[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
[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