\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare at the large red wolf in front of me with glowing amber eyes. It is magnificent and nothing like I’ve seen, but it is the size that takes me by surprise the most.
Wasn’t Maverick supposed to be the son of villagers? Wouldn’t that mean that he would be normal-sized and not the same size as me when I was in wolf form?
It was interesting indeed to see this and to take it in, as I find myself wondering if maybe there was more to Maverick’s background than even he knew.
‘What’s wrong?’ The man in question asks as I realize too late that I’m staring. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘No,’ I respond immediately, giving a smile as I reach out a hand and run it along his soft fur. ‘I was just admiring how beautiful you are.’
‘Beautiful.’ He repeats, anger trickling from his words. ‘Should I remind you again that I’m a man?’
Shivering, I try not to remember the happenings of the night before as his promise settles over me.
‘Later,’ I tell him slyly. ‘But before that you should shift back so we can tell the others our findings.’
Nodding, Maverick presses his body hard against my hand, allowing me a few more minutes of admiring before he begins to shake and whimpers of pain escape him as he slowly shifts back to his normal body.
“Welcome back.” I beam, feeling a wave of relief rush through me over the fact he was able to shift so easily. “Maybe we should find you some clothes first.”
As I speak, I can’t help but peek between his legs, taking him in in all his glory.
Goddess, he was dangerous. Especially when he was standing in front of me like this, and I can’t help but wish that we didn’t have people waiting.
“Pervert,” Maverick chuckles, throwing his arms around me and staring into my eyes. “But I can't say that I hate it.”
Blushing, I swat his arms off of me and then give a stern look.
“No time.”
Turning, I head out of the room first, where my father and Uncle Jose are waiting.
“Where are Tristan and Jolene?”
“They went to try a few more experiments on the human blood.” Uncle Jose explains. “They will probably be busy for quite a while.”
“If they don’t kill each other first.” I laugh just knowing that they were at each other's throats.
“How is he?” My father aks, taking me by surprise over his sudden concern for Maverick. “Did things go as they should?”
“They did,” I confirm. “My blood managed to turn him back into a wolf, but he needs...”
I don’t finish my words as a look of rage flashes in my father’s eyes, as I’m certain he is picturing the naked Maverick trying to take advantage of his baby.
“That…”
“Dad,” I snap. “The whole purpose of this was to see if he could be returned to his wolf form. He can, but he needs clothes now so that we can gather the others and come up with our next move.”
Now that we knew the limitations of my blood, we could make our move. Since there wasn’t a chance that humans could be turned into wolves, we at least knew that our biggest threat would be the rogues and those cloaked bastards helping Ezekial.
I could almost see victory on the horizon and the return of Emerald Moon’s original pack, which would certainly combine with the current Emerald Moon. At least, after we turned them back into humans.
“Dad,” I repeat when he doesn’t move. “Clothes.”
“Right,” he grumbles, turning and heading away so that I’m left alone with Uncle Jose.
“He’s going to cause problems for your relationship, little one.” He chuckles once my father is out of sight. “I wish you luck.”
“He will be alright,” I sigh. “He just isn’t willing to accept that his baby isn’t a baby anymore.”
“Isn’t that all parents?”
Turning, I meet Uncle Jose’s gaze and can’t help but find the look of someone who knows that all too well.
“Did you ever have kids?” I ask.
“No,” he admits. “But your grandmother was my younger sister, and I helped raise her.”
Nodding, I consider his words as I remember mention of the way my grandmother came to be in Crystal Fang. I guess Uncle Jose could kind of understand, although that situation was completely different.
“You’ll understand one day too.” He continues now, snapping me out of my head. “Your man and your father are more similar than you think.”
“Don’t say such things.” I gag. Just the thought of Maverick and my father being one and the same left me with a sour taste in my mouth. “They’re nothing alike.”
“If you say so.” Uncle Jose chuckles, rubbing my head. “They say a little girl’s first love is her father, you know.”
“Ugh. Don’t be disgusting.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He says as my father reappears carrying clothes. “Looks like our conversation is over.”
“Yeah,” I nod, watching while my father bypasses us and heads into the room where Maverick is waiting, and when I hear an intake of shock from my father, I’m certain that it is due to Maverick’s perfect body, and that alone just makes me laugh.
Later, we sit around a table together, the energy around us one filled with promise. And when Uncle Jose calls everyone to attention, all eyes come to rest on him.
“Thank you for coming.” He announces, addressing the group easily. “I’m sure everyone knows what we are here for and what comes next.”
Of course, we all knew that this was the official announcement of the beginning of a war between the man threatening us and his mutant wolves. We also knew that it meant that some may not make it while others may be severely injured, but it was a small price to pay for peace.
“Let me thank each and every one of you for your loyalty and dedication to our cause.” He continues when no one speaks. “I know that it is quite a lot to ask of you to act in honor of other packs aside from your own, but know that our enemy is a threat to all, not only Emerald Moon and Crystal Fang.”
Growing quiet once again, Uncle Jose shifts his gaze around the table before looking toward the door just as it bursts open.
“And,” he says now as Tristan and Jolene come rushing in with a briefcase that they immediately bring to Uncle Jose. “It is time to reveal that which will be our greatest asset in this fight.”
Frowning, I lean forward and watch as he begins to open the briefcase and then turns it toward us so that we can see what looks like bullets filled with blood toward us.
“Is that…” I gasp, understanding what it was that Tristan and Jolene were up to. “My blood?”
“That’s right.” Uncle Jose grins. “This way we can fight from long range. The minute these bullets connect with their target, they will explode and dispense your blood.”