hapter 23
Chapter 23
“Did someone offend Gamma Elara again?” Corla’s voice rang out, syrupy–sweet and laced with venom. Her eyes scanned the dining hall as she stepped in beside Miela. “Please, let’s not upset her again—we know how she can get when she feels… disrespected.”
Her mocking tone turned a few heads. Some of the guests whispered among themselves, clearly swayed by Miela’s version of the story.
Corla didn’t miss the shift in attention. She stepped forward, chin tilted high. “Looks like someone forgot all the manners I taught her. I don’t care what title you wear now, Elara. You’re still our blood. And you owe your sister an apology. Get on your knees and make it right.”
I stared at her, stunned by the absurdity. Before I could open my mouth, Jory snarled beside me.
“Like hell she will!” Jory growled. “She doesn’t owe any of you a damn thing. If anything, it’s you snakes who need to apologize to her.”
The tension in the room thickened. Jory, all muscle and fury, stood like a shield in front of me. The security guards hesitated, unsure whether to intervene.
Corla flinched and pointed a trembling hand. “What is this beast doing here? This is for nobles and Alphas, not rabid dogs! Get him out!”
Jory snarled, his fangs flashing. I could see the feral glint in his eyes, the instinct to protect rising like a wave.
I touched his back gently. “It’s alright, Jory. No need to tear anyone apart… yet.”
He turned his head, eyes searching mine. “Did I mess up? I just wanted to shut them up for you.”
“You didn’t mess up,” I said, voice low and steady. “You stood up for me. That means more than you know. But now, let me handle this.”
I stepped around him and faced Corla. “He’s here because I invited him. No one lays a finger on him unless they want to deal with me.”
My voice cut clean through the tension. Corla’s mouth quivered, but she didn’t respond.
Then she laughed bitterly. “Is he another one of your lovers? What is it now, Elara? Alpha Thorne, Alpha Cael, and now this pup? Are you even keeping count?”
My hand moved faster than I thought.
SLAP.
The sound echoed through the hall. Corla crashed to the floor, clutching her face.
“YES!” Jory whooped behind me, clapping like he’d just watched a championship fight.
Corla tried to push herself up, but I stepped on her hand.
“You want to talk about family?” I hissed. “Where was family when I was left outside in the snow? When I was starved, beaten, ignored? Where were you when I was dragged away by rogues? You didn’t lift a finger.”
The dining hall fell deathly silent. Whispers faded into gasps.
1/3
Chapter 20
Corla trembled beneath my foot. “I raised you! You owe me your life!”
“I repaid you,” I said coldly, pressing down just enough to make her wince. “I repaid everything when you sold me out. And I owe you nothing now.”
“Please!” Miela suddenly dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t hurt her! Please, Elara–this isn’t you. The kind sister I knew wouldn’t do this.”
“You’re right,” I said flatly. “She wouldn’t. But she died in the snow, remember?”
I stepped back and looked down at them both.
“If you want to eat, sit in a corner and shut your mouths. One more insult, and I won’t be so forgiving.”
Just then, someone called out, “Alpha!”
Every head turned toward the entrance. Thorne stood there, his tall frame still and silent, face unreadable.
He walked in slowly, his gaze scanning the scene–the toppled chairs, the crowd, Miela on the floor beside a disheveled Corla.
Miela rushed forward. “Alpha, she–she slapped my mother! She humiliated us!”
The crowd chimed in:
“She stomped on Lady Corla’s hand!”
“She threw Miela out of her own room!”
Thorne raised a single hand. The room silenced immediately.
He looked at me. His eyes searched mine. I braced myself, every muscle tensed.
“Let me be clear,” Thorne said, voice calm but firm. “Gamma Elara is a guest in this pack. A guest of honor. Anyone who disrespects her… answers to me.”
A hush fell over the room.
Miela gasped. “You can’t be serious! She just-”
“I am,” he said, his voice turning cold. “You want to test it, Miela?”
She dropped to her knees again, stunned.
But it was me who stood frozen in place. My heart pounded in my chest.
Thorne had just defended me. Out loud. In front of everyone.
I blinked, unsure of what to feel.
Confused?
Relieved?
No. Not yet.
2/3
Because I didn’t know what this meant.
But for the first time in a long time–he stood on my side.
