[Rosco's POV]

I watch William's retreating form for a moment longer before turning and heading back into the room where Denali is watching my mother cradle Serenity. When both ladies' eyes come to rest on me, I place a smile on my face.

"What do you think?" I ask, making my way over to my mother. "I think she looks like me."

Of course I'm joking, but it is easy to see the sadness in her gaze as she watches me. I'm sure she is thinking about how good it would be if my father were here for this, but with his stubbornness, there was no fucking way he would show his face.

"I think she looks like Denali," my mother counters, keeping her voice light. "But she does have your eyes."

Nodding, I look down into the tiny, bottomless pits that rest on my daughter's face. She's right; she's definitely inherited the Torres' eyes.

"Too bad," I sigh, running a hand through her soft tufts of hair. "I would prefer her to have Denali's eyes."

At my words, I look over at the woman in question to find her face flushed a beautiful pink and immediately feel desire well.

Shit, I need to keep it together. There was no way I could touch her, not now, especially when she just gave birth.

Frowning, I find myself trying to remember exactly when it was that the doctor said we would have to wait to be intimate.

Six weeks.

As I remember this, I feel an annoyance flare, but I quickly push it away as Denali shoots me a look.

'Sorry, mi reina,' I murmur through mindlink. 'You're just so fucking enticing.'

'It's because you're like that that I'm here now,' she points out, but I don't miss the disappointment that she too is feeling. 'Is Elise being summoned?'

For a moment, anger rushes through me over how insistent she is that Elise be here, but then I immediately remember that it is most likely because she is the only family that Denali has left.

Giving her a look, I feel my heart breaking for my mate over the fact that she had absolutely no one in this world she could call family aside from me and a criminal who was attempting to reform. It wasn't fair that she was born into such a world, but in the end, all of that brought her to me, so I would simply have to continue to make up for all the anguish she went through.

'William is getting her,' I assure Denali, taking a seat on the bed beside her and taking her hand.

'That's good,' Denali sighs.

Instantly, I can feel her beginning to relax while my mother begins to hum softly to Serenity. The whole scene is perfect and peaceful, but I can't help but feel a sudden sense of foreboding. I don't know if it is because I still can't fully accept that the danger is gone or if it is something else. However, before I can dwell too long, the door to the room opens, and William enters with a bright red face while Elise follows behind, giggling. It's almost like the two are in their own little world and don't even notice the rest of us, but when a gurgle escapes Serenity, both their gazes come to rest on her.

The room around us grows quiet while the two take in my daughter, and for a moment I see something flash in Elise's eyes, but just as quickly as it is there, it is gone, and her bored expression is returned.

"I believe congratulations are in order," she announces, coming forward and reaching out a finger to poke Serenity's cheek. "You're a chubby one, aren't you?"

As she speaks, her look from earlier returns, and I'm almost certain it is jealousy over the scene unfolding around us. Since she was given away as a baby, I was sure that seeing something like this made her feel some sort of way. I could only hope she wouldn't dare ruin the moment for Denali, and when a slow smile begins to form on her lips, I know she won't.

"She's beautiful," she murmurs, letting Serenity's tiny fingers wrap around her own. "It's good you came out looking like your mother and not your dad."

"What?" I growl, taking immediate offense. "Are you trying to say that I'm ugly?"

"Something like that," Elise chuckles. "Sorry, mister, but you're just low-grade handsome."

"Low grade?" I repeat, finding myself getting sucked right in. "And who exactly are you comparing me to?"

"Uh, guys," William says, drawing our attention to himself. "Do you really think that right now is the time for that?"

Confusion flares as I take in a look of unease on his features until I turn and find Denali watching us with an unreadable expression.

Shit. Was this what Elise was trying to do? Causing trouble between Denali and me.

Gritting my teeth, I look at her once more but find that she is watching Serenity intently. Her eyes are roaming all over her body, and I'm almost certain that she is looking for something.

"What?" I demand moving forward and taking my daughter from my mother. "You aren't planning anything, are you?"

"Rosco!" My mother gasps. "How can you say such a thing? She's..."

"Still a criminal," I finish for her.

My mother had a general idea of how we came to find Elise and bring her back here, but with her caring nature, she was more than willing to believe that Elise truly meant to change her ways. Of course, that was one way Denali and my mother were similar, but I wasn't ready to let my guard down yet, especially when it came to my daughter.

"I think it may be time that I left," Elise sighs, ignoring me entirely and meeting Denali's gaze. "Congratulations again, sis. I'll see you at the trial."

"Elise," Denali says softly. "Thank you."

"Mhm."

Giving a nod, Elise turns and begins to move, but stops when she reaches William, who has remained silent this whole time.

"Want to walk me back, handsome?"

At her words, William flushes a bright red, and I can't help but wonder again what exactly may be going on between them. I could only hope that it wasn't anything serious, especially given the fact that he would soon be taking over Crystal Fang. As a leader, there was no room for having a criminal beside him.

"I'll do it," I announce, before William can speak.

Immediately, three pairs of eyes come to rest on me, and I immediately regret my outburst since I'm sure that they're all thinking the wrong thing. However, I stand my ground as my feeling of unease continues to grow. If Elise thought I missed the slight worry that was on her face, she was wrong, and I was going to figure out what the hell was going through her head. Whether it was her wanting to do something to my daughter because she had what she didn't or something more, I would get the answer out of Elise.

"What a gentleman!" Elise giggles, waggling her brows. "But I'd rather be escorted by someone who is actually fun."

Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but stop as I once again realize she is intentionally trying to sow discord. It looked like a tiger couldn't shed its stripes that quickly.

"Come on," I growl, moving forward and grabbing her arm. "You've wasted enough time."

[Elise's POV]

"Alright," I announce, fixing my gaze on Rosco. "Why did you want to get me alone?"

As I speak, I yank my arm free of his hold and press my hand against his chest.

"Did you want to rethink that rejection?"

"Don't be absurd," he growls, smacking my hand off. "You know damn well that there will never be anything between us."

Smirking, I cross my arms and wait as he stares me down. I had to admit, it was pretty damn funny that he was so full of himself, and it was because of that that I couldn't help but pick on him. Maybe it was a family trait since his cousin was equally fun to tease.

"Then what did you want?" I ask when the silence continues to fall around us. "You ruined my chance to have more fun with your cousin, so it better be good."

"My cousin," he repeats, his gaze narrowing. "I hope that you will be smart enough to know that you have no place beside him."

"Says who?" I demand, taking offense. "Don't tell me that you have a cousin complex. Don't you know that's gross? Does your wife know that you're so protective of him? If not, I can."

"That's enough of your bullshit!" Rosco growls, his aura exploding around us and pushing against my skin. "I'm not in the mood for your shit."

Letting a slow smile spread across my face, I let my own aura begin to trickle out. Who the hell did he think he was trying to assert his dominance against me? Even if my dear sister didn't possess the alpha gene, that didn't mean that I didn't, and I would be damned if I let him feel like he was my superior.

Okay, well, maybe given my current circumstances, he was, but this was something entirely different, and I wasn't in the mood to back down.

"Are you challenging me?" Rosco asks now, his eyes flashing dangerous gold. "Denali just gave birth and needs time to recover, but that doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you if you..."

"Yeah, yeah," I sigh, drawing my aura back in. "You won't go easy on me if something happens." I continue, rolling my eyes. "I get it. You don't have to spout the same bullshit all the good guys do. Anyway, you were the one who started it. I was enjoying my time with my sister, and you pulled me away, so could you please tell me what the hell it is that you want?"

"What was with you earlier?"

"I don't understand what you mean," I say, feeling my unease beginning to grow as memories of the dream I just had emerge. "Why don't you..."

"Cut the shit," Rosco growls. "You were looking for something on Serenity. What the hell was it?"

Remaining quiet, I let the images of those cloaked figures come flashing back as my stomach churns and I taste bile beginning to make its way up my throat.

"Tell me," I say slowly, pushing them away. "Have you by chance offended anyone else?"

At my words, a look of anger flashes across Rosco's features, but he doesn't speak, and when his brows begin to furrow, I know that he is considering my words.

"I was an alpha heir," he points out. "There are many I offended because of that."

"Then does your family bear any curses?"

This time, Rosco's gaze darkens and his lips twitch into a terrifying scowl, and I realize too late that I've said the wrong thing. Before I can react, his hand is shooting out and wrapping around my throat.

Gasping, I feel myself being pushed against a wall and then lifted off my feet.

"What the fuck are you trying to say?" He growls, his face close to mine. "Are you keeping important information from us?"

As he speaks, the door to Denali's room opens, and William comes rushing out with a look of shock on his face. When he spots us, he rushes forward and wraps a hand around Rosco's wrist.

"Rosco," he hisses, attempting to pry his hand from my throat. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you know what Denali will think if she sees..."

"Rosco."

"Too late," I manage as Rosco works to cut off my airway even more. "It seems you made too much noise, brother-in-law."

"Rosco," Denali repeats, her voice echoing around us. Even though she tries to sound strong, it is clear she is exhausted from giving birth, and when a hiss of pain escapes her, I'm being dropped while Rosco rushes to her side.

Sucking in deep lungfuls of air, I collapse onto the ground and turn my gaze to the lovers as Rosco gathers Denali in his arms. The scene leaves me with a sense of emptiness, but before I can let the pain of already being rejected consume me, I tear my eyes away and bring them to meet William's.

"Are you alright?" He murmurs, kneeling down in front of me. "I'm not sure what happened, but I'm sure Rosco didn't mean..."

"He did," I counter, brushing away the hand. William reaches out to touch me. "Don't forget that I'm a criminal and a murderer."

For a moment, William doesn't speak as he processes what I've said, and before he can collect himself, I'm standing.

"About your question," I say now, turning toward Rosco. "Make sure that Serenity is protected at all times."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" He demands as Denali's confused gaze comes to rest on me. "What do you know that we don't?"

"It could be nothing or it could be something, but this world is dark and cruel." I respond slowly. "I suggest you sit down with your parents and figure out if there is some dark history that you aren't aware of."

"Elise," Denali says, confusion coloring her words. "What are you implying?"

"And you," I continue, focusing on her. "Is there anything you know about our parents that you aren't sharing?"

"Nothing," Denali responds immediately. "Why are you saying all of this?"

"We may have won one battle, but that doesn't mean that there isn't another waiting," I say quietly. "And your daughter may be the reason for it."

I knew that I was being pretty damn vague in what I was saying, but after the way Rosco treated me, I wasn't much inclined to share with him what I knew. Honestly, with his temper and his distrust of me, I didn't even expect him to believe me if I told him, and if he did, there was a good chance that he would think I was behind it.

"Hey, brother-in-law?" I call, drawing Rosco's attention to me. "When is my trial?"

"A week from now," he responds, giving me a look of confusion. "Why are you asking?"

"Because I need to start that training sooner than later," I shrug, grabbing William's arm and pulling him to his feet. "Can you lead me back to my cell now, handsome?" I ask him as his gaze meets mine. "I'm pretty tired after so much fun."

"William!" Rosco growls when we begin to move. "I wasn't finished talking to her."

"I think it's best that you focus on Denali and Serenity for now," William counters. "Tension is too high at the moment for anyone to have a reasonable conversation."

At his words, I shoot Rosco a look, and when he gives me a look of annoyance, I give him a wink.

"At least someone knows how to act like an adult." I giggle, wrapping my arms around William's. "Lead the way, handsome."