A Rejection For Christmas

Chapter 4: He is not my mate

Isabella's POV

"Are you sure, Bella?" Liam asked through the link. I could feel how worried he was for me, but I had to do this. I couldn't hide anymore.

"Yes, he never scared me, Liam, and I will be with you," I replied, but of course that didn't ease his worries.

Liam had a horrible reputation, and he loved it. People said he was cruel, that he didn't care about his pack members, or that he made them train until they fainted, but none of that was true.

In fact, if it weren't for Liam, I would be dead.

"Then come in; I can't believe you were mated to him; he is a loser," He grumbled over the link, making me laugh.

I can't believe people fear Liam. I know he might look scary, but when he behaves like this, it kind of reminds me of Jensen, my son, the only good thing that came out of that meaningless bond.

“I can’t believe I wasted three years with him either, but at least I have Jensen,” I replied as I got inside the meeting room.

Jared looked like he had seen a ghost, and in a sense, he was.

When I left the pack those years ago, I was attacked by rogues. I knew who had sent them after me; she was the only person who hated me enough to plan my own death, but fortunately for me, Liam was there.

I owed him my life, literally.

“My name is Bella Salvadori. Your proposal has not been accepted, Jared; you may leave now,” oh goddess, it felt good to say that.

The look on his face was priceless; he wasn’t expecting this from me, but why would he? In the past, I bit my tongue to avoid conflict.

Well, not anymore, baby.

“You…” Jared’s olive skin turned red from anger. “You can’t do this to me.”

“Is that all you can come up with? ‘You can’t do this to me?’” I mocked him. “I thought you had more brain cells, but it appears that being married to Kathy has made you dumb as well.”

“That witch isn’t stupid,” Tammie commented.

“She is, but she is evil, that’s all,” I replied.

It took Tammie six months to heal. She would have appeared sooner, but she focused all her energy on protecting the baby.

“Don’t say her name; she is not as evil as you are,” Jared snarled, and apparently, that was enough for Liam.

I was surprised he hadn’t intervened earlier; he wasn’t the most patient man out there.

“That’s enough, Jared; you will not disrespect Bella; now, if that is all you wanted to discuss, leave,” he used his Alpha voice, which I found sexy.

Liam’s voice became deeper when it mixed with his wolf. It sent a shiver down my spine and ignited a fire inside me that I always tried to ignore.

Jared knew he couldn’t win; it was the first time he would have to bite his tongue and walk away.

He left the meeting room, and I finally let out a breath. It felt good to confront him, but at the same time, I was scared. I didn’t want him to find out about Jensen.

“Are you okay, Bella?” Liam asked as he got closer. I took a step back and stared at his profound dark blue eyes.

“Yeah, thank you for having my back,” I replied with a faint smile.

Liam’s eyes fogged for a second, and before I could ask him what it was about, I heard how the guards walked away.

Oh…

Liam took another step forward while I took one back until he caged me against the wall.

Is he wearing a new cologne? He smells divine…

No, Isabella, focus. Liam is only a friend.

“That’s a lie,” Tammie called me out, so I shushed her.

“So,” he spoke lowly as he grabbed a strand of my black hair. “Are you going to accept my proposal?”

“Uhm, I don’t know what you are talking about,” I was acting dumb. I knew what he was referring to, but I didn’t want my mind to wander there.

“Are you sure?” He pressed his body against mine, his warmth seeping into me despite the layers of fabric between us. His scent, a heady mix of cedar and something distinctly Liam clouded my thoughts, making it hard to focus.

I swallowed hard, looking up into his dark blue eyes. “Liam, we shouldn’t—”

“We shouldn’t what?” he interrupted, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. “Talk about the future? About what we both know is inevitable?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, my heart betrayed me, pounding loudly in my chest. Tammie purred in the back of my mind, clearly enjoying the tension.

Liam took me to his pack; he helped me get better, was attentive throughout my pregnancy, and even helped me get a job. He told me he liked me, but there was one problem.

I am not his mate, and I will never be. I can't do what was done to me to another woman, even if I want to be with him.

“Liam,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve done so much for me already. I don’t want to complicate things.”

“Complicate things?” He chuckled, but there was no humor in his tone. “Bella, if you think this is complicated, then you’re not paying attention.” His hand brushed against my cheek, and I couldn’t help but lean into his touch. “I’ve been patient. I’ve waited for you to heal, to find your strength. But I’m done waiting; I want you to be mine.”

My breath hitched. I had known Liam cared for me—maybe more than he let on—but hearing it so plainly shook me.

“This isn’t fair,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.

The Moon Goddess paired me up with a man who didn't love me, one who couldn't wait until I was gone to be with the love of his life. She should have paired me with Liam, but since she didn't...

I had a kid, couldn't jump from one relationship to another, and couldn't complicate things for Liam and his mate. If I used his last name, it was so Jared would back off.

“Fair?” His hand dropped, and I instantly missed the warmth of his touch. “What’s not fair is watching you deny what’s right in front of you. What’s not fair is knowing you’re holding yourself back because of a mate you and I know doesn't exist."

"You don't know that, Liam, you are still young; your mate could be out there, she-"

"I don't have a mate, Bella. I am freaking 32 years old," he cut me off. "She is not out there; she is not waiting for me. I don't know why the Moon Goddess doesn't pair us together, but I know this is right."

"I feel it too, I just..." What could I say?

“Then why are you still afraid to move forward?” he challenged, his tone sharper now. “Why do you keep pretending we’re just friends?”

I didn’t have an answer. Or rather, I didn’t want to admit the answer—to him or to myself. The truth was, I was terrified. Terrified of letting someone in again, of trusting, of what it might mean for Jensen.

“Liam, I—”

Before I could finish, his hand tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You don’t have to say anything right now,” he said, his voice softer. “But know this—I’m not going anywhere, Bella. I’ll wait as long as you need, but I won’t let you push me away.”

His words were a promise, one that left me feeling both comforted and exposed. He stepped back, giving me space to breathe, though the absence of his warmth felt like a loss.

“I’ll let you think about it,” he said, his lips quirking into a small, knowing smile. “But don’t take too long. I’m not a patient man, remember?”

I managed a shaky laugh, the tension easing just enough for me to regain my composure. “I’ll think about it.”

He nodded, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the room with my swirling thoughts.

I knew he had other meetings, and I had a job to do myself, but I needed a moment to clear my head.

Tammie broke the silence in my mind. "You’re an i***t if you don’t say yes."

“Not now,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. But even as I tried to push the conversation aside, Liam’s words echoed in my mind.

He wasn’t going anywhere, but could I do this? He didn't belong to me, and I couldn't break a bond like Kathy did. Jensen liked Liam. My little boy would suffer if things didn't turn out as I expected.

Call me stupid, but I can't.

"But you will. Jared thinks you are together, and I am sure he won't leave you alone," Tammie's words made me realize the mess I had made.

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Liam's POV

I wished Bella would accept me as her partner. I loved Jensen as if he were my kid. He could never get my Alpha position, but I had known the little guy my whole life, and I would make sure everyone in the pack respected him. I knew why Bella kept rejecting me, but I wished she understood that I didn't have a mate out there. If I had, I would have found her already, but she is not, and Bella is the only woman with whom I have fallen in love.

I can't believe she was mated to a loser like Jared. He was a strong Alpha but dumb as a rock, and I was certainly stronger.

I hope one day she finally realizes we are meant to each other. Isabella is the perfect Luna; she is strong, witty, and a great warrior, but at the same time, she is kind and caring; she loves to make everyone feel part of the pack and makes the right decisions many times.

Jared lost a gem; he never realized how unique Bella was, but I won't make the same mistake. Even if we are not fated, she will be mine.