CHAPTER 26: DESPERATE MEASURES

Ayla's POV

I sat in Alpha Liam's visitor chair, looking so lost in thought. Wondering why it is so easy for him to read me and my wolf's plan like a book.

"The Alphas agreed to test your strength to see if you pose a threat to the state," he said with a frown tightened face.

My eyes widened. "W-What?"

"You heard it right, Ayla. They're all alarmed about what happened and don't want you to destroy everything they've built since the war."

The look on Alpha Liam's face made my face pale white. I am hoping it isn't what I'm thinking, or else I'm doomed.

"You know, I’m not here to destroy anything, right?" I found myself explaining to him with a weak voice.

My palm turned sweaty.

What should I do? Do I have the chance to disagree if it has been decided by the state Alphas?

I guess not.

He shook his head in response. "They see you as a havoc. And as a part of the Silverline pack, they made an assumption on what you are capable of, not listening to my claim about you being weak and useless."

So many thoughts ran through my mind, but I still managed to share my insights with him.

"It means I'll face death again once proven, right?" I asked without looking at him.

Clearing his throat. He steadied his fingers to turn into fists.

All of a sudden, the air inside his office became thick from the tension brought on by his reaction.

"You won't."

His eyes dimmed.

"Do you think you have the power to shake their worlds?"

"I don't know," I answered in a worried tone. "What if they'll alter the result?"

Glaring in my direction, I saw him breathe out as he walked away from me. "They're not desperate to do that."

"What about Alpha Isaac?"

"His plans won't work. From the expedition towards his desire to strengthen his pack, I know he will fail. He's a selfish man who knows nothing but fights battles alone."

My heart pounded hard in my chest as I quickly turned my eyes to the bookshelves where Alpha Liam was heading.

"Have you ever fought with your wolf?"

His question caught me out of the blue. I swallowed the thick lump that formed beneath my throat, as I didn't know where this conversation was going.

"I have no actual combat experience, Alpha. I don't have the physical strength to fight, so I asked Dara to hunt for food."

"Hunting?"

"Yes," I muttered under my breath. "After the war, I lived in a cave near the summit of Ranexa Mountain. That's where the Beta Damian found me."

"No wonder you grew up in vain."

I draw a deep breath with my hands squeezed behind my back. "What do you expect, Alpha? My pack was labeled traitors, and both of my parents died from the Creeze Bloody War."

His cold expression disappeared, and a frown spread across his face.

"You did your best to survive, didn't you?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. Dara was the one who showed me the way. Even though it was a difficult night for my first shift, she gave me another reason to live. She stayed beside me in the darkest and loneliest part of my life."

He stepped forward with a smile creeping at the corner of his lips. As if he were entertained by my story.

"When was that?"

"I was ten. But I'm grateful to the Moon Goddess for allowing me to transform at such a young age."

The Alpha nodded, and the next thing I knew, he was standing in front of me with an old, creepy book in his hands.

"I'm curious about your story, but you know how impatient I am," he said while grinning at me.

I couldn't take my eyes away from him.

"What's the meaning of this, Alpha?" My voice broke at the latter of my question.

"Let me be the first to determine whether you pose a threat or not."

"But, Alpha..."

I tried to resist, but he's persistent.

"I am your Alpha. Also, I am the first man who will kill you if you go on a killing spree after this."

My gaze was drawn to the book, and wondered what would happen if I placed my hand there.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Ayla. We're just playing a little game here. Just follow my instructions, and you'll be safe."

I know his response was a mixture of sarcasm and lies. My mind's telling me that there's nothing safe when Alpha Liam's involved.

"Place your hand in the center and read the passage aloud. Easy, right?" he assured me.

"What will happen next?" I asked with eyes fixed upon him.

"You'll go on a rampage."

I almost cursed the Alpha for saying that, but all I did was sighed heavily.

"Are you being serious, Alpha Liam?"

A chuckle escaped his lips while staring at my face. "Go ahead. I'm just kidding."

"What about my wolf? I don't want her to get hurt, Alpha."

His eyes lingered on the book before answering. "Stop worrying about things. The book will just measure your magic and physical strength. You can ask your wolf to take over if you want."

I secretly shook my head. That suggestion just made his intentions clear, or should I say theirs? The assessment by the Alphas and this book from Alpha Liam only wanted one thing—and that was to measure my wolf's ability and strength.

"Uhm, can we just do it tomorrow? Promise, I’ll prepare myself." I asked in a low voice that almost went unheard by the Alpha. I faked an uneasy expression in the latter part of my sentence.

I just want him to feel that I am struggling with fear, not anxiety, at this moment.

"We do not know when they will conduct the assessment."

I secretly breathed out, planning to change my strategy, but he left me no other option but to follow.

Alpha Liam didn't say anything after that, and here I am thinking that he would change his mind.

He didn't fall apart as expected, and later on, I let my tense hand move slowly to touch the book he was holding.

As soon as my fingers landed on the cover, I heard Dara's voice in my mind.

'Ayla, stop! Use my power to stare into the Alpha’s eyes.'

Following the words of my wolf, I stared into the eyes of Alpha Liam and felt an overwhelming feeling in my system. My blood began to boil, leaving confusion and panic all over me.

'Let me take over. I don't want him to cut your throat after this.'