla accepts the glass of water, and cautiously takes a sip of the water. She immediately recognizes the taste; it was lemon flavored Alka-Seltzer.

Kayla takes another sip of her drink and looks at the woman face-to-face; she had gradient-like dark red eyes.

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you. I will make sure that you are compensated for what you have done for me.”

“Don’t thank me, Kayla. Thank, Vincent. On the way over here to London, he told me everything about it… your little mission that broke over the internet.” The woman confides.

Then suddenly, she realizes who she was, “Concetta?”

The woman nods in conferment, “You do have great friends, Kayla. You should really take good care of them more.”

Her full name is Concetta Thompson, Vincent’s little sister, and Kayla’s sister-in-law. Just like Vincent, she is a lycanthrope that can turn into a werewolf at will. However, as a human, she is a 19-year-old gravure model in Japan.

Kayla did not really take heed to her plea as she takes another sip of her drink, “We got fucked over, Concetta.”

“Again…” Concetta added.

“This time, it was my fault…” Kayla admitted. “I put everyone and myself in harm’s way.”

“Sometimes, being in alpha is not what it’s cracked up to be,” Concetta aided. “It’s all over the news about a secret laboratory in Gibraltar. Redgrave is pissed, but she didn’t tell who broke in and destroyed the facility since she is already in trouble with governmental sanctions.”

“No, shit. Am I supposed to know all this?” Kayla being a smart ass.

“No. I just wanted to let you know just how much of a lucky bastard you really are.” Concetta gloated as Kayla wrinkled her nose. “You know, a regular asshole would’ve died by now. Consider yourself special.”

Concetta and Kayla have a great relationship and see each other as friends. Still, Concetta and her family have been worried sick about Kayla coming back to the Oleander Syndicate.

“Vincent. Where is he?” Kayla asked.

“He’ll be here tomorrow. Had to take a connected flight.” Concetta quickly stated.

“And knowing him, he will make this another excuse to get me back home!” Kayla dreaded.

“You are that hell-bent, Kayla.” Concetta worries.

Kayla scoffs at Concetta’s humanity, “I have my reasons to stay, I guess… Since everybody’s trying to kill me, blowing up my house, and then killing and paralyzing me--”

“This is not game, Kayla! You could have died or got arrested!” Concetta argued.

This puts Kayla in a complicated situation. Not only she is at the mercy of her family, she knew Concetta meant well, and she was right about her condition. How many times can she cheat death? For Kayla, she is running out time and luck.

“I have to go; my producer is hounding me. Besides, on that bombshell, I will keep my ear to the ground. Even though, I am not officially in the pack. I’ll let you know if anything pops up...” Concetta rises out of her chair.

“Concetta, thanks again.” Kayla acknowledges.

“You’re very welcome, Kayla. Please consider quitting…” Concetta reminded as she makes her way to the door, leaving Kayla to contemplate her next move.

If only that were an option, Kayla thought as she lays back down. She reaches over to the remote and turns on the International news broadcast.

They were talking about the election happening in the United States. It was about the two U.S. Senate candidates in New York: Jocelyn Shane and Nicholas Marquette.

The broadcast showed one of Nicholas Marquette’s campaign ad that is getting worldwide praise from the talking heads in politics. Nicholas Marquette looked like a 17-year-old boy with short strawberry blonde hair and baby blue eyes. However, Kayla and everyone else knew he was older. Much older.

Nicholas Marquette was smiling in a well-lit room with modest furnishings. Of course, the video production was top-notch. He spoke in soft boyish tone and nature:

“This might be a little bit foreign to my opponent. Every family has a code and a destiny that they all follow and adhere to. Maybe you never realize this, but my family always protect their own. Blood is never really an issue; it is the connection that we have with others that makes us family. Do you have any idea how it feels to have your life turned upside down at an early age? Do you have any idea what it does to anyone at a young age?” Nicholas said.

“As a matter of fact I do, Oedipus.” Kayla heckled.

Then it showed footage of Nicholas talking to the people and having a good time while he narrated in the background, “Terrifyingly, no. Not just from our own ADA, but from her own constituents. All life is worth saving, human or not. Also, what Shane is proposing will set us back another 400 years. We have dealt with such segregation and xenophobia for so long in this country.”

Then the video switches back to him, “people like Jocelyn Shane would rather have us live a lie instead of finding out the truth. It all starts with communication, humility, empathy, and temperance. The only monsters are the ones we create ourselves through ignorance and hatred. I’m Nicholas Marquette, and I approve this message because we can’t move backward and end up in a world of flames.”

It was a great campaign ad. Down to earth and to the point. Too bad, the majority of the people in New York seemingly already made up their minds.