In Reach?

Liam’s POV

I’m sitting in my office, trying to work. But I haven't been able to focus since the whole thing of yesterday happened. That asshole of a fucker, Ashton is staying, on the grounds that his mate is here. Which technically gives him the right to stay.

This is just annoying me. I know that if there is no way to prove their mate bond, then it may just mean that he’s staying here indefinitely. Fuck. Do I really need that problem?

But then again, there is the possibility that she may just believe him, she may just,……just choose the fucker. That would mean that she has to leave and go with him to his pathetic excuse of a pack.

Fuck it. Why can I never just have a moment of peace. There’s always something happening. Always something pissing me off. The only time when I’m ever really at peace, is when I’m with,…..her. Why does it seem like I have to choose between her and my pack? Why can’t I just have both? Why do I have to choose?

I’m still deep in thought when Noah barges into the office with a furious expression. He slams the door shut behind him, but his attitude is annoying my wolf now.

“You’re fucking her, aren’t you!?” He shouts out and it actually has me frozen in my seat.

“What?”

He starts pacing in front of me breathing very heavily.

“I just had an interesting conversation with Aiden and Charlotte downstairs.”

He’s still pacing, not looking up at me. But how did this thought even come about? How could he know? I know I don’t keep things from Noah, but this, this was something personal, between me and her. It was our,…….secret. Fuck. That still doesn’t sound good.

“Aiden still can’t figure out what is wrong with her. But Charlotte says that her symptoms are somewhat very similar to some pregnant wolves.”

Wait what? Pregnant? She can’t be pregnant. I made sure, that every time we were together, I used a condom. Every ti-.

Fuck! The other night, after the club. I couldn’t be less bothered about wearing one, I just wanted her. Shit. What if?

That means Ashton can’t take her away from us. I hear my wolf smirk in my head. Shut Up! This would just complicate things, everything. Besides, it was just once. What is to say that she could actually get pregnant from that.

Noah is still pacing the room, like he’s trying to put these pieces together as he’s speaking.

“Did you know that they found her eating raw meat in the kitchen the other night?”

Raw meat? “What?”

“Yeah, apparently she had a craving. And guess what? Charlotte says that can be a pregnancy craving too. But Aiden disagrees with it, because he says the only man she is with all the time is Theo. And he refuses to believe it is him. And frankly, so do I.”

Now he’s standing still and looking directly at me.

“What she and Theo has is cute, but it’s nothing sexual. However, when it comes to you two, you can practically cut the tension with a butter knife when you’re in the same room. And my suspicions just grew when I saw you that night at the club. You two were practically eye-fucking each other on the dance floor.”

Now he’s leaning over my desk, with a firm expression.

“So tell me Liam, is there a possibility that Mira can be pregnant?”

“No.” I say too quickly, surprising Noah with my answer. But the guilt is gnawing at me. It was just once that we didn’t use protection. What if? What if she is? “I don’t know.” I huff out.

“Dammit Liam.” He slams his hand on the table.

My wolf is annoyed with his attitude, but I know he is here as my friend. Sometimes I need a scolding too. Dammit indeed.

I run my fingers through my hair, knowing this complicates a lot of things.

But Noah is laughing now. He’s actually laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“I just realized, that I have a home-wrecking Alpha for a best friend.” He continues laughing.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Think about it. There is a possibility that she is Ashton’s mate,” I growl hearing him say this out loud, “and now we find out that she may just very well be pregnant with your pup. If you ask me, you are the one that’s wrecking their mate-bond, all because you couldn’t keep it in your pants.”

Fuck. He’s right. But honestly speaking, my wolf is getting excited with the idea of her carrying our pup. Fuck. I’m getting excited. If she is pregnant, I know that she won’t be able to leave me, that we’ll always be somehow bonded.

“What’s that smile for?”

I look up and see Noah staring at me. Fuck. He’s still here. “It’s nothing.”

“Oh, don’t you ‘it’s nothing’ me. You want this, don’t you?”

I don’t know what to say. Saying yes just sounds so selfish.

“Fuck, Liam! Do you have any idea how complicated this makes things? Not only do we have to worry about whether or not she was sent by Dahlia, but now you have to worry about Ashton and the fact that you probably stole another man’s mate. Oh, and need I remind you that Aubrey and Charlotte are still arranging the Gala where the council will be expecting you to choose your Luna from the candidates they gave you.”

I sigh. I was already thinking about all of that. It just stresses me out even more, hearing it out loud. Fuck. I need a vacation. I need some Mira time.

“I know this is fucked up Noah. I never expected any of this to happen.”

“You know that at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you choose. I’ll always have your back. But that still means that I’ll always keep a watch on those close to you. It’s my job. It’s to keep you safe.”

“I know Noah, but you know you can cool it a bit with your frustrations with her. You keep acting like she’s Hitler or something.”

He sighs. “I know. And it is hard to keep it professional, to keep my guard up around her. She grew on me too. But remember, dynamite comes in small packages. Look at all the mess she has already created.”

We both chuckle a bit at this.

“But you must just remember, that she still has a choice in all of this.” Noah just had to remind me. "And just so you know, the head-members already knew you were protective of her. Now you just confirmed that you might just have a thing for her. They're starting to wonder, just as I am, whether she may just be your second chance mate. We're all actually pretty hopeful right now, and not just for your sake. Just think about it. Don't be scared to consider it."

He straightens himself and walks out of the office.

He has a point. I know I want her, I can't deny it now. But do I want 'it' to be true, -the idea of her as my second chance mate? I never wanted it not to be. I was just in denial about it.

Noah's right, I am just scared to admit that I want it, that I want her as my destined mate. Admitting it makes it real. Which means that the possibility of losing her is real too.

Fuck!!!

You know what, fuck this shit. She's mine. Mate or not, I'll win her over if I have to.