\[Elise’s POV\]
“Faking being mates, huh?”
I let a giggle escape me as I slowly rose off the toilet that I’m sitting on.
‘Don’t you know eavesdropping is wrong?’ Anna sighs, though she seems just as interested in what is happening between Serenity and Maverick as I am.
‘I wasn’t eavesdropping.’ I point out flushing the toilet and washing my hands. ‘I was simply going to the bathroom.’
Right. I was going to the bathroom, and it wasn’t my fault that I just so happened to hear something interesting.
Smirking, I head back out into the living room of Serenity’s dorm, where everyone is waiting, including the big lug and Denali. However, before I can have a seat, Denali’s gaze comes to rest on me, and a look of shock flashes in her eyes.
Frowning, I look down, half expecting to find something on me, but when I don't, confusion envelopes me. Why was she looking at me like that, and why did it make me feel like she was seeing through me?
Shaking off my unease, I take a seat, but Denali’s gaze stays on me until Serenity and Maverick reappear and all attention goes to them.
As they stand in place, I wonder what they plan to do since it looked like Denali’s scolding didn’t quite calm the big lug.
“Serenity, honey.” Denali begins as the big lug opens his mouth to do more yelling. “Is it true? Are you and Maverick mates?”
At her words, a growl of annoyance escapes the big lug while William’s eyes widen with shock.
“Mates.” He repeats. “You’re mates?”
“That’s…” Maverick begins, but stops as Serenity reaches out and grabs his hand, then gives it a squeeze.
The action all but screams, Please go along with this to those in the know, aka me, but to others, it looks like a sign of comfort.
“That’s right.” Serenity says, taking the lead. “Maverick is my mate, and I hope that you and dad will support us.”
Getting comfortable, I find myself wishing I had some popcorn to watch the drama that is unfolding in front of me, but once again, Denali’s gaze shifts to me, ruining my bubble of content.
“Mates or not, I still don’t…”
“Rosco.” Denali sighs, placing a hand on his arm. “I think it would be best if we listened to what Serenity has to say.” She continues gently. “Can’t you see that we are in this situation due to how overbearing you can be at times?”
Biting back my laugh over Denali all but calling the big lug controlling, I wait as silence falls around us, and when the big lug’s gaze trails away from Maverick and Serenity and comes to rest on Tristan, I know that the poor boy is about to get it.”
“You,” he hisses, motioning for Tristan to come forward. “I’d like to speak with you.”
“Me?” Tristan squeaks, pointing to himself. “You want to talk to me?”
“Yes, you.” Rosco snaps. “It seems that you have been helping my daughter hide things from me.”
As he speaks, Tristan’s eyes grow wide, and he looks around as if trying to find a point of escape.
“Don’t you fucking try it.” Rosco growls, catching on. “And don’t you dare fucking make you drag you along with me.”
“Yes, sir.” Tristan sighs, deflating. “Please lead the way.”
Moving forward, he gives Serenity a look, and when their eyes meet, I see her mouth ‘sorry.’ And I have to bite back on the laugh that wants to escape.
It looked like the partners in crime were both paying now, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the big lug would do.
Tearing my gaze away from them once more, I turn back to Denali to find that she is coming toward me, and when she reaches, she drops to her knees and gently grabs my arm.
“What happened here?” She asks, fixing her gaze on the spot where the rogue bit me.
Oh. I think inwardly, remembering that wound was there. So that was why she was looking at me like that.
“Nothing serious.” I respond, feeling a slight bit of disappointment. “Just a bite.”
“A bite.” She repeats, her eyes growing wide. “Was it one of the rogues?”
“That…” I begin, but stop because I don’t want her to worry. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.” She counters, rising to her feet while continuing to hang onto me. “Come with me so that we can go clean it up.”
Eyes widening, I let myself be pulled to my feet and then dragged along behind Denali as she makes it clear that she isn’t going to take no for an answer. To my surprise, she is much stronger physically than I remembered, and the limp that she developed after encountering Alexander so long ago is almost gone completely.
“Have a seat.” She announces when we reach Serenity’s room. “I’m certain Serenity has a first-aid kit in her bathroom.”
Nodding, I hop onto Serenity’s bed and then wait while Denali disappears into the bathroom and then emerges with the aforementioned kit in hand.
“Allow me.” She says when I reach out in an attempt to grab it. “Just stay still.”
Deciding not to bother arguing, I do as I’m instructed while Denali busies herself cleaning my wound and then wrapping it gently. When she finishes, she sits back on her heels and just stares at me.
“What is it?” I ask when too long of a pause happens. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?”
For a moment, Denali doesn’t speak as her blue-eyed gaze examines me carefully, as if she is looking for something.
“I was just wondering how you got in there.” She says softly as tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
Instantly, my heart squeezes as I want to question what exactly she means, though I’m almost positive that she recognizes me.
“I don’t…” I begin, but stop when Denali reaches out and touches my cheeks.
“Elise,” she whispers, leaning forward and hugging me. “You’re actually alive.”
At her words, I freeze, unable to believe that despite my being in Eleanor’s body, Denali was somehow able to recognize me. Shit. Did that mean that I was going to die since the goddess told me that I couldn’t tell anyone that I was Elise?
Stiffening, I begin to take inventory of my body, searching around to see if I could physically feel something attempting to shut down on me, but when it doesn't, I can’t help but wonder if this was a loophole to what was happening.
“Elise,” Denali repeats, sitting back again and taking me in. “It’s been so long. Why didn’t you come and find me?”
“That…” I begin, but stop as I once again wonder if, if I confirm what she is saying, then I actually will die. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Growing quiet, I wait while Denali continues to stare at me, and when she gives a look that screams understanding, I know she doesn’t believe me.
“You must have had your reasons.” She murmurs, wiping away the tears that stain her cheeks. “But know that you can trust me not to spill your secret.”
“I’m sorry.” I say slowly, untangling myself from her arms. “But I really don’t know what you mean.”
Though it pains me to wipe the hope from my own sister's face, surviving was my main priority.
“I don’t know who this Elise is that you’re speaking of, but it isn’t me.” I continue now. “My name is Eleanor, and I’ve never met you before.”
Keeping my expression neutral, I turn and begin to leave, but stop as Denali’s hand reaches out and wraps around my wrist.
“Elise,” she says quietly, keeping her back to me. “I’m sure that you have your reasons for not acknowledging me or even your true self. Just please stay beside Serenity while she finishes out her time here.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue with her again and insist that none of that has anything to do with me, but I stop as my heart squeezes due to the pleading in Denali’s voice.
“Are you saying that her father is going to let her stay?” I ask instead, neither confirming nor denying that I am actually Elise. “Because it looks to me like he is ready to drag her back home, kicking and screaming.”
“She will stay.” Denali responds with certainty. “So please, help William protect her so that no one else finds out her secret.”
"Alright." I finally sigh, starting to move again. "But remember I'm not Elise."