[William’s POV]I wince as Rosco’s words slam into me.Don’t let me down.Why was it that no matter where I was or who I was with, I always held to a higher standard? Even back in Crystal Fang, my father and even Uncle Hamilton would tell me the exact same thing. Since I was young, that was all I ever heard until the day that was exactly what I did.I understood that I was of alpha blood, but Rosco was older than me, and as such, he was the one who was ultimately meant to be the next alpha. And no matter how hard I tried to keep up with him, they always compared me.“I won’t.” I hiss. “I swore to help protect your pack, and I intend to do that.”“Look alive, everyone!” Elise calls, drawing everyone’s attention. “The nue is making its move!”As she speaks, the cloud begins to twist and contort until it takes shape into a terrifying creature with the face of a monkey and the body of a lion. Its tail, which remains raised in the air behind it, is a serpent with venom dripping from its fa
[Rosco’s POV]I watch the scene unfold in front of me, from my men attacking the glowing nue to Elise shifting and instructing everyone to get back. It’s like some fucking war movie as the beast explodes, killing those closest and sending those not as close crashing to the side. And when the force of the explosion hits me, I find myself clawing at the ground to remain in place.“DON’T BREATH IN THE SMOKE!”Despite all the chaos that is going on and the sound of the explosion itself, Elise’s words ring out around me, spurring me to do as she says, while I find myself wondering whether or not she knows exactly what is happening.That’s why, when everything settles, I shift back into my human form and immediately go looking for her, because if anyone had answers, it would be her. When I find her, she is hidden in William’s wolf, either hiding from me or keeping warm.As I approach, I can see that she is talking, and when I reach, only a single sentence registers with me.“I’ve got some e
[Denali's POV]I sit silently, watching the monitors in front of me, which are filled with images of my packmates fighting a supernatural being. They're fighting hard to protect not only themselves but the packlands, showing their loyalty toward Rosco and me even though we are only their new leaders.“Please be careful, everyone.” I whisper, silently sending my plea to them. “All of you must come back alive.”“They will.” Denise, my guard, assures me with a gentle smile. “Alpha will make sure of it.”Nodding, I continue to watch, transfixed on what is in front of me, until the creature starts to grow brightly, and then, when it explodes, taking out those closest to it, I feel my heart drop.“No!” I gasp, my eyes growing wide as my fear grows. “How can this be? What happened?”“I don't know.” Denise responds, her words echoing the emotions I feel.Rosco! I call inwardly, though I know he won't be able to hear. The walls around me are special and lined with magic that keeps everything i
[Elise’s POV]The next day, I stand with Marty on one side of me and William on the other. Both men take each other in as if they’re squaring each other up. I don’t know what the hell either is trying to achieve, but I immediately wish that the big lug and Denali would just let me go on this mission alone.“Could the two of you grow up?” I huff when their glaring contest doesn’t end. “If you’re just going to sit there and size each other up, you can stay here.”Letting out a huff of annoyance, I begin to move, making my way to the car that is waiting for us. Since the one we are looking for is a town over, we can’t go on foot, or rather, paw. Especially as since she is staying in a town filled with humans.Since she didn’t want to risk being killed due to her disability, she chose to stay among the humans, where it was much safer. Given her ability to heal, she would be greatly sought after since that was a skill not many held.This was the most Denali would tell me, which left me une
[Elise’s POV]I sit alone while Maria busies herself in the kitchen. With how easily she moves around, I begin to wonder whether or not she is actually blind, but when she bumps into the fridge and Tristan jumps up from his place on the floor in front of me and rushes to her while fussing, I know that she actually is. Even if she was trying to do her best without assistance, it was clear she still wasn't quite used to her surroundings.Sighing, I relax in my seat and once again find myself wondering where exactly Denali knew Maria from and why it was so important to keep her hidden. And by the time she returns with our drinks, I’m chomping at the bit to ask everything I’m thinking.Taking a seat across from me, Maria passes me one of the two cups she holds.For a moment, I don’t move as I eye the liquid in front of me. Although I’m certain that she wouldn’t do anything since I was here on Denali’s behalf, I still can’t fight the thought that she may be slipping me something.“Don’t wo
[Rosco's POV]“Do you really think it was a good idea to send Elise of all people to fetch Maria?”For most of the morning since Elise, William, and Marty’s departure, this question has bothered me. I wasn’t sure if Denali even thought anything of it since she chose to trust Elise, but even if she was willing to overlook things, I wasn’t.“Why wouldn’t it be?” Denali asks, looking down at me as I use her lap as a pillow.Since I had some business to attend to, she decided to keep me company, but after about an hour of going through paperwork, preparing for yet another funeral, and a few other things, I needed a break and decided to take advantage of my mate being with me.“She was part of that trafficking ring,” I point out. "And Maria and her son were among those in the dungeon."At my words, Denali’s expression shifts from at ease to something more, but before I can fully determine what it is she was feeling, it goes back to at ease.“I think she will be fine.” She responds slowly.
[Rosco’s POV]I sit with Denali, who gently squeezes my hand, while we take in Charlie. Despite the fact that I was making it clear, I didn’t quite believe that it was him; he was remaining ill-at-ease as if this were simply a normal meeting.“I know that this may come as a shock.” He finally says while the silence grows thick around us. “But I assure you, I had my reasons for allowing not only you but the rest of the world to believe that I was actually deceased.”He had his reasons. What reason could there possibly be for my future beta to fake his own death and make it look like it was done by the enemy? Was he crazy, or was this all some fucking ploy to trick me?“And what was that?” I ask slowly, trying to stop myself from wavering. “Why on earth would you possibly think that it was a good idea to make everyone believe you were dead? And was it all your doing, or was there someone trying to get rid of you?”“That,” he begins, his face finally dropping. “Is a good question. All I
[Elise’s POV]I step out onto the grounds and take a deep breath while listening to the sound of footsteps behind me. Turning, I watch as Marty and William make their way toward me.“Why are you following me?” I ask, eyeing them curiously.“Because you dashed out of there like a bat out of hell.” Marty responds.“It looked like you were attempting to escape.” William adds. “And isn’t it our responsibility to make sure that you don’t do that?”“Not yours,” I counter, nodding toward William. “Only Marty’s.”Grinning, Marty comes to stand beside me, but when he places a hand on my shoulder, William’s gaze darkens before he storms forward and removes it.“Why were you so eager to go check the borders anyway?” He asks while Marty glares at him. “Are you afraid that something may have happened?”“Not really.” I counter. “I just wanted an excuse to escape before the big lug came after me.”Even if he wasn’t pursuing the subject currently, I knew that Rosco and even Jose still wanted my help