Chapter Fifty-Two: A Silent Protector
Charlie sat in the washroom, the warmth of the water long gone but the residual heat still clinging to her skin. She was clean now, dressed in fresh clothes that Luther had so kindly brought her, yet her mind refused to let her leave the small space. The wooden walls, chipped and worn, seemed to close in on her, not because of their condition, but because of the enormity of everything that had happened in such a short time.
Infected. The word echoed through her mind like a bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and guilt. The werewolf disease had already taken so many lives, and now she was at risk of carrying it, of spreading it to those she loved the most. She knew she shouldn’t have allowed Luther to get near her. Even if he kept his distance, he was still too close—closer than he should have been. But watching him take care of her, seeing the lengths he was willing to go to ensure her comfort, had made it impossible for her to push him away.
Luther had always been the quiet one, the more controlled of the twins, but tonight, his actions spoke volumes. He had stayed with her, despite the risks, respecting her space but never truly leaving her alone. His presence filled the emptiness around her, and Charlie couldn't deny how it warmed her from the inside out. The logical part of her brain screamed that he should leave, that he was putting himself in danger, but the emotional part of her—her heart—wasn’t ready to let go.
With a sigh, Charlie stood from the tub, pulling the clean clothes tighter around her still-damp skin. The cold air of the old house started to settle into her bones, urging her to move. She had been sitting there far longer than necessary, lost in thought, but now it was time to face the night.
As she approached the door, her heart gave a small flutter at the thought of Luther. She wondered if he had stayed nearby or if he had finally listened to the voice of reason and left. But when she pulled open the door and looked down the hallway, her breath caught in her throat.
There he was, standing at the end of the hallway, his eyes locked on her in a way that sent a wave of warmth rushing through her. His wolf eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, watching her, waiting for her. Her heart swelled with emotion—love, gratitude, fear, all mixed together in a confusing mess that made her feel both grounded and vulnerable at the same time.
He stayed.
He wasn’t supposed to. He should have left, gone back to the packhouse to protect himself, to stay safe from whatever danger she might be carrying. But he hadn’t. And in that moment, Charlie knew she couldn’t bear to ask him to leave.
Charlie gave him a small nod, acknowledging his presence, before turning back toward the room that had been prepared for her. The fire Luther had built earlier crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm glow that made the old house feel a little less abandoned. She was grateful for the warmth it brought, both to the room and to her heart.
But before she could close the door behind her, a black paw stopped it from shutting completely. Luther’s wolf had followed her, his massive form blocking the doorway. Charlie’s heart stuttered in her chest, unsure of what to do. Her first instinct was to tell him to stay back, to protect himself from her potential infection, but before she could voice her concerns, Luther quietly pushed the door open with his paw and entered the room.
She watched him, frozen in place as he moved inside. He didn’t come close to her, didn’t invade her space, but instead padded softly over to the door and used his head to nudge it shut. The action was so deliberate, so careful, as if he were trying to ensure that nothing could come between them. Without a glance in her direction, Luther curled up by the door, his large, black wolf form resting protectively in front of it, like a silent sentinel.
Charlie stood there for a moment, watching him in disbelief. He wasn’t leaving. He was staying, keeping watch over her, even though she knew he had every reason to go. Her heart swelled even more, and for the first time in hours, a small smile crept onto her lips.
He’s not leaving.
There was a part of her that wanted to argue, to tell him that this was dangerous, that he should put his own safety first. But the other part, the one that had spent years feeling alone and abandoned by everyone she thought she could trust, couldn’t bear to say those words. Not tonight.
Instead, Charlie rushed to the bed, throwing herself onto the lumpy mattress and curling up under the warm blankets. She lay there, her head resting on the pillow, watching Luther as he settled into place by the door. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, the room filled with the gentle warmth that Luther had provided.
As the minutes passed, Charlie’s eyes grew heavy, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to her. She watched Luther’s wolf form for as long as she could, her heart full of conflicting emotions—love, guilt, fear, and gratitude all swirling together. But as the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the bed lulled her deeper into sleep, she found herself letting go of the worry, just for a little while.
She slept soundly, the steady presence of Luther’s wolf guarding her through the night.
When Charlie woke the next morning, the early light filtering through the broken windows, her first instinct was to glance toward the door. Her heart thudded in her chest as she slowly sat up, scanning the room.
Luther was still there.
He hadn’t moved. His massive black form was still curled up by the door, his head resting on his paws, his eyes closed as if he had been keeping watch the entire night. Charlie’s heart softened even more at the sight of him.
He stayed. He really stayed.
She wasn’t sure how to feel. Part of her was overwhelmed by the love and devotion he had shown her, while the other part was consumed by guilt. He was risking so much just by being here, by staying so close to her when there was a chance she could be infected with the disease.
But at the same time, seeing him there, still protecting her, gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in days. It made her feel… safe.
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