CHAPTER 24: SOLE SURVIVOR

Nineteen years should be ample time to get over with something that brought terror and agony to their land. Yet, the expressions painted on the Alpha's faces were living proof that they were still bothered by the smell of rotting corpses and blood in their memories.

"Your Luna is the sole survivor of the pack that started them all, Alpha Liam."

Alpha Liam breathed out a sigh while listening to the alphas agree with each other. As if the words coming from them were sharp knives, aiming for his Luna to disappear instantly and go to hell.

"Having another war will be a disaster," Alpha Jack said while clenching his fist.

Even after his effort to persuade everyone, the hatred and ridicule awarded to Ayla's family were too strong to be broken.

And instead of speaking up, he chose to stay silent as the weak-willed Alphas instantly gained the courage to give their opinions.

"We should come up with a plan," Alpha Dale suggested.

The conversation was already cold as it was, but given the circumstances and the threat coming from his plan, the hall became dull and hopeless to his eyes.

"If the merciless Alpha was here, he would certainly stand up to kill her," Alpha Lester added.

Alpha Liam's brows furrowed while listening to the weakest of them all. His expression became blank, knowing that the man speaking in front of him only gained the same status through politics and succession. He doesn't even stand a chance against him in a brawl.

Alpha Jack nodded with an insulting smirk on his lips. "I agree with him. Killing the rogue will also benefit the state."

The amount of bloodlust coming from Jack felt acrid in the back of Alpha Liam's throat.

He wanted to make them wary of his Luna, but not to this extent—it should only be the merciless Alpha who'd destroy everything, even himself, just to have Ayla's head.

"Not on my watch, bastard!"

He protested with eyes pinned in the alpha's direction. An attempt to save the damsel in distress was now visible from where he stood.

"She's my chosen Luna. Killing her also means declaring war against my pack."

Now, his words were enough for Alpha Jack to stand up from his seat.

"Are you threatening us?"

Alpha Liam despicably shook his head as an answer. "I just wanted you to know that it can trigger the threat you're talking about." The seriousness in his eyes was able to silence everyone. "And eventually, it could even fulfill Clint's premonitions."

The Alphas were enraged and frustrated as they looked at him. He shifted his gaze to the ground, controlling his inner joy at their reactions.

Alpha Dale stared at him as he took a deep breath. "Why don't we measure the Luna's power? An assessment— that's the best way to tell if she's a threat or not."

The corners of his mouth curled in a grimace while listening to their suggestions.

One thing is for sure: the weak clan would find a way to prevent a war against his pack. But nonetheless, it's inevitable. That's the fact!

"Once proven, killing her is the best option," said Alpha Jack, whose eagerness was still immeasurable at the moment.

Alpha Nathan nodded and took a step forward. "Kill her or banish her. I think that's enough for a lowly she-wolf."

With those words, he cast a meaningful gaze at Alpha Nathan, who seemed lost in his suggestion.

'Ignorance!' he said in his thoughts. 'That will be the fruit of your aggressiveness and arrogance, Nathan.'

He only sighed and asked. "If not, what would you do to my Luna?"

Alpha Liam bit the inside of his cheeks for a second. There's no way his mind could forget the alphas' puzzled reaction.

"You can have her on your own." Alpha Dale's voice booms through the conference room, shutting everyone up.

The man whom they considered a skirtchaser ended the discussion with his overwhelming maturity when it comes to sensitive topics.

Knowing Alpha Clint, he would surely rely on his premonitions and wait until the assessment was over. There was no urgency involved—that only meant he saw something that could happen in a span of three to six months.

"Fine."

Alpha Liam lowered his head as his eyes sparkled secretly.

Who knew unnerving the Alphas was going to be a piece of cake?

When the Alphas exited his suite, Alpha Liam was able to let a winning smile escape his lips. Against the bloodlust and tension, several thoughts about the future of his pack were able to brighten his mood.

[Your plan’s working so well, Liam.]

There, a greater level of amusement swirled in his heart. If only he could pop up a bottle of champagne to celebrate with a sound of laughter, he would.

"I'm just getting started, Azael. Just a warm-up for them to feel fear and defeat."

[What a wicked move.]

Turning around. He couldn't help but smirk at the alphas' cars, disappearing one by one from his sight. "Tell me that's enough to dampen their spirits."

Azael strongly agreed.

"I guess it's hitting two birds in one stone. Time for a whisper of recognition to come my way, Azael. The death of my beloved mother wouldn't come to waste."

As Alpha Liam's expression darkened, he felt an intense emotion coming from his wolf.

"Mind telling me what's bothering you?" His tone dropped at the question.

[I forgot to tell you.] Azael answered. [Her wolf was not in the right condition to meet me last night. She's whining in pain.]

Alpha Liam's strong gasps echoed through the hall. Anxiousness crept to the back of his neck while listening to the news given by his wolf.

"What happened?"

[I don't know. Her fragrance was overpowering, just like the one that sent your sense of smell into overdrive at the ceremony.]

He inhaled deeply while holding on to his curiosity. "You told me she's not responding to you, right?"

[Yes,] Azael answered frustratedly.

"There was no way that was possible. Didn't you tell me that the bond would strengthen after an intimate night with Ayla?"

Different thoughts raced through Alpha Liam's mind as he tried to remember what happened. The plan of Azael was executed by himself for the bond to be established without Ayla's knowledge.

Now that it's proven ineffective, there's a part of him who wants to uncover everything behind his Luna's back.

[I told you, she's a strong wolf.] Azael answered desperately. [That's the same reason why I can't reach her.]

Instead of getting disappointed, Alpha Liam felt the opposite.

"That means I have one more trick up my sleeve." A lecherous smile crept at the corner of his lips.

Alpha Liam's next words were dark and scheming enough to make the atmosphere change.

And as much as his wolf tried to ignore it, Azael couldn't find a way out of the thick and ominous wickedness enveloping the alpha's heart.

"It’s impossible for them to measure Ayla’s power. There's no way their plan to destroy my marionette would succeed."