Liam P.O.V
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling my palms sweat even more as I parked in front of Haylie's house. I'd been on plenty of dates before, with witches and wolves, but this felt different.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and the nerves running through me were unlike anything I'd experienced.
This wasn't about the usual concerns of dating another supernatural being—there were no risks of magic backfiring or shifting at the wrong moment. Haylie was human, no magic, no animal instinct, just her. And somehow, that made this even more intense.
As I sat there, staring at her old wooden house, I couldn't help but replay the conversation with my wolf, Ace. He'd been grumbling ever since I made the decision to ask Haylie out.
"What are you wasting your time with a human for? You could be fated to someone else, another wolf. Now you're spending time with her?"
I mentally rolled my eyes at him. Ace never understood. To him, it was all about finding a mate within the pack, someone who could match our strength and instincts. But Haylie wasn't just any human.
There was something about her—something that drew me in and made me want to be around her, no matter what.
"I don't care, Ace," I muttered in my head. "This is my decision. There's something about her, and I have to see her again. She's special."
Ace huffed, but didn't say anything more, retreating to the back of my mind. He wasn't happy about it, but he knew better than to argue.
My mind was made up, and nothing was going to change that.
Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the clock and then back at the house. The nerves still hadn't gone away, but I wasn't about to let them stop me. I wanted to see her again needed to, actually.
There was something about Haylie, something beyond just her beauty or kindness. It was like... I was being pulled toward her, like an invisible string connecting us.
I leaned back in the seat, trying to calm myself down. 'It's just a date,' I told myself. 'You've done this a hundred times before. Just be yourself.'
But deep down, I knew this wasn't just any date. This felt like something more, something important. And that scared the hell out of me. It was almost like she was fated to me witch would be impossible because she was human.
With one last breath, I turned off the engine and got out of the truck.
I walked up to her door, feeling my heartbeat quicken with every step. When I finally knocked, I could feel Ace stirring in the back of my mind, still unconvinced. But for the first time in a long time, I didn't care what he thought.
This was about me. About Haylie. And whatever came next, I was ready to face it. My wolf could moan like he wanted.
I would just build a wall between him and me that I don't hear his moan all night long.
The minutes that passed felt like an eternity as I stood there, awkwardly shifting my weight, trying to control the nervous sweat that seemed to pour from my palms.
When the door finally opened, I forced a smile, but it wasn't Haylie who stood in front of me. Instead, an older woman, with blonde long curled hair and striking blue eyes, stood there, her features soft yet familiar.
My breath caught in my throat.
"Good day, I'm looking for Haylie," I managed to say, trying to sound calm but failing miserably.
My nerves were getting the best of me, and I could feel sweat forming along the side of my head.
The woman smiled, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen her before—like she'd been at my house or around my father's office.
Her smile widened as she recognized me. "Wait, aren't you Mathew's Berkley son?" she asked.
The mention of my father's name made my nerves vanish in an instant. I knew her! She must've been one of his friends, because only people close to him called him by his name like that.
My confusion grew. "How do you know my father?" I asked, genuinely curious.
Her expression shifted, becoming more serious as she stepped outside with me. The look on her face made me frown—something was definitely going on.
"I know your father very well, me and my sister Amora use to come allot by your place and visit your father" she said quietly, then added, "But please, whatever you do, do not mention your father's name around Haylie."
My heart skipped a beat. Confusion and unease washed over me. Why wouldn't I be able to talk about my father around Haylie? What did this woman know? Just then, I caught a scent—a familiar one that only witches carried.
She wasn't just a human—she was a witch. But that raised even more questions. Why was a witch around Haylie? Could Haylie herself be a witch?
Before I could ask anything else, a soft, sweet voice cut through the tension. "Looks like you've met my Aunt Camilia," Haylie said.
I turned instantly, and my breath caught in my throat again.
There she was, standing in the doorway, bathed in the warm, fading sunlight. She looked like an angel, dressed in a simple white floral dress and sneakers, but it wasn't just her appearance that struck me. Her scent hit me—daisies, pure and sweet. It overwhelmed my senses, pulling me toward her like a magnet. I could feel Ace wagging his tail in my head, fully captivated by her presence.
"Haylie," I said, smiling. "You look amazing."
She joined us, standing next to me, and her perfume became even stronger, intoxicating me.
My wolf instincts flared up, and all I wanted to do was pull her close, feel her warmth against me. It was primal, almost uncontrollable.
If she were a wolf, we'd probably be tangled up together by now, driven by the raw attraction wolves had for their mates.
But I had to keep myself in check. I couldn't let the wolf take over—not here, not now.
"I was just telling Liam that you need to be home by ten," her Aunt Camilia said, casting me a knowing glance.
I forced a smile, trying to stay composed, though inside I was burning with the desire for Haylie.
The hunger was real, and every instinct I had as a wolf was pulling me toward her. But I couldn't let it control me. Not tonight.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down and focus. My wolf instincts were on overdrive, wanting nothing more than to take in every part of Haylie—her scent, her warmth, the undeniable pull between us.
But I had to remind myself that she was human, and humans didn't operate on the same primal rules. I had to act normal, even though my body was screaming otherwise.
I put on the best smile I could muster and said, "We should probably get going."
Haylie turned to me with that smile—the kind that made my knees weak and my wolf restless. "You're right," she said softly, then turned to say goodbye to her aunt.
As I watched her, I couldn't stop thinking about the mystery surrounding her aunt Camilia. Why was a witch living with Haylie? And why had she warned me not to mention my father? There were so many unanswered questions, but for now, I pushed them aside.
Tonight wasn't the time to unravel everything—it was just supposed to be our first date.
I walked Haylie to the truck, trying to stay composed, and opened the door for her, doing my best to be a gentleman.
She gave me a small smile as she climbed in, and I closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath before heading around to the driver's side. Getting in behind the wheel, I tried to shake off the tension that lingered from the strange encounter with her aunt.
Once we were both settled, I glanced over at her, feeling the flutter of nerves in my chest again.
She looked so stunning, and the way her perfume filled the truck made it hard to focus. But I had to keep things under control. This was more than just physical attraction—there was something deeper, something drawing me to her.
And despite everything, I couldn't help but feel that tonight was going to be important.
Starting the engine, I smiled at her again. "So what kind of movie do you want to see tonight" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light, even though my mind was still buzzing with questions about her and her family.
Haylie P.O.V
As we drove, the silence hung between us for a few moments before I finally answered Liam's question. "Well, I don't know," I admitted. "I don't usually go to the movies."
To be honest, it had been ages since I'd been to a theater, and I'd never gone with a guy as hot as Liam. Tonight, he looked even better than the night I met him—his tight white V-neck shirt perfectly sculpted over his athletic body, paired with Levi's blue jeans and those classic blue All-Star sneakers.
I could feel the heat creeping up my neck and under my dress as my skin tingled. Every time he glanced at me with those intense brown eyes, I felt like I was melting inside.
"What about that new movie that came out last week?" he asked in that smooth, calm voice of his.
I had no idea what movie he was talking about. I didn't exactly keep up with movie releases, especially since I spent most afternoons at the skate park.
This afternoon, though, was different. "We can watch that new movie," I replied, trying to sound casual.
A smile spread across his lips, and I noticed how my heart skipped a beat. He glanced over at me and said, "Something tells me you're not the kind of girl who goes to the movies often."
It was like he could read my mind, and I instantly felt my cheeks flush red. I could only manage an embarrassed smile and muttered, "You got me."
Liam chuckled softly, and for some reason, that sound made my pulse race even more. Despite the nerves and the awkwardness, there was something easy and natural about being around him. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.
We finally made it to the movies, and the queue was surprisingly long.
I guess Friday night was still prime time for moviegoers. As we stood in line, Liam broke the silence with a grin, "So, what do you think about that movie?"
I followed his gaze to the poster he was pointing at—a zombie movie. "You want to watch a horror movie?" I asked, smiling back at him.
His eyes sparkled mischievously as he replied, "Why not? I'd love to hold you if you get scared."
My cheeks flushed so red I probably matched a tomato. The thought of Liam holding me, his strong arms wrapped around me—it was almost too much to handle. Could my heart take it? "So, what do you say we watch the horror movie?" he asked again, teasing.
I glanced at him, trying to compose myself, and took a deep breath. "Okay, but I'm out of there if it gets too scary," I said playfully, though my nerves were already shot.
Liam chuckled at my words, his laughter making me melt even more on the spot.
The line moved forward, and soon enough, it was our turn to buy tickets. After getting the tickets, we grabbed sodas, popcorn, and some sweets for the movie. Liam, being the sweetheart he was, surprised me by buying a chocolate shaped like a heart.
I smiled at him and joked, "I'll hold on to this as long as I can."
I still couldn't believe how sweet he was. It didn't fit the stereotype of the captain of the football team.
Usually, guys like him were cocky jocks, but Liam was different. He was genuine.
With our snacks in hand, we made our way into the theater and took our seats. I could feel the anticipation building inside me—not just for the movie, but for the fact that I was here, on a date with Liam, who seemed to be perfect in every way.
As everyone settled into their seats behind us, I couldn't shake the nervous dryness in my throat, so I kept sipping on my soda, trying to keep it together.
The silence between Liam and me was soon filled when he spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension. "I couldn't help but notice—do you live with your aunt?"
I took another sip, feeling like this small talk was my way of staying grounded while we waited for the movie to start.
I owed him some conversation, after all. "Yeah," I said with a small smile. "My parents died when I was little, so I've been living with my aunt ever since."
I noticed the way Liam's expression shifted, the light fading from his eyes.
There was genuine sadness in his voice when he replied, "I'm really sorry to hear that." His empathy caught me off guard, but before I could dwell on it, I asked, "What about you?"
Liam gave a soft sigh and answered, "I live with both my parents. My adopted sister just went off to college, so now it's just me, my mom, and dad at home."
I stared at him for a moment, my heart heavy with longing. He must be so lucky, I thought.
To still have both parents, a loving home. I'd give anything to have my parents back, to experience that kind of family.
My aunt was great, don't get me wrong, but she wasn't related to me—not even by blood. She had been my mom's best friend, but there was always a part of me that felt like I didn't quite belong.
Still, I forced myself to smile and nodded. "You're lucky," I whispered, almost to myself, realizing how different our lives were.
A warmth spread through me as I felt Liam's hand cover mine, resting on the railing of the chair.
My gaze fell to our hands, and my cheeks flared with heat, like a flame ignited within me. The warmth radiated across my body, and I could feel a nervous tension coiling in my stomach, making my heart race like wildfire.
I swallowed hard, trying to push down the swirl of emotions, and looked up to meet his gaze.
Liam's brown eyes held a sincerity that took my breath away. "I may not be related, but I'm here for you, Haylie," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
Those words felt like the sweetest promise, and I caught myself holding my breath in response.
I knew it must be the biggest pickup line ever, but it didn't matter. The moment felt too real, too significant to be brushed off as just a line.
I reminded myself that this was just a date; I couldn't let myself get too caught up in the moment, no matter how tempting it was to surrender to the feelings stirring within me.
Just as I was about to mentally scold myself for getting ahead of my emotions, the theater plunged into darkness, and the movie started playing, capturing both our attentions.
But even as the screen flickered to life, our hands remained entwined, and the simple contact felt electric. I couldn't help but smile softly, realizing how sweet this moment was, even amidst the horror movie that was about to unfold.
The movie ramped up the tension, and my grip on the popcorn bag tightened as I munched away, trying to distract myself from the unfolding horror.
Liam seemed completely unfazed, chuckling at the jump scares that had me on edge. I couldn't help but admire how calm he was, his laughter ringing out like a melody against the suspenseful score.
As the plot thickened, I found myself eating more popcorn, almost nervously. Each time the screen went dark, I braced for something to jump out, and each time a new zombie appeared, I squealed quietly, causing heads to turn in our direction.
The creepy music always preceded the jump scares, making me tense up, and I could feel my heart racing.
Halfway through the film, I glanced at my popcorn—only crumbs remained. I had devoured most of my candy, too, leaving me with nothing to distract from the intensity of the movie.
The zombies seemed relentless, and with every sudden movement on screen, I nearly jumped out of my seat.
Liam, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease, casually leaning back in his chair as if we were watching a romantic comedy instead of a terrifying horror flick.
I stole a sideways glance at him, amazed at how he could remain so composed. "How can you be so calm?" I whispered, my voice barely above the rising tension of the film. "This is insane!"
He turned to me, grinning, "Maybe I'm just a thrill-seeker at heart. Besides, it's fun to watch you react." His playful tone sent a flutter through me, and I could feel my cheeks heat up.
"Thanks for the support," I said, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress a smile. I leaned back into my seat, grateful for his presence. Somehow, despite the movie's chaos, being with Liam made everything feel just a little less scary.
As Liam's warm arm wrapped around my shoulders, I felt a wave of comfort wash over me.
I had half expected to pull away or make a sarcastic comment, but instead, I leaned into him, relishing the strength of his embrace. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the film.
I nestled my head against his solid shoulder, and instantly, a sense of safety enveloped me.
His scent was intoxicating—like fresh oak trees mingling with the warmth of burning wood and a hint of cinnamon. It was a blend that made my heart race in a different way, one that had nothing to do with the movie's jump scares.
My legs felt weak as if they were melting against the strength of his frame.
With his arm around me, I felt a soothing calm settle in, washing away the fear that had gripped me throughout the film.
The tension in my body eased, and I allowed myself to focus on the story unfolding before us. Liam's warmth radiated into me, a shield against the horrors on screen, and I was surprised by how easily I surrendered to the moment.
For the first time, I didn't feel like I was just a scared girl in a movie theater; I felt like I was part of something deeper, something intimate.
With Liam beside me, I could finally enjoy the movie without the anxiety that had haunted me before. I couldn't help but smile as the film continued, knowing that no matter how scary things got, I had someone right there with me.
Liam P.O.V
My mind was racing as Ace went crazy over Haylie resting her head on my shoulder. To keep him quiet, I decided to block him out and focus on enjoying the last few minutes of the movie with her.
Having her this close made my heart skip beats, and the scent of her perfume overwhelmed me, sending a scarlet blush across my skin. Thankfully, it was dark enough that no one could notice.
As the movie ended and the lights in the theater came back on, Haylie sat upright again. "Well, that was an interesting movie," she said, her voice light.
I grinned at her. It didn't matter what the movie was—we were close the whole time. "I love watching movies with you," I teased. "Especially ones like this."
Haylie rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "I knew you were going to say that."
We stood up along with the rest of the audience as people started filing out of the theater. When we stepped outside, I noticed it was only 8:00, still early.
Haylie's aunt said she had to be home by 10, so we had a couple of hours to spare. As we slowly walked back to my truck, I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets and asked, "So, what do you want to do next?"
A smile spread across Haylie's lips, and the sparkle in her green eyes made my chest tighten—she looked stunning. "Well," she said, her voice playful, "I know a great ice cream shop near the skate park. We could go there."
I opened the truck door for Haylie and flashed a playful smile. "I would never say no to ice cream."
She gave me a sweet smile in return before climbing into the truck. I gently closed the door for her, then walked around to the driver's side. Once I was settled inside and shut my door, I heard her soft, sweet voice. "Thank you for the movie."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. She looked so good that all I wanted was to pull her close and kiss her, but I had to keep it together. "Let's go get that ice cream," I said with a grin, starting the engine.
The skate park wasn't far from the theater, and before long, we arrived.
As I turned off the engine and stepped out of the truck, a strong wind hit me. I glanced up at the sky, noticing dark clouds rolling in—there was a storm coming. I hurried around to the passenger side, opened the door for Haylie, and smiled as she stepped out.
"Looks like there's a storm coming," I said as Haylie closed the door behind her. She looked up at the darkening sky, noticing the heavy clouds rolling in. "Just our luck," she replied with a small smile.
Despite the storm brewing around us, something about the way Haylie's red hair stood out against the dimming sky made her look even more striking. As we made our way to the small ice cream shop by the skate park, she led the way with ease.
I was surprised by how well she knew the place. When we arrived, I couldn't believe how many people were still hanging out at the skate park despite the approaching storm.
The line at the ice cream shop was longer than I expected.
"So, what ice cream flavor do you like?" Haylie asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I took a deep breath, glancing at her as I answered, "I like cream soda or vanilla." Then I asked, "And you?"
"I like chocolate ice cream," she said, and I raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Most of the girls I'd known before were all about strawberry or bright colors like blue. A smirk crept onto my face as I thought about how Haylie wasn't like any of the others.
"You're probably wondering why I don't like pink flavors like most girls," she said, almost as if reading my mind in that moment.
"Well... yeah, I was just surprised," I admitted.
Haylie chuckled softly before saying, "I love chocolate, and believe it or not, I hate pink and strawberries."
She was definitely different from any girl I'd met before—and I was thankful for that, especially after dating North. "Hey, North is one damn hot, sexy woman, and you should be thankful she liked you," Ace, my wolf, broke through the barriers of my mind.
I mentally rolled my eyes at him. "You only say that because her wolf, Cassy, was hot, and you're head over heels for her."
North had always been a classy girl, obsessed with brand names and always needing the best.
To be fair, she wasn't a bad person. The physical side of our relationship had been intense, but I never saw a future with her. She complained a lot, was selfish, and the reason we broke up was because she slept with one of the guys from the football team behind my back.
The moment I found out; I ended things. I needed someone honest, and Haylie was everything I wanted in a woman.
She was feminine, down-to-earth, and didn't care about brand-name clothes or superficial things. She was exactly what I had always wanted.
"Except she's human," my wolf reminded me.
I pushed Ace's voice to the back of my mind as we finally reached the front of the line.
The guy behind the counter asked what we wanted, and I ordered for both of us. After I paid, he handed us our ice creams, and we walked slowly to the nearest table, ready to sit down and enjoy our treat.
This moment with Haylie felt special. She was the first girl I'd ever shared ice cream with after a movie, and there was something incredibly sweet and adorable about the way she ate it. A little smear of ice cream had landed on her flushed cheek.
"What?" she asked, noticing me staring at her.
I quickly took a big bite of my ice cream and mumbled, "Nothing," with my mouth full. I thought about telling her she had ice cream on her cheek, but she looked too cute at that moment, and I didn't want to ruin it.
She seemed to be enjoying herself, so I decided to change the subject.
"So, how do you know the skate park so well?" I asked.
A smile tugged at her lips, and her emerald, green eyes lit up. "My mom used to bring me here with my uncle Jacob. She taught me how to skate when I was just five years old."
My heart skipped a beat as she spoke. There was so much warmth and gratitude in her voice. "Ever since then, I've loved coming here. It reminds me of my mom."
I could tell she missed her mother a lot. The way she spoke about her, with such affection, made me realize how deep that connection ran.
I finished the last bite of my ice cream, lost in thought, when I felt a sudden splash of water on my arm.
I frowned, looking up to see that the rain had started to fall. In seconds, Haylie was on her feet, but to my surprise, she didn't complain. Instead, she was smiling, laughing, and happily eating the rest of her ice cream as the rain poured down around us.
"You're going to get soaked," I warned, not wanting to sound like a complainer, but the downpour was quickly intensifying.
Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me, searching for some shelter. I spotted a large willow tree nearby and headed straight for it, both of us running through the rain.
The willow tree was massive, its long, hanging leaves creating a natural shelter, offering us some protection from the rain.
Once we were beneath its cover, I paused to catch my breath, but my attention immediately shifted to Haylie. She stood in front of me, soaked to the skin, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders.
Even drenched in rain, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her emerald eyes glistened, meeting mine with a soft intensity, and a slight blush colored her cheeks.
Her lips, wet from the rain, were parted slightly as she breathed.
My heart raced wildly in my chest, and it felt as though something magnetic was pulling me closer to her.
Our eyes locked, and in that moment, I was completely lost in her gaze. Without thinking, my hand moved to her face, gently brushing a bit of leftover ice cream from her cheek. Her skin was silky and smooth beneath my thumb, sending a rush of warmth through me.
That single touch was all it took. Unable to resist, I leaned in, my breath mingling with hers as I brought my lips close to hers.
The moment our lips touched, a surge of electricity shot through my body, like chemistry igniting every nerve.
I pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, completely wrapped up in the moment, as if the rest of the world had disappeared around us.