Chapter 4

Liam drove me to a clearing in the forest where the rest of our Lycan pack was waiting for us when the weekend finally arrived. As we moved into the clearing, the sound of twigs shattering beneath our feet reverberated throughout the forest.

I noticed that everyone was already in the middle of their training as we drew near. Finnand Aiden were nowhere to be found as I turned to look around.

"Where are Finn and Aiden,  Liam?" I had a question.

Liam gave me a serious look as he regarded me. "Maya, they weren't able to arrive today. They are completing a task for the pack. "He answered.

"A task?" I pressed, wanting to know the reason.

I scowled, having a fleeting thought of Aiden and Finn. "I hope everything works out for them."

"These two are among the clan's top fighters. Don't stress over them. They'll be all right." Liam smiled as he answered my question.

The training that followed shocked me with how quickly I picked things up. I received a thorough explanation of everything from Liam, who was a patient teacher. We trained our senses, learned to trust out instincts, and performed various fighting techniques. I saw that I was becoming more and more confident during the day.

I enjoyed hanging out with Liam, and I was appreciative of his advice. Liam and I sat down after our training was through.

I noticed Liam's eyes lingering on me longer than usual. "What's up, Liam? Do I have something on my face?" I joked, trying to break the tension.

Liam chuckled, his gaze still fixed on me. "No, Maya, you look perfect. I just can't help but notice how beautiful you are."

I blushed, feeling my heart race at his words. Liam had never been so bold with me before, and I couldn't deny that I liked it.

"You know, Maya, I can't help but feel drawn to you," Liam said, his voice low and seductive. "I've wanted to do this for so long."

Liam moved in and snatched my lips with his own before I could speak. I felt my body tensing up to his touch throughout the slow, sensual kiss.

My mind was swamped with contradictory feelings as soon as Liam's lips met mine. 

Although I couldn't deny that I felt a certain attraction to him, I also realized that what we weredoing was wrong.

As Liam's hands wrapped around my waist and drew me in, my heart was thumping in my chest. I was briefly engrossed in the pleasure of his touch when reality slammed into me suddenly.

My mind was racing as I shoved Liam away and stumbled back. 

"Liam, halt! What do you have to say? This is not something allowed!" I screamed in fear.

Liam regarded me while also feeling regret. "Maya,I apologize. I didn't intend to make you feel uneasy. I was powerless to resist. I've been suppressing my emotions for so long."

I shook my head in shock as tears welled up at the edges of my eyes. "Liam, this is impossible. We are stepping-siblings. It's unjust!" I spoke while getting choked up.

Liam shook his head and appeared humiliated . "I know. Maya, I'm very sorry. I didn't intend to cause any tension between us," he said.

I couldn't bear to look at him. The thought of what had just happened between us made me sick to my stomach.

"Stay away from me, Liam," I said, my voice cold and firm. "I need some time to think."

With that, I turned on my heel and ran away from the clearing as fast as I could, my heart heavy with guilt and confusion. As I made my way through the forest, I couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same between Liam and me.

I ran through the forest, my heart racing and my mind in turmoil. Every step felt heavy, like I was carrying a weight on my chest. The trees rushed by me in a blur, the branches whipping at my face and arms as I pushed my way through.

I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened between Liam and me. I felt disgusted with myself for even entertaining the idea of being with him. We were step-siblings, and what we had done was completely wrong.

A booming roar that reverberated throughout the jungle halted my train of thought. I froze, my head spinning, searching for the noise's origin as my heart raced in my chest.

I turned around to find a huge, black wolf glaring at me with fiery eyes. That was the largest wolf I had ever seen, and in the shadows, its eyes appeared to sparkle. When the wolf growled and flashed its razor-sharp teeth, I realized I was in trouble.

I turned without stopping, running as quickly as I could, my heart thumping in my chest. I could hear the wolf's footsteps behind me approaching closer and closer.  

I recognized that I couldn't transform into my Lycan werewolf form as I carried on sprinting with my heart racing in my chest. I hadn't totally mastered my powers and I wasn't even eighteen yet.

The black wolf with the red eyes was approaching me and I could hear it. I hurriedly searched the area for an exit as a wave of panic rose in my chest.

I realized I was out of options as I drew closer to a cliff's brink. As I faced the wolf, my heart was thumping in my chest.

The black wolf growled deep and menacingly as he stood erect and fixed his fiery eyes on me. As I readied myself for his onslaught, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

The wolf halted in front of me and began to sniff the air. It snorted softly, and I could feel the heat of its breath on my face. For a split second, I was unsure about what to do. 

This was a wolf I had never seen before,  and I wasn't sure if it was a friend or an adversary. Yet, as I peered in those eyes, I noticed a hint of intelligence. It appeared as though the wolf was attempting to get my attention.

"Who are you?" My voice was barely audible above the sound of my pounding heart as I murmured.

Although the wolf sent off a low growl, it didn't seem hostile. It did nothing but stand there and stare at me with those piercing, burning red eyes.

I sensed something stirring within of me as I stood there, petrified with terror and perplexity. It was a feeling of strength and power unlike anything that I had ever known. It seems as though the wolf had roused a primitive, feral part of me.

The wolf charged on me without warning,  its jaws slamming shut only a few inches from my face. I fell backward as I readied myself for yet another assault, my heart pounding in my chest.

To my astonishment, the wolf did not strike though. Instead, it took a step back and howled in a low, almost wistful tone. As I continued to observe, the black fur around its eyes and nose began to move and shimmer until it changed into a man's face.

I stepped back in disbelief when I realized that the wolf was not a typical animal, my mind racing. It was a Lycan, a werewolf similar to me who could change between wolf and human form at will.

The man who stood before me was tall and well-built, with dark hair and piercing green eyes. He was completely naked and I couldn't stop staring at his roped muscles.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear and confusion.

The man gave me a small, knowing smile. "I am your mate," he said, his voice deep and resonant.

"My mate?" I repeated, still trying to make sense of what was happening.

In an effort to put some distance between myself and the stranger who claimed to be my mate, I took a few steps back.

He continued, moving slowly and deliberately in my direction, "You're my mate." We are destined to be together."

I shook my head and moved away a bit further.

"This is not feasible. I've never met you before."

I lost my balance when I took a step backward because my foot slid on a slippery rock. I slid over the cliff in a reverse motion as the wind whipped past my ears.

I briefly lost all sense of weight and watched as my body fell into the rocks below. I attempted to scream, but I was left gasping for air.

He hauled me back up to the cliff's edge while firmly holding onto me and flexing his biceps. He held me tightly but gently, and as he pressed against me, I could feel the heat from his body.

"Are you okay?" he inquired, his voice low and soothing.

Too frightened to talk, I just nodded. I was struck by how attractive he was as I peered up into his face. He had a small amount of stubble on his chiseled jawline, and his piercing green eyes seemed to be staring right through me. He had big shoulders and a toned chest that rippled beneath his shirt. He was a muscular man.

We both stood there for a brief period of time, exhaling heavily and maintaining eye contact. We were in conflict, and I could sense the attraction simmering just beneath the surface.

I became aware that I might be in danger at that point. I had just fallen off a cliff and been saved by a stranger who identified himself as my mate. I was unsure of his identity and what he desired from me.

"Who are you?" I questioned, the terror in my voice audible.

The man's face softened, and he extended his hand to remove a hair from my face. He said in a soft, low voice, "My name is Ethan. "And I swear I won't hurt you," he added.

I backed away from him as my heart began to race. "How can I be sure you're trustworthy?" I prompted.

Ethan smiled at me in a little, dejected way. He acknowledged my fear, saying, "I get it. "But you must have faith in me. You and I were intended to be together."

I murmured, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper, "I don't understand."

Ethan moved a step closer while keeping his gaze fixed on me. "You will," he promised. "Just give me an opportunity to convince you of my love and loyalty."

I paused for a split second. Not only was I unsure of my ability to trust him, but I was also unsure of my ability to trust myself. It was impossible to deny the connection I had with Ethan, and that frightened me.

"Maya. Where are you, Maya?" Liam's voice came to me.

Ethan made a solemn face as he turned to face me. I have to go, Maya," he murmured. "But, I swear I'll return to get you."

I frowned, unsure of what he meant. "Go where? And why do you have to leave?"

"I can't explain right now," Ethan said, his voice urgent. "But please, trust me. I will come back for you."

Before I could say anything else, Ethan began to transform. His muscles bulged and twisted, fur sprouting from his skin as he shifted into his wolf form. In just a few moments, the man I had met was gone, replaced by a large, majestic wolf. He turned back and disappeared into the woods.

I stood there, stunned and alone, as Liam finally reached me. "Maya, are you okay?" he asked, his eyes wide with concern.

I turned around and saw Liam standing a few feet away, looking worried. He had come to check up on me after what happened earlier when he kissed me without my permission.

"I'm fine, Liam," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you sure?" Liam asked, taking a step closer.

I nodded, but I could tell that Liam wasn't convinced. He took another step closer, and I instinctively took a step back.

"Look Maya, I'm sorry about earlier," Liam said, his voice filled with regret. "I shouldn't have kissed you like that. I just couldn't help myself. I've been wanting to do it for a long time, and I thought maybe..."

I interrupted him before he could finish. "It's okay, Liam," I said, trying to reassure him. "I know you didn't mean anything by it."

Liam smiled, relief evident on his face. "Thanks Maya," he said. "I'm glad you understand."

We stood there in silence for a few moments before Liam spoke up again. "So, what happened? How did you end up here?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should tell him about Ethan and what he had said.

I took a deep breath and looked away, trying to come up with a plausible lie. "I just got lost," I said, shrugging. "I was wandering around and couldn't find my way back."

Liam frowned, looking at me suspiciously. "Are you sure that's all that happened?" he asked.

I nodded, making an effort to sound as believable as I could. "Sure, Liam. Just that. I simply got lost."

I could tell Liam wasn't buying what I was saying by the way he kept looking at me. But instead of pressing the matter, he chose to put it on hold for the time being.

"Okay, then let's get you back home," Liam remarked, motioning for me to follow him.

I couldn't help but think about Ethan and what he had said as we made our way back. A part of me yearned to be honest with Liam, to confide in him, and to solicit his counsel. A different part of me, however, was terrified of what he could say or how he may respond. Although I wasn't sure whether I could trust Ethan myself, I didn't want to take the chance of losing Liam's trust.

I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan and the strange connection I felt with him. It didn't make sense that he could be my mate. Lycan werewolves usually met their mates when they turned eighteen, but I was still seventeen.

Despite my confusion, I couldn't help but feel drawn to Ethan. His eyes, his voice, his touch – they were all etched into my mind. I spent hours replaying our encounter over and over again, trying to make sense of what had happened.

Liam noticed my distracted state and asked me what was wrong. I could see the concern in his eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth.

"Oh, it's nothing," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm just a little tired."

"You look exhausted, Maya. Let me carry you back home," he said, his voice filled with concern.

But I shook my head, not wanting to impose on him. "No, Liam, it's okay. I can walk," I replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

But Liam didn't seem to take no for an answer. "Come on, Maya. It's no trouble for me. Let me help you," he insisted, moving closer to me.

I stepped back, feeling uncomfortable with his persistence. "I said no, Liam. Please respect my wishes," I said firmly, hoping he would understand.

But Liam didn't seem to listen. Before I knew it, he had scooped me up in his arms, carrying me in bridal style as if I was weightless.

"Hey, Liam! Put me down!" I protested, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

But Liam ignored me, carrying me all the way back home. As he moved, I could feel his arms getting closer to me, and I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Liam gently set me down when we eventually got home, but I was simmering with rage. "Liam, what the hell? I've been clear that I don't want to be carried!" I yelled, raising my voice with each word.

Liam exhibited a startled expression as a result of my abrupt outburst. "Maya, I'm very sorry. I merely wanted to assist you," His voice was contrite as he spoke.

But I wasn't in the mood to hear his excuses. "You should have respected my wishes, Liam. I didn't want to be carried, and you should have listened to me," I said firmly, my voice full of frustration.

Liam looked hurt, but he didn't say anything else, giving me space to cool off. As I stormed off to my room, I couldn't help but think about how Liam had overstepped his boundaries. I couldn't let him treat me like a damsel in distress, not when I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself.