Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Cure in Her Veins
Liam paced the small, sterile lab, his nerves frayed, his wolf restless just beneath the surface. Every movement Dorian made, every quiet murmur or shuffle, had him on edge. His heart felt like it was caught in a vise, constricted with fear and a small, desperate spark of hope. The thought of losing Charlie to something like this disease had haunted him, keeping him up at night, feeding the ache in his chest. The only thing that kept him standing now was the tiny, fragile hope that the results would show she was safe.
Dorian worked steadily, his brow furrowed in concentration, mumbling to himself as he adjusted various dials and scribbled notes. Liam watched his every move, his eyes sharp, refusing to miss a single detail. His presence was tense and looming, filling the corner of the lab as he stood like a sentry, guarding against any possibility of failure.
“Please, let her be okay,” he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching and unclenching as he fought to contain the torrent of emotions swirling inside him. His wolf, Al, prowled anxiously in his mind, refusing to be soothed.
For the past few days, Al had been relentless, urging him to go to their mate, to hold her and assure her that she was safe. But Liam had resisted, determined not to let his own weakness put her at risk. Not until they knew for sure.
Finally, after what felt like hours of waiting, Dorian’s posture changed. He leaned over the microscope, his body stiffening, and his breath hitched as he adjusted the slide. Liam’s heart pounded, his body going rigid as he watched Dorian peer through the lens, his mutterings growing more rapid, excitement threading into his words.
Then, suddenly, Dorian let out a shout of pure, unfiltered joy. The sound filled the small lab, and Liam felt his heart leap in response. He was across the room in an instant, standing beside Dorian, his hand gripping the counter as he watched the doctor’s elation.
Dorian was dancing slightly on his feet, a broad grin splitting his face as he looked up at Liam. His eyes were alight with excitement, the kind of excitement Liam hadn’t seen in him in weeks.
“There are traces of the disease in her blood,” Dorian began, his voice bubbling over with energy. “Just like those we’ve seen in the wolves who succumbed to the illness.”
The words hit Liam like a blow, and for a moment, his hope faltered. The idea that Charlie had been infected, that the disease had touched her, made his stomach churn. But before the despair could fully take hold, Dorian reached out and gripped his arm, his face filled with a radiant smile.
“What does that mean?” Liam’s voice was softer than he intended, betraying the vulnerability he tried so hard to keep hidden.
Dorian’s eyes softened, his expression understanding. “It means she was infected, Liam, but… she didn’t succumb to it. She didn’t even get sick. Somehow, her body fought off the disease.”
Liam’s breath caught, his grip on the counter tightening. “She… fought it off?” His voice was laced with disbelief, a surge of hope beginning to blossom in his chest.
Dorian nodded enthusiastically, his face shining with the thrill of discovery. “Yes. Not only did she fight it off, but she showed no symptoms, no signs. It’s as if her body recognized it, then neutralized it without even flinching. Whatever is in her blood—it’s something we’ve never seen before. She has a natural immunity to the disease.”
Relief surged through Liam like a tidal wave, crashing over him and leaving him breathless. His legs felt weak, and he slumped slightly against the counter, his body finally releasing the tension he’d been holding for days. Al let out a howl of joy in his mind, the wolf’s relief mirroring his own as they both absorbed the weight of Dorian’s words.
Dorian, clearly pleased with the reaction, patted Liam’s arm reassuringly. “She’s remarkable,” he continued, his voice filled with awe. “While I can’t confirm if she was contagious during those first forty-eight hours, I can assure you that right now, there is no risk of her spreading the disease. Charlie isn’t just resistant, she’s immune.”
Liam exhaled a shaky breath, his vision blurring slightly as relief overwhelmed him. The thought that she might have been a danger to others, that she could have been isolated forever, had weighed on him more than he realized. And now, knowing that she was not only safe but immune—it was more than he could have hoped for.
Dorian chuckled softly, sensing the flood of emotions rolling through Liam. “Go bring your mate home, Alpha,” he said gently, his hand still resting on Liam’s shoulder. “She’s earned it.”
Without a word, Liam pushed off the counter, his determination renewed. He turned and strode out of the lab, his footsteps quick and resolute as he made his way through the packhouse and into the woods.
The late afternoon sun cast dappled light through the trees, illuminating the path he’d taken so many times over the past few days, the path that led to Charlie. Each step felt lighter, the joy building in his chest until it felt like he might burst. She was safe. She was coming home.
As he reached the old house, the sight of her filled him with a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in days. She was sitting on the porch, her gaze lost in thought as she stared out at the forest. Her face turned toward him as he approached, her eyes widening in surprise and then softening with relief as she took in his expression.
“Liam,” she murmured, standing to greet him, her voice hesitant.
He didn’t hesitate, crossing the distance between them and pulling her into his arms. Her body melted into his, fitting perfectly as he held her close, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair. She wrapped her arms around him, her touch grounding him, anchoring him to this moment of relief and joy.
“Charlie,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. “You’re coming home. Dorian ran the tests, and you… you’re immune.”
She pulled back slightly, her eyes widening with surprise and confusion. “Immune? How?”
Liam shook his head, still in awe of the miracle. “I don’t know, but you are. You fought off the disease without even showing symptoms. You’re not contagious, and Dorian believes your blood might be the answer we need. But most importantly, you’re safe, and I’m taking you home.”
Charlie’s hand came up to her mouth, her eyes filling with a mixture of relief and disbelief. She had spent days believing that she was a danger to him, to Luther, to the entire pack, and now, knowing that she could be with them safely… it was almost too much to process.
“Luther… does he know?” she asked softly, her voice trembling.
Liam smiled, shaking his head. “I’ll send for him.” He took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly, the warmth of her touch filling him with a joy he hadn’t known he could feel.
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