C8 Hard Decision

Liam’s POV

“Alpha Nicholas’s Office”

The office, once a symbol of Matteo's opulence and extravagance, now stood as a reminder of the consequences of his actions. The walls, once adorned with paintings and tapestries of self-indulgence, now carried the weight of responsibility and the need for restoration.

The desk, once a symbol of Matteo's abuse of power, was now cleared of excessive luxury. It still retained its solid oak structure, but the surface had been stripped of the gaudy golden accents that once adorned it.

Instead, it was now adorned with practical yet elegant tools of leadership—a sturdy leather-bound planner, a set of pens neatly arranged in a stand, and a modest silver tray for official documents.

The room itself bore the scars of Matteo's lavish lifestyle. The carpet, once a lush velvet in rich hues, had been replaced with a more subdued pattern in earthy tones. The walls, previously adorned with expensive artwork, now showcased a few carefully selected pieces that reflected the pack's heritage and the beauty of nature.

The shelves that once displayed Matteo's collection of expensive trinkets now held practical resources for the pack. Books on leadership, diplomacy, and strategic planning filled the shelves, their well-worn spines a testament to their constant use.

Alongside them were records of the pack's financial transactions, a meticulous effort by Nicholas to regain control over the pack's funds. Nicholas has really come a long way to restoring this Pack, his Father’s Pack before the snake, Matteo stole it from him.

I wouldn’t want to destroy the same Pack Nicholas has sweated for, for it to get to this level. I would not be able to live with myself if I somehow hurt one strand of hair on anyone in this Pack because they are a representation of Nicholas.

And Nicholas has been a friend worthy more than a brother, we might not be from the same womb but the bond of friendship holds us together.

I will not break that, never... Nicholas I’m a threat to your pack,” I uttered those words that had been scaring me ever since I recovered from the whole event.

I Just couldn’t stop thinking about what happened that particular day, I kept relieving it. The way I told that small girl to climb up the tree and just kept counting and like a zombie she nodded her head and off she went climbing.

She would fall on the ground and start climbing again like a zombie and start climbing again. It was like a sick joke.

The sickest part was that my vampire side was thriving on it and that was when he decided to try it on the rogues also.

My eyes had already turned red and he spoke through me, “All of you must be on this part of the pack, you are not permitted to step beyond here but you can try killing me or die trying because that would definitely be your fate in my hands,” They all came but none of them were a competing for me.

I was just enjoying myself in lust of their blood, the pump, the thrive. Cutting them into pieces was thrilling was the bloodthirsty demon in me.

It felt greatly annoyed when Nicholas came to bash the show, in his own way of helping me out.

The demon inside me didn’t need any help in fact it was thriving on the the cry and whimpering of the woves.

He didn’t see Daphne and Hector as a target because they were more interested in the small child and didn’t try to intervene in his bloody battle but as for Nicholas he was a disturbance.

Although after all the rogues wolves were killed, Nicholas became his target, at least he was a bigger competition.

Someone who was strong enough and had enough stamina. And so he started another battle with Nicholas trying to suck him dry. I was really trying to battle with him then because it was getting too much but he had already taken control over my body.

My body was his intrusment to use as he sees fit. “I know, but you are not too much trouble for me to handle, afterall brothers do not let go of each other,” Nicholas said without a worry in the world.

Those words were what brought me back to the present discussion we were having. “I do not think you understand the detriment of what I can do and have done,” I stated out frustrated, I was almost pulling my hair from the root because it seemed like Nicholas wasn’t ready to listen to me.

“Aren’t we all abominations, why would I draw you out,” Nick asked me while staring at his desk and the pile of workload.

“Well I hate to break it to you but Vampires shouldn’t be able to compel wolves except humans,” I retorted.

“That’s old news, why are you telling me that,” Nick asked and I understood the fact that he hasn’t connected the dots yet.

“Well I compelled that small girl to climb the tree, as if that wasn’t enough. I fucking compelled all the rogues not to run away from me.” I bellowed.

“Didn’t you find it strange that I was killing them and none of them ran far away from where I stood!” I snapped.

“The evil in me is growing man, and it’s growing faster than I can control it,” “I do not know what I can or cannot do anymore,”

“You know the reason why we can’t control werewolves it’s because of your wolf.

Even if vampires can control the human, compulsion doesn’t work on wolves so it’s a total waste of time,” Nicholas listened intently, his face etched with concern.

He knew the struggle Liam was facing, the constant battle with his vampire nature. “But I did the impossible out there, not only did I compel a small child , I compelled rogues, that shouldn’t even be possible because Rogues don’t take orders from Alphas because their wolves are literally insane.”

“It would kill me literally to compel one of your pack member and suck them dry,” That’s the fucking reason why I have been brooding since and not being myself,”

“I’m literally finding it hard to live with myself,” “I could have hurt that child but I think he was so distracted from the rogues and they proved to be better competitors rather than that small child.”

I kept on ranting. “I’m actually finding this hard to believe Liam but I wouldn’t give up on you brother not in this life or the otherworld,” I shook my head, my voice laced with frustration.

"You don't understand, Nick. I don't know what I can or cannot do anymore. The boundaries are blurred, and it scares the hell out of me."

“So you want to leave?” Nicholas asked me with his eyebrows raised looking at me. But what do I tell the others? They'll wonder where you're going." Nicholas asked me.

My expression turned somber as I contemplated the consequences of my decision. "Tell them I'm going for a short trip. I need time to clear my head, to find a solution.

They deserve the truth, but I can't burden them with the weight I'm carrying." I said dejectedly. My mind swirled with a tempest of conflicting emotions.

The darkness within him had taken a hold, growing faster than he could rein it in. The evil, once contained, now threatened to consume him entirely.

He looked at his friend and confidant, Nicholas, his voice filled with desperation and a tinge of fear.

"The evil in me is growing, man, and it's growing faster than I can control it." “I need to learn to control it before it controls me,” Nicholas placed a hand on my shoulder, offering me solace and understanding.

“I can't imagine the weight you're carrying, Liam, but I believe in you. Don’t you ever forget that,” Nicholas said to me.

My gaze met Nicholas', gratitude and a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Nick.

I need to figure this out, but it won't be easy." Nicholas and I stayed in the office till later at night.

They discussed about everything and nothing. Alpha Nicholas already told everyone to stay clear of his office.

“You know if Matteo’s Accomplice gets to find out the level of abnormalities that we represent, they would be shock,” Liam told Nicholas laughing out loud.

“One has a poisonous blood that could fry you from the inside out,” he said smiling .

“Yet one has the power to compel rogue wolves, we represent the power they kill for and do abominable things to achieve.” I said jokingly.

“I still haven't been able to process what really happened that day,” I said while stroking my beards with my left hand.

I felt in control now but I knew my vampire side was down for a while but he would or could come back anytime as long as there was blood shed.

I cannot risk the life of other people so I might as well take my leave when we are still on good terms. I thought about how life was difficult for me in the no-man’s land before I met Nicholas and we became brothers.