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                   Just walk up to him, Ronnie! My mind screams at me, talk to him! Do it before it's too late!

I shift nervously in my seat and try desperately to swat away my pestering thoughts as I stare out the window of the small and warm and safe cafe.

From beside me, Liam shifts in his seat as well. It seems my nervousness is contagious, but hey, at least I'm not alone.

I force my eyes away from the man that grips the tall blonde to him and instead turn to face Liam. He frowns at him.

"You should go talk to him," He says, voicing my thoughts. His vivid green eyes follow my movement as I lift my hand from my lap and begin to stir my spoon around in my cup. When it's evident I'm not about to reply to his comment, he huffs. "You can't avoid him forever."

"No, but I can try." I mutter defiantly. My eyes flicker away from my cup long enough to notice Liam is scowling me. 

"Ron, this might be the last time you're able to see your dad for weeks, or months, or however long it takes before we can get this whole Purgatory and Beckett situation worked out." 

"I don't know what to say to him." I answer honestly. I twist in my seat to face him. "I mean, you should have heard the things I said to him before I.. left."

"Exactly. You said some things you regret. This is your last chance to fix them, princess." 

Regret? Did I really regret what I said to him? I question silently. Immediately, I know the answer is yes. Because I do regret what I said. I was angry and hurt and so I directed all my bitter emotions at him, when he clearly didn't deserve it. I had done the unspeakable. I had  taunted my father about the death of my mom - his mate - the one woman he loved the most in this world. And I had painfully reminded him that she was gone and he could do nothing about that. 

In result, I felt horrible. And also even more horrified when I realize Liam is right. I need to speak with him. To put somewhat of a mend on our strained relationship, because just like Liam said, it could be the last time I got to see him for a long time. Or, well, maybe it would the last time I saw him ever. 

He deserved an apology, answers, and most of all, a warning of what was to come in the future. Therefor, he would have the chance to run off with Tara and create a new life with her. At least then I could sleep peacefully knowing I had least done something to help him. 

My eyes slither back over to window and I watch silently as Tara and my dad fall into step, side by side, merely talking and laughing occasionally. 

I suck in a sharp breath, it's now or never. 

I stand abruptly, manging to catch the attention of Liam. He gazes at me out from the corner of his eyes, not even phased when I begin to make my way for the door. I stop once I reach the door. I place my hands on the handle and throw a look over my shoulder at a smirking Liam. "You coming or not, Farley?"

He stands and tosses a couple bills on the table before joining me at the door. We exit the cafe wordlessly and begin to make our way towards Tara and my dad. 

I'm a bundle of nerves as we near them and Liam seems to sense that. He holds out his hand for me to take and without another thought, I place my smaller hand in his.  Liam doesn't hesitate to intertwine our fingers together. He draws me near to him as well, pressing his side up against mine. And I'm glad when he does this, because immediately I feel some ounce of comfort.

I peer up at him, sending him a grateful smile. He returns it with one of his own, his eyes flickering back over to Tare and my dad.

And when I turn to look in their direction, it seems we've already caught their attention. I suck in a sharp breath as my eyes meet my dad's grey one's.

He stands stiff and ridgid and I notice he's incredibly wary of Liam's presence when he draws Tara near to him, wrapping an around her shoulders. Tara doesn't seem to notice his sudden change in mood, all she does is stare at Liam and I, a bright smile on her face as she waves to me. 

"Ronnie! It's so nice to see you again!" She squeals once were only a few feet apart from one another. "How are you, sweetheart?"

I ignore the use of the nickname and instead, flash her a bittersweet smile. "I'm good, thanks. Yourself?"

"Oh, I'm doing well. I was actually just talking to your father about you and how we should have dinner again some time." 

"Yeah, that sounds great." I nod and my eyes flicker over to my dad, who warily gazes at Liam. "Hi dad."

This seems to catch his attention. He looks towards me, a weak attempt of a smile sliding onto his lips. "Hey Ron." 

"Is this Liam?" Tara questions. Liam's quirks an eyebrow at the tall blonde.

"You know who I am?" He asks gruffly. Tara let's out a melodic laugh and nods.

"Of course! Ronnie mentioned you at dinner."

Oh god, I will never hear the end of this, I think begrudgingly as I peer up at a smirking Liam. He waggles his eyebrows at me and then says, "Oh really? What else did she happen to mention?"

"I mentioned that you were incredibly full of yourself. Though that's really no secret." I intervene quickly before Tara get's the chance to respond. She merely laughs while Liam pouts. 

"Nice to know you speak so highly of your own boyfriend." 

I roll my eyes at him and glance back to my dad. His eyes are once again trained on Liam, his features scrunched in confusion. "I actually came here to talk to you, dad." I state, "If  you don't mind, Tara." I add in quickly. Immediately, she shakes her head and nudges my father.

"Of course not! Go ahead and talk." She flashes me a warm and smile and I return it as best as I can.

"Thanks. What do you say about taking a walk?" I ask. Dad's eyes finally drag away from Liam to me.

"I'm not sure, Ron. I don't want to leave Tara all by her-"

"Don't worry, Mr. Mars. I'll look after your girl while you and Ronnie talk." Liam interrupts, sending him a bright smile. I resist the urge to smack him, mainly because him saying that, does not make my father any less wary. I'm pretty sure my dad doesn't trust Liam one bit and honestly, I don't blame him. I mean, Liam is known as one of the most infamous rogues ever. 

"I want to have a small chat with you. It'll be quick." I add quickly, feeling his hesitation. "Besides, Liam will take perfectly good care of Tara. I promise."

"You worry too much, honey," Tara says with a small laugh. "I'll be fine! Go, talk with your daughter. I'll be here when you get back."

Finally, dad stiffly nods. He squeezes her to him, "I won't be far away and I have my cell on me. Phone me if anything... happens." 

I roll my eyes and detach myself from Liam, grabbing my father's arm and rudely tugging him along with me. "I'll meet you back here, Liam! Don't stray too far away." I send him a playful glare and point a stern finger at him. He chuckles.

"Whatever you say, sweetheart." He flashes a breathing taking smile at me and at that moment, I am oh-so tempted to turn right back around and run to him. Resist, I tell myself, resist his hotness!

I shake my head as if to rid my thoughts and release my grasp on my dad's arm. I stuff my hands in the pockets of my jacket. Unsure of what to say, I wait for him to break the silence. Though I realize he's not going to when I glance over at him to see him mimicking my same posture. Hands dug in his pockets, head bowed, and eyes trained on the ground. He looks so lost. And for some reason, my heart constricts at that mere thought.

I dully wonder if he's acting this way because of what I said. 

Obviously, my conscious whispers, you taunted him with your mother's death. Who does that?

Me. Idiot me. That's who does that. 

The year's following my mother's death, I had never really called him out on it or whatever. But I had nagged at him. Because I was angry. It seems I say the most stupidest and irrational things when I'm angry.

What the hell do I say now? 'Sorry I waved mom's death in your face'? 'Sorry I'm a douche'? 'Have I told you how nice you look today? Oh, by the way, I totally didn't mean what I said the other day'?

Yeah, that's not a really good way to start this conservation. Instead of just blurting out a sorry, I decide to just bring it up in the middle of the conservation.

"So," I drawl, "How are you and Tara?"

He looks up and lifts a brow at me, "Did you really pull me away from Tara to talk about Tara?"

There goes casually sliding an 'I'm sorry' into our conversation.

"Well, no," I state bluntly. "But I figured I-"

He cuts me off, "Do you really even care about what's happening between Tara and I, Ronnie?"

I bite down on my lip, weighing the objection of telling the truth or lying. Though my silence is already enough of an answer for him, apparently.

"You don't need to pretend to care, Ronnie. I don't expect you to."

My eyebrows furrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean I don't expect you to like the women that is 'supposedly' replacing your mother."

"I don't think she's replacing mom," I mutter. It's a lie. And he sees right through my words, since he scoffs and shakes his head, his stringy black hair following his movements.

"Of course you-"

This time, I decide to cut him off. "Okay, I didn't come here to talk about Tara, I admit that. I came here to talk to you about what... happened, the other night. With the pack."

He stiffens, stopping abruptly and in result, I stop as well and face him. "Alpha Beckett isn't happy about it, you know."

"Yeah, I figured," I say with a nod. "But I don't regret it. Well, at least I don't regret leaving the pack. It was the right thing to do."

Dad's eyes widen and he stares at me as if I've just sprouted a second head. "The right thing to do? Ronnie, making Alpha Beckett target you was not the right thing to do."

I scoff and cross my arms over my chest, "So, what was I supposed to do? Remain being his puppet? I don't think so. And besides, he was already targeting me. All for the purpose of mating with Adam. Or did you forget about that?"

Immediately, once I say this, a look of pain flashes across his face. I silently curse myself for having added that last tidbit to the sentence. I'm such an idiot.

"I'm sorry, I didn't-" I start to say, but he cuts me off.

"It's fine. I deserve it, anyway." He let's out a dry laugh, though there is obviously no humour to this situation. "I threw you to the dogs, Ron. Quite literally."

"You don't deserve it." I object, "You didn't deserve for me to scream at you that night and even before you didn't deserve me putting you down. I should have realized that you were just... trying to cope."

"I wasn't trying to cope. I was trying to forget. And I did it in the wrong way," He murmurs. "I left you to fend for yourself. And I should be the one apologizing. I missed out on so much of your life. But I promise you, Ronnie, I will not miss out on your life any longer. I promise."

My chest tightens and I swallow roughly, slowly I begin to shake my head as I stare at him. I don't know how to exactly phase my next sentence. Perhaps I should just be blunt and say it, but for some reason, the word's are stuck in my throat. My mind screams at me to spit the truth out but, again, all I do is stare.

 It seems luck is never on my side. Figures that when I suddenly begin to put back the pieces to my father and I's broken relationship that something is just bound to go wrong. It could be weeks, or months, or even years before I ever saw him again. Or maybe this would be the last time I saw him.

And I know it's suddenly weird about now wanting to fix our relationship, but maybe it's because I realized that you could lose people close to you at any time. Any second. Any day.

Anna had died so abruptly so that I never got the chance to tell her I was sorry. That I am sorry. And I don't want that to be the same case for me and my father. If I'm going to die or suddenly go disappearing or whatever, I at least want to know I went without having the weight of never speaking to my father on my shoulder's.

I suppose now is the best time to man up. Or well, woman up, I suppose.

"Dad, I might not be around for a long time." My reply is blunt and simple and straight to the point, but the feeling in my chest only tightens as his features draw into one of confusion. 

"What?"

"The Purgatory... they're planning to attack Beckett's pack. Your pack. They're angry and mostly targeting them because of Liam and I. We might have to go missing for a while, perhaps to gather more people to help us, but either way, you need to leave pack territory as quickly as possible. You need to leave the pack."

"What?" He echoes, a look of disbelief now crossing his expression. His eyebrows knit together in confusion and he shakes his head at me. "The Purgatory?"

"Yes," I nod slowly. "They're highly dangerous, but I'm sure you know that. You need to flee, not only because of the attack that's coming, but because of Alpha Beckett as well. He'll use you against me. He'll probably blackmail me with your life, just like he did to Anna. And I know he's not bluffing when he says he won't hesitate to kill those closest to me. Anna dying is the proved point."

He's atonished. Shock. Bewildered. And whatever other emotion that describes shock and confusion, but through it all, he still manages to shake his head and mutter, "Oh my god." He repeats this numerous times.

"You can leave with Tara. Make a new life or something. Whatever you do, just get as far away from Portland as you can. Maybe you could go on vacation or something. I hear Hawaii is nice this time of year, so-"

"Ronnie," He cuts me off from my erratic stumbling with a simple call of my name. "You do realize how crazy this sounds, don't you?"

"Yes," I swallow roughly. "But it's the truth."

"How could I even go off and start a new life when you're fighting with not only the Purgatory, but Alpha Beckett and his pack?"

"I'm not going in this alone, dad. I have Liam, you know."

"He's a rogue, Ron!" He screeches suddenly, "A dangerous rogue at that! He's killed so many people. How can you trust him?"

"It's simple," I mutter. "He's my mate."

"Maybe he's tricking you into believing that!" He huffs, "Maybe he's working with Purgatory or something."

I shake my head, "He's not. He... cares for me. And I know you might not get that and I don't expect you to, but you have to trust me when I say he would never hurt me. He saved me that night, you know. When I was attacked by the Purgatory. That's what I had those bruises."

Dad runs a hand threw his hair, tugging at it with a grunt. "Attacked by the Purgatory? Why don't you tell me these things?"

 "Because I thought I could deal with them on my own," I say, "If you haven't realized, I'm not fond of sharing my problems with others. Even those that are closest to me."

He sighs and shakes his head for the millionth time. "So what, you're just going to disappear? Never to be seen again? With some guy who has killed innocent people?"

"It's in his past," I argue. "He's not... he's not like that anymore."

Technically, it's not a lie. He has killed people in the previous months, but they certainly weren't innocence. But I suppose to other's that it doesn't excuse the fact that he took someone's life. As sick as it sounds, I've learned to simply forget about that part of our relationship. That Liam has killed and perhaps will continue to kill. This time around, I know he won't take innocent people's lives. He'll be fighting for me and maybe for revenge on the Purgatory. And I guess I have to accept that.

I guess I'm just going to have to get use to the fact that I might see more lives be taken. And I might have to take a few lives myself. 

Suddenly, I wish I hadn't thinkin' that at all. The thought of... killing someone makes my stomach churn. 

"So you're telling me that he doesn't kill people anymore?" Dad says, catching my attention. 

"He only does it to protect me-"

"Protect you? Is that what he calls it?" Dad sneers. He scowls me as if I'm some foolish child. "He's malicious, cold hearted, evil, ma-"

"And the one person in the world that gets me!" I shout, though I realize how corny my words sound once they leave my mouth. I pause for a minute, looking to rephrase my words into a way that so I don't sound like some stupid irrational teenager that is blinded by love. "As stupid as it sounds, and I know it sounds stupid, he get me. He comforts me in my time's of need and he shows me a side of him that is unknown to other's. I trust him with my secrets and I.. I care for him. More than anything. We may be complete opposites of each other and he may drive me crazy sometimes but that doesn't matter. What we have isn't a fling. It's forever."

Once I finish my rant, I meet my father's eyes. His wide and awed grey eyes. And I'm sure I've just made myself out to sound like that annoying chick from Twilight or something, but the word's I speak are true. And incredibly corny. But I'm not going to go back on them.

"I don't know what to say, Ronnie." He breathes and immediately, I shake my head with a small smile.

"You don't need to say anything. Just know that when I'm gone, Liam will be there with me. He won't let anything happen to me. I promise. Just like how you need to promise that you'll get as far away form Portland as you can, okay?"

He seems uneasy at my words and I'm sure desperation has filled my eyes because not a second later does his eyes soften and he nods. Though it's stiff and forced, I'm still grateful.

For the first time in years, I lean forward and grip him in a tight hug. He seems surprised by my actions, but he wraps his arms around me as well, resting his head on top of mine.

I bury my head into the cool leather of his jacket while I fist the material in my fists. Though, yes, the feeling of giving and receiving a hug from my own father is weird, I still savor it. Not because I'm scared I'm going to die or disappear or whatever, but because even though I've said I don't care about him, I do. There's still a chunk of my heart that holds love for him and both my mother. I don't want to be angry with him anymore. I want to forgive and forget and remember our last moments together. 

I pull away from him, not enough to be out of his arms, but far enough that I can look up at him. He gazes down at me with a sad smile and he reaches up, tucking a wisp of my brown hair away from my face. I return the smile as best as I can.

"You and Tara will have a great life together, I just know it." I whisper.

"It'll never replace the life I had with your mother, Ronnie. Tara will never be her, you know that, don't you?"

I let out a soft laugh and nod. "I do now."

"Good," He embraces me again and I don't resist, not like I would have before. "Stay safe, okay?"

"Always." I mumble. And with that, we pull away from each other and walk back to Tara and Liam, who are chatting away happily. Or well, Tara is chatting away happily while Liam seems to be dazed. Once I reach back into his range of sight,  a look of relief crosses his facial expression. 

I don't comment on it nor do I make it obvious that I noticed he was worried. I simply go to his side and immediately, once I reach him, he pulls me into his side and presses a kiss to my head. He exchanges gazes with my father and when dad gives him a stiff nod, Liam returns it. It's not a sign of acceptance or appreciated or whatever. It's one of respect. 

                         "Two weeks," Stella says for the fifth time.

And for the millionth time, Jeremy replies, "Two weeks until we die."

I scuff at his remark, but decide not to comment on it. Though Liam does. He argues that we're not going to die but Jeremy fires back. He objects that we're doomed and that the Purgatory and Beckett are going to kill us. And though I hate to admit, Jeremy might be right.

Two weeks until the Purgatory goes for the Beckett and most likely, Liam and I. Two weeks until they plan to kill us and bathe in sweet revenge.

And I'm positively scared, but again, I don't voice this. I merely snuggle myself into Liam's side, needing some of his confidence to perhaps float to me. 

Of course, at this action, Stella rolls her eyes and makes a snarky remark on how weak I look. I don't have enough fight in me to object, so I take her insults and shove them aside.

"We should leave," Stella suggests. "Bail out until we gather more people to help us fight back. Besides, it wouldn't be smart to stick around anyway. After the Purgatory attack, if Beckett is still standing - which I'm sure he will be - he'll send people after us. And perhaps the Purgatory will do the same once they realize you and Ronnie aren't present. We have the upper hand and we should take advantage of it. We're in no position to fight with only the four of us. You do know that, don't you?"

"I hate admitting Stella is right, but it's the truth. We should leave a week before the attack. Get a head start and everything." Jeremy says.

"And where will our primary destination be?"

"Some place where safety and help is assured."

"Yeah, well, last time I checked, a place like that doesn't exist." Liam snorts, "I don't know if you forget or something, but I'm a wanted man. Since you guys are with me, whatever pack we stumble upon along the way, will make an attempt to fight and kill you as well."

"I'm aware of this, Liam," Stella replies. "That's why we'll do our best to stick to the main roads and never stay in one place for too long. We'll run as long as we have to before we get the help needed."

"So we run like cowards for God-knows-how long?" Liam shakes his head. "That could take years."

"Well, if you have a better plan, then go ahead and let us know, genius." Stella sneers. 

"Simple; we fight." He inquires nonchantly. 

"Simple; we die." Jeremy mocks with a roll of his big blue eyes. "That is the most stupidest plan ever. Unlike Ronnie, Stella, and I, we are not as trained as you are to fight those Purgatory fuckers off."

"Speak for yourself," Stella hisses. "I have enough experience to take them down. The only reason I suggested running is because I know you and Ronnie would get yourself's killed. Face it, you're weaker then us."

"Hey! I'm not weak!" Jeremy whines like a child. Liam waves off her remark.

"Ronnie may not be as strong, but she's fast. Faster then all of us and she's got quick reflexes."

"You can only block a hit for so long, Liam," Stella says. "Speed might help for a while, but she needs to learn to fight as well to properly defend herself."

"Shouldn't I determined what I need to learn and what I don't?" I say irritably, finally deciding to speak rather then having Stella talk about me as if I'm not in the room.

"No," Stella chirps. I narrow my eyes at her. "This is why we should pick to run. It gives us more time to prepare as well."

Liam is quiet. He appears deep in contemplation and I know he's weighing his options. And just like Jeremy said, as much as I hate to admit it, Stella has a point. It would be wiser to flee and perhaps train ourselves better to take on the Purgatory and Beckett's pack. Besides, going in and fighting isn't really a plan. It's just a stupid and irrational decision. No offense to Liam, by the way.

"Stella's right," I say, though my voice is strained. The words are painful to even utter. "Her plan is... smarter."

Liam quirks a brow at me, "So you're saying mine was stupid?"

Without hestiation, I nod. "Pretty much."                          

"Even the most stubborn person in the room agrees. That's how you know I'm right." A sly smirk slips onto Stella's lips.

"Maybe. Still doesn't mean I agree." Liam shoots back. Immediately, the smirk is wiped from her features and she glares at him in silent annoyance.

Though the leadership of the group hasn't been spoken about, we all know who runs our little group or whatever you really want to call it, I suppose. Liam is evidently the leader and Jeremy and Stella will listen to his words. Or well, more like Jeremy will listen and Stella and I will argue before we give in. Nonetheless, Liam has the final say and he knows that because he simply smiles wickedly at Stella. Smug bastard.

I huff and fold my arms over my chest, "Don't be so hard headed, Liam. Swallow your pride and accept Stella's plan. Alright?"

Liam curls his lip up at me, obviously disliking the fact that I'm practically bossing him around. In any werewolf relationship of sort - mate or not - the woman is supposed to comply to the male's wishes and choices. That's just how it works. But that doesn't mean I'm going to follow along with that stupid rule or whatever. I like to believe Liam and I can co-exist in equality and I will strive to make that point across to him. 

But as the saying goes, I'll probably just be kicking a dead horse already. Either way, I won't give in as easily as I should. 

"Ronnie," He murmurs warningly. Again, I roll my eyes and I silently wonder if one day they will get stuck like that. I shrug off the dumb though as quickly as it came.

"Oh please, don't go all dominate wolf on me." I sneer. I remind myself of Stella when I do this. Speaking of Stella, she obviously agrees with me since she flashes me a bright smile of triumph.

He glares at me. Jeremy laughs. "That's right, guuurlfriend. You stick up for yourself because you are a strong woman. Mhmm." 

Stella cackles while Liam directs his heated gaze on Jeremy. It looks like Liam is tempted to strangle him. Well, better him then me.

"Fine," He finally growls. "We go with Stella's plan. In a week from now, we leave. Now Ronnie and I are going to sleep. We have school tomorrow. And don't want to hear a peep from you two."

He stands, grabbing my wrist and pulling me up with him. I snatch my wrist from his grasp and walk to the room with a huff. I decide I'm in no mood to argue with him on this.

"Is that code that you guys are going to fuck? Remember kids; no glove, no love!"

Right when I enter the room, Liam slams the door. And soon after, Stella and Jeremy begin to chirp, "Peeeeep!" just to annoy Liam. Instead of being annoyed like Liam, I simply laugh and fall back onto the bed, feeling a sudden sense of sleepiness overcome me.

"You do realize that my animalistic side still isn't happy about you telling me what to do, right?" Liam peers over me, raising a perfect brow at me. I shake my head with a sigh.

"I wasn't telling you what to do. I was simply suggesting. See? There's a difference." I reply innocently. 

"Well aren't you just little miss smart ass?"

"Always am." I say with a laugh.

Liam decides to drop the subject, though not for good, I'm sure. 

He crawls into bed beside me, pulling me up against him to where my back is to his chest. Though I flip onto my face and press my side into his chest. I find that he has head propped up on the heel of his hand, peering down at me with pursed lips. "The talk with your dad went well, yeah?"

"Yeah," I nod, though I'm in a daze of amazement as I look up into his vivid green eyes. My favorite features of his. Well, besides his muscles, that is. 

Perv. 

"I don't want to pry, but did you tell him about the attack that was to come?"

"Yes," I mumble."I told him to get as far away from Portland as he could. I think I suggested he should go to Hawaii or something."

Liam chuckles, "Well, isn't that great advice?" He says and then suddenly decides to ask, "Are you nervous for the whole war?"

"Of course," I whisper, weakness invading my words. "But I brought this upon myself. So I have to deal with it. I just don't know how I'm going to be able to... well, kill someone."

Liam stiffens at the words but draws me impossibly closer, wrapping both of his arms around me and giving me an reassuring squeeze. "I know. And though it's clearly inevitable, I hope you won't ever have to. Whether if they're evil or not." He sighs and rest his head on top of mine. "Maybe I'm just being selfish when I say I want to preserve your innocence."

"Innocence?" I echo. "You actually think I'm innocent?"

"In a sense," He mumbles. "You're far more pure than Stella, Jeremy, and I. You haven't killed, you haven't manipulated other people to bend at your will, and you also haven't done something else that makes you quite innocent." He waggles his eyebrows at me and I gasp in horror. I smack him in the chest and Liam merely laughs.

"Shut up, you idiot! That is not funny. How would you even know that?"

"I was your first kiss, princess. I think that explains it all." He says, "But really, I'm flattered I'll be your first for a lot of things." He smirks and I gaze at him, mortified.

"Do you love pissing me off?"

"Maybe," He teases. And without another word, he sweeps down and steals a kiss before I decide to be mean and turn away from him. I pick to not argue with him when he pulls away and buries his head in my neck, pressing a gentle kiss to the base of my throat. "Get some sleep," He commands softly. "We're going to have a long week."

I hum in agreement and close my eyes, glad that I took a shower and changed once I got back from talking with my dad.

There's a dull ache in my ankle from walking so much today and putting a strain on my injury, but I'm sure it'll be fully healed in a day or two. And Liam seems to sense my obvious discomfort, since he runs his hand down to my ankle and rubs soothingly. It gives me the opportunity to get properly comfortable.

I press my head into his chest and inhale his scent. I lean up one last time and kiss him. It's a lingering and lazy kiss and by the time I pull away, I'm already almost fully pulled into darkness that waves sleep in my face.

Before I fall asleep, I can't help but whisper, "This is just the beginning to our crazy adventure, right?"

He's quiet for a minute before he tightens his grip on me and mumbles, "Definitely just the beginning, princess."

------

Next chapter should be up sooon.

- CeCe.