Liam

“I think I can feel it,” she said. My eyes shot up in surprise. “What?” she asked, reading my expression.

“I just didn’t think you could feel the bond. I thought you were only feeling a small pull, not the connection itself,” I explained. Human mates weren’t known to feel the wolf’s emotions as intensely as the reverse. I guessed we were in uncharted territory.

“Liam, what did your uncle mean earlier? What’s most important for my recovery?” she asked. Her hesitation betrayed her uncertainty. I needed to be honest, but that didn’t ease my nervousness.

“Well… he thinks… you’d recover faster if our bond were… stronger.” I struggled to phrase this gently.

“What does that mean?”

I decided to be direct. “He thinks… I should… mark you.” I held my breath, awaiting her response.

After an agonizing minute, she simply said, “Oh.” Her expression was unreadable. An awkward silence hung between us. I sat in the chair beside the bed and rubbed my hands over my face. Azalea fidgeted with her fingers.

“What happens if I never let you?” she asked quietly. Her eyes locked on mine.

“Well, you’ll still recover, of course. But once the mate bond is completed through marking, a mated couple significantly aids each other’s healing and other things,” I explained.

She thought for a moment. “And besides my current situation, what would happen?”

I swallowed. I didn’t want to guilt her after everything. My uncle’s logic made sense, but it didn’t change the situation. “Well, we could face adverse side effects, and your heat could return.”

“Oh,” she said again. I needed to know her thoughts. Before I could ask, Lily and Damien entered.

“You’re awake! Azalea, we were so worried!” Lily exclaimed, rushing to Azalea’s side.

“Calm down, she’s recovering!” I yelled. Azalea giggled. My heart eased; it felt like ages since I’d heard that sound. Lily and Azalea hugged. Damien stood beside me.

“Glad you’re feeling better, Azalea,” Damien said. She smiled.

“Thank you,” she replied, nodding. A nurse appeared in the doorway with a food tray.

“Oh, Alpha, Beta,” she said, bowing. “I brought Miss Simmons some dinner.”

“I’ll take that. Thank you!” Lily said, taking the tray. She fussed over Azalea like a mother hen. Azalea’s expression suggested she was indulging Lily to comfort her.

“We need to talk,” Damien linked my arm. “It’s about Kol.” I glanced at Azalea and Lily; Lily was chattering away. “Lily’s with her. Step outside for a few minutes. She’s not going anywhere.”

“Okay, let’s make it quick.”

We left the women to eat and talk. Damien closed the door.

“So, what’s so urgent? I’ll handle that mutt when I’m ready,” I said, irritated.

“It’s been 36 hours since you accepted the challenge,” Damien said.

“I know. Right now, my mate is my concern,” I said.

“Liam, if you aren’t prepared for this…”

“No. I will end him,” I said.

Damien sighed. “We need to send your response before he tries to take her back. We have no reason to doubt he’ll come after her.”

“Damien, what aren’t you telling me?” He gave me a strange look.

“Your father knows. He knows Azalea is here and about the challenge.”

“Liam,” my father’s voice came from behind.

Azalea

Lily was chattering incessantly, clearly trying to distract me. She finally stopped long enough for me to eat, though I had little appetite. I had to stop her charade.

“Lily, what are you distracting me from?”

She stopped and sighed. “I’m sorry. Damien asked me to keep you occupied while he got Liam out of here.”

“If they needed to talk, I would have been okay…”

“No, it’s not that…” she said nervously.

I grabbed her hand. “Please tell me. Please don’t lie to me,” I pleaded.

She sighed. “Alpha Robert knows about the challenge, Kol, and that you’re here…”

The blood drained from my face. If Liam’s father knew, he knew Liam and I were mates. Surely, he’d force Liam to reject me and cast me out.

“Don’t worry. Azalea, Liam won’t let anything happen. He’ll take care of Kol, and then you two can figure things out…” Lily tried to console me.

Shouting erupted outside. Lily and I looked towards the door. It burst open, and Liam rushed in. I saw Damien and Beta Declan outside, restraining a furious Alpha Robert, before the door swung shut.

Liam was instantly at my side. He looked at Lily. “We need to go, now!” he said urgently.

“Liam, what’s going on?” I asked, worried. He and Lily began disconnecting the monitors.

“I’m taking you out of here, Azalea. My father disagrees with how I’m handling things,” he said.

“I don’t understand…”

He looked at me with pleading eyes. “I can’t lose you. Please, just let me get you out of here.” I nodded. Lily handed him a coat. He thanked her before helping me into it. It was huge and smelled of Liam.

Liam gently picked me up. “Hide your face against me, okay?” he said softly. I buried my face in his chest, clinging to his shirt. His scent eased my tension.

“We’re going out the back. Give me two minutes, then open the door. Damien knows the plan, alright?” he told Lily.

Liam moved quickly, exiting through another door. I kept my face hidden as he walked. I felt the cold air against my uncovered legs; we were outside the clinic. I sensed Liam’s unease. I wanted to know what was happening, but it was best to wait.

Soon, we entered another building and climbed stairs. The location felt oddly familiar. A door closed, and Liam sat down with me in his arms.

“Okay, we’re safe for now,” he said, shifting me so I could lift my head. I looked into his worried blue eyes.

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly.

He sighed. “My father has an idea on how to handle Kol, and I disagree.”

“What does he want?”

Liam closed his eyes. I could tell he was struggling. I placed my hand on his cheek. “I’ll never put you in danger, Azalea. Not knowingly. I’d give up my title to guarantee your safety,” he said softly, eyes still closed.

“I know. Liam, what does your dad want to do with me?”

He was quiet. Finally, he said, “My father wants to use you to get rid of Kol. He wants me to let Kol’s time limit run out, so he’ll come and take you back. His plan is to have a witch curse you so you both die when he takes you.”

I gasped. I was speechless. Liam grabbed my face. “Azalea, look at me. He won’t take you from me. I don’t know why he’s so against us, but I won’t let him do this. Damien and his father are trying to control him, to avoid arresting him. But if he continues, I will. Azalea, you’re my mate and rightful Luna. His suggestion is a crime.”

I nodded. “Liam, how does he know?”

“I’m sorry, but I told him a while ago…”

“Oh.” I was silent for a moment. “So, what about Kol?”

Liam sighed. “I accepted his challenge. I’ll set the time of our confrontation.” I laid my head on his chest. “What’s wrong?” he asked, stroking my hair.

I sniffled. “I haven’t forgiven you, but I can’t stand the thought of losing you,” I whispered. “This is all my fault.”

He hugged me tightly. “No, it’s not. And it won’t be like this forever. I promise.” We sat like that for a while.

Liam

I held her close. I hated that she blamed herself. This wasn’t her fault. Holding her, I felt better. Her presence gave me energy I hadn’t felt since she left me at the lake house.

“Why don’t we get ready for bed?” I asked softly. She nodded. She was still wearing my coat and a hospital gown. “Would you like to change?” She nodded again. I stood and placed her on the bed. I went to my closet for something for her to wear. I’d ask Lily to get her something later.

“Where are we?” she asked, looking around. I rubbed my neck nervously.

“We’re in my bedroom…” I said, hoping to postpone this. I walked over with one of my t-shirts.

“Wait, does that mean…” she said, eyes widening.

I knelt before her. “Yes, I had to bring you to the pack house. I’m so sorry. Only Damien and Lily know you’re here.” She swallowed and nodded. This was making her more nervous, which wasn’t good.

There was a knock. “Liam, we need you now!” Lily’s urgent voice called from the other side.