Chapter 49 – Cards On The Table (Ansel Conrad POV) Pt.4
Three families leave and Nick glances in my direction, smug smile on his face before he too takes a step out of my office. I'm not all sure what the smugness is meant to settle; he's right in step to get people murdered in his quest for more.
The families and individuals that have chosen to stay, bow their heads, or look the opposite way. Liam sits beside his son, who is focused on Lennon Ramos. Pleading with his eyes, as she had when she asked him to come along, stay with her family.
Divided, emotions flicker on their faces, each one quickly replaced with another. As though no one else is watching, they battle it out. That is how Nick joins them, "Lennon!" he snaps standing between Deacon and Lennon, his face losing its carefully crafted composure.
It's a shame his followers have already departed. This is the leader they needed to see. If this were how he intended to treat his family, how would follows fare?
"It is time to leave," Nick grits out, composure just a word with no meaning to him, "Now." He says with a deadly but over all, betrayed calm. Jumping to his feet, Deacon, a young man, barely eighteen dives in, "Do not talk to her that way," he address Nick, unafraid, "Lenny, if you don't want to stay, you're eighteen, come with us. You know I love you," Nick hisses and his family and son that remain grab Lennon. Her facial features tell the narrative inside her head.
If she leaves with Nick, he'll have to beat or rid her of that little bit of defiance. "His whole plan depends on you," Deacon says, pleading with her. "Don't you-"
"Shut up!" Nick roars and this mini fight I was going to interrupt I'm all too glad I've let continue. Surely, Lennon sees that Deacon is right. Nick has painted himself as the leader that will call the Elders. He will make them do his bidding, explain why the women in our species can no longer shift. Luca has clearly left, but he keeps his eye on Giselle, his other daughter in law Randi, his wife and Lennon.
I'd rather never learn why my daughters couldn't fully shift into their animal form, than hand them over to the Elders. At this point if they cared, or had the answers, unquestionably, we would have heard something by word of mouth.
His hand at his side snaps, and Nick shares a look with his son Levi. From behind, Levi, places a hand on Lennon's shoulder, tightening his grip until his knuckles turn white against her dark colored sweater.
"Don't stay here Lennon! Just come with us, stay with me," Deacon says again, trying to get around Nick. This is a waste of time! My mind screams, ready to push them all out and move on, a new fire lit inside me.
"You are my child Lennon," Nick warns, "go with your brother, now," her lip trembles, eyes well, but she doesn't move. "You belong to me, if he wants to go, that is on him but you are mine," Nick says startling me. Letting go of Kalenah's hand I surge forward, staring Nick Ramos right in the middle of his eyes.
"I do not have time for this," I warn him, "Lennon, either you go with your father now, or stay, but the decisions needs to happen now," my tone gravely, though I dare Nick to interrupt me in any form.
"Daddy, you said..." Lennon doesn't quite finish her thought as Nick releases a low hiss, but I hear enough, "people are still leaving," she whispers behind me, and I smirk. I make a note in my mind to really put forth the effort in my leadership for those that have decided to stay with me. Nick tried to get to them, I'm sure but they've chosen to remain with me.
"I gave you life Lennon, fed and clothed you-"
"Because she's your daughter, not your property," Deacon snaps, walking around Nick and pulling Lennon away from Levi – her older brother.
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Loving Ashlynn (#Wattys2016)
Werewolf"Her name isn't Sophie, I lied, her name is Fatima Safiya Ashlynn - I thought she would die where I left her."
