Alpha Loren novel Chapter 245

June 20th - six months before Cato becomes Alpha

Ella's point of view

"Stefano, Zacharias!" I shouted across the room, "No fighting in the house!"

My two youngest sons, nine and ten years old, were rolling on the carpet, grabbing each other's shirts. They were dangerously close to the TV, which after an incident involving a baseball bat and an apple, was already the second one we'd had this year.

Meanwhile, my youngest child, Ana, screamed her lungs out. She was two years old, the heart of the tantrum phase, and five minutes ago, I dared to suggest bath time.

"Mathias, where's Cato?" I asked over the noise as my second eldest son appeared, grimacing at the chaos.

He shrugged and plugged his ears.

"Can you shut them up?" he said, "I'm trying to study."

"I'm trying, Mathias," I said, lifting Ana from where she bawled on the floor, "But right now, my priority is finding Cato because wherever he is, he's up to no good."

Mathias rolled his eyes and turned back to the stairs. He was nearly sixteen and truly through with every one of his siblings, especially at times like this.

As I rocked Ana, Silas sprawled out on the table, slamming his head into his math textbook.

"Silas, I know it's boring, but the quicker you get your homework done, the quicker you can go," I said, "I want it finished before Dad gets back from work."

He groaned, and before I could say anything more, my phone rang. I brought it to my ear, still rocking Ana as she finally settled.

"Good evening, Washington state police department speaking. Have I reached Mrs Loren?"

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth.

"Yes."

"We need you to come to the station regarding your son, Cato Loren. Urgently."

"What has he done now?"

"Ma'am, we will discuss everything in person."