Chapter 106 - When Will I Get Powers?

Most of the time, his ego prevented him from admitting these things, but he couldn't possibly deny that Xavier was a great replacement as him. 

He didn't appreciate losing his job to Xavier, but it was better him than someone else. 

Of course Xavier would someday replace him. Emilio knew that it was inevitable. It would happen at some point, he just didn't know when.

So when it actually happened, it took him by surprise. But after centuries… He slowly made peace with it.

Well, not really centuries. Recently would be a more accurate way to put things. Emilio had done no retrospection the past few centuries, he had only done it recently. And by recently, one meant when he discovered Madeline was his daughter.

And when he discovered Madeline and Xavier were mates as well.

Xavier thanked him for his kind words, wondering if Emilio was trying to compliment his way out of there. It wouldn't work, obviously. Xavier wasn't easily swayed by Emilio. He never had been so that wasn't anything to worry about. 

Moving on from Emilio and Xavier to Madeline, Briar and Indiana. 

By then, they had finished lunch and Briar had returned to Madeline's quarters with her, wanting to chat with her about something whilst Indiana had separated from the two girls, off to her room.

Madeline had forgotten to mention to Briar that she had another guest in her quarters, so when Briar opened the door and heard a couple of noises coming from the corner of Madeline's quarters, she rushed to find the source of the noise.

"It's a… cat?"

"Why is there a cat in your quarters?" 

Madeline's eyes widened.

Shoot, she had forgotten about Lily! 

"Briar, meet Lily," she said hastily, a bead of sweat rolling down her face as she nervously chuckled, hoping Briar wouldn't be too upset at her for hiding her pet from her.

Briar furrowed her brows.

"This isn't a stray?"

Madeline shook her head, "She isn't a stray."

Briar looked at the kitten, muttering something under her breath before she asked, "And you found it nearby your quarters?"

"I did."

"Peculiar," Briar commented, staring at the kitten. 

She crouched down, observing it like it was some fine piece of steak. 

"No collar," she said.

Madeline nodded, "Yeah, I found her like that."

Briar looked at the bed laying near Lily.

'Aww,' she thought to herself. 

'Madeline made her a bed… Hold on.'

'Madeline made her a bed.'

"When did you find her?" Briar asked, wondering how Madeline could've possibly made a bed so quickly.

"A couple days back," Madeline answered, shocking Briar.

"A couple days ago?! So you're telling me you've had this kitten in your quarters and you never decided to tell me?"

"It slipped my mind!" Madeline exclaimed, trying to defend herself.

"With everything that was happening I forgot to tell you about it," she admitted before hastily apologizing to Briar.

"Sorry."

Briar caught her breath.

"It's fine, I just…"

"Have a natural dislike towards cats," Briar admitted.

Her being a werewolf and all… She was prone to disliking cats.

And no, it wasn't only her. Xavier disliked them as well. 

Dreadful creatures, they were. The way they stared at you unblinkingly like they were in charge. Like they were some sort of powerful god or goddess. 

Whilst Briar was fond of creatures, she had grown to dislike cats. 

Kittens were acceptable, but when they were all grown up… No. Luna no. 

Xavier's dislike towards pets was why pets weren't allowed in Eudora.

"Does Xavier know about this?" Briar asked.

Madeline nodded, "He does. He was the first to find out."

Briar stared at Lily.

"How are you still alive after Xavier discovered you're here?" She asked curiously. 

She was being serious about this. How could Lily possibly be alive? 

Xavier would've arranged for her to have been--

No, she didn't want to think about it. 

Thinking about animals getting killed always managed to make Briar's stomach churn. Nothing changed now. 

Madeline nodded, sighing. 

"I have to figure out what to do with her before she becomes a problem. Xavier dislikes her being here too so there's that."

Of course, Briar was unaware that Xavier was allergic to cats, and Madeline decided to keep it that way.

She doubted Xavier wanted her knowing he had an allergy to cats. That was… unnecessary, and something for her and Xavier to know only. 

Briar stepped away from the kitten. Whilst she found Lily adorable, she couldn't stand being near her. 

She didn't know what it was. 

"Maddie?" Briar asked out of the blue.

"Hmm?"

"What you said to Indiana during lunch… Did you mean all of it?"

"Why wouldn't I mean all of it?" Madeline questioned. 

"Of course I did."

"Ah," Briar said. 

"Did you think I didn't mean it?" Madeline asked, furrowing her brows. 

Did Briar think she wanted to do something about Indiana and get back for what she did?

Briar said, "Err." 

"I should probably head out now," she said nervously before waving at her friend. 

"Wait! You still haven't answered my ques--"

Briar had left by then. 

A gust of wind slammed against Madeline's face. 

"And now I'm alone again," Madeline said. 

"I wonder if I have powers like everyone else," she wondered. 

Maybe then she'd be able to run at insanely quick speeds like the others, and be just like them. 

Maybe then she wouldn't need someone to protect her since she'd be able to protect herself with her new powers now. She wouldn't have nearly been killed a couple of times either, and most of her problems would be solved. 

Xavier wouldn't need to worry about her anymore. 

She wouldn't be some fragile vase compared to the others. 

Perhaps… She'd be able to participate in hunts and wouldn't have to drag others behind with her. 

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Author's Note: Today marks the first day of 2022, oh my lord how far we've come.. Hope you all have a wonderful first day of the year, love mari.