Empowering

The following day, me and Xander walked to school together again.

Amanda was walking only a few feet behind us.

I could feel her glare drilling a hole the size of a lemon in the back of my head.

A few times would glare back at her. A war was brewing between the two of us.

One without words or actions, but it was getting heated.

Xander leaned down slightly. “ignore her, she’s just jealous.” He chuckled.

“Of what?” I retorted, looking him straight in the eye.

Hoping he would say words I didn’t even know I wanted to hear so badly.

I hated that every body begged for his acceptance.

For his touch.

For his attention.

“Us,” he said, holding my gaze.

His eyes filled with tenderness.

I felt the familiar heat dance across my cheeks again.

Making me break the eye contact and look at my feet, which had suddenly become so interesting.

He chuckled softly beside me. Which only made me wonder if this was all a game to him.

Was he toying with me? I shook the thought out of my head.

I knew Xander we had been friends since before we could walk.

Besides he was never the player type.

He always viewed woman that weren’t his luna as a waste of time.

But what exactly classified as his Luna?

I had asked him once when we were kids and he just said he would know when he saw her.

An answer so vague it was almost impossible to decipher.

I let myself believe it was his mate ever since I found out.

But something at the back of my mind convinced me otherwise.

A voice I hated so much. But that same voice had saved me countless times before.

After school, I got dressed in a cherry red sundress, which complimented my skin tone so well.

I had a pair of comfortable sandals .

I knew the school council would be very busy getting everything ready in the pack hall until at least four pm.

We had decided just this morning on the masquerade ball with majority votes.

Amanda hated it. Since it was my idea.

When I arrived at the Pack house entrance, Xander stood on the porch waiting for me.

A smile crept onto my lips, one I had tried to stop. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough.

I saw Xander’s eyes wandering over the dress that I had on.

I rarely wore dresses as they simply just got in the way when I was busy training.

I used to train every day but slowed down since the mate ball had been announced.

I knew there wouldn’t be time for both.

“New look?” Xander asked. I twirled in front of him, showcasing every angel.

“Yes, you like it?” I asked with genuine curiosity.

He bit his bottom lip and seemed deep in thought.

“ill have to think about it,” he replied, winking at me.

I giggled to myself and approached the door that Xander held open, gesturing for me to enter.

When I entered, I was unpleasantly greeted by yet another glare from Amanda.

Dylan came jogging towards us with a big grin on his face.

He was the beta’s son and Xanders best friend.

He was also announced as Xanders beta just a couple of weeks ago.

He would become beta the moment Xander took his place as alpha.

Dylan wrapped his arm around me like we’ve been friends forever.

Not that we weren’t.

However, we were never really close since his position was so much higher than mine.

The only reason me and Xander were was because of our mother’s friendship.

Dylan was showing me the plans he had for the hall.

And what he thought should go where.

The hall was massive, with extremely high ceilings giving it beautiful acoustic but also making one feel very tiny.

There were patterns etched into the wall, decorating it all on its own.

It gave massive baroque era vibes with its golden pillars and marble floors. I thought about it for a bit.

“Dylan, I love your excitement and passion for this. And although we will definitely make use of some of those ideas.

I think that there is a certain elegance that comes with simplicity.

We can still be grand and beautiful, but when this is too busy, it quickly turns to tacky.

And I believe the last thing we would want is our pack to come across tacky.” He nodded, understanding what I meant.

“yeah I think the massive wolves made of roses and filled with lights is a bit much,” he admitted and I giggled.

“Not only that, but it would be impractical if we were to place it on the floor. It would make that there would me no place to dance,” I said, and he nodded.

“You're right. Glad to have you leading this project.” He said, tapping me on the back.

At this point, Amanda couldn’t Handel it anymore. “SHES NOT A LEADER SHE’S A TRAITOR!” she burst out with anger.

Her words echoed through the hall.

I turned to face her.

She stood on the opposite side of the hall and everyone's eyes flickered between the two of us.

I could see Xander walking up to her, and when his eyes looked in my direction, I gestured for him to stop.

He then went and leaned against the pillar, waiting for the show to play out in front of him with a big grin.

I reverted my gaze to Amanda.

I decided I wouldn’t show her the respect of walking up to get to have this conversation semi-private.

As she didn’t spare me that respect. So I only took two steps forward and placed my hand on my hip.

“You know Amanda, you have been making these accusations for years now. And I’m sure we’ve all given you enough time to gather evidence there of. So would you mind stating exactly where I have betrayed this pack?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and swung her hip out.

“we all know what your father…” she started, and I interrupted her.

“No Amanda. Now I am unaware of your English grade. However, from the looks of it, you're struggling to understand me. I am not asking about my father. I am asking about me. What evidence do you have to prove any betrayal I have committed?”

she gulped a few bubbles trying to find her words.

I c*cked my brow at her and was about to turn on my heals and continue the conversation between Dylan and I.

I was unsure of why I was doing this, but it felt right. Taking the lead felt right. Standing up for myself felt empowering.

“your bound to follow in your father’s footsteps. Like father, like daughter.” She finally said, feeling confident again.

I smiled at her statement, finding it hilarious.

“well Amanda, does your wolf have any power that we are unaware of? Like i dont know … seeing into the future?”

She looked at me like I was the stupid one. “No, obviously not,” she deadpanned.

“Well then, that is only a speculation that holds no evidence of becoming the truth. Tell me, Amanda, do you view yourself as unfaithful?” She c* cked her brow at me.

"Of course not. What does that have to do with anything?” she asked with confusion.

“well you see Amanda. If we were to go on with your logic. Then you would have to be unfaithful... just... like ...your... father,”

I stated saying each word slowly at the end, hinting at the illegitimate child her father had with an omega whilst being mated.

“you little..” she walked up to me, baring her claws.

“Don’t start a fight. You're not ready for. I won’t take it easy on you this time round.” I said, glaring at her.