A Late Night Attack
\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare at Aunt Elise while trying to make sense of what exactly is happening. How could it be that this whole time we had a traitor amongst us and no one seemed to realize it? Were we just that blind and easily fooled, or was the traitor that great of an actor?
“What’s happened?” Maverick asks, breaking the silence that has fallen around us. “Why do you look so pale?”
“We need to move.” I hiss, jumping up. “We need to warn Uncle Jose.”
“Let me,” Aunt Elise tries, but stops as I give her a look.
“You were barely able to stand properly just moments ago.” I tell her, gently smiling. “For now, the thing you need to worry about is recovering. Maverick,” I continue, turning my gaze to the man who is watching me. “I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Aunt Elise.”
“Where are you going?”
His voice is stern, and I’m certain that no matter what I say in this situation, he is going to try to fight me.
“I need to speak with Uncle Jose.”
It’s the truth, but it isn’t the whole truth. For now, it would be better if he didn’t know exactly what was happening. I was certain if he found out where I was going and what I was doing, he would certainly not stay with Aunt Elise.
“It isn’t anything serious.” I continue, but by the look he gives me, I know that he knows I’m lying.
“Don’t try to fool me.” He warns, his gaze narrowing. “Don’t forget that we’ve marked each other, and I can feel everything you’re feeling.”
Dammit. Couldn’t he just let me get away with this lie for once? Just this one time so that I could make sure that Aunt Elise was safe since she was the most vulnerable amongst us.
“I will explain everything when I return.” I tell him. “But we’re wasting time here and…”
I don’t get to finish my words before a commotion breaks out outside the door, putting everyone on high alert.
“What the hell is it?” Maverick growls, beginning to move, but before he can take more than a step, I reach out and grab him. “What is it?” He pushes.
“Don’t do anything rash.”
The words come out in barely a whisper as I realize that Aunt Elise’s warning came much too late. It was clear that the one who was betraying us was on the move, and now we were officially in the determining battle.
“We need to get her somewhere safe.” I murmur, turning my gaze to the woman in question, who looks so fragile I fear that with the slightest touch she will break. “Otherwise…”
I didn’t even want to think about what could happen if any member of the enemy got near her. I was certain that they wouldn’t let her go simply because she was incapable of doing anything.
“Where is safe in this place?” Maverick asks, mirroring my thoughts. “The enemy is stalking the borders, and now it seems that they’re in the packhouse as well.”
“Mmmm.”
I simply nod while extending my senses to get a feel for who is outside the door. I’m instantly met with familiar and unfamiliar energies that let me know that Uncle Jose’s men and the enemy are working to gain dominance over one another.
“Dammit.” I growl, hating that I was being so indecisive.
I was going to eventually be the alpha of a pack. I would be their leader, and I would be the one who determined whether they lived or died. I couldn’t be so hesitant in making my decisions like this. I needed to be decisive and swift.
“One of us is going to need to guard her in this room.” I say slowly, knowing that this was the only choice. “The other needs to join the fight.”
“Then I’ll go.” Maverick says, not even wasting a moment. “You stay here and…”
“No,” I counter.
If anyone needed to go, it would be me. If anything, I would get lucky and run into some of Ezekiel's rogues. If that happened, then I was certain that I could easily get rid of them by letting them taste my blood.
“You’re the one they’re after.” Aunt Elise whispers, drawing my gaze to hers. “You would be walking right into their hands if you just went out there now.”
“She’s right.” Maverick agrees. “As it is, you are the most special amongst us. Of course, they would be after you, given what your blood can do.”
“That doesn’t matter.” I growl, refusing to let Maverick rush into battle alone. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“And what if Forrest is somewhere in the packhouse?”
Maverick’s question slices me like a knife as I remember the draw I felt toward Forrest’s blood. It was sweet and intoxicating, and I almost fell for it like my father and the others.
“I’ll be fine.” I try, but by the look Maverick gives me, I know he doesn’t believe it.
“You stay here.” He repeats, reaching out and touching my cheek. “I promise you that no matter what happens, I will eliminate the enemy and then come back to you.”
And if you don’t? I ask silently, giving him a pleading look. What if I lose you for good this time?
I couldn’t handle it. A world without my better half was one that I didn’t want to live in.
“Trust me.” He says, smiling ruefully. “No matter what, I won’t let anything or anyone separate us.”
Dammit. Was he really pulling the trust card right now? How could I argue without all but saying that I didn’t trust him to keep his promise?
“Please,” he pushes. “For now, you need to stay hidden, and if you were to go out there and fight, you know that it would be nothing more than a distraction for anyone who is fighting nearby.”
“Fine,” I sigh, hating that he was right. “But I swear if you do anything to get yourself killed, I will personally hunt you down in the afterlife and drag you back to the world of the living so that I can kill you myself.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” Maverick chuckles, bending over and kissing my lips. “And I’ll look forward to it.”