Chapter Fifty-Five: Bound by Blood and Promise
Luther made his way through the woods with swift, purposeful strides, his thoughts swirling with urgency and purpose. He barely acknowledged the greetings from his packmates as he passed, his focus unyielding as he neared the old house where Charlie waited. Dorian’s request was still fresh in his mind, a dull hum of frustration simmering beneath the calm he tried to maintain. He hated the thought of anyone taking something from Charlie, even something as simple as her blood, but if there was a chance she was immune… if her blood held answers, they couldn’t ignore it.
The old house came into view, its weathered exterior looking a bit more inviting in the midday light. As he drew closer, Luther caught sight of Charlie standing beside the house, her fingers buried in the earth. She was kneeling by a long-forgotten garden, pulling weeds and clearing away debris with a look of concentration. The sight of her, lost in her simple task, made his chest tighten with a surge of affection.
Charlie sensed his presence before he even spoke, her eyes lifting from the ground. Her face broke into a gentle smile, the warmth of it soothing the chaos in his mind. It was as if just seeing her calmed the storm that had been brewing inside him since the doctor’s proposal.
Before she could speak, Luther closed the distance between them, his hands reaching out to pull her into his arms. Her gasp of surprise was muffled as he held her tight, feeling the way her body tensed before she began to shove lightly at his chest. But he refused to let go, his arms holding her close as if she were his anchor in a world gone mad. He could feel Rex calming within him, the possessive growl of his wolf fading into a soft rumble of contentment.
"Luther," she murmured, her voice soft yet filled with a trace of protest. But after a moment, her resistance melted, and she leaned into him, allowing herself to relax against his chest. A sigh escaped her lips, a gentle, quiet sound that made his heart feel whole in a way nothing else could.
After a few more moments, Luther leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, the simple act filling him with an inexplicable peace. Reluctantly, he loosened his hold, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze searching his face as if trying to decipher the tension in his features.
"Luther," she said softly, brushing her fingers along his arm. "What’s going on? Is everything alright?"
He gave her a small, reassuring smile, though he knew that what he had to say would likely unsettle her. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, before speaking.
“Charlie,” he began, his voice rough yet gentle, “Dorian… the doctor, he wants to run some tests.” He paused, searching her face for any sign of fear or hesitation. “He thinks… he thinks you might be immune to the disease. That maybe there’s something different about you.”
Her brows furrowed, her confusion evident. “Immune?” she whispered, as if the word were foreign to her.
“Yes.” Luther held her gaze, his own expression serious. “Dorian believes that if we can study your blood, we might be able to understand why you haven’t shown any symptoms yet. He said… he said it could be the key to protecting the rest of the pack.”
Charlie’s eyes widened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “So… you’re saying that if I let him take my blood, it might help the others?”
Luther nodded, his heart pounding as he waited for her response. “That’s what Dorian thinks. But listen,” he said, his tone firm, “this is your decision. I told him I would never force you into something you didn’t want. If you don’t want to do this, then we’ll find another way.”
For a long moment, Charlie was silent, her gaze shifting downward as she considered his words. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, the quiet strength and resilience that he admired so much about her. Despite everything she had endured, there was a gentleness to her that hadn’t been broken.
Slowly, she looked back up at him, her eyes filled with resolve. “If it could save lives… if it could save our pack, then… then I want to do it,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes. “I may not have been treated well by most of the pack, but there are others—like Carol, and the children at the orphanage. If there’s a chance I can help protect them…”
Luther’s chest swelled with pride and admiration for her, though a part of him still bristled at the idea of her sacrificing even the smallest part of herself for those who had wronged her. But this was Charlie—kind, selfless, and brave in ways that few others could understand. She would never turn her back on someone in need, no matter the cost.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice softer now, his fingers brushing her cheek. “You don’t owe this pack anything, Charlie. Not after what they put you through.”
Charlie offered him a small, sad smile, one that spoke of both pain and forgiveness. “Maybe I don’t, but… they’re still my pack. And I would never want anyone else to go through what Leah did. If I can help prevent that…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked away, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Luther cupped her cheek, gently guiding her to look back at him. “You’re stronger than any of them could ever be, you know that?” he murmured, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “And braver.”
Charlie’s cheeks flushed, her eyes softening as she leaned into his touch. For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of the decision hanging between them. Luther’s heart ached with both pride and protectiveness, the instinct to shield her from harm warring with the knowledge that her sacrifice might be what saved them all.
Finally, he took a deep breath, nodding in acceptance of her choice. “Alright,” he said, his voice a quiet promise. “If this is what you want, then I’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll do this together.”
Charlie nodded, a flicker of relief passing over her face. “Thank you,” she whispered, her hand covering his on her cheek. “For standing by me. For… for everything.”
Luther’s gaze softened, a fierce protectiveness surging through him. “I’ll always stand by you, Charlie. No matter what.”
They stayed like that for a few more moments, holding onto each other in the quiet of the old garden. The birds chirped softly around them, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze the only other sound. It was a peaceful moment, one that felt almost surreal amidst the chaos that surrounded them. But in that instant, Luther knew one thing for certain—no matter what happened, he would protect her with everything he had.
Finally, he pulled away, giving her a small nod. “I’ll let Dorian know,” he said, his voice steady. “But if you ever feel uncomfortable… if you want to stop, you tell me. Understand?”
Charlie nodded, her expression resolute. “I understand,” she replied, her voice unwavering. “And… thank you. For letting me decide.”
Luther managed a small, reassuring smile, though the worry in his heart remained. He knew this was only the beginning of a difficult journey, but with Charlie by his side, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead. She had given him strength in ways he hadn’t known he needed, and he would be there to do the same for her, no matter what the future held.
As he turned to leave, Charlie called out to him softly, stopping him in his tracks. “Luther… can you stay a little longer?”
He looked back at her, his heart warming at the vulnerability in her voice. “Of course,” he replied, stepping back toward her, his fingers intertwining with hers as they stood side by side in the gentle afternoon light. The decision was made, but for now, they had each other.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
