Page 15 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“I’m strong enough to handle myself,” I replied. I did not need any of that. I was not a baby.
“Yeah, but with the killer still out there-”
“I’m a big girl, Liam,” I cut in.
“Yeah? From what angle?” My eyes flashed and I turned, glaring up at the giant.
“Just because we are not all overgrown turnips doesn’t mean we aren’t strong enough to take care of ourselves,” I said, shaking my head in irritation.
He cocked his brow but said nothing as we reached the large house in the woods. The lights were glowing welcomingly as we approached. He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside, not even realising how cold it had been out there. I led the way up the stairs. I had no idea which one her room was…
Seeming to understand my hesitation, Liam brushed past me, making my stomach flutter, and opened the door opposite Aunty Red’s room. I entered, and I had to admit her room was so cute, decorated in a unicorn theme with pinks, rose gold, and white. The wallpaper had clouds on it set against a glittering pink background. The bedding and curtains were covered in unicorns, and the pink fairy lights that made the room glow made me want to just jump onto the bed and sleep in the cutesy room.
I carried her to the low bed; it was small, yet big enough for my five-foot frame if I had wanted to fit.See, I could totally sleep here.
Liam moved the covers back, and I slowly lowered her to the bed. She began crying, and I winced. Oh, crap.
“Shh, I got you,” I whispered, slowly lowering myself onto the bed and patting her back.
“Damn…” Liam muttered, “Kids are so hard.”
He reached over, taking Azura’s shoes off. Her leg was draped over my waist. His arm brushed my thigh, sending a shock of sparks through me, and I couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped me. His eyes snapped to mine, changing to a dark magnetic blue. My heart was thundering but I looked away quickly, trying to de-tangle Azura from my neck.
“I’ll get her,” Liam said, slowly taking her hands from around my neck, only for her eyes to flutter open, and the start of a new wave of tears threatened to spill.
“It’s okay, I’ll hold her,” I said, not looking at him. “It’s near ten anyway; Aunty should be back soon.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” I said, not missing how his gaze fell on my bare legs.
Goddess, please tell me my ass is not peeking out cheekily.He looked away smoothly, and I was glad because otherwise, I was going to give him an earful. I reached down and unzipped my boot, pulling it off before reaching for the other. I was about to remove it, trying not to disturb Azura when Liam reached over, unzipping and tugging it off for me, making my heart thump louder. His piercing eyes met mine as he dropped the boot on the floor and leaned closer.
I clung to Azura tightly, despite trying my best to remain indifferent. However, I was not able to stop thefear from consuming me when I realised that I was still vulnerable to the bond. His closeness, his scent, and those dangerously sexy eyes were a thirst trap I couldn’t deny. I turned my head away, closing my eyes.
I can’t see you. Go away.
I thought I heard a small chuckle, but I wasn’t sure, when I felt the blanket cover us both, and then I felt him move away. I was not able to breathe until he left.
“I’ll be downstairs,” he said quietly before he shut the door after him.
My eyes flew open, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I had always wished Liam was my mate, but the older I got, I had that connection with both Liam and Damon. Like there was just that chemistry there. I know someone would say choose one and reject the other, but it hurts to think of doing that to either of them. Just the thought made my wolf whimper and my chest tighten. It wasn’t even my own fear; it was the fact that I would have to hurt one of them, and because of me, I might destroy their friendship completely. I didn’t want to be that woman, not now, not ever.
That was why I never approached them, not wanting to be the reason for their bond to break. Deep down, in the beginning, I hoped they’d accept it and we could be happy no matter how unique our situation was. Yet, as time passed, I stopped thinking about that and made it clear to my wolf and to myself that I didn’t need a mate.
I eased out of Azura’s hold, quickly replacing a large plushie in my spot. She hugged it loosely, but she was in a deep sleep, and I was sure she would stay that way now. Yay!
I picked up my boots slowly and padded to the door, exiting silently. I shut the door as quietly as possible behind me, stepping back when I suddenly knocked into someone. I gasped as a hand clamped over my mouth. Before I could even register the shock of sparks that coursed through me, I had flipped him over my shoulder, slamming him to the ground, one hand going to his neck as I pinned him down with a knee to his chest. For the first time since my return, a small smirk of amusement crossed his lips.
“Nice move, Bite-size,” Liam said, making my heart race at that old nickname. His eyes roamed down my body until they lingered on my bare legs, but it was his next words that made my eyes fly open. “And an even nicer view,” he whispered seductively, the back of his fingers ghosting down my left thigh. The moment those sparks rushed through me; my eyes blazed as I looked at the man beneath me.
“And this is an even nicer punch!” I growled quietly before punching him square in the nose. The sickening crunch as I broke it satisfied me. How dare he?!
I jumped off of him, resisting the urge to kick him in the balls, and instead kicked his knee, hard! How dare he?!
Grabbing my boots, I turned and stormed down the stairs. My heart was thundering with a hundred emotions, but above all, I felt angry. How could he ignore me for three years and think he could just start flirting with me?
Nope, not happening. I am not a pushover. I will not-
