\[Denali’s POV\]
I sit with Maria as she cuddles Serenity. Since she arrived so late the previous day, I waited until the next morning to introduce them. Now, she easily cradles Serenity in her arms while Tristan pouts at her side, but he isn’t the one being the biggest baby.
Tearing my gaze from Maria, I look to where Rosco sits with his arms crossed and his gaze narrowed. Even from where I sit, I can feel the irritation that is rolling off his body, and it only ruins the calm atmosphere I am trying to present.
“If you’re so worried, why don’t you hunt them down?” Jose suggests from his place beside the door. “Instead of sitting there brooding.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Rosco huffs, causing me to roll my eyes.
Of course, he knew what Jose was referring to. Ever since William called Rosco and let him know that he was going somewhere with Elise, he has been acting like this.
Although I understood the reason he was so on edge over the matter, I also knew that William and Elise were adults and could do as they pleased. In the end, it wasn’t our place to interfere with what may be.
“Sorry,” Maria says slowly. “But what exactly happened?”
“Denali’s dear sister and Rosco’s cousin have eloped.” Jose announces, causing a snarl to rip from Rosco.
“They didn’t elope!” He growls angrily. “They’re just being immature and putting themselves in danger by acting like teenagers in heat.”
At his words, I open my mouth to argue but stop as a presence pricks against me from just beyond the door. It is unfamiliar from any that I’ve felt, but also somewhat familiar. However, instead of assuming that it was an ally, I go on alert.
“Stay here.” Rosco says, sensing whoever it was too. “I’ll go let them in.”
Nodding, I watch as he gets up and heads to the door, then yanks it open so that I can see who is standing just behind it.
Eyes widening, I take in the older man, who resembles Hamilton but looks completely different. If I had to guess, I could only assume that he had to be William’s dad, and if he was, we were in trouble since his son wasn’t here right now.
“Uncle Jaxon.” Rosco announces, confirming what I already put together. “It’s a pleasure to see you, but why are you here?”
As he speaks, it is clear that Rosco is uneasy, and I’m sure it is because the person Jaxon came here to see isn’t present currently.
“Of course I came to see my son.” Jaxon responds matter-of-factly. “Where is that boy hiding?”
“Currently,” Rosco says slowly. “He isn’t here.”
For a moment, Jaxon doesn’t speak as he processes what it is that Rosco has said, and when his gaze narrows and his lips twitch into a frown, I know that he isn’t happy.
“What do you mean he isn’t here?” Jaxon growls. “I was specifically told by your father that William would be staying in Emerald Moon for a month to help you with your issue. Why he needs to help someone who should be so capable of handling such a minor thing is beyond me, but…”
“Mind your words, Jaxon.” Jose growls as Rosco prepares to attack. “If you’ve only come to cause trouble, then I won’t hesitate to show you out of here.”
”Why are you here?” Jaxon counters, eyeing Jose. “You of all people really shouldn’t be involved, given how much you hate my brother and our pack.”
“My sister asked me a favor, and I delivered.” Jose shrugs. “What? Angry that I was invited and you weren’t? Can you blame them with that awful attitude of yours?”
As the men go at it, I just watch on silently as memories of what Charlie told us the day before begin to emerge.
So this was William’s father, and possibly the one behind what happened to Charlie. Was it true that he was out to get rid of Rosco, and if that was the case, what would he do to me and Serenity?
Going on alert, I slowly reach over and take Serenity from Maria, who listens intently but lets her aura trickle from her. So even she was sensing danger from this man.
“I’ll ask you again.” Jaxon says now, turning away from Jose. “Where the hell is my son?”
“Not here,” Rosco repeats. “If you only came here to show your ass, I can show you the fucking door.”
“Is that how you speak to your elder?”
“You aren’t anything to me.” Rosco counters. “Now leave before I make you leave.”
“Not until I see my son!” Jaxon counters. “Your father made this decision without consulting me! He insists that it is good training for his future position as alpha, but I still have my reservations. This is most likely an elaborate ploy to try to stop him from succeeding in taking the position he deserves. Where is this enemy that you claim to exist in your territory?”
“That’s what we are trying to find out.” I respond before I can stop myself. “If we knew where they were, don’t you think we would have already taken care of them?”
“And who are you?” Jaxon demands. "Oh, wait, I remember you. You’re the daughter of that criminal, Roger! Why my brother allowed his son to marry a woman like you is beyond me, but I won’t…”
The rest of Jaxon’s words are lost as Rosco’s fist slams into his jaw, causing his head to snap to the side while a loud crack fills the room.
“I already told you to fucking leave!” Rosco snarls, preparing to land another blow. “And instead of leaving, you insult my Luna. Do you think that I will just sit back and let you do that?”
“Did you just hit me?” Jaxon growls, reaching up and touching his cheek. “Do you have a death wish?”
“No, but you do.” Rosco responds. “Jose, get this bastard out of my sight.”
Nodding, Jose moves, wrapping an arm around Jaxon so he can begin to drag him out of the room, but not before his eyes come to rest on me.
“This is all your doing!” He snarls. “Our family was perfectly obedient until you showed! Don’t you know that you will cause all of them to fall?”
With that, he moves, shaking Jose’s arm off of his shoulders and storming out of the room while we are all left to watch.
“Don’t listen to him.” Rosco huffs, coming to sit beside me. “He’s always had a horrible attitude and...”
“No, it’s fine.” I say.
He could say what he wanted about me; that was fine. After all, the thing that mattered was what his true motive in all this was.
“You should call William and warn him.” I say now. “So that he and Elise can get back here, where it is safe.”
“Right,” Rosco agrees. “But I’m sure Uncle Jaxon won’t stop trying to get to him. I’ll go find Marty and inform him of the situation. It would be good to post some more guards around the borders as well.”
As Rosco speaks, he makes his worry evident, and that just causes me to become more on edge. We already had enough to deal with, and now there was this.
“What about the warriors your father is sending?” I ask quietly. “How do we know that they aren’t working for William?”
“We don’t.” Rosco admits, his frown deepening. “Unless I personally go to Crystal Fang and pick them myself.”
“Is that possible?” I ask, my worry spiking.
“Who knows?” he shrugs. “But you don’t need to worry about such things. Leave all of this to me.”