\[Rosco’s POV\]
I keep my gaze fixed on Charlie as he looks from me to William, who keeps his back to us. Despite my words, I can tell he wants to stop William, but this is a sensitive matter.
“Fine.” Charlie finally sighs, deflating. “Go,” he continues to say to William. “Go to that hospital and cause trouble since you’re so hell-bent on it.”
“I will.”
Not bothering to look at us, William moves, storming out of the packhouse and disappearing. Only once he’s gone do I focus on Charlie again.
“Since he is going to deal with retrieving the bodies, I want you to tell me everything that actually happened.”
Although I had a general idea of what went down, I was sure there was more to the story.
Why did Uncle Jaxon take William back there?
What led him to think the only option was blowing up the building?
How did Elise and my father end up dying?
So many questions raced through my mind, causing my head to spin and my ears to ring. Or maybe it was the illness taking over again. I didn’t know, there was just too much going on.
“You should go lay back down.” Denali says, catching me as I sway. “I told you not to push yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“Listen to your wife.” Both Charlie and Jose say together.
Sighing, I simply nod and allow Denali to lead me back up the stairs and into the infirmary. Once I’m back in bed, Olga comes over and smacks me with a clipboard.
“What the hell are you doing?” I growl, shooting her a glare. “How dare you…”
“How dare you!” She snaps, giving me a disapproving look. “Don’t you know that you’re dying would mean catastrophe?”
Tsking, she turns on her heel and heads over to another patient while I let out a grumble.
“I never thought I’d see the day when the great and powerful Rosco was bossed around by women.” Charlie chuckles. “But now I’ve seen everything.”
“Watch it.” I growl. “Otherwise, I’ll make you leave.”
“Didn’t you want information from me?” He counters, causing my annoyance to grow.
“Fine,” I huff. “I want you to give me the full rundown. I want each and every detail of what happened from the time you arrived at Crystal Fang til you left.”
For a moment, Charlie doesn’t speak, and his face takes on a far-away look. I’m sure that he is remembering everything, and from the look of disgust that colors his features, I know it must not have been pretty.
“Most of Crystal Fang is gone.” He says slowly. “I don’t know how your uncle managed it, but everyone we encountered was on his side.”
“This corruption must have been going on for a long time.” I sigh. “Please, continue.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “When we found your uncle and William, your father was already gone. Your uncle he…” I wait as Charlie shakes his head. “His throat was slit, and he was freely bleeding while your uncle sat triumphantly on him. We attacked in hopes that there may have been a chance to save him. I’m sorry, Alpha.”
My heart squeezes painfully as I process what Charlie is telling me.
My father is dead. He was gone, and I never got the chance to truly fix things with him. Shit it hurt more than I expected, but I knew that my suffering couldn’t be anything in comparison to that of my mothers. Her current condition is proof of that.
“What else?” I ask, wanting a distraction. “Why did my uncle take William?”
“It looked like a wedding.” Charlie explains. “William was chained up while some woman clung to him.”
“Woman.” I repeat. “And where is that woman now?”
“She managed to escape when the building started coming down.” He responds. “Everything was a blur after that. We did our best to escape, but Elise was severely injured, and that slowed William down. I’m sure that she felt that way too, because she ended up sacrificing her life to save him when the roof started coming down.”
So Elise died, making sure that William would live. As much as I didn’t like or trust her, I would be indebted to her knowing that she did that. I could only hope that all of her sacrifices leading up to this point would lead her to Nirvana so that she would finally be at peace with the Goddess.
“Is that everything?” I ask, wondering how Denali, who has silently listened in, feels about everything.
“That’s it.” Charlie confirms. “After that, the fire department and police showed up. They tried to save Elise, but she was already gone. And they managed to retrieve your father’s body along with a few others.”
“I don’t give a damn about those few others.” I growl, knowing they were traitors. “They could have burned to ash for all that I care. Thank you for telling me these things. I’m going to go ahead and call the hospital so that William is able to retrieve Elise and my father; please go up there so you can meet him with the van.”
“Yes, alpha.” Charlie says, getting up. “Please, once you’re finished, try to get some rest. You’re still not out of the woods.”
“I will.” I say, turning my gaze to Denali. “I don’t think my luna will let me get away with not doing that.”
\[William’s POV\]
I stand alone, staring at Elise as she lays motionless on a cold metal bench. How was this happening? Why was it happening? Was this some type of curse for me? Anyone I may develop feelings for will be snatched away from me.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper, dropping to my knees. “I’m so fucking sorry. If I wasn’t involved, then you wouldn’t be here.”
Pain shoots through me as I reach out and touch Elise’s cold cheek. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes while my soul slowly starts to die.
“Please,” I whisper, not wanting to accept the truth in front of me. “Don’t leave. Don’t leave me, Elise.”
With the words comes another flood of tears that begin to rain down my cheeks.
“Come back,” I beg, grabbing her hand. “Please come back to me. I swear, I’ll protect you this time with all that I have.”
Despite my pleas, Elise doesn’t move, doesn’t breathe, and doesn’t make to answer my call.
“Elise,” I sob. “Don’t leave me here alone.”
All those years of living in darkness and misery after Marigold’s death led me to Elise. She came crashing into my world, making me feel again with her devil-may-care ways and her strength. She was the light at the end of that tunnel, and for the first time in years, I was able to feel again, but our time was too damn short. How could she leave before we truly got to see what could be?
Crumpling, I continue to let the tears fall as the dead watch me. They don’t speak; they don’t judge; instead, they try to beckon me to join them as my body and heart grow colder.
I don’t know how long I stay there like that until the door behind me opens and Charlie walks in with Jose in tow, ending my time alone with Elise and ensuring that this would be one of the last times I saw her.