CHAPTER 256

CHAPTER 256
Mia's POV

The doctor I'd called to examine Liam finished his assessment with a look of surprise on his face. "His injuries are healing remarkably fast," he told me quietly. "Much faster than they should be, even for a werewolf."

I nodded, not entirely surprised. Alpha healing abilities were always stronger, and Liam's wolf was clearly more powerful than most.

"He should be fine by tomorrow," the doctor continued, packing up his supplies. "But he needs rest. No stress, no physical exertion."

After the doctor left, I settled into the chair beside Liam's bed to wait for him to wake up. The brothers had wanted to post guards, but I'd insisted on staying with him myself.

He looks so different when he's sleeping. Younger, more vulnerable. Less like the terrifying Alpha everyone fears.

When his eyes finally fluttered open a few hours later, the first thing he did was look around frantically until his gaze found mine.

"You're still here," he said, his voice hoarse with relief.

"I told you I would be," I replied gently. "How are you feeling?"

He tried to sit up, wincing as his ribs protested. "Better. Much better than I deserve."

"Liam, I'm so sorry about what they did to you," I said, guilt weighing heavily in my chest. "They were just worried about me, but that doesn't excuse-"

"It's fine, Mia," he interrupted, his hand reaching out to cover mine. "I understand why they reacted that way. If someone had taken you from me, I probably would have done the same thing."

The way he said "taken you from me" sent a little shiver down my spine. There was still that possessive undertone in his voice, that sense that he saw me as belonging to him somehow.

"Liam," I said carefully, "I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Promise me you won't try to hurt me or manipulate me again. That you'll respect my choices, even if you don't like them."

He was quiet for a long moment, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand.

"I promise," he said finally. "As long as you don't push me away completely. As long as you give me a chance to prove I can be better."

I felt a flutter of discomfort at his words. There was still that underlying expectation there, that hope that somehow we could be together. But I pushed the feeling aside.

He'll get over it eventually. He'll find someone who can love him the way he deserves to be loved.

"I won't push you away," I assured him. "But you need to understand that my priority right now is my children and figuring out who's really behind these attacks."

"I understand," he said, though I could see the longing in his eyes.

Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway. Xavier, Nathan, Sean, and Rolex appeared in the doorway, their expressions still wary and hostile.

"How is he?" Xavier asked grudgingly.

"Healing well," I replied. "He should be back to full strength by tomorrow."

"Good," Nathan said flatly. "Because we need to talk."

I could feel the tension ratcheting up again. "About what?"

"About the fact that you're putting yourself in danger by trusting him," Sean said, his eyes never leaving Liam's face.

"We've been over this," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "He's not the enemy."

"Maybe not," Rolex said, speaking up for the first time. "But he's still dangerous. He's still the Alpha of a pack that everyone fears."

"And why do they fear his pack?" I challenged. "Because of crimes they didn't commit. Because of lies and propaganda spread by the real criminals."

"You don't know that for sure," Xavier said.

"I know him," I replied firmly. "I've spent months with him. I've seen how he is with my children, how gentle and caring he can be. He's not a monster."

Liam tried to sit up straighter, his voice weak but determined. "I just need someone to believe in me," he said. "For twenty years, everyone has looked at me and seen only what they wanted to see - a demon, a killer, a threat. But I'm not those things."

"You're the leader of outcasts and exiles," Nathan pointed out. "People who have nothing left to lose. That makes you unpredictable."

"It makes me desperate," Liam corrected. "Desperate for a place in this world where my people can live without being hunted."

I could see the pain in his eyes as he spoke, the weight of two decades of persecution and exile.

"He doesn't deserve to be with you," Xavier said suddenly, his voice hard. "He's still part of the chaos that's destroying our community. His very existence brings violence and fear."

"He is not part of the chaos," I said firmly. "He's a victim of it, just like everyone else."

"You're being naive," Sean said. "You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

"My emotions?" I stood up, anger flaring through me. "You mean my compassion? My ability to see past the surface and recognize someone who needs help?"

"We mean your tendency to try to save everyone, even when it puts you at risk," Rolex said quietly.

Before I could respond, the sound of gunfire erupted from somewhere outside the mansion. Then came the shouts, the sound of running feet, the crash of breaking glass.

"What the hell-" Xavier started, but he was cut off by one of his guards bursting through the door.

"Sir!" the guard gasped, blood streaming from a cut on his forehead. "We're under attack! Unknown hostiles, heavily armed. They've breached the outer perimeter!"

The irony of the situation wasn't lost on any of us. Here we were, arguing about whether Liam was dangerous, when the real danger was literally breaking down our doors.

"How many?" Nathan demanded, already moving toward the weapons cabinet.

"At least twenty, maybe more," the guard replied. "They came out of nowhere, sir. Professional, coordinated. This isn't some random attack."

Xavier turned to look at Liam, suspicion still evident in his eyes. "How convenient."

"This isn't my doing," Liam said, struggling to get out of bed despite his injuries. "My people don't even know where I am."

Another explosion rocked the mansion, closer this time. Through the window, I could see muzzle flashes in the darkness.

"We need to get out of here," Sean said grimly. "Now."

But as we moved toward the door, I couldn't help but wonder - was this attack really just a coincidence? Or had someone been watching us, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?

And if so, who was pulling the strings?

The answer to that question might be the key to everything.