[Elise’s POV]I fight the urge to pull my arm away from the crazy, jealous woman taking care of me, but decide against it. There was no reason for me to be showing my ass to begin with since William was no longer mine.“Since you’ve got first aid under control, I’d like to speak privately with Maverick and my niece.” William announces, causing me to feel annoyed.His niece. She was my niece too, and because of that, I should have been present for whatever it was they were going to discuss, but I couldn’t, not as Eleanor.Stupid goddess. I grumble inwardly, earning myself a chuckle from Anna.‘Shut up.’ I growl. ‘I’m not in the mood for your shit.’‘If you didn’t decide to play hero back then, you wouldn’t be in this position.’ Anna points out.Ignoring her jab, I turn my gaze to the wound on my arm, which Lidia is busying herself with disinfecting, only to find that it doesn’t quite seem to be healing.Frowning, I let my energy radiate through me, making sure that I am at full strengt
[Serenity’s POV]“Are you sure about this?”Maverick’s voice is filled with distrust as he asks me the question. He was making it clear that he didn’t trust my uncle William, but I did. If there was anyone who would keep not only his secret but even my own, it was him.“I’m sure.” I respond, giving him a smile.When our eyes meet, I feel something rush through me, and it makes me look away immediately. Maybe it was from how protective his expression was or something more, but lately, Maverick has been making me feel odd. I wasn’t quite sure what it was I was feeling, but something deep inside told me I shouldn’t be feeling it.‘Whimp.’ Mahogany chuckles. ‘Too afraid to figure it out.’Too afraid. Of course, I was afraid, especially when it came to Maverick. Since his arrival in the pack, I felt a connection to him, and through the years, the dynamic of our relationship has changed, but I wasn’t sure just how. It wasn't like before, when I felt responsible for him. It was something mor
[Serenity’s POV]“My blood is special.” I announce, deciding that this was the best place to start. “So special that...” Growing quiet, I look around me, taking in the newly transformed twins and then Maverick. “That it turns wolves human.”Nodding, Uncle William considers what I’ve said while his gaze shifts from one person to another.“And why hasn’t your father ever told me of this?” He asks slowly, seeming annoyed. “This is actually something that someone he enlisted to take care of his precious daughter should know.”“That’s because…” I begin, realizing that what I say next could cause one of two things. “He doesn’t know.”Shit. What would Uncle William say to this? Would he keep this a secret, or would he tell my parents? If they found out, I was positive my father would pull me out of The Academy and lock me away in Emerald Moon.“Please,” I squeak, unable to ignore the anxiety that is starting to grow with each passing minute of silence from Uncle William. “Don’t tell him. I k
[Serenity’s POV]“Leave that to me.”Uncle William’s voice is filled with so much certainty that I truly believe he can seek out the answers that we so desperately needed. It was one thing to only have Maverick shift from that rogue to who he was now, but with more appearing, we really needed to know where they were coming from and what exactly it was that they wanted.‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Mahogany huffs, causing confusion to flash through me.‘What do you mean?’Although I had an idea, I was certain that I was just being paranoid, but the chances were pretty coincidental.‘Your blood.’ Mahogany responds, confirming my biggest fear.‘We don’t know for certain.’‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’ She huffs before slinking away.“Serenity,” Uncle William calls, snapping me out of my head. “I think it’s best that you and Maverick head back for the evening.” He continues from his place on the ground, where he still cradles the woman he called Elise.“What about these three?” I ask, letting my
[Elise’s POV]I wait as the girl Forrest is trying to get to stop clinging to him stares at me with eyes that hold the promise of violence. From the look on her face, it was clear she thought that she could easily kick my ass, but if she tried anything, she had another thing coming.“Repeat that,” she finally says. “Because I don’t think I heard correctly.”“But you did.” I counter, snaking my arms around Forrest’s neck and sliding my hands into his hair. “So if you could stop bothering him, that would be great.”Tearing my gaze from hers, I meet Forrest’s deep blue gaze and feel a wave of shock rush through me. Was this bastard really getting turned on by something this simple?Frowning, I examine his features until I realize his cheeks are slightly flushed and the tips of his ears are pink.Smirking, I suddenly want to pick on him due to his being openly embarrassed over a woman touching him, but I’m stopped by a hand touching my shoulder.“I wasn’t done talking to you, bitch.” The
[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
[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