Liam sagged in relief. “You never have to worry about being controlled anymore. You’re free.”
“Will I still go berserk one day?” I asked cautiously, afraid of what freedom might mean for an omega like me.
Liam shook his head. “Omegas only went crazy because their brains were being messed with every time they were activated. You won’t have that problem anymore.”
Relief washed over me, and I found myself grinning. “I do feel lighter,” I admitted. “And my wolf seems more relaxed than she’s ever been.”
“Good,” Liam said, embracing me in a tight hug. “I promised I’d save you, and I’m glad I could keep that promise.”
His words were bittersweet, almost like a goodbye. “Liam, what’s going on?”
“Being a faceless mob boss for so many years has its consequences,” he explained, avoiding my gaze. “There are people who want me dead. I’ll still be around, but I have to return to my world.”
“What about Sabrina?” I questioned. “Are you just going to leave her?”
He sighed, pain clouding his eyes. “She’s not meant to be part of my world, Liza. I won’t be claiming her. Promise me you’ll never tell her what she is to me.”
“Is that really the best choice? She deserves to know.”
“Please. It’s the only way I can keep her safe. If my enemies find out what she means to me, she’ll become a target.” It cost him a lot to ask this of me.
Finally, with tears streaming down my face, I whispered, “I promise.” Even as I said the words, I knew I’d end up breaking them. Liam and Sabrina deserved to know the love a mating bond could bring.
“Thank you,” he breathed, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll see you soon.” Turning to Ty, he instructed, “Take care of my sister.” And with those final words, Liam left the room.
When the door closed behind him, I was left with a mixture of relief, sadness, and newfound freedom, all tangled up in an uncertain future.
126
LIZA
Isat beside Sabrina’s hospital bed, picking at the edge of the rough blanket draped across my legs. Sabrina fiddled with the cast on her broken arm, which was the only evidence remaining of her collision with a tree. She stared blankly at the ceiling, still trying to process everything that had happened. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor played like a metronome, punctuating the silence.
“Hey,” I said softly, nudging her with my elbow. “You’re going to be okay, you know.”
Sabrina blinked and slowly turned to me, her eyes glassy but slowly brightening. She forced a small smile and shook her head. “I can’t believe we made it out alive, Liza.”
“Neither can I,” I admitted, rubbing my hands together nervously. “But we’re here, and that’s what matters.”
Her smile grew slightly, and she exhaled. “Yeah, you’re right. We’re alive, and that’s enough for now.”
“Exactly.” I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, trying to convey all the strength and support I could muster. She needed it.
We lapsed into silence again, listening to the soft whispers of the nurses outside the door. The eerie shadows on the walls played tricks on my eyes.
“Hey,” Sabrina began tentatively as she broached the subject. “Do you know where Liam is? I haven’t seen him since…”
I swallowed hard, a knot forming in my throat. Though Liam had said he’d be back, I feared he might go underground again and leave us all behind. “He’s taking care of some things,” I managed to choke out.
Sabrina studied me for a moment, then sighed. “When I was almost unconscious, I could have sworn he called me his mate, but I must have imagined it, right?” She shook her head and chuckled, trying to brush it off.
My heart raced, and I bit my lip, struggling to hold back the truth. I was terrible at secrets, and this one felt like an unbearable weight. The words tumbled from my mouth before I could stop them. “Actually, he did call you his mate.”
“What?” Sabrina’s eyes widened, and she sat up straighter. “You’re serious? He really said that?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Damn…” She shook her head and laughed. “That guy. He better not run off like a wimp after saying something like that.”
