"Do You Blame Me?"
2027 Words
Liam picked at the food that had been put on the table in front of the armchairs in Todd and Amelia’s suite. It had been three days since Liam and Jordans return, and Todd had yet to see Jordan personally. He hadn’t seen Amelia either. She was now sleeping on a lounge in Bastian’s room awaiting the imminent attack from the Vampires.
Liam was still struggling with food. He wanted to eat everything in front of him but any more than the limited amounts he allowed would cause vomiting. His body simply wasn’t ready.
He had taken to bathing twice a day in the oils Miranda had made for him and his skin had improved dramatically. Although he remained unconscious, Jordan was also being bathed twice a day and had also had his head shaved so the physical healing could begin. Rose stretched his limbs daily and massaged his whole body to aid with the healing.
Liam and Todd stretched together daily and while Todd had encouraged some walks, Liam was still not ready to leave the suite.
“Remember the first time we heard music in the human world?” Liam asked staring off into the garden outside.
“Oh man, we were terrified! I will never forget that day.” Todd laughed.
“It was the first time we had seen a car too.” Liam remembered.
“We thought it was some kind of crazy witchcraft.” Todd replied. “That was nothing compared to the first time we drove a car.”
“I was sure we were going to die that day.” Liam chuckled.
“I remember because you kept screaming it at me!” Todd burst out into his loud, booming laugh.
“Man, we were so brave. Everything was so new and we ate it all up and looked for more.” Liam smiled.
“Because we had each other, no matter what. And then we had Will and James and it seemed like there was nothing we couldn’t do.” Todd added.
“But you and I, we could have conquered the world. I guess now we know why.” Liam sighed.
“You’re an Alpha.” Todd began.
“No brother, YOU are an Alpha. You were always the stronger one.” Liam interrupted.
Todd looked at Liam for a moment. “Do you not understand I could be strong because I had you. You and I are stronger together.”
“I don’t feel strong.” Liam sighed.
“Liam, maybe you need Sabrina to feel strong. Maybe that’s what’s missing. Brother, I will stay holed up in here with you until the end of time if that’s what you need, but outside those doors, people are hurting. They need you too.” Todd replied.
Liam looked at Todd stunned.
“Brother, tell me what it is. Why wont you see anyone?” Todd asked.
Liam put his head down and closed his eyes. “Look at me Todd. No wolf, no muscle tone, no hair. I’m not the person they knew. I gave up.”
“Liam, do you blame us or not coming to get you?” Todd asked.
Liam stared at Todd. “Of course not.”
“Liam, do you blame me?” Todd asked.
“No Todd, I don’t blame you.” Liam replied.
Todd stood, walking towards Liam and leaning his hands on the arms of the armchair Liam sat on. “Do you blame me?” He asked quietly.
“Todd, no.” Liam shook his head.
“Do you blame me?” Todd asked a little louder.
“Stop, I told you I didn’t!” Liam was getting angrier.
“DO YOU BLAME ME!” Todd roared in Liam’s face.
Liam’s eyes changed and his head snapped back. He snarled as he pushed up and shoved Todd back, so he fell on the floor. Todd stood toe to toe with Liam and shoved him. “DO YOU BLAME ME!?”
“YES!! I NEEDED YOU!” Liam roared shoving Todd’s chest. “ I needed you and you didn’t come!”
Liam’s eyes flashed as his teeth elongated. He stood over Todd until movement caught his eye. He looked sideways and realised he was halfay through shifting.
He stopped and looked at his hands.
“Don’t think Liam, just feel!” Todd roared at him.
Liam’s head fell back as he roared and began his shift. It felt to him like the first he had shifted. His body ached but he pushed through the pain. He needed Kai.
“AAArrggghhhhhhhh.” Liam roared as his wolf took control of their body.
The door opened and Lachlan stood in the doorway. He looked from Todd to the wolf in the room.
“Liam?” he asked.
Todd nodded.
“Thank the Goddess. Would you like to run?” He asked.
Liam’s wolf sat back and nodded its head.
“It probably isn’t safe here. Shall we run in the human world?” Lachlan asked?
Again Kai nodded his head.
Lachlan stuck his head out the door. “We need a portal to the pack house!” He called out. Otis came forward and opened the portal.
Todd had also shifted in this time. Liam entered the bedroom, removing his clothes and shifting.
Amelia came running out of Bastian’s suite to see what the commotion was about. As she came down the stairs, she saw the three wolves descend the stairs and run towards the portal. Her heart leapt as she saw one of them was Todd. She immediately mind linked Esmeralda.
“Todd, Liam and Lachlan are heading out for a run. Let’s give them a show of support!”.
By the time Todd, Liam and Lachlan had run through the portal and to the back door the back yard was filling up with wolves. The wolves from Jordans pack were on their way through the forest to meet them. It was the middle of the day, but nobody cared. Liam was back and they all wanted to show their support.
Sabrina came out of her back door to see what the commotion was about. At the sight of Kai the wolves had all howled with delight. Liam walked over to the fence, standing on his back legs to look over the fence.
Sabrina held out her hand and he nuzzled it. She rubbed his cheek and ears. Liam dropped down to his haunches and raised his head to look at the top of the fence. Sabrina ran around to the front of the pack house and came to stand in front of Liam. He was still on his haunches, but he dropped his head. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around Kai’s neck.
Amelia and Esmeralda had arrived by this time and Matilda and Angelique had been watching from the start. Micah, dropped to his haunches and Amelia got on his back. Griffin did the same for Esmeralda. Sabrina, Matilda and Angelique looked on in surprise.
Amelia laughed. “Your husbands have never taken you for a run?” She asked.
They all shook their heads.
“Then you are in for a treat!” She cried. A howl at the forest let them know Jordans pack had arrived.
“Find your mates, jump on their backs and hold on.” She cried as Micah stood up and moved forward. Liam walked behind, Sabrina now on his back and Lachlan came behind Liam. They stood in a line once they reached the tree line and the pack circled them in anticipation. Micah looked at Kai who nodded. The two of them ran side by side as the rest of the pack opened the circle to let them pass and then fell in behind them. They ducked and weaved their way through the forest, coming to the clearing where they often held meetings or met for runs.
Todd shifted and Amelia threw him a pair of shorts. She only had enough for Todd, Liam and Lachlan and she knew Esmeralda had 3 pairs also. The rest were going to be standing around naked. She felt a little bad that she hadn’t warned the others.
She heard a gasp behind her as Angelique realised the wolves were all naked. She giggled and looked at her prim sister. Matilda seemed completely unfazed.
Todd put his hand up for quiet.
“Thankyou to every one of you who answered the call here today to welcome back my Beta Liam. As many of you know, Liam and I are very close, and I love this man like a brother.” He began, wrapping his arm around Liam’s shoulders.
The crowd cheered and whistled.
“What you all wouldn’t know, is that Liam is in fact my cousin by birth.” The crowd went silent.
“I cant find the words to express how grateful I am to everyone who has contributed in any way to bringing him back to me and those of you here to welcome him back. As of an hour ago, Alpha Jordan remains in a state of sleep. He has neither progressed nor declined and we are doing everything we can for him. Heath will continue to carry most of his role, I will be available as will Lachlan to help with whatever you need. The Magic Academy has neared completion, despite the interruptions and additions. Jordans dream is coming to fruition down in the village. Every single one of you should stand proud today of all we have accomplished. You do your Alphas proud!”
The crowd cheered loudly and then, from the back of the crowd came a chant.
“Liam, Liam, Liam.”
Todd looked at Liam and he stepped forward nervously.
The crowd again cheered as Liam put up his hand for quiet.
“As you can see, I am still recovering.” Liam smiled as he wrapped his arm around Sabrina. “But I couldn’t be more grateful to be amongst you all today. I lost my wolf while we were held prisoner. I felt like I had lost everything.” He smiled down at Sabrina who was openly sobbing. “But now I am home and more determined than ever to prepare for the coming war!”
The crowd went crazy as Liam scooped Sabrina up and kissed her. “I missed you so much.” He whispered, tears in his eyes.
“I missed you too.” She replied, kissing him.
“Let’s head home!” Todd roared as he stripped out oh is shorts and threw them to Amelia. He shifted and she climbed onto his back.
“You’re shameless.” She whispered in his ear as he turned and ran for home.
Jordans pack veered off towards the village as they got closer to the pack house. The way the village was growing, the two communities would soon be joined. It was lucky the ranked members of both packs could lead in perfect harmony.
When they arrived home Liam shifted in the pack house yard.
“It’s time for me to go home Alpha.” Liam called out as Todd threw him a pair of shorts.
“Indeed it is Alpha.” Todd smiled.
Amelia and Sabrina both looked at Todd.
“We’ll discuss it all later.” Todd smiled. “Take your wife hoe and don’t answer the front door for at least 24 hrs. I’ll put a guard on it!”
Lachlan stepped forward. “I will do it.” He volunteered.
“I can’t ask you to do that Dad.” Liam shook his head.
Tears sprung from Lachlan’s eyes as Liam stepped forward and hugged him. “I’m so grateful for all you have done already.” He whispered.
“You and Miranda should join us for tea tomorrow night Lachlan.” Sabrina said smiling.
“We would love to.” Lachlan smiled.
“Now go you two!” Todd called out smiling.
He missed the icy smile he got in return from Sabrina. Liam might be back, but Sabrina had still not forgiven him.
- Writer
