The Challenge | BOOK 2

24 - The Waiting Game

So Liam now knows... what do you think he will do? How do you think he'll act around Henry? Enjoy the new update.

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I barely slept at all that night. After I returned back to the cabin an absolute mess, I had Jenny and Gwendoline comfort me for the majority of the night until I finally drifted to sleep from exhaustion.

Ezra and Bodie were out all night, having been told that they needed to cover some shifts around the border. I was partially thankful that it was only Jenny and Gwendoline to see me crying and sobbing in such a vulnerable state.

Both Ezra and Bodie had seen it all before, but I feared that they'd be furious and lash out. Or think less of me for bawling my eyes out and choking on my own sobs.

Jenny rubbed my back while I cried and Gwendoline tried to keep me warm. I was oddly freezing, shivering and shuddering like we were in the tundra. I figured it was just the bond, telling me that Liam and I were struggling. Like I didn't know.

When they finally got me to bed, Gwendoline laid beside me until fell asleep. I didn't get a lot of sleep.

The nightmares came again.

It was numerous things. It was Liam, it was Henry, my brothers, my parents, Brennon. It was everyone I loved and everyone I hated.

As I lay awake early in the morning, I couldn't help but wonder if Liam has been awake because of my countless nightmares. I hadn't felt him at all since he shut me out the night before.

"Morning, Ali. I made you some coffee and some toast. I think it'll make you feel better if you eat something," Jenny's voice was at the door. I opened my eyes and looked to her. She moved into my room and walked over to me.

Jenny pulled me out and bed and then down the hallway and to the kitchen. She sat me at the table and then ate with me.

"So it really didn't go well, huh?" Jenny questioned me. I nodded at her and bit into my toast. The crunch and crumbs that followed made me sigh. If only Liam was eating with me.

"He got so angry and so upset... he just— just— shut me out completely," I stuttered as I thought about everything else.

Henry was away on official business for the next few days. Liam was the step-in Alpha while he was gone. Would Liam even be up to such a task?

"Liam is a very emotional boy, Ali. His parents meant everything to him," Jenny told me, drinking from her mug. I nodded slowly as I completely understood. I still got upset about my parents, so I couldn't blame him.

"I know, I know. I don't blame him for being angry. I just worry about him," I sighed out as I fiddled with my toast. I wanted nothing more than to have Liam come up behind me and rub the mark on my neck like he normally did in the mornings.

Jenny and I ate in silence until Ezra and Bodie returned. Jenny had told me that he'd informed them of what happened. They both gave me concerned looks.

"He'll get over it eventually. I mean, he's out there doing work with the younger ones right now. So he must be somewhat alright," Ezra told me as he rubbed my shoulder.

I frowned at him and stared up at him and Bodie. They both gave me odd looks.

"He's out there?" I questioned him hurriedly. Ezra nodded at me and I jumped up from my chair. I raced down the hallway to my room and dressed out of my pyjamas before racing out the house.

I almost fell down the porch as I was pulling on my sneakers.

Surely enough, I saw Liam working with some of the groups of kids. I noticed the stern look on his face and the group of girls watching him from a distance. They gawked and stared like he was a snack. He was one, but he was mine.