"I'm sorry, I just... I can't help it," I admitted, feeling the blush creeping up my cheeks. Liam sat up, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. I tried to gauge the question, how was I feeling?
"Thirsty," I replied, suddenly very aware of the dryness in my throat. In an instant, Liam was on his feet, grabbing a jug of water from the nearby table. He filled a glass and returned to my side, his movements swift and full of purpose. As he helped me sit up, I marvelled at the gentleness with which he supported me, a stark contrast to the powerful Alpha I knew he could be.
"Here," he said, holding the glass to my lips. The cool water provided sweet relief as it flowed down my parched throat. I drank greedily, grateful for the simple act of kindness.
"Thank you," I whispered once I had finished, allowing Liam to remove the glass from my trembling lips.
"Of course," he responded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'll always be here for you, Erica." As I looked into his brown eyes, something inside me shifted. It was as if some long-buried part of me finally acknowledged the truth I had been trying to ignore: Liam was more than just my fated mate. He was my protector, my confidante... and maybe even the man I could learn to love. But for now, all that mattered was the gratitude I felt towards this remarkable individual who had saved me from my darkest fears. And as we sat there in the sterile hospital room, the beeping of machines provided a steady backdrop to our quiet conversation.
The more I drank and woke from the haze a newfound energy flowed through my veins as I felt quenched and revitalised. Liam's gaze remained on me, but his expression changed. He shifted uncomfortably in the chair, biting his lip as if debating whether to speak.
"Erica... I..." he started, hesitating before continuing, "I need to apologise."
"Apologise?" I furrowed my brow, not expecting him to say that.
"Yeah," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been so stupid, pig-headed, and selfish. I wanted to prove I was your perfect mate, but all I did was act like a complete dick." As he rambled, I couldn't help but smile at his sincerity. I reached out with my free hand, placing it on his arm to stop him mid-sentence.
"Thank you, Liam," I said softly, causing his eyes to widen in confusion.
"Thank you? For what?"
"During the trauma attack, I was trapped," I explained, my voice shaky as I recalled the experience. "I was struggling against the horrifying images, unable to break free. But I could feel you through the bond, reaching out to me, pulling me back to safety." Liam's cheeks flushed, and he looked down at our intertwined hands.
"That's what mates are for, Erica. We're meant to protect each other." His words stirred something within me, a warmth that spread throughout my chest. It wasn't just the mate bond that made me feel this way; it was Liam himself. Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself drawn to his strength, his compassion, and his unwavering determination to stand by me.
"Still," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry for how I've been acting. I want to do better, to be better for you."
"Thank you," I repeated, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there... and I'm glad I don't have to find out." A tentative smile crossed his face, and he squeezed my hand gently.
"I'll always be here for you, Erica. No matter what."
We sat in silence for a little while; the sun was shining in through the window and I could hear the warriors in the training grounds, which were next to the hospital. Finally Lian spoke
"Please, tell me what happened," Liam urged gently, his eyes filled with concern.
"I want to understand so I can help you." I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to relive the memories that haunted me. But as I looked into Liam's determined brown eyes, I felt a surge of courage. He deserved to know the truth, and maybe sharing my story could be the first step in healing.
"Years ago, when I was eighteen, I had a disagreement with Trenton," I began, my voice shaky. "He told me I couldn't leave the pack, but all I wanted was to find a place where I belonged. So, I ran away and joined another pack led by an Alpha who promised love and freedom." As I spoke, the images of that time flooded back into my mind. The hope I'd felt at finding a new family, the easy friendship I'd experienced with the other wolves, and the crushing reality when it all fell apart.
"Only, he wasn't the saviour I thought he was," I continued, tears welling up in my eyes. "He was running a werewolf trafficking ring, using his female wolves to satisfy the twisted desires of others... because apparently we could withstand more damage and heal faster." Liam's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with fury.
"That monster..." he growled.
"Once I discovered the truth, I tried to escape," I choked out, hot tears streaming down my face. "But he caught me, locked me up, and... forced himself on me, calling it training for what was to come."
"Erica, I'm so sorry," Liam whispered, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. He reached for my hand, holding it tightly as if to protect me from further harm.
"Eventually, Trenton and Marshall managed to rescue me," I continued, trying to regain my composure. "I believe your father was involved in the mission too."
"Really?" Liam's expression shifted from fury to surprise. "I remember him mentioning something about it, but he never gave any details. I'll have to ask him about it. If that bastard Alpha is still alive, I swear I'll hunt him down and make him pay for what he did to you."
"Thank you," I whispered, my heart swelling with gratitude for Liam's unwavering support. As Liam listened intently to my story, I could feel the fury radiating off him. His eyes were dark with anger and concern, and I knew that his protective instincts as an Alpha were kicking in.
"Erica, I'm so sorry you had to go through that," he said softly, reaching out to gently brush away the tears that continued to spill down my cheeks. The touch of his fingers sent electric shivers through me, a mixture of both pleasure and comfort. Despite everything, it felt safe to be near him.
"Thank you, Liam. But how can I ever repay you for helping me through this?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of my emotions. He shook his head firmly, his brown eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity.
