Chapter 9: Reckless

**Liam’s POV**

I’m sitting in my office waiting for Jacob. I summoned him because I needed to know what happened to Laura. I’m on edge and I know something was not right. I had felt it since last night at first joy followed by complete pleasure and bliss then after eleven, it was as though I was enveloped in absolute dread. I could not sleep at all and today an undeniable mixture of despair and terror invaded my heart. My mate was hurting and I needed answers, if not I will tear this whole place upside down like a fucking mindless animal. My wolf was ready to snap, Krait was overly quiet and Giaan tried to keep Ozouf calm. He was helping me as well, but I am not sure how much longer I could keep my composure.

Jacob entered the office looking bitter, I have no idea what happened, but I fucking swear if he tried anything with her I am going to end him. I know he has a crush on her, but he always respected Laura. I was somewhat hesitant when she told me she was going to stay with him, but when she said she wanted to focus on her career I believed she would then stay away from any romantic shit.

“Hi Jacob, Thanks for popping by. How are you today?” I asked, trying to be my usual self.

“I’m great,” he scoffed cuttingly. Although I could see he was visibly annoyed, but I was taken aback when he spoke to me like that.

“You seem upset. Are you sure everything is fine?” I asked using my intimidating voice causing Jacob to snap out of his salty mood.

“I’m sorry sir, I don’t know what’s gotten over me,” he admitted sheepishly. I nodded in acknowledgement and sat forward with my elbows on my desk resting my head over my interlocked fingers. I studied Jacob for a few moments. Hmmm, I wonder if this little shit tried to make a move on my baby, and she rejected him. Hence her emotions of dread and sadness. Could it be fear of losing his friendship?

“I like the sound of that, our baby,” hummed Giaan, all lovey-dovey as he cooed at my thoughts. I mentally shook my head to get my mind thinking straight. I realised I had been quiet for too long as Jacob looked at me with a worried gaze.

“Ssserves him right, let him sssweat a little more,” Krait hissed spitefully. He never liked Jacob. In the past, I would ignore his childish suggestion, but now I favoured it.

I sat for a few more seconds, then finally broke the silence, “Does it have something to do with Laura perhaps?” Jacob became ridged as he tensed up, then looked down with fidgety hands. Got ya, you little shit. Choose your words very carefully, I said in my thoughts.

“Yeah,” he sighed in defeat, then continued but I could see this was difficult for him. “You see sir, although Lau is my bestie, I always felt something more for her.”

My heart began to race at his words, I felt as though I could strangle him at any moment. “Calm down Liam, let’s first hear what he has to say,” Giaan interrupted me, helping to focus on Jacob’s explanation.

“When Michael broke things off with her, I thought I finally had my chance. I knew I would treat her so much better than that turd, but yesterday when I got home— Never mind,” Jacob sighed in utmost disappointment. It sounded almost like that of betrayal and not rejection.

“Jacob, Laura sounded off this morning, I need to know what happened,” I said sternly desperate to hear everything.

“I swear to the Gods if this bastard does not spill it, I am going to fucking torture it out of him!” Ozouf snarled restlessly, as my chimaera paced up and down. For once Krait was also of the same mind.

“When I got home Lau and my roommate Jerry was nowhere to be seen. At first, I thought nothing of it and decided to watch some TV. At around quarter to ten the door swung open only to see Jerry carrying a giggling Laura. They looked like a newly married couple that could not wait for their wedding night. I was completely taken aback; I had never seen or heard Lau like that. Jerry carried her to his room and they were at it for like an hour. So yeah, I’m not doing so great today.”

I froze, at his words, “All over each other? You sure?” I asked in utter disbelief. That does not sound like my mate, I refuse to believe it! My chimaera released the most terrifying roar, but it matched exactly how I was feeling. Jacob resumed talking, but I heard nothing because I saw my mate outside my office window. She was running to the bistro as though she was being chased by a lion. My tremulous heart felt as if it was going to beat out of my chest. I needed to speak to my mate now and find out what the fuck happened!

“Sir?” I heard Jacob call fearfully.

“Sorry Jacob, I just remembered I have a big meeting I need to prepare for. Thank you for seeing me, why not take a half day off, you seem very down.”

“Thank you, sir, I appreciate it,” he said then got up to leave. As he reached and opened the door, there was my baby, standing looking like a ghost. I wanted to grab her in my arms and comfort her, to wash away her troubles. I could feel her pain, fear and dread. I managed to keep my composure, as I observed Jacob dismissively greet her and left closing the door behind her.

I quickly got up and rushed to her. “I am so sorry Liam—” I grabbed her in my arms until I smelled the scent of a horny werewolf male that made his mark on her. I immediately released her, and my eyes caught sight of the slightly pulled scarf revealing something that made me see fucking red. I ripped the scarf from her neck and saw multiple love bites revealed on her neck. I fucking lost it as Jacob’s words resounded in my head.

“Is this why you are late? After I was so worried about you!” I roared in absolute wrath. My whore of a mate trembled, but I did not give a fuck. The whole building can hear me for all I care.

“Please, Liam—”

“Silence!” I bellowed in absolute fury, causing her to tremble. Laura’s pale face turned ashen and she looked as though she was on the brink of collapse. She clumsily held onto the wall for support, but I didn’t care, MY MATE needs to be taught a lesson!

“You may have had a terrible breakup, but it does not give you the excuse to whore around and come to work when you feel like it! I gave you off yesterday; the chance to work in the kitchen and this is how you act towards my kindness?”

Laura weakened further, but she seemed determined to feign her innocence, and pathetically cried, “Please, Liam. It’s not—”

“It’s not what it seems? How the fuck do you explain those marks?! Even Jacob told me about your frivolous evening! Where is your respect for those helping you? It’s disgusting! What happened to your promise?” I shouted in pure anger, as my hurt nearly betrayed me. What broke me the most was not only my mate was with yet another man—I clearly was not good enough for her to be considered. Though human, did she truly feel nothing towards me?

My mate held at her heart, her body becoming physically weak, she hunched forward as though in pain and on the brink of collapse. Good, I snarled to myself.

“I am sorry, p-please forgive me, I-I was reckless,” she whispered in pure agony. “I will pack my things and go, I apologize for the inconvenience I-I caused.” Laura turned to leave. I felt her hurt, it was excruciating, but I ignored it, she needs to learn; to feel what I feel.

“Laura, I never dismissed you, but you are to resume as a waitress. Once you sort your shit out, then I will let you know if or when you are to be promoted,” I hissed with disdain as I continued to stare at the marks on her neck, travelling down to Gods know where. I threw the scarf at her and thundered, “You are staying late to make up for your lost hours today and tomorrow, helping to clean the bistro!”

“Yes, Mr. Custos,” she murmured in a barely audible tone.

“Get out of my sight,” I spat as I held the door open. Laura kept looking towards the wooden floorboards. I could see how each word stabbed her. That’s how it feels to be betrayed! Ozouf and Krait fully supported my temper, but Giaan remained silent as though a distant spectator.

As soon as she left I slammed the door causing the solid wood to split creating a long crack. My thoughts immediately travelled to that fucking wolf and his taunting stench. It was thickly slathered on MY MATE. He clearly secreted his glands empty to ward off other males. The insecure mongrel overdid it! That fucker means business, but my mate will not be his. I will find him and fuck him up for preying on her vulnerability.”

“You fools were the ones being reckless,” Giaan articulated in utter disdain, causing me to momentarily snap out of my anger.

“What do you mean?” I asked, baffled.

“You three have all the senses and talents blessed by the God of Dreams, yet you succumbed to raw mortal wolfish wrath before knowing the full account,” Giaan screeched, displeased with his beak in the air as his feathers stood on end. It surprised me; I don’t think I have ever seen him so hostile.

“What do you mean bird brain?” Ozouf snarled, still searing with anger.

“You should have looked beyond what angered you. You should have at least let our cherub explain her side of woe!” he hissed in pure anguish. As always, he knew something but refused to tell us. Spiteful fucker.

“Stop sspewing riddles you pillowcase! What did you sssee?” Krait hissed frustrated.

Giaan only puffed at him with pure venom—an action he rarely did—then closed his eyes and tucked his head away. “You fools deserve what’s to come, I hope the Moon Goddess revokes our bond and gifts it to a more deserving mate!”