\[William’s POV\]
I sit quietly, watching the man in front of me as he takes a sip of coffee. Since my arrival, he has remained silent, and I can’t help but wonder if he is suspicious of something. If he was, that would be problematic for my purpose.
When I woke up this morning, I fully intended to have a meeting with my uncle in order to feel him out over what Charlie warned me about. Who knew that the man himself would summon me first thing? Was this fate intervening, or was it something more?
“How is your training going?” He finally asks, fixing his dark eyes on mine. “I know that it is a lot to take in in such a short amount of time, but everything you must learn is imperative to taking over Crystal Fang.”
“They’re going well.” I respond, knowing that he didn’t go through the trouble of bringing me here just for that. “Father says that I am almost ready to start shadowing you.”
Nodding, Uncle Hamilton takes in my words. Despite his best attempt at trying to be nonchalant, it is clear that he isn’t happy about any of this, and honestly, why would he be? Since birth, I have never been destined to be the alpha of Crystal Fang. That honor was meant solely for Rosco. But now that he denounced the pack and took over Emerald Moon, the only other heir that was able to take over was me.
‘Serves him right for thinking so little of you.’ Rue huffs, though I don’t share his sentiments. ‘They should have never looked down on you.’
‘They had their reasons.’ I counter. ‘I was never meant for something like this.’
Unlike Rosco, I wore my heart on my sleeve and tried to see the best in everyone. For an alpha to have such a weakness is unthinkable. Not to mention my past with Marigold. That marked my doom and guaranteed that I would never fully be trusted.
“Is that so?” Uncle Hamilton says now snapping me out of my head. “Then it is only natural that you begin to shadow me. How about we begin today? I just have to..."
The rest of his words are drowned out by the tinkling of a phone. Frowning, Uncle Hamilton digs into his pocket, and when he pulls out his cell phone to see who is calling, his face falls.
“Hello?” He growls, making it clear he doesn’t wish to speak with the one on the other end. “To what do I owe the honor?”
Growing quiet, he waits as whoever is on the other end speaks and then his face falls more.
“What the hell were you doing when she was being attacked?” He roars, squeezing his phone so tightly that I was sure he was going to break it. “HAVE YOU BECOME USELESS SINCE LEAVING THIS PACK?”
At his words, I understand who he is speaking to, and I go on alert.
“FUCK!” Uncle Hamilton roars, slamming his phone down and jumping up. “William, there’s an issue at Emerald Moon. Our conversation will have to continue at a later date.”
“What happened?” I ask, feeling a chill race down my spine over his reaction. “Is everyone…”
“There was an attack on Emerald Moon.” He explains. “Your aunt…”
Instead of finishing what he was trying to say, Uncle Hamilton grows quiet, and from the look in his eyes, I know that something serious must have happened to Aunt Naomi.
“I’ve got to go.” Uncle Hamilton announces, beginning to move. “Sorry.”
“I’ll come with you!” I say before I can stop myself. “Just in case things still aren’t safe.”
For a moment, he simply stares at me as if trying to determine if I have any ulterior motives, and when he decides I don’t, he nods.
“Come on.”
The ride to Emerald Moon is a silent and tense one, and when we arrive, Uncle Hamilton squeals the car to a halt and jumps out.
Remaining in place, I watch as he rushes toward the pack house, and I realize that despite his cold and uncaring demeanor, he actually did have emotions. But that didn’t change the fact that he was currently the enemy, and I needed to keep my guard up.
Shaking off the split emotions I’m feeling, I get out of the car and quickly begin to follow.
Inside, Emerald Moon’s packhouse is alive with movement. From the expressions on everyone’s faces, they’re certainly expecting another attack at any time.
Continuing to move, I weave around the bodies. Once I reach the grand staircase that sits in the middle of the building, I head up. When I reach the second floor landing, loud voices reach me, and when I turn to see where they’re coming from, I find Rosco and Uncle Hamilton in a heated argument.
“This is your fault!” Uncle Hamilton growls, standing to his full height in an attempt to intimidate Rosco. “What the fuck were you doing when your mother was attacked? What kind of alpha could let something…”
“If you only came here to argue, you can kindly fuck off.” Rosco responds, his arrogant expression in place. “I only called you because Denali asked me to.”
“Mind your words, boy.” Uncle Hamilton hisses, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Even if you have denounced me, I am still your father, and I can…”
“What?” Rosco challenges with a smirk. “What can you do, old man?”
“You…”
“Hey!” I call, knowing I need to defuse the situation. “Didn’t we come here to see Aunt Naomi?”
At the mention of my aunt's name, Uncle Hamilton’s whole demeanor changes.
“Where is she?” He asks Rosco. “Take me to her.”
“She’s in the infirmary.” He responds, surprisingly sucking up his pride for the sake of his mother. “Follow me, and I’ll show you the way.”
The infirmary is just at the end of the hall, and when we step inside, I let my eyes scan the area, taking in the two women that rest within it.
“What happened to her?” I ask before I can stop myself as I let my gaze rest on Elise. “Was she attacked too?”
“We all were.” Rosco explains while Uncle Hamilton goes to Aunt Naomi’s side. “The bastards surprised us by going underground.”
“Underground?” I repeat, my eyes widening. “Emerald Moon had underground tunnels.”
“Looks like,” he huffs in frustration. “It seems that bastard Roger had a lot of secrets.”
“Then wouldn’t Beatrice be able to tell you what they all are or the man himself?”
“About that,” Rosco says, anger flashing in his eyes. “Roger was able to escape with the ones who attacked.”
“And what about Beatrice?” I ask in shock. “What about her?”
“I’ve sent men to fetch her.” He responds just as the door to the infirmary bursts open.
“Alpha!” A large man with wounds covering his body gasps. “It’s...” he continues, his fear over what he is about to say clear. “The other prisoner is dead!”
“Dead!” Rosco growls, letting his aura explode from him. “You better be fucking with me!”
“I’m not,” the man responds while dipping into a submissive position. “When we found her, her throat was slit.”