\[Denali’s POV\]
I cradle Serenity, my eyes fixed on the mark on her wrist. The more I look at it, the more it looks like a serpent, and I can’t help but wonder if this was some sort of mark of doom. Although I know I shouldn’t work myself up until we absolutely know what it is, I can’t stop the sense of foreboding I feel.
Lately, things were just going too well for Rosco and me. Even when we had a trial looming over us for my father, Beatrice, and even Elise, we finally had peace. Well, for the most part, there were occasional attempts at ruin from Harold due to Nadia’s sudden death.
Sighing, I try to process the complicated feelings that begin to bubble up in me from knowing that she won’t be around anymore to scheme and put me in harm's way. Although I was relieved, I was also saddened by the death of someone so young.
“That was a mighty big sigh.”
Lifting my gaze, I look in the direction of the voice and watch as Rosco makes his way toward me. His earlier look of panic is now gone, and he seems almost calm, which could only mean he had answers toward what was going on with our daughter. At least, that was what I hoped.
“How is she?” He asks now, as I remain silent.
“Fine,” I respond, looking down at the sleeping infant in my arms. “Why did you go to find Elise?”
At my question, Rosco’s expression shifts, and I immediately know he is getting the wrong idea about why I was asking.
“It had a purpose, right?” I push him when he doesn’t speak. “You wouldn’t just run off like that unless there was a reason.”
For a moment, Rosco just takes me in, and from the shifting of emotions in his gaze, I know that he is debating whether or not he should tell me the truth.
“Don’t you dare lie to me,” I warn, my gaze narrowing. “How did that work out for you in the past?”
Chuckling, Rosco seems to deflate while he makes his way toward me and then drops down on his knees in front of me.
“Do you trust me, mi reina?” He asks, giving me a serious look.
“Of course I do.” I respond instantly. “How could you ask such a thing?”
“Then please trust that I will handle things while you just focus on taking care of Serenity and healing.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but stop as Rosco places a finger against my lips.
“In your current state, you don’t need to worry about anything.” He continues, giving me a determined look. “Your king will handle everything while you continue to be pampered.”
Although what he was saying sounded tempting, it also raised my alarm. Was what he discovered that bad to the point he didn’t want to tell me?
“Nice try,” I huff, pulling his hand away from my face. “You better tell me what you know’ otherwise, you can find yourself somewhere else to sleep for the unforeseeable future.”
At my words, a look of shock colors Rosco’s handsome features, and if I look closely, I can see fear in his eyes. Good, he was taking me seriously.
“Now, tell me what you know. It involves the mark, right?”
“Yeah,” Rosco huffs, snaking his arms around me and burying his head in my lap. “Did either of your parents say anything about a possible curse on your bloodline?”
A curse. To my knowledge, I was the only true curse that my father ever considered. A daughter with no wolf and no known power, born to two strong alpha parents, was laughable. However, I now knew that even if I didn’t have a connection with my wolf like the others or the strength and agility of an alpha, I wasn’t powerless.
“Not that I know of,” I admit. “But then again, my father didn’t tell me anything, so it could be a possibility.”
As I speak, I can feel fear trickling through my veins as I shift my gaze to Serenity again, knowing that must be the reason for her mark.
“Are you saying this mark on Serenity is a curse?”
“If Elise is telling the truth about what she has seen, I am.” He says, lifting his head. “But I promise you that we will get to the bottom of this, and until we do, I will protect both you and Serenity with my life.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, placing a hand on his cheek. “I know that you will do exactly that.”
Although I was scared for my daughter, I trusted Rosco—after all, he did a beautiful job of protecting me in the past. But I couldn’t just sit around and wait. There was at least something I could do to help things along, and that was if the person I needed to see would talk to me.
“What’s going on in that head?” Rosco murmurs, running a hand along my cheek.
“Can you watch Serenity for a bit?” I ask instead of answering.
“What are you planning?” He hisses, going on alert.
“You asked me if there was a curse on my family.” I explain. “The only way to find that out is to talk to my family.”
A loud growl escapes Rosco at my words, but before he can begin to argue what I’ve asked of him, Serenity’s tiny mouth opens, and a loud wail escapes her.
“Shit!” Rosco hisses, his eyes growing wide. “I’m sorry, little one, Daddy didn’t…”
Shaking my head, I pull Serenity closer and begin to rock her while she cries.
“You just startled her,” I assure Rosco when his face falls. “She will soon learn that her daddy isn’t scary at all and that he is a big softy when it comes to his girls.”
“Only when it comes to my girls,” he grumbles in response.
Letting a smile form on my lips, I simply nod and then pass Serenity over to him so that he can begin to coax her back into a peaceful sleep.
“Since you seem to have things handled here,” I announce, taking advantage of his distraction. “I’m going to head out.”
“No,” Rosco hisses, but stops as I give him a stern look. “At least take a guard with you,” he continues in defeat.
“I’m not so fragile.” I point out. “And my father is in maximum security, so he won’t be able to try anything.”
“Still…”
“You’re wasting time.” I point out, giving him a quick kiss. “I’ll be back soon.”
Not waiting for a response, I begin to move, making my way slowly out of the room. Although I tried to act tough and like I was alright, I was still in a great deal of pain from giving birth to Serenity. Add that to my messed-up legs, and I was a mess.
“You can’t show weakness.” I hiss, straightening myself out. “Especially in front of the enemy.”
I could do this much, and if I couldn't, then would I deserve to stand beside Rosco? No, I couldn't, so I needed to continue to grow stronger.