Our Mate

Chapter 3

Liam’s POV

She wrenched her arm free.

For a moment, the graze of her skin, the spark firing at that first contact, still lingered.

Cara's face didn't change. Her eyes—sharp, guarded—met mine with defense. "I don’t know him," she said, her voice level.

Liar.

I watched her closely, Boris, my wolf, pacing inside me.

Boris growled, his frustration evident. “I want to talk to Cornell now”

I clenched my jaw, “Not now, Boris”

“She’s our mate,” he snapped, pacing inside me like a caged animal. “Let's make this quick"

I ignored him, keeping my eye on Cara.

The way her scent curled around me, something wild and sharp, like fresh rain after a storm. The way her lips pressed together like I was holding her back to him. The way her pulse quickened when I touched her, no matter how much she tried to hide it.

I took a step closer, watching as her jaw tensed.

“Do you feel it? We are mates” I asked, my voice low.

She didn't pretend to misunderstand.

"I know what I am," she said. "And I know what you are. You would never want an outcast as your luna." Her lips curled into something almost bitter. "I'm ready for rejection."

Boris growled.

Her words twist in my chest.

I hadn't expected that. I had expected confusion, maybe denial, but not this….this quiet acceptance, like she had already made peace with a fate I hadn't even fucking decided yet.

“You'd better mark her soon.” Boris snarled, “I can't wait.”

I ignored him again.

I wasn't about to lose control-not yet.

Instead, I studied her, letting the silence stretch. 

"I think you don’t give this pack enough credit," I said finally, my tone smooth. "We're more tolerant than you probably think."

"Join the training," I repeated. "See that for yourself."

She blinked, as though I'd just given her the most preposterous answer. Before she could respond, the scent of roses and perfumer's redolence wafted into the room.Sofia, my sister

Her eyes darted back and forth between me and Cara. She didn't say anything, but it seemed that she said everything

Cara exhaled slowly, then turned to me. “I have things to do,” she said.

Then, without another word, she left.

Boris let out a low, displeased growl as I watched her walk away.

Sofia noticed.

Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer.

I didn't look at her. My eyes were still locked on the doorway Cara had just disappeared through.

Sofia followed my gaze, then said it in a dissatisfied tone. "Let's go to your study."

In my study, she leaned against my desk, twirling a strand of her hair. Her eyes wandered over the bookshelves behind me.

Sofia pulled out a book and read the title. “This book is rare and beyond its value. I've been longing for it ever since I noticed it on your shelf..Now the author, Cela, is having a fan meeting soon. I want to take an out-of-print book to get it signed.” She smiled. “Could you give me this one.”

I closed the folder in my hands and leaned back in my chair. “No.”

She frowned. “Why? I am your sister”

“If you want an autograph, I can get one for you,” I said. “But I won’t give you that book.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Do you know the author? You know Cela?”

I gave her a look and she groaned. "Fine, whatever." She set the book back on the shelf and muttered something as she strode from my office.

After she was gone, I stood up and pulled The Forgotten War from the shelf.

I flipped them until one fell open to the page

A photograph that was burnt. It’s Cara Black or

“Alec Davis”

I ran a finger over the image. The fire had almost annihilated it, but I'd managed to save it from the fire two years ago. Still, the edges were blackened, with a crack running through the image.

But it didn't matter.

I had found her.

And this time, she wouldn't slip right through my fingers this time.