79

79
Connor’s Pov 

“I told you, Liam,” I growled, pacing in front of him, “I didn’t kiss Sofia. She kissed me. Why is that so hard to believe?”  

Liam’s jaw was set, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “It doesn't matter who kissed who, honestly I don't care, ” he snapped. “What matters is that you allowed it to happen. She’s not just anyone, Connor. She’s someone who has caused enough chaos for Aria already!”  

I stopped walking and faced him fully, his words dripping so much hurt and causing me pain.  “I didn’t allow anything, Liam,” I said, expecting him to understand completely before judging. “She planned it, staged it, because she saw you coming. You think I wanted that? You think I’d betray Aria like that? Why would you even think that? After everything I've been through with her, you think I'd let her go because of Sophia? C’mon I respect you better than this, and I deserve the same from you. ”  

Liam shook his head, his eyes narrowed, and his hands were raised up to hit his face showing how frustrated he was. 

“You might be my Alpha,” he said, his tone was sharp and loud, “but that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect my Luna. My loyalty is to her, and you should show the same. If you want respect, you don't need to demand it, it'll be shown as you behave. And this…? This awful behavior is nothing to be shown respect.”  

I clenched my fists, feeling the heat rising in my veins. “Liam, you’re treading dangerous ground. Watch your tone. You don't speak to me that way.”  

“I don’t care about the consequences,” Liam shot back. “You should have been more careful. You know how manipulative Sofia can be, and yet you still let this happen! I'm so disappointed. You could have done something to avert it, you could have turned her away the moment she tried to be close to you, but you stole the moment when Lady Aria is out there in the unknown and now needs rescuing. You're just not the right Alpha to be respected, so don't ask me for it”  

“Are you onto this now? How many times do I have to explain to you, hmm? You don’t think I know that? You don't think I'm aware Sophia is a bitch” I snapped, my voice rising. “You don’t think I regret every second of it? But don’t stand here and lecture me about loyalty like you’re the one carrying this pack on your shoulders.”  

“You might carry the pack,” Liam retorted, “but Aria carries you. You owe her better than this.”  

My patience was wearing thin. “Liam,” I said, my voice dangerously low, “stop talking. Now. Or I’ll be forced to remind you of your place. It won't take me a minute”  

He didn’t flinch, his defiance blazing in his eyes. “Do what you must,” he said, his voice becoming even more steady. “But I won’t stand by and let you ruin what you have with Aria because of Sofia.”  

I took a step closer, towering over him. My gaze stiffened on him, my eyes rolled through the whole of his face, trying to find the signal that he'd understand what I was going to say. Liam was a hard mind and if I'd break him to listen to me, I had to call down and speak to him. 

“Listen to me,” I said calmly, holding one part of his shoulder. “Sofia kissed me. She faked that entire scene because she knew you were approaching. She wanted to cause trouble, and it worked. But I’ll handle her myself. I’ll go to the dungeon myself and make sure she learns her lesson. I'm going to lock her up properly and we'll find Aria and Tiara. I know you're scared and it would be good if you keep your voice down while we search for them and keep Sophia in her place.”  

Liam hesitated, his resolve faltering slightly. He finally stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides. “You’d better,” he muttered, his voice was filled with frustration, like a tattered dress ready to be thrown out the window. 

Liam stormed off, leaving me in the hallway. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. But just as I turned to leave, I heard voices down the corridor.  

Liam’s angry tone was unmistakable, I couldn't hear it wrong, followed by Sofia’s sharp, mocking laugh.  

“You’re unbelievable!” Liam yelled. “You don’t care who you hurt, do you? Aren't you even scared I'd hurt you yourself?”  

“You’re joking now, aren't you?” Sofia retorted. “Don’t act like you know anything about me. I kissed him because I wanted to, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You should drop down the clouds from the sky and you wouldn't have a drop of pity from Connor, you pathetic little thief”  

I followed the voices, my footsteps quickening.  

“I see you've been up and up about how to be the Luna and the next to Connor. But trust me, you'll only end up failing if you keep this behavior up and there will be a shameful part you can't ignore…. You lost, all over again.  Loyalty isn’t something you understand, is it? You've never had anyone to listen to, there, you sound like a spoilt and rotten egg” Liam shouted. “You’re just selfish, inaudible, miserable chicken feet. Following around a position like a puppet and I’ll make sure to get you off…”  

There was a loud shuffling sound, and I rounded the corner just in time to see Liam shove Sofia.  

“Liam!” I shouted, sprinting forward.  

Sofia stumbled, her arms flailing as she lost her balance. Without thinking, I lunged forward and caught her, my arms wrapping around her before she could hit the ground.  

Her wide eyes met mine, shock etched across her face.  

And just like that, the hallway fell into an eerie silence