Page 345 of Fated to the Wolf Prince
“God, I love you,” he panted, pressing his forehead against mine as we struggled to catch our breaths. “So much.”
“Love you, too.” I nuzzled his cheek before sliding down him to stand on shaky legs. The water sluicing down our bodies had started to cool, and we laughed as we stumbled out of the shower.
Ty wrapped my exhausted body in a soft, fluffy towel. My eyelids felt heavy, but when I left the bathroom and checked the time, it was only six in the evening.
Ty kissed me softly, sending a rush of warmth through me. Our kisses shifted from their wild and passionate nature in the shower to something gentler and more chaste, reflecting the love and intimacy we shared.
“As much as I’d love to continue this… I need to go see my mom.”
“Of course,” Ty said, helping me steady myself before wrapping an arm around my waist. “We’ll go as soon as we’re dressed.”
As Ty and I pulled on our clothes, I inhaled deeply, capturing the lingering scent of our passion. My wolf’s energy surged within me, vibrant and revitalized after our intense coupling. She was just as eager as I was to see my mom. We both needed the reassurance of seeing her ourselves, knowing that she was truly okay. Her blood on me was still vivid in my mind.
“You ready?” Ty asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Definitely.” I nodded, mustering a confident smile that hid my inner doubts. My mind was consumed with worry as I considered how my dad and twin brothers would respond. It was time to face my family and deal with the aftermath.
“Actually, wait.” I stopped him with a hand on his arm. “What about Liam? Where is he staying?”
“Ah... “ Ty frowned slightly. “He’s staying in the guesthouse for now. I didn’t think it would be wise for him to leave just yet.”
“Right.” Liam had offered to help, to stand with us against Castro. “That makes sense.”
As we stepped outside, the cool breeze brushed against my skin, sending familiar scents of the forest surrounding the Keller Estate my way. My wolf stirred, her excitement growing with every step, which I curtailed, reminding her we were going to my parents’ house, not out for a leisurely run.
The ground beneath our feet on the verge outside was soft grass and hard-packed dirt, the sensations strangely comforting as we walked side by side.
“Your brothers are probably there,” Ty said casually, though I didn’t miss the tension in his voice. “Just a heads up.”
“Thanks.” I tried to prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation. Explaining Liam’s actions wouldn’t be easy. My brothers would be furious with him. They would also point fingers at Ty, holding him responsible. Despite the added security, my mom had been injured, and I’d been kidnapped. I understood that their anger stemmed from their love and concern for me. It was a delicate balance that needed to be maintained.
As we approached my parents’ home, I could feel the nostalgia washing over me. Their voices drifted to my ears, laughter and serious undertones merging through the open windows. With each step closer, the sound became more familiar, evoking a sense of both joy and trepidation within me.
“Here goes nothing,” I muttered, taking Ty’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He returned the gesture, his grip strong and steady, anchoring me to him before we stepped through the front door, into the storm. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Of course.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m here for you.”
We stepped onto the porch, the wooden boards creaking under our feet. I raised my hand to knock but hesitated when I heard laughter and clinking glasses from inside. I didn’t want to interrupt a joyous moment. Instead, I leaned out against the railing, the door to my back, watching as the last light of day faded away.
Ty nudged my shoulder. “Hey, you okay?”
“I am.” I flashed him a smile. “It’s just… strange being back here after everything that’s happened. With Liam staying at the guesthouse...”
“Speaking of which,” Ty said, his brow furrowing. “We have no idea where his estate is, do we? Where you were held?”
“No,” I said. “It took us a while to get back to Presley Acres, so it must be quite a distance away. It’s odd, though, Liam’s adamant about sticking around. Maybe he wants to be part of a proper pack... or maybe he’s just keeping an eye on things.”
“Either way,” Ty said, placing a reassuring hand on my back. “We’ll figure it out. Now, come on. Let’s go visit your family.”
Nodding, I finally knocked on the door. A moment later, it swung open to reveal my mother. The sight of her pale skin and the bandage around her head had a sob rising in my throat.
“Liza!” She greeted me with such enthusiasm, shouting my name.
With hesitation, I slowly reached for the bandage, which was a stark contrast against her delicate complexion. Afraid I’d cause her more pain, I quickly withdrew my hand.
Guilt overwhelmed me, leaving me in a state of complete turmoil. It was selfish of me to be here when she was injured because of me. It would be best for everyone if I left before causing any more harm to my family.
When I made to leave, though, my mother pulled me into a tight embrace.
