Ayla’s POV

My agreement with Alpha Liam marked the beginning of a massive change in my life especially after he informed me that I would be leaving the Beta's house and moving into his mansion.

"Alpha Liam? Why are you here? The sun has not yet risen."

I secretly pinched myself with the thought that I must be dreaming of the alpha because of what happened last night.

But I wasn't able to hold my breath properly when his playful grin confirmed that everything in front of me was happening, for real.

"Grab your stuff, we’re leaving now."

I'm just walking through the beautiful flowers on the Beta's mansion and say farewell to all of them when he popped up out of nowhere.

"As in right now? What about the Beta, Alpha?" I asked him.

"His well-informed, no need to worry about him."

Alpha Liam gave me no choice but to gather my belongings and leave the Beta's residence at dawn.

During the ride, he kept on smiling at my direction as if he got me as a trophy from a warrior's league and not from his mate-pick ceremony.

"You are going to love the mansion, Ayla," he said with a playful smile."

I smiled at him in return. "I am looking forward to it, Alpha."

"Would you like to share a room with me?"

I swallowed a massive knot in my throat before I gave him an answer. "Maybe, we can share a room after the wedding? You're the Alpha, therefore I assume you don't want them to spread another rumor about you."

He just shook his head and gave me a meaningful look. "My life, my rules, my Luna. That means you’ll be sharing a room with me."

I gulped, trying to hide my sheer terror from what he said.

Living with the Alpha in a mansion seems almost too good to be true, but getting dragged into his trap is a little frightening.

I never expected the development of my relationship with Alpha Liam would lead to such a passionate and sensuous situation. He used to be the most admired member of the pack, and I am the least wanted member, so I couldn't hold it against him for treating me like a lowly she-wolf.

Alpha Liam asked with a grim expression while staring at my hands. "Is it because of me that you're trembling?"

I didn't answered him because I am guilty with his observation.

"You told me the rumors aren’t true, right? Then why are you scared all of sudden?"

I'm not sure why, but something inside of me keeps telling me that he merely wants to scare me by throwing those questions.

I replied nervously, "The thought of the elders judging your decision makes me nervous."

"Is that all? Aren’t you scared because I’m taking you home?"

I answered him softly, "I'm just a commoner, so of course. I'm startled to live in your mansion. Also, quite scared that they’ll despise you for choosing me as your Luna."

While I waited for his response, a lump started growing in my throat.

I completely realize that giving the Alpha an illogical response to his question would be insulting especially that it came from a lowly wolf like me, but I still want him to know how I truly feel about this whole deal.

And if he started to despise me for being nervous and scared, I would just accept his decision, similar to what happened when he tried to stole my innocence yesterday.

The moment I took a step in front of the Alpha’s estate. I saw a grin on his face as he opened the door.

A magnificent chandelier and large paintings all over the living room welcomed us.

"My plan to have you as my Luna isn't as wonderful as it appears, Ayla. So don't get too psyched," he said while looking at my amused reaction.

Hearing him utter those words was upsetting, but not to the point where it broke my spirit. Because I knew in my heart that he was trying to gauge how I would feel about various situations and how I would respond to them.

His attitude quickly changed from being friendly to being cold, perhaps as a result of getting what he wanted.

We were promptly welcomed by two Omegas who work for the Alpha's mansion.

"Welcome back, Alpha!" A middle-aged woman with an old black maid uniform greeted us.

"Bring her belongings to my room!" Alpha said, and there she immediately gather my things before returning her gaze to me.

Suddenly, the male omega's eyes widened when our eyes met. His jaw gaped open, and he started stumbling over his words.

I don't know why but his eyes was filled with worry and despair despite of his warm greetings.

"You are prohibited from staring at her! Get lost, you lowly bastard!" Alpha Liam yelled at the Omega like he was about to murder him.

"Please forgive me, Alpha."

The second Omega left with an unfortunate expression on his face.

I just silently shook my head in disappointment. The Alpha's behavior towards his people was an exact opposite of the Beta's fair and kind treatment towards us.

He doesn't bully the wolf less and even cared about the Omegas who were considered as the lowest rank in their pack. He even accepted me, a rogue and the last broken piece of the Creeze Bloody War.

I was lost in my thought when I heard Alpha Liam's deep voice.

"Do you honestly believe you could live peacefully in this mansion?"

He is, as expected, merely using this agreement as a cover-up to avoid the elders' demands. If I'm correct, when he first saw me, he didn't experience the mate pull and only appeared to do so to show the pack that he was really interested in me.

"An alpha cannot legally wed a nobody or, should we say, A ROGUE'S DAUGHTER."

I was about to stay silent but I wasn't able to stop my words.

"Then, why did you lied? Why did you do this, Alpha?"

I'm not familiar with the mate pull, but perhaps this was just the outcome of his tempting behavior since we arrived at the estate.

All I know is that my parents told me that it was the feeling that brought them to each other. And that’s all I could remember from their stories in the past.

Poor me, too little knowledge about the world especially when it comes to love. That’s why, I promised myself that I really need to know more.

Maybe, it will soon help me get over this miserable life of mine.

Alpha Liam wickedly smiled at me as he answers, "I found their reaction amusing so I decided to claim you even though I knew they would never agree to this arrangement.”

While I was still a little anxious to play the role of his Luna, I was somewhat relieved when he told me he would let me remain in a room by myself so I could take some time to unwind.

But when he revealed his true intentions, his stern voice began to chill me to the core.

"Was that the reason for your sweet gestures last time?" I asked him.

Sadly, he's now capable of taking my life with one glance whenever he felt like I'm crossing my limits with my questions.

"Do you believe that I intend to develop a romantic relationship with you or do you think you are merely here to warm my bed?" he asked, raising his hand to touch my pale cheeks.

His actions triggered my wolf, so I tried my very best to calm her down.

"Any thoughts, my Luna?"

"All I know is that you love playing games, Alpha…" I answered him with a neutral tone. "You pretended we were fated mates and convinced everyone about the mate pull. Your attitude was also an evidence of how wicked you are."

My eyes widened as soon as I felt his hands encircling my body.

Although it was clear that he wasn't permitted to touch any part of my body prior to the wedding, he has subsequently gone above and beyond that, and his aggressiveness is ridiculous.

I was getting the shivers from them.

"Just act like my destined partner and I'll let you live in your dreams of being a Luna."