Unspoken Bonds
The moon hung high above Silverwood, casting its soft glow over the forest, now still after the violent clash that had unfolded just hours before. The tension of battle had faded, leaving only silence in its wake, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind and the distant howls of wolves reclaiming their land.
In the aftermath of the conflict, Silverwood had been freed — but the war within me was far from over.
I stood at the edge of the grand balcony of the palace, the cool night air brushing against my skin, pulling me out of the haze that had followed the battle. The victory was ours. Ren and Isolde had been cast out, their plot unraveled. The prophecy had been fulfilled.
Yet, a part of me remained restless.
The power that had awakened inside me — the raw, untamed force that surged through my veins — still throbbed with a fierce intensity. I had been transformed, not just physically but emotionally, spiritually. I had stepped into my role as the savior of Silverwood, but what about me, Lola? What about the girl who had been tossed aside, sold like a piece of meat, who had once feared the touch of those around her?
And what about Liam?
⸻
His presence was undeniable. Even now, as I stood there, gazing out into the darkened landscape, I could feel him behind me — the steady beat of his heart, the warmth of his body, his aura that wrapped around me like a cloak. It had always been like this. The pull between us was magnetic, unspoken yet undeniable.
He had saved me from a life of torment. He had rejected his Luna, and in doing so, had opened himself up to something he never thought he would want: a bond. A connection so fierce and consuming that I could hardly understand it.
And yet, here we were.
I turned as he approached me, his steps soft against the stone, his figure framed by the light from the open doorway. Liam's eyes found mine almost immediately, his deep blue gaze piercing through me, reading me as if I were an open book. There was no hiding from him. There never had been.
For a moment, we simply stared at each other, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down upon us.
"You're restless," he said, his voice low, like a distant thunderstorm on the horizon.
I nodded, biting my lip, the words tangled in my throat. "I don't know what to feel anymore. I've been so focused on surviving, on protecting everyone else, that I… I don't know what's next for me."
Liam stepped closer, the heat of his body radiating towards me. His large hands gently cupped my face, his thumb brushing softly against my cheek. "You are the future of Silverwood, Lola. But you don't have to carry that burden alone. I'm here. I've always been here."
His touch was a balm to the rawness inside me, a tenderness that I had never experienced before. His fingers trailed down my jawline, sending shivers across my skin, as though his very touch could soothe the deep scars that still lingered in my soul.
I reached up, my hand brushing against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath his clothes. "I know. But I… I've been so scared, Liam. Scared of the power inside me. Scared of you."
The words hung in the air, heavy with vulnerability. It was the truth. I had been terrified — terrified of everything that had changed within me, and terrified of what this bond between us truly meant. How could I let myself be this close to someone when I had been taught to fear that closeness for so long?
He didn't say anything at first. Instead, he closed the space between us, his lips hovering just inches from mine. The air was thick with anticipation. I could feel the heat from his body, the tension between us growing with every passing second. His hands moved from my face to the small of my back, pulling me gently but firmly against him.
"Lola," he whispered, his voice raw, as though it hurt him to say my name. "You have to know… you are everything to me. I didn't think it was possible, but when I look at you, I don't see a savior or a princess. I see you. Just you."
The sincerity in his voice, the weight of those words, made my chest tighten. He had never spoken like this before, never allowed himself to show such vulnerability. It shook me, but it also made something inside me stir — something hopeful.
I stood on my tiptoes, closing the distance between us, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, like a question, and then it deepened — the passion building slowly, as though we both had been waiting for this moment, for this release.
His lips were hot and insistent against mine, his hands moving to cradle my face, tilting it just so, as if trying to memorize every inch of me. And for the first time, I allowed myself to surrender.
I had always been so guarded, so unsure of my worth, but in his arms, I felt safe. I felt wanted. I felt cherished.
Liam broke the kiss, his breath ragged as he pulled away just enough to look me in the eyes. His gaze searched mine, full of questions and longing. "Lola, are you sure? I need to know that this is what you want."
I nodded, my voice trembling. "I want this. I want you."
His eyes softened, and for a brief moment, I saw the man beneath the Alpha — a man who was as torn as I was, but who wanted to let go of the pain that had held him captive for so long.
"Then let me show you," he whispered.
⸻
His lips found mine again, but this time, there was no hesitation, no fear. It was as though every moment leading up to this had been a slow burn, a build-up to this very instant. His kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, coaxing a warmth from within me that I hadn't known existed.
He moved us backward toward the bed, his hands sliding along the curve of my waist, pulling the fabric of my dress upward with a practiced ease. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, the firm muscles of his chest brushing against my fingertips as I traced the lines of his body, memorizing him as he had memorized me.
We fell onto the bed together, our lips never separating. Liam's hands roamed over me, gentle but possessive, as if claiming me in a way that had nothing to do with power, but everything to do with love. My hands moved of their own accord, sliding beneath his tunic to feel the solid muscle beneath, the warmth of his skin, the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
There was no rush. No urgency. Just the slow, tender exploration of each other. His lips moved to my neck, and I arched into him, the sensation of his breath against my skin sending waves of desire through me. His name escaped my lips in a breathless whisper, and I could feel him smile against my skin, as if he'd won a victory — one that meant more than anything else.
As his hands moved lower, I gasped, the fire between us igniting again. It was no longer just about physical need. It was about connection. Trust. Commitment.
Liam's touch became more urgent, his own need apparent, but still, he took his time, savoring every moment. He looked at me as though I were the most precious thing in the world, his eyes filled with awe, and it made my heart swell with something I had never allowed myself to feel before: unconditional love.
⸻
By the time the world around us seemed to disappear, and the only thing that existed was us, we had given ourselves to each other fully. There were no barriers left, no doubts, no fears. Just two souls that had found one another, against all odds.
In the aftermath, we lay tangled in the sheets, our bodies entwined, the steady rhythm of our breathing the only sound in the quiet room. The bond between us felt stronger than ever — a tether neither of us would break. I closed my eyes, resting my head against his chest, and for the first time, I felt truly at peace.
The world was still a dangerous place. Silverwood was still under threat. But in this moment, there was nothing but the two of us — and that was enough.
⸻