Chapter 5

Liam and Hayden sit on the back porch of Theo's place, their backs pressed against the cool outside wall of the house enjoying another beautiful sunny day in the garden, a warm sanctuary untouched by the darkness tightening its grip on Beacon Hills.

Liam couldn't wipe the smile off his face, so far this was another perfect day, sitting with his Hayden pressed against him from shoulder to hip to toe, their fingers intertwined as close to being one person as they could comfortably get. Hayden sighs happily her head dropping to rest on Liam's shoulder and he gently rests his head on top of hers as they whisper and laugh together in their own little bubble.

"Oh my God, have you two even moved since yesterday?"

Liam looks up to see a laughing Corey walk into the yard followed by Tracey and Josh.

"I don't know Cor, looks like a bad case of puppy love to me." Tracey jokes as she flops down onto the grass making soft panting noises like a little pup.

"Oh ha ha soooo witty." Liam throws back with an exaggerated eye roll, Hayden softly chuckles and reaches up to pat him on the head. "Don't encourage them," he admonishes her, a smile hinting at the edges of his mouth.

"I could lie in this sun forever." Tracey almost purrs closing her eyes and tilting her head back letting the suns warm rays soak into her bones. Corey and Josh hum their agreement throwing themselves down onto the grass next to her. The five of them sit in a comfortable silence only stirring when Theo walks out of the house to join them. He takes in the picture of the teens all sprawled in the sunshine and raises his eyebrow at the three new arrivals on the grass.

"Kids?"

Tracey opens one of her eyes and gives him a slight shake of her head in answer to his unasked question. Theo's mouth tightens and he turns to go back inside when Liam jumps up and touches his elbow causing him to pause.

"Theo, do you have a sec?"

Theo plants a smile on his face, "Sure thing Liam." He motions with his head for Liam to follow him and they both walk in to the house, Hayden's eyes on them the whole time, a slight questioning look on her face.

Once inside Theo pauses by the kitchen table but Liam motions towards the lounge and Theo follows him out of earshot of the rest of his pack.

"So what's on your mind Liam?"

Liam looks down at his hands not immediately answering as he searches for the right words, "I was wondering …"

Theo crosses his arms over his chest and cocks his head to the side waiting for the kid to find his voice.

"I was wondering if you, you know, still wanted to join Scott's pack?"

A slight smile tugs at the corner of Theo's mouth and one of his eyebrows raises, "It's probably a bit late for that don't you think Liam?"

Liam still doesn't look up from his hands watching his fingers twist around each other, "I guess …"

"Besides I have a pack of my own to look after now."

Liam softly smiles at the reminder of Hayden and he raises his head to meet Theo's gaze, "Do you know if a beta can change packs? Change Alphas?"

"Are you asking to be in my pack Liam?"

Liam firms his gaze not breaking eye contact, "Look I'm not saying I like what happened, I mean you wanted me to kill Scott! And I almost …" There is an angry glint in Liam's look that only fades when he takes a breath to calm himself, "but you also brought Hayden back. When I lost her … I can't lose her again so yeah I guess I am."

"That would mean that I would be your alpha, not Scott, are you sure you want that?" Theo watches Liam intently gauging the effect his words are having on the young beta who turns away from him to look outside.

Liam's eyes light up as soon as they rest upon Hayden who has moved over to laugh with the others on the grass and his chest fills with warmth, he could watch her for hours, forever. When he turns back to Theo, Liam's eyes are filled with resolve, "I want to be with Hayden, whatever it takes!"

"Look I don't know how it works, I'm new to the whole pack thing myself. But have you thought of talking to your friend Mason? He seems like a smart kid, maybe he could help us figure it out."

"Really?"

Theo smiles at the hopeful excitement in Liam's voice, "Really, and hey I'm sure we could even find room in our pack for a new research savvy friend."

Liam starts nodding his head as he thinks about what Theo has just said, "Okay, yeah I will, thanks Theo."