\[Elise’s POV\]
I look around at the crowd until I spot the twins that were recently turned human. From what I could see, it was clear that they at least knew each other before whatever happened to turn them rogue.
Frowning, I examine the man standing beside me as he stares on proudly. Who exactly was this man? Was he possibly the leader of this group? And if he was, did that mean this was a pack, or were they humans?
Extending my senses, I test out the area to find that these people are in fact wolves, although I kind of already knew that. But why was I here, and who was this woman I was possessing? Was the goddess trying to show me something important because, if she was, I was missing it?
Why? I whisper inwardly as the man beside me clears his throat, drawing attention to himself. Why am I here?
Focusing on the man, I wait while he lifts his arms and all in front of him drop to a knee.
“Today is a glorious day.” The man announces, beaming. “For I have found it.”
Eyes widening, I begin to remember the conversation I had with this man the last time I found myself here.
It. He had to be referring to the goddess’ tomb. That could be the only thing.
“And since I have eaten upon the goddess’ flesh.” He continues, causing shock to rush through me. “And felt the tendrils of immortality beginning to flow through me, I wish to share it with all of you.”
Share. What the fuck was this man planning?
As this thought hits, I feel my consciousness being tugged and know that my time here is over, but at least I wasn’t leaving empty-handed.
Closing my eyes, I let myself be tugged into oblivion, and when they open again, I’m staring up at William and my parents, but I only focus on William.
“I think,” I begin, sitting up. “I think I’ve discovered something.”
“What?” William says, his brows furrowing. “What are you talking about?”
“Them,” I say more urgently, not wanting to alert my parents. “I think I’ve discovered something about them.”
Growing quiet, I wait as he considers what I’m saying, but when his gaze continues to remain confused, I know that he doesn’t get it.
“THEM!” I repeat, grabbing his shirt and pulling. “Use your head!”
“Eleanor!” My father growls, reaching down and grabbing the back of my shirt. “That’s enough! I don’t know what exactly you’re trying to pull, but it won’t work. Now come along,” he continues, tugging me so that I’m left scrambling behind him. “We’re leaving.”
“No!” I yell, trying to break free of his hold. “Not yet! I can’t leave yet! William!” I continue as he simply watches. “I have a clue about them! I have…”
I don’t get to finish my words before my father’s hand connects with my cheek, sending me crashing to the ground while white spots dance in front of my eyes and blood fills my mouth.
“Hey!” William growls, storming forward and grabbing my father’s wrist before he can hit me again. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m disciplining my daughter.” My father responds. “Mind your own damn business.”
“How can I just stand idly while you’re hitting a child in front of me?” William counters. “There are other ways to discipline that don’t involve violence.”
Spitting out the blood in my mouth, I look up to watch both men over me.
“Principal Torres,” I say slowly, knowing I needed to end this before things got worse. “Look for something involving a pack's alpha eating the flesh of the goddess.”
Finished speaking, I get up and brush stray grass off of me.
“Dad,” I say, reaching out and grabbing his wrist. “Let’s go.”
\[Serenity’s POV\]
I move through the halls, looking for Maverick everywhere, only to come up empty. Stopping, I extend my senses but am unable to locate him with all the energies that radiate around me.
“Dammit,” I growl, starting to move again. “Where the hell are you?”
After finishing my conversation with Aunt Elise, I headed straight back to my dorm in hopes that Maverick would be there, only to find it empty. Not even my mother and father were present, which meant they were probably back in Emerald Moon, preparing things for their stay. This meant that mine and Maverick’s time alone was limited, and I didn’t have much time to try to explain things.
Cursing my letting my emotions get the best of me, I continue to move through the crowd of students and out onto the grounds. If he wasn’t in the school, maybe he was still in our spot moping. I could only hope that was the case, but before I can reach it, I spot a scene unfolding between Uncle William and a man I didn’t recognize. However, I do recognize the tiny girl laying on the ground, holding her cheek.
“Aunt Elise?” I gasp, watching Uncle William fight to hold the man off. “What the hell is happening?”
Bursting forward, I rush toward the group while Aunt Elise gets up off the ground and grabs the man’s wrist, then tugs. As they begin to make their way away from Uncle William, a feeling of unease starts to flow through me.
“Uncle William!” I gasp when I reach. “What’s going? Where are they taking Aun… I mean Eleanor?”
Frowning, Uncle William tears his gaze from the man, and Aunt Elise’s retreating form forms and fixes it on me.
“Nothing that concerns you.” He responds slowly, though it is clear from his expression that he isn’t too happy about what is happening. “You should be heading back to your dorm. Dinner will be starting soon, and then it is curfew.”
“But…” I begin, looking from him to Aunt Elise. “What about…”
“I said it wasn’t any of your business.” Uncle William says more sternly. “Now get back to the school. Don’t make me say it again.”
Eyes widening, I open my mouth to continue to argue, but I know from his tone he isn’t going to answer me, so instead of bothering with him, I run toward Aunt Elise.
“Serenity!” Uncle William calls after me, but I continue to move.
I don’t know why, but something tells me if I don’t stop what is happening right now, I won’t see Aunt Elise again until she is an adult, and I just can’t let that happen.
“Eleanor!” I yell just as Uncle William’s hand digs into my shirt. “Wait!”
As the words leave my lips, Aunt Elise turns and gives me a look of confusion while the man holding her does the same.
“Serenity? What’s wrong?”
“I…” I begin, trying to ignore Uncle William’s disapproving gaze that is burning into my back. “I…” I continue, trying to think of what I could say to stop her from turning and walking away from me. “I wanted to go to the disciplinary room with you.”
It was lame. I knew that. But it was all I could think of since she did convince me to join the disciplinary committee with her.
“I’m sorry if I interrupted something.” I say now, fixing my gaze on the man who resembles Eleanor. “But we have a meeting today.”
“A meeting.” The man repeats. “Eleanor, were you on the disciplinary committee?”
“Yeah,” Aunt Elise responds. “I was.”
Was. I didn’t like that word. It definitely meant that my feeling was right, and if I didn’t manage to stop this, she would leave.
“Sorry,” I say slowly. “Would it be okay if she went with me? We’ll be late otherwise.”
“I’m sorry,” the man chuckles. “But Eleanor has no reason to go to this committee since she won’t be attending this school anymore. Sorry, but we really need to get going.”