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Her Facade
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2024-07-31 00:49:07Related chapters
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Put Up A Wall
[Elise’s POV]Shock rolls through me as my head presses against William’s firm chest and the sound of his heartbeat invades my ears. What was this? What was he doing?As these thoughts appear, his strong hand comes to rest on my back and begins to rub gentle circles. The action is both soothing and unsettling. And before I can stop myself, I’m jumping up.“What are you doing?” I ask, scooching away from him. “Who said you could touch me?”I wait as William takes me in as if I’m some strange creature, and when he opens his mouth to speak, I hold up a hand to stop him.“Nevermind,” I sigh, realizing that it was just a split second reaction to me crying. “I’m sorry. Can you pretend none of this happened?”Shit. Was I still feeling weak, and that was the reason I said too much? And in front of Rosco’s cousin, no less. Wasn’t it bad enough that Rosco considered me to be the enemy and unworthy of respect? Now I was sitting here, acting weak.Ugh. I fucked up.“Does it unnerve you that much
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Her Redemption. His Second Chance. His Reason
[Denali’s POV]I sit alone, listening to the sounds of movements outside of my door while cradling Serenity against me. Even though I wanted to get up and help with dealing with the funerals for those who were killed by my father’s evil scheme, I knew that I was still much too weak, especially after I used the alpha command.Sighing, I try to ignore the feeling of uselessness that is building in me. I was supposed to be a strong luna that stood beside her alpha, but I was weak. I couldn’t even properly fight if things came down to that.“Dammit.”For now, the best I could do was be here for Rosco as emotional support. I could only hope that would be enough. I could also handle things around the packhouse if it came down to Rosco having to go somewhere to deal with the danger that was beginning to appear around us.“Right,” I say, my determination growing. “That is exactly what I can do.”Pushing aside my feelings of inferiority, I get up and gently place Serenity in her crib. As I str
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Her Redemption. His Second Chance. An Offer At Peace
[Rosco’s POV]“She’s being protected just fine.”The words are out of my mouth before I can stop, and as I reach my father, a look of amusement crosses his features.“Not well enough.”That is all he says before he begins to move, making his way out of the room and back down the hall where my mother rests. I am sure that he is going to have her moved from here to Crystal Fang, and nothing I said or did would stop him.“Rosco,” Denali says softly, getting up and making her way toward me. “You really should try to mend your relationship with your dad.”As she speaks, she snakes her arms around me and buries her head in my chest. Where our bodies mesh, I can feel the warm thrums of energy from our bond, and as much as I want to argue what she just said, I remain quiet.“He was the one who made the decision to disown me.”“And you,” she counters, lifting her blue gaze to mine. “Are the one who decided to go along with it instead of trying to come up with a compromise.”Once again, I find
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Her Redemption. His Second Chance. The Truth Of His Threat
[Rosco’s POV]My father doesn’t speak as he examines me carefully. It’s almost like he is wondering if I knew the answer and just wanted to hear it from his mouth.“Are you really asking me that?” He finally says, relaxing in his seat. “Isn’t it obvious?”“Obvious how?” I demand. “You threatened to end the life of a random woman due to your son's fascination; how is that even normal?”“You were an alpha heir.” He points out. “Once Serenity gets older and prepares to take over Emerald Moon, you will understand.”“Like hell, I will!” I growl.“As heirs, there is no room for normal relationships.” My father snaps before I can begin to go off on him. “If you want to leave your pack with a strong heir, you must be with someone who stands on equal ground.”“Denali did!” I argue.“Were you even aware of her lineage at that time?”Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but he had me here. Of course, I didn’t know who she was or where she came from during that time. All I knew was that she was
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Her Redemption. His Second Chance. A Price
[William’s POV]I sit quietly, watching Aunt Naomi sleep peacefully. After waiting for Elise to leave, I came back into this room to keep an eye on her until my uncle returned. Once I was sure that she had protection, I would head to mine and Elise’s meeting spot.Sighing, I let Charlie’s words begin to appear in my mind once more.Don’t trust wolves in sheep's clothing.You’re nothing more than a pawn.What exactly was he trying to get at with this? And who the hell was he even referring to? Was this a warning about my uncle, or was it someone else? I didn’t know, but that was why I recruited Elise to help me get to the bottom of it. She alone was the only person I knew who didn’t have any particular bias.‘And what if she betrays us?’ Rue asks.‘Who would believe a criminal over a future alpha?’This was another reason Elise was the perfect option for all of this. As a criminal, her credentials were too low to be believed over someone who made a name for themselves. I knew that I wa
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Take Control
[William’s POV]Make it worth her while. The words are almost laughable coming from Elise. Who was she to even name a price when she really had no other choice?“If you aren’t willing, then I will…”“What makes you think you’re in a position to say that?”Maybe I was being rude, but I needed to keep a fine line between us and let her know that she was nothing more than my partner in crime as I dug up the conspiracy taking place in Crystal Fang.For a moment, Elise doesn’t speak as her bright eyes take me in, and when her gaze narrows, I know that I’ve hit a nerve.“I could just spill what you’re up to.” She points out. “I don’t work for free.”“Go ahead.” I chuckle. “Do you really think that my uncle or packmates would believe a known criminal over their future alpha?”At my words, Elise’s eyes flash with anger, and I can feel her aura beginning to radiate from her. I had to admit, it was strong. It was much stronger than I expected, but it wasn’t enough to make me bend.“Did you just
Last Updated : 2024-08-13Her Redemption. His Second Chance. A Step Too Far
[Elise’s POV]I stare into William’s dark eyes while my insides begin to churn, but I can’t seem to stop the sudden need to feel him against me. I knew that this was dangerous and I shouldn’t be making any moves, but he started it, right?Leaning forward, I let my hands snake into his hair. It’s soft to the touch, and as my fingers begin to move, a groan of pleasure escapes William’s lips.“Are you too afraid?” I murmur when he continues to not move. “You try to pretend that you are this dominant man, but you’re really a gentleman deep down, right? Look at you; you’ve got me trapped here, and I’m actually giving you the go-ahead, but you aren’t moving.”Although I could easily close the distance between us while he remained there dumbfounded, I knew that taking that step would be dangerous.“I thought so,” I sigh, beginning to release him. “Despite all that swagger, you aren’t actually the assertive type.”Feeling disappointment rush through me, I let my hands drop to my sides, but be
Last Updated : 2024-08-13Her Redemption. His Second Chance. A New Guard
[Elise’s POV]Remaining silent, I look from Rosco to William, and it is almost as though I’m looking at mirror images, given the expressions on their faces. This was not something new for Rosco, but it was the first time I saw William so serious, and honestly, I almost wanted to reach out and touch him. Who was Rosco to put even more pressure on him than he already had?“I think,” I say, wanting to end this meeting before things get out of hand. “You two should go your separate ways.”For a moment, neither man speaks, but when Rosco finally begins to relax, he nods.“Right,” he says, giving me a tug. “Come with me.”“Where are we going?” I ask, not fighting him as he begins to lead me back toward the packhouse. “On an adventure?”“There’s someone I want you to see.” He responds coldly.“Oh, goodie, is it a new guard? Am I going back to prison? What if the creepy, cloaked freaks show again?”“You aren’t going back to a cell.” Rosco counters, causing a wave of relief to rush through me.
Last Updated : 2024-08-13
Latest chapter
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Epilogue: Her Choice
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. A New Beginning
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. A Funeral
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Please Don't Leave Me
[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,
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. His Suffering
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Her Sacrifice
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Bring An End
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Stake Her Claim
[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
Her Redemption. His Second Chance. Save Him
[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
