[Denali’s POV]“He’ll be okay.”I don’t know how many times I’ve said these words since Hamilton’s departure, but each time they leave my lips, they do nothing to calm the tense woman beside me. Honestly, I couldn’t blame Naomi for how afraid she was for her husband since I too carried that same amount of fear for my own while he lay helpless in his bed in the infirmary.“Hamilton is strong and wouldn’t let anything take him away from you.” I continue, gently passing Naomi’s leg.“I know.” She whispers, though it is clear that she doesn’t quite believe it. “I know he wouldn’t, but what if...”“No what ifs.” I say sternly.No. We couldn’t let those what-ifs get the best of us, not at a time like this. We both needed to be strong and ready for anything, even if that anything wasn’t something we wanted.“Should I make you something for your anxiety?” I ask, wanting to have something to do. “Maybe some tea?”"No, thank you, dear.” Naomi says. “I’m okay, really.”Frowning, I examine her fa
[Elise’s POV]The world around me blurs and the wind whips at my face as I run faster than I’ve ever run before. Up ahead, Jose and Charlie are leading the way to either our victory or our demise.This was it; it was doomsday, and if we didn’t take down the enemy now, then there was a good chance they would get away, and we wouldn’t be able to find them again before it was too late.Beside me, Marty keeps pace, while Warren takes up the rear. Together, we stay in formation despite not being able to communicate while in our wolf forms.How long has it been since I’ve run with a group like this? Years. It has been years. The last time I felt like I was truly part of something greater was when I was still with the mercenaries. That was a very long time ago, and I had almost forgotten what being part of a pack was.‘Not the time.’ Anna huffs, popping into my bubble of peace. ‘You should be focusing on the world around you.’‘What?’ I ask sarcastically. ‘Worried we are going to be cut by s
[Elise’s POV]I watch in horror as the strange creature in front of me rises higher and higher until it is standing at its full height.“Fuck.” Marty, who stands behind me, whistles. “That thing…”He doesn’t finish his words as the creature moves, rushing toward us with the intent to kill.“Time to move!” He announces, jumping to one side while I jump to the other.Straightening myself out, I take in the thing's body, trying to find a weak spot, but its scale-like skin seems almost impenetrable.‘How the hell did they get a hold of this thing?’ I hiss.‘Who knows.’ Anna responds. ‘But where doesn’t matter.’She was right. The only thing that mattered in this situation was killing this damn thing, but was that possible?As this thought hits, the creature whirls around and moves to attack again, but stops as Jose and Warren move, wrapping their teeth around its ankles.Eyes widening, I watch the beast lift them from the ground and then begin to shake, breaking their hold and sending the
[Elise’s POV]I continue to stare at the pile of ash in front of me while Jose’s words repeat themselves again and again in my head.He’s gone.He’s gone.He’s gone.Each time they appear, I feel something in me crack more and more, until I’m letting out a snarl of rage and turning my gaze toward my father.“You!” I growl, watching him attempt to get up. “THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!”Shaking Jose’s hands off of me, I move, shifting back into my wolf form and attacking my father before he gets the chance to get up.You! I snarl inwardly. EVERYTHING IS YOUR FUCKING FAULT!As the words form themselves, I dig my teeth into his shoulder, earning myself a whine of pain from him, which just satisfies me even more.All of this was his fault, from the day he gave me away to his trying to use Denali! Everything was due to his hunger for power! He didn’t deserve to live, and since the Ggoddess continued to let him roam this fucking earth, I would be the executioner who took his life.JUST DIE!J
[Elise’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on Warren and Jose as they examine me, clearly debating whether or not it was a good idea to let me watch over my father, especially after my attempt to kill him. However, in the end, they both simply nod their heads, granting me permission.Remaining silent, I wait until they close the door to the trunk and then turn my full attention to the man in front of me.“What?” He asks, smirking. “Are you seeing yourself in me?”“Shut up!” I growl, kicking him in the stomach, so he curls in on himself.“Don’t damage the goods.” Charlie calls from the front seat. “Otherwise, I’ll have Jose take your place.”“Aren’t you a little too carefree, given what happened?” I growl, hating Charlie’s indifferent attitude.“Do you think crying and begging the Goddess is going to bring Marty back?”Did I? No. Of course, I knew that wouldn’t do it. But I also wasn’t in the mood to act like nothing happened either. I wanted to kill the bastard in front of me and wanted to av
[Denali’s POV]I sit with Naomi, staring down at her frail frame. Since bringing her to the infirmary, she hadn’t said a thing. She just stared straight ahead, unseeing.“Any change?” Rosco asks, slowly entering the room.Turning, I take him in. He’s taken a shower and rewrapped his abrasions, but he still looks so weak.“Don’t give me that look.” He huffs, being ever the stoic. “This is nothing.”Nothing. It was almost laughable to hear that after what I witnessed. The deaths of those warriors weren’t nothing, but since then, no one else seemed to get worse. Because of that, Maria was finally able to get a good sleep.“I wish you would stop being stubborn.” I murmur. “You’re still healing, and I’m sure forcing yourself isn’t going to help.”“How can I rest when so much is going on?” He counters.Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I stop, realizing that if I were in his position, I too wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.“Have you gotten a team together to go to Crystal Fang
[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
[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