CHAPTER 15: HIS MARIONETTE

Ayla's POV.

The Alpha's chamber was unusually quiet when we arrived. I knew something was off as if the Alpha's domineering aura was pushing the Omegas away from us.

As much as I wanted to intervene, I was left with no choice but to ignore the silence and follow Alpha Liam into his room.

"Sleep with me in your wolf form," he ordered, making my heart pound heavily in my chest.

"I-I can't, Alpha," I stammered while trying to hide the fear in my words.

Alpha Liam just grinned at me while staring intently. "Yes, you can, my Luna. This is a command from your Alpha. Be a good girl and follow me now that I'm pissed, understand?"

Despite his warning, I still tried my best to convince him. I know he did try to mark me in a secluded spot a while ago, but I think this is not the right time to resume his desire to do so.

"But, Alpha...I couldn't—" I persisted.

"You can't fool me, Ayla," Alpha Liam stated as his tone turned cold. I could clearly see a glint of suspicion in his eyes while staring at me.

I felt myself tensing up. I tried my best to puzzle things out but I couldn't find out where he was coming from.

Fooled? All I did was support him in front of everyone, despite the fear and tension I felt in front of the man who killed my father.

"I know you can transform without a full moon. You aren't just an ordinary wolf, Ayla. You can transform anytime and anywhere. Do you really think you can hide the truth from me?" he said firmly.

I bit my lower lip in frustration. I guess I don't have any other choice but to confirm his claim.

If only I could tell Alpha Liam that I’m not hiding anything from him. I just did what Dara wanted me to do, knowing that everyone hated us for being the last white wolf alive.

A few minutes later, I was compelled to suppress my feelings in order to comply with the Alpha's request. I've devised a strategy to persuade my wolf despite the fact that we're both hesitant to do it with the Alpha.

"I can’t wait to see your snow-white fur turn crimson." His gaze was fixated on mine.

There was a moment of stunned silence before I took the courage to ask him. "What do you mean, Alpha?"

But Alpha Liam's response was direct to the point, his words had successfully led me towards his dark purpose.

"My pack will conquer the state, Ayla," he declared, "and you will witness each one of the Alphas kneel in front of me."

"I know you can defeat the Alphas without losing your head, Alpha Liam, but you will lose your breath before you can defeat the Zeta," I warned him. "He's a monster."

Suddenly, a smirk played at the corners of his lips despite my warning. Isn't he scared of death?

"What if I tell you I am? Will you believe me?"

I shook my head. I know this would insult him, but I need to tell him the truth. There's no one here to bring him back to reality—only me.

"No, Alpha. Even the most powerful werewolf doesn't stand a chance," I answered, reminding him how formidable our opponent was.

But Alpha Liam's confidence remained unshaken despite my answer. "He's the hero of the Creeze Bloody War after all," he agreed.

I just stared at the ceiling and inhaled deeply. "My family was viewed as the antagonist slain by that hero, Alpha. He should have killed me right then and there."

"The moon goddess was far too kind to save you," he said under his breath.

I found myself smiling back as I agreed with his words. "That was my mother's last wish, Alpha."

It was just a light discussion between us when I suddenly felt Alpha Liam's gaze harden.

"Then, you are free to hate your family for committing treason."

"No, Alpha..." I answered softly with a calm expression. "Despite the challenges I’m facing, I never thought of blaming them, not even once."

I stared at him for a long while, like a pet seeking sympathy from its master. "Yes, there were times I would ask the moon goddess, 'Why was it my family? Why did it have to happen?"

"But you haven’t got the answer, right?" he asked, making me gasp in realization.

"Yes," I admitted. "That's why I resigned to my fate, being the child of the traitors. And I know death will come to me no matter what, Alpha. It is my only redemption."

For the first time in my life, I was given the chance to tell my story to someone who I knew wouldn't hesitate to blame me for being naive and weak.

Alpha Liam's life was the exact opposite of mine. He had immense power in his hands, the wolves in his pack bow down to his greatness, and everything that surrounds us is under his control.

But still, he wanted to live a life full of hatred and violence. As if he wanted to challenge the moon goddess and tell her that he's the type of creation who wouldn't be ruled by fate.

My heart broke at the thought of him destroying his life for his selfish ambition.

"If I were in your shoes, I would be contented with the life I had, Alpha."

He looked surprised by what I said, and after what felt like a long moment of awkward silence, he finally responded.

"You wouldn't understand why I am doing this, Ayla. Living with everything was way different from living with nothing."

Alpha Liam's voice cut through my thoughts, causing me to wonder what he was referring to.

What he said was true after all. I did struggle to live with nothing in my hands, while he used to live a life full of prestige.

"You have more privilege than me, Alpha Liam. As you've said, you have everything. More than that, you can do anything."

I was expecting to receive an insulting chuckle from him but he gave me a sour expression.

"Freedom?" he said with irritation painted all over his face. "Will you believe me if I say that I am nothing but a bird trapped in a cage?"

I stared at him, speechless.

Knowing that answering his question would only lead me nowhere.

"I was made, not raised to be an Alpha, Ayla." He said firmly. "And you are nothing but my marionette, using you to destroy this hell would bring me success."