[Elise’s POV]“Faking being mates, huh?”I let a giggle escape me as I slowly rose off the toilet that I’m sitting on.‘Don’t you know eavesdropping is wrong?’ Anna sighs, though she seems just as interested in what is happening between Serenity and Maverick as I am.‘I wasn’t eavesdropping.’ I point out flushing the toilet and washing my hands. ‘I was simply going to the bathroom.’Right. I was going to the bathroom, and it wasn’t my fault that I just so happened to hear something interesting.Smirking, I head back out into the living room of Serenity’s dorm, where everyone is waiting, including the big lug and Denali. However, before I can have a seat, Denali’s gaze comes to rest on me, and a look of shock flashes in her eyes.Frowning, I look down, half expecting to find something on me, but when I don't, confusion envelopes me. Why was she looking at me like that, and why did it make me feel like she was seeing through me?Shaking off my unease, I take a seat, but Denali’s gaze st
[Serenity’s POV]I stand with Maverick while Tyrone and Trinity stare at us curiously. In the moment, I almost wish that I could be the twins since they’re not involved in any of this mess aside from being wolves who are now humans because of me.“Mates, huh.” Uncle William chuckles, drawing my gaze to him. “Got to say that I’m surprised.”Frowning, I examine his features, which hold a hint of disbelief. Of course, he would have a hard time believing that Maverick and I were mates since he was the one who kept a close eye on us for the past three years due to my father’s request.“Since when?” He pushes.“The new moon.” I respond immediately. “After I turned eighteen.”Every wolf was able to find their mates after they turned eighteen, and a single new moon had passed since my eighteenth birthday. Would it be so farfetched to say that I found my mate on my very first try, while other wolves sometimes search for months, years, or even decades before finding theirs?“I guess your meetin
[Maverick’s POV]I watch Serenity carefully, looking for any sign that maybe, just maybe, she may feel the same as me. But she does a splendid job of keeping her expression light. The only indication that she is feeling anything is the slight blush on her cheeks and the tips of her ears.Smirking, I reach out and ruffle her hair before the atmosphere gets too weird.“Don’t look so shocked.” I sigh, beginning to move. “I’m going to bed.”I don’t wait for Serenity to respond before I’m turning and preparing to move, but before I can take a step, Rosco’s eyes come to rest on me.“Speaking of sleeping.” He announces, giving me a look. “I think it may be best if you start sleeping in the boys dorms.”For a second, shock rolls through me before I realize that he is honestly right. Since Serenity wanted us to pretend to be mates, the best place for me was away from her for the time being. However, despite knowing that, I feel a sense of loss over being separated like this.“Are you just goin
[Elise’s POV]Phantom faces haunt my dreams, making my skin break out in a sweat and my body toss and turn. They’re calling to me, and their clawed fingers are beckoning me, but I fight with all my might to stay away until my eyes fly open and I find that I’m in my room in the girls dorm of the academy.“Fuck,” I sigh, sitting up and wiping tendrils of stray hair away from my soaked forehead. “What the hell is this?”This was the second night that these phantoms haunted my dreams. Although I knew that they were something important, I couldn’t make heads or tails of what I was seeing.Letting out a grumble of annoyance, I untangle the blanket that is wrapped tightly around me and then get up.Peeking at my phone, I find that it is still fairly early and classes won’t be starting anytime soon. Although I would have loved to go back to sleep, I already know that won’t be possible, not with the anxiety I was feeling.‘Some fresh air should help.’ Anna offers.‘You’re probably right.’Deci
[Elise’s POV]Eyes widening, I realize too late what the hell is coming out of my mouth. Fuck. Why did I go and say such a thing when there were plenty of other explanations? Was I some sort of idiot?‘Probably,’ Anna chuckles, not making matters better. ‘Or you were speaking from the heart.’At her words, I feel my heart squeeze painfully as I look at William, who is watching me carefully. Sure, maybe that was right, but there was no fucking way we could ever be together now.“You’re spying on me because you like me.” He says now, snapping me out of my head. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”Shock rolls through me at his words, but in a way, I’m happy that he doesn’t actually believe what I said. However, if he wasn’t willing to believe that I liked him, then what did he suspect?“I’ve thought this since the day that you approached my niece, but you have a secret agenda for getting close to not only her but even me, don’t you?”Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I kno
[Elise’s POV]I wait as Denali examines me, a look of longing in her features, and when she rushes toward me, pulling me into a hug that damn near smothers me, I can feel just how badly she missed me. And even though I know I should be hugging her back, I’m left motionless, as for the first time in my life, I feel the feeling of family.“I knew it.” She whispers, slowly releasing me so she can stare down into my eyes. “I felt it the minute I saw you.”Nodding, I consider her words as I try to get my emotions in check and ignore the nagging fear that I will die.“But why did you lie before?” She continues when I don’t speak. “Is there a reason that you’re hiding it? Is something going on? Is someone possibly chasing you?”“Woah, there,” I sigh, stopping her before she can go into full panic mode. “It isn’t anything like that. Instead,” I continue, wondering if I’m actually allowed to speak of the deal I made with the goddess. “I had my reasons.”For now, I would keep that reason close
[Maverick’s POV]I watch as Serenity nods in agreement with my request, but even now I can tell that she is hiding something from me. Usually she would tell me everything, like I was her closest confidante, but here she was hiding things from me for the first time.“Deal,” she says. “We should get going before we’re late for class.”“You go ahead of me.” I say. “There’s something I need to do first.”At my words, Serenity gives me a look of confusion, but she doesn’t question me, which also isn’t like her. This alone was proof that she was distracted.“Don’t be late.”It’s the last thing she says before she turns and disappears into the sea of students who are heading toward their classes. Once she is out of sight, I turn and begin to move, heading toward William’s office so I can have a word with him.Although I knew that it was probably for the best that I be separated from Serenity and placed in the boys dorm, I just couldn’t stomach the idea of not being near at all times. Maybe i
[Serenity’s POV]I arrive at battle class just as the bell rings, but despite that, Maverick is still nowhere to be seen. Frowning, I find myself wondering where he could possibly be.“Don’t just stand around,” Professor Alex announces. “Change into your battle gear and get out here.”As she speaks, Maverick’s warning about a combat test taking place returns to me. However, didn’t he know that he would also be participating in this test? If he so much as failed anything, then he would be kicked out of the academy and wouldn’t be beside me anymore.“Where are you?” I whisper as Professor Alex glares at me.“Now!” He snaps, narrowing his gaze. “Why are you just standing there?”“Sorry,” I grumble before turning and heading to the changing rooms, where the rest of the girls in class are already changing.While I move, their gazes come to rest on me, and I can see that familiar look of hatred on their faces that I have grown used to. Ignoring them, I continue to move until I spot Eleanor
[Serenity’s POV]Later, I sit in a meeting room with Uncle Jose, a few of his sergeants, and Maverick. The mood is grim, and even though I want to be outside fighting, I know that going forward we will have to be wary. For that reason alone, we decided on this retreat despite the danger that lurked just near the borders, unmoving.As I let my gaze travel around those who are with me, Maverick’s hand touches mine, and that gentle touch alone makes me feel like I’m going to crumble at any minute.I didn’t protect him. I didn’t protect my father. I didn’t protect the rest of the warriors who trusted in us. I failed. I was a failure, and now…‘It’s alright.’Maverick’s voice is soft and soothing, but it only causes my turmoil to grow greater.‘How can you say that?’ I ask, wanting to look him in the eye. ‘Because I didn’t arrive on time, you…’“Let’s begin this meeting.” Uncle Jose announces before I can go any further. “As it is clear that we were surprised with that boy's strange abilit
[Serenity’s POV]I stare straight ahead, taking in Forrest, who sits on the ground laughing. His arm is bleeding, and even from where I stand, I can smell his blood, and to my surprise, it makes my mind hazy.What is that? I hiss, trying to make sense of what is happening. What the hell am I smelling? It smells delicious, and I want…No. I hiss inwardly, shaking off the desire that I’m feeling. There’s something off about that blood, something scary, and maybe it explained the way Maverick was acting.As this thought hits, I peek behind to find him lying motionless on the ground. He’s in his human form, and I’m almost certain that he won’t be able to shift again, not after biting me and ingesting my blood.Was it you? I silently growl, turning my gaze back to Forrest. It was, right?I’m certain he understands me given the smile that spreads across his face and the way he lifts his hands and claps.“You’re a smart one.” He huffs, slowly rising to his feet. “And it seems that you may be
[Maverick’s POV]The world around me begins to turn red, and everything in me screams to kill as the scent of Forrest’s blood overwhelms me.Fuck. What was this? What was this feeling? What was happening to me?Hissing in shock, I stumble backward even though everything in me screams to continue to attack, and this move alone causes a laugh to escape Forrest.“Look at you,” he huffs, sitting up and wiping blood from his lip. “Just the slightest smell of my blood has you struggling so much.”“Shut up,” I growl, trying to shake off what I’m feeling. “Just shut the fuck up.”As I speak, I move to attack again but once again stagger as that need for blood hits me.“What is this?” I whisper, causing a bark of laughter to escape Forrest.“She isn’t the only one with special blood.” He says, getting up from the ground and beginning to move toward me. “I too have special blood, but mine doesn’t turn wolves into humans.”“What?” I hiss, fixing my gaze on the man in front of me so I can see him
[Maverick’s POV]I watch in horror as the ground beneath Serenity opens up, and before I can move to help her, she is falling.“SERENITY!” I roar, rushing forward and watching as she hits the ground below and curls in on herself to protect her body from the debris that is falling.Stepping back, I prepare to jump but stop as I hear Serenity cough and then get up to move, heading straight for the front of the packhouse where I’m certain the enemy is waiting.“Dammit!” I growl, moving forward and then jumping so I’m left falling to the ground below.As I hit, I start to move, rushing forward and bursting through the door to find Serenity standing with Rosco, but I don’t have much time to feel relief as I take in all the blood that is covering Serenity’s body.Shit. I hiss inwardly, looking around until I find a flag, which I grab and then move forward so I can wrap it around Serenity, who lets out a shocked gasp while Rosco watches on.“At least someone has some sense of urgency.” He hu
[Serenity’s POV]I keep my gaze locked on Maverick’s as I slowly begin to lower myself, allowing him to fill me bit by bit until he is swallowed whole. Remaining in place, I get used to having his fullness in me before I begin to move.“Maverick,” I whisper, pressing my hands against his chest so I can dig my nails into his skin. “Oh, fuck Maverick.”“That’s it,” he murmurs, running his hands to my ass so that he can begin to guide me. “That’s a good girl.”Good girl. Goddess, I loved the way he called me a good girl. I loved the way he called my name passionately. I loved how his body felt against mine and how his dick felt in me. I loved all of it, but most of all I loved him, and even now, with our bodies moving together, our hearts beating rapidly, and our breath hitching from what we are doing, I don’t feel like this is enough to show him my feelings.“I love you,” I whisper, quickening my thrusts. “I love you so damn much, Maverick.”At my words, his eyes grow wide, and before I
[Serenity’s POV]“Do you think Uncle William is okay?”I stare up into Maverick’s dark eyes while his arms tighten around me, pulling me closer to try to comfort the anxiety that I’m feeling.Two days had already passed since Uncle William went back to Crystal Fang, and even though there was no word on how he was, there was also no word that something happened, which in the end was a good sign, but I just couldn’t seem to calm down no matter how many times I told myself that everything was going to be okay.Was this feeling of foreboding only because of Uncle William, or did it also include the battle that we would be heading out for tomorrow?Of course, I have full faith in my pack, my family, and my family’s packs, but I was still nervous because the thought of losing even a single person was eating away at me, especially since I was the reason all of this was happening.“Hey,” Maverick murmurs, gently grabbing my chin and making me look at him. “Listen to me.”“Mmmmm.”Where he tou
[William’s POV]I stare at Lydia, my gaze narrowing as I take in what it is that she is saying. I wasn’t sure if she thought that I was so easy to fool or if she really went crazy, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her shit.“You know there is no way that is impossible.” I say, ignoring my anger over her even suggesting such a ridiculous thing. “If you’re worried about not having anywhere to go once you leave here, you don’t have to worry about that. I will continue to support you as I promised, but you will no longer be able to stay beside me as you have until this point.”“You can’t be serious.” Lydia says, her eyes widening. “You’re going to send me away even though you know that I’m pregnant?”“You’re not pregnant.” I snap. “I took all precautions to ensure that didn’t happen.”“Nothing is a hundred percent.” She points out. “If you don’t believe me, then shall I have an examination?”“Have it,” I shrug. “Even if you are pregnant, I wasn’t the one who did it. Now, if you’re do
[William’s POV]I give Serenity and Maverick a final look before turning and peeking at Elise, who is curled up in bed with the blanket wrapped so tightly around her you would think she considers it the only thing protecting her from what is happening around her.“Why does this feel like goodbye?” Serenity asks, drawing my attention back to her. “I don’t like it.”“Don’t worry,” I chuckle, ruffling her hair. “I promise that I’ll be back, after all…”After all, wherever Elise is is where I will be. There was no way that I was going to let her out of my sight now that she was here with me. Of course, I knew that our relationship could never be what it once was given our current standing, but I could still be her support as she navigated the trenches of whatever life she decided to lead.“Now,” I continue, gently shutting the bedroom door behind me. “You and Maverick should take advantage of the time you have left before we leave.”“Okay,” she says quietly, but from her gaze, I know that
[Serenity’s POV]I sit with Maverick outside of Uncle William’s room, listening quietly to what is being said inside. Although I don’t necessarily think it is such a good idea to overwhelm Aunt Elise with her backstory, I can’t help but hope that maybe, somehow, it will bring her memories back to her. But even if those returned, what would come of Eleanor’s memories before Aunt Elise awoke? Would they somehow be there, or was the Eleanor of the past be gone forever?“What is it?” Maverick asks me, snapping me out of my head. “You’ve got a pretty big crease between your brows.”“I was just thinking,” I say quietly. “What it must feel like to be devoid of everything.”The words leave me before I even realize what I’m saying and to whom, and when I realize what I’m doing, my eyes widen, and I snap my gaze to Maverick, only to find that he is giving me a gentle look.“I’m sorry,” I hiss, feeling like I just shoved my foot into my mouth. “I didn’t…”“It’s fine,” he assures me, his large ha