[Elise’s POV]As long as I could remember, I lived in a small town with a farming family. They were well known for taking in children who weren’t wanted in the orphanage, and although they had all the workers convinced they were these caring people who truly wanted to help the kids, they just wanted free farm hands.Of course, I was chosen to be one of these free labor kids, and that’s how I found myself living with humans despite what I really was.The first ten years with them weren’t so bad if I blocked out the beatings I received and the way the older kids used me as their scapegoat so that when they messed up, I would be the one who received punishment.In the beginning, I thought if I simply remained quiet and did as I was told, they would forget I existed, but the more I did that, the more everyone decided to place the blame on me until I was locked away for being so disobedient.I was left in a small cellar that reekedwreaked of piss and shit with a bucket to do my business an
[William’s POV]“Elise!”Her name leaves my lips in a hiss as she lays motionless in front of me. How did she get this injury when we were both here together?“Elise!” I repeat, shaking her only for her to remain unconscious. “Dammit! This isn’t funny!”‘She needs a healer.’ Rue hisses, forcing his way through my panic. ‘Don’t just sit there!’A healer. Where in the hell would I be able to find a healer on such short notice? I didn’t know anyone in Rosco’s territory!‘Maria,’ Rue huffs, his annoyance slamming into me. ‘They’re only twenty minutes away.’For a moment, I pause as I realize that she was the best option, but what would happen if Rosco and Denali came here? Wasn’t my bastard father still roaming around, waiting to try to bum rush me and drag me back to Crystal Fang?‘What matters most?’ Rue demands. ‘Helping Elise or remaining hidden?’‘Elise.’ I respond instinctively. It was the most obvious answer.‘Then call Rosco!’Nodding, I pull my phone out of my pocket and click on
[William’s POV]“I won’t.”The words leave my lips as I collapse on the couch while Rosco and Denali continue to watch me. I know that they’re trying to find something in me that says I’m not being serious, but I truly was. Even if Elise and I were in the early stages of truly getting to know each other, not only physically but also emotionally, I was certain of one thing: she was the first woman I felt any semblance of emotion with.“Since you’ve come to a decision, go to her.” Rosco says, though it is clear he isn’t pleased. “Just don’t end up regretting it.”“You keep telling me that.” I chuckle, getting to my feet. “Do you think the third time will be the charm?”“Who knows.” He shrugs. “Just remember she has a sordid past that won’t be so easily overlooked.”“I’m aware.” I say, beginning to move. “But don’t we all?”Not waiting for a response, I begin to move until I spot Maria sitting on her heels, watching Elise as she speaks.Feeling a wave of relief slam into me, I quicken my
[William's POV]Closing my eyes, I allow Marigold's face to come to me willingly for the first time in I wasn't sure how long. For the most part, I tried not to think about her since it usually left me having trouble breathing due to the pain I felt from losing her.“Have you decided to go to sleep sitting up?” Elise asks when I continue to let all the memories and emotions attached to them flood into me. “I thought you were going to tell me a sad story that would make me want to open up to you.”Sighing, I just ignore the hit that Elise is giving me. I was beginning to learn that when she was at her sassiest, it was when she desperately wanted to hide something. Who was becoming acquainted with the actions of the wild cat? Oh, it was me.“Right, my sad story.” I agree, trying to decide where to begin. “Have you ever felt the pain of losing a mate?” I ask, deciding that the very beginning was the right place.“Can’t say I have.” She responds, though I see something flash in her eyes t
[Elise’s POV]I don’t stop moving until I am safely out of William’s line of sight before finally drooping forward while every fucking emotion I didn’t want to feel crashes into me. This was dangerous, so fucking dangerous. I knew that the best thing for me to do was leave, but in order to do that, the issue with my father and his goons needed to be solved quickly.Making my way into the bedroom, I look down at my clothes from the previous day and decide to just leave them. I grab a shirt from the dresser.Throwing it over my head, I gather my hair and busy myself, wrapping it in a bun on top of my head while heading to where Rosco, Denali, and Maria are waiting. When they see me, they wait as I settle on what needs to be done.“Take me to Jose.” I say. “I’ll help him with whatever it is he needs under one condition.”“A condition?” Rosco repeats. “And why do you think you…ugh?”He doesn’t get to finish his grand exclamation before Denali is elbowing him and shooting him a look.“What
[Elise’s POV]Jose’s words drift around me while I continue to stare at the building in front of me. With each passing minute, it becomes more and more familiar, and I can’t deny that I actually know this place.Shivering, I try to make sense of why this is happening. Everything was just as I remembered it from the dock that sat just behind it and the calm sea. Even the seabirds that fly high in the blue sky are exactly as I remember them.“Why?” I whisper, unable to believe it. “Why is this the place?”As the words leave my lips, I feel myself drifting back to reality, and when the world comes into focus, I realize that tears are streaming down my face.“What’s wrong?” Jose asks, reaching out to brush one from my cheek but stopping as I let a growl escape me. “Did something happen?”“That place,” I say slowly, feeling my hatred for my parents rise once again. “That’s the fucking orphanage I was in.”It was made to look like the perfect Catholic church with caring pastors and nuns who
[Rosco’s POV]Later, I sit with Denali as she hums softly to Serenity, who is fast asleep. Despite myself, I find my eyes traveling down to her tiny wrist, which holds the mark of the curse that is plaguing us, and before I can stop it, a growl is escaping me.“Ssssshhhhh,” Denali whispers, giving me a look. “You’re going to wake her.”“Sorry,” I sigh, snuggling up to Denali’s side. “I just wish I could be the one carrying that fucking mark instead of Serenity.”“I do as well.” Denali admits kissing me. “But I’m positive that you and the others will protect her with everything you’ve got.”Nodding, I prepare to say that was exactly what I was intending, but stop as Denali’s phone begins to go off.Frowning, I reach out and grab it, then pass it to Denali.“Text message.” She murmurs, swiping up the screen and then clicking on the message on the screen. “Who…”She doesn’t finish her sentence as her eyes grow wide from shock and her hand begins to shake.“What is it?” I growl, grabbing
[Elise’s Pov]I stare at the bar in front of me, understanding completely why Anasastia wanted to meet Denali here. Since it was located on the poorer side of town, the people who frequented these places were drug lords and criminals.“Sneaky, sneaky.” I giggle, straightening my skirt. “But not sneaky enough.”Putting a look of innocence on my face, I begin to move, heading into the building, which wreaks of alcohol and stale smoke. Once inside, I look around until I spot her sitting in a booth while sipping on some fruity drink.Doing my best impression of Denali, I make my way toward her and then take a seat while she watches me.Only when I’m settled does she give me a smile that gives me the creeps.“I’m so glad you came.” Anastasia beams. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”“Of course I came.” I counter, smiling gently. “How could I ignore my dear sister when she reached out?”“And here I thought you forgot all about me after taking over Emerald Moon with your husband.” She huffs.“No
[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