75

75
Liam's POV 

Anger pulsed through me as I stood outside the Alpha's office, the air crackling with tension around me. Connor's words still rang in my head from earlier, like some annoying school bell, and I wasn't quite sure how much longer I could keep myself from snapping completely. This was supposed to be simple: deliver Tiara's message and make sure help was sent. Instead, it had turned into yet another power struggle. 

I didn't bother knocking on the door; I merely pushed it open and let it slam against the wall. Connor sat at his desk, his shoulders loose, his pose screaming of a man who thought he was in complete control of everything. That infuriating calmness. 

"What now?" I wanted to know, my tone cut glass sharp. 

Connor finally looked up from the papers he had been reading. His expression was unreadable. "Liam, do you mind telling me why you decided that it would be okay to attack a member of this pack? 

Assault. He made it sound like I'd done something criminal. "That wasn't assault," I shot back, leaning on his desk to loom over him. "That was me putting someone in his place. And you should thank me because I'm the only one who seems to care about what's going on here." 

Connor's brow rose, and his composed mask finally cracked. "You call pinning someone against the wall and sucking the life out of them merited? I gave you responsibilities, Liam, not the license to act like some uncontrollable monster. 

Unleashed monster. His words cut to me quickly, and my wolf stirred in protest inside me, growling in my chest. "You've got some nerve," I said, my voice low but full of venom. "You're here playing the bigshot, whereas your mate's out risking her life for this pack! You care? Or too involved chasing after shadows to even notice? 

Connor's face hardened. "Watch your tone."  

"No,  you watch yours!" I snapped, my fists pounding onto the desk. "Tiara messaged, she and Aria are in danger. They need help. And here you are, frolicking behind your mate's back, acting like everything is fine. Don't think I haven't noticed. 

Connor's jaw clenched, but I didn't allow him to say a word. "If you want to keep playing house while the rest of us clean up your mess, fine. But I'll be damned if I stand by and do nothing. Tiara deserves better than this. 

I shoved the crumpled message across the desk toward him. He didn't immediately reach for it, only watched me with that calculating look in his eyes that made my blood boil. 

"Liam, you don't understand the bigger picture 

"I don't give a crap about your bigger picture, Connor, I cut in, his reasoning and my voice breaking with anger. "It is about loyalty. How the rest of us are supposed to believe in you if not able to protect your very own mate?" 

I turned on my heel, without waiting for a reply, and stormed out of the office. My chest heaved with anger, and my wolf clawed at the edges of my control, urging me to shift and let loose. But I couldn't afford that, not now. 

I made my way back to the meeting point where I’d last spoken to someone, the guy who had first planted the seed of doubt about Connor in my mind. The guy was leaning against a tree, his arms crossed as if he’d been waiting for me.   

“You look like hell,” he remarked, his tone dry. 

"Yeah, well, that's what happens when you're surrounded by traitors," I snapped, heavy on the sarcasm.   

The guy straightened, his eyes narrowing. "What happened?"   

I hesitated for a moment instincts screaming at me not to trust him. "You were right," I finally said. "Connor's hiding something. He's not making the right decisions and it's putting everyone at risk. Including Tiara and Aria." 

The guy nodded. His face was grim. "What's the plan?"  

I crossed my arms over my chest, my mind racing. "We can't rely on him. If Connor won't send help, we will. Gather whoever you can trust and get them ready to move out. We leave as soon as possible."  

"Got it," the guy said. His voice was firm. "What about you? 

"I'll join you once I'm ready," I replied. "Just. Don’t say anything to anyone else. Particularly not Connor."  

The guy  gave me a knowing look but didn't press the issue. He disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

Back in my room, I packed what I'd need for the rescue mission. The motions were swift, almost automated, as I tried to channel this anger into something productive. My mind, though, was a maelstrom of anger, frustration, guilt, and that other thing for which words failed. 

I strapped a knife to my belt, and someone behind me said something offhand. I didn't even register what they said, something about being too worked up probably, but it was enough to make me snap. 

I spun around in a flurry of movement, my hand reaching out and tucking into his collar, yanking him backward and slamming him into the wall. My wolf sprang to the fore of my mind, my claws raking across his skin as I pinned him there.  

"You think this is a joke?" I growled, barely even human. "You think you can just stand here and mock me while people are dying out there?" 

His eyes had widened in fear, but he said nothing, probably too terrified to utter a word. I felt my control slipping as my claws pressed deeper, drawing blood.   

"Liam, stop!"  

Connor's voice cut through the haze, but I ignored him. My wolf wanted blood-no, it demanded it and I wasn't sure I could stop it. 

Liam," Connor repeated, the sharpness in his voice this time unmistakable. "Let him go. Now." 

"Bug off," I snarled, not taking my eyes from my target. 

Connor's presence came closer, heavier with his aura and command. "I said, let him go. That's an order. 

It felt like a physical blow, the alpha command slamming into me. I tried to fight, my body acting of its own volition. My claws sucked back into my fingers, and I stepped back, letting him fall to the ground. He scrambled backward, clutching his neck, and for a moment I regretted my actions. But my anger swamped that in pretty quick.  

Connor's eyes were blazing with fury, staring me down. "My office. Now. 

He didn't wait for an answer but turned and walked away, not looking backward.   

I stood there for a moment, my fists clenched at my sides. "What does the bastard want from me now?" I muttered under my breath.   

But I knew I didn't have a choice. Sighing heavily, I followed him, my mind already preparing for the inevitable clash.