The Last Black Wolf

Chapter 25

"You have a lot of questions, I assume?" I ask.

"And you have answers?"

I shrug, "More or less. But, if I do, you'll get the truth. And I won't keep anything from you." I look him dead in the eyes so he knows I'm serious.

"Ok." He nods and lets out a breath, "Why did you lie to me when you said your power could heal the poison? On top of that, why didn't your internal injuries heal?"

"I didn't know until I used it the first time on myself when fighting Hunter. I felt the mercury still in my veins. I could still feel its effect. Mercury isn't like silver. Silver hurts your wolf and you. But mercury... only affects my human body. Whatever happens to me in human form either takes a long time to heal or won't heal at all."

"But why did you lie about it in the end?"

"Because... because I didn't think that it got that bad. I turned off my pain receptors while fighting Hunter and just didn't pay attention. So when he stabbed me, I guess my body reached its limit and I finally felt what my body was trying to tell me."

He sighs before asking another question, "What did he do to you while you were... gone?"

I mimic his sigh but add a slightly upbeat tone with my words, "Nothing truly bad. You know, just his typical psychological taunting followed by continuous mercury drugging and then a brief physical altercation which ended up with me blacking out and waking up as an emotionless murderous werewolf." He doesn't smile.

"Was that supposed to be funny Ki? You could have died!" He takes a deep calming breath.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how to deal with my trauma healthily. If I make fun of it, maybe it'll help-" I start, guilt rising with each word.

"Don't ever apologize for being in pain or for suffering." I'm taken aback by his words. He's not mad at me? "I'm sorry that I can't do more for you. That I wasn't there like I should have been. You mean everything to me. Always have. I hate to see you suffering and struggling and it makes me angry that he did that to you. I will be here for you Kiara and whenever you want to talk, I'll be here. I'll be there. I'll be wherever you need me and whenever."

I squeeze his hand. This is what I need. I'm not weak for it, right? "Thank you, Liam. I don't know how long it will take or if time will even fix it, but I will become stronger. I promise."

"You are already strong. You just need to remember to think that way. And I'll be there to constantly remind you. So will everyone else." He leans in close and places a gentle kiss on my head.

"You know you're not going to break me. You don't have to be so gentle." My eyes widen as I realize what I said and how it sounded. I look up at Liam and his eyes go dark for a split moment before they are back to normal.

He chuckles and with a low growl, "I'll remember that. And I'll be sure to quote you if you protest."

I swallow, as I feel my face heat up. I'm... embarrassed, but also turned on.

"Now get some rest. I'll get some food for us." His quick 180 snaps me back to reality. I let out a long breath after he leaves, but he continues to tease me.

"Just try to hang in there. As soon as you're all healed up, I'll make sure you'll never want to leave my side."

"Stop. I can't heal while thinking about what I'm missing now," I pout through our bond and he chuckles in response, "Bring me back the biggest burger there is."

"Will do. I love you."

I warm at the thought, "I love you too."

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