The Hybrid

15: Beck

I find Olivia in my father's office along with everyone else; my brother, Christie, and my father.

From what I gathered, Olivia had come here to report to my father and brother about today's appointment. Christie just so happened to be here.

"How is she?" Olivia asks as soon as she sees me, her face etched with concern.

"Better," I respond, taking a seat on the couch next to Christie, "I sent her to her room. I had Ms. Madeline deliver her lunch to her."

"That was sweet," Olivia says, smiling at me, "I'm glad she's feeling better."

Me too.

"Did she tell you why she had a major meltdown?" Christie asks, her face and tone filled with amusement.

I'm taken aback by the anger that swells within me at her attitude. Christie being a bitch is to be expected. I know this, yet I can't help the anger and the urge to defend Willow that bubbles to the surface.

"Yes, and I don't find any part of the situation to be entertaining," I say, sharply, giving her a pointed glare.

Christie also seems to be surprised by my mood as she furrows her eyebrows and leans back, away from me slightly.

She scoffs, "And since when are you in the business of protecting her?"

My glare falters at this, "I'm not."

I look away from her, unable to handle the strength of her stare. If I don't get ahold of myself soon I'll be as see-through as wet paper.

"Really? Because first, it was the whole thing with Jax. Now you're defending her and whatever sob story she told you. Don't tell me you're allowing her to get under your skin."

"I'm not," I say, shifting uncomfortably, "All I'm saying is that what she told me is not something that should be taken lightly."

"What did she tell you?" My father asks, calling my attention to where he sits behind his desk along with my brother.

I bite the inside of my cheek and drop my gaze once his question settles in, "It's not something I can talk about. It's private."

"Oh, this is just rich. You two are sharing secrets now?" Christie says, chuckling sarcastically.

I sigh, running my hands down my face, "It's not like that."

I don't know why I feel the need to reject all the conclusions Christie is jumping to. Normally, I wouldn't dare explain myself. Instead, I would tell her to stay in her fucking place, but for whatever reason, I feel compelled to deny that there's anything special between Willow and I.

"Then what's it like?" My brother asks, eyeing me curiously.

I clench my jaw until it nearly clicks and then sigh, "It's like this: She was triggered today. She had a meltdown because something really fucked up happened to her in the past. She confided in me about it and I won't be speaking about it any further because I promised her I wouldn't. I only came here after the fact to discuss alternatives for Olivia to get the blood she needs. So, can we please get on to talking about that?"

I don't bother hiding my annoyance at having to explain myself anymore.

"Alright, don't go ripping anybody's head off," Bennett says, holding his hands up defensively.

Olivia shakes her head and looks at me, "Do you have any ideas on alternatives?"

I nod, relieved that we're finally moving on to the topic I actually came here to talk about.