\[William’s POV\]
I sit quietly, watching Aunt Naomi sleep peacefully. After waiting for Elise to leave, I came back into this room to keep an eye on her until my uncle returned. Once I was sure that she had protection, I would head to mine and Elise’s meeting spot.
Sighing, I let Charlie’s words begin to appear in my mind once more.
Don’t trust wolves in sheep's clothing.
You’re nothing more than a pawn.
What exactly was he trying to get at with this? And who the hell was he even referring to? Was this a warning about my uncle, or was it someone else? I didn’t know, but that was why I recruited Elise to help me get to the bottom of it. She alone was the only person I knew who didn’t have any particular bias.
‘And what if she betrays us?’ Rue asks.
‘Who would believe a criminal over a future alpha?’
This was another reason Elise was the perfect option for all of this. As a criminal, her credentials were too low to be believed over someone who made a name for themselves. I knew that I was being cruel in this aspect, but I couldn’t just sit around and wait for something to happen.
Shaking off the guilt that is beginning to build over how I’m using Elise, I get up and give a stretch. As I do so, the sound of footsteps approaching me.
Tearing my gaze from Aunt Naomi, I watch the door open and Uncle Hamilton enter. When he sees me, he gives a simple nod.
“All well?” I ask.
Even if he was trying to hide it, it was clear that he was tense. Did something happen between him and Rosco? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it did. When those two were in a room together, tempers flew.
“I’ve got a mission for you.” He responds, settling down beside Aunt Naomi. “And saying no is not an option.”
“A mission.” I repeat, cocking my brow. “And what might this mission be?”
For a moment, Uncle Hamilton doesn’t speak as he grabs his wife’s hand. Remaining silent, he stares at her, and I can feel his worry beginning to trickle from him. Even if he came across as a hardass and was harsh on not only Rosco but even me, it was pretty clear that he cared deeply for Aunt Naomi.
Frowning, I once again find myself wondering if the one Charlie was warning me about was him. If it was, what exactly was he up to, and why would Rosco and me be pawns?
“You will be staying in Emerald Moon for at least a month.” He begins, snapping me out of my head.
“A month.” I hiss, shock rolling through me. ”But what about my alpha training?”
“It will be postponed until the danger here is eliminated.”
“And if it isn’t?”
I wait as Uncle Hamilton turns his dark gaze toward me, and when a grim look crosses his features, I know the answer to my question.
“This is a test.” I say slowly. “If I don’t manage to help Rosco get rid of the threat to his pack, then I won’t be fit to be alpha, is that it?”
“That’s correct.” Uncle Hamilton confirms. “As an alpha, you will need to do things like this occasionally. It is especially essential when the packlands in danger are close to our own. If you can’t solve a simple issue like this, do you truly deserve to lead an entire pack?”
“I understand.” I say, knowing there was no point in arguing. “I will be sure to locate and eliminate the threat.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Now, would you mind leaving me alone with my wife?”
“Not at all.” I respond, beginning to head out. “There’s something I need to attend to anyway.”
Nodding, Uncle Hamilton doesn’t say another word as I head out of the infirmary and begin to make my way out of the large packhouse around me.
By this point, the sun had already set and the moon was shining brightly in the sky. I could only hope that Elise managed to escape. Since leaving her, I found myself wondering if she would be placed in confinement again or if she was free to roam around. Would I have to hunt her down and risk being caught with her? That wouldn’t bode well for now, nor would it for her.
When I arrive at our meeting spot, I look around but find that she isn’t anywhere to be found.
“This woman.” I grumble, crossing my arms. “Is she going to stand me up?”
“Are you shittalking me?”
Flinching, I snap my gaze to where the voice came from and find Elise nestled in the branches of a tree just above me. Smirking, she waits as I try to make sense of how she could be there without me even noticing her.
“Shocked?” She asks, launching her body off the branch she rests on and jumping down.
“Why can’t I sense you?” I demand.
“Secret.” She grins. “If I were to give all of them away, how would I be able to move about without being noticed?”
Secrets. How many secrets did this woman hold, and why did I even care?
Frowning, I extend my senses again while expecting to feel her solid presence in front of me, but it’s almost like she is a ghost.
“You can conceal yourself.” I say, feeling impressed. “That’s quite useful.”
“It is,” she agrees, before growing serious. “And since I’ve kept to my word and come to meet you, why don’t you tell me what it is that you want my help with?”
“Are you that impatient to get away from me?” “I ask, feeling offended by her words. Who was she to want to make distance between us? Wasn’t I the one who should want that?
“I don’t particularly care either way, but you did coerce me to come out here for a reason, no?”
At her words, I feel the side of my lip twitch. Coerced her. She was acting like I forced her to meet me.
‘You kind of did.’ Rue chuckles. ‘You all but attacked the woman.’
‘She’s just fun to mess with.’
In the past, no woman ever fought that hard to get away from me when I showed them kindness. I guess the fact that she did made me want to get even closer.
As this thought hits, a conflicting feeling begins to build in me as Marigold’s face flashes in my mind. With it, Rue whines, not bothering to hide the pain he feels.
“Are you just going to stand there?” Elise snaps when I stay silent for a moment too long. “If this is another trick of yours, then...”
“I need you to help me find a mole among my pack.” I blurt before I can stop myself. “It seems that there is a conspiracy taking place behind the walls of Crystal Fang.”
“Isn’t that normal?” She asks, cocking her head to the side. “Pack politics and all that.”
“This is different.” I counter. “One of our own was...” I continue, but stop while wondering whether or not it was necessary to bring up Charlie.
“Tell me the whole truth if you expect me to go along with you.” Elise warns. “And don’t forget, I know more than I let on.”
At her words, I remember her making a comment about my thought process earlier on.
“Another secret?” I ask.
“Something like that.” She beams. “And do know that my help doesn’t come without a price, so you better make whatever it is you need me to do worthwhile.”