CHAPTER 6
LIAM
-I understand. You’re the Alpha and all that. But don’t forget you’re also a future dad.
-And a future husband.
-What?
-This wasn’t how I had planned it. But I suppose any moment is as good as this. -Getting up, Liam took the towel again and looked for his jacket. He pulled out a small, black velvet box and returned to the room, kneeling beside the bed-: Little wolf, would you do me the great honor of marrying this wolf who, although he knows he doesn’t deserve you, can’t imagine a life without you?
Shane gasps, pulling her feet out of the bed to be more in front of him. Her eyes fill with uncried tears as she sees the beautiful gold ring with a moon-shaped diamond cut, accompanied by other small diamonds along the gold band.
-Oh, Liam -she leans in, takes his face between her hands, and kisses him.
-Well? -he asks, when she pulls away.
-Yes! A thousand times yes. I’ll be yours forever, my wolf.
-Shit! -he breathes with such relief-: I thought I’d have to beg and chase you all over Chicago. -She laughs while he puts the ring on.
-That would have been a good story to tell our triplets.
-If… Wait! What? -Liam looks at her from his place on the floor, surprised.
-I said it would be a good story to tell the triplets.
Liam looks at her with wide eyes; his heart beats quickly, he can feel his body beginning to change.
-Did you say triplets? -she nods. Liam gets up, his breathing faster than normal, looks at her and raises his hands, which are now hairy-: Three? Like 1, 2, and 3? Ah! -he points at her, more specifically at her belly, and she can’t help but smile at his reaction-: By all the Nordic gods! That’s fantastic… overwhelming, but, damn, the best feeling.
-It is -she looks at him with love.
-Are you okay with that?
-Well, love, it’s not like I can ask them to take one or two away so I can be comfortable or something. And I don’t want that to happen either. I’m happy with my triplets. I wasn’t expecting them, but that doesn’t make them any less important. I think it’s actually wonderful to have three in my first pregnancy.
-God, it is! How much time do they have?
-Almost 9 weeks.
-Can we already know what we’ll have?
-Not yet. I asked the same thing, but the doctor said we could find out the sex at 5 months.
-Shit, that’s a long time.
-Yes, but you’ll see how fast it goes by.
-Meanwhile -Liam approaches her-: we can do something to kill time.
-What?
-I don’t know, little wolf, but now I’m harder than before. I need you. Now. I have to fuck you or my balls will explode.
Shane laughs out loud when Liam jumps onto the bed and makes love to her in the sweetest way possible.
The morning light began to filter through the attic windows, filling the kitchen with a warm, golden glow as Liam finished preparing breakfast. Dressed in a dark suit, he moved efficiently, his mind focused on the task at hand.
Just a few minutes before, he had heard Shane’s footsteps rushing down the stairs. When he turned to look at her, his heart accelerated. There she was, ready to go to work in her usual skirt suit and blazer, heels in one hand, her face reflecting the determination that attracted him so much.
But at that moment, Liam’s possessive nature came to the surface. Knowing that three small lives grew inside this woman he loved so much, three puppies that depended on her, filled him with an overwhelming need to keep her safe, away from any danger.
-Shane, darling, where do you think you’re going? -he asked, his voice deep and firm.
She looked at him, an amused smile on her lips.
-To work, of course. I can’t stay locked up here, Liam. I have clients to attend to and houses to remodel.
Liam clenched his jaw, his inner wolf growling at the idea of his mate exposing herself to so many risks.
-Not on your life. You stay here, with me. I don’t want you running around, exposing yourself and getting tired. You’re pregnant with our puppies, you have to stay home. -He took a step towards her, his gaze intense and determined.
But Shane’s laughter took him by surprise.
-Are you serious? Do you think I’ll stop working just because I’m pregnant? -She shook her head, her smile fading-. Liam, I’m not sick, I’m pregnant. And I intend to keep working as much as my pregnancy allows me to.
Liam opened his mouth to protest, but Shane interrupted him.
-Listen to me, wolf. Don’t even think about trying to stop me from going to work. I’m an independent woman and I won’t let your possessive side lock me up at home. -She approached him, her eyes shining with determination-. I know you’re worried about me and our puppies, but you can’t keep me away from my life. I need to keep doing what I love, at least for now.
Liam clenched his fists, his frustration growing. He understood Shane’s reasons, but his protective instinct was stronger than any argument. And now, with a wolf enemy, or rather, of his pack, at large. But he couldn’t tell Shane that and worry her. Not in her current state.
-Damn it, Shane. Don’t you understand that I don’t want you to expose yourself? You’re carrying our children inside you! -he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the kitchen.
She looked at him fixedly, without retreating.
-I understand your concern, Liam. But I won’t stop working just because I’m pregnant. I’m capable of taking care of myself and our babies. -She approached him and caressed his face with tenderness-. Trust me, okay?
Liam felt his heart melt at that glance. He knew he couldn’t win this battle, at least not now. Shane was stubborn and determined, and that was something he loved about her.
With a sigh of resignation, Liam nodded.
-Alright, little wolf. But promise me you’ll take care of yourself. And if at any moment you feel it’s too much, you’ll tell me, understood?
Shane gifted him a radiant smile and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
-Understood, my wolf. Now, will you let me go to work? I have a lot of things to do.
Liam watched her walk away, his heart still beating strongly. He knew it would be a constant struggle to keep his mate safe, but he also knew Shane was stronger than he imagined. With a half-smile, he turned back to the kitchen, ready to prepare a breakfast that would give her and her puppies the energy they would need to face the day.
While beating the eggs, Liam promised himself that he would do everything possible to protect his family, even if that meant continuing to violate his privacy and keeping Liliana as his bodyguard.