Kissed Liam
(Dominic’s POV)
“This reason of ‘atonement‘, Amber won’t accept it,” Ryan said, his voice heavy with certainty. He was still holding Paige, who had finally stopped sobbing against his chest.
I watched them through the window of his luxury RV, my mind churning with the implications of what we’d just revealed.
“You’re right,” I admitted. “She wouldn’t understand how her family could sacrifice her happiness for their peace of mind.”
Ryan’s grip on Paige tightened slightly. “I think we should wait until Victoria is apprehended before telling her the truth. Right now, knowing this would only cause her distress without any way to seek justice.”
The logic was sound, but it felt like another betrayal. Another secret kept from Amber.
“Besides,” Ryan continued, “Amber is currently working to gain control of Chase Pack territorial rights. If she learns the truth now, it might disrupt her plans to acquire pack shares. She needs to focus on securing her position first.”
I nodded reluctantly. The timing was crucial. Amber was finally taking control of her life, claiming what rightfully belonged to
her.
“We wait,” I decided. “But not for long.”
My phone buzzed with a message from Felix. The meeting at four was approaching, and I needed to leave.
“I have to go,” I told Ryan. “Keep an eye on Paige. And keep this between us.
Ryan’s expression was grim. “Of course.”
I left them in the RV and walked toward the village entrance where Felix was waiting with the car.
Felix immediately noticed my mood as I slid into the back seat. His sharp eyes took in my tense posture and the way I rubbed my
temples.
“Should I postpone the meeting?” he asked carefully.
“Half an hour,” I said, my voice weary. “I need time to process this.”
As the car pulled away from the village, I stared out the window at the passing countryside. The simple houses and peaceful fields felt like a different world from the complex web of secrets and betrayals that surrounded Amber’s family.
Felix glanced at me through the rearview mirror. His expression reminded me of another time he’d looked at me with such
concern.
It was the day Lucas had broken Grace’s healing crystal. My father had been furious, his rage at the destruction of one of my mother’s few remaining possessions overwhelming his usual restraint. Lucas had been beaten severely
That night, I’d sat in my office, staring at the broken pieces of blue crystal: “Felix,” I’d sa getting fewer and fewer.”
he things she left behind are
He’d understood then that I wasn’t just talking about the crystal. Every piece of my mother that disappeared felt like losing her all over again.
Now, watching Felix’s concerned expression, I wondered if he thought my current sadness was related to Grace again.
“Felix,” I called, pulling him from his thoughts,
He straightened in the driver’s seat. “Yes, sir?”
“I regret it,” I said quietly. “I should have made my move earlier. Ishouldn’t have appeared so late in front of her. I should have loved her earlier.”
Kissed Liam
+25 BONUS
Felix’s eyes widened slightly in the mirror. He realized immediately that “her” this time referred to Amber, not my mother.
The car pulled into a gas station, and Felix turned to face me properly.
“Did something happen?” he asked.
I gave him a brief explanation of Ryan’s discovery about Catherine Ross and the truth behind Victoria’s adoption. Felix’s expression grew increasingly shocked as I spoke.
“The Chase family’s foolishness is astounding,” he said when I finished.
Then his expression shifted, becoming more alert. “Speaking of Victoria, I should mention Tyler Ulrich again. Victoria’s stepbrother.”
I leaned forward. “What about him?”
“I investigated him previously, but something doesn’t add up,” Felix explained. “Tyler is now the owner of a paranormal freight company and appears to be a successful businessman. But Ryan’s investigation found Jacob, one of Katherine’s relatives, who described Tyler very differently.”
My attention sharpened. “How so?”
“Jacob claimed Tyler was a greedy opportunist with questionable morals. And Tyler told investigators he’d had no personal contact with Victoria for years. At the time, I didn’t investigate further because it seemed like a dead end.”
The inconsistencies were troubling. “Get me Jacob’s contact information from Ryan. Now.”
Felix immediately reached for his phone to text Ryan.
(Ryan’s POV)
My phone buzzed with Felix’s message just as I was trying to figure out how to comfort Paige, who was still crying against my
chest.
I quickly sent Jacob’s contact information to Felix, then returned my attention to the she–wolf in
my a
arms.
Paige’s makeup was completely smeared from crying. Black mascara streaked down her cheeks, and her lipstick was long gone. Her usually perfect appearance was destroyed by grief for her best friend.
I wasn’t used to comforting someone who cried so intensely. My previous relationships had been with more composed she- wolves who rarely showed such raw emotion.
But I understood her grief. The revelation about Amber’s family was devastating.
My shirt was completely soaked from her tears. The expensive fabric clung to my chest, but I didn’t care.
I gently pushed her away from me, cupping her face in my hands. I’d intended to scold her for getting so emotional, but looking at her tear–stained face, I couldn’t find the words.
“Don’t cry,” I said softly instead.
Her crying intensified at my gentle tone. Fresh tears spilled over my thumbs as I held her face.
My thumb brushed across her lips, and suddenly I was transported back to our engagement night.
I’d been drunk that night, celebrating and drowning my sorrows at the same time. The engagement had been political, arranged by our families, and I’d felt trapped.
Paige had come to pick me up from the bar. I remembered waking up in her car, desperately thirsty.
She’d put a straw to my lips, helping me drink water. After I’d finished, she’d leaned over and kissed me.
It had been a sweet, soft kiss that surprised me completely. I remembered the sweetness of her lips and the jelly–like softness of
Kissed Liam
+25 BONUS
her tongue as she’d tentatively explored my mouth.
I’d been shocked by my own physical reaction. The “ridiculous desire” that had surged through me had terrified me. I was supposed to be protecting her, not wanting her.
So I’d become colder toward her, maintaining what I thought was a safe distance. I’d believed I was protecting her by not mating with her properly.
But now she was drifting away from me. There was Liam Wilde in her life now, that young wolf who looked at her like she was the moon itself.
I’d watched her eat food Liam prepared for her. She’d only ever done that for me and Amber before.
The jealousy that surged through me was unexpected and fierce.
“You kissed him?” I asked, my thumb still tracing her lips. “Did you two kiss?”
Paige stopped crying abruptly. Her eyes, still wet with tears, held a stubborn glint as she looked directly at me.
“Yes,” she said clearly. “I kissed Liam.”
