[William’s POV]The next morning comes much too soon, and I lay awake, staring into Elise’s sleeping face. She looks so peaceful as she lies here in my arms. I almost don’t want to wake her, but I know that I have to.“Hey,” I murmur, brushing some hair behind her ear. “It’s time to get up, sleeping beauty.”“Mmmm.” Elise groans, swatting at my hand. “Five more minutes; I’m still tired.”“I could let you sleep five more minutes or even five more hours, but then Marty or Charlie may come hunting us.”At my words, Elise’s eyes fly open, and she shoots up so that the blanket that covers us slides down to her waist, exposing her bare breasts.Immediately, I feel my dick throb as desire rushes through me due to the perfection that is in front of me.Dammit. Would it really hurt to keep her trapped here with me, where I knew she was safe?Yes. It would, and the one who would do the killing would be Elise, because I was trying to control her.“Get your fill, sweetheart, because you won’t be
[William’s POV]I keep my gaze locked on Elise and her group as they head to a large van that is waiting. Even when they climb inside the van and begin to move, I continue to watch until they’re completely out of view. Only then do I turn my attention to Denali, who, like me, is watching silently.“We should head back in.” I murmur, gently touching her arm. “You did well.”“Yeah,” she sighs, looking exhausted. “But it isn’t enough.”“Not enough.” I repeat in confusion. “How is it not…”“Three warriors have already died from the nue’s illness.” She explains, causing my heart to squeeze painfully.Here I was having the time of my life with Elise while Denali was facing so much alone. It couldn’t be easy to take over as leader of an entire pack while being a new mother and still earning the respect of those around her.“How’s Rosco?” I ask, knowing that he would be the one she cared most about. “Any change?”“None, thankfully.” She says. “Maria has been seeing to those who are still aliv
[Denali’s POV]I sit, holding Rosco’s hand, while Naomi quietly rocks Serenity. Hamilton, who sits in the corner, watches the scene with a blank expression, and I can’t help but wonder how he feels seeing his strong son in such a state. I was sure that despite all their anonymity in the past, this was probably hurting both him and Naomi as much as it was hurting me.“You have to wake up.” I whisper, squeezing Rosco’s hand. “For everyone.”“He’s strong, honey.” Naomi assures me. “There is no way he will let something like this take him down.”“I hope so.”As much faith as I had in Rosco, I still wasn’t sure if this illness could even be beat. After seeing what happened to the three warriors who had already passed, I couldn’t help but fear the worst.“Don’t speak so negatively.” Hamilton huffs, getting up from his seat. “That boy is stubborn as a mule. He wouldn’t even let the Goddess herself take him from you and Serenity.”Nodding, I watch as he continues to examine us with that same
[Elise’s POV]“Are we almost there?”Marty’s voice rings out, rousing me from the nap that I was trying to take. This was maybe the tenth or eleventh time he asked the same damn question, and I had half a mind to knock his ass out so that he didn’t ask it again.“Ask that one more time.” Charlie growls, mirroring my own annoyance. “And I will throw you out of this fucking van.”“I’m so bored, though.” Marty sighs.Opening an eye, I lazily look from one man to the other. If I knew that they had such a bad dynamic, I would have asked to travel alone. I thought Marty and William were irritating when together, but Marty and Charlie were so much worse.“Then find something to occupy yourself.” Charlie huffs, narrowing his gaze. “You have a phone; find some games.”“I can’t play the games on my phone around people.” Marty chirps. “Those aren’t meant for when I’m alone.”Grimacing, I try not to imagine what exactly it is that he plays, although I have a good idea what they are.“You really n
[William’s POV]The world fades in and out. I can hear a conversation happening somewhere nearby, but due to the damned ringing in my ears, I can’t make out what is being said.Groaning, I attempt to move only to find that I’m being confined, and when I move, the metal that presses against my skin burns.“Shit.” I hiss, blinking a few times in an attempt to clear my hazy vision. “What the…”“He’s coming to.” A voice murmurs.“About time.” My father huffs. “I know you said that drug would pack a punch, but it exceeded even my expectations.”Frowning, I blink a few more times, and when my vision finally comes into view, I find that I’m in a cathedral.Standing to one side of me is my father, and the other is a woman that I’ve never seen before. She is dressed in a fluffy white wedding dress, and her face holds a smile that screams excitement.“What is this?” I demand, looking down and finding that I’m in a suit. “What the hell are you doing?”“It’s your wedding.” My father responds, gri
[Denali’s POV]“He’ll be okay.”I don’t know how many times I’ve said these words since Hamilton’s departure, but each time they leave my lips, they do nothing to calm the tense woman beside me. Honestly, I couldn’t blame Naomi for how afraid she was for her husband since I too carried that same amount of fear for my own while he lay helpless in his bed in the infirmary.“Hamilton is strong and wouldn’t let anything take him away from you.” I continue, gently passing Naomi’s leg.“I know.” She whispers, though it is clear that she doesn’t quite believe it. “I know he wouldn’t, but what if...”“No what ifs.” I say sternly.No. We couldn’t let those what-ifs get the best of us, not at a time like this. We both needed to be strong and ready for anything, even if that anything wasn’t something we wanted.“Should I make you something for your anxiety?” I ask, wanting to have something to do. “Maybe some tea?”"No, thank you, dear.” Naomi says. “I’m okay, really.”Frowning, I examine her fa
[Elise’s POV]The world around me blurs and the wind whips at my face as I run faster than I’ve ever run before. Up ahead, Jose and Charlie are leading the way to either our victory or our demise.This was it; it was doomsday, and if we didn’t take down the enemy now, then there was a good chance they would get away, and we wouldn’t be able to find them again before it was too late.Beside me, Marty keeps pace, while Warren takes up the rear. Together, we stay in formation despite not being able to communicate while in our wolf forms.How long has it been since I’ve run with a group like this? Years. It has been years. The last time I felt like I was truly part of something greater was when I was still with the mercenaries. That was a very long time ago, and I had almost forgotten what being part of a pack was.‘Not the time.’ Anna huffs, popping into my bubble of peace. ‘You should be focusing on the world around you.’‘What?’ I ask sarcastically. ‘Worried we are going to be cut by s
[Elise’s POV]I watch in horror as the strange creature in front of me rises higher and higher until it is standing at its full height.“Fuck.” Marty, who stands behind me, whistles. “That thing…”He doesn’t finish his words as the creature moves, rushing toward us with the intent to kill.“Time to move!” He announces, jumping to one side while I jump to the other.Straightening myself out, I take in the thing's body, trying to find a weak spot, but its scale-like skin seems almost impenetrable.‘How the hell did they get a hold of this thing?’ I hiss.‘Who knows.’ Anna responds. ‘But where doesn’t matter.’She was right. The only thing that mattered in this situation was killing this damn thing, but was that possible?As this thought hits, the creature whirls around and moves to attack again, but stops as Jose and Warren move, wrapping their teeth around its ankles.Eyes widening, I watch the beast lift them from the ground and then begin to shake, breaking their hold and sending the