Page 23

Liam

“ G et him!” David whispers loudly, making a few of the others laugh. Scarlett sighs.

“Fine, what do you want to eat?” she asks, glaring daggers at me now. Damn, did I already make her angry?

“Anything is fine,” I answer quickly. She is pretty scary too, but I love it. That painful tug at my heart only grows stronger as she pouts before walking off to place our order. I know there is no hope for me and nothing will come of me telling her, but I need to tell her how I feel. To get this off my chest.

I take a seat at a nearby table as I wait for her to return. She looks as breathtaking as ever and for a moment, I wonder what it would be like being with a woman like her. She walks towards me with two glasses of iced drinks and places them on the table, one in front of me and one in front of herself.

“Alright, here I am,” she says, looking around the restaurant. She’s looking anywhere but me, staring at the board with all the notes and photos on it, then turning to the one spotlight that isn’t working anymore.

“Scarlett…” I begin, giving her no option but to look at me.

“Hmm?” She picks up her glass. Does she know what this is about? I don’t think Elijah would have told her. I know him and even if we did have a scuffle over this, he isn’t the kind to go on about it.

“From the way you’re acting, I think you kind of know why I’m here,” I say, watching her lean back in her seat, sighing as she nods. “I just need to tell you to get it off my chest.”

“Sure… so uh, how long for?” Scarlett asks curiously.

“Three years, give or take,” I admit, looking at my hands. I hear her heartbeat quicken as I look up. Her eyes have widened with surprise before she leans forward with a sigh.

“Let me give you some advice. If you liked a girl for that damn long, you should have tried to make a move,” she says bluntly, raising an eyebrow. My eyes widen, now that I wasn’t expecting.

“I tried, I mean I asked you out several times, dropped hints, flowers…” I trail off, rubbing the back of my neck. Scarlett smirks.

“Liam, after Elijah, you’re probably the strongest fighter in the pack. Right now, you’re acting like a lost pup,” she teases. We hear a few snickers from the oldies in the corner and Scarlett turns, glaring. “Mind your own damn business.” The culprits turn and busy themselves with their food. I give her a wry smile.

“You’re definitely an alpha, but luna material too,” I say softly. Despite feeling sad, I’m happy I told her. I know it is too late. But I told her. And maybe there is someone out there for me too.

I smile gently, picking up my glass.

My chance with Scarlett is gone even before it came. She loves Elijah, and for the first time ever I hope she isn’t my mate because it is clear she is ready to reject her mate for him.

Scarlett smiles at me. “Thanks,” she replies, neither of us mentions Elijah.

I nod slowly. “So a little too late, but here goes nothing. I love you, Scarlett. You’ve always been that fiery girl I admired, heck you are the toughest she-wolf around. You’re different, beautiful, smart and perfect. My only regret is I couldn’t tell you sooner… I just…” I trail off, looking towards the darkness outside the window, taking a shaky breath. “I was just scared that I wasn’t good enough for you.”

There.

I brave a glance back at her as she sips her drink, her eyes fixed on me as she assesses me, or that’s what it feels like, anyway. Goddess, she’s gorgeous. I can’t blame Elijah for falling harder. I’m just shocked he didn’t sooner.

She places her glass on the wooden table again. My words hang between us as I wait for her to say something, anything.

“Thank you. For thinking of me like that when no one else did,” she says softly. “I won’t give you false hope to say something could have ever been between us. Yes, you are handsome, sweet, strong and perfect, but I’m not suited for you. I can be a bitch, and I know that. I say hurtful things when I’m pissed and I can push you away, and you’ve always had a kind heart, Liam. But thank you.”

“So, he’s really the best for you, huh?” I ask quietly, looking at my glass. Her subtle rejection is obvious. Just then, one of the other waiters brings our food over, giving us both a small smile before he walks off. Scarlett looks at me.

“He is,” she says with conviction. “I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love him. I probably won’t say this to his face because we both know he is cocky, and already big-headed enough, but I’ve pushed him away countless times, accused him of so damn much when he was nothing but honest.”

She looks down, strands of her vivid hair falling in front of her face. The smile on her face says it all, more than even her words.

“He’s so patient with me. It’s like this entirely different side of him. I love him so much that it scares even me,” she finishes.

Our eyes meet and I give a gentle smile. The two of them are clearly in love. There is no space for me between them, and although it hurts, I am happy for her too.

I nod as Scarlett looks at her food, lost in thought.

Love… it’s a beautiful, complex, painful thing. One we crave, yet fear too. Knowing it can destroy us, yet we are drawn to it.

“I’m glad he treats you better. He loves you too. I can see it in his eyes. Heck, I wasn’t sure how it was with you two, but hearing it from you, I’m happy for you. I know you’re not easy for anyone to win over. Especially him. And I know you don’t sugarcoat anything,” I say after a moment.

“That’s actually not a hundred percent true. I mean, she coats a lot in her sweetness, don’t you, Kitten?” Elijah’s cocky voice comes from behind us.

Scarlett raises an eyebrow, surprised to see him here just as I am, but she’s glancing around nervously. Her heart skips a beat, but I don’t think anyone heard. The group of gramps are all too busy laughing at some joke David just cracked.

Elijah slips in next to her, taking some fries from her plate, and placing a quick kiss on her cheek before eating them. “Fancy seeing you here,” he says to me, his eyes darkening to a cobalt blue. Scarlett frowns.

“Elijah… don’t,” she says firmly. “We were talking, so don’t get all alpha male on me or him.”

“Anything for you, sweetheart,” he replies lightly, taking her hand and kissing it softly before she pulls away, glancing around. Elijah is possessive as hell, but it is clear Scarlett keeps him grounded.

I smirk at my friend, knowing it is taking a lot from him not to attack me and go all alpha possessive mode on me, and I am enjoying seeing someone have that power over the arrogant alpha.

He frowns slightly at me, but he’s behaving for her.

“Someone’s wrapped around their woman’s finger, it seems,” I mock, picking up my burger.

“Nope, she’s the one who tends to be wrapped around my fingers,” he shoots back with a cocky smirk of victory on his face.

Arrogant asshole.

Scarlett glares at him, his innuendo is really damn obvious to both of us.

“Don’t be so shameless,” she scolds.

“Yup, definitely under her thumb,” I mumble, despite a very explicit image of Scarlett crossing my mind. Damn, focus Liam, she’s off limits.

Scarlett smirks. “Of course,” she says, moving her plate away from Elijah. “And if you want food, go get your own!”

“Greedy…” Elijah pouts, brushing a strand of her hair back, smiling slightly as he checks her out. I watch them for a moment, not missing how Scarlett is trying not to smile at him, or the faint blush on her cheeks.

She keeps him grounded, but he knows how to make her feel special…

I turn my attention to my plate. My job is to lead our warriors, to protect my Alpha and Luna, and that is what I will do in this upcoming battle.

“You heard the woman, Elijah, get your own damn food,” I say, pushing my feelings away and giving my friend a cocky smirk. Elijah frowns at me.

“I’m the Alpha here,” he growls, making Scarlett smirk.

“Really? Because right now you sound like a spoilt brat,” she says snickering,

“I agree. One hundred percent,” I reply, holding my hand out for Scarlett to high-five. She reciprocates the move before we both begin to laugh at the glare on Elijah’s face.

But the atmosphere feels lighter, and maybe one day my feelings for her will be a distant memory that won’t feel real. Maybe one day the three of us will be here and we’ll have a new addition at this table.

A mate who will heal the pain in my chest. A mate made just for me…

Maybe. Someday.

The three of us chat and talk as someone brings Elijah his usual, and he is back to being a cocky shit.

But even as we laugh and joke, the Blood Moon lingers at the back of my mind.

What will it hold for the three of us?