Page 29 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“Don’t you? Black and purple are your favourite colours, aren’t they?”
“Mmm…” I said, trying not to look at him. Why was it so stuffy in here? His eyes were burning into me.
“I’ll go get your bags,” he said, turning and walking out.
I sighed, looking around the room. This was it, my new home… a home that meant having Liam around often… we needed to talk. All three of us…
His footsteps and his intoxicating scent returned as he placed the stuff down just as I drew the blinds, scanning the room. It was a good size, bigger than my room at Mom and Dad’s house.
“What is up with you and your dad? Did something happen?” He asked, and I could sense the anger in his voice…
“No, nothing at all. Dad was just being Dad,” I said lightly. The same way he’s been for the last twenty years of my life. “Liam… can I ask a favour?” I asked quietly, turning back to him.
“Sure,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
I walked over to him, my heart thumping as his eyes trailed over me.Don’t look at me like that… like I mean so much to you when I don’t…
I hated how my core throbbed under his gaze, the way my heart was pounding and the urge to be in his arms consumed me.
“Can we talk? Like a proper talk. You, Damon, and me? Please?” I asked softly, stopping a foot away from him. As predicted, his eyes darkened, and he clenched his jaw. “Please?” I said softly, stepping closer.
I placed a hand on his chest, my stomach knotting at the sparks that coursed through me. I had heard of the power of a touch... I had also seen it first-hand with Uncle El and Aunty Red, then again with Kia and her Al.
“What’s there to talk about?” He asked quietly.
“Us. We can’t carry on like this. I can’t deal with this forever. We need to talk, tell each other what our issues are and find a solution,” I said quietly. I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol in my system or what Taylor had said, but I needed to do this.
“My issue? My issue is that I am not fucking enough! I would love you so fucking much that you wouldn’t need another… is Selene trying to say I alone am not enough?”
Sadness and pain washed through me. I could see the pain in his eyes. He removed his hands from his pockets and gripped my waist, making me gasp. My heart thudded as I placed my hands over his, but it was his next words that threw me off completely.
“Tell me, Bite-size, wouldn’t my love be enough? I know I’ve done nothing to prove myself for the lastthree years, but I’ve always loved you. Even now, no matter how much I fucking hate our situation, I do love you. I left before I did something I regretted. This is not my fucking justification, but I loved you before I even knew what the fucking feeling was… I’ve always wanted you, Raven, no one else, just you. It has always been you.”
Dinner for Seven
Raven
My heart pounded as I stared up at him, his words ringing in my ears.
Liam loved me…
Yes, although I had a connection with both him and Damon even before the bond, I had loved Liam for far longer. Then Damon’s father passed away and I began to spend that time with him, and I realised he, too, was special. But now that the bond was there, I needed to do this the right way. Even if Damon had been able to move on in my absence, I wasn’t him, I needed to discuss stuff first…
It stung painfully.
“Liam... can I ask you something?” I asked, pulling out of his hold. He didn’t reply, but I knew I had his attention. “In the three years we were apart... have you…I mean, I know we weren’t together, but was there anyone?” I asked quietly.
I didn’t know why I asked. The fear that he may have would crush me. I needed something, some sign that at least someone wanted me. My parents clearly regretted having me, my mates didn’t seem to care, and Damon… well, he had moved on in my absence. I just needed something…
“No...” Liam said, but I saw the guilt in his eyes.
My heart clenched painfully. The room was suddenly lacking air, and I knew I didn’t want to hear it.
“But?” I still asked, trying to remain calm.
He looked away, swallowing hard and my gaze went to his Adam’s apple. Goddess, he was so handsome. But instantly, I remembered the guilt he was feeling, and I turned away.
“I… two years ago, a year after the time we found out we are mates, I got drunk at a mating ball that Dad wanted me to attend…”
