[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
[William’s POV]I stare at Elise as she considers what I’ve said, or was she thinking of something else? I couldn’t quite place why, but I could sense something more, something substantial shining in those beautiful blue eyes of hers, but before I can actually figure out what it might be, it is gone and her mask of indifference returns.“I’ll hold you to it.”“Sorry to disturb.” Marty announces, ruining the moment. “But since we’ve seen that things are being taken care of, we should head back.”“So soon?” Elise pouts. “I was enjoying the breeze and scenery from up here. If you want to go back, you can go without me.”“No can do, beautiful.” He chuckles. “You know that I’m in charge of making sure you stay out of trouble. So, you’re stuck with me.”Frowning, I try to ignore the jealousy that is beginning to bubble in me. If Rosco wanted someone to watch Elise, why didn’t he simply choose me?‘Because you have other motives.’ Rue chuckles, only adding to my annoyance.‘And you don’t thi
[Elise’s POV]I stare at the Goddess while she waits for me to decide what my next path will be. Of course, remaining here where there was no more suffering or pain was ideal, but I couldn’t just leave Serenity and those who I cared for back on earth to fend for themselves. However, even if I went back there, I wouldn’t be able to be a part of their world like I had been.A pang of pain shoots through me as William’s face appears in my mind, and the thought of him with another woman slams into me. Even if I were beside him again, I couldn’t tell him that I was me and that I would be so much younger than him.“Have you made a choice?” The Goddess asks when I meet her waiting gaze.“I…” I begin, knowing what would be the right thing to do. “I have.”Even if I went back there, where no one truly knew it was me, I could be with those I cared for once more, and I could keep my promise to Serenity. I would also get to redo the childhood that I was never given until it was time to attend the
[Rosco’s POV]I wrap my arm around Denali and pull her against me as she stares at her father’s unmoving form. Where we touch, I can feel all of her emotions and know that what she did couldn’t have been easy but was necessary.“He got what was coming to him.” I murmur, kissing her cheek. “Don’t think too much about it.”“I know.” She sighs, finally dropping her weapon. “But do you truly think that all of this is over?”Was all this over? That was a damn good question. I knew that those responsible for threatening my daughter's well-being were taken care of, but that didn’t mean that more wouldn’t pop up in the future.For the time being, the best thing we could do was learn more about the original members of Denali’s mother’s pack and the curse that their leader brought about. With knowledge was power, and it would help us better understand what was happening and plan accordingly.“As long as I’m here, I won’t let anything happen.” I assure her. “I’ll protect you and Serenity with al
[William’s POV]The next day, I stand between Jose and Charlie while members of Rosco’s pack work to prepare pallets for Elise and Uncle Hamilton. Once they’re in place, Rosco comes forward with a torch in hand. He doesn’t speak as he begins to set the pallets ablaze.As Elise’s body goes up in flame, I feel the last remaining pieces of my heart begin to shatter. This was it; there was no continuing to trick myself into believing that she would magically come back to life.I fix my gaze on Elise’s face as flames surround her body and lick at it, slowly burning away her clothes so they can begin on her skin, muscles, and bones.Swallowing the yell that wants to escape me, I watch on. As she disappears, it feels like a piece of me disappears with her, and when she is finally gone, I feel empty.“I’m sorry, man.” Charlie murmurs, clamping a hand on my shoulder. “I know you…”“Don’t,” I say slowly. “Just don’t say anything.”Although I know that he means well, I know that if I let him con
[Rosco’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on Charlie as he looks from me to William, who keeps his back to us. Despite my words, I can tell he wants to stop William, but this is a sensitive matter.“Fine.” Charlie finally sighs, deflating. “Go,” he continues to say to William. “Go to that hospital and cause trouble since you’re so hell-bent on it.”“I will.”Not bothering to look at us, William moves, storming out of the packhouse and disappearing. Only once he’s gone do I focus on Charlie again.“Since he is going to deal with retrieving the bodies, I want you to tell me everything that actually happened.”Although I had a general idea of what went down, I was sure there was more to the story.Why did Uncle Jaxon take William back there?What led him to think the only option was blowing up the building?How did Elise and my father end up dying?So many questions raced through my mind, causing my head to spin and my ears to ring. Or maybe it was the illness taking over again. I didn’t know,
[Rosco’s POV]“I told you I was fine!” I hiss as Maria and Olga fight to keep me in bed. Many hours had already passed since Elise, Charlie, and Jose went to save William and retrieve my father, and despite the time, no one had contacted me yet. “I can’t just sit here while my people could be in danger!”“Rosco!” Denali sighs. “You can’t take your frustration out on the ones attempting to help you.”Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I stop as I realize that she is right. However, that didn’t mean that this was frustrating. To sit back and not do anything with such things happening in my old pack lands drove me crazy.Sighing, I prepare to try to reason with them, but stop as the sound of a car pulling in reaches me.Hearing it too, Denali moves, making her way to the window, and when I see her tension disappear, I know that the others have returned.“Thank the Ggoddess.” She sighs, bringing a hand to her chest. “This means that they won, right?”“It has to.” I agree, forcing m
[William’s POV]I look around, trying to figure out what the source of the sudden rumble is, and I quickly get my answer as a loud boom sounds and the roof above our heads disappears.“Shit!” Charlie hisses, beginning to move. “These bastards really are fucking crazy.”Crazy was an understatement. Was this my father’s way of saying that if he couldn’t have Crystal Fang, then no one else could? He was destroying the whole fucking building and any type of proof toward what it was he was doing.Looking around, I try to spot the bitch that was working with him, only to find that she has already escaped. But what about my father? Continuing to search, I finally find that Jose, who is approaching us quickly, has him thrown over his shoulder.“Don’t just stand there!” Charlie continues. “We need to get the hell out of here before the building collapses.”Nodding, I pull Elise, who is fading in and out of consciousness, closer to me and begin to move. However, when we reach the stairs that wi
[William’s POV]Disgust rushes through me as the crazy woman behind me lets her canine touch my skin, and when I feel the rustlings of her mark begin to come to life, I move, yanking my other hand free from its bindings.Ignoring the pain that shoots through me, I use my wrists to grab the woman’s head and then heave, throwing her toward my father and Elise so that she lands between them.“ELISE!” I roar as they remain momentarily distracted. “LEAVE THIS TO ME!”At my words, Elise’s gaze takes me in and then shifts to my feet, which are still chained, and I can almost hear her sarcastic remark.Smirking, I feel a wave of relief knowing that she is still in one piece after barging her way into this place, but how did she do it without getting caught?Nevermind. Now wasn’t the time to be worrying about that. Instead, I need to focus on getting my feet free and taking down my bastard father.Tearing my focus from Elise, I start to work the cuffs around my feet as my hands heal. The metal
[William’s POV]I stare ahead, taking in the scene in front of me in disbelief. How? How could this be happening? I knew that my father was a monster for power, but to go as far as killing his own brother in order to achieve it was not something I believed he could do.As I watch on, so many memories begin to flash before me—images of his kind smile, though those were rare—and of him comforting me. Were all those actions a lie to trick me into believing that he was good?“Why?” I growl quietly. “Why the hell is this happening?”Even if it was my father doing everything, I still felt as though I was also guilty. It was because of his absolute need to make me the alpha of Crystal Fang that he was doing this. Didn’t that make me guilty by association?“Stop.” I hiss, drawing my father’s crazed gaze toward me. “STOP THIS!”Beside me, the woman who my father wished to marry me off to gives a giggle, causing the anger that is slowly building to begin to bubble over.“You’re cute,” she sighs
[Elise’s POV]I wince at the big lug’s words. Man, that was harsh to hear. Not only did William’s crazy father kidnap him while I wasn’t here, but he even managed to murder Hamilton.“Any means necessary?” I ask slowly, needing confirmation of what I could do. “Because I’m pretty fucking close to exploding.”“By any means.” The big lug confirms.“Rosco!” Denali gasps, her eyes growing wide. “You can’t possibly...”“By any means necessary.” Rosco repeats.“Bahahaha!”Feeling my anger spike, I turn to take in my bastard father, who is listening in carefully.“Shut the fuck up, old man.” I snap, lifting a foot and slamming it into his face.Pulling away, I watch with satisfaction as his freshly busted lip and broken nose begin to bleed. Serves him right for finding pleasure in others suffering.‘That was just us a little over a year ago.’ Anna points out. ‘My sweet Elise, you’re growing into a reasonable adult finally.’‘No chance.’ I sigh.I wasn’t being a reasonable adult. Or maybe I w