"I asked Gen to pack a few things for you," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over me. In the midst of everything we'd faced together, Liam still found small ways to care for me. It reminded me that despite the chaos around us, there were still moments of solace to be found in each other.
With the bag in hand, I darted into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. The cool tiles beneath my feet grounded me for a moment as I took a deep breath. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me, but I knew I had to face it. Rummaging through the bag, I found black jogging pants, a white loose-fit t-shirt, and fresh underwear. My fingers lingered on the soft fabric, grateful for the thoughtfulness Liam had shown by packing these items for me. Glancing at the shower, I considered indulging in the warm spray to wash away my lingering unease, but time was not on my side. I dressed quickly, feeling more secure with each layer of clothing that covered my skin. As I brushed my hair, the strokes felt like a soothing balm against the tumultuous thoughts swirling within my mind. I couldn't help but think about the conversation that would soon take place, the Alpha's grim expression haunting my thoughts. The bristles of the toothbrush scrubbed away the staleness in my mouth, leaving behind a minty freshness that momentarily distracted me from the tension building in my chest. I needed to be prepared for whatever the Alpha had to say, even if my heart quivered with trepidation.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, my eyes met Liam's concerned gaze. His presence was both a comfort and a reminder of the stakes at hand. Standing beside him were Alpha Declan and Beta Gregg, their expressions serious and unreadable. I could feel the weight of their expectations, heavy on my shoulders like a thick fog.
"Erica," Alpha Declan said, his voice low and grave, "we need to talk." I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.
"Of course, Alpha," I replied, trying to steady my voice. Beside me, Liam's presence offered a semblance of solace, but I knew that I would have to face this conversation head-on. "Is this about... what happened with Grant?" I asked, my heart thudding in my chest. The memory of the altercation was a raw, open wound – one that still bled with regret and guilt. Alpha Declan exchanged a glance with Beta Gregg, and I braced myself for their response, my stomach twisting into knots.
Chapter 36
Erica
"Erica,please,comeandsit down with us," Alpha Declan said, his voice firm but gentle. I couldn't help but notice that he didn't answer my question about Grant. Was this meeting because of what I did to him?
I glanced around the room, taking in the expressions on their faces. Beta Gregg looked serious, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall. Liam appeared tense, trying to keep his anger in check. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, as if a storm was brewing. My heart raced as I took a seat on the sofa, the leather creaking beneath me. Liam sat down next to me, his body rigid and his jaw clenched. Alpha Declan pulled up a desk chair, sitting directly in front of me while maintaining eye contact. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down my spine, and my anxiety skyrocketed.
"Alright," Alpha Declan began, his voice steady and deliberate. "We need to talk." As I sat there, surrounded by these powerful werewolves, I couldn't shake the feeling that my world was about to be turned upside down. My mind raced, grasping at any possible explanation for this meeting, yet coming up empty. What could they possibly want from me that required such an ominous gathering? A bead of sweat trickled down my temple, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand..
"Whatever you have to say, just say it," I spoke up, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to sound strong.
"Erica," Alpha Declan began, his voice even and formal. "I need to discuss an incident that occurred at the Barking Brews last week. Heidi has informed me that you attacked her." My blood ran cold at his words, my heart pounding in my chest. The accusation was so absurd, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"That's ridiculous. Heidi is lying, she's had it out for me since before I got here. You believe me, don't you?" I desperately looked over at Liam, seeking reassurance, but he continued to avoid my gaze, his eyes distant and unreadable. Alpha Declan leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him as he considered my response.
"You've only been a pack member for a short time, whereas Heidi has been a loyal member for four years. It's difficult to ignore such a disparity. Furthermore, I've heard rumours that you've been attempting to enlist others in the pack to help you escape." The disbelief and betrayal twisted in my gut like a knife, making it hard to breathe. I tried to defend myself, my voice cracking with emotion.
"Those rumours are completely unfounded! I don't understand why you're so quick to believe them instead of me!" But every time I tried to argue my case, he shut me down, his tone growing colder and more commanding.
"Enough, Erica! I am still speaking, and you will not interrupt me." His words lashed out like a whip, leaving me feeling small and powerless.
As the moments stretched on, my anger bubbled up from within, mingling with the hurt and confusion festering inside me. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, desperate for some semblance of control. Why was I being treated this way? Were friendships and alliances so fickle in this world? I had thought Liam, and I were growing closer, yet here he was, silent and detached in the face of my distress. The room seemed to close in on me, the weight of their stares and judgments suffocating. I couldn't understand why they would deliberately twist my actions and intentions, painting me as some sort of traitorous villain. As much as I tried to keep a lid on the turmoil raging within me, I could feel it seeping out, darkening the atmosphere even further.
"Please," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Liam, look at me. Tell them this isn't true." But still, Liam remained quiet, and I knew then that I was truly alone in this fight. The crushing weight of their expectations and my own shattered trust bore down upon me, threatening to break me entirely. And as the storm continued to brew around us, I braced myself for the tempest to come.
Alpha Declan's expression shifted to one of disgust as he looked back and forth between Liam and me. His head shook, disappointment radiating from him like a cold breeze.
"Given the trouble you've caused with Heidi, and now attacking not one, but three members of my pack, including my own son, yesterday," he began, his voice low and menacing, "I have decided that you are clearly not stable or fit enough to be a mate for my son." His words felt like they were ripping my heart apart, leaving me breathless and numb. I couldn't believe what he was saying. Desperation clawed at my chest, and I turned to Liam, hoping for some sign of support.
"Liam, please, help me," I begged, my voice trembling with emotion. But Liam offered no comfort. He clenched his jaw and looked away, leaving me feeling unbelievably betrayed by his inaction. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface of my heart began to boil over, threatening to consume me entirely.
"Despite being more trouble than I want," Alpha Declan continued, his eyes locked on mine like a predator sizing up its prey, "I do now own you, and you will work for your place in this pack or find yourself in silver chains." My voice rose in defiance, fuelled by the injustice of his accusations.
"It was you who made me join this pack, and you who made me spend time with Liam! And now you want to rip everything away from me?"
"Miss Hallows," Alpha Declan roared in his Alpha tone, silencing my protest. "I have told you repeatedly that I am speaking and I am your Alpha, and when I am speaking, you will listen to me." He stepped closer, his dark eyes boring into mine as he continued to berate me.
"And what is more, Miss Hallows, you will learn to submit to me, or so help me god I will have you living in silver chains for the rest of your years here." His words wrapped themselves around my heart like a vice, squeezing until it felt ready to shatter. The unfairness of it all was overwhelming, and I could feel hot tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. How could he judge me so harshly for trying to survive in a world where everyone seemed determined to tear me down? As Alpha Declan's tirade continued, my mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and shattered expectations. The friendships I had sought to build were crumbling around me, leaving me feeling more alone and vulnerable than ever before. And as anger and despair threatened to consume me.
"I have opened my home to you, and brought you into my pack and you have spat on my kindness the whole time," Alpha Declan seethed. "You might have been allowed to grow up like a filthy rogue, but that stops here." I was shaking, not from fear, but from fury. How dare he speak to me in that way? My chest tightened as anger swelled within me, making it difficult to breathe. It took all of my self-restraint not to lunge at him. The Alpha held my stare for a good minute, his disgust palpable.
"Pathetic runt," he scoffed before turning his back on me and walking away.
Big mistake. With a furious growl, I lunged at his back, unable to contain the rage inside me any longer. But I didn't get far. Beta Gregg jumped into action, grabbing me around the waist just in time. I struggled, trying to reach the Alpha, my desperation and fury mounting with each passing second. The Alpha spun around, and I was taken aback by the excitement lighting up his face. His phone was in his hand, and he quickly snapped a picture before nodding to Beta Gregg. Suddenly, I felt a rush of cool calm coursing through my body. My growls turned to sobs, and I drooped in Gregg's arms. Why was this happening to me? What had I done to deserve this? I thought back to the relationships I'd tried to build since joining the pack. The friendships that were crumbling around me, leaving me feeling more alone and vulnerable than ever before.
Beta Gregg lowered me gently to the ground, my sobs still echoing through the room. Liam appeared at my side in an instant, trying to pull me into a hug. I pushed him away, tears streaming down my face, as I choked out,
