Red String of Fate - Thiam

Chapter 20 - Harper

December 13th - Monday (Full moon) 

Harper P.O.V.

My steps trace an invisible line on the floor of Lydia's house and I know that if I continue for much longer I will wear out the floor. Mason next to me looks as nervous as me.

"Why are you nervous? It's not his first full moon." Lydia appears next to us and hands us a glass of water.

"Today is different." I bite the inside of my cheek.

I look at Malia sitting on the couch and notice her concentrated expression.

"What 's happening? What do you hear?" I sit next to her.

"Liam can't control himself, nor does the mantra seem to be working."

"But why?" Stiles is now worried too.

Theo isn't here. I think and control the torturous urge to call him to come.

"Maybe he has a new anchor." Lydia says and Stiles looks at her like she said the most ridiculous thing ever.

"No chance, he didn't tell us anything."

I stay silent and exchange a look with Mason and Corey. From their expressions I can tell they had the same idea as me. Malia shifts uncomfortably next to me, catching my attention.

"He is hurting himself. Doesn't let Scott near him."

I jump up from the couch and run to the stairs that lead to the basement.

"What are you doing?" Stiles shouts after me but I ignore him. "He might hurt you."

"I don't care."

I head downstairs with a plan in mind. I'm not going to let Liam get hurt and if the pack gets mad with Theo's return, I'll beat them all up myself until they gain some maturity.

I burst the door open and my heart breaks at the sight in front of me. Liam is tied from head to toe and his own blood is dripping from his hands. Tears run down his face and his yellow eyes are filled with fear. When he sees me he starts to growl more and more and Scott runs to my side.

"Go back upstairs." Scott grabs my arm tightly trying to pull me away from Liam but I push him. "He doesn't want to hurt you."

"He won't. I know what to do. But promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"I really need you to trust me."

"You're part of my pack, I trust you with my life."

"Promise you'll go upstairs and no matter what you hear me say to Liam, you won't freak out and you'll support Liam above all. I don't want you to get angry and you're going to have to control Malia and Stiles because they definitely won't like it."

"I promise." Scott doesn't take long to respond but I see uncertainty in his eyes. Then he turns around and leaves me alone with Liam in the basement.

Liam continues to struggle against the chains and his growls fill the room. If I don't hurry up, he'll be able to free himself. I approach him without fear and sit on the floor in front of him.

"Li, calm down, let's call Theo, what do you think?"

After hearing Theo's name, Liam stops moving but his claws and fangs remain dangerously exposed. Liam's roars are replaced by Malia's from upstairs. Liam is too affected to respond but nods.

I turn on my cell phone and type in Theo's number, which answers on the second ring.

"Harper? Is Liam okay?" Theo sounds extremely worried, knowing that I would only call him if it was extremely necessary.

Hearing Theo's voice, Liam closes his eyes and his breathing seems to calm down a little, which isn't much as he still looks like he's just run a marathon.

"We need you to come here, now." I say and immediately hear a door opening and closing as if Theo was already ready to leave if necessary.

"I'll be there in five." I hear Theo start the car and I look at Liam, who despite appearing calmer continues to pierce his skin with his own claws. Of course, listening to the voice of your anchor helps, but it will never be enough. "Is Liam next to you?"

"Yes, you're on speaker."

"Little wolf, hold on, I'll be there before you have time to blink."

"They won't like to see you." Liam manages to say.

"I don't care, I'll fight them all if they try to keep me away from you."

"I don't want to hurt you." Liam cries.

"You won't."

Scott must have done a good job holding back Malia and Stiles because when Theo enters the basement at lightning speed he shows no sign of having been in a fight. He runs to Liam, not hesitating to hold his shoulders.

"It's okay, I'm here."

Before leaving them alone, I smile as I look at them. Liam is in good hands.

When I get to the living room I see Scott holding Malia by the waist so she doesn't move, Stiles lying on the floor with Mason and Corey holding onto one leg each and Lydia sitting on the couch with a serene expression. Malia emanates anger, Stiles looks like he wants to puke, Mason and Corey are smiling though nervous, Lydia is calm and Scott looks mostly confused.

When they see me, Scott lets go of Malia who comes running towards me. I raise my hand and point to the couch.

"Sit." I look at Stiles who has also freed himself. "You too. Sit down."

They both grumble but don't hesitate to sit down.

"Why is Theo here?" Scott is the first to speak, I can tell he's trying to remain impartial on the matter, wanting to hear my explanation.

"Liam needs him."

"Why?"

"For a true Alpha you're a bit slow. Theo is Liam's anchor." I explain.

What happens next will make me laugh every time I remember it. Stiles screams and faints on top of Lydia, and Malia jumps off the couch with a disgusted face.

"No! I won't let that happen. I'll kill that stupid chimera once I put my eyes on him again."

"Malia..." Scott pushes her to the couch again and looks at me. "Maybe we should talk when Liam's alright. We'll leave it for today, also Stiles would kill me if we talked about this when he's unconscious."

"Please, don't be hard on him. Liam is happy, really happy."

"Because of Theo?"

"Yes, because of Theo."