Chapter 3
Ophelia Brooks burst into laughter, her Omega status doing nothing to temper her arrogance. "This is priceless! You've got a real knack for spinning tales. You overhear a bit and weave it into a whole story!"
Zaiden Ortiz, a Gamma from the Ortiz Pack, shook his head, his smug expression unwavering. "Jasmine, your fixation on me is getting out of hand. Let's not turn this into a spectacle. I promise I'll speak with you once the auction is over."
"You should really leave," Ophelia added, her tone dripping with condescension. "This isn't a place for just anyone to wander into. It's confidential, and you could get in serious trouble if someone reports you."
I was done with their games. When they didn’t move, I pushed past Ophelia, striding toward the entrance. I didn’t expect Zaiden to grab me, his grip tight enough to bruise, before he slapped me across the face.
"Why’d you shove Ophelia? Apologize to her!" he barked, his voice sharp and commanding.
The commotion drew a crowd almost instantly, the tension in the air thick enough to cut through. Security guards, all Delta warriors from the hosting pack, closed in on us quickly.
I held my cheek, the sting of his slap burning into my skin as I glared at him. "Zaiden, do you have any idea what kind of trouble you're in for hitting me?"
Hugo Kelly, my mate and the Alpha of the Kelly Pack, is famously devoted to me. He might appear calm and composed, always flashing that charming smile, but beneath it lies a ferocity that only those who’ve crossed him truly understand. The last time a Delta in our pack disrespected me, Hugo had them run perimeter patrols in wolf form for an entire week under the harshest conditions. Now, if he hears about someone striking me, the consequences would be unpredictable.
Zaiden really asked for this one—it’s on him.
Ophelia sneered, her confidence unshaken. "Still so defiant, huh? What, you want your Alpha to come and get revenge on Zaiden? He’s so weak, Zaiden would chew him up and spit him out!"
By then, the security guards had reached us, their postures stiff and alert. "What’s happening here? What’s with the commotion?" one of them demanded, his tone sharp and authoritative.
Ophelia immediately pointed at me. "This woman is trying to disrupt the auction. You need to escort her out immediately."
The guards glanced at me, their expressions uncertain but their hands already moving to grab me.
I addressed them firmly, my Beta status lending weight to my words. "I’m the organizer of this auction, Beta of the Kelly Pack. These two are blocking me from entering and causing a disturbance. I want them removed!"
The guard’s hand paused, hesitating as he glanced between me and Ophelia.
"May I have your name, please? I’ll have my colleague verify it on the registration list," he said, his tone more cautious now.
Since this event was hosted in a neutral territory, it made sense that the guards didn’t recognize me on sight.
Just as I was about to give my name, Ophelia interrupted, her voice shrill and demanding. "What’s taking you so long? Open your eyes! Do you really think this washed-up hag is a Beta? She’s out of her mind! If you don’t get her out, I’ll report you!"
She shoved her and Zaiden’s entry badges into the guard’s face. "We’re here for the auction. Do you think we don’t recognize the organizer? Quit stalling and get her out!"
The guards’ hesitation vanished, their grips tightening on my arms as they started to drag me away.
Then, a young man pushed through the crowd, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife. "Hold it!"
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