"Liam..." My voice cracked as the tears began to fall. "I'm so sorry for what happened. I hurt people... I hurt you." He reached out to me, pulling me into his embrace.
"Hey, it's okay," he whispered soothingly into my hair.
"We're all alive, and we'll heal."
But his words did little to console me. How could I have let myself lose control like that? Was I truly a danger to those around me? The weight of these thoughts crushed me, making it hard to breathe.
"Erica," Liam said softly, his warm breath tickling my ear. "You're strong, and that strength can be scary sometimes. But you didn't let it destroy you. You're here, with me, and we'll figure out what happened together." I wanted to believe him, but the image of Grant's terrified face haunted me. How could I ever regain their trust? The tears flowed freely as I clung to Liam, my anchor in this storm of doubts and fears. Liam's hand gently cupped my face, wiping away the tears with his thumb.
"Look at me, Erica." His voice was firm but gentle as he tilted my chin up to meet his gaze.
"Everyone is fine. No one was seriously hurt. Hell, I've had more damage in a regular training session." My eyes flicked down to the scratch marks on his chest, a fresh wave of guilt washing over me. He followed my gaze and smiled, touching the marks lightly.
"See? Werewolf healing has its perks." I tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. Somehow, knowing that they would heal didn't erase the fact that I had caused them.
"Come here," Liam murmured, pulling me into his embrace once more. His strong arms wrapped around me, offering comfort and protection. As much as I wanted to believe that everything would be okay, the fear that I was a danger to those I cared about still gnawed at me.
Finally, I pulled away from him, taking a shaky breath.
"What happened with Grant?" I asked, needing to know that he was alright.
"Grant's fine," Liam reassured me, though there was a hint of tension in his voice. "He's already gone."
"Gone? Did he leave the pack?" The words rushed out of me, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What?" Liam sounded genuinely confused. "No, he hasn't left. He's gone on a mission. Why would you think he left the pack?"
"Yesterday, he... he tried to get me to leave with him." I admitted hesitantly, unsure how Liam would react. His eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched as anger flared within him.
"Why would he do that?"
"Grant said it wasn't safe for me to be your mate," I whispered, feeling the weight of those words between us.
"Damn him," Liam growled, his anger barely contained. But as he looked at me, his expression softened, and he pulled me close again.
"Erica, you are not a danger to anyone," he murmured into my hair. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." I wanted so desperately to believe him, to find solace in his embrace. But the lingering doubts and fears still clung to me, like shadows I couldn't quite shake.
Liam's eyes bore into mine, searching for the truth as he asked,
"What made you so angry with Grant?" I hesitated for a moment before starting my explanation.
"He was acting weird at first, but then he calmed down. I thought everything was fine, so I gave him a hug." I paused, remembering the feel of Grant's arms around me. "But then... he could smell you on me and got violent."
"Violent?" Liam's voice was low and dangerous, his protective instincts clearly triggered.
"Y-yes," I stammered, looking away from his piercing gaze. "He slammed me into the lockers. He said it was dangerous to be your mate and wanted me to leave with him."
"Son of a..." Liam clenched his fists, anger radiating off him in waves. "If he hadn't already left, I would have killed him for hurting you like that." Despite the situation, I felt a warmth spread through me at Liam's fierce protectiveness. But I needed him to understand the depth of what had happened, how my own anger had spiralled out of control.
"Before I knew it, I was furious with him," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it wasn't just normal anger, Liam. It grew so fast, and I started to feel... feral. Like I was losing myself to something primal." Throughout my confession, Liam listened intently, nodding occasionally as if piecing together a puzzle. When I finished speaking, he leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"Erica, you're safe with me," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. "I won't let anything happen to you." I closed my eyes, desperately wanting to believe in the sanctuary he offered.
Our lips met again, tender and sweet, a balm for the hurt we'd both endured. Liam's hands cradled my face, his thumbs brushing away the last of my tears. The kiss deepened, our breaths mingling, and I felt myself losing control once more. But this time, it was to the heat building between us, a fire stoked by our shared concern and relief. Liam pulled away abruptly with a groan, leaving me breathless and wanting.
"Erica," he said, his voice strained. "My father just mind-linked me. He wants to see you." My heart dropped into my stomach, a heavy weight of dread settling there. The Alpha's arrival brought forth a fresh wave of anxiety, but there was no escaping him now.
"I need better clothes, then," I murmured, glancing down at the oversized T-shirt I wore - one of Liam's. Without hesitation, Liam reached down beside the bed and produced a bag that I immediately recognised as mine.
