3

The tension in the room reached a breaking point as Emily's security team held me firmly in place, their beta strength pressing into my arms.

"You always thought you were better than everyone else, didn't you, Claire?" Emily circled me slowly, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor. "Little Miss Perfect with her straight A's and pretty face."

"She's just jealous," Zoe snickered in my mind. "She could never compete with us, then or now."

"Remember senior year?" Emily's voice dripped with venom as she ran a perfectly manicured nail down my cheek. "How you caught me trying to peek at your test paper during finals?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously as the memory seemed to fuel her anger.

"You just had to report me to the teacher, didn't you? The precious little omega playing by the rules."

I met her gaze steadily, refusing to show weakness. "You were cheating. What else was I supposed to do?"

"SHUT UP!" Emily's hand connected with my face again, the sound echoing through the silent room. "You ruined everything! I almost got expelled because of you!"

The others watched in uncomfortable silence, their eyes darting between us like spectators at a fight.

"And don't think I didn't notice how Lucas always looked at you," she hissed, shooting a glare at her mate. "Even now, he can't keep his eyes off you."

I glanced at Lucas, who quickly averted his gaze. Emily wasn't wrong - he had been staring, but not for the reasons she thought.

"You're delusional," I said calmly. "I never wanted Lucas. Not then, not now."

Emily's face contorted with rage, her partial shift causing her fangs to elongate.

"Liar! You're nothing but a little bitch born from lowly omegas. How dare you deny it!"

"Let me rip her throat out," Zoe snarled inside my head. "No one insults our parents!"

The mention of my parents made my control slip. My eyes flashed gold for a split second, a glimpse of my true power breaking through.

Emily must have caught it because she took a startled step back, her own eyes widening.

"What was that?" She looked uncertain for the first time, her dominant posture faltering slightly.

But her moment of doubt quickly passed, replaced by renewed anger.

"Hold her tighter," she ordered her security team. "Make sure she can't move an inch."

The betas tightened their grip on my arms. In any other situation, they'd already be on the ground, but I had to maintain my cover. The mission came first.

Just as Emily raised her hand for another slap, Derek intervened.

"ENOUGH!" His beta authority rang through the room, making several wolves flinch. "Emily, this is going too far!"

Emily paused, considering. Derek's family, while not as powerful as hers, still held considerable influence in the pack.

"Fine," she lowered her hand, but her eyes remained cold. "Since you asked so nicely, Derek, I'll let her off easy."

She reached into her designer purse and pulled out a thick stack of bills, waving them in front of my face.

"Here's ten thousand dollars," she smirked. "All you have to do is crawl between my legs like the omega you are. Then you can leave."

The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

"I saw that piece of junk you rode in on," Emily continued, her voice mocking. "This is probably more money than you've seen in your life."

She glanced out the window at my motorcycle, her lip curling in disgust.

"What kind of wolf rides a beat-up bike like that? Even omegas in our pack have better standards."

"She has no idea what that bike represents," Zoe growled. "The Royal Guard's symbol right under her nose."

"Emily," I said quietly, dangerously. "Do you have any idea who you're trying to stop?"

She threw her head back and laughed, the sound harsh and grating.

"Oh, this is rich! The little omega trying to act tough!" She waved the money again. "What's it going to be, Claire? Your pride or your safety?"

The betas holding me tensed, ready to force me down at Emily's command.

"Emily," Derek tried one last time, his face pale. "Please think about what you're doing..."

"Stay out of this, Derek!" Emily snapped, her eyes never leaving my face. "The omega needs to learn her lesson. She needs to understand her place in our world."

She dangled the money in front of me again, her smile cruel and confident.

"Time's running out, little omega. Make your choice. Crawl or suffer."

I raised my eyes to meet hers, finally letting just a hint of my true nature show through. Let her see the predator she was poking.

"Emily," my voice was deadly quiet. "You're going to regret this. I'm giving you one last chance to back down."

She laughed again, but I caught the flicker of unease in her eyes. Something about my tone must have triggered her instincts.

"Big words from someone who can't even afford a proper vehicle. Now get on your knees!"