[Serenity’s POV]After that day, the man, who ended up taking on the name Maverick, worked to become a member of Emerald Moon despite his special circumstances. And even if he was considered a criminal because of his attacking me, this was a place and a pack that allowed those who sinned in the past to redeem themselves.Of course, it took a lot of showing his loyalty for my father to fully trust him, but eventually it did happen, and because of that, he could join the ranks of the Alpha and Lunas special forces, which was amazing given the fact he didn’t possess a wolf anymore.By the time I turned sixteen and was able to enter into The Academy, he became my bodyguard and followed me there. Although he drew a lot of attention given his handsome face and his toned body, which he spent many hours building back up after his ordeal, he brought me comfort and solace. Especially since all the students were immediately against me given who my parents were and my pack's history.Maybe it was
[Elise’s POV]I watch as Serenity and her guard dog grow farther and farther away from me. I can’t stop the feeling of pity I feel for my niece due to her reaction toward me. It was clear without even saying that she was definitely dealing with bullying and being ostracized by the rest of her peers. In a way, she reminded me of me at that age, and that left a sour taste in my mouth.‘What’s the game plan now?’ Anna asks as I continue to watch. ‘She’s got a pretty thick wall around her.’‘She does.’ I agree, shifting my gaze to her guard dog. As I do, Serenity peeks back at him, and I see something familiar flash in her eyes. ‘But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.’Smirking, I watch the guard dog say something that causes a flash of dismay to form on Serenity’s face before she quickens her pace.Hm. I couldn’t help but wonder what the relationship was between her and that man, and who the hell was he? Where did he come from, and why couldn’t I sense anything wolfy about him?‘Is
[Elise’s POV]I stare straight ahead, taking in the man in front of me as he gives me a blank stare.William.Why was William here at The Academy acting as Principle instead of commanding Crystal Fang as their Alpha, and why was the vibe he was giving off so different?He has changed. Standing in front of me was no longer the easy-going and flirtatious William that I knew in the past. Instead, this man was cold and emotionless, and his eyes were almost dead.Along with the change in personality, his look has changed too, although that is to be expected. After sixteen years, he has started to develop specks of white in his dark hair, and a few wrinkles have formed around his lips and eyes. However, aside from that, he is still as handsome as he was then.“William.” I whisper before I can stop myself. “It’s you.”Instantly, the cold gaze he is giving me shifts to one of confusion and then anger.“Who has given you permission to use my name?” He asks, narrowing his dark gaze on me. “You’
[Maverick’s POV]I sit, watching silently as Serenity works on her homework for the day. However, it is clear that she isn’t focused on that at all. Since beginning to watch over her, I grew accustomed to the subtle changes in her expression, posture, and even breathing when she was hyper-focusing on something. In a way, she was almost like an extension of myself, but the side that I wasn’t fully in control of.“If you continue to furrow your brows like that, you’re going to get wrinkles.” I point out after the fifth or maybe sixth sigh. “What’s wrong?”Although I knew that she would deny that anything was actually wrong, I knew better.“Nothing.” We both say together.Laughing, I watch as she gives me a look that screams annoyance.“You’ve been daydreaming.” I point out as she just watches me. “You’ve been distracted since earlier; does it involve the imp?”She didn’t need to say that was the issue; I already knew it was since we both watched what went down in the cafeteria earlier o
[Serenity’s POV]The next day, I stand outside of The Academy, staring up at the star-filled sky. After agreeing to join the disciplinary committee with Eleanor, I discovered that our first act would be patrolling the grounds after curfew to make sure all the students were in their dorms as expected. Even if it was a hassle to have to do something so irritating, I owed Eleanor since it was partly my fault she got in trouble.“Are you sure about this?” Maverick murmurs, draping his jacket around me. “You really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”“It’s fine.” I respond, pulling his offering around me so that his scent envelopes me.Sighing, I close my eyes and try to imagine that it is his arms that are wrapping gently around me instead of fabric, but I knew there was no way that would happen. Since Maverick was with me out of his sense of duty for what I did for him, there was no way he would see me as anything more than his charge, which was fine until recently.Opening my e
[Serenity’s POV]Eleanor stares at me in disbelief as the rogue lets out a howl and charges toward me again. It is clear from its sporadic attacks that it isn’t fully capable of forming coherent thoughts, which, in the end, would work in our favor.This time, as Maverick pulls me again, I kick out, connecting my foot with the rogue’s temple. A whine escapes it as it sways and then shakes off the shock of my attack.“Dumb fuck.” Eleanor giggles, realizing the same thing I have. “If we must catch it, allow me.”Not giving anyone a chance to react, she is moving, jumping on the rogue, and then wrapping an arm around its neck. As it begins to buck and fight to get her off, she holds on tightly.“Why are the rest of you standing there while she does all the work?” Maverick huffs, giving the group of men who stand around doing nothing a look. “Are you too fucking afraid to fight too?”“Afraid.” Forrest growls. “Who the fuck is afraid?”As he speaks, he moves to help Eleanor, but stops as sh
[Elise’s POV]“Uncle William,” Serenity’s voice comes out evenly, which is pretty damn impressive given the current circumstances. “Could we maybe talk inside?”As she speaks, she looks around as if someone may be watching, and when William understands her discomfort, he nods and moves aside, allowing us to enter.Remaining in place, I watch while the others easily enter his cabin, but for me, the feeling is completely different, especially given our past.“Are you coming?” He asks when everyone else is inside. “Or are you too shy to enter a grown man’s home?”Too shy. Was he full of shit? Picking on a young girl while thinking that it was because she was scared of a man. It was good to see that some of his joking nature was still around, but it also bugged me.“I don’t see a man.” I shrug, moving forward and pushing past him. Where we touch comes alive with a delicious energy that I’ve never felt in my life, and before I can determine what it is, I pull away. “Pardon me.”Ignoring my
[Maverick’s POV]I wait silently as all eyes come to rest on me. I guess this meant that I would be laying all my cards on the table. Honestly, it wasn’t surprising since my past and even present were… foggy to say the least.“Before meeting Serenity, I was also one of these creatures.” I begin, nodding toward the still unconscious wolf. “As far as I can remember, there is only darkness and suffering. It was so painful to live day in and day out just doing enough to get by.”As I speak, my time as a rogue begins to flitter through my mind, but that is all that comes. Who I was, where I came from, and even my own identity never came. All there is is a long tunnel of darkness that swirls around me.“Then I met Serenity, and by some twist of fate, I became human.”“Some twist of fate.” Serenity’s Uncle William repeats. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”“Exactly what I said.” I snap. “I don’t know how it happened, but I passed out, and when I woke up, I was human.”Of course, I kn