Chapter 10
1449 Words
“I actually like that proposal. Good idea from the brother! I will be staying for a few days. If I am not convinced, I will leave with Emma. If I am convinced, I will admit defeat and leave empty handed”
Liam and Taylor stared at each other. No one was talking. Or at least this is what it seemed to Taylor.
Liam & Dean were mind-linking each other, talking telepathically, or rather fighting telepathically!
“What’s wrong with you Dean. Why did you propose that she stays?”
“She considers Emma as her sister. She believes something is wrong. Let her stay to see with her own eyes that there is nothing wrong. “
“But …”
“Did you hurt Emma?”
“What! Of course not!”
“So… what are you afraid of? She stays a few days and then that’s it!”
“And you want to convince me that this is the only reason? You didn’t negotiate this lame agreement because you want to get into her pants during her stay”
“Liam, you know me… Of course, I want to get her in my bed!”
After a couple of minutes, Liam sighed and broke the silence
“OK you can stay!”
“Yes” happily screamed Taylor while raising her fist in the air.
She did not have the time to celebrate this small win as the office door opened abruptly and Emma came running in.
“What is happening here? And why are you in Liam’s office in the first place! I have been searching for you! “ said Emma as she walked in Liam’s office.
“Oh, nothing much Emma, your husband and I were just setting the terms of my stay here”
“oh…”
“Yes, and we will shake on it” said Taylor extending her hand.
Liam stared at her hand for a few seconds before, reluctantly, shaking her hand to seal the deal.
Taylor winced when Liam shook her hand
“What’s wrong?” said the three of them at the same time
“Nothing”
Emma grabbed Taylor’s hand and noticed that her knuckles are bruised
“What’s that?”
“Ok. Don’t panic Emma, I just got into a small fight on my way here”
“Unbelievable! Wherever you go, trouble follows!” mumbled Liam
“Seriously? It is my fault? I was sitting in a diner minding my own business, a guy started hitting on me. He was inappropriate and wanted to take me by force to his house… somewhere in his “Rouge Moon” gated community….”
“Did you say Rouge moon community” cut her Liam on edge
“Yes. Why? You know them?”
Liam, Dean & Emma exchanged concerned looks, then Dean asked Taylor
“Can you describe them?”
Taylor complied and provided a thorough description of the men
“It was their leader!” stated Dean
“Leave it to Taylor to pick a fight with the Rogue’s leader on her first visit here” muttered Liam
“What is a Rogue leader? He said rouge... As in the color red no?” asked Taylor confused
“What happened then? Did he beat you because you told him off?” probed Dean who was getting angry by the minute, imagining Taylor in the hand of those filthy rogues.
“Beat me? I will stop you here Liam’s brother!” replied Taylor laughing. “I beat people up … I don’t get beaten!”
Dean was amused by Taylor’s comebacks but a human fighting and defeating a rogue, that is unprecedented… And a petite human like Taylor have zero chance against a werewolf, especially this rogue leader.
“Taylor don’t tell me you attacked him” gasped Emma
“No, of course not. I didn’t want any trouble on my first day here. I was extremely patient, and I didn’t hit him … That is until he followed me to my car and harassed me sexually... It was self-defense! And honestly, I was lenient with him. A s****l predator like him should be taught a lesson but I practiced restrain and just freed myself from his grip and left… And yet your boyfriend here says I am the problem!”
Liam ran his hand in his hair visibly upset. He was pacing back and forth in the office, not liking anything he just heard!
“Did they know where you were headed? That you were coming to Silver Moon Community? Did they know that you are Emma’s friend?”
“Yes of course I am so naïve that I tell the story of my live to every stranger I meet. Especially to the perverts!” mocked him Taylor
“Can they link you in any way to the Silver Moon Community?” insisted Liam
“Well… Let me think… If they got my license plate number, they could hack or bribe someone at the rental car company and see Silver Moon as my local address here…. Also, they can see my address in Dallas and if they push their search, they will find both my name and Emma’s on the rent... But still why would they go through all this trouble?”
“f**k Taylor! You are a loose cannon! You put everyone around you in danger because you act and don’t think” yelled Liam, his voice shaking with anger.
“Seriously! I am the problem? What was I supposed to do? Let him molest me maybe? Or beg him for mercy?!”
Liam opened his mouth to reply but Taylor did not let him continue
“You know what… I am done with this discussion. I am tired and hungry. I will let you think about how offensive your words were. And I expect an apology later in the day. Now it is time for dessert. Shall we go Emma? I need to eat my dessert in peace and to have a private chat with you. We have a lot of catching up to do!”
“Emma can take you to your room, but she will have to come back here as we have work to do … together” said Liam emphasizing on the “together”.
Taylor clenched her jaw and tightened her fists on her side. He was clearly not going to let Emma spend any time alone with her. She will need to plan carefully in order to secure some alone time with Emma. But she decided to let it slide for now and didn’t complain.
After both girls left the office, Liam looked at Dean concerned
“A “Rouge” moon community. They are getting arrogant. They are no longer hiding; they have increased their attacks on all neighboring territories and now they are even attacking humans. This cannot be tolerated “
“I know Liam. They are well organized and trained. Most of the attacks are hit and run. They just kill a few of our people and then leave. They are taunting us”
“And if they can link Taylor to my mate, they might increase their attacks on our packs”
“Don’t you think you are exaggerating here? He hit on a human; she sent him packing. End of the story”
“I hope so. Check with your pack whether they have seen or heard of this altercation with Taylor at the diner. I will check with mine and maybe our guys saw it and managed to track them to their hideout.”
“Ok will do” said Dean.
He looked at his brother, hesitated a bit then said
“You know that she did the right thing Liam. It was self-defense. You cannot blame her for that”
“I know. It is just that she is so frustrating”
“I find her refreshing and extremely attract…”
“Dean, stay away from her. she is trouble!”
“I am sure I can handle her”
“Anyway, you are a player, Dean. She is a serious girl I don’t want you near her”
“Oh, I see you are protective of her. Despite all your banters you respect her” teased him Dean laughing
“Of course, I respect her! she is my mate’s best friend!... I do not like her... But I respect her! Also, I don’t want trouble with my mate if you go after Taylor and break her heart”
“Speaking of Emma, how is everything brother?”
“What do you mean?”
“Taylor was not wrong When she said that Emma’s face changed completely when we approached them in the lobby. Actually, when I saw her from afar, I noticed how relaxed she was with Taylor. She was smiling. I have not seen her smile before Liam”
Dean hesitated then asked
“Liam you never...”
“Of course, Dean I never hit her. How can you think that!”
“I am just asking Liam. I must ask this question because something seems off with Emma. If you did not notice it, it means you are a bad mate. Now that I think about it, I have never seen you hug Emma or being affectionate since you brought her here. I…”
“Dean I don’t have time for lovey-dovey crap. You know the problems I must deal with... the pack, the rogues..”
“I hear you brother but don’t forget you brought your mate with you here. This means that you have a responsibility towards her. Just like you have a responsibility towards your pack”
Liam sighed and ran his fingers in his hair frustrated and wondering whether his brother and Taylor are both right. Was he neglecting his mate?!
- Writer
