Chapter 20: Secrets in the Lattice

Krimson’s P.O.V

My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I saw Liam and Lilac coming out of the fair ground together hand in hand as they walked back to Liam’s car with Tawin in the lead.

I was acting on impulse, like a fool.

Why did come all the way here? Why did I decide to follow the GPS in Liam’s car once I found out that he had cut classes with Lilac? Why was I still here now that I had ascertained that she was doing alright?

It didn’t make any sense.

Nothing that I had been doing for the past month has been making any sense to me.

Both Elijah and Luca seem to have been right. Whenever it came to Lilac, my judgment was always cloudy. There was always a war raging on between my mind and my heart. Between my wolf and the part of me that was still human.

I thought there was no humanity left in me. After everything that I had been though because of Dawn Wood…but the more I stayed near Lilac, the more it’s becoming to stay away.

Yes, when I’m alone, when I only have myself and my thoughts…I can admit to it. Lilac is my mate. And the closer she gets to eighteen, the stronger the pull between us gets.

For me, the pull had already been blinding when I’d first saved her in the forest that night. The scent of her blood had drawn me to her…and her wide, innocent eyes had made me stay.

I’d regretted saving her ever since I had learned that she had belonged to Dawn Wood pack.

But after three years of watching Lilac grow up in my pack…I didn’t care who she used to be, or who she was when I found her. The desire to claim her as my mate was just as strong as the day I had met her, but she was still too young…too fragile. She didn’t know what kind of man I was or what I had to do to survive.

However, I had thought that my want to keep her close, to keep her bound to the pack…it was pure physical attraction. Any fool could tell that Lilac was beautiful.

My hate for her had made me push her away as hard as I could. But now that she was getting close to someone else…I felt even more uneasy.

Reverting the car out of the parking lot, I turned to the freeway as I made my way back to the pack house. I couldn’t explain it, my actions today. I couldn’t explain why I had left my work, left everything and rushed to follow Liam’s car. I couldn’t explain why seeing her getting close to another man was getting on my nerve and I couldn’t explain why I was feeling the need to remind Lilac just who she belonged to.

She was right to be afraid of me. She should be scared. I didn’t stake claims easily. And I would never let her claim my heart…even if I was the one to claim her first.

*

Liam’s P.O.V:

I parked the car in the garage but took my time getting out.

Somehow, I felt uneasy. There was this restlessness inside me that just didn’t seem to go away, no matter how hard I tried to calm down and ease my breathing.

I had just dropped Lilac and Tawin off at their homes, Tawin having offered to walk Dani back home, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling that we had been followed today.

Was it dad? No…he was out of town for a business trip…then who?

Had Alpha Krimson ordered something? Had he…found out?

Shaking my head, I got out of the car and locked it, only to come face to face with the last person I was expecting to meet.

“What are you doing here?” I grit out, my jaw clenching in anger.

“Aww…is that how you greet your best girl-friend?” Serena gave me a smirk, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“I’m not.” I told her clearly. “And we’re not friends.”

“Oh?” She stood up from leaning against her Audi before stepping closer to me. “Bed buddies then?”

She looked up at me through her long dark lashes, moving her hands up my sides until she reached my nape, pulling me down so our faces were inches apart. “Or do you prefer ‘partners in crime’?”

Placing my hands on her shoulders, I pushed her away from me before she could pull me in for a kiss. I curled my hands into fists, even though my claws sliced out and wolf growled inside my head in anger.

“Stay the fuck away from me, Serena.” I snapped at her, letting my wolf into my voice. “Sleeping with you was a one-night mistake and it was years ago! Stop bringing it up every time you see me!”

“And why shouldn’t I?” She snapped right back. “You think you can use me and toss me aside whenever you’re done? I got in trouble because of you, you bastard!”

She returned the shove, causing me to hit the car, but it wasn’t the hit that hurt. Before I could call her out on her bullshit, Serena held up her phone and on it, played a video that I hadn't expected to find.

My eyes widened in shock as my heart thrashed against my ribcage. It felt like my entire body was going numb.

“You…you recorded us?” My voice was no more than a hoarse whisper.

“You didn’t expect it, did you?” Serena moved the phone out of my grasp before I could reach for it. “And don’t try anything funny, this isn’t the only copy I have of this video.”

I grit my teeth together, unable to speak from both the shock and the anger.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” She scoffed. “Try and act high and mighty with me once more and see what happens! Your father won’t be the only one disappointed with you after watching the video.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” That sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach increased as she came closer once again.

“You think I haven’t noticed? You’re getting attached to Lilac.” It was a threat and a warning. “So remember the video before you go any further. And do not go back on your word Liam. Or there will be hell to pay.”

She pushed me back against the car once again and this time, I felt too numb to care as she pulled me down towards her and started kissing my neck. “Now…let’s finish what I came here for, shall we?”