"The Abyssal Den is not a place any of you should be. The Supreme Alpha is away. Leave now, while you still can. If you stay, no one will be able to help you."
But Seraphina showed no gratitude. She seized my throat and snarled through clenched teeth, her canines just slightly too long, her grip carrying a pureblood's crushing strength:
"The Supreme Alpha adores me beyond measure. There is nowhere in the entire Shadowfang territory I cannot set foot. You, on the other hand, you wretched human-born, putting on airs and trying to shoo me away. You're just afraid I'll expose your little scheme and ruin your chances of seducing him, aren't you?"
"Today I'll show you exactly what happens to vermin who try to steal the Supreme Alpha's affections."
With a flick of her pale wrist, a blast of Silvercrest bloodline power swept toward me like a gale.
The force was immense, howling through the chamber. The guardian wolves chained along the corridor threw themselves against their bonds, snarling, but they could not reach us.
My body was hurled into the air and slammed back down against the stone floor.
I curled around my belly, shielding it with both arms, and looked up at Seraphina through the pain. My voice came out cold and steady.
"Do you really think the Supreme Alpha won't find out what you've done here?"
Seraphina scoffed, utterly unbothered. She didn't even bother lowering her gaze, as if submission were a concept that had never once applied to her.
"I am the Supreme Alpha's one true love, the woman he fell for at first sight. A single glance from me was enough to make him end the great war."
"Everyone across the Six Great Packs knows how deeply he loves me."
"All I'm doing is disciplining a pathetic human-born. Even if he finds out, so what? You think he'd blame me over some insignificant nobody like you?"
The Silvercrest she-wolves in her entourage sneered in agreement.
"Exactly. Everyone across the Six Great Packs and the outer territories knows the Supreme Alpha fell for Lady Seraphina at first sight. What are you? You're not even fit to be compared to her."
"The Supreme Alpha stands above all living things. Of course there are shameless little strays like this human-born crawling around, dreaming of climbing into his bed. My lady, we should make an example of her today. Put her down like the runt she is, and crush those delusions once and for all."