Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 198: A Suprise Visit

Chapter 198: A Suprise Visit

Mai’s P.O.V.

Everything was smooth now—at least as smooth as life could get for me.

For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was constantly at war. I had come to understand my parents better, even if their brand of love was a little suffocating. My relationship with my brother, Ollie, had improved too. We weren’t bickering as much, and I no longer wanted to rip his head off every time he opened his mouth.

The pack still hated me. But honestly? I didn’t care. I had Liam.

Liam, with his quiet strength and that kindness that irritated me at times because he was too good for this world. Liam, who actually listened when I talked, who never brushed me off when I ranted about things that made no sense. Liam, who made me laugh—whether because he was genuinely funny or because my feelings for him were growing stronger every day, I wasn’t sure.

Liam had become my anchor, the one thing that kept me from drowning in the chaos of my own mind.

And if his parents still didn’t like me? Well, that was fine. They were at least used to me barging into their home every day. What they didn’t know, however, was that I snuck into Liam’s room every night.

Just to cuddle.

That had been going on for over a month now.

*********

One Friday evening, I flopped onto Liam’s bed with a dramatic sigh, folding my arms behind my head like I owned the place. Across the room, Liam sat at his desk, sketchbook open, lazily dragging his pencil across the page.

"You should’ve seen this kid today," I started, smirking. "Little brat actually tried talking back to me."

Liam glanced up, amusement flickering in his eyes. "And what did you do?"

"I handled it."

He shot me a knowing look. "Mai..."

I shrugged, feigning innocence. "I might have gently reminded him of his place."

Liam snorted. "You mean you scared him half to death?"

"Semantics."

Before he could retort, a knock came at his door.

"Liam, honey," his mother called. "Can you run to the store and grab some spices for the soup?"

Liam let out a long-suffering sigh, snapping his sketchbook shut. "Yeah, Mom, I’ll go." He stood, grabbing his jacket.

"I’m coming with you."

He turned, exasperation all over his face. "Of course, you are."

I grinned. "You need me to protect you."

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "You really do follow me everywhere. You know that, right?"

I tilted my head as if contemplating. "Yeah. And?"

He laughed, waving me toward the door. "Fine. Let’s go."

The supermarket was its usual fluorescent-lit battlefield, filled with tired parents, grumpy cashiers, and kids with questionable decision-making skills. Liam and I wove through the aisles like an old married couple, bickering over spices and debating whether or not we needed snacks.

"You already finished the last pack of chips," Liam pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

"Correction: we finished it."

"I had like two."

I waved him off. "Irrelevant."

We moved on, but I felt the stares before I saw them. People whispering behind their hands, eyes darting toward me before quickly looking away. I was used to it. But then—

A group of older women stood near the spice aisle, their voices just loud enough for me to catch every syllable.

"I don’t know what’s worse," one sneered, "that she’s still in this pack or that he’s stupid enough to let her near him again."

"Maybe they’re both sick in the head," another snorted.

The world narrowed. Heat flared under my skin, my vision darkening at the edges. I turned sharply, my steps quick and deliberate. Liam barely managed to grab my wrist.

"Mai," he warned.

I yanked free, stalking toward them with a smile as sharp as a knife.

"Excuse me?" My voice was smooth—silk laced with steel. "Do you ladies have something to say to my face?"

Their smug expressions faltered, their spines stiffening like prey caught in the open.

I took another step, voice low and sweet. "I suggest you keep those tongues of yours in check before I rip them out and tie them around your wrinkled necks."

Their eyes widened in sheer horror.

Liam sighed behind me. "Mai..."

The women stumbled over apologies, practically tripping over themselves to get away.

I turned back to Liam, who was biting his lip, shoulders shaking.

"You are such a bad influence on me," he wheezed, barely holding in his laughter.

I grinned. "Oh, you love it."

He just shook his head, still laughing as we continued shopping.

By the time we got back to Liam’s house, the sky had deepened into shades of orange and indigo. I stopped at the foot of his porch, stretching my arms over my head.

"I have to go," I said, glancing up at him. "Evening training with Elizabeth."

Liam rolled his eyes, leaning against the railing with a smirk. "Of course. Go get stronger, you little menace."

I grinned, pulling him into a quick hug before kissing his cheek. "You love me," I sing-songed as I stepped back.

He snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Now go before Elizabeth hunts you down."

Laughing, I turned and jogged home—only to freeze the moment I stepped inside.

The living room was full. Too full.

Papa Adrian. Aunt Juliette.

And—

My stomach flipped. Eldur.

They sat comfortably with my parents, Ollie, and Elizabeth, all talking like this was the most normal thing in the world.

"Papa!"

I barely gave him a second before running straight into his arms. He caught me effortlessly, just like when I was little, lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing.

"My little star," he murmured, squeezing me tight. "I missed you."

I beamed. "I missed you so much." I turned, throwing a quick smile at Juliette. "You too, Auntie Juliette."

Juliette reached over to ruffle my hair, her expression warm. "Look at you. You’ve grown more beautiful."

A throat cleared behind me.

I turned. Eldur stood there, arms crossed, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.

"You didn’t miss me?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

I snorted, walking up to him before punching his arm—hard.

He winced, rubbing the spot. "Ow."

"That’s for not contacting me," I huffed.

Eldur sighed. "Yeah... I deserved that."

Ollie grinned from the couch. "Oh, you more than deserved it."

Later that night, Eldur, Ollie, and I sprawled across my bed, catching up like old times. It felt good—easy. The way it always used to be.

Eldur smirked, propping himself up on his elbow. "So," he drawled. "Did you finally settle that little feelings conflict with Liam?"

Ollie cackled. "Settle? Please. Liam is the grand jewel to her. She’s attached. Obsessively."

Eldur’s smirk faded. He glanced at me. "Is that true?"

I rolled my eyes. "Ollie is being dramatic. Liam and I just... understand each other."

Eldur’s silver eyes darkened for half a second before his smirk returned. "I’d like to meet him again."

I nodded. "Tomorrow."

Teleporting into Liam’s room had become second nature. He didn’t even flinch anymore.

He was already waiting—arms open.

Like always, I ran into them.

His warmth, his heartbeat, the steady rise and fall of his chest—it was comforting. Familiar. I melted into it, letting exhaustion slip from my bones.

"Eldur wants to meet you," I murmured against his shirt.

Liam tensed slightly.

I placed a hand on his chest, tapping my fingers lightly. "Don’t be scared. I’ll protect you."

He chuckled softly, his breath warm against my hair. "Oh, so I’m a damsel now?"

I smirked. "Obviously."

He rolled his eyes, squeezing me tighter. "Go to sleep, Mai."

The next day, I got dressed and, just like I had promised, I took Eldur with me to meet Liam at the lake.

The walk there was filled with Eldur’s usual teasing, but my mind was elsewhere. I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea. Liam and Eldur had met before and things didn’t turn out fine, but things were different now. I just hoped it wouldn’t be too awkward.

When we arrived, Liam was already sitting on a rock near the water, sketchbook in hand, looking up as we approached.

I grinned. "Liam, you remember Eldur."

Liam stood, hesitating for a fraction of a second before shaking Eldur’s hand. He was stiff. Too stiff. Even as Eldur smiled warmly, Liam’s shoulders remained tense, his grip fleeting.

A bad feeling twisted in my gut. Maybe this was too soon.

And then, the questioning began.

"So, Liam," Eldur said, his tone smooth, almost lazy. "How exactly did you tame Mai?"

Liam’s eyes flicked toward me, shifting uncomfortably. "I didn’t—"

Eldur cut in with a smirk. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

Liam’s expression darkened slightly, his body going rigid.

I stepped in immediately. "Eldur," I warned, shooting him a look.

Eldur laughed, holding up his hands. "Relax. Just making conversation."

Before I could respond, he turned to me. "Wanna swim?"

I hesitated, glancing at Liam. He was still standing stiffly, fingers gripping the edges of his sketchbook. I wasn’t sure he was okay.

Still, swimming sounded fun, and maybe it would lighten the mood.

I grinned. "Hell yeah."

Turning to Liam, I tilted my head. "You coming?"

Liam smiled—small, almost forced. "I’ll sit here and draw."

Eldur rolled his eyes. "Let him be, Mai. Come on."

Something about Liam’s mood didn’t sit right with me. But before I could protest, Eldur grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the water.

The moment we hit the lake, all tension melted away. The water was cool against my skin, the sun warm above us. We splashed each other, laughing like kids.

Everything was fine.

Until I turned back toward the shore.

Liam was gone.

At first, I thought maybe he had moved to another spot, but then I noticed—

His books were still there. His bag was still there.

But he wasn’t.

Panic surged through my chest.

I scrambled out of the water, heart slamming against my ribs. "Liam?"

He didn’t answer.

I called louder.

Nothing.

And then, a chilling realization settled over me.

Liam had vanished.