To say that I terrified riding on Gænn's back like this was an understatement.
I can't count how many times we dodged and maneuvered to get away from the soldier's chasing us and when we hit the woodline, it didn't get any better.
Despite the fact the soldiers couldn't follow us into the thick foliage, mainly due to being on horseback, Gænn didn't stop; looping around tree trunks, flinging himself from branch to branch, jumping over small creeks and embankments.
He stopped after what felt like an eternity before lightly shaking his shoulders to signal for me to get off.
When I slid off of his back, I immediately fell to the ground, unable to gain any form of balance.
Holy shit. We did it!
I wanted to jump and scream with excitement but that was deflated as a now shifted Liam stared down at me.
Helping me to stand, I looked at him and smiled, despite his brooding presence.
"That was crazy! You should be more considerate when you have someone on your back though," I chirped teasingly, poking him on the chest.
Without warning, Liam grabbed my shoulders and moved forward, slamming my back up against a massive tree.
"What the—," I tried coughing out my shock but was cut short as a massive hand grabbed my face and forced me to look up.
Liam's eyes caused me to become a statue with a thunderous heartbeat as he scanned over my face and when I thought he was done, he jerked my head to one side then to the other.
Each time, he buried his face in the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.
What is happening right now?
Almost as if he could sense my confusion, Liam stood up straight and continued to watch me, his eyes flickering between mossy orbs to bright emerald hues.
I wanted to ask him what he was doing but the words died in my throat, so instead, I reached up and touched his cheek.
He immediately tensed from the action, moving his head away from my hand and took a step back.
"Liam, wh—," I began but a low growl from him cut me off.
Stop interrupting me, you ass.
"What are you," Liam questioned, utterly confusing me.
"Is that a trick question," I asked, dumbfounded.
"WHAT are you," he nearly shouted.
"Gods', Liam! Lycan! What's gotten into you?"
"What pack are you from," he growled.
"Fallen Grove," I shot back.
"How do you know about that pack?"
"Liam, I'm literally from the same pack as you. How could I not know about it? What the hell?"
"Who is the Alpha?"
Why the sudden interrogation?
"Alpha Geirolf," I paused, sighing, then continued lazily, "Luna Bera. Beta Hauk. Delta Mikkel. Gamma Stian."
When Liam didn't say anything, I rolled my eyes and straightened myself.
"Is that a—," again, he cut me off.
Stop fucking doing that.
"Are you mated?"
Eh?
"What? No. What kind of stupid question is that," I asked, gobsmacked by the audacity.
"Have you imprinted," he asked as his chest began to rise and fall like he was calmly struggling to breathe.
"Have you gone and hit your head when you were swinging through the forest canopy? Yes, I've imprinted, you belligerent fool."
A guttural growl bubbled in his chest and escaped him, his eyes flickering again.
"Who did you imprint with?"
"Are you seriously asking me this?"
"WHO," he shouted.
"You! I imprinted with you, you ass," I shouted as I slammed my hands into his chest, pushing him further away from me.
"Why are you interrogating me? Seriously, have you gone and lost your fucking mind? I mean, seriously, Liam, what th—."
"What is my rank and full name."
If he doesn't stop interrupting me, I swear to Odin.
"Liam Thorolf Dahl, the illegitimate son of Alpha Geirolf yet due to Alpha not fathering another son, sire is the next in line for Alpha of Fallen Grove."
Hmph. Asking me obvious questions.
I went to ask Liam again why he was asking me stupid questions but didn't get a word out as he launched himself forward, causing me to shriek as he pinned me further against the tree, his lips crashing onto mine hungrily.
Liam had never kissed me like this but the kiss was soon over as he kissed down my neck, shoulder and then over my clothed torso until he knelt before me.
Looking up at me, he never broke eye contact as he gently brought my right leg up and draped it over his shoulder.
Tracing my calve and inner thigh with his free hand, goosebumps littered my skin before his fingertips were replaced with his lips.
Kissing up the same trail he previously traced on my skin, Liam's mouth trailed further up until he was almost at my center. Pausing, his eyes flickered before kissing and allowing his tongue to meander my skin until he got to the most sensitive spot on my thigh.
When he got the reaction from me that he wanted, Liam nibbled and suckled on the sensitive flesh before gripping my hip with his hand and pressing his weight against me, immobilizing me completely.
Satisfied, he pulled away. Then a growled escaped him causing his body to shake before he clamped his jaws down on my thigh, causing me to scream out in agonizing pain.
My mind went ablaze, eyes wide.
My body thrashed against Liam involuntarily but he held me stationary, burying his fangs deeper into my thigh to the point I thought he was going to devour the flesh.
The pain burned like fire, igniting my body; every vein, every muscle, every nerve, every organ, causing me to cry out again, tears staining my face.
When I was finally able to force my limbs to move, my hands found themselves in Liam's hair, pulling and scraping his scalp resulting in him letting out a loud growl.
Then he retracted his fangs and fell back, gasping for air, my blood staining his mouth and chin.
Sliding down the tree, the pain had faded away into an icy numbness. Black filled the edges of my vision and the only thing I could hear was my own heartbeat.
My breath came in ragged, shallow gasps.
Then my chest heaved forward, bending my back in an inhuman manner. Screaming, the pain resurfaced and wrapped around me causing my legs to kick out, a hand to tug at the fabric above my heart before falling to my side, my hands now shooting up to hold my head and rip at my hair.
I don't know how long it happened before my body fell limp leaving me exposed and helpless on the forest floor.
My head lolled to the side. Blinking a couple of times, I saw Liam sitting there, watching me intently. He hadn't wiped the blood from his face.
Moving forward, he was now in a crouching position, hovering over me. Leaning down, he kissed my brow.
"Live, elskan," was all he said against the shell of my ear before I found myself cradled against his chest.
When I woke again, it was caused by the sound of someone speaking to Liam.
"What business do you have here," the voice demanded.
"I am in need of an audience with Alpha Alfolthrul of Howling Hallows," Liam's voice boomed.
When the man didn't say anything, Liam shook. I could feel his heart drumming against his chest.
"Please," he pleaded.
After a moment, our bodies moved forward.
I don't know how long we walked as I fought to stay semi-conscious but that battle soon ended when we stopped and a man's voice boomed around us loud enough that I thought Hel herself would hear it.
"Liam Dahl, son of Alpha Geirolf of Fallen Grove, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need your advocacy."