Chapter Text
After the Anuk-ite, the secret was out. Everyone knew that werewolves were real, and everyone knew that Liam Dunbar was a werewolf. The overwhelming stench of fear that had filled the halls of the school was gone, but a watchful wariness had replaced it. No matter where Liam turned it seemed that eyes followed, judging him, weighing up his every move, evaluating his actions, an itch in the centre of his back that made him feel trapped.
“Why are they all staring?” Liam hissed to Mason, both of whom were waiting in line at the cafeteria. His fingers were clenched around his lunch tray, almost white with the force of his grip. Any harder and he’d bend the plastic. He forced himself to loosen his grip, grinding his teeth instead. The more they looked, the more his anxiety built. It was like they were all waiting for him to make a mistake, and knowing him, it was inevitable.
Mason glanced behind them, taking in the deathly silent room, every single set of eyes on them. It was eerie. They barely blinked, barely even dared to breathe. They weren’t scared though. Instead, their eyes were filled with a sort of anticipation.
He looked back at Liam, offering him a shrug.
“They’re not sure about you,” he said. “If you’re a danger or not. On the one hand, you’re a werewolf, which you have to admit is pretty scary. But on the other hand, you helped to save the town.”
“I’ve saved the town heaps of times,” Liam pointed out, rolling his shoulders, the itch becoming unbearable.
“Yeah,” Mason agreed, “but now they know.”
Both of them glanced back at the sea of faces. As soon as Liam’s eyes swept the room, they all found something else to look at. Frustrated, he turned back, the itch returning immediately.
“I need to get out,” he growled to Mason. “I can’t handle it anymore.”
Mason nodded in understanding. “Wanna go get something from the cafe around the corner?” He asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Liam said, walking out of the line and placing his tray down on the table. Mason followed, and they walked towards the main doors.
As they approached it, a freshman on the other side was struggling with a large stack of books. Mason opened the door and Liam steadied the teetering pile.
“Oh shit, hey are you alright there? Want some help?” He asked, taking the books from the younger boy's arms. Liam hefted them like they were nothing, not even breaking a sweat.
Wide brown eyes stared up at him. “Um, thanks,” he whispered. Liam’s eyes swept him. There was no mistaking that he was a fresher. He had that clean cut air to him that screamed innocence; neat brown hair, polo t-shirt and light blue jeans, backpack over both arms, shoelaces double knotted, and, of course, the huge stack of books.
“Where are you sitting dude?” Liam asked.
“Over here,” he said, gesturing towards a nearby table. His hand shook slightly and he dropped it, shooting another nervous glance at Liam before turning and walking towards the table in question. Liam followed him, placing the books down, trying to ignore the anxious anticipation wafting from the students already sitting there.
“There you go, disaster averted,” he said, smiling awkwardly at the boy.
The freshman looked from the books to him, audibly swallowing. He steeled himself, squaring up his shoulders and looking him in the eye. “Thanks Liam,” he said.
Liam nodded, walking back to Mason, loud whispers echoing around the room.
“Did you see that?”
“I can’t believe it.”
“I thought he was gonna bite that freshers head off.”
“-but he helped him!”
With a roll of his eyes, Liam pushed through the doors with Mason walking alongside him. “You’d think I just pulled him from a burning building,” he muttered to his friend.
“Hey,” Mason said, nudging his shoulder, “I think it’s a good thing. Maybe you just need to show them that you’re harmless little puppy and they’ll forget about it.”
“Yeah,” Liam said with a thoughtful frown. “Maybe.”
No one challenged them as they walked out the front door of the school and down the steps. They’d learnt pretty quickly that Principal Martin often patrolled the side exit near the change rooms, but rarely frequented the front of the school. Sneaking around got you caught, but blatantly walking out didn’t. Go figure.
They walked to the cafe in silence, ordering and then slipping into a booth to wait. Liam moved over a bit, placing his backpack on the seat next to him rather than on the floor at his feet. He didn’t want anything in his way, just in case.
Liam was tense, eyes darting around the cafe, taking in every person present and looking for other escape routes, nostrils flaring as he catalogued all the scents in the room. Mason placed a hand on his arm, startling him. He jumped, whipping to stare at his friend.
“Liam,” he said, eyebrows furrowed. “We’re safe here, you know that right?”
He shook his head, looking down at his hands, the claws digging into his jeans, not quite breaking the skin. “Nowhere is safe anymore, Mase,” he sighed. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel safe again.”
“I get it,” Mason said, “but you can’t live your life expecting a threat around every corner. You’ll drive yourself mad.”
“Maybe,” Liam shrugged, “but at least I’ll live.”
Mason frowned, studying him for a minute. “Have you considered seeing someone?” He asked.
“Like who?” Liam scoffed. “The school counsellor?” He gave Mason a pointed look, who sighed.
“Or someone you trust,” he offered.
“I don’t really trust anyone,” Liam scowled. “Apart from you. And you already know everything. Scott’s busy. I’m not talking to my parents. Who does that leave?”
Mason hesitated. “What about Theo?” He asked, looking nervous.
He shrugged, trying his best to look nonchalant. “Theo isn’t an option.”
“You could call him,” Mason pressed.
Liam looked up at him, chin set, eyes hard. Mason sighed, nodding and letting it go.
Theo was a bit of a sore spot with Liam. He’d thought that maybe he and Theo were friends, but after everything had settled down, the chimera had become distant, eventually vanishing altogether. The only indication Liam had that everything was okay was the fact that he still caught his scent around town every now and again.
That didn’t stop him from pulling his phone out several times a day, staring at Theo’s contact number, finger hovering over the call button. Would he even answer? What if he did? What the hell was Liam supposed to say to him? Or worse, what if he didn’t answer and ignored the call?
Inevitably he always put the phone away, only to pull it out again half an hour later and begin the whole cycle of angst and doubt and worry all over again. But even if he couldn’t make the call, he couldn’t bring himself to delete Theo’s number.
Theo was his anchor, after all.
“Here’s your food,” the waitress said, giving them a wary smile and placing it down in front of them.
“Thanks,” Liam said, smiling at her and then looking down at his burger and fries. He heard her take a shaky breath and then leave, and he looked up again, staring after her.
“She has a younger sister in our year,” Mason informed him.
“So she knows,” Liam sighed. Was that what his life was going to be like from now on? People staring at him, judging him, waiting for him to put a foot out of place?
“Looks that way,” Mason said, shooting him a sympathetic look.
They dug into their food. Liam barely even tasted it, too preoccupied with his own thoughts to enjoy the meal. Mason gave him a worried look every now and again, but said nothing.
Both of them had nearly finished when the bell over the door rang, signalling that someone had entered. Liam glanced up, frowning slightly at the older guy. He had an arrogant air about him, a sneer on his lips as he stepped just inside and looked around the diner.
Liam watched him carefully as he moved over to the counter.
“Hi, what can I get for you today?” The waitress asked politely.
“How about your number?” The guy suggested, leaning over the counter and leering down at her, his eyes glued to the hint of cleavage that poked out from her uniform. Liam narrowed his eyes. What a creep.
“Sorry but no,” she said, speaking firmly. “Would you like some food?”
The guy laughed. “Come on babe, no need to play hard to get. Give me your number. I’ll show you a good time.”
“No thank you,” she replied. Her eyes were darting around the room, trying to find someone to help her. They settled on Liam, pleading with him to intervene.
He raised an eyebrow at her, looking pointedly at the guy. She gave a minute nod.
Liam stood, moving to the counter.
“Are you going to order?” He asked rudely, interrupting whatever he had been about to say to the waitress. Mason moved to join him, standing behind him as the guy whirled around, glaring down at him. He had at least a foot on Liam, but he didn’t give a shit. He knew he could take him.
“What did you say to me, you little punk?” He snarled, squaring up.
“I asked if you’re going to order. You’re holding everyone up,” Liam said, eyes narrowed.
Another woman stood, moving to stand behind Mason. The guy looked over Liam’s shoulder, glaring at both of them.
“I’m kinda fucking busy here,” he said, looking back down at Liam again, face turning red with anger. “So fuck off.”
“She’s not interested,” Liam said firmly. “And you don’t seem to want to order any food. So why don’t you just leave?”
His face was splotchy, lips curling up into a sneer. Liam could smell the fear coming from the waitress, and it spurred him on. She didn’t deserve this sort of treatment at all, let alone in her workplace. He could feel himself getting angry, but did his best to swallow it down. He didn’t want to scare the girl more than she already was.
“Why don’t you let her talk for herself, pipsqueak?” He said, looming over Liam.
“I’m not interested,” she said bravely, drawing the man’s gaze. She was shaking a bit, but her jaw was set, her eyes shining with determination.
He looked between Liam and the girl several times. “Oh I see how it is,” he jeered. “Little slut likes the pretty boys.” He got in Liam’s face. “Bet she won’t think you look so pretty with two black eyes and a broken jaw.”
Liam gave him nothing. No anger, no fear, just a blank mask. “Leave,” he said. “Or I’ll make you leave.”
“What are you going to do about it pretty boy?” He jeered, reaching up to grab the front of Liam’s shirt. Liam grabbed his wrist, holding it firmly. He tried several times to budge him, to wrench his arm free, but it was to no avail.
“Last chance,” Liam said coolly.
“Freak,” he spat at him, swinging at Liam with his other arm, but Liam caught that too.
“Time to go,” he said, twisting the guy around with his arms behind his back. He shoved him past Mason and the woman, giving her a friendly smile. Another man shot to his feet to hold the door open, and he also got a smile. All the while, the guy was fruitlessly struggling against Liam’s hold, swearing and threatening him.
Liam sent him flying out the door, watching dispassionately as he fell onto the cement path. He whirled around, glaring up at Liam.
“Leave,” Liam said, flashing his eyes, showing the hint of a fang. The guy stilled, standing up slowly.
“You really are a freak, aren’t you?” He said. Despite the brave face he was putting on, Liam could smell the sickly stench of his fear.
“Maybe,” Liam said, “but I don’t harass waitresses. You’re the lowlife scum here, not me. Now fuck off, and don’t come back here again.”
The guy looked like he was gathering himself for a last attack, so Liam growled at him, baring his fangs, and that was the final straw. He took off running, glancing fearfully over his shoulder. Liam watched him go, a sense of satisfaction thrumming through him.
He turned around, walking back into the cafe, startled as everyone in the cafe stood up and applauded. He flushed, ducking his head.
“Thank you,” the waitress said, running up and hugging him. Liam’s eyes widened, and he looked over at Mason, who was smirking at him. He briefly hugged her and then stepped back.
“It was nothing,” he mumbled.
He walked over and slid back into the booth, Mason rejoining him and chuckling as Liam buried his face in his hands.
“What a hero,” Mason teased.
“Shut up,” Liam muttered, throwing a fry at him.
***
Well, that was the final straw apparently. The word spread like wildfire, everyone knowing before Liam and Mason even stepped foot back in the front door of the school that he had helped the waitress (Kaitlyn, she had introduced herself after offering them a slice of pie, on the house of course). He found this out when a short girl with similar features launched herself into his arms, gripping him tightly around the middle.
“Thank you,” she said, voice muffled against his chest. “Kaitlyn said you saved her.”
Liam looked at Mason helplessly. His friend just hid a smirk behind his hand, eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Uh, it was nothing, really,” he said, awkwardly extricating himself from her death grip on his body. “Anyone would have done the same.”
“No one else did,” she said, gazing up at him with bright blue eyes, adoration clear in them. Liam shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t really like the way she was looking at him. “You’re a hero! I told everyone what you did.”
With that, she turned, skipping back to her friends, leaving Liam gaping after her.
“Everyone?” He said weakly.
Mason burst out laughing. “Oh man, the look on your face.” He doubled over, clutching his stomach while Liam watched, torn between being annoyed and relieved. At least no one hated him anymore. He could put up with a bit of hero worship if no one was trying to stab him.
A scent hit his nose, and Liam turned his head slightly. “Are you here to laugh at me as well?” He asked sourly.
Corey appeared, lips turned up slightly. “No, I was just looking for Mason. We have Bio now.”
Liam groaned. “Great.”
Mason stopped laughing and turned to greet his boyfriend. Wrinkling up his nose, Liam looked away, trying not to listen to the sounds of them kissing. He couldn’t say anything though. When he’d been with Hayden, their PDA’s had bordered on explicit, the two of them kissing at every break while their friends jeered and threw things at them.
Liam sighed. He was over her now, but he was starting to feel lonely, like it would be nice to have someone again. While he was a pariah, though, no one had even looked at him twice.
Well, apart from one person, the one that occupied Liam’s mind more than he probably should.
That almost kiss in the elevator haunted his every waking moment. If he’d leaned forward, if he’d kissed Theo, would he be here now instead of slinking around town avoiding all of them?
“Liam?” Mason said, sounding worried.
He blinked, glancing at him and Corey, now holding hands and watching him.
“Huh?” He asked.
“We need to go to class,” Mason said, studying him.
Liam nodded, moving towards the school. His friends followed him, but he ignored them, lost in his thoughts once more.
Where was Theo?
***
Over the next few days, Liam continued to be perplexed by the way complete strangers treated him now. On the way to school, a woman saw him walking past and called him over.
“Liam, sweetie, could you help me please?” She said, waving at him from her front porch.
“Uh, sure,” he said, leaving the footpath and walking up the path to her house. “How can I help?”
She smiled at him, opening the door and ushering him in.
“I just need help moving this piece of furniture,” she said, leading him into the living room where an enormous cabinet sat. “Normally my husband would move it, but he’s out of town for work.”
It was thankfully empty of whatever it was she stored in it, so it was easy to pick it up and move it to the opposite wall. She’d thanked him profusely, pressing a little packet of cookies into his hands while he backed out of the house, cheeks flushed.
That wasn’t even the weirdest request.
He’d walked past the playground, and a veritable army of snot-nosed brats surrounded him, begging him to deal with the mean bully who took their pocket money. A quick investigation had found the culprit to be an eight year old girl in pigtails who’d threatened to kiss them if they didn’t hand over their worldly possessions. The bully had been easily vanquished by a stern word from Liam about consent. The threat to go across the road to tell her parents had also been very convincing.
He could have done without the interesting assortment of items that the boys decided was his reward. Why the hell would he want a frog?
Liam had waited for them to leave before putting the frog back in the creek.
By the time he finally got to school, he’d missed home room and been forced to sign in. The secretary hadn’t been annoyed though. Instead, she’d got him to help her carry a few boxes of files into the principal’s office.
Principal Martin had taken one look at him and sent him scurrying off to class.
At least some things never changed.