Oh, he wasn’t a fool. The big werebear Alpha was certainly capable of violence, but Liam would never harm him. Eli didn’t understand how he came to that conclusion.
Liam and he were strangers and yet, something between them clicked the moment he laid eyes on Liam. Eli never believed in destiny or fated mates, but he was starting to.
“Liam can’t be your mate. You’re still wearing Steve’s mark,” he whispered to himself.
He left the shower and touched the ugly mark on his neck. He blinked. Steve’s teeth marks seem to have faded, even just a little.
Eli shook his head. He must be imagining things. That was all. His stomach rumbled, reminding him his last meal had been hours ago. Eli was eating for two now, not one.
Eli dried off and quickly dressed. Eli was glad he packed something warm. Dressed in his favorite blue sweater and a comfy pair of sweatpants, Eli left his room.
The corridor was eerily silent. He thought he heard the steady drip-drip sound of water from somewhere, then remembered Liam mentioned a leaky roof. Eli went downstairs, only to hear voices.
“Where did that Omega werewolf come from?” Asked an unfamiliar male voice.
“Ben Brooks. You wrote down his booking,” said a gruff voice. Liam.
Eli was relieved Liam had kept Eli’s real name to himself.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know Ben was an Omega traveling on his own. Not only that. He’s pregnant. He’s trouble, brother.”
Brother?
Liam let out a growl. “Don’t you think I know that? I can’t just turn him away.”
“You’ve always had a nose for trouble.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for him.”
His heart pounded at those words.
Liam’s brother whistled. “Wow. This Omega must be special to you, huh?”
A long pause followed.
“Ben?” Liam asked.
He blushed. Of course, Liam and his brother would know he was eavesdropping on them. Shifters had a good sense of smell. He revealed himself and left his hiding place.
Eli found the two men hanging out by the fireplace. Liam sat on one of the sofas while his brother took the rocking chair. Liam was still wearing the same clothes he did earlier, torn jeans and a red flannel shirt.
Liam’s brother had the same dark brown hair but his features were finer. He also had brown eyes, not green. Eli didn’t expect to see another Alpha here. Most Alphas were territorial and naturally aggressive. They preferred not to stay within close proximity of another Alpha.
“Eavesdropping isn’t nice, Omega,” Liam’s brother drawled.
Eli distrusted this smiling Alpha immediately, although he didn’t understand why.
“I was hungry,” Eli admitted, looking at Liam.
Liam had an unreadable expression on his face.
“Eli, this is my younger brother Lucas,” Liam said.
Lucas got to his feet and was suddenly in front of Eli. Eli let out a breath. Damn Alphas and their eerie speed. Lucas held out a hand, which Eli tentatively shook.
“Nice to meet you, Ben,” Lucas said.
Eli pulled his hand away. “It’s Eli. Ben’s not my real name.”
“I figured.” Lucas shrugged. “You don’t need to explain any further. It’s none of my business. Enjoy your stay.”
Lucas started for the stairs. Eli didn’t know what to make of Liam’s brother. He returned his attention to Liam, only to find the werebear looking at him intently.
“You hungry?” Liam asked.
Eli was guessing the lodge didn’t run a restaurant. He looked out the nearby windows. Rain continued to lash at the glass.
He was dry and warm. Maybe he could borrow an umbrella and head to town, although he didn’t relish driving anywhere under this weather. Still, he needed to eat.
“Can you recommend a nice local place in town where I can get some grub?” He asked.
Liam’s low snarl made him jump.
“Don’t go anywhere. You’ll catch a cold. I’ll make you something. Soup and sandwiches fine with you?”
Eli’s first impulse was to tell Liam off. If he wanted to drive down to town, he didn’t need anyone’s permission. Liam’s worried look gave him pause.
“Yes,” he said.
Steve had ordered him around since they started living together. His parents made all the important decisions for him growing up.
Eli never had a voice, an opinion. He thought with everything he endured in the past, he’d refuse to let someone dictate his life. Eli didn’t know why he made an exception for Liam tonight.
Maybe it was because he heard the genuine concern in Liam’s growly voice. The werebear didn’t want him to get sick. Liam was fussing over him and Eli had a feeling Liam didn’t just do that with everyone.
It was kind of sweet.
“Warm yourself by the fire. I’ll be back,” Liam said.
Eli took the armchair nearest to the roaring flames. He held his hands out. Warm suffused him. It started from the tips of his fingers and traveled to the rest of his body.
He didn’t know how much time had passed. He must’ve dozed off a little because someone shook his shoulder. Eli curled into a protective ball by instinct. He flinched, expecting a blow that never came.
When he finally opened his eyes, Liam was staring at him. The werebear was holding two giant plates. They contained BLT sandwiches and potato chips. Liam’s expression was unreadable.
“Sorry. I thought I was back there,” he murmured.
His stomach let out an embarrassing rumble again. Eli accepted Liam’s offering. Liam retreated, only to return with two bowls of tomato soup.
Famished, Eli ate his soup first. The slightly tart liquid tasted wonderful on his tongue. No Alpha, Eli mused, had ever made him food before.
“A moment ago, you mentioned you thought you were elsewhere,” Liam said.
Eli noticed the werebear hadn’t touched his food at all.
“Where?” Liam asked him.
Eli swallowed. He could conjure up lies but found he couldn’t, or rather he didn’t want to. Liam knew he was trouble and yet the werebear allowed Eli to stay at the lodge.
This Alpha, this stranger, took a risk for him for reasons Eli still didn’t understand. Eli owed Liam the truth. He set his
