Chapter 16 A bit of truth
Liam's POV
After Dr. Theo's words echoed in my mind, a heavy weight settled on my shoulders.
I couldn't shake the worry I felt for Lucas.
How was he supposed to find his true mate before it was too late?
The thought gnawed at me, making me question the very fabric of our pack.
Here I was, struggling with the idea of having a beta without a wolf.
Just as I began to spiral into my own thoughts, Ryder, my wolf, broke through.
"Liam," he said, his voice gruff, "Lucas is a fool for choosing a mate who is not his true match."
"I know," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I genuinely don't understand what he was thinking. It's like he just threw away something irreplaceable."
"More like he threw himself into a pit," Ryder replied, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "How will he ever find his true mate if he's settled for less? What happens if he loses her? Axel will be the cost?"
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to settle the frustration bubbling within me. "I'm at a loss. I have no idea where to begin. Maybe I should just talk to him first."
"Sounds like a plan," Ryder said, the tension in his voice easing slightly.
As I walked toward Lucas and Ashley's room, the sudden eruption of raised voices halted my steps.
"What are we going to do, Lucas?" Ashley's voice rang out, sharp and panic-stricken. "I can't even comprehend this! If it weren't for you, I'd be with my mate right now! This is all your fault!" he shouted
Lucas's voice trembled as his next words, "You think I wanted this?
You think I didn't care? You were so consumed by your anger that you didn't even think of your true mate!
I was a fool for letting her slip through my fingers, and now look at us!
I should have claimed her the night she shifted.
I should have done it, and now... now I'm left hoping that Emily will forgive me. "
Emily? My heart raced at the sound of my sister's name.
I pushed the door open without a second thought, "Did you just say Emily?
" I demanded, my voice coming out sharper than intended.
Lucas's startled expression mirrored my own shock, as if he'd seen a ghost. "What the hell are you saying about my sister? "
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Emily's POV
After we dealt with the rogue threat, my heart felt heavy as we made our way to the bunker, attending to those in need.
The chaotic scene left many faces weary and frightened, their stories echoing the strength of our packs.
Among all of this, Lucas and Ashley's drama added another layer of stress.
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Axel.
He didn't deserve to be caught in the middle of all this conflict.
Why in the world had the Moon Goddess give him with a stupid human like Lucas?
Noah and I decided to regroup after cleaning up all the mess.
As we walked toward our rooms, talk of the earlier chaos lingered in the air.
I needed to shake off the heaviness of the day.
After a long shower, I felt the grime wash away, leaving me refreshed.
I slipped into a pair of cycling shorts and a tank top, feeling more at ease.
When I opened the bathroom door, the weight of the day still clung to me, but I was eager to find Noah and talk things through. We headed back to his room, an unspoken tension hung between us as we settled onto the edge of his bed.
"Hey, about earlier," I began, my voice steady but cautious. "Are you really sure you want this? What about your true mate? She's still somewhere out there, right? I don't want to be a homewrecker."
Noah let out a soft sigh, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. "Well, there's something you should know. My true mate... she died a long time ago. Before I even had the chance to meet her."
Confusion swept over me. "How do you know?" I asked, struggling to wrap my head around what he was saying.
"I felt it," he said simply, his voice heavy with a sense of loss that hung in the air like an unwelcome guest. "You just know when it happens.
It tears a part of your soul away. I never had the opportunity to find her, to even learn her name.
Just the reality that she was gone... it's something I've learned to live with, even if it still hurts. "
"Wow," I whispered, taken aback by the weight of his feelings. "I had no idea. That's... so tragic." I shook my head, trying to process the revelation. "But, Noah, that's not what I want for us. I just don't want to step into a role that doesn't feel right."
"Emily, it's not like that," he said softly, taking my hand in his, the warmth grounding me. "You didn't make me feel this way—this is just how things unfolded. I don't want you to feel burdened by my past. I want to know you, to build something with you, something solid."
I met his gaze, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of hope behind the sadness a chance for something real.
"Okay," I said, a smile forming across my lips despite the heaviness lurking in my heart.
"Then let's take it one step at a time. I think we can find a way through this madness together. Just... let's be ourselves."
"Deal," he replied, his tone lightening a bit. "Now, how about we plan our escape from this chaos? I know there's a pizza place nearby we could try."
"Pizza sounds perfect!" I laughed, feeling a wave of gratitude for this moment. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to work my way through this tangled mess of life after all. I could carve out a fresh start with a new pack and a new mate? . My second chance perhaps?