[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
[Elise’s POV]I wait as Denali examines me, a look of longing in her features, and when she rushes toward me, pulling me into a hug that damn near smothers me, I can feel just how badly she missed me. And even though I know I should be hugging her back, I’m left motionless, as for the first time in my life, I feel the feeling of family.“I knew it.” She whispers, slowly releasing me so she can stare down into my eyes. “I felt it the minute I saw you.”Nodding, I consider her words as I try to get my emotions in check and ignore the nagging fear that I will die.“But why did you lie before?” She continues when I don’t speak. “Is there a reason that you’re hiding it? Is something going on? Is someone possibly chasing you?”“Woah, there,” I sigh, stopping her before she can go into full panic mode. “It isn’t anything like that. Instead,” I continue, wondering if I’m actually allowed to speak of the deal I made with the goddess. “I had my reasons.”For now, I would keep that reason close