My skin felt hot, feeling his anger beating itself into my skin. I hadn’t the slightest clue why this event meant so much to everyonebutSilas, but that didn’t matter. My concern for the boy who left here crushed.
Silas’s intentions were only done out of spite for his son, not the concern for the company.
That was low. Beyond low. The lowest of lows.
“Don’t,” Finn asserts. Giving me a look, somehow knowing. “He’s already gone.”
I sink back down in my seat. I had to do something.
I lick my lips. They suddenly felt dry. “My mom took me to a zoo once.”
Thankful when my voice stays level. I needed to keep rational if my point was going to be made.
I can feel everyone’s curious gazes watching me, but I keep my eyes on my food. This was hard enough as is. I didn’t need their puzzled stares on top of it.
Lillian was someone I never talked about. Our relationship… complex.
Clearing my throat, I start again. “My mom took me to a zoo once. We spent the whole day wandering around. Visiting every exhibit.” I smile in fondness at the memory. “Having popcorn and red slushies for lunch.”
She pointed, leaning down behind me. “See how the one with the big mane moves back and forth? He’s restless, wants to run.”
“The last spot we visited was the lion enclosure.” I gulp, remembering. “Several female lions but only one male.”
I look up at her, suddenly feeling sad. “Is he not happy?”
“He’s used to running the pack, not confined, staying in the same space for so long. He has no loyalty.”
No one says anything but I knew they were all listening. “In the wild, everyone has definitive roles. The males defend the pride’s territory. The females are the hunters.”
“See how he eats first?” Lillian asks.
Watching through curious eyes, I take another drink of my slushy.
“I want you to promise me that you will always feed yourself first. Always look out for yourself first. Promise me Aurora?”
Finn snorts and my head raises. “Not surprising, dudes are the best.”
My confidence grows looking around the room. “The females are smarter, more resourceful. Equally as strong if not more so than the male and yet.” I pause. Pinning Silas with my determined gaze. “Heis still called king.”
His face stays drawn, tight.
I wasn’t done.
I shove the same matching blonde pieces of her hair away from my face giggling.
“I promise, Mommy.”
Her face sobers, looking past me. Words as soft as the breeze blowing her hair. “…Even from me?”
I blink coming back to the present. “The lions are forgotten. Their concern fighting, gaining territory. The lioness known, remembered.Unfailing.”
Silas’s stare is painful, full forced, and unforgiving. As strong as looking into direct sunlight, but I push through. Finishing the story.
“A true leader defends their pride. They don’t abandon them.”
twenty-nine
Rory