A VOW MEANT FOR ANOTHER

PROPOSAL

The air outside the party was cool against my skin, but my heart was burning. As soon as we stepped out, I pulled my hand from his.

“Why did you protect me?” I asked, my voice sharper than I expected. “Why are you doing this?”

He looked at me calmly, without hesitation. “Because I couldn’t just stand there and watch you get humiliated. I’m the Alpha Prince it’s my duty to protect my pack. That includes you, Annalise.”

I stared at him, caught off guard by the softness in his tone. “You didn’t have to,” I said quietly.

“I know,” he replied. “But I wanted to.”

I looked away for a second, feeling the heat rise to my face. “It’s getting late,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “I should go home.”

I turned slightly, preparing to walk away, but before I could take another step, I felt him grab my hand gently and pull me toward him.

My breath caught in my throat.

He looked straight into my eyes and asked, “Annalise… will you be my girlfriend?”

For a second, the world stopped spinning. I could barely breathe. I stood there, heart racing, wrapped in warmth I hadn’t felt in years. I felt alive again not because someone wanted me, but because he saw me.

I froze. My heart stopped. My thoughts scattered.

And somehow, I found my voice.

“Yes,” I said, barely above a whisper. “Yes, I want to be your girlfriend.”

He smiled, but I had to ask. I had to know.

“What about the girl I saw in your room… that night?”

He let out a breath, his smile faltering a bit. “That… was a mistake. A hookup girl. I was drunk. I didn’t even know how I ended up there until you walked in.”

I looked at him, stunned but I just nodded. “Okay.”

Then he smiled again and said, “I never even introduced myself properly. I’m Liam. Liam Creed”

I laughed lightly. “Everyone knows you.”

“And you’re Annalise.”

“Yes.”

“I know,” he said. “I heard about your father… when I came back from abroad. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t here to comfort you.”

“It’s fine,” I replied, though my voice trembled a little.

Under that tree, in the quiet of the night, we talked. Really talked.

He told me about Chicago his time in university, the culture shock, the cold winters, and the kind of loneliness that sneaks in even when you’re surrounded by people. He laughed about getting lost on the train his first week and shared how he learned to fight homesickness by learning to cook.

And then it was my turn. I told him how life had been for me about losing my dad, about my mom’s illness, about my little sister Paula and how I had to grow up too fast. I even told him about my love life, or the painful absence of it.

There was something about him. Talking to him felt easy, like I’d known him forever. I could feel a connection growing, stronger with each word, each smile.

And then… he leaned closer and kissed me.

It was soft. Sweet. Honest.

When he pulled back, he said, “I’m so happy to have you as a girlfriend “

I smiled, but something inside me shifted. Worry crept in, just like it always did.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up in front of us .

He walked over, opened the back door for me like a true gentleman. I slid in. He joined me, and for a moment the car was completely silent.

Then he broke it.

“Can we have a date tomorrow?” he asked, turning slightly toward me. “I want to get to know more about you.”

I nodded with a small smile. “Yes. That sounds good.”

When Liam pulled up in front of my house, the car slowed to a smooth stop, and for a moment, we just sat there in silence. The city lights shimmered through the windows, but all I could feel was the warmth in my chest.

“I had a great time tonight,” I said softly, turning to face him.

He smiled. That smile that always made my heart flutter. “Me too.”

“Do you want to come in?” I asked, not even thinking twice.

But he shook his head gently. “Another time. I don’t want to intrude tonight. You should get some rest.”

I nodded, a little disappointed, but I understood.

He hugged me lightly and whispered, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Liam” I said and broke the hug.

I stepped out of the car and walked to the front door, . The moment I opened the door and stepped in, I nearly jumped there stood my mother by the window, arms folded, with that familiar ‘I saw everything’ expression.

“Your boyfriend?” she asked, her eyebrow raised like a detective already knowing the answer.

I blinked, caught completely off guard. “No, mom,” I said quickly, trying not to smile. “He’s just a friend.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Then why didn’t you bring him in?”

“He said he was in a hurry,” I replied, taking her arm gently. “Come on, Mom. You should rest. Have you taken your medicine? Have you eaten? Is everything okay?”

She nodded, a tired smile crossing her face. “Yes, I’m fine. You just go get some sleep. You’ve got class in the morning.”

I kissed her on the cheek and made my way upstairs.

I floated into my room like a girl living in a dream.

I dropped my heels, tossed my purse onto the bed, and just flopped down, legs kicking happily in the air.

“I’m in love,” I whispered into the pillow. “For the first time in my life… I’m really in love.”

But then I felt it Kayla’s quiet energy.

“You’re awfully silent tonight,” I said to her.

“I’m happy for you,” Kayla said gently. “But… are you sure about this guy?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “I am.”

She paused, then replied, “Then I’m happy for you too.”