Liam took me to a beautiful park near the packhouse. I don't remember much from before my parents died, and I never had the opportunity to enjoy leisure time afterward. The park was lovely, with gorgeous flowers and plants everywhere. We ate the delicious lunch Missy packed and enjoyed a decadent fudge brownie for dessert. We talked and laughed; everything felt easy.

“So, you’re really telling me chick flicks are your favorite movies?” I laughed.

He laughed too. “What? Is that so bad?”

“No, actually, it’s really cute,” I smiled.

“They aren’t really different from the cheesy romance novels you like,” he pointed out.

“Hey!” I said. “I like a wide variety of genres, thank you very much!” He just laughed. I looked around the deserted park. “This place is really beautiful,” I said.

He smiled. “It’s usually empty during the daytime on weekdays. There’s no playground equipment, so parents don’t bring their children. Wolves without children are usually here in the evenings and weekends.”

My heart melted. He was always so thoughtful. He was doing everything he could to help me adjust to the pack and avoid facing everyone at once. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“Hmm. You, actually,” I admitted, feeling my cheeks heat up. He looked at me curiously. “I was thinking about how you’ve managed to keep me away from other pack members. You chose a picnic spot where we wouldn’t be stared at or questioned. You didn’t even tell your Gamma and Delta about having a mate until this morning, when you needed someone to protect me.”

He nodded, blushing slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I know this wasn’t your choice, and I wish I didn’t have to bring you here like this. But I thought if I helped you adjust, you wouldn’t be as scared. And maybe if you saw people accepting you, you’d be more comfortable taking the Luna title.”

I smiled sweetly, crawled across the blanket, and sat on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. His eyes widened. “Thank you,” I whispered, kissing him. His hand moved to my hips, pulling me closer. He deepened the kiss, his lips moving urgently against mine.

I pulled away to catch my breath, and he smiled. “Liam, you’re an amazing Alpha, you know that?” I said, blushing.

“Only because you make me a better man, my Little Luna,” he said, smiling. He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face. “What do you say about ditching everything for tonight?”

My eyebrows rose.

“Ditch everything? What about Kol and Isaac?”

“Everything’s handled. Isaac will be gone by morning. I told him in no uncertain terms he won’t be taking a member of my pack against her will.”

“What about Kol? The three days have passed. Aren’t you afraid he’ll come after me?”

“He can try, but he won’t succeed,” he said, pulling me closer. Our bodies were touching, and I could feel him. A warm feeling spread through me. “Plus, there’s been no sign of him for days.” That worried me. How could he disappear like that? He’d been so determined and always seemed one step ahead of Liam. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t let him lay a finger on what’s mine ever again,” he promised, moving my hair to reveal his mark on my shoulder. He lightly brushed it with his fingers. Sparks ignited, and I gasped. Liam chuckled.

“Okay. But what are we going to do?” I asked, trying not to melt under his intense gaze.

“I was thinking we could go to the city and get a hotel room. Maybe you’d let me take you to dinner,” he smiled. I nodded.

“Okay,” I said.

We cleaned up the picnic and walked hand in hand back to the packhouse. Liam left me by his car while he went inside to put away the basket. I waited patiently when I heard footsteps. They stopped, and I heard a voice.

“It seems the little Alpha leaves his Luna unattended,” Alpha Isaac’s deep voice said. I turned to see him, his expression wary. He approached. “I apologize for the circumstances of our meeting. Your mate and I seem unable to see eye to eye. I’m glad to see you’re well,” he said, discreetly sniffing the air.

“Yes, I am. Thank you for your concern. Are you leaving then?” I said, trying to remain calm and detached.

“For now. I appreciate the hospitality, even if a deal wasn’t reached,” he said. “I apologize, but I didn’t catch your name.” His eyes narrowed.

I swallowed. “That’s because I didn’t give it to you,” Liam’s voice said from behind me. He was instantly at my side, his hand on my waist. “Come, sweetheart. We have things to attend to,” he said, never taking his eyes off Isaac.

I leaned slightly into Liam, uncomfortable under Isaac’s gaze. I placed my hand on Liam’s chest. “Of course, we should go,” I said. “Good day, Alpha Eirlys,” I said to Isaac.

Liam gave a curt nod before turning us around and opening the car door for me. He blocked Isaac’s view of me. I was grateful for the difference in their size. I got in as Isaac spoke again. “I apologize for my rudeness, Alpha. I just can’t help but notice your Luna looks strikingly like my mother.”

Liam’s hand gripped the door. I looked into his eyes, seeing the storm brewing beneath his controlled exterior. I reached out, touching his arm, hoping my touch would help him refocus.

“She must have been a beautiful woman,” he said without turning. I pleaded with him silently. Please Liam, let’s just go. Let him leave, I begged in my head. Confusion flickered across his face, then vanished. He shut my door, turned to Isaac, and I couldn’t hear what he said before he got in the car. He started the engine, and we drove away in silence. His hand rested on the console; I grabbed it, intertwining our fingers. I looked up at him. He sighed.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He nodded. “No one will take you away,” he said. I knew he was still battling his possessiveness and Isaac’s insistence that I go to White Moon. I rubbed his arm gently as we drove, hoping to calm him.

Liam:

My mind was racing. Isaac suspected my mate’s identity. It wasn’t uncommon for a Luna to be guarded by her Alpha, especially before pack acceptance. But I couldn’t formally introduce her without revealing her. I was trying to avoid any confrontation in front of Azalea.

I hadn’t anticipated Azalea resembling her grandmother. I didn’t remember her parents at all. The thought that she might have a family resemblance never occurred to me. All I focused on was keeping her safe and with me.

Gavin had been another whirlwind since this morning. I could feel his excitement and contentment at Azalea being marked, his rage at Isaac for trying to take her, and his anxiety while she was out of sight. Worst of all was his gloom during lunch; he kept whimpering, wanting to be with Azalea.

She’d said she forgave me and didn’t blame him, but she hadn’t said she was ready to see him again. I was undecided on whether to allow it, even if she asked. I decided to make that decision if she wanted to speak to him. But it was making him feel rejected.

Then there was that sound I thought I heard. When she was in the car, her hand reached for mine, and I thought I heard her say, “Please, Liam,” as if asking me to disengage from Isaac, but her lips never moved. I was watching her, and I know she didn’t speak. Maybe I was hearing her voice in my head. Maybe my brain was telling me what she would have said.

I tried to shake off those thoughts, focusing on Azalea’s fingers gently rubbing my arm. The familiar pleasure combined with her scent, swirling in the car thanks to the heater, was calming me.

I drove to the city, to a nice hotel downtown so we could walk to a restaurant. Azalea had fallen asleep by the time we arrived. I parked and paid the valet. I opened the passenger door and lifted Azalea out. She stirred slightly.

“It’s okay. I’ll carry you,” I whispered. She wrapped her arms around my neck and settled into my arms. I smiled. Her hair fell behind her shoulder, revealing her fresh mark. She was the most beautiful thing in the world, and she was mine.

I checked us in. The receptionist, a willowy blonde, eyed me as I approached.

“Hello, how can I help you?” she said sweetly.

“I need a room for the evening,” I said. She looked curiously at Azalea in my arms. I smiled. “My dear wife fell asleep in the car, and I couldn’t bear to wake her.”

“Right,” she said, clearly put off. The city was always like this. With many species living among humans, humans sometimes found us odd. “We only have a suite available.”

“Sounds great,” I said, handing her my credit card. Her eyes widened slightly as she processed our booking. She handed me a key and pointed to the elevator. I could feel her eyes on us as we left. Azalea stirred in the elevator.

I let her wake up this time, kissing her forehead. “Hey,” I said quietly.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“On our way to our room,” I said, kissing her lips. She smiled. I’d do anything to keep that smile on her face. The elevator doors opened. I carried Azalea to our room.

“Are you going to put me down?” she giggled.

“Mmm… Nope,” I said, smiling as I walked toward the bedroom.

“Liam, I’m awake now,” she said. “I can walk.”

“Mmm… Nope,” I repeated, giving her a devilish smile. I gently put her on the bed and climbed on top of her, caging her in my arms.

“What are you doing?” she asked playfully.

I licked my lips. “Kissing my mate, of course!” I kissed her intensely. When I finally pulled away, she was panting. Her lips were already puffy from just one kiss. I peppered kisses along her jaw and ear, nibbling her lobe. “I love you, Azalea,” I whispered. I could feel her shiver. I kissed her neck, careful not to touch her marks.

A moan escaped her lips, encouraging me further. I could feel myself growing. Her hands grasped my shirt. I shifted my weight and pulled off my shirt, tossing it to the floor. Her eyes widened, and she licked her lips. I surprised her by capturing her mouth again. Her gasp opened her lips, and I invaded her mouth with my tongue.

I kissed every inch of her mouth, savoring the taste. She kissed me back enthusiastically. I roamed my hand up and down her side; her body arched against the bed, responding to my touch.

Finally, I broke the kiss. “Okay, kitten. Your choice. I’ll take you out on a date. We get up and get ready. Or we can stay in, order room service, and I’ll take things slowly and sweetly,” I whispered, running my nose along her neck. Before she could answer, I gently touched my lips to her mark, eliciting a groan. I wasn’t fighting fair, but having her all to myself fueled my need.

“Stay,” she whispered.