Chapter Thirteen Liam

F rost clung heavily to the grass, all hint of green leached away by the cold snap over the past few days. It was early morning and the sun had just begun to rise. Golden sunlight struck the ice crystals, alighting them and making the grass look as if it were on fire. I sat on the bench at the park, staring out toward the horizon over Lake Huron. Watching the sun come up over that inland ocean was something I'd never seen before. And it was so beautiful, I knew I wouldn't soon forget it.

I leaned into the sun's warmth, glad for it after such a cold morning. Of course, getting up before dawn and walking all the way to the beach wasn't exactly the best way to stay warm. But I couldn't help myself. I couldn't sleep after having near constant dreams about Cory. When I awoke so early and could think of nothing else to occupy my time, I decided to start walking. After a few miles, I ended up at the beach. And I was glad I did.

But just as quickly as the sunrise had taken my attention, it was once again reclaimed by thoughts of Cory. I just couldn't shake him from my mind. It probably didn't help that I spent every single day trying to be near him and make it look like an accident. Once Sam told me the places he liked to frequent, I made it a point to be around them as often as possible. I never went straight up to Cory and tried to talk with him though. That seemed like it might be a bit too much. Judging by the way he glared at me whenever he saw me, I had a pretty good idea that he wasn't ready to listen just yet.

Good thing I was patient. Or at least I was when it came to him. I didn't know how long it might take to get him to give me just a moment of his time, but I wasn't going to give up either. Cory was my entire world, and I'd spend weeks, months, or even years giving him space just so I could finally speak with him.

I just needed five minutes. That was all. Then, once he understood, maybe we could finally be together. My heart hurt so bad knowing that my mate was close and I couldn't even speak with him. But the pain was worth it. He was worth the wait, no matter how much it hurt.

However, I was starting to get a bit suspicious about the blond guy Cory always seemed to be around. From what I could see, they were definitely familiar. But nothing intimate ever happened between them. I wasn't sure if they were just being cautious or if they were just friends. Either way, I couldn't stop the surge of jealousy every time I laid eyes on him. Although, the blond guy seemed to stare back quite a bit himself. And there was no animosity in his eyes. I was starting to think he just liked to look at me and that was a problem I didn't want to deal with, so I avoided him at all costs.

The last thing I needed was for Cory to think I was going after this man he spent so much time with. That would just lead to more anger and upset.

But maybe if I did something like that, it would finally get his attention. I was patient, but I was also desperate. If only I could find some way to get him to speak with me.

My ears perked up as I heard crunching in the grass nearby. I turned to look and saw another figure huddled up in his jacket, trudging toward the beach. However, the moment I saw him, he turned and locked eyes with me.

It was Cory.

He froze, the pair of us staring at one another. For a moment he turned away, looking like he was going to head for the beach and leave me behind. But a second later he let out a loud huff and turned in my direction. The moment he did, my heart began beating so fast I thought I'd float right up and off the bench. He was finally gonna speak to me.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he snapped, stopping several feet from me. "Why are you always where I am? Are you fucking stalking me now?"

Okay. Not exactly what I had envisioned. But I'd take it. At least he was speaking to me.

"N-No," I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away from him. "I… I couldn't sleep. So, I went on a walk."

Cory stopped in his tracks. "You walked all the way out here?"

"I don't have a car," I replied. "I don't have anything. I walked to Shifter Grove."

"Forgive me for not feeling sorry for you."

"That's okay. I didn't come here to get your pity."

He furrowed his brows in my direction, clearly annoyed by how calm I was being. He wanted to get a reaction out of me. That would make it easier for him to blame me for all the things he wanted to blame me for. But I just couldn't do it. I was too happy to see him to be upset.

"Why did you come here then?"

"I told you," I said simply. "I came here because you're my mate."

"Don't start with that stupid shit again…"

"It's the truth."

"No," he snapped. "The truth is that you nearly had me murdered because you couldn't deal with the reality of the situation!"

I stared at him for a long moment, my gaze never faltering. "I don't know what you've been told… but it's not the truth."

"And how do I know you're not the one that's lying?"

"Why would I lie to you? You're my mate."

"Stop saying that!"

"The only thing I've ever wanted is for you to be happy."

"Then leave me the fuck alone, Liam. I'll be happy when I don't run into you every single fucking day."

I tried to pretend like I didn't understand what he was saying, but he noticed my hesitation.

"Yeah," he continued. "That's right. I noticed that you somehow magically started appearing at all the places I frequent. I don't know if you're stalking me or if someone told you where I'm going, but I'm tired of you always being five paces behind me. Knock it the fuck off."

"I… I'm sorry," I replied, knowing there was no reason to lie and make him trust me even less. "I was hoping that we'd find a private moment to talk to one another. But you're right. I've been around a lot on purpose."

"Well?" Cory scoffed, holding his arms out. "There's nobody else here to overhear us. So, say your piece and then get the hell out of my life. I was in Shifter Grove first."

"You want me to leave town?"

"Yes. And I never want to see you again."

I stared at him for a long moment, weighing my options. If I didn't agree, I'd never get a chance to tell him the truth. But if I did agree, it wouldn't matter. I'd still have to leave. And yet, the choice I had to make was too easy. There was only ever one option.

"Fine," I nodded. "I'll leave if you let me tell you the truth."

Cory smiled. "Good. Now make it quick."

"First," I said, pushing myself to my feet. "Tell me who said I turned against you."

"Isn't it obvious?" he shot back. "Your father. He and his Beta told me everything you said to them before they ran me out of the territory and the pack."

"What did they say?"

He was losing patience, but I didn't care. I had to know.

"He said you claimed that I…" he paused. "That I forced myself on you. Coerced you into having sex with me. That I'd nearly ruined you and tried to steal you away from him and the pack." The more Cory said, the redder his eyes got. "He said I'd bewitched you into giving up your entire future." Tears formed on his frosted cheeks. "How could you do that?"

My heart broke as those last words fell on my ears. I took a step forward, holding my arms out like I was going to pull him into a hug. But Cory took two steps back, folding his arms over his chest in an attempt to lock me out. I couldn't get near him.

"I didn't do any of those things," I said at last, my voice low and shaking. "How could I ever say those things about you?"

"You tell me! I was the one that was run out of the pack! Nothing happened to you!"

I shook my head. "You're wrong."

"Fuck you. I saw that house, your room and all the beautiful things you had! You've always had everything! And the rest of us are just toys for you to play with until you get bored!"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The things coming out of his mouth were getting under my skin. I didn't want to lash out at him, but I couldn't help being angry. He had no idea what he was insinuating.

"That mansion," I replied slowly. "Has been my prison since that night."

Cory didn't say anything, he just stared. But his expression gave it all away. He didn't believe me.

"That night my father caught us, he dragged me away and locked me in one of the spare bedrooms for over an hour. He put sentries outside my door and my window so that no matter what I tried, I couldn't escape."

Cory still said nothing, so I kept going.

"When he came back, he told me he'd killed you. He even had your clothing." Tears formed in the corners of my eyes as I recalled that night. "I believed him too. And the moment I started to cry, he went into a rage." I paused, squeezing my eyes shut. "We fought and fought. I thought he was going to kill me. He broke my arm and one of my legs before I finally got a chance to shift. But I didn't get far." I lifted a hand, pointing to the scar cutting across my face. "That's when he gave me this."

The man in front of me seemed to deflate somewhat as he stared, his cheeks still glistening in the early morning light.

"After I passed out, my father locked me in one of the basement rooms with no windows and no access to the outside world. For two years I stayed in that room with nothing, wondering if you were dead or if I'd ever see the sun again." It was hard to speak it aloud, but avoiding the details of my torture made it a bit easier. "He made his visits of course, beating me every chance he got. And it wasn't until three weeks ago I finally made an escape that nearly cost me my life." I looked up at him, my eyes pleading for him to believe me. "That's the truth of what happened. And I traveled for weeks across the country looking for you, knowing that you'd fall back into my arms the moment I saw you and it would all be worth it." I shook my head. "And then… you hated me."

The tears flowed quickly, but I couldn't stop them.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was stalking you… but I had to talk to you. I can accept that you never want to see me again and I'll leave today if that's what you want. But… But I couldn't go on living without telling you the truth. I couldn't bear the thought of you hating me for all of time when your love was the only thing that's kept me alive since that night." I lifted my gaze once more. "I love you so much, Cory."

"Don't…" he began. "Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true!"

He opened his mouth to retort, but snapped it shut. Clearly something was going on, an invisible battle inside him. And it was killing me.

"Just… don't," he said at last. "I can't hear that. Not after all these years of hating you. I can't just turn on a dime and pretend like those feelings never happened." He pointed a finger at me, anger tinging his voice. "The only thing that's kept me going is hating you," he growled. "I showed up in this town with nothing! Not even clothing on my back! I didn't speak for weeks and even then, it took me nearly six months to open up to an yone! Do you know how many times I've stood on this beach wishing I didn't survive that night?"

My heart skipped a beat, and my chest turned icy.

"Well?" he barked. "Do you?"

I shook my head.

"No. Of course you don't! And I fucking hated you for it!" He buried his face in his hands, the sobs wracking his body. "And now… now you come here and tell me that every ounce of hate I've ever had for you… that all those sleepless nights… were worthless?" He looked up at me, his eyes bloodshot and full of anger. "Fuck you."

"Cory…" I said, reaching out.

"No. Just leave me alone."

But I couldn't. "You don't have to do this alone anymore. Let me help you."

"How do I know you're not trying to trick me? Huh? Maybe you just came back to get revenge! Is your father waiting in the woods to help you kill me?"

"Of course not…"

"I don't believe you…" He sniffled, rubbing his nose over the back of his sleeve. "Go home, Liam. I don't ever want to see you again."

Before I knew what was happening, my feet propelled me forward. In less than a second I'd caught Cory by the shoulder before he turned away, forcing him to look me eye to eye.

"Tell me you don't like me."

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" he scoffed, trying to pull away. But I held tight.

"Tell me you don't want me. That you never loved me. Tell me those things and then I'll leave. I'll never bother you again."

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes shimmering with tears. "I'm not playing these games with you, Liam."

I squeezed his shoulders, giving him a shake. "Tell me!" I yelled. "Tell me you don't care for me anymore!"

Cory took a long shuddering breath. His answer came, but it was so quiet and weak that I nearly missed it.

"I… I can't."

And then, as if all the universe had aligned for this one precise moment, Cory fell into my arms. His head came to rest against my shoulder as he sobbed. And all I could do was hold him.

And that was enough.