Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 41: Scars

I yawned as I hopped down the stairs to join my family in the main foyer. It was the usual monthly agenda meeting that served as an informal roundtable, and I was certain I'd be asked to report in my agenda for conflict resolution. It was well after nine o'clock, but I still felt half-asleep. After skipping breakfast, I had opted for coffee only and my sweats a little longer in my room for privacy. I pulled at my sleeves as I made my way down the last few steps before finding my usual spot. Simultaneously, Contessa and Malcolm sat down with their computer tablets, talking over their own personal schedules.

Against my better manners, I curled one foot underneath my body as I sat on the suede divan. I glanced over my shoulder as Marcus appeared, a legal pad and pen in his grip. I smiled and took it, settling the paper in my lap carefully before putting the pen behind my ear. "Thank you."

"The agenda's light tonight, but you might still want to take notes," he answered.

I nodded, settling against the backboard of the little sofa. "Will do. Is Luce not joining us?"

My stepfather shook his head. "No, your mother told Jenny to get her rest after doing that early conference call with the Scholars, so Luce is keeping an eye on her."

"I would have told you to do the same after that trip to Brazil, but I need someone to take the minutes for me," my mother's voice added, and I turned my head again to see her come from the library with Felicity on her hip.

"Sure," I answered. "I don't mind. Luce works too much for an expecting father."

Contessa and Malcolm both started to laugh. "I've got some bad news for you, Seren. That never stops," the auburn-headed man chuckled. "Kids don't slow you down much in our world."

"Isn't that true?" my mother said, grinning. She handed Fee to Marcus when the toddler reached for her father.

"Very much so," he agreed, swooping his hands under Felicity's armpits as he lifted her up onto his own hip.

"Lady Elizabeth?" a guard called from the front door.

We all turned to look.

"Yes?" my mother asked, her eyebrows rising.

The man fidgeted and looked back out the open front door, his radio in his hand. "There's someone here for Lady Serenity. He's a Wolf, my lady."

I froze in place as my heart leapt into my throat. I noticed both Marcus and my mother turn their gazes to me.

"Should we let him through the gate?" the guard asked.

"Who is it?" Marcus asked back, his eyes narrowing.

The man pulled his radio up to his mouth, murmuring the question into it. I frowned, biting my lip. There was a moment of static, and then I heard his name perfectly clear over the radio: Master Alpha Jason Hellmuth.

Mother clenched her jaw and looked at me again.

"Why? I didn't invite him," I replied. I glanced at the guard and then my parents again. Again, my throat clamped, stifling my heart as it jackhammered on the walls of my chest. 

Marcus looked at my mother and sighed. "If it doesn't upset Serenity, I don't see the harm in letting him in. It may be an attempt to grovel for peace, don't you think?"

My mother exhaled softly, looking at me again. "Are you okay if he comes into the house, after what happened?" she asked, her tone gentle.

As if without my consent, my chin bobbed up and down slowly. "Yeah, I... I think it's time we talk," I answered. "I can handle it."