Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 187: Overthinking

Chapter 187: Overthinking

Liam’s P.O.V.

Arthur’s words clung to my mind like cobwebs, sticky and impossible to ignore. As I stepped out of the locker room, my head was spinning. Mai and Ollie planning something big? A bully scheme? It didn’t make sense. Then again, Mai never needed a reason to make my life miserable.

The burn scars on my forehead itched—a phantom reminder of what she was capable of. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Arthur might be lying. Maybe Mai wasn’t plotting anything. Maybe she was just... Mai. But then again, I knew her. She was a witch—literally and figuratively.

Just as I turned the corner, there she was.

Mai Blackwood stood by the door, arms crossed and a wicked grin spread across her face. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Geez!" I exclaimed, taking an instinctive step back.

And she laughed. Not the polite kind of laugh, but loud, unrestrained laughter that echoed down the hallway. People turned to stare, their faces painted with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"What’s so funny?" I asked, heat rising to my face.

She smirked. "You. The way you jumped just now. Y

You should’ve seen your face. Priceless."

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to shake the embarrassment. People were probably wondering what I’d done to make Mai Blackwood laugh like that. Great. More reasons for people to stare.

After gym class, I thought I’d have a moment of peace, but Mai had other plans. She ran up to me, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So, Liam," she said, falling into step beside me, "what plans do you have for me today?"

I blinked at her. "What?"

"Don’t play dumb," she said, nudging my arm. "You’re supposed to help me become a good person. Chop-chop, Rivers. I’m waiting."

I didn’t answer. Arthur’s words were still ringing in my ears. They’re planning something big, Liam.

Mai frowned. "Hellooo? Earth to Liam. What’s going on in that head of yours?"

When I still didn’t respond, she huffed. "Fine. If you can’t come up with an idea, I’ll decide. Let’s go to the cinema."

Before I could protest, Ollie appeared, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Cinema? Sounds fun. I’m in."

"No, you’re not," Mai snapped, shooting him a glare.

"Try and stop me," he said, his grin growing wider.

The twins began to bicker, their voices overlapping as they argued about Ollie’s inclusion. I watched them, my stomach twisting. Arthur said they were planning something together. Could this be it? Are they pretending to need my help just to humiliate me?

"Liam!" Mai’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You’re coming, right?"

"I..." I hesitated.

"Good," she said, not waiting for an answer.

The three of us stood by the gym room door after school, chatting—or rather, Mai chatted while Ollie teased her, and I stayed silent. My mind was still spinning, caught between wanting to trust them and fearing the worst.

By the time they walked me home, I felt like I was in a daze. Mai talked the entire way, while Ollie occasionally chimed in with sarcastic comments.

When we reached my house, Mai turned to me. "I’ll pick you up later. Be ready by seven."

"Uh—"

"Don’t argue," she said, cutting me off.

Ollie burst out laughing. "She’s like a dictator, huh?"

Mai shot him a glare. "Shut up, Ollie."

He laughed even harder. "You’re so obsessed with Liam, it’s hilarious."

"I am not obsessed!" she snapped, punching his arm.

"Could’ve fooled me," he said, dodging her next punch and taking off down the street.

Mai rolled her eyes, then turned to me. "See you at seven." She gave me a quick wave before running after Ollie, shouting at him to stop laughing.

I stood there, watching them go, my thoughts a jumbled mess. Could Arthur be right?

At exactly seven, a sleek black car pulled up in front of my house. I peeked through the window and groaned. Of course, they’d show up in something fancy.

Mai sat in the passenger seat, her long legs propped up on the dashboard. I sighed in relief when I realized my parents weren’t home—explaining why the Alpha’s twins were picking me up wasn’t something I was mentally prepared for.

I climbed into the back seat, and the teasing started immediately.

"Mai, you’ve got to chill," Ollie said, grinning at me through the rearview mirror. "You’re scaring the poor guy."

"I’m not scaring him," Mai shot back. "And I’m not obsessed, either."

"Sure you’re not," Ollie said, his grin widening.

I stayed quiet, my thoughts racing. Are they just pretending to be friendly so they can corner me later? Or is this... real?

The theater smelled like buttered popcorn and sugary soda. Neon lights lined the walls, casting a soft glow over the crowd.

We bought tickets for an emotional drama that Mai insisted on seeing, and I reluctantly followed them inside. The room was dark, the seats plush and comfortable.

Mai plopped down next to me, immediately leaning closer. "Pass the popcorn," she whispered, her silver eyes gleaming in the dim light.

The movie started, and for a moment, I let myself relax. But then, the doubts crept back in. What if this is all part of their plan? What if—

"Liam," Mai whispered, breaking into my thoughts. "You okay?"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah. Fine."

She didn’t look convinced but didn’t push it.

Halfway through the movie, she reached for my arm, her fingers brushing against mine. My heart skipped a beat, but not in the way you’d expect. It wasn’t nerves or excitement—it was fear.

What are they planning?

When the movie ended, I stood up abruptly. "I need to use the bathroom."

Mai and Ollie exchanged glances.

"Okay," Mai said. "We’ll wait here."

In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face and stared at my reflection. Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe they’re not planning anything. But Arthur’s warning echoed in my mind. They’re planning something big.

I sighed. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Just this once.

Liam Rivers – The Breaking Point

When I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air of the theater lobby barely did anything to calm the storm raging in my head. My nerves were already frayed from overthinking, but what I saw next made my stomach twist into knots.

Mai and Ollie stood near the concession stand, their heads tilted toward each other in serious conversation. The usual mischief on their faces was gone—this wasn’t casual sibling banter. This was something else.

Something about me.

Instinct kicked in, and I quickly moved behind a nearby pillar, pressing my back against the cold surface. I strained to hear, my pulse hammering in my ears.

"...has to be Liam Rivers?" Ollie’s voice was laced with uncertainty.

"Yes," Mai’s reply came sharp and resolute. "It can’t be anyone else."

My breath caught in my throat.

A thousand thoughts fired through my brain all at once. What the hell did that mean? What had to be me? Why did she sound so certain?

Arthur’s words slammed back into my head like a hot drill. She’s planning something big, Liam. A whole bully scheme to humiliate you.

Was this it? Was I hearing it unfold right in front of me?

I didn’t have time to process. Ollie’s gaze suddenly flicked toward me, and in an instant, his entire demeanor shifted.

"Hey, Liam! Ready to go?" he called out, casual as ever.

I stepped out from behind the pillar, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might break through my ribs.

"Stay away from me."

The words came out colder than I expected, but I meant every single one.

Mai’s brows furrowed. "What?"

I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat down. "Don’t come near me again," I said, voice tight with barely restrained anger. "If you do, I’ll report you to the Alpha and Luna."

That got their attention.

Ollie’s smirk faded. Mai’s face scrunched up in confusion, genuine this time. "Liam, what’s going on?" She took a step forward, reaching for me like she could fix whatever was happening in my head.

I took a step back. "Don’t," I warned. "Just—stay away from me."

For the first time ever, Mai Blackwood looked... shocked. Like I had genuinely caught her off guard.

But I didn’t wait to see if that shock turned into something else. I spun on my heel and ran.

Her voice rang out behind me, calling my name, but I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Anger burned through my veins, so raw and consuming that it was hard to breathe. I felt stupid—stupid for letting myself believe, even for a second, that she could change. That she was anything other than the monster I’d always known her to be.

Arthur was right.

They were planning something.

And I had just barely escaped before they could sink their claws in.