Page 137 of Scorned

Having watched my father command the Venom society my entire life, I was well-versed in what the role required. I had also learned what not to do to the people who hold nothing but loyalty.

Taking a deep breath, I had no idea what I was going to say as I placed my hands on my hips and walked down the line of the members.

“I accept the role given to me, however, things will be changing. If any of you don’t feel like you could adapt to new regulations or work with supernaturals for a greater cause, then leave now. None of you will be harmed.” I pointed to one of the black vans left behind. “Get in there and go live a normal human life or possibly die with me making a better one.”

My breaths were shallow as I awaited their decision.

One girl ran toward the van, then two guys. The rest stayed put, ready to die for the greater good.

“Thank you, President Argent,” Andrew said, bringing my eyes to his brown ones. “If you would like, I can lead the rest of the team back to the compound.”

I nodded, still unsure what the hell I was doing. “Let everyone there know they can leave if they want, and anyone who stays is under your command for now. Tell them there will be a meeting. I’ll send you info with the details.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m going to go with him for now,” Naomi said, and I leaned in close.

“Keep me updated if anything seems odd.”

Naomi nodded before trailing off behind Andrew and the rest of the Venom members.

I turned around, surveying the rest of the people still lingering. Three packs of wolven, a bunch of vampires, and one Venom society hub ready to follow me.

I accidentally started an army.

Ravage began directing everyone toward the vehicles and Peach got on the phone with the mortuary guy preparing plans to dispose of the bodies, and making sure he knew my father needed to be preserved until my mom was ready to deal with the arrangements.

I turned toward Luka, unsure of what to say and he yanked me into him

“President Argent?” He cocked a brow, then wore a proud expression. “The way you took control over those men, you looked like a natural.”

On the outside, I may have appeared to be a true leader, but on the inside, I really had no fucking clue what I was doing.

I shrugged. “There is no room for fear during a battle.”

Luka gave me a quick kiss, then took my hand, pulling me toward my Jeep, my mother in tow.

The ride back was mostly quiet. Luka drove and I sat in the back seat, holding my mom’s hand, her face a mixture of loving, mourning, and confusion.

“I’m sorry about dad,” I whispered, squeezing her hand. “I know he never liked me, but I did love him.”

“Oh, honey. Your father was hard on you because he had to be. You were set to be the president and he knew you’d never survive Ben if you were soft. He loved you dearly, even if he didn’t always show it.”

She turned her head out the window, wiping away the tears in private.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, causing my heart to twist in pain. Although me and my father never saw eye to eye, I could understand why he was hard on me, especially as I aged.

My mind began to reel, pulling up old memories of him. When I got my bike, he spent hours following me around, making sure I never so much as skinned a knee until I was a pro. We may have had different agendas, but that day he showed me love.

He loved me.

Once at camp, we exited the vehicle, my mom’s eyes darting over anything she could see amongst the glow of the new tiki torches.

The lights inside of them flickering with multiple colors, the smell so strong it stuck in the back of my throat. Then I realized, I was looking at the world through a new set of eyes and I gasped.

The first time I met Shayla she had said, “Your new eyes will see the beauty this world has to offer.” The third time, when we were discussing Marcus, she said, “His new eyes will see the beauty this world has to offer. As yours will soon.”

The memories brought on thoughts about destiny. During our conversations, Shayla never once uttered the word maybe when she said those sentences. She knew without a doubt, I would turn when I saw her yesterday, because I had already taken Peach’s blood. But the first time, I hadn’t yet.

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