\[Elise’s POV\]
I fight the urge to pull my arm away from the crazy, jealous woman taking care of me, but decide against it. There was no reason for me to be showing my ass to begin with since William was no longer mine.
“Since you’ve got first aid under control, I’d like to speak privately with Maverick and my niece.” William announces, causing me to feel annoyed.
His niece. She was my niece too, and because of that, I should have been present for whatever it was they were going to discuss, but I couldn’t, not as Eleanor.
Stupid goddess. I grumble inwardly, earning myself a chuckle from Anna.
‘Shut up.’ I growl. ‘I’m not in the mood for your shit.’
‘If you didn’t decide to play hero back then, you wouldn’t be in this position.’ Anna points out.
Ignoring her jab, I turn my gaze to the wound on my arm, which Lidia is busying herself with disinfecting, only to find that it doesn’t quite seem to be healing.
Frowning, I let my energy radiate through me, making sure that I am at full strength, and when I find that I am, I feel a wave of confusion.
What was this? Why wasn’t I healing? Did this have something to do with the fact that a rogue got me? Since they were very rare in our world, I never had a run-in with one, nor did I know of anyone who did. Maybe their bites and scratches took longer to heal? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t be bothered to worry too much.
Deciding that was an issue for future Elise, I watch as Serenity and Maverick begin to follow William out of the room and down the hall.
“Jealous?” Forrest asks, not missing my line of sight.
“If you don’t shut up, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.” I growl, taking in the bastard’s smug face.
“You can try it pipsqueak.” Forrest chuckles.
“I’ll show you a damn pipsqueak.”
Letting out a growl, I prepare to attack but am stopped as Lidia’s fingers press into my wound.
“Ouch! That fucking hurts!” I hiss, yanking my arm free. “Since your man is gone, you can stop the nice act and pass me the bandages.”
For a moment, Lidia just stares at me as if debating whether or not she should continue with what she is doing, but when she shrugs and gets up, I know that she is over it.
“Do what you want.” She says, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of William’s shirt pocket.
“You know those age you.” I call at her retreating form. “Probably why you’re already starting to get wrinkles.”
At my hit, a low growl of warning escapes Lidia, but she doesn’t bother to say a word, and when she is finally out of the cabin, I shoot up and begin to move in the direction the others did.
“Where do you think you’re going, Pipsqueak?" Forrest asks, eyeing me curiously. “Eavesdropping is a no-no.”
“I gotta take a shit.” I announce, giving him a smirk. “Is that a problem?”
Grimacing, Forrest doesn’t respond as I continue to move, and only when I reach the bathroom do I extend my senses so that I can hear William, Serenity, and Maverick moving around in another room.
Getting comfortable on my porcelain throne I wait for whatever it is that they’re going to discuss, because I’m certain it will be something that I should know as well.
“Spit it out.” William announces, his voice filled with authority. “What is it that your father has kept from me?”
Feeling my curiosity piqued, I listen as Serenity and Maverick stay quiet. Would they actually say whatever it was they were clearly hiding from everyone, or would they remain silent?
“Now,” William hisses, his voice holding warning.
“Or what?” Maverick growls, sending a wave of approval through me over just how protective he was of Serenity. But that protectiveness could turn into something dangerous if it went any further. “I’m not sure what it is that you’re expecting us to say, but...”
“Maverick.” Serenity says quietly. “I think it’s best Uncle William knows.”
Oh goody, so there was something that they were keeping from everyone.
“But I think it is better that I show you instead of tell.” Serenity continues, catching me by surprise. “Could you bring one of the unconscious rogues here?”
At her words, my eyes grow wide as I wonder what connection she may have to the rogues.
“And put you in danger.” William hisses. “If something happens to you, your father will...”
“Listen to me.” Serenity huffs, showing that she’s just as stubborn as her father ever dreamed to be. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”
Extending my senses more, I listen quietly until I hear the sound of William letting out a huff of annoyance, but that huff is followed by the door to his room opening. However, as he moves down the hall, he stops right in front of the bathroom door.
“Hey!” He calls, knocking on it. “Little stow away.”
Shit. He caught me, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since he was a strong alpha.
Flushing the toilet, I quickly wash my hands and step out to find William waiting for me, and when his gaze meets mine, a shiver rushes through me from the anger I’m met with.
“I don’t know what you think you’re doing.” He says slowly and quietly. “But stay the hell away from my niece if you’re up to no good. Do you understand?”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue with what he has said, but I stop myself.
“And what if I don’t?” I counter, unable to stop my stubborn side from coming out.
“I’ll expel you.” He responds easily. “Do you want to tarnish your parents and packs names?”
Fuck. He had me here.
“Now get the hell out of here and take your delinquent friends with you.” William continues, making my anger spike over how judgmental he was being.
The William I once knew would never judge someone like that. What the hell happened to him?
‘He lost too much.’ Anna whispers, making my heart ache. ‘He isn’t the man we knew.’
She was right, but I didn’t want to accept that she was right. Somewhere deep down, I knew that he was still the man that I knew, but how could I make that man reappear? Especially when I was a sixteen-year-old kid?
“Did I stutter?” William snaps. “LEAVE! NOW!”
Nodding, I don’t bother to argue, as I know it won’t do any good. Emotions were too high after everything that happened, and honestly, the best thing for everyone involved was probably some peace to cool off and reevaluate.
“I’m leaving.” I sigh, giving William one last glare, before heading through the living room while the others watch me. “Sorry to have disturbed you.”
Ignoring the gazes on me, I kick open the door and head out to find Lidia about to head in, and when she examines me her lips twitch into a smile that drives me crazy.
“Goodnight, little one.” She cooes, walking past me. “It’s time for kids to be in bed anyway.”
“And old women.” I counter, earning myself a growl of warning. “Good night, grandma!”