What if I Stayed? (Thiam Fic)

Chapter Eighteen

"Can you believe it?" Mason asked Liam, having been unable to shut up about what had transpired last night. He understood why Mason was so invested but he had wanted to go on this run to clear his head, not hear about what was clouding his mind. "They were just using us! Killers. Professional killers. Using us."

"Yeah. Crazy." Liam mustered a weak smile, remembering Theo's crumpled body, the way he could barely hear his heartbeat. The way he couldn't take his pain. 

"I should've known dude. They were acting so off." Mason gave Liam a side eye, as Liam stayed silent. "So weird like disappearing at parties, hanging out with a bunch of juniors, lost in their own world, going crazy with workouts, randomly going off with Theo Raeken-"

That word. That name. The name of a boy who'd barely escaped death and woke up like he'd just seen the devil himself. That wasn't something Liam could bear to talk about right now. Not with anyone. 

He started running. Not just running, he was already doing that. Sprinting. Full force, werewolf power running. He couldn't stop. He needed to get away from the feeling of death and guilt that surronded him. He needed to get away from that name. 

It took a few minutes but Liam realized he had also left Mason behind. His best friend. He took a deep breath and prepared to run back when a car hit him, sending him flying.

Liam was sure he broke something and if he was human, he'd be in a shit ton of trouble. It was like his body was on fire as he groaned, rolling on the ground. Looking up, he expected to see some concerned citizen apologizing for destroying him with their fucking car. Instead, he was face to face with the blonde killed who had stabbed Theo and Brett with yellow Wolfsbane.

Wolfsbane. Shit.

Garrett brought his dagger down into Liam's shoulder, causing him to let out a howl or pain and agony. He laughed at the young beta's pain, a bitter and cold laugh. Liam could tell through the feeling that coursed through him, the blade was definitely still poisoned with Wolfsbane.

"Sorry about this Liam but I need to get to your alpha," Garrett picked up a large rock, crouching down and getting closer to the writhing boy, "or your anchor." And the rock smashed into Liam's skull, knocking him out cold.

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"Guys, I'm fine." Theo scolded, putting on the sweater that Stiles had brought for him. "Seriously. I'm fine."

"Garrett's still out there. Probably more hunters too." Scott said softly.

"Don't forget about Kate." Isaac added, staring at Theo like he was about to explode or crumble at any second. 

"How could I forget about the robbery and the deadpool dipshits?" Theo rolled his eyes, he was exhausted about them constantly worrying about him. He wanted to find Liam. "Does anyone know where Liam ran off to?"

"After we all walked in on you two, he just ran off." Malia shrugged and Stiles suddenly started spluttering.

"What? What did you guys walk in on? Why was I not informed of anything related to drama?" Stiles looking at everyone like this was the biggest betrayal of all time. If Theo hadn't just had a nightmare that made his skin crawl just to think about, he would've hit Stiles.

"They were hugging very... intensely." Malia started gossiping to her boyfriend like the rest of them weren't even there, "Also Theo was shirtless."

"And why wasn't this the first thing I learned about? Guys, come on. You can't do me like this." Stiles was shaking his head in disgust at the lack of trust he suddenly had for his pack. Isaac was snickering in the corner and Scott looked like he was debating pulling a Deucalion and killing his entire pack. 

"There was nothing to walk in on. He felt bad about not being able to save me more. You guys remember the guilt when we first started, right?" Theo asked and was met by silence. He was shocked to see Isaac and Scott actually look at each other for the first time.

"I only felt really guilty, stressed and scared about my anchor. That level that I saw in Liam last night was that intense." Isaac said and Theo froze. 

"Yeah, I'd have to agree." Scott said, looking at Theo, "Are you his anchor?"

"What? No!" Theo spluttered, feeling everyone stare at him, "No, of course not!"

"Isn't that a romantic thing?" Malia asked and the tension seemed to grow even thicker. He was sure even Stiles could smell his embarrassment.

"Usually. I haven't met a case that it isn't unless it's alpha and beta." Scott said and Theo wanted to run away and hide. "And you're not his alpha."

"No shit sherlock. I'm not Liam's anchor, he's not mine. End of story." Theo wanted to leave the animal clinic and go to school to find Liam. This was getting ridiculous.

"Are you sure?" Stiles asked, being geniuine for the first time. Not taking the piss out of him.

"Yes!" Theo threw his hands up and walked away, he was fully done, "Now, I'm going to drive to school and make sure Malia didn't freak him out by calling us gay for hugging."

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"Hey Theo," Theo turned around to see Mason, Liam's bestfriend, walking up to him. He looked worried. And smelled like he was on the edge of a panic attack. "Have you seen Liam?"

"I was actually just looking for him. Why?"

"He disappeared on our run after acting really weird. Garrett's still out there and after what he pulled last night... I'm worried." Mason admitted and Theo felt his heart drop. Liam was missing? Something was definitely up. "He isn't answering any of my calls and no one's seen him."

"I'll find him." Theo replied, a growl forming in his throat that he had to push down. He had to stay focused to help Liam. "Just let me know if you find anything."

"Okay," Mason fished around in his pocket before pulling out a piece of paper, "This is Garrett's number. I know you have Liam's already but just in case." The bell rang and Mason walked away heading to his class.

Before Theo could do anything with the phone number, Scott called him. Theo was already heading out the school doors, not willing to let school stop him from finding Liam.

"What is it Scott?" He growled into the phone.

"It's Liam." Scott sounded like he was trying to hold back tears and Theo's heart stopped. "Garrett has him. An- and he's going to kill him."