Liam stood, watching Gwen. "Liam," she said, rising from an armchair, "why are you associating with a traitor?" He sighed inwardly. Why couldn't she just listen?

Azalea stopped, turning slowly, her face paling. Her eyes widened, and she began to tremble. Liam stepped in front of her, shielding her from Gwen's view.

"I told you to drop it, Gwen. This isn't your concern," he said, his anger rising.

"It is my concern if you're involved with thiswoman," Gwen spat. "Just because you're unmated doesn't mean you need to stoop so low."

"Hold your tongue," Liam threatened.

"We're supposed to be observing the humans, and I find you here with this undesirable. Do you even care about appearances as Alpha?" Gwen hissed.

Liam's Alpha authority solidified his voice. "Gwen, go to your room. Now. You will say nothing more to Azalea, and you'll return to the pack tomorrow. Do you understand?" Gwen couldn't disobey a direct Alpha command.

"Don't think this is over," she muttered, stomping toward the stairs. Liam watched her go, then turned to Azalea.

Fear etched Azalea's face. Her eyes were glazed, distant. She remained motionless. Liam's phone rang; he silenced it without checking the caller. It rang again—Damien.

"Azalea, I need to take this," Liam said. "Don't move. Gwen won't return. I'll just stand outside. I'll be right back." Azalea didn't respond. He sighed, walking to the door. She was hugging herself.

Outside, he answered the phone. "This better be good," he barked.

"Gwen called me, freaking out. I had no idea Lily sent her."

"Great. Any hope of Azalea joining the pack is gone!"

"I'll fix it; I'm sending a replacement," Damien said quickly.

"You need to get your sister! She's lucky I didn't kill her!"

"I'll get her tomorrow," Damien appeased.

"Now! She knows who Azalea is, and it's only a matter of time before she connects the dots about us being mates! Who knows what she'll do?" Liam yelled, his anger escalating. "She wants to mate with me, and she might target Azalea to get what she wants!"

"You're right. I'm leaving now. Keep Azalea away from Gwen. I'll talk to Gwen, or I'll call Dad," Damien said.

"She lays a finger on Azalea, and rejection will be the least of her worries," Liam threatened.

"Liam, breathe. Lily didn't know when she sent her. It was an honest mistake. But calm down. Don't lose it in front of Azalea," Damien reasoned. Liam knew he was right, trying to control his breathing.

"How do I fix this? She's probably terrified!" Liam vented.

"She's your mate. Comfort her. Tell her we're removing Gwen. You need to tell her what's going on," Damien said.

"She'll freak out. She'll never agree to the pack, and she won't feel safe here," Liam said, feeling defeated.

"There's a place in our territory, far from the packhouse, where she might feel safe," Damien offered.

"Where?"

"The Lake House. It's unused, and your parents rarely go there," Damien said.

"Damien, you're brilliant! Can you send she-wolves to clean it and stock the fridge? I can get her there quickly," Liam said, renewed hope surging.

"Consider it done. Go get Azalea; I'll handle Gwen," Damien said.

"Thanks," Liam said, hanging up. He returned to the inn to find Azalea gone. Panic surged. He went to the kitchen.

The kitchen was dimly lit. A covered dish and plates sat on the counter. The fridge was open, then closed. Azalea reappeared, carrying glasses and a milk jug. She filled the glasses, then uncovered the dish: a delicious-looking chocolate cake.

Liam approached softly. "Azalea?"

She looked up, eyes wide, her face puffy from crying. He cupped her face. "Baby, I'm sorry about Gwen. She's leaving tonight; Damien's coming. Don't worry, I'll handle it. We need to talk. There are things you should know." She nodded. He looked at the cake.

"Is this the cake you made me?" he asked, inhaling the scent of peanut butter and chocolate fudge.

"Yes," she whispered. He smiled. "Thank you. It looks amazing. You are amazing." He gently kissed her. "Let's take this to your apartment, and we can talk and eat it there."

She nodded. She covered the cake; he carried a plate. They left the inn. Entering her apartment, Liam was immediately on alert.

"Do you smell that?" Gavin (presumably Liam's wolf) asked in his mind.

"Yes, faint, but someone else has been here," Liam responded.

He set down the cake, approaching Azalea. She stood hugging herself. He embraced her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concealing his knowledge of the intrusion.

"No," she whispered, burying her face in his chest. "Liam, I'm scared. I don't want to lose you. I've never felt like this, and that scares me. But when you're with me, I'm okay. I feel safe."