\[Maverick’s POV\]
My eyes widen at Jose’s words, but in a way we should have realized sooner given how close Ellie looks to Denali and even Serenity.
“Are you saying she was the first Luna of Emerald Moon?” I ask slowly.
“Not hardly,” Jose spits, his expression darkening. “She was forced to go there just like Serenity’s grandmother.” He continues, turning his gaze to Serenity. “And even then she wasn’t put in the place of Luna; instead, the first alpha of Emerald Moon made another his Luna.”
Frowning, I consider the words I am hearing as two and two begin to come together.
“That means,” I say quietly, drawing everyone’s gaze to me. “I was a member of Emerald Moon’s original pack as well.”
“Most likely,” Jose says, his face taking on a look of pity. “There may be a way to confirm.”
“What’s that?” William asks, breaking the silence that falls around us. “Do you have a time machine?”
“Something like that.” Jose chuckles, turning toward New Moon and motioning for us to follow him.
Once inside, we are led to a small sitting room with fluffy black chairs and a blood red couch. The atmosphere is very cozy, from the furniture to the fireplace that is quietly crackling in front of us, sending a warm glow around the area.
However, when Jose returns with what I immediately recognize as photo albums, I feel the atmosphere grow tense, and when he passes the book to me, I brace myself for what I’m about to see.
Opening the album, I begin to flip through pictures of Ellie, whom I can only assume is the first alpha of Emerald Moon. In each picture, they look so happy, which just contradicts what Jose has told us. But whether or not they were actually in love at one point or another doesn’t mean shit to me. The only thing I am interested in is a picture of a large group of people. And as my gaze scans through the faces, I first spot the twins and then myself.
“I’ll be damned,” I mutter, staring straight at my own face while not remembering the moment at all. “So, this is who I was before becoming a rogue.”
“That’s right,” Jose confirms, drawing my gaze to him. “Do you not remember?”
“No,” I respond. “When I woke up, I didn’t remember anything.”
If you asked me if I ever felt empty from not knowing my past, my real name, or even my own birthday, I would be lying if I said I didn’t, but since finding a new purpose in my life and slowly falling in love with Serenity, I didn’t care anymore.
“Interesting,” Jose murmurs, taking a seat. “Would you want your memories returned to you?”
Frowning, I eye the man while I consider what he is saying, but I knew there was no fucking way that would happen. And even if they were returned, I didn’t think it would make much of a difference since it wasn’t beneficial to our mission.
“It could help us learn more about the one that you’re seeking.” He explains. “The more information, the better. If we know his plan, then…”
“Isn’t it obvious?” I grunt in annoyance. “He stole Serenity’s blood, which means that he only has one goal, and that is to end our kind.”
“Are you sure that is all he has planned?” Jose counters. “That’s what you are assuming, but what does he intend to do once all the wolves are gone? Will he attempt to repeat the same actions he did in the past to create the rogues? Or will he do something else?”
“That’s enough, Jose,” William warns as I let a growl escape me. “You’re pushing a little too much. Anyway, you know as well as I do that you don’t have the means to return his or Ellie’s memories to them, so why don’t you just...”
“Oh, don’t I?” Jose counters. “Don’t try to act like you know things about me. I have a network of helpers just waiting for a single call.”
“Of course you do,” William sighs. “And I bet you fucked each and every one of them, right?”
At his words, a look of amusement flashes in Jose’s eyes, but he doesn’t argue what has been said.
“Gross,” William grunts, his frown deepening. “But even if you do have a way, it is ultimately Maverick’s choice.” He continues, turning his gaze toward me. “What do you think?”
“If not him, the woman,” Jose adds as I consider what is being offered. “Either would work since they came from the same pack, right?”
“Right,” William sighs, turning his gaze to Ellie, who sits silently. “What do you think?”
What did she think? Did the woman even speak? Each and every time I saw her, she was nothing more than a soulless doll who just stared into space.
“Okay.”
Eyes widening, I feel a wave of shock rush through me over not only hearing her speak but knowing that she was more than willing to have the memories of her time before now returned. What if they were plagued by darkness, given how fucking alpha the alpha of Emerald Moon was?
“If it’ll help, I’ll do it.” She continues, giving a soft smile.
“Great,” Jose claps, excitement coloring his features. “What about you?” He pushes, turning his expectant gaze to me. “Do you wish to also have your memories returned?”
“I…” I begin, looking to Serenity, who has remained silent this whole time.
“You should,” she murmurs, though it is clear she is uneasy about the whole thing. “You deserve to know about yourself before I found you, even if it means finding out...”
She doesn’t finish her words before I’m covering her mouth as I understand what it is that she is about to say.
“The only thing that matters now is this life and you. Understand?” I growl, not giving two shits if her uncles were watching. “Anything before you is irrelevant.”
“How sweet,” Jose laughs as Serenity’s cheeks flush a beautiful pink. “Then it is decided! I will make the phone call, but it may be a few days before they can arrive. Until then, feel free to go about New Moon as if it were your own pack, okay?”
“Got it,” I huff, wanting nothing more than to get Serenity alone so I can reassure her of my feelings. “Then are we free to leave?”
“You are,” Jose confirms, giving me a look that irritates me. “Shall I show all of you to your lodgings? I did give you and my niece a separate room, but if you’d rather be together, then…”
“Not happening,” William snaps. “And you’re a fucking idiot for even thinking that was a good idea.”
“They’re going to end up doing what they want no matter what we do.” Jose shrugs, standing. “But as you wish, I’ll show him the room he won’t be using.”