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Liam gives Ben a big smile. "You're welcome, little buddy. What are big brothers for."
The little boy lights up again. "You're my brother?"
"Yeah, does that sound okay?"
"Great! Wanna play?"
Liam chuckles and pats him on the head. "I would love to play, but I'd like to talk to your mom first, if that's ok."
The boy just nods at him. Ben wiggles out of his mother's arms and wanders around for a bit, probably bored with this adult conversation. Though she has relaxed a little, Sarah is still tense; she keeps looking around, probably for Arthur. She looks so young. You can tell she is trying to stay strong, though her body language is saying she wants to run away. I know all too well the facade you need to put on to survive in this pack. She is scratching the inside of her palm with her fingers, likely trying to push off the anxiety we are causing her.
"I'm not sure what you want to talk to me about. Arthur will be back soon. He probably wouldn't like me talking to you without him here." She takes a step away from Liam, and it dawns on me that she might be frightened of him because he looks like his dad. It sounds like he must be very controlling if she can't talk to us without his presence.
I step in to try and comfort her; maybe talking to a woman will help her feel more comfortable. "Hi Sarah, you must be really frightened right now, and I get it. I want to re-introduce myself. My name is Paige Vata. I grew up in this pack and know how hard it is to live here. I was ostracized while living in this pack. Weakness is something you don't want to show, but I just want you to know that Liam and I aren't like that. We left the pack because we couldn't deal with it. We came because we want to help you. That could be us just popping in, or if you want, we can help you get away. Our intention isn't to make your life more difficult, but we know how important it is to have allies in this pack."
Sarah takes all that in, her eyes bouncing from me to Liam. She folds her hands in front of herself, fiddling with her fingers. She's still scared, but it looks like she might be starting to trust us.
"You can seriously help us get away, Ben and I?"
Liam speaks this time. "If that's what you want, then I will do everything in my power to take you guys away. I know what it's like living with him, Sarah, and I am so sorry for whatever has happened to you. Like I said, I literally just found out about you guys a few days ago. I would have come sooner had I known. I'm sorry."
A spark of hope lights in her eye, but before she can say anything else, Arthur pulls up the driveway and parks a bit further from Liam's truck. Arthur climbs out of his truck and heads towards us. His genes must be strong, because Liam and Ben look very much like their father. Brown hair and brown eyes. He is a big shifter; not as big as Liam, but you can still tell he has a lot of power in his body.
"Well, if my eyes don't deceive me, is this the prodigal son finally returning to his father?"
Liam tenses at the sight of him, but he doesn't back down. "You must be even more delusional now if you think I am returning to you, Arthur."
I think Liam deliberately uses his father's name to antagonize him.
"Watch your mouth, boy; you will show me respect. I am your father."
"You haven't been a father in years. What kind of father beats the shit out of his son, anyways?"
Sarah takes a step back, watching the fight brewing. She finds Ben and heads inside, a smart move. I, on the other hand, have to watch this unfold. My heart is pounding watching the confrontation.
"A father who knows you need to be strong to survive. I heard my delinquent son was in town. The whole pack knows by this point, including the Alpha, though he seems particularly interested in hearing Paige is back in town." His cold eyes land on me, but Liam steps in front of me to block his father's view.
Mic knows I'm here; what would he want with me? Why would he even care I'm here?
"Don't you fucking look at her, she is my mate."
His father scoffs. "Mate! Don't tell me you are going to mate with Paige fucking Vata. Have I taught you nothing, boy? You need to mate with the strongest, the purest. She is none of those things. I mean, look at her."
Liam moves quickly and lands a punch to Arthurs's face. Surprisingly, he falls back, but catches himself before he hits the ground. My stomach turns to hear how inferior I am to so many in this pack; I'm about to wrap my arms around myself, but stop; this guy a douche, and I like myself. I have to remind myself that I do like myself, and so does Liam; in fact, he loves me.
He is obviously not going to stand for this, anyway, which makes me really happy.
"Looks like you've been keeping up with your training. Proud of you." Is this guy fucking delusional?
"I don't give a damn what you think of me, but you will not insult my mate. I didn't come here to kick your ass, but I don't mind doing it to show you exactly what I have become over the years."
There is a glimmer of excitement and pride in Arthur's eyes, and quickly, he punches Liam in the face. The two of them start in on each other. I'm clutching my coat, and my heart is nearly pounding out of my chest.
Liam takes Arthur's legs out from under him and lands him on the ground; just as Liam goes to land a hard blow, Arthur kicks him in the gut, pushing him back far enough for him to jump up. Liam drives his elbow into his nose, causing it to bleed. Arthur falls back to the ground, holding his nose, eyes bloodshot, as Liam starts beating him. Liam eventually stands up as we both hear a howl coming from the main community. If we don't leave, we will be surrounded by the pack.
"Liam, we need to go."
Liam spits at his dad, who is groaning on the ground.
