Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 188: The Rift Between Us

Chapter 188: The Rift Between Us

Mai’s P.O.V.

Liam’s words sliced through me like claws to the heart.

"Stay away from me."

I wanted to laugh because it was ridiculous but I stood frozen in place, unable to move, unable to breathe. The noise of the movie theater, the distant chatter, the scent of buttered popcorn—it all faded into the background as the weight of his words crushed me.

He ran. He didn’t even give me a chance to respond.

Fear gripped my chest, a sharp, suffocating thing. Not the kind of fear I was used to—the adrenaline-laced thrill of a fight or the rush of a hunt—but something worse. The fear of losing something I had only just begun to grasp.

Liam had been talking to me. Really talking. After years of silence, years of resentment, we were finally breaking through the wall between us. And now... now, I could feel it crumbling again.

I turned to Ollie, frantic. "Do something." My voice came out desperate, pleading.

Ollie, who was never at a loss for words, just blinked at me. "Mai, I—what am I supposed to do? Chase after him?"

"Yes!" I snapped, already moving.

But I was too late. I reached the entrance just in time to see one of the pack’s cabs drive off, Liam inside.

"Shit," I hissed under my breath.

Ollie jogged up beside me, hands on his hips. "Alright, so what’s the plan, genius?"

I spun around, my pulse a frantic drumbeat in my ears. "Your car. Now."

Ollie sighed dramatically but unlocked the doors. "I swear, one day, you’re gonna get me arrested."

I ignored him and jumped into the passenger seat, barely waiting for him to start the car before urging him to drive faster.

Liam’s house wasn’t far, and by the time we got there, he was just stepping inside, shutting the door behind him.

I barely waited for the car to stop before I bolted out, running up the porch steps. My fist pounded on the door.

"Liam!" I shouted. "Open up!"

Silence.

I knocked again, harder. "Come on, just—just talk to me!"

Nothing.

I turned to Ollie, my chest heaving. "He’s ignoring me."

Ollie leaned against the porch railing. "Yeah. I can see that."

I shot him a glare before knocking again, this time with both fists. "Liam, I swear to the moon, if you don’t open this damn door—"

"Mai," Ollie sighed, stepping forward. He grabbed my shoulders and gently pulled me away. "Let him be."

I shook my head. "I can’t. I—" My voice broke. I swallowed hard, feeling unsteady. "I can’t go back to how things were, Ollie. I just can’t."

Ollie’s gaze softened. "Give him some time."

I clenched my jaw, breathing hard, before finally stepping back. But even as we left, I knew this wasn’t over.

*********

Dinner at the pack’s grand dining hall was a blur. I sat at the head table, my parents on either side of me, surrounded by the Beta—Rylan, Elizabeth, and other high-ranking pack members. The room was loud with chatter and laughter, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filling the space.

But I wasn’t paying attention.

My eyes scanned the hall over and over, searching for a glimpse of Liam and his family, even though I already knew they wouldn’t be here.

"Mai," my mother’s voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to her, startled. She was watching me closely, her brown eyes piercing. "Something is bothering you."

"It’s nothing," I said quickly.

My father grunted. "You’ve barely touched your food." His deep voice rumbled through the air like distant thunder. "Are you sure you’re alright?"

"I’m fine," I muttered.

Then, before they could press me further, I pushed my plate away. "I’m full."

I stood, ignoring the curious glances from the others, and walked out of the dining hall.

I barely made it down the corridor before I heard footsteps closing in behind me.

"Mai!"

I stopped, already irritated. Of course. Just what I needed.

Turning, I found Arthur grinning at me—smug, self-assured, every bit as insufferable as ever.

Arthur, Beta Rylan’s nephew. Which meant he walked around like he owned the place, carrying an ego big enough to crush a small village. He was good-looking—tall, sharp jaw, dark brown hair styled like he spent hours perfecting it—but the problem was, he knew it.

"Not in the mood, Arthur," I said, already sidestepping him.

He moved to block me, his grin never fading. "You look stressed. Maybe I can help."

I leveled him with a deadpan stare. "You can help by moving."

His smirk widened. "Come on, Mai. You know we’d make a great pair."

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Yeah, sure. If I ever suffer a severe head injury, I’ll consider it."

For a split second, his smirk faltered. "Ouch."

Good.

I shoved past him without hesitation. "Next time, don’t block my way." I glanced at him over my shoulder, my voice dropping just enough to be a warning. "Or else."

That night, I found myself back at Liam’s house again.

I knocked. Once. Twice. Then again, harder.

Only silence.

I clenched my fists and knocked again, more desperately this time. Still nothing.

Then the door creaked open, and his mother stood there, exhaustion carved into her face. Her eyes, filled with quiet pleading, met mine.

"Mai," she sighed. "Please... let him be."

Her voice was soft, but it hit me hard. Very hard.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and gave her the smallest nod. But I wasn’t ready to leave. Not yet.

So, I did what I always did when I didn’t know what else to do—I climbed.

The old tree beside Liam’s window had always been sturdy, its branches thick enough to hold my weight. I scaled it with ease, perching just outside the glass.

And I watched.

Liam lay on his bed, his expression peaceful, his breathing slow and steady. He looked so different like this—like a boy free from his nightmares but I knew better, it would only take a miracle before he could ever be ok, and I hated myself more and more for being the cause of it.

Three days.

For three whole days, he ignored me. Walked past me in the halls like I didn’t exist. Didn’t even spare me a glance at lunch.

Every time I tried to talk to him, he shut me down.

I asked him why. Again and again.

But all he ever said was:

"Stay away from me."

By the fourth night, I’d had enough.

I had given him space. I had let him run.

But if he wasn’t going to listen willingly?

Then I was done playing fair.

*******

Teleporting into his room was almost too easy.

One second, I was perched in the tree, shadows curling around me. The next, I was standing over his bed, the cool air of his room brushing against my skin.

He was still asleep—peaceful, unguarded. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his face free of the usual storm brewing behind his eyes.

For a split second, I hesitated.

Then my magic stirred, answering the unspoken command.

A whisper of energy coiled around us, weightless and invisible, wrapping him in its grip.

And in the blink of an eye, we were gone.

Liam woke up screaming.

The moment his eyes flew open, he swung—wild, instinctive.

I barely dodged in time.

"WHAT THE HELL, MAI?!"

I crossed my arms, unfazed. "Morning."

His breath came fast and uneven as he scanned his surroundings—the rough stone walls, the flickering lanterns casting golden light, the old bed beneath him.

Then his gaze snapped back to me, furious.

"You kidnapped me?!"

I tilted my head. "You weren’t listening to me."

He shot to his feet, disbelief flashing across his face. "And your solution was to—what? Drag me to your little hideout and hold me hostage?!" He let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Wow. Just when I thought you couldn’t get worse."

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. But I refused to let it show.

Instead, I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him. "Why did you run from me?"

Liam tensed. "Because I’m not your friend."

I frowned. "Liar."

"I’m not!" His voice cracked, and he turned away, his hands curling into fists. "Arthur told me everything. He told me what you and Ollie were planning."

Something cold slithered down my spine.

"Arthur?"

Liam’s jaw tightened. "He said you were setting me up. That this was all just some big joke—to humiliate me."

The cave seemed to shrink around us, the silence stretching, thick and suffocating.

Then, very slowly, I smiled.

"So that’s where the problem is."

Liam’s eyes narrowed. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

I rose to my feet, stepping closer. "It means I know exactly who to deal with now."

He swallowed, wariness creeping into his expression. "Mai—"

I cut him off, my voice quiet, firm. "And as for you... you’re not leaving until you make up with me."

His breath hitched. "Mai, don’t—"

I smirked.

"Get comfortable, Liam. You’re staying here for a while."

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