[Serenity’s POV]I sit quietly, waiting with my parents and Maverick for my uncle William to join us. With each passing minute, my curiosity was growing, and by the time the man shows, I’m almost chomping at the bit to know if Aunt Elise’s hunch is correct. However, before I can even say anything, I realize that Uncle William is alone.“Where’s Aunt Elise?” I ask, peeking around Uncle William. “Didn’t she go to fetch you?”“He knew too?” My father hisses before Uncle William can even respond.At his words, Uncle William’s gaze shifts to my father, and a smug look flashes on his features, but I continue to stare at the door he just came through.“Jealous?” Uncle William asks completely at ease. “I guess they trust me more than you and for good reason given that temper of yours.”“Are you trying to pick a fight?” My father growls, beginning to get up but stopping as my mother grabs him.“Rosco,” she sighs, shooting him a disapproving look. “Now isn’t the time.” Growing quiet, she waits
[Serenity’s POV]I open my mouth to ask Maverick what it is that he means, but before I can, his mouth is slamming into mine, causing all rationale to go out the fucking window.Goddess, it’s like heaven erupts within me as his tongue pokes at my lips, urging them to open so that it can meet my own and begin to dance. And his hands that touch me are so fucking rough and gentle at the same time.No. A small part of me screams, trying to remind me that this wasn’t the time or place. You can’t keep this up.But I could. In the moment, I found myself wanting this to last forever because it felt like something that I wanted for so long but didn’t even realize it.Pulling away, Maverick stares at me with dark eyes while his breath comes in deep puffs.“Do you get it now?” He asks, brushing his fingers along my cheek, running delicious lines of fire along my skin. “Or should I continue showing you?”“I…” I begin, honestly wanting him to kiss me like that again. “I don’t…”I don’t get to fini
[Elise’s POV]I let out a howl, attacking the rogue closest to me, but as its blood explodes in my mouth, I feel something in me stir that leaves me scurrying back. Gagging, I attempt to get the overly sweet taste to go away in hopes it will stop the stirring that I feel.‘What is this?’ I hiss, trying to ignore the sudden desire I feel to taste more of it. ‘What’s happening?’‘The bite,’ Anna responds, causing my heart to skip a beat.Looking down, I examine the wound on my leg and feel a wave of horror rush through me as I realize the spot of my injury looks just like the rogues bodies, rotting and dirty.‘Fuck.’ I growl, understanding beginning to flare. ‘So that’s how they came to be. But where did the first come from?’As this thought hits, a rogue slams into me, sending me crashing into a tree, and when I hit, I feel a rib break and the air puff out of my lungs.Ugh, I really need to pay attention. Otherwise, I was going to end up getting myself killed here. Or would I? Could I
[Elise’s POV]I attempt to surge forward only to find that my leash is attached to the ground, keeping me in place while the bastard who is responsible for all this stares at me.“Who are you?” He whispers, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look into his eyes. “Because you can’t possibly be my queen.”Shit. He caught me. When it came to these damned visions, I forgot that if I wasn’t careful, those around me could tell that I wasn’t the one who was meant to be seeing.“Are you a spy?” He growls, digging his claws deeper into my skin. “Someone sent to take from me what is rightfully mine? GUARDS!” He roars, raking his claws along my skin.Cursing inwardly, I turn and watch as two men come forward while the rest of the group continue to eat. When they arrive, they wait patiently for their self proclaimed king to give his order, but before I can hear what the fate of the woman who I am possessing is, I feel myself being tugged and thrown through time and space until I’m left crashing in
[Serenity’s POV]I watch with wide eyes as my father turns and rushes to my mom’s side, shifting back into his human form. He picks her up and heads toward the school. It is only when he is out of sight that I turn my gaze to Maverick, who remains stunned.‘Hey,’ I call through mindlink, trying to draw his attention only for him to seem to not hear me. ‘Maverick.’I repeat this call a few more times, but he doesn’t seem to move. Realizing that he is too shocked by what happened to focus on anything, I shift into my human form and rush to his side.“Maverick!” I gasp, grabbing him and shaking. “Hey, snap out of it, Maverick!”“Serenity,” he whispers, blinking a few times. “I’m…”He doesn’t finish his words as Uncle William comes and drops down beside us, throwing a jacket over me and then pulling Maverick into a sitting position.“Are the two of you okay?” He asks, beginning to examine us. “Did you get hurt? Why the hell are you out here?”“We were attacked,” I sigh, feeling a sudden w
[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
[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