Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 57

Liam couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that something was amiss with Nicole. Her withdrawal, her distant demeanor-it weighed heavily on his heart.

He knew they needed time alone to communicate and sort things out, but his responsibilities as Alpha kept pulling him in different directions.

As the pack gathered for their daily training, Liam made a quick decision. He needed an excuse to create a window of opportunity to talk to Nicole without raising any suspicions. Turning to James, he whispered in his ear, and their plan quickly formulated. "James, I need you to lead the pack in their training today," Liam said, projecting his voice for all to hear. "I have to check on the troops and make sure everything is in order. I trust you to handle things here."

James nodded, understanding the unspoken message. "Don't worry, Alpha. I'll take care of it. You go do what you need to do."

With a nod of gratitude, Liam made his way toward Nicole, his eyes searching for her amidst the gathered pack members.

Finally spotting her, he approached her. His wolf yearned to hold her, to pull her soft body into his arms, but he remembered the mate rumors and held himself back.

"Nicole," Liam called out softly, his voice laced with concern. "Can we talk? Alone?"

Nicole glanced up, surprise flickering in her eyes, but she nodded and followed him as he led her away from the training area. They found a secluded spot beneath the shade of a large tree, where they could have some semblance of privacy. Liam took a deep breath. "Nicole, what's wrong? I've noticed that something's been bothering you. You've been withdrawing, and I can't bear to see you like this. Please, talk to me. Let me help."

Nicole sighed, her gaze fixed on the ground, and swallowed. She knew from the very beginning that there was no way she could easily hide the events of the past few days from Liam, especially when they were now connected.

Yet it wasn't time to tell him because it would definitely land Asha and all the other ladies in trouble. Of what use would it be if she hadn't figured out the complete truth?

She wondered if she should ask Liam about his past, about the curse, and if it had something to do with the current attacks on the Dark Moon.

It was at times like this that she missed Garrett the most. He would have been the best person to talk to about Asha's claims, but something kept nagging at her and telling her that Asha didn't paint a clear picture.

It was like she told Nicole bits and pieces of what happened while completely excluding herself from the picture.

Nicole was heartbroken. She had believed that Asha was a true friend of hers. Something told her that she was also lying, and the funniest part was that she couldn't figure out what was true or what was a lie.

It was all twisted, and she had no one to confide in apart from Liam, who stared at her with his blue eyes.

"We need to talk," she said, "but the time is not right."

Liam reached out, gently placing his hand on hers, offering her support, "Whatever this is, Nicole. You don't have to face it alone. We're in this together. Whatever it is, we'll replace a way to overcome it." Nicole looked up, "The Full Moon run," she said easily, using it to mask her emotions. "The pack is buzzing about it.

Liam gave her a wry smile. "Oh, that? It's no big deal. We will run together through and into the deepest parts of the forest. Throughout that night, we will all live as wolves, and you will be by my side." Nicole's heart skipped a beat. If Asha's claims were true, the last thing she needed to do was be part of that run. She couldn't risk putting Liam in jeopardy.

"I'm afraid. And it's okay that I am. Things like that make me uncomfortable. I've always been a lone wolf, remember?"

Liam's grip tightened slightly. He wanted to say, 'Not anymore,' but he didn't know if she had understood that she was going to become a full-pack member; his Luna and he didn't want to spook her, especially if she still thought that she was leaving. As if she could read his mind, Nicole said, "Remember our deal?"

Liam froze. He didn't want to remember that deal. He wanted it to be expunged. She was his mate. How was he supposed to let her leave? Was it his Karma?

"Don't leave me," he muttered so softly. He didn't think he could bear the heartbreak. "We still have time to figure this out together, Nicole. We will. So please be patient. Let's figure it out. We're a team, and we'll face any challenge together." Nicole's eyes softened, and her mind was in pieces. How was she supposed to stay when his life could be in danger because of her? And how could she leave when he had begged her to stay? What was the truth? What was real?

"Okay." She whispered, "Okay. But this is too much for me. I just need some time to process everything. I hope you can understand."

She hated it. Nicole hated that she was always asking for time. Every time. She hated that she always needed to process. But she didn't know what to say or do.

Liam nodded, "I understand."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering in the air. Liam wished he could unravel the mystery that troubled Nicole. Something was disturbing her.

"I'll do my best to protect you, Nicole," Liam finally said, his voice filled with resolve. "Whatever you're going through, I won't let anything or anyone harm you. You're important to me." Nicole's eyes met his, a flicker of appreciation and vulnerability shining through. "Thank you, Liam. Your words mean a lot to me. Just... give me some time. I'll replace my way back, I promise." Liam gave her a reassuring smile, his voice filled with tenderness. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here, waiting, ready to support you whenever you're ready."

They sat together beneath the shade of the tree, replaceing solace in each other's presence.

James came by and cleared his throat, and Liam, immediately understanding what he meant, got to his feet.

Alpha? Has she told you? There have been rumors flying about her, and all the animosity seems to be directed at her. James said into Liam's head.

Liam stood wide-eyed, looking directly into James's eyes.

What do you mean?

James glanced briefly at Nicole, who was staring curiously at both of them, then back at Liam.

The females you've been entangled with Alpha. They heard the rumors that she's your mate and they aren't happy.

Liam felt his body turn cold. He looked at Nicole, who wasn't privy to the information James had just passed, and he was angry.

Liam made it clear from the very beginning that he had nothing from the females he had been with, nothing more than pleasure and protection. That was why, when picking anyone, he would make sure to only approach those who understood the rules of the game. He stayed away from soft-hearted females whose houses you could easily break and only went to the females who understood.

Although even with everything, he made sure they parted amicably. So why is this happening now? And even if he deserved it, why weren't they attacking him? Why were they going after his mate?

"You've got to go, right?" Nicole said meekly, her voice tugging Liam's heartstrings.

He nodded, "It's an emergency. I have to go."

It sounded like a lie, but it wasn't. He needed to be in the forest making the final positions for his backup plan and, at the same time, deal quickly with the rumors flying about her.

The last thing he needed was anything to make Nicole feel uncomfortable and want to leave him.

Nicole nodded, then got to her feet and hugged him. He inhaled her scent, wishing he could stay with her, but he remembered what was at stake, and he let her go immediately.

Nicole watched Liam walk away. His departure was sudden and filled with an air of urgency. And she hoped that all was well with all she was doing.

Liam's eyes glinted golden as he mind linked the pack while striding away with James by his side. He sent a simple message, carrying a warning that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to spread rumors and undermine Nicole's position. James stopped abruptly and gave him a look. I think it's best I stay with her. You should go ahead.

Liam nodded and continued while James turned back. He approached Nicole and suggested that they go on a walk.

Nicole was tentative about James's presence. Out of everyone in the pack, she feared him the most. They walked together, replaceing comfort in the quietness of the surrounding woods.

"Nicole," James began, his voice firm yet gentle. "I haven't spoken to you about this before because I thought it was a passing fling. But now, things have changed.

The rumors, the tension-they're affecting the pack. And more importantly, they're affecting our loyalty to the Dark Moon."

Nicole looked at him, her expression laced with curiosity and concern. "What are you trying to say, James?"

James sighed, choosing his words carefully. "I need to know where your loyalty lies. The pack; the Dark Moon or Liam. Are you fully committed to us, or do you have other plans?"

Nicole's gaze hardened, and her heart skipped several beats. She swallowed, trying to replace the right words. Was she committed? She didn't know. After all this time, she hadn't been able to process the events in her life fully.

Before now, the plan had been to defeat the witch and leave, but now Liam was her mate. And even if she wanted to stay, there was a possibility that her staying behind could wreck everything.

"Have you heard the rumors about me?" She said instead,

James gave her a look, "Yes," he responded in a clipped tone. "You are yet to answer my question."

"I heard about you while passing by yesterday. Like Lilian, they're starting to believe that I practice witchcraft and that I'm using some sort of power on Liam," she said, laughing dryly.

"We both know that's not true, Nicole. It still doesn't answer my question."

"Have you ever tried to be in my shoes or look at things from my perspective?" She questioned

James opened his mouth to counter her, but she interjected, "Why should you? You're too busy being a warrior. But then if you did. If you're like me, would you be fully committed to a pack that wrongfully snatched you out of your old pack, even though they were saving you? And while you were still trying to figure out your new reality, you discovered something new about yourself, and at the same time, you were attacked.

Then again, you're suddenly supposed to be an important member of the new pack while trying to gain acceptance from people who don't want you. Still, being connected to the Alpha himself and knowing that your actions may hurt him?" James furrowed his brows.

Nicole paused and looked at him. "Confusing, right? Well, that's me in a nutshell. Whatever you feel from hearing this, that is how I feel, and this should answer your question about commitment."

Surprise washed on James's features, his gaze shifting before meeting hers again. "I've been observing and listening, Nicole. I know there's more to your story than what we know.

I know you're hiding a lot of things from what you experienced at Crimson. What you experienced in your induced sleep and whatever it is with you and Garrett. I'm watching you."

Nicole's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and apprehension. "How... how did you replace out?"

James gave her a knowing look. "I have my ways, Nicole. As the chief warrior, it's my duty to protect its members. Including you.

And as such, I can not perform properly if I don't have all the information. Dark Moon doesn't hate you. We are very accepting people. It's just a bunch of entitled females that are jealous. Keep that in mind."

Nicole scoffed, "Just a bunch of entitled females? Heartbroken is the right word. Why is it that no one is thinking that the witch might stem from one of Liam's heartbroken women?"

James's eyes widened for a split second, "That's a very interesting take. However, you've got to make your decision fast. I've never seen Liam this way before, and I assure you, I'll do everything to protect the Dark Moon.

I've learned over the years that the best way to protect a pack is by protecting its Alpha, and to protect an Alpha, you have to protect what he cherishes the most.

So, you see Nicole, the time has come when you'll stop thinking about yourself, discard that lone wolf mentality, and think as a pack."