and that’s how she’d gotten as far as she had in life. Always being on the defensive was exhausting though.
Liam was exhausted too. Maybe not as much as Olivia, but it was there. He just hid it better and she knew it was because the higher-ranking pack members seemed to rely on him, and Noah more than they realized.
Watching him had taken some of the edge off this mate thing though. Liam wasn’t giving her special treatment. He had bossed Olivia around just like he had her, and now he was making her eat like food was going to solve all their problems.
It it was really endearing to watch him deal with his stress this way. It was a lot more productive and effective than lashing out at people or punching a hole in the wall.
She took a deep breath and went down the stairs, keeping her footsteps soft. Then she pulled out one of the chairs tucked under the kitchen island and sat down.
Zoe silently watched him make the sandwiches, plate them, and then grab carrots and pickles. Not every plate got pickles, but they all got carrots and a dollop of ranch.
“Would you like one?” he asked without looking up at her.
Interesting that Liam didn’t feel the need to pretend with her at the moment. There was no smile, and no teasing.
“If there’s extra,” she said, folding her hands on the counter. “Otherwise, I can make my own.”
Liam slammed the knife down and it stuck into the cutting board, vibrating with the remnants of his rage. “I know you are fully capable of doing everything on your own. I am very aware you don’t need me and that I’m useless to you other than maybe as a pretty decoration to look at. I’m offering because this is something I enjoy doing. It’s for me, not you.”
He was finally looking at her, and Zoe was surprised he was showing her his anger. She knew he wasn’t really mad though; he was afraid and stressed, but she couldn’t possibly guess at why.
Normally she would react to all those words that were meant to cut her down with her own poison, but Zoe studied his face and realized he’d said those things because that’s what he thought of himself.
“I was trying to ease your load,” Zoe finally said, her words calm despite the knife sticking out of the cutting board. “I wasn’t trying to insult you.”
Liam sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” He yanked the knife out and skillfully flipped it before slicing the sandwiches up into neat little squares. “If you want to help me, then please eat something. It will help me relax.”
She raised an eyebrow at that but didn’t say anything. Then she nodded, catching the plate he slid toward her.
He turned and grabbed a cold, water bottle from the fridge and set it on the counter in front of her before going back to work. “You seem different.”
“Work calms me down. It makes me feel in control,” she admitted, taking a bite of the sandwich. It was actually good with something spicy. There were red and green peppers too, cucumbers, and spinach as well as ham and cheese. “Thank you, this is delicious.”
This time Liam calmly set down his knife and gave her his full attention. “You’re looking at me differently.”
He was fucking observant as hell, which made sense considering what she’d seen with Olivia. Zoe set the sandwich down and wiped her fingers off on the napkin he handed her as she considered what to even say to him.
Zoe studied him again – his face and eyes. There was a hard set to his jaw, and he still looked worried. “I like the way you take care of the people you care about.”
The look of shock on his face was almost offensive, but Zoe had been nothing but a defensive bitch since she woke up, so she left it alone.
“I’m always honest,” she told him, picking up a carrot. “So, know I mean it when I say most men aren’t as observant as you are.”
“Could be a fluke.” Liam turned and grabbed another water bottle before taking one of the plates.
“Olivia wouldn’t listen to you if it was a fluke.” Zoe took a bite of a carrot, the crack loud in the sudden silence.
Liam narrowed his eyes. “Maybe she’s secretly in love with me.”
“I’m trying to compliment you. Why don’t you like it?” Zoe crossed her arms