Liam

It was one in the morning, and I still couldn’t sleep.

I should have been out like a light hours ago, drifting off to some boring dream about corporate meetings or training schedules. But every time I closed my eyes, her face kept replaying in my mind, and I couldn't forget the stupid things she said earlier in the elevator either.

I could still see the way her eyes burned when she said it, the way her mouth tightened like she had rehearsed pushing me away for years.

And yet, instead of relief, there was this… itch in my chest. My wolf stirred, twitching in the corner of my mind, just as restless as I was, though I hardly acknowledged it.

‘Isn’t this what you always wanted, Liam? For her to hate you enough to finally get over you?’

I clenched my jaw. “That’s what I thought I wanted.”

‘Then why can’t you stop thinking about her?’

I had no answer. But there was this tension that started when our eyes met in the conference hall. It was like a pull that refused to leave. It couldn’t be what I thought. I was probably just overthinking, right?

With a sigh, I swung my legs off the bed. Maybe a walk would clear my head.

I told myself I’d only walk for five minutes after stepping out of the elevator, after all, no one was supposed to find me wandering around at this hour. But then I heard the faint splash of water coming from the direction of the pool, and my feet carried me toward it before I could stop.

At first, I thought it was just another teammate battling insomnia like me, so I walked closer, ready to toss a half-hearted joke their way. But when the swimmer broke the surface, my steps slowed down, because it wasn’t one of the guys.

It was Mia.

Of all people, it had to be her. The last person I wanted to see, yet the one my eyes refused to look away from.

Her back was to me, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders in messy waves. The swim clothes hugged her in a way that showed every one of her curves, and I swallowed hard when she climbed out of the pool. She walked towards a laptop and a pile of papers scattered nearby, her long legs carrying her with an easy grace. Her arms were lean and strong, and there was a quiet confidence about her that could make anyone forget to breathe for a second.

I froze at the spot, not because of the sight itself, though that was definitely a factor, but because, somehow, this shy, freckled, quiet girl I remembered from high school, who used to trip over her own words, had transformed into this… marvellous force of nature.

She looked like she could take on the world and win, and yet, here she was, buried in work, completely unaware of how many thoughts she could ignite in someone foolish enough to notice.

My wolf growled, nudging at the edges of my mind. ‘Be careful, Liam. Turn around before you go down a dangerous line.’

I smirked inwardly. Dangerous? Yeah, maybe. But apparently, I had a thing for danger I didn’t even want to admit yet.

I cleared my throat, and she immediately turned around.

“What the–” she shrieked, scrambling to cover herself with her arms, kicking the laptop with the back of her leg. “What are you… how did you–what–”

I raised a hand, not a hint of humour in my expression. “Relax. You don’t need to worry. Nothing in the world would make me attracted to you. Even if you stood there naked, it wouldn’t matter.”

She froze, lips parted, cheeks burning. Hurt flickered across her face, but she didn’t move, not yet.

“I–” she started, then caught herself, glaring at me with those hard eyes that could literally cut diamonds. “I, this is… never mind.” She tried to pack her laptop like it was a shield, ready to walk away. But I wasn't about to let that happen.

I stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, careful not to touch more than necessary, but firm enough that she couldn’t pull away.

“Why are you stuttering this much?” I said, my voice low, almost teasing dangerously. “Don’t tell me you're still hopelessly in love with me?”

Her eyes widened in shock, then she blinked twice, like she couldn’t process the question. Suddenly, she chuckled bitterly, shaking her head.

“Liking you was the biggest mistake I ever made,” she said quickly. “I… I’m not affected by you anymore.”

I studied her, weighing the honesty in her words against the heat in her cheeks and the subtle flare of her nostrils. She had changed. She was no longer the girl who stumbled over my name, who avoided my eyes, who harboured foolish teenage feelings for me.

She was different now.

I leaned closer, enough for her to feel my presence. We were very close, but our bodies were not touching. “Good,” I murmured, voice teasing, because yes, testing her was necessary. “I wouldn’t want you to be a fool twice.”

My wolf’s presence inside me hummed like a warning, but I didn’t care. I wanted to see her reaction, to watch her try to prove herself. Her chest rose quickly as she inhaled sharply, meeting my gaze like she could melt or fight at any moment.

“You’re the worst,” she muttered, trying to sound strong.

“And you’re still stubborn,” I countered, letting a smirk curl at the edge of my lips. “Always were. Always will be.”

The way she froze nervously made me even more curious, and before I could stop myself, I was already leaning closer, letting my lips almost brush her ear.

“Mia,” I murmured, my voice low, “why do you hate me so much now?”

Her eyes went wide, and her hands twitched as if to push me away. I ignored it. I wanted to see if she really meant what she said. If she could withstand the proof that I could be as infuriatingly bold as ever.

“Liam, don’t do this.”

“Why not?” I tilted my head, my lips slightly brushing hers now. “Because you won’t be able to say no?”

“No…” Her lips parted to speak, but I didn’t let her finish. I closed the distance and kissed her.