Page 17 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

"Why, are you jealous, Liam?"I laugh.

"Always.You know I am not good at sharing," he jokes, and I chuckle.

"Don't worry.You won't have to share me.I am not interested in the girl," I tell him.

"We'll see, though it wouldn't hurt if you were, as long as it isn't for nefarious reasons, Gannon," Liam says, and I swallow.

"Yes, she reminds me of my mate, but that isn't why."I shake my head.I am not interested in her.It’s hard to imagine even having a conversation with her with how timid she is.

"I am leaving to run an errand for the king.Join me or don't," Liam states with a shrug, glancing out the bathroom window toward the forest surrounding the castle.

"She is a beauty, though," he mumbles, and I nod.Abbie is striking with her dark auburn hair and soft, sensual features.She is small and petite, and I like that about her.I like the way she stares curiously at everything around her.Like she is deciphering codes, genuinely curious about people yet soft-spoken.She is an observer.That much I have noticed.She exists without being seen and doesn't like the attention, but notices everyone else like she is waiting for something to jump out of the shadows at her.

"Hasn't she shifted yet?I could smell she has a wolf," Liam asks curiously, still peering out the window.I lean around to see what he is looking at.Abbie is hanging out washing yet stares vacantly toward the forest.I furrow my brows, and I watch as she steps toward the trees, looking longingly at them, when I hear Clarice sing out to her.She pauses, glances over her shoulder, and rushes back to the clothesline as if she thinks she will get into trouble.

"To me, it seems she wants to go for a run," Liam says with a shrug, passing me a towel off the rack.His eyes are trained on the girl.I swallow because I had noticed she hasn't shifted once since being here.And I know she is of age.It makes me wonder what her wolf looks like.

"I'll cover for you if you wish," Liam offers, but I shake my head.No, I need to get away from here and slice some poor sucker who is dumb enough to capture the king's attention.It seems like the perfect excuse to leave.

"No need.I need to get out of here," I tell him.

"Out of here or away from her?"Liam asks.I growl, and he smirks.

"I'll meet you in the car, and I drive," he says, and I huff but let it slide.Liam is my best friend and the only one who truly knows me.We are alike in more ways than one.

---