Page 87 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

Liam listened, nodding occasionally, smile never leaving his face. His hand gently held Anya's, like holding something precious.

I sat in front, watching them in the rear view mirror.

Lucifer's hand reached over and took mine.

I looked at him. He was looking at me too, those gray eyes full of tenderness and determination.

I didn't pull away.

The car slowly headed toward home. Sunset streamed through the windows, bathing the whole car in warm tones.

I watched the scenery outside, slowly receding, slowly fading.

That tight place in my chest didn't feel quite so constricted anymore.

Maybe... maybe I could try.

Try trusting him.

Try giving him a chance.

Try... making this family truly whole.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elena

"Mom, I'm home!"

Anya burst through the door, her backpack bouncing on her shoulders. Liam followed behind, one hand resting on her shoulder to keep her from stumbling.

"Easy," he said.

I set down the fragrance bottle I'd been labeling and walked over to smooth Anya's hair. "How was school today?"

"Great!" She tilted her face up, eyes shining. Liam had been coming by more often now, even picking up Anya from school. I'd told him Amy could do it, but he insisted. I could tell he wanted to spend more time with his sister. And though he was only ten, he was a werewolf ten—taller and stronger than most kids his age. He could protect Anya. So I let him.

I turned to Liam, and my eyes widened. Today he wore a clean white T-shirt and jeans, his hair dyed back to light brown—the same warm light brown as mine, catching the sunlight with a soft glow. His bangs were neatly combed to the side. The two piercings in his right ear remained, but the studs were gone, leaving only small holes.

He caught me looking and touched his ear self-consciously.

"Took out the tongue piercing too." He opened his mouth to show me. Clean, just a faint healing mark where it used to be.

"And this." He pulled a test paper from his backpack. "Math quiz. Perfect score."

The red "A+" blazed under the light. I took it, scanning the neat handwriting, every problem answered carefully. I turned it over and over, hardly believing it. "Liam!" I pulled him into a hug and ruffled his hair. He stumbled and had to bend down. His face flushed, but his mouth quirked up at the corners.

These past few days, Liam came by the shop almost daily. Sometimes helping me move shelves, sometimes organizing inventory, but mostly picking up Anya from school. He didn't say much, but he worked hard. Whenever Anya grabbed his hand and chattered away, he'd listen patiently, that faint smile playing at his lips.

The aggression I'd seen in him at our first meeting had faded. This was my Liam.

"Go do your homework," I smiled. "When you're done, I'll take you both for ice cream."

"Yes!" Anya jumped up, dragging Liam toward the small break room behind the shop. I watched them go, listening to Anya's bright chatter, warmth spreading through my chest.

These sweet moments were touching me, bit by bit.

But one person rarely appeared, like a missing piece in this picture.