Chapter 20 Chapter 20
"Then we're targets who fight back,"
He said simply. He pulled me close, his warmth anchoring
me. "I know you're scared. I am too. But we're doing the right thing. Your parents would be
proud."
Tears stung my eyes. "You think so?"
"I know so," he said. "They spent their lives trying to protect supernaturals. You're continuing
their work. Just with more explosions and significantly better fighting skills."
I laughed despite myself. "When this is over, I want a normal life. Or at least normal-adjacent.
Maybe a house. A garden. Boring weekends."
"I'll build you a house," Alex promised. "With a garden big enough for whatever plants you
want and a security system sophisticated enough to repel small armies. We'll have boring
weekends between saving the world."
"Is that a proposal?" I teased.
"It's a promise," he said seriously. "When this war is over—and it will be over eventually–+I want
everything with you. House, garden, boring weekends, everything."
I kissed him, trying to memorize this moment of peace before the storm.
At midnight, Lucy sent the final message: Article goes live in six hours. Get ready.
We gathered in the living room, all of us—Alex, Dave, Lucy, and me. Elena joined via video
call, refusing to miss this moment even though she was safely back in the city.
"Whatever happens next," Lucy said, raising a glass of whiskey, "we're changing history. To
truth."
"To truth," we echoed.
At 6 AM, the article went live across seventeen different platforms simultaneously.
By 6:15, the supernatural internet was exploding.
By 6:30, my phone was ringing off the hook.
By 7:00, we knew we'd started a revolution.
And there was no going back.
The first twenty-four hours after publication were chaos.
Lucy's exposé—titled "The Primal Truth: How the Alpha King Network Weaponizes
Supernaturals"---spread through the community like wildfire. Part one focused on my story,
complete with photos of my scars, documentation of my parents' research, and testimony from
the other survivors. Part two detailed Xiang's facility with floor plans, financial records, and
evidence of at least forty-seven victims over five years.
The response was immediate and polarizing.
Dave monitored social media and supernatural forums, reading reactions aloud as they poured
in.
"Here's one from a wolf pack in Oregon: 'This is exactly what we've suspected for years. Thank
you for finally speaking out,'" he said. "And here's one from a vampire coven in New York:
'Obvious propaganda designed to destabilize traditional power structures.'"
"They're calling you everything from a hero to a traitor," Elena added from the video screen.
"Some people are demanding the councils investigate the Alpha King network. Others are
demanding they investigate you for spreading lies."
"Are they calling her a liar?" Alex's voice went dangerously cold.
"Some are," Elena admitted. "Mostly older pack members who don't want to believe their
leaders could be involved in something like this. They're saying the evidence is fabricated."
Lucy snorted. "Let them say it. We documented everything. Medical records, financial
transactions, testimony from multiple witnesses. Unless they think we somehow fabricated years
of evidence across multiple countries, they're just in denial."
My phone buzzed for the hundredth time. Another message from an unknown number: You've
signed your own death warrant, Primal. We're coming for you.
I showed it to Alex. He didn't even flinch.
"Add it to the pile," he said. "Dave's tracking all the threats. We'll deal with any that seem
credible."
"How many threats so far?" I asked.
"Forty-seven," Dave said. "But only twelve seem serious enough to worry about. The rest are
just keyboard warriors trying to scare you."
"It's working a little," I admitted.
"That's healthy," Lucy said. "Fear keeps you alert. Just don't let it paralyze you."
By day two, the councils issued official statements.
The North American Supernatural Council released a carefully worded response that
acknowledged "concerning allegations" and promised a "thorough investigation." The European
Council was more aggressive, calling the exposé "unverified claims that threaten to expose our
community to human discovery."
"They're more worried about secrecy than justice," I said, reading the statements with disgust.
"That's always been their priority," Lucy said. "Secrecy over safety. Tradition over truth. It's how
the Alpha King network operated openly for so long—everyone was too afraid of exposure to
rock the boat."
But not everyone prioritized secrecy. By day three, we started getting different responses.
A coalition of younger pack leaders issued a joint statement supporting our investigation and
demanding the councils take action. Several supernatural rights organizations offered legal
assistance. A prominent witch coven in Louisiana publicly declared their protection over any
whistleblowers, including me.
"You're building a movement," Lucy said, showing me the growing list of supporters. "This is
bigger than just exposing the network now. You're forcing the entire supernatural community to
choose sides."
"I didn't mean to start a civil war," I said.
"Sometimes civil wars are necessary," Alex countered. "When a system is rotten, you can't
just trim the bad parts. You have to tear it down and rebuild."
On day four, we got our first victory.
The Canadian Supernatural Council announced they were launching criminal investigations into
three facilities operating within their territory. They released names of suspects, froze assets,
and publicly called for international cooperation in dismantling the Alpha King network.
"That's huge," Dave said. "One council actually taking action sets a precedent. Others will have
to follow or explain why they're not."
But victories came with costs.
That same day, two of the survivors who'd testified were attacked. Charles fought off his
assailants—three hired werewolves who'd underestimated how strong his rage made him.
Sarah wasn't as lucky. She survived, but barely, and only because Alex's security team
reached her in time.
"They're targeting the witnesses," I said, my hands shaking as I looked at photos of Sarah's
injuries. "They're trying to silence everyone who spoke out."
"We need better protection," Alex said immediately. "Dave, coordinate with our security
teams. I want eyes on every witness twenty-four seven. Personal guards if necessary."
"That'll cost—"
"I don't care what it costs," Alex interrupted. "These people trusted us to keep them safe.
We're not failing them."
I called Charles at the hospital where Sarah was recovering.
"How is she?" I asked.
"Alive," he said grimly. "Which is more than they intended. The doctors say she'll make a full
physical recovery, but psychologically..." He trailed off. "She's talking about recanting her
testimony. Says it's not worth dying for."
My heart sank. "I understand. Tell her she doesn't have to do anything she's not comfortable
with. Her safety comes first."
"That's what I told her," Charles said. "But she's angry. Not at you—at them. At herself for being
scared. It's a complicated mess."
I knew that feeling intimately.
"Charles, are you safe?"
"I've got four guards watching my room and another six patrolling the hospital," he said.
"Courtesy of your mate. I'm probably the most protected person in the state right now."
"Good. Stay that way."
By day five, Lucy was ready to publish part three—the exposé revealing council members'
involvement in the network. But before she could, we got a visit.
Three council representatives arrived at the safe house unannounced. Alex's security team almost didn't let...