The Supreme Alpha

Author's note: This is from Seraphina's point of view

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Now that the big heads from the Hunters Alliance were out of the picture, I turned to look at three hunters who were staring at me without moving or talking. They were like breathing statues.

"Gentlemen, you made a mistake by not taking my offer to scram while I was generous enough to let you go. Just how the Hunters Association is making an example of people who break the rules, you will soon find out why no one dares to cross paths with the Mezzanotte family."

I got the air out of the lungs of three hunters until they passed out on the sofa.

"Get some help and take these into the dungeon.", I instructed Clara and Ida. "I will interrogate them when I get a chance."

I like using air manipulation like this. No one can actually figure out what happened and even if someone talks, they will think that I have the ability to petrify people (or something like that).

Ha! With some luck and bullshitting, I got three research specimens and I screwed Bolek. Father would be proud.

As I watched three men being dragged out, I thought that I can interrogate them about the Hunters Association. Considering how easily Bolek gave them up, they probably don't know anything of importance, but maybe they are aware of the person who betrayed Treva.

Someone knew that Treva left Crete and where she was heading. And that person was either a creature hunter, or he knew how to reach hunters. Of course, maybe Treva is part of this ploy, but I will get to that later.

With unconscious people gone, I looked at Treva who gaped at me like I have two heads.

"Are you alright?", I asked.

"Are you the same kind and sweet Serina I met three years ago?"

I knew what she was talking about. "A lot of things happened, Treva. Unpleasant things forced me to change. That kind and sweet Serina wouldn't be able to get you out of the pickle and you would be now on your way to be interrogated by the hunters. I can tell you that you wouldn't like it."

Treva pressed her lips into a line and nodded. "Will they give up?"

"Probably not.", I responded honestly. "Bolek seemed to be busy with something, and he didn't want to offend my father, so he backed off. But soon he will think of a way to get information on you. Don't worry. I won't let him harm you."

"I'm sorry that I caused trouble for you."

My heart cracked. Treva looked like an abandoned puppy.

I moved to sit next to Treva, and I took her hands into mine. "Please, don't talk like that. When I was at the Lost Isles, you took care of me, and I am happy that I get a chance to return the favor. How about you tell me why are you here?"

And then I listened to a horrid story of how they accused Treva of being a traitor, how she was held captive, humiliated, and abused by her own kind. The guilt was eating me up. It was all my fault.

Treva helped me escape fate where I would be a tool for harpies to use, but Treva paid the heavy price of being stripped of her status, magic, dignity, and they even cut her wonderful hair. She suffered a lot.

Treva told me that she left Lost Isles about three months ago, and since then she was in the care of a man called Kosta where she harvested olives and grapes.

From Treva's story, Kosta seemed like a nice guy. He gave her a place to stay, food, clothes, and showed her around, but some things didn't add up.

Unless he grew up in a remote cave, he wouldn't buy Treva's story of how her family is isolated from the rest of the world. I mean, they were on Crete. How big is that island for a family to live without a touch with civilization?

Even if he assumed that she is a human with white hair and a fair complexion, if Treva lived with him for three months, Kosta would definitely notice that her skin was glowing in the dark. The fact that he didn't bring it up, meant that he was aware of harpies and that Treva is one of them. And he didn't want her to know that he knows. Why would he do that?

Regardless of his reasons, that Kosta person was at the top of my list of suspects who called hunters to come after Treva.

But Treva was talking about him with a warm smile, and I didn't want to share my suspicions and spoil the mood. Poor girl had too much stress already. We will talk about it in a few days.

Anyway, Treva was with me now, and dealing with that man can wait. He is not going anywhere.

"I'm so sorry, Treva. If I knew what you went through in the last three years, I would come and…"

"There is nothing you could do.", Treva interrupted me. "If you came, you would be captured and used and that wouldn't make my predicament any better."

She was right, but it didn't ease my guilt. "Do you have any plans? What do you want to do?"

Treva shrugged. "I couldn't stay there. As time passed, they were only treating me worse. That's why I decided to find you. You are the only human I know, and you said that I can come anytime. Can I stay here until I figure out what to do next?"

I could see that she was uncomfortable.

"Don't worry about a thing, Treva. You helped me escape and I owe you big time. The least I can do is provide you with a place to stay. I promise that you will get a room and access to amenities, food, and clothes, and if you want anything else, you just need to ask. I will help you figure out stuff just how you helped me at the Lost Isles."

"You are too kind.", Treva said.

"Nonsense. That's what friends do."

Treva's eyes widened, and she blushed a little.

"You are my only friend.", Treva said in a small voice.

"I promise that soon you will make a few more. If anyone bullies you, you can come to me."

Treva smiled at my words.

"Do you want to rest, freshen up, or eat?", I offered in an attempt to shake up the mood that was getting sappy.

"What will you do?"

I bobbed my head. "Well, a big party will start soon. Are you interested in joining?"

"Can I?", Treva asked enthusiastically and then backtracked. "I mean… won't it be a problem for me to show up like that?"

I winked and lifted my chin smugly. "I'm the host. My foster daughter is entering adulthood. There will be people, music, and food."

I wanted to say that it's like a feast that harpies are organizing after a successful hunt, but I swallowed those words before they left my mouth. There will be no naughty activities included as part of Zoe's birthday party, and I didn't want to give Treva the wrong idea.

"Our ride will be here in one hour. What do you want to do until then?"

"Can I have more tea?"

I laughed at her innocent expression, and I saw her eyeing the cookies. Treva was always a glutton. "Absolutely. Help yourself as much as you want."

Treva attacked the tray with cookies and I took my phone to text Duke that things are settled.

I was wondering how Duke will react when he hears that Treva will stay with us and I hoped that he won't make a fuss. Treva is a good person and she helped me a lot. She won't be a burden as we have space and food and everything she might need.

Just in case, I will ask Ash to discretely check her and confirm that Treva was not sent by Mivian (aka the Archousa) and Lumiona (aka the Manteio). Oh, and he should check that Treva is not colluding with the creature hunters.

Yes, I trust Treva, but I will sleep better if I have the assurance that she is not here with a hidden agenda.

Once Ash confirms that Treva is clean, I can talk to Treva about unsealing her powers. I have no idea what Lumiona and Mivian did to strip Treva from her magic powers, but if they fed her a concoction or cast restrictive magic, I was confident that it can be reversed.

I had a feeling that Treva and Zoe will get along great with girly topics, and Zeiroi has that same naïve side as Treva. Yup, Treva will fit in just fine.

She might have things in common with Sergio also. Werewolves worship the moon, and harpies worship the stars. There, a topic in common.

I should call Maria and tell her to add more vegetables to the dinner menu for tonight. Treva is not much of a meat-eater.

Ah, so many things to do!

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