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He shakes his head at me. "You were the one just assaulted, and you're worried about me, knowing full well I signed up for a fight. You are an amazing woman."
It takes the two of us a moment to calm ourselves after all this. Many people come up and say they are happy Liam will be Alpha; he seems uncomfortable, but thanks everyone who makes an effort to talk to him. I'm also getting uncomfortable with all the females looking at his naked body, so I take my sweater off and hand it to him. He just smirks at me and winks, the jerk.
We make our way back to the truck, where Liam puts on some much-needed clothes. Thorn joins us to give us an update on what's happening.
"Paige, how is it that you always seem to get yourself into trouble?" I know Thorn's joking; he also knows I do better with that than getting all lovey-dovey on me.
"It's an art form," I smile back.
"Pick a different medium. Now, my team has rounded up the more outspoken members against the change in leadership, though I suspect some of them are still around and will need to be dealt with later on down the road. I have your father bound; he'll be heading back to the council with me," Thorn says with utter hate.
"Good," Liam says as he wraps his arm around me.
"It would be wise to set up here and get a sense of what the pack is feeling; there will be a lot of healing that needs to be done before this pack can really flourish. Are you willing to take that on?"
I know what Thorn is asking. Liam may have won the fight, and he has the right to become the Alpha, but it's still a huge responsibility that, up until a couple of days ago, wasn't part of his life. Liam pushes out his breath as he looks over the group of people milling about after the fight. Slowly, he nods his head in acknowledgment of what Thorn said. I guess we're staying, then.
"Yeah, they need someone better, and if anyone has a problem with us leading, then they can leave. I won't tolerate one word against us. I think it will need a thorough clean-out before we can move into a time of peace."
"Us?" Looking up at Liam, I'm shocked he would include me. I know I'm his mate, but I don't know, I guess I thought that I would just be along for the ride.
"Yeah, us, sunshine. I'm not going to do this without you, so if this isn't something you think you can do, then I'll leave it all behind, and we can go back to Twilight Meadows. All I care about is you."
He is so thoughtful and kind; he would leave being an Alpha if I wasn't comfortable. But I can't do that, walk away for this. There may have been a shit ton of people who hurt me growing up here, but not everyone is to blame, and so many of them were put into a position where they had no choice. Fighting back is hard, and I get that. We can help them; we can fight for them. Fight for the kids who, at one point, only had trauma as their future.
"I want to stay."
He smiles at me and kisses my forehead. The only thing I am afraid of is being around my parents again so much. I may have moved on, but I don't want or need them in my life.
"The first thing I want to do is exile Rain and Albain Vata. They are not welcome here, so if I am to stay Alpha, they will go."
A wave of emotion consumes me. He read my mind so thoroughly. I wrap my arms around him and cry quietly into his chest. He loves me so much that he would do that for me.
"It's okay, sunshine, don't cry." I nod my head and suck in the snot likely escaping my nose; how lovely. I am never letting go of this man.
"Did anyone see Sarah or Ben?" Liam asks, looking around for his half-brother and stepmother.
"No, I didn't. Do you think they are okay?" I look around, too, hoping to see them, but no luck.
"I think we should go to their house."
"You guys do that; I'm going to finish rounding everyone up and call the council. It's going to take a few more vehicles to transport some of the people we have arrested. Be safe." With that, Thorn turns and heads back into the crowd while Liam and I climb into the truck to head to his childhood home.
Chapter 24 - Liam
The adrenaline pumping through me during the fight has finally subsided, but the twist of anxiety in my gut hasn't. Seeing my dad behind Paige was a terrifying and heartbreaking experience. She has become my world, and without her, I am not sure living in this world would be worth it.
He had looked at me with disgust, as if I was the one who did something wrong. I squeeze her hand just to reassure myself that she is here and is safe. It's an out-of-body experience, knowing that my father would hurt someone I love. For some reason, I had it in my head that, sure, he would abuse me, but he wouldn't touch my mate. I don't understand how someone can be so violent and hateful to attack my beautiful sunshine. Hell, to attack any woman, for that matter. The tightness in my chest is starting to become unbearable.
"Hey, hey. Liam, it's okay." I turn to look at Paige, concern written all over her face. "You're breathing heavily and squeezing my hand pretty hard. Are you okay?"
I don't know, am I? I could have lost my life in that fight; I could have lost Paige.
"I could have lost you."
Concern and understanding cross her face. She is so beautiful. How could I have ever been so terrible to her growing up? How could I live without her now?
"I'm here, I'm okay, and so are you. Just take deep breaths." Doing as she says, I take lungfuls of air while trying to calm my racing brain. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.
