My heart stopped in my chest, and I stared at her in horror. The weight of her words crushed down on me like a tidal wave, and tears began to well up in my eyes. Becca's face changed from reassuring to concern, not understanding why I was so upset.
"Erica, what's wrong?" she asked, worry etched across her face. But I couldn't speak. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt as if I were drowning in despair. For me to access my wolf and shift, I had to complete the mate bond with Liam. Yet, for Liam and me to complete the mate bond, I needed access to my wolf. We were trapped in a vicious cycle, and there seemed to be no way out.
Sobs tore through me as I realised the horrifying truth: Liam's wolf, along with the wolves of everyone in his pack, was going to die because of this unbreakable cycle. And it was all because of me.
"Erica, please talk to me," Becca pleaded, reaching out to touch my arm.
But her touch only intensified the pain I felt, and I recoiled from her. As much as I wanted to find solace in her comforting presence, I couldn't bring myself to do so. Not when I was the reason for all this suffering.
"Becca," I choked out between sobs, my entire body trembling. "I-I can't... There's no way out of this. They're all going to die because of me."
The heavy burden of my revelation weighed me down like an anchor, crushing any hope that had started to bloom. In that dark moment, as devastation consumed me, I couldn't see a way forward. And the thought of losing everyone I loved because of the twisted fate I'd been dealt threatened to break me entirely.
Chapter 37
Liam
Thescentofvictoryand whiskey filled the air as I lounged in the Alpha living room, feeling a happiness I hadn't experienced in years. Beside me, Damon clapped me on the back, his dark eyes twinkling with genuine excitement.
"Congrats, Liam," he grinned. "I still can't believe Erica agreed to marry you. You are a fucking lucky man."
"Thanks, man," I replied, my chest swelling with pride. "She's incredible, isn't she? Feisty, beautiful, strong. We just need to find your fated mate now, and everything will be perfect." Damon raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. "Honestly I don’t think she exists,” he said skeptically. "I doubt I'll ever find her."
"I do," I insisted, my voice firm. "Fate wouldn't be so cruel as to deny you that connection, would it?"
As the words left my mouth, a sudden wave of distress washed over me, the sensation so intense it felt like a physical blow. My heart raced, and I clenched my fists, trying to maintain control. The room seemed to shrink around me, and I could feel my wolf snarling in my head.
"Erica..." I whispered, my instincts instantly recognizing the source of the emotion.
"Where is she?" Damon asked, concern etching his features. "What's wrong?"
"Something's upset her," I replied tensely, scanning the room for any sign of her. But she was nowhere to be found. "I have to find her."
"Of course," Damon agreed, nodding solemnly. We both got up to go searching for my mate.
My heart pounded in my chest as I raced through the hallways, Damon following closely behind. The overwhelming feeling of distress that flooded me from Erica intensified, guiding me like a compass towards her. Each step felt like an eternity as my wolf snarled within me, urging me to reach her faster.
"Where could she be?" Damon asked, though I barely registered his words.
"Our bedroom," I muttered, my voice strained as we rounded the corner. As I approached the door, the sound of her heart-wrenching sobs reached my ears, and I felt a surge of protectiveness unlike any I'd ever known. Without hesitation, I threw open the door and found Erica on the floor, tears streaming down her face, her body wracked with emotion. Becca was sitting next to her, trying to comfort her.
"Get the fuck away from her!" I snarled at Becca, possessiveness coursing through my veins. "What the hell did you do to my mate?" Becca tried to speak but all I could see was a threat to my mate.
"Becca, get away from her!" I yelled, my voice thunderous as Marshall, Beck, and Declan entered the room. Their eyes widened at the sight of Erica, distraught on the floor.
"I-I don't know what's wrong," Becca stammered, backing off with her hands raised defensively. "We were talking about why she can't shift, and I told her there might be a way to break the spell... but then she started crying and saying everyone was going to die." I barely listened to Becca's words, focusing solely on the anguished sobs wracking Erica's body. Every fibre of my being screamed at me to protect her, to hold her close and never let go.
"Erica..." I murmured tenderly, inching closer until I could wrap my arms around her trembling frame. I pulled her into my lap, and my heart hurt at how little resistance she gave. Her body seemed to flop against me like a doll.
The moment Erica realised I was holding her, she clung to me like a lifeline, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Liam," she choked out between sobs, "it's all my fault. We're doomed... everyone's going to die because of me."
"Hey, hey, it's okay," I tried to soothe her, my own heart feeling like it was being shredded by her distress. "We'll talk it through, okay? Just breathe with me, Erica." But I could sense her panic rising, her breathing hitching and coming in gasps. The room felt too full, the presence of our pack only amplifying her distress.
"Everyone, get out!" I snarled, my wolf demanding space for us to comfort our mate. Becca opened her mouth, as if to say something, but Erica turned her head away, refusing to look at her.
"Out! Now!" The words tore from me, my anger directed at anything that dared to threaten her peace of mind. My father stepped up, ushering Marshall, Beck, Declan, and even a reluctant Becca out of the room. He shot me one last glance before closing the door, leaving us alone in the dimly lit bedroom.
