Blood Legacy

24

“It’s cute that you think he’d want you.” I’d never felt such hatred for someone before, and to be honest, I didn’t like it at all.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Her voice was a hiss as she spoke low.

“You need to get it into that dense head of yours.” He dropped his hand from my waist and took a menacing step toward her while looking down his nose. “I was never yours, to begin with. Now, leave me alone. I won’t be so kind if you try this s**t one more time with either her or me.” He turned his back on her and took my hand, pulling me toward the elevator.

Once we got in, he blew out a breath. Damn! I’m so sorry.

For what? He’d done absolutely nothing to apologize for.

Bringing you into this world. He stepped into me and brushed his fingers along my cheek. It’s like around every corner, someone is there who wants to hurt us.

You didn’t bring me into this world. I’d be here regardless. He needed to remember that I was an heir too. You do realize I’ll be taking back what is mine?

A huge smile spread across his face. Damn straight, you will. There’s no one I’d rather work next to, and we’ll make sure you assume your rightful place on the council. We just have to be careful and take our time.

That, I could do. Even though it was something I wanted so very badly, it could wait. At the moment, there was too much going on, and we needed to make sure my secret was revealed at the proper time. Whenever that may be.

He took my hand as the elevator doors opened, and he pulled me toward my classroom. As soon as we walked through the door, Tripp, Robyn, and her two followers, along with another guy glanced at us. Robyn’s eyes narrowed on Liam and my joined hands.

“Ugh … I had hoped you’d come to your senses by now.” Robyn shook her head as her nose wrinkled in disgust. “Or is it just that you want to f**k the nobodies before settling down with a real woman?”

“Do you mean a real woman or a brown-noser who’s had their head so far up someone’s ass that she can’t smell anything other than s**t?” I batted my eyelashes and grinned.

“You better watch it.” Robyn stood from her desk in the middle of the front row. “Do you have any idea who my father is?”

“No, you better watch it,” Liam growled, his eyes glowing with his wolf coming forward. “I could take your father down so fast it’s not funny. One more word, and it’ll happen.” Robyn frowned but didn’t sit down.

“You’d better sit down.” Her friend, Olivia, said as her pale green eyes widened. “He’s not kidding around.”

“Fine.” Robyn huffed and reluctantly sat in her seat. Her body was tight with anger.

I brushed past her and sat at my desk right behind her and next to Tripp.

"Hey, man." Tripp smiled at Liam. "How's our badass doing?" His eyes landed on me and winked. "How am I not surprised she's here today?"

"Because she's strong." Liam bent down and kissed my cheek as he placed my backpack at my feet.

"And stubborn." Tripp pointed at me like his fingers were guns. "I bet you didn't have any say to her being here."

"Damn right about that." Liam chuckled.

"You two realize I'm sitting right here." They were both picking at me, but I hated to be talked about as if I wasn't there.

"Hey, we're just kidding." Liam squeezed my hand gently. I'm really trying to get along with your friends. That's all. I know they're important to you.

Still not happy about getting picked on. I arched an eyebrow at him.

He chuckled and glanced back at Tripp. “Make sure she stays here after class until I can get back down here.”

“Will do.” Tripp saluted him.

I love you. He kissed the top of my head and turned, heading out of the classroom.

“He’s like a different person now.” Tripp shook his head as he watched Liam disappear into the mass of people.

“No, that’s always been him.” He was an amazing person, and now people were finally seeing it.

“He just got lost along the way for a little while.”

I LEANED BACK in the passenger seat of Liam's car and closed my eyes as we headed toward my parents’ house. We'd woken up early to visit them since Liam needed to get back at a decent hour to pack for his week tour of some of the large cities with the other heirs.

We'd hoped to go Saturday, but he had a late football game that he didn't need to miss, especially since he had skipped the one last week. For once, I enjoyed the game and got to hang out with Bree, Tripp, and Kai without any drama. After the game, Liam and Evan joined us back at my dorm to watch some movies and celebrate their win.

"It's nice seeing you relax and not wincing in pain every few seconds." Liam reached over and took my hand in his. "I was so damn scared you weren't going to make it."

In all reality, it took longer than I'd expected to heal. I had been more injured than we initially thought, and Evan said I was damn lucky I survived. Honestly, I'd almost succumbed to the darkness, and it was only because of Liam that I didn't. He had saved me. "Well, it didn't happen, and we're together. That’s all that matters." Today was the first day that I didn't have much pain. The shoulder still bothered me if I moved suddenly, but not anything compared to how I was that first night in Evan and Liam's dorm room. It had hurt just to breathe.

The rest of the ride was spent in companionable silence, and soon Liam was pulling up to my parents' house.

The front door opened with both Mom and Dad rushing out the door and heading over to me.

Dad opened my door, causing his blue shirt to bunch on his shoulders, and then held his hand out. "Here, let me help you."

The concern and love on their faces warmed my heart. "I'm better now. You don't have to help me."

"Let your father help you." Mom narrowed her caramel eyes at me and crossed her arms. "We've been beside ourselves this past week. The only saving grace for me and your dad not showing up on campus and throwing a fit is because of your mate. So if your dad wants to help you get out of the damn car, you can let him."

Damn, now I see where you get your strength. Liam chuckled as he climbed out of the car and shut his door.