Chapter 152
Fiona POV
The mood was quiet as we sat at the kitchen table together, Liam, for some inexplicable reason appeared to be rather tense, his facial expression giving nothing away, making me wonder what on earth was wrong with him. It couldn’t be the training he had been the one to encourage it. Something was bothering him, I knew it instinctively and as the tension grew even thicker in the air, I finally plucked up the courage to ask him what was wrong,
“Liam? Earth to Liam,” I waved my hand at my mate who blinked and then focussed his eyes on me, “What’s wrong “You’re been silent since we entered the kitchen,” I added with half a laugh.
He looked slightly surprised. “Oh it’s nothing” he said and my eyes narrowed in suspicion.
He had a tell whenever he was trying to keep something from me and I was seeing it now,
“You’re lying, What is it? Does it have to do with my family?” I asked, trying not to show how hurt I was they hadn’t contacted me.
I hated that, I hated that no matter how strong, I was trying to be, some small part of me would always remember them, my memories of my family refusing to fade and leave me in peace. It was all I could do to keep the tears at bay away. So much for walking away and leaving everything behind.
Even though I had declared my ties were severed, part of me still wished they had made some sort of effort to come see me. It would have shown they cared. My mate as though reading my mind let out a low growl and then glanced at me with a solemn expression on his face. He looked as though he was struggling inwardly with what to tell me. I waited.
“It’s your sister’s birthday tomorrow,” he finally said gravely.
My mouth parted. With everything that had happened, Celeste’s birthday hadn’t entered my mind at all. I blinked and then pinned my mate with a gaze. This was what he had been so concerned about? I felt slightly remorseful for thinking the worst of him. Then I sighed, realizing I needed to come up with a decision on what to do about Celeste’s birthday. Did I simply pretend it wasn’t happening or should I be the bigger person and congratulate her, even though part of me was jealous that she would receive a wolf while I still didn’t have one? It was petty of me, but the pain of not having a wolf continued to beat harshly in my breast. I felt as though I didn’t belong in the shifter world, let alone with Liam sometimes.
“What does that have to do with me?” I asked slowly.
I avoided his eyes. I didn’t want to see any sympathy on his face. It was what it was and there was no changing people. No matter what you try. In the end, they had to want to change, I thought a little sourly.
He spread his hands out, looking apologetic. “They sent an invitation. I understand that you won’t want to go so I can simply send back a refusal,” he shrugged nonchalantly “its no big deal.”
He hadn’t even asked me if I wanted to go, perhaps under the assumption that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near my parents or half–sister.
“Except it’s her eighteenth as well and it would be rude not to attend,” I said biting my lip.
Part of me was feeling obligated to go. I didn’t know why.
Despite everything, did I want to miss out on Celeste’s birthday and seeing my parents, if only to stave off my curiosity? I nibbled on my lower lip and then sighed, trying to come up with a decision as I wrestled with my conscience.
It wasn’t easy breaking contact off with family and my heart was aching to go and to see if maybe, something had changed within them all.I doubt it but there was always some small inkling of hope that maybe, they would finally see what they were missing out on when it came to me and Liam.
“I want to go.”
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Chapter 152
My words are said quietly. They come out without being prompted. This opportunity might be the only one to go back. I needed to take it. My mate is astonished with my answer. He hadn’t been anticipating it. I didn’t blame him. I had almost refused to go but in the end, my heart would not allow it.
“Are you sure?” he blurted out, narrowing his eyes as he stared at me.
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“No,” I answered honestly, “they’ve hurt me so many times that I’ve lost count. But Celeste is my half sister and to miss out on such a momentous occasion…” I trailed off, feeling guilty.
“She’s also one of the ones who hurt you. Didn’t you tell me she was a manipulator? What is your true purpose for going?” he asked gravely.
He looked as though he didn’t believe my reasons for it. I chose my words carefully knowing that he needed to understand my perspective.
I took a deep breath. “I want to know if they miss me,” I admitted lowly, “whether they genuinely have any affection for me or if everything was simply faked. I want to see my old pack even if I don’t have fond memories of it. Besides,” I smiled tentatively at him as he began to look slightly puzzled, “I have you now. I’m not afraid to stand up for myself anymore. We can go and if we don’t like it, we can bow out,” I suggested lightly.
He continued to frown at me. “I don’t know. I don’t like it. I would rather make sure you are safe than take you back to the likes of that pack. Not to mention,” he shot a look at me, “you aren’t marked and I won’t be able to tell where you are if you aren’t in the same vicinity as me.”
“You wouldn’t be able to anyway?” I pointed out with a smirk.
Without a wolf, I wouldn’t be able to mind–link him, marked or not. The sudden change of subject was slightly surprising to me. Since when did he care so much about the lack of a mark on my neck?
“Fine,” he said sullenly, “I don’t want the other men looking at you without a mark. You’re my mate and it should show. Besides, your parents may wonder why you aren’t marked” he added with an arched brow.
That was true. I had been mates with Liam and yet not allowed him to mark me yet. I had been hesitant but the truth was, I had simply believed that perhaps, I was not as important to him as I thought. Now that he was bringing it up again I was happy. I took another deep breath and surged forward with the next thought in my mind before I could change it.
“Mark me.”
“What?” he asked dumbly as I stood up and wrung my hands together, looking nervously at him.
“It’s time, don’t you think? I want you to mark me.”
It seemed simple enough. It was an easy process and if it reassured him then I was willing to do that.
“Fiona, I don’t want you making a rash decision simply because I’ve stated what I want. I can be patient a little longer” he growled.
But he’d been more than patient. We had slept in the same bed but not done the other thing and now he was telling me that he was inclined to wait longer to mark me. I no longer had any doubts about my mate. I was reasonably certain that I was in love with him, although I had yet to tell him. I stubbornly shook my head and then put my hands on my hips, glowering at him.
“I’m telling you this is what I want. I don’t want you to turn up to that party either without a mark” I huffed, “even if I have to draw it on.”
He chuckled at that.
His eyes danced with amusement. “If I have to get a tattoo of the same mark on you I will. However,” he inclined his head, studying me as I felt my body beginning to tremble. “Are you sure you can handle this?” He stood up, “because once I mark you,” he purred “there’s no going back Fiona, you’ll be mine, forever,” he announced.
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Chapter 152
I gulped, looking into his deep dark eyes, and then slowly nodded. He grabbed me without a word, his hand dowly chang t the back of my neck, his eyes fastened on me…
