and a million other things like see if she still had a fucking job. Exactly how long had it been since that night in Silver Falls?
“You’re still recovering,” Noah explained. “Wolves do better in a pack. It’s why Liam stayed with you since we brought you here. I’m pretty sure it’s why you’re still alive.”
Zoe dropped her gaze from Noah to Liam who was still a giant fucking wolf. All she did was eye him as she finished eating. “I didn’t ask him to stay with me.”
“Actually, you did.” Lily smiled and took the empty bowl from her like it had been the most adorable thing she’d ever seen.
“I don’t need him, or you guys.” Zoe stood up and was secretly relieved when she didn’t stumble again and there was no dizziness. “I want to see Chris right now.”
Noah’s smile stayed on his face, but it went from genuine to plastered on, his hand on Liam’s scruff like he was holding him back while Alexander and Lily shared a look.
“Who would you like to take you there?” Noah asked.
“I don’t care.” Zoe crossed her arms over her chest and looked between the four of them. “Take me to the bathroom and then Chris. I need to make sure you’re not making things worse.”
Lily sighed but nodded her head. “Liam will take you. Noah will stay here, and Alex and I will go get your stuff. I’m sure you would like a shower.”
Zoe didn’t thank her even if she was grateful. These people had turned her life upside down and no, she wasn’t scared but she was fucking pissed. This better not mean all that hard work she’d done was being set on fire.
She didn’t need anyone, not even a pack. Zoe was going to learn how to manage this, and then she was going to go back to her life, wolf or not.
4
Liam
Zoe was a handful. She’d been awake for all of five minutes, and he could already see that. It wasn’t just her attitude and the way she snapped at everyone. It was also the way she expected instant compliance when she demanded something.
Her voice made him shiver in anticipation and he didn’t even really know her. Liam kind of hated her for that alone, but that wasn’t the worst of it. No, he had to get the mate with extreme independence to the point that she thought she needed nothing and no one regardless of the situation.
As someone who’d been stuck to his twin’s side his entire fucking life, Liam wasn’t exactly sure how to respond to that. It wasn’t something he thought he could ever relate to and that could pose a problem if he decided he wanted her as a mate.
Not that sharing a bed with her for days hadn’t already robbed him of a choice. Liam could feel the bond between them already. It was no longer barely a thread but something a little stronger – maybe not a thin rope, but a small cord that stayed taut, so he always knew where she was.
It wasn’t just spatial awareness either. Liam was attuned to every breath, every heartbeat. He had noticed every shift in her temperature and had adjusted accordingly. Ever since he’d found her in Silver Falls, he’d done everything in his power to give her the best chance.
Zoe was a fighter, even when she didn’t have to be. That much was clear when he watched her argue with everyone about everything. She was finally quiet and not exactly docile, but rather determined now that she’d taken care of business.
Liam watched her check over Chris, pulling back the blankets so she could check his catheter and IV. Once he’d healed and then didn’t wake up, they’d made sure he was at least taken care of. If he didn’t wake up in a few days they’d have to start intravenously feeding him.
In his wolf form Liam didn’t have to answer any questions and it may have been the coward’s way out, but Liam wasn’t ready for the questions he could see swirling in her eyes. Zoe had taken all this rather well, but they’d handed her proof and she hadn’t bothered to question anything else.
She would eventually and Liam would have to explain why he’d stayed by her side for days without knowing each other, why his presence and no one else’s would have worked.
Accepting she could shift between two forms as easily as breathing was one thing. Coming to terms with mates and the