Azalea

After we got dressed, we went downstairs. Lily and Damien were sitting in the kitchen, engaged in a hushed conversation. When they saw us, Lily jumped up. "All better now?" she chirped. I blushed and nodded. "I think we need some comfort and relaxation. Pizza, anyone?" she suggested. Her effort was obvious, but I appreciated her sentiment.

"Want some help?" I asked, trying to reassure everyone I was okay.

She smiled and went to the fridge to get the pizza ingredients. Liam sat down next to Damien. Judging by their expressions, they were communicating telepathically. Lily shot them a warning look when she saw me looking at Liam. "Why don't you two be useful and find us a movie in the living room?" she snapped.

They got up and left the kitchen. "Lily, I'm okay now. It wasn't as bad as you think," I said.

"It's not that, don't worry," she replied. We silently prepared lunch, avoiding eye contact. Twenty minutes later, we had pizza, plates, and drinks, and headed to the living room.

Entering the room, my eyes immediately fell on Liam, pacing in front of the couch where Damien sat. His anger was palpable. I hesitated for a moment. Liam looked up, meeting my gaze. Damien stood, giving Lily a worried look.

"Um, pizza's ready," I said hesitantly. Damien came to help carry the food as Liam turned away, running his hands through his hair, clearly agitated. I looked between Lily and Damien, silently pleading for answers, but received none.

"Let's put the movie on. We all need to relax," Lily said, looking at Damien. We moved to the couch. Liam sat beside me. The three of them acted like they knew something, and it was bothering me.

"Okay, what is it?" I demanded, my voice sharp with irritation.

They looked at each other. "What do you mean—" Liam began.

"I'm not stupid, okay? This isn't just about my heat. Something happened, and you three aren't telling me."

Liam looked at me with guilt. Damien stared at the floor. Lily finally gave in. "Something came up. It'll all be handled, though," she said, more to reassure herself, I think.

I turned to Liam, giving him an expectant look. Until this moment, I'd always felt he was honest with me. Unable to meet my gaze, he looked down. Standing, I said, "When you want to tell me, I'll be upstairs." I left them and went to our bedroom. Tears welled in my eyes as I walked away.

First, he rejected my offer to mate. Now, he won't tell me what's happening between him, Lily, and Damien. This proves I should never have gotten close, never have let him into my heart. I sat on the bed, fighting back tears, assuming Liam would follow. The longer I waited, the more frustrated and upset I became.

A soft knock came at the door. To my surprise, it was Lily, not Liam. Shock registered on my face. Lily looked sad, clearly knowing I'd be upset.

"Let me guess, he can't tell me, so he sent you to soften the blow?" I sneered. She didn't deserve my venom, but I didn't care.

"Azalea, it's not like that…" she said softly.

"Where is he then?" I asked. She just looked at me with sadness. She knew she was disappointing and angering me. "What's going on that I can't know? Don't forget, I grew up with werewolves; I am a werewolf. I may be different, but I'm still one of you!" I was furious.

Lily's eyes seemed distant for a moment. Before I knew it, Liam was in the doorway. Lily nodded to him and left, closing the door for privacy. She'd probably told him I wasn't taking this well. He hesitated before entering. I raised my hand, stopping him.

"If you don't want to tell me what's going on, fine. But then you need to take me back to the inn. I don't want to be here with you if you won't tell me," I said. He looked like I'd slapped him.

"Azalea…" he began. I crossed my arms, waiting. He rubbed the back of his head. "I just…"

"Just what, Liam?" I snapped. He looked apprehensive but didn't continue. "Fine!" I barked. I stormed to the closet to pack.

"Azalea, please," he said, following me.

"No, Liam. Don't even start! I came here because I trusted you. Right now, you're showing me exactly why I shouldn't have fallen in love with you!" I raged, not even realizing I'd admitted my love for him. I threw my clothes into my suitcase.

"Azalea, it isn't safe for you at the inn. I need you to trust me a little longer," he pleaded. His proximity calmed my body, but not my mind.

"No, Liam. I'm done," I said solemnly. Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my abdomen. I cried out, clutching my stomach. Liam stilled. Another wave of pain hit me, sending me to the ground.

I heard a growl. Liam's arms grabbed me, hoisting me onto his shoulder. For a moment, I saw his face—hard, his eyes midnight blue. Fear surged through me, followed by more pain. I was sweating profusely. He carried me from the closet to the bed and threw me down.

"W-What are you d-doing?" I panted, fighting the pain. Why was this happening again?

Liam growled, removing his shirt. "Liam, p-please, you're scaring me. AH!" I screamed.

He crawled onto the bed, toward me. "Liam," I whimpered. He was over me, his left hand extended claws.

"It'll all be over soon, Little Mate," he said in a deep voice. He held my hands above my head. My eyes widened in realization.

"Gavin?" I whispered incredulously. He smirked, using a claw to rip my shirt and bra. "Please, not like this," I begged, whimpering.

"You asked, Little Mate. This will end the pain. Your body wants this," he said.

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. He held my hands above my head as he removed my pants and then his own. "Mmm. Little Mate, you smell divine," he growled.

"Gavin, it doesn't have to be this way," I sobbed. I wished I could contact Damien and Lily. They had to be clueless. The bedrooms were soundproof.

He positioned himself at my entrance. He felt huge. My core was wet with heat. I shook my head as he smiled. In one swift movement, he entered me. I screamed in pain. He didn't give me time to adjust as he began to thrust vigorously. I cried and screamed as he held my arms above my head.

"Please, stop," I implored between sobs. I felt pressure building, but no pleasure. This was nothing like my night with Liam.

"Cum for me, Little Mate," he commanded. He continued his relentless assault.

"Liam, stop him, please," I begged, hoping he could stop his wolf, even if the damage was done. The pressure built to its peak. Gavin knew it; he thrust harder.

As I climaxed, the heat and pain momentarily subsided. Gavin continued a few more thrusts before he, too, released inside me, grunting. He rolled off the bed. He dressed with a smug smirk.

"You will be marked soon, Little Mate," he said darkly. I burst into tears, curling into a ball, shielding myself. Now that the heat pain was gone, I felt the effects of what Gavin had done. My chest hurt; I couldn't breathe.

Gavin left, not bothering to close the door. Moments later, I heard a scream, a growl, and a crunch. Lily appeared in the doorway. "Oh, Goddess, no…" was all I heard before darkness claimed me.