\[Rosco’s POV\]
I sit with Denali, who gently squeezes my hand, while we take in Charlie. Despite the fact that I was making it clear, I didn’t quite believe that it was him; he was remaining ill-at-ease as if this were simply a normal meeting.
“I know that this may come as a shock.” He finally says while the silence grows thick around us. “But I assure you, I had my reasons for allowing not only you but the rest of the world to believe that I was actually deceased.”
He had his reasons. What reason could there possibly be for my future beta to fake his own death and make it look like it was done by the enemy? Was he crazy, or was this all some fucking ploy to trick me?
“And what was that?” I ask slowly, trying to stop myself from wavering. “Why on earth would you possibly think that it was a good idea to make everyone believe you were dead? And was it all your doing, or was there someone trying to get rid of you?”
“That,” he begins, his face finally dropping. “Is a good question. All I can say is that I may have found out some things that someone didn’t want me to know, and because of that, the best thing they could think to do was get rid of me.”
”And who the hell was it then? Was it Nadia and her fucking family or…”
“It wasn’t them.” Charlie responds immediately. “You should be aware that you had more than one enemy after you at the time of my wreck. Those who were openly your enemy and those who were pretending to be your allies.”
Eyes widening, I take in his words as I realize exactly what it is he was trying to get at.
“Who?” I growl, fighting the urge to shake the fucking answer out of him. “Who the fuck was after me?”
“That’s…” He begins as his eyes darken. “Is something I can’t say for certain.?”
“Can’t say for certain.” I repeat, my anger spiking. “Charlie, don’t you fucking play with me!”
How could he possibly say that he didn’t know who exactly was the one I needed to be cautious of, especially when he was making it more than clear they were still alive and well in Crystal Fang? Did that mean that William was also in the same danger he was claiming that I was in, or was it him and his…”
“Instead of attempting to jump to conclusions, I would recommend that you try to figure out who exactly is behind everything.” Charlie says. “That was the reason I already made it known to William that I was still alive and kicking. Since he is the new future alpha of Crystal Fang, he needed to know to be wary.”
“Tell me,” I say now, suddenly settling on a painful idea of who it might be. “Is it someone in my family?”
Growing quiet, I wait as Charlie considers my question. Despite his best attempt at trying to keep what he feels from me, I don’t miss the hints of his confirmation.
“So it is either my father or Uncle Jaxon.”
As I speak, Charlie gives a sad nod, confirming what I have settled on.
“I’m sorry, man.” He says slowly. “I only found the plans and attempted to bring them to you before my car was blowing up around me.”
Beside me, I hear Denali suck in a breath as her hand tightens on mine once more, but she doesn’t speak.
“Then the only logical next step is to figure out who exactly was behind the whole thing.”
Sighing, I lean back in my seat as yet another issue takes up its place in my mind. Why was it that every fucking time I turned around, there was someone out to get either me or my family? Did we do something in a past life to deserve all this?
“William is already looking into things.” Charlie says when I remain silent. “For now, I do believe it is best that you focus on your new family. I heard that congratulations are in order. You’ve become a father. That’s shocking.”
“You heard?” I murmur, eyeing him curiously. “Who exactly have you been staying with during all of this?”
“That would be me!”
Turning, I watch as Marty waltzeswaltz’s into my office unannounced and uninvited, while William, Elise, and Maria follow closely behind.
“Have you ever heard of knocking?” I growl, eyeing Marty in annoyance. “What if I was discussing something important?”
“All the more reason for me to be present.” He chuckles, taking a seat and lazily throwing one leg over another. “Since you’ve gotten me involved in this craziness, it is only fair that I be present for everything.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I realize that he is correct. However, for now, he was right. As one of the few who was actually on my side, he should be present for all of this.
“Alright,” I sigh, deciding not to argue. “But it seems that you know more about what Charlie has said than I do. How about one of you fill me in on what it was that was found?”
“Plans to get rid of you.” Charlie responds, causing theall eyes of everyone in the room to come and rest on him. “They were in the packhouse's database, but the IP address of the one responsible for sending them was destroyed.”
Nodding, I take in what he has said as an idea of who it could be hits me.
“William,” I say slowly. “Please forgive me if what I’m about to say is wrong, but it unfortunately also involves you.”
“Go on,” he responds, his expression neutral. “I believe we both have the same idea of who it could be.”
“Then how about you tell the rest of us?” Elise huffs, while Maria and her son begin to look uncomfortable. “Because I’m dying of curiosity.”
“There were always only two options for becoming alpha.” I explain, keeping my gaze fixed on William. “And when one of those options lost his right to ever take his place, someone wasn’t too thrilled.”
“My father,” William says, his voice dripping with anger. “He is the only possibility behind this.”
“Then why the fuck didn’t someone say that from the start?” Elise huffs, seeming not too thrilled. “And why was I harassed into agreeing to working with you if you already knew?”
“Because someone.” William snaps, turning his gaze to Charlie. “Failed to mention this tidbit.”
“Sorry,” Charlie chuckles, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t get the chance with those bastards trying to get me at the time.”
“Bastards trying to get you?” I repeat, worry rushing through me. “Why didn’t you mention that you were being chased sooner?”
Fuck! What if the ones after Charlie found their way onto my grounds? No. They couldn’t possibly, not with guards patrolling the borders. But if Charlie got in, that would mean...
“Don’t worry.” Charlie says, not missing where my mind is going. “I lost them way before I came to pay a visit.”
“Are you sure about that?” I push, not willing to fully believe. “Because if you brought trouble to my pack, then...”
“I’ll go check!” Elise announces, taking the opportunity to escape. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Before I get a chance to say anything, not only Marty but even William are turning and quickly chasing after her.
"Huh," Charlie chuckles, watching the scene. "I guess you've got another problem to deal with aside from me."
"You don't say," I growl, understanding completely what he means. "Get out. I need a moment to breathe."