\[William’s POV\]
“I need you to be the temporary principal of The Academy until Serenity graduates.”
When my cousin said this to me, I decided to do it. It would be a reprieve from the mundane and cold life that I was living as the alpha of Crystal Fang.
That was why I agreed to it and came to this school during the same year that my niece was enrolling. From that day on, I kept a close eye on her, making sure that nothing happened to her while also not interfering.
Even when I noticed that many of the students were isolating her, I didn’t interfere. It wasn’t my place to step in. As a future leader and as an adolescent finding her independence and place in the world, she needed to navigate that issue alone.
Silently, I watched and protected, minding my own business until the day a small little sprite with a sassy mouth and a devil may care attitude came crashing into her world and even mine.
At first, I thought maybe she was just overly nice and would do the same with the other students, but when that didn’t happen, I became suspicious.
Why was this girl approaching my niece? What did she want with her? Why was she so determined to become Serenity’s friend? And why did she remind me of the one I lost so much?
She was strange and yet so familiar, and that alone left me on edge. It was because of my unease that I personally approached her and even threatened her. But despite my threat, she still didn’t stay away.
And when I didn’t think that things could get any more complicated, those rogues appeared, and they put my niece and even that little sprite in harm's way.
Who knew that these appearances would turn my world upside down and cause me so much stress? I sure as hell didn’t.
After that, my mundane life that was dragging on became interesting once more, but not in a good way. Instead, it was in a way that I wasn’t quite ready to take on. It brought mystery, unanswered questions, and even danger, and it even brought a constant reminder of Elise to me.
I couldn’t quite determine why, but the little sprite reminded me so much of Elise. She didn’t cower away from danger. No. She threw herself right in the way of it and faced it head-on. In that aspect, she was just like Elise, who didn’t stop to think about anything. And despite myself, I couldn’t stop keeping an eye on her.
Maybe it was due to wanting to protect her or something else; I didn’t know, but when her parents showed up, saying they wanted to withdraw her from The Academy, I was actually relieved.
With her gone, she wouldn’t be haunting me, and Serenity would be safe from whatever it was that the sprite was planning. At least, that was the way it should have gone. How the hell was I supposed to know that Serenity would not only attempt to protect her but even tell me something so outrageous?
She’s Elise. She’s fucking Elise.
How the fuck was that even possible, and why would Serenity believe such a thing? Was she that easy to fool?
No. Something in me screamed that wasn’t the case at all. Serenity was more than capable of determining what was the truth and what was a lie.
Now, I examine the sprite and Serenity as they run away while the sprite’s parents speak with Rosco and Denali.
Frowning, I prepare to follow in the direction of the sprite, but stop as a commotion reaches me.
Turning, I watch as Lydia hassles Ellie, the rogue woman who reminded me so much of Elise. This was becoming a common thing, especially with Lydia’s jealousy, and honestly, I was growing tired of it.
Letting out a sigh, I give the sprite’s parents and my brother one last look before heading over to the two women.
“Make yourself use.” Lydia huffs, tugging at Ellie’s arm. “All you do is sit out here all day, enjoying the breeze.”
As she speaks, she pulls at Ellie, causing her to lift out of her seat and then crash to the ground.
“Lydia!” I growl, rushing forward, helping Ellie up, and putting her back in the chair. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
For a moment, Lydia doesn’t speak as her gaze travels from me to Ellie, and when her eyes start to sparkle with tears, I know that she’s going to play the pity card.
“I was just trying to help her up.” She whines. “Can’t you see that she’s faking?”
Faking. Was Lydia out of her mind? How could a woman who was missing part of her foot and had no muscle mass in the other be faking?
“Lydia,” I sigh, making sure that Ellie is comfortable. “Come with me.”
Nodding, Lydia doesn’t argue and follows me into the cabin, and once I’m certain we are alone, I whirl around and fix my glare on her.
“Listen,” I say slowly, trying to keep my temper in check.
For all these years, I tolerated Lydia because she was related to Marigold and had no one else, but that didn’t mean that I would put up with her bullying. She knew damn well that we were nothing more than two individuals who got what we needed from one another. Nothing more and nothing less.
“If you continue to act like this, you can leave.” I say now. “I’ve tolerated your actions and spoiled behavior out of pity, but I won’t continue to do it.”
At my words, Lydia’s eyes grow wide with shock.
“Are you threatening me?” She asks, her voice quaking. “After all our years together and after what you did to my family?”
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I fight the urge to attack.
“It is because of what I did to your family that I’ve allowed you to stay beside me.” I point out. “But I’ve made it clear since the beginning that we are not and never will be anything. Understood?”
Growing quiet, I wait as Lydia opens and closes her mouth, making it clear she knows better than pushing too much.
“I’m sorry,” she whimpers, moving forward and wrapping her arms around me. “I’m just worried that she’s not who she pretends to be.”
As she speaks, she snuggles close to me while her fingers trail beneath my shirt, rubbing against my skin.
“Forgive me?” She asks sweetly. “It won’t happen again.”
Tensing, I try to ignore the sudden revolution I feel toward what she is doing. What the hell was this? Up until now, I didn’t give two shits about what she did to me; sometimes I even enjoyed it. However, this time, Elise’s face flashes in my mind, and a look of disgust and even hatred shines in her eyes.
“It better not.” I snap, grabbing Lydia and pulling her off of me. “I’ve got to go do some work. Behave yourself while I’m gone.”
Eyes widening, she stares at me in disbelief over her actions not doing what they usually would.
“Al-alright,” she says, clearly not happy. “How long will you be?”
“I don’t know.” I admit. “But don’t wait up for me.”
I don’t wait for a response from Lydia before I’m heading out of the cabin and then stopping in front of Ellie, who just stares out into the distance.
“I’m heading out for a bit.” I say, letting my gaze take her in.
Even if she looked almost identical to Elise, I didn’t feel that draw or spark that I felt with her. Was I secretly hoping that I would so that maybe just maybe I’d feel like she was still with me?
Pathetic. I think inwardly, giving a sad smile. This woman wasn’t and never would be Elise, but...
Letting Serenity’s words appear in my mind once more, I look toward The Academy.
“Sadness.”
Flinching, I tear my gaze from the school and fix it on Ellie, who has her gaze fixed on me. She doesn’t speak again, but from the look she is giving me, I can almost feel her pity.
“And hope.” She continues, turning her gaze toward the school again. “Go to her.”
“If only it was that simple.” I sigh, beginning to move.
When I reach the school, I extend my senses, half expecting to be met by Elise’s familiar energy, but all I get is a cluster of energies that mix in with one another.
Chuckling over how ridiculous I was being, I head inside and then beeline for Serenity’s dorm where I know my cousin and Denali were most likely waiting. For now, I would put the issue of Elise on the back burner since there was something more that needed to be addressed.
The alpha of the rogues ate the flesh of the goddess. I was certain I heard something about it before, and if I was right, we may have a clue as to what the hell was happening.