Chapter 15
"What's this we're hearing about Crimson?" The pack's gamma asked as soon as the meeting began. Liam shot Garrett a glare and then cleared his throat. Lacing his voice with dominance, he said,
"I think it's best we begin from when we left and why we left."
Everyone nodded, their pores were saturated with fear from the power that streamed out from him. Liam's authority left no space for resistance or disobedience. His wolf's presence alone suppressed every rebelling thought. That and the knowledge that when defied, Liam could tear a person apart in mere seconds at a spot kept them obedient.
"James? Give them a briefing on everything that happened before Crimson." He said.
Nodding, James got to his feet.
"After months of back and forth with the now destroyed and disbanded packs that we left with the Alpha to teach a lesson..."
Liam paid close attention as James spoke until he caught a whiff of Nicole's scent. He was immediately alarmed and his senses became hyperactive.
"What the hell is she doing around here?" He growled into Garrett's mind.
Garrett sat up and shot him a glance.
"Who? Who's around?"
"Nicole." Liam hissed. He didn't realize how much he missed her scent until now. He ached to go after her, pull her into his embrace and bask in her presence. But then, the meeting was of serious importance and he had promised himself that he would stay away from her until she had settled down. He could feel that she was still dazed by her new environment just from a sniff of her scent.
"Oh? Oh. Can you perceive her? I'm guessing they are completing the tour or that Asha is trying to entertain her."
Liam stifled a growl as he frowned at Garrett who began rubbing his neck.
"Get her out of here," Liam spat.
Garrett nodded. His eyes turned to gold as he mind-linked Asha.
Liam balled his fingers and tried to pay attention to James who was rounding up with this speech. The need to find Nicole grew every minute, especially after the type of night he had. His wolf didn't help matters. It was at war with him because he refused to accept its mark on Nicole. It was also extremely irritating to Liam for spending the night with other women. It raged in his head and threatened to break free.
James was done and the whole assembly clapped as they acknowledged the feat they had achieved. When Liam left Dark Moon some months earlier, it was because a rogue pack had dared to trespass his territory as they passed by to find a settlement. According to information available to Liam and his Pack. That Pack had ravaged other Pack territories, molesting and taking their women, killing the innocent, and plundering their goods.
And so Liam sent out information to them, asking them not to pass through his territory. But they did and formed an alliance with some other packs, with tyrants as alphas. It was the reason why Liam had to go to war with them and destroy them and every pack that had formed alliances with them.
"About Crimson, we heard of their affiliation with the rogue pack. And decided to take a peek to ascertain if the claims were true or false. Unsurprisingly, we discovered that the claims were true and so I decided to give them perfect retribution. I also found out that they were planning my demise.
What better way to show them that we mean business than to bring them to their feet? The woman who they referred to as Luna was never their Luna, but an Omega slave who was being used at her own peril. Right now, crimson is bound to us by a blood oath and if they even dare to connive again, we shall strike them where it hurts."
The werewolves gathered in the room clapped as he finished speaking. Liam felt James' eyes on him and looked his way.
"Is that all? Is that all you have to say?" James asked him.
Liam sighed.
He had left out a large chunk of the details on purpose.
"I don't think it's right to mislead the pack members. Once they hear that I marked her, they will begin to spin theories and make conclusions. I do not want that. Not until I've figured out everything and have erased this mistake." "Hmm... Okay, Liam." James agreed.
Once the meeting was over, Liam stormed out in search of fresh air. Although Nicole must have moved out on Garrett's orders, he was still quite constricted. He was itching to run and forget the world but he couldn't do it, because he knew that his wolf would turn against him and go in search of Nicole.
"Where are you going? Why did you do that?" Garrett said, running after him.
Liam groaned and increased his pace. He didn't want to be around anyone and he didn't need Garrett's pimping.
"You didn't give the whole story in there, Liam," Garrett persisted.
"Argh, Tony, don't you know when to quit? I need my space." Liam spat out.
"Yeah, I'm mated Liam, so I know what the cravings and needs are like when you mark someone. It's not something that's easy to control and it doesn't end."
By now, Garrett had met up with him and they were walking to the fields.
"I think bringing her back here and staying in the same vicinity as she was a bad idea. The closer she is, the worse the yearnings become."
Liam held the bridge of his nose and willed his mind to calm down. His wolf still hadn't forgiven him for touching Nicole.
"I also know that company helps to take your mind off things."
Liam groaned.
"Leave me alone," he gritted out.
"Yeah, so when I do you can continue with your internal monologue and battle with your wolf until he finally takes control and you go looking for her." "You don't get it," Liam snapped.
"You think? Do you think that I don't? I've been there, Liam. I've found my mate, remember?"
"Argh. It's not the same thing."
"Fine, let's talk about something else."
"No, the only thing I want to do now is plan. I need to get rid of this feeling before it drives me crazy. I need to do more research."
Garrett sighed, "I'm worried. Are you sure it was a mistake?"
Liam stopped in his tracks and snarled at him, "I've f*****g told you that it was a mistake!"
Garrett swallowed but stood firm, "I don't know man, you have all the signs of someone who's-"
Liam rushed at him and knocked him to the ground.
"I've told you. It's not like that! The only thing I think about with her is f*****g her and f*****g her again, over and over, until we are both exhausted! It's just like that with other females I've been with. The only difference is that I want more and that's because of the mark." He snarled, "It's not like you and your mate, you were in love. It was love at first sight. I witnessed it so I should know better. This is different. I only want to f**k her till I collapsed. That's all. There's nothing else there," Liam roared.
Chuckling, Garrett wiped his bloody mouth and pushed himself off the ground.
"That's how it starts, man. At first, you're only incredibly horny and want no one else but her. You're also going to be jealous for no reason. Yes, it's part of it. Then, when you eventually get to know her, the attraction strengthens and multiplies." "Garrett stop it," Liam growled, walking away. He was panting and huffing. His veins were stretched tight and his fingers had turned to claws.
"You want me to leave?" Garrett teased, with his arms folded and eyes glittering.
"Yes!" Liam hissed.
"Tell me, since we began talking or more like you screaming, have you thought of her?"
Liam paused, surprisingly, he hadn't. He wasn't even horny. He was angry.
"Thanks," he gritted out, "I'll be trying out new things to get rid of this sickness. So any advice is welcome."
Garrett chuckled emotionlessly, "You cannot be serious. So that's how you intend to do this, huh?"
Liam huffed, "What do you want, Garrett? Are you for me or against me? You're making this difficult for me, and honestly, I'm tired of the bullshit. I already told you it was a mistake! What else do you want? It's a freaking mistake. I was so into my victory over those rogues that I got carried away. Now leave me the f**k alone." "The thing is, I know you. Shit, I have the most difficult job in all of Dark Moon!" Garrett snapped, stunning Liam for a while. "I have to deal with your stubbornness and arrogance and also tell you the freaking truth!"
Liam grunted and tugged his hair.
"You are not someone who makes mistakes! No that's not you, Liam. You're so f*****g careful with things like this! How many ladies have you been with? How many of them are trying to become your Luna? They've tried to pin you down and not once has this happened. Even at your weakest and drunkest moment!"
"Yes! But shit happens and this is a mistake. I don't think highly of that fake Luna! I only want to f**k her, and in the end, I'll get tired of her and leave her. That's how it's going to be. I don't have time for that needy, sappy, and corny mate shit!" Liam growled back. "Fine." Garrett huffed, "But in the end, I'll laugh at you and say 'I told you so'.
"Instead of saying all this shit, how about you help me get rid of my attraction to her? That's what you should do."
Garrett grunted and turned around.
"I think you already have it figured out. You'll do your normal shit, right? Be with a lot of other females while using her for your satisfaction until you are full. My only advice is that you should remain a stranger to her. Don't get to know anything about her because a mark is powerful," with that, he began walking away.
"Tony!" Liam called out to him, "You know why I'm doing this right?"
"Yes, alpha," Garrett said without looking back, "Liam Hallows is a feral beast. He has no heart and so he cannot be mated. He also cannot have any weaknesses, nor does he want to bear the responsibility of loving someone because he's incapable of it. He only fulfills his needs and focuses on being a terror to others. He shouldn't be shackled."
Liam's heart ached, but he said nothing else. Why did Garrett's words sting? It made him sound like some sort of coward, but it was the truth. He rubbed his face and started walking after him.
"You said company was the best way to avoid the temptation and you're leaving me!" He said, screaming and running after him.