\[Elise’s POV\]
I wait as the girl Forrest is trying to get to stop clinging to him stares at me with eyes that hold the promise of violence. From the look on her face, it was clear she thought that she could easily kick my ass, but if she tried anything, she had another thing coming.
“Repeat that,” she finally says. “Because I don’t think I heard correctly.”
“But you did.” I counter, snaking my arms around Forrest’s neck and sliding my hands into his hair. “So if you could stop bothering him, that would be great.”
Tearing my gaze from hers, I meet Forrest’s deep blue gaze and feel a wave of shock rush through me. Was this bastard really getting turned on by something this simple?
Frowning, I examine his features until I realize his cheeks are slightly flushed and the tips of his ears are pink.
Smirking, I suddenly want to pick on him due to his being openly embarrassed over a woman touching him, but I’m stopped by a hand touching my shoulder.
“I wasn’t done talking to you, bitch.” The girl obsessed with Forrest growled. “How dare you…”
“How dare you?” I hiss, reaching around and clutching her wrist. Squeezing, I wait until a gasp of pain and shock escape her. “Don’t fucking touch me without my permission.”
“You bitch!” The girl roars, attempting to pull away. “Let go.”
“You touched me first.” I counter, pulling her toward me so that my mouth is beside her ear. “Stay the fuck away from me and my man, got it?”
For a moment, she doesn’t speak as she processes what is happening, and before she can give me an answer, I feel the familiar prickle of Serenity’s energy.
Releasing the girl, I whirl around so I can watch her and Maverick enter, but they aren’t alone; they’re accompanied by two blonde-haired students, a boy and a girl. Both are looking extremely uncomfortable as they take in the room full of students, and the way they carry themselves reminds me of Maverick.
“I gotta go, baby.” I announce, quickly pecking Forrest’s cheek and hopping off of him. “Don’t get into trouble without me.”
Giving a wink, I start to move, closing the distance between Serenity and myself. When I arrive, I examine the students once more and feel something tug at my consciousness.
“Eleanor,” Serenity says when I remain silent. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” I respond, shaking off my unease. “I was just a little curious about these two.”
As I speak, I nod toward the two behind her, who I realize are twins.
“Who are they?”
Growing quiet, I wait as Serenity and Maverick exchange glances, causing my unease to grow.
“Trinity and Tyrone.” Serenity answers finally. “They’re exchange students that my uncle has asked me to show around.”
Exchange students. Like I was going to believe that bullshit. I felt this since first meeting Maverick, but something about him was off, and that offness I felt from him was also radiating from these twins.
“Exchange students, huh?” I murmur, leaning in closer so I can get a better look, but when their eyes meet mine, those same vicious eyes that I saw in my dreams appear.
Gasping, I stumble backwards while sweat springs to my skin, and before I can stop myself, I’m grabbing Serenity and pulling her away from the trio while baring my teeth.
“What the fuck are you?” I growl, holding Serenity tightly.
Instead of responding, Maverick reaches out in an attempt to pull Serenity away from me, but I move us out of the way while the twins watch in confusion.
“What the hell are you doing?” Maverick demands, reaching out and grabbing my elbow.
Hissing in pain, I attempt to pull away but am stopped by Maverick tightening his grip so that the pain gets worse.
“Let go!” I snarl, but instead of doing as asked, he pulls up the sleeve of my shirt so that he can examine the bite wound there.
“What?” He hisses, his gaze narrowing. “Why aren’t you healed?”
I don’t speak as all eyes come to rest on me, and I know exactly what everyone is thinking, but I don’t have a response.
Pulling my arm free, I yank my sleeve back down and cross my arms.
“If you want to undress me, at least buy me dinner first.” I huff.
“Eleanor,” Serenity says gently, her gaze filled with worry. “I think you should get that checked out.”
“Why?” I ask, not missing the hint of worry and unease in her voice. “It’s just an injury. It’ll heal.”
Nodding, she grows quiet while continuing to examine me, and when her gaze shifts to Maverick, I know that they’re hiding something.
“Hey,” I say, stepping forward so I can examine Serenity’s face better. “Do you know something I don't know about those…”
I don’t get to finish my words before Maverick is grabbing me and hoisting me over his shoulder so that he can begin to carry me out of the cafeteria while Serenity and the twins follow.
“What the hell?” I growl, struggling to break free. “What are you doing, gentle giant?”
No one responds to my question until we reach a utility closet and I’m being thrown inside of it.
“Ouch!” I growl as I land ass first. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Were you really about to mention the rogues in a room full of wolves?” Maverick snaps, glaring down at me. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Not really.” I respond, getting up. “I’d have to have one to lose to begin with, but shouldn’t I be the one who is pissed here instead of you?”
Since they were making it clear that they knew something about these damn rogues, they were going to tell me all that they knew aside from the fact that Maverick was one of them in the beginning.
“You two,” I continue, snapping my gaze at the twins. “Were one of you assholes the ones who bit me?”
“Bit?” Trinity responds, cocking her head to the side. “Are you saying one of us bit you?”
“Someone did.” I snap, wanting to get to the bottom of their secret. “And whoever did it can explain why the hell I’m not healing! And if you don’t want to, I can always go to the nurse.”
“No!” Serenity gasps, biting my bait. “I have someone who may be a better choice.”
Smirking, I wait as Maverick glares down at me, realizing that I managed to trick his mistress.
“Then please lead the way.”
I wasn’t exactly sure who would be the one she trusted to examine me, but I knew that they could help me get answers to what was going on, and that was more than enough for me.
“Are we going?” I push when no one moves. “Or are you planning on doing something to quiet me?”
“No,” Serenity gasps, her eyes growing wide. When she looks like that, she reminds me so much of Denali, and it makes my heart squeeze. “Come with me.”