Blame (Thiam TW)

Chapter 7: Defending Liam

Theo pulled into Mason's house. He saw curtains move and assumed they saw him. He knocked on the door and received no answer. He could hear footsteps; he almost laughed that they were trying to pretend they weren't there.

"Mason, Corey I can hear you; I'm alone," Theo called out.

Mason gave in and opened the door.

"Hey," Theo stared at them. Corey gripping Mason's hand as if he was a threat.

"Hey," Mason responded.

"Can we talk?" Theo walked in.

"Go on."

"You have to believe him; he's killing himself over this."

"Theo, you don't know how much I want to believe him. He's been my best friend my entire life; I love him like my brother, but his eyes are red. He tried to kill Scott before; if I didn't come in he might have."

"That was my fault not his," Theo interrupted.

"It might have been influenced by you, but ultimately Liam chose to do that. I don't think he killed Scott to steal his power, but I think he lost control. He was attacking the hunters and saw Scott lying there. He probably just wolfed out."

"He had no choice, trust me."

"Trust you?" Corey finally spoke, "Liam's one of my best friends too, but he killed his own alpha. The person who has taken care of him, mentored him, protected him, and even saved his life."

"Corey, you don't really think Liam meant to do that. You think Liam managed to make that story up!"

"No, Liam wouldn't make that up," Mason stared at the chimera, "but you and Nolan were the first ones to find him. You would make that story up to protect him; I know how much you love him. You probably figured you could protect him from the pack leaving him."

"Really Mason? You really don't believe him."

"Theo, I just need time; Scott was killed yesterday by Liam. How? I don't know, but just let us have time. I'm not going to leave him, but I think we need some time apart."

"We don't think Liam didn't it on purpose, but what if he loses control again?" Corey said stating the obvious question.
"Was Liam a threat to everyone else, grief now hanging over him; what else was he capable of?"

"Fine," Theo muttered, "just know he really needs you right now."

"I'll talk to him tomorrow at school," Mason stated.

Theo sighed and got back into his truck. School tomorrow. How the hell was Liam supposed to go to school? It might be a good distraction. He just couldn't believe Mason and Corey. Well actually he could, they weren't wrong. They didn't believe Liam did it in cold blood, but they believe he just lost control. How was he supposed to prove that Liam had no other choice? He drove back and walked inside greeted by Nolan.

"How'd it go?" Nolan jumped up off the chair.

"They don't think he did it on purpose, but they think he just lost control."

"Well, that's not bad."

"They still aren't willing to talk to him yet."

Nolan sighed and sat back down.

"School tomorrow?"

"You think Liam should go tomorrow?"

"I don't know if it will be a better distraction or torture."

"You could always just ask him."

Theo nodded, "has he left the bedroom yet?"

Nolan shook his head.

"Let me see if I can get him out," Theo climbed the stairs, "Little Wolf, I'm coming in."

No response.

Liam was lying face down in their bed, the smell of grief was overwhelming. Theo sat down beside him and began rubbing his back when he smelled blood as well.

"Liam, where are you bleeding?" Theo grabbed the alpha's arm as he winced in pain. The chimera slid down his sleeves to reveal claw marks. "Oh, Li."

Theo noticed it soon after he moved in with Liam when he got angry he either let it out on someone else or himself, a lot of times he chose himself. The first time Theo saw him do it was when he failed a math test; he came home ashamed. His parents were not thrilled; Liam's grades were already struggling, and that test wasn't going to help. After a lecture, he stormed up to his room. Theo checked in on him a few minutes later, seeing the beta digging his claws into his arms.

"Liam, what are you doing?" Theo ripped his hand away from his arm.

"Better me than someone else."

"What are you talking about?"

"When I lose control, I'm going to hurt someone or myself. I try to choose myself," Liam looked up eyes welling with tears.

"Hey, Liam you don't need to do this; you aren't a monster. You aren't going to hurt anyone," Theo stared at him.

"How do you know?"

"Because I know you."

Theo stopped him a few more times since then, but Liam promised him he would work on not doing that. However, with everything going on, it looked like Theo was going to have to help him break the cycle again.

"Are you mad?" Liam looked up, tears streaming down his face.

"No of course not," Theo brushed his hair off his eyes, "I'm just worried about you."

He grabbed Liam off the bed to go wash the blood off him. The alpha didn't even try to fight for once.

"Better?" Theo asked.

Liam nodded.

"Why don't we go downstairs, get something to eat, just get out of this room?"

"I don't think I can," Liam muttered.

"Okay, do you want me to stay or go?"

"Can I be left alone for a little bit?"

"Promise me, you are going to come to get me if the urges get bad again."

"I will."

Theo hugged him before walking downstairs.

"Any luck?" Nolan asked.

Theo just shook his head.

Nolan and Theo raked their minds for some plan to prove Liam's innocence.

"I'm going to make sure he gets some sleep," Theo stood up.

Nolan nodded, "goodnight Theo."

"Night, Nolan.