4

The grand hall buzzed with anticipation as dozens of wolves watched the drama unfold.

"Can you believe it? The Alpha's daughter attacking unshifted wolves?"

"Well, when you're that spoiled, you can't stand anyone being better than you."

"Thank the Moon her brother isn't protecting her."

Under Sarah's triumphant gaze, I straightened my spine.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, ready.

"A silver pit, brother?" I let my power leak into the pack bond. "How medieval of you."

I circled him slowly, letting my smile turn feral.

"But here's a better idea - why don't you try the pit first?"

Michael's face darkened with rage.

Sarah stepped forward, tears gleaming. "Vivian, I know you hate me, but how can you speak to your own brother this way?"

Her act was perfect - young, innocent, wounded.

Daniel watched her with dark hunger in his eyes.

Then he spoke softly: "Love, just apologize. There's no need for—"

I felt my wolf surge forward.

The shift rippled through me like lightning.

"Sorry," I growled through fanged teeth. "I don't speak with Omega."

My claws extended slowly.

Before anyone could react, I launched myself forward.

My enhanced strength caught Michael off guard.

He flew backward, crashing into Sarah.

Together they tumbled into the silver pit with twin screams of shock.

Through the pack bond, I sent my mocking thoughts:

"Since you love Omegas so much, brother, why not become one?"

Daniel lunged for me, eyes blazing red.

"Vivian, stop this madness—"

My claws found his chest.

One swift movement sent him flying after the others.

The silver pit rang with their combined agony.

"There," I purred into the stunned silence. "A perfect reunion."

"Enough!"

Michael's power crashed against mine.

"You disgrace our pack! Who taught you to be such an cruel animal?"

Same Michael - never believing me, always seeing the worst.

Ready to nail me to the cross of shame at every turn.

My laugh came out as a snarl.

The pack bond vibrated with my rage.

"Parents were too busy to raise me properly."

"So I guess you did, dear brother."

In my past life, I both feared and loved Michael.

Being several years older, he was an imposing figure in my childhood.

While our parents handled pack affairs, he was my keeper.

Every minor transgression earned brutal training sessions - running for hours under silver moonlight, sparring until I bled.

When I was five, he forced me into the icy river in December.

"A weak wolf is a dead wolf," he said, watching me struggle against the current.

I nearly died that night, my wolf too young to help me survive.

The pack healer spent hours bringing my temperature back up.

I was so young then.

I thought he loved me. He just didn't know how to show the gentleness other brothers gave their sisters.

Then Sarah appeared.

And I discovered the truth.

My brother wasn't incapable of gentleness.

He just reserved it for someone else.

I watched him wrap Sarah in his jacket when she slipped into that same winter river.

"Are you cold?" he asked, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

I saw him share his strength through the pack bond to warm her.

When she was sick, he brought her healing teas himself.

"You need to eat properly," he'd say, stroking her hair. "If you need anything, I'm here."

In my past life, I was trapped in love's illusion.

Wondering why my brother couldn't love me, why my mate couldn't stand with me.

Only after death did I finally understand.

I am my own wolf.

I don't need their love to survive.

My strength is mine alone.