Liana's POV
I don't even know why I bothered coming to this stupid Christmas party. I thought it'd be better than being home alone since my boyfriend had something urgent to attend to and would be a bit late.
Everyone seems to see something wrong with him but I know him, he might be imperfect but he's shown me in many ways than one how much he cares.
I downed another shot of tequila, the liquid burning down my throat as I swallowed.
The music was too loud, lights were so bright... everyone looked happier than they actually were.
I hugged my arms waiting for him to come when my phone buzzed.
"A video"
No message.....
Just a file...….
I clicked it without thinking.
I heard just sounds, a woman laughing, a man whispering something I couldn't make out till the camera shifted.
My supposed boyfriends hands on someone else's waist, their bodies tangled together, her soft moans loud and antagonizing.
And below it a short message.
"Merry Christmas"
My breath seized but I held on to the wall as my eyes blurred.
"How.....h…...how could he? After all these years? After all our plans?
Hot tears dropped as I shivered in pains.
My world was ending and no one even noticed.
My fingers were shaking uncontrollably then I turned.... I walked away, fast, faster, then I ran, pushing anyone in front of me without a second thought.
The cold air hit me as I stepped out the door, icy snow smacking my skin but I didn't think, I just ran.
I jumped into my car and drove quickly, the roads were half covered, snow kept falling harder and harder, swallowing the forest turning everything white and cold.
I knew the cabin was close, my secret hideout.
Me and Amy used to come here when we were younger.
It was our secret world...…..
I drove faster, my hands shaking lightly, my eyes burning with hot tears, my breath breaking every second.
The heater barely worked and my wind shield was fogged.
I finally saw the familiar view but something was off.
It wasn't dark..... the windows glowed warm gold and a Christmas wreath hung on the door.
The cabin looked so alive.
"Someone's been here" I whispered lowly.
I swallowed stepping out of the car, snow soaked my shoes instantly.
The cold bit into my bones as I wrapped my arms around myself walking slowly up the steps.
My hand trembled as I pushed the door open.
Warmth hit me immediately.
A soft fire crackled by the fireplace, a real pine Christmas tree stood by the corner decorated so beautifully.
Blankets were folded, the entire place smelled like cinnamon and wood so mouth watering and tantalizing.
My throat tightened in fear but I didn't care, I couldn't turn back now, not with how heavy the snow fall is still, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
The moment the latch clicked I snapped. My body involuntarily slipped down the wall, covering my mouth with both hands as the first sob tore out of me.
The pain punched out of my chest, it felt like someone was stabbing my heart multiple times and suddenly I was shaking too much to breathe.
I buried my face in my knees and cried like I hadn't cried in years..... Every betrayal, every suppressed fear, it all broke loose.
"Liana?"
A deep baritoned and very familiar voice cuts into the air.
"No....no.....no.....no..... I knew that voice." I thought
Every muscle in my body froze, I didn't even breathe. The tears stopped instantly like fear froze them on my cheeks.
Painfully slowly, I lifted my head and the moment his shadow moved in the corner of the cabin, my heart dropped straight to the floor.
Alpha king Rhage.
My best friend's father.... the man I avoided since I was thirteen.
My worst nightmare.......
He said my name again, deeper this time.
"Liana?"
I scrambled up so fast my knees almost gave out, stumbling backwards until my spine hit the wall.
The fear was instinctive, burned into me. His wolf Hades was legendary, deadly, unpredictable.
A beast that killed before anyone even processed the danger.
I'd watched him tear a rogue apart once right in front of me and since then, I kept a polite terrified distance anytime he stepped into a room.
But now.... he stepped out of the shadows..... barefoot, shirtless, snow melting on his overly broad shoulders, hair a few inches longer than I remembered falling messily over his shoulders like winter and those eyes, God those eyes, they weren't just intense, they were mesmerizing.
Eyes you don't look into unless you're willing to loose yourself completely. My mouth parted before I stopped myself.... He looked.... beautiful.
Then I felt it, a tingle, low and warm spreading through my core like a spark that just caught fire.
My heart slammed against my ribs as realization dawned on me.
I just checked him out......
I just shamelessly checked out my best friend's father......
And worse, my body reacted.... Heat curled deep inside me, mortifying and uncontrollable, and he smelled it.
I saw the exact second he did.
His eyes darkened, jaw clenched clenching so hard, breath leaving him in one slow dangerous exhale.
"shit!" I whispered panic stabbing through me.
He stared at me like he could read every unsaid thing in my head, his gaze Stoic, cold, but his brows slightly furrowed as if the sight of me, tear stained and trembling, did something to him.
"It's been years" I whispered my voice cracking.
"I....... I wasn't expecting anyone here"
Rhage didn't answer at first, he stepped towards me instead, every instincts in me screamed to disappear but I couldn't.
It was as if an invisible hands pressed my spine to the door, trapping me there while he closed the space between us.
My gaze dropped against my will..... He was shirtless and I could see every line of him, every carved, unforgiving muscle, every ripple of strength that made him the king wolves bowed to.
He didn't stop walking till he stood right in front of me, his presence so strong it pushed the air out my lungs.
It felt so intimate, like something old and powerful and ancient had just chosen me without asking permission and I stayed still, mesmerized, scared and utterly aroused.