The Alpha (The Pack 3)

The door opened before we could even knock and I blinked as Liam stood there, his shirt unbuttoned over his chest revealing a red puckered scar that ran the length of his abdomen. He didn’t bother to spare a glance for me, his entire attention consumed by the girl next to me.

“You’re here,” he said, staring at her as she gave him an awkward one handed wave.

“Liam, this is Leah,” I introduced since he wasn’t planning to acknowledge me anytime soon. “Leah, I’m sure you remember Liam.”

“Yes,” she murmured, once again dropping her gaze to the ground as a shifter stared her down. I knew what it was like to be the focus of that kind of weighted attention and it wasn’t really all that comfortable.

“Liam, quit staring,” I chided, nudging him aside. “It’s rude.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude,” he replied automatically, his gaze still stuck on Leah. “I just….” He stopped talking and I rolled my eyes as I pushed past him to go inside the room. “Hey, what are you doing?” He cried, finally seeming to notice me as I invaded his space.

“Looking for Leah’s Dad’s vet kit,” I answered. “She came to get it.” I glanced over at Leah in time to see her peeking at the bare expanse of Liam’s chest. “Yeah, shifters have no problem with nudity. Supposedly, you get used to it.” I gave Liam a pointed stare. “I’m not there yet.” He didn’t take the hint, instead, propping his hands on his hips and causing the shirt to gape wider.

Leah gathered her courage and managed to look Liam in the eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, the words so painfully sincere it stopped both of us in our tracks.

“For what?” We asked in unison, staring at her in surprised shock at the unexpected apology.

She raised her hand, her fingers almost, but not quite brushing the raised red skin, and flicked her finger. “For this.”

“Saving my life?” Liam asked incredulously. “Because this,” he pointed to his stomach and the jagged scar, “Is proof I survived.” He captured Leah’s hand as she lowered it and pressed it gently against his abdomen. “And its thanks to you.”

Her gaze raised to his in shock. “You’re not upset?”

“No,” he denied instantly. “I’m thankful, grateful, but in no way upset.”

“Even though I scarred you for life?”

“At least I have a life,” he retorted and I noticed he hadn’t released her hand. “One gnarly scar isn’t the end of the world.” He gave her a lopsided grin as he added, “Besides, chicks dig scars.”

“Oh my God, I’ve heard enough. Liam, where’s the bag?” I interrupted, waving my hand around the room.

“Um,” he answered, glancing around, looking lost. “What’s it look like?”

I didn’t have an answer, since a lot of that night had become a nightmarish jumble of survival. I sent a questioning glance toward Leah, who seemed to realize Liam still held her hand as she tugged it free, blushing.

“About this big,” she said, spreading her hands about two feet apart. “Black, a little worn.”

“Oh, yeah,” Liam cried, nodding vigorously. “I put it in the closet.” He shoved open the bi-fold door to reveal a large bag resting on the floor.

“How could you not remember that?” I muttered under my breath and he threw me a quick glance, but ignored my words.

“Great,” Leah said, relief coating her words. “Dad was asking about it and I didn’t want to admit where it was or why it wasn’t in the car,” she revealed, and I found myself grateful once again for her discretion.

“I wiped the blood off it,” Liam told her proudly. She gave him a soft smile, relaxing slightly now that some of his earlier intensity had eased.

“That was nice of you,” she told him as I mumbled under my breath, “Least you could do.”

There was a pregnant pause and then a sudden flurry of motion as Anna said, “I should go,” right as Liam started to say something.

“Uh, okay,” Liam said, cutting off whatever he’d been about to say. I could only hope he hadn’t planned to ask her out. We really didn’t need any more love triangles.

Leah grabbed the bag, emitting a soft grunt as she hefted it up. I caught Liam’s eye and made a jabbing motion toward the bag. He gave me a blank stare and I exaggeratedly mouthed, “Carry the bag.” His eyes bugged slightly and then he hastily nodded.

“I’ll carry that for you,” he offered, hooking his hand under the strap and lifting it easily off her shoulders. “It’s the least I can do,” he added, throwing me a dirty look. I smiled, not bothered in the least.

“You don’t have to,” Leah tried to decline, “You have an injury.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Liam winked. “I had a great doctor patch me up.”

I mimed gagging when Leah’s back turned and Liam shouldered between us, taking a protective stance as he followed Leah out the door, leaving me to trail behind.