"Me too," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Ready to go?" Liam asked, offering me his arm. I hesitated for a moment before looping my arm through his, feeling the solid warmth of his body against mine.
"Have fun, you two!" Verity called out, with a genuine smile.
"Goodnight, ladies," Liam said, nodding to each of them in turn.
"Goodnight," they chorused, with Gen, Frankie, Verity, and Kaitlyn all wearing matching grins.
"Bye, Erica!" Frankie added with a wink. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up inside me at her outrageous humour. As Liam led me out of the room, the sound of their giggles followed us, their playful teasing a reminder of the support they'd shown me earlier.
The cool night air brushed against my skin as we stepped outside the apartment building, and I couldn't help but shiver slightly. Liam noticed immediately and moved closer to me, his body heat a welcome comfort.
"Are you cold?" he asked with genuine concern in his voice. "I can grab you a jacket if you want."
"No, it's okay," I replied, not wanting to seem too fragile. "I'll warm up once we start walking."
"Alright," he said, still looking a little worried. "Just let me know if you change your mind." We walked away from the apartment building, and I expected Liam to lead me further into the pack compound. Instead, he guided me towards a hidden path behind the pack house. The trees around us seemed to close in, creating an intimate atmosphere that made my heart race.
"Where are we going?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"You'll see," Liam answered, a secretive smile playing on his lips. "It's my favourite place in the world." The sound of rushing water grew louder as we continued along the path, which followed the curve of a small river. The moonlight filtered through the trees above, casting dappled shadows on the ground beneath our feet. My senses were heightened by the anticipation of what lay ahead, and every new detail felt like a discovery.
"Almost there," Liam whispered, his breath warm on my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
As we rounded a bend, the sight before me took my breath away. The river had turned into a waterfall, its powerful cascade of water shimmering like silver in the moonlight. Liam guided me down a path to the bottom of the waterfall, and my eyes widened when I saw a blanket spread out beside the plunge pool, a picnic basket waiting nearby.
"Wow, Liam..." I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away from the stunning scene. "This is incredible."
"Only the best for you, Erica," he said softly, a tender expression in his eyes that made my chest tighten with emotion. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this beautiful moment, shared with a man who seemed to truly care for me. The world outside this hidden oasis faded away, leaving nothing but the powerful bond between us and the promise of an unforgettable night.
"Is this really your favourite place?" I asked, an incredulous smile playing at the corners of my mouth as I gazed around the enchanting scene.
"Absolutely," Liam confirmed, his eyes shining with sincerity. "I come here when I need to think or just escape for a while." He glanced towards the waterfall, a faint smile on his lips.
"There's also a hidden gap in the rocks over there," he gestured with a nod of his head. "I used to use it to slip off pack territory when I was a kid."
"Sounds like quite the adventure," I remarked, feeling a pang of affection for the young, rebellious Liam he had once been.
"Shall we?" Liam offered his hand, guiding me towards the blanket. I accepted, allowing him to lead me to our moonlit haven beside the plunge pool. The sound of the waterfall created a soothing, rhythmic backdrop as we settled onto the soft fabric beneath us. The picnic basket held a treasure trove of delights, including a bottle of red wine that Liam uncorked with practised ease.
"To a night of getting to know each other better," he toasted, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at the prospect of learning more about this enigmatic man who had become such an important part of my life.
"Cheers," I agreed, clinking my glass against his before taking a sip of the rich, velvety liquid. We began to sample the delicious spread before us, from tender roast chicken to ripe, succulent berries. Each morsel seemed to taste even better than the last, and I marvelled at the thought and care that Liam had put into planning this perfect evening for us.
"Did you cook all of this yourself?" I asked, spearing a piece of grilled asparagus with my fork.
"Guilty as charged," Liam admitted, chuckling softly. "I thought it would be more personal that way."
"Colour me impressed," I complimented, feeling a warm glow of gratitude for his efforts. As we ate, our conversation flowed easily, touching on various topics from pack life to our favourite books and movies. I relished the opportunity to share parts of myself with Liam while also peeling back the layers of his own complex personality.
"Tell me something no one else knows about you," Liam suggested playfully, his brown eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"Alright," I agreed, taking a deep breath before revealing a long-held secret. "When I was little, I used to sneak out at night and pretend I was a wolf, running through the woods and howling at the moon." Liam's laughter was warm and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he grinned. "That's adorable," he declared, reaching over to brush a stray lock of hair out of my eyes.
"And now look at you, part of a pack and living the dream."
"Living the dream, indeed," I whispered, my heart swelling with gratitude and love for the man beside me, who had given me more than I could have ever imagined. As we continued to sip wine and share secrets beneath the silver light of the moon, I couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of something truly magical, a bond stronger than any curse or challenge that might come our way. And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of Liam's presence, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
