Chapter 5

"Do you know whom you're talking to?" Liam hissed angrily.

Jason gave him a cold look, then said impatiently, "If you really care about her, just put her down right now and let me check her out, since I’m the doctor of the pack.” 

Liam breathed in deeply as he put Stella on the chair, then he said to Jason in a reluctant voice, "Give her a good examination." 

Stella tried to refuse, but everyone ignored it.

Jason checked her vitals. "She is fine. She just got excited," Jason said and Liam's brows furrowed. "What do you mean excited?" Liam asked.

"I heard Stella speaking to April," Jason said as he repeated what Stella said  to me. Liam stiffened after hearing that.

"He's lying, Liam. I didn't say anything like that," Stella came to his side as she looked at Liam with tears.

Liam wasn't looking at her. His eyes were regretful as he gazed at me.

"I know why this man is lying. April, it’s you, right?” Stella suddenly turned to me and shouted, “ you must have an affair with him, that’s why this man told a lie for you to frame me!" 

 I felt rage consuming me.

"How dare you?" I seethed walking toward her when Liam blocked my way. 

"Calm down, April. I trust you." Liam said.

“What about Stella? You're just going to let her slander me as she pleases?” I asked angrily.

"My head hurts," Stella sobbed as she held her temples. 

Hearing this, Liam instantly let go of my hand, walked towards Stella,and picked her up. There was worry about his dear stepsister etched over his face as he left me alone in the dining hall.

'April, baby. Sorry. Please head home. It's not good for Stella to take stress,' Liam mind-linked me.

'I don't need your care,' I gritted through the mind-link but I got no response in return. 

I stood there with tears brimming my eyes. "April," a deep voice from beside me got my attention. His voice held softness in it. I wiped my tears with the handkerchief he gave me.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently. I bobbed my head not trusting my tongue, afraid that I would burst into tears in front of all the people who were now looking at me.

"Let's go, I'll drop you." Jason offered and I nodded.

He got into the car and put it to drive. My tears fell freely on my cheeks as I wept.

"You should leave him, April. You deserve better than him." Jason said and my chin quivered.  It was easier said than done.

Five years. I've given five most precious years of my life to him. How can I just throw it away just like that? But Liam. Why couldn't he just see my pain?

"You should focus on yourself. I want you to love yourself April." His voice was deep but tender. I didn't say anything to him in response. He sighed.

"I know an amazing diner, the fish there is delicious." Jason offered.

'Accept it. I don't know but somehow I feel warm being near Jason,' Frea said in my mind and I was surprised by her confession.

I didn't want anyone to think wrong about their Luna in any way and after what Stella had said about my character, I didn't want to give her any reasons to prove her lie to the truth.

"I'm thankful but I'm really tired, please just send me back," I whispered politely. 

He shook his head and forced a bitter smile, then we didn't talk anymore on the way.

He dropped me at the packhouse and before I could leave, he spoke up. "Please, April. Take care of yourself. I… A lot of people care about you, and I'm also always here when you need me," His words of assurance calmed me as I passed him a small smile, "thank you," I whispered and walked into the packhouse.

When I came back, Liam wasn't back yet and I didn't know where he was, but I didn't want to think about it anymore.I took off my makeup and went to bed. 

Too much has happened today and I was really exhausted. I hoped that when I wake up, the Liam who loves me will come back, but maybe that will only happen in a dream.

I was awakened by Liam's gentle voice as he gently pushed my hair behind my ear and left a kiss on my forehead. I was a little confused, was this a dream or reality? Is it my Liam who came back?

But then, I saw Stella behind him. 

I felt cold, what do they want from me this time? I frowned at Liam, like always Liam told Stella to apologize and she did apologize. "I don't forgive you. Leave my room," I said rather coldly. 

I was done with her innocent charade and all the drama. I've no energy in me to argue with her or to be in her presence at all. Liam seemed not to like my cold behavior but I could care less. I just need some time alone to set my thoughts in a lane that was going haywire after all the incidents tonight.

Stella seemed to be sincere and innocent as her shoulders slumped because I kept my exterior cold. 

"April, baby. Are you okay? I know whatever happened tonight shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry. I love you, baby." He cooed while grabbing my hands. 

I didn't feel anything at his words but the fact that Stella wasn't getting mad because of him talking sweet to me made me restless. Something seemed off here.

It seemed I was right, they did want something from me, or Stella wouldn't be so quiet like this.

My suspicions were confirmed when Liam opened his mouth to speak. "Stella hadn't been seen in front of everyone for a long time, and now she needed an opportunity to show up.”

That’s it? I was relieved secretly, ”Okay, I can arrange a party for her.”

“No, it doesn't need another party, that's too much work, my birthday party can give her the opportunity.You can take a good rest.” Liam said.

“Why?” I was surprised, “if you’re worried about me, take it easy, I can afford two parties.”

But Liam avoided my sight, “No, baby, I mean, I don't want you to go to my birthday party and Stella will attend it as the hostess instead of you." He said and I was too dumbfounded to even speak.

“So, what about me?” I heard my voice trembling.

“You are not well, you need rest, you can sleep well in your room, my dear.” Liam spoke to me in his usual affectionate tone and took my hand in his.

"What? Why should I do this? Are you even hearing yourself?" I was aghast at his words and withdrew my hand from his.

How could he spout such nonsense?

"What about my contribution? I have prepared everything!”

“Yes, baby, you did well, that’s why I think you need rest, don't worry, just leave everything to Stella and rest well,” Liam’s voice was still tender, but I saw impatience in his eyes.

“My reputation among the ladies of other packs, they would ask." I tried to reason with him.

"I'll tell them you're ill," He said calmly as if it was no big deal. He was stripping me off my right just like that as if it wasn't a big deal.

"I arranged everything and I need to make sure everything goes well," I tried to reason yet again.

"You can stay with slaves so you can monitor everything," Stella piped in cleverly.

"I'm not a slave. I'm the Luna of this pack. The thing you're asking of me is too much. You're stripping me of my rights and stealing my efforts," I said clearly. My wolf was hurt by Liam's bizarre request. 

"Don't say stupid things. I didn't see any problem that couldn't be solved. You're just being stubborn for no good reason," He hissed, losing his patience totally.

I breathed in deeply trying to calm myself down. "I'm not being stubborn. You promised me and I put a lot of effort into the party. How could you ask me to give up on this?" I said.

"Because I'm your Alpha." He roared.

A wave of pressure crushed me as my knees shook. My eyes were wide in absolute shock. He was using his Alpha tone on me. I was forced to kneel and obey his command under his oppressive pressure because now he preferred to be my Alpha rather than my mate.

"You know this, Stella is my only family in the world and I'll give her everything she wants." He growled coldly while glaring down at me, crushing my heart into tiny little pieces.

So this is how it'll be.

He opened the door and stepped out, before Stella could follow him, I saw her smiling smugly at me and then silently saying "little orphan".

I fell to my side on the floor and tears escaped my eyes like a waterfall.

I touched my belly as severe pain clutched my heart. "You're all I have in this world," I whispered while crying.

I've lost all my hopes in him.