Dating

Chapter 53

I was sitting in the middle of biology class trying to make Professor Thompson’s words make sense. I loved my history class that Liam and I were in together, I loved the creative writing class that I was taking because I was getting to stretch myself so much as a writer.

Everything I learned in class, I was apply to the romance novels that I posted to the online serialized Zoodago and the response was amazing. My readers, especially my most popular reader, couldn’t wait for me to drop the next.

I was sitting near the front, pretending to take notes while Mr. Thompson droned on about cellular respiration, but secretly, I was brainstorming the next that took place in my novel, the where the alpha king brings his bride to an abandoned cabin in the mountains.

Suddenly, I heard snickering from the back of the room. I turned around to see a few of Noah’s friends whispering and pointing in my direction. I frowned. Noah had been the one to do his harassing lately but I guess because Liam had banned him for the team, he had sent some minions to teach me a lesson.

Trying to ignore them, I refocused on my brainstorming. I even tried to take actual notes from the board. But I couldn’t focus. Noah’s minions were deliberately making my life hell. Then suddenly, they went quiet, I took in a deep breath. I was just so glad they had gotten bored with their

antics.

But then, I felt something huge and wet hit the back of my neck. I reached up to touch it and found a sticky glob of chewing gum stuck to the back of my neck, Laughter erupted from the back of the class. I turned around and saw Noah’s minions waving at me.

“Real mature,

guys, I muttered under my breath, trying to remove the gum without making a scene. My face burned with humiliation.

“Hey!” a voice boomed from the doorway. It was Liam, standing there with fury written all over his face. He strode into the classroom, his eyes blazing with anger. “Who did this?”

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Liam. Noah’s friends exchanged nervous glances but stayed silent. Mr. Thompson looked taken aback, unsure of how to handle the situation

“Liam,” I said, shocked to see him there.

Liam’s gaze locked onto the group of Noah’s minions at the back of the room. “Jack, was it you?”

Jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat “Man, it was just a joke.

“A joke?” Liam’s voice was dangerously low. “Fucking with Ella in front of the whole class is a joke to you?”

Before jack could respond, Professor Thompson finally stepped in. “Liam, this is highly inappropriate. You can’t just storm into my

class

“I wouldn’t have to if you were doing your job” Liam cut him off, his eyes never leaving Jack. “It’s lucky I walked by your room just then too. I wasn’t going to keep going and let some assholes keep harassing my mate.”

Professor Thompson looked flustered but nodded. “Alright, everyone, settle down. Jack, I’ll see you after class. Ella, you can go to the bathroom to get all cleaned up. And Liam, you’ve made your point, you can please leave now.”

Liam turned to me, his expression softening. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. “Yeah, I’m fine.

hine mine. “Ella, I’m so

After class, Liam walked with me to the courtyard. We found a quiet spot under our tree. He held my hands, his eyes searching sorry. I should have done more to stop them.”

-You did more than enough,” I said, squeezing his hands. “Thank you for standing up for me. I seriously didn’t even know where you came from but I’m glad you were there.

this voice low. “I’m never going to let anything happen to you, okay.”

Liam’s expression was earnest,

The weight of his words settled over me. They were both comforting and terrifying. I knew he meant every word, but the implications were overwhelming. Could he really shield me from everything! The Winslows, Noal, all the other things that just kept popping up?

Later that evening, as we walked back to my dorm, Liam noticed my silence. He stopped, turning to face me. “What’s wrong, Ella! You’ve been quiet since we left the classroomTM

I bin my lip, unsure of how to express all the feelings that were going on inside me. “Liam, it’s just everything feels so intense. I’m scared. Not just of Noah or the Winslows, but of this., us. It’s all so overwhelming”

Liam’s face fell, hurt flickering in his eyes. “Are you saying you regret being with me! That you want to

to end this?

12:32 PM

Chapter 53

My heart ached at the pain in his voice. “No, that’s not it. I don’t regret being with you. But maybe it’s all too much. Maybe we rushed into this “mate‘ thing too quickly.”

Liam took a step back, his expression guarded. “Ella. if you want out, I won’t hold you back. I never wanted to trip you in this relationship.”

nt out, Liam. I just.. I need to think. To make sure this is what I really want”

Tears welled

up in my eyes. “I don’t want out,

He nodded, though his shoulders sagged with sadness. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here, waiting. But know this, Ella–I love you, And I want to be with you, no matter what.”

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Liam’s words echoed in my mind. He was willing to let me go if that’s what I wanted, even though it would break his heart. His selflessness, his unwavering support–it made me realize just how deeply he cared for me.

The next morning. I had to find Liam. He was at the rink, practicing his shots. I stood at the edge, watching him for a moment. were precise, controlled, but I could see the tension in his shoulders.

“Liam,” I called out softly

He turned, surprise flashing across his face. “Ella, what are you doing here?”

His movements

I walked up to him, taking a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking a lot. And I realized something, I don’t want to be without you. Yes, it’s scary and intense, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Liam’s eyes softened, hope blooming in his expression. “Are you sure. Ella“”

I nodded, stepping closer. “Looking into your eyes, I see that you really care about me. I see how strong you are. And I want to be there for you just like you’re there for me. I’m not going anywhere, even if it means facing the Winslows and anyone else who stands in our way”

He pulled me into his arms,

holding me tightly. “We’ll face it together, Ella. No matter what

Just as we were about to leave the rink, my phone buzzed with a message. I glanced at the screen and my blood ran cold. It was a photo of Liam and me under our tree, taken from a distance. The message was from an unknown number. “Liam can’t protect you forever. Someone is always watching”

SIND GIFT