Liam
Liam grimaced as Ira hurried off to his office. He had just come out of his chamber with Monike hanging on to the crook of his elbow, for her dear life. Ira's expressions had cut through his heart like a carving knife but he did not let it show.
Monike was watching him like a hawk and any soft behaviour towards Ira could make her suspicious. She had been very clingy since the day of the battle. She had cried herself out and apologised a million times when she realised that Miriam had been playing all of them.
She was truly repentant about allowing the hybrids to attack Ira and Bella.
Finally, after two days of seeing her in a wretched state, Liam had accepted her apologies.
The woman hadn’t had an idea how manipulative Miriam could be. In fact, one of her best magics was to control people.
When Miriam wanted to use Monike to make something happen then she was a scheming witch against a naive human. Monike stood no chance!
He had moved his office into the library of his own living quarters so that his actual office could be converted for Ira to live in.
When his chamber and its rooms were designed he had made sure that the architecture took into account his love for reading and his fascination for technology.
This room was connected to his erstwhile office, his living room and had a secret passage that connected it to his IT room. Only Ben was aware of this passage.
After Ira's stay in his bedroom, he did not want anyone to enter it yet. Her fragrance of the tropical flowers had helped him sleep soundly and he did not want to mar it with anyone's presence yet.
He sighed. How he was going to manage it for long was a big question.
It was James' idea for Liam to hire Ira to dig up his lineage. Apparently, Sarena had reasons to believe that the two ass*holes from Ira’s nightmares were going to attack Ira and she would be the safest in this conserved territory.
The thought had sent ripples of anger through his wolf as he wanted to rip the two guys into tiny pieces. But he did not know much about them. That was one of the topmost items on his 'to- do' list. He would assign his IT team to it the first thing in the morning.
He asked Monike to go ahead to her own chambers, excusing himself. His pack of rogues was mourning the loss of their fallen wolves and his business needed him. He had to help them get through this and continue with their work. It was a good enough reason but she was cynical. She wanted to tag along.
Thankfully Ben had arrived at the same time to relieve him and Monike had stomped away angrily.
She had been getting edgy lately and he kind of had an idea of the reason behind it. But what could he do?
Ira’s presence had changed things completely.
In the past, it had been easy to move on not knowing her but now that he had managed to taste her, he had no idea how he was going to keep his hands off. Her intoxicating fragrance and her sweet taste were all he could think of.
He ran a hand through his short hair and looked at Ben. “Thanks for coming over mate. I know Brianna must be giving you grief for being away all the time.”
“That’s alright Boss. She understands.” Ben surveyed him. “So what’s this? I did not know Ira was coming to stay here!” Ben wiggled his eyebrows.
“Oh yes. It got fixed in a haste. I need someone smart to dig up my past and she seemed like the most suitable candidate.”
“That she is,” Ben smirked, earning a glare from Liam.
“No one should know that she is my mate! You know I am bound to Monike, right! We cannot risk the happiness of the entire kingdom for her.” His firm words sounded wrong to himself but saying it out loud only made it more real. Although he wanted Ira safe, he just couldn’t dishonour his commitment to Co- Ma.
Ben’s face suddenly went from playful to serious. “Are you sure Boss? I know what a mate bond feels like. You are going to be in pain and this won’t help Ira either.”
“I will think of a solution!” He said with finality. “Tomorrow morning ask Bella to help Ira sort through the books in the library while we are out for meetings. I don’t want Ira to be in that library once I return.”
Ben nodded, not looking convinced.
“And yes, henceforth I don’t want Monike prancing around in this area. Ask her to stay in her chambers. Provide her whatever she needs there.”
“You know this can’t continue forever, right? She is asking only for you for the last few days.”
“Say anything! Say I am busy or I am on a tour or whatever! Until I find a way to deal with this.” Liam dismissed Ben and entered his living room.
Fretting over his situation was pointless. He would rather prepare for his next day meetings and induction of the new rogues.
For a few weeks, the number of rogues joining his kingdom was increasing. They would soon need more space.
He shook his head and headed to his library. Nothing that a good book and a stiff peg of whiskey couldn’t take care of.
Settling down on his leather couch with his drink he thought about the first time he had inhaled Ira’s scent and known about her. He had been both angry and petrified. Angry because Miriam had indoctrinated him about how mates would make you weak and petrified because he had felt an unbearable pull towards his mate.
He had managed to be away from her. He had done everything needed to be a ruthless ruler and focused on avenging the death of his dad. But now his foundation had been shaken. He no longer knew what was true or what he was going to do!
He wanted her so bad that just thinking about her made his coc*k respond. But he couldn’t have her. Blood*y witch had not only separated him from his family, but she had also successfully split him from his mate.
I can’t break the pact with Co- Mo. We need more space and the human government will be able to provide that. None of the werewolf clans would help the Rogues. Kirra wanted to speak with the alliance for the Rogues but they hate us. They would never want us to prosper. They would never agree! I will have to marry Monike….
He emptied the glass in a sip and let the burning alcohol soothe his throat.
I need to get away from Ira, but she has to be safe from the two ass*holes. Maybe she can stay here until she helps me find my lineage. By that time I will neutralise the threat to her life! Then I will let her go. I do need to reject her, don’t I?
The brooding did not help and he poured one more peg for himself.
*****