Captain Liam's Treacherous Mate

Liam's Idea, Maisie's Agreement

Maisie had lied down when she returned to the bed chamber and did not rise until the next morning. Her dreams were plagued by visions of her sister. Even though Maisie had been able to sleep for some time, it was a restless sleep. Maisie was lying in the center of the bed and staring up at the ceiling above her. She wondered what today would bring. She needed to further her relationship with Liam but also needed to be conscious of their mate bond. She could not give away anything that would tip him off.

Maisie sighed heavily. She never in her wildest dreams thought that she would be mated to a man. He had the power to take her away from Alpha Kai, but Alpha Kai had captured her instead and used her sister in order to make sure that she agreed to do his bidding. Maisie suddenly became very angry at Alpha Kai. How dare he use her and her sister for his vendetta that he held against this clan. From what Maisie could see so far, it was unwarranted.

As Maisie was about to pull herself from the mattress, there was a knock at the door. Maisie knew that it was Liam. She was able to feel his presence through the door. She swung her feet over the side of the bed, and her feet touched the cold ground. She quickly walked over to the door and opened it enough to see Liam standing outside. His hands were behind his back.

"Good morn. I was wondering if we might talk," Liam said. Maisie was confused by his behavior. His gaze did not quite meet hers. She waited for a moment to see if he would raise his eyes to hers, but he did not. Maisie did not like the defeated look that sat upon his features.

"One moment. I just need to dress," Maisie said as she closed the door. She turned to the garments that had been laid out for her. Maisie was grateful to the Luna, who had seen to make sure that she had everything that she needed. Luna Fiona appeared to be a lovely woman and genuine about it.

Maisie quickly dressed. She was becoming more accustomed to dresses with more laces and layers. After she had finished dressing, Maisie walked back over to the door and pulled it open. Rather than walk out into the hall, she moved so that Liam could enter. She had a feeling that what he wanted to discuss was a private matter.

Liam was surprised at her actions. Up until now, Maisie had made sure to keep her distance from him. Liam was not even sure she would agree to his plan based on the fact that it would mean they would be closer and alone.

Liam walked to the center of the room. His gaze swept quickly. The room was clean and tidy. Maisie did not appear to be careless about her environment. Liam completely turned around and faced Maisie once more. "I would like to run an idea past ye," Liam stopped for a moment, and Maisie nodded for him to continue, "It has not gone unnoticed that ye are uncomfortable here. I am hoping it is the castle and the number of clan members rather than me," Once again, Liam was uncertain of himself. He silently kicked himself mentally for sounding like a timid wee boy. Maisie said nothing still. She waited for Liam to finish what he had come here to say.

Liam sighed and continued, "So, I was contemplating the idea that we should spend some time outside the castle. There is a small cottage just outside the gates. It belonged to my nanny as a young boy. My mother made sure to keep the cottage clean and ready in case my nanny decided to return to it," Liam sat and waited for Maisie to think over what he had just said. Maisie's brows drew together in confusion. Liam wanted to move to a cottage with her? For how long? This would take her out of the castle and away from her assignment. But what other choice did she have? She needed to keep some sort of distance from Liam, but she also could not raise suspicions of her intentions. At least not now.

Maisie slowly nodded her head, "Aye. It seems like a decent idea. Will the nanny not change her mind?" Maisie asked.

"Nay, she lives in another clan now with her new husband," Liam answered. The fact that she was willing to go to the cottage made him hopeful that she was just uncomfortable in her current surroundings.

"When shall we go?" Maisie asked. Not that she had much to pack.

"Today, if ye agree," Liam said. Maisie only shrugged in response. It made no difference. Maisie would need to find the guard that had passed her the note. He needed to be made aware of what was happening so that he could relay it to Alpha Kai somehow. The last thing Maisie wanted was for it to look as though she was escaping with her mate. Who knew that Alpha Kai would do to her sister. The thought put a lump in her throat.

Liam could feel a tension building in Maisie. Everything in his being wanted to go to her and comfort her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and to ease her worries, whatever they were. But Maisie was standing with her arms crossed, and she was a fair distance away. Liam knew that his attention would not be welcomed. At least not yet.

Liam nodded and then headed for the door. He turned around to say, "Be ready. We will leave after luncheon." With that, he left the room and closed the door soundly behind him. Maisie stared at the door. Liam did not have the same relaxed manner about him, like when Maisie was first around him. Something was off, and she had an idea that it involved her.

Why should she care? Yes, the bond, but once Liam found out about her involvement with Alpha Kai and his plan to capture Alpha Rowan, Liam would want nothing more to do with her. Maisie let out a breath and walked over to the small table that sat near the window. She stared out of the castle at the nearby trees for some time. She wondered what her life would have looked like had she not been put in this predicament.

It was a dangerous thing to do. It would make her yearn for something that she could not have, but she still could not stop her mind from wandering down that path. Liam would have his carefree smile upon his face once more. He would joke with his brother, and Maya and Maisie would be happy and herself. Amelia would be allowed to finally have her childhood to do with what she pleased. Maisie hated that Amelia was being forced to grow up quickly. Maisie's own childhood was stolen from her. She knew the pain of wishing it back the older she became. She did not want the same for her sister.

Maisie sat in the chair until Liam came to gather her for luncheon. She had not realized that she had sat for so long. She had not packed up the few dresses that she had borrowed from Luna Fiona. Maisie hastily ran around the room and collected the garments as she threw them into an empty chest that sat near a cupboard in the corner of the room.

Once the dresses and other pieces were packed up, Maisie opened the door. Liam stood back from the door. His hands once again behind his back. His distance was beginning to irritate Maisie. She had met him when he was sure of himself and now that he wasn't she realized that she wanted it back. This quiet man was not the Liam she had met.

She closed the door behind her as she walked with Liam down to the great hall for luncheon. When they arrived at the great hall, half of the tables were filled. Alpha Rowan and Luna Fiona were already seated and eating. Maisie sat in her usual spot and began to fill her plate. Liam was surprised that she had moved to grab the food before checking to make sure that Rowan had a plate full. Liam smiled to himself. At least some things were beginning to look as if Maisie was becoming more comfortable.