Chapter Eleven - The Moment

The Moment

My hands clutch at his shirt, twisting in the fabric. Liam's kiss is consuming, possessive. His fingers tug on my chin, parting my lips. Then his tongue is invading my mouth, stroking, claiming.

I've never been kissed like this before. It's wild and rough and god help me I want more. I kiss him back hungrily, my tongue entangling with his, only to be captured by his teeth and sucked. I keen in pleasure, embarrassed by my reaction. My desire is obvious. Desperate.

With a rough sound his hands drop to my hips, lifting me up and laying me down on the mattress. His strong body follows, pressing tight, making me feel small and fragile. His body heat penetrates my clothing and only now do I realize how cold I feel. How alone.

Need.

A little sound escapes my throat. A moan.

His hands tighten in response, sliding down my waist, leaving a trail of fire, and cupping my ass. He squeezes hard with a husky groan, thrusting his tongue into my mouth. I'm breathless. Aching. It's not enough. My chest feels so empty, a dark void that I know instinctively only Liam can fill. I want him in a way that's physical painful.

I hear Liam growl deep in his chest, as if he senses it.  His hands burn even hotter, searing me through my leggings. I feel his fangs sharpen in his mouth with my seeking tongue. On my lips. He nips me with another growl. Pain and pleasure intermix, exploding from his bite and rushing up my veins. I taste my own blood, strangely sweet, my head swimming in ecstasy.

Then his body stiffens and he pulls away from me. I don't move, my hands tiny fists half-raised in the air, blood dripping from my lip. Why is he stopping? Did I do something wrong?

Liam looks at me darkly, his breathing erratic. "Get your things and meet me in the car," he orders harshly. I watch in shock as he picks up the box I just packed and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Just like that the moment is over.

I stare after him, my mind a jumbled mess. My body is trembling with an unfulfilled need I've never known. I go to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, and stare down into the sink as dots of red stain the white porcelain.

I've just made a complete fool of myself.

You did not. He kissed you.

I know my wolf is trying to console me but I can't shake the embarrassment. Liam only kissed me because I practically begged for it.

That is not true.

I ignore my wolf, dabbing at my lip with a washcloth until it stops bleeding. It's not a bad bite. It doesn't even hurt. Nothing like Liam's mark. Unconsciously, I reach up and touch my neck, sweeping my fingertips over the raised edges. It's strangely comforting to me and my body calms quickly.

Leaving the bathroom, I finish packing. Picking up my boxes I sulkily go back outside and meet Liam by the car. He's waiting for me, the back of the SUV open. I deposit my boxes silently, risking a peek at him sideways. He's staring up into the cloudy sky, hands in his jacket pockets, muttering to himself what sounds like, "...she's a god damn child."

"Are you angry?" I dare to ask.

"Yes!" he snaps.

I wince. "At me?"

"No."

"Oh..."

He notices me looking at him and I look away quickly, embarrassed to be caught staring. "Are you okay?" he asks roughly. His eyes drop to my lip with a scowl.

"I'm fine." My voice is soft, barely above a whisper.

Slashing a hand through the air he says coldly, "That won't happen again."

I feel immense disappointment. I want it to happen again. Which is so damn stupid! This man is a monster who forced his mark on me. I shouldn't want him at all.

We stand on the sidewalk in silence as it starts to snow, white fluffy flakes sticking to my coat and hair. "I don't understand you," I finally say.

"I know," he replies with obvious frustration. "But you should. You should know me better than I know myself."

I'm not sure how that's possible. "How?"

"If you could mark me..." he stops, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. You have no fangs. You can never mark me as yours."

Tears prick my eyes and I don't know why that makes me feel so sad. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault," he says tightly. I don't know what to say so I keep quiet. His hand cups my chin, the rough pad of his thumb brushing over my lip. "Does it hurt?"

"No," I whisper.

His brows knit, as if he doesn't believe me. Then he places his hand over my head with a sigh. "Come along, pet."

"Not so fast," an angry female voice snarls.

We both turn with raised brows. Serenity's friend Beth and another woman with nearly white hair are standing just a few feet away. Beth's face is a reflection of anger, her gaze riveted on Liam.

"Beth?" I breathe.

Her eyes snap to me, on my neck. They widen briefly before they shine with pure fury, focuses back on Liam. "What the hell did you do, you god damn dog?"

Liam steps in front of me protectively. "I've claimed what's mine."

Beth takes a step back with an incredulous expression, exchanging a look with the other woman I don't know. "You had no right," she hisses. "Serenity won't stand for this."

"This is none of her concern," Liam replies. His voice is soft. Too soft. Deadly.

"It is!" Beth shouts. "Your kind has no right even being here."

Liam's back stiffens, even I know that's a bad sign, but his voice remains quiet. "This town belongs to me. I have allowed you to stay out of courtesy. I can just as easily change my mind."

"You stole it from us," Beth argues. "You mutts can't push us around anymore. We are no longer so weak." Her hand raises and a strange wind picks up. Shivering, I wrap my arms around myself, unsure what's going on.

"Enough of this," Liam orders. "We're in the middle of the damn town. Or do you wish to expose us to the humans?"

The white haired woman places a hand over Beth's shoulder, shaking her head. "Now is not the time, sister."

Pursing her lips Beth drops her hand and the wind immediately stops. "Fine. But this isn't over."

Liam snorts, clearly unconcerned. "If Serenity wants a fight then so be it. I'll kill you all and be done with it." Taking my arm Liam pulls me towards the SUV. "Come."

"Abigail doesn't belong with you!" Beth shouts angrily.

Stopping, Liam demands, "What interest do you have in her?"

"That is none of your damn business," Beth bites back.

Baring his fangs Liam warns, "She's mine. Try and take her from me and I won't just kill you. I'll decimate your entire bloodline." Fury is shining in his eyes, but that voice never raises. Its quiet authority is enough to make even me shake with fear.

The white haired woman pales. "Beth...he means it."

Giving Liam a haughty look Beth laughs. "You have no idea what you've let into your pack."

"Why don't you fly off on one of your broomsticks," Liam dismisses.

He urges me into the SUV and I don't argue. But as soon as we start driving the questions come pouring out of my mouth. "What just happened? Why are they so angry with you? What did you mean by broomstick?" Surely, they couldn't be...

"They're witches," Liam says.

"Holy shit," I blurt. "Are you for real?"

"Unfortunately," Liam drawls.

"Serenity is a witch?"

"Serenity is the witch," Liam replies.

"What does that mean?"

Running a hand through his hair Liam tosses me a look. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"Liam!" I cry, frustrated beyond belief.

He just rolls his eyes. "The less you know the better."

"That's bullshit."

"In this world knowledge is dangerous, Abigail," he snaps. "You are safer if you don't know."

"How come everyone else can know but me!?" I yell.

"Because you are weak!" Liam shouts.

That shuts me up. I just stare at him, dumbfounded and hurt.

"You can't turn. You can't protect yourself. I can rip you apart in a god damn second. Don't you realize that?" Liam rants. "I fucking kiss you and you get hurt. Forcing you to stay at Moorwood. Keeping you out of school. Keeping information from you. You think I do these things because I like being an asshole?"

"Kind of," I mumble under my breath.

"Well, I don't." Glancing at me he says firmly, "It's not just my pack I'm protecting, Abigail. It's you."

My heart stutters in my chest. "So, when you told me I couldn't go to school it really was to keep me safe?"

"Yes. It's not just other werewolves I have to protect you from."

Damn, I'm so clueless about all this. "I'm not trying to be difficult you know? It's just, my education's important to me," I tell him honestly.

"Then you can go," Liam relents. "Jin will protect you. They wouldn't dare enrage him."

"Why would you even bother protecting me?" I ask in all seriousness. "Wouldn't it be better for you if I just died?"

Liam slams on the break with a feral growl, the SUV screeching to halt in the middle of the road. I lurch forward, catching myself on the dash before falling back in my seat. Liam turns towards me, fisting the front of my jacket, and shaking me slightly. His eyes are burning and wild and absolutely furious.

"Don't ever say that to me again," he snarls. "Ever. Do you understand?"

I nod, fear and something else twisting in my stomach.

He lets me go briskly, turning back to face the windshield. He doesn't move for several minutes, his fingers clenching and unclenching around the steering wheel.

That was really stupid.

No shit.

I don't say a word. Don't move. Don't even breathe. Then Liam relaxes - marginally - and starts driving again. "Put on your seat-belt," he orders.

I do as I'm told and keep quiet. We don't speak for the rest of the trip. When we arrive back home Liam takes my boxes and goes inside without a word. I follow him quietly, my mind racing over all that's happened. But instead of going back to my usual room he takes me to a different bedroom suite on the other side of the mansion.

It's a gorgeous room, decorated in creams and golds. The bed has a canopy of soft fabric embroidered with little pink flowers. There's a vanity and two button tufted cream colored chairs by a fireplace. The room screams feminine design and it's obviously not meant for a man.

"Who's room is this?" I ask stupidly, already suspecting the answer.

Dropping my boxes on the bed Liam informs me, "This is your room, Abigail."

I immediately don't like this room. It's pretty and elegant but cold. This room is unlived in. Empty of memories or warmth. I liked the old room. Liked all the weathered books and worn leather and the smells. The scent that was only Liam's...

"I thought the other room was mine," I mutter, more so at myself for my own stupidity. Of course it was his room. His scent was everywhere.

Confirming my thoughts Liam says, "That's my room. This is yours."

"I see." It doesn't escape me that this new room is as far away from Liam's as it could get.

I do not like this.

Neither do I.

He is pushing us away.

Let him.

Abby...

I don't want to talk about it anymore. I don't even want to think about it. This change shouldn't bother me like it does. It shouldn't hurt so much.

"I'll let you settle in," I hear Liam say but my brain barely registers. The door closes and I'm all alone. Again.

I'm really starting to hate this loneliness.

You will always have me.

That brings tears to my eyes. I push them back, focusing on unpacking my things and putting my clothes away in the walk-in closet. My clothes barely make a dent, tons of empty space left behind. This closet is meant for someone else. Someone with expensive clothes from fancy boutiques. Someone with class and elegance.

Someone who isn't me.