softly. And just like that, Sebastian’s laughter died and his face
shut down. He looked down and shrugged. Liam was beginning to hate that shrug, because he recognized it
as the defensive measure it was.
“What happened, baby?” Liam coaxed.
“Last year, after I graduated from college, I got a job out of state. My family was extremely well off so
they didn’t have to work. So when I decided to move, they wanted to move with me. They let me pick out a
condo then bought a home nearby. We petitioned the local wolf pack for membership. They agreed. In the
spirit of full disclosure, my parents advised of what they were and what I was. They had no problems with
it. I started my job and things were great. The second full moon, the Alpha summoned my parents before
the pack and accused them of conspiring to murder him to take control of the pack. Death by challenge is
completely acceptable, but as you know, murder is an unforgivable offense.”
Liam nodded.
“I joined the meeting late and arrived just in time to see him shoot my parents in the head at point-blank
range. I lost control and shifted to my tiger. But he was ready, they shot me full of a drug that forced me to
shift to human. Once human, the Alpha said I had a choice. Shift to a small animal and get in the cage or
die with my parents. So I shifted and got in the cage.” Sebastian sat back on Liam’s lap and wrapped his
arms around his body.
“Then what happened?” Liam peeled Sebastian’s hands away from his body and slowly rubbed small
circles into the back of Sebastian’s hands.
“He sold me to another wolf Alpha. Alpha Devon was collecting hybrids, he had shifters in tiny cages in
his workshop. He had been collecting for years, waiting for the right price. He said we were worth a lot of
money. Sometimes they wouldn’t feed us. Or they would pull us from the cages and beat us. Most had
given up hope when Peyton pulled the lever that opened all the cages and set us free.” Sebastian gripped
Liam’s hand so tight that his knuckles were turning white.
“You were betrayed by the very people who were supposed to protect you, and I was abandoned by the
people who were supposed to love me. We’re a matched pair, aren’t we?” Liam smiled sadly at Sebastian.
“But I have you now, and you won’t betray me, and you have me, and I will always love you,”
Sebastian said as his cheeks turned red. Liam felt his breath catch.
“Will you, baby? Will you love me?”
Sebastian nodded. “I started falling in love with you when I watched you comfort Rebecca in the alley
the day we met. I was there when you guarded Rian and the twins when the hyenas attacked. You’re the
most amazing man I have ever met,” Sebastian admitted. Liam simply leaned forward and captured his lips.
Sebastian dissolved as their lips met. Finally! He was finally kissing his mate. At first the kiss was
hesitant and tender. But when he nipped playfully at Liam’s bottom lip, his lion’s eyes darkened, and he
demanded Sebastian open his lips to him. Once admitted, he took full advantage and tongue-fucked his
mate’s mouth. Sebastian moaned and started to thrust his hips forward. Liam pulled back and grinned
playfully at his mate.
“To think we could have been doing this for months,” Liam said good-naturedly. Sebastian flushed.
“I tried to let you know, in my own way. I was always jumping into your lap and purring around you.”
“Yeah, but you jumped into Kent’s lap and purred around him, too,” Liam said, smiling. Sebastian felt
the blood drain from his face. Liam’s eyes widened. Sebastian was sure Liam could hear his heart rate start
pounding out double time.
“Baby?”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what to do.” Sebastian started shaking in his mate’s arms. He
could hear Liam’s breathing become erratic.
“Wait, are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?” He asked. Sebastian could hear the strain