Chapter 51: Mates
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A smile touched his lips. "Of course. But your actions have already spoken for you. The question is whether you're ready to acknowledge what we both already know."
I reached for his hand, twining our fingers together. "I think I am. Though I have to say, finding out werewolves exist, discovering I'm half werewolf myself, and becoming an Alpha's mate all in the span of a few weeks is a lot to process."
"We have time," Liam assured me, bringing my hand to his lips. "All the time you need."
But as it turned out, time was a luxury we didn't have.
A week after my rescue, the cabin door burst open to reveal Maya, her expression urgent. "Liam, we have a problem. The hunters—they're regrouping. Richard escaped custody."
Liam was on his feet instantly. "How?"
"Inside help," Maya reported grimly. "And that's not all. They've taken Ethan."
"What?" Liam's eyes flashed gold with fury. "When?"
"Last night. He was returning from the northern territory." Maya glanced at me. "There's more. They left a message. They want to trade—Ethan for Charlotte."
My blood ran cold. "Richard won't stop, will he?"
"No," Liam growled. "But neither will we."
He began issuing orders to Maya about securing the territory and gathering the pack. I listened, my mind racing. Richard wanted me—not just because I was his granddaughter, but because of what I represented. A bridge between two worlds. A key to his plans for detecting and eliminating werewolves.
"I should go," I said suddenly, interrupting their conversation.
Both Liam and Maya turned to stare at me.
"Absolutely not," Liam said flatly.
