[Serenity’s POV]I nod and give everyone a look of reassurance as Jolene bounces to my side. It is clear that she is more than ready to get to experimenting, and that aspect alone makes me think that she and Tristan could really get along. But that single thought is ruined by the way the man in question glares at her, clear jealousy in his eyes.Sighing, I turn my gaze to my arm and watch as Jolene wraps a tourniquet around it and feels around.“Oh,” she giggles, her eyes flashing with excitement. “This one is juicy.”Growing quiet, she preps her needle and then attacks, stabbing it deep beneath my skin and hitting the vein perfectly so that burgundy blood begins to pour out. As it does, I feel Maverick grow tense, but after I give his hand a gentle squeeze, he relaxes.“All done!” Jolene announces, patching me up and then jiggling the vial of blood she has collected. “What’s next?”“Next,” Tristan announces, snatching it from her. “We see if our hypothesis is right.”As he speaks, he
[Maverick’s POV]All eyes come to rest on me as Tristan’s words settle around us. And I know that they’re waiting to see what I will say. Of course, I was willing to try anything, but there was the slightest bit of reservation in me.What if I returned to being that mindless rogue? Would Serenity be able to change me back again? Would I return to my own wolf from the past? Would any of this even work?There was truly only one way to find out, and if I wanted to be able to properly stand beside Serenity and protect her, I would ignore the voice in the back of my head and do what needed to be done.“Alright,” I announce, making my decision. “Then give me some of her blood.”At my words, Serenity’s eyes widen, and fear flashes in them. I’m certain that she is thinking the same thing as me but has also settled on trying.“Could we maybe have some privacy?” She asks, looking around at all that is watching us. “You’re making me uncomfortable with all the staring.”“No way!” Rosco snaps, but
[Serenity’s POV]I stare at the large red wolf in front of me with glowing amber eyes. It is magnificent and nothing like I’ve seen, but it is the size that takes me by surprise the most.Wasn’t Maverick supposed to be the son of villagers? Wouldn’t that mean that he would be normal-sized and not the same size as me when I was in wolf form?It was interesting indeed to see this and to take it in, as I find myself wondering if maybe there was more to Maverick’s background than even he knew.‘What’s wrong?’ The man in question asks as I realize too late that I’m staring. ‘Is something wrong?’‘No,’ I respond immediately, giving a smile as I reach out a hand and run it along his soft fur. ‘I was just admiring how beautiful you are.’‘Beautiful.’ He repeats, anger trickling from his words. ‘Should I remind you again that I’m a man?’Shivering, I try not to remember the happenings of the night before as his promise settles over me.‘Later,’ I tell him slyly. ‘But before that you should shi
[Serenity’s POV]I stare ahead, taking in the bullets while I process what it is that Tristan and Jolene have managed to accomplish. With this, we could end the pain and suffering of those rogues and eliminate Ezekial’s army. Once there was no one standing in the way, we would be able to finish this.Great. I think inwardly, feeling a wave of relief over there being a clear ending in sight.“Now,” Uncle Jose says now, reminding me that meeting wasn’t over. “It’s time to come up with a foolproof plan.”“Leave that to me.” My father announces. “I’ll get in touch with my beta and have him get a group of my finest men together.”“And I’ll do the same.” Uncle William adds.“Then I’ll do that as well.” Uncle Jose chuckles. “I’m certain with our joined forces we won’t be able to be defeated. It’s all looking so simple that I almost want to say that the children don’t have to be involved at all.”“I’m helping,” I counter, unwilling to be left out. “This started because of me, and I want to be
[Maverick’s POV]“Of course.”Rosco’s words erupt from him along with a smile that screams predator who is about to take out its prey, but he was going to be sadly mistaken. There was no fucking way I was going to lose this battle, not when so much was riding on it.Returning his look with my own, I tap into my strength and power for the first time in front of everyone.Slowly, it begins to trickle out of me, and when I know that Rosco feels it, his eyes widen, and a momentary look of shock appears on his face. However, it doesn’t stay there long before he is moving, his fist swinging in an attempt to hit me.Holding out an arm, I catch his attack and strike out with my own that he manages to avoid.Together, we take the defensive, attacking blow for blow, while the other works to gain dominance over the other. But it is clear that we are evenly matched, at least, in terms of strength. Once again deciding that this just wasn’t the way to win, I jump backwards while Rosco tries anothe
[Serenity’s POV]Later that evening, I straddle Maverick, my lips pressed against his while his hands run along my skin. Ever since returning to my room after gaining my father’s acceptance, I just couldn’t seem to get enough of the man in front of me. Was it because I felt like the single hurdle keeping us apart was now gone, or was it something more? I didn’t know, and honestly, I didn’t care; all I cared about right now was ravishing Maverick while I had the chance.“You’re acting like this is our last night together.” He murmurs now as I begin to trail kisses to his neck.“You never know,” I counter, fixing my gaze on his dark one. “It could be.”Tomorrow wasn’t promised for us, not as long as Ezekial was out there roaming free. Didn’t that mean that we should take advantage of each and every second that we have?“Are you suggesting that we will lose this fight?” Maverick demands, his voice stern.Gasping, I find myself being flipped so that he is left hovering over me with a look
[Maverick’s POV]My tongue glides along Serenity’s clit, cleaning off any juices that linger there and then repeating this action again and again while she makes delicious noises that drive me absolutely crazy. Who knew that I would end up craving this, her noises, her taste, the way her body shivers as I make it feel good, and the energy that thrums between us? It was like nothing I knew; not even the joy of a hunt or battle could make me feel this alive.“Maverick,” she whispers, snapping me out of my head. “I’m going to...”“Cum for me, Serenity,” I murmur, shoving my tongue into her core. “I want to taste you on my lips and tongue.”At my words, her body tenses and then arches as a beautiful moan escapes her parted lips while an intense orgasm begins to rush through her. I have to admit, it is one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen, but I wanted to see even more.“Mav-Maverick,” she whimpers while I continue my attack, not caring if she has already cum for the firs
[Maverick’s POV]Later, I lay in bed while Serenity sleeps soundly beside me. The sun is slowly starting to trickle through the window to our right, but I find myself wishing that it would stop and that this single moment of pure bliss would last forever. However, I’m more than aware that isn’t possible.Sighing, I roll over and kiss Serenity’s forehead, causing her to stir, and when her beautiful eyes open and take me in, I fight the urge to jump her.“Morning.” She yawns, giving me an enchanting smile. “What time is it?”I don’t respond as I take in the lovely creature beside me, and when it all becomes too much, I’m pouncing.“Maverick!” She gasps, but wraps her arms around me. “What’s gotten into you?”“You,” I respond, nipping at her neck. “Just the sight of you drives me absolutely crazy.”“Well, that’s going to be a problem.”I don’t argue with her words, as I realize that she is right. It really was going to be a problem, but it was a problem that I was willing to deal with li
[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
[William’s POV]Shock rushes through me as Elise works to cover her body, and I realize that she is getting the wrong idea about me. Shit. How could I even think of me ogling her body? Did I look like that much of a damn creepy old man?“No one cares about your body.” I huff, heading to the dresser and grabbing a shirt and shorts. “Don’t get the wrong idea here.”Turning, I toss the clothes at Elise and then wait as sounds of movement reach me.“I didn’t think this needed to be said.” I say now, crossing my arms. “But you’re a student, and I’m your principal. That is all that is going on between us. Understand?”For a moment, Elise doesn’t say anything, and I truly wonder if she is second guessing what I’ve said, but when a hand touches my shoulder, I turn and find that her large eyes are taking me in with so many questions.“What?” I ask now, keeping my expression straight. “What is it?”“I saw,” she says quietly, then stops as if questioning whatever it was that she was claiming. “I
[Elise’s POV]I find myself standing in the middle of a large room that smells of blood and death. Laying in the middle of the floor is a pile of dead bodies, and sitting on his throne of death behind them is the one I am certain is responsible for it. And the minute I accidentally touched one of the dead, I saw what happened and how this man was the one who insisted that it happen. He was the one that told them to fight against one another and the reason that they were like this, but despite that, he wore such a smile on his face like he was an angel.“You’ve returned.” He says to me, his dark eyes glowing with triumph. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away.”His voice is like a beautiful siren’s call that draws me closer despite what I’m seeing. I want to obey this man and do everything that he wants of me. That’s why, when I reach his feet, I bow and wait until his large hand comes to rest on my head so that he can rub my fur.The way his fingers brushed along me felt amazing,
[Elise’s POV]I’m in darkness. It is a suffocating darkness—a painful darkness that consumes me and surrounds me. It’s like being trapped in thorny vines that rip at my body again and again, slowly shredding my skin while it heals over and over.There is a voice in this darkness, my only companion as I move about trying to find something or someone who can help relieve me from this pain and free me from the darkness that has become my entire world.The voice is deep, one that belongs to a man, and when it speaks, everything in me screams to go along with it, but I don’t. I’m not sure why, but I know that I can’t go to that person because if I do then everything will be over. I don’t know why I feel this way, but I do, so instead of obeying it, I continue to move.How long have I been traveling? How many days? How many nights? I don’t know because they all blur together. I only stop long enough to eat and sleep, then I’m up and moving once more toward... I don’t know what. I only know
[Maverick’s POV]Later, I lay in bed while Serenity sleeps soundly beside me. The sun is slowly starting to trickle through the window to our right, but I find myself wishing that it would stop and that this single moment of pure bliss would last forever. However, I’m more than aware that isn’t possible.Sighing, I roll over and kiss Serenity’s forehead, causing her to stir, and when her beautiful eyes open and take me in, I fight the urge to jump her.“Morning.” She yawns, giving me an enchanting smile. “What time is it?”I don’t respond as I take in the lovely creature beside me, and when it all becomes too much, I’m pouncing.“Maverick!” She gasps, but wraps her arms around me. “What’s gotten into you?”“You,” I respond, nipping at her neck. “Just the sight of you drives me absolutely crazy.”“Well, that’s going to be a problem.”I don’t argue with her words, as I realize that she is right. It really was going to be a problem, but it was a problem that I was willing to deal with li
[Maverick’s POV]My tongue glides along Serenity’s clit, cleaning off any juices that linger there and then repeating this action again and again while she makes delicious noises that drive me absolutely crazy. Who knew that I would end up craving this, her noises, her taste, the way her body shivers as I make it feel good, and the energy that thrums between us? It was like nothing I knew; not even the joy of a hunt or battle could make me feel this alive.“Maverick,” she whispers, snapping me out of my head. “I’m going to...”“Cum for me, Serenity,” I murmur, shoving my tongue into her core. “I want to taste you on my lips and tongue.”At my words, her body tenses and then arches as a beautiful moan escapes her parted lips while an intense orgasm begins to rush through her. I have to admit, it is one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen, but I wanted to see even more.“Mav-Maverick,” she whimpers while I continue my attack, not caring if she has already cum for the firs