\[Elise’s POV\]
My heart drops as William’s words come to settle on me. An emergency. What kind of emergency could it possibly be? Did it have something to do with my new family or my pack?
“What happened?” I ask, unable to stop my worry. “What’s going on?”
“You’ll see when we reach my office.” He explains.
Frowning, I consider stopping in place, but fear that will just make matters worse. It is clear from how sweaty William’s palm is and how serious his expression is that whatever this is is quite serious.
When we finally reach his office, the familiar energy of my parents slams into me, and my biggest fear is realized. Rushing inside, I fix my eyes on the couple as they sit stiffly.
“Mom?” I call, moving toward my mother first as she jumps up and grabs me. “What’s…”
I don’t get to finish my words before she is pulling up my sleeve to see the bite mark that is on my arm. Flinching, I try to ignore just how much worse it looks.
“So it’s true.” She murmurs as my father comes to join her. “Just look what happened to our daughter under this bastard’s watch!”
As she speaks, she shoots an accusatory glare at William, who remains silent, watching the scene that is unfolding.
“I thought the purpose of the principal and the teachers was to protect the students!” She continues angrily. “But look what has happened to my daughter!”
Wincing, I try to ignore the pain of her grip as she continues to hang onto me. Of course, I understood the reason she was so upset, but to blame William when I was the one who put myself in harm's way was just...
“What are you playing at, William?” My dad growls, taking my father’s side. “Just because you don’t give a shit about anybody doesn’t mean that you can…”
“Dad!” I gasp, stopping him before he can go further. “Principal Torres had nothing to do with this! I was the one who…”
“Eleanor,” my mother whispers, drawing my gaze toward her, and when our eyes meet, she shakes her head. “Be good and let your father handle things. You don’t need to cover up for this man.”
“But…”
“No, buts, Eleanor.” My father warns. “Stay out of this. This is a matter for adults.”
“Vincent,” William sighs, moving around to his desk and taking a seat. “I know that you’re angry because of what happened to your daughter, but I assure you that this was simply a freak accident that won’t happen again.”
“And how do you know that?” My father demands. “Look at my daughter’s arm! She isn’t even fucking healing! Just what got her?”
“There’s,” Williams begins, but stops. “That’s confidential for the time being.”
At his words, an angry laugh escapes my father before he storms forward, slamming his hands on William’s desk.
“Confidential!” He growls. “How the fuck can you say such things when our children are at risk?”
“We are still investigating.” William continues, unbothered by my father’s temper. “When we have more information, we will send word to parents.”
“And until then, you’re simply going to sit back while all the students are at risk?” My father snaps. “What kind of piss poor show are you running?”
“We’re doing the best we can.” William responds, seeming defeated.
Instantly, my heart begins to break for the man and all I want to do is throw my arms around him, but right now that wasn’t the most important thing. I was certain that my parents didn’t only come here to scold him. Instead, I knew that they must have a different purpose, and I wasn’t going to like what that was.
“I assure you that actions are being taken to protect the borders of this academy and to make sure that students are safe.” William continues now. “And we have one of our best doctors caring for your daughter.”
“Best doctor.” My father spits. “Do you really think that your doctors are better than those back in Blue Moon?”
There it was, a hint toward what I was feeling. They didn’t come here to see me or scold William; they came to disenroll me.
“Wait,” I gasp, knowing there was no way in hell that I could leave. “The doctor here is fine!”
“Eleanor,” my mother repeats, giving me a disapproving look. “Don’t stick your nose into adult business.”
Biting back on my initial response, I try to remind myself that the daughter they know is an obedient mat that can easily be walked all over.
“I’m sorry, William.” My father continues now. “But I’m not leaving Eleanor here.”
“Dad!”
“Eleanor.” My mother snaps. “What has gotten into you? Have you forgotten your manners in the short time you’ve been here?”
“No,” I say slowly, trying to keep my temper in check. “It’s just that…”
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. What the hell could I say to get my parents to let me stay here? Of course, if I were in their position, I also wouldn’t let my child stay here. Not with those crazy rogues roaming about, but it was because the rogues were roaming about that I couldn’t possibly leave.
“If you were to pull me out now, I would lose any chance of becoming the next beta of Blue Moon.” I continue. “You know as well as I do that all higher ranks must attend here and graduate in order to be leaders for their packs.”
“You’ll continue your schooling from home.” My father assures me. “I’ve already asked Alpha to make an exception for you, and he has agreed. Don’t worry, sweetheart, this won’t affect your right to take my place when the time comes.”
“But… I can’t leave!” I blurt before I can stop myself. “There’s something here that I have to take care of before...”
“Listen to your parents, Eleanor.” William says, causing my heart to squeeze. “They’re worried about you, as they should be. Don’t cause more stress for them.”
“Will… I mean, Principal Torres, how can you...”
“Eleanor,” my mother snaps. “Listen to the adults; we know what is best for you.”
"NO, YOU DON’T!” I shriek, unable to hold out any longer. “YOU DON’T KNOW A THING!”
Pulling my hand free, I brace myself for the backlash I’m certain is to come, but I wouldn’t let my parents have their way.
“I’m not going back.” I say slowly, clenching and unclenching my fists. “I’m going to stay here and graduate along with my classmates.”
“Eleanor.” My father says, his voice filled with warning. “You’re not.”
“I am,” I repeat. “Isn’t one of the main purposes of coming here to learn to fight and stand for what we believe?” I continue. “Well, I’m doing that now.”
It was a low blow using this against my parents, but I wasn’t going any fucking where. I was going to stay here and help Serenity and William uncover the secret of the rogues, even if it fucking killed me.
“You can do that at home.” My father counters. “Now, stop being stubborn and...”
“I won’t.” I say, ruining the last of Eleanor’s good girl image. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Eleanor.” William says slowly, his voice sounding tired. “Don’t be disrespectful toward your parents. They have already made the decision to take you back to Blue Moon, and as the principal of this place, I have to go along with their wishes. After today you will no longer be considered a student here, understood?”
Feeling a wave of shock rushing through me, I open and close my mouth, trying to form the words that would save me. However, my parents and William’s gazes are filled with a determination that is so damn unwavering that I know nothing I do or say will work.
“Do what you want!” I hiss, turning and rushing out of the office.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Because I went and let myself get bit this was happening! I was too damn careless. But who in the hell sent word to Blue Moon about what was happening? One of the rules of The Academy was that there was no contact with the outside world, and nothing was released that happened here. So how?
“Wait,” I gasp, stopping in my tracks. “Someone is trying to get rid of me.”
As this realization dawns on me, I look around at the students who are milling about. Was the one responsible here or...
No. I had a good idea who the culprit would be, and she wasn’t even a fucking student here. Well, since she succeeded in what she set out to do, there was nothing holding me back now.
Turning, I make my way out of The Academy and across the grounds toward the small cabin William and the bitch shared, but when I reach it, I stop in my tracks.
Once again, I find myself staring at the woman who looks just like me. She sits idly, rocking back and forth while the soft breeze rustles her clothes and hair. She looks so at peace in the moment that I almost don’t want to shatter that. Almost.
Determination growing, I begin to move forward, but just like the last time the woman’s gaze comes to meet mine, I find myself being sucked into a void that I can’t escape. When I’m finally released, I find myself standing on a stage with the man from my previous vision.
Keeping my expression neutral, I tear my gaze from the man and then let it fall on the hundred or so people that stand in a square, watching and waiting for who I now realize is their leader to speak.
What? I think inwardly, trying to make sense of why I’m seeing this.
‘Look!’ Anna gasps as my gaze comes to rest on a familiar face. ‘Isn’t that…’
‘Maverick.’ I finish for her.
Standing in the center of the large crowd is a man who is impossible to miss. Even here, his crimson hair sticks out like a sore thumb, but why was he here, and what exactly was going on here?