Liam’s POV
I traced soft circles on the back of her hand with my thumb, sending tingles shooting up my arm. And she let me.
Maybe… just maybe… she was enjoying it too.
“Have you always wanted to find your mate?” she asked, catching me off guard. It was a simple question, yet it struck something deep within me. Still, I didn’t hesitate.
“Always! At least, ever since I was old enough to understand what it truly meant,” I answered without a shred of doubt.
“Really?” She laughed softly, a hint of skepticism lacing her tone. I arched a brow, waiting for her to elaborate. “I just always assumed most guys saw the mate bond as something inevitable—something they’d eventually surrender to, rather than something they actually looked forward to. You know, preferring to ‘sow their wild oats’ firs
