Everyone in the comments thanks me for this story and for WAM, but honestly, there would be no story without the support of my readers. Without whoever is reading this, I probably wouldn't have made it this far. Writing is my hobby, passion, and hopefully a career. It's such a special feeling to share it with strangers from all over the world, and help you to connect through one story, no matter who you are! Thank you for your unconditional love, you'll always have mine.

- Sian

"What?" Anthony said with raised eyebrows, showing an expression similar to Hunter's when he realised Sam and William connected a bond. "Seriously? Couldn't it have happened sooner? Then that little witch he was dating wouldn't have got him shot in the leg."

"That happened for a reason," a familiar voice said from the doorway.

"Hey, Nan!" Hunter rushed to take a suitcase from her grip, then crouched to hug her.

"My handsome grandson," she beamed, kissing his cheek and rubbing his back. "Where's my other grandson?" She motioned for Jacota to join their embrace. "You may still be shy, but a hug from nana Flora will do you no harm, you know that by now," she muffled against the God's shoulder.

"What're you doing here?" Anthony asked, in the kindest way possible.

"Well, Margo told me about what happened to poor William, so I am here to offer any support," she said while Alfred appeared behind her, dragging a big yellow and pink spotted suitcase on wheels.

"How long are you staying?" Anthony said, seeing how large the bags were.

"As long as you need us." Flora looked around, eyeing the tire marks in the grass.

"It's chilly," Alfred said, rubbing his hands together. "You should get those windows fixed very soon. It's forecast to snow again tonight, and the temperature will drop for sure."

"They'll be fixed by this evening," Anthony said, zipping up his coat, standing behind Margo, and stuffing his hands into her pockets. "It's important to keep the house warm. It won't help William if he's shivering up there, and he's human, so he'll feel the cold more than us. Though it is cold, isn't it?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, while Veronica focused on what the old lady had said.

"What did you mean when you said it happened for a reason?" the demon questioned, not feeling the harsh air at all. Demon's and angels are numb to any types of weather.

"You see, a werewolf who is not an Alpha wolf is not guaranteed to find a mate. Lunar love will only provide them with that luxury if they prove themselves as worthy. Sam proved himself years ago when he risked his life to help Hunter, who was betrayed by his Omegas." She saw her grandson cringe at the memory. "It was then William's turn to prove himself, and he did by risking his life for Sam."

Scott handed her a cup of tea, and Alfred helped her onto the stool.

"Do you think it was Beth who was behind the shooting?" Alfred asked.

"I do, and Scott's Beta wolf Flynn found out that her father was the one who shot at the house, and he was also William's old college friend."

"He killed his own daughter?"

"She was telling Will that they had to go, and it wasn't safe for him to be in the house. This was only a minute before it happened," Jacota said, fidgeting with his sleeve as he thought about why he reacted so slowly. He should've used his telekinesis to stop the bullets, or at least push the gun from the man's hand.

"Let go of those thoughts," Hunter said through a mind-link. "You can't go back and change any of it now. You were shocked and froze. Anyone would've reacted the same."

Jacota sank into his side, trying to agree.

"So, she knew it was going to happen, but had a change of heart and tried to save William, who I assume her dad wanted to kill because he found out about Will's irregular ageing process," Alfred said, trying to make sense of the awful event. "She developed feelings for him, didn't she? Poor sod. In the end, love killed her."

"That was deep," Veronica said, sighing with boredom. "Excuse me while I go and cry in the dark part of the woods." She vanished, leaving a smile on Flora's lips from the demon's uplifting sarcasm.

"How is young William? Will his leg heal?" she asked.

"No, not fully." A sad frown returned to Scott's brows.

"Don't look like that," Flora scolded. "Have you told him yet?"

Scott shook his head to say no.

"Well then, you need to reassure him that it's not the end of the world," she continued. "Yes, he'll have to use a walking stick, but so what? There's no way around it now. If everyone else acts like it's not a big deal, he'll eventually think that too. He needs positive guidance, nothing less."

"You're right."

"I'm always right, you know I give the best advice." Flora winked and returned her attention to her tea, which had very little sugar in it for her taste.

* * * * *

Sam stared at William for over two hours, watching him sleep. It was now evening time, and the sun disappeared being the horizon. The Windows were in the process of being fixed, and the cold had crept through the house, cooling the bedrooms.

William slept with multiple layers on, including gloves, a hat, and a scarf. His cheeks were rosy; he looked content.

"I'll tell him about his leg when he wakes up," Scott said, spoiling the silence.

"I've already told him," Sam said, watching the human's nose twitch, then noticing the freckles dotted around his skin.

"Oh." Scott sat up, suddenly alarmed. "You did?"

"Yeah. I was thinking about it because I forgot Will could read my thoughts. He took it well. I think he only cares about the fact that we're alive."

"Maybe it'll sink in for him when he's well enough to get physio."

"He's a little spaced out on the medication. I don't think it's letting him think about it properly."

"As long as we're all here to support him, he'll get through it."

Scott couldn't be happier that his son was mated to someone like Samuel Fletcher, a wolf who is very loving, kind, giving, funny, and generous. Sam will be there for his son whenever William needs him, and that was a heartwarming moment for Scott as a father.

"You know what, I'll let you have more time together alone. I think he'll wake up soon." Scott left, and Sam's eyes settled back on William's face, where they stayed for another fifteen minutes before the human woke up feeling confused, yet calm considering all that has happened to him.

"Hey," Sam beamed, "did you have any nice dreams?"

William yawned and tried to stretch, realising that waking up with someone next to him will be a routine he'll have to get used to, though it must be stranger for Sam, the Beta wolf has never been in a relationship, and his room is strictly off limits to everyone apart from William now. There was no need for the human to go into Sam's room yet, not when so many people wanted to visit William.

"I don't know. I think I was dreaming of you. I can't really remember," William mumbled, feeling a horrible throbbing pain shooting up his leg. "What time is it?"

"Almost five," Sam replied, trying not to get too excited that William dreamt of him. "Are you in pain? Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm okay." William hauled himself into the seated position, catching a glimpse of the bath from his en-suite, and wishing he could sit in one and relax. He risked getting infections, so, for now, he was stuck with a sponge and a bowl of warm soapy water to help him freshen up. "Are you okay?"

Sam thought about it for a moment, then nodded and said, "I think so, now that I'm over the shock of... Well, everything."

"I still feel like I'm in a dream. A good dream." William looked down at his leg. "Well, sort of."

Sam smiled, and a rush of warmth flooded William's chest. He pulled the scarf tighter around his neck, but took off one of his gloves and reached out to touch the werewolf's hand. His skin sent another wave to his chest. This time, it felt fuzzy and exciting.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Sam said, turning his hand over and watching the human's fingers trace the lines on his palm. "How touch can feel so special."

"It's amazing," William whispered, almost forgetting about the ache in his leg when Sam's gaze connected with his, and his beautiful aquarium eyes melted his heart. They sparkled in a way William has not seen before.

"I know the bond is odd because it forces us to like each other right away. You're used to human relationships where it takes time to know someone and to feel the love."

"It is really weird," William said as Sam shuffled closer. "But I'm not freaking out like I thought I would. I mean, it's kind of hard to accept my sudden feelings for you when I thought I had feelings for Beth, but it has made me realise that my feelings for Beth were nothing, just a little spark. I've never felt this way about anyone, Sam, and I know I never will because the bond is for life, right?"

"I'll give you all the time you need to grieve for her and get over her. It doesn't dismiss the fact that she was plotting to get us all killed but..." Sam faked a cough, and William tried not to find it amusing. He knew he shouldn't.

"I am really sorry, and before you say 'how were you supposed to know about the bond?' It's not for that; it's for flipping you off like your friendship meant nothing. Without you, I would've lost myself a lot sooner. It was when I started pushing you away, that I began to forget who I was. You make my life better in so many ways; I can't believe I would ever think that you didn't care about me. I can feel it all now, and I'm so guilty."

Sam sat close enough to wrap an arm around William's shoulders. His scent almost made him tremble. It smelt better than his favourite food; he would cherish it more than the smell of his mother wearing her favourite perfume and crave it on days where they're not together, knowing the scent will forever bring him comfort, and remind him that he will never be alone.

"I agree with everything you just said, so I'll leave it at that. But I want you to know that I forgive you for everything you feel guilty for because this bond is a clean slate for both of us."

William nodded, looking up to stare into his eyes once more. Something so mesmerising could hypnotise him in an instant.

As he was snatching a glimpse of a new shade of blue, Sam caught him by surprise by leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. His lips lingered against his skin for longer than intended, and Sam's heart only just managed to stay inside his rib cage. His blood pulsed through him at lightning speed, all from something as simple as a peck on the cheek.

When Sam pulled back, William was not surprised to see the blush showing itself all over his face. He smiled, and Sam relaxed again, feeling the warmth of William's skin tingling against his lips.

"I've never kissed anyone on the mouth before," he blurted out, and his skin reddened.

"I know," William chuckled. "It's really sweet, though surprising for someone like you to be so innocent." William has always thought Sam was very attractive and was never surprised to see girls falling at the werewolf's feet in college, discretely running their hands down his arms to feel his muscles. Of course, Sam was oblivious to their flirting.

"Don't stereotype me. Big guys can be innocent too," Sam smiled.

"If you were human, do you think you would've had relationships in college?"

"I don't know. If I knew I wasn't going to get a mate, I don't think I would've really bothered with dating. Relationships scare me, honestly."

"They're great if you're with the right person. There's no need to be scared when you're with me."

"I'm not. I've thought about being mated to you for a long time."

"Oh..." It was now William's turn to blush.

"Not like that- well, actually, kind of." Sam rubbed the back of his neck with embarrassment. "I'm not as innocent as you think I am."

"Just inexperienced," William added and they laughed away the awkwardness.

"Hopefully not for long."

"Sam!" William shook his head, grinning at his cheeky nature, but enjoying the humour after a few stressful days. So he carried on feeding the personal topic, knowing there would be truth to it when his leg wasn't so sore. "But yeah, hopefully not."