\[Serenity’s POV\]
Eleanor stares at me in disbelief as the rogue lets out a howl and charges toward me again. It is clear from its sporadic attacks that it isn’t fully capable of forming coherent thoughts, which, in the end, would work in our favor.
This time, as Maverick pulls me again, I kick out, connecting my foot with the rogue’s temple. A whine escapes it as it sways and then shakes off the shock of my attack.
“Dumb fuck.” Eleanor giggles, realizing the same thing I have. “If we must catch it, allow me.”
Not giving anyone a chance to react, she is moving, jumping on the rogue, and then wrapping an arm around its neck. As it begins to buck and fight to get her off, she holds on tightly.
“Why are the rest of you standing there while she does all the work?” Maverick huffs, giving the group of men who stand around doing nothing a look. “Are you too fucking afraid to fight too?”
“Afraid.” Forrest growls. “Who the fuck is afraid?”
As he speaks, he moves to help Eleanor, but stops as she shakes her head.
“No need.” She puffs, continuing to strangle the rogue. “This bastard is almost out of strength.” She continues, giving the rogue’s neck an extra squeeze for good measure. “Just a little bit more and...”
Instantly, the rogue drops to the ground and stops moving, further proving Eleanor’s point. Only when she is certain that it is out does she hop off its back and get to her feet.
“Ta-da!” She announces, giving a flourish. “Easy peasy.”
“Too easy, if you ask me.” Forrest murmurs. “Shouldn’t rogues be stronger than that?”
“About that…” I say slowly, looking to Maverick.
Would he be okay with me revealing just how he came to be part of Emerald Moon and my bodyguard? Only my parents and I knew his history. The rest of the pack and those who weren’t in my parents inner circle thought he was simply a recruit who came to join us.
“It’s fine.” Maverick says quietly.
Remaining silent, I continue to examine him for any hint at his only trying to appease me, and when I see that he isn't, I nod.
“This particular rogue seems to be out of control and feral.” I explain, deciding not to involve Maverick. “I know that is normal for most rogues, but the others maintain some of their humanity. However, this one didn’t.”
“And how do you know that?” Forrest asks while Eleanor and the others watch on. “Are you saying that you’ve encountered this type before?”
“I have.” I confirm, pulling at the neck of my shirt to reveal the scar that still sits on my skin from Maverick. “I had a run-in with one as a kid.”
“You what?” Eleanor gasps, moving forward and grabbing me. “What did you just say? How did…”
She doesn’t finish as her eyes widen with shock and an odd look appears in her eyes.
Frowning, I try to make sense of her sudden reaction. What in the world was up with this tiny kid?
“I mean,” she says slowly, trying to play off her previous actions. “What happened to that particular rogue after it did this to you?”
“It…” I begin, considering whether or not I should actually say.
“He’s standing right here.” Maverick announces for me.
At his words, everyone’s eyes widen, and mirrored disbelief covers their features.
“What…” Eleanor hisses. “What did you just say?”
“I didn’t stutter.” Maverick huffs. “The rogue is standing right in front of you.”
“Woah, woah, woah.” Forrest growls, narrowing his gaze. “Do you really expect us to believe that you were once a rogue? That’s such a fucking ridiculous story. What the hell are you two trying to play at?”
“Shut up, you…” Eleanor growls, shooting him a glare. “Are you trying to call Serenity and Maverick liars?”
“I ain’t calling them truthers.” Forrest responds. “How do we know that they aren’t working with these fucking rogues? Maybe they intentionally...Ooof.”
Before he gets a chance to finish his words, Eleanor is attacking, grabbing his neck and swinging her body to his back so she can slam a knee into his spine, taking him to the ground.
Around us, laughs of appreciation escape the rest of Forrest’s crew.
“Ah man.” Rogue laughs. “You got taken down by a pixie.”
At his words, a growl escapes Forrest, but he doesn’t move to get up as Eleanor remains in place.
“Now,” she says, once she is sure that he is finished. “Instead of standing out here gawking, why don’t we go somewhere a bit more private to discuss this further? I’m assuming if the stoic giant that follows Serenity around was once like this, there is a way to turn this one human too, correct?”
“That’s right.” I respond as her eyes come to rest on me. “There is something that can be done.”
“Serenity.” Maverick hisses as the words leave my lips. “What are…”
“We just have to wait for it to wear itself out.” I smirk, shooting Maverick a look. “That’s what happened to you, right, Maverick?”
“That’s…” He says slowly. “That’s right.”
Nodding, I move forward and kneel down beside the rogue, taking in its emancipated body, which is so much like Maverick’s back then.
“Maverick.” I call, turning my gaze to the man himself. “Can you lift it? We should take it somewhere the rest of the school won’t spot it.”
Instead of responding, Maverick moves forward and then grabs the rogue, easily hoisting it over his shoulder. I had to admit that even without a wolf, he was still strong, on par with my father. That was the reason that my family trusted him with me so much; he knew my secret and was strong enough to fight alongside me. The perfect guard for Emerald Moon’s princess.
“Where should we take it?” Maverick asks, straightening out. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”
“I think I do.” I confirm, turning my gaze toward a small cabin just to the side of the school. “It looks like we are going to be paying my uncle a visit.”
At my words, an odd expression crosses Eleanor’s face, but before I can figure out what it is that she is thinking it is gone.
“Let’s go then.” I announce, deciding that I was just seeing things.
Turning, I begin to move while the rest of the group follows closely behind, and when we arrive at Uncle William’s cabin, he is opening the door.
“What’s going on?” He asks, looking around until his gaze comes to rest on the rogue. “And what the hell is that?”