Liam sat fidgeting nervously at his desk, waiting for Lily’s return. He’d asked her to talk to him, but she hadn’t replied. He hoped she wouldn’t ignore him. He’d abandoned his work; his mind was too preoccupied with his mate situation. What would Lily tell him, and how would Azalea react to the mating? How was Azalea feeling?

He opened his bottom drawer and took out his bourbon. It was 9:30 pm. He expected Lily back by now. Perhaps things were going well, and she was spending extra time with Azalea.

“You really messed this up,” he said to Gavin, his wolf, who remained silent. “You can’t just retreat and ignore me now. I know how much this hurts, with her away and upset.”

Getting no response, Liam drank in frustration. Gavin seemed distant since the night with Azalea. His cruelty felt different this time. A soft knock came at the door. Lily peered in. He nodded her inside. She sat opposite him. He waited patiently. A minute later, Damien entered and stood beside the desk.

“I got her to agree to keep the wolves at the inn,” Lily announced, looking at them both. “With her unaware of the others in town, they should stay there as well.” While good news, it wasn’t what Liam had hoped for.

“Maybe we should expand our territory and permanently move some families to town,” Damien suggested. Liam considered this. “We could offer moving expenses to omega families, and include some warrior families for protection. We could look after the humans and Azalea,” Damien continued.

“We can do that, but not all at once,” Liam instructed. “It would look suspicious. Let’s do it slowly. Contact the mayor; he knows about supernaturals. Don’t tell him about the hunter or my mate, but persuade him to accept our protection.” Damien nodded, glancing between Lily and Liam. Lily nodded her assent, but indicated she had more to say. Damien left.

“You destroyed that girl,” Lily whispered. Liam paled.

“I…” he began, but found no words.

“Liam, she’s barely hanging on,” Lily continued. “You broke her. She fell in love with you, trusted you, and in three minutes, you shattered her. I don’t understand how she’s functioning. She wouldn’t talk to me, but I could tell…”

Pain shot through Liam’s chest. He knew he’d hurt her, but hearing it amplified the pain. “I told her about the threats too. She deserved to know,” Lily added.

“What!” Liam shouted. Lily flinched. “Lily, I didn’t want her to know!”

“She needed to know, Liam! She isn’t helpless! You can’t keep everything from her! Look how she handled everything until Gavin hurt her!” Lily retorted, growing upset.

“I get to decide what she needs to know!” Liam insisted.

“She’s your mate, but you don’t get to control her!” Lily countered.

“I’m keeping her safe! It doesn’t help if she’s terrified!”

“Maybe she’ll surprise you! Maybe the Moon Goddess made her your mate because her mind works differently! Azalea is a whole person, with her own thoughts, worries, fears, and perspective! Just because she isn’t a traditional werewolf doesn’t mean she’s less and needs sheltering!” Lily was breathing heavily. They stared at each other, locked in anger.

Gwen burst into the office. “So, are you over that traitor slut yet?” she asked, noticing Lily and Liam. “What’s going on?”

“I was just leaving,” Lily said. “You deserve this, Liam. Figure it out before she’s gone for good.” She stormed out. Liam sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“What do you want, Gwen?” he asked, irritated.

“I want to know why you were flaunting around with that wolf-less trash in the human town?”

“Who I associate with is none of your concern, Gwen!”

“Oh, give it up, Liam. You haven’t found your mate, and mine rejected me. I’m a beta’s daughter. Who else is better suited to be your Luna?”

“No. It won’t happen, Gwen. I never loved you.” This angered her further.

“Seriously, Liam? You’re picking her over me? Can she even shift? Is she even a werewolf? Are you going to mate a human?”

“Gwen, I mean it. Stop and leave.” He was restraining his Alpha tone.

“You know what? Fuck you, Liam. You’ll regret going after that defective floozy.” She left. Liam slumped in his chair. Gwen was out of control; he’d have to speak with her father.

“When Azalea comes to the pack, Gwen won’t be the only one acting this way,” Gavin said.

“Oh, so now you have something to say?” Liam responded.

“My methods weren’t ideal, but you’re now connected to her, and cannot deny the increase in our power. It won’t be complete until you mark her.”

“My methods weren’t ideal? They were wrong! You didn’t give her a choice, and you hurt her! She was a virgin!”

“Her heat demanded…” Gavin began.

“No! You don’t get to use that! She asked you to wait! That wasn’t how it should have happened. And the bond is now weak at best!”

Gavin remained silent, his remorse evident but overshadowed by pride. Liam was left to clean up the mess. He poured another drink. He needed to neutralize the hunter and fix what he’d done. He needed Azalea. A tear fell as he contemplated his next move.

Azalea tossed and turned all night, finally giving up at 3:30 am. She dressed warmly, grabbed her laundry basket, and went to the inn. She entered through the kitchen and saw someone sitting by the fireplace. It was Kol.

“Good morning, little flower,” he said quietly.

“Good morning. Having trouble sleeping?” she asked.

“Just a tad. Busy mind. And you? Don’t tell me this is when you start working?”

“Oh no. I was restless. Can I make you tea or coffee?”

“Forever the exemplary host. I’m fine, thank you. Would you like to join me? It’s chilly.”

“Um, sure. Let me make some tea.”

“Mind if I accompany you?” She nodded, letting him follow.

She put the kettle on and got some chamomile/lavender tea. Kol watched her with a smirk.

“What’s funny?” she asked.

“Nothing. You intrigue me,” he said.

“I intrigue you? Why?”

“Why not? You’re interesting.”

“That’s not a real answer. I’m simple and boring.” The kettle whistled.

As she poured the tea, Kol approached. “It’s exactly that which makes you interesting. You can’t see how intriguing you are, how crazy you can drive a man,” he whispered. She froze.

“Umm…” she stammered.

He stepped back. “Sorry,” he said. “I can come on strong. But honestly,” he looked into her eyes, “I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since I checked in. You’ve been a distraction.”

She wasn’t sure what to make of this. Liam was the only one who’d shown interest, and that was only after fate intervened. “I-I’m sorry. I can g-go….”

“No, no. I didn’t mean that.” He stepped closer. She began to shake. “Maybe I need a distraction,” he said, smiling. “Don’t worry. I’m not oblivious. I know you’re not in favor of physical contact. I wouldn’t do anything without your consent.”

She mumbled, “I’ve heard that before.”

“I get the feeling you don’t believe it now,” he said. Her eyes widened. “You don’t have to tell me. You don’t owe me anything. But know that I don’t touch things that aren’t mine.” He paused. “I should probably head to my room. Thank you for the company, little flower.” He bowed and left.

What the heck was going on at this inn?