by Martha Woods
Chapter 13
Her eyes opened and blue orbs landed on him. He smiled, relieved. “You’re awake.”
“Liam?” Blinking rapidly to clear her vision, Skylar slowly sat up. She glanced around, realizing she was in his bed room.
Liam studied her closely. “How do you feel?”
“Like I fell out of a tree,” she murmured, looking down at her bandaged wrist. “Damn, I just had to break something. I was never very graceful so a broken bone was bound to happen sooner or later.”
He got up from the chair where he had sat and kept vigil. “You remember what happened?”
“I remember everything. How could I not? Tonight had to have been the most bizarre night ever. There was this strange man but then he disappeared and all of a sudden some mutated, overgrown, freak of nature wolf was chasing me -”
“It was two nights ago, Sky.”
“What?”
“You’ve been sleeping on and off for two days. Whatever Farah gave you kept you sedated. We were afraid you would be in shock or in too much pain so she gave you something to help you sleep.”
She lifted a hand to her head. “I lost two days?”
Liam frowned seeing the panic in her eyes. “It’s alright, Sky. I don’t care if you missed work.”
“It’s not that. I had something to take care of. You know what, never mind. I can go into town tomorrow.”
“The hell you are. You need to rest and I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
He thought she would argue and was surprised when she didn’t. Instead, she let out a breath and reached for his hand. “You said you would explain something to me, you know. About the fact that you were somehow communicating with that big, friendly wolf.” She shook her head. “I’m so confused, Liam. What in the hell happened tonight - I mean, two nights ago?”
Damn. She just had to remember every detail. He stared into her eyes and an ache forming in his chest. He was going to lose her because he had to tell her the truth. This was why he avoided relationships and love. It no longer made any sense for him to deny that he had fallen hard for the vivacious woman sitting on his bed. He perched on the bed beside her and ran a finger down her cheek.
“Yes, I did promise, didn’t I? There’s something I need to tell you before I get into all of that.”
Her brows creased. “Sure. You’re scaring me, Liam.”
He swallowed hard. He was a bit frightened in that moment too. In all of his twenty-nine years, he’d never expressed his love to any woman. “Don’t be scared. Not yet anyway. You might think it’s too soon for me to be telling you this but I need to get it out because after I tell you what I really am, you’re going -”
“Liam. What is it?” She demanded, grasping his hand. “Damn it, Liam if you keep me in suspense any longer, I’m -”
“I love you, Sky.”
Her lips parted on a sigh and he waited with bated breath for further reaction. A smile appeared on her lips. “Whatever Farah gave me doesn’t cause hallucinations, right?”
Liam frowned. “I don’t think so. Why?”
She laughed. “Because I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You really love me?” Throwing herself at him, she gushed. “Liam, you have no idea how happy I am right now. I love you too. I have for a while but I figured you wouldn’t want to hear me say it. You’re such a grouch sometimes. You know that right?”
His arms wrapped around her and he let out the breath he had been holding. “In all fairness, I haven’t been a grouch for weeks since I got you into my bed.”
Skylar giggled against his neck and her breath on his skin made him shudder. A sudden flare of need surged through his system. Maybe he could bury himself inside of her warmth one more time before he scared her away.
“Sky,” he whispered.
He didn’t have to say another word. She knew what he wanted. She felt it, his desire for her radiating off of him.
“Yes,” she whispered back.
Liam closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, ingraining her scent in his memory for all time. He began to trail kisses along her jaw and then down her neck. She moaned when his teeth raked over the sensitive skin just beneath her ear. He pushed her robe off her shoulders and moved his mouth to focus his attention there.
“I need to be inside of you, Sky,” he murmured between kisses.
“Then hurry,” she panted.
With a grin, he removed her robe and gently pushed her down. “No rushing.”
Skylar let out a frustrated groan. “But Liam -”
A loud gasp escaped her when his lips touched the area between her breasts and burned a trail down her abdomen. When he neared her mound, she shivered and her thighs instinctively parted. Instead of giving his attention to where she craved it most, he continued to tease her by feathering soft kisses on her thighs. His teeth scraped her skin lightly and he had to fight his natural instinct to lengthen his fangs and sink into the soft creamy flesh.
She used her uninjured hand to tug his hair in frustration. “Liam.”
He chuckled. “So impatient and demanding.”
Finally, he ended her sweet torture and placed his mouth over her softness. With a relieved sigh, she arched her back. Liam flicked out his tongue to stroke her clitoris and had to grasp her hips to hold her in place. He smiled, loving the way her body responded to his ministrations. Within minutes, she was crying out his name and shuddering with the intensity of her release.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, peering up at her.
Standing, he peeled off his clothes, his eyes never leaving hers. She panted, her skin flushed and her eyes glazed with passion. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever laid eyes on. Liam loomed over her and captured her mouth, kissing her with heated intensity while he settled between her thighs. Lifting his head to meet her gaze, he slowly sank into her tight sheath. He had a feeling of contentment once inside of her as if it was where he belonged. It was where he belonged. And most likely, this would be the last time he got to have her like this.
Skylar reached up to trace a finger down his jaw. “Liam, what’s wrong?”
He swallowed. “I’m just overwhelmed, baby. I really do love you.”
She smiled and wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, pulling him deeper. Liam moaned and thrust into her with faster strokes. A groan rumbled deep in his chest as he neared the edge. His wolf fought for control, its excitement mounting with each of her moans that echoed in his ear. Mine, it roared, and this time Liam agreed. She would be his forever even if she ran. Deep down, he knew that his beast wouldn’t let her go easily.
“Mine,” he whispered just as Skylar let out a cry and came apart.
He didn’t miss a beat, giving a few more deep strokes before losing himself in her. They clung to each other, until their breathing steadied. “I’m too heavy,” he murmured, attempting to roll off of her.
Her arms tightened around his shoulders. “Kind of, but it feels nice.”
Lifting his head, he glanced down at her and sighed. “I should get up.”
“You really have me worried, Liam.” Her brows knitted. “Why do you look so sad?”
He rolled off her. Running his fingers through his hair, he turned to her. Skylar pulled the sheet up to cover herself and eyed him with concern. “Liam?”
Liam let out a breath. He was a predator by nature, yet in that moment he felt like the biggest coward in the world. “I’ve never gotten this involved with a woman before, Sky. I usually avoid this sort of thing because I have a secret.”
Her breath hitched. “I thought you were going to explain about the incident in the woods.”
“I’m getting to that. The man that you saw here the other day was my brother.”
Her eyes widened. “I thought he looked like you. But why would he break into your home?”
“Some members of my family can be… volatile. My brother, Lucas, and I have a strained relationship. He must have come here looking for me.”
“My God,
Liam. Your brother would hurt you? I saw the malevolent look in his eyes.”
If only she knew that Lucas wouldn’t hesitate to rip his head off. “We have some issues we need to sort out.” If we don’t kill each other first. “Alright, Sky. Let me just get everything out before I lose my nerve. The reason why I have to let you know me, the real me, is because your important to me. My kind stay quiet about what we are but you deserve to know the truth.”
“Your kind? Liam what the hell are you going on about?” She dropped her head in her hands and took a breath. “I’m sorry. Keep going.” She pursed her lips to keep herself from interrupting again.
“The wolf that tried to kill you after you saw my brother was my brother.” A beat of silent passed. When Skylar gaped at him, he continued. “He changed into that wolf, Sky, just like I can change into a wolf. I came from a family of wolf shifters. The other wolf you saw was my youngest brother, Michael.”
Skylar blinked. Her mouth opened and closed several times. “Excuse me?” To his surprise she laughed. “Liam, I thought we were about to have a serious conversation about the way you were acting earlier. Really good joke, you got me.”
Liam hung his head. Of course, she thought he was joking. Her human brain couldn’t even conceive the possibility that there were nonhuman entities running around. With a grunt Liam laughed as well, but there was no humor in it. Without another word, he got up and turned to face her. There were cracking sounds as his bones snapped and grew. His face elongated into the shape of a wolf and his hand transformed into lethal looking claws. A giant wolf stood before the bed, taking up a large amount of space in his bed room.
Skylar let out a shriek and scrambled backward, forgetting about her injured wrist. When her weight landed on it, a string of expletives spilled from her lips. Liam immediately shifted back to his human form and moved toward her, his eyes still a bright, golden yellow. “Sky, be careful with your wrist.”
She drew away from his touch and he felt like something squeezed his heart in his chest. She was afraid of him now, just like anyone would be. Liam stepped back and held up both palms. “I would never hurt you.”
A strangled sound gurgled in her throat and she simply stared at him. Her color had seeped from her face and she let out a hysterical laugh. “I am hallucinating after all. I have to be because there is no way you just turned into a-a creature-wolf thing. People don’t do that. Oh, my God, it’s finally happening. I’m losing my mind. I knew this whole thing with my dad would drive me to insanity.”
“Skylar, you’re not hallucinating. And what does your father have to do with anything?”
Her eyes flew to his guiltily. “Don’t turn this around! You just turned into a canine.”
He grimaced. “You’re not going to faint, are you? You look way too pale.”
“No! No. I’m not going to faint, you might eat me when I’m unconscious.”
He muttered a curse and looked skyward. “I said I would never hurt you. And that is part of the reason why I revealed my true self to you, so you can get as far away from me as possible. If my brother came close to killing you -” He stopped and swallowed. “Others might try to hurt you too because of me and I couldn’t live with myself. It would probably be best if you stayed away from me.”
Chapter 14
Skylar’s gaze was fixed on him. His last sentence hung in the air. Suddenly, her fear and shock slipped away and her heart missed a beat.
“Y-you want me to leave?” she asked in a weak voice.
How insane could she get? She just saw Liam turn into an animal right in front of her and she was more worried about the fact that he might be breaking up with her.
“No, I don’t want you to leave. I don’t even think it will let you go. But being with me isn’t safe and watching you leave will be the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do.”
“It won’t let me go? What do you mean?” And why wasn’t she freaking out more after finding out that her boyfriend wasn’t quite human. It was like the thought of losing Liam had forced her mind to accept what she had just witnessed.
“My wolf, Sky. It is a part of my nature to be possessive. It - we have claimed you as our own and we mate forever.”
“Well, that actually sounds nice,” she murmured, nibbling her finger nails. Being with Liam forever? Hell, she would take the wolf as part of the deal too. “I-I mean, I love you, Liam. You just freaked me the hell out, but I love you. And a part of love is accepting your partner for who he or she is right?” She looked up, connecting her eyes with his stunned green orbs. “And you said you love me.”
“I do.”
“Then let me stay with you.” She scrambled forward on the bed to get closer to him. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this. I don’t care what you are, Liam. I have no desire to run. I don’t really have anyone else. My mother is gone and my dad is pretty much nonexistent in my life most of the time. I was alone and then you gave me a job, a home, love. And Farah is here, who is the most eccentric woman I’ve ever met but I love her. Being with you, being here makes me happy. I love you.”
It was Liam’s turn to stare. “You’re not afraid or disgusted of what I am?”
“A bit scared but not disgusted. I mean, other people have unconventional relationships. Why can’t we?” She came to her feet to stand inches away from him. “You were wrong earlier you know. You said you showed me your true self when you…”
“Shifted,” he supplied.
“Right. I’ve seen the real you, Liam. I saw the real you a while back even though you tried to hide it by being a big sour-puss.”
He scoffed. “Sour-puss? Wolves do not like being compared to a feline in any way.”
She swallowed a smile. “Sorry. Anyway, the real you is a passionate, caring, loving, and good man. Oh, and a controlling pain in the butt sometimes,” she added with a cheeky grin. “So yeah, I think I’ll stay.”
Liam swallowed several times. “You’re an amazing woman,” he hesitantly stepped forward and she flung her arms around his neck. “If you step into my world, you could get hurt, Sky.”
“No, because you’ll protect me by telling me what I can and can’t do like you usually attempt to do.” He nipped her neck playfully and she giggled. “Plus, I have this good luck charm.” She pulled away to fiddle with the necklace. “I swear this thing saved my life.”
“It actually did. That ugly metal thing that Farah gave you is some kind of protection talisman. I guess she put some kind of spell on it. She’s a witch.”
“A what? Oh, hell, you’re serious aren’t you? Well, werewolves are real, so why wouldn’t there be a few witches in the mix?”
“I’m a wolf shifter because I can shift at will. Werewolves can only turn where there’s a full moon.”
Skylar moaned and massaged the bridge of her nose. “Of course. What was I thinking getting the two mixed up?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Next you’re going to tell me that vampires and fairies are real.”
“They are.”
“Oh, my God,” she whined. “You know what, let’s stop talking about this for a while. My human brain can only process so much at a time.” She turned away. “I need to lie down.”
He gently grasped her arm and turned her back to face him. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Okay, not really. I feel overwhelmed by everything. I’ll be fine after a night’s sleep, though.”
He searched her face, unconvinced but shook his head in acceptance. “I’m going to need you to stay in this house for a few days, Sky. If you have to go out, I’ll take you.”
“I already told you I’m not going to run, Liam.”
“It’s not that. There’s a hunter in town and I need you to lay low until I take care of him or her.”
The headache that had started as a dull ache behind her eyes was quickly turning into an intense storm of pain. She let out a sigh. “A hunter?”
“Yes. Someone who hunts and kills supernatural creatures like me, and I
suspect Farah could be in danger as well.”
“For the love of God,” Skylar murmured, dropping her head. “Well, there are wolves, vampires, witches and whatnot, so why wouldn’t there be a hunter? Let’s talk about this tomorrow, Liam. My mind seriously cannot take anymore.”
“No this is important, Sky. You’re my woman. The hunter probably won’t care that you’re human. As long as you’re with me, you’re at risk.”
“Aw, your woman. I love the sound of that.”
He tried to hide his smile. “Focus, Sky.”
“Sorry. I’ll stay in the house and I’ll be extra careful.”
“Good.”
He released her and she climbed into bed. “So, this hunter lives in Boulder Junction?”
“No. I’m guessing he or she arrived just around the time you did. The night before you arrived, the hunter made his or her presence known by sending an arrow made of silver my way. I was home for over a month without any incident. So I assume the hunter arrived a little over two months ago.
Skylar shivered. “You were almost killed?”
He shrugged and gathered her in his arms. “It happens.”
She fell silent and closed her eyes, her mind racing, going over everything that she had seen and heard starting two nights ago. Hmmm. A hunter. Interesting. Her eyes flew open. The hunter arrived about the same time she did. There was only one other new arrival to Boulder Junction. Sitting up with a gasp, she shouted,
“Cayden!”
Liam growled. “You’re calling your ex-boyfriend’s name while you’re in bed with me?”
“Hey, he was never my boyfriend, we just - never mind. Cayden is the hunter, Liam.”
He sat up. “What makes you think that?”
“Cayden and I showed up around the same time. Well I’m not the hunter, so that leaves him. Come to think of it, he’s always watchful and he always seemed way too interested in you. There’s something off about him, but I never took notice because I wanted his friendship.” Another growl rumbled behind her. “Oh, get over it, Liam.”
