CHAPTER 18: FORGOTTEN MEMORIES

Ayla's POV.

I took a deep breath, trying to recall everything that happened last night while convincing my wolf that Alpha Liam's bite was nothing special.

As stupid as my story sounded, I went on to tell her about how it all happened without bothering to skip even the tiniest detail.

Me being Alpha Liam's fated mate was impossible and I will do everything to prove it to whoever would insist that I am, even with my wolf Dara.

"That's impossible, believe me. He directly said to my face that I am not his fated mate," I said with finality.

I thought she would finally give up on our argument, but she did not. "That mark doesn't just mean temptation to me, Ayla."

My head shook in frustration. "You know how the Alpha enjoys manipulating my emotions, right? You are aware of how wicked he is. It’s just a normal bite, nothing special."

She paused for a while, as if she'd been analyzing my story.

"Do you want me to believe that?" Dara asked, and like a puppet, I nodded my head.

"Of course!" I answered with a smile.

Dara remained unconvinced. "Then you shouldn't fall for the same trick from the Alpha. I am your wolf who was supposed to surrender with his wolf's calling and desire in the first place," she paused. "But here I am, doing everything to hide just to protect our secret."

"The thing is...I felt an unexpected pang of nostalgia last night. My heart was filled with mixed emotions just from looking at his face, Dara."

I decided to change the topic because right now, I was still too sore to talk about Alpha Liam. Trying to remember everything that happened last night has only made my face blush.

"The image of the boy smiling in front of me truly resembles him," I added.

"Is that boy the Alpha?" she asked, her voice ringing through my head.

As much as I am trying my best to remember, the memory of my childhood and that child filled me with a bittersweet feeling.

"I couldn't even recall who that boy was, Dara." My voice became helpless and low, not until an idea came into my mind.

"Maybe, doing something reckless to confirm wouldn't let me end up behind bars?"

"What are you planning?" my wolf asked with a confused tone.

At this point, I just want to know the truth by comparing that boy's face to his pictures. If I am not mistaken, I still have an hour before his return.

Faster than the speed of light, I let my eyes roam around Alpha Liam's room, hoping to find anything related to his childhood.

"Just one luck, and it's over," I said before drawing a deep breath.

"What exactly are you looking for?"

I could feel Dara's confusion, but I had no choice but to continue.

"I'm looking for some of his old pictures, Dara. One image could put an end to this curiosity," I answered.

"You should be more concerned with the bloodstain on the sheets. Look at you, Ayla. You can't even walk properly."

I secretly took a glimpse of the sheets mentioned by my wolf.

The stain on it was just proof that I gave him my chastity and why I ended up in this situation. It's true that my knees were wobbling like my legs lost their strength and my mind was confused as hell right now.

Despite Dara's words, I hesitantly stood behind Alpha Liam's closet while my eyes were busy roaming the displays.

'Please guide me just for today, moon goddess. I know you won't let me live here without a purpose, you told that to the Omega,' I draw a deep breath at the thought.

Thirty minutes have passed and I still saw nothing but grown-up images of Alpha Liam.

Out of the frustration from not finding anything that would help me confirm the boy's identity, I decided to take the sheet off and work on it instead to calm my nerves.

I tried my best to move silently towards the utility room, but as soon as the Alpha's baritone and deep voice stepped in, I took a deep breath and replied with urgency.

"What are you doing, my Luna?" he barked, causing my nerves to shiver on their own.

I faced him with my fingers gripping the fabric tightly. "Alpha, I'm..."

"Put it down," Alpha Liam ordered, but I remained frozen on the ground.

"But Alpha..." I contest absentmindedly.

His eyes became sharp, and his expression was as cold as ice.

"I said put it down," he repeated. "You are the Luna of this pack, just give that task to the Omegas."

Gasping for breath, I raised my eyes to meet his. "The Omegas had other things to do and this bloodstain...I want to wash it myself because it came from me last night, Alpha Liam."

Although blushing, I tried my best to convince him to let me do what I wanted.

"Did you hear that, Beta? This is the evidence that I claimed my Luna last night."

My face got pale as soon as I heard Alpha Liam's words. The dryness in my mouth and throat made it difficult for me to swallow as Beta Damian entered the scene.

"It seems like she didn't notice your presence at all, Beta."

I gasped. I could see the surprise registered on Beta Damian's face.

"I concealed it to surprise her, Alpha. But I am the one who's surprised right now," his baritone voice said with a smile at us.

Alpha Liam's lips curled up into a sly grin and instead of being glad with his proud expression, I could only feel my feet getting colder and colder from where I stood.

"There's nothing to be surprised about. We're engaged, and I'm serious about her being my Luna," he said possessively.

"You already have a place to call home, Ayla. Remember what I told you before?" Beta Damian said with a glint in his eyes.

I couldn't help but purse my lips while staring at him. That look was when he wanted to assure me of something.

"I said you deserve to be happy with someone you love," he added, making my heart ache for a second.

"She's happy with me, Beta. We both felt the same amount of joy and satisfaction last night."

My legs suddenly became heavy, as I came closer when Alpha Liam asked me to come near him, leaving me frustrated and disappointed at the same time.

'If only you knew what was happening behind the scenes, Beta Damian. I may be your pack's Luna, but that doesn't change the fact that I am just a tool in Alpha Liam's eyes. Love was way out of the box.'