Page 167 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“Babe, you got to-”
“No, Liam, please… just… it hurts,” she said, my stomach twisting when I realised she was crying.
“I know, love, but it’s almost over now,” I whispered, gripping her hips as she broke into sobs, breaking my heart in the process.
“It hurts,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck. She was shaking, her arms weak as she hugged me, sobbing weakly into my shoulder. The stronger the alpha… the worse the heat…
Guilt consumed me, and I held her tightly, stroking her back.
“You said you wanted me…” she sobbed.
“I do. I want you, every part of you; to kiss you, make love to you, and cherish you. But I can’t take advantage of you, Bite-size. You are worth so much more than that,” I said pleadingly, kissing her shoulder.
“I love you, Liam. So, so much,” she whispered. I cupped her face, kissing her tear-stained cheeks before planting a soft one on her lips.
“I love you, too, Raven. Before I even knew what a crush was… you were the little doll I fell in love with,” I whispered, our eyes meeting. She smiled weakly before I gently moved back, stripping my top and pants off.
“I’ll sit in the bath with you. Skin contact will help,” I said, getting into the ice-cold water that made me hiss. How the hell was she surviving in this?
She nodded, and I pulled her into my lap. She straddled me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she kissed me hungrily. I kissed her back, but no matter how much I wanted to take her, I wouldn’t. We were going to get through this the right way.
A Cupcake & a Confession
Liam
Three and a half days. That’s how long Raven’s heat lasted. Three and a half intense days. I was close to breaking my resolution when I saw no end. Seeing her sobbing and begging me messed me up. Mom and Dad were shocked that it went over the three-day period, which was the common period for heat, but we assumed that maybe the curse made it worse. Or Mom thought perhaps I was just a stronger alpha than Dad, but I didn’t think so. When Dad and I sparred, I only managed to outdo him by a little, and I’d put that down to being younger.
The moment her heat was over, Raven fainted with exhaustion. I made sure her temperature was okay before I tucked her into bed, collapsing next to her and letting sleep consume me. We slept for almost an entire day, far too exhausted to do anything. That had been one hell of an experience. It had been more painful and draining than every lash I had taken. Seeing her in pain fucking hurt so badly, and I felt like I was being punished for messing up. I just wished she hadn’t had to suffer again because of me, but there was something about this moment that helped.
There was something in her eyes when she looked at me, holding me tightly and completely vulnerable in my arms. I was meant to be her protector, but I had hurt her. In some ways, having her in my arms trying to fucking seduce me and rip my clothes off felt like a chance for me to prove I was better than what I had become.
My beautiful mate… she was perfect.
I had just gotten dressed, ready to head out to get all her favourite foods after running her a hot, warm bath with essential oils. I was surprised our toes didn’t fall off after all that time spent in the icy bath.
I had requested someone to come to clean up the room and change the bedding. Once they left, I left, too,not wanting to be gone for too long. We hadn’t really talked. When I had stepped out of the shower, I carried her to the bath. She had just woken up. Kissing her softly, I promised to be back soon.
Forty minutes later, I unlocked the hotel room door and pushed the handle down with my elbow, my hands laden with two paper bags, hot drinks, and a large cupcake in a box.
I saw Raven, looking breath-taking lying on top of the fresh white bedding, her hands tucked under her cheek, wearing nothing but one of my t-shirts that fell to her thighs. My heart thundered, and the thought of seeing her like that every morning, every day for the rest of my life, filled my mind. A guy could dream…
“Hey…” she said, sitting up and brushing her fingers through her hair. Her cheeks were painted a soft hue of pink, a pout on her plump, lush lips.
“Hey, feel better?” I asked, placing the bags on the bed.
She nodded as I bent down, kissing her lips. A soft sigh escaped her, and I moved back slowly, savouring the taste of her in my mouth, my lips tingling from where they touched hers. I sat down as she reached for the first bag, my gaze going to her shoulder as my T-shirt slid down, revealing her smooth, creamy skin that I would never tire of.
“This smells great,” she said as we both began to take everything out; egg and cheese muffins, bacon rasher sandwiches, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, buttered croissants, sugary doughnuts, brownies, hot chocolate, along with two bottles of orange juice.
“We’re both fucking starved,” I said, unwrapping a muffin for her.
“I know. When was the last time we ate?” She asked, biting into it. I watched her, my gaze dipping to her gorgeous lips.
“Around thirty hours ago, give or take,” I said, our eyes connecting. The sexual tension between us was intense. Her gaze ran over me before she looked away, taking a bite.
“Thank you… for everything… I know it was probably hard. I mean, especially when I was begging…” she murmured, biting into the muffin again and pouting.
“Hard is an understatement, love. Have you seen yourself?” I asked, smirking slightly. She looked up slowly, her eyes softening, and she smiled slightly.
