Page 91 of Wicked Dove
“She doesn’t,” I breathe, confusion knitting my eyebrows together as Kael grimaces.
“Why are you searching for Elodie’s dad?” the vampire asks, and I turn to face him slowly.
“How do you know about that?” He cocks a brow at me like I should know the answer, and I know I do, I just need to hear it. “How do you know?” I repeat, and he sighs, lacing his fingers together as he keeps his gaze fixed on mine.
“Drayker pulled Elodie aside when you took off in class the other day,” he explains, and this time, my wolf feels like he’s about to break free. Protectively, but not for me. For Elodie.
“Why?”
Kael shrugs, trying to downplay it, but I see in his eyes the conclusion he’s come to. “Maybe because you calmed down for Elodie and not the prissy bitch for a change.”
Fuck.
Wiping a hand down my face, I try to take a deep breath to settle my wolf, but it’s impossible. “How do you know all of this?Did Elodie say something? Why didn’t she tell me?” I rattle off, my mind spinning a mile a minute.
“I was there when she called Elodie into her office,” Kael offers, and my blood turns to ice.
“Tell me what she fucking said. Right. Now.”
It’sfunny how I hate the tendrils of Thorne’s shadows, but when I sit in darkness on my own accord, it’s grounding. Any other time I’d get lost in my thoughts, but not now, not tonight. Not when I’m waiting like the predator I know I am. Especially when my prey won’t even see me coming.
Seconds pass into minutes, and just before I reach the hour mark, I hear the turning of a key in the lock and it takes everything in me not to stretch out in anticipation.
As the door opens, a soft glow slips into the room from the hallway and I tilt my head. Once, I would have believed that look made her angelic, now it only paints her in her true light. She shuts the door behind her and turns the lamp on. Only then does she see me waiting in her armchair.
Her eyes crinkle in surprise as she places her purse on the side table. “Rion,” she breathes, the corner of her lip turning up at the sight of me, but I don’t return the sentiment.
“Laurie.”
She toys with her keys in her hand as she eyes me from across the room. “I expected to see you before now,” she states, cocking a brow at me, one that makes it clear I’ve disappointed her.
“I’m sure you did,” I breathe, curling my fingers around the arm of the chair.
“Why haven’t I?” she asks, popping her hip a little, and I shrug.
“Because I had other things to deal with.” It’s the truth. I hadn’t even considered her. Even after my meltdown, I didn’t think to seek her out like I usually would, and it was Thorne and Kael bringing it to my attention that made me realize I was too eager to bask in Elodie’s presence instead.
“More important things than me?” she asks, her eyebrows rising an inch more. I can practically feel her concocting an elaborate plan as my punishment.
“Yes,” I answer, unfazed by her irritation.
She doesn’t like it. I can see it in her eyes. I never show dominance or stubbornness toward her; that’s never been our dynamic, and she’s not ready for the changes that are coming. Discarding her keys, she saunters toward me, stopping when she’s between my splayed thighs, and it takes everything in me to remain composed and not slam them shut.
I’m so focused on remaining calm and collected that I don’t realize she’s in my lap until it’s too late. With one knee pressed on either side of my inner thighs, she leans in close.
“Rion—”
“Get the fuck off me before I remove you myself,” I snarl, my hands balling into fists as I try to contain the fury that burns inside of me.
To my surprise, she quickly climbs off me with a glare. I was expecting more of a fight, but there’s still time yet.
“You’ll do well to remember who you’re talking to,” she bites, straightening her tank top as her nostrils flare.
“Who, you?” I push, desperate to get under her skin in retaliation for what she said to Elodie.
“Your guardian,” she retorts, and I snicker.
“About that…” I start, watching as she frowns down at me.
