\[Maverick’s POV\]
I rush down the hall, my irritation growing. Because of my discussion with William, I was running late for class, and I was certain that Serenity would be worried about me.
“Dammit.”
As I move, William’s question races through my mind. Why was he even asking me such a thing when he was subtly making it clear that he didn’t think I was good enough for his niece? Was it some sort of joke on his part or something more? And why didn’t I just outright say how I felt?
Because Serenity should be the first to hear it. The small voice in the back of my head screams at me.
Right. How could I possibly go around admitting to others just how special and precious she was to me when she didn’t know? But there was no fucking way I could say such things because that alone would ruin our relationship entirely.
Deciding that now wasn’t the time to be focusing on such things, I quicken my pace, and when I reach our combat class, I burst inside and begin to look around, taking in the students who stand around talking and laughing.
“About time, you joined us.”
Turning, I watch as Professor Alex makes his way toward me with a look of annoyance on his face.
“Do you think that my class is one that you can just come and go to as you please?”
“Where is Serenity?” I ask, continuing to examine the room. “She should be here.”
“I asked you a question.” Professor Alex snaps, clearly not happy with my disrespect. “Why are you late to my class?”
“I was in the principal’s office.” I respond in annoyance. “Now where is Serenity?”
“Infirmary,” Professor Alex huffs.
At his words, I feel my heart rate kick up as many different scenarios begin to race through my mind, and before he can say anything more, I’m turning and hurrying away while he yells at my back.
Cursing my inability to make it to class on time, I rush through the halls, and when I reach the infirmary, I burst inside.
“Serenity!” I gasp, rushing forward. “Are you alright? Where are you hurt?”
“She’s fine. And if you had knocked me down, I would have kicked your ass.”
“You!” I growl, whirling around to find the pipsqueak glaring at me. “It was you, right? You’re the one who hurt her!”
“And if I did?” She challenges, beginning to crack her knuckles. “What of it?”
Letting out a snarl of warning, I fight everything in me that screams to attack the pipsqueak while rationale tries to play out.
“Maverick.”
Serenity’s voice grounds me and calms all my nerves just enough for me to think straight. However, it does nothing for the pipsqueak, who is still waiting for a fight.
“Stand down, pipsqueak.” I huff.
“Oh, are you back to your annoying self?” She asks, seeming disappointed. “And here I thought I would be able to at least go one round with you.”
“Eleanor,” Serenity sighs, “don’t pick on him.”
Letting the last bit of my unease drift away, I tear my gaze away from the pipsqueak and fix it on Serenity, who is watching us.
“What happened?” I demand, grabbing a chair and pulling it up to the bed beside her. “Why did you have to come here?”
“I bit my lip.” She explains. “And Eleanor kind of overreacted and dragged me here.”
Frowning, I consider her words as I wonder why exactly Eleanor would do such a thing over a simple busted lip.
“She was bleeding.” The pipsqueak explains. Causing my anxiety to spike. “I thought it was best to get her out of there in case someone accidentally touched it.”
“Why?” I growl slowly, knowing good and well that the pipsqueak shouldn’t even know about Serenity’s blood. “Why the fuck would you be worried about such a thing?”
As I speak, I reach out and grab her by the shirt and pull so I can glare down at her. However, despite my actions, the pipsqueak remains ill-at-ease.
“Maverick,” Serenity warns, coming to the pipsqueak’s defense. “Let her go.”
“Not until she tells me how the fuck she knows about you.”
Did she actually approach Serenity in the beginning because she knew about her blood and wanted to take advantage? Was she holding something over Serenity’s head to make her go along with everything she wanted?
“Whatever it is that you’re planning, you can go ahead and fucking forget it.” I growl, tightening my hold on the pipsqueak’s shirt. “I’ll fucking kill you before you even get the chance.”
“The only thing I’m planning right now is breaking each and every one of your fingers.” The pipsqueak smirks, her eyes flashing with promise. “If you don’t let me go.”
“Maverick!” Serenity repeats, her voice holding a hint of warning. “Let Eleanor go so that she can explain things.”
At her words, I can feel her alpha command pressing against me, but it isn’t strong enough to make me do what she wants. Although this wasn’t the first time that she did such a thing, I can’t stop the twinge of betrayal I feel over her taking the pipsqueak’s side over mine.
“You heard her, guard dog.” The pipsqueak smirks, grabbing my wrist and twisting with much more strength than I was expecting. “Let go of me. This shirt is new, and you’re about to destroy it.”
As she gives my wrist a squeeze, I let out a hiss of shock and release her.
“Thank you.” She huffs, straightening out her shirt. “You really should learn to not lose your temper like that. When you’re in certain situations, it is better to keep a level head. If this was a doo-ordie situation, you really could have ended up doing more harm than good.”
“Eleanor,” Serenity sighs. “He has calmed down. Please don’t try to cause him to lose his temper again.”
“Aw, but picking on him is so fun.”
Giving a giggle, the pipsqueak skips over to Serenity’s side and plops down beside her. Wrapping her arms around Serenity’s, she scoots close and lays her head on her shoulder while giving me a look of amusement.
“Now,” she announces, fixing her large gaze on Serenity. “Before your guard dog showed, you were going to tell me something, right?”
“I…” Serenity begins, looking from the pipsqueak to me. “I don’t…”
“Oh,” the pipsqueak gasps, feigning shock. “Is this something that you can’t say in front of him? And here I thought he was your confidante.”
Her words are like a thousand tiny knives stabbing into me as I realize that there is, in fact, something that Serenity is attempting to hide from me.
“If it can’t be spoken in front of me, I’ll just leave.”
Turning, I begin to move as slowly as I possibly can while everything in me screams for Serenity to tell me to stop. To say that it was fine to say it in front of me. But she doesn't, and it feels like a slap in the fucking face.