Christmas with my Off-Limits Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

4. Liam Shadds

Liam Shadds

Chapter Four

L eaving my bike with Joe, I walk the perimeter of town to settle my mind after being blindsided by seeing Ava again. Nearly a dozen years and it’s like she never left. When I’m near her, nothing else matters but her.

I stride through Snowy Pines’ town square, my boots crunching on the fresh snow. All around me, people bustle about. A group of kids dash past, their laughter echoing off the storefronts. Truant? No, looking at the clock tower, more likely on their way to school.

My gaze falls on the massive blue spruce tree dominating the center of the square. In a dozen years, we’ll need to replace it, but until then it’s one of the community’s prize attractions—the living Christmas tree. Volunteers are stringing lights around it, their faces bright with holiday cheer. It’s a stark contrast to the darkness swirling in my mind.

“Watch out, Liam!”

I sidestep just in time as a man struggles past with an armload of garlands. He nods his thanks, oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond our town’s borders.

It’s on me to keep them safe. All of them. My mind drifts back to my last encounter with Diggs. His cold eyes, burning with hatred. The scar on his face, a constant reminder of the bad blood between our packs. How long do we have before the Iron Wolves make their move?

I need to stay focused. No distractions. Not now.

Mrs. P, the baker, is setting up her sidewalk tables. The smell of her famous gingerbread wafts over, and for a moment, I’m transported to simpler times. Back when my father was alpha, and the biggest worry I had was sneaking an extra cookie without getting caught.

“Liam, dear! Come try a sample,” Mrs. Henderson calls out, waving a decorated gingerbread man in my direction.

I force a smile and shake my head. “Maybe later, Mrs. P. Thanks.”

She frowns, concern etching lines around her eyes. “You work too hard, young man. This is a time for celebration!”

It’s best she stays innocent. It’s best all of them remain unaware of the storm brewing.

I continue my patrol of the square, my senses on high alert. Every shadow could hide an Iron Wolf. Every unfamiliar face could be a threat. The festive atmosphere mocks me. My father’s words echo in my head: An alpha’s duty is never done. Truth plainly spoken.

I reach the edge of the square and pause. The contrast between the carefree joy of the townspeople and my inner turmoil is stark.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. A text from one of my pack members. Another possible Iron Wolf sighting on the outskirts of town.

I turn, my mind heavy, my head down.

There’s a blur of motion. The sharp scent of motor oil. A collision that sends shockwaves through my body.

“Shit!”

I reach out instinctively, my hands gripping warm skin. My eyes lock onto a familiar face, and my breath catches in my throat.

Ava.

But I knew before I saw her. I knew the moment I touched her.

Ava.

She’s in my arms, her body pressed against mine. The box she was carrying lies at our feet, its contents spilled. Motor oil seeps into our clothes, the acrid sweet smell fills my nostrils.

“Liam,” Ava breathes, her amber eyes wide with surprise flash gold for a moment.

I should let go. I should step back. But my body refuses to listen.

“Are you okay?” I barely recognize my voice. It’s rough and pitched three octaves lower than usual.

Ava nods, but doesn’t move away. “I’m fine.” Her fingers stroke my arms. “You?”

“Yeah, I’m...” The words die in my throat. I am acutely aware of every point where our bodies touch. The heat of her skin seeps through our oil-soaked clothes, igniting a primal need within me. My wolf is leaping at me, howling at me to claim her as ours.

I force myself to release her, taking a deep breath and a step back. The loss of contact is painful and I reach imploringly for a moment before dropping my hands and stuffing them into my pockets, pretending to search for… anything.

“I’m sorry.” I run a hand through my hair. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Ava’s eyes narrow. “Neither was I. Sorry. We both know I’m a klutz, but that’s not like you, Liam. What’s got you so distracted?”

The concern in her voice cuts deep. I want to tell her everything—about the Iron Wolves, about the danger lurking just beyond our borders. But I can’t. I won’t drag her into this mess.

“It’s nothing,” I lie, avoiding her gaze. “Just... festival preparations.”

Ava scoffs, crossing her arms. “Bullshit. I know you better than that, Liam Shadds.”

The use of my full name sends a shiver down my spine. I look at her then, really look at her. The defiance in her stance, the fire in her eyes—it’s achingly familiar. And so damn tempting.

Ava stands before me, her long auburn streaked naturally with golden highlights, frames her face like a dark halo. Her amber eyes, flecked with gold, glow with an inner light, challenging me to deny her words. The curve of her lips, set in a determined line, draws my gaze for a moment before I force myself to look away.

Her lean, athletic frame is taut with tension. The leather jacket she wears hugs her figure, a subtle reminder of her connection to our world of bikers and danger.

Everything about her radiates a fierce independence that both attracts and terrifies me.

“Ava, please.” I plead, my resolve weakening. “Don’t push this.”

She takes a step closer, and I see the flecks of gold in her eyes. “Why not? You have to feel this… spark. No, that’s too tame. It’s a full-blown flame and it can’t be one-sided. What are you afraid of?”

The question hangs in the air between us, loaded with unspoken history and suppressed desires. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to pull her close again.

“You know why,” I growl, my voice low. “This... us... it can’t happen. Not now, not ever.”

Hurt flashes across Ava’s face, quickly replaced by anger. “Right. Because you’re the big bad alpha, and I’m just a liability. Is that it?”

Her words sting, but I force myself to nod. “Something like that.”

Ava’s laugh is bitter. “God, you’re infuriating. You think pushing me away is going to keep me safe? News flash, Liam—I can take care of myself.”

I want to argue, to tell her what she’s up against. But the words stick in my throat. Instead, I stoop to pick up the scattered supplies, desperate for something to do with my hands other than pick her up and run as fast as I can to somewhere safe. Like a cave in the mountains.

“Here,” I mutter, holding out the box. “You should get these to the garage.”

Ava snatches the box from me, her fingers brushing mine. Her breath catches and she closes her eyes, shaking her head. I watch her auburn curls wave in the cool breeze. Even that brief contact sends sparks through my body.

“Fine.” Her eyes blaze as she snaps out clipped words. “Have it your way, Alpha. But don’t think this is over. I intend to live here and it’s an extremely small town—especially when one wants to avoid someone.”

She turns on her heel and stalks away, leaving me standing alone in the snow, covered in motor oil and regret. The sight of her retreating figure triggers a memory I’ve buried for years.

Suddenly, I’m back in that cold night, the night before Ava left Snowy Pines.

The floorboards creak under my feet as I approach my father’s study. I’m about to knock when I hear Sheriff Mooney’s voice, sharp and angry.

“You need to keep your son away from my daughter, Kennedy!”

I freeze, my hand hovering inches from the door.

My father’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it. “Daniel, there’s no reason to overreact…“

“Overreact? Your son is putting Ava in danger! She’s not like you. She’s not…“ Sheriff Mooney’s voice cracks. “She’s all I have left, Kennedy. I can’t lose her too.”

The silence that follows is heavy. I lean closer, straining to hear.

“Liam and Ava’s connection... it’s not natural,” Sheriff Mooney continues. “It’s dangerous. For both of them.”

My father sighs, a sound that carries the weight of his alpha status. “What would you have me do, Daniel?”

“Forbid him from seeing her. Keep them apart. Whatever it takes.”

My chest tightens. I want to burst in, to argue, to fight for what Ava and I have. But I’m rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the gravity of their words.

“Alright,” my father finally says. “I’ll talk to Liam. But Daniel, you know this won’t be easy for either of them. We have to consider this might be a fated match.”

“Not Ava. No.” Sheriff Mooney insists. “We keep them apart. They’ll outgrow this connection. It’s for their own good.”

“I pray you are right, Daniel, and grieve for the heartbreak this connection means for them either way. I’ll speak with Liam.”

“Thank you, Kennedy.”

I hear footsteps approaching the door and quickly retreat, my mind reeling. That night, my father sat me down and delivered the verdict: stay away from Ava. For her safety. For the good of both our families.

The next day, Ava was gone.

The memory fades, leaving me standing alone in the snow-covered square. The frustration and resentment I felt that night come rushing back, as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms.

I should’ve fought for us. I should’ve told Ava the truth. Followed her. Instead, I let them push us apart, in the name of duty and safety.

Seeing her now, feeling the spark ignite between us again... It’s clear that nothing has changed. The pull is still there, as strong as ever. Stronger, in truth.

Was it worth it? Did it protect her, or just leave us both broken? She completes me. My wolf knows it, even if I choose to deny, deny, deny.

Enough !

I won’t go down that road again. Not with the Iron Wolves breathing down our necks and the fate of the pack hanging in the balance. I have responsibilities. Duties.

And yet, my traitorous heart whispers: What if it’s not too late? What if there’s still a chance to make things right?

I shake my head to clear these dangerous thoughts. I’m the alpha. I can’t put my desires above the needs of my pack.

Can I?