[Serenity’s POV]I watch in horror as Maverick buries his head in his hands. They shake as he does so, as does his body, and before I know what I’m doing, I rush forward and grab his wrists.“Maverick!” I call as he repeats the same thing again and again. “What’s wrong? Talk to me!”It’s like he is somewhere else and not even here with me as he continues to ignore me and the world around him.“What did you do?” I demand, turning my gaze toward Gretchen. “What did you do to him?”“I didn’t do anything.” She responds. “Whatever inner battle he is having has to do with him and only him.”Fighting the urge to punch her, I turn my attention back to Maverick and pull at his wrists as hard as I can until finally, he lifts his gaze toward mine.“Maverick,” I whisper, taking in his sweat-covered skin and pale face. “You’re here.”“Serenity,” he murmurs, like he isn’t quite sure if I’m real. “You’re… Let go!”Eyes widening, I watch Maverick yank his wrists from my grasp.“Don’t,” he says, givin
[Serenity’s POV]I don’t know how long I sit there, holding Maverick as he processes what he has remembered and deals with the demons that haunt him. I don’t mind it in the slightest; instead, I’m relieved that he is so open to allowing me to share in his suffering for him. And when he finally pulls away and looks at me, I lean forward and kiss his lips, then press my forehead against his.“Feel better?” I ask, meeting his gaze.“Somewhat,” he admits. “But there is still a lot to process.”“I’m sure.”I was certain that it must be so overwhelming to have years of memories rush back to you at once and to even have one that was so damn painful. I could only wish that I could take away some of the pain he was feeling, but I couldn’t. That pain was something that he would have to live with, but I would always be here to bring him back from the darkness if he began to tumble into it.“Can I ask a question?” I say slowly, not wanting to take away from his processing, but along with the memo
[Serenity’s POV]I stare in disbelief as the seriousness of the situation hits me. We had a lead. We had an actual lead toward where to find the one who started all of this, but it wasn’t without a sacrifice.“Where is Aunt Elise?” I ask quietly. “Why wasn’t she with him?”“That,” Uncle William begins, his expression falling as hurt appears in his eyes. “The boy hasn’t fully said.”“Then make him!” I snap, moving forward and moving around the three men who stand in the middle of my room.As I move, I can hear protests, but I don’t stop; I continue to move until I find Forrest sitting in the living room, looking lost and confused. However, when he hears my approach, his gaze turns toward me, and hope flashes in his eyes.“You,” he says, jumping up and grabbing me. “You can…”He doesn’t get to finish his words before a snarl rips through the air and hands grab me, pulling me into a strong chest.“Don’t touch her,” Maverick growls, his voice dripping with venom.For a moment, Forrest doe
[Maverick’s POV]I stare down at Rosco as his face goes redder and redder with rage. Although I knew even giving my age would piss him off due to my relationship with his daughter, I didn’t want to hide anything either. Hiding things was what caused him to dislike me so much, so it was time to turn over a new leaf.“And since that is clear, should we should work on coming up with a plan to defeat Ezekial, don’t you think?”Growing quiet, I wait as everyone stares at me like I’ve grown a second head, but when Ellie’s lips twitch into a small smile and she nods, I know that she is on the same wave length as me.“I think that would be best, Samuel.”“Samuel?” Jose repeats, frowning. “Who is Samuel?”“Me,” I respond. “My name before waking up in Emerald Moon was Samuel. However, I would prefer for everyone to continue calling me Maverick, as Samuel died long ago.”As I speak, Serenity reaches out and wraps her hand around mine, causing her father to grow angrier, but she doesn’t back down
[Serenity’s POV]I stare at Uncle Jose in disbelief as his brilliant plan settles around us.Sneak in.Did he really just say that he wanted us to sneak into a blood bank and steal human blood? Was he out of his mind? Didn’t he fear getting caught and then…“What?” Uncle Jose asks, looking around at what I’m certain are mirrored looks of shock. “What’s wrong?”“You’ve gone off the deep end.” My father huffs. “There is no way in hell that we are going to steal blood from a blood bank. I’m sure that Emerald Moon’s doctor will be able to get his hand on blood.”“Aw,” Uncle Jose huffs. “You’re no fun.”“We’re trying to save the world, not land ourselves in jail.” Uncle William points out.“If you want to do that, you can do it yourself.” My father adds.“Fine,” Uncle Jose huffs, his excitement over his idea fading from his eyes. “We will do it the boring way.”“Great,” my father snaps. “I’ll go and call Tristan then.”“Great,” Uncle Jose claps. “Then I will retire to my office for a drink
[Maverick’s POV]I stare into Serenity’s eyes while she slowly thrusts her hips, causing delicious sensations to rush through me, driving me wild, and making a side of me that has long since laid dormant come forward, urging me to take the woman in front of me as she wants.“It’s too soon,” I husk, pulling her against me and holding her in place. “I want…”“Maverick.” Serenity’s voice is strong as she speaks, and it causes my heart to go crazy. “Listen to me,” she continues. “You keep saying that it is too soon, that you want to do this and that, but tomorrow currently isn’t promised. I know that maybe I was a little hasty before you had your memories returned because I was so worried, but that isn’t the case now.”“But…”“Let me finish,” she sighs, and I’m certain that she probably feels like a villain attempting to take the innocence of a maiden. “I want you. I want to be with you. I want to belong to you entirely so that if anything does happen, goddess forbid, I won’t regret a thi
[Serenity’s POV]A gasp escapes me as Maverick’s tongue dips between my folds, touching my clit for the first time and tasting me. I was finally getting to experience the euphoria of being ravaged by the one I loved, and I had to admit, it felt good.Goddess, it felt so good to have his tongue running up and down my clit, teasing and taunting me while his hand reaches up and cups my breast.“Maverick,” I whimper, feeling an odd sensation beginning to build in me. “I feel weird.”What was this? What was this sensation that I was feeling? It felt like a fire beginning to burn just beneath my belly button, warming me and driving me crazy all at the same time.Was this what the beginning of an orgasm felt like? Was I about to have an orgasm so quickly from Maverick’s tongue?Gasping, I feel that very tongue dip into me, lapping at the juices that are beginning to steadily flow as that feeling of burning grows and grows until I’m certain that I’m about to cum.“Maverick!” I gasp, clutching
[Serenity’s POV]When you hear about your first time, you’re told about the pain, the fear, the embarrassment, all of that, but you’re not told about the new world that opens between you and your partner. One where you feel this overwhelming connection to the person because they were seeing and feeling all of you while in turn you were seeing and feeling all of them.Sex was scary, but it was exciting, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it really felt like. That’s why, I gingerly move while ignoring the sting of pain that comes from my walls being stretched in an attempt to adjust to Maverick’s fullness.“You don’t have to move so quickly,” Maverick murmurs, not missing the hiss of pain that escapes me. “I told you, we have all night and can...”“No,” I smile, falling in love with him even more from just how much he cared about me and my well-being. “I want to.”As I speak, I move again, slowly making Maverick move in me as I take the lead and take our first time at my own pace.“Ser
[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