Chapter 19
I have to watch the elevator doors close on her, annoyed. Why did she have to go? I turn back, glaring at my brother.
"Seriously, Nate? Did you really have to?"
He raises an eyebrow, trying to play innocent.
"We only came to bring you breakfast, since your culinary skills are still non-existent..."
"Stop that, you know I'm talking about your attitude toward Mara."
"Mara? You're already so close that you'd call her by her first name and let her sleep here?"
I frown and walk up to Estelle, ignoring him. I know what I used to say, but things are different now. My niece smiles and opens up her arms for me to hug her. Damn, how did they make such cute kids? It has to be their moms' genes, although Estelle is much sweeter than her mom. I lift her up and take her to the kitchen. She already knows how to put the little croissants in the oven to warm them up a little and she even takes out a baking tray I had no idea was there.
Meanwhile, Nate walks over too, still with that dark expression on, his eyes as cold as ice.
"I texted you we were dropping by," he says.
Seriously, that's all he’s got for an excuse?
"I didn't check my phone."
"You never do. And you complain when we mind-link you too."
"Because you guys wake up at dawn when I’m usually asleep!"
That, and the fact that I don't need a helicopter brother either. He and Damian have barely changed, always trying to control everything, especially me. It used to be fun to escape their surveillance, but now that I'm getting older, it's becoming seriously annoying.
"Did we wake you up?" asks Estelle, looking a bit concerned.
I sigh, Nate putting a little bit of a smile on. He knows I can't resist my nieces, so now he's going to make me feel guilty in front of her? I shake my head and kiss her forehead gently.
"Don't worry, little star, I'm always happy to see ya."
She smiles back, looking relieved, and goes back to staring at the oven and the croissants inside. A nice smell is slowly coming out of it, and it's hard to keep a cold atmosphere this way. I turn to Nate once again, my brother stern as usual in his dark business suit.
"I'm allowed to have whoever I want over. This is my place."
"It may be yours, but don't forget we bought it for you, Liam. Moreover, that witch is dangerous. Why would you want her close? I thought you didn't like her. Weren't you avoiding her just days ago?"
I sigh. Of course, they’re using their money to control people, as always. This is going to be a complicated one, but... I can still see Mara's expression when she mentioned my brothers. She's genuinely scared and wary of them. She should be. They are Alphas, and although they now have families and all, they're still the most powerful wolves around. Even I watch my actions around them, or at least those they know of.
However, they are still my brothers, and I want Mara to be my girlfriend. Those relationships are equally important to me. Things are going to have to change, and I need to face the truth head-on. I take a deep breath to talk to Nathaniel seriously.
"I like her, Nate. Seriously."
"...Like her as in...?"
"I really like her, as a woman. I..."
I glance toward Estelle, but she isn't listening, taking out some little plates.
"I want her, Nate. As my mate."
He sighs.
"...Do I need to give you the full lecture about witches? Again?"
