Chapter 4
The next day was the academy’s centennial celebration.
I’d assumed this grand event would invite the important werewolves from my pack.
But the announcer made a grand introduction of “distinguished representatives” from our neighboring academy.
“Welcome Kael Thorne and Amaris Grimveil”
The moment they appeared, the entire hall erupted in applause.
After their speech ended, the announcer joked “You two make a perfect match,have you perhaps already sealed a bond?”
Kael’s eyes immediately found mine, his gaze dripping with mockery and challenge.
I kept my expression neutral and looked away.
“Oops…do we seem like it?” Amaris immediately sidled closer, naturally draping her arm over Kael’s shoulder. “Actually, we’re just—”
Before she could finish, Kael suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and said coldly”That’s right!She’s already carrying my pup.”
Chaos. The crowd exploded with applause, whistles, and cheers.
Whispers started behind me.
“Kael Thorne was Silver Moon Academy’s top Alpha. I heard some shameless Omega chased him for three years and actually managed to snag him.”
“Didn’t they just bond recently? Must have been rumors-this one’s actually worthy of him!”
“She’s here today too? With her bloodline ranking, she gets to be a distinguished alumna?”
My fingers trembled as I turned around coldly: “Had enough? Why don’t you say it to my face?”
The two werewolves clearly felt guilty, muttering”Oh please! We didn’t name names-if you want to claim it, that’s on you.”
The next second, Amaris and Kael sat down beside me.
Amaris smiled with saccharine sweetness”Alina, those pack sisters weren’t talking about you. Don’t be so sensitive~”
Kael snorted”Pathetic.”
Emboldened by his backing, they grew bolder”Exactly, starting drama over nothing. Crazy bitch!”
Just as I was swallowing my rage and preparing to leave, the announcer said “Next, please welcome Alina Vale for her address.”
I took a deep breath and stepped forward when Amaris suddenly stuck out her foot.
“CRASH!”
I sprawled across the floor, my knees and elbows scraping against the rough carpet, searing pain nearly blacking out my vision.
My palm hit the ground, and when I touched my chin, my fingers came away wet with blood.
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
A mocking laugh rang out Vale’s a bit too eager, isn’t she?”
Laughter erupted as pain made it nearly impossible to move.
Kael lazily looked up from his seat, voice impatient Get up already. Stop with the theatrics.”
Amaris made a show of trying to help me”Alina, quit the act. Everyone’s watching, you konw.”
My fury finally ignited as I slapped her hand away, demanding coldly”Amaris, why did you deliberately trip me?”
She gasped and collapsed into her chair, hands clutching her belly Alina Vale! I was trying to help you up, and instead of being grateful, you shove me? What if something happens to the pup?”
The crowd exploded in outrage.
Someone stood up shouting”Alpha Kael, make your Omega submit! If it weren’t for your authority, I’d teach her a lesson now!”
“Female wolves always tearing each other down-disgrace to the pack!”
Listening to their “righteous” humiliation, I laughed coldly.
I’d seen Amaris deliberately extend her leg to trip me, crystal clear. I remembered every detail of that triumphant smirk on her lips.
And now she dared to turn it around on me?
I stood up, rage boiling in my blood, raising my hand to slap her.
But Kael moved faster, blocking her and backhanding me hard across the face.
“Slap!”
The blow sent me staggering, my head ringing.
The hall fell silent as death.
He looked at the blood on his hand with disgust, pulled out a tissue to wipe it clean, and snarled,
“Alina Vale, you’ve humiliated me enough. Get out!”
I stared at him in shock, my chest feeling like it was being shredded by claws”Just once, Kael. Couldn’t you take your mate side just once?”
He froze for a moment, then his face twisted with irritation as he roared”I’m counting to three. If you don’t leave, we’re breaking the bond permanently! Three,
two-”
I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling utterly hollow.
This Alpha had never truly protected me.
I covered my burning cheek and hurried toward the exit.
Behind me, his voice softened”Slow down, don’t fall again.”
(8)
