Hangover 2

Liam’s POV

It is my eighteenth birthday tomorrow, and I’m feeling excited and full of energy. Kai is stretching and purring in my head like a restless storm.

“You feel the excitement too right, Kai?” I ask my wolf, sitting up in bed and surveying the mess around my room.

I’d thrown an all-night party far from the pack territory with my old school buddies…just us, no pack formality, no expectations. A pre-celebration before the one my father is throwing tomorrow at the ceremony hall. I wanted to have fun my own way… freedom, women, liquor.

“Of course, Liam. It's your eighteenth birthday. And who knows? We might meet our mate,” Kai says, his voice practically vibrating with anticipation.

“Whatever, Kai.”

The clock on the wall shows it’s already afternoon. My head’s pounding with a hangover. I groan and stretch. Empty bottles litter the floor…evidence of last night’s rebellion. I need someone to clean this disaster, especially since the girl I smuggled in last night had vanished before I even woke up. I’ll deal with her later.

Kai is still mumbling his weird ideas in my head. “Kai, give me a break. This isn't the time for this.” I shove his voice aside and focus on the mess.

A knock breaks through the haze.

“Alpha Liam,” a guard calls. “Your father says to let you know he has summoned you several times this morning. He wants you at the ceremony hall.”

“Shit, I mutter under my breath. “I’ll be there soon,” I call out. I must have been in deep sleep.

I gather the bottles into a corner and dash into the shower. Five minutes later, I’m dressed in a fresh shirt and shorts, brushing my teeth to mask the alcohol on my breath. Technically, I’m not supposed to drink, but my father has no idea I’m practically a master at it.

Snagging a snack on my way out, I head toward the hall. My body’s still sluggish. I definitely need help organizing things for tomorrow.

As I near the hall, I spot the head maid rushing past. She nearly bumps into me.

“I’m so sorry, Alpha,” she stammers, clearly flustered.

“Is there someone you can send to my room to clean up?” I ask sharply, not in the mood for pleasantries.

She hesitates, doing the mental math. “Everyone’s busy with preparations for tomorrow, Alpha. I’m not sure…”

“Well, make it happen. This is important too.” My tone sharpens. I see the flicker of fear in her eyes. Good. I’ve learned from my father that fear is a tool. And if I’m taking over this pack soon, people need to start getting used to it.

“I’ll find someone,” she replies quickly.

“Make sure you report back once you do,” I snap before walking off.

Inside, my father is finishing a brief with some warriors and workers from our company—Precision Metal Solutions. I see Nathaniel, Jordan, and a few other pack members gathered around him.

“Liam,” my father calls the moment he spots me. Everyone turns and immediately begins their chorus.

“Happy birthday in advance, Alpha,” they say in unison, bowing respectfully.

Except for my father, of course. He grins, clearly pleased to see the others acknowledge my position.

“We were wrapping up operations discussions…pack protocol and company logistics,” he says. “I needed your input on role assignments. You’re taking over soon, and I needed you accustomed to leading. But you were nowhere to be found.”

His voice is stern now.

That’s my father. He is a very precise, no-nonsense person. He is very allergic to excuses. Not just my parent, but my role model.

“Dad, I’ve been feeling unwell,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”

The door bursts open suddenly, and the head maid stumbles in, clutching neatly folded bedsheets. She freezes, realizing she’s interrupted something important.

“I… I’m sorry, Alpha…”

“Speak up, young lady or forever hold your peace,” my father barks, already losing patience.

“Did you find someone?” I interrupt, sparing her from further scolding. From the side of my eye, I see my father sit down hard, continuing his conversation with the workers.

“Yes, No.. Uhhhm. Mira is less busy but nobody seems to know where to find her so I came. Maybe..”

Nathaniel, one of the warriors ant the meeting, interjects smoothly. “I know where she is, Alpha. I’ll bring her.” I nod, signaling him to go.

That’s when I spot Dahlia approaching…heels clicking against the floor like nails on stone. My Beta. And the biggest thorn in my side. If I weren’t duty-bound to work with her, I’d have dismissed her a long time ago.

I glance around for an escape route.

“Wait here,” I tell the head maid, then move toward my parents. My mother has just joined the meeting, which looked like it had come to an end, seeing as my father was dismissing the workers.

When she sees me, her eyes light up. She opens her arms for a hug.

“My beloved son. Your father told me you were unwell.”

“Thank the Goddess,” I muttered to myself, gladly accepting the distraction.

“Yes, mother.” I wrap my arms around her, resting in the comfort of her warmth. It is probably the pressure of becoming Alpha,” I murmur.

“I know son.” She tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “You’ll be fine. You’ll be ready in due time. It’s the reason your official inauguration as Alpha is not taking place on your eighteenth birthday tomorrow after all.”

“You’re just a spoiled child, Liam,” my father cuts in, not missing a beat.

“Where is this maid anyway?” He asked

“Which one?” my mother chimed in.

I waved the head maid forward. Noticing Dahlia was no longer in sight, I took a deep breath of relief.

“Mira, the woman says.”

“Oh, the girl whose mother just died?,” my mother asked, her voice laced with concern.

“And you say there’s no one else available?” My father adds, clearly displeased.

“No, Alpha,” the maid answered, glancing nervously between the two of them.

“Hmmm, he grumbles. “She had better not..”