Chapter 22
LIAM
As I leave the house carrying Shane’s and my own luggage, I see Gigit and Shane’s best friend, Marc, together. I smile to myself because I can’t believe Gigit has finally found her match. I put the bags in the car before approaching Gigit and Marc, who are already stowing their things as well. The night before had been intense, filled with whispers and worries. Neither of them could ignore the echo of the recent tragedy, and tensions continued to linger in the air as we made the final preparations.
“Ready to head back?” Gigit asks, her tone light but with an undertone of seriousness.
“Yeah, but first we need to make sure everything’s in order.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll take Shane to the attic; then tell the pack we’ll meet at the company.”
“I’ve already informed them.” I nod as I run my hand through my hair.
“It annoys me that all of this is happening just when King Hassel is coming.” I glance at Marc out of the corner of my eye and see him tense up, but he acts as if nothing is wrong and continues arranging the luggage in the car, even though it’s already well placed.
“Liam!” Shane’s voice comes from the entrance of the cabin. I turn to look at her, and my breath catches as I see her in that white summer dress that reaches her knees. Her long legs tempt me to nibble on them, and her heart-shaped neckline highlights her figure even more. Her hair is down and sunglasses deprive me of her eyes, and I hate that- “Come lock the door, please.”
“I’m coming.” I say before looking at Gigit.
“I’ll take Marc to his apartment.”
“Okay. See you then.” I run to the cabin, wrap my arms around my little wolf as she prepares to descend the entrance steps, stealing a kiss from her.
“Hey,” she complains, but she laughs anyway, and a rosy blush colors her cheeks.
“Mine,” I whisper against her lips.
“Mine… I suppose the declaration goes both ways.”
“Always. Never doubt it.” I give her another kiss and let her continue on her way. I close the door and run to the car where Shane is already waiting for me. Gigit and Marc are inside the car waiting for me to get in and start it. When I do, I honk the horn and drive out of the property.
As I drive towards the city, the atmosphere in the car feels light, but I can tell Shane is restless. She throws a couple of furtive glances at me before breaking the silence.
“Liam, about the attic… I’d prefer if you took me to my a…,” she begins, but I interrupt her.
“Listen, Shane, it’s best if I take you to my house. I need to keep you in a safe place.”
“Why? Is something going on that I should worry about?” I grip the steering wheel. I don’t want her to know anything about what’s happening. This woman is just starting to grasp what I am and is beginning to accept me, as if I were to give her a good reason to run far away from me.
“Nothing. I just want to be with you.” That’s part of the truth.
“Fine, in that case, I want to go to my apartment. I want to see it. I need to make sure everything is in order.” Her voice has a hint of challenge.
“I know, but there are things I have to take care of first, and I don’t know when I’ll be done.”
“Alright. We can meet tomorrow…”
“No.” The word comes out like a growl. Shane flinches.
“I’m sorry.”
She crosses her arms and frowns. I can see she’s trying to keep calm, but frustration shows in her gaze.
“Don’t treat me like a child.” Her tone becomes firmer- “I want to see my home, Liam.” This isn’t looking good. The good thing is we have three hours of road travel ahead of us. She sighs as she checks her cell phone- “Alright, take me to Mrs. Rosa’s house.”
“Your mother-in-law?”
“To your mom’s house,” she contradicts me. “The contractor sent me a message saying he’s finished, and I’ve paid him. I’d like to check that all the renovations have turned out well.”
That brings a small smile to my face, although I understand her point.
“Alright, I can take you to see how the kitchen looks,” I agree, feeling a bit more relieved. “But first, I need you to promise me that you’ll stay at my mother’s house while I sort out some matters at the company.”
“Promise? Shouldn’t you trust me to keep myself safe?” she says with a mix of challenge and exasperation.
“I do, but there’s more at stake here, Shane. Things are… tense.”
“So something is happening.” Damn, this woman doesn’t miss a beat.
“Little wolf.”
She sighs and looks out the window, as if considering my words.
“Okay, I promise I’ll wait.”
“Deal.” I say as I turn off the highway exit leading into the city.
As we continue driving, I feel the tension dissipate a little, though a slight scent of worry still hangs in the air.
“By the way, have you imagined how it’s going to turn out?” Shane asks, with a hint of excitement in her voice- “It’s a space where they’ve always shared good and bad moments, from what your mother has told me.”
“Yes, that’s right.” I respond while thinking of all those moments we’ve shared together.
Suddenly, she turns to me and asks:
“How is your mom with all this, with what happened to you… the heat, and without me? You know…”
It takes me a second before I respond.
“She was worried, but strangely enough, she knew you would come back to me.”
Shane smiles, and that gesture makes all this stress worth it.
“I wasn’t leaving you, I just… had an emergency with my dad.”
“I know. I’m glad to know he’s okay. I’d like to meet them.”
“No!” Her outburst makes me look at her.
“Why?”
“It’s too soon…”
“I’ll meet them. The subject is not up for discussion, little wolf. They are your parents; eventually, I have to know them.”
“But not yet.” She tells me, unwilling to budge. I say nothing to avoid upsetting her unnecessarily.
“Fine. Let’s go to my mom’s house for now.”
“Sure!” she exclaims with a light laugh, and I realize that despite everything, there is still room for joy amid the tension.
Finally, three hours later, I reach my mother’s house and stop in front of it. The renovation looks spectacular, if the smile on my mother’s face, who is waiting for us at the entrance of the house, means anything. I take a deep breath as I look at Shane, who is preparing to get out.