Captain Liam's Treacherous Mate

Shifting

"I will have someone bring ye food each day from the kitchen," Luna Fiona said to Liam. Liam smiled and kissed her cheek. She gave him a quick embrace before stepping back to stand next to her husband.

Liam nodded towards Alpha Rowan, who returned the gesture. Liam had already fetched Maisie trunk, which seemed quite light, and had taken it to the cottage that they would be spending their time at. Maisie stood next to Liam. Her gaze remained on the ground as she gave them a curtsy.

Fiona stepped forward once more and embraced Maisie quickly. She held her at arms length as she whispered, "I will have more dresses sent as well."

"Thank ye," Maisie said quietly. Her guilt rose as the Luna continued her kindness towards Maisie. Liam regarded Maisie. What was it she was feeling? It was almost that of guilt. Why would she feel guilty? Liam hoped that being alone with her would prove fruitful in getting to know his mate better and her thoughts.

"Ye better get going," Alpha Rowan said. He clapped Liam on the shoulder, and Liam and Maisie walked out of the great hall and made their way out of the bailey. The cottage only took a few minutes to get to once outside the main gates. Maisie had a hold of Liam's arm in case she was unable to keep her balance. That was what she kept telling herself, though. If she was honest, she loved the feel of his arm under her hands.

Liam was right. The walk took no time at all. Maisie looked up and could see a small cottage in the midst of the trees. Smoke billowed out of the chimney. It was a lovely little cottage with a sturdy roof and ivy crawling up the sides. As they drew near, Maisie could hear a water wheel on the other side of the cottage. She was surprised at the sound. She saw a small river running along the back end of the cottage. That could come in handy.

Liam guided Maisie towards the front door of the cottage. As they neared, Maisie realized how small the cottage actually was. She was to be in such close proximity to Liam at all times. She suddenly became agitated. How was she supposed to keep her secret with his eyes always upon her?

As they passed through the front door and into the small living space of the cottage, Maisie took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She looked around and noticed a small fireplace with a large fire inside. It helped to heat the small dwelling. Towards the back of the cottage was a separate room, Maisie assumed for sleeping. As she turned around, there was a small kitchen area that held many different canisters. Maisie was no stranger to the kitchen. She often had to help the cooks at Alpha Kai's castle.

Liam watched Maisie as she took in the small cottage. Her gaze touched everything before turning in his direction. She was unsure what they were to do now. She cleared her throat. Liam chuckled as he walked into the small kitchen and pulled out a basket that he had brought with Maisie's trunk. Fiona had made sure to pack their supper as well as a bottle of wine and a bottle of brandy.

Liam pulled out both bottles and went back into the living area. He put them on the small table and went in search of glasses. It did not take long before he placed two glasses on the table and took a seat on the small lounge. Maisie opted for the chair that sat across from him. Liam noticed the distance set forth by her. He poured a glass of wine for her and a glass of brandy for himself.

"Well, it would seem that it is now just ye and I," Liam said as he leaned forward with the glass of wine and held it out to Maisie. Maisie leaned forward and took the glass.

"Aye," Maisie said before taking a large drink of the wine. She hoped that the alcohol would help calm her further. Liam noticed and took a drink of his brandy.

"Would ye care for a game of chess? I am sure that I can find one around here. Cindy loved chess. It was her favorite game," Liam said as she stood up and began to rummage through the small cottage in search of a chess board and pieces.

He was back and smiling victoriously as he placed a small chess board on the table that sat between them. "See?" Liam asked as he began to set out the pieces. Maisie watched as he expertly set out the pieces of the game and sat back. "Why do ye not take the first turn?" Liam asked as he waved his hand over the now set-up chess board.

Maisie leaned forward and moved one of the pieces. They played in silence. Each thinking about their next move. Liam was surprised to find that Maisie was an expert chess player. She only looked at the board for a moment before moving a piece. Liam, on the other hand, took longer, and he tried to outwit his mate.

"Check," Maisie finally said. Her glass of wine was gone, and she had a small smile playing on her lips. Liam ran yet another hand through his hair as he looked over the chessboard.

"I do believe I have been singled," Liam moved a piece on the board. However, he knew that she had him. There was no safe move. Maisie had properly trapped Liam. Maisie finished her last move.

"Check mate," Liam was surprised to hear a giggle come from her. Liam smiled at her as she looked quite adorable, gathered in a blanket with her hand covering her mouth and her giggles that kept coming from her.

"Are ye hungry? Fiona had already sent supper," Liam asked. Maisie held out her glass instead.

"Might I have another glass?" Liam nodded and grabbed the bottle. He refilled her wine and handed the glass back. As their hands connected, the sparks from the mate bond ran up both of their arms. Maisie quickly pulled the glass back to her and took a drink. Liam went into the kitchen and gathered two plates of food. At this rate, if Maisie did not eat, she would regret it shortly.

Liam handed her a plate as he took his seat once more. Maisie began to slowly pick at the food that she had been given. She did not want to eat. She wanted to keep drinking and numb her pain. There was no one there besides Liam. No Alphas to stand on ceremony with, no guards to questions her motives, no maids to gossip as soon as she left a room. With that thought, Maisie put her plate down and took another drink of her wine.

"Ye should eat something. It will help to soak up some of the alcohol," Liam said as he took a bite of his own food. Liam had been watching Maisie since their game ended. She seemed conflicted. "Would ye care to talk about it?" He asked quietly. He wanted her to open up to him. To confide in him why she was so guarded and as to why her emotions seemed all over the place.

"Care to talk about what, exactly?" Maisie asked with a bit more attitude than was intended.

"Whatever it is that is bothering ye. I told ye before, but the mate bond lets me feel yer emotions," Liam reminded Maisie. How could she forget? Even with her mate, she was the master of her own destiny. She was always under someone else's thumb. Maisie began to feel an anger rise in her. She tried to take a few calming breaths. She did not want to ruin the cottage by shifting in anger. Maisie rarely shifted, even during the full moon. Others had teased her about her wolf half being weak, and that was why it could not push through even with the help of the full moon.

No matter how many breaths she took, though, Maisie's anger just seemed to increase. Her hands began to shake, and with it also came worry that she was shifting, and there was no way to stop it. Her worried gaze turned to Liam, who seemed to understand. He put his plate down and went around the side of the table to the chair. He began to rub her back in an attempt to distract her. It did no good, though. Maisie's body continued to shake until Maisie could sit no longer. She moved around Liam and began to pace the small room. All the while, her breathing increased.

Liam could only think of one thing that would distract her long enough to calm her wolf from taking over. Liam walked over to Maisie and stepped in front of her as she turned around. His hands came to either side of her face as his lips captured hers.