Liam’s POV
Seven Months Later
Damn, it’s cold out here. I grumbled inwardly to my wolf, regretting not wearing a proper coat. Even shifters feel the chill in human form. Not that it mattered much-we’d all be on a run soon. I just had to tough it out.
*Not much longer,* Hunter reassured me, though his tone was laced with anticipation.
The full moon was two nights away, and last month had been a disaster. Restraining my wolf for the first time was a nightmare-one I knew would only get worse. The aggression simmered just beneath the surface, ready to boil over. Luckily, since our jail was rarely used, no one noticed me locked inside. Talking Hunter down by myself wasn’t cutting it anymore. He understood our human rules in theory, but they didn’t mean a damn thing to him. Wolves have their own laws. A pup must have their shift, and both the human and wolf sides must align to choose their mate.
Violet and I had agreed: we couldn’t keep her brothers in the dark any longer. Besides, I’d need their help with Hunter. Admitting I couldn’t protect my own mate stung like hell, but knowing *I* was the threat was infinitely worse.
So, we decided to enlist Lily. And what better time to drop all the bombshells than during a festive occasion? The anxiety coursing through me was a constant reminder that my mate’s wolf would be arriving in a few months. The physical and emotional ache of waiting was unbearable, but there was no rushing the process.
From across the tent, I spotted Violet. She looked incredible in her long, light purple dress, every inch a vision of grace. The memory of helping her into those thick tights made my mouth water. She was breathtaking, and the thought of crawling up under that dress to inhale her sweet scent nearly unraveled me.
The ceremony for Lily’s Luna induction blurred past me, my focus split between Violet and the weight of what lay ahead.
“Liam, would you please join us?” Luna Sophia called, pulling me back to the present.
About a month ago, the twins officially stepped into their roles as Alpha, marking the occasion with their own ceremony. Tonight, on New Year’s Eve, it was Lily’s turn-and mine. New year, new pack.
I’d spent the last three months shadowing our Betas, Jake and Justin, learning the ropes. They were probably sick of me by now, but it solidified my readiness. This role was in my blood. Still, I couldn’t help but wish Violet was standing by my side. She moved closer during the ceremony, and Hunter stirred restlessly, desperate to be near her.
Later, I’d hold her, but for the next few nights, I’d have to keep my distance. The nights before and after the full moon were becoming too much to bear with her so close.
Lily’s eyes met mine several times during the ceremony, her steady presence grounding me through our mind-link. She’d officially joined the pack right after school ended, making it easier for her to cover for Violet and me when needed. Her support had been invaluable, but now, things were spiraling out of control. Hunter was beyond reason, and this had become an all-hands-on-deck situation.
After my swearing-in, a light dinner was served. The sight of 300 people bundled in heavy coats, dining under snow-covered tents, nearly made me laugh. At least three inches of snow had fallen in the last two hours. Despite the cold, my thoughts remained on Violet. Without Lily occasionally popping into my mind to keep me grounded, I might have lost it entirely.
*You’ve got this,* Lily reassured me. *But after the speeches, Violet’s going inside. Jareth will stay with her for the next couple of nights-don’t be mad. He’s discreet and didn’t question me. She needs someone strong nearby, and he’ll block the door and guard the window.*
Her plan was solid, even if I didn’t like it. Jareth was mated, so there was no concern about him overstepping. But the thought of Violet trying to reach me, believing she could soothe my pain, cut deeper than I cared to admit.
Lily had come into her own as Luna, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind she’d thrive. Even Sophia, who’d initially doubted her, had come around. Lily had proven herself in more ways than one.
After leaving her internship, Lily found her place in the pack, just as Violet predicted. She now handled vetting rogues, a role she was born for. Watching her break down a seven-foot-tall Viking-looking rogue in interrogation left the twins and me in awe. She’d reduced the man to tears without lifting a finger, wielding psychological warfare like a weapon. Her performances were so intense, I half-suspected they doubled as foreplay for her and the twins.
Jealous? Maybe. Okay, definitely.
But seeing Lily and Violet grow so close filled me with hope for the future. Chloe was staying with her godmother, Kat, and for the first time in months, I dared to believe we’d make it through this. I silently prayed to the Goddess to speed up Violet’s shift, but I knew it would come in its own time.
For now, all I could do was endure.
“Everyone, may I have your attention, please?”
Lily’s voice rang out as she stepped onto a chair, commanding the room’s focus.
*Now or never, Liam,* I thought, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. My heart pounded, but there was no turning back.
The gathered crowd shifted their attention to her, and I noted the twins’ puzzled expressions. They were completely clueless, which, honestly, was surprising. I snuck a glance at Violet, who offered a sly wink. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, and exhaled slowly. My wolf stirred within me, and I willed him to stay calm.
“First, I want to thank each and every one of you for welcoming me into your pack so warmly,” Lily began, her voice sincere and steady. “Your patience with me and your willingness to tolerate my endless questions hasn’t gone unnoticed, and I appreciate it more than I can say.”
Her words drew soft laughter from the crowd, a shared moment of camaraderie.
“Now,” she continued, her tone shifting slightly, “I know there have been a lot of rumors about when we might start growing our family. Well, I’m thrilled to announce that the wait hasn’t been too long. In fact…” She hesitated, casting a meaningful look down at the twins. “I haven’t even told my mates yet. I’m honestly shocked no one has caught the scent.”
She trailed off, her gaze meeting theirs. The room fell utterly silent for a heartbeat before the weight of her words sunk in.
I’d noticed it yesterday. A few of our trackers had as well-it was part of our training to notice these things-but we kept quiet. It wasn’t our place to share. Lily had gone to her doctor that morning for her routine birth control shot, only to discover she was already pregnant. Less than two weeks along, and yet it changed everything. Violet and I had spent the rest of the day calming her, helping her plan her announcement. She wanted to be the one to tell the pack before anyone else noticed, and I didn’t blame her. By next week, the scent would be unmistakable.
The twins sprang to their feet, their faces alight with shock and joy as they pulled her down from the chair, enveloping her in their arms. Cheers and applause erupted around them, and I felt my own nerves churn in my stomach like restless snakes.
After a few moments of congratulations and celebration, Lily tapped her glass again, calling for quiet.
“Now, I need to share… some other news,” she said, her voice steady but laced with nerves. “Liam, would you join me?”
She extended her hand toward me.
The twins looked confused, a flicker of annoyance crossing Caleb’s face. Clearly, they didn’t like being left in the dark. But what I was about to reveal would make their frustration with Lily pale in comparison.
I stepped up onto the vacated chair, the weight of the pack’s expectant stares pressing down on me.
“Thank you all for being here tonight and sharing in my ceremony,” I began, my voice steady though my heart thundered in my chest. “But I need to admit something-something I’ve been keeping from all of you for a very long time. As your new Beta, I’m ashamed of this secret. It’s unacceptable, especially to my Alphas, and to Alpha Ethan, Kieran, and Luna Sophia. I owe you all an apology.”
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, a wave of curiosity and confusion rippling through the gathered pack members.
“I found my mate a long time ago,” I continued, my voice firm. “But for reasons beyond our control, we’ve had to keep it a secret. It’s been an incredibly difficult road for both of us. And when Lily came into the picture, our secret came out.
“Alphas,” I said, turning to face the twins, “please don’t be angry with her for keeping this from you. Her heart was in the right place, and we desperately needed her help. But now, it’s more than I can handle on my own. I need all of your help. The full moons are becoming unbearable for my wolf, and the wait for our mate to come of age is pushing him to the edge.”
Gasps and whispers filled the room as the weight of my words sank in. Steeling myself, I dropped down from the chair to meet the twins’ gazes directly. Violet, Lily, and I had spent months planning this moment-debating whether to make it public or private. In the end, we decided to rip the Band-Aid off in one go. The timing, coinciding with Lily’s pregnancy announcement, seemed serendipitous.
“Please forgive us,” I said earnestly. “We didn’t feel like we had a choice.”
Lily stepped forward, gripping their hands tightly, lending her support.
In a mind-link, I confessed to the twins, their parents, and Lily, *Violet is my mate. I’ve stayed pure for her. Any other females in my life were paid to lie about being with me. She’s the love of my life, and everything I’ve done has been for her. I’ve known for over a decade.*
Their faces fell, a mixture of shock and disbelief. I ran my hand through my hair, our prearranged signal to Violet that the truth was out.
“I am proud to be Beta Liam’s mate!” Violet’s voice rang out confidently, drawing every eye in the room.
She stood atop a table, her radiant smile filling me with pride.
The crowd’s reaction was mixed, but I saw the love and defiance in her eyes as she shouted, “Damn, that feels liberating to say!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. My brave, beautiful girl.
My feet moved toward her instinctively. She leaped down into my arms, and I inhaled her familiar scent, grounding myself in her presence.
“So?” she whispered, her voice teasing. “Did my parents’ heads explode? Do my brothers look murderous?”
“I’m too afraid to check,” I whispered back, trembling with adrenaline.
*Honestly? I thought you were about to come out as gay,* Caden mind-linked, his voice laced with humor. I couldn’t help but laugh, even amidst the chaos.
The truth was out, and there was no turning back now.