4

The atmosphere in the room had become suffocating as Derek continued pleading with me, his beta scent tinged with anxiety.

"Claire, please just apologize to Emily," he whispered urgently. "You know how influential her family is. It's not worth making enemies here."

"He's a coward," Zoe growled in my mind. "They all are. The Derek we knew would never have stood for this kind of bullying."

I looked around at the faces of my former classmates, disappointment settling heavy in my chest. Some avoided my gaze, others watched with barely concealed amusement.

The Blood Moon Pack had fallen so far from its noble origins. Once, we were known for our unity and protection of all pack members, regardless of rank.

Now? The higher-ranked wolves used their status as a weapon, crushing those beneath them simply because they could.

"Claire," Emily's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. "Do you know who you're defying right now?"

I almost laughed at the irony of her question. If anyone was clueless about status here, it wasn't me.

"No, Emily. Do YOU know who you're humiliating?"

She snorted, tossing her perfectly styled hair over one shoulder. The movement released another wave of her overwhelming dominant pheromones.

"Oh please. Even if you're working as some clerk at the United Pack Council now, you're still just an omega." Her lips curled in disdain. "You'll never be anywhere near my level."

The others in the room quickly jumped to support her, like loyal puppies seeking treats.

"Emily's father just expanded their territory into the northern sector!"

"Yeah, they practically own half the commercial district now!"

"Even the Pack Beta consults her father on important decisions!"

"I heard they're planning to build a new luxury den complex next month!"

Their constant praise only fed Emily's ego, making her preen and grow even more insufferable.

"They're making this so much worse for themselves," Zoe commented dryly. "The higher they build her up, the harder she'll fall."

Emily raised her chin, drunk on her perceived power and the adoration of our former classmates.

"If you don't kneel and apologize right now," she declared, "I'm going to demolish that pathetic excuse for a motorcycle you rode in on."

I shrugged, keeping my face carefully neutral. "Go ahead. Try your best."

Emily's eyes widened at my casual response, clearly not expecting this reaction.

"You think I'm bluffing?" She snapped her fingers at her security team, the sharp sound echoing in the sudden silence. "Boys, show her what happens to toys that belong to disobedient omegas."

Her betas rushed outside, armed with metal bars and their own shifted claws. Through the window, I could see them surrounding my motorcycle.

The sound of metal hitting metal echoed through the hotel, but something was wrong. Instead of the expected crash of destruction, there were confused grunts and curses.

"Miss Emily!" One of the betas called out, his voice strained. "Something's not right. We can't even scratch it!"

Emily stormed to the window, her face reddening with rage as she watched her security team fail.

"What do you mean you can't scratch it? It's just a basic motorcycle! Are you all completely useless?"

What they didn't know was that all Royal Guard vehicles were enchanted with their owner's power. No ordinary wolf could damage them - a security measure implemented by the Alpha King himself.

Emily grabbed a metal bar herself and stalked outside, her designer heels clicking angrily against the marble floor.

Through the window, I watched with growing amusement as she swung at my motorcycle repeatedly, each hit bouncing off harmlessly. Her perfect hair became disheveled, her expensive outfit stained with sweat.

Meanwhile, my phone kept buzzing with messages, and the pack bond hummed with urgent communications from my warriors.

"The war council is getting impatient," Zoe reminded me. "We can't keep them waiting much longer."

I discreetly pulled out my phone, typing a quick message while everyone was distracted by Emily's tantrum outside.

"Change of plans. Move the war council to the Moon Valley Hotel. Yes, the one owned by Blood Moon Pack. Time to show them exactly who they're dealing with."

Emily returned, sweating and disheveled, her perfect makeup smeared with effort.

"What kind of freakish motorcycle is this?" She demanded, breathing heavily. "What did you do to it?"

I allowed myself a small smile. "It's not just any motorcycle, Emily. Perhaps you should have asked that before trying to destroy it."

Her face twisted with fury. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Having some kind of reinforced bike?"

Just then, my phone buzzed again. The council members were on their way.

Emily noticed my distraction and snatched my phone from my hand with her enhanced speed.

"Oh, what's this? Important messages from your little clerk friends?" She scrolled through, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion at the encrypted messages.

"War council? What kind of game are you playing at?" Her voice held a note of uncertainty now.

I reached for my phone, but she held it away. "Emily, give it back. You have no idea what you're interfering with."

She laughed mockingly, but it sounded forced. "Or what? Your imaginary important friends will come save you?"

"They're about to find out exactly who we are," Zoe purred with satisfaction. "This is going to be entertaining."

I met her eyes steadily, letting just a hint of my power show through.

"Do you know who owns those motorcycles?"

Suddenly, a shout came from one of the students by the window.

"Look! Outside!"

The entire room rushed to the windows, drawn by the commotion.

A fleet of black SUVs rolled into the hotel driveway in perfect formation. Each vehicle bore the unmistakable emblem of the Eastern Alpha King on their hoods - a crimson wolf head with golden eyes, the most feared symbol in all werewolf territories.

Emily's eyes lit up at the sight.

"Important guests!" She clapped her hands excitedly. "Perfect timing to show everyone how we treat VIPs in our hotel."

"She has no idea," Zoe laughed darkly in my mind. "This is going to be entertaining."

Emily smoothed her designer dress and fixed her hair quickly.

"Watch and learn, Claire," she smirked at me. "This is how real high-ranking wolves conduct business."

She strutted towards the door, her head held high.

"I'll deal with you later. Right now, I have more important people to attend to."

I remained silent, watching as Emily prepared to greet her guests with what she thought was her most charming smile.