by Lola Gabriel
Wren stared at her and he noticed the sincerity in her eyes. He wanted desperately to believe her, but this all seemed a little too coincidental.
The Crescents had tried more than a few times to take over the territories of other packs in the north, but had never succeeded, as it was too far from home. However, Wren and all the other Alphas knew that there would come a time when they’d all have to stand together against the Crescents. Until then, Wren was willing to fight to the death to make sure his territory did not fall into Crescent hands.
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” he asked after a brief pause.
“If I’m lying, you can take Illa,” she answered, and her response shook Wren to the core. “You can do to her whatever you want.”
“You’d never part with her,” he pointed out.
“Exactly,” she whispered.
Wren nodded.
It was at that moment that he knew she was telling the truth. No mother would ever willingly give up their child, especially not Liya.
“You could have told me sooner,” he said to her, and his shoulders relaxed.
“When? In the supermarket? When I drove into your car?” she asked. “Hey, I’m Liya. I’m so sorry I drove into your car, but don’t be too mad, because I’m a Crescent. I might just kick your ass,” she joked sarcastically.
“That’s ridiculous,” he scoffed and looked at her. “You couldn't kick my ass even if you tried.”
A small smile formed on Liya’s lips and she nodded. “I’m not a fighter, remember?”
“So where was it before?” he asked and motioned to her hand. “The tattoo.”
“I covered it with foundation,” she said without making eye contact.
“A Concealer.”
She sighed and said, “Exactly. I’m sorry I didn't tell you. I was just scared. I know how most other packs feel about the Crescents and I guess I just wanted to get away from all that. I didn't mean to upset you, or make you not trust me.”
“It did take me by surprise. I was ready to attack.”
“I saw that. Your eyes were so dark; it was actually terrifying. I wouldn’t want to cross you, ever,” she said, her voice still shaking a bit.
“So, Hunter is a Crescent,” Wren stated, seeing Liya nod slightly. “Clearly he is pissed that you left and he wants you back.”
“I’m not going back, Wren.”
“Of course you’re not. You belong here now, you and Illa belong here with...” His voice trailed off before he could finish the words that ran through his mind and his heart. He couldn't say it. He couldn't put such an enormous amount of pressure on her right now. She had enough to deal with; they had enough to deal with. “...with the rest of my pack.”
Liya looked at him, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. “Wren, can I just ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why do you detest the Crescents?” she asked.
“They’re savages. They take what they want without asking.”
“No, why do you detest them?” Liya asked again, trying to be a little more specific than last time.
“It’s a long story, and I don't feel like talking about it right now,” Wren answered, looking away.
Liya nodded, and he stood up, walking down the hallway.
“Wren, where are you going?” she asked.
“To bed. It’s been a long day. Good night,” he said before disappearing into his own room and closing the door.
He heard Liya still moving around the house for a short while until she retreated to the guest bedroom. A silence filled the house, but inside Wren’s mind, there was chaos so loud he was convinced that Liya could hear it.
5
No matter how hard Liya tried, she couldn't fall asleep. She was exhausted, but every time she closed her eyes, she was consumed by fear and guilt. Fear for her life and Illa’s, and guilty that she had lied to Wren. Technically she didn't lie, but a lie of omission was still a lie. She rolled over onto her side and gazed at Illa, who would soon be waking up for her bottle and a diaper change. She slid off the bed, took Illa’s bag and quietly made her way to the kitchen. She switched the kettle on and prepared a bottle for Illa. She poured the water into the bottle that was half filled with milk and dropped a teabag into it. She shook it briefly and waited for the teabag to soak for a bit.
Liya heard the floorboards creaking behind her and she whirled around with wide eyes and her heart pounding hard against her ribs.
“Holy crap, you scared me,” she gasped.
“I could say the same about you.”
Liya glanced at him and briefly bit her bottom lip. He looked ridiculously hot in a white t-shirt and a pair of black slacks. His hair was messy and disheveled, and his eyes were broody. He didn't look exhausted, just defeated. “I just had to make a bottle for Illa.”
“Right. I’m not used to people in my house after midnight.”
“I’m sorry if I woke you,” she said.
“You didn’t. I couldn't sleep,” he muttered and ran his fingers through his hair. “Liya, look, about earlier—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Illa started to cry in the guestroom, and Liya quickly took the teabag out of the bottle, screwing the lid back on. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sure,” he said simply, and Liya quickly rushed to the bedroom.
Illa had kicked the blanket off her and was not happy about it. Liya sat down beside her and gave her the bottle. Illa grabbed it with both hands and started to drink, while Liya quickly changed her diaper. When she was done, she placed the blanket over Illa’s body and sat beside her until she fell asleep again.
As soon as Illa was asleep, Liya headed back to the kitchen where Wren sat on one of the chairs at the kitchen table.
“Is she okay?” he asked.
“Yes. She wanted her bottle. It’s normal, she does it all the time, every morning at this time.”
“Could we talk?” he asked and motioned to the empty chair beside him.
“Sure.” Liya sat down and looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to start, since he had initiated this.
“I’m sorry I was a dick earlier. The Crescents are a sensitive subject for me,” he said, the remorse evident in his dark eyes.
“It’s okay. Really. It was a bit selfish of me to ask you something like that. Clearly it upsets you more than the average person, and I was insensitive to that,” Liya said. “So I’m the one who has to apologize. I didn't mean to upset you, and if you don't want to talk about it, then it’s okay. You don't have to until you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Liya.”
“There is something that I’d like to talk about with you, if that’s okay?”
“Sure.”
“We imprinted, right? It wasn't just me? Please tell me it wasn't just me?” she asked.
Wren cracked a smile and shook his head. “It wasn't just you.”
“Okay, good,” she said and lowered her gaze. “I know what it is and what it entails and everything, but with everything going on, it’s just...”
“Too much?” he asked.
“Yeah. Exactly. You’re great, obviously,” she stuttered, which he found oddly amusing, “and I am really lucky and grateful and relieved that I met you and we have this bond between us now, but the romance and the love stuff just has to wait. I don't know how you feel about it. Please stop me if I am not making any sense or if I’m being stupid or irrational.”
Wren shook his head and placed his hand over hers. “You’re not being irrational. I understand why you feel this way. You have Illa to think about, and her safety, and yours—”
“And yours, too.”
“Mine?”
“Come on, Wren. You’re a part of us now, and we’re a part of you.”
“That’s a good way of putting it,” he said.
“I’m sorry if this was not what you wanted to hear,” Liya said.
“I understand. I’ve waited a rea
lly long time for you, and I can wait a little while longer,” he answered.
His words took her completely by surprise— it was the most endearing and heartwarming thing anyone had ever said to her.
I definitely dated all the wrong men in the past, she realized with an inward cringe.
There was something in his eyes, something that she could not place, but it was undeniable. He sat across the table from her, and the attraction was stronger than she had ever imagined it would be, with anyone. Not even the first time she and Hunter had sex had she felt such intensity, and it was pretty hot.
There was also something about the way he looked at her in the dimly lit kitchen. The gentle rays of the moon shone through the window, accentuating the lines of his face and creating swirls of sensuality inside her veins. She didn't even realize her breathing was ragged until he stood slowly, and she mirrored his action.
As the desire built up inside her, her hands started to shake, and she took a deep breath.
Fuck it.
Driven by her impulses, all the desire that she had tried to contain inside her for the last week since crashing into his car burst open at the seams, and she didn't care whether she was about to do something that she had promised herself she wouldn't do. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him roughly towards her, and kissed him.
His strong arms wrapped around her waist, and he kissed her in return. In one smooth move, he scooped her up in his arms, but instead of heading to the bedroom, or even the living room, he placed her on the kitchen table. His hands traveled all over her body, and her senses were ready to explode.
Not just her senses.
She moaned against his mouth as his hands cupped her breasts and she leaned her head back, relishing the sensations of being touched by him. He ripped open the front of her shirt, and she heard a few buttons fall onto the wooden floor below her, but she didn't care.
Liya slipped her hands under Wren’s shirt and felt his rock-hard muscles ripple at her touch. Her hands traveled down, and the hardness continued down to his crotch. She fondled the front of his slacks, and he let out a deep and sexy groan.
Wren slipped his fingers under the waistband of her pants, as well as her panties, and pulled them down in one smooth motion. She did the same with his slacks and looked into his eyes which were practically on fire.
So was she, in all the right places.
He kissed her again, lowering her down onto the table, and grabbed her hips. She wrapped her legs around him as he thrusted into her with a motion that was tender and urgent at the same time.
She gasped at the feeling of being filled up by him and arched her back. His thrusts were slow and deep, but he soon increased them to an intense rhythm which threw her over the edge multiple times. His skin on hers was magical, carnal and satisfying in a way that was beyond anything she’d ever experienced.
Liya groaned at his increased pace and felt him move deeper and deeper inside her. She dug her nails into the skin on his back, and he grabbed the edge of the table with a groan. His body was now pressed up against hers and she moaned in his ear. His last three thrusts were slow and hard and he slowly turned his face towards her, allowing their noses to touch. They stared at one another while catching their breaths, not moving at all. Wren pushed himself up midway and ran his fingers down her shoulders, down her chest and to her stomach.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Liya simply lay there, looking at him with the happiest smile on her face, but once again she didn't care. She was fully satiated for the moment, and was enjoying the view of the most amazing man in the world.
He bit his lip and pulled away from her. Liya noticed the slight detachment in his eyes and she reached out to him. He briefly touched her hand but still stepped away.
Liya sat up and frowned at him. “Wren?”
He looked at her as he pulled on his slacks. “You should go check on Illa,” he said before he disappeared down the hallway.
Liya slid off the table and quickly got dressed. She crossed her arms and sighed to herself. She felt like a hypocrite. She had been the one who said that she wanted to wait with all the romance and love stuff, yet she was the one who initiated the sex.
The mind-blowing, soul-devouring sex.
On the kitchen table.
Nice going, genius, she thought to herself as she walked down the hallway. Wren’s door was closed, and she heard the water running in the shower. She stood in front of his door for a few seconds, not sure whether she should wait for him to come out, or if she should call it a night and go to bed. She wasn't at all tired after being sexed up by him, but she knew she needed to sleep or she’d be exhausted later. She walked back to her bedroom and closed the door. She smiled at her sleeping baby on the bed and lay down beside her.
She fell asleep much quicker than she thought she would and woke up to a bright and sunny bedroom, with Illa lying next to her, playing with her feet.
“Good morning, baby girl,” Liya said with a smile.
After changing Illa’s diaper again, Liya made her another bottle. She scooped Illa up in her arms and stepped out of the room.
The entire house was bright, which Liya didn't expect at all. Her house had never been as bright and as she glanced at the ceiling, it all made sense. There was a large skylight in the living area, which contributed greatly to the amount of light filling the house.
“Look how pretty, Illa,” Liya said as she pointed to the sky and the clouds through the glass. “Look at the pretty clouds, baby.”
“Morning,” she heard Wren say and she spotted him in the kitchen.
“Hey.”
“How did you two sleep?” he asked, as if nothing had happened.
“Good,” Liya answered, playing along. “Illa slept like a log after that bottle.”
“You?” he asked and looked at her intently. “Did you manage to get any sleep after...”
“Yeah. That bed was really comfortable.”
“Good,” he answered and shifted his weight uncomfortably.
“Wren?” she asked as he took Illa from her and he looked at her wordlessly. “Why is this so weird?”
“I don't know,” he shrugged. “Maybe it was because you said to wait, and we didn't.”
“I didn't. I was the one who initiated—”
“We didn't,” he said firmly. “I wouldn't have allowed you to stop, and neither would you have allowed me to stop.”
He was right. There was no possible way she would have been able to stop, even if she wanted to. “I’m sorry. It was a mistake.”
“Untimely and irresponsible, but not a mistake.”
“You're just trying to convince me to do it again,” Liya said, biting down her lower lip trying to suppress a smile.
“Maybe,” he said and tilted his head to the side, a small smile playing on his lips.
“You’re really cocky.”
“Maybe,” he smirked. “I was thinking we could go somewhere today. You, me and Illa.”
“Where?” she asked.
“I know of this great little town just north of here. They have this bakery there, and everything tastes amazing.”
“Maybe another time. You said we could go by my house and assess the damage,” Liya said.
His smile faded slightly and he nodded. “Right.”
“We can go some other time; I promise. I just need to see if it really was Hunter or one of his subordinates who ransacked my house,” Liya said.
“Okay, but I will hold you to your word,” he said with a nod. “But first, breakfast.”
“That sounds good. I am starving,” Liya said as she sat down at the table—the table—and smiled slightly. As she shifted her chair closer, she heard a sound and glanced at the ground. One of her buttons lay on the floor right by the foot of her chair and she reached down to retrieve it. She studied it for a short while and shoved it into her pocket as Wren placed a plate of food in front of her.
“Wow, look at that,” she said with wide, impressed eyes. “I didn't know you could cook.”
“My mother taught me,” he said.
“Ah, that’s nice.”
Wren smiled briefly and said, “I forgot to ask, what does Illa eat?”
“She eats anything, but she especially likes avocados, bananas, and mashed potatoes,” she answered and noticed the disgusted look on his face. “Not together.”
“Oh, okay. That’s a relief,” he said and glanced at Illa, who seemed very amused and mesmerized by his disheveled hair, tugging at it every chance she got.
Liya watched him with her daughter and still couldn't believe that Illa was so comfortable with him. Furthermore, she couldn't believe that he was so comfortable with Illa. He had made it very clear on numerous occasions that he had never held a baby before, and now he treated her like his own.
In a way, Illa was his daughter now, and Liya knew that he would be a much better father to her than Hunter would ever be. Wren and Hunter were just two completely different people, which made it impossible to compare them, but ultimately Hunter was a bad guy, and Wren was not.
“It’s rude to stare, you know,” Wren suddenly pointed out.
“Says who?” she asked.
“My mom used to say that to me a lot.”
“Can I just point out something without being scolded?” she asked as Wren brought his own plate to the table and sat down with Illa on his lap.
Illa grabbed a slice of toast and started to chomp away on it.
“Sure,” he said eventually and looked at Liya.
“For someone who doesn't want to talk about your family, you talk about your mother a lot,” Liya said.
“That’s true, but she was wonderful, and it’d be an injustice to her if I didn't think about her,” he answered.
“No one said you shouldn't think about her, Wren,” Liya said and looked at him apologetically. “When did she die?”
“In the fifties.”
“The 1950s?”
“Yes.”
“I’m so sorry,” Liya said and placed her hand over his, which was resting on the table. “What happened?”
