Puppy Love
Chapter 43

~Liam~

Josephine and I had initially planned to head to the lake after breakfast. However, upon noticing

Charlotte and Caspian moving in that same direction, Josephine had a change of heart. She believed they deserved their privacy, especially since she seemed genuinely delighted about Charlotte replaceing her life partner. Despite Charlotte not having openly shared the news yet, it was evident to those of us who were observant.

We decided to head back upstairs, and Josephine agreed to spend time in my room. The struggle to restrain my wolf’s desires around her was becoming more challenging. The urge to take things further with her grew increasingly potent, and Alex’s presence only complicated matters. My wolf didn’t even attempt to hold back.

1 questioned my ability to resist despite my mind being flooded with intense desires for her.

Controlling myself became a battle of wills. I started to doubt my determination. Should I perhaps wait to gauge her acceptance of me?

Maybe waiting until she turned eighteen was the wiser choice. On the other hand, should I seize the opportunity now and make our connection official? Deep down, I understood the necessity of patience.

Quietly, Josephine and I climbed the stairs and proceeded to my room, both of us yearning for progress. The confinement of the packhouse was starting to take its toll on me, and I hoped for some change soon.

As we entered the room, Josephine playfully made a beeline for the bed and flopped onto it. Her carefree demeanour was infectious, and she shared a laugh with me.

“Come on, even I’m allowed to indulge my inner child from time to time,” she teased, sticking her tongue out.

Her playful expression was endearing, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. With the bed offering ample space, I joined her and settled beside her.

Side by side, we gazed up at the ceiling.

“This feels a bit like being prisoners, doesn’t it?” she remarked with a giggle, perfectly capturing the sentiment.

“I’m right there with you. I miss the lake,

Josephine,” I admitted, feeling the same longing she did.

Given the circumstances, the idea of flying back to Lucland or Gad for quality time together was growing more appealing. Yet, there was also the concern about losing sight of our responsibilities and objectives.

Josephine shifted onto her side, propping herself up with her elbow and adjusting the mattress beneath her. She rested her head in her hand, her gaze fixed on me. I mirrored her posture, captivated by the striking beauty of her eyes.

Regrettably, my words had led her to conceal those eyes for the past two years. The desire to lean in and k**s her was strong, yet I sensed that giving in to that impulse now might be an uncontrollable path.

“Li, what do you think lies ahead for us?” Her question left me momentarily at a loss, unsure of where to even begin.

“I mean, will we locate Sophia? And how much time will it take? Once we replace her, what comes after? And if we replace our destined mates, what will happen to us?” Her inquiries came one after another, and I wished I could assure her, but my silence prevailed.

She sat up a bit more, a sombre expression replacing her playfulness.

“I’ve heard stories about the impact of the mate bond. Take Charlotte, for instance- mean bossy Charlotte. She practically got smitten in minutes the moment she set eyes on Caspian.

It was as if logic and reasoning flew out the window. Caspian is a stranger to her, but it was as if they knew each other. The same was true for him. Stealing glances at her during breakfast, the goddess knows what is happening in their minds.”

Her tone shifted, revealing her unease.

“Then there are the tales we’ve heard about Uncle Leo, Max, and Alpha Kyle. Your mom and Alpha Devin. Your dad and Luna Susan. And these are just the stories close to home. It’s terrifying, Li,” she admitted, her gaze never leaving mine. Tears brimmed in her eyes, prompting me to sit up, eager to offer solace.

“I’m afraid that it might happen to us,” she confessed, prompting me to draw her closer and envelop her in my embrace.

“There’s a crucial aspect of my parents’ story you’re leaving out, Jo. They could resist their predetermined fate because they had each other,” I shared, but she gently pulled away.

“They were an exception. It doesn’t always work like that, you know,” she responded, managing a small chuckle amid sniffling.

“The reality of the potential bond only hit me when I saw Charlotte and Caspian,” she continued, her gaze fixed on me. “You can’t truly understand your deepest fears until you witness it.”

“What if Sophia returned and you discovered you were destined to be mates?” Her question carried a palpable fear in her eyes.

“You’ve known her and spent fore time with her than with me. You had feelings for her, even if you never acted on them. Our mission is driven by those emotions. You already care for her, even if just as a friend. If the mate pull could transform Charlotte’s world over a stranger, imagine what it could do if you learned Sophia was the one. Alex would be affected, and I’d be left out in the cold,” she voiced, and I pulled her close once again. Her level of fear had been a hidden weight on her shoulders, unbeknownst to me.

“Sophia and I aren’t fated,” I asserted, but her laughter followed.

“She hasn’t turned eighteen yet,” she countered, distancing herself slightly and wiping her tears.

“I’m not so certain,” I replied, to which she chuckled.

“You aren’t fated to me either, Liam,” She said with so much belief that I wondered why she was so sure. I had a wolf going crazy in my head, and Dill had somehow become my favourite scent all because of her. How could she be so sure?

“Why do you have such certainty?” I inquired, genuinely curious, and she laughed.

“You must’ve missed out on the Stepanov

Mutation and History Analysis class. It’s an elective, but it’s a natural favourite for me since I’m the heir of the clan,” she explained, and I fell into silence.

“Stepanov women mature faster than regular wolves. Their body chemistry undergoes changes by the age of seventeen, allowing their mates to sense them. While they might not fully connect with their mates until eighteen, others can do so right away, though that’s a rare occurrence. The. accelerated mate recognition is due to our faster maturation,” she elaborated, her laughter accompanying her words.

“Let’s not delve into the biological aspects; it tends to sound primal. But I’m sure you already understand why the scent is so captivating,” she remarked, leaving me stunned.

For weeks, I had puzzled over why I could sense her earlier than expected. I had considered it almost mystical. Her explanation, though, brought a sense of ease. Still, I hesitated to share my revelation. I did not want to rob her of the feeling of discovery; I wanted it to be a birthday surprise for her.

“So, do you sense anything?” I asked her an obviously stupid question, and she looked at me and started laughing.

“You are crazy, Li. If I did, I would be naked in bed with you right now, without thinking about it,” She said, and she was right. I did want her naked in my bed right now.

Josephine stopped laughing and eyed me.

“So you haven’t answered my question yet,” She said, and I sighed, confident in what I was about to say.

“I do not think you need to worry about that. I know you have heard this line many times in the tragic stories of fated and chosen love, but I believe ours won’t turn out that way.

I will never leave you, Jo, and I hope you will accept me,” I said, and she laughed.

“You have a way with words, Li,” she said, giggling.

“I will take your word for it. If you break my heart, you will encounter crazy me. I heard we have a bit of madness in our family. Ever heard of Yuri Stepanov?” She said, and I laughed.

“Yeah, that level of madness,” she added.

* “Not to go too far, Jo. Aunt Amelia is scary enough,

” I admitted, and she laughed.

Aunt Amelia was a very mean woman that you can never hate. Her meanness is reserved for her enemies alone. I wondered how the torture session Aunt Claudia spoke of went. I could just imagine everything they tried on the man and the fact that Aunt Amelia was immune to silver; I could just imagine how far she went.

“Honestly, Jo, what I feel for you is real, and maybe only the future will make you believe me,” I said on a serious note.

“I know, Li. I know,” she said, and I could not let it stop on that note. I reached close to her and kissed her. I wanted to rip off her clothes and touch her, but it was still early in the day for that, and Justin could assemble us anytime. I had to wait until tonight. She had slept in my room last night. during our movie date, so I couldn’t get up early to work out. I hoped the same would happen tonight I might not go all the way, but I planned to let go a bit.