\[Rosco’s POV\]
I stand outside watching as my father helps my mother to a car that is waiting for them. When they reach it, my mother looks back at me and gives a wave.
“I’ll have Devin come here sometime within the next few days.”
Devin. He could only be the uncle my mother was speaking of. I couldn’t help but be slightly hesitant about having a complete stranger come to my pack, but if he was family, then he had to be alright, right?
Growing up, I was so busy training to become alpha that I never truly got to know my mother’s side of the family well. Of course, she came from a different pack as the daughter of an alpha. However, her and my father’s marriage was a business transaction. As such, my mother didn’t have much contact with her family after that.
Suddenly feeling sorry for the woman staring back at me, I force a smile and simply nod.
“I’ll be waiting for him.”
I could only hope that he didn’t hate me or cause trouble since I was the son of his enemy.
“It’ll be alright.” Denali murmurs, seeming to understand what I was feeling. “I’m sure that he will become a strong ally.”
“Yeah,” I sigh, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against me. “I’m sure he will be.”
I could only hope he would be. If my mother thought he was what we needed to track down those who threatened us, then I would believe in her judgment. The sooner that bastard Roger and his lackeys were found, the better, and if I had to turn the whole fucking country apart to find them, I was more than willing.
Growing quiet, I watch as my mother and father disappear into the car and then head down the street. Only when they’re completely out of sight do I turn back to the packhouse.
“Since this has been handled, there is one more thing to attend to.”
Frowning, Denali just examines me, waiting for me to explain what that thing is, but when her face finally falls, I know that she understands.
Nodding, she snuggles closer to me as I begin to lead her back inside and toward the back of the packhouse, where the sacred garden for fallen warriors resides.
Releasing my hold, I move forward and take my place behind the podium that has been set up. Today would be the day that we mourned those who were lost during the recent attack. Pallets were already set and ready for the remains to be properly burned and sent up to the heavens to be with the gGoddess. I could only hope that they found peace there.
Not even thirty minutes later, the rest of the pack began to arrive and take their places in front of me. Only once they’re all in place do I suck in a breath.
“Thank you for coming, friends, family, and members of Emerald Moon.” I begin as all eyes come to rest on me. “Today is both a sad and glorious day where those who fought hard are celebrated as they take their place with the Ggoddess.”
“It’s all because of you!” Someone yells; their pain is evident. “If you were a better leader, then...”
“Yes,” I agree, not taking offense to what is being said. “If I had been a better leader, then this wouldn’t have happened, and I will forever have to carry this burden with me. But as warriors of Emerald Moon, they swore their lives and loyalty to protect all of you.”
“This is your fault!”
“All because of you!”
“How dare you call yourself a leader?”
Together, the voices rise and fall, making it clear that they still don’t accept either me or Denali. They ring out around us, expressing their dissatisfaction.
“Let him talk!” Denali announces, using the alpha command.
Eyes widening, I turn and watch as she covers her mouth with her free hand so that she doesn’t drip blood on Serenity.
Eyes widening, I take her in as her face pales, but when I move to help her, she shakes her head at me and nods toward the crowd.
For a moment, I don’t move as a war begins to build in me. And when it becomes too much, I’m moving and picking her up so I can cradle her against me.
“Why did you do that?” I snap, ignoring the eyes that are now resting on us. “You know what using the command does to you, and yet you...”
“We are a team.” She reminds me.
“Team or not, you should leave this type of stuff to me.” I argue. “You know every time you use that command, you...”
“He’s more concerned with his mate than his fallen warriors!”
“This just shows he doesn’t care about us!”
Whirling around, I begin to scan the crowd, looking for the ones making so much noise, but stop as a loud laugh rips through the air, and when I finally see the one responsible for it, she is on the move.
“All of you are so damn butt hurt that your traitorous alpha was found out!” Elise says through giggles. “Does this mean that you’d rather have a criminal lead you over a righteous man? If that is the case, maybe all of you belong in jail.”
As she speaks, she makes her way forward, while Marty follows behind. By the look on his face, I know that he is enjoying every minute of this chaos, and I can’t help but wonder if I made the wrong choice in bringing him here to watch her.
“What?” Elise asks when she reaches the podium and steps behind it. “You are all suddenly going to be quiet when you’re called out? Weren’t you so damn confident earlier?”
At her words, the crowd begins to murmur, and I realize that this is only the third time that they’ve actually seen her. I wasn’t sure if the pack was aware of the fact that their past Luna was pregnant with twins or not, but by the way they were reacting, it was clear that she was still an oddity to see.
“Since you’ve finally shut the fuck up,” She continues, leaning forward and placing her chin on her hands. “Why don’t you allow your alpha to continue with his sermon about your fallen brothers? Or would you rather ignore their sacrifice entirely?” She continues, letting her narrowed gaze take in everyone in front of her. And when no one speaks, she lets a broad smile spread across her face. “That’s what I thought. Brother-in-law, come on up, it’s your turn.”
For a moment, I don’t move as I take her in, wondering why she was bothering to help me. But when Denali nudges me, I begin to move.
“I’ll take her to the infirmary.” Elise murmurs when I reach her. “You continue with what you’re doing here.”
“You can’t possibly.”
“Then allow me.” Marty offers, taking Denali from me. “You’ve got a funeral to continue, and she needs to be seen.”