Sophia POV:

I was halfway to the exit when a hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"I wasn't finished speaking to you," August growled.

I spun around, shrugging his hand off. "Do not touch me."

"You have an attitude for someone who owns nothing," August spat. "I'm trying to help you, Sophia. You think you can survive out there alone? Without a pack?"

He loomed over me, using his height to intimidate. He was trying to use his Alpha aura—a pressure that wolves use to dominate others.

But I felt... nothing.

Since my dormant blood had started to stir three years ago, the pressure of regular Alphas felt like a gentle breeze.

August frowned, confused that I wasn't cowering. He grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer.

"Let go!" I pulled back sharply.

The movement caused the sleeve of my oversized grey sweater to slide up.

The sunlight caught the bracelet on my wrist.

It was exquisite. Made of pure moonstone, glowing with an inner, ethereal blue light. It was a gift from Ryder on our mating ceremony. A protective artifact blessed by the Lymerian Elders.

Hailey gasped. Her eyes widened with greed.

"That bracelet..." she whispered. She looked at August. "That looks like the Moon Goddess's Tear! The artifact from the history books!"

August looked at it, then scoffed. "Don't be stupid, Hailey. That's a priceless artifact owned by the Royal Family. This?" He gestured to my wrist. "This is a cheap glass knock-off she probably stole from a gas station."

"It’s pretty though," Hailey whined. "I want it. It would match my eyes."

"Give it to her," August commanded, holding his hand out.

"Are you insane?" I stared at him in disbelief. "This is mine."

"You are a Rogue in my territory!" August shouted. "Everything you have is subject to confiscation. Give it to Hailey, and I won't have you arrested for vagrancy."

"No."

August’s patience snapped. He lunged, grabbing my wrist again, his fingers digging into my skin. He yanked the bracelet violently.

"No!" I screamed.

*Snap.*

The delicate silver chain broke. The bracelet fell from my wrist, clattering onto the asphalt.

But August’s nails had dug too deep. Three long, red scratches appeared on my forearm. Bright red blood welled up.

The scent of my blood hit the air. It was sweet, metallic, and potent.

*Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzzt.*

My phone in my pocket exploded with vibration.

Ryder.

He felt it. The Mate Bond transmits physical pain. He knew I was hurt.

I clutched my bleeding arm, staring at August. A flash of heat surged through my veins. It wasn't just anger. It was primal.

For a split second, my vision shifted. The world turned sharp, high-contrast.

August stumbled back. He blinked, looking at my eyes. "What... what was that?"

"What was what?" Hailey asked, bending down to pick up the bracelet. She frowned. "Ugh, it's heavy. Definitely glass."

August shook his head, looking pale. "I thought... I saw her eyes turn silver."

"Don't be ridiculous," Hailey laughed. "She's human. Probably just a reflection of the sun."

August reached into his pocket and pulled out a checkbook. He scribbled something hastily, tore it out, and threw it at my face. The paper fluttered to the ground, landing in a puddle.

"There," he sneered, regaining his composure. "Five hundred dollars. That's more than enough for your fake jewelry and a bus ticket out of town. Don't let me see you at the Alpha Summit in three days. If you try to beg for food there, I'll throw you in the dungeon myself."

I looked at the check in the mud. Then I looked at August.

"You think money fixes this?" I asked, my voice trembling not with fear, but with suppressed rage.

I bent down, picked up the check, and tore it into tiny pieces. I let the confetti rain down over his polished shoes.

"Keep your money, August," I said, my voice dropping an octave, sounding strange even to my own ears. "You're going to need it for your medical bills."

"Is that a threat?" August laughed, but it sounded nervous.

"It's a promise."

I turned and walked away. This time, he didn't stop me. He was too busy staring at his knees, which were shaking uncontrollably for reasons he couldn't understand.

*

Sophia POV:

Three days later.

The Grand Hall of the Aurelis Pack was glittering with lights. This was the Alpha Summit—the most prestigious gathering of wolf leaders in the country. Every Alpha, Luna, and dignitary was here to discuss territories and laws.

And, of course, to meet the Supreme Alpha.

I stood at the entrance.

I had shed the grey rags. Tonight, I wore the dress Ryder had commissioned for me. It was midnight blue, made of a fabric that shimmered like liquid starlight. Silver threads were woven into the bodice, forming subtle protective runes. The back was open, revealing my skin, but the long sleeves covered the healing scratches on my arm.

I wore no scent blocker tonight. But Ryder had placed a high-level masking spell on me. To the others, I would smell like a high-ranking wolf, but my true identity as the White Wolf would remain hidden until the moment was right.

"Invitation?" the door guard grunted. He was a large warrior, eyeing me suspiciously because I arrived alone.

I reached into my clutch, but before I could pull out my Royal Seal, a hand slammed onto the guard's shoulder.

"Let her in, Gary. She's with us."

I froze. August.

He was wearing a tuxedo, looking every bit the pompous leader. Hailey was beside him in a gaudy pink dress that looked like a cupcake exploded.

"August?" The guard looked confused. "She's on the guest list?"

"No," August smirked, looking me up and down. His eyes lingered on my dress with confusion. He clearly couldn't understand how I afforded it. "She's... staff. I hired her as extra help for the event. She cleaned up nicely, didn't she?"

He leaned in close to me, whispering, "I see you spent that five hundred dollars on a rental dress. Trying to snag a rich Beta tonight, Sophia?"

I didn't answer. I just stared ahead.

"Come on," Hailey giggled, grabbing my arm—the uninjured one. "We'll take her inside. The toilets need an attendant."

The guard shrugged and stepped aside.

We walked into the ballroom. The atmosphere was thick with pheromones. Power radiated from every corner. Alphas from fifty different packs were drinking champagne, their voices booming.

August steered me toward the back, near the kitchen doors.

"Stay here," he ordered. "Hold this tray. If anyone asks, you work for me."

He shoved a tray of empty glasses into my hands.

I looked at the tray. Then I looked at the center of the room.

There, on a raised dais, sat the Lymerian Throne. It was empty. Beside it was a smaller, but equally majestic chair for the Luna.

And beside that... a small, cushioned stool for the Heir.

"I don't think so," I said softly.

I dropped the tray.

*Crash.*

The sound of shattering glass silenced the nearby conversations.

August spun around, furious. "What are you doing, you clumsy idiot?"

"I'm going to my seat," I said.

I stepped over the broken glass and began walking. Not toward the kitchens. Not toward the exit.

I walked straight down the center aisle, toward the Throne.

"Sophia!" August hissed, chasing after me. "Stop! You're going to get us all killed! That area is for Royals only!"

I ignored him. My heels clicked rhythmically on the marble floor. With every step, I felt the connection to Ryder growing stronger. He was close.

"Stop her!" Hailey shrieked, pointing a manicured finger at me. "Security! That Rogue is trying to attack the Throne!"

The entire hall fell silent. All eyes turned to me.

I didn't stop. I kept walking, my head held high, my blue dress trailing behind me like a river of night.

I was done hiding.

*

Sophia POV:

The silence in the ballroom was heavy, suffocating. Hundreds of eyes bore into me—judging, confused, angry.

"Who is she?"

"Is she mad?"

"A Rogue approaching the Supreme Alpha's seat? She has a death wish."

Hailey sprinted in front of me, blocking my path just ten feet from the dais. Her face was twisted in ugly triumph. She wanted a show? She was making one.

"You have no shame!" Hailey screamed, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. She pointed at my wrist, where I wore a new bracelet—this one made of interwoven platinum and diamonds. "Look! She’s wearing more fake jewelry! She’s mocking our customs!"

August caught up, grabbing my arm roughly. "I apologize to everyone!" he shouted to the room, sweating profusely. "This woman is mentally unstable. She is my... ex. She's a human who couldn't handle the rejection. I will remove her immediately."

"Get your hands off me," I said, my voice low and dangerous.

"Or what?" August sneered. "You'll cry? Guards! Drag her out!"

Two Aurelis warriors stepped forward, their muscles tense. They reached for me.

"Don't touch her," I warned.

The first warrior grabbed my shoulder.

*ZAP.*

A pulse of white energy exploded from my skin. It wasn't magic—it was pure, concentrated lineage power. The warrior flew backward as if hit by a truck, crashing into a buffet table.

The crowd gasped.

"She's a witch!" Hailey shrieked. "Kill her!"

Hailey, fueled by jealousy and stupidity, lunged at me. Her claws extended—she shifted partially. She aimed for my face.

I raised my arm to block.

Her claws raked across the back of my hand.

Pain flared. Bright, hot, and stinging.

Blood dripped onto the pristine white marble floor. *Drip. Drip.*

The scent of my blood—rich, powerful, and undeniably *Royal*—wafted through the air conditioning vents.

Suddenly, the air in the room changed.

It grew heavy. Oppressive. It felt like gravity had increased tenfold. The champagne glasses on the tables began to rattle.

A low, terrifying growl vibrated through the floorboards. It didn't come from a wolf in the room. It came from outside.

*BOOM.*

The double doors at the main entrance slammed open, not blown off their hinges, but forced wide by a wave of raw, kinetic power. Wood splinters rained down on the guests.

A shadow stood in the doorway.

He was massive. Over six foot five, with broad shoulders that blocked out the light. He wore a black tactical suit that strained against his muscles. His eyes were glowing a vibrant, predatory gold.

Ryder.

And in his arms, holding a small stuffed wolf, was a three-year-old boy with messy dark hair and eyes that matched his father's.

"Daddy," the boy said, his voice small but clear in the terrified silence. "I smell Mommy's blood."

Ryder stepped into the room. The temperature dropped twenty degrees.

He didn't look at the crowd. He didn't look at the other Alphas who were instinctively bowing their heads, exposing their necks in submission.

His golden eyes locked onto me. Then, they shifted to the blood on my hand. Finally, they landed on Hailey, who was standing there with my blood under her fingernails.

"KNEEL."

The command wasn't spoken. It was a thunderclap of Alpha power.

Every wolf in the room slammed to the floor, forced down by the sheer weight of his voice. August collapsed, his forehead hitting the marble with a crack. Hailey fell flat on her stomach, gasping for air.

Only I remained standing.

Ryder walked toward me, the crowd parting like the Red Sea for the god of death.

*