Adelaide sighed. "You all. The mates of the Alpha Unit. Nothing overt, mind you. Everything is said in such vague language, but everyone knows who they are talking about."

"What are they saying?" Amelia asked. She might not keep up with the Dear Gentle Reader column, but she knew it was one of the oldest and most popular paranormal publications in the world. Whatever it was, it was being seen in all four of the pillar cities.

"I refuse to repeat any of that drivel. Here is last week's edition." Adelaide handed Beth a folded newspaper. It was the Lycaonian paper, The Observer. Beth's eyes quickly skimmed the paper. All color drained slowly from her face after which her cheeks flushed a dangerous red.

"How dare they!" Beth stood, nostrils flaring.

"What are they saying?" Amelia asked.

"What aren't they saying? One article is insinuating that the reason why ferals are attacking more is because the men of the Alpha Unit are mating with 'women of ill repute'."

"People still use that term?" Amelia frowned.

"They couldn't get any clearer had they used actual names. Anyone with half a brain can figure out that 'the human, whose initials are MM, mated to the bear shifter ' is Meryn! I won't let them get away with this! This is libelous!" Beth paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.

Adelaide shook her head. "I wish it were that simple. The identity of the person or persons writing this column has been the best kept secret in our world for centuries. Because their identity is hidden, they can say what they want with impunity, and people take what they print to be truth."

Beth turned her eyes flashing. "We all know that Daphne Bowers is behind this attack."

Adelaide nodded. "But there's no way to prove it. Daphne more than likely used her vast social network to flood the gossip mongers with these ridiculous, hate-filled 'stories' on the off chance that the writers of the column would pick one for publication."

Meryn stood and stretched. She grabbed one last cookie and popped it into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed, and smiled at everyone. "Let's get going. We don't want to keep the sewing circle waiting."

Adelaide jumped to her feet and placed a hand on Meryn's forehead. "Oh Gods, is she sick?"

Beth threw the paper down on her empty seat and paused to take a deep breath. "She said something similar in the car on the way over. I'm blaming Meryn two-point-oh.

Meryn grabbed Adelaide's hand and pulled her toward the door. "Come on!"

"Okay sweetheart, let's get this over with." Adelaide kissed Meryn on the cheek, and they all headed toward the front sitting room. Meryn waved happily at everyone and took the seat next to Adelaide. Beth sat behind Meryn to let Amelia sit next to her cousin.

Everyone said hello and started their projects. There were multiple baby blankets being made along with two sets of curtains and a few dresses. Amelia watched curiously as Meryn kept checking her phone. Was she waiting for a text back from Keelan?

After about a half an hour, Marius knocked on the door and entered, carrying a small silver tray.

"The paper, my lady." He held the tray as Adelaide picked up the paper with as much enthusiasm as she would if it had been a dead mouse.

"Thank you, Marius," Adelaide said weakly.

He bowed, set the tray down on the side table, and joined Ryuu to stand next to the door.

"We should read the Dear Gentle Reader column." Daphne suggested, smiling at everyone.

"Perhaps we should concentrate on our projects instead. We have so many baby blankets to finish," Adelaide countered.

"I think we should have Rosalind read it out loud for us. It will entertain those of us who aren't sewing," Meryn suggested.

Beth and Adelaide stared at Meryn in horror. Amelia sat back and waited. Now was the moment of truth; how much was Meryn like her? If her actions were any indication, shit was about to get real ugly, real fast.

Rosalind tittered and accepted the paper from Adelaide. "Oh, my, let's see what has been going on in the paranormal world this week." Her eyes skimmed the column, and every ounce of color drained from her face. She swayed slightly in her chair. "Maybe Lady McKenzie is right; we should just concentrate on our blankets." She was folding up the paper to tuck it in her chair beside her when Daphne laughed obnoxiously.

"Come on, dear, don't leave us in suspense. I'm dying to hear what has been reported this week." Daphne cooed in a sweet voice.

"I-I..." Rosalind stuttered.

"Go ahead, Rosalind, don't keep us waiting," Meryn prompted.

"Well... the main article is very scandalous! Dear Gentle Reader reports that a certain Lady DB was seen in a human plastic surgeon's office to undergo a procedure known as a vaginoplasty. The article goes on to explain that this is a type of surgery to tighten up lady parts that have been overused." Gasps filled the air, but Rosalind wasn't finished. "The article wraps up by saying that Lady DB may be under investigation for"--she swallowed hard--"suspicion of performing indecent acts with farm animals." Her voice seemed to echo throughout the room.

Amelia turned, Beth's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head. This was getting interesting.

"This is preposterous!" Daphne screeched, reaching for the paper. She ripped it out of Rosalind's hands and proceeded to shred it into tiny pieces, letting scraps of paper fly everywhere. Around the room, whispers and muffled laughter filled the air.