"Who says we're giving up?" she replied, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm not suggesting you forget about me, Liam. I'm saying that we need to consider other options if we want a chance at happiness."
"Other options?" I scoffed, my chest tightening with each breath I took. "You're asking me to betray the bond between us, to turn my back on the one person I've ever truly loved! How can you possibly think that's the answer?"
"Because I love you too, Liam," she murmured, a tear slipping down her cheek. "And I can't stand the thought of losing you. If breaking the curse means sacrificing my own happiness, then so be it."
"Erica, no," I pleaded, my heart splintering into a thousand shards of agony. "There has to be another way. We'll find it, I promise. Just... don't give up on us. Please." For a moment, she seemed to waver, her lips trembling and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. But then she hardened, her resolve steeling itself like armour around her fragile heart.
"Think about it, Liam," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "This might be our only chance at saving ourselves."
“Erica, no, I won’t accept it,” I said, clenching my fists. How could she even think this?
"Liam, we have to face the facts." The moment the words left her mouth, I knew she'd closed herself off emotionally. She refused to meet my eyes, looking anywhere but at me, as she slipped into business mode. I hated it.
"We have time," I said, trying to buy us a moment. "We'll figure something out."
"I already have," she replied flatly. Her fierce determination burned in her usually warm green eyes. "You need to break the curse. There are fifteen hundred people counting on you for this."
"Erica, stop talking." I didn't want to hear it, couldn't bear the thought of losing her. But she was relentless.
"No, Liam. We have to deal with this. We can't be selfish."
"Erica," I warned again. She stared right at me, but it felt like she was looking through me, like I was nothing more than a ghost.
"Liam, I think you really need to consider—"
"Erica!" I shouted, desperate to stop her from voicing that horrible thought.
"Finding another mate," she whispered, and it was as if a knife had been driven through my heart.
"NOOOOOO!" I roared, but it was as if I hadn't spoken at all.
"I mean, my first thought was Gen," she continued, and I could feel the rage boiling inside me.
"Erica, shut up," I ground out between clenched teeth, my body shaking with anger.
"I mean, ultimately it would be your decision. And it's not like you wouldn't have plenty of choice in the pack." I couldn't take it anymore. I charged at her, grabbing her by the shoulders and pinning her against the wall behind her. My breath came in ragged gasps as I struggled to control myself, my wolf snarling in my head.
"Stop. Talking. Now!" I growled, my anger reaching a boiling point. I smashed my lips against hers, silencing her protests. She resisted at first, but then I felt her body melt into mine and she opened her mouth to allow my tongue entry. The taste of her was intoxicating, and our shared desperation fueled the intensity of our kiss. I couldn't give her space anymore; I needed her too much.
"Please, Liam," Erica gasped as we broke apart, panting heavily. Her green eyes were filled with pain, and it tore at my heart. "You have to understand…"
"No," I said firmly, my voice low and dangerous. "I would rather die than take anyone else as my mate." Pain flashed across her eyes, and I knew I had struck a chord. "I will happily die before that happens." My wolf yelped in agreement within my head. We both knew that the curse could very well claim us, but neither of us cared. We could accept nothing less than our fated mate.
"Dammit Liam," Erica pushed me away, tears streaming down her face as she paced the room. "This isn't just about you and me, it never was." She pointed to the window, where the moonlit woods stretched beyond. "It's about the fifteen hundred werewolves out there that are relying on you to be their leader and keep them safe."
"I don't care!" I snarled, moving slowly towards her again, my blood boiling with frustration and desire. My mate was trying to leave me, and I couldn't let that happen. I needed her to know that she belonged to me, and only me.
Erica saw me coming and tried to back off, but I was too quick. I pinned her against the wall once more, this time pulling her arms above her head. I buried my face in her neck, breathing in the sweet citrus scent that belonged to her alone. She moaned as I sucked and nibbled at her tender skin, the sound going straight to my groin and making me ache with need.
"Goddess, Liam," she whimpered, her body trembling beneath my touch. "What are we going to do?"
"Be mine, Erica," I whispered fiercely, my voice raw with emotion. "Only mine." I moved her arms so I could hold them in one hand and used my other hand to work at the buttons on her jeans. My fingers trembled with urgency, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed to claim her, to make her understand that there was no other choice, or either of us.
"Please," she begged again, her eyes pleading with me even as her body responded to my touch. "Think of our people."
"Fuck our people," I growled, all pretense of control slipping away. "I only want you, Erica. You're everything to me."
I worked her jeans down as I claimed her lips again. She gasped into my mouth as I slipped my hand into her already wet panties and found her clit. I began rubbing in quick circular motions. I pulled away from the kiss and looked at her. Her beautiful green eyes shone with lust.
