“Rest assured that we will always be prosperous, and it’ll take much more than a deranged man to tarnish the Keller name.” He paused and stared into the camera, and for a moment I thought he’d forgotten what he was going to say.
“Our pack has always been recognized as leading the community, the state, and even the country when it comes to shifter’s rights and our responsibilities to humanity. We will continue to stand strong together and rely on our core values of strength, courage, loyalty, and honor. That is what makes us the Keller pack.
“We will continue to lead, guide, and direct those who need us, and we will not falter under this threat being posed to us. The Kellers will remain a strong and solid pack for years to come. Thank you for your support.”
When Dad completed his speech, and Nico stopped the recording, we all cheered for him. He slumped over, exhausted from the effort it took to appear strong and undeterred.
“I guess it’s my turn now.” Liza squeezed my hand and stood.
“Wait.” I stood, too, and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Let’s talk first.” I inclined my head at Nico. “Liza will be back in a minute.”
Nico nodded and continued fiddling with the digital camera, adjusting the settings to match the change in lighting after Dad stood from his place behind the desk.
Liza followed me upstairs to my room so we could have a private moment together.
We came to a stop just inside the door as I tried to find the right words. “I just wanted you to take a moment to think and make sure you’re really okay with all of this.”
Liza’s eyes locked on mine. “That’s all I’ve been doing. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop, Ty. I know that telling the truth about being an omega is the best thing for all of us.” Her voice was resolute, confident.
A gust of wind blew through the open window, rustling the curtains and threatening to topple a stack of papers on my desk. I quickly got up to close the window, eager to keep the conversation focused on the matter at hand.
I sat down next to her again. “You were saying?”
Her eyes were steely as she said, “I’ve realized that I have power here, Ty. Power to shift the narrative. I’m tired of Castro having the upper hand, and he won’t expect me to do this. It’s going to piss him off, but I feel like it’s the best move for all of us.”
I took both of her hands in mine, stroking my thumbs along her delicate skin. “As long as you are comfortable with it, I’ll support you. I’ll follow you to the edge of the earth, Liza, if that’s what you want.”
Her eyes misted over. “We have to leave a legacy behind that our kids can be proud of, and I don’t want it tainted because of choices we had no say in.”
Every time she mentioned the future, the possibility of having children, my wolf preened within me.
A possessive need consumed me, and Liza must have sensed it, too. Her head cocked to the side as she tried to make sense of the change in the air.
My pheromones betrayed how much I wanted her, needed her, right then and there.
As my inner wolf growled, a fierce and possessive longing surged through me, yearning to claim her as mine. The sweet sound of Liza choosing us, choosing me, ignited an untamed fire deep within my primal instincts. It was an overwhelming desire that consumed me, driving me to seize her in my arms and reveal the depths of my affection, to show her just how passionately I had chosen her, too.
60
LIZA
Desire took over every facet of my body at the possessive look in Ty’s eyes. Something in the air had shifted, and I breathed it in. My heart fluttered as he met my gaze. His eyes, so full of desire and devotion, locked onto mine, and a surge of electricity passed between us.
In that moment, there was no doubt that we were meant to be together. Two halves of a whole. The undeniable connection between us strengthened, and suddenly it was more than just being with Ty. It was about being a part of something bigger. Something special the two of us shared.
He looked like he wanted to consume me and pull me into his body until we were one, yet at the same time, he wanted to protect me from anything or anyone that tried to come between us.
My eyes tracked his movements as he pulled his phone from his pocket and held it to his ear. “Hold off on Liza’s recording. There’s something we need to handle first.”
A loud chuckle filled the room, and I realized he’d accidentally called Dominic on speaker phone.
Ty ended the call, tossing the phone onto the dresser, then he got up to lock the door.
He stalked toward me, nudging my thighs open so he could step in between them. “Where were we?” he whispered, a sly grin spreading across his face.
My heart raced as his hands roamed freely over my body. My breaths became shallow with anticipation. With one sweeping motion, Ty had me pinned beneath him on the bed.
My wolf whimpered at his scent as we both recognized what was about to happen. I didn’t want to fight it. Not anymore.
