Blood Legacy

6

"Fine, but he better behave himself. I'd hate to have another person next to Kai on my list." He opened the door for me, and we hurried out into the hallway. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you to meet with Dad? I can skip my class."

"No, he wants to talk to me alone. It's safer in the restaurant since there are a lot of people." When we reached my classroom, I stopped. "It'll be fine. I'll link you if it gets too bad."

"Promise?" He leaned down and kissed my lips.

"Promise."

I turned to walk into the room when Liam grabbed my arm. "Meet you back at your dorm at one?" "You bet."

As I headed into the classroom, Tripp's jade eyes met mine, and he had a frown on his face.

Luckily, I got to class just in time for Mr. Johnson to stroll through the door and place his bag onto the floor underneath the whiteboard.

He wore his usual blood-red polo shirt and ran a hand through his thick black hair. He was at least in his sixties and had taught this class for the last twenty years.

"Good morning, everyone." He stood in front and eyed each one of us. "Let's get going."

I'd always enjoyed this class, but I had a feeling I’d wish it would last longer today for other reasons. I had to meet Mr. Hale right after this and had a feeling it wasn't going to be pleasant.

N

ot wasting any time, I stood as soon as class was over and hurried out the door. I didn’t want to have another confrontation. I was hurt too, needing some time and space. It didn’t help that I

had to meet Mr. Hale.

"Mia, wait," Tripp called after me, but I didn't slow down.

I didn't have the time or energy to waste on him. If he felt bad for what he’d said, good. He should.

A hand touched my shoulder, gently turning me around, bringing us face to face.

He frowned as the fall breeze picked up though he had so much gel in his blond hair, it didn't budge. "I didn't mean to be a d**k back there, but Kai is hurting so damn much."

"And you think that I'm not?" Yes, I was happy with Liam, but that didn't mean I didn't have regrets.

"You sure had a huge smile on your face when you walked into the room." He arched an eyebrow as if he was daring me to counter it.

"I may be happy with Liam, but that doesn't mean that I don't regret how things went with Kai." Right now, I had to get to Mr. Hale. If I was late, I could only imagine how much worse the meeting would be. "You knew just as well as him that Liam was my fated. Yet, you blame me for that night when he was about to lose control of his wolf. Yes, I wanted to try to be with Kai, but it wasn't possible. So instead of being happy for me that Liam and I worked things out as fate wanted, you are trying to make me feel like I owe you and him something. Frankly, you can kiss my ass. I don't have any more time to keep rehashing the same damn conversation." I turned on my heel and headed to the restaurant.

He didn't call after me, which was a good thing. I wasn't quite sure what would've happened if he forced the conversation more. We'd said all we had to say to one another.

When I got to the door, I took a deep breath. I had to calm my ass down before going inside. I had to be calm, cool, and collected while talking with Mr. Hale. Unlike Tripp, who was blunt and honest, this meeting was going to be all about strategy and who knew what else.

As I stepped into the restaurant, I wasn't surprised to find Mr. Hale already there. He was sitting in a corner booth on the left side of the restaurant. He’d chosen a table away from everyone else and waved his hand at me.

I walked past the various large rectangular and small circular tables placed strategically inside. It was strange that some called this a cafeteria. It was equivalent to a medium scale restaurant with waiters and waitresses attending to your every need.

As I slid into the seat across from him, a forced smile filled his face.

He had wanted to be the first one here so I would be approaching him. He had control of the situation by picking the booth, and I glanced at the table to find that he had already ordered my latte. He was doing everything in his power to show he was the one in charge.

"Well, hello, Ms. Davis." He glanced around as if expecting Liam to join us. He adjusted his blood-red tie that contrasted nicely with his black suit and a silver button-down shirt.

"I told him not to come." Mr. Hale was one of the few people who knew what had happened to my father. I had to keep my head on straight even if I wanted to reach out and smack him.

"And you think he'll listen to you?" Mr. Hale leaned back in his seat as his eyes settled on me.

"I think he'll respect me." From what I could tell, he didn't understand that concept. Hell, Liam was only starting to comprehend it. The Blood Council only understood fear.

"That's an interesting word to use." He lifted his coffee cup and took a sip. "Sometimes respect can be overrated."

"Oh, really?" I hated to admit that I was curious.

"Fear is how you keep people in line." He placed his cup back on the table and arched an eyebrow at me. "Why do you think Simon threatened and injured your brother?"

"Because he's a self-absorbed asshole." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Him only thinking of himself isn't a good trait to have if he's supposed to be sitting on the council in the next few years." My words were a challenge.

"Fear is a necessity of the council." His words were tense, and his blue eyes took on a slight glow. His wolf was coming out, not wanting me to question him any further.

Although being passive wouldn't get me answers. "How so? If the council is supposed to be advocating for the best of all, then wouldn't you want to be respected?"

"This, right here," he said as he slammed his palm on the table, "is the reason why you aren't right for my son. You're filling his head with possibilities that will ruin the very foundation that we stand on."

"And what foundation is that?" I hated to argue with Liam’s dad, but it was clear that he wouldn't accept me as family. Obviously, he had only been okay with mentoring me when he thought he could control my position and who I reported to.