CHAPTER 21: AZAEL'S MATE

Ayla's POV.

After a few minutes, I managed to calm the agitated wolf inside my head. Despite what happened, I knew I had to remain calm and take advantage of the opportunity that the Alphas were distracted.

"Please tell me I'm not seeing things," Alpha Clint said in a frustrated voice.

Thanks to them, I was able to familiarize myself with their names through their conversation with me a while ago.

I could still see confusion in Alpha Dale's eyes, but he was able to calm down. "All you need to do is look into her eyes to know," he said with a convincing tone.

Alpha Raze took a deep breath as he shrugged his shoulders. "She is, without a doubt, an Alpha by blood, just like us."

One of the Alphas nodded, but his eyes were still pinned in my direction. "As anticipated from the Silverline rogue."

Alpha Raze sighed. "After all, she is his daughter."

"What are you talking about?" Alpha Jack asked, shocked by the reaction given by the other Alpha. The smile like he was going to wreck my life from a while ago faded in an instant. "Can't you see she's nothing special?"

"Stop it, Alpha Jack!" Alpha Dale stated while giving me the opportunity to distance myself from them. "The Silverline Pack was perceived as the most powerful and dangerous clan in the past by all wolves."

His description of my kin made my heart sink. It was an old fact that was now considered a false claim.

"Strongest, huh?" Alpha Jack said with an insulting laugh. "If that’s the truth, then why did they lose?"

"It's one versus eight, dude."

I suddenly felt uncomfortable with their discussion, knowing that these Alphas were the current leaders of the pack who killed my family.

Alpha Dale turned to me, and I got momentarily scared by the expression he made. "Zeta joined the team and defeated the Silverline's Alpha, making him the hero of the Creeze Bloody War."

I secretly draw a deep breath. Hearing him use the word defeated rather than killed confirmed that this man considered me and my pack as their enemies.

"What's with the ruckus, my dear Alphas?" I froze upon hearing his voice.

I tried to move backward, my head lowering from where I stood as I waited for him to stand beside me.

"It's funny how you act innocent after pissing us off, Alpha Liam," Alpha Raze irritatedly said. "Did you know her true nature from the very beginning?"

I heard his slight chuckle, and because of that, I wasn't able to stop myself from lifting my head when I saw him standing beside me.

"What do you mean?" he asked with a grin.

"You married a threat!" Alpha Clint's words sounded like a growl towards the end.

He gave them an amused reaction. "Threat? Haven't you witnessed what happened a while ago? The threat you are referring to knelt before me."

"Alpha Liam..." A whimper escaped my lips.

His smile widens, seemingly pleased with what happened a while ago.

"I just asked my Luna to thank you when an elderly wolf blocked my way."

Taking a deep breath, I knew his statement would just make the other Alpha's anger rise.

"You little liar!"

Alpha Raze's voice was enough to gather everyone's attention.

I could hear murmurs all over the place. Now, I was the reason why the celebration abruptly came to an end.

"If you'll excuse us, Alphas."

A smug smirk tugged on Alpha Liam's lips, making me squint my eyes, trying to have a clearer view of him because I was too scared to move my chin up.

"You started this game, Liam. Don't turn your back on me!" Alpha Jack's growl was so loud that I felt the earth shake underneath me.

I took a deep breath, knowing what would happen next.

"Oh, what do you need, Jack the beast?" Alpha Liam asked with a wicked smile on his face.

It instantly turned Alpha Jack's face red in annoyance. "Are you thrilled that you mated with a fucking rogue Luna?"

Alpha Liam chuckled and circled his arm around my shoulder. "No, not at all. It's the other way around. She was the one who showed up at my party."

I secretly inhaled a mouthful of air. And once more, my wolf became uncomfortable again. Maybe because Alpha Liam was making me catch all the shame again.

"Don't be so full of yourself!" Alpha Jack spewed his words, laced with irritation.

"What are you talking about? Can’t you feel how calm I am? You are the one acting like a dog in heat since you saw my Luna."

Alpha Jack made the most annoyed and hateful look he could muster toward us, and despite knowing who he is, I was more concerned about what we were doing.

"We should talk about this matter some other time, Alpha Liam."

I don't know why, but Alpha Dale's words sounded like a warning to us. As if he were asking for clarification, now that they knew something about me being an Alpha by blood.

He just smiled at him normally.

"Sure, Dale!"

"Enjoy your night," Alpha Dale said again. His eyes found mine, but I chose not to stare at him.

"I hope your wolf won't weaken after tonight, Alpha Liam."

I glance up, looking at Alpha Clint, confused. All the Alphas' faces were expressionless, making my temperature drop from my anxiousness.

"Your premonitions again, Clint?" Alpha Liam stepped in front of me. "You know that won't work on me. I can change my fate in a second."

An hour later. Not a single word dared to escape my lips due to the humiliation I felt at the offering ceremony. I know I messed up with the Alphas big time, and there's no excuse for that.

"Everything went according to plan, my Luna. Did you see their faces when your wolf protected you? That was hilarious!"

I raised my face to see Alpha Liam holding me. I still looked awful, but far better than the face I had in front of the Alphas and his pack.

As much as I wanted to answer him, my eyes dropped quickly. I don't even feel like I should look at him after everything that happened.

"What's your wolf’s name again?"

The way he glanced at me, I felt like it was a way to try to get close to my wolf, making me nervous.

"Answer me before I lose my patience, Ayla."

I freeze. I know I shouldn't tell him more information about my wolf.

Yes, he saw me in my wolf form once and even tried to seduce the hell out of me, making my wolf show up to protect me, but being alone in his room meant something different.

"Dara," I gasped, my hands trembling. "That’s my wolf’s name."

He raised his head, and I watched the roll of his throat as he swallowed hard.

"A lovely name for a wolf with a snow-white fur."

I lowered my head as I tried to start calling out Dara, but she gave me no response.

"Aren't you thankful?" He turned to me and grinned. "I just gave your wolf a compliment. Why don't you take advantage of my good mood, Ayla?" he said while leaning closer to me.

"If that’s the case..." I said in a firm voice. "Can you spare me for tonight, Alpha? Please give me a little time to rest."

For the first time, I received a soft expression from Alpha Liam. I didn't even feel worried that he would strike me or do something devious after giving me the opportunity to request something from him.

"Why don't you ask my wolf if he agrees?"

My eyes widened. His wolf has always interested me, but I know my place very well. Doing something that reckless would only mean one thing...death.

"I don't have the right to speak with such a powerful wolf, Alpha Liam."

Our eyes met. "Don’t ruin my mood. Take over, Azael."

"Alpha, please don’t..." I tried to stop him, but it was too late.

As soon as the Alpha's eyes turned crimson, my wolf began to whine inside my head.

Then all of a sudden, Alpha Liam's whole aura changed, and the ruthless man I was talking to disappeared and was replaced by someone different.

I was not able to greet his greatness when he growled. It was loud enough to make my heart burst.

"MATE!"