CHAPTER FOUR: Cooling Off

ALLISON.

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. I could feel my heart racing, caught between disbelief and a strange thrill. Why is my heart beating like this? Is it because of the way he looked at me? The brief brush of his fingertips against my skin? Or maybe those molten golden eyes, sparking the memories of the Howling Night?

I swallowed hard as fragments of that night crashed into my mind, vivid and overwhelming…

I remembered the way we’d collided in a haze of laughter and adrenaline, my body pressing against his as he pulled me closer. His lips had been warm and demanding, moving over mine with an urgency that sent shivers down my spine. His tongue whipping inside my mouth while his fingers stroke my nipples, pinching it until I moan.

“Ahh!” I remember moaning when I couldn’t handle the pleasure he brings.

“Damn. Your body is trembling with my touch, darling. Did I make you that horny?” his hot breath caressed my neck, chuckling as his lips find their way to my twin peaks.

I could still feel the heat of his breath, the taste of him—like wild nights and untamed passion.

Images flooded back: his hands roaming, fingers tangling in my hair, his lips trailing down my neck, igniting a fire within me. The way he’d held me—possessively—while the world around us blurred into oblivion. My senses were overwhelmed, and for a moment, I’d forgotten everything but him.

Suddenly, I felt a presence looming over me, pulling me from the depths of that intoxicating memory and bringing me back to the present. Liam leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “What was that look in your face? Did you remember something fun?” he whispered playfully. “Perhaps an exciting memory from the Howling Night?” he added, teasing.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I hissed, trying to avoid his gaze.

“Don’t play dumb, darling. I know you recognized me.” He leaned closer and took a deep breath, inhaling my scent. “Because I haven’t forgotten about you; your scent, the sound of your voice, and the softness of your lips.”

My cheeks flushed red at his sensual whispers, his hot breath waking up foreign sensations within me.

“I’ve been looking for you for two weeks,” he whispered playfully, each word sending shivers down my spine. “Now that I’ve found you, I won’t let you slip out of my grasp again—and oh, I always get what I want one way or another.”

With that, he straightened, the playful glint in his eyes fading slightly, and he turned to face everyone in the room. Quinn and the rest of my packmates looked bewildered after watching Liam whispering something to me.

“My condition is ironclad, Alpha Quinn. I will only allow this alliance to happen if you give me what I want and, in this case, this woman is what I want…”

“Maybe, we can find another common ground to—”

Liam cut Quinn off, his gaze cold as ice. “I won’t be negotiating with anything else. I already told you what I want and it’s up to you whether you’ll agree to my demands or not. Give me the girl, otherwise, forget about this alliance.”

“Wait—” I started, but the door clicked shut behind him, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me! He’s seriously just gonna leave like that?” Nick exclaimed in disbelief.

Elliot, Liam’s Beta, stepped forward, his expression serious. “My Alpha is serious about his condition. You have one week to decide. The fate of the alliance hinges on this,” he declared before leaving the room as well.

His words hung in the air like an ominous warning, and I felt a wave of fear and anxiety wash over me. That wasn’t just a negotiation—that was a blatant power play. Damn that Liam!

Silence ensued after that. Everyone was speechless. Quinn and Emily exchanged looks as if they were trying to process what just happened. I shook my head, refusing to believe the condition that Liam laid out on us. This got to be a freaking nightmare!

Quinn’ brows furrowed as she leaned in and whispered to me, “What just happened? Why is the Alpha of Moon Stone pack suddenly obsessed with you?”

“I don’t know. My guess is that he’s just a jerk,” I replied. There’s no way I’m gonna tell her about what happened at the Howling Night!

“I think the rumors were true. Liam Miller is an Alpha with some loose crews,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Crazy or not, we need him and his pack,” Gasper commented.

“What are you trying to say, Gasper?” Emily said, her tone demanding. “Don’t tell me you’re taking his words seriously?”

“And why not? Sure, he’s a jerk but he’s still the Alpha of one of the most powerful pack in Missouri. Besides, they’re the nearest pack in our territory. They’ll make a great ally when shit goes to worse,” Gasper retorted, crossing his arm.

“Gasper’s right. The only important thing is ensuring this alliance takes place. If it means offering Allison to the Moon Stone Pack, so be it. Let’s just toss her to the bloodhound and get it over with,” Latisha said, shrugging her shoulders.

Her words struck me like a slap. “Are you fucking with me? I’m not just some offering that you can wrap and trade!” I shot back, my voice trembling with anger.

“Calm down, Allison!” Quinn said, trying to intervene.

“How can I calm down when she’s clearly trying to sell my off like I’m a freaking swine in the market!” I growled.

“You’re just making this unreasonably hard, Allison. Think about it, you’re a mateless she-wolf, so it wouldn’t hurt if you jump over the fence and play with Liam Miller for the meantime,” Latisha spat.

“Yes, I’m mateless but that doesn’t make me expendable!” I hollered, my fury boiling over. I didn’t know much about Liam beyond those fleeting, hazy memories, but I was certain of one thing: I would not be treated like a pawn in someone else’s game. Heck, I don’t even know what exactly Liam Miller wanted from me!

Gasper let out a frustrated sigh. “You should just submit to whatever demands they have. It’s the best thing you can do for the pack.”

“Enough!” Emily stepped in, her voice sharp and commanding. “We’re not throwing anyone under the bus. We’re a pack—a family for goddess’ sake!”

“Well, the family you’re talking about is in grave danger unless this alliance take place,” Latisha fired back, crossing her arms.

This bitch!

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I didn’t want to be a bargaining chip in a deal I didn’t understand, and the thought of Liam’s possessive claim sent shivers of both fear and something else—something intoxicating—through me.

“I need some air,” I said hoarsely as I turned away from the group.

“Allison—!” Quinn’s voice faded in the air as I stormed out of the room. She was calling my name but I ignored her. I didn’t care. One more second in that room and I swear I’d lose my shit. I needed some time away from them.

Once outside, the cool breeze enveloped me, soothing my heated skin. I wandered aimlessly through the woods, desperate to clear my mind. This has always been my safe haven since I was a kid. There’s just something about nature that provides a sense of tranquility that I desperately need during stressful situations… like this one.

Eventually, I reached my go-to spot: a serene lake nestled among the trees. The water shimmered under the late afternoon sun, inviting me to forget my worries.

I was just about to take off my clothes when my eyes caught an unexpected sight—someone was already swimming in the lake. It was a man! His muscular body glided effortlessly through the water. My gaze traced the contours of his body, half-naked and glistening under the sun. Damn!

As he turned, our eyes locked. My jaw dropped in recognition—shit! It was one of the guys I had spent that fateful night with during the festival. The memory of our encounter flickered through my mind, but before I could react, the man swiftly turned around as if he has sensed something behind him. His striking amber eyes immediately found me and I stood there, frozen in shock.

“I knew I smelled a familiar scent. It was you,” he said, a broad smile spreading across his face.

Holy shit.