Chapter 28
SHANE
Sunrise kissed me with a shower of kisses, awakening every part of me from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair. Soft, warm laughter echoed around me as I opened my eyes, and his radiant gaze greeted me.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Liam said, his voice full of energy. I found myself smiling involuntarily, the melancholy of the previous night dissipating, though the memory of his declaration resonated joyfully in my mind, and the secret still lingered in the shadows.
“Where are you going?” I asked, trying to maintain a lighthearted tone as I stretched beneath the sheets, reveling in the warmth of his presence.
“I need to go to the office for a while,” he smiled, but in his passionate eyes, there was a gleam that promised something more. “But don’t worry, I’ll be back for you in a couple of hours to take you to tonight’s event. King Hassel will be there, so it’s going to be quite important.”
He told me of this meeting. And the mention of King Hassel, leader of the werewolves and the annual event where alphas from around the world gather, stirred a new nervousness within me. The thought of being there, amongst them, overwhelmed me, and though I tried to hide it, a part of me dreamt of him and everything his love represented.
“Okay,” I said, trying to sound unconcerned. But deep down, I still felt the knot of what might happen when we faced our secrets at that gathering.
His gaze became intense, once again igniting desire within me.
“I promise you, tonight, everything will be alright.” I felt his bright eyes on me, and in our bubble of intimacy, I convinced myself of the words I had yet to speak.
As he got up and prepared, my heart pounded with the internal conflict plaguing me.
A new day unfolded before me, brimming with possibilities, and although the fear of what I was hiding persisted, there was something about his love that gave me strength. The hope that perhaps one day I could share my secret, not breaking us, but strengthening the bond we had already created. But that was a discussion, for now, trapped in the air.
As I watched him move efficiently around the room, I knew I had to find a way to confront what awaited me, because love, this love that consumed me, gave me hope that my fears were merely shadows that would soon fade into the light of our future.
“What should I wear? The bathroom is over there,” I pointed to my bathroom; he smiled and disappeared inside. I heard him urinate and felt my cheeks burn. And I knew it was silly because it was the most normal thing between couples. Were we already a couple?
“Something elegant, I’d say, something beautiful, but you already are.” My face flushed at his compliment.
“Are you telling me I’m not elegant?” I heard the shower water running, knowing he was taking a shower.
“Never said that. But how about this; surprise me.”
I knew what he meant; I was just teasing him. Suddenly, Liam reappeared in the bathroom doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist. Damn. That man had a way of captivating all my attention, as if wrapped in an aura of power and sensuality that left me breathless. Raindrops traced down his muscular torso, highlighting the curves of his sculpted abdomen, like rivers of desire beckoning me to follow their course. The sheen of his wet skin reflected the gentle morning light, and a hint of brightness in his eyes revealed the secrets held within.
“Do you like what you see, little wolf?” he whispered, his playful tone leaving me entangled in a web of conflicting emotions. His smile was mischievous, and at the same time, I felt completely exposed, naked before his gaze.
“Maybe. But I think you haven’t seen what I can do with that towel yet,” I replied with a slight smile that half-hid my nervousness. My playful words seemed to spark a flicker in his eyes.
“Oh, I think I’d like to discover that,” he said, teasing me, taking a step closer, turning slightly. The towel clung to his hips, modest yet tantalizing, and my imagination took flight. The curves of his body were an invitation to explore, to lose myself in his intensity.
“Although…” he continued, moving closer still, “… I have to go. The king is waiting, and I have some matters to attend to before the meeting.”
My chest sank slightly at the thought of him leaving so soon. But before I could say anything, he headed for the closet, letting me admire him as he dressed. Each movement he made, each piece of clothing he put on, captivated me. The way he shed the towel and slipped into his boxers, revealing his sculpted muscles, left me in a state of pure need. And still, his dressing was a reminder that the intimacy we shared was coming to an end.
As he put on his black shirt, the fabric clung to his body, outlining his figure as if it were a custom-made suit for his magnetism. But my heart churned; the conflict of my feelings tugged at my thoughts. How could I keep what I felt hidden?
He turned to me as he buttoned his shirt, a mischievous smile still lighting up his face. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world stood still.
“I promise I will return for you,” he said, his deep voice full of assurance, though the certainty I craved eluded my grasp.
“Don’t forget me, Liam,” I said, fearing that the approaching distance could shatter what we had built.