Chapter 132

[ 824 words ]

Because you’re everything

132: 132.

Because you’re everything Liam

“Of what we have!” She pulls away and stands.

“I thought we were on the same page, that we were having fun.”

I stand with her, positioning myself in front of the door.

“It’s not enough for me. Can you honestly say it’s enough for you?”

The room goes silent, and I can see in her eyes it’s a way for her to protect the truth she doesn’t want to voice.

A way to protect herself from being vulnerable.

“You’re my mate, “ I announce.

Hazel immediately shakes her head.

“You can’t know that.”

I snort at her weak argument.

“You know I can. A wolf always knows, and when the realization hits us, it’s like nothing else.”

She stands her ground like I expected her to.

“That’s not exactly a convincing argument.”

“I don’t need to convince you. Deep down, you feel it. The pull towards me, an attraction that feels too strong, too intense for the length of time we’ve known each other.” Her eyes widen, and I take a step towards her.

“A rightness, every time we’re together.”

She wraps her arms around her chest as if her nudity is adding to how exposed she’s feeling.

“I don’t want to have this conversation.”

It’s not a full admission, but it’s more than I hoped for quickly.

“Unfortunately, we’re having it.” My voice is soft, but there is no mistaking the unwavering tone.

Her eyes flash.

“Why?”

Because you’re everything.

Because waking up beside you feels like home.

Because every instinct I possess knows you’re mine.

Because you want this just as much as I do.

But those aren’t the words I tell her.

“Because it is the truth.”

She looks away.

“I don’t understand what you want from me.”

“Everything. I want everything you have to give.” Her shoulders stiffen so tightly I fear she’ll get a cramp between her shoulders.

I move into her space and place a possessive hand on the nape of her neck.

“I want your fears, your shame, your victories, your smiles.

I want to be the person who is always in your corner.

I want to walk through the rest of my life with you by my side.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mutters.

“Hazel—”

“No. You had your chance to speak. Now hear me when I say this. You don’t want me. Not really. It’s just a biological pull, but it doesn’t mean anything. You can’t promise me anything. A bond may be there, but that’s just it, it’s a potential, not a certainty. You’ll only end up disappointed with more.”

She really believes what she says, I realize in horror.

No, it’s her fear, my wolf says.

Our mate fears we will not choose her.

“Do you feel it?” Changing the direction of our conversation visibly makes her unsteady.

Her throat works.

I watch the fight happening behind her eyes as she weighs the consequences of the truth.

“Maybe I can,” she whispers.

“Maybe?” I push gently.

“You can do better than that.”

Hazel groans.

“You are so annoying.”

I smile.

“Come on, baby, you’re always honest with me, don’t change that now.”

For several seconds, she says nothing.

Her voice is hesitant.

“I feel something,”

My chest tightens.

Because hearing her admit it matters.

She continues before I can speak.

“But that doesn’t mean anything.

It doesn’t change facts.”

“What facts?”

Her voice grows stronger.

More certain.

“I’m not a forever girl. I’ve never wanted a relationship. I don’t look at people and imagine spending the rest of my life with them, and they don’t look at me for it. I barely know how to share my space with people.”

I understand more than she realizes.

Hazel has spent years surviving in a fucked up family with only Ransom to rely on.

Everyone else is a threat to her.

A potential to betray her.

“I know what you mean. I was the same way.”

She blinks.

“What?”

“I didn’t dream of settling down, despite the needs of my wolf. So I’m going to sit here and tell you everything will be perfect. That would be a lie. The bond is more than a potential; it is a signal that we are the other half of each other’s souls. But we still need to do the work to let down our walls, to be there for each other, and work together to make the foundation of our relationship strong. You think I’m asking you to wake up this morning and suddenly become someone’s perfect mate. I’m not. I’m telling you to let me in. To walk down this path with me with an open mind because you are someone’s forever, you’re mine.”

Her chest expands rapidly, and I can smell her anxiety and her desire wreaking havoc on her scent.

“What if we don’t have to figure everything out today?” I say softly.

She studies me carefully.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, we take it slow. Focus on getting to know each other without pressure.”

Suspicion immediately appears.

“How slow?”

I grin.

“Considering you’re asking that question, it’s probably very slow.”

That earns me a reluctant smile.

“Okay.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes.

I’ll try.

But don’t expect miracles.”

“Never,” I say, pressing my lips to hers.

My wolf’s satisfaction rumbles through me as I kiss the female I already know I’ll spend the rest of my life loving.

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