The Alpha's Sister

Chapter 8

I have no clue what I just agreed to, but something was telling me to go on a little faith with Liam. Liam had actually been a gentleman and he wasn't being pushy. My wolf had been calm and at peace all afternoon, too. She loved having him around. Dinner would be ok. It was just dinner and I was starving.

"So where are you taking me," I asked.

"I know this little Italian restaurant that you'll love."

"What if I don't like Italian?" I smirked. I loved Italian, but it was a fun just to tease him. 

"Oh, I know you do. Lexi said you love spaghetti and they make the best around." He returned the smirk as my mouth fell slightly open. Damn you, Lexi.

"So why are you asking my best friend for my secrets?"

"Because I want to know them all. I want to know everything about you, inside and out." He had practically whispered and my heart melted. He pulled over to the side of the street and turned to me. "You're my mate and not having you around the last week has been torture. It was like my world was missing." He looked at me with such a sadness in his eyes, I couldn't help but feel guilty for the millionth time this week. "This isn't normal for wolves. You know that. Why are you keeping me away, Hannah?" He took my hand in his and for a moment, everything felt right. The tingles working their way through my body felt so good. 

I sighed and looked at my lap. "I'm scared." It was my turn to whisper and I don't know why I was being so honest right now. We had only been together for an hour, maybe two, but seeing him so vulnerable to me, I need to give the same in return. It was only fair. Truth be told, being my mate, he was the only one that could soothe me and some of my worries. Maybe I was secretly hoping everything would turn out all right. That I could have Liam and Lexi and my future too. It wasn't Liam's fault that he was my mate or that I ever had one.

He placed a couple fingers under my chin to lift my head up and my eyes met his gorgeous green ones. "Baby, you'll never have to be scared with me. I'll never hurt you. I'll never let anyone else hurt you and I'd move mountains to make you happy. I can promise you that." I knew he was sincere. Looking into his eyes, I could see it and feel it. His hand moved to cup the side of my face but he didn't kiss me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him to, though. 

After a few moments, he moved and got out of the car. He came around to my side and opened my door for me. I looked at where we were to find a cute little yellow house. It has a single that read Nonni's but otherwise, it looked like a home, not a restaurant.

Holding my hand, Liam led me inside. The hostess nodded to us with a smile and asked us to follow her. She sat us at a small round booth in the back. 

"Do you eat here often," I asked as I tried to inch closer to Liam, without it being obvious.

He shrugged."I wouldn't say I'm a regular. I've eaten everywhere in town a few times over. They do know who I am, though."

"Oh," I said as I looked over the menu. There were so many things that sounded amazing. "What are you going to order?"

"Spaghetti. I wasn't kidding about how good it is here."

"Ok, then, I trust you. I'll get the spaghetti, too"

The waitress came and took our orders and our menus, but not before giving Liam a few teasing looks.

"Lexi says you love to read. What kind of books do you like," asked Liam.

"Adventure mostly, but I read a little bit of everything. If you're going to get all your info from Lexi, what's the point of asking me?"

" Do you blame me? I was going crazy. I find my mate who doesn't want to be around me and then I don't get to see or hear from her for almost a week. Lexi didn't tell me everything. We didn't get to spend that much time talking, but I needed to know something about my beautiful dark haired mate with the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen." I couldn't hide my blush and I didn't know what to say. Liam leaned closer. "So how about you tell me about you, then? So I don't have to go to Lexi for more answers."

"Um, ok. Well, green is my favorite color. I want to go to college after I graduate and do some traveling." I felt awkward rattling off a list of things about me but Liam didn't seem to mind, not even about the college or travel part.

"Where would you travel to," he asked, completely unphased. I was a little shocked but I didn't say anything about it.

"Venice or Paris would be amazing, but there are so many places."

"And for college? Where would you attend?"

"I'm actually thinking the University of Denver. They're a smaller college but they seem like they have a lot going on for different culture studies. I'm not sure, though. I'm keeping my options open."

He smiled at me. A genuine look of pride that had me confused.

"What," I asked.

"I'm lucky you're my mate."

Time to change the subject.

"What about you, Liam? Tell me about you. Tell me about your childhood."

"Not much to tell. I'm an only child. I was raised to be Alpha. My dad was a hard-ass but everyone respected him. He died a few years ago so I became Alpha sooner than most."

"What about your mom?"

He frowned. "She died when I was a pup. A rival pack killed her and in return, my dad wiped out that pack."

I couldn't blame his dad for that. Losing a mate was rough. When mates died, the heartbreak alone would usually kill most wolves. To lose your mate to another pack would have been so much worse. As Alpha, retribution would have been expected. I guess that's where they got their reputation, though. Maybe they weren't all bad.

"I'm sorry," I said and took his hand.

He smiled. "Thank you. I have a few memories of her. She would have loved you."

Our food came and we ate in comfortable silence. I could feel myself falling for Liam and I didn't mind too much. 

"You were right, the spaghetti was delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it. Do you want dessert?"

"Honestly, I'm too full to even think of dessert," I said, with a laugh.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"What's that?"

"Will you spend the night with me, please?" My mouth fell open in shock. "Hannah, hear me out. Nothing needs to happen. I'll even sleep on the floor. Tonight has been amazing and I'm not ready to leave you yet. You're going to be at my pack tomorrow for the ceremony anyway. Please, just let me be near you for one night."

Honestly, that didn't sound so bad. I actually wanted to say yes.

"What about my dad and Mason? What do I tell them?"

"Tell them the truth. Baby, please. I felt like I was dying without you there. We could go to your house and I could talk to them. They'd know I wouldn't hurt you and you wouldn't have to move in. It's just one night."

He was practically begging me and I couldn't say no. I was, however, nervous as hell to tell my family.

"Ok. One night. I'll have to call Mason. Just know that this won't go over well." Hell, Liam might just have to protect me from Mason.

......................................................

Once we got in the car, I pulled out my cell.

"How long until we reach my pack," I asked.

"Less than 30 minutes."

I dialed Mason as Liam drive off

"Hey sis. Sorry, I didn't text back about your car. We've been dealing with pack stuff. There is a rogue threat we're dealing with but I had someone pick up your car and its back here. Did you need a ride home? I could have Bren pick you up but it'll be a couple minutes."

"No, that's ok. I'm on my way home now. Actually, do you think you and Dad could meet me in the foyer in about 30 minutes? I need to talk to you both. It's kind of important."

"Well, how important is it? Like I said, we're dealing with a rogue threat at the moment and it looks to be pretty serious. Are you ok? Who are you riding with?"

"I'm ok, Mason. I'm with a friend and it's pretty important, but not more important than rogues. How about-"

"Hannah, give me the phone." I don't know why he asked because he took it from me anyway, leaving me speechless.

"Hannah, was that Liam? You're with Liam?"

"Hi Mason. Yes, it's me, Liam. I was actually the one needing to talk to you and your Alpha. I didn't know about your rogue problem but if you could spare me a few minutes when we get there, I might be able to help."

The line was silent for a good minute.

"We'll talk when you get here," Mason finally spoke.

"Great. See you soon." Liam was all business right now. I wasn't sure if I should be comforted or not by that fact but he reached over and took my hand.

"How do you plan on helping with the rogues," I asked.

"By offering a pack alliance."

"Why would you offer that?"

"Well, they're going to be my in-laws so why wouldn't I offer to protect my mate's pack? Also it gives me an in with them tonight and will help the conversation about us."

"So it's purely self interest," I teased.

"No of course not. Like I said, it's my mate's pack. If they're hurt, then you're hurt. I don't want anything but for you to be happy, baby."

I smiled. Honestly, Liam was turning out to be a great guy and it had me rethinking a lot of things. Maybe I could be his mate after all. We just have to deal with Mason first. That was going to be fun. Hopefully, Liam could handle it. I had to trust that he could.