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Liam:

I want more.

Those words don't stop running all over my head as I look at her discreetly across the table.

The breakfast table has become my happiest place to be. Sleep hasn't been kind to me over the years, but it has lately become my best friend. It just happened one day, suddenly, I was lulled to sleep by the thought of her smiling face at the breakfast table. It made me feel so complete, so at peace. The following morning, I cursed myself for daring to think about her. I avoided looking at her that day. But the same smile came back to me once again that night and the night after and it soon became a habit. The guilt that came every morning after; faded little by little until it was replaced by a strange boldness.

A boldness that gave me permission to let my dreams breathe. I convinced myself that as long as I know my place in her life, as long as I don't put my thoughts to action, I'll be fine. I can allow my wolf to cheat a little.

The problem is that I have come to realize that I can no longer lie and put all the blame on my wolf.

When I see her, I no longer turn away. I take my time to drink in the shine in her midnight eyes, the streaks around them when something amuses her, the stretch that her lips travel when she's happy. When she leans into someone while having a conversation, I unconsciously move with her trying to remember if she ever did that to me, lean into me when I talk to her.

Her happiness is contagious; it makes want to be happy with her. When I watch her fuss over Evan's food habits, it makes me yearn for her concern.

I've become greedy.

I'm ashamed of it. But the devil inside me even has arguments to counter my shame these days.

I laugh at how ignorant I was when I thought that I could bring her this close to me and still resist the temptation to make her mine.

The restraint within me is slowly breaking. It's a matter of time before my selfish desires takes over my rational senses. I can see it coming, yet I'm doing nothing to stop it.

What if I wasn't this empty? What if I had someone to love, a family? Would she still have this effect on me? Would I still want her this much? Who am I kidding; my son is a living proof of what would have happened had she stayed next to me.

I knew I had many flaws, but infidelity wasn't one of them. That was until I met her.

This craziness, I can't help but question the necessity of it. Why was it so important for the goddess to bind us to another person this badly? Yet every time I look at my mate, I can't help but thank her a million times for keeping me alive, for giving me another chance to look at the woman I thought I would never see again.

"Can Dan sleep over here tonight" she asked my mother.

"Really?" mom squealed like a child.

She smiled, pushing the curtain of hair that keeps disturbing her behind shoulder "Yes. I have to go to the city. I'll be late"

My curiosity lifted its head but I kept my eyes focused on my plate.

"Ah its Friday already" Emma said "The date?" My head snapped up as my heart thudded hard. Her voice laced with mischief as she winked at my mate.

What shocked me more was my mate's response to her. She shushed her pointing a finger to her lips and a meaningful glare "Yes" she mouthed.

I gripped my chair with all my force as I held on to the fork in my other hand as if my life depended on it. I just hope it has enough strength to bear my assault. My wolf was starting to flex its muscles inside me.

"A date" Evan yelled "You are going on a date with him?"

"He has a name Evan" Emma chided him.

"It's not a date" She said simultaneously

"If it's not a date, why aren't you taking Dan with you? I bet that Rat would love to see him. He doesn't seem to survive a week without seeing him"

"Evan" mom glared "Don't interfere in her personal matter" she smiled at Eva meaningfully.

She blushed "It's.... I'm just set-"

"So what are you wearing today" Emma cut her off. My sister-in-law is an intelligent woman whom I have come to admire over the years. She is too good for my airheaded brother, but I find her less and less tolerable these days.

Eva shrugged "work clothes. I won't be stopping to change after work"

"Are you kidding me?" Emma whined

"You should definitely take some time off to change" my mother said "I heard you girls brought some lovely dresses last time you went shopping"

The blush on her face deepened to the color of my now boiling blood "Ruby's a disaster" she dug her face into her plate as she played with her fork.

"You can wear the blue dr-" Emma begun

"You still didn't answer Evan's question" I surprised myself and of course those around me "I'm sure Ray would love to meet Daniel and of course a little change in environment won't harm Dan" I kicked myself mentally as soon as the words left my mouth. I know my face was turning red, no matter how much I tried to maintain the nonchalance.

Her look was priceless. Her eyes widened at me as her mouth gasped open. Did she really forget that I was here while having a very elaborate discussion about her date?

Something stirred in her eyes as her expression hardened "I kind of have some business that can't involve Dan. Ray will have to meet Dan another time"

So she really is meeting him. Alone. She didn't even deny it.

I nodded, more like forced my head to move against my will.

"Excuse me" I put my fork down with as much civility as I could muster "I'm done. I have an early appointment. I'll be back for Daniel" I rose up and escaped with a curt nod at the table.

My wolf was howling to be set free.

*****
*****

Eva:

I'm meeting Ray's date today. I had to put the blind dates on hold to see what (or whom) he's got to show me. But my mind wasn't focused on him today.

The morning incident never left my mind even for a moment. I didn't know how to react.

He was jealous.

He has been jealous before, but this was the first time he was so vocal and assertive about it.

He is close, very close to the day I dread. I'm not ready for that. I don't want to be the one to sort out the mess after him. I want him to hold his own reins, control himself even if it hurts him. I'll have to have a proper talk with him. If this is the beginning, I'll have to stop it now. He made a promise and he should be responsible towards it.

Thank goddess; Luna saved me the embarrassment when Alpha Blake asked about Liam's behavior.

'He has been talking about this critically ill patient of his. I think he's afraid he won't be able to spend time with Dan today' she explained.

Was that the reason?

-----

"Where is she?" I shake my leg impatiently under the table as I glare at Ray.

"She'll be here" he said looking around nervously

I rolled my eyes. Of course she will, only if she is real.

"She's late then" I point at my watch "15 minutes"

"13" he countered. I glared.

"That's beyond th-" I started

"I'm sorry" A crisp voice cut me off "I'm terribly late"

I was shocked at what I saw in front of me, for more reasons than one.

"You must be Eva" she smiled at me. Her smile was, just like the rest of her face, straight out of a fairytale only somehow colder "Hi, I'm Jean"

A loud hiss escaped me as Ray kicked me under the table. I painfully took her hand "Hello" I managed. He really did manage to find the most beautiful one out there for the job.

"Ray told me about your apprehensions" she said sitting down next to Ray, watching me carefully.

I returned the favor "I'm sorry you had to come to see me" I said in my most convincing voice "That must have been the most bizarre request you ever heard"

"mmm.....probably not" she mused out loud.

"So you guys bumped into each other" I asked

I listened in details about their awkward encounter, nodded where I needed to, smiled when I had to.

"I'm sorry" I said "I need to use the restroom" I smiled sweetly "Would you like to accompany me?" I asked her. I was shocked at how promptly she stood up.

Ray started to protest but my glare shut him up.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Where is she?" he asked anxiously shifting around his chair as she took her seat opposite to him.

She shrugged "Probably hiding in some corner and spying on us"

He nodded in agreement "What did she say?" curiosity evident in his eyes.

"Nothing much, she wants us to continue with the evening. She surely loves the number ten a lot" she replied

"Huh?"

"nothing"

"I'm sorry, you had to go through this" he said after a long pause "And thank you for helping me out"

She nodded "So what do we do now?"

"I don't know. What do you do to kill time?" he smiled

"I make deals" she said smoothly

"Deals? Like what?" he asked, interested.

"Like the one I'm about to make right now" his eyes turned confused "Your return favor, did you forget it already?" 

"Of course not" he defended himself "So what can I do for you?" he gave her his most courteous smile.

"Finish what she started" she gave him her trademark smirk "Ten dates"

>>>>>>

Eva:

Should I pick Dan up now that I'm back earlier than I expected?

I should probably let Luna have her day with him, she seemed so excited. I park my car at my gate.

I see a figure in the shadow as soon as I get out into the night "What are you doing here?" I ask quickly before he could turn around and leave.

I know the answer.

"I....I..... nothing" he said as he walked up to me "I was just passing by"

"No you weren't" he started to protest "You were here to see whether I decided to spend the night with him or not" I bit out.

He clenched his jaws.

"I don't understand why you are poking your nose into my personal business, Alpha" I emphasized on the last word "I thought people have the right to privacy in this pack"

He looked up, his eyes shining dangerously. A long silence followed as we glare at each other.

"They do" his voice low, almost like a hiss "You don't. I did warn you beforehand that the other pack members would enjoy certain privileges that wouldn't be laid down for you."

I couldn't believe he was doing this "I remember you apologizing in advance for it" I replied in a cold voice.

He nodded, not leaving my gaze "Well, I'll get going then"

"Don't let them find out" I said in the same tone

"I'll try" he said looking away.

"It isn't enough" I lost my cool. He looked torn "Your trying isn't enough. Try harder"

He opened his mouth but I shut him up "This is what I want you to be for me at this moment" I said "You promised, you'll be what I need you to be" I reminded him.

"Be my secret" I challenged.

*****