\[Maverick’s POV\]
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 little by little and for the rest of our lives.
“But we shouldn’t be doing this.” She continues as I begin to trail kisses down her body. “Uncle Charlie is supposed to be... Oh!”
I don’t let her finish her words before I’m claiming a nipple between my lips and my tongue is attacking it while my hand pushes between her legs.
“It won’t take long.” I assure her, feeling just how wet she is. “You’re already this riled up. I’ll easily slide in and…”
I don’t get to finish my words before a knock sounds, and I realize that our time alone is up.
“Dammit.” I grumble, considering continuing despite someone being on the other side of the door, but when the knocking becomes silent, I know that isn’t possible.
Grumbling, I sit up and stare down at Serenity’s passion flushed face, hating that we were being interrupted but knowing that there was a lot to be done today, especially since Charlie and her father would be returning with warriors from Emerald Moon.
“Later,” she promises me.
“Fine,” I sigh, getting up and grabbing my clothes. “Then, I’ll be leaving.”
“How?” She gasps as I head to the window and throw it open. “What are you planning on doing?”
“Do you want them to find us together?” I chuckle, though I know that my scent lingers around the room. “Hurry and get up before they get suspicious.”
Giving Serenity one last look of longing, I climb out the window and then jump to a tree that I use to climb to the ground. When my feet hit the ground, I look up at the window once more before heading toward the training pitch, where I can work off the frustration that I’m feeling.
I don’t know how long I’m there, running drills before I’m joined by the rest, but that’s fine since I’ve gotten my emotions in check.
“You’re pretty gongho, aren’t ya?” Jose chuckles. “But shouldn’t you have at least gotten breakfast?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him, shifting my gaze to Serenity, who is watching me with a hungry look in her eyes. “I’m assuming none of you came to talk.”
“Of course not.” Rosco huffs. “We’re limited on time, so the sooner we start getting our shit together, the better.”
I couldn’t agree more. Honestly, I couldn’t wait until we took out Ezekial, because after that, we would be able to go back to our normal lives.
“Then since everyone’s here,” Jose announces as more warriors come to join us. “Why don’t we do a few exercises to see just what we are working with?”
Nodding, everyone falls into place, and once we are ready, we begin going through the motions of stretching, doing callistetics, and then harder drills. Only once that is finished do we break off into groups to begin doing warm-up combat.
Of course, I pair with Serenity while trying not to attack the bastards that dare have their eyes on her, which is far too many for my liking.
“Your jealousy is showing.” She giggles, drawing my gaze to herself. “I have to admit that I like it.”
“You shouldn’t,” I sigh, falling into a fighting stance. “If you knew what I wanted to do to all those bastards, you wouldn’t condone it.”
“Wouldn’t I?” She challenges, moving in for an attack that I easily avoid. “I’m sure it is the same that I want to do to all the women that look at you.”
“Do they?” I ask, beginning to move around in an attempt to find an opening. “I haven’t noticed.”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Giving me a grin, Serenity moves, feigning an attack to the right and then heading for the left, taking me by surprise in the process.
Together we move like we are dancing, fighting for dominance against one another. The whole thing just turns me on, especially since it allowed me to see just how damn strong and skilled my woman was.
“Keep this up, and I’m going to drag you somewhere private.” I warn as she presses her body against me. “You’re cheating.”
“Use whatever methods you have.” She giggles, spinning away as I attempt to contain her. “Isn’t that what we were taught?”
Letting out a growl, I attack, pulling her against me, and once she is close enough, I press my lips against her ear.
“Use those methods with another man, and I’ll kill him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, master.”
Shivering, I feel her fist connect with my stomach, sending me crashing backwards so that I’m landing on my ass, and before I can get up, she is attacking, pinning me to the ground beneath her as she places a claw against my throat.
“I think this means that I win.” Serenity giggles, leaning forward and kissing me. “Best two out of three?”
“Bring it on.”
By the end of our match, Serenity managed to beat me, but I was perfectly fine with that, especially since she was meant to be the leader of Emerald Moon one day. Knowing that she could easily handle defeating me gave me peace of mind.
Afterwards, we sit together while Rosco and Jose go at it, both fighting for dominance against one another, and I can’t help but be impressed at how well matched they are. But I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised since they came from the same bloodline.
The match screams ill at ease, but you can easily feel their auras that radiate from their bodies, and when it looks like Jose is about to get the better of Rosco, a howl rips through the air before a single rogue wolf rushes toward us.
“Heads up!” William calls from his place as he prepares to attack, but before he can, Serenity is moving.
“DON’T!” She gasps, grabbing him by the arm.
“Serenity?” He hisses, eyeing her in confusion as the rogue continues toward us. “What are you…”
“It’s Aunt Elise!”