Chapter 23 Worry
Liam’s POV
I couldn’t get the scene out of my head, the way the guard had bled out before he died.
I was hoping we had finally gotten somewhere with this but he just had to die.
“Liam, I think we are in some deep shit,” Josh said.
“I know,” I said, rubbing my face. After what happened yesterday, I stayed in my office, trying to find out more about this man in black.
There was absolutely nothing about him, I asked some friends from other packs but they didn’t know anything.
Whoever this man was, he knew what he was doing, he had a witch involved because the guard clearly died from some kind of spell.
I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.
“Liam, you need to stop,” Josh looked at me.
I nodded even though I didn’t agree with him. How could I stop when someone was sending people and rogues after my mate and for what reason?
“I will.”
“I know you won’t, you need to get some rest,”
“I will when I find out who the hell is trying to hurt Elena,” I snapped.
“I was just trying to help, Liam,” Josh sighed as he left my office. I knew he was right but I needed to understand what was happening.
I would never forgive myself if something happened to Elena if I could stop it.
“Good Morning, Alpha Liam,” Scott greeted me as he walks into my office.
“What can I help you with?”
“Nothing, just wanted to tell you what happened yesterday but Josh said not to disturb,” He paused. “Elena’s sister came to the pack yesterday.”
I looked up from my desk. “Elena’s sister?” I didn’t know that Elena had any family with her not to talk about a sister. “And what happened? Did she do anything to Elena?”
“No, but they had some kind of argument and I think she told something about her birth,” Scott said.
I needed to go see Elena, she would probably be angry at me, I told her I would be back but I wasn’t.
“Thank you, Scott,” I said as I stood up from my seat.
“Glad I was able to help,” Scott smiled as he left my office.
I kept thinking about what the guard had said before he died.
Before she awakened.
What did he mean by that? I was starting to get sick of all these hints.
I was still lost in thoughts when I stopped at Elena's door.
I knocked.
“Come in.” I pushed the door open. She was standing by the window, with her nightwear still on, I couldn't get enough of how beautiful she was.
She turned to face me. “Good morning.”
“I'm sorry I didn't come see you yesterday, we were trying to get answers—”
“It's okay, I understand.” She muttered.
I walked into the room, wanting to be closer to her.
I noticed she looked sad and her eyes were heavy.
“Elena, did something happen?”
“No, it's nothing,” she turned from the window to look at me. “I talked to my sister yesterday, she said something about my birth, I would like to ask my parents more questions.”
“You didn't tell me you had a sister or parents.”
“Well they aren't exactly my real family.”
I moved closer to her, pulling her into my arms. “Are you sure you’re okay, Elena?”
She relaxed into me, arms wrapping around my waist. “I am,” she said softly. “I told you I was fine.”
Connor growled low in my head.
I pulled back just enough to look at her face.
“What have you been doing?” she asked. “Did you increase the guards?”
“Yes,” I said immediately.
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because someone tried to kill you,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “Because they’re still out there.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “Liam—”
“No,” I cut in, my voice sharper now. “You don’t leave this floor without an escort. You don’t wander the pack grounds. And you definitely don’t meet anyone without my permission.”
Silence fell between us.
“I’m not a prisoner,” she said quietly.
“I’m not treating you like one,” I shot back. “I’m keeping you alive.”
“You don’t get to lock me away because you’re scared,” she said, pulling free of my arms. “I don't want to live like that again.”
The words hit harder than any blade.
“That’s not what this is,” I said tightly.
“Then what is it?” she demanded. “Because it feels like you’re trying to control me.”
Connor surged, my aura flaring without permission. “I am your Alpha.”
Her chin lifted. “And I am your mate. Not your possession.”
The room vibrated with tension, the bond between us humming painfully.
“I nearly lost you,” I said, pacing now. “I won’t let that happen again.”
“And what about what I want?” she asked. “I also want to know what's going on with me.”
I turned on her. “It’s too dangerous.”
She wasn't backing down.“Being ignorant nearly got me killed too.”
I froze.
She stepped closer, her voice trembling but steady. “You don’t get to decide everything for me, Liam. If I’m truly your mate,your future Luna, then you have to trust me.”
Future Luna.
I looked at her then, not as something fragile to hide away, but as a woman who had survived cruelty I could barely imagine.
And I realized something terrifying.
I wasn’t just protecting her.
I was afraid of losing her because she was becoming my weakness.
I exhaled slowly, the anger draining out of me, replaced by guilt.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
“I don’t know how to do this,” I admitted. “Every instinct I have screams to keep you close. To shield you from everything.”
Her eyes softened but didn’t interrupt.
“I interrogated the guard,” I continued. “He was silenced before he could tell us everything. Whoever is behind this… they’re powerful. And they’re watching.”
Her eyes widened. “So you’re afraid.”
“Yes,” I said honestly. “Terrified of losing you.”
She stepped into me then, pressing her forehead to my chest. “Then don’t shut me out. Stand with me.”
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her gently this time. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“Neither do I,” she whispered.
I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “I’ll try to do better. But you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Don’t hide things from me. If you feel something, see something, you tell me immediately.”
She nodded. “Only if you promise not to cage me.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Deal.”
Before I could second guess it again, I looked at her. “How do you feel about a date?”