Chapter 3: Elara's Revenge Begins

Elara Morgan stood at the head of the conference table, her new body thrumming with power. The pack's top-ranking members sat before her, their eyes fixed on her face—Landon Wolfe's face—as she delivered her verdict.

"The attack on our pack was a clear act of aggression," she said, her voice resonating with authority she'd never possessed. "But it's also exposed weaknesses in our defenses and our unity. That changes now."

She leaned forward, placing her palms on the polished wood. "From this moment, all pack rankings below Beta are suspended."

A chorus of gasps and sputters erupted around the table. Elara allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. ‘This is only the beginning.’

"Alpha," Vincent Reed, the pack's Beta, ventured cautiously. "With all due respect, that's unprecedented. The hierarchy has always—"

"The hierarchy," Elara cut him off, "has failed us. It's made us complacent and divided. We were nearly destroyed because we couldn't work together effectively."

She straightened, crossing her arms over her chest—the absence of curves and the solid muscle beneath her fingers still felt strange, but she was adapting quickly.

"Until further notice, every member of this pack will be evaluated based on their skills and contribution to our recovery efforts. Not their birth rank or family connections."

The silence that followed was deafening. Elara could practically hear the gears turning in their heads, calculating how this would affect their positions and power.

"Anyone who has a problem with this new direction is welcome to challenge me," she added, letting a growl seep into her words. "Or leave the pack entirely."

No one moved. No one spoke. Elara nodded, satisfaction coursing through her veins. "Good. Now, let's discuss our rebuilding strategy."

As the meeting progressed, Elara slipped more comfortably into Landon's role. She delegated tasks, made decisive calls, and shut down any hints of dissent with a hard stare or a low growl. When she dismissed the group, she could sense a shift in their demeanor—a mix of wary respect and uncertainty.

‘Perfect,’ she thought. ‘Keep them off balance while I solidify my position.’

As the others filed out, Elara called out, "Sabrina. A word."

The Gamma froze, then turned back with a simpering smile. "Of course, Alpha. What can I do for you?"

Elara waited until the room was empty before she spoke. "I've been thinking about your position in the pack, Sabrina."

"Oh?" Sabrina's smile widened, a predatory glint in her eyes. "I hope I've proven my worth, especially in light of recent events. My loyalty to you has never wavered."

Your loyalty to power, you mean, Elara thought bitterly. Aloud, she said, "Indeed. Your... enthusiasm... has been noted."

She circled Sabrina slowly, enjoying how the other woman's heartbeat quickened. "I've decided your talents would be better utilized elsewhere."

Confusion flickered across Sabrina's face. "I don't understand, Alpha."

Elara stopped before her, using every inch of Landon's imposing height to loom over Sabrina. "It's simple. You're being reassigned to omega duties, effective immediately."

The color drained from Sabrina's face. "What? But... but I'm a Gamma! You can't—"

"I can, and I have," Elara growled. "Or have you already forgotten the announcement I just made? All rankings are suspended. And frankly, Sabrina, your 'enthusiasm' has crossed the line into cruelty far too often."

Sabrina's eyes widened in understanding, then narrowed in fury. "This is about that little omega bitch, isn't it? Elara? Did she come crying to you, making up lies—"

Elara's hand shot out, gripping Sabrina's throat. She lifted the woman off her feet, marveling at Landon's strength as she savored Sabrina's choked gasp.

"Choose your next words very carefully," Elara snarled. "I've seen how you treat those you consider beneath you. It stops now."

She released Sabrina, who crumpled to the floor, gasping. "Report to the kitchens. You'll be on dish duty until further notice. And Sabrina?" Elara crouched down, meeting the other woman's terrified gaze. "If I hear even a whisper of you abusing your position or mistreating anyone, you'll be out of this pack so fast your head will spin. Understood?"

Sabrina nodded frantically, scrambling to her feet and bolting from the room.

Elara straightened, a grim smile on her face. ‘One down. Many more to go.’

Across the compound, Landon was learning firsthand how cruel pack life could be for an omega.

He'd managed to avoid Sabrina earlier, but his luck had run out. As he struggled to haul a heavy laundry basket across the yard, a foot suddenly appeared in his path. Landon went sprawling, dirty clothes scattering across the grass.

Laughter erupted around him. He looked up to see a group of Betas and Gammas sneering down at him.

"Oops," said the man who'd tripped him, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Did the little omega have a tumble?"

Landon felt his face flush with humiliation and rage. He started to push himself up, ready to tear into them—only to remember his current state. In Elara's petite body, he was no match for even one of these wolves, let alone a group.

"I—" he began, hating how small and breathy Elara's voice sounded. "I need to finish my chores."

"Oh, of course," a female Beta cooed. "We wouldn't want to keep you from your important laundry duty."

As Landon scrambled to gather the scattered clothes, he felt a boot press down on his hand. He looked up into the first Beta's cruel smile.

"You know," the man said conversationally, "I always wondered what Wolfe saw in you that night. Guess he was just desperate, huh?"

Landon's mind reeled. What was he talking about?

The Beta leaned in closer. "Don't think we've all forgotten how you tried to seduce the Alpha. As if he'd ever lower himself to mate with gutter trash like you."

The words hit Landon like a physical blow. Is this what Elara had endured after he'd rejected her? Not just his cruelty, but the entire pack's scorn?

Shame and self-loathing washed over him. He'd done this. He'd set the example that made this behavior acceptable.

"Get off her!"

A new voice rang out across the yard. Landon turned to see a petite blonde omega—Chloe Hayes, he recalled dimly—storming towards them.

"Back off, runt," the male Beta growled. "This doesn't concern you."

Chloe planted herself between Landon and his tormentors, her slight frame vibrating with fury. "It concerns me when you're harassing my friend. Don't you have anything better to do than pick on omegas?"

The group hesitated, clearly unused to such defiance from a lower-ranked wolf.

"Whatever," the female Beta finally said. "We've got more important things to do anyway. Enjoy your laundry duty, bitches."

As the group hiked away, Chloe turned to Landon, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay, Elara? Did they hurt you?"

Landon shook his head, unable to form words around the lump in his throat.

Chloe's expression softened. She knelt beside him, helping to gather the scattered laundry. "Don't let them get to you. Things are changing around here. Haven't you heard? The Alphas suspended all the rankings. Who knows? Maybe we'll finally get a fair shake."

Landon stared at her, processing this information. Had Elara suspended the rankings? What else had she done with his body, his authority?

"Come on," Chloe said, hefting half the basket. "Let's get this done together. Then we can grab some lunch, and you can tell me what's bothering you. You seem... different today."

As Landon followed her, his mind whirled. He'd spent his entire life secure in his position, never questioning the pack's rigid hierarchy. In a day, he'd been brought lower than he ever thought possible.

‘Is this what it takes?’ he wondered bitterly. ‘Did I have to walk in her shoes, literally, to understand?’

One thing was becoming increasingly clear: Things would have to change if—when—he got his body back. He owed Elara that much, at least.

But first, he had to survive being her. And based on this morning's events, that might be harder than he'd ever imagined.

As the sun began to set, Elara stood on the balcony of the Alpha's quarters, surveying her domain. She'd spent the day issuing orders, reorganizing the pack's structure, and clarifying that the old ways were over.

It was exhilarating and terrifying. For the first time in her life, she had the power to make real change.

But doubt nagged at the edges of her mind. How long could she keep this up? What would happen if they switched back?

Elara pushed the thoughts aside. She couldn't afford to hesitate now. There was too much work to be done, too many wrongs to right.

‘Tomorrow,’ she promised herself, ‘we start rebuilding. And this time, we do it right.’

As darkness fell over the pack lands, two souls in borrowed bodies lay awake, contemplating the strange twists of fate that had brought them to this moment. Neither knew what the future held, but both were certain of one thing:

Nothing would ever be the same again.