\[Serenity’s POV\]
I sit quietly, waiting with my parents and Maverick for my uncle William to join us. With each passing minute, my curiosity was growing, and by the time the man shows, I’m almost chomping at the bit to know if Aunt Elise’s hunch is correct. However, before I can even say anything, I realize that Uncle William is alone.
“Where’s Aunt Elise?” I ask, peeking around Uncle William. “Didn’t she go to fetch you?”
“He knew too?” My father hisses before Uncle William can even respond.
At his words, Uncle William’s gaze shifts to my father, and a smug look flashes on his features, but I continue to stare at the door he just came through.
“Jealous?” Uncle William asks completely at ease. “I guess they trust me more than you and for good reason given that temper of yours.”
“Are you trying to pick a fight?” My father growls, beginning to get up but stopping as my mother grabs him.
“Rosco,” she sighs, shooting him a disapproving look. “Now isn’t the time.” Growing quiet, she waits for my father to settle down and then turns her attention to Uncle William. “Where is Elise, William?”
“She was called by the leader of the disciplinary committee.” He explains. “She won’t be joining us.”
“The disciplinary committee.” My father chuckles. “Why in the hell would a woman like her be part of something like that?”
“Because it was her only option.”
Frowning, I get up as an unsettling feeling starts to rush through me.
“Then I think Maverick and I should go too.” I announce, though I know what is about to be discussed here is important. But I just can’t stop my unease.
“Why us?” Maverick asks, shooting me a look. “That pipsqueak will be fine by herself.”
“Because we promised to join it with her.” I point out. “And we should be good on our promises.”
Not waiting for a response, I begin to move, but stop as sirens ring out, indicating that the walls of The Academy have been breached.
Eyes widening, I rush toward the window and then look out so I can see high beams moving along the lawn of the school and the forest just beyond the walls.
“What the hell?” My father growls, coming up to join me. “You can’t be fucking serious.”
“But we are.” Uncle William announces, tugging at his tie. “Look alive!”
Not needing anymore encouragement, I turn and begin to move, but am stopped when I reach the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Uncle William asks as my parents come to stand on my flanks.
“To help.” I respond in frustration. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“You,” my father counters, grabbing me and pulling me back and shoving me to Maverick, who easily catches me. “Are to stay here.”
“What?” I gasp, my eyes widening. “Why would I do that when there’s trouble?”
“Because you’re nothing more than a student and would be in the way.” My father responds. “It is a student's place to study and an adult's place to protect their kids.”
“I’m not a kid anymore!” I yell, causing my father to shoot me a glare that makes me want to back down immediately.
“I won’t say it again.” He snaps. “And if you dare step foot out of this room, I’ll drag you back to Emerald Moon kicking and screaming since you don’t want to keep to your word about being cautious.”
I open and close my mouth, wanting to argue as my feeling of unease turns to fear. But I know that if I did argue, I would really risk being taken home.
“Fine,” I finally huff, realizing that the best thing I can do right now is remain obedient. “I’ll stay.”
Nodding, my father grabs Uncle William and begins to move while my mother remains at the door. Once I’m certain the two men are gone, she turns and fixes her gaze on mine.
“I’m going to go to the infirmary and help the nurse prep for whatever could happen.”
Just from the look on her face, I can tell that she wants to be out there on the grounds with my father and the others, but since she isn’t strong and her wolf is practically nonexistent, she would only be a liability.
“Got it,” I say, knowing that she simply wants to be helpful. “I promise I’ll stay here.”
For a moment, she just stares at me, giving a look that almost screams she isn’t quite sure if I mean what I’m saying, but she doesn’t question it and heads out.
“Dammit.” I hiss, feeling my frustration flare. “This is…”
“A perfect opportunity.”
Tensing, I snap my gaze up to find Maverick staring down at me with his dark eyes. In my flustered state, I completely forgot that he was here with me and even hanging onto me.
“A what?” I manage, remembering what I did to him earlier on. “Why do you say that?”
As I speak, I attempt to break free of his hold, but he hangs on tightly to me, making it clear he isn’t going to let me escape.
“Since it is just the two of us,” he begins, his deep voice pouring over me. “Why don’t we distract ourselves talking about what a certain someone did earlier?”
“I don’t,” I begin, but stop as a growl of warning escapes him. “Isn’t it obvious?”
How in the world could we be standing here discussing such a thing when we didn’t know what was going on outside of this building? But in a way, I was realizing remembering the days events was helping me calm down a little, well, about other things.
“It was,” he confirms. “But that wasn’t what I meant.”
Not what he meant. Was he really going to make me spell it out for him? Why was I the one who needed to cave first when he was also giving me mixed signals!
“Before that,” I say, deciding I wouldn’t go down without a fight. “Why don’t you explain yourself?”
Wriggling around, I find myself face to face with him as he stares down at me, his dark eyes meeting my blue ones, making the world around us disappear in an instant.
“You’re acting like I’m the only one who did something.” I push. “But I wasn’t the one who started all of this; now was I?”
“You weren’t,” he smirks, making my breath hitch over how fucking handsome he looks doing it. “Weren’t you the one that told your parents that we’re mates and decided we should act like it?”
Eyes widening, I feel the last bit of my frustration and worry disappear as it is replaced by rage over what I’ve just been told.
“You,” I growl, reaching up and trying to break free of his hold. “You’re saying you’ve been doing all this because of that?”
Did he think it was funny playing with my feelings like that? I truly thought I knew Maverick’s character, but this was…”
“Partly,” he admits, only making me angrier.
“Let me go!” I hiss, shoving against him only to find that I don’t budge. “This isn’t funny!” I continue, amping up the amount of strength I’m using. “Playing with someone’s emotions just because you’re bored isn’t…”
“Did I ever say I was playing?”
At his words, I freeze, my eyes growing wide over what he has said, but somewhere deep down I can’t quite let myself believe.
“What.” I squeak as my heart rate increases. “What are you trying to say then?”
Growing quiet, I wait while Maverick continues to stare down at me. And when his large hand lifts and touches my cheek, gently rubbing along my skin until his fingers tangle into my hair, I begin to get weak in the knees.
“Since you seem to be a bit dense,” he sighs, starting to lean down. “I guess I’ll need to say it directly.”