Chapter 0455

"I considered that possibility." Caleb mutters under his breath. "But reasoning with him hasn't produced any results."

"You haven't tried having the Alpha intervene." Alexander gestures toward me.

"Alright." Caleb gives me a reluctant nod. "He's upstairs in his room after a difficult day. Should I call him down?"

"Not necessary." I respond quietly.

"Let her handle this situation. Don't interfere in any way." Alexander instructs Caleb firmly.

Caleb takes a deep, steadying breath. "Proceed."

I move to the base of the staircase. "LIAM SILVERWOOD!"

Liam appears at the top of the stairs. There's a brief flash of irritation at his delayed recognition of me. I watch as his brown eyes gradually soften. His lower lip begins to tremble slightly. "Alpha Athena," he whispers, lowering his gaze respectfully.

"We need to have a conversation." I sigh heavily. He was just a child. A child slightly older than I had been when accused of my parents' murder. Intimidating him wasn't my intention. I would find an alternative approach. "Let's take a walk outside."

He descends the stairs silently, casting a pleading look toward Caleb for assistance. Caleb remains silent, exactly as instructed.

Liam follows me out of the house without speaking. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, scuffing his feet against the ground as we walk. Yet he maintains a quick pace, as if eager to distance himself from the house.

"Tell me something." I murmur softly.

"Like what?" He asks, confusion evident in his voice.

"Anything. School, friends, home life."

"I don't have any friends." He grumbles discontentedly. "They're all idiots."

"Idiots? That seems rather harsh."

"They just...you wouldn't understand." A frown forms on his tanned face.

"Try me."

"They won't get to live anyway, so what's the point in making friends?"

'That was unexpected.' Nyx comments with a frown.

"What do you mean? Why won't they get to live?" I press further.

He rolls his eyes dismissively.

"Did you know I have methods of extracting information from people, even when they're unwilling to share?"

"That's a lie."

'He's one arrogant little brat.' Nyx snorts derisively.

"How do you think I managed to get you out of your bedroom?"

He merely shrugs his shoulders, and we continue walking. His desire to be anywhere else was painfully clear.

"Are you unhappy here?" I ask directly.

He looks up at me and shakes his head.

"Why not?"

Liam presses his lips together tightly and continues walking in silence.

"Are you communicating with someone outside the pack?" I change my tone to one that demands an answer.

"Yes." He squeaks out, looking confused about his own compliance.

"Who?"

"Levi." His voice pitches higher with anxiety.

"What does he tell you?"

"He wants to punish everyone." His tears begin falling faster. I hated making a child cry, but confirming Levi's involvement was crucial.

"Liam. He's a liar. Whatever he's telling you isn't true."

He shakes his head vehemently. "You're wrong. He said we could be free. He said I could help him because I'm a strong Lycan. He said you would ruin us. He said he would help me. I'm not scared. He chose me. Not stupid Charlotte or my brother or anyone else at school. He chose me. I just have to..."

"Have to what?" I press urgently.

His brown eyes lock with mine. He genuinely didn't want to reveal this. "I have to..." He lifts his wrist and points to what appears to be a watch, but instead of a clock face, it features a small button.

"Press this."

"What does it do?"

"I don't know."

"He told you to press it but you don't know its function?" I grab his wrist firmly. He tries to pull away while simultaneously pressing the button, sending panic through me. I had no idea what it would trigger.

"Let me go!" He bites my hand and slams his finger onto the button.

An explosion throws me off my feet. Liam takes off running as I look toward the pack house. Every window has blown out, half the roof is gone, and the side of the house crumbles inward. Flames engulf the structure, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Liam had destroyed my home. Liam was a fucking child who had blown up my home.

Screams and shouts echo around me as people scramble. But all I could do was sit and stare in disbelief.

'Fucking little bastard!' Nyx growls furiously.