Chapter Twenty Eigh

Liam

After getting her bag from the car and quickly linking the patrol around the property, I made my way back into the master bedroom to Azalea. She looked so peaceful and adorable with her petite body curled up on the massive bed. I intended to get a little work done, but I could not resist getting in bed with her. I removed my shirt and climbed in on the other side of the bed. Pulling her soft body to me, I held her in my arms, just drinking in her delicious aroma.

“We need to mate her,” Gavin prompted in my head.

“She isn’t ready,” I told him.

“We will be stronger once we complete the mate bond and mark her. Then we can protect her even better,” he tried to reason. His insistence didn’t feel normal.

“She is protected. She is right here with me, and there are no less than eight wolves running around this place at all times. And almost no one knows where we are right now.”

“I don’t have a good feeling about this; I feel like there is danger just outside our view,” Gavin warned.

“I have the same feeling….” I agreed.

“Mate her, or I will,” Gavin said with finality.

One thing was for sure; I would not be letting him anywhere near Azalea. She wasn’t ready for me, let alone him. For now, I would take a nap with my wonderful mate held close to me.

-

I felt lite sparks igniting in small circles on my chest. As I woke from my nap, I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the exquisite feeling of Azalea running her fingers against my skin. It was only a few more moments before my member stood at attention and a gentle growl emanated from my chest.

A sweet giggle opened my eyes to take in the gorgeous sight before me. Azalea’s vibrant green eyes peered into mine. Her soft, pale skin almost glowed in the soft light coming through the windows thanks to the sunset coming over the lake. Her smile was radiant and sweet, and I wanted every moment of my being to be filled with it. We were still cuddled together, only now her body was facing mine.

“Mmmm, careful kitten,” I said, teasing her. Her eyes immediately grew and darted south. The blanket was still over my waist, but that did not hide the erection that was growing under her innocent touching. I chuckled at her naivety. “I am just teasing. I would never try anything if you didn’t ask me for it, baby,” I tried to reassure her.

She gave me a smile then reached her small face up to mine, gracing me with a soft kiss on my cheek. “I know,” she said softly, lowering herself back down. She laid her head on my chest and continued her fingers’ mindless wandering over my bare chest as I held her body to mine. I just enjoyed the feeling for a few more moments.

Reaching my other arm over to the side table, I grabbed my cell phone and looked at the time. “Wow, it’s already dinner time. Are you hungry, baby?” I asked her, peeking down.

“Yea, actually,” she said.

“Want to make dinner with me?” I asked.

She giggled. “Is it because you only know how to make macaroni and cheese?”

She was not entirely correct. “I can cook a few more things. But I thought it might be fun. Plus, I like you in my sight at all times,” I said. I rolled her onto her back and positioned myself over her. I ran my nose along her neck and shoulder, breathing in her delicate scent. “You really do smell amazing.”

“What do I smell like?” she asked.

“Mmmm… flowers, and cinnamon. It’s the most intoxicating thing I have ever smelled,” I told her. She smiled even larger. “We should go cook, or I will never let you leave this bed,” I said, smiling back at her. She nodded her head. With a quick peck on her nose, I got out of the bed and retrieved my shirt. After putting it on, I turned to find her sitting on the side of the bed with her legs hanging over the side.

“Shall we?” I asked. She nodded her head, hopping down from the bed.

Azalea

We went downstairs to the kitchen. “So, what are you hungry for?” I asked, looking at Liam.

“Mmmm, just depends; what’s on the menu?” he replied with a seductive grin. For a split second, his blue eyes flashed dark with lust.

“Ummm,” I began.

“Sorry. I am just teasing,” he said with a half-smile. He walked over to the fridge and opened the door. “How about tacos?”

“Sure. Got any flour? I could make us some fresh tortillas?” I said nervously. Something about the look in his eye made me a little on edge.

“I think that can be arranged,” he said with a smile. He pointed me to the pantry door while he began pulling ingredients out of the fridge. I started to dig in the pantry to find some baking ingredients. Luckily, I was right, and everything we needed was inside. I got to work making dough on the little island in the kitchen while Liam busied himself with some meat on the stove behind me.

“That smells good,” I said as the meat started to sizzle in the pan. I felt arms go around my waist as I rolled out parts of the dough.

“Not as good as you,” he said seductively in my ear, sending a chill down the back of my neck. I felt his lips skim my ear, making me squirm.

“Oh….” I said.

“Haha. I’ll stop teasing you,” he laughed. He turned around to the stove to go back to the meat he left cooking. He was up and down right now, and it was making my head spin trying to keep up.

As I finished rolling the tortillas out, my mind was reeling. Last night was amazing and felt so right, but at the same time, I was not sure we should move any faster. I hadn’t had a moment to breathe since Liam crashed into my life. My heart wanted him, but my head was telling me not to get comfortable.

“Got room for these?” I asked, turning around to the stove and Liam. He smiled warmly at me, all trace of his lusty teasing gone.

“Yes, ma’am. Right there,” he said, pointing at the warmed pan ready for the tortillas.

I smiled at him. “Perfect,” I said, putting the first couple of tortillas on. I needed to take this one step at a time, and hopefully, Liam would understand. He was breaking through the walls I had built throughout my life to keep me safe, and it was scaring me. “Need any help?” I asked him.

“Sure. Could you cut up the vegetables?” he said, pointing to the tomatoes, lettuce, and avocados on the counter next to us.

“Easy,” I said. As the tortillas cooked, I began prepping the vegetables.

“Why don’t we finish this up and take it to the bedroom? We could put on a movie and eat in bed?” he suggested.

“Sure,” I said with a smile. Even with a nap today, all the stress about being in wolf territory again and worrying about Liam and me had me very tired.

Liam finished up the meat as I finished the vegetables. We made our plates. “Why don’t you take these upstairs, and I will grab some drinks and meet you there,” he said, handing me both plates of food.

“Sure,” I said, grabbing them.

“See you in a minute,” he said. Just then, we heard a bang coming from the front. I jumped slightly but managed not to spill the food. I looked back to Liam; I didn’t think we should be expecting anyone. Liam’s eyes were dark as he stared towards the front of the house, confirming my thoughts. His face was full of rage, and it ignited fear in my stomach.

“What was that....” I started.

“Go upstairs. Now. Do not come down,” Liam said in a harsh growl. His voice was much lower than it was just a few minutes ago, and he almost sounded like a different person altogether.

“L-Liam…” I said, scared.

He swiftly turned his gaze towards me. “Now, Azalea,” he commanded. His eyes were dark again; they were like midnight blue. His face was hard and unrelenting.

I ran from the kitchen back to the bedroom we had been in earlier. I shot through the door, closing it quickly behind me. I looked around, not sure what to do. I noticed an envelope sitting on the bed. Had that been there?

I walked over to it. In careful handwriting, the envelope read ‘Azalea.’ With a shaking hand, I picked it up and turned it over. There was a wax seal on the back with a pink azalea flower upon it. Whoever left this did this intentionally. I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

YOUR PARENTS MADE A DEAL. AND SOON, YOU WILL BE MINE, LITTLE FLOWER.

I dropped the letter on the bed and backed away. Tears welled in my eyes as fear coursed through me. What did that mean? What deal had my parents made? Who left this here? My back hit something solid.

As my mind reeled with unanswered questions, I heard a loud, angry growl from downstairs. I knew it immediately as a wolf growl. I turned to look for a place to hide. I ran into the bathroom. I opened the shower door, hoping its frosted glass could hide me. I curled into a ball in the back corner, trying to make myself as small as possible. Silent tears streamed down my face as I held my eyes shut as tightly as I could.