Chapter 9
Liam pretended to tour around Crimson, ever alert to potential threats and strategic vantage points. Just last night, he had faced a deadly encounter with werewolf assassins who had dared to target him. None of them survived the encounter; he ripped out each of their throats after getting the information he needed from them.
An intense anger simmered within him as he moved through Crimson's streets. It was only the presence of their Luna in his dreams that held him back from turning the city to ashes. Her allure was undeniable, and a particularly sensual dream from the previous night tempted him to seek her out and seduce her immediately.
Never in his life had he wanted anyone so intensely, and the fact that he had already been with her only fueled his rage. The anger seeped through his every pore as he walked, accompanied by James, who shared the same ire after the attempt on their Alpha's life that night, which they learned about through the mind link.
"Are they prepared?" Liam asked, and James nodded subtly, indicating the shadows lurking within the trees.
"We're ready for your signal, Alpha," James replied. Liam acknowledged and continued his measured walk. The time for the treaty was drawing near, and he was well aware that Shane, the Alpha of Crimson, was still unconscious in his study.
He paused and changed direction, heading towards the conference room where Alpha Shane awaited him to finalize and sign the treaty. His heart pounded in his chest with anticipation.
"Find Nicole and make sure she is safe and secure. If Shane decides to disregard the treaty's time, we'll proceed with plan B and bring Crimson to its knees. I want her located, and don't let her out of sight," Liam instructed James.
As he spoke, Shane burst out of the pack's house, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. Liam halted and folded his hands on his back.
"Never mind, James. As of now, Shane has honored his word. I'll let you know when to attack if things do not go my way," Liam said.
"Alpha Liam!" Shane exclaimed as he approached him, "It's good to see you up and about this morning."
Liam shrugged and smirked, narrowing his eyes and catching the subtle hint.
"And how was your night?" he retorted. Shane paused, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes at Liam.
Struggling to remember what happened, Shane's eyes displayed the internal conflict. Liam smirked, relishing the turmoil in his opponent.
"Well, shall we do this?" Liam mumbled, walking past Shane into the conference room. Shane followed a couple of moments later, still unsure of the truth.
"Bring out the documents," Shane announced after they had all settled down. An Omega bowed, exited, and returned with a black box containing scrolls.
"These documents signify peace between my people and yours. They make us allies and brothers. Anyone who goes against the agreements signed here shall be held in contempt and punished accordingly by the Council of Alphas. These documents bind Crimson and Dark Wood as one until forever," Shane proclaimed, raising the treaty.
Liam let out a bitter chuckle, "F**k that," he bit out.
The room fell silent instantly, Shane stared at him with his mouth gaping wide.
"I know your kind, Shane. You bring a document, a so-called treaty, for me to sign, but then you surround me with multiple assassins like the ones that tried to kill me last night. And that's not all. Since when do people sign treaties without the stakeholders and the council of their pack? Do you really think I'm a fool?" He growled.
"If you're ready to do anything, get your people in here. I don't need these flimsy guards who want to kill me. I need real witnesses. I want your pack stakeholders, from your Luna to every single person involved in making decisions for Crimson, and be quick about it," Liam demanded.
Shane snarled at him. "Who do you think you are?"
Liam chuckled bitterly, "I am the Alpha of the Dark Moon. Look into my eyes, Shane. Stare very carefully. Remember the secrets I hold. Remember the words you spilled last night? I know that among those seated here now, they are innocent people who do not know of your dealings. Do not give me a reason to speak. I do not want to be tempted, Shane," Liam threatened, and Shane's eyes widened as memories came flooding back.
"What I know will also surprise you. You only helped me come to conclusions, but I had already found out a lot about you and the way you rule Crimson before talking to you," Liam said, his voice tense with restrained anger. Shane gulped and immediately summoned the stakeholders of the Crimson Pack, as Liam had asked. Despite his attempts to hide it, tremors overtook his body.
"My Luna is not invited to these types of meetings," he said defiantly.
"I said, everyone!" Liam snarled, his patience wearing thin.
The anger of Liam's wolf surged as he felt Shane's attempt to double-cross him. Rage seeped out of Liam's pores. He hastily summoned Nicole, who took a while to arrive, her eyes looking dull.
"We shall now begin," Shane announced.
Liam interrupted him with a raise of his hand, signaling James and his men, who sat by his side. They got to their feet and returned with the bodies of the men who had tried to murder Liam. Gasps echoed around the room.
"Crimson, are these not your men?" Liam growled lowly. "My trust was betrayed last night when someone tried to kill me, and it's heart-wrenching to discover that it was the same pack that welcomed me and my band with open arms, even hosting a party on my behalf, that sought my life. Are these not wolves of Crimson? Are they not your kin?"
"I also found out that you, Crimson, have aligned with my enemies and even invited them to the party you hosted on my behalf, all in a bid to kill me," Liam continued, gesturing to James and his men, who brought forward the bodies of Shane's allies who had attended the party.
Shane looked like he was on the brink of exploding. Disbelief, anger, betrayal, and fear oozed out of him, and his pack members were mostly disappointed and afraid.
"That's not all. But I will stop here and ask Crimson to pacify me. If not, I will bring hail, war, and fire," Liam declared.
"W-what d-do y-you want?" Shane gritted out, sweating profusely.
Liam gave him a wry smile, locking eyes with him. "I don't want much. Only an oath of allegiance bonded by blood and Nicole," he answered, a challenging smile on his face. Gasps resounded around the hall. Shane rose to his feet, growling, "Never!"
Liam's smirk didn't leave his face. "I'll give you another chance to respond to me. Think carefully, Shane. You can deliberate with your stakeholders if you need to, but make sure you give me the right answers at the end. Your life and the fate of Crimson lie in your decision. Let that sink in."
The people of Crimson huddled together, whispering furiously amongst themselves. Liam knew they were ready to swear the oath but were unwilling to give up Nicole. They were angry and found it presumptuous that he would dare to ask for their Luna. Liam held back his smile; they didn't know what was coming for them.
"I should add something: I will not be taking Nicole for free, because I know you got her, Shane, as payment for what her parents owed. I will be clearing that debt. Please add that to your deliberation," he said. Another wave of shock hit them. They mumbled and grumbled, and after a long while, Shane stepped forward.
"We will swear the oath of allegiance, but the Luna of the Crimson pack goes nowhere," Shane answered, and Liam laughed grimly.
"She's the Luna? When was your mating ceremony? When did it take place? Oh yeah, it never did. Meaning that you never made her Luna, and that's not all. Have you forgotten what you revealed to me so soon? Do you really want it all out in the open?" Liam asked. Shane roared, anger and embarrassment seeping out of his pores.
"You know, Shane, you clearly told me she wasn't your mate. You've deceived your pack members and her. You claimed she was your mate after marking her to bind her as an Omega to the pack. You also mentioned her parents being lone wolves, meaning she had never been marked before, which is why she felt an attachment to you."
"You exploited her ignorance and burdened her with the role of a Luna, knowing fully well you were not mated. Didn't you tell me yesterday that once you find your true mate, you would cast her away? There's a lot more to expose. Should I go on?" Liam continued. "Fine, fine," Shane roared.
"Take her with you and leave me alone. Pay off her parents' debt and go with her. We have agreed to your terms. We will sign the oath of allegiance with blood, and you will take her and leave Crimson alone."
"Wonderful, I knew you would make the right decision," Liam said.
At once, his people brought in bags of money to clear the debt. Liam was overjoyed. He sought Nicole's face, whom he had purposely avoided until then, to gloat and say 'I told you so!
Finally, he thought to himself. He could have her exactly the way he wanted and when he wanted, images of her splayed beneath him, with her eyes rolled back and moans of praise streaming out her mouth flashed in his head. His c**k began twitching. But when his eyes found her, he did a double take.
She looked pale and cold, as if she had seen a ghost, and surprisingly, her pained expression sent a jolt of fear down his spine. Liam gulped and narrowed his eyes at her. For the first time in a long time, his conscience bothered him, and he wondered if he had done the right thing.
He shook his head and cleared such thoughts away. They left a bitter taste in his mouth. This was why he was doing this in the first place. He wanted to break whatever hold she had on him. It was best that she hated him. He wanted her to hate him. He looked away from her and allowed the lustful images to return and the feeling of victory to take over him. He had won this round, and that was all that mattered.