Page 67 of Forever Mine

“I'll be asleep soon. I'm sorry,” I said, yawning, as I could feel them already starting to kick in.

“I won't be out all night, but I am expected to at least make an appearance.”

“Will they be upset that I'm not there?”

“Don't you worry about that,” he said, kissing my forehead, then my nose, before finding my mouth. The effects of the meds combined with the potent need for my mate filled me with pure desire. It was the most passionate kiss we'd ever shared and I moaned into his mouth, trying to deepen it.

He pulled back, breathless, and I could see the raw need in his eyes that mirrored my own feelings. A blaring sound signaling the start of the run broke the moment. Liam was hesitant even then to leave, and I knew it wasn't out of worry for me, but pure desire.

He groaned in frustration. “I have to make a quick appearance. I'll be right back.”

I sighed in frustration, knowing I wouldn't stay awake that long. “The meds,” I reminded him. “I'll be asleep before you return. So go, run. I'll be fine.”

I didn't want him to leave, though. I didn't want the medicine to pull me into darkness. I wanted my mate. He kissed me again, unwilling to leave just yet. His hands never left my back as they caressed the bare skin exposed at the bottom of my shirt, but just that simple touch and his taste brought me pleasure. I had been warned at an early age of the sexual frenzy that would come from taking a mate, but I had not at all been prepared for what that would feel like.

He pulled back and looked into my eyes. The world was starting to turn to a haze around us and I struggled to stay awake. He gave me one more quick kiss and whispered, “Good night, sweet Maddie,” before I faded off into darkness.

Liam

Chapter 21

Maddie looked so peaceful and so vulnerable as she drifted off to sleep. I knew I had to make an appearance at the run. Enough questions would come my way over why she wasn't there, but if I missed, too, Kyle would not be happy.

While there were a lot of perks to being a Westin, there was also a high demand of requirements. Missing pack events was not acceptable. My dad always said, to maintain control of a pack this size, the family had to always lead by example, not just the Alpha, but the entire Westin family. It was a lot to bear, but none of us had ever really complained about it either. It was who we were. Simple as that.

I knew I wouldn't stay away from her too long. The drugs she had taken made her exceptionally vulnerable and my wolf was struggling against me to leave at all.

When the second horn blew, I knew what I had to do. I quickly changed into an old pair of sweats. Walking out of that room was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, but it was my duty as a Westin, so I did.

My family was waiting at the front behind Kyle as he spoke and I casually slipped in behind them. I made my appearance. Most of the pack was already naked and waiting for the call to shift. I looked around to find Oscar, who didn't seemed fazed by it at all. I was glad I'd taken the time show him what it was going to be like.

Before meeting Oscar, I had never really given much thought to fatherhood. Now, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The impact of potentially screwing it all up weighed heavily on me. I listened in to the other boys.

“You're staying at the Westin house?” “Do you know Kyle?” “How does your mom know Liam?” “Is she going to mate him?” “Is he going to be your dad?” “I don't believe it.”

The other boys were grilling my kid and it didn't sit too well with me. When Kyle called the run, I stopped him before he took off.

“Do me a favor. Say hi to Oscar before you take off.”

“Kids giving him a hard time?” he asked.

“He is the new kid and we are the Westins.”

“Tough position to be thrown into. I got you,” he assured me.

“Thanks, bro.”

Kyle walked over to where the boys were standing and they all silenced and stared up at him in shock and awe.

“Hey, Oscar, thanks for taking care of Z for me.”

“Anytime, Kyle,” he said proudly.

“M-M-Mr. Westin, h-h-have a good run,” Jessica's kid stuttered out.

“It's Bobby, right?” Kyle asked, and the poor kid just stared up in shock, nodding his head slowly. “I'm glad to see Oscar's making friends already. You boys stay out of trouble and have fun tonight.”

“We will, thanks, Kyle,” Oscar said.

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