Chapter 19
LIAM
When I arrive at my parents’ house, I find it in complete silence. I know waking them up at this hour wouldn’t be convenient, but I feel the urgency to talk to my father. I need his wisdom and guidance at this crucial moment in my life.
Carefully, I open the door to his room and find him there, sitting in his wheelchair, in the darkness, staring intently out the window. I approach slowly and kneel beside him, hesitating before I speak.
-Dad, are you awake? -it may be a silly question, but he could be sleeping.
He slowly turns his head towards me, a smile on his face that shows his advanced age.
-Liam, my son. What brings you here at this hour?
-I need to talk to you, Dad. It’s about what we’ve been discussing lately… my mate. -Just mentioning those words, my father’s smile slowly disappears, replaced by a look of surprise and concern.
-Let’s go outside -he gestures to my mother, who is sleeping peacefully. I nod and push his wheelchair towards his office-. Alright, what happened, Liam?
I begin to explain everything that has happened since I met Shane at the mall: the night at the club, my bond with her, the remodeling of the attic, the pursuit I’ve been on since then, the dinner at the restaurant, and finally, the moment she ran away from me. I followed her to her apartment, where I found her sleeping with tears in her eyes. My father listens attentively, a serious expression on his face.
-All of this is overwhelming me, Dad. The emotions I’m experiencing are new and deep for me. I want to have her with me all day, every moment. -I grunt in frustration, pacing back and forth in the room.
She is all I can think about right now. My mate. The reason I’m on this earth.
I’m thirty-two years old and I wondered when I would find her; I just didn’t expect her to run away from me so much. “And she doesn’t even know who I am or what I am.”
-I know exactly how that feels, son. Now it makes more sense how rushed she was to leave that day when we arrived and she was with your mother. -I nod. The memory of that time bothers me; it was the second time she ran away from me. Today was the third. I cannot allow there to be a fourth.
-And her scent, ugh, it’s like the most delicious chocolate I’ve ever tasted! And now it has an additional hint of mine… -When I look at my father, he has a silly smile on his face.
-You’ve definitely found your mate.
-Dad, please, this is serious.
-I’m not saying otherwise.
-The girl is human.
-I see. -His gaze becomes thoughtful-. And what do you plan to do now, son? -he finally asks.
-I don’t know, Dad. Everything is so confusing and complicated. But one thing is certain: I can’t let anything bad happen to Shane. She is my mate, my moon. And I will do whatever it takes to protect her and make her happy.
My father looks at me with a mixture of pride and concern in his eyes.
-You are a good son, Liam. And an excellent Alpha. I know you will do the right thing. But remember, love is not always easy, but it’s worth fighting for.
-I learned from the best. -I look at him with pride; his being in a wheelchair does not make him any less imposing.
-Luke would be much better than me for this conversation; he is paired with a human.
-I know. But they are on their honeymoon and I don’t want to bother them.
-True. No matter what happens, your mother and I are here to support you.
I nod with determination, grateful for my father’s wise words. This makes me feel resolute in facing everything that comes my way for Shane and our love. Eventually, there will be love between us.
-The annual meeting with Hassel is in two weeks. Are you ready? -he asks me.
-I am… or at least I was before this. The arrival of my mate has changed everything. Now all I can think about is her.
-I know how it is. And I don’t want to scare you, but in four days it’s the next full moon. Do you know what that means?
-The heat. -I murmur bitterly. That’s why Ana was at the restaurant today; it’s expected that I’ll go through my mating heat with her like the other times.
-Wow, calm down and keep those canines in check. Stop growling, Liam; you’re going to wake your mother.
-That’s why Ana is looking for me.
My father looks at me with understanding.
-Don’t let the animal instinct control you, Liam. You have to be strong and resist, especially if your heart already belongs to someone else.
I nod with determination, feeling a lump in my throat. The next few weeks will be a challenge, but I am determined to fight for Shane, no matter what obstacles stand in our way.
-Thank you, Dad, for your advice and support. I will do everything I can to keep Shane safe and happy.
My father smiles with pride and pats me on the shoulder.
-That’s what a true Alpha would do, son. I’m sure you will succeed.
I stop in the middle of the room, feeling a renewed determination within me. I know the road will be difficult, but I will fight for Shane no matter the obstacles.
-Alright, Dad, I think it’s time for us to get some rest. -He needs to rest; he can’t be awake at such late hours.
-Goodnight, son. And remember, you don’t have to panic. Everything in due time. Remember, she is human and doesn’t feel the mate bond like you do.
-I know, Father. Goodnight. -I turn around, leaving the study and heading to my old room. It’s very late, and I don’t want to go.
As I close the door behind me, silence envelops me, but my thoughts remain a whirlwind. I lie down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to sort through everything my father has told me. The words of support, the warning about the heat, and the certainty that I must not let my instincts take over.
Every time I close my eyes, Shane’s face appears in my mind: her laughter, her curious gaze, the way her essence wraps around me like a warm cloak. It’s that scent of chocolate that captures and consumes me. How could someone so human make us feel so much?
I get up once more and approach the window, watching as the full moon peeks through the clouds. Its silver light illuminates the garden, and for a brief moment, I feel an almost magical connection to it. How could I let something so beautiful slip through my fingers?
In that moment, I realize I have to be brave. Brave not just in the face of challenges but also in confronting my own feelings. I need to face Shane, make sure she knows what our bond truly means. If I have to confront my primal instincts, I will, but first, I will make her understand that there is something deeper between us.
I decide that tomorrow I will find Shane and take her to a place where she can feel safe, away from the noise and pressure. No matter what the rest of the world thinks, I will protect her and show that the bond is worth it, no matter how complicated it seems.
With that thought, I finally manage to sleep, a restless dream filled with the hope that tomorrow will be the beginning of something beautiful.