The Price of Being Chosen.

Rebecca’s POV

I stood in front of the panel, holding my notes while several senior Alphas studied me.

Orvayn Draven sat near the center of the table, his expression unreadable.

I took a breath and began.

“The main problem with this agreement is that the stronger pack is using its resources to demand control over a partner it still depends on. The smaller pack needs access to the security routes, but the stronger pack also needs the territory and resources it provides.”

I placed the proposed agreement on the table.

“My team believes both packs can benefit from this partnership if the responsibilities are clearly defined. The security costs should reflect the routes each pack uses, the profits should be divided according to their contributions, and neither side should be allowed to change the terms without the other’s approval.”

One of the judges leaned forward.

“Miss Browns, how would you enforce those conditions if the stronger pack refused to cooperate?”

“We included penalties for violating the agreement and a review process for resolving disputes. Both packs would submit financial reports at agreed intervals, allowing them to verify the costs and profits instead of relying on promises.”

“And if the smaller pack falsifies its reports?”

“Then the stronger pack would have grounds to challenge the agreement. Transparency must apply to both sides.”

The judge nodded and wrote something down.

Another panel member looked at the figures.

“Your proposal reduces the stronger pack’s immediate profit. Why should they accept that?”

“Because the agreement gives them a reliable partner and protects their access to the territory. They might earn more by demanding higher payments now, but if the smaller pack eventually leaves, they could lose far more than they gained.”

I pointed to the projected costs.

“We calculated the expected profit under both arrangements. The original agreement offers a higher return at first, but it also creates a greater risk of losing the partnership. Our proposal gives the stronger pack a reasonable profit while making the arrangement sustainable.”

A few of the judges exchanged glances.

I kept my attention on the panel, even when I noticed Davis watching me from beside our teammates.

I knew that look.

He was interested.

Not because I was standing beside him or because our families had powerful names, but because I was defending an argument he couldn’t easily dismiss.

For the first time since I had returned to this life, I felt proud to stand in the same room with him.

Then Orvayn spoke.

“Miss Browns, don’t you think you’re placing too much importance on protecting the weaker party?”

I turned toward him.

“Not at all, Alpha Draven.”

“Agreements between unequal packs cannot always provide equal influence. The stronger side carries greater financial and security responsibilities. Naturally, it expects greater control.”

“I agree that the responsibilities won’t always be equal,” I replied. “But that doesn’t mean one party should have unlimited control over the other.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Explain.”

“If the stronger pack carries seventy percent of the security costs, it should receive a return that reflects its investment. But it shouldn’t be allowed to change the payment terms whenever it wants or take control of resources that belong to its partner.”

I held his gaze.

“A partner who feels trapped will eventually look for another ally. When that happens, the stronger pack loses the stability it was trying to protect in the first place.”

Orvayn rested his hands on the table.

“And what would you do if the weaker pack refused these conditions, even after receiving substantial protections?”

“I would find out why they refused.”

“Even if their demands were unreasonable?”

“Yes.”

A murmur passed through the room.

I continued before he could interrupt.

“If their demands were unreasonable, the evidence would show it. But if they had a legitimate concern, ignoring it would only create another problem. I wouldn’t assume a partner was acting in bad faith simply because they disagreed with me.”

One of the judges smiled.

“That’s a sensible approach, Miss Browns.”

“Thank you.”

Orvayn said nothing.

He kept studying me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that his questions had become less about the agreement and more about me.

I returned my attention to the other judges and answered their remaining questions. By the time the presentation ended, I had defended every major part of our proposal without promising results we couldn’t guarantee.

The instructor thanked us and asked us to return to our seats.

As I sat beside Davis, he leaned slightly toward me.

“You did well.”

I placed my notes on my lap. “I know.”

He turned to look at me, surprise crossing his face before a smile appeared.

“Not even a little modesty?”

“Would you prefer me to pretend I don’t know what I’m doing?”

“No.” His smile widened. “I think I like this version of you.”

My fingers tightened around my papers.

I turned toward him. “What version?”

“The one who doesn’t wait for someone else to tell her she’s good enough.”

For a moment, I forgot what I wanted to say.

Davis’s eyes remained on mine, and there was something warm in his expression that made it difficult to look away.

Then he lowered his voice.

“Although I have to admit, watching you argue with my father was a little terrifying.”

I blinked before letting out a short laugh.

“Your father asked the questions. I answered them.”

“Exactly. You didn’t even blink.”

“Was I supposed to?”

“No. Please don’t change. I might need you to argue with him for me someday.”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

He noticed.

Of course he noticed.

His gaze lingered on my face for a second longer than necessary, and I felt that familiar pull in my chest.

I quickly looked toward the panel.

I couldn’t afford to enjoy moments like this.

Not when I remembered how easily I had once mistaken them for promises.

“Thank you for supporting me earlier,” I said quietly.

Davis’s expression softened.

“You didn’t need me to speak for you, Rebecca. You handled it yourself.”

I looked at him again.

He wasn’t trying to take credit for my success. He wasn’t telling me what I should have said or explaining how he would have handled the questions differently.

He was simply acknowledging what I had done.

And somehow, that made it harder to keep my distance.

Before I could respond, the instructor announced the results.

Our team had received one of the highest evaluations in the session.

Kieran grinned and slapped Davis on the shoulder.

“Looks like we picked the right person to present.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You mean the person you doubted this morning?”

His grin disappeared.

Davis laughed.

“She’s not going to let you forget that.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” I replied.

Our teammates congratulated me, and I accepted their praise before gathering my documents.

Kieran invited everyone to join him for lunch.

“I’ll pass,” I said. “I have something to do.”

Davis glanced at me. “Are you leaving already?”

“Yes.”

“At least let me walk you out.”

“I know how to find the exit, Davis.”

“I’m aware. I was trying to be nice.”

“Try being nice to someone else.”

He put a hand over his heart. “You wound me.”

I almost smiled again.

Almost.

I left before he could say anything else.

The corridor outside the presentation hall was quieter, and I was halfway to the exit when I saw Orvayn standing near the doors.

I stopped.

He turned toward me.

“Miss Browns.”

“Alpha Draven.”

“Congratulations on your presentation.”

“Thank you.”

He looked down at the documents in my hand before meeting my eyes again.

“You have a strong understanding of the balance of power between packs. Have you always been interested in these matters?”

I kept my expression neutral.

“I believe agreements should protect everyone involved, not just the people with the most influence.”

“An admirable belief.” He paused. “Have your parents discussed the future of the Browns and Draven families with you?”

My grip tightened around my documents.

There it was.

I remembered the conversations from my first life. The meetings, the polite smiles, and the way everyone seemed to have an opinion about my future before I had even decided what I wanted.

I had once believed those discussions were about bringing two families together.

I knew better now.

“I’ve heard vague references to closer cooperation between our families,” I answered. “But I haven’t agreed to anything involving my personal future.”

Orvayn’s expression remained calm.

“No one has asked you to agree to anything yet.”

The answer did nothing to reassure me.

He continued, “Powerful families must consider several possibilities before bringing them to the people directly affected. That’s part of responsible leadership.”

I almost laughed.

Responsible leadership.

That was what people called it when they made decisions for someone else and expected gratitude in return.

“Considering possibilities is one thing,” I said. “Making decisions about my life without my knowledge is another.”

His eyes sharpened.

“You speak as though you expect someone to make that mistake.”

“I speak as though I know my own mind.”

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

I could hear footsteps coming from the presentation hall behind me, but I didn’t turn around.

Orvayn studied my face.

“You’re young, Miss Browns. There may be things you haven’t considered.”

“Then I’ll consider them when I need to. But whatever plan anyone has for me, I’ll have a say in it.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“And if your individual choices affect the safety of an entire pack?”

I lifted my chin.

“Then the people making those choices should be honest enough to explain the consequences to me instead of deciding that my consent doesn’t matter.”

His expression changed, though only for a moment.

I didn’t wait for his response.

“Excuse me, Alpha Draven.”

I walked past him and headed for the exit.

He didn’t try to stop me.

But just as I reached the doors, his voice followed me down the corridor.

“I hope you’ll remember that individual choices can sometimes affect the safety of an entire pack, Rebecca.”

I stopped for one second.

Then I walked out without looking back.