1

I was ridiculed because I went to the classmate gathering on a motorcycle.

If Derek hadn't kept bombarding my phone with messages, I wouldn't have bothered showing up at this reunion at all.

He was particularly persistent this time, probably because it had been eight years since I left Blood Moon Pack without a word. As the former vice president who took over my position, he felt responsible for keeping the class together.

"Claire, please come. Everyone misses you," his last message read.

What a joke. Miss me? They were probably just curious about what happened to the omega class president who disappeared.

Out of respect for our old friendship, I had to reschedule an urgent war council meeting just to squeeze in an hour for this gathering. The Alpha King wasn't pleased, but he understood my need for cover while investigating in Blood Moon territory.

I glanced around the luxurious dining room. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the air was thick with expensive perfume and arrogance.

But I didn't expect the dinner conversation to be nothing but bragging and bootlicking. Not a single mention of our shared memories or genuine curiosity about each other's lives.

"My father just bought me another territory..."

"Well, I just mated with a beta..."

"You won't believe the influence I have in the pack now..."

Their voices grated on my nerves. I despised this atmosphere and stood up to leave.

Derek immediately reached out to stop me, his beta scent tinged with anxiety.

"Claire, please. I know it must be hard being an omega in the government service, but don't leave so soon. We're all proud that you're serving the pack."

If only they knew what kind of "service" I actually did.

Before I could respond, Jake, the same guy who had mocked my motorcycle earlier, shot me a contemptuous glance. His gamma status practically oozed from his pores.

"Yeah, yeah, we haven't seen each other in so many years. Don't you want to catch up?" His lips curled into a sneer. "Although... it seems like nobody really wants to talk to you. Still the same old omega trying to play with the big wolves, aren't you?"

Eight years ago, Jake had been one of my most vocal critics. Always whispering behind my back about how an omega shouldn't be class president. Looks like nothing had changed.

I raised my head to look at him, my voice as cold as winter frost.

"No need. I only came to give Derek face. These kinds of pointless gatherings won't see me again."

My words had barely left my mouth when Emily, the pack Beta's daughter who was surrounded by admirers, suddenly stood up. Her designer dress sparkled under the chandelier lights.

"Claire, what exactly do you mean by that?" Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the table. "Are you saying we're not good enough for you? You disappear for eight years, probably failing somewhere outside our pack, and now you come back acting superior?"

Emily's words deliberately twisted my meaning, but the others were quick to join in. Like sharks smelling blood in the water.

"My goodness, riding a basic bike and acting all high and mighty? The nerve!"

"Remember how she always got perfect grades? Fat lot of good that did her. Still just a lowly omega."

"I heard she's been wandering between packs since she left. Couldn't even make it in Blood Moon Pack, and now she's putting on airs?"

Sarah, another former classmate, leaned forward with fake concern. "You know, Claire, if you're having a hard time out there, you can always come back. Blood Moon Pack takes care of its own, even omegas."

Being pitied by these people made my wolf stir with anger, but I kept my face neutral. Let them think what they want.

In their eyes, I was just another omega who couldn't handle the real world. If they knew I commanded the most elite werewolf warriors in the country, they'd probably have heart attacks.

I was just about to respond when Emily grabbed her crystal wine glass and hurled it at the floor. The crash silenced the room.

"Claire, you better not leave without my permission." Her eyes flashed with dominance. "This entire hotel belongs to my family. Every brick, every piece of furniture."

She stalked toward me, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

"You need my approval to walk out that door. Today, without my say-so, you won't be able to take a single step outside. Or have you forgotten how pack hierarchy works after being away so long?"

Derek jumped up from his seat, his beta status allowing him to intervene.

"Come on, everyone, let's calm down." He spread his hands placatingly. "We've been classmates for so many years. Claire was our president for two years, remember? She always helped everyone with their studies. Don't let such a small thing ruin our friendship."

Halfway through his speech, Derek turned to me with pleading eyes.

"Claire, since we've all gathered here, how can you leave early? Come on, sit back down and let's have a drink together, for old times' sake. We really did miss you."

I knew Derek was trying to help, but my patience was wearing thin. The war council wouldn't wait forever, and I had actual important matters to handle.

"I'm sorry, Derek. It was wrong of me to spoil everyone's mood, but I really do have something important to handle."

I kept my voice deliberately humble, playing the part they expected.

"There's a whole council waiting for me back at headquarters."

I had barely finished speaking when Emily grabbed another glass and smashed it, her face contorted with rage.

"Claire, stop putting on airs!" She snarled, her partial shift causing her canines to lengthen. "You're just a lowly omega serving in the pack government. Probably pushing papers or running errands for real officials."

She stalked closer, her dominant pheromones filling the air.

"What kind of meeting could you possibly have? Are you trying to tell me you've become some kind of leader now?"

The others laughed at the very idea. An omega in a position of power? Impossible.

"I'll give you face and call you a pack official," Emily sneered, "but if I don't, you're nothing but an errand runner, understand? You left our pack because you couldn't handle being an omega here, and now you come back pretending to be something you're not."

If she only knew that the "errand runner" before her could have her entire family stripped of their status with a single phone call.