[Serenity’s POV]The next day, I stand in my room, staring at my open suitcase and the clothes that I have already packed in it. It was still surreal to think that after being open for so many years, this place was actually closing its doors, and it was all my fault.Plopping down on the ground, I bury my face in my hands, cursing the ominous mark that marred my skin and what followed behind it. If only I wasn’t born with this, then this wouldn’t be happening.‘Wouldn’t it?’ Mahogany huffs. ‘Even if it wasn’t you, it would be someone else. But since it was you who was chosen, you shouldn’t sit here and play the pity card.’‘Shut up.’ I snap, bristling. ‘No one asked for your opinion.’It wasn’t only the fact that I was responsible for The Academy closing that I was upset, it was also the trouble that I was bringing those around me, Maverick included.It was because I was so stubborn and danger prone that he felt like a complete failure. Even if he did everything he could, there was no
[Maverick’s POV]I look from Rosco to Serenity and back, feeling the tension growing more and more between the two while knowing that neither was going to get anywhere. Like father, like daughter, that was for certain.“Come on,” I murmur, gently grabbing Serenity’s hand only to release it as a growl of warning escapes Rosco. “What?”“What do you think you’re doing?” He asks, narrowing his gaze on me. “Who gave you permission to touch my daughter?”“She’s my mate,” I say, remembering that we were putting on an act. “Isn’t it only proper that I try to comfort her?”As I speak, Serenity reaches out and wraps her slender fingers around mine, being defiant against her father in the only way she currently can.“We need to finish packing.” She says, giving me a gentle tug. “If you’ll excuse us.”She doesn’t wait for Rosco to respond before she begins to pull me away, and when Rosco lets out a snarl, I hear Denali say something to immediately calm him, stopping him from saying anything more
[Elise’s POV]The first alpha of Emerald Moon. How was it possible that he was that man? Didn’t that one go crazy and kill his entire pack? But from the visions I had til this point and the clues that the members of his pack were actually the rogues were right there.“How?” I hiss, trying to make sense of what this man was saying. “Why?”“All will be revealed,” he promises me, clutching the bars of mine and Forrest’s cell. “But first, I should punish my men for treating you so poorly.”Frowning, I eye Ezekial, trying to make sense of what he was saying and how he was acting. What was this about punishment? And for what? For putting a prisoner where a prisoner belonged?“Do you have split personalities?” I ask, unable to keep my cool. “First you capture me and drag me back to wherever the hell this is, and now you’re saying that your men treated me poorly by putting me in this cell.”At my words, a loud laugh escapes Ezekial, one that echoes around us, causing my insides to churn with
[Elise’s POV]Later, I sit at a large table that is covered in mouthwatering food, dressed in a floor length black gown that hugs my curves perfectly, but I can’t quite seem to find it in me to have an appetite. I mean, how could I when my partner for the evening was a psychopath who was hell bent on destroying the world?“Something wrong?” The man in question asks, eyeing me over his goblet of wine. “Don’t worry, nothing has been poisoned.”“If only that was the issue.” I mutter as Ezekial’s gaze narrows.“You’re way too tense, my dear.” He says, snapping his fingers so a man dressed in a butler's outfit rushes forward. “Please pour our guest something to drink.”Nodding, the man comes to stand beside me, and once he is in place, he grabs the chilled bottle of wine that sits between Ezekial and me and then begins to pour it into my glass.“Maybe a drink will help,” Ezekiel says as the butler steps back.“Uh...” I say, eyeing it and wishing like hell I could just down it. “I’m underag
[Serenity’s POV]We arrive in New Moon by mid-afternoon, and by the time I climb out of Uncle William’s car, I am buzzing with adrenaline. I felt almost like a criminal going against what my father told me. But there was something that was bothering me and making me uneasy. And that something was the woman climbing out of the car after me.Frowning, I watch as Uncle William quickly moves to help her as she stumbles slightly.“Who is she really?” I murmur, watching her lean into Uncle William, who doesn’t seem bothered at all.“You look like you want to kill.” Maverick whispers, causing a shiver to rush through me from his breath tickling my ear. “Might want to straighten that face.”Turning, I prepare to respond, but stop as I realize just how close he truly is and how our noses almost brush.“Personal space.” I mutter, though I actually wish that he was even closer. “Especially in front of the warden.”“Don’t mind me.” Uncle William chuckles, causing me to blush. “But try to avoid su
[Maverick’s POV]My eyes widen at Jose’s words, but in a way we should have realized sooner given how close Ellie looks to Denali and even Serenity.“Are you saying she was the first Luna of Emerald Moon?” I ask slowly.“Not hardly,” Jose spits, his expression darkening. “She was forced to go there just like Serenity’s grandmother.” He continues, turning his gaze to Serenity. “And even then she wasn’t put in the place of Luna; instead, the first alpha of Emerald Moon made another his Luna.”Frowning, I consider the words I am hearing as two and two begin to come together.“That means,” I say quietly, drawing everyone’s gaze to me. “I was a member of Emerald Moon’s original pack as well.”“Most likely,” Jose says, his face taking on a look of pity. “There may be a way to confirm.”“What’s that?” William asks, breaking the silence that falls around us. “Do you have a time machine?”“Something like that.” Jose chuckles, turning toward New Moon and motioning for us to follow him.Once ins
[Serenity’s POV]I sit quietly, staring at the babbling brook in front of me as it sweeps easily across smooth pebbles and sparkling rocks. Even though I know that my father will go ballistic that I’m out here alone in the middle of the forest, I still snuck out to try to clear my mind after my shitty day of training.As the daughter of an alpha, a great one at that, there was a lot expected of me and though I was able to live up to those expectations, I was still not accepted by the youth of my pack.Pulling my knees closer against my chest, I close my eyes and let the faces of all those who taunted me appear. Even if I know they shouldn’t bother me, I just can’t get their voices out of my head.“You’re only that cocky because you're the daughter of an alpha.”“I bet all of your scores were given because of your backer.”“You’re just a freak with a powerful daddy.”“A woman will never be accepted as alpha.”“Stop being delirious.”Again and again, their voices and faces swirl in my m
[Serenity’s POV]Later, I sit with my parents in the infirmary as the man who attacked me lays in bed, sleeping. Although he clearly hasn’t had a proper wash or meal in years, he is still quite handsome, and I can’t stop myself from feeling drawn to him.“Ugh,” he groans, beginning to stir. “Where…”Eyes widening, I watch the man’s amber-colored eyes open and come to rest on me. For a moment, they stay locked there as some strange emotion flashes in them before awe and even appreciation take their place.“You!” He rasps, attempting to reach out and grab me, but is stopped by my father grabbing his wrist and squeezing until a hiss of pain escapes him. “Ouch!”“Who the fuck are you, and what makes you think you have the right to touch my daughter?” My father growls.“Rosco,” my mother murmurs, giving him a disapproving look.“What?” My father demands. “This bastard hurt Serenity!”Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue what he said but stop as I realize that I shouldn’t have any reason to