Chapter 2 Trapped In His Arms

• Ayla's POV
• "Tell me why you're holding back," Alpha Liam said in a monotonous voice. I heard the implications in his words, but refuse to acknowledge it. "Are you still worried about the Betas?"
• Gazing upon his expression, I know I have no right to remain silent. All I have to do is to be truthful with my words.
• "Yes, Alpha."
• With a deep sigh, he leaned forward and stared at me intently. He gave me a convincing look like he would really insist to everyone that we both felt a certain type of attraction a while ago.
• "I am the Alpha of this pack, so if you want, I could give him a new servant."
• Seriously? He's willing to hire a new helper for the Beta?
• "You are so kind, Alpha..." I guess giving him another compliment wasn't so hard at all. "So nice that it seems too good to be true."
• An unfamiliar expression softened his chiseled jaw as his shiny black hair flopped enticingly over his forehead.
• "I think that's something I got from my mother."
• I smiled at him. "She might be the greatest she-wolf in her prime, Alpha. But I haven’t heard anything about your mother since the Beta took me in."
• I secretly draw a deep breath while staring at Alpha Liam. I found the topic interesting but I knew going any further would only attract the elder's attention, and that's what I need to avoid at this moment.
• "She’s with the Moon Goddess."
• A pint of sadness was painted on his face, that explains the soft expression I got from him a while ago.
• "I’m so sorry to hear that, Alpha..." I told him, trying to sound as empathetic as possible.
• I'm about to ask him another question, but he gave me a deep, intense look that made me avert my face.
• I inhaled deeply and tried to get a brief sight of the Betas, but they were all warily staring at me while smiling pleasantly in our direction.
• I looked down upon feeling everyone's eyes on us and started thinking if there's something I could do to escape from the man standing in front of me.
• There, I noticed that the pack's elders were glaring at me and acting startled by the Alpha's unusual actions.
• It's their job to stop him from doing things that wouldn't benefit the pack, right? That also includes stopping him from talking and getting close to the rogue's daughter.
• "Do you want me to stop them from staring at you?"
• I snorted out a laugh and immediately shook my head. "There's no need to do that, Alpha. Perhaps they believed I had cast some kind of magic spell for you to choose me."
• His brows furrowed. "A spell?" he asked with a grim expression painted on his face. "All of them knew that spells won't work on me."
• For the nth time, I wasn't able to stop my amusement. "Do you really possess that much power?"
• "Yes…" he answered proudly. "More than you could imagine, my Luna."
• Alpha Liam stared at me in the eyes but I just gave him an apologetic look.
• How can I convince his greatness that I am not worthy of accepting a lovely fair treatment from a man like him?
• "You should choose a woman who is capable of wielding that power, Alpha."
• He shouldn't have accepted my presence in the first place and should have choose to bury my existence in the farthest corner of his mind.
• "I'm done searching..."
• His expressions turned brighter and clear as the sunlight. I bit my lips but he smiled at me and gave me another look.
• "I am in front of that woman right now."
• And just like that, the night passed by quickly with the thought of Alpha Liam claiming the wrong she-wolf as his Luna.
• I couldn’t remember how I got home as I woke up the next day with a slight headache. It was already late and I immediately got up to prepare myself for this day’s duties.
• However, before I could even step into the kitchen, Beta Damian immediately stopped me on my tracks.
• “I bet you had a good night’s sleep...OUR LUNA,” he greeted me with a gentle expression on his face.
• My mind took a moment to catch up with his statement. “Luna?” I asked with confusion painted all over my face.
• I looked at him, looking for answers while trying to remember what happened last night.
• Finally, it dawned on me.
• "Don't you remember? Liam Grayson, the Alpha of the Azteca Creed Pack, has just revealed to everyone that you are his Luna."
• I returned his smile with a deep sigh. "Yes, I do remember now."
• "Does this cause for a celebration?" he asked with eyes full of excitement.
• I wasn't able to hide my true emotions in front of the Beta. Yes, it would be nice to celebrate having a fated mate, but not like this.
• "There’s no need to celebrate, Beta."
• "Why? You just found your fated mate, Ayla. And he’s the Alpha!"
• I bit my lower lip. "I’m still confused, Beta. His offer, it seems so good to be true."
• I'm not sure why I'm still thinking this way. I know it may sound terrible, but I couldn't stop myself from questioning Alpha Liam's choice.
• "Why did you say so? Alpha Liam is a great man, Ayla. Even the Goddess knew you deserve a better life with him."
• I wasn't able to stop myself from protesting. "No! You are my family and serving you is my life, Beta."
• I'm on the verge of telling the Beta about my true feelings for him, but eventually I was stunned by his warm smile.
• "Believe me, Ayla, your journey has a long way to go. I admire your dedication to this family, but you must embrace your sweet destiny."
• Here comes his way of reassuring people through his gentleness.
• "But everyone in this pack hates me. They consider me as a curse in their lives, especially to the victims and bereaved families of the Creeze Bloody War."
• "You didn't kill anyone." Beta Damian respond promptly and places a hand on my shoulder.
• I shook my head in dismay.
• "M-My family did. They killed thousands of people, including innocent wolves...and children."
• "It's not your fault."
• I answered him with a heavy heart. "I am still accountable because they are my parents."
• Beta Damian leans forward, shaking his head. "No! Always remember that you have a good heart. The past doesn’t define you."
• I paused for a second to ponder.
• I knew how he wants me to see things positively. He wished for me to accept someone who can give me the ideal life that I deserves. But how?
• “I gotta go, Beta. Please allow me to leave the mansion for an hour."
• His right brow quivered as he looked down at me. "Where are you going?"
• I closed my mouth, pressing my lips together while trying to assess the situation. Is there any other choice? I think, there's none.
• "I need to talk to Alpha Liam right now."
• I rushed out of the mansion upon getting his consent and ran towards the Alpha's main office.
• Do I have the right to question Alpha Liam about his choice? If so, will he have the option to choose another woman?
• I arrived at the main office and got stunned for a moment when I felt all eyes on me. And as I passed by them, everyone’s faces were exhibiting different emotions brought by last night’s event.
• I became somewhat uncomfortable. I quickly walked to the front desk and asked the receptionist what floor was Alpha Liam’s office. I tried my best to convince her even though I knew that she would strictly ask me for an appointment.
• I knew he's a busy man, but do I have another choice? This matter needs to be rectified as soon as possible!
• The receptionist stared at me with a hint of jealousy and that made me shiver for a bit.
• Oh boy! I think she's upset with me because I snagged an alpha last night.
• Later on, she called Alpha Liam’s office and informed him of my arrival.
• “Yes, Alpha. Understood. Thank you.” I heard the receptionist.
• She then told me the room to Alpha Liam’s office. And the closer I get to him; the more I’m starting to feel restless once again.
• 'You can do this, Ayla!' I tried to hide the fear and cheer myself up.
• As I stepped out of the elevator of the penthouse suite, I felt my hands shaking and my knees becoming weaker. I knocked at his door and was immediately welcomed by his secretary.
• “The Alpha is waiting for you. Please come inside,” she told me.
• I walked in and she left right away, closing the doors behind her.
• “Good morning, Alpha Liam." I tried to greet him with a respectful tone.
• “Hi, Ayla. What brings you here? I assume it’s because of the party last night, right?” he replied, casually.
• “Yes, Alpha. If I may, I’d like to talk to you about it.”
• Alpha Liam paused at his writing and I slowly sat down on the couch.
• “Go ahead, then. I don’t have much time,” he said flatly.
• Wasting his time wasn't part of my plan, so I immediately pleaded in a low voice, "Please spare my life, Alpha Liam."
• I had no way of questioning his choice; all I could do was beg for him to let me live in freedom as the rouge's daughter.
• But instead of letting me go, he stood up, grabbed my arm and jerked me towards him before I could even take a single step away from where I stand.
• "Alpha," my voice trembled. “Please let me go. There are other women far more deserving to be your Luna. I… I am just a nobody. I could leave the pack if it’s necessary.”