Chapter 44 Healing #2
I froze, slipping the jacket off from around my shoulders, my heart thundering. I turned slowly, looking up at him… Follow your heart, not your mind…
“Yes,” I whispered. He hesitated.
“Do you trust me?” He asked, but I felt the question was, did he trust himself?
“I do,” I said quietly.
I didn’t need to say more as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Be still, I told my heart. Suddenly, my room felt far too small.
“I feel like we’re missing something, too,” I said, trying to lift the sexual tension that had settled between us. Trying to ignore the ache between my legs and focus on reality.
“Me too. The pouch was too… classy for Owen. Keeping teeth? Washing them and then placing them in a jar…. He can’t even fucking put his dirty underwear in the wash,” Liam said as I heard him lock the door.
“Good point,” I agreed as I walked over to my dresser and began removing my jewellery.
Liam walked over to me, and my heart thundered as he reached up and began to remove my necklaces. His fingers brushed my neck, making my breath hitch. He slowly dropped the first necklace onto the dresser.
“And how fucking elusive it’s been up to now for us to find evidence, then Owen being poisoned…”
“But no one knew our plan,” I whispered breathlessly before swallowing hard and clearing my throat. Goddess!
“There are ways we could have been heard… I don’t know, I fucking don’t know… but I told Dad I don’t think it’s Owen. He’s too fucking dumb.” I smiled at that.
“Good point. So are you saying the killer’s still out there?”
“I think so, but until Owen wakes up, we won’t know for sure. Dad will lift the curfew, but we are still going to investigate everyone,” Liam said, placing the third necklace down before he started to remove the pins from my hair.
I looked at him in the mirror, our eyes meeting as he ran his fingers through my hair, letting it down. He brushed it over one shoulder, leaving my mark uncovered as he looked down at it. I saw the flash of guilt in his eyes before he looked back up at me.
“I’m sorry… sorry for this,” he said, his fingers brushing over his mark and leaving a whisper of sparks in his wake.
He was sorry; I could feel his guilt through the bond before he put his walls up.
Taking hold of my shoulders, he turned me to face him.
“I can’t fucking turn back time... but I promise, for as long as I live, I’ll make it up to you. ”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, my heart pounding as I allowed myself to embrace him.
He hesitated before he wrapped his arms around me tightly.
Our bodies moulded together as one, and my core throbbed.
Although I knew I wasn’t ready to go back to how we used to be right then, something told me our understanding and connection would be so much better this time around…
Liam
I wrapped my arms around her, my hands roaming her back.
The feel of her skin through the thin lace of her top sent sparks running through me.
Fuck, she felt so good. I throbbed against her, biting back a growl of approval as she leaned into me, her fingers grazing the back of my neck.
I nuzzled my nose against her neck, her fresh floral scent clouding my senses as she sighed softly, her lips grazing my earlobe.
My eyes flashed, and the urge to kiss her grew stronger, but I couldn’t…
“Liam…” she moaned breathlessly, the tantalising scent of her arousal seeping into the air.
Fuck…
I squeezed her ass, kissing her neck sensually. The moment my lips trailed along her collarbones, she whimpered loudly, sighing in pure bliss the moment my lips touched her mark. Extra sensitive.
I’ll change it. One day I’ll make the memory less painful… somehow.
I wouldn’t last long enough. The negative dark thoughts came to the forefront of my mind, and the doubts grew as the darkness tried to push forward.
Not this time.
I kissed her harder, sucking slightly on her slender neck, guilt wracking me at what I had done. I had no right to-
“Hey…” She pulled back suddenly, cupping my face as I looked away from her.
“I’m fine,” I said, unable to look her in the eye.
“You’re not…” she said softly. Reaching up, she placed a soft kiss on the corner of my lips.
Our eyes met before my gaze fell to her lips. The pull… I was torn. Torn by the animalistic side that wanted to consume her completely, to devour her and fuck her senseless, and the other side that felt guilt for what I had put her through.
Just then, my phone rang. I was pulled from my thoughts as I slid it out of my pocket.
“Shit, it’s Dad…”
“You’re meant to be under house arrest,” she whispered, her gorgeous eyes widening as I answered the call.
“Yeah?”
“You’re meant to be home, Liam,” Dad’s voice came. Before I could reply, Raven took the phone from me.
“I asked him to stay…” she said. Her cheeks were burning, and I fucking swear it felt like we were kids or something. I guess it was my own fucking fault. I heard Dad sigh.
“Raven, I understand you’re mates, but I can’t risk him losing control. Just come stay here with him.”
“We’ll be okay. Uncle, trust me,” Raven said, despite her blush deepening at Dad’s unbothered tone as he invited her to stay.
“No, Raven, rules are rules. Either you both get the hell over here, or Liam can come back alone. I am not going to change my mind on that.” Raven pouted.
“Okay, just for today… I’m so tired,” she pleaded, and I raised an eyebrow. She didn’t seem tired a few moments ago. I smirked at that, pulling her close by her hot-as-hell hips. Goddess, I love her body…
“Raven,” Dad growled.
“Uncle, please! Pretty please...”
“Okay, fine, first thing in the morning, I want him back here. That’s an order.” Dad’s voice was firm, but Raven being Raven, simply smiled and nodded, totally unfazed. She did know Dad couldn’t see her nod, right? She hung up and frowned at me.
“You know, this is your fault!”
“Yeah, I know.” Her frown vanished and she looked at me apologetically.
“I didn’t mean-” I cut her off, placing a finger on her lips.
“I know…” I said, giving her a small smile. She looked up at me, wrapping her fingers around my wrist and kissing my fingertip.
“Let’s get some rest. Now I feel like Uncle El’s eyes are watching us,” she grumbled.
“He ain’t no fucking angel.”
“I know! I’ve heard the stories!” She said, taking her heels off.
My eyes fell on her ass. I looked away smoothly, trying to ignore the hard-on in my jeans. I removed my boots and got into bed. I wasn’t going to take my shirt off, not wanting her to see my back. Although shifting seemed to have helped the healing, that or the darkness… I wasn’t sure.
I never thought she’d trust me to be anywhere alone around her anymore, not after what I had fucking done, but she did.
The mate bond calmed the growing storm inside of me, but I knew my time was running out.
There wasn’t much left until the Blood Moon and with every passing day, I felt that darkness pushing to the surface, stronger and more powerful – one I would do my best not to let take over.
It was hard because, although I was trying, it was consuming me completely.
Earlier, when I wanted to rip Owen apart, I had felt my wolf stir and decided to shift.
It did help; that and touching Raven since I had strengthened the bond, but I didn’t want to tell her that she helped because her tolerating me to this extent was enough. After what I did, she should have fucking put a restraining order on me. I wasn’t going to abuse that.
Dad had wanted me to stay away from her, but I knew he got that we just couldn’t stay away from one another.
She was the very oxygen I needed. I didn’t blame him, though.
Not after I had hurt her and had put him through a lot.
Him and Mom. Even if it was the last thing I did, I would try to fix all this crap, or at least make it less painful for them all.
She was snuggled into my arms and had fallen asleep pretty fast. All night I didn’t want to sleep, I actually wasn’t able to when I had a fucking hard-on from just looking at her.
Even after what I did, she was still there in my arms. She was fucking selfless.
I hugged her tightly. I didn’t deserve her…
but I wanted her. I kissed the top of her head, the beat of her heart like music in my ears, her rhythmic breathing lulling me into a sense of security.
My mind wanted to ponder on the killer, but I was far too sleepy…
The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was that I was sure the killer was still out there, somewhere.
Ripples of pleasure flowed through me as I felt her run her finger through my hair.
I didn’t open my eyes for a while, enjoying her touch.
My hold on her had loosened and I opened my eyes, looking straight at her breasts in that lacy top that she hadn’t changed last night and noticing the stickers she had over her nipples… Fuck…
Her thigh brushed my dick, which was fucking hard as could be, and she suddenly moved back, realising I had woken up.
“Liam…
“Morning,” I said quietly, my voice thick with sleep.
I was doing my best not to pull her close and rip that tempting top off.
Instead, I slowly let go of her, looking up into her eyes.
She gave me a small smile, her gaze dipping to my lips.
My heart thudded when she slowly bent down, pressing her lips to mine.
My mind went blank before reality hit me fucking hard… Why does this feel too good to be true?
I reached up, threading my fingers into her hair and pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. She seemed to have other plans though, her hand going down between us until it rested on my rock hard dick. Fuck…
She moaned as she stroked it over my jeans, her lips not leaving mine. Our kisses became hungrier, and I knew if I didn’t stop her then, I wouldn’t be able to at all.
“How’s your back?” She asked softly, her fingers unzipping my pants.
“Pretty decent-”
I was pushed on my back as she climbed on top of me. I raised an eyebrow. Was this my Raven? Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she grinded her hips against my dick, her hands spread on my chest before she bent down and kissed me again.
“Fuck, Liam,” she whimpered as I tugged her closer by her hair, kissing her harder, feeling myself fucking throbbing, but just then, my fucking phone had to ring.
I ignored it, unable to focus on anything but the doll on top of me. If only there was nothing between-
The phone rang again. Raven frowned, glancing towards where I had left it on the bedside table. To my surprise, she picked it up and switched it off before tossing it to the floor. My eyebrows shot up at her move.
“So annoying,” she said, about to tear my top off when I grabbed her wrists.
“Baby, are you okay?” I asked. There was something… different about her.
“Yeah… I just... want you,” she said, kissing my neck.
I fucking loved her confidence, but there was definitely something-
A bang on the door made me sigh as Raven seemed to come to her senses. The scent of her arousal filled the room, and she took a moment to look between us. She sighed, climbing off me.
“Guys… Alpha wants Liam back home. Now,” Zack’s voice came.
“Honestly, this is payback for all the times I walked in on Uncle El!” Raven said, pouting. I sat up slowly, looking at her, her cheeks still a little flushed.
“Ahuh…”
“What?” She asked, seeming to realise I was a bit thrown off.
“Nothing,” I said with a small smirk. “That was pretty sexy.” She blushed and pouted.
“Trust me, even I don’t know what got into me,” she said, yanking the door open, Zack and Taylor stood there smirking. She glared at Zack with her hands on her hips, and I wouldn’t lie, she really did favour some over others… because she didn’t seem to be giving her friend any disdainful looks…
“Naughty Alpha... you’re meant to be on house arrest, not getting dessert first thing in the morning,” Taylor teased.
“And your naughty mate disturbed me,” Raven countered.
“Oh, babe, I think it’s good we did. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of you,” Taylor said cheekily, giving her a hug. Wasn’t she taking advantage of me? Zack raised an eyebrow before turning to me.
“Come on. Alpha was getting really fucking stressed out.”
I stood up, pulling my shoes on before going over to Raven. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, placing a kiss on her neck.
“I’ll see you later,” I whispered in her ear, hearing her heart rate pick up.
“Okay,” she agreed.
“After you,” I said to Zack, knowing he had to escort me.
“I’ll stay with Raven,” Taylor said, planting a quick kiss on Zack’s lips.
The last thing I heard before Raven shut the door was Taylor asking her if she was okay and that she looked a bit flushed, only for Raven to deny it vehemently.
“Your dad wants me to escort you back,” Zack said, leading the way downstairs.
“I figured as much.”
We continued in silence. There was something I needed to do anyway. Speak to Mom… I still remembered the pain I felt from her when I was chained up for my lashing as she whispered to me that I was stronger than that, that I was better than that. That I was not a monster...
Those words had fucking struck home. I had broken something inside of her that was already not fully mended. It was as if she was reliving a memory whilst telling both of us that I was not Zidane.
She had been through so much in life, yet she remained strong to a point that I thought people forgot that she was human after all, and no matter how much time had passed, she had suffered a lot and that didn’t just go away.
There were things in life that would always trigger trauma, and what I did, it was unforgivable.
I had hurt the two women that I should always worship – my mother and my mate.