chapter ten

Rafe's POV

Liam's scent was all over me anger, confusion, frustration. And underneath it all, something he refused to name.

I could still feel the heat of his body, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. He was fighting this, fighting me, but his body his wolf was already responding.

He wanted me.

Even if he hated it.

Even if he hated me.

I watched him, waiting for him to say something, to push me away again, to throw another insult, but he just stood there, breathing hard, his fists clenched at his sides.

Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed off.

I let him go.

Liam stormed off, his scent still clinging to me anger, frustration, and something else he refused to admit. I let him go, watching the tension in his shoulders as he disappeared down the hallway.

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. What the hell am I doing?

I had spent years hating Liam Carter. Years fighting him, challenging him, proving I was stronger, faster, better.

And now?

Now, I wanted to claim him.

Not just because of the mate bond. Not just because fate decided this.

But because he was mine.

I turned away, pushing down the restless energy thrumming in my veins. My wolf was irritated, clawing at me, demanding I go after Liam demanding I take what was mine. But I needed to be patient. Liam was stubborn, and if I pushed too hard, he'd only run faster.

Still, his rejection was a joke. A lie.

Even he knew it.

I walked through the hall, ignoring the looks from my warriors, who were clearly confused by my actions. I had just handed something to Liam, let him walk away without a fight.

They wouldn't understand. Not yet.

Liam thought this was about dominance. That accepting me meant losing himself, his position, his respect.

He didn't realize that no matter how much he fought it he would never belong to anyone but me.

Going home did little to calm the restless energy in me. My wolf was still pacing, irritated that I had let Liam walk away again. He wanted me to claim what was ours, to put an end to this ridiculous fight Liam was putting up. But I knew better.

Patience.

I had waited this long. I could wait a little longer.

Dante came into my office later that night, a smug look on his face. He dropped an invitation on my desk.

"An Alpha met his mate," he said. "The ceremony is tomorrow."

I glanced at the invitation and nodded. "We'll go."

Dante grinned. "Always the social one."

I ignored him. These events were necessary, a chance to strengthen alliances, to show my pack's strength. But I wouldn't pretend I enjoyed them.

The next day, I dressed in a black suit, sharp and perfectly tailored. The event was far, but I didn't mind the travel. Anything to clear my head.

The hall was massive when I arrived—grand chandeliers, polished floors, and high ceilings. Alphas and Lunas mingled, dressed in their finest, voices humming through the air. I kept my expression neutral as I greeted the Alpha and his Luna.

Then I stiffened.

A scent. Familiar. Addicting.

Axel.

If Axel was here…

I turned sharply, my wolf surging to the surface, heart pounding as my senses locked on something else.

Liam.

Dante was still speaking, teasing Axel. "Well, when inviting Alphas, I never thought they'd invite someone like you."

Axel growled, but their argument faded into nothing as I turned my head and saw him.

Liam stood across the room, unaware of my gaze. My breath caught.

He wore a navy-blue suit, perfectly fitted to his athletic build. The crisp white shirt beneath it contrasted against his golden skin. The suit hugged his broad shoulders, tapering down his lean frame, accentuating every sharp angle and toned muscle.

His hair was styled differently than usual sleek, slightly tousled but deliberately so, as if he had run his fingers through it at the last moment. It made him look effortlessly striking.

But it was his eyes that got me.

Sharp. Focused. Annoyed, probably from dealing with Axel.

And so fucking beautiful.

My fingers twitched at my side, resisting the urge to touch him, to grab his wrist and pull him into me.

I swallowed hard.

Damn.

I really liked what the Moon Goddess gave me.

Liam avoided my eyes.

I clenched my jaw, watching him, waiting for even the smallest acknowledgment—but he refused to meet my gaze.

What the hell was he so afraid of?

Before I could take a step toward him, Ethan spoke.

"What are you doing here?" His tone was sharp, suspicious. His eyes flicked between Dante and me, clearly not pleased by our presence.

Dante smirked, already gearing up to push Ethan's buttons, but I wasn't in the mood. I let out a low growl.

"Enough," I said, voice calm but firm. "Let's not be childish in front of other packs."

Ethan bristled, but Axel placed a hand on his shoulder, muttering something under his breath.

I barely paid attention.

I had mostly said it to cool the tension, to keep things from escalating but also because I didn't want anyone looking at Liam with hate.

Or worse trying to hurt him.

He was mine, whether he wanted to accept it or not.

And no one no one was allowed to lay a hand on my baby.

Liam was avoiding me.

And I wasn't about to let it slide.

I searched for him through the crowd, my eyes scanning every inch of the hall. He wasn't inside.

Then, finally, I found him.

Outside, standing near the garden, his arms crossed, staring up at the night sky.

I exhaled, steadying myself before stepping forward.

"Wow. What are you doing here?" His voice was laced with frustration the moment he saw me.

"Relax," I murmured, stepping closer, blocking his path before he could escape again.

Liam stiffened. "Move."

"No."

His jaw clenched. "Why are you doing this?"

I looked into his stormy eyes, my voice softer this time. "Why are you avoiding me?"

"Please don't do this." His voice wavered slightly, and that single crack in his defenses sent a thrill through me.

"Why won't you give me a chance?" I asked, my fingers twitching at my sides, resisting the urge to reach for him. "I won't hurt you, Liam."

His eyes burned with something raw. "You're my enemy."

"No, I'm not." I stepped closer, so close I could feel his warmth even in the cool night air. "Your pack hates me. They will always hate me."

Liam swallowed hard, his breath uneven, his body rigid.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I grabbed his wrist and pulled him close, feeling the sharp inhale he took as our chests nearly touched.

"I want you," I admitted, my voice low, filled with everything I had spent years denying. "All my life, I thought I hated you… but right now, I could die without you."

Liam sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body going rigid at my words. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to argue, but no sound came out.

I could feel his pulse racing beneath my fingertips, his wrist still caught in my grip. I took a slow step forward, closing the last bit of space between us.

"Rafe… don't." His voice was weak, uncertain.

But he didn't pull away.

That was all the permission I needed.

I tilted his chin up, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before I leaned in, capturing his lips in a firm, claiming kiss.

Liam made a noise one of protest, one of need, I didn't know. But the moment my lips moved against his, the fight in him wavered.

I slid my free hand to his waist, pulling him flush against me, swallowing the gasp he let out. He was stiff at first, resisting even as his body betrayed him, melting into the warmth between us.

Then, like a dam breaking, he snapped.

Liam gripped my shoulders, his nails digging in as he kissed me back—fierce, desperate. He poured all his anger, his confusion, his lust into it, and I welcomed every single bit of it.

I groaned against his mouth, deepening the kiss, licking into him, drinking in the way he trembled beneath my touch. My hand slid down his spine, pressing against the small of his back, pulling him even closer.

"Rafe," he gasped when I moved to his jaw, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses down his throat. He shuddered, his hands fisting in my suit jacket.

I smirked against his skin.

"You like this."

"Shut up," he hissed, but it came out breathless, weak.

I bit down lightly on the sensitive spot below his ear, and he let out a strangled sound, his hips jerking forward, brushing against mine.

The friction sent a rush of heat through me.

"Liam," I murmured, sliding my hand down, gripping his waist, feeling how his body reacted, how it betrayed every single denial he'd thrown at me.

For a moment, just a moment, he let himself sink into it.

Then, just as suddenly, he shoved me back, panting hard, his face flushed.

"I hate you," he muttered, but it lacked any real venom.

I smirked, licking my lips. "No, you don't."

Liam's eyes flickered with something dangerous, something vulnerable.

"This… this doesn't mean anything," he whispered, as if trying to convince himself.

But we both knew better.