Dating

Chapter 78

I watched Ella approach. God she was so beautiful. But then again, she always looked beautiful to me. I remember all the times I used to stare at her from my bedroom window, watch her concentrate on her writing. There wasn’t ever I time 1 didn’t really feel like Ella wasn’t the one for me, even when she was with Noah.

But then. I noticed something in her face and the way she moved as she came closer to me. Her steps were hesitant and her face etched with worry. My gut twisted. Something was seriously wrong. As she got closer, I could see the unease in her eyes, and my heart sank. What had happened since our last conversation! What had shaken her so deeply!

“Hey,” I said, skating over to her. “What’s wrong!”

Ella hesitated, and I could see the struggle in her eyes. She didn’t want to burden me, but I could tell she was holding something back.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Not really anyway.” Ella said, glancing to a spot right behind me. I already knew that the words coming out of her mouth and what she really felt weren’t matching up at all.

I took her hands in mine, trying to offer some comfort. “You can tell me, Ella. Whatever it is, we can handle it together

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “You’re right, Liam, we need to talk”

This didn’t sound good at all. I led her to the bench, my mind racing. What could possibly have happened to make her so shaken up like this? We sat down, and I could feel the tension radiating off her.

“It’s about Arthur,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “He… he said some things that have me really confused”

Arthur. Of course. My anger flared. What had that bastard done now! “Wait, he came and found you? He talked to you?”

Ella nodded, “Yeah, just now as I was coming to see y

“What did he say?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

Ella looked down, her fingers twisting in her lap. “He said you can’t be my mate. That my true mate is someone

ne else. And he seemed so sure, Liam.

It scared me.”

My jaw tightened, rage boiling inside me. How dare Arthur, that piece of shit, tell Ella these lies. “Arthur’s lying. He’s trying to drive a wedge between us.”

“But why would he do that?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Why would he such a crazy lie like that

“Because he wants to control everything. I said, my voice firm. “He wants to be the top Alpha, and he sees me as a threat. By making you doubt our bond, he thinks he can weaken me.”

Ella’s eyes filled with tears, and it broke my heart to see her so torn. “But what if he’s right? What if we’re not really mates?”

I took her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. “Ella, look at me. Do you feel this connection between us? This bond? It’s real. I know it is. Arthur is trying to manipulate you. Don’t let him.”

She stared into my eyes, searching for the truth. Slowly, I saw the doubt begin to fade. She took a deep breath and nodded. ‘I believe you, Liam. I believe in us.”

Relief washed over me, and I pulled her into a hug. But my anger towards Arthur was still simmering beneath the surface. I couldn’t let him get away with this. I’m going to find Arthur and talk to him. Alpha to Alpha. He needs to back off.”

Ella’s grip on me tightened, and she pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. “No, Liam. Please. Don’t go looking for a fight. He’s not worth

“But he’s messing with our lives, Fla.,” I said, my voice rising. “He needs to know he can’t do that.

She cupped my face in her hands, and instantly, her touch soothed my anger. “Liam, please. Don’t let him get to you. I don’t trust him. I think it’s just one of his schemes to drive a wedge between us. I don’t even care what he says anymore. Our band is real, and nothing he does can change

that

Her words were exactly what I needed to hear. I felt my rage begin to disappear, replaced by a huge sense of gratitude. Thank you, Ella,” I said, my voice choked with emotion. Thank you for believing in us.”

She smiled, a genuine, beautiful smile that made my heart swell. “Always, Liam. I’ll always believe in us.”

10:24 AM

다

Chapter 79

I hugged her tightly, holding on to the warmth and love that radiated between us. It felt like nothing could ever come between us. But I knew better. Arthur wasn’t going to give up easily. He would keep trying to find ways to tear us apart. And I had to be ready for whatever he threw our

Ella stayed close for the rest of practice, her presence grounding me. But my mind kept drifting back to Arthur’s words. How had he known exactly what to say to get under Ella’s skin! It was almost as if he knew her better than I sometimes.

As practice ended, I could feel the tension in the air. My teammates picked up on it too, shooting curious glances our way. But I couldn’t let Arthur’s games disrupt my focus. Not now. Not when things were finally starting to feel right again with Ella

After everyone had left, Ella and 1 lingered in the empty rink. The silence was almost comforting, a contrast to the chaos in my mind. I needed to reassure her one last time. To let her know that, no matter what. I was here for her.

“Ella,” 1 began, my voice echoing slightly in the vast space. “I promise you, I will protect our bond. I won’t let anyone come between us. Not Arthur, not anyone. You are my fated mate and nothing can ever change that”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with trust and love. “I know, Liam. And I’ll stand by you, no matter what.”

Finally it was starting to feel like the bond between us was stronger than ever. But just as we were about to leave, the door to the rink swung open. Arthur strode in, his expression unreadable. My heart rate spiked, anger flaring up again.

“Arthur,” I said, my voice hard. “What do you want?”

serious. “All three of us.”

He stopped a few feet away from us, his gaze shifting between me and Ella. “We need to talk,” he said, his tone ser

Ella’s grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel her tension. “What more could you possibly have to say?” she demanded.

Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. “There are things you both need to know. Things that could change everything.

My stomach dropped. The look in his eyes was deadly serious, and it made my blood run cold. What could he possibly reveal now? And how would it impact Ella and me!

Arthur’s next words hit like a punch to the gut. You need to know the truth about your bond. And about me.”

Ella’s eyes widened, and I felt my own breath catch. What was he talking about? What truth?

“Arthur, you better stop playing games, and get the hell out of here, I growled, stepping forward. But Arthur refused to leave.