Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 33

Alarms resounded in Liam's head a few moments after Nicole ran out through the door.

Nicole! Where are you? You're in Danger!

He screamed into his link with her as he stumbled out after her. But it was too late because in seconds his connection to her was cut off. "Liam! What's going on?" Garrett shouted as he ran after him,

"Nicole," he growled, throwing his hands in the air, "I cannot feel her!"

Liam didn't stop, he continued running, following her fading scent that led him into the forest.

Get the scouts out here, someone attacked Nicole! He commanded the warriors through the link. He could hear Garrett's footsteps as he came after him. He thought he sensed Asha, her friend, but he couldn't be certain.

He snaked through the forest at a great speed, allowing his nose to direct him.

When did she get this far? Garrett said into his head. She just left a few minutes ago.

The scouts had arrived. They didn't follow Liam, instead, they spread out in different directions in search of the intruder and attacker.

Liam stopped short and sniffed the air. For the first time in a long while, sweat trickled down his forehead. His wolf was agitated and howling within. It wanted to break free and go after her itself. He bared his teeth and inhaled the air. "I cannot sense her. Her scent has thinned out!" He roared.

"Spread out, delve deeper into the woods. There are intruders in the forest. Use does resistance to the witch's powers as forerunners. I suspect magical foul play!" James screamed, his eyes flashing black and gold, showing that he was also communicating through the link as he arrived at the scene.

"Alpha, at what place is her scent prominent?" James growled.

Liam wasn't paying attention, his eyes were closed as he tried with all his might to establish a connection with Nicole.

"Speak to me, Garrett! What happened?"

"There was an argument with Lilian and she ran out. A few seconds later, he felt that something was wrong."

"Okay, Beta, get Asha out of here. We need you at the pack in case this might be a trap. Alpha, where's her most prominent scent?"

Garrett nodded, grabbed Asha and returned to the pack. Almost at the same time, Liam took off again and James followed.

Hours passed by and she still wasn't found.

24 hours later, Liam paced about the conference hall with the eyes of almost thirty werewolves which made up the panel/stakeholders of Dark Moon.

"We should retreat the scouts in the woods. It's obvious that she's now untraceable." One of them said,

"It might be a plot to get us. The werewolves searching the forests are fatigued at this point. Maybe they want to weaken our defenses."

"Yes, why are we so concerned? She's just a witch bane. It's not like she's a core member of the pack. I think she's disposable."

"This is an obvious ploy, the witch bane is most likely to defeat the Witch and so she was abducted. The good thing is that we've trained most of our warriors and pack members. Why worry? What was she before we discovered her importance? A slave? An Omega?" "We should call back our scouts and troops and fortify Dark Moon."

"If the witch abducted her, she must have killed her by now and would have greater confidence in defeating us. She also knows that you might fall into her trap and go after Nicole; this would weaken our defenses, and at the right time, she would strike." "Yes, we shouldn't fall for it. It seems like you're falling apart, Alpha. Your state is demoralizing the pack members,"

"Enough..." Garrett growled, getting to his feet.

Liam was still pacing around. Their words fell on deaf ears, the only thing he cared about was getting Nicole back immediately. He ran his hand through his hair and tugged it. He couldn't sense her, but he knew that she was not alright. It was like he was under intense t*****e and his wolf was not helping at all. It was clawing at him from within and raging.

"Is that all you think of her? Have any of you ever asked yourself why your alpha would bring back a fake Luna?" Garrett raged,

"Even if she's nothing to us," James cut in, giving Garrett a side eye, "when did we change from the norms in Dark Moon? I thought anyone admitted into the Dark Moon was to be protected. When did we change? When did we lose our sympathy? Even with strays, you know quite well that your alpha is ready to go to the ends of the Earth to save anybody who can be identified as a Pack member. So why should Nicole's situation be different?"

"She's even the freaking Witch bane! Probably our hope in this perplexing war. The impetus is alarming," Garrett hissed, slamming his palm on the table and clenching his fists.

"You want the scouts to be called back?" Liam said suddenly, his voice was the authority that made them shake. "Fine, they are worn out. But if they come back, the warriors go out in their stead." The room was immediately filled with grumbling and rumbles.

"Silence!" Liam hissed, his voice as low as passing wind. "I need to hear my thoughts," his eyes were black pools showing that both man and wolf were present.

The room was pin-drop silent as they all stared wide-eyed at him. Everyone knew how formidable Liam was when his wolf was present. Werewolves were naturally beast-like, but Liam's wolf was the embodiment of the beast itself.

It was a monster with no iota of fear, regard, or respect. Everyone knew that they had to watch their words because the aggravated Liam's wolf could snap and rip out their throats in seconds. It had happened before; he had slaughtered 10panel members in less than 5 minutes.

"I respect you. I respect the panel because I believe that one cannot lead alone. So I'm going to ask you all to stop your chattering and chittering. You're not birds, neither are you monkeys. We began this meeting about 2 hours ago, yet you are still running around in circles. It's annoying. What has the Panel decided?"

The room was silent for long minutes and Liam, who had been pacing about, slumped on his throne seat.

"Anyone?" Liam growled.

"Uhmm... Alpha. We are still considering the circumstances..."

"Don't. I've given you enough time." Liam growled,

"We-we think, We have decided to let it be. We think you should forget it. This is a trap and the moment you step out something may happen."

"You realize that 24 hours have gone, right?"

"She might as well be dead," someone whispered.

Liam tugged his blonde hair and banged the table. "My patience with every person in this room is being tested each second. It will be horrible when I lose it, but I guess you guys are over-familiar with that story and have forgotten the truth. It would be bad if I lost one of you because of your insensitivity."

"We have decided that you shouldn't go out; you become exposed to risks both in the forest and here."

"What risk? Do you realize that we're at greater risk if she's killed?" Liam growled.

The room was silent.

"I'm giving you 30 minutes and if I don't get the response I want or a better idea, I'll head into the forest," he declared, storming out of their presence. Blind with rage, he bumped into Lillian who had been eavesdropping on the conversation.

"Wh-what's their decision?" She stammered.

Liam was exuding so much power combined with ire, that it suffocated anyone close to him. Lilian staggered back, clawing at her neck. "Liam!" She gritted out panting heavily. "Stop it, you're killing me."

Liam growled, his wolf was very angry at her. It remembered how Lilian had taunted and bullied Nicole. Liam paused, allowing himself to cool down. "Lilian, what do you know about her disappearance?" He asked icily, his voice was calm but dripping with menace.

Lilian trembled and then blew out a breath.

"Are you out of your mind? How dare you accuse me of such?"

"Accuse?" Liam snarled. "I only asked a question,"

Lilian's eyes shot wide, then brimmed with tears.

"You... you may have not said anything, but you implied it!" She stammered.

Liam raked his hands through his hair. "Do not f**k with me, Lilian. My wolf is seconds, mere seconds from losing its mind. It can smell guilt off you."

"Liam," Lilian growled, wiping the tears falling out of her eyes, "you will not bully me!"

"What the f**k are you talking about?" Liam growled. "Why are you suddenly sweating?"

"You-you-you"

"Answer me,"

"No," Lilian sneered, "I have no idea where your Omega-witch bane is. Neither do I know why you'd think I'd done something like that."

Liam stared intently at her for some seconds, then snapped his eyes shut and rubbed his face with his hands. His wolf waged war on his head. It didn't believe Lilian, but to him, she looked sincere.

"Besides, this is the chance we've been waiting for. You've grown attached. You should use this opportunity to sever these bonds and ties you're developing with her. She is not your mate, and neither is she Luna Material."

Liam couldn't believe what she was saying. He paced around trying to keep himself in check. If he let loose, he could cause serious harm to his sister.

"Liam," Lilian said affectionately. "All these things you think you feel are not real. Cross-examine yourself and you'll realize that these feelings are from your wolf and not you. Once again, you are allowing your wolves' emotions to control you. Fight it, you are above that." Liam growled, his eyes turning to gold pools. His back arched as his wolf threatened to make its way out.

"You did this!" He growled,

In a second, he grabbed Lilian by her throat and lifted her into the air.

James and Garrett ran out and tried to wrestle Lilian out of his grip. Lilian's fingers transformed into claws as she scratched and struggled viciously for freedom.

"Where's she?" Liam asked, his voice becoming deeper and laced with authority that slowed James and Garrett down. It signified that his wolf was present and almost in complete control.

Within him, Liam fought to keep his sanity. Lilian's attacks and clawing weren't having any effect on him. After about a minute, he let her go and turned to James and Garrett.

"Alpha," Garrett growled, his wolf was also present and his eyes were black and gold. "Liam, control this rage. Do not go Feral,"

Grunting, Liam doubled over, holding his lap and panting heavily. He shook his head a couple of times, but his wolf was still insistent.

"Liam... How could you?" Lilian, who had collapsed to the floor, croaked as she gasped for air. "I cannot believe you-"

Liam's head snapped up, his eyes now completely black, he bared his fangs at Lilian, whose eyes widened on seeing his expression. They all exchanged looks and swallowed, fear crept up their bellies.

Lilian was annoyed for two reasons-one, that her brother was going feral on her, and two, that he was doing it for a girl who wasn't worth it. She snarled and automatically got to her feet. Her eyes flashed golden and she bared her teeth at him.

"Stand down!" Garrett growled at Lilian, using his authority as Beta. He and James were the only ones who could stand up to Liam's wolf when things went out of hand.

Because Lilian's wolf was also an Alpha wolf, she growled in defiance.

"Can't you see!" She screamed. "You're letting the bond develop. You hit me because of that!"

Liam remained in the same position, breathing hard as he fought with his wolf.

"Get her out of here!" Garrett commanded James.

In a flash, James grabbed Lilian by the waist and darted off.

They could hear her screaming,

"I won't stand for this! She has corrupted your mind for you to accuse me, Brother! It must stop. It must end..."

"Liam," Garrett said carefully, "It's okay. Just calm down."

"Nothing is." Liam snapped, "What did the Panel decide?"

Garret stood rigidly, unable to say anything.

Liam grunted, then took off toward the forest, changing into his wolf form as he went in search of Nicole.