Page 72 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

"...So you've really lost all of your Earth and Water Magic?" Kelsi asks with a sorry expression.

"Yep," I nod.

"And neither are coming back?"

I glance down at the burn on my finger. It's a bit odd how it burned my skin and stayed there as a reminder... It's not ugly, though. From up close, it looks vaguely like a butterfly, otherwise, it's just a brown triangle. I shrug.

"The Earth Magic, definitely not. The Water Magic... perhaps it will awake again later, if I try harder? I'm not sure, but I think I would rather not, though. I want to respect Luna's decision, for now. So, unless I really need it... I will stick to my good old Fire Magic only."

"I see..."

She looks down, her hand gently petting Ben's head. The big brown wolf is covering her leg and one half of the bed, but neither of them seems to care. I chuckle. It's actually his bed, although Kelsi still has an IV drip in her arm too, and is wearing a hospital gown. Ben has his own on the same hanger, and he's got a lot of bandages covering his body and his broken leg too. Our poor Ben even got half his tail amputated... Kelsi told him it was cute, though, so he's probably fine with it now. I wonder if there's going to be any damage on his human body, or if we will just have to get used to seeing a wolf with the tail of a pomeranian each time he shape-shifts... Still, I'm glad he's okay, that they both are, and together. The only reason the nurses accepted this arrangement is because of the lack of beds at the moment... and Ben refused to sleep anywhere other than by Kelsi's side. I feel a lot better knowing those two are fine... It's been a rough night, to say the least. It's probably sometime around 5:00 a.m. now...

After we evacuated those who could still be saved, everyone worked together to gather the bodies. Wolves and humans working together, helping each other through the hardest. I had to wait for a while before I could check on these two, so I'm a bit relieved now, and catching a break too. I think half my night has been fighting, the other bringing back bodies and transporting people... Kelsi looks tired too, but I'm glad she's alright. Apparently she got better as soon as we beat the curse, although she's still pretty weak. She doesn't remember much of the incident, either, which is good.

"...What will happen now?" she asks.

"The Alphas are checking on everyone, organizing the last rescues, and overseeing the packs... Selena has talked to the human leaders too, and Nora is here, helping with the healing for those she can. Everyone is pretty exhausted, but... you know."

"You do look tired," she mutters. "Your clothes too..."

I grimace. Yeah, I probably look like crap... I'm not the worst, though. The hospital lobby is full of blood and mud, despite the volunteers who tried to help keep it more or less clean...

"Mara?"

I glance over my shoulder, and Bonnie is there in the doorway, waving at us. She's the one who took care of Kelsi for the first half of the night, but then she got a lot more busy...

"See you later," I say to Kelsi, getting up.

"See you. Try to catch some real rest, okay?"

"I will. You watch over the big boy."

"Sure," she smiles, petting Ben's fur.

I turn around, hiding my sigh, and walk out to see Bonnie.

"How are you?" I ask as I step out.

"Not the best shift of my life, I'll admit that much," she sighs. "Oh, here."

She hands me a chocolate bar, and I'm more than glad to finally be able to eat something.

"Oh, thank Moon Goddess," I sigh, feeling the chocolate warm me up.

"You're welcome. I snuck some from the nurse's office, I figured you didn't get any time to eat... They are bringing in more food, though; apparently, the werewolves and humans that didn't fight are all trying to help and send us sandwiches soon."

I nod, but my mouth is too full for now. We walk through the hospital corridors, stepping aside when someone rushes by, or helping push a bed when we can. We're far from the war zone it was just a few hours ago, though. Now the most important surgeries have been done, the injured found beds or places to rest, those who could went home, and the emergency cases are lessening... We make sure not to hinder anyone and try to squeeze ourselves out of the way until we make it to the floor above.

"Boyan is still stable, all his vitals are improving, so he will be fine," she finally announces when we get to an empty examination room.

"Oh, that's awesome," I let out a long sigh. "I didn't dare ask..."

"Yeah, I know, everyone has been mind-linking like crazy, I've shut it out too... but his surgery went fine, and you know, Betas are strong, so I bet him and my brother will recover fast."

"Good... Anyone else I need to know about?"

"Nothing new... Werewolves are tough, so those who made it to the end of the battle will probably make it... Humans, probably not as much, but we are working on it. I'm glad a lot of people volunteered to help or donate blood. I have rarely seen so many people working together to help, it has been the best comfort all night… Did you get examined yet, Mara? You look like–"

"Crap, I know. No, I'm good, just tired. There were people who were much more urgent than me."

Bonnie chuckles and turns to me, shaking her head and turning on the little light.

"Well, I'm free now, and you have an opened brow ridge, both ears bleeding, many contusions, and from the way you're standing, at least a couple of broken ribs."

"What I need right now is a shower," I chuckle and step back as she brings her hands closer to my face. "I'm fine, Bonnie."

"At least let me stitch your brow ridge and check your cuts! Do you know how much bacteria you can get in there? You should get a full check up and some X-rays too."

"I'm still a witch, Bonnie, I'll heal myself just fine!"

"Don't give me the witch excuse. Didn't you just say you lost two of your types of magic? Plus the necromancy spell? What tells me you have any left and you aren't going to pass out the minute I look away?"

I sigh. She's giving me her schoolteacher mean look too, with her hands on her hips and the frown on.

"Wait... Did you eavesdrop on my discussion with Kelsi?" I realize.

"Mara, if my brother isn't snoring like an overfed pig, he isn't sleeping. I was looking for you, and he happened to be listening when I mind-linked, so if you want to blame anyone, blame Ben. Now, show me that cut."

"Bonnie–"

"Sit down," she orders, pushing me toward a stool on the side.

I sigh and surrender, sitting my butt down on that stool before she gets really mad. Bonnie puts on some gloves and starts touching my eyebrow, which does hurt. I grimace a bit, but it does feel good to sit down and let someone take care of me for a minute... I chuckle.

"What is it?" she asks. "And by the way, you really do need stitches. It's pretty deep."

"It's just... it reminds me of how we met. Like... both you and Kelsi, my first memories of you are in this hospital, and here we are again..."

She finally loses her frown and smiles too.

"True... Well, I do love my job, but if you could stop being so reckless..."

"Sorry, you're friends with a crazy witch... I don't think I'm going to stop the craziness anytime soon..."

"Moon Goddess. You should be grateful you have a nurse as a friend, then."

I chuckle, and for a little while, neither of us adds anything. It stings where she's disinfecting or stitching, but it does feel good to sit down, close my eyes, and think of nothing for a while, letting Bonnie take care of my wounds and patch me up the good old way. I let out a sigh and try to mind-link Nora quickly.

“ Hey, how are you holding up? ” I ask.

“ Not too bad... A bit tired, but there are many in worse condition than us. Thankfully, we are getting to the end of it. I am proud of our wolves; a lot of them insist that the humans are taken care of first, since they don't have our regeneration abilities… ”

“ Sounds good. You should get some rest, Nora, you sound awfully tired. ”

“ I know, but you too, Mara. Make sure you stay home for a while, okay? Get some sleep, you fought the hardest of us today. ”

“ ...Will do. ”

“ Alright. Liam is still at East Point Ground, but take him home with you. ”

“ Thank you, Nora. ”

“ ...We're the ones who should thank you. ”

She cuts the mind-link, probably still very busy too. I let out a bit of a sigh.

I'm not sure wolves and humans will think the same, though... All that mess was caused by a witch in the first place. I don't really know what Nora and Selena will tell them, but I doubt they will find the witches completely guilt-free. Naptera disappeared before the fight ended too, and only Ayesha stayed behind to help. Last thing I heard, she was on Selena's territory helping out. I guess I can check in on her later...

"... I'm so glad Bobo made it," suddenly sighs Bonnie. "I didn't want to lose another family member."

"Oh, I forgot he’s your brother-in-law..."

"Yeah, but... you know, we're all a big family in the pack. I'm still... not really processing that more people died, I think I'm just glad it's over again. I love Silver City, but... I hope you're right and this was the last battle, Mara. Because I'm sick of trying to save people and watch them die."

"I know... I'm... sorry I couldn't save your brother."

She lets her arms down for a second, looking a bit sad.

"I... When I heard what had happened on the battlefield, I admit, for a second, I... wondered if you couldn't have brought more people back. But then, I heard your chat with Kelsi earlier, and... you sacrificed a lot. Your magic and... half your life. It made me think, and I realized I am not you, Mara. I'm not a witch, and I don't have a mate yet, so I'll never understand what it took for you to make that choice. I'm... glad for you and Liam, but... you know, as your friend, I'm also very sad you made that choice."

"...I know."

I just don't regret it, for now. I haven't told Kelsi the truth yet, so I suppose Bonnie heard it from Selena. Perhaps I'll wait a while before telling Kelsi what happened with that spell, and Liam... The consequences that I will face. A few more minutes pass in silence, with a couple more stitches and grimaces of pain for me.

"So... what's going to happen now?" asks Bonnie. "You know, since the barrier is gone and everything..."

"Silver City doesn't need a barrier anymore, I think. There's a new witch in town..."

"Look at you, acting all tough and what not… But seriously, so, no more borders, no more barrier? What about... I don't know, other threats? Other witches or vampires?"

"I don't think the vampires would have attacked if it wasn't for the curse and Nephera... and about the witch, not to brag, but I'm pretty sure I can handle any on my own. Moreover, I think Ayesha was hoping to stay around for a while too, so Silver City is good."

"...You say that as if you’re not going to stay around yourself," she mutters, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe not..."

I still kept in mind what Luna said to me about the other witches, the newer generation... I haven't really looked into this yet, but I do feel.... connected to more than just wolves right now. It's like new voices, on a different channel. They are rather quiet for now, but I know I could definitely strengthen that bond easily if I wanted to.

"Well, as long as you don't plan to come back to the hospital too soon," sighs Bonnie, "I'll be good with anything you want to do."

"Really?" I chuckle. "You're not going to... I don't know, warn me about dangers and stuff?"

"I think you've outgrown being an angry and trapped witch. And Moon Goddess, I'm done with it too; you're a pain when you're stubborn as hell."

I laugh a bit. I would probably miss Bonnie not being the angelic voice over my shoulder, though, now that the evil ones are all gone...

"How about you?" I ask. "Any... plans for a werewolf companion yet?"

"Seriously?" she rolls her eyes. "Now you're the one trying to give me dating advice?"

"Why not?" I laugh. "You're a single nurse, quite sexy, and pretty bossy too. I know some guys out there would love that. Oh, and a redhead. Do you have any idea how popular redheads are?"

"If you want me to kick you out, you win," she growls. "Get out of here before I kick your witchy butt."

I laugh still and get up, my eyebrow all stitched up and covered in smelly disinfectant. I'm still in need of a shower, but at least that's one less part of my poor body hurting... I turn to Bonnie who's gathering the dirty compress and cleaning up.

"...Thanks, Bonnie."

"Moon Goddess, don't do that. Get out!"

"Bye, Bonnie!" I chuckle, leaving the room with a smile on my lips.

I get back into the maze of white corridors, strangely silent despite all the activity going on behind doors. It's strange how different I feel compared to a few weeks ago. I was in such a hurry to leave this hospital and see Silver City, but now, I feel like... it doesn't really matter anymore. Here or outside, I belong to Silver City. It's not going anywhere, but it's not waiting for me either. This place will be here wherever I go...

I slowly make my way out of the hospital, greeted by a few wolves on the way, thanking the medical staff I see, and buying myself a hot drink at the vending machine as soon as I'm outside. I pick a hot coffee, strong and bitter, just what I need to wake myself up. It's still a bit cold outside at this hour, and I don't even have a jacket... Still, I walk away from the hospital, enjoying the cold wind on my skin, and the first lines of purple in the sky. As soon as I'm a few streets away and I silence my inner wolf, there's nothing but silence... We're too far from the city center to hear the first cars, and there's nothing but some grass around. I cross the river, my eyes set on the horizon, in a strange but relieved mood. It's really over... It's over this time, isn't it, Luna? I really hope she got to a nice place, and saw her friend and mate again. Perhaps with Sylviana too. That would be nice...

“ Hey, babe? ” I call out, a smile on my lips.

“ Morning, hot stuff! ”

“ How are you feeling? ”

“ Strangely fine. Still unsure what happened, I feel... reborn, if that makes any sense... How about you? ”

“ I'm okay. ....Wanna grab some breakfast? ”

“ I'm starving. I always am. What do you want? ”

“ ...Cheeseburgers? ”

“ That's my girl. Cheeseburgers it is, then! ”

“ Let's meet at the apartment? Mine, not yours. I'm grabbing the coffees, you bring the food. ”

“ I like the sound of that! ”

I smile. Liam doesn't know yet how right he is... I'm still not sure if I should tell him. Whenever I do, it's going to be a long and painful conversation... I still ought to, though. I take another deep breath and glance at the sun, already rising behind the skyline. Well, good morning to you too, Silver City...

I keep walking, trying to sort my thoughts, what I am going to tell my mate and how. The more I walk, though, the more I realize how tired and sore I am. Each step sends a wave of pain to various areas of my body, making me grimace. I really could use a shower... I stop at the coffee place downstairs, glad that I found my jacket after the fight. I just have enough cash on me for our coffees, but from my poor state and the way I am ruining the entrance, the lady behind the counter must feel a bit sorry because she adds in a couple of cookies with a wink. I thank her with the best smile I can muster and leave. Perhaps she heard what happened at East Point Ground too by now... It's odd how life goes on no matter what. It doesn't really matter how injured Silver City is. People go to work, pour coffees, and resume their daily life. Some might be in the hospital with their loved ones, but... for the rest of the population, the world just has to keep spinning as it should.

I can't help myself and start nibbling on my cookie even before I reach the elevator. The chocolate bar from before wasn't enough, I'm starving... I hope he arrives quickly with those burgers.

I knew the apartment would be empty, but it still feels strange to come home alone, so early... I'm already missing Kelsi's positive energy and Ben's furry butt on the couch. I take a deep breath anyway, and leave the coffees on the kitchen counter, going to the bathroom while licking the leftovers of my cookie off my fingers. Liam was on the other side of Silver City, I should have some time to shower if he’s getting those cheeseburgers... Will he find something open so early? I get rid of my clothes on the bathroom floor and grab some clean underwear before I dirty anything else. Damn, I'd better wash all this or throw it away before Kelsi sees it, she's not going to like this mess at all...

I step into the shower and turn the tap to the maximum pressure, using cold water only. Moon Goddess, that feels so good after the crazy night I just had. I stretch my neck and shoulders a little, but really, every single muscle of my body hates me right now. I take several deep breaths, watching the mud and blood run down the drain. I'm so tired, I could take a nap right here. Still, I try to simply wash everything away, the dirt and the fatigue. At least, I do feel refreshed after a few more minutes under the shower. I thoroughly wash my hair, my face, and my body, careful about my injuries. I can't help but grimace around my belly area... Bonnie was right, there's definitely a broken rib or two in there under those nasty dark bruises...

Suddenly, while I'm groaning and trying to wash my flank without straining something already injured, I feel someone behind me. I smile as I feel his arms gently come around my shoulders.

"Damn, I don't like to see you all hurt like this," he groans, putting his head against my neck.

I smile, and run my fingers through his hair. I can feel his slow breathing against my skin, as if to remind me he is really here, with me...

"Good morning, hot stuff," I chuckle.

"Mornin'..."

Moon Goddess, I love him but he stinks... I turn around to take a look at my mate. I've never been happier to see those clear eyes staring back at me, a candid spark in them. Liam leans forward to kiss me, but I back my head away a bit. He frowns.

"What?"

"I just spent half an hour trying to wash myself, and you're very dirty, Mr. Black. At least wash your face."

He rolls his eyes, but I put my arms around his neck and pull him under the shower. He growls.

"Moon Goddess, Mara, it's fucking cold!"

"Poor baby," I chuckle. "Come on, at least rinse your face, I want to kiss you too."

He still grimaces, but looks up, letting the water wash away a good portion of the dirt on his face. Moon Goddess, he really is hot from this angle. I brush his neck, and let my fingers climb up his jawline, caressing it playfully. Finally, I move on to gently rub the dirt off his cheeks, lips, chin, nose, and forehead. Liam lets me wash him like a kid, even pouting his lips and closing his eyes tight while I rub the dirt off. His skin's natural color finally reappears as I make all that mud come off bit by bit. After a while, I'm done torturing him, and I get on my toes to put a quick kiss on his lips.

Liam finally looks down at me, with a pout.

"That's it?"

I bite my lower lip, a bit excited now that I've had a taste. Plus, we are both naked, alone, and under the shower already...

"...Come and get it," I mutter, feeling a bit sexy.

His eyes light up all of a sudden, and his surprised expression turns into a cheeky smile. He wraps his arms a bit tighter around me, and I feel his naked body against mine... Oh, it's definitely not so cold in here anymore. I smile and with a movement, turn the water temperature up above us, right before he suddenly starts kissing me.

Moon Goddess, his kiss... I could cry of happiness just from feeling Liam's familiar, gentle kisses against my lips. It's so wet, and cold yet hot somehow. We take it unbearably slow, as if we were kissing for the first time all over again. It's soft, the water rolling down our faces and washing the remnants of that long, long night away. I kiss Liam, again and again, getting lost in his arms, holding on to him as if I was about to lose him again. I just want him. To touch his skin, feel his heat, the lines of his body, the way he moves and reacts to me. And he does react to me... I chuckle in between our kisses as I feel him poking me, but just as I do, Liam's tongue gets a bit wilder against mine, forcing me to focus again. I'm feeling really hot, and not just because of the water this time... I tighten my grasp around him, our kiss getting more passionate. Our breathing is getting louder too, the two of us getting more excited. I want him. I know I really want Liam, right now, and he definitely wants me too. I give more of myself in our kiss, hungry for more, more of his lips and his caresses on me. Liam's in the same state, he's getting more... handsy. His hands go down on me, following my curves, making me shiver. I forget all about the pain of my injuries, my body is giving me much more agreeable sensations right now.

When his fingers get between my legs, I gasp, my body reacting right away. Oh, yes... I gladly let him touch me, caress me, but I'm so hot already, this feels like torture. I feel him smile against my lips, and he moves on to kiss my cheek, my jawline, and starts nibbling my neck. I grimace because he does bite me a bit, but the sensations he's giving my lower half make up for it. I hear myself moaning a bit, feeling shamelessly wet and eager right now.

"Liam..." I groan.

"Yeah, I know."

He lets out a long sigh and moves his body against mine, his hands on my butt. I lift my leg around his hip, and let him in... I feel him fill me, and I wince involuntarily. I can't even tell if it's pleasure, pain, or a devilishly good mix of both. Oh, it's just so good to feel Liam inside me right now... He kisses my cheek gently, his other hand moving up to caress the nape of my neck.

"You okay...?" he asks in a whisper.

"Yeah... Move, please."

"Okay..."

He starts moving right away, but slowly. I like that. This is what I need right now... Liam's gentle pushes, slow but deep, filling me up and sending delicious shivers throughout my body.

"I like that..." I mutter without thinking against his shoulder, holding on a bit tighter.

"Yeah, me too."

I smile, and he keeps going at a balanced rhythm. I try to breathe, but Moon Goddess, it's good. I gasp and hear my erratic breathing echo his own groans. This feels so good, just having simple, gentle sex after everything. Feeling... just me and him, so desperately alive. We're alive, and together, and this is happening.

Liam keeps going, although he can't help but accelerate a bit, and I don't hate it. I move my hips with his, our breathing in sync, as we still try to kiss and caress each other non-stop in the heat of the moment. It's so steamy in here, and my whole body is going crazy from all these sensations. I'm tired, but so into this. I caress Liam, his skin, his face, so glad to feel him against me, inside me. I move to kiss below his ear, and feel him shiver when I bite his lobe a bit... I smile.

"...I love you," I whisper against his ear.

Suddenly, I hear him groan, and we both freeze. I open my mouth, completely stunned.

"Did you just–"

"Don't say it."

"–come...?" I chuckle, biting my lower lip.

He sighs, and leans against my shoulder. I can't believe it!

"This is so uncool..." he grumbles.

"Oh, this is so cute..."

He suddenly bites my shoulder, making me grimace.

"Hey!"

"You started it... you cheat."

"Well, it's not my fault you're so cute..."

"You'll see if I'm cute," he retorts with a pout, suddenly lifting me up.

"What are you doing?!" I protest.

"Your turn now, and I'm not stopping until you come too."

"Oh, Moon Goddess, Liam!"

But it's too late to cry wolf. He starts moving again before I can do anything, and by some Dark Magic, my body sensations pick up right where they left off, taking me with him in a new, dangerous, but so exciting dance...

Half an hour later, I'm pruny, exhausted, and definitely clean. I quickly put on a T-shirt and some shorts from my wardrobe, while Liam is moving around the kitchen in some jeans he borrowed from Ben's stuff he had left here. I'm probably never going to allow him to wear a T-shirt ever again at this rate.

"Cheeseburger and Mara for breakfast," he chuckles. "My new favorite."

"I was already sore," I sigh, sitting down on the floor. "Now I can barely walk without looking like a duck..."

"You're a cute duck."

"Thanks..."

He smiles like the devil and comes to sit behind me, the two of us facing the bay window. We're eating on the floor just so we can enjoy the full might of the sunrise, and also because I can't stand right now. We silently dive into those cheeseburgers, a strange mix with the cold coffees, but not too bad for our empty stomachs...

For a few minutes, there's nothing but some chewing and licking mayonnaise off each other's lips playfully. We're too tired for words, and I'm happy to lean my back against his torso, in my favorite seat. I'm on my second cheeseburger when Liam kisses my shoulder gently.

"Mara..."

"Hm?"

"What happened to me?"

I slowly finish chewing, feeling a weight go down my stomach. I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid it, but it's... hard.

"...Did your brothers say anything?"

"They said I should ask you."

I swallow, and let out a long sigh before turning around to face him. He gently smiles at me, caressing my cheek.

"Babe, don't worry. Whatever it is, I'm strong enough to take it. I have a bit of an idea too."

"...You died," I finally let out. "You died, and I..."

I can't put it into words. It's... hard. Not just to tell Liam the truth, but to relive what happened. After a second, I decide to do things differently. I take another deep breath, and lean my forehead against his, taking his hand. I look for the right way to do this, not using magic, but our deep bond, our mind-link.

I show him everything. I quickly pass on his actual death, but I show him all that happened with Luna, what I learned and the choices I had to make. I feel his fingers tighten around mine, but I keep focusing on that intense moment between us. I give him everything, all of my feelings, all of my suffering too, and the relief when he came back. After a few seconds, it's over already. I slowly pull back, a bit torn inside. Liam reopens his eyes.

"That's... a lot," he mutters.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I... made that choice for you."

He stares at me for a long minute, without saying anything. I see the sunrise in his clear eyes, but he's looking at me, and only me. After a few seconds, he lets out a little smile, and leans in to give me a quick kiss.

"...So stubborn," he whispers.

"...Anything else?"

"Yeah. My brother was right. I hate that you gave up half your life for me, but... I would have done the same for you."

I smile. I suppose that's okay, then.

"I'm still sorry," I mutter. "We won't get to... grow old together."

"We'll live together for the time we've got," he retorts. "That's fine by me. Also... just because we have a few years doesn't mean there isn't a ton of stuff we can't do."

"Really? What do you have in mind?" I ask, getting a bit closer to him with excitement.

"Well, we should really think about spending more time together, so we should live together."

"Agreed. You can move here, then."

"Why don't you come to my place?"

"Your place is too big, and I love my current roommates. Let's just share with Ben and Kelsi."

"...Okay, I like that. What else?"

"I want to get my own bike, and a proper license," I announce. "Let's go on a road trip, just you and me. I want to go and visit Amy, and meet that useless father of mine. I need to look for young witches too, and teach them what Luna wants me to teach them. It's probably going to be one long trip."

"Deal. ...Is it okay to leave Silver City, though?"

"Silver City will be just fine," I chuckle. "There's your brothers, Nora, Selena... Moreover, I think Ayesha wants to stay. She can watch over while I'm gone. And we can come back whenever we want... I think I found a very nice way to get home very, very quickly if we need to. A new little spell in my book. So, let's just go as far away as we want."

"Oh, I like that. Just you and I on a honeymoon..."

"Honeymoon?" I repeat, raising my eyebrows. "Liam Black, aren't you getting ahead of yourself there?"

"Why not?" he chuckles. "My understanding was that we have to live fast. I want to call you Mara Black soon."

"I never took you for the ceremonial type. Wait... Then, I get to see you in a suit?"

"I get to see you in a pretty dress."

I try to imagine it for a second.

"Alright, but it will be a black one, then."

"Now we're talking, Mrs. Black... Also, I want to have a Liam Jr. or a Mara Jr."

"You want kids?" I repeat, blushing all the way up to my ears.

"You don't?" he asks, visibly worried.

I take a second to think. Well, it's not like I'd be against the idea at all... I can definitely imagine us with a baby or two... A mini Liam and me. I smile.

"No, I think I'd like it... having our own baby."

"Right? My nieces and nephews are too cute, I want you to have my baby too..."

"Okay, but first I want to finish university."

"You're still going to study?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I want to get a proper job by myself! I can't keep living off my sister..."

Liam chuckles.

"Damn, does that mean I'll have to get a job too?"

"Find a job where you can stay half-naked, then," I chuckle, caressing his abs.

He shivers.

"I don't think I can do that..."

"Come on, you've never thought of getting an actual job?" I chuckle. "You can't keep being the rogue wolf of the town!"

"I promise I'll think about it... Perhaps something to do with security, then?"

"Oh, I could see you in a uniform..."

"...Mara, you're becoming a real pervert now."

"You make me a pervert," I laugh.

We laugh and joke for a while about our plans for the future, our list of things we want to do together, half joking and half serious about it. After a few minutes of laughing about Liam's top ten restaurants we ought to try, I let out a long sigh, and he gently caresses my neck.

"...How do you feel?" he asks.

It's not the first time I've been asked that this morning, but the way Liam says it feels... different somehow. How do I really feel right now...? I'm tired, and my body is giving me hell, but Moon Goddess, I feel... good. I feel alive and relieved. I am so thankful he's here with me. I caress his cheek as well, and smile a bit weakly.

"I'm just... fine," I mutter. "Still a bit... you know, tired, and feeling the losses we went through, the hardships, the injuries, and all that mess, but... I'm glad we made it together. You, and our family, our friends... our pack. I feel... home. It's a bit strange, though. For a long while, I was... desperate to find my identity, where Mara Jones was from, get all the answers, and now... I just feel like I need more questions, even if the answers don’t matter as much. Now that I have a home, I want to leave and explore the world with you. Now that I have found a family, I want to... make another one with you, and spend time with my friends. Do a ton of stuff together, and give myself new things to think about. I'm ready to... I don't know, just live the next chapter of my life. My new life."

Liam simply smiles back at me, and I feel a bit embarrassed. I just said a lot, and he's just staring right back at me with his cheeky smile, and those tender eyes... I blush.

"...What?"

"I love you."

I blush even more now, taken by surprise. He can't be that brutally honest without a warning...

"I love you," he repeats. "I really love all of you. How you're... my girlfriend, my mate, and my best friend. How you care about everyone, everything, but you're still... you, just you."

"Liam..."

"I'll follow you," he continues. "I'll follow every freaking where you want to go. To meet witches, your family, to the end of the world if you want. Anywhere, Mara."

I take a deep breath, as if he was filling my heart with love, all by himself. I'm so happy I have Liam... I smile and lean in to give him a long, deep kiss. A bit warm, with a taste of sunshine... and cheeseburgers. We don't want to separate, and I think we're not going to for a long while... Liam smiles against my lips.

“ That's my hot stuff… ”

“ You mean your witch. ”

“ ...My Blazing Witch. "

The End.