Chapter 84

Lauren

The restaurant was the kind of place you only saw in movies—gleaming crystal chandeliers and rich mahogany tables that screamed money. It was the kind of place I used to go with Alexander.

I wasn’t sure why Liam had picked it. He was more of a fast food, convenience store kind of guy.

But he had this uncanny ability to make everything feel both ridiculously out of my league and strangely intimate. There he was, across from me in a perfectly tailored black suit, his golden hair tousled just enough to look effortlessly cool. It made the fancy surroundings feel out of place, like we didn’t belong here.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Liam even belonged anywhere anymore. There was something almost dangerous about him now—nothing like the soft, kind guy I’d known.

I hardly recognized him. Then again, he had just tricked me into a pact with the moon goddess for my wolf form, so it wasn’t like I was feeling warm and fuzzy about him.

His dark blue eyes caught the flicker of candlelight, studying me like he was trying to figure out what I was thinking before I even knew.

I adjusted the straps of my emerald green dress, trying to feel a little more grounded. The form-fitting dress shimmered slightly as I moved.

My mom would've loved it—she always said a dress like this would make me feel like I could conquer the world. It might have worked if I wasn’t sitting across from Liam, who looked like he could crush me with a single smile tonight.

Liam finally broke the silence. “You look stunning,” he said, his voice low and smooth, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Not the good kind of twist.

“Thanks,” I muttered, my fingers tightening around the edge of my wine glass. “You… clean up well yourself.” It was weak, but I didn’t know what else to say.

He smirked, his lips twitching into a smile that radiated heat. I could feel it even from across the table. “I try,” he said, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place.

The waiter glided to our table, and without missing a beat, Liam ordered. “We’ll have the tasting menu,” he said, voice firm and confident. “Wine pairing as well.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything, Liam’s hand brushed against my wrist. His touch was warm—almost possessive—and it sent a shiver straight up my spine. I tried to pull away, but his fingers curled around mine, holding me in place.

He didn’t look at me, but I could feel the weight of his gaze, like he was pulling me into something deeper than just dinner.

“You’re not the one deciding what we eat tonight,” he said, his voice light but with an undertone that made my skin prickle. It was as if he knew I’d argue, but didn’t care enough to listen.

I didn’t like the way he said that. Not one bit.

“Liam, you didn’t even—” I started, but his gaze stopped me cold.

“Don’t make this complicated. Let me handle it.” Liam raised an eyebrow, leaning forward just slightly. His voice dropped into something more serious. “By the way, how’s Alexander?”

His tone was casual, but there was a sharp edge to it, one that immediately made me tense.

My stomach turned. The mention of Alexander hit me like a cold wind. Suddenly, the air between us felt thicker, heavier. I wasn’t just sitting across from Liam, this impossibly charming, infuriating guy. I was thinking about everything I’d been avoiding—about the magic, the pill, everything that had happened with Alexander, and everything still hanging in the balance.

I swallowed hard, the pressure in my chest building. “Don’t,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “Don’t ask about him.”

Liam didn’t flinch. “Why not?” His gaze didn’t waver. “I mean, I am shocked you never told him. But did I try to warn you? Not surprised you slept with the guy. Man, I would hate to be in his shoes, used for a quick—”

I flinched, my fingers tightening around my wine glass, slamming it down with a little too much force. He knew. Of course he knew. Liam had been part of it all, and I still didn’t fully understand why he’d handed me that damn pill in the first place. He had to have known what it would cost me.

I trusted him, and now…

I forced my voice to steady. “You could’ve told me, Liam,” I said, my words tight, each one coming out like a challenge. “The whole story. You could’ve told me it involved gods and magic and that it was way more dangerous than I thought.”

Liam shrugged, like it was no big deal. “You wanted the impossible. You wanted a way out. Sometimes, you have to deal with the consequences when you want the unthinkable. You would’ve never regained your wolf without it.”

I shook my head, frustration flooding through me. “People don’t mess with that kind of magic anymore.”

For the first time, I saw something flicker in his eyes—a brief flash of something I couldn’t place. Maybe guilt? Maybe regret? But it was gone so quickly I couldn’t be sure. His voice softened, quieter now.

“You wanted it,” he said, his tone almost gentle. “You’re stronger because of it. Don’t pretend you don’t know that.”

I stared at him, unable to make sense of it. Was he right? Had this whole mess made me stronger? Or had it just made everything more complicated?

I did feel this new…burning right under my skin, like a dragon waiting to be free. But that didn’t explain anything.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Liam didn’t give me the chance. His hand slid across the table, covering mine with a heat that made my eyes widene. “Look, I gave you back you’re power. You’re welcome. But in return, I can make you do anything I want, Lauren,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Three things you can’t refuse. So I’d think about bein a bit nicer to me considering we’re only at dinner.”

I froze, my stomach flipping uncomfortably at his words. “Excuse me?”

Liam’s grin was back in full force now. “Three. You can’t refuse. I never commanded you to do anything before, but I can. That’s the deal.”

My pulse quickened. “Three? You’re seriously telling me I have to do whatever you say?”

“Not whatever I say,” he corrected smoothly. “Just three things. Three requests, and you won’t be able to refuse.” His eyes darkened, like he was daring me to try.

I growled, my heart racing. “I went to dinner with you. Two.”

He leaned in closer, and his breath was warm on my skin. “No. Three. I never commanded you do anything. You came to dinner willingly, remember?” His voice was teasing now, but there was something underlying it that sent a shiver through me.

I couldn’t back down. “I won’t do it,” I said, my voice shaking only slightly.

His lips curled into a smirk. “Shall I show you what happens if I do, command? I’ll still have two requests left.”

My eyes narrowed, “As if you could—”

“Kiss me.”

My heartbeat thudded in my chest and without my permission, my hand shot out, grabbing the tie around his neck, pulling him toward me. His lips were on mine before I even knew what had happened. The kiss was nothing like I expected—it was rough, demanding, like he was testing every boundary I had left.

I pulled back, stunned, my breath catching in my throat as I stared at him, wide-eyed. What the hell just happened?

He leaned back in his chair, the same cocky smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “What’s the matter, Lauren? You look surprised. I told you.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions, none of them making sense.

Finally, I managed to say, “What the hell do you want from me, Liam?”

He was silent for a moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Loyalty,” he said finally, his voice low, like he was revealing some dark secret. “I want you to side with me. No commands, no tricks. Just your loyalty.”

“So,” I scoffed, “blackmail? I don’t do what you say and you make me… do something awful? That’s pretty low, Liam. A little dark for you.”

Liam shrugged, “You act like I’m going to have you rob a bank or kill someone. I will keep these commands, Lauren. You’re safe with me.”

“My assaulted lips say otherwise.”

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged. “I proved my point.”

“No,” I said firmly, my voice shaking with anger. “I’m not doing this.”

Liam’s gaze softened for a split second, before his smile returned. “You will,” he said, almost softly. “You already owe me more than you think. You’re stronger now because of me, Lauren. You’ll see.”