48!

BRIANNA

“Liam, Liam,” I checked on the comms but nothing was wrong with it.

“What happened?” I asked the officer beside me.

“It appears his highness removed his comms,” he said and I hit the table.

“Damn you, Liam,” I whispered.

“Is something the problem, your grace,” Akire walked towards me.

I removed the comms from my ear, “get him back online,” I handed the comms to her and walked away.

I walked towards the white window in the command center and took a deep breath.

“You seem to be handling that well,” I heard Trish's voice then turned around to look at her.

“You seem to be handling everything,” I said and she smiled.

“My human parents actually prepared me for all of this,” she said and I nodded.

“That makes one of us,” I said to her.

“Hey,” she touched my shoulder, “you are doing great.”

“If by doing great you mean not trying to be crazy. I say I'm doing just fine,” I placed my hands on my eyes.

“Most men don't like being told what to do,” she stated, “including werewolves.”

“Yeah, I'm beginning to see that,” I said and we both laughed. “We haven't done this in a while.”

“Yeah, we have been protecting the Kingdom since we both fully arrived here,” she walked towards me, “and may I say your grace, that you are doing a fantastic job.” I laughed at the intonation she used.

I was about to speak when the huge doors opened and the Soldiers walked in one by one.

Trish held my hands as we watched, most of the officers stood up and clapped.

“He is going to be fine,” I said, caressing her hands.

“Did you hear Liam call him at any moment?” She asked and I nodded.

“Ethan!” She yelled and ran as soon as she saw him. I have never seen my friend this way before.

Ethan widened his arms and took her in his embrace as soon as he saw her. He held her tightly as he swung her around.

“He didn't come in with the men,” I heard Agatha behind me.

“Agatha, you startled me a little,” I said to her.

“I'm sorry, your grace,” she said, smiling.

“We are at war, Agatha and we don't know why but you are smiling?” I asked her.

“That's because we won this round,” she said and I looked at her. She sighed, “there is an old saying, the first battle says it all,” she said and I nodded.

“What do I say to the men?” I asked her.

“They don't expect you to say anything,” she said and I scoffed.

“I just sent them to battle Agatha, surely a little appreciation will be nice,” I sounded surprised at her.

“Then you already know what to do, your grace,” she said and walked away.

I walked towards the room the soldiers were.

“Attention!” Commander Blackburn ordered as soon as he saw me. Immediately all the noises ceased.

“At ease,” I said, trying to sound very bold, “I just came in here to offer my thanks for your bravery and loyalty.”

“No appreciation needed ma'am, we are honor bound and proud to serve,” one of the men said.

“Still, thank you,” I said.

“Attention!” They all saluted.

“Commander Blackburn a word,” I said as soon as I left the room.

“How many did we lose?” I asked him.

“None, ma'am,” he said and I gave him a puzzled look.

“Don't tell me that. I heard all the gunfire and the snarling,” I said, firmly.

“Not as much as we thought, your grace,” he said, not looking at me.

“Fine, I want care packages to be sent to the families of each man, dead or alive. Lady Trisha will get you a list.”

“Yes ma'am.”

“And I want to speak with your superior officer,” I said, then he looked at me.

“Your grace,” he sounded like he didn't hear me.

“Your Superior Officer or Officers, anyone it is. I want to speak with them all. If we are to plan a war I want to know our resources and what we will be giving. Get them here.” I said and walked away.

I got to the staircase that led back to the castle. I walked in on Layla using water magic to tend to Mason's wounds.

“Your grace,” he stood up as soon as he saw me.

“You don't have to do that Mason, you are a Princess mate,” I said and Layla scoffed.

“That might not be true. I might be my Mother's daughter doesn't mean I'm the King's.” She makes a good point.

“Okay then. The least he can do is not pretend to like me,” I said and walked away.

“Be careful,” Layla said and I stopped walking.

“I'm heading to my chambers,” I said to her.

“Liam's there,” she said. “He saw something or rather someone.” I gasped and headed to my chambers.

I got to the door, there were two guards at each side. “Leave,” I commanded.

I took deep breaths, my hands touched the door but Liam opened it. His eyes were red and swollen.

I walked in and he pinned me against the wall. “I'm sorry,” he said and placed his head on my shoulder.

He brought his head up and looked straight in my eyes. His hands went over my waist and brought me closer to him. I gasped at his gesture.

“Liam,” I whispered his name.

“Make me forget what I saw,” his fingers trailed my lips and I closed my eyes.

“I want to forget, I don't want it to be true,” he said. I opened my eyes and our lips met.

He took me in, dominating every part of my lips. It was filled with pleasure and pain.

He carried me and walked towards my bed, our lips still together. He sat by the edge and I sat on his lap.

His hands roamed my body while my fingers trailed his hair. He took off my upper clothing exposing my chest.

He kissed my chest and trails down to my nipples with his tongue. I arched my back at the feeling it gave to me.

“This isn't right, he has to talk about what he saw,” Dia said and my eyes opened.

“Laim,” I tried to stop him.

“Please don't stop me,” he pleaded but he needs to stop.

“You need to talk about what happened,” I said to him then he looked at me. “It won't go away even after this.”

“I wanted to kill him badly. I wanted to tear him apart,” he said with so much anger. I'm guessing he is referring to Thane.

“But she stopped me,” he said and I raised my eyebrows.

“Who stopped you?” I asked him.

“My Mother,” he said and I swallowed hard. “She is not dead.”