Chapter 85: The Rising Threat
The walls of the packhouse felt heavier lately. Every stone, every beam, seemed to groan under the weight of unrest brewing inside their borders. Rumors had teeth sharper than any wolf’s, and Liam could feel them tearing little pieces off the unity they had fought so hard to protect.
But it wasn’t the rumors that gnawed at his soul.
It was Charlie.
His mate. His heart. His *everything*.
She wore the strain like a second skin, and every day that passed, he watched the light in her dim just a little more. The guilt gnawed at him relentlessly. He understood why she wanted to tell the pack how Luther had survived. He knew that in her heart, she believed transparency would bring the pack together.
But he couldn’t bring himself to agree.
Not when the thought of losing her again made breathing feel impossible.
When she had been ripped from their arms, it had nearly destroyed him—and his wolf, Alaric, hadn’t been much better.
‘We failed her once,’ Alaric rumbled in his mind, pacing like a caged beast. ‘We won't fail her again.’
‘We’ll keep her safe,’ Liam vowed silently. ‘Even if the world hates us for it. Even if *she* hates us for it.’
Shaking off the weight of his thoughts, Liam turned his attention to the hallway stretching before him. Dr. Boyd had summoned him urgently, saying he was close to something—something important. While he didn’t appreciate being summoned by the doctor, he couldn’t deny that he was anxious to get to him.
Liam’s feet picked up speed, each step echoing down the empty corridor. Hope sparked in his chest despite the darkness still surrounding them. When he pushed open the door to the infirmary, Dr. Boyd immediately perked up from where he was fiddling with test tubes and papers.
"Alpha Liam," the doctor greeted breathlessly, a wild gleam in his eyes.
"Doctor," Liam replied, already bracing himself. "What’s going on?"
Boyd practically bounced over, excitement radiating off of him. "I think I've finally done it. I've isolated what’s in Charlie’s blood that fought off the disease." He clapped his hands together. "All I need now is a sample from you to complete the tests."
Liam didn't hesitate. "Take whatever you need. Anything to ensure that Charlie is protected."
A deep laugh bubbled from the doctor as he hurried around the lab, gathering supplies. "I was hoping you’d say that," he said, pulling out a syringe. "I’m very close, Alpha. Very close. I believe with this, I can replicate the immunity—and distribute it to the pack."
Liam rolled up his sleeve without a second thought.
"If this works," Dr. Boyd continued, sliding on gloves and prepping the syringe, "it could change everything. The deaths will stop. The fear will ease."
"The unrest too," Liam muttered grimly. "The pack is ready to tear itself apart over these damn rumors."
Dr. Boyd nodded, a frown marring his forehead. "People grieve differently. Fear makes them desperate. They see Luther walk around healthy and wonder why their mates and children aren’t granted the same miracle."
Liam set his jaw tightly. "I understand their pain."
"But not their anger," Boyd finished for him gently.
"No," Liam agreed. "Not when it puts Charlie at risk."
Boyd inserted the needle with practiced ease, drawing Liam’s blood as he chatted about antibody replication and cellular resistance. His words were a lifeline, an anchor keeping Liam from spiraling too far into the guilt that constantly gnawed at him.
Just as the doctor was finishing up, the door swung open again—and Luther stepped inside, a grave look carved into his face.
Instantly, Liam knew something was wrong. "Luther?" he barked, moving to stand.
"We have a problem," Luther said without preamble. His voice was low and vibrating with tension. "Movement on the western border. A lot of it."
Liam froze. "How much is 'a lot'?"
Luther's expression darkened. "Hundreds. And some of them are sick."
Fear shot through Liam’s chest like a bullet. "They know," he said grimly. "About Charlie."
"Word’s out," Luther confirmed. "They’re not here for trade. They're coming to *take*."
Liam didn't wait for more. He was already moving, heart hammering as he burst from the lab and into the hallway, Luther hot on his heels.
"Security teams are assembling," Luther said, falling into step beside him. "Rowan’s warriors are still here. Between us, we might have a fighting chance."
*Might.*
Might wasn’t good enough.
Not when Charlie’s life hung in the balance.
The halls blurred around them as they sprinted through the packhouse, emerging into the open air behind it. The garden stretched out before them, bathed in the soft golden light of afternoon sun.
And there she was.
Charlie sat on a bench among the roses, her head tilted back, eyes closed as she basked in the light. For a moment, she looked untouched by the chaos, like something divine and untouchable.
Liam's heart twisted painfully.
He couldn't lose her. He wouldn't!
He forced himself to slow as they approached, seeing Rowan standing just beyond the hedges, his body tense and ready for a fight.
Instead of heading straight for Charlie, they veered toward her brother.
Rowan’s expression was grim.
"My scouts spotted them," Rowan said without preamble. "Close to the southern ridge. Over a hundred strong. More on the way."
"And the sick?" Luther asked tightly.
"Trailing behind them. Desperation makes them reckless. They’re bringing death with them—and they’re aiming it straight at *her*."
Liam turned to stare at Charlie, feeling Alaric stir violently inside of him. His wolf's growl vibrated through his chest.
‘Ours to protect.’
"We have to move her," Luther said. "Now."
"I’ll alert the others," Rowan agreed grimly. "We have to be ready for a siege."
Liam took one last look at Charlie’s peaceful face, committing it to memory. She deserved better than this. Better than violence and fear.
But for now…
For now, he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
Even if it meant bathing these lands in blood.
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