\[Elise’s POV\]
“Alright,” I announce, fixing my gaze on Rosco. “Why did you want to get me alone?”
As I speak, I yank my arm free of his hold and press my hand against his chest.
“Did you want to rethink that rejection?”
“Don’t be absurd,” he growls, smacking my hand off. “You know damn well that there will never be anything between us.”
Smirking, I cross my arms and wait as he stares me down. I had to admit, it was pretty damn funny that he was so full of himself, and it was because of that that I couldn’t help but pick on him. Maybe it was a family trait since his cousin was equally fun to tease.
“Then what did you want?” I ask when the silence continues to fall around us. “You ruined my chance to have more fun with your cousin, so it better be good.”
“My cousin,” he repeats, his gaze narrowing. “I hope that you will be smart enough to know that you have no place beside him.”
“Says who?” I demand, taking offense. “Don’t tell me that you have a cousin complex. Don’t you know that’s gross? Does your wife know that you’re so protective of him? If not, I can.”
“That’s enough of your bullshit!” Rosco growls, his aura exploding around us and pushing against my skin. “I’m not in the mood for your shit.”
Letting a slow smile spread across my face, I let my own aura begin to trickle out. Who the hell did he think he was trying to assert his dominance against me? Even if my dear sister didn’t possess the alpha gene, that didn’t mean that I didn't, and I would be damned if I let him feel like he was my superior.
Okay, well, maybe given my current circumstances, he was, but this was something entirely different, and I wasn’t in the mood to back down.
“Are you challenging me?” Rosco asks now, his eyes flashing dangerous gold. “Denali just gave birth and needs time to recover, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll go easy on you if you...”
“Yeah, yeah,” I sigh, drawing my aura back in. “You won’t go easy on me if something happens.” I continue, rolling my eyes. “I get it. You don’t have to spout the same bullshit all the good guys do. Anyway, you were the one who started it. I was enjoying my time with my sister, and you pulled me away, so could you please tell me what the hell it is that you want?”
“What was with you earlier?”
“I don’t understand what you mean,” I say, feeling my unease beginning to grow as memories of the dream I just had emerge. “Why don’t you...”
“Cut the shit,” Rosco growls. “You were looking for something on Serenity. What the hell was it?”
Remaining quiet, I let the images of those cloaked figures come flashing back as my stomach churns and I taste bile beginning to make its way up my throat.
“Tell me,” I say slowly, pushing them away. “Have you by chance offended anyone else?”
At my words, a look of anger flashes across Rosco’s features, but he doesn’t speak, and when his brows begin to furrow, I know that he is considering my words.
“I was an alpha heir,” he points out. “There are many I offended because of that.”
“Then does your family bear any curses?”
This time, Rosco’s gaze darkens and his lips twitch into a terrifying scowl, and I realize too late that I’ve said the wrong thing. Before I can react, his hand is shooting out and wrapping around my throat.
Gasping, I feel myself being pushed against a wall and then lifted off my feet.
“What the fuck are you trying to say?” He growls, his face close to mine. “Are you keeping important information from us?”
As he speaks, the door to Denali’s room opens, and William comes rushing out with a look of shock on his face. When he spots us, he rushes forward and wraps a hand around Rosco’s wrist.
“Rosco,” he hisses, attempting to pry his hand from my throat. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Do you know what Denali will think if she sees...”
“Rosco.”
“Too late,” I manage as Rosco works to cut off my airway even more. “It seems you made too much noise, brother-in-law.”
“Rosco,” Denali repeats, her voice echoing around us. Even though she tries to sound strong, it is clear she is exhausted from giving birth, and when a hiss of pain escapes her, I’m being dropped while Rosco rushes to her side.
Sucking in deep lungfuls of air, I collapse onto the ground and turn my gaze to the lovers as Rosco gathers Denali in his arms. The scene leaves me with a sense of emptiness, but before I can let the pain of already being rejected consume me, I tear my eyes away and bring them to meet William’s.
“Are you alright?” He murmurs, kneeling down in front of me. “I’m not sure what happened, but I’m sure Rosco didn’t mean...”
“He did,” I counter, brushing away the hand. William reaches out to touch me. “Don’t forget that I’m a criminal and a murderer."
For a moment, William doesn’t speak as he processes what I’ve said, and before he can collect himself, I’m standing.
“About your question,” I say now, turning toward Rosco. “Make sure that Serenity is protected at all times.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” He demands as Denali’s confused gaze comes to rest on me. “What do you know that we don’t?”
“It could be nothing or it could be something, but this world is dark and cruel.” I respond slowly. “I suggest you sit down with your parents and figure out if there is some dark history that you aren’t aware of.”
“Elise,” Denali says, confusion coloring her words. “What are you implying?”
“And you,” I continue, focusing on her. “Is there anything you know about our parents that you aren’t sharing?”
“Nothing,” Denali responds immediately. “Why are you saying all of this?”
“We may have won one battle, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t another waiting,” I say quietly. “And your daughter may be the reason for it.”
I knew that I was being pretty damn vague in what I was saying, but after the way Rosco treated me, I wasn’t much inclined to share with him what I knew. Honestly, with his temper and his distrust of me, I didn’t even expect him to believe me if I told him, and if he did, there was a good chance that he would think I was behind it.
“Hey, brother-in-law?” I call, drawing Rosco’s attention to me. “When is my trial?”
“A week from now,” he responds, giving me a look of confusion. “Why are you asking?”
“Because I need to start that training sooner than later,” I shrug, grabbing William’s arm and pulling him to his feet. “Can you lead me back to my cell now, handsome?” I ask him as his gaze meets mine. “I’m pretty tired after so much fun.”
“William!” Rosco growls when we begin to move. “I wasn’t finished talking to her.”
“I think it’s best that you focus on Denali and Serenity for now,” William counters. “Tension is too high at the moment for anyone to have a reasonable conversation.”
At his words, I shoot Rosco a look, and when he gives me a look of annoyance, I give him a wink.
“At least someone knows how to act like an adult.” I giggle, wrapping my arms around William’s. “Lead the way, handsome.”