The moment the words left my mouth, Damon's expression darkened, and before I knew it, his fist connected with my face, sending me sprawling back onto the floor.
"What the fuck, man?" I yelled, clutching my throbbing jaw and glaring up at him.
"How dare you say that Erica is less than perfect," Damon seethed, his chest heaving with barely contained rage.
"Where the hell is this coming from?" I demanded, struggling to sit up. "I'd tear apart anyone who says my mate is less than perfect."
"Explain to me then," Damon demanded, his voice tense and strained, "why you just blew up at Erica and called her useless?" His words were like a punch to my gut. My anger subsided, replaced by a dawning realisation of the consequences of my outburst. I had let my rage consume me, and now Erica was paying the price.
"I... I didn't mean it like that," I stammered, searching for the right words to defend myself. "I wasn't angry at her. It's this fucking curse and the Shadow Night pack." Damon's eyes narrowed, suspicion still evident in his gaze.
"What does that have to do with Erica?"
"The message that Grayson had for me," I explained, my voice heavy with regret. "The curse isn't on me—it's on my wolf. In order to break it, I have to complete the bond in wolf form."
"Are you sure about that?" Damon questioned, doubt lingering in his voice.
"Louis mentioned something similar in the mind link before... before I killed him," I admitted, the bitter taste of hatred filling my mouth. "So yeah, I'm sure."
The heavy silence between us stretched on, my thoughts consumed by the impossible task before me. As I studied Damon's face, I saw the moment realisation struck him, his eyes widening with understanding.
"If Erica can't shift, then you two can't complete the bond in wolf form." I nodded, my heart aching at the seemingly insurmountable obstacle that stood between Erica and me.
"Yeah," I murmured, feeling more defeated than ever. "Exactly."
"Fuck, man," Damon breathed, running a hand through his dark hair.
But as he looked at me, a grin slowly spread across his face, the corners of his eyes crinkling with mischief.
"Hey, don't you dare give up hope yet," he said, his voice firm yet encouraging. "We're going to find a solution, Liam. And I think I might have an idea. Or at least a witch with an idea."
"An idea?" I couldn't help but feel sceptical, given our current predicament. "I've consulted a hundred witches, Damon, and none of them have been able to help." His grin only widened, a spark of excitement lighting up his dark eyes.
"Yeah, well, you haven't consulted a high priestess from one of the most powerful covens in the world, have you?"
"Are you serious?" I asked, hope flickering to life within me like a candle in the darkness.
"Damn right I am."
"Alright, if it'll help, I'm willing to try anything," I agreed, desperation clawing at my insides.
Damon nodded, determination set in his features. "I'm gonna make a phone call. But first, you need to find Erica and make sure she knows you're not going to reject her."
"Reject her?" I asked, confusion and hurt welling up within me. "Why would she think that?"
"Because, Liam," Damon's voice softened, concern etched across his face, "it's one of her fears, that she's less than other wolves. She was devastated when you called her useless earlier."
"Shit," I muttered, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Without another word, I bolted out the door, my footsteps echoing down the hallway as I sprinted towards my father's office. Bursting inside, I found the room empty, devoid of any signs of life.
"Where are you?" I mind-linked my father, anxiety gnawing at me as I awaited his response.
"Away from you," he spat back, his anger palpable even through our mental connection.
"Please," I begged, desperation and regret twisting together in a bitter concoction. "Tell me where you are, and I'll explain everything." My father's voice finally broke through the strained silence.
"we’re in the Alpha living room."
With renewed determination, I raced back up the stairs to the fourth floor, my heart pounding in my ears. As I burst into the living room, I found my parents sitting there, their expressions tense and wary. My father scowled at me, his eyes filled with disappointment.
