SWNOVELS Chapter Push Them
[lvan's POV]
I kept my gaze fixed on Arissa once we were seated. After being sat down in front of her mother, she had stiffened once again.
Despite telling myself that what she was thinking was none of my business, I still found myself curious.
Reaching out, I placed my hand on her thigh, hoping that maybe some type of touch would comfort her.
"Ivan, why did you bring her?" Isaac asked as Arissa shot me a glare.
"Because she will be the one to help me extend my bloodline.” I responded, lifting my champagne and taking a sip. "Why wouldn't I bring her?"
I watched in amusement as Isaac's eyes and nostrils flared in anger. If he didn't want a response, he shouldn't have asked the question.
"What about Gisele?" My father asked, narrowing his gaze. "Don't tell me you are already mistreating her.”
Beside me, I could sense Arissa beginning to relax. It seemed that her crazy switch had been activated.
"No mistreating."” Arissa responded sweetly. "She is treated with the utmost care.” I didn't miss the hint of enduendo in her voice, but I doubted the others caught il.
"I wasn't speaking to you, murderer.” My father hissed, shooting me a glare as if I was the one to respond.
"Isaac," Tania gasped, turning towards my brother.
I wasn't sure if she expected him to defend Arissa or not, but I knew better.
"She doesn't deserve your sympathy.” Isaac responded gently. "Don't forget, she killed Gillian.”
For a moment, the room around us turned quiet and I could almost hear the wheels turning in Arissa’s head. She wasn't going to let what Isaac said sit and I was ready to be amused.
"I don't remember laying a hand on him." Arissa murmured, pursing her lips as if she was trying to remember. "I remember him laying a hand on me many times though.”
At her words, Isaac took in a shocked breath. From the anger that shone in his eyes, it was easy to tell that he didn't expect Arissa to say something like that.
"Watch your mouth.” Isaac snapped. "Why would my son bother with a lowly omega?"
Tilting her head back, Arissa let out a bellowing laugh.
"Why? Did you forget who my father was? You know... the man you and my mother killed.” In an instant Arissa's joking tone turned ice cold. "Or have you forgotten all about that?"
I could feel my blood turn cold at her words. What was this about her father's death?
"A-arissa..." Tania stammered, attempting to reach out a hand. "We didn't."
"How dare you speak to your parents like that!" My father added, slamming his hands down on the table.
"That man," Arissa hissed, pointing to Isaac. "Is not my father.”
"Good thing." Isaac smirked. "I would never want such an abomination for a child.”
I felt Arissa tense once again. I wondered what she would do next. Would the sarcastic version of her remain or would she snap? There was never any telling with her.
"I guess that's one thing we agree on.” She finally sighed, relaxing again. "I also wouldn't want such a piss poor alpha for a father. I may be an abomination, but I've never coveted something that I don't deserve be despicable means.”
Biting back my laughter, I felt a rush of pride run through me. This woman kept surprising me and I was continuously reminded that I had made the right choice for the mother of my heir.
However, Isaac nor my father felt the same. Instead, they both shot up from their seats, ready to discipline Arissa while Tania remained in place.
"Go ahead, hit me!" Arissa laughed, remaining relaxed. "Do you think that is going to do anything? I've killed many people and have had almost everything possible broken at one point. Your weak little taps won't do shit!"
"You bitch." My father growled, reaching over the table and grabbing at her. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
Planting her feet firmly on the ground, Arissa easily scooted out of my way, causing my father to crash down onto the table.
"Seems I'm dealing with a clumsy old man.” She giggled, standing. Turning, she fixed her amused gaze on me. "Since I've done as promised can I leave? This has become boring. I'd rather fight off ten hunters than deal with two boring old men."
"Sure," I sighed, standing. "I think I've accomplished what I came here for.”
Turning my gaze to my father who was still sprawled out on the table and Isaac who was being held back by Tania, I gave a smirk.
"Nice seeing you, but the lady wishes to leave.”
With that, I turned and wrapped an arm around Arissa so I could lead her out. I could easily hear inaudible growling and sentences as we left, but I didn't bother trying to make out their wwore. To me that was just hot air and not worth my time.
"You did good.” I told Arissa once we were alone in the carriage. "It has been quite some time since I've seen my father that flustered.”
"Yeah," she murmured, turning her gaze to the window. She was making it clear that she didn't want to be bothered and since she had granted me this request I would respect that. I only hoped that one day she would trust me enough to share her demons. Even if I had no interest in love or the sort, I didn't mind a partnership and if I were to have that with anyone, I could see it being Arissa. [Arissa's POV]
The carriage rattled as it travelled over the bumpy dirt road that led back to Ivan's estate. I tried to let myself get lost in the movement of it in hopes it would calm my swirling thoughts.
Despite promising myself that I wouldn't let seeing my mother and that bastard affect me, I had. How they could sit there like that acting sorry and cocky really bugged me. Did they have no fucking remorse?
Closing my eyes, I tried to calm down, but images of that day came unbidden. The day that my last shred of light disappeared. It was still so fresh in my memory that it could have been just yesterday. All the blood, the proud looks on their faces, and what they proceeded to do right in front of my father's body.