Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 45

Liam's heart was heavy with dread as he stood in his office, staring out the window at the pack grounds. His wolf was restless, and he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. He turned around when he heard the door open and saw James and Garrett enter. "James, what's the status of the scouting missions?" Liam asked, his voice betraying his anxiety. James sighed before answering. "We're still gathering intel, Alpha. It's been difficult to get close to the witch's pack without arousing suspicion."

Liam's frown deepened. "And what about my sister? How is she doing?"

"She's safe," Garrett said with a shrug. "No harm done. But you know this. Haven't you gone to see her?"

Liam rubbed his neck and looked out the window again. "Are you sure? We can not have what happened with Nicole happen to Lilian.

Garrett and James exchanged glances.

"She's okay mentally if that's what you're asking. You should see her, Liam."

Liam nodded, relieved. But his mind was still preoccupied with something else. "I need to talk to you both about Nicole," he said, his voice low.

Garrett snorted. "What about her? You always replace a way to bring her up. She's already under enough pressure as the witch bane."

Liam's eyes flashed with anger. "She's my..." he had to stop himself from saying the words 'Mate, "I care about her. And I want what's best for her. The mark is viable, Garrett. We are still attached."

James put a calming hand on Liam's shoulder. "Garrett, know your place," James hissed. "If it's about the decisions she's making, you'll have to let her be. You can't control her decision, Alpha. You can only do your best to make her comfortable."

Liam began pacing again, his mind reeling with thoughts of what Nicole had said. She had told him that she didn't want to join the pack, that she wanted her freedom after the battle was over.

He couldn't believe it. She was everything to him. He had become so attached to her that it was driving him insane. There was also the possibility that she was truly his mate, and the thought of losing her was unbearable. James and Garrett sat in front of him, watching him with concern. James cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Liam, I know this is hard, but you have to understand that Nicole has been through a lot. She was a slave and she has never had the freedom to make her own choices. She needs time to figure out what she wants." Liam glared at James. "But she's.... We have a ... She should be with me and the pack."

Garrett scoffed and folded his arms, "You're being difficult. Do you realize that you can not eat your cake and have it?"

Liam sighed and tugged at his hair. He shook his head, his eyes downcast. "I know. But it's hard, all this is hard and so f*****g complicated."

Garrett rolled his eyes. "Maybe she just wants her freedom, Liam. Can you blame her after everything she's been through?"

Liam bristled at the comment. "I'm not trying to control her, Garrett. I just want her to..."

Garrett snorted. "You deserve this, Liam. You've been pushing her too hard. She needs space and time to figure out her own life. This is your Karma for all the ladies you trampled on."

Liam growled at Garrett, his fists clenching. "Garrett. Don't you understand what that means? I can't lose her."

James stepped in before the argument could escalate. "Maybe you should talk to her, Alpha. Find out what she wants, and see if there's a way to compromise."

Liam nodded, his brows furrowed. "I did."

James spoke up again, his voice calm and soothing. "We all understand, Liam. But the choice should be hers to make. If she decides to do anything, it has to be because she wants to, and not because she feels like she has to." Liam placed his head in his hands. "I just don't know what to do. I can't imagine my life without her."

James put a hand on Liam's shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Liam. We'll make sure she stays."

Liam looked up at James, his eyes pleading. "I've never felt like this before. I don't know what I'm doing."

James nodded. "You're doing your best. The old you would have compelled everyone into doing your bidding, but look at you, Liam."

Garrett stood up and walked over to Liam, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You are doing well Liam, you're doing the best. That's all that matters."

Liam turned to look at Garrett, "You're right."

Garrett nodded. "I know. And I think she'll stay, she'll come to terms with us. We just have to give her time."

Liam took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew that Garrett was right. He had to trust Nicole, and he had to give her the space she needed. But the thought of losing her still filled him with dread.

He looked at James and Garrett with determination in his eyes. "I'll do everything in my power to make her stay. I'll show her that she belongs here, with me, with us."

James smiled. "That's all we can do, Liam. We have to show her that she's part of the pack, that we need her."

"That's a good plan. How about you go and visit your sister before hell lets loose." Garrett chuckled. "It's very unlikely for her elder brother to not have visited her after such an attack."

They all groaned, knowing that Lilian could be hell if she wanted.

Liam made his way to his sister's quarters, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. Despite the jokes they had made, he knew that everything was his fault. If only he could figure out why the witch targeted him in particular and who she was. He felt like he hadn't been able to protect her from the witch, and that the credit for replaceing her safe and sound was to be given to the pack's scouts. As he approached her door, he steeled himself for the inevitable confrontation. Lilian sneered at him as he entered, her eyes cold and calculating. "So, you finally decided to grace me with your presence," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me." "Lilian, I'm sorry that I couldn't come to save you myself, but you know I couldn't leave the pack unprotected," Liam said in a calm voice, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Lilian scoffed, "Oh, please spare me your excuses, Liam. You always replace a way to prioritize your precious pack over your own flesh and blood."

Liam sighed and leaned on the wall, "I don't have the time or patience for

this."

Lilian snorted. "Save it, Liam. You just didn't want to come by yourself. Afraid of facing the witch alone?"

Liam gritted his teeth, feeling his anger rising. "I did what I had to do to keep the pack safe."

Lilian snickered, "But if it was Nicole, your little witch bane Omega, you would run without care."

Liam said through clenched teeth; "I didn't pick Nicole over you. She was captured because of your actions."

Lilian's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, Liam thought he had gotten through to her. But then she started to cry, big, crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I didn't mean to get her captured," she wailed. "I cannot believe you accused me of something like this when I was just trying to tell you the truth. I was trying to save you from her!"

"Lilian, I love you," Liam said, stepping closer to her. "But you have to understand that Nicole is important to me. She's part of the pack now, and I can't just abandon her."

Lilian shook her head, her tears turning into angry sobs. "I don't understand why you're so obsessed with her," she spat. "She's just a slave, a nobody. How could she have any effect on you?"

Liam felt his anger rising again and he took a step back, trying to keep his temper in check. "You don't understand anything, Lilian," he said, his voice cold.

"Nicole is not just a slave. She's a person. When did you become like this? We swore to treat everyone equally. And I care about her."

Lilian sneered at him, her eyes narrowing. "It's witchcraft, isn't it?" she said, her voice low and dangerous. "She's cast a spell on you and you're too stupid to see it."

"Lilian, you know that's not true," Liam said through gritted teeth.

But Lilian wasn't listening. She was crying harder now, tears streaming down her face as she tried to guilt-trip him.

"You picked that lowly girl over me, Liam. You don't even care about your own family," Lilian said, her voice shaking.

Liam's anger boiled over, "That's not true, Lilian. Nicole had nothing to do with this. The reason I couldn't come for you was because the pack was in danger. You know that."

But Lilian wouldn't listen. She was convinced that Nicole had cast a spell on Liam and that was the reason why he was so willing to risk everything for her.

Liam felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He couldn't reason with his sister and he didn't know how to make her see reason.

Liam shook his head, feeling a sense of hopelessness. "You'll never understand," he said, turning to leave. "I have to go."

As he walked out of her quarters, he was furious and frustrated. He couldn't believe that his own sister could be so blind and manipulative. Outside, he mind-linked James, the guards, and the warriors, telling them to make sure Lilian never came into contact with Nicole again.

Feeling overwhelmed, Liam headed for the forest. He needed to clear his head. He ran through the trees, his feet pounding against the soft earth. The tension inside of him began to ease as he let out his frustration and anger in physical exertion. Liam ran through the forest, his mind reeling with thoughts of his sister's behavior. He couldn't understand why Lillian had such a strong dislike for Nicole, or why she would accuse him of choosing her over his own sister.

Lillian's recent actions only added to his confusion and frustration. He couldn't believe that his own flesh and blood would try to manipulate him like that.

He slowed down to a jog, taking deep breaths and trying to clear his mind. He knew he couldn't let Lillian's behavior affect him like this, especially not with the upcoming battle against the witch. He needed to stay focused and keep his pack safe. But even as he tried to push the thoughts out of his head, they continued to linger. He wondered if there was something he was missing or if there were some underlying reasons behind Lillian's behavior.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal, as though his own sister didn't trust him or the decisions he made for the pack.

As he continued to jog through the forest, Liam made a mental note to speak with James and Garrett about Lillian's behavior. He needed their advice and input, especially with the battle looming on the horizon.

He couldn't let his personal life get in the way of his duties as an alpha and he wouldn't let anything or anyone jeopardize the safety of his pack.

Eventually, he slowed down, coming to a stop near a small stream. He crouched down, dipping his hands into the cool water and feeling a sense of peace wash over him.

As he sat there, he knew he had to replace a way to make Lilian see reason. But for now, he would focus on the battle ahead and keeping his pack safe.