Chapter 3

Kira clutched her lightly twisted wrist, playing her role with exaggerated tremors. "Calder... my wrist still hurts... she practically assaulted me... I might need a healer... and compensation for the trauma..."

Calder straightened his jacket and approached me like an Alpha delivering judgment. "Veyra Noctis, you refuse to leave peacefully, and you dare lay hands on a member of my pack? You will apologize to Kira, right now."

He paused, then added sharply, "And you will pay whatever compensation she demands."

Kira perked up instantly. "Healing from wolf injuries isn't cheap. And maybe something extra for emotional distress. Let's start with... ten thousand silver marks?"

Wolves gasped audibly.

"That's insane—"

"She can't afford that—"

"No one survives angering Shadowcrest Pack."

Kira, thrilled by the attention, raised her chin. "Apologize. If you don't, we'll make sure you're banned from every alliance territory."

At that moment, a tall wolf in ceremonial robes hurried over. The silver emblem on his chest read Elder Enforcer of the Alliance Council.

"Please, everyone calm down. We received a report of a disturbance—"

Calder cut him off coldly. "No need to investigate. Just remove her."

He pointed at me. "Escort her out. She doesn't belong in the VIP section."

The Enforcer hesitated. "Alpha Calder... she does have a valid Council invitation—"

Calder stepped closer. "I don't care. Revoke it. Then blacklist her from this gathering and all future alliance events. Permanently."

"Permanently?"

Several wolves stared, stunned.

Kira smirked, arms crossed. "Some wolves don't know their place. Being banned from alliance gatherings is a mercy."

A male wolf leaned toward me and whispered, "Just apologize... You really can't fight Shadowcrest."

I looked at the chaotic, arrogant spectacle in front of me and let out a soft, amused laugh.

Calder frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"Just thinking," I said, meeting his eyes. "If Shadowcrest Pack can treat me like this... then I can also make this entire gathering shut down."

Kira burst out laughing. "You? Shut down an alliance gathering? Who do you think you are, the Moon Goddess herself?"

Calder smirked. "Go ahead. Try."

I opened my mindlink—but this time, I connected to the Ancient Council's High Command.

A stern, commanding voice filled the hall through the sacred link, audible to every high-ranking wolf present.

"Moonseer Veyra? Have you arrived at the gathering? The Council Elders are waiting to confirm your protection status."

"I've encountered a problem," I said calmly through the link.

"What problem?"

I looked straight at Calder and Kira. "Someone tried to remove me from my Council-assigned section and threatened to blacklist me permanently from all alliance territories. I'd like to know how the Council wants me to handle this."