Liam’s POV
Awe-struck. That was the only way to describe the feeling coursing through me as Logan and I walked hand in hand with our Luna toward the pack dining room. My wolf and I were completely captivated by her. Not only was she the most breathtaking woman we had ever seen, but there was something about her-an undeniable grace, a quiet strength that words could hardly do justice. Her past held enough pain to shatter anyone, yet she stood tall, exuding confidence, unafraid to speak her mind.
On the ride to Blood Moon, she had been upfront about her hesitation toward our bond. But instead of shutting down or lashing out, she questioned with genuine curiosity, listened intently, and engaged with patience. When Logan appeared without warning, she had every right to be angry at being ambushed-and she made sure we knew it. Yet, even in her frustration, she never acted irrationally. She acknowledged her mistake just as easily as she pointed out ours. Not many people would have reacted that way in her position. I admired her more than I could put into words.
That didn’t mean I didn’t want her. Every moment near her was a test of restraint. The urge to pull her close, run my hands over her perfect curves, and lose myself in her was nearly unbearable. But I knew better. She wasn’t ready for that yet, and pushing too soon would only scare her away. For now, it was enough to know that my mate was not only stunning but someone I could truly admire. I didn’t let myself hope that she would accept us-not yet. But she hadn’t rejected us, and for now, that was more than we deserved.
Speaking of the undeserving, I turned my attention to Logan.
“Hey, Logan, how are you handling all this?” I asked through our link.
“To be honest, Liam, I’m freaking the fuck out right now!” His voice wavered slightly.
My stomach clenched. “What? Why? Did you change your mind about wanting our mate?” The thought sent panic through me. If Logan backed out, this wouldn’t work. I wasn’t sure I could handle that. Even Ghost, my wolf, stirred uneasily.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Of course, I want her! How could I not? She’s perfect! Smart, articulate, kind, and patient… not to mention absolutely stunning!” Logan gushed. “Her eyes, man. Those gorgeous blue eyes could see straight into my soul. And that’s what terrifies me. I’ll never deserve her. If she doesn’t realize it yet, she will soon enough.”
“You can’t think like that, brother!” I countered firmly. “We can’t focus on who we were. We need to show her who we can be. We need to prove, every single day, that we’re worth loving.”
“I know you’re right,” he admitted, though doubt lingered in his tone. “I just hope I don’t fuck it up. Like I do with everything else.”
“You won’t,” I assured him, cutting the link.
Lia glanced between us, her brow furrowed with concern. We had stepped into the dining room by then. Though dinner was over, a few pack members lingered, chatting quietly. I could sense her discomfort. She wasn’t ready to be introduced as our Luna, and I wouldn’t force that on her. Casually, I released her hand, resting my palm lightly against the small of her back as I guided her toward the kitchen.
Logan, of course, missed the memo entirely. He clung to her hand, glancing at me in question.
“Dinner’s over, but they’ll have leftovers in the kitchen,” I explained, speaking for both of them. “It’ll be more private there. We’ll introduce you to the pack when you’re ready.”
Understanding flickered in Logan’s eyes, and he gave a small nod. The rich scent of Italian spices and tomato sauce filled the air-leftover lasagna, judging by the smell. Lia’s stomach rumbled, and Logan chuckled. A rosy flush crept up her cheeks, and damn if that wasn’t the cutest thing I’d ever seen.
“Dinner smells amazing!” I complimented Naia, our head Omega. “Any chance we could get a couple of plates before you put everything away?”
Naia rolled her eyes. “Late for dinner, as usual.” But there was warmth in her tone. “Sit down. I’ll fix you something.”
I nodded in thanks, leading Lia to a stool at the island bar. I could see curiosity flickering in Naia’s expression, though she said nothing. Before I could decide how to introduce Lia without giving too much away, she beat me to it.
Standing, she walked over to Naia and extended her hand with a bright, disarming smile.
“Hi, I’m Lia. I’m visiting from the Crystal Moon Pack. Can I give you a hand?”
Naia’s eyes softened. “Oh no, sweetie! You’re a guest. The Alphas would have my head if I put you to work!”
Lia smirked, glancing our way. “I seriously doubt that,” she said dryly. “Besides, I love baking, and I tend to snack late at night. I’d love to get familiar with the kitchen. Maybe you could teach me a few things-if you have time, of course. My dad always raved about your croissants. I can never get them quite right. I’d love to learn your secret!”
That was all it took to win Naia over. Within minutes, they were chatting like old friends, and Lia was rifling through cabinets, pulling out plates and silverware, slicing fresh bread, and assembling salads. Logan and I sat back, completely enthralled. My wolf practically purred with satisfaction at seeing our mate so at ease in our home.
“Dude, that is sexy as fuck,” Logan mind-linked, watching her move. “I could sit here all damn day just watching her work in the kitchen.”
“Those skin-tight jeans aren’t helping,” I grumbled. “If she bends over one more time, Ghost is going to lose it.”
“Same here. Fang is ready to claw his way out.” Logan hesitated before adding, “Do you think she’d let us sleep with her tonight?”
I let out a short laugh. “Yeah, right.”
“I meant just to sleep! Obviously not the mating part. I’m not that dumb,” he grumbled.
“Logan, I’m your twin. Knowing you, I wouldn’t put it past you.” I teased.
He sucked in a sharp breath, his usual confidence wavering. “She deserves better than me, Liam.” Then, after a pause, he added, “Not that I won’t be more than willing when she’s ready!”
That was more like the Logan I knew. I shook my head, amused. “Let’s get through dinner first. Then we’ll talk about sleeping arrangements.”
By the time dinner was served-hot lasagna, fresh bread, and crisp salads-Lia had charmed Naia completely. They sat side by side, chatting and laughing while Logan and I simply watched, taking in how at home our mate seemed.
Everything was going perfectly-until Naia decided to share childhood stories.
Lia nearly fell out of her chair laughing as Naia recounted how Logan and I had once escaped bath time, streaking naked through the house-only to burst into the middle of a pack meeting. Worse, the girl we both had a crush on had been there, and the mortification had been unbearable.
“Alright, dinner’s over!” Logan announced, yanking Lia from her seat. “Time for a tour.”
Naia chuckled as he kissed her cheek. I did the same before catching up to them. Logan might have been desperate to save what little dignity we had left, but I didn’t mind so much. Seeing Lia laugh like that? It was worth every embarrassing story.