[Elise’s POV]I lay on Serenity’s bed, taking in the room around me while the twins and Maverick stared at me. The place is pretty spacious compared to the room they gave me, but I was certain it was due to hierarchy. Of course, the children of Alpha’s would get better spaces, and that was fine with me. On the contrary, the thing that bothered me was the fact that just on the other side of the hallway was where Maverick was staying.Narrowing my gaze, I take in the bored-looking man who is watching me like I’m a predator, ready to attack his queen.‘He’s so obvious.’ Anna giggles, mirroring exactly what I’m thinking. ‘I wonder how the big lug would feel knowing that his precious daughter was being courted by a wolfless being.’Cocking my head to the side, I watch as Maverick’s gaze snaps to Serenity as she comes out of the closet that she was searching inside of. Just by the way his eyes followed her every move, it was so damn obvious that he wanted a piece, but were his feelings for
[Serenity’s POV]My eyes widen with shock as I watch my parents make their way into my room, but what’s more shocking than their sudden appearance was what I just heard Eleanor say.Someone tipped off daddy.Frowning, I tear my gaze from my parents and take in the tiny girl sitting on my bed. To my surprise, she is ill-at-ease, and if I dared to say, I would say that she was even amused by what she was seeing.‘How?’ I whisper, wondering how she was certain that those were my parents. ‘How did she know?’‘She has been strange since the first day she approached you.’ Mahogany responds, showing little interest in Eleanor. ‘And she isn’t the person you should be worried about.’“Serenity.”My father’s voice is harsh, and I know that he definitely knows the secret I was keeping from him, but who was the one who told him?Feeling my anger spike, I turn my gaze to Tristan, who is standing with his tweezers mid-air while taking in the scene. Was he the one who told them, or was it...“Sorry.
[Serenity’s POV]My eyes widen as panic rushes through me over the question my father has just asked me. Dammit, I really did go and fuck up this time, and I was certain that if I didn’t give him a good enough answer, he would take Maverick away from me and put someone else in his place.“Serenity,” my father huffs when I don’t respond. “Answer my question.”“We,” I begin, trying to think of what the proper response here is. “We’re…” Swallowing, I try to come up with a term that would describe what Maverick and I were. I couldn’t say that we were more than friends, but our connection was also something deeper.Was he my charge because I was the reason he was how he is now? Was he my closest confidante? No. Even my heart told me that wasn’t the case.‘You like him.’ Mahogany murmurs, causing my heart rate to kick up. ‘Isn’t it obvious?’Like? Did I like Maverick? Up until recently, I didn’t think much about our connection, but I couldn’t deny that when he touched me or looked at me in
[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
[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