13 Culpability

Liam's POV

"Put her in there," Alfolthrul said, pointing to a room beside his office.

"When you are finished, come to my office."

Entering the room, I laid Noir down. Her breathing was raspy and her body was caked in sweat.

Before covering her, I lifted her right leg gently and examined the bite mark. The wound had since closed but multiple black and dark blue veins had branched off in different directions, slowly making their way upwards.

Shit... I didn't mean for that to happen but then again, what was I thinking?

"You weren't," Grænn piped up. "You acted selfishly and on impulse. Now we wait to see if she survives it or dies."

The last part of what Grænn said, he spat angrily.

"Maybe but you know damn well it wasn't just my impulse that caused this," I snapped back in annoyance.

All I could see was Grænn slipping back into the darkness until only the glow of his eyes were visible and a growl could be heard.

Sitting back, I continued to watch as Noir's veins contracted and bulged from the bite before falling back into thought.

**Flashback**

What in the hell is happening? How does she know everything that she is saying?

I didn't know what to feel as Noir answered each question with ease every time I asked, despite her getting annoyed and not knowing anything, literally.

What had they done to her this time to make her react this way? Hell, how does she even have knowledge of a pack she doesn't even actually know about, me or my birthright?

It's like she has been completely stripped of her past life and living a different one.

Shit, how did she talk to the guards without me hearing it?

Then it hit me and I felt utterly dense.

They mindlinked.

That's not possible unless you're a part of a pack.

More questions swirled unrequited through my mind before a voice pushed me over the edge.

"Bite her, bite her and you will see,

A wave of random memories.

They may not be what you expect,

But that might be for the best.

So with this gift I bestow to you,

A way to see right to the truth,

Moments lost make witches wonder,

Warlocks plot and demons plunder,

This is not a jester's game,

So I'll help you fill in some blanks.

Only few you'll see for now,

More will come when you just howl,

Yet not just any howl will do,

You must be ready to ensue,

So every fortnight thrice has past,

Make your way to Gailen's Pass.

There your song will ring strong and true

And memories will flow through and through.

Yet if you fail this one task,

Calder will be her last breath.

Do not waste this spell,

For if you do,

You'll dine in hell."

It was then the impulse overwhelmed me and I bit her, knowing what dangers my bite held to one that wasn't a pureblood and Noir was not a pureblood.

Feeling her thrash against me, I knew I was poisoning her but I couldn't release myself from her thigh.

Images flashed across my vision.

Memories of what happened in that room.

Calder.

Rape.

Physical abuse.

His face.

I could feel his grimy hands all over.

The smell of his breath which made me want to vomit.

Olufemi.

A silver blade.

I feel the three places he constantly cut.

I felt the pain from whatever spell he casted.

Then when darkness hit me, I ripped myself away from Noir in utter disbelief.

I knew they had hurt her, especially Calder but I didn't know to what mental and specific physical extent.

I sat there and watched Noir jerk and thrash in pain from the bite. I couldn't even push myself to move to comfort her when she screamed.

I watched as her eyes became wide with horror, her mouth rigid and open, her beautiful face turn pale, gaunt and immobile; her fists clenched with blanched knuckles and her nails dug deeply into hair and scalp.

Yet I was stuck, unmoving as the images flashed through my mind, forcing my brain to soak in every detail, emotion and last ounce of pain before finally there was silence.

Blinking, I noticed Noir has stopped moving and her head lolled to the side, looking at me with almost dead eyes.

Fuck.

Rushing to her, I scooped her up, holding her to my chest.

"Take her to Alfolthrul. He may be a lycan and your uncle but he is also a soothsayer. He can help," Grænn spoke, his voice pained.

**End of Flashback**

A cough broke me from my thoughts. Looking at the door, I saw Beta Kaem.

"I apologize for the intrusion but the Alpha is waiting for your audience."

With a sigh, I nodded and stood, glancing at Noir one last time before walking out of the room.

***

After explaining everything to Alfolthrul, the man sighed before rubbing his beard.

"What were you thinking, Liam? You know the bite of a purebred lycan is venomous. If we bite a human, the chances of them turning is slim; they almost always die and if we bite another of our world that isn't of a purebred bloodline, they become infected... sick... poisoned and the chances of them dying is high."

When I didn't say anything, Alfolthrul let out a low growl before standing, rounding his desk and slammed his hand to my head.

When I looked up at him, his eyes had become white as they stared at what seemed to be nothing.

I didn't get to protest as a heavy wave of pressure slammed down on my skull, causing my back to arch and hands grip the arms of my chair before I yelled.

The pressure and searing pain felt as if it lasted hours when it only lasted a few minutes.

The moment Alfolthrul removed his hand, I was immediately jolted back as the air was stolen from my lungs.

Wheezing, I stared up at the man who looked down at me with an expression I couldn't read before his face hardened.

"Your path is set. The girl will be fine but you have been marked. Her fate literally lies in your hands. I wouldn't do anything further to hinder her lifeline. The only reason she is going to live from what you have already done is because you have imprinted on her. If this would of been done out of random, she would die."

With that, Alfolthrul said nothing further as he left his office, leaving me to ponder.