by Emma Wolfe
I tried to keep up, but Liam’s legs were longer and stronger. I took a step forward and stumbled, watching as the forest floor careened into view. I winced, expecting to slam into the ground. But my fall was halted by a strong arm wrapped around my waist. Liam's animal-like reflexes were starting to make sense.
“You okay?” he asked, glancing down at me with his brow furrowed. My hands were instinctively splayed against his chest, and I couldn’t help but revel in the feeling of his muscles under my fingertips.
My heart picked up speed as I met his gaze. My breath caught in my throat as the strength of his arm wrapped around my waist caused all of my senses to fire.
“I’m okay,” I whispered.
He stared down at me, holding my gaze for what felt like an eternity. He inched closer to me, his lips a breath away. All I had to do was press up on my toes, and his lips would be on mine.
Did I want that?
He studied me for a moment longer before he released his hold on my back and pulled away. “Come on, we’re almost there.” He slid his hand down my arm and intertwined his fingers with mine.
I couldn’t help but stare at how small my hand looked in his. Or maybe it was the way his skin felt against mine. My heart pounded emotions through my body, making me feel lightheaded and giddy.
“Are you nervous?” he asked as he paused to glance down at me.
I peeked up at him as I shook my head. “No. Why?”
He reached out to push aside a low-hanging branch. “Your heart. It’s pounding.”
I studied him as he dropped his gaze to the ground and then glanced over at me. It was as if he were taking a chance with telling me a secret and was waiting for my response.
“My heartbeat? Can you hear that?”
He slowly nodded. “Yes. Well, yours I can hear above anyone else.” Then he winced like he’d said too much.
I knew I should be scared. I mean, this guy had not only turned into a wolf but was telling me that he could somehow hear my heartbeat. That should scare any sane person.
But maybe I wasn’t sane. I didn’t feel scared, not with Liam towering over me. And not with the warmth of his body next to mine as he leaned in to study me like I was the most important person in his life.
“You can?” I asked, thankful that my voice came out normal.
He quirked an eyebrow. Like he was surprised that I was still standing here, absorbing what he was saying.
He smiled. It was one of relief and a little fear. “Yes. I can hear a lot of things. But your heartbeat is louder to me than most other sounds.” His skin flushed as he studied me. “I know when you’re nervous. Scared. Excited.” He dropped his gaze to my lips and held it there for a moment.
I breathed, my heart speeding up. Then I stifled a groan. If that were true, then he’d know what his words were doing to me. “That’s so unfair,” I whispered.
Liam chuckled and reached down to grab my free hand. He pulled it up and pressed my palm against his chest, right over his heart. “Can you feel that?” he asked as he moved closer, leaning until he was millimeters from my ear. His breath tickled my skin and made me shiver.
I cleared my throat as I focused in on my hand. The drumming of his heart rattled my fingers. His heart felt as erratic as mine.
“It’s fast,” I said, glancing up at him as I pulled back. I wanted that to mean something, but come on, he was a wolf. Maybe his resting heart rate was faster than a human’s.
He nodded, inching closer to me. “Yes. It is.” He dropped his gaze to my lips again. “Do you know why it’s beating like that?”
Instinctually, I began to chew on my bottom lip. His gaze made its way back up to my eyes.
“Cora,” he growled. “You need to stop doing that.”
My eyes widened. “What?” This was all so new to me I had no idea what I was doing. I half-expected to wake up at any moment from the crazy dream I was having.
He growled as he turned and began leading me through the forest again. “You need to stop making it so hard to stay away from you.”
I paused, letting his words sink in. There was a lot to unpack.
First, according to him, I was somehow drawing him in. My whole body warmed from the thought. Maybe I hadn’t been crazy. Maybe he really did care about me.
Which brought me to the second part of what he’d said. He needed to stay away from me?
“Liam…” I wasn’t sure how to ask what I wanted to know.
Liam shook his head as he pressed his finger to his lips. “When we get there, I’ll answer all of your questions. Until then, it’s not safe. We need to move fast and stay quiet.”
I glanced through the foliage around us, my eyes widening. Were we in danger? Who would come after us?
I mean, he was a mystical creature that only existed in fairy tales, so a lot of people could be after him. But who? How many people knew that he was a werewolf?
My mind swirled with questions, but I settled with chewing my lip. Liam told me that he’d tell me everything once we got somewhere safe. I had to trust that.
We were headed up the mountain. My thighs burned as I pushed against the soft forest floor. I glanced behind us to try to figure out how far we’d walked. It felt like an eternity since I saw Liam change.
The sound of rushing water drew my attention to the side. I squinted through the trees for the source of the sound.
It didn’t take long before the trees parted, exposing a large waterfall. It was beautiful as it shot off the mountain and down to a clear lake below. I stared at it, marveling in how the light reflected off the spray. It shimmered and glistened.
“Wow,” I whispered.
Liam stopped and glanced over at me. He tugged gently on my hand. “Come on,” he said. His voice was soft and sweet.
I glanced back at him and nodded. He led me over to the edge and nodded toward a steep trail that ended at the base of the waterfall.
I furrowed my brow as I stared at him. “Down there?” Was he serious? Maybe he magically had multiple lives, but I didn’t.
“Come on. It’ll be fine.” He pressed his hand into my lower back.
I swallowed and stared at the path. I wanted to show him I could be adventurous, but I also wanted to keep my body in one piece.
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
Liam smiled as he stared at me. Then, he leaned in, his breath warm on my skin.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
I stared into his eyes. His warm, chocolate-brown eyes. They looked earnest and concerned as they stared back at me. “Yes,” I said softly.
15
Cora
The smile that emerged on Liam’s lips caused my heart to pound harder. It was the kind of smile that a kid got on Christmas morning when they descended the stairs to see gifts packed in around the tree.
And then, just as he’d changed in the woods earlier, his entire body began to shift. His face elongated and his ears grew pointy. He went from standing on two legs to standing on four in one swift movement. Fur sprouted all over his body, and his clothes disappeared.
His brought his gaze up to meet mine. Liam was gone and all that remained was a huge wolf.
It was less shocking to see the second time. Instead of fear coursing through my veins, I was surprisingly calm.
He walked over to me and nudged my hand with his nose. Then he tossed his head toward his back like he wanted me to get on.
My eyes widened as I glanced at his long, broad back. “Liam,” I whispered as fear flooded my body.
He let out a low growl. It was soft and encouraging. Then he nuzzled my hand and pointed to his back once more. He lowered himself to the ground as if to emphasize what he wanted me to do.
Realizing that this was what Liam had asked me to trust him about, I swallowed and forced my courage to surface. I could do this. I knew Liam wouldn’t hurt me. Everything he’d done since I met him had been to protect me.
If Liam wanted me to get on hi
s back, it was the safest place to be.
So, despite the warning bells sounding in my mind, I swung my leg over his back and grabbed onto the fur just above his shoulder blades. He straightened to his full height and tipped his head back to check on me.
“I’m okay,” I whispered.
He let out another growl, this one more resolute, and then took off down the path.
I stifled the scream that rose up inside of me as I closed my eyes. My hands tightened on his fur, and my legs clamped against his ribs. My body was pitching forward, and I was scared I would tumble down the side of the mountain and into the water below.
Before I had time to calm down, the cool rush of water startled me. I gasped and glanced around. Liam had brought me into a cave just on the other side of the waterfall.
He bent his front legs, and I shakily climbed off of him. As I stood there, soaking wet, I watched Liam morph back into a human.
He reappeared dressed, which I was thankful for. Of all the movies I’d ever seen with werewolves, they were always naked when they changed back to being humans. I wondered how the clothes remained intact but couldn’t seem to find the strength to ask.
Sure, I wanted to know about all of this, but barraging him with questions didn’t seem like the smartest move. And I had a feeling that he would answer all my questions eventually.
Liam stood in front of me, looking worried. He kept his distance as he pushed his hands through his hair. Then he reached up, pulled off his shirt, and handed it to me.
“For your face,” he said.
I nodded as I took it from him and rubbed it on my skin. The fabric was soft and smelled so good. It took all my self-control not to bury my nose in it.
Liam paced in front of me. “Are you okay?” he asked for what felt like the millionth time.
All I could do was nod. I was still trying to process what had happened. And him standing there with his very tan, very muscular, and very bare chest wasn’t helping. When he moved to the waterfall to take a drink, the light shone on his skin, revealing scars that ran across his broad shoulders and back.
My breath caught in my throat as I studied the jagged marks of what looked like claws.
“Cora,” he said, turning suddenly and startling me.
I jumped, my heart picking up speed as I realized I’d been caught. Liam quirked an eyebrow as he glanced down at his chest.
“Everything okay?” he asked as he moved closer to me.
I nodded, holding my breath and hoping it would help still my pounding heart. Liam tipped his head toward my me as if he were listening.
I groaned and shoved his shirt back into his arms. “Put this back on, will you?”
“You’re scared,” he said, his hand hovering over my arm. Like he wanted to touch me but didn’t know if he should.
“I’m fine,” I said, furrowing my brow. But it was a relief that he assumed fear was the reason for my change in heart rate. Just to be sure, I asked, “My heartbeat?”
His dark gaze met mine, and he held it for a moment before he began to nod. “Yes.”
I wrapped my arms around my chest as if trying to muffle the sound. I knew it was futile—it wouldn’t stop Liam from hearing anything—but the idea that he could read my emotions made me feel vulnerable.
I knew so little about him, and yet, he could learn everything he needed to know about me from listening to my heart, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
He winced as he took in my stance. Like he knew exactly why I was standing there looking so uncomfortable.
“Ask me,” he said as he moved to sit on a rock next to the wall.
“What?” I asked.
He motioned toward himself. “Anything you want to know…” His voice dropped off to almost a whisper. Then he glanced back up at me. “I want you to know.”
I nodded slowly, not sure how I was going to voice the questions that were floating around in my mind. I glanced around as I took in a deep breath. Then I walked over to a rock directly across from him and sat down.
Here we go.
Liam
I knew I should have been angry that Cora saw me transform. I should have run away the moment I realized it was her heartbeat behind the trees. But I didn’t.
I was relieved.
I wanted her to know everything about me. I wanted to share this part of me with her while I could. I wanted her in my life so badly that my entire body ached for her.
So when I found her crouching down behind the trees, regret and relief flooded my mind, causing my brain to spasm.
That’s why I brought her here to reveal the one secret I was supposed to keep hidden from her.
Sure, there were fleeting moments when my father’s voice sounded in my mind, telling me that I’d basically signed her death warrant. My grandfather’s pack didn’t take lightly a human knowing of our existence.
But I didn’t care. I wanted to be honest with her. I wanted to be close to her. Even though it was selfish, I wanted her to know everything about me.
So when she parted her perfectly pink lips and furrowed her brow, I couldn’t help the swelling of my heart. These thoughts were becoming unbearable. It was just going to make it harder to walk away from her in the end.
She was literally the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen. And the fact that she didn’t run from me or my inner wolf…I stifled a low growl.
“Why are you dressed?” she asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I glanced up at her. “What?”
Her cheeks were flushed as she nodded toward my pants. “Why are you dressed? Why don’t you transform, you know…naked?” Her voice was barely a whisper now as she pinched her lips together.
I ran my hand over the top of my thigh and shrugged. “Every part of my transformation is designed to protect me. I guess the magic knows that I need clothes.” I couldn’t stop the teasing smile that emerged. “Would you prefer I don’t transform dressed?”
Her cheeks changed to a deep red as her eyes widened. She shook her head. “No, of course not.” I watched as she grasped her hands in an attempt to slow her heart rate.
Call me crazy, but I was enjoying the fact that she was interested in me. Clothed or unclothed. Her lips may be saying no, but her body’s response was telling a different story.
Then, feeling guilty that I could read Cora better than she could read me, I forced my attention to her face and vowed not to distract her. This was about her asking me questions, not about me falling for her even harder than I already was.
“How long have you been like this?” she asked as her gaze dropped down to my chest.
“Since I was twelve. That’s the time any he-wolf or she-wolf changes. We have puberty to thank for that.”
She studied me. “She-wolf?”
I nodded. “We have female wolves. Grayson’s sister is one.” Then I pinched my lips. Why had I said that? Grayson was going to kill me if he found out.
Thankfully, Cora didn’t seem too interested in that detail. Instead she chewed her lip as if she was considering her next question. “Does it hurt?”
“It did at first. I’m used to it now.” Was it wrong that I loved this? I loved that I could share my life with her. It was like all the pieces of my soul were finally coming together. I’d kept this secret for so long, it was freeing to tell someone. And the fact that that someone was Cora was perfection.
“Are there others? Besides you, Grayson, and Grayson’s sister?”
My thoughts moved to my pack. To my dad. To the other wolves lurking in the forest. It felt wrong to reveal their secret. Dad had always told me it was dangerous for humans to find out about us.
She seemed to sense my hesitation. “You don’t have to tell me,” she said.
I gave her a soft smile. “There are others, but I can’t say who.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
The silence that fell between us felt deafening. I could see that she had more questions, but I could tell she didn’
t know how to ask them. I met her gaze and gave her what I hoped was a soft, encouraging smile.
There was a lot for her to take in, and I was ready to answer her questions as they came.
I saw her shiver, and my protective instinct took over. It was also nice to distract myself with taking care of her. It helped me feel less guilty about dragging her into my world.
“You’re cold,” I said as I slid off the rock and crouched down by her.
Cora shook her head, but I could see from her rattling chin that she was shivering.
Regret and anger with myself for bringing her here coursed through me. I was an idiot. A selfish, horrible idiot. I should have kept her at bay. I should have been stronger. I thought I was this big, tough alpha, but I couldn’t even take care of my fated mate.
Pushing aside my anger, I scooted closer to Cora and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. I pressed her to my side and brought my other arm around to cage her in.
She stiffened at first, but then I felt her muscles slowly relax.
“You’re so warm,” she whispered.
I chuckled. “It’s the muscle. It helps generate heat.”
When she didn’t answer, I peeked down at her to see that she was chewing her lip again.
“It was a joke,” I said, leaning in. The smell of her shampoo surrounded me, and I allowed myself to breathe her in. Every part of her was becoming part of me. My heart was hammering in my chest.
“You’re nervous?” she asked, shifting so she could look up at me.
I stared at the details of her face. Her warm, brown eyes stared up at me. I could see a soft splash of freckles across her nose. It took all my strength not to lean forward and kiss every one of them.
And then, her lips. Her soft, full, ruby-red lips. They were beckoning me. Drawing me in. When she tipped them up into a smile, I had to stifle the groan of appreciation in my chest.
“Your heart is racing,” she said, shifting her body so she could free her hand. Then she spread her palm across my chest. Right where my heart was. “You’re right, this is a handy little ability.”