Blood Legacy

23

"Did she come right out and say it?" Liam arched an eyebrow. "Or did you just assume it?"

"Well, she asked if we figured out who took her, and I said yes. That's when she broke down and told me that she was the one who had lured Mia into the trap. She kept going too, telling me that she and I needed to work together to get rid of her for good."

Wait. He does want to get rid of me for good, so why is he telling us this? It made no sense to me whatsoever.

It's because he's trying to use this as leverage over us. Liam took a drink of his water, acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. He's using this information to make up for hurting your brother. Evan and I haven't been talking to him, and because of that, his father has been throwing a fit at the council’s meetings over it. He's trying to bridge the gap he created between us. Especially now that Micah has crossed over to our side.

How can you all live like this? It still blew my mind. They were heirs and vital to the shifter world. Yet, instead of working together for the betterment of the packs, they were scheming, trying to be the one with the most control and power.

Honestly, I never questioned it before you. Through our bond, I could feel his love and adoration. It's always been like this, how we were raised. "So how did you respond?"

"I told her definitely. That the b***h needed to go."

Liam stood from his seat, ready to inflict pain once more.

“Whoa!" Simon raised both hands in the air. "Obviously, it’s not going to happen even if I think it should, so I figured I could lead Amber into some sort of trap."

"Did she say whether the council was involved?" Micah took the last bite of his food. "Those three guys swore it was them."

"No, and if our dads said they didn't do it, then we know they didn't." Simon shrugged. "But if I play this right, then maybe we can find out who really did order it."

Is he really that stupid? Who else would it have been? I didn't see how Simon could believe them without any hesitation.

We were raised not to question them, and honestly, I didn't have a reason to do so … until you. Liam nodded his head. "Then, we use it. We can't do too much too soon, or she'll be suspicious. I want her ass in jail, so we need to get proof and show our dads. Then, we can get justice."

"That's cold." Simon grinned, and despite his words, humor filled his eyes. "She'll go down, taking her family with her. I f*****g love it."

He scares the s**t out of me. I'd always thought the other three were the scariest, but now I

realized it was Simon. He was unhinged and enjoyed inflicting pain on others. Someone like him should never be allowed on the council.

There's nothing to be afraid of. Liam reached over and took my hand. He's crazy but totally predictable.

"That just proves I need to go back to class." I took the last bite of my food and stood. "If I go back and act normal, that will drive her even more crazy."

"I hate to admit it, but she has a point." Liam picked up my plate along with his and took them into the kitchen. "The quicker we go back to acting normal, the more irrational she'll get."

"Thank you for breakfast." I smiled at Evan, touched that he would do something like that for me.

"You're welcome." He stood and arched an eyebrow. "Be careful. Otherwise, you're going to be in a lot of pain tonight."

"Got it." I took a deep breath as Liam grabbed my bag and opened the door for me.

Here it was. I was returning to reality. I'd thought I was ready for it. However, after hearing how desperate Amber was to get rid of me, it made me hesitate. Except, I couldn't let fear dictate my life.

Instead, I took a deep breath and exited the dorm to face my enemies head-on.

W

hen we walked into the building that housed my Composition, Precalculus, and Shifter

History classes, Liam sped up as we breezed through the main entrance between the

stairwells. As we entered the hallway, he stepped slightly in front of me.

Before I could ask what he was doing, I heard her voice. "Liam, I've been worried about you. You missed the football game and haven’t been around lately."

You missed your football game? That hadn't even crossed my mind. I had gone missing on a Thursday and they found me Saturday. They had a game against another smaller shifter school last weekend, and it was a huge deal.

Of course, I did. Evan did too. Do you really think I'd choose football over finding you? Liam stiffened and turned to face the b***h head-on. "Had more important plans last weekend.” His feeling of hatred toward her filled our bond. He was so close to coming unglued.

"More important than a football game where packs came to see the heirs in action? Your dad was beside himself." A smile began to spread across her face until I stepped into her view.

I wasn't going to hide behind Liam. He wanted to protect me, but that was only going to make things worse. My wolf was as strong as his was, and we had to fight our battles together.

"As newly fated mates, I had more important things to do like spend time with Mia." His eyes were so dark that the navy blue could have easily been black. He looked at me and winked.

"Oh, well ..." She frowned, and her nose wrinkled in disgust. "I told you she's not good enough for you. Now she's got you missing important games."

"Football isn't what I'm concerned with." He gently wrapped his arm around my waist, careful not to jar my shoulder. "I've learned that there is more to life than being the quarterback." A tender smile crossed his face.

“It’s more than a game, and you know it.” She sneered as her gaze landed on me. “This is about all the packs seeing how strong and determined the heirs are. That’s why you need someone like me by your side, who understands these things … not her.”

“Well, I’m not interested in having you.” Liam narrowed his eyes and smirked. “But congratulations on snagging Simon. You two are perfect for each other.”

“If that’s what’s holding you back, I can dump him in a heartbeat.” She wet her bottom lip and scanned him from top to bottom like a piece of meat.