LIAM JR.

Delilah and I sat in the grass, rolling a soccer ball in between us. She looked sad all the time now. Lucas and Leo were over with Grandma and Delilah’s grandma, who were all gushing over my new baby sister. I loved her, but Delilah was sad, so I thought I should play with her.

“Summer vacation got extended for a couple more weeks,” I said, trying to cheer her up.

“I know,” she said. She mindlessly rolled the ball back to me.

“Maybe we’ll be in the same class this year….” I said, rolling the ball back to her. Delilah just shrugged, and we continued our boring game.

“I’m really sorry about your dad, Li,” I said quietly.

“It’s okay,” she said in a wavy voice.

“But my mom is going to help him. She is really good at fixing people even though it makes her tired,” I tried.

Delilah caught the ball and gripped it tightly. “I hate being small,” she said, her voice getting mad. “I want to kill the stupid vampire that hurt my daddy.” I looked over to make sure our grandmas didn’t hear. The grownups always whispered or stopped the conversations when we came around, but I saw some papers in my dad’s office.

“I don’t like it either, Li,” I told her.

“Teach me,” she said, looking at me seriously. I just looked back, confused. “Your sister’s mate. He taught you to fight! Maddox taught you lots of stuff! Teach me! My daddy already showed me how to punch!”

For the first time since she found out Uncle Damien was hurt, Delilah looked serious about something.

“Please,” she begged. “If we can fight, we can help! Plus, we’re the best team.”

“Okay,” I agreed, and she smiled a little. I felt a bit better, making her happy finally.

AZALEA

As Liam finished relaying the most recent events of our vampire problems, the crowd erupted in conversation. Some of the Alphas were calling out questions, some were talking to their people, and others were talking to each other. This had turned into a large mess very quickly.

Langston came to join Liam at the center of the stage. I could feel Liam panicking a little bit.

“Please, everyone,” Langston boomed. “We know there is a lot to discuss.” That only barely made a dent in the buzzing conversation.

“Please, let’s do this civilly,” Liam called. People began standing and moving about, discussing with others now.

“SILENCE!” Robert roared. Everything settled down quickly, and all attention moved to Robert. “None of your concerns can be addressed in this manner. Now, in order to discuss this completely, your concerns need to be heard and addressed in turn.”

“Thank you, father,” Liam said tightly. He definitely didn’t want Robert’s help in this.

“I will go first,” Aidan Lombardi stood, pulling his suit jacket together at the middle and buttoning it. “Why exactly should I or my pack care about a vampire that is directing his wrath at a weak Alpha incapable of protecting his weaker mate?” The Alpha’s eyes moved from Liam to me; Felix took a step closer to me.

“Now, I do not think that insulting the hosts of this gathering is in good taste, Alpha Aidan,” Langston said threateningly. Liam’s shoulders were tight, and I was sure he was exercising every bit of self-control he had.

Aidan scoffed. “It is no insult to point out the truth,” he said. This time I could hear the low growl coming from Liam as Meadow stood and started to say something to her Alpha.

“My Luna, my pack, and my family will not be the only ones targeted,” Liam gritted. “Do you think he will stop with my pack?”

“Let him try,” Aidan scoffed.

“While Alpha Lombardi’s confidence is…. staggering,” Alpha Michael stood to speak, “He does raise a good point. From what you told us, this vampire has a personal vendetta for your family and pack alone.”

More Alphas stood and voiced the same concern, and discussion erupted once more. This had started in a positive direction, but now I was afraid we were going to lose them.

“We have also been afflicted by these monsters,” Langston tried to reason over the crowd.

“And your territory borders that of B***d Eclipse,” someone argued back.

Emma moved across the small stage, coming to me with a worried look. “Azalea, I’m worried,” she whispered next to me.

“Me too,” I replied. “It seems there is a lot of discussion about how this could be anyone else’s problem.”

“I think they are all scared to get involved in something as serious as a race war when they have no skin in the game,” she said. I nodded my agreement. I looked over my shoulder at Felix, who narrowed his eyes on someone in the crowd before us. I tried to follow his line of sight to see who he was watching, but I couldn’t pick out who.

Robert joined Langston and Liam on stage, and the three of them were having a small argument in hushed voices while all the visitors continued their debates.

“We need time….” I whispered. Liam’s eyes came to mine as he begrudgingly listened to something his father was saying. Gentry, Austin, and Jacob now joined their little circle. I could see a bit of fear in his expression; he was afraid this wouldn’t work. My mate didn’t have a plan B.

I pulled out my phone and texted Miss Marci quickly. I bit my l*p as I anxiously waited for her reply.

“What are you thinking?” Emma whispered, also looking worriedly at her mate.

“Food,” I said, staring at my phone. Relief coursed through me when a reply came; I put my phone back in my pocket and walked as calmly as possible over to the boys.

“Azalea?” Langston said, noticing my approach. I ignored Robert’s eye roll.

“What’s wrong?” Liam asked worriedly.

“Nothing. I have a plan. Can you quiet everyone down again?” I asked. Liam just nodded, but I knew he didn’t doubt me.

We all turned to face the crowd again. Mini groups had formed all over the place, various packs discussing their opinions now.

“Excuse me,” Liam called. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” Slowly everyone quieted down around us. Liam placed his hand on the small of my back, and I took it as my signal to speak.

“Obviously, you all have been given a lot of information this morning,” I said loudly but steadily. “We never expected you all to agree without your questions answered or discussions to be had. I think, for now, it might be best to break for some lunch. Our kitchen staff has assured me they will be ready to serve in the next fifteen minutes.”

There were a few murmurs of ascent as well as some nodding. “If you will excuse my mate and me for a brief moment. We will be back to speak with anyone that has questions shortly. Please, enjoy the lunch our staff has prepared in the meantime,” Liam called. His hand came to mine, gripping it tightly, and he led me off the stage and back toward the packhouse. Felix was right on our heels, and it was only moments before everyone else was following us.

Liam pulled me quickly through the packhouse and to his office. When we got upstairs, everyone piled in the room; Liam went behind his desk, and everyone stood around it.

“Jacob, Gentry, would you please go downstairs and monitor the crowd? I would like to know if any disturbances startup,” Liam said. They nodded and left the room; Robert closed the door behind him.

“Your mate bought you some time, but how exactly are you going to convince them to risk the lives of their people to defend yours?” Robert snarled.

“Robert, I think Azalea’s plan can only benefit us now. We all had a moment to regroup, and things will calm over food. Feeding people always mellows the atmosphere,” Langston reasoned. Robert crossed his arms and huffed.

“Liam, please tell me you have some sort of ace up your sleeve to convince everyone?” Austin said, looking at Liam. He stood over his desk with his hands bracing his body; everyone was quiet, waiting for his answer.

The silence was interrupted by Robert’s laugh. “My foolish son thought that the sob story would be enough,” he said.

“Maybe Lea could testify to everything?” Emma suggested.

“That won’t do anything. They will all expect his mate to be behind him 100%,” Langston said. I chewed my l*p as they all discussed what to do next; Liam stayed quiet. I moved next to him and set my hand on his shoulder.

“Liam?” I linked him.

“I don’t even have a vampire to parade out in front of them… I have no way to prove this….” Liam said.

“We’ll think of something,” I tried to reassure him.

“Damien’s in a coma, and I can’t even rally the support to fight the ones responsible,” he said. I could feel Liam’s pain. He felt guilty.

“What about the photos?” Felix said.

Liam’s head came up at his words. “That is right. We have the photos of Warwick’s recent message,” Langston said.

“Aren’t those a tad morbid?” I supplied.

“These are Alphas you are addressing. They all know the consequences of war and are responsible for the lives of more than a few,” Robert growled. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Dad, enough,” Liam demanded. He turned to Langston. “Do you think they are convincing enough?”

Langston turned his head side to side in thought. “They could at least put to bed any doubts they are having. It will not give them a reason as to why they should help, though.”

“Let’s start with that,” Liam said. Langston nodded before grabbing Emma and taking her with him from the room. “Austin, can you go fill Gentry and Jacob in?”

Austin nodded. “And find Azeron,” Felix added. Austin gave him a questioning look, but Felix supplied no other answer. Austin left the room, leaving Liam and me with Robert and Felix.

“You can’t just win everyone to your side with emotional pleas, boy,” Robert spat.

“Dad-”

“They don’t care about your shortcomings or weak Luna,” he trudged on.

“DAD-” Liam got louder.

“The smart ones are just waiting for Warwick to kill you and Azalea so they can swoop in and take your territory. They are going to let this vampire do the heavy lifting for them!” Robert continued.

“ENOUGH!” Liam shouted at Robert. I took a slight step back, not expecting his explosion. Liam was bursting with anger, but I knew it was all directed at Robert.

“You need to leave. Leave this packhouse and my summit. If you are not here to actually help us fight this war, then get the f**k out. You will not sit here and continue to call my mate and me weak because I refuse to be the heartless bastard that you are!”

“How dare you speak to me like that!” Robert growled as he took a menacing step forward. Felix’s hand came to my elbow and discreetly pulled me a step closer to him.

“Shut the f**k up! I am the Alpha, not you. I will lead as I see fit!” Liam screamed.

“How did I raise such a pathetic-”

“I SAID ENOUGH!” Liam boomed with his Alpha tone. Robert shut his mouth with a nasty look on his face. I could see one of Liam’s eyes dark as midnight; Gavin was sharing control with him. “Get out now.”

Robert looked like he was going to fight for a minute but surprised us by turning and storming out of the room.

“Felix, give us a minute,” Liam said in a dark tone. Felix nodded and edged out of your room.Belongs to - All rights reserved.

Liam watched him leave, then turned his eyes on me. “Come here,” he said. I moved towards him, a bit worried about where this was going. I stopped in front of him right next to his desk. His hand cupped my cheek before his lips attacked mine.

He kissed me roughly as his armed snaked around my waist. I felt myself being lifted, then Liam turned and deposited me on the desk. I put my hands on his chest, trying to keep up with his assault.

“Liam-” I tried between breaths. “Gavin-”

All I got was a growl in response. His hands began roaming, squeezing and grabbing all over. I was heating up all over but had no idea where this was coming from. Finally, I managed to bite his l*p hard, giving him pause.

“Liam,” I said, breathing heavily. “Calm down, please.”

“Someone is threatening Little Mate,” Gavin growled.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. I brought my hands up to stroke his face. Liam slowly calmed under my touch, and his eyes went back to their normal, clear blue.

“Felix thinks someone is planning to hurt you,” Liam said, a bit more calm now. “I’m sorry. Between that and my dad, I just….”

“It’s okay,” I said soothingly. “Maybe Felix is just being overly cautious. After everything that has happened over the past few months, I’m sure he is more suspicious….”

“If anyone came into my pack with the sole intent of hurting my mate, they will not die pleasantly,” Liam promised.