[Rosco's POV]I watch as William and Elise begin to run away as if they were two thieves fleeing a scene. The sight annoys the hell out of me, but I don't move to chase.“There they go.” Marty chuckles, coming to stand beside me. “Should we chase?”“Leave em be.” Jose chuckles, appearing behind us. “I'm assuming this is what you meant when you said if she was willing to help, huh?”“Yeah,” I sigh, turning around and heading to the couch so I can take a seat. “If there is one thing that woman is good at, it is running.”Growing quiet, I wait as Jose examines me. It is clear from his expression that he wants me to say more, but I don't speak.“What's her story?” He finally asks. “And why is she so afraid of you?”Afraid of me. I wasn't sure if that actually was what she was, but I guess it did come across like that.“Honestly,” I respond, deciding there isn't any harm in letting Jose in on Elise's past misdeeds. “She is a criminal who was brought here to atone for her sins.”“A criminal
[Denali’s POV]I don’t immediately speak as Rosco’s question settles around us. Even though I was the one who brought up the subject of my mother, it had been so long since I truly said anything about her that I wasn’t exactly sure if I wanted to relive those days of watching her slowly wither away in the hospital.“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”“No.” I say slowly while letting those memories from that time start to slowly come to the surface. “I don’t mind. It has just been so long, and I’ve never actually talked about her with anyone.”My mother was my secret to bear since no one else gave two shits about her or even me. But since Rosco was always so open about everything with me, I wanted to do the same for him, and with our tomorrow not promised, wasn’t now the best time to be honest with the person I loved the most? And when we were finished taking care of the danger, he could help me investigate that time to see if my father truly did murder her.“She wasn’t a
[William’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on Elise as she stares at me like I am some sort of foreign being. Was it really that strange for someone to say such a thing to her, or was it a problem because it was me?“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m going to kiss you.” I warn, leaning closer.Eyes widening, Elise attempts to step back but stops as she remembers that the only thing keeping her from meeting the ground is a single branch.“Did you hit your head too hard back there?” She finally asks, eyeing me curiously. “You’re not making any sense.”Not making sense? How was what I said considered not thinking straight? It was pretty fucking clear that she was an ethereal being. From her sparkling blue eyes to her perfect proportions and lean build, she was perfect by wolf standards and better looking than most of the she-wolves in Crystal Fang.“Should I dumb it down for you?” I chuckle. “I think you’re beautiful.”Lifting a hand, I attempt to brush her long, dark hair behind her ea
[William’s POV]I wince as Rosco’s words slam into me.Don’t let me down.Why was it that no matter where I was or who I was with, I always held to a higher standard? Even back in Crystal Fang, my father and even Uncle Hamilton would tell me the exact same thing. Since I was young, that was all I ever heard until the day that was exactly what I did.I understood that I was of alpha blood, but Rosco was older than me, and as such, he was the one who was ultimately meant to be the next alpha. And no matter how hard I tried to keep up with him, they always compared me.“I won’t.” I hiss. “I swore to help protect your pack, and I intend to do that.”“Look alive, everyone!” Elise calls, drawing everyone’s attention. “The nue is making its move!”As she speaks, the cloud begins to twist and contort until it takes shape into a terrifying creature with the face of a monkey and the body of a lion. Its tail, which remains raised in the air behind it, is a serpent with venom dripping from its fa
[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