CHAPTER 11: DEADLY INVITATION

Ayla's gaze irresistibly lingered to the Alpha as his threatening presence swallowed her whole within the depths of her soul.

"Alpha Liam? What are you doing here?" she asked. Her tone became cautious as she glanced around the room.

She thought her entire energy was consumed by the nightmare but it seemed like the dark ambiance of the room had successfully squeezed all of her remaining strength.

Ayla felt her heart stop beating as her body started to freeze. The memories of her cleaning Alpha Liam's room were enough for her to understand his reaction.

Despite witnessing her odd facial expression, Alpha Liam never hesitated to clarify the situation.

"This is my room!" he barked with a deep and nerve-racking voice.

Ayla's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she was slammed directly by her mistake. From being loud and confused, her voice immediately turned soft in front of the Alpha. It was too hard for her to hide her true emotions as she got busted by him big time.

"I-I apologize for sleeping in your room, Alpha Liam. That was purely unintentional. Swear to the moon goddess, I was cleaning your room a while ago before I decided to take some rest and the rest is history," she murmured without staring at Alpha Liam.

She knew it was reckless and bold of her to cross her limits and sleep in the Alpha's room but knowing that her intention was far from that, forced her to defend and explain her stance.

"I just had a nightmare."

Ayla saw how Alpha Liam's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, like he was processing her explanation.

His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he spoke again. "You walked out of my office just to go to sleep?"

Ayla shook her head.

"No, Alpha. I’m just exhausted from what happened that's why I've decided to clean your room to vent out."

She stared nervously into the Alpha's eyes for a few minutes 'til she was unable to feel his rage anymore.

"Do you need something from me, Alpha?"

His eyes were so intense and sharp that they were able to make her uncomfortable without saying a word. She tried her best but it was too hard for her to guess what was going on in Alpha Liam's mind.

"I want you to pay for what you’ve done, Ayla."

Ayla was stunned for a few seconds. She wanted to give the Alpha a proper response but she had no idea what he was referring to. Is it because she cleaned his room without notice and unintentionally slept inside or it's something else?

"I-I don’t understand, Alpha…"

Her heart pounded like crazy as she tried to remember everything that happened from the time she woke up until they got home from the sudden encounter with the Deltas.

"You need to pay the price," he repeated using a commanding tone.

"Pay the price for what, Alpha? Eavesdropping? Stopping you from killing Selena’s brother? Me being ridiculously naive or by sleeping unintentionally in your room?"

Ayla was not able to stop herself from throwing a lot of questions at the Alpha. But one thing's for sure, she'll get the answer right from the list of mistakes she did to test his patience.

"All of them!"

Suddenly, Alpha Liam lunged at her with her jaws snapping before she could ask any more questions.

"I have an important engagement this evening and I would like you to accompany me."

Ayla's response was immediate, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?" she exclaimed. "But, Alpha!"

Meeting the Deltas was already hard and dangerous as hell and now he wanted to bring her to an important engagement?

How will she face the Alpha's guests without causing him trouble?

"Reject the price and I’ll double the punishment," he warned. "Do you want me to ask for more?"

WITH THE HELP of the Alpha's omega, it didn't take her an hour to prepare for the said gathering Ayla found herself staring into the Alpha's eyes while he remained speechless. She anxiously opened her mouth to call out his name, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him.

"Not bad, my Luna," he said with a smooth voice.

She got puzzled for a moment. Unable to believe how admiration was visible in Alpha Liam's words.

"You are as beautiful as a goddess."

Ayla secretly bit her lower lip while feeling the warmth spreading through her cheeks.

Why is she blushing? Is it because he complimented her beauty?

"Thank you, Alpha."

She tried to accept his compliment despite the threat he gave her just to accept his request.

"However, this white dress was too beautiful and expensive for me."

Their eyes met, and there she wasn't able to hide how she drew a deep breath after reminding the Alpha that a lowly she-wolf like her didn't deserve the luxury surrounding her. She didn't even deserve to be called beautiful either.

"I instructed my secretary to purchase the most exquisite white dress in the city," Alpha Liam answered with a devilish expression on his face. His nonchalant attitude wasn't able to hide the spark of anticipation dancing in his eyes.

"Why?" Her brows furrowed slightly.

It's either he'll answer or tell her that she doesn't have the right to pique her interest in his motives.

A playful smile gradually formed at the corners of Alpha Liam's lips as he answered, "Let's say I'm looking forward to seeing their reaction."

When Ayla saw the Alpha's grin, she took a deep breath and bit her lower lip.

"Your excitement, Alpha, was the complete opposite of mine."

She couldn't help but stare at Alpha Liam upon giving her answer, knowing that his eagerness was far different from hers.

"Do you fear their judgment? Are you afraid of their hatred and curses?" Alpha Liam's questions hung heavy in the air.

Is that a sign for her to give an honest answer?

"Yes…" she agreed with a voice that was comparable to a whisper. "I don't know why but it feels like I am going to die tonight, Alpha."

Fear was visible in Ayla's eyes as the weight of her anxiousness became harsh and unbearable, making her chest heavy. She could feel her breathing becoming ragged as if a suffocating, thick blanket were dumped on her face.

"That's the price I wish to hear from you, my dear Luna," Alpha Liam responded immediately, eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger that was enough to send chills down her spine.

"You want me to die?" she asked with a tone of disbelief.

Her eyes widened in horror at the thought of the great Alpha Liam bringing her, the last remnant of the Creeze Bloody War to her end.

"I want you to fear death."

His words were like a cold slap in the face, bringing Ayla back to reality with his brutal honesty.

"B-But that fear won’t help me face your guest tonight, Alpha."

Desperation filled Ayla's voice, her heart pounded fast and hard as she couldn't help but embrace the task before her.

"Then face them as my Luna and not as the rogue's daughter," he commanded.

And as soon as they arrived at the grand ballroom, Ayla felt the scrutiny of the werewolves' eyes around them.

How was she supposed to act as his Luna? In what way?