"Mara isn't Sylviana," I growl, a bit annoyed as to what he's implying.
Moreover, I hate how he still treats me like I'm a child. We are far beyond the time where I had to hide from our father and he and Damian had to protect me. I'm an adult now, I can make my own choices and live with them. Actually, I'm probably more involved with Silver City's security than he is now. He and Damian only have time for their families and the Black Corporation Group nowadays, but I'm the only one patrolling the border with the regular wolves. What right does he have to tell me whether Mara is dangerous or not?
Nathaniel and I glare at each other for a while. I don't like that he's gauging me like this and testing me. He has to stop freaking doing that.
"The croissants are ready now!"
I help Estelle take them out of the oven to distract myself from my older brother's attitude. I wish he'd let go a little and mind his own business. Why did he come here anyway? I don't believe he's just cautious of my diet. For a little while, I try to ignore him and help Estelle set up the table for breakfast, but really, there's nothing much to do anyway. She can prepare her own little hot chocolate, as I always have her box of chocolate powder somewhere, and Nate makes more coffee. We finally sit at the kitchen counter, and I remember the good time Mara and I spent there last night.
I miss her already. I'm an idiot for not following her out, or stopping her from going. Why couldn't I tell Nate to fuck off for once? I fucking miss my fated mate. I don't know how Damian endured this for years, it's been a few minutes and I'm resisting the urge to run outside and find her. My inner wolf is upset too. I had such a good sleep next to her, until she had that nightmare... Moreover, I got to see her wearing my clothes. Does she have any idea how sexy she is when she has my shirt on? I don't know how much that bond between us is corrupting my mind, but damn, I'm so done for. I'm addicted already. I need her scent like a junkie. I want to touch her hot skin again. I can't even believe how well-behaved I kept myself when we were so close. My own self-control is getting better with each minute we spend together, but it doesn't help that I still always want more. I want to touch her, to caress her. My animal instincts are getting the best of me. Is there anything I can do to tame my wolf before I do something she won't be able to endure? She's not the dangerous one, I am. I'm the beast that craves its witch.
"So, what have you found?"
I raise my eyes from my cup, my croissant still dipped in my coffee. What does he mean? Nathaniel tilts his head.
"About that witch," he adds.
"Her name is Mara, for f–"
I suddenly remember my niece is here, and although she is busy drinking her hot chocolate, she has werewolf ears too. She may not be listening, but she can still hear. I take a deep breath and glare at Nate.
"...For fuck's sake," I growl, using our mind-link to finish my sentence.
"Language, Liam."
"Is that what you came here for? You knew she spent the night with me, so you came to dig around for some information? Is it not enough that Selena is watching her? Hell, half of the city is!"
I hate how they are scrutinizing all of Mara's actions, waiting for her to make a mistake. The worst part is that I did the same thing not too long ago. Watching her from afar, waiting to see how dangerous she is and how we should handle her.
Dangerous? Hell, she's her first victim. You can tell she doesn't know what to do from that pure look in her eyes. I love everything about her eyes, and most of all, how they genuinely express all of her emotions. I can tell when she's sad, when she's upset, and when she's surprised. Mara is a blank canvas and all her thoughts go into her actions. She doesn't have an ounce of evil in her.
Nathaniel is still staring at me, but I can't read him. He's always had that thing about him, he's so good at hiding his emotions. In a way, he's the opposite of his wife...
"...I only came to bring you breakfast," he coldly retorts. "You may not remember it often, but you are still our younger brother."
I calm down a bit. I know he resents me for distancing myself from them. Or more like, I'm not as invasive as I once was. I like being around my nieces and nephews, and even my brothers, Selena, and Nora. But they have their own lives now, and I need to have mine.
I needed some time after Sylviana left us. They respected that, but now it's been over two years and they don't understand. Things have changed. I cannot be like I was before, the goofy and easy-going Liam...
I glance at Estelle. They probably decided to drop by to check on me before he took her to school. I shouldn't have reacted so coldly. I'm just upset he made Mara go. I take a deep breath. Crap, I know Nate better than that. He may be an ass and not trust people, but he's my older brother.
"Fine, I'm sorry..." I sigh, "but please, don't talk about Mara like that again."
I'm serious, and he knows it. He doesn't make fun of me or retort that he doesn't care about that witch. Nate simply gazes at me for a while, looking intrigued. He sips a bit of his coffee, his blue eyes still on me, probably trying to decipher whatever is going on with my sudden change of attitude.
"...So you're really serious about her?" he asks gently.
I nod.
"She's... my fated mate, Nate."
He opens his mouth, shocked. Yeah, that's a big bomb to drop over breakfast, but here we are. He puts his cup down and frowns.
"Are you sure?"
I can't help but roll my eyes.
"Hey, I've seen Damian, and we've talked about this. Trust me, there is no mistake."
