Page 43 of Pack Owned
“Next time you need a shirt, Kayla... make it one of mine. Especially if you’re gonna skip the underwear.”
I freeze, caught halfway out the door, my heart a staccato in my chest. The air between us crackles, tension winding aroundme like a vice. For a split second, I’m tempted to turn around to see the smirk I know is playing on his lips, but I don’t give in.
“Keep dreaming, Alpha,” I toss back, trying for sassy but feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.
His low, rich laugh echo in my ears, a tempting whisper against the throbbing pulse in my veins. But it’s more than just flirtation; it’s a challenge, a dance along the razor’s edge between fear and longing.
“Come on in, Kayla. I promise I won’t bite… at least not tonight.”
Curiosity about what he’s playing and not wanting to let him know how much he affects me, I step into the room, which is full of Liam’s scent and a huge bed. I shouldn’t be in here. Tension coils in my belly.
“Just for a minute.” He pats the bed beside him, but his attention is riveted to the TV.
I watch him, fascinated by the fantastical world unfolding on the screen. It’s all so strange, so different from anything I’ve experienced. Sitting down on the bed next to him, I draw my legs up underneath me.
“What is that?”
“Catacombs of Aethelgard,” he says, returning his gaze to the screen as if such monsters are everyday nuisances rather than digital nightmares. “Wanna play?”
“No idea how to, but I could try,” I admit hesitantly.
“Come on,” Liam nudges a second controller toward me, an easy grin playing on his lips. “It’ll take your mind off things.”
I hesitate. I should be waiting for my clothes to dry, I should be getting some sleep before the alarm goes off, and I have to leave before Ryker turns me over to Nexus. No idea what I’ll do after I’m out on my own but I’ll figure it out.
Maybe I could get a job cleaning houses or a waitress like my mom. Something.
Liam is staring at me with such eagerness, that I can’t resist. Besides, it’ll take at least twenty minutes before my clothes are dry, right?
I take a tentative step forward and reach for the controller.
“First, let’s create your character. You can be a rogue, cleric, battle mage, or warrior,” he says.
I click on the cleric. “I’ve never really played games like this before. What even is a cleric?”
“Good choice.” Liam gives me an approving nod as my fingers hover over the buttons, unsure. “Clerics have healing powers. We could use someone who keeps us alive in there.”
“Us?” My brow furrows because this is all so new and confusing.
“Co-op mode. We play together. Teamwork, Kayla,” The excitement in his voice is infectious.
“Okay.” I find myself smiling.
Liam walks me through the basic controls, and soon enough, my digital avatar—a slender woman clad in white robes—is casting spells that stitch wounds closed and bolster defenses with magic. Each successful move I make under his guidance sends a little jolt of satisfaction through me.
“Nice!” Liam exclaims as on-screen, my cleric pulls off a particularly tricky spell combo. He glances at me, eyes shining with pride, and for a brief moment, our gazes lock. There’s something there—warmth, connection, something.
I shake it off, turning my attention back to the screen. We maneuver through ancient crypts and battle horde after horde of monsters. It’s intense, and every victory and treasure chest I open has me eager to find the next one.
“Watch out!” Liam shouts as a trap springs from the floor, nearly skewering my character. His hand brushes mine as we both scramble for the controls, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
“Thanks,” I whisper, focusing intently on the game but acutely aware of the heat radiating from his body next to mine.
We continue playing, and I fall into rhythm with him, our characters moving in sync, battling through the catacombs’ dangers. I’m surprised by how much I enjoy it—the game, his company, the escape from reality it provides.
“You’re doing great for a newbie,” Liam teases, playfully bumping my shoulder with his.
I roll my eyes but can't contain a grin. “Beginner's luck.” The game world feels like a refuge, where I can unleash spells and slay monsters without any real-world consequences. Where Liam has my back, and the burdens weighing me down slip away, at least for a little while.
