\[Rosco’s POV\]
I don’t speak as I examine the man in front of me, finding more and more family traits. So this was the uncle who was a skilled tracker. I had to admit, he moved fast since it didn’t take long for him to get here at all.
“Are you just going to sit there and stare?” Jose asks now. “Or are you going to show your poor uncle around?”
“Alpha, should we believe him?” Riley asks as I open my mouth to give the command. “What if he is with the enemy and…”
“No,” I say, raising a hand to call them off. “There’s no mistaking the family resemblance.”
“We do make some lookers, don’t we?” Jose chuckles, revealing that he is a cocky bastard too. “It’s the reason that our people are sought after so strongly. Why the hell else would your father insist on marrying that sister of mine?”
Tensing, I try to ignore what he is hinting at.
”Mind your words.” I warn him, turning and motioning for him to follow. “Whether it was her looks, powers, or even her skills, my mother suits my father well.”
“I guess you’re biased.” Jose shrugs.
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but again, remember that my mother marrying my father put a major rift in the family. It was known that her side and pack didn’t necessarily agree with the whole thing, but since my uncle was willing to help me with my pack problems, I couldn’t be too rude to him.
“Tell me,” I begin, deciding to change the subject. “If you hate my father so much, why are you so open to helping me?”
“Because even if you carry that bastard's blood, you also carry that of my sister.” Jose responds easily. “And those grudges should stay with the adults and not be carried to the children.”
“I’m not a child.” I growl, taking offense.
“You’re what, twenty-four, twenty-five at most?” He challenges.
“Twenty six.” I huff. “Did you only come here to talk shit?” I continue, leading him up the stairs toward the packhouse. “Or are you here to help?”
“Can’t I do both?” He asks as we enter. “This is the first time we’re meeting, and I’ve got to feel you out, right?”
Feel me out? What the hell did he need to feel out? Was he checking to see whose side I was actually on? Wasn’t it obvious given the fact that I wasn’t a member of Crystal Fang anymore?
“I assure you, my loyalties are solely toward my wife.” I say. “Aside from that, I have no other connections.”
“I see,” Jose murmurs. “Mind if I asked what exactly happened? Last I heard, you were in line to become the next alpha of your father's pack, but here you are leading another.”
“That,” I say when we reach my office. “Isn’t any of your concern. You came here to help me track down my enemy, and I would like to keep our business to that.”
Letting out a laugh, Jose simply nods before strolling into my office and taking a seat.
“You’re a hard ass like that father of yours.” He says, waiting as I too take a seat. “All business and no fun. I wonder how you managed to land a wife with that personality.”
At his words, I let a growl of warning escape me just as the door to my office opens and the woman in question strolls in with Serenity.
“Speak of the devil, and she will appear.” Jose says, eyeing Denali as she stops in place, realizing that we are here. “Don’t be afraid, beauty.” He continues, getting up and offering her my seat. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite unless you ask me.”
Immediately, I feel a wave of jealousy and possessiveness crash into me as Denali continues to stay in place.
“Am I interrupting?” She asks, looking from Jose to me. “If so, I can…”
“No, no,” Jose says, moving forward and wrapping an arm around her shoulders to lead her forward. “Please, have a seat.”
Jumping up, I let out a snarl before moving around the table and grabbing Jose’s wrist. That was it. He was stepping out of line, thinking that he could lay hands on what was mine, and I didn’t give a damn if he was family; I was going to break his fucking wrist.
However, instead of acting shocked or even going on defense, Jose lets out a loud laugh that leaves me reeling. What the hell was actually wrong with this guy?
“Well, well,” he manages between bouts of laughter. “You really are a possessive one. Just like your father. Even though I am your mother's brother, he would try to stop me from even touching her before he stole her away from us.”
Eyes widening, I take in his wording. He wasn’t saying that she willingly went, but instead she was taken there against her will.
“How exactly did my parents get together?”
Before I can even stop myself, the words are leaving my lips. But maybe knowing where this grudge between Jose and my father stemmed from would make things easier for us during our cooperation.
“You don’t know?” Jose asks, raising a brow. “I figured he would have told you.”
“I only know that the engagement was planned.” I respond slowly. “Aside from that, I didn’t pry, but since you’re openly showing hostility, I would like to hear your side of things.”
Maybe it was because Denali was with me and I had more people to care for aside from myself, but the fact that I was suddenly showing interest in those around me was new for me.
‘I told you, you’re getting soft.’ Fabian chuckles.
‘Didn’t I tell you to fuck off?’
“That’s half true.” Jose admits, drawing me out of my head. “But not entirely the story.”
“Then what exactly led to their getting married?” I push. “From what I can see, they are very happy together.”
“Maybe now.” Jose sighs. “But in the beginning, Naomi couldn’t stand him.”
Wincing, I try to stop the anger that rushes through me. I had to remember that even if they were happy around me, that didn’t mean that they were always like that. Hell, even I was forced into an arranged marriage, and not everyone was as lucky as me to be pushed together with their mate.
“Their engagement was planned later in life, after your father and his father came to visit Crimson Moon.” Jose explains. “Your father swore it was love at first sight, and since your mother was the daughter of an alpha, he didn’t hesitate to make his move. Your grandfather was a sly man and knew exactly what to say to entice our father, and that’s when your father’s courtship began.”
Nodding, I listen quietly as he speaks. Although I didn’t personally know my grandfather since he died when I was young, I heard stories and knew the man wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. He and my father were the same in that aspect, and even me.
“My sister was in love with someone else at that time, but when he suddenly left the pack without a word, she was left devastated. Of course, your father took that opportunity to comfort her and pick up the pieces. It was only natural that she began to develop feelings, and when she became pregnant with you, there was no other choice but to marry him.”
At his words, my eyes grow wide. When she became pregnant with me? Weren’t they supposed to be married when that happened? Or was that an intentional move on my father’s part to trap her with him?
Instantly, I feel guilty over realizing that the reason my mother ended up with such a stubborn bastard and not with the one she loved the most was because of me.
“Don’t blame yourself.” Jose huffs, not missing the shift in my mood. “They were both adults and made their choice, but as you can see, our father and the rest wasn’t happy about it. She was meant to succeed the pack since she was the oldest, but because of that slip-up, she decided to go to Crystal Fang to become your father’s luna.”
“Then who took over Crimson Moon?” I ask.
“Our youngest brother.” Jose explains. “Although I was naturally next in line, I never had interest in being a leader. I’m a free spirit who is needed greatly in this world. I can’t stay tied to the pack at all times. If that’s all you wanted to know, shall we get down to business?”
“Right.” I say, though I have more questions.
Was this the reason my father changed the subject when I asked how my mother felt about all of this? Did he forcefully get her pregnant in the end? Where I was hoping to get to know them and their dynamic a bit better, I was left with even more questions.
“Focus, boy.” Jose says, snapping his fingers. “Don’t get distracted with your useless musings. The most important thing is finding these creepies that are threatening your pack, right?”
“That’s right.” Denali responds for me. “We’re almost certain they’re after Serenity.”
“Serenity?” Jose repeats. “Is she that cute little thing in your arms?”
“That’s right.” Denali confirms. “You see, she apparently carries a great curse that was passed down in my family.”
“Sounds like a mid-day drama.” Jose chuckles. “Do you mind showing her to me?”
“Sure,” she responds, moving forward so that he can get a better look at Serenity.
“And what exactly makes you think that there is a curse on this tiny little thing?” He asks, examining her. “And what spurred these thoughts?”
“This mark.” Denali responds, gently lifting Serenity’s arm so that he can see the serpent mark on her skin. “And my sister,” she continues. “She is able to have visions, and she saw the ones who are after her.”
“May I speak to your sister?” He asks. “I believe she will be a big help to me.”
"If she's willing to help." I chuckle.
"Is she a difficult one to get along with?" Jose asks, lifting a brow.
"You'll see."