[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]“Uncle Jose,” I announce, not wanting to hear what he is saying. “There’s something that isn’t making sense to me.”Although he had answered a lot of questions about our family’s history, it left me uneasy. Extremely uneasy.“What is that?” Uncle Jose asks, smiling.“If what you’ve said is true and Ellie is your great-great-grandmother, then why does she look like my mother and aunt Elise?”From what we were told, Ellie was an ancestor of my father, not my mother, but she favored my mother and aunt. How did that make any sense?“That,” Uncle Jose chuckles, giving me a mischievous grin. “What if I told you that her twin sister became Luna of Emerald Moon after she disappeared?”“What?” I gasp, eyes widening. “Then doesn’t that mean that my parents... They’re…”At my words, a burst of laughter escapes Uncle Jose’s lips, but I can’t seem to find anything funny about what is happening.“Jose,” Uncle William hisses, anger flashing in his eyes. “What the hell is wrong with
[Maverick’s POV]I stare at Serenity, watching and waiting as she processes what I’ve said. From the look on her face, I know that she is still uneasy, but some of that unease is certainly replaced by acceptance.“Okay,” she whispers, twining her arms around my neck and tugging so that our mouths meet again. “I believe you.”Instantly, the rest of the world disappears as a bubble of bliss surrounds us, locking us together in this place and time, erasing anything else except the emotions that we both have for one another. However, when the urge to explore her body hits, I gently pull away, breaking our connection.“We should stop before...”“Why?” Serenity breathes, her eyes darkening. “Are you afraid?”Was I afraid? She couldn’t be serious right now. Of course, I wasn’t afraid, I was the opposite of afraid. I was excited—so excited I was certain that she could feel my bulge—but now just wasn’t the time. Our relationship was still too new and our emotions too shallow to take that step.
[Serenity’s POV]I stare up at Maverick while my heart races and nervous butterflies flutter around in my stomach. What in the world was I even doing right now? Begging him to take me. How could a virgin be so bold when she only recently started dating the one she was trying to entice?‘You’re afraid.’ Mahogany murmurs, causing a wave of shock to rush through me. ‘You’re scared that once he has his memories returned he won’t want you anymore.’Eyes widening, I take in the words that she is saying, and even though I want to argue and say she was wrong, somewhere deep down I knew that she was right.I was afraid. I was so fucking afraid because Maverick was the first person that I felt so deeply about other than my own family, but the way I felt for him was like no one else.He was a part of me, a part of my past, and a part of my future. He was the only one I could be completely myself with, and he was the one who accepted me despite all of my failings. When everyone else taunted and t
[Elise’s POV]Some king. I grumble inwardly, not daring to look at the bodies that line the floor. What kind of piece of shit king killed his loyal subjects?“Did you only bring me here to show me this?” I ask, feeling my stomach churn. “Because there’s no fucking way I can eat after what you just made me watch.”“Oh?” Ezekiel laughs, giving me a look that just screams amused. “That’s too bad. I’ll have someone lead you back to your room then.”“Thanks,” I snap, watching as he lifts a hand and snaps so that a butler walks in and takes my leash. “Don’t come find me again.”Standing, I follow the one who leads me away, and it is only when we are far enough away that I’m certain Ezekial won’t be able to hear or sense anything that I move.Leaping, I wrap my legs around the butler's neck and then flip, throwing him to the side but being pulled along as he holds onto my leash.“Fuck,” I growl as pain shoots through my neck. “I’m going to make you pay for that.”Since I already tried being
[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