\[Elise’s POV\]
I stare straight ahead, taking in the man in front of me as he gives me a blank stare.
William.
Why was William here at The Academy acting as Principle instead of commanding Crystal Fang as their Alpha, and why was the vibe he was giving off so different?
He has changed. Standing in front of me was no longer the easy-going and flirtatious William that I knew in the past. Instead, this man was cold and emotionless, and his eyes were almost dead.
Along with the change in personality, his look has changed too, although that is to be expected. After sixteen years, he has started to develop specks of white in his dark hair, and a few wrinkles have formed around his lips and eyes. However, aside from that, he is still as handsome as he was then.
“William.” I whisper before I can stop myself. “It’s you.”
Instantly, the cold gaze he is giving me shifts to one of confusion and then anger.
“Who has given you permission to use my name?” He asks, narrowing his dark gaze on me. “You’re a student.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but stop as I realize that I wasn’t the woman he knew back then anymore. In this life, I was Eleanor, and I couldn’t tell a soul that I was Elise; otherwise, I would die before completing my mission.
“Principle Torres,” Professor Jeffreys says. “This girl was caught fighting in the mess hall.”
Fighting. Ha. Could what happened truly even be considered fighting? I body slammed a bitch who was trying to intimidate me and shittalk my niece. That wasn’t fighting; that was just asserting my dominance.
“Fighting.” William repeats, raising a brow. “This tiny thing was fighting?”
Tiny thing. I didn’t know why, but I didn’t like the way he was saying that. Was he judging me solely on my appearance?
“She attacked Vanessa.” Professor Jeffreys continues to explain. “After Vanessa simply attempted to introduce herself.”
I bite back the laugh that wants to escape at his words. Introduce herself. That bitch wasn’t doing that at all.
“Hm.”
I watch as William’s lips threaten to twitch into a smile, and for a moment, the man I knew in the past returns. But as quickly as he is there, he is gone.
“Then we should discuss punishment.” William sighs, motioning for me to come in. “I’ll handle it from here.”
Remaining silent, I follow William into his office, which is just as cold as his expression. With minimal decoration and only placards that show off the accomplishments of the principles in the past, there is nothing that was put there by him.
“Have a seat.” William announces, walking around his desk and then sitting.
For a moment, I don’t move as a pang of pain shoots through me. I’m almost certain that William is the way he is now because of my decision to sacrifice myself in order to save him. This realization alone makes me want to reach out and hug him, but I knew that I couldn’t possibly do that.
“Have a seat.” William repeats sternly. “Or are you going to continue to be defiant?”
“And if I am?” I ask, crossing my arms. “What are you going to do about it?”
I knew that this wasn’t the time or place to be doing such a thing, but to see William being so harsh truly pissed me off. In my eyes, he would always be my strong and gentle William, not this cold man who was trying his damnest to hide the hurt that I was sure was raging inside.
“What’s your name?” William asks slowly, his voice icy.
“Eleanor Roswell.” I respond.
“Right, Roswell.” He murmurs. “Your father is Don Roswell, beta of Blue Moon, correct?”
“That’s right.” I confirm.
Growing quiet, I wait as silence begins to fall around us. What was he going to do? Was he going to call my father and tell him what I was up to? Or would he do something worse, like threaten him?
“If I remember correctly, Don Roswell’s daughter was supposed to be meek and demure. Quite obedient from what I’ve heard, but it seems that was all an act to get people to suck up to you.”
His words are like knives stabbing into me as he all but calls me a manipulator.
“So tell me.” He continues. “Was that all an act to try to get the rest of Blue Moon to do as you wanted?”
“I don’t think that has anything to do with what is going on here.” I respond. “What happens back in my packlands belongs in my packlands, not in school.”
“But how would everyone feel to know that their belle was expelled in her first week at The Academy because she was a vicious tyrant whose goal was to scare everyone into submission?”
At his words, my eyes grow wide and my heart drops. Was he really going as far as to threaten a student into obedience? Who the fuck was this man? He was reminding me of that bastard, Rosco.
“Are you threatening me?” I ask slowly, attempting to keep my anger in check. “Is that the way a principle should deal with a student?”
Instead of responding, William lets a smirk spread across his face as he leans back lazily in his chair.
“My job is to ensure that all the students here stay in line and do as they’re told. How I go about doing it is my own business.”
“You’re a bastard.” I snap, unable to stop myself. “Who the hell are you really? Threatening your students like that? Does it make you feel like a big man? Does someone have a wounded ego, and he needs to..."
I don’t get to finish my words as William sits up, slamming his hands on his desk as a growl of warning escapes his lips."
“Miss Roswell!” He snarls, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I would suggest that you watch your tone; otherwise, I truly will expel you.”
Eyes widening, I feel the urge to argue, but stop as I remember that I can’t get kicked out of this place.
“Sorry.” I mutter, feeling a wave of defeat. “I apologize for my rude behavior. Please punish me as you see fit.”
“How I see fit.” William repeats, considering. “Alright then, I think I know the perfect thing.”
I don’t know why, but at his words, I feel a shiver of fear rush through me. What would it be that he would make me do? Would it be something terrible or...
“I’m going to put you on the discipline committee along with the rest of the delinquents in this school.” He says now, taking me by surprise. “What’s a better way to keep you in line than to make you keep the riff raff from causing trouble around here?”
“Discipline committee.” I repeat, confusion flaring. “You’re going to make me one of those nerds who makes sure that everyone follows the school rules.”
“That’s right.” William grins. “Take it or be expelled.”