Chapter 20. It Wasn’t Closure

Ria

anchoring me to this moment.

I glared at him, but his eyes were locked on her, and I saw something in his gaze that unsettled me. 

I took a step forward and stopped. 

And then I saw her; there she was.

Bliss.

Standing in the front of the hall like she belonged. 

here. Like she owned the floor beneath her feet.

I suddenly realized— I had no idea why we were really here.

Liam hadn’t told me anything about this trip. I hadn’t asked, because I didn’t care. But now, with Bliss alive and right in front of us,everything shifted.

And I didn’t know what that meant.

Gone was the shy, uncertain girl from before. This Bliss was sharper. Eyes alert. Posture grounded, she wore close fitting training clothes. Her dark hair tied back, a layer of sweat glistening in her skin.

Her face was hard focused— but there was something regal in the way she held herself. 

She stood near the far end of the room, moving with a controlled, almost hypnotic grace as she ran through a series of rigorous exercises. Every movement spoke of determination and raw power.

I blinked, unable to believe my own eyes. Bliss—alive. Here in the heart of the Lunari pack’s domain.

I turned to Liam, searched his face for some sign of reaction.

His eyes were wide, but not with fear. No, it was something far colder— something like calculation and disbelief wrapped in a flicker of rage.

His jaw clenched tight as he stared at her, as if trying to will her to vanish.

“ She's real,” I whispered, barely daring to speak.

Liam didn’t respond, instead he shifted his weight, eyes never leaving Bliss.

I could see the tension coiling between them, like a silent storm waiting to explode.

I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how exposed I felt standing here, caught between the two forces— Bliss’s fierce survival and Liam’s relentless hunger.

For a moment everything froze.

The distant clang of training equipment, the sharp breath of other wolves practicing, faded into silence as our gazes locked on her.

Liam’s voice was low “ How’s this possible.”

“ I don’t know,” I said, my voice trembling. “But she’s here and she looks stronger than ever.”

A dark smile twisted Liam’s lips. “ Then she’s even more valuable than I thought.” He said. 

I remember the story Liam had told me in the early days—how he’d killed before without hesitation, how he enjoyed the fear in his victims eyes. The thought of him wanting to rip that power from Bliss was terrifying.

I realized instantly that Liam wasn’t just surprised— he was hungry. Hungry for the power Bliss represented. I hadn’t believed it then. But now I’m trapped. But not entirely, I just have to be his good girl as I have ever been.

I squeezed his arm, trying to pull him back from whatever dark place he was slipping into. But he jerked free, stepping forward with a predator’s confidence.

“She’s mine,” he said, his voice hard as steel.

“ No,” I said firmly, surprising even myself. “ Not anymore.”

He turned sharply, eyes blazing “ watch yourself, Ria.”

She looked in our direction, her eyes pausing on me for the briefest moment. I couldn’t read her expression. Recognition? Disdain? She quickly looked past us, her attention already somewhere else—probably on Liam.

She acted  as if she didn’t know us.

Of course.

Bliss took a step forward, her movement confident, precise. Someone approached her— tall, broad- shouldered, clearly of rank.

They exchanged a few words, low and urgent.

Even now, even here, Bliss had a way of pulling attention. I bit down the bitterness crawling down my throat.

I glanced at Liam but his face was unreadable.

Bliss was alive. Strong. Dangerous, maybe.

And Liam? He wasn't here by accident, whatever he was after, it wasn’t Love. And it wasn't closure either.”

And I had just walked into the heart of it.