\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare in disbelief as the seriousness of the situation hits me. We had a lead. We had an actual lead toward where to find the one who started all of this, but it wasn’t without a sacrifice.
“Where is Aunt Elise?” I ask quietly. “Why wasn’t she with him?”
“That,” Uncle William begins, his expression falling as hurt appears in his eyes. “The boy hasn’t fully said.”
“Then make him!” I snap, moving forward and moving around the three men who stand in the middle of my room.
As I move, I can hear protests, but I don’t stop; I continue to move until I find Forrest sitting in the living room, looking lost and confused. However, when he hears my approach, his gaze turns toward me, and hope flashes in his eyes.
“You,” he says, jumping up and grabbing me. “You can…”
He doesn’t get to finish his words before a snarl rips through the air and hands grab me, pulling me into a strong chest.
“Don’t touch her,” Maverick growls, his voice dripping with venom.
For a moment, Forrest doesn’t speak as he just stares ahead at me, that hope that I saw earlier still in place along with what I can only describe as guilt and pain.
“Please,” he whispers, his voice wavering. “Only you can help her now.”
Only I could help her; I didn’t have to question what he meant since I knew.
“So she changed?” I ask quietly, remembering the bite on Aunt Elise’s arm. “Is that why she didn’t return with you?”
“That’s right,” Forrest says, moving to the couch again and collapsing. “She pushed herself too much to help me, and because of that, she...”
He doesn’t finish as horror appears in his eyes, and I’m certain he is remembering what Aunt Elise looked like changing from human to one of those terrifying rogues.
“I’ll save her.” I say, unwilling to let her suffer like Maverick and the others did for so long. “No matter what, I’ll help her.”
“Don’t you dare think of throwing yourself into danger.” Maverick warns as my uncles and father appear.
“Who is throwing herself into danger?” Uncle Jose asks curiously. “And what kind of danger are we talking about?”
“If you’re not going to be helpful, you can just leave.” My father growls, moving forward and pulling me from Mavericks hold. “And you,” he continues, his aura trickling from him. “If you keep touching my daughter like that, I’m going to cut those fucking hands off.”
“You could try,” Maverick chuckles, returning to his old self.
“Is that a challenge?” My father demands, pushing me to Uncle William so he can square up with Maverick. “Because, I’ll…”
“That’s enough, kids.” Uncle Jose claps, drawing both men’s gazes to himself. “Shouldn’t we be focusing on fighting the enemy instead of each other?”
“This won’t take long,” my father assures him.
“You’re right,” Maverick agrees. “Since I’m younger and stronger, I’ll have this old man dealt with real quick.”
“What was that?” My father growls.
“That’s enough,” Uncle William huffs, stepping forward and stepping between the men. “Rosco,” he continues, turning his gaze on my father. “You really need to do something about that possessive attitude of yours.”
“I don’t think there’s an issue with it.” He counters.
“Serenity is an adult and can decide who she wants to be with.” Uncle William counters. “And you need to accept that.”
As he speaks, he turns his gaze to me, giving me a look that screams adoration, and I smile, letting him know that I appreciate his help.
“He’s right,” I agree. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m eighteen and an adult, but I really think we should focus on saving Au... I mean Eleanor and stopping Ezekial before he uses my blood on others.”
“But how?” Uncle Jose asks.
“By cutting out his heart.”
All eyes move as the voice drifts toward us so that we find Ellie making her way into the room where we stand.
“That,” she continues, not caring that she is the center of the attention. “Is the only way to get rid of him and appease the beast?”
“The beast,” Uncle Jose repeats. “What beast is this?”
“The beast that was awakened when Ezekial did something so taboo,” Ellie explains. “The one who wants to claim the cursed child.”
At her words, all eyes come to me, and I want to hide, but I don’t. I stand strong while I peek down at the serpent mark on my arm. So this was what all of this meant, and we were finally in the last mile of this mess that started when I was born.
“Then we need to cut out his hard.” I say. “Since that’s the only way to get rid of him.”
“Easier said than done,” Uncle William sighs. “We don’t know what will be waiting for us when we attack.”
“Are you saying all our packs combined are useless?” Uncle Jose huffs. “What kind of confidence is that?”
“I don’t remember saying that.” Uncle William counters in annoyance. “I’m just saying...”
“I don’t think there is anything to worry about.” My father shrugs. “I’m certain I can take him down with my own two hands.”
“Famous last words,” Uncle Jose sighs. “We all know you’re strong, but we are dealing with a supernatural being here. So, could you try not to throw yourself into danger like that?”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” My father asks, frowning.
“Learn more about our enemy and come up with a plan of action.” Maverick offers, causing a wave of pride to rush through me. “And give him all we’ve gone by using guerilla warfare.”
That’s my man. I think inwardly, trying to hide the smile that wants to come. He did say that he trained for years to be a warrior, so this was what he trained for, and now he was putting that training into action.
“I think I like the boys idea.” Uncle Jose laughs.
“Man,” Maverick counters, shooting him a look. “I’m not a boy.”
Eyes widening, I watch as my father slowly turns his attention to Maverick, taking him in with a predatory look in his eyes.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” He demands.
“Exactly what it sounded like,” Maverick smirks. “I’m not a boy. I’m a thirty-one year-old man.”