Chapter 50: The Heart Tree

272words2026-01-19 05:17

Recovery was slower than I expected, even with my newly discovered werewolf heritage. The silver bullet had done significant damage, and as Ethan explained during one of his visits, my mixed blood meant I healed faster than a human but slower than a full werewolf.

Liam rarely left my side during those first few days, attending to pack business from the cabin and delegating responsibilities to Maya and other trusted betas. His protective instincts seemed to have gone into overdrive since my injury, something Jackson found endlessly amusing.

"He's been like this since you were shot," Jackson informed me with a grin during one of his visits. "Growling at anyone who gets too close, barely sleeping. Classic Alpha mate behavior."

"Mate?" I questioned, the term catching me off guard.

Jackson's eyes widened. "He hasn't talked to you about that yet? Oops. Forget I said anything."

But I couldn't forget, and when Liam returned that evening, I broached the subject.

"Jackson mentioned something interesting today," I said casually as Liam changed my bandages with gentle hands. "Something about ‘Alpha mate behavior.'"

Liam's hands stilled momentarily before continuing their work. "Jackson talks too much."

"Is that what I am to you?" I pressed. "Your mate?"

He finished securing the fresh bandage before meeting my eyes. "Among werewolves, a mate is… more than what humans would call a partner or spouse. It's a lifelong bond, deeper than marriage. Wolves mate for life, Charlie."

"And you think I'm yours?" I asked softly.

"I know you are," he replied with quiet certainty. "I've known since the moment you took that bullet for me. Maybe even before that."