[Denali’s POV]I move forward, trying not to breathe through my nose or look too closely at the world around me. The groans of those infected echo around me, mixing in with the sounds of the nurses and doctors feet rushing along the floor. No one pays me attention. It’s like I’m a phantom here, and I guess with their minds occupied with the sick, no one really cared about me.I continue to move until I feel Rosco’s familiar essence. Once I’ve pinpointed where he is, I begin to move until I spot Maria coming out of a room, looking exhausted and covered in blood.“Maria,” I gasp, moving forward. “How are things?”“They’re…” She begins, worriedly biting her lip. “I’m not sure.”Not sure. If she was saying that, did it mean that even she wasn’t able to cure the infected of their ailment? If she couldn’t, then the only thing we could do was treat the sick and pray that they’d make it through.“There is only so much I can do.” She continues. “The illness the nue used is a strong one, and cu
[Denali’s POV]I stand in the doorway of Rosco’s room, unable to move. My eyes stay locked on the man who lays in bed motionless, with bandages covering his body and an IV attached to his skin that replenishes the blood that he has lost.Laying there like that, he looks so fragile, and it damn near kills me.No. I think inwardly, collecting myself. You can’t break down, not here, not now.Sucking in a few calming breaths, I begin to move, making my way into the room and then taking a seat beside my man. Once I’m comfortable, I reach out and grab his hand.For a moment, I don’t speak, as I just stare into his face, taking in his much too pale complexion and the dark circles beginning to form under his eyes.“Hey,” I whisper, bringing his hand to my lips and kissing it. “Don’t worry about things here.” I continue. “I’ve got them under control, so please just worry about getting better.”Growing quiet, I wait as if Rosco would respond to my words, though I know that he won’t.How was it
[Elise’s POV]I lean against a tree, watching as Serenity cooes happily between my legs. Beside me, William leans his head on my shoulder, watching the scene with me.“Must be nice.” I murmur, reaching out and letting her grab my finger. “To be so ignorantly oblivious to the danger that is surrounding not only us but her parents and pack.”“Let her be.” William responds, snuggling closer to me.Frowning, I give him a pointed look, but he simply remains in place, clearly enjoying using me as his personal pillow a bit too much.“Excuse me,” I finally huff, nudging his head. “What do you think you’re doing?”“Isn’t it obvious?” He asks me, giving me a look of amusement. “I’m comforting you.”“Don’t you think it is the other way around?” I counter.“I don’t know,” William chuckles. “Is focusing on something that annoys you helping you relax a bit?”For a moment, I don’t speak as I consider what he was saying, and when I realize that he was right, I feel a wave of annoyance rush through me
[William’s POV]I walk slowly, my irritation rising with each passing step and minute. Stopping, I turn and look at the man beside me and wait.“What?” My father asks, eyeing me curiously. “Is there something you want to say?”“Why are you here?”It was pretty fucking obvious what I would want to know. There was absolutely no reason for him to have come here with Uncle Hamilton and Aunt Naomi. His feelings about Rosco and anything that had to do with him were pretty obvious.“I can’t be concerned?” My father asks, giving me an ironic look. “Is that what you’re saying?”“Given your actions just the other day, no.”Goddess, I wasn’t in the mood to be dealing with this shit.“If you just came here to attempt to get me to go back to Crystal Fang once again, then...”“I didn’t.” My father says firmly. “You’ve made it clear that you are going to disobey my wishes, so I won’t try that again. I simply came because your uncle requested I do so.”Because Uncle Hamilton requested it, he came alo
[William’s POV]I stare down at the infant in my arms while Elise stares at me in amusement.“Famous last words.” She chuckles, beginning to move. “Since you’ve so graciously offered to care for her, let’s go and get her some diapers and formula. I’m sure she would prefer titty milk, but that just isn’t an option right now.”Nodding, I allow Elise to lead me out into the hall once more so we can make our way to Denali and Rosco’s room, but when we reach it, I stare at the door hesitantly.“Think it’s alright for us to go in there?” I ask, turning my gaze to Elise. “I mean, they’re not there and…”“And I was given the task of taking care of their princess.” She shrugs. “Don’t tell me that you’re afraid of breaking and entering.”Letting out a laugh, Elise heads into the room but stops in the center of the room while a hiss of shock escapes her. “What is it?” I ask, coming to join her. “What hap…”The rest of my words get lost in my throat as I take in the bloody scene. Fuck, it looked
[Elise’s POV]I stare at William as he takes me in. From the look of hunger in his dark eyes, it is obvious what it is that he wants, and honestly, I didn’t necessarily mind blowing off some steam.“You stay here.” He says now, scooping Serenity into his arms. “And I’ll return Serenity. When I return, you better be ready for me.”Smirking, I nod and get comfortable on the bed.“I got it,” I say, giving him a shooing motion. “Go on then; take the princess back to her mommy.”For a moment, William doesn’t speak as he takes me in, and after one last look of longing, he leaves.Sighing, I sit up in bed and wonder what the hell I was even doing. Here I was trying to keep as much distance between William and me as I could, but then I was happily flirting and even enjoying the physical.‘You’re smittenr.’ Anna giggles, suddenly joining me in my head. ‘Why don’t you just admit it?’‘Smitten?’ I repeat. ‘Do I look like some fucking maiden?’‘Yes.’ She responds immediately, pissing me off. ‘Und
[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