Page 27 of Moonlit Choosing Ritual

“I haven’t traveled anywhere,” I replied with a tight smile. “My mother…” I refused to give details about her drug addiction. “She didn’t have enough money.”

“Oh, I understand,” he said, sipping coffee from his mug. “Well, I can take you anywhere you want after we get married.” He chuckled.

I pursed my lips and flushed a little more. Had Alpha Talon been in his place, he would have made me wear a collar. I’d ripped the one he made me wear using a sharp blade and scissors just after I arrived at Liam’s place. Why was I thinking about him? “Is there a place around here where we can just walk? Barefoot?”

“Of course!” he replied, slurping his coffee. “There’s a park nearby. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

The park was beautiful with blooming flowers and towering trees. I let my hair down. Alpha Liam looked at me. “Your hair’s pale blonde. That’s a very rare color. Is your mother’s the same?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “No, her hair’s dark. I think my father’s might be this color. I haven’t met him though.”

He didn’t comment, and we continued to walk in silence. Some of the people we came across bowed to him with surprise flickering through their eyes when their gazes touched me. One of them even glared at me with disgust. When Alpha Liam glared back at him, he submitted and scurried away.

“Let’s sit for a while,” he suggested, pointing to a secluded bench under a large oak tree. I agreed and we sat there, enjoying the serene ambience. “So, what’s the most interesting thing about you that you haven’t told me yet?” he asked, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity.

I hesitated, feeling the weight of my secret. “Well, I suppose you could say that I feel like a part of me is missing,” I said with a chuckle, trying to keep things hidden and light. “What about you?”

He laughed. “I’m more of a morning person myself.”

“I see…” I knew that because he’d spent the morning training with his warriors. I wondered if Alpha Talon had come back that day, all sweaty after training. Fire lit up my body as my mind thought of his, muscles bulging and rippling beneath his skin, like he was trying to control himself. Shit. Not again. Shoving thoughts of him back out of my mind, I turned to Liam. “I have a question.”

A crease formed between his brows. “Sure,” he said, crossing his arms across his chest.

I licked my lips, debating whether I should ask or not, but I wanted to be sure of his intentions. “Your community hates humans. How are you going to handle your wolves after marrying me?”

He let out a ragged exhale and looked away. “Kimble, I’m well aware of how they feel. But I’m sure my pack members will understand. Besides, I have an idea, if you’re okay with it.”

“What idea?” I asked, intrigued.

He scratched his brow and glanced at me. “I’d like to marry you in private and not at the Moonlit Choosing Ritual.”

“Yeah, Macy mentioned that. Why? Don’t you want to acknowledge me as your bride in front of your people?”

“Hey, it’s not like that,” he replied, picking up my hand in his. He covered my hand with his other one and squeezed it softly. “Obviously this move is for your safety. I’m scared that if the wolves see you, they’ll attack you.”

That was true, but how would it solve the problem? It was just kicking it down the road for later. It was like he was trying to be tricky about the whole affair. Did he love me so much that he wanted to protect me? Confusion swept over me.

He clasped my cheeks with his hands. “Don’t think about it too much. It’s just because I’ll feel better by keeping you safe here. The Elders of our community are old, strict wolves with uncompromising principles. You’re precious to me and I don’t want anyone to harm you.”

My lips parted as I stared at him. He smoothed his thumb across my cheek, but even this intimate gesture didn’t have the effect Alpha Talon’s touch had. Talon’s touch seared me.

Fuck. Not again.

“This is confusing. I just can’t—” I shook my head. I didn’t want to marry him. “Liam,” I breathed. “There’s no hurry. We can wait.”

“I can’t wait anymore!” he blurted impatiently. “I want to make you mine. And if you allow it, we can marry tomorrow.”

And those words surprised the hell out of me.

As the afternoon wore on, we found ourselves at a small ice cream stand. Liam watched me with amusement as I samplednearly every flavor before deciding on my favorite—chocolate with nuts. We strolled around, eating our ice creams.

The day began to wind down, and he ended up taking me to a viewpoint that offered a breathtaking panorama of his pack below. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. We stood there in companionable silence as my thoughts raced.

He leaned on the railing and gazed out at the horizon. “This has been the best day for me.” Turning his head over his shoulder to look at me, he asked, “What about you?”

Gusty, cool winds blew, rustling my hair. I crossed my arms across my chest, feeling the chill, feeling the weight of his words. I didn’t reply. For a long moment I stared at the valley beneath me where soft lights in homes were flickering as the sun descended.

“Would you like to do this again?” he asked, seeking a connection with me.

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