Liam

Lily entered my office. Damien still hovered as I paced, seething, behind my desk. We were mated, and she was running into the arms of that stalker at the inn. Did she feel nothing? My rage fueled irrational anger, but I didn't care.

"So?" I asked expectantly.

"She said she was just having lunch with a customer. I don't think your little growling, wolf-out moment on the phone with her helped the situation," she said calmly.

"Yeah, Vanessa said it looked like she had a panic attack and ran outside when she hung up on you," Damien added.

Shit.

"Look, I'm going to go up there and explain everything. Maybe I can calm her down, but I'm not going to force her to come to you, Liam. I don't know how, but you'll have to fix this. You hurt Azalea worse than anyone ever has," Lily said, holding my gaze. She was probably the only she-wolf in the pack who would when I was this angry.

"She won't answer her phone or reply to my messages. How the hell am I supposed to do anything if she refuses to speak to me?" I shouted. Lily shook her head, giving me a sad look.

"Liam, you feel the bond stronger than she does. You feel her hurt, and you're hurt. You need to get yourself in check. You need to give her time. Even if being separated hurts you, you must give her space," Lily said solemnly. She turned and left, shooting Damien a look that indicated he should follow.

I sat down, feeling less angry but more defeated. I put my head in my hands. Damien left without a word. I knew he was still mad at me but had at least stopped me from shifting and running to the inn to rip John's head off.

"Why the f*** did you do this to us?" I said to Gavin. I received no response.

Azalea

It was about fifteen minutes before Lily was supposed to meet me. I went from my apartment to the inn. I sighed as I walked into the lobby and went behind the desk. The she-wolf behind the desk gave me a tight smile as I grabbed the stack of check-out papers for the next day and began skimming them. I tried my best to ignore the other wolves, hoping Damien would remove them soon.

The bell above the front door rang. I looked up to see Lily walking in. I gave her a tight smile, walked around the desk, and greeted her. She immediately pulled me into a tight hug. A tear slipped down my cheek as I let her hold me.

She pulled away, asking, "Are you okay?" with concern in her voice. I nodded, wiping the tear away. "So, where do you want to talk?" she asked.

"Let's get out of here. Too many eyes on me," I said, gesturing towards the door. We walked down the drive, and she pulled her keys out.

"No, no. I don't do cars. It isn't far from here to the cafe, and it will be quiet this time of day. Let's just walk," I said. She nodded. We walked in silence to the cafe Liam and I had visited on our date.

We sat at a table; a waitress took our order. Lily looked at me nervously afterward. I sighed. "What do you need to tell me, Lily? I really don't think it will change anything," I said.

"First, you should know that Damien and I are so mad at him right now. Damien is barely speaking to him, and he's beating himself up about not stopping it," she said. I shifted in my seat, pulling my sleeves further down my wrists. Lily's eyes dropped to them. "Liam is killing himself as well. He's locked in his office day and night; he isn't eating, barely sleeping. I don't think he has ever done anything he felt so ashamed of as this." Her eyes searched mine. I could only give her a slight nod.

The waitress returned with our coffees. I took a sip, trying to warm myself. Lily continued, "So there are two things I think you should know. First, about the mating. I know you didn't have a mother and aren't the average werewolf, but I'm sure some will affect you. When two wolves mate, their connection becomes more permanent, even if the female isn't marked. Rejection can still happen, but it's more likely to kill the pair than before mating." She paused, sipping her coffee. I sat still, unwilling to believe what she was saying. "After wolves mate, they're supposed to be able to feel each other wherever they are. They also become reliant on each other. If they're separated too long, it can affect the wolf in several ways: make them weaker, lessen their senses, cause pain, emotional instability. It sort of depends on the wolf. I don't know what you're feeling, but Liam is feeling the effects."

I was shocked. "Does this mean… I can't… I have to…" I whispered, unable to finish.

"I don't know what this means. Honestly, I'm so conflicted. What happened… should have never happened. But Liam wasn't in control. Gavin went nuts, and I don't think he's spoken to Liam since. The Liam I know…" she paused. "The Liam I know is fair and just. He's considerate and kind at heart. He's firm, tough, and reliable but also merciful. Learning about you has put so many pieces in place for me. Azalea, he yearned for you for years. He wouldn't admit it or blame anyone for his misstep. He played his part and looked for a mate he knew he wouldn't get because he didn't deserve her. I have never seen him so jubilant and free as he was at the lake house with you. Even when you weren't looking, his eyes were on you. I could see how much he cared about you from the moment he came upstairs to get you after that first wave of heat died down. I know he would never even consider hurting you like that."

Tears threatened to spill. I wasn't ready to talk about this or forgive Liam. We were connected, and I couldn't reject him; even Lily couldn't be entirely mad at him. My hands shook. Lily reached forward, taking my hand.

"I'm not telling you to forgive him. I just want you to understand everything…" she said. I sniffled. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly.

My lip quivered. "I fell in love with him, Lily. I let myself fall in love with him…"

"Oh, sweetheart…" she said, rubbing my hand comfortingly. We sat quietly for a few moments.

"There's something else you should know," she finally said. Worry etched her face. "The thing we were keeping from you… There was another threat."

My eyes widened. Fear washed over me. Lily continued, "None of us wanted to tell you and worry you more. With everything going on… you were having a rough enough time without threats to you and Liam."

"What… who…" I tried to ask.

"We don't know, but we suspect it's the hunter. We know there was a note left for you and one for Liam before we arrived," she said.

"One for Liam?" I was confused.

"He didn't tell you?"

I shook my head.

"That man," she said, rolling her eyes. "When Gavin came forward and scared you that first night? Liam found a note on the doorstep. Whoever it was knew you two were there. Now we can't tell if this hunter is after you to get to Liam or after both of you…"

"Both of us?"

"The note we got that night suggests he wants Liam out of the way so he can have you."

I paled. "Why would he want me? I'm nothing…"

"We don't know. But I think you being away from where we can keep you safe is making all of this worse for Liam. It's just compounding everything he's feeling."

My heart clenched. "Lily, please, you can't make me go to the packhouse…" I begged.

She shook her head. "Azalea, I won't make you, but I won't lie to you. We're worried about you out here. Damien told me you wanted him to remove the other pack members, but I don't think it's a good idea."

I considered her words. I didn't want to go to the packhouse, but if keeping the other wolves at the inn meant Liam would stay away, I could manage it for now. "If Liam promises to stay away, the pack members can stay," I concluded.

She smiled, relieved. I looked out the window, trying to process everything. Lily had dropped a lot of information; it was overwhelming. I missed Amy and wished I could tell her everything.

Lily broke my reverie. "How about we head back? You look like you could use some sleep," she said, standing and paying. I nodded and followed. The walk back was silent. Lily left me at the front steps, and I waved as she drove away. My chest hurt as she left, and I was alone again.

Back inside, I checked for messages. Dinner service was over. After my conversation with Lily, I wasn't hungry.

"Just the flower I was looking for," a deep voice said, startling me. I jumped, looking up at Kol. He chuckled. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. You're a bit jumpy," he said with a smile.

"Not always. What can I help you with?" I asked.

"I was hoping you might be able to help me. See, I got back too late for dinner, and that other restaurant seems to be closed for the owner's birthday or something," he said.

"Oh, yeah. They close down occasionally; they're family-run. Um, I can probably help you out. I must warn you, though, I'm not a great cook. I usually stick to baking."

"Anything will do. I appreciate the help," he said.

"Alright, um, come on back to the kitchen with me. I'm sure we can find something." I motioned him to follow. Kol followed me. "So, uh, anything in particular?" I asked.

"I can eat anything," he said.

I nodded and checked the fridge. There were leftovers. I started pulling out dishes I could heat. "We can heat any of this, so choose whatever," I said, setting the dishes on the counter.

"Well, what would you like to have? I saw you walking in just before me," he said. I looked up, confused. "I wasn't following you or anything!" he exclaimed.

I laughed. "No, not that. I just… never mind. I'm not too hungry, actually."

"How is Cinderella supposed to work the night away on an empty stomach?" he joked.

I giggled. "You're very sweet."

He smiled. "Not as sweet as the scent of a beautiful flower," he said.

My eyes widened, and my cheeks blushed. "Kol… I uh… I'm not…"

"So, there is a guy. I guess this isn't fate after all…" he said with a chuckle. "I'm only playing, Azalea. You just seem like a wonderful girl to be stuck in this tiny little town."

"Well, this is home… so, um, how about this?" I said, holding up a chicken alfredo casserole. He nodded. I warmed it and got him a plate.

"You can just leave the plate in the sink. I can clean it up tomorrow. I'm not feeling great, so I'm going to bed. Call the line if you need anything else," I said.

He nodded. "Thanks for dinner; maybe next time you'll join me?" he said with a smirk.

"Maybe," I said, turning to leave.

"Good night, little flower," he said as I exited the kitchen.