Chapter 3
As I stood in the center of the rapidly forming circle, I noticed a subtle exchange between two senior Betas across the room. Their gray-streaked hair marked them as elders who had seen enough of pack politics to recognize when something wasn't right. The male Beta's nostrils flared slightly as he caught my scent, his eyes narrowing in confusion. He leaned toward his companion, whispering something that made her head snap up, her gaze locking with mine for a brief, startled moment.
They sensed it—the first hairline cracks in the facade I'd maintained for years. My wolf stirred within me, no longer willing to play the part of the submissive, unremarkable mate. *Soon*, I promised her silently. *Very soon*.
"This rejection is too good for just our pack to witness," Madison announced, her voice dripping with malicious delight. She snapped her fingers at a young Delta who immediately scurried to do her bidding. "Summon the representatives from the neighboring packs. I want everyone to see this."
Dylan stood beside her, his chest puffed out in that ridiculous posture he adopted whenever trying to appear more dominant than he was. "Make sure Alpha Thornwood's son is here. And Beta Keller from the Crescent Moon Pack."
Within minutes, the main hall filled with even more wolves—high-ranking members from at least four neighboring packs. I recognized most of them; some I had files on back at Royal headquarters. The irony wasn't lost on me—they thought they were gathering to witness my humiliation, but they were actually assembling to witness their own.
"Form a circle," Madison commanded, gesturing imperiously. "Tighter. I want her to feel the weight of every eye upon her."
The wolves obeyed, pressing closer, creating a wall of bodies around Dylan, Madison, and me. The air grew thick with their combined scents—anticipation, excitement, cruelty. A few younger wolves snickered, already whispering about what would happen to the "pathetic Omega" after the rejection.
I remained perfectly still at the center, my posture relaxed but balanced. Years of Royal Guard training had ingrained in me the ability to appear non-threatening while remaining ready to strike at a moment's notice. My weight was distributed evenly on both feet, my hands loose at my sides—not the cowering posture of a terrified Omega about to lose everything.
"Look at her," Madison sneered, circling me once more. "Not even afraid. Just empty."
Dylan laughed, but the sound was hollow, forced. Something in my demeanor was making him uneasy, though he couldn't quite identify what.
Across the circle, Beta James Harrison from the Blue Ridge Pack studied me with growing concern. Unlike the others, he had served briefly in the military before returning to his pack duties. His trained eye caught what the others missed—the subtle tells of a fighter in my stance, the controlled breathing, the perfectly balanced posture that would allow for immediate action in any direction.
"Something's not right," he muttered to his Alpha, who dismissed his concern with an impatient gesture.
"Begin the ceremony," Madison commanded, her voice rising above the murmurs of the crowd. "I want this done now."
As Alpha Carter stepped forward to officiate, I felt the first tremors of approaching power—my extraction team was close. Very close. The Royal Guard never abandoned their own.
"Before we begin," I said, my voice clear and carrying easily through the hall despite its soft volume, "I have a question for you, Madison."
She paused, surprised that I would dare speak. "What?"
"Did you ever wonder why I never fought back? All these years, all your little insults and provocations. Did you ever ask yourself why someone would endure that without resistance?"
Madison's perfect brows drew together in confusion. "Because you're weak. A nobody."
I smiled then, a small, dangerous curve of my lips that made several wolves in the circle step back instinctively.
"No," I said softly. "It's because I was waiting. And now, I don't have to wait anymore."
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