Chapter 4: Prove Your Worth

Mink’s P.O.V

I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms as I faced the guards blocking her path. My voice was steady, though every word felt like a blade slicing through me. “Let her in.” I didn’t look at her, couldn’t look at her, as the guards hesitated.

“Did you not hear me? I said let her in.” The steel in my tone left no room for argument. They stepped aside, and she didn’t waste a second in stepping into the room.

The flap swung open, and I could hear her voice—sharp, demanding, and full of accusation, even though I didn’t turn to face her. “Who are you? And under what authority are you allowed to see my husband alone in your tent?”

My heart stuttered at the word. Husband. My jaw tightened as I finally turned to look at the dark haired woman who had stormed into the scene. She stood in front of him, her stance protective, her eyes blazing.

Abhay... No, not Abhay. Lee Xi Yang. He’s not the Abhay I knew. This man before me was someone else entirely. My Abhay…Abhay Raichand, was gone long ago. The man standing before me had moved on, was now someone else entirely and I needed to accept that.

His gaze met mine briefly before flickering away, as though he couldn’t bear the weight of my stare. He seemed to finally have come to the realization that his life wasn’t the same as it had been seventeen years ago.

“I am Mikalya Carnell,” I said, my voice cool and measured, as I faced her, my eyes narrowed. “And if you must know, we were in the middle of discussing something important.”

“Important discussion?” She scoffed, her eyes narrowing, suspicion and defiance radiating from her. “And what exactly do you want with him? You think just because you’re with the Alphas, it gives you some kind of right over him?”

The accusations fly through the air like daggers. My blood boils as the woman's words hit their mark, and before I even realize it, my feet are carrying me toward her, my wolf surging forward like a tide that can no longer be held back. I stop mere inches from her, my gaze locking onto hers, unwavering and filled with the weight of an Alpha’s authority.

“Watch your tone,” I snap, my voice low but laced with a growl that reverberates through the tent.

“Do you know who you’re speaking to? I am an Alpha, and I will not tolerate disrespect, especially not from someone who has no place questioning my authority.” The words taste like fire on my tongue, and I let them burn their way out.

“When your husband came before the Council, hoping to be granted the role of Alpha, he knew what it meant. He knew he’d have to associate with other Alphas—real Alphas. And now, if you’re here, standing in his place, running your mouth instead of him, what does that say? That he’s incapable of speaking for himself? Incapable of standing his ground? And if that’s the case, how can he even dream of being an Alpha?”

Abhay steps forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture, his face a mask of barely concealed panic.

“Mink, please,” he says quickly, his voice smooth but tinged with urgency. “There’s been a big misunderstanding. Bai Le-an didn’t mean to offend you or question your position. This is—”

But Bai Le-an cuts him off, her eyes flashing with a mix of defiance and disdain. “Don’t speak for me, Abhay.” Her tone is sharp, her posture rigid. “I know what I said, and I meant every word of it. I don’t believe a woman can be an Alpha.” She crosses her arms over her chest, standing tall as if challenging me outright.

“An Alpha leads with strength, with dominance, with command. That is a man’s role. Not a woman’s.”

For a moment, the room seems to hold its breath, Abhay and the guards look astonished, their eyes darting between us. The challenge in her gaze is unmistakable, and my wolf bristles, ready to show her exactly what a female Alpha is capable of. My fists clench at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I struggle to maintain control. I take a step closer, towering over her now, my presence filling every corner of the room.

“You think strength and dominance are exclusive to men?” I say, my voice cold and steady, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

“Then you’re a fool. Strength isn’t about gender, Bai Le-an. It’s about spirit, about will, about the ability to lead, protect, and command respect. And if you can’t see that, then you have no business calling yourself a warrior, let alone speaking about what it takes to be an Alpha.”

Abhay’s face pales, and he quickly moves to stand between us, his hands raised again. “Enough! This is getting out of hand,” he says, glancing nervously at Bai Le-an, then back at me.

“Mink, please, I’ll handle this. Bai Le-an doesn’t understand the nuances of—”

“She understands plenty,” I interject, my eyes never leaving her. “She understands exactly what she’s doing. She’s challenging me, and in doing so, she’s proving that neither she nor her husband have the respect or the wisdom to be part of this Council.”

Bai Le-an stiffens, her defiance faltering for a split second, but her mouth opens again, ready to retort. I hold up a hand, silencing her before she can say another word.

“If you have a problem with me, Bai Le-an, then take it up with me directly. But don’t you dare insult the title of Alpha by reducing it to something as trivial as gender.” I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down, though the fire still burns hot in my veins. “This conversation is over.”

The room remains silent as I turn away, my wolf receding but leaving behind a warning growl that echoes in my chest.

The air was thick with tension as I stood in the center of the tent, every muscle in my body coiled tight. Bai Le-an’s voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

“You’re nothing but a fake Alpha, Mink. A pretender hiding behind a name and a reputation you don’t deserve.” Her words sent a ripple of murmurs through the gathering, but I kept my face stoic, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

Before I could respond, Abhay stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Bai Le-an, you’re making a grave mistake. Mink is not someone to be underestimated. Don’t mess with her. You’ll regret it.” His words carried the weight of authority, but they only seemed to fuel her defiance.

“If she’s truly an Alpha,” Bai Le-an countered, her eyes blazing with challenge as she took a step closer, “then she must prove her worth. Let her face me in a duel. Let everyone see if she deserves the title she claims.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, another voice boomed through the tent, stopping everyone in their tracks.

“Isn’t her defeating both Alpha Devon and Aiden enough proof already?” Rhys’s tone was laced with disbelief and anger as he entered, his presence commanding as always. His gaze swept across the room before landing on Bai Le-an. “Or do you think you’re stronger than both of them combined?”

Bai Le-an stiffened, the presence of two Alphas in the same space finally getting to her.

Rhys snorted, shaking his head as he looked at her up and down. “You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. Do you even understand what you’re asking for?”