Alaric shook his head, smirking. “Do you hear yourself? Who do you think you are? You honestly believe you have the power to stop our pack from rising?”
His eyes glittered with mockery. “What, do you think you’re some kind of Queen Wolf of the Elite Circles? That one word from you could bring my ascension ceremony crashing down?”
I raised my head and met his gaze without flinching.
“That’s exactly who I am,” I said evenly. “And the wolf in those images? That’s my brother—Alistair Ashcroft.”
The laughter didn’t stop. It swelled.
Mr. Webb slapped the table, wheezing. “She’s gone completely mad!”
“If you’re the Queen Wolf of the Elite Circles,” he cackled, “then I must be Arthur Ashcroft himself!”
“Yes! That’s right!” others chimed in eagerly.
“If she’s the Queen Wolf, we’ll eat dung right here under the full moon!”
I swept my gaze across them slowly, lips curling into a cold, disdainful smile. “Arthur Ashcroft is my father—not a title for ignorant mutts who bark without thinking.”
Their laughter stuttered—but I continued.
“You don’t believe me? Of course you don’t. Wolves like you—who follow the loudest voice and spew filth without thought—must be used to swallowing garbage every single day.”
My words struck hard.
The clearing erupted into fury and chaos.
“Believe you?” someone shouted. “You’re nothing but a she-wolf who slept her way to power!”
Mockery rang out from every side, howls of laughter drowning the night.
Alaric shook his head, his expression a blend of disgust and false pity. “Enough. Get out, Raven. You’re polluting my territory. Never associate yourself with me again.”
My fists clenched so tightly my claws bit into my palms. The rage inside me threatened to tear free—but I forced it down.
“Fine,” I said quietly. “I’ll go.”
I looked at them one last time, my voice steady and sharp as steel. “But remember this—every humiliation you poured on me tonight will be returned a hundred times over.”
More laughter exploded.
“Payback? Seriously?” someone scoffed.
Lilith clung to Alaric’s arm, laughing breathlessly. “Raven, have you been watching too many drama serials? Talking about revenge like you’re the heroine of some fantasy.”
Alaric waved his hand dismissively. “Enough theatrics. Get lost. We have a celebration to enjoy.”
I didn’t respond. I turned and walked away.
Behind me, insults and laughter chased my steps—but they no longer mattered.