Page 114 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

I cup her cheek gently. “I promised to protect you, and this doesn’t feel safe. We’ll find another way.”

“It is not a trial, Liam,” Mom says.

“It might as well be. We will have to tell them everything, including the wolves and how I ended up with Emmett. I can’t do it, Mom. I can’t let Selene walk into that kind of danger willingly.”

“Liam!” Dad says.

“Oh, for Crescent’s sake,” Layla adds. “Don’t be such a baby. The vampire can defend herself.”

That’s it!

Teeth bared, I turn to face my sister. “For the last fucking time, her name is Selene. My mate’s name is Selene. Get that into your fucking head.”

Chapter 39

Selene

Did he just say ‘mate’?

Liam’s words hang in the air, heavy with meaning and expectation. I feel a knot form in the pit of my stomach, and all eyes are on me. The wolves and fairies watch me like I’m some kind of exhibit, and I’ve never felt more terrified in my life.

But amidst the tension, I can’t help but notice the dynamic between Liam and his siblings. Their banter is nothing like the cold formality I grew up with. It’s almost… cute.

Then Layla speaks up, her voice sharp with disbelief. “There’s no way she’s your mate,” she says, her eyes boring into mine.

Liam stands his ground, his gaze unwavering. “I’ve known for a while,” he says, and my heart skips a beat. “And I’ve confirmed it.”

They press him for details, but I’m too lost in confusion to pay attention. What does it even mean to be someone’s mate? And why does it have to be me, of all people?

I turn to Liam, desperation creeping into my voice. “There must be some mistake,” I say, hoping that he’ll take it back.

But he just cups my cheek gently. “I thought the same thing at first,” he says, his voice soft. “But I know what I feel, Selene. You’re meant to be mine.”

I want to argue, to tell him he’s wrong, but the hurt in his eyes stops me in my tracks.

His mother clears her throat, breaking the tension. “We all need to sleep on it. We’ll figure everything out in the morning.”

I offer to call an Uber, but Liam insists we stay at his parents’ place. His father backs him up, not wanting to risk us running off in the middle of the night.

So, reluctantly, I follow Liam’s mother to a guest room. It’s spacious and elegant, with a cozy bed piled high with fluffy pillows and soft blankets. She even gives me a set of pajamas to sleep in, which is more than a little embarrassing.

Alone in the room, I slide under the covers, my mind buzzing with questions and doubts.

How did I end up here, tangled in a mess of wolf politics?

In the darkness of the room, the door creaks open, and Liam slips inside, his footsteps barely audible against the carpet. “Hey,” he whispers, his voice a gentle caress in the stillness of the night. “I’m sorry about everything. Can I… hold you?”

I nod silently, too overwhelmed to speak. As he wraps his arms around me, I bury my face in his chest, seeking solace in his embrace. The scent of pine envelops me, a familiar comfort amidst chaos. “I just… I didn’t know how else to tell you,” he murmurs against my hair. “I didn’t mean to drop such a bomb on you.”

“It’s okay,” I manage to whisper, though I’m not sure if I truly mean it. “I’m exhausted, Liam. Can we talk in the morning?”

“Yeah, sure.” He says, sounding a little worried.

But I just can’t deal with one more thing tonight. I turn into him and fall asleep in his arms.

The next morning, I’m awakened by Liam’s gentle touch, his fingers brushing against my cheek with a tenderness that makes my heart ache. “Morning, beautiful,” he says, his voice soft with affection. “I’m going for a run with Dad, but I wanted to make sure you were fed first.”

I try to protest, to tell him that I’m fine on my own, but he insists on bringing me breakfast in bed. “You don’t have to do this.”

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