Not Meant To Be

Chapter 11

Liam's POV

"Liam... What's going on? Please just talk, talk to me." Papa asked pleadingly.

I could see what he was thinking, this is all so strange and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He wants to help, but he's lost and he doesn't want to lose me a second time.

"Look," he said as he got up from his chair to hold my upper arms gently, "I don't understand what's going on here. I don't want to mention it and make you feel like a stranger or feel like an outcast or anything that you're not.

I just want to understand. You're, you're different. Your body is different, you have all these markings carved all over your chest and neck. And now your eyes are two different colors, signifying both you and your wolf? You mention something about a new era?

What are you talking about? Do you even understand what's going on with your body? Where did it come from? What does it mean?" he asked me and I felt bad.

I don't know what's going on. Hades believes we will when the time is right, he isn't afraid and he keeps me calm and because of that I am not afraid of everything that's going on here.

I sighed softly and looked down. I felt his anxiety and fear spike as he expected the worst.

"Come sit down with me", I said as I steered him to sit on the couch next to me.

"I don't know what's going on. I don't understand everything that's happening and it's a bit scary. But I know that it isn't dangerous. It's not harmful and I'm not going to leave you again.

Hades firmly believes that this is for the best. He believes that we will know all the answers when the time is right, he isn't afraid and he's giving me strength. It's okay Popz, I'm not spiraling out of control again." I said and and smiled softly at him.

His eyes filled with tears before he pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back as I breathed his scent deep into my lungs and felt at peace, it's the smell of home and growing up and being happy and young again.

"Liam, let me tell you something. I don't want you to feel pressured or anything.

I simply want to tell you that I love you and your siblings equally. Your father and all of you have given me happiness and joy like I've never had in a long time.

You know what happened to my family, your uncles and grandparents. For a long time I was bitter and upset. You have all given me a second chance.

What I'm saying is, there is nothing that I wouldn't do for you. For all if you. If you want to talk to me, I'm here, your father is here. We're all here. Even Faybelle will listen because that child listens when she's not suppose to and pretends to be deaf when she doesn't want to do something", he chuckled and I smiled at the thought of my sister, "but I never want you to feel like you have no one to turn to. You can always talk to us when you feel ready to. Okay?" he asked and I nodded, my throat feeling choked.

"Thanks Popz." I said and hugged him again.

I got off the couch and left the room.

I knew they were scared of me trying to commit suicide again and after the whole leaving the letters scenario I felt kind of embarrassed. But I had to admit, I felt a lot more at peace today than I've ever felt in years. Even before Caleb left me. I'm finally accepting who I am and that I'm enough, that I do matter and I don't have to try too hard to please everybody. I have to please myself first and everyone else will be happy as well.

I heard the doorbell ring and I took a detour and headed for the door.

"Coming!", I screamed as they rang it again.

God, I hate when people do that. Like they'll ring the bell three times, one after the other. I heard you and I'm coming. No need to be impatient.

I opened the door with a smile and felt my heart skip a beat when I saw who was standing on the other side.

Caleb.

He looks so, so good. He certainly filled out a bit and put on more muscle and his clothes certainly showed that he worked out. He carried himself with a certain confidence, not arrogance but he knew he was good looking and stood tall. He was always a inch taller than me, the bastard. I felt the zingg of desire shoot through me as I gazed at him. It's almost been four years since I last seen him and damn does he look great. The hospital incident doesn't count. How could I not remember my family? Hades doesn't understand that either.

I shook myself out of it. Stop it! He's another man's mate! That's another discussion to have with the advisor.

"Liam..." I heard him gasp as he took me in. Yeah, it's going to take some getting used to.

"Hi. Come on in." I said with a bright smile and stepped back.

He frowned before he stepped inside and I led him to the lounge.

"Sorry for being rude but what the hell happened to you? You look so different." He said the minute we were seated.

"Yeah... About that. Well you already saw me when I woke up but Hades says it's the marks of a warrior and we'll know the reason in time. So I'm cool about it. Plus these tattoos or markings or whatever are cool as hell. Some even move! Check here." I said excitedly and immediately moved to sit next to him.

I held out my left arm where I pointed to a circle that looked like a clock but more intricate, more layers and some weird symbols. It was constantly rotating. I showed him another one on my other arm that was Hades as he howled at the moon. It was like when I noticed some of them, they moved.

I looked up and he did the same at the same time.

I didn't realise how close we were sitting until that very moment.

"They're so beautiful. And your eyes too. They're like showing both of you, the two people that mean the world to - everyone I mean. Your parents and the pack too." He rushed out and I couldn't help but chuckle. Since when was he shy?

"How are you Caleb? How's Daniaal? Your parents?" I asked as I smiled at him.

"I'm good. The business took off a couple years ago and the catering is doing well. The people really love my food. Daniaal is good, he's still working for the insurance company and my parents are great too. They're retired now so they tend to take a few road trips and vacations every few weeks. Dad says he needs his alone time fishing." He said as he chuckled softly at the thought of his parents.

I've known them for a long time. Christian has always loved to fish. He took us along once but it was so boring I never wanted to go again.

"That's good Caleb. Oh wait where's my manners? Do you want some juice, tea, water, coffee?" I asked as I got up.

Dad would kick my ass if he knew someone came over and I didn't offer something.

"No I'm fine. Thanks, I've been here so many times it feels like a second home to me." He said.

"Yeah those were the good times. Wait here." I said as I quickly went to pour us some juice. I came back with the tray and offered it to him.

He thanked me and took his glass. I took mine and we sat down again.

It wa awkward at first, we hardly knew each other any more and we've barely spoken in years so there wasn't much to talk about. Then all of a sudden we just couldn't stop talking. We spoke about everything and nothing, Caleb told me all about what he's been doing over the years, his job, Daniaal, although he didn't mention much of him, his parents, friends and my parents. Faybelle adores him although she's still a bit shy to come to me.

It felt great talking to my friend again, even though I wanted so much more from him and that made me guilty. How could I be lusting over a mated man? The feelings were still there and as we talked it blossomed into more. It didn't hurt to think about the fact that he could never be mine but it hurt to know that I could never get over him.

Chapter 12 will be updated tomorrow... Hopefully 🙏