His Daddy’s Fated Mate

13: Monsters

Liam’s POV

Liam’s POV

I had told them I was heading to the parlor to wait for James, but that was just a cover. Why would I leave without hearing what was going to be said behind closed doors? The camera was already in place, and I could hear every word if I wanted to. But I decided to stay just outside the study, leaning casually against the doorframe in case the maids passed by and thought I was eavesdropping.

Not that I really cared.

Just then, James’s voice raised in frustration. “First, you ran away from home without a word, just because you could. Then you covered yourself in tattoos, like some lost soul. Just look at all of them. And now this? What are you trying to become, Hannah? What has that world outside done to you?”

I didn’t understand what his issue was with her tattoos. I loved them all—every single one. He could never get past the fact that she had them. What was so wrong with a tattoo anyway? I had been thinking about getting one myself, something meaningful and mysterious. Why was it such a big deal?

And running away? Did he even ask her why? Hannah wasn’t the type to make impulsive decisions. She always thought things through. So why didn’t he just ask her what drove her to leave? James acted like he had a stick lodged somewhere, his judgmental attitude somehow crammed into his words, all wrapped up in his idea of perfection. But this was his daughter!

The conversation dropped into silence for a while, and I almost considered retreating to my suite to monitor things through the CCTV. I’d be down in the parlor before long, but if I headed back to my room, it would take too much time to avoid raising suspicion from Henry.

Then James spoke again, his tone thick with accusation. “You made him sleep with you while you were drunk? And then you let him mark you? Do you even know what that means, Hannah? I am so disappointed in you. I can’t even begin to explain how much.”

Something in me snapped. My hands clenched into tight fists. I wanted to punch James in the face. No one had the right to talk to Hannah that way, especially not him. She’s his daughter, sure, but that doesn’t give him the right to tear her down.

I get it—I had messed up, I said things I shouldn’t have. But she’s his daughter, damn it! He should protect her, not berate her.

It felt hypocritical, I knew. But what else could I do? I was doing this for her. She wouldn’t understand the choices I was making, but I had. I was protecting her, even if it meant playing the villain. She didn’t need to know that, though.

Juliet’s voice cut through the air, softer than James’s. “Honey, that’s too harsh.”

I thought she might defend her daughter, but she didn’t. I had hoped for more from her, but she remained passive. Disappointment built inside me.

But then I heard Hannah’s voice, and my attention snapped back. It was so different from what I expected—strong, clear, and unwavering. A stark contrast to the little girl James still thought she was. I leaned closer to make sure I wasn’t imagining it.

“I’m not going to apologize for being who I am, Dad!” she shouted, her words full of fire. “I’m not going to apologize for leaving when you didn’t even bother to ask why I left! I’m not going to explain the tattoos, because you won’t understand either way. You think it’s a sign of rebellion, that a Beta’s daughter shouldn’t even think about them. But I’m tired of being Beta’s daughter. I wanted to be my own person. And I am now.”

I wasn’t sure what to expect next, but then she tore into him further. “And about what happened with Alpha Liam? Believe whatever the hell you want. Let him treat your daughter like some maid because he can’t handle the fact that we were mates and neither of us could resist the bond.”

James’s voice was quick to reply, but I could barely register his words.

“Did you resist the mating bond when you found out you were mates? No, you didn’t. You marked her during the ceremony, didn’t you? You don’t know what I’ve been through, what I’ve endured, trying to be the perfect Beta’s daughter. But not anymore. I would have run away again and again. I don’t regret it, and I don’t regret these tattoos! But what I regret? Being the Alpha’s fated mate. I loathe him now.”

It stung, her words cutting deep. I couldn’t blame her for feeling that way, but damn it, I hadn’t meant to hurt her like this. I couldn’t tell her that I was trying to save her from something she couldn’t even see.

“You were drunk, Hannah,” she continued, her words thick with bitterness. “Did you think about that? Or did he leave that part out? But no, you want to defend him because he’s the Alpha and should never be disrespected. Or is it because you think I’m a w***e now, just because I have tattoos and I’m loved in the human world? FYI, I was a virgin until earlier!”

The truth hurt. I had been there. I remembered everything about that night—the way she felt, the way we both lost control. But I wasn’t about to tell her that. It wasn’t the right time, not like this.

She was silent for a moment, and then her words echoed through the air. “Not a word. I don’t want to hear it. I’m glad I know where I stand with you two. I shouldn’t have come back here.”

I knew what was about to happen next. She was done. She was running. I made my way down the stairs quickly, not letting her know I was coming. Just as I reached the landing, the door to the study flew open, and I heard her footfalls on the stairs. Barefoot, she was rushing down.

I waited, and just as she neared the front door, I blocked her path with a smirk on my face. I couldn’t help it; this was too amusing. But I wasn’t about to let her go. Not like this. Not anymore.

I grabbed her before she could escape, holding her tightly against my chest. Her body tensed, her eyes burning with rage. She fought against my hold, but I didn’t let go.

“You can’t run away from me now, Hannah,” I said, my voice taunting, dripping with mockery.

She twisted in my grip, her face contorted with disgust. “Let me go,” she spat, her words sharp, full of resentment.

I tightened my hold, loving the fire in her eyes. “You can’t escape, Hannah. Not anymore.”

Through gritted teeth, she muttered, “I know I can’t escape because you’re a monster. And I hate you.”

Her words stung, but I couldn’t deny that I was enjoying her resistance. It was all part of the game, wasn’t it?

“Running away won’t change what you are to me,” I said, my voice low, almost a whisper.

Hannah’s frustration was palpable. “I’m not yours, and I’ll never be. You’re delusional if you think I’d willingly stay with a monster like you.”

I leaned in closer, my breath hot against her ear. “Oh, but you’re tangled up in this now, whether you like it or not. Deny it all you want, but deep down, you know the truth.”

She hissed, “I hate you for what you’ve done, for what you are, and for what you’re doing.”

I laughed softly, a dark chuckle. “Hate is a powerful emotion, Hannah. But in the end, you can’t deny the pull between us. A monster or not, you’re drawn to me.”

Her eyes flared with fury. “You’re wrong. I’ll find a way to escape. I’ll break free from this bond. And you’re too old for me.”

She added that last part as a jab, and it hit me harder than I expected. Too old for her? I laughed, a forced chuckle that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Feel free to try, my dear,” I said, forcing amusement into my voice. “But monsters have a way of lingering, and escape isn’t as simple as you think.”

I released her then, watching as she bolted for the door. I didn’t bother to chase her—she wouldn’t get far. Not now. I could feel the connection between us, undeniable and unbreakable. She wasn’t going anywhere.

And as the sound of her footsteps faded, I knew one thing for sure: she would always come back.