Caged Between The Beta & Alpha
Chapter 59

LIAM

I tried to tell myself that he was just holding her hand out of concern, that he was her friend too… But I couldn’t deny the irritation that was flaring up inside of me… That anger threatening to lash out. I tried to focus on Raven, letting the tingles that coursed through me at our touch calm me.

“You deserve this?” He repeated, frowning.

Yeah, so, the three notes.. The first said; Who’s next? The second; Two down, I wonder how many more to go?” And now this. There’s nothing really in them.” I said, pausing. “You deserved this, is probably the most to go on.”

True, but who do they mean? Her mom? Raven? Do they have an issue with Raven?”” Damon mused.

I frowned, clenching my jaw.

“These murders started when Raven came back to town.. There may be a connection there.” I said, suddenly thinking he had a point.

Damon looked surprised at that, before becoming thoughtful.

“Good point. Do you think we should track down those who would have issues with Raven, I mean, her dad wouldn’t kill his mate and he’s in the cells, so he’s ruled out as the killer.”

Hmm, yeah, I think we need to list anyone who may have any sort of link to Raven.” I said quietly, just as the door opened and Dad stepped in.

He glanced at us, I didn’t miss the way his gaze flickered to both Damon and I holding Raven’s hands. I swear if we weren’t f*****g mated no one would have ever even thought anything of us holding her hand. So f*****g annoying.

“I think you need to make a list a lot broader than that.'” Dad said, checking the machine that Raven was hooked up to before frowning and sitting at the edge of the bed. She was so tiny, there was a good gap from the bottom and her feet.

“What do you mean? We’re thinking of anyone who may have anything against her.” Damon said.

But I think I understood what Dad meant.

‘You mean, people who may have issues against Damon and I… her parents… anyone who is somehow even linked to Raven, an indirect grudge, right?” I said sharply.

Dad smirked humourlessly and nodded.

“Yeah, exactly.” He said, “You two boys look exhausted. Head to bed, I’ll stay with her.”

‘No thanks.” I said coldly.”If it was Mom, you wouldn’t have left.”

He sighed, once again I had to try to f*****g calm down.

“No, I wouldn’t have, but you look a f*****g mess. “

“‘Don’t really care, you two can leave, I’m staying. I said icily.

I could feel my anger flaring up and that bitterness towards everything begining to flare inside.

“Let’s go uncle.'” Damon said and I was glad at least one of them understood.

Dad shook his head but stood up, Damon placed a quick k!ss on Raven’s forehead before he walked to the door. Dad caressed her head before he too turned. Pausing at the door he glanced back at me, almost as if he wanted to say something but decided against it and closed the door behind him.

I didn’t move. Even as the sun began to rise in the sky, I sat there waiting for her to wake up, but she remained asleep.

The doctor came in around seven in the morning to do some checks, asking if I wanted to rest or have something to eat. I refused. All I wanted was for her to wake up.

Come on love, wake up..

RAVEN

My eyes fluttered open, and I stared at the sun that was shining brightly through the blinds. Liam’s scent filled my nose, I looked down to see his head of strawberry locks resting on the bed near my arm. His hand was holding mine. I frowned, seeing the catheter in my hand, pulling it out irritated and confused.

What happened to me? Where am I?

I rubbed my head, feeling the bandages when I froze.

My heart began to race as Mom’s face re turned to me.

No… Was it a dream? F**k it wasn’t… I was in a hospital room… I looked around.

Mom was dead. There was someone in that house…

My heart was banging against my ribs painfully and Liam sat up suddenly, instantly getting up from the chair and sitting down next to me on the bed.

“Hey, hey, baby girl it’s going to be ok.” His voice, huskier with sleep, came as he cupped my face, pressing his forehead to mine.

“Mom! She’s dead. Someone was there Liam, I felt it, but I didn’t hear a heartbe -“!

He pressed his l!ps to mine, sending a wave of calmness and pleasure through me. His l!ps grazed against mine sensually and I slowly calmed down.

My rapid breathing calmed down and I slowly k!ssed him back, his hand moved from my face, tangling into my hair at the nape of my neck, his tongue slipping into my mouth. I sucked on it letting him explore my mouth, m0aning against him.

His heart was beating fast and I could sense his emotions.

I’m ok.’ I said through the link, pushing the blanket off me and getting onto my knees. His arms locked around my wa!st, lifting me into his la*p. I gripped his shoulders, blushing when I felt him throb against my core as I straddled him, k!ssing him harder.

He broke away when I needed air, burying his head in my ch3st. I blushed even more, but wrapped my arms around his neck, brushing my fingers through his hair, feeling so safe here in his arms.

“I’m ok.” I repeated kissing the top of his head.

I’m not letting you out of my sight from here on out.'” He said with such conviction that I was worried he meant it.

“You don’t mean that, do you?”” I asked suspiciously.

He smiled and my heart skipped a beat. The sunshining on this handsome face of his.

“I do actually.”

“Hell no.” I said pouting, before hugging him tightly.

“You must have felt the link with your mother, right?

” He asked softly.

I tensed before moving back and looking down at his glorious bare ch3st.

“I felt something, but I was asleep… My wolf was restless and she must have felt the link break with Mom’s wolf. ” I whispered.

He nodded.

“I’m sorry for your loss, even if she wasn’t the best mother.” He said quietly.

I nodded, yeah, she wasn’t but I still loved her. I pressed my l!ps together and looked into his eyes, feeling that prickle in my own that I did not want to feel. He looked down at me, one hand going around my bare wa!st. I realised I was still in my clothes from last night, minus the cardigan. His other hand cupped the back of my head as he pulled me into his embrace once more.

I clung to him, wrapping my legs around his wa!st like a monkey, feeling the sadness well up inside of me as I hugged him tightly.

I remembered my last words to her.. Wishing things had gone differently… Our relationship had been strange. Her passing was strange… but I would not cry…

After a good few moments, I moved back, my gaze falling to his bulky arms as I tried to change the topic.

‘Your biceps are thicker than my wa!st.” I said, running my hand over one of his arms slowly.

“Are we going to compare body sizes now?” He asked huskily, I stopped moving my hand up and down his arm.

What else do you want to compare, our height?” I said frowning.

“No, if we’re doing comparisons I would say there’s a certain part of me that is definitely thicker than your forearm.” He smirked and I froze, it took me a second to realise what he meant as I stared at my arm.

If s*x seemed appealing a while ago.. it was terrifying now… That would damage my insides!

“Raven…”

I blinked and looked at him.

I’You ok?”

“Of course I’m ok!” I said, quickly climbing out of his la*p and away from that very scary, forearm sized thing.

I couldn’t help but stare at his crotch.

Goddess…

Liam looked rather amused, I quickly looked away.

Just when Liam was about to speak, the door opened and Aunty Red stepped inside, her hair up in a high bun with a few strands out. Even at this age she looked like she was a model in her twenties, she had Azura in her arms and the little girl was holding a gift bag and flowers.

“‘Raven baby girl, thank the goddess your ok. She said coming over and giving me a tight hug. I hugged her back before giving Azura a k!ss on the cheek.

Aunty Red glanced at Liam when she moved back from me and c0cked a brow.

“Do I seriously need to have to see your morning wood every time.” She asked, feeling my forehead.

“Then don’t come at the wrong time.” Liam growled before getting up and walking off to the adjoining bathroom.

Aunty Red shook her head, before taking a seat on the bed.

“I heard about Kim.” She said softly, placing her hand on my knee.

I nodded, sighing deeply.

What happened to your head, Waven?” Azura asked, looking at my bandages.

“I bumped it.'” I said.

“Oh no, let me k!ss it better.” She said crawling off Aunty Red’s la*p and giving me a hug then a big k!ss on top of my forehead.

“Aww! I already feel better, Zuzu!” I said, hugging her tightly.

She giggled and moved back.

“Mama! Gift!” She said, holding her hands out to Aunty Red, who smiled at her and passed her the gift bag and the flowers. Just as Liam stepped out of the bathroom, I couldn’t resist smiling at the fact he no longer had a hard- on.

“Wiyam! Look I got Waven bownies and a teddy!”

She pulled out an adorable teddy bear and gave it to me.

I took it and gave her a big smile.

“Thank you!”

“Have you two had breakfast?” Aunty Red asked.

We shook our heads and I realised Liam was frowning.

Azura was busy wrestling open the lid to the tub of brownies before taking one out and holding it to my mouth.

“I got to go. They’ve done some analysis on the footprint and found another not far from it.” He said, making my heart skip a beat.

Me and Aunty Red exchanged looks looking back at him.

“Really? ” I said trying to swallow the brownies.

“Yeah, we’ll see if it’s anything, but there was a scuff of b***d, so it may be something.” He said, coming over he k!ssed Aunty Red on the forehead before ruffling Azura’s hair and k!ssed her cheek before turning to me.

“Get the rest you need.'” He said, Oh and I wouldn’t trust anything from Azura’s hands. She picks her nose… He added through the link, making me smile before he took hold of my chin and tilted my face up to his.

His l!ps met mine in a sizzling deep k!ss that made everything fade away.

We parted after a few moments and Liam moved back. My eyes fell on Damon, standing there with a bouquet of flowers and a brown bag that I could smell contained breakfast…

Guilt rushed through me as our eyes met, and I felt my heart completely crumble the moment that warm smile crossed his face…