**(Elara's POV)**
As Lucian and I stepped into the sleek territory building that housed Alpha Evergreen's pack headquarters, the polished marble floors clicked under our feet. The morning light streamed through tall windows, casting long shadows across the entrance hall.
But before we could reach the elevators, hushed voices drifted from a cluster of territory cleaners near the reception area.
"Look, it's that silver-contaminated omega," one of them whispered, not bothering to keep her voice low. "The one who was locked up for assault and extortion."
My steps faltered slightly, but Lucian's steady presence beside me kept me moving forward.
"I heard she had multiple mates during her time in the silver-laced containment facility," another cleaner added with malicious glee. "A real promiscuous type."
"And him?" The first cleaner gestured toward Lucian with obvious disdain. "Kicked out of the Thorne Pack entirely. Territory-less now, living in some run-down den."
"Desperate enough t
