\[William's POV\]
Closing my eyes, I allow Marigold's face to come to me willingly for the first time in I wasn't sure how long. For the most part, I tried not to think about her since it usually left me having trouble breathing due to the pain I felt from losing her.
“Have you decided to go to sleep sitting up?” Elise asks when I continue to let all the memories and emotions attached to them flood into me. “I thought you were going to tell me a sad story that would make me want to open up to you.”
Sighing, I just ignore the hit that Elise is giving me. I was beginning to learn that when she was at her sassiest, it was when she desperately wanted to hide something. Who was becoming acquainted with the actions of the wild cat? Oh, it was me.
“Right, my sad story.” I agree, trying to decide where to begin. “Have you ever felt the pain of losing a mate?” I ask, deciding that the very beginning was the right place.
“Can’t say I have.” She responds, though I see something flash in her eyes that says otherwise. “Are you telling me that a man of your caliber actually got rejected by his mate?”
“Not rejected,” I counter. “Mine was ripped away from me because I wasn’t strong enough to protect her.”
As the words leave my lips, memories of that day begin to crash into me from the lightning in the sky and the torrential downpour that soaked me to my very bones while I cradled Marigold’s unmoving body in my arms.
“Sometimes finding the one meant for you isn’t a good thing.” I say now. “Especially when you’re in no position to choose just anyone.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Elise sighs. “As an alpha heir you don’t get your pick of the litter, you have to be with someone who can help you grow in your position.”
“That’s right.” I confirm. “And it was because of that I tried desperately to keep anyone from discovering that Marigold even existed. I met her when I was only sixteen and hunting. She was a rogue with no pack, she was traveling with her family from place to place. They were struggling when I found them. They were cold, hungry and homeless.
“‘As you already know, I’m not someone who can just leave someone in trouble alone so I decided to help them. It started with me just bringing her warm clothes and food, but eventually I helped house them and would go visit often, I guess that’s where my feelings for her began to grow.”
“So you didn’t bother taking her back to Crystal Fang with you?” Elise asks, cocking her brow. “Couldn’t you just have made her a member of your pack? Don’t you know sneaking around just makes you look more suspicious?”
“I’m aware,” I chuckle. “But I also know my father, and if he even got a whiff of the budding relationship between us, he would make sure it came to an end. That was why, when I turned eighteen and discovered she was my mate, I tried my hardest to let go of my feelings, but it was impossible.”’
“It was then that I decided that no matter what, I would bring her back to Crystal Fang and make her my mate. I even went straight to my father and renounced my position as a possible heir. Of course, he didn’t like that and beat the shit out of me and started an investigation as to why I was doing it. Maybe if I didn’t go to that extreme, Marigold would still be with me; maybe not. I won’t even know because a week later I found her and her family dead.”
Growing quiet, I watch as Elise stares at me with an expression that screams pity. I’m sure that, like me, she already has an idea of what actually happened. I don’t know if it was a good idea to tell her something like this when I was openly pursuing her, but I wanted there to be absolutely no secrets between us.
“My mate died because of my selfishness, and that is a cross I must bear for the rest of my life.” I say now, reaching out and grabbing Elise’s hand.
“And why are you even telling me this?” She asks. “I don’t quite understand.”
“I’m trying to make it clear that we aren’t that different. Whether we kill people for survival or for selfishness, we both have lives on our hands. I know that you’re scared to open up to me because you don’t think you’re worthy of having anyone, but that isn’t true.”
“That’s quite the assumption.” Elise giggles. Getting to her feet, she gives a stretch but tenses as the freshly healed skin over her previous wounds tugs. “Ugh, that hurts.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t attempt sudden movements.” I suggest attempting to help her only to be brushed off. “Are you really going to continue to hold me at arm's length after what we did?”
For a moment, Elise doesn’t speak as she examines me. When a slow smile of amusement crosses her face, I know she’s not willing to budge yet.
“Aw, sweetie,” she says, reaching out and patting my cheek. “Don’t tell me you think just because I fucked you, I wanted to date you. We live in the twenty-first century, where men and women are more than capable of getting their fill and then going separate ways.”
Smirking, I grab her ass and pull her against me.
“Sorry,” I husk, letting my lips get close to her ear. “I’m not going to let you get away with that. You have to take responsibility for taking advantage of me.”
“Advantage?” She repeats with a laugh. “I hardly took advantage when you were a willing participant. Anyway, I think it’s best if I went back to Crystal Fang with my dear sister and brother-in-law.”
Stepping back, she gives me a final look before beginning to move, but before she can get too far, I’m reaching out and grabbing her.
“What?” She asks, pointedly looking at my hand. “Do you want one more round for the road?”
“Clothes,” I say instead. “Or do you plan on waltzing back into Crystal Fang completely nude?”
“Hm?” She considers. “Since this is our most natural form, would it make a difference?”
“Clothes.” I snap, my anger spiking.
“Fine, fine.” She giggles, beginning to move. “I’ll get dressed since dad wants it.”
Letting out a growl, I pull Elise against me, press my hand between her legs, and let my fingers rub along her slit.
“I’m not your fucking father." I hiss as a small moan escapes her. “Don’t ever call me that again.”
“What?” She breathes, moving her ass against me. “You don’t have a daddy kink?”
Grimacing, I try to ignore how fucking disgusting I felt, even having her against me when she used that word.
“Fuck no.”
Giving a laugh that makes my insides come alive, Elise pulls free and begins to skip forward.
“Got it; I won’t call you daddy, but know it is your loss!” Giving a wave, she disappears inside the house while I just stand in place, trying to ignore my painful erection.
“Damned woman.” I huff, deciding that a cold shower first would be ideal. “You won’t be able to escape me.”