Chapter 72

Lauren

My office smelled of old books and ink, the air thick with something unspoken as Liam leaned against the desk, just a little too close. I should’ve expected it from him—he had a habit of ignoring personal space, especially when he thought he had the upper hand.

“What do you mean?” I bristled, arms crossing instinctively. “About my wolf.”

Liam’s golden eyes gleamed, that ever-present smirk playing on his lips. “Well,” he murmured, his tone light but his gaze anything but, “I may have some ideas that could… fix your little situation.”

I stiffened. “You know why my wolf is gone?”

Liam tilted his head, the amusement in his expression deepening like he was enjoying a joke at my expense. “I’ve had theories.” He pushed off the desk next to me, sauntering past me with all the confidence of someone who had never once hesitated in his life. I refused to step back, even as he invaded my space, brushing my shoulder.

“And I can help you,” he continued, his voice dropping just enough to send a shiver up my spine. “But…” His smirk sharpened. “Your little alpha won’t like it.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the way my body betrayed me. “And why is that?”

Liam’s smirk widened like he was waiting for this exact question. “Because you’ll need to keep this a secret from him.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Alexander and I don’t keep secrets from each other. Not anymore. Part of—”

“Your relationship?” Liam cut in smoothly, voice laced with knowing mockery.

“Partnership,” I corrected flatly. “With the kids.”

That earned an actual laugh from him, sharp and full of disbelief. “Wow. That’s actually sad. You really believe that, don’t you?” He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping into something almost pitying. “The whole ‘no secrets’ thing.”

His words struck something raw, something I didn’t want to acknowledge. My jaw tightened as I shoved a finger into his chest, forcing him back a step. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Liam barely budged, but the satisfaction in his eyes told me he’d let me have that small victory. He shrugged, all casual arrogance. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

I exhaled sharply, frustration curling in my stomach. “Liam,” I warned, but he only smirked.

“We aren’t partners anymore, Lauren.” His voice had lost some of its teasing edge, turning quieter. “So what would I get out of fixing everything for you? One’s enough.”

That stung more than I wanted to admit.

Once upon a time, we had been partners—more than that, even. He had saved my life, Abigail’s life. And though I had made my choice, it didn’t mean I hadn’t left things unsaid. Maybe it was time to say them.

I sighed, running a hand over my face. “Look. I should’ve—” I hesitated, my throat tight. “I should’ve used you.”

Liam’s brow lifted, intrigue flickering across his face. “Oh?”

I huffed. “As a fake fiancé.”

That slow, lazy smirk of his returned. “Well, well. I didn’t expect that confession. Is it cause you need me now?”

I ignored the way my cheeks burned. “Look, I should’ve done it. Maybe things would’ve been… easier.”

Liam tilted his head, watching me like he was unraveling every layer of my thoughts. His expression gave nothing away. “Easier how?”

“You know how,” I muttered. “Maybe if I’d just gone along with your original plan, things wouldn’t have—” I stopped myself before finishing the thought. “I just should have been more clear, but things were just messy. I was panicking. You didnt deserve it.”

His smirk didn’t falter, but something unreadable flickered in his eyes. “Maybe.” His voice was quieter now, almost thoughtful.

I inhaled, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Liam, I mean it. I am thankful for you. For everything. And I’m sorry for the way things ended. You’re important to me.”

For a moment, he just looked at me, something shifting beneath the mask of amusement he always wore. Then he exhaled, shaking his head with a crooked smile.

“Apology accepted.”

That should have made me feel better. But it didn’t, because he still hadn’t told me what he knew. “So?” I pressed, arching a brow. “Are you going to tell me or—”

A knock at the door cut me off.

“Lauren?” Alexander’s voice came through the wood, firm and unmistakable.

Liam smirked. “Perfect timing.” He stepped back, heading toward the window. “Meet me in the pack’s court. Midnight. Alone.”

I hesitated. “Liam—”

“Tell no one,” Liam whispered, flashing me one last infuriating grin before slipping out the window just as the door handle turned.

I barely had a second to gather myself before Alexander stepped inside, his presence swallowing the room whole. It was like the air shifted around him, bending to accommodate the weight of his presence. His sharp gaze swept over every detail—the open window, the way I was standing a little too stiffly, the slight hitch in my breath—before finally locking onto me.

“Who were you talking to?”

His voice was low, quiet, but edged with something dangerous, something possessive. It wasn't an accusation, not yet—but it had the potential to be.

My heart pounded, but I forced my expression into neutrality. Before I could stop myself, the words lft my mouth. “No one.”

The lie sat between us, flimsy and breakable.

Alexander's gaze flickered back to the window, his jaw tightening just slightly. I knew he was putting the pieces together, knew that if I so much as blinked the wrong way, he’d see right through me.

“No one?” he echoed, his tone deceptively mild. He took a slow step forward. “Funny, because it sounded like someone.”

I swallowed. “Must've been an echo from one of the patient’s rooms.”

His lips curved—just a little, just enough to send a shiver down my spine. “The walls talk now? And here I thought I’d heard everything.”

“It mumbles sometimes.” I shrugged, desperate to sound nonchalant, but the way he was looking at me made it impossible to breathe normally.

Another step. Another fraction of space stolen between us.

“Lauren.” His voice was softer now, almost coaxing me like a stray cat. “Who was here? Come on.”

I should've said something. Anything. Lied better. Changed the subject. But my throat was dry, my mind tangled, and all I could do was stare at him, pulse hammering.

His gaze darkened, searching my face like he could pull the truth straight from my skin. A muscle in his jaw ticked, and for a moment, I thought he’d push. Demand. But then—

“Alrighty then.” He exhaled, stepping back, but the tension in his frame didn’t ease. “If it was no one, then you won’t mind if I stay a while.”

Crap.

I forced a tight smile. “Why would I mind?”

His eyes flicked to the window one last time, then back to me, as if daring me to crack.

“Exactly.”

He moved past me, settling onto the edge of my desk like he had all the time in the world.

I let out a breath, only now realizing how badly my hands were shaking.

Lying to him was second nature, at least it had been. So why did I suddenly feel like the villain?