\[William’s POV\]
I make my way across the room while Elise’s eyes burn into my back and my father’s burn into my head. It is clear both are chomping at the bit to explode, but they’re both attempting to hold back.
“You wanted to talk, right?” I ask my father when I reach him. “Then come with me.”
For a moment, he doesn’t speak as he continues to take in Elise, who is being obedient for once and remaining in place.
“Before that, you better explain to me what is going on here.” He huffs.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Elise calls before I can even speak. “We’re doing what adults do.” As she speaks, she lets a smug smile spread across her lips. “Are you blind or just too stupid to understand?”
“Watch it.” My father growls, his eyes flashing. “I highly doubt anyone would care if a criminal went missing.”
“A criminal.” She repeats, her voice filling with amusement. “So you’ve heard of me?”
“You…”
“Come along!” I announce sternly, grabbing my father’s arm and pulling him along behind me. “You came here for me, not to pick a fight with Elise.”
“Elise,” he repeats in disgust. “You’re on a first-name basis with that woman?”
“Did you come here to question me about her?” I counter.
Growing quiet, I wait as a growl of annoyance and disgust escapes my father. When he finally seems to relax, I continue to move until Rosco and Marty come into view. Both their expressions are filled with anger toward my father’s rudeness, and I can almost guess that the commotion I heard before he rudely interrupted me was from him fighting with these two.
“Now that you’ve seen him say what it is you’re here to say,” Rosco snaps, not wasting any time. “You were so fucking insistent on barging in like you owned the place.”
“As your elder, you should watch your tongue.” My father snaps. “Otherwise…”
“What?” Rosco challenges, his lip quirking in amusement. “What do you intend to do to me in my own territory?”
As he speaks, I don’t miss the double meaning. Even if there wasn’t ultimate proof that my father was up to no good, his motives and deeds were already known. Although I was sure that he didn’t even realize it.
I wait as my father stares Rosco down, either debating what to say or feeling him out, but when he finally seems to deflate, I know that he is thinking cautiously.
“You’re too arrogant, boy.” He says slowly, narrowing his gaze on Rosco. “This is why you would have never been a good fit for Alpha of Crystal Fang. Clearly, William was always the right choice given his obedience.”
Flinching, I try to ignore the disgust that begins to slowly move through me over being called obedient like I was some fucking dog. But I couldn’t deny that he was right. Before he took Marigold away from me, I was always trying to please him, but now... Well, I wouldn’t be devastated if he disappeared forever.
“Then I suppose it’s a good thing that I’m no longer a threat.” Rosco smirks. “Now speak. What the hell did you come here for? I know it wasn’t to just compare William and me.”
“Of course not.” My father snaps. “I came here to bring William back to Crystal Fang with me.”
“What?” I gasp, anger rushing through me. “And why would you do that when the threat to Emerald Moon isn’t taken care of?”
Turning his gaze to me, my father’s lips droop into a deeper frown, and I know that I’ve said the wrong thing.
“Why is this any of your business?” He asks slowly. “Especially when you’re in the middle of training to take over as alpha? You shouldn’t be wasting your time on meaningless things.”
“How is making sure that one of our neighboring packs is safe from a threat considered meaningless?” I counter. “How are we to know that once the enemy achieves their goal, they won’t come for us?”
“If it comes to that, we will protect our own territory.” My father shrugs. “Your cousin washed his hands clean of Crystal Fang, and as such, we too should wash our hands clean of anything that involves him or his pack. Now, pack your things and come with me.”
Eyes widening, I stare in disbelief over just how fucking heartless and cold my father could be. Anyway, who was he to be calling the shots when Uncle Hamilton was still alpha? This was an order from him, and I couldn’t just disobey it.
“No,” I say, causing my father’s eyes to flash with rage.
“What did you just say?” He snarls, reaching out and grabbing me. “Say that again.”
“He said no.” Marty offers, only adding to my father’s anger. “Or are you too dumb to understand?”
I bite back the laugh that wants to escape over the look of outrage that crosses my father’s face over being called dumb by a complete stranger. I already knew if I were to add insult to injury, I would risk him getting violent.
“I’m not going with you.” I say now, drawing his attention back to me. “This is an order from my alpha, and I intend to see it through.”
“I’ve already told you that.”
“He said he was obeying his alpha.” Rosco says, coming to stand beside me while Marty takes my other side. “Since he has made his intentions clear, it is about time that you leave.”
“And if I don’t?” My father challenges.
“Then I’ll show you the door.” Marty beams, beginning to crack his knuckles.
I don’t speak as my father looks from Marty to me and back.
“Are you truly going to disobey me, my son?” He asks, trying to play the family card. “After everything I’ve done for you.”
Everything he has done for me? All he ever did was give me an inferiority complex and destroy the only thing that brought me happiness. How could he think I would be thankful for any of that, and even now I wouldn’t have a chance at alpha if it wasn’t for Rosco’s choice, not because of his fucking guidance and support?
“I am.” I respond firmly. “Now please leave. You’ve caused enough trouble, and we still have an enemy to find.”
“Don’t regret this.”
“I assure you, I won’t.” I sigh. “The only thing I would regret is not fulfilling my duty.”
Nodding, my father gives me one more look before turning and storming away, but as I watch his retreating form, I know that this won’t be the last of his interference. My father is a stubborn man, and he didn’t take kindly to being defied. However, I would worry about the problem when it came. For now, the only thing I was interested in was getting Elise to forgive me for our moment of passion being interrupted.
“Good job, buddy.” Marty chuckles, clapping me on the shoulder. “You did good.”
“Did I really?” I ask quietly. “I’m sure he will come back again another day.”
“If he does, we will handle him.” Rosco assures me.
“Thanks.” I mutter as I hear a door open and close. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I need to take care of.”
Frowning, Rosco waits as I turn to face Elise, who is changed and wearing a sour expression. When he spots her, he gives me a look that screams that he knows what it is that I need to handle.
“Good luck.” He chuckles before grabbing Marty and leading him away. "Come to my office later. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."