Jason Dolley as Cal

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Time management, time management, time management; maybe if I keep chanting these two words, I'll learn to use my time wisely. School, work, and the academy are pulling me apart. Second-semester classes have started, and the lab courses are killing me. Too much to do and not enough time. Things at Wood Inc. are getting busier especially with the newest cream, I developed. My cream that I call 'Night Shadow' is really for humans. It firms and tones the skin all over making a fifty-year-old look like a thirty-year-old. It's currently our best seller. And since I cannot be there daily, we decided to promote Ed Johnson to the interim director. He now has the authority to manage the company. Delegation, the magic solution for busy executives.

I feel a bit sorry for poor Lars and his friend that he referred to Minerva. My sister is like a dog with a bone. She has taken on this project with the same intensity as Alpha Salim with the construction. And we are slowly becoming friends.

I must admit that Minerva has surpassed my expectation with the school or academy as she calls it now. She has been going haywire on preparations for the school. Who knew there's so much involved with starting a private school? All we wanted was a school, period. After doing her research, Minerva informed us that to start a private school and get up and running will take at least eighteen months. We need to decide school structure, hiring and training staff, buildings, and most importantly the grade levels. Deciding on the grade levels was where Esme and I butt heads.

I suggest kindergarten through twelfth grade, Esme wants middle school through twelfth. I insist that we may come across children at that age that need the school. She says that we should only get children at an age where they are old enough to be away from their family. The committee was split down the middle with Minerva and PA on my side and Lars and Luka on Esme's.

Esme and I kept on arguing till Freddy decided to put an end to it, the only way she can. I mean, who knew that the voice of reason will come from our seventeen-year-old vampire jokester, Freddy?

"Freddy, how do you vote? Where do you stand?" Esme asked her.

"Before I tell you my vote, may I say something?"

"Sure."

"Okay if I remember correctly this school..."

"...academy," Minerva interrupts.

"Excuse me, the academy is supposed to help build good relationships between the races. There's an easy way to fulfill both your ideas for it."

"How?" Esme asks.

"Your land is over a hundred square miles, that's a lot of land. So why not in addition to the houses you plan to build for the staff and faculty, also build homes in the town for families that want to send their young children to the school, excuse me academy," she glances at Minerva.

And continues, "that means and correct me if I'm wrong Minerva, but you can make this a day and boarding school. Day school for the younger ones and boarding for the older. And in the case of the younger ones who want to board, you already solve that problem by building houses based on age, right?"

"And I thought you are just a pretty face," Esme teases her.

"Shut up Esme."

"I like it. Minerva, please inform Alpha Salim that in addition to faculty and staff homes, we might need homes as soon as possible for the families that wish to move to the town," I tell her excitedly.

"Good that issue is solved. Minerva, how are faculty and staff recruiting going?" I ask.

"Amazingly, the word is spreading about the academy so with the help of Alphas Darric and Salim, I have been able to visit several packs. I have gotten some interested candidates. I hope to start interviewing in a few months. Clans and covens have been hard to visit but Lords Rafe and Tobias are helping me out. PA, what do I need to do to visit your gathering?"

"Nothing. You can only visit with permission of an Unri and you cannot come alone."

"Why not?"

"Because as messengers for the Ruling Council and other leaders, their location cannot be divulged to anyone. They are the secret carriers and their location must be guarded for them to do their jobs effectively. I will talk to Percy and get permission for you and me to visit his gathering," Esme says.

"Thank you. What about the covens?"

"Lars, you can help her with that," Esme replies.

"Let me talk to Micah, our High Priest and I'll get back to you."

"Thanks."

And that ended our second meeting. It went well.

Now I can concentrate on my schoolwork with Minerva over the school and Ed over Wood Inc.

I have sequestered myself in my makeshift lab here at the manor. I love my space here at the manor. I don't know why my mates don't visit often. Darric says it stinks in here. I don't think so. And Rafe says I blow things up too much for his peace of mind, wimps! And they call themselves High Lord and Alpha.

"Hi, Raven or should I say, stranger?" I answer my cell.

"What is stopping you from visiting us, stranger?" She laughs.

"Exactly why I tried to call you. I want to come and visit for a few days."

"You sound excited, what's up Cal?"

"Promise you won't say a word."

"I promise."

"Freddy found her mate and he lives at Crimson River Pack. She refuses to say who. So, I want to come and do a little investigating for myself," I rush on.

Raven doesn't say a word.

"Raven? Are you there?"

"Sure, I'm here."

"You know who her mate is, don't you?"

"Well, just like you've sworn me to secrecy, so has Freddy. You won't want me to break a promise, now would you?"

"Raven, how could you?"

"What?"

"Know this huge thing and not tell me? Your good friend?"

"I made a promise not to tell."

"I hate when you make sense, I really, really, hate it. I'm still coming. Do Serena and Roland know?"

"Hmmm, why don't you ask them when you get here."

"Oooh, you three are in so much trouble!"

Raven burst out laughing.

"It's not funny, Raven."

"Yes, it is. We finally know something you don't, and I am loving it. See you soon." And she hangs up.

Uhh! Those three are in deep shit. So, they know who Freddy's mate is, interesting. I know who can get them to fess up when I can't. None other than High Lady Georgiana Klyne.

Rafe and I had told Georgiana that Freddy has a mate after the initial committee meeting. She already figured there was a reason Freddy has been a frequent visitor to Crimson River Pack. But she wanted Freddy to tell her in her own time. I remember that the statement had us all laughing uncontrollably.

"What's so funny?" Georgiana rolls herself deeper into the sofa. She's set to have baby Klyne-Winter anytime now.

"You want Freddy to tell you in her own time? You? When have you ever waited for anything?" Rafe splutters.

"I can be patient you know. Freddy can be very stubborn and..."

"...I wonder where she gets that from," Raul snickers.

"I heard that! Anyway, if I push her, she will dig in her heels and not tell me, so I've decided to exercise some patience."

"Never too late to learn that patience is not just a name but a virtue," I jokingly tell her.

"Funny Cal. Patience aside, does anyone have any idea who my baby is mated to? No one? Time to stock the fridge with raw meat."

"Georgiana!"

"What? I'm being a gracious hostess. A good hostess always prepares their guest's favorite meal. Ergo werecat equals raw meat."

Since then Georgiana and I have been on a mission to find out who Freddy's mate is. So, I make the call.

"Hi Georgiana, I have something to tell you. Where are you?"

"...my three friends know who Freddy's mate, but they're sworn to secrecy and refuse to tell me," I blab to Georgiana.

"Secrecy you say?" Georgiana taps her chin softly.

"I know if you ask them, they'll cave and tell you. You have that 'cough it up or else' effect on people."

"Aww, Cal you say the sweetest things. Don't worry. I know they'll talk. So, when do we leave?"

"As soon as you're ready. Can you teleport in your condition?" I ask.

"I don't stop being a vampire because I'm pregnant Cal. Yes, I can teleport. Just don't tell Raul."

"Great, let me tell my mates and we'll head on out. Don't forget to let Alpha Salim know we are entering his territory."

"Will do, hurry up. I have a mate-in-law to meet," she cackles.

You know what, I think Georgiana has been hanging around Esme too much, cackling?

Ever since Cal's kidnapping, I made sure I have warriors guarding the Yorke Manor. Cal and Rafe have told me it's not necessary, with Esme's protective aura covering the area. I insist that it gives me peace of mind for my warriors to be on hand.

My head warrior just linked me that we have a group of rogues in the parameter. Personally, I am of the notion to kill rogues and ask questions later. But Cal has made Rafe and I promise not to kill any rogues or nightwalker unless we've deemed them dangerous.

"Rafe, we have a serious problem," I tell my mate as I rush into the den.

"What's wrong?" He walks up to me, patting me all over. "Are you okay? Is Cal okay?"

"We're fine. There's a group of rogues on the perimeter of the manor. My warriors have them surrounded and I'm told they're not putting up a fight."

"Do you know how many?"

"About thirty, and Rafe?"

"Yes?"

"They are children in the mix."

"Shit! They could be decoys."

"And that's not all?"

"What else?"

"Their leader says he is here to meet with Cal. He will only speak with Cal."

"Cal? Our Cal? How does he know Cal?"

"No idea. We should go talk to him first and find out what he wants with our mate. I am not letting any rogue near him for any reason."

"Same here, there's no way I am letting Cal meet rogues, especially one we don't know but obviously knows him. No way!"

"A rogue knows me and wants to meet me, who?" Cal asks from the doorway with Jeffery in tow.

Rogues and Cal? Rogues and Cal? Rogues and Cal? What's the connection?

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