Erica
Theairintheroom was thick with tension, suffocating me as I tried to process everything. My heart pounded in my chest, an erratic drumbeat that echoed my fury. It wasn't just Liam having another mate or being threatened not to complete the mate bond and ignoring it that made my blood boil; it was his silence, his failure to warn me of the potential danger lurking in the shadows. I couldn't help but wonder if knowing the truth would have made a difference. After all, I had been taken by someone I trusted, someone who had warned me repeatedly that Liam was putting me in danger. Would I have listened if Liam had also said so? Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, fear, devastation, and the upset of hearing how Jessica had died, I felt my legs give way beneath me. I collapsed to the floor, my body wracked with sobs and anguish. The pain in my chest was unbearable, like a thousand shards of glass piercing my heart.
My chest heaved as I felt hands gently touch my arms, pulling me out of the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume me. My vision was a blur of tears, but the scent that filled my nostrils told me it wasn't Liam who had come to my side. The realisation that he remained distant only added to the storm within me.
"Erica?" Damon's voice cut through the haze. His concerned dark eyes found mine as he knelt beside me. I wanted so desperately to give a name to the chaos inside me, was it betrayal? Fear? A longing for understanding? But it all swirled together, leaving me unable to find my footing.
"Help me up," I choked out, my voice wavering with suppressed sobs. Damon nodded, his face tight with worry, and wrapped an arm around me, guiding me back to the sofa that had been my previous refuge. As I sat down, my gaze lifted to Liam, who sat opposite us with his head hung low. The guilt radiating from him was palpable, but it did nothing to quell the turmoil in my heart.
"Look at me, Liam," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. When he finally met my eyes, they were filled with sorrow and regret, but I couldn't let that sway me. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you trust me enough to share this with me?"
"Erica, I... I was scared," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I thought if I could protect you, if I could keep you safe, then it wouldn't matter."
"Safe?" I spat, anger flaring within me once more. I pulled up the pj top I was wearing and revealed the healing wound that Jasper had given me. I heard gasps from the room but Liam could barely even look me in the eyes. "You call this safe? You kept secrets, Liam! Dangerous secrets, and I got kidnapped because of them."
"I know," he whispered, tears streaming down his face. "And I'm so, so sorry."
"Sorry isn't enough!" I cried, the weight of all that had happened crashing down on me. "How am I supposed to trust you now? How can we have a future together when everything is built on lies?"
"Erica, please," he pleaded. "I love you more than anything. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right."
“Then if you really love me, tell me why,” I insisted. My chest tightened as I stared into Liam's eyes, searching for the truth.
"Why'd Jasper do this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Why does he hate you so much that he's willing to kill your mates just to make you suffer?" Liam's gaze dropped to the floor, and I could see him struggling with his emotions. Even now, he was still hiding something from me. My anger started to resurface, and I clenched my fists at my sides.
"Tell me, Liam," I demanded, my voice rising. "You should know by now that secrets are dangerous." He looked up at me, tears in his eyes, but remained silent. Frustrated, I shook my head.
"Maybe Grant was right. Maybe being fated to you is dangerous for me."
"Erica," Liam choked out, his voice strained. "I will always try to protect you. I swear."
"Then tell me what else you're hiding!" I shouted, desperate for answers. His shoulders slumped, defeated, but he didn't speak. I could feel my heart breaking, the pieces shattering inside my chest. How could I trust him when he continued to keep things from me?
I watched as Liam's gaze fell to the floor once more, and I knew he wouldn't tell me the truth. A frustrated growl escaped my lips as I stood up abruptly.
"I need space," I said firmly. "This is all too much."
"Erica, you can't go off on your own," Alpha Declan interjected, concern etched in his face. "There's still danger out there." Kaitlyn appeared in the doorway, her eyes filled with determination.
"I'll take her to our friends," she offered. "They'll protect her." Liam's growl echoed through the room, but Kaitlyn met his glare with an unwavering stare. He swallowed hard before turning to me, desperation clear in his dark eyes.
"Please, Erica. Don't go."
"Tell me what you're hiding, Liam," I demanded, my voice wavering despite my best efforts. He hesitated, pain flickering across his features, but didn't answer. My chest tightened with frustration and betrayal.
"You see?" I muttered, shaking my head. "Even Jasper was right about something. That's not a good sign." With one last glance at Liam, I turned and followed Kaitlyn out of the room, leaving him behind. My heart raced as I tried to navigate the storm of emotions raging inside me. Fear, betrayal, uncertainty, and an overwhelming sense of loss consumed me, making it difficult to breathe.
As Kaitlyn and I left the room, a cold silence engulfed us. It was as if the pack house itself had adopted the sombre atmosphere that hung over our lives; a stark contrast to the once vibrant and bustling home it had been. My heart ached with each step we took, the weight of betrayal and uncertainty pressing down on me.
"Erica," Kaitlyn began gently, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I know this is hard for you, but please remember that you're not alone."
"Thank you, Kaitlyn," I replied shakily, feeling my eyes well up with tears. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys." Our footsteps echoed through the empty halls as we made our way through the apartment block where the single pack members lived. A haunting stillness hung in the air, punctuated only by the distant sound of rain hitting the ground outside. The overcast sky seemed to mirror the mood of the entire pack: dark and heavy with despair.
We reached the familiar door of my old apartment, the one I had shared with Frankie and Gen before everything changed. Kaitlyn knocked softly, and within moments, the door swung open to reveal a concerned Gen.
"Erica!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry about everything. We're here for you, okay?"
"Thanks, Gen," I muttered, my voice muffled by her embrace. I couldn't help but let out a sob, the overwhelming mix of emotions threatening to consume me.
