---Merida’s POV---I thought my first room was huge, but no, my new room is twice as big. It even came with guests’ rooms, which Ericson and Mi automatically fought over. Though Mama Lola killed that, after reminding Mi he had to go home at night. Lucy tried to ask if she could stay but Mama Ang just looked to her. It was really funny to watch my friends grumble about how unfair it was. My other friends were in awe of my new room and goofed around.Crispin didn’t like Chad and Steve rough housing but with Peter around today, they only had to be called out twice before he distracted them. I don’t know how he knew but he brought his gaming system. So, they were fighting in Mortal Kombat now, using the other tv in the room. Yep, my room had two tvs, which meant more fun if there was another system. I was itching to join but I had guests, so I held back. Until a controller was dropped in my lap that’s when I noticed the new Nintendo 64 system hooked to the tv near me. I just smiled and c
---Crispin’s POV---To say I was surprised about how much Meri has been through is an understatement. I had to leave many times to get a break, as well as feed. I was lucky Ericson had already set up friendlies for Sarah and me before we came. Though I was worried about my sister staying behind during the day but after Meri fell asleep on Wednesday she went out and on Friday as well. It still didn’t help me worrying about her. For she stayed and dealt with all those annoying people. I mean I am ok with Miguel and Lucy; they are growing on me. She reminds me of another individual in previous life, which one I can’t say. The only thing I can say is that I don’t think that person was a human being, though I just can’t remember what race or time period.Looking to Meri as she and Lucy battle out on Mortal Kombat, I can’t help but smile that she has a good friend. Looking to Miguel who brushes off the advances of that girl Cathy, I wonder how things got here. I know Miguel would never qui
---Merida’s POV---*Monday! It’s Monday… Meaning I get out of here.* I shrieked in my head. I knew Nadia was still resting but every now and then I would feel her reach out to me. Really it was more nudges of encouragement or images of things. Things that I would not like to imagine or even group with Larry. I mean yes, he is good looking but he’s Lucy twin and I don’t want to cross that line. Not that Lucy would mind, I think. Plus Crispin gets weird when these images pop up, yes I know he can see them but they shouldn’t bother him.“Hey Meri, you ready to break free from this place?” Sarah asked as I left the bathroom, finally dressed in actually clothes, not that the hospital pj’s weren’t comfortable. But there was nothing like wearing denim jeans and a polyester cotton shirt. Even the bra I was wearing was a welcome discomfort if it meant I could get out of this place.“I am so ready to feel the sun again, I think I will run to the exit!” I excitedly said as I hopped to her. She w
The rest of the ride, I sit quietly and wondered about that guy. He was huge, I think even bigger than Ericson, but I didn’t fear him. In fact, the look in his eyes scream happiness. Though was it happiness of me finally leaving the hospital or me noticing him. Now why those two options and only those two, I can’t say except that they felt right.*Nadia, I know I’m supposed to wait but you can tell me if my thought process is wrong. Or if I should be weary of that guy we saw? And don’t even say you didn’t see him. I felt you surfaced when I locked eyes with him!**No girl, you are right.* Nadia says and then adds as I look up to see Crispin once again looking back at me. *He’s who we have been waiting for. He’s the person who will tell us everything!**Really!* I exclaim as I once again twist in the seat to look around us. We travelled a few miles from the hospital, but I just knew he was nearby. Where I can’t tell but I just know he can see me. *Ok I’m really going crazy now!**Your
“Mama Lola and Mama Ang why are you here?” I ask as soon as I’m pushed out of the elevator on the third floor. They were in the lobby waiting but as soon as I arrived the receptionist ran to open the door for us to go in the back, most likely for one of the big conference rooms.“Sissy Merry I’m here as well.” Yells little Callie as she runs to me. “Are you better now?” she asks as she tries to climb on my lap.“Callie sweetie no.” Mama Ang says ask she lifts Callie off my lap and then bends over to hug me. “I’m so happy to see outside of that awful place. Now we need to get this over so I can get this little pumpkin home for her nap.”“I’m a big girl now mommy.” Callie squeals as we enter the conference room, “Right big sissy?”“Yes, you are a big girl, but even big girls need their naps. So, listen to your mommy, ok Callie.” I say as I’m parked near the end of the table beside Mama Lola. Ericson pulls up a chair at the end but doesn’t sit there. In fact, he doesn’t sit but walks out
This time no one stopped me, as I leaped up and reached across the table and seized the papers finally.“WHAT IS GOING ON?” I cried out as I dragged them toward me. Crispin pulled me back into the chair and I almost regretted my actions as a spasm of pain ran through my body. It really hurt when I forced myself up and over the table. My muscles really didn’t like that move, let alone Crispin still had a hand on my shoulder. Except he wasn’t actively pressing me down, though he did try when I jumped to grab the papers, so my shoulder was throbbing now.Sarah seeing me rub my shoulder and hiss as Crispin positions me back in my wheelchair. Runs over and bucked Crispin away so she could rub my shoulder for me. The man or I should say Mr. Hawkyns was on his knees beside me and asking what hurt as he looked me over.He didn’t even ask for the papers or take them as they were now in front of me. No, he was asking what he could do to help me, as he rubbed my hand and lower arm.Mama Ang on t
---Crispin’s POV---Ok getting a kiss from the cute little Callie was a surprise but Sarah declaring it my first was so uncalled for. I know she lives for these moments when she gets one over on me. But did she really have to say I was Knucklehead, cause now as we get to the cars, this little girl is screaming “GOODBYE NURKLEHED!” as she and her mom walk to their car. Turning to Sarah, I show her my fingers as I start to count. Seeing me do this, she squeals as she runs off.“Sarah, Crispin get back here.” Ericson hollers at us. Frowning I turn and run back, Sarah seeing her chance jumps on my back and hollers “Giddyap knucklehead.” Yeah, I just shrugged her off and dumped her on her ass right into some water on the road.“YOU NUM-SKULL” she really hollers this time. Theresa seeing our childish behavior, tries to hide her laughter behind her hand but losing it when we hear Callie.“What’s a num-skull, Nurklehed?” yeah just as this moment Mrs. Stolls has rolled up in her car, with all
---Merida’s POV---“Wait what?” I look to Theresa and then forward, but I can’t see Ericson as he is now focused on driving and the other guy was observing our surroundings. But from no one’s surprise reaction then they know. *Wait Ericson escorted him to the meeting earlier!* I feel Nadia poking my head and just know she is smirking as she watches me put the pieces together.“That guy up there is your guard and not some friend or employee!” I asked just to have all the pieces. Theres still a lot to ask but let’s start small.“Well, his title is King’s Left Hand of the Armed Guard. His name is Warrick. Though you are right he is my employee, but I do value his friendship that he gladly offers me every day.” Davien/the king says. in response to his words Warrick waves his hand but never pulls his eyes from watching for possible obstacles.Looking at Ericson, I don’t say anything but point to him. Davien, understanding what I’m asking, answers. “Ericson is also my employee, but I have k
---Merida’s POV--- It was nerve wracking to sit in the room and wait. Yes, I had an Armed Guard and a lovely female court official with me, but I really didn’t know them. Then again, they weren’t really here for me, it was just their job to be here. Though Thomas the Armed Guard was taking this seriously even as he offered me a gentle smile right after Ericson left. Then focused on watching the unknown woman in the room and the door. Though I almost jumped out of my seat when the door opened, and Ericson was standing there. I saw Thomas shifting right before but I wished he had signaled to me what was happening. Seeing my startled face, Thomas winced but moved swiftly out of the room, as Ericson headed to me. “I’m sorry Meri I should have knocked on the door, but I was in a rush to see you.” Ericson exclaimed as he took my hands and rubbed them. “Ms. Cogswell is perfectly fine here Mr. Solace.” The lady who I have completely
---Ericson’s POV--- “Ok Merida I will be right beside you or on the other side of the door when you meet with the judge. So please just relax and answer the questions simply. If you get flustered or it gets too much just call me. I’ll be right there and will handle everything.” I said as we pulled into a parking lot at the courthouse. I had asked Mr. Anderson if we could enter through the back doors but he said no. Will it was more his boss that said no. I’m not happy about any of this, not that the king was any more pleased. He’s flying out soon, hopefully within the next hour. He really tried to leave last night but those blasted council members had questions. I know that he won’t let that happen again, he will be getting on the plane and heading here soon. It just won’t be in time for this, but he will be here tonight and tomorrow. Though I am not looking to tomorrow as that’s the day of the moron getting his eyes on my poor Merida. I
---Miguel’s POV--- I felt so bad for Merida. She was still dealing with the fact that Nadia was keeping a secret and all the new information she got over the weekend. As well that Nadia blocked her when she was chatting with the king. I wish had be privy to that chat, but we needed to keep the information to a few people. The less who know what’s the plan, the more chance of success. Though to say she wasn’t happy wasn’t a good way of describing her this weekend. As she cried a lot. She couldn’t believe that someone was out using her as an excuse to hurt people and now someone died because of it. Then again, the fact that Nadia was keeping her in the dark or helping on some trap, really hurt her. I don’t think she and Nadia have kept secrets from each other, not that she could kept hers from Nadia. But she seemed to really trust Nadia. It really took all weekend to get her to calm down and understand we will get those responsible for it
---Merida’s POV--- You would have thought I had been living in this house in this manner all my life. I get up, take a hot shower and then use the nicest towels ever and then spend a good amount of time going through the closet. I just can’t decide what to wear. Nadia and I argue over the name brand stuff, while I scour through the more understated stuff for something I might like. Then Sarah, Lucy, or Jenn or all of them came in and get me dress. Then we go downstairs for breakfast and gossip. The guys sometimes join us, but really, it’s just us and RJ. My dad though had to leave Saturday night, he flew back to his castle as something came up and he needed to deal with it in person. Plus, he wanted to talk to our sponsor as well. He promised to be back by my court appearance on Wednesday. Something I am not looking forward to but hey I promised, and everyone has been so supportive. *How can I back out now.* *Girl no one will demand or s
---Zander’s POV--- Smiling at Nathan as I put the last of my dishes in the window, I turn and see James platting up his last. He scowls at me seeing me wiping down my half of the worktable. I just shrug my shoulders at him and turn back to the stove. Placing lids on everything as I turn the heat off, so nothing burns as everyone tastes our dishes. “Hey, you guys! Are you done yet? I’m hungry!” Ma yells as she strolls into the kitchen. Turning around I see James placing his last plate in the window. “I just have to put the rest in the oven but yeah, I think we’re done. Right boy?” James answers as he looks at me and winks. I get a kick out of him. He always tries to get under my skin like this, not t
---Nadia’s POV--- So, he wants to face me, then Papi I’ll see how far you want to take this. I know my girl is worried about all the people who got hurt and are still recovering but none of this is her fault. Nor can they demand her to pay or step forward. For the real person they want is me or the version of me they remember. Everyone always thinks that I’m all about causing pain and chaos. Though yes, I do like doing that but on my terms not on someone else’s. Plus, I have strict rules about who gets hurt and how much. Everything that has been going on is just plain rude. They are causing unnecessary harm and pain with no real goal in sight. For what right do they have to demand my presence or that of my Girl. She just got out of that hell hole and now she is about to face her first obstacle of this life. That scumbag! Tim deserves to rot in a hole with bugs crawling all over him. I really wish I could get 5 minutes with him. I really would show him true pain
---Ericson’s POV--- Sighing in relief as I crossed the threshold of the house, I paused as I sensed where everyone was. The guards and staff were mostly in their places but acting weird. Even my son was acting weird. As he was pacing outside the study where everyone else was. I’m not sure what they are discussing but I could feel the tense all the way here. Though I really wanted to just get a drink and forget this day I needed to talk with the King. For that alpha of the Moonlight River pack is going to be a problem. I really can’t believe everything he said to me or even requested. He really acted like the rogues are targeting his pack and aiming to kill off all his members. The Cresent Luna has had more fatalities, and their members had to leave their daily lives behind and hide in emergency housing for the past month. We are just lucky that most of them work for shifters businesses and that all the warriors are willing to assist in getting all t
Swallowing down the saliva that suddenly spawned in my mouth, I cleared my throat before explaining myself, “I have been practicing how to put up a block for the past month, but the nightmares have been going on for the past year or so…” “Ever since I left!” Jenn added as she moved to the sit next to me. Grabbing my hand, she squeezed it. I can see she wants to apologize, but it’s not her fault and plus I needed to learn how to deal with them. Mi sits back down but across from me and reaches across the table to add his hand to ours. His touch gives me strength so I can continue talking. “Jenn, I don’t remember what it was like before you came into my life, but I don’t wake up in a fit or screaming or crying. I just slept through them and woke up the next day wondering about them. I know they aren’t all the same, but they really don’t scare me. It’s like they are a film I am remembering but not completely getting.” I said as I squeezed her hand back
---Merida’s POV--- Sitting there I just watched as Mi bounced his head on the table, I just worked on Jenn’s words. It was more than I thought. I had learned that shifters tend to run in packs as a way to strengthen themselves and protect their loved ones. Though if a trouble shifter causes issues in the pack, then they are kicked out and left to wander alone. Thus, making them rogues and any person that follows them. So, a promise of a new pack, where they are forgiven is too much to turn down, even a condition like causing panic in another. But then again would they go so far as to kill shifters just to join a new pack that hasn’t been established. *Wait has the pack even been formed?* “Jenn where is this pack set to be established?” I asked, causing everyone to halt in their movement and stare at me. “I’m sorry but no new pack has been recognized in this area and with my dad here. Won’t the leader or alpha have to approach my dad to b