**(Elara's POV)**After hanging up my pack communication device, I turned and grabbed my tablet. I threw a quick glare at James Foster. My tears had stopped instantly.James stared at me in shock. "Do you learn pack mood shifting?"I scoffed. "I don't want to talk to a territory-less omega."I walked away with my head high.James chuckled angrily behind me. "A territory-less omega? She dares to call me that! My Alpha dignity is completely gone!"I could hear his voice getting louder. "Very good, she's getting more formidable. Will she be riding over my head soon?"I returned to my desk, secretly pleased. I wondered if he would tell his mother about this.After several minutes, I saw James finally relax. He picked up my proposal and began reviewing it properly.Even he had to admit it was excellent work.**(Caleb's POV)**At the Luna Grace Pack Healing Center, Rachel Woods and I brought Amanda Reed to see Dr. Alex Walker.The center was clean and calming with soft lights."
**(Elara's POV)**Madeline Bell stammered, sweat beading on her palms. She was trapped by her own words, glaring at me with pure fury.I seized the moment. "Madeline, that's wonderful! With Madam Foster's words about fair competition, I'm relieved. We'll compete fairly, and no matter who wins, let's not affect our pack friendship."The warning was clear - no dirty tricks.James Foster grumbled loudly, annoyed that his assistant was discussing competition with Lucian Thorne.Madam Evelyn's sharp gaze fixed on her son. "James, are you having throat problems? Go for a territory run. You've been too idle lately."James fell silent, looking wounded. Ever since I appeared, he seemed to lose standing in his own pack daily.I happily ate my meal, appetite boosted by Madam Evelyn's fair competition declaration. Lucian watched me regain confidence with obvious pleasure.**(Elara's POV)**On our way home, Lucian mysteriously led me toward Moonlight Lodge instead of our usual route."Ela
**(James's POV)**I frowned at Madeline Bell's words, confusion flickering across my face. "Revenge? What do you mean by that?"Madeline leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "James, I need to tell you something important about Elara Rivers. Something that might change how you see her."She pulled out her pack communication device, scrolling through what appeared to be message logs."Lucian is useless to her now," Madeline said sadly. "Without his Alpha status and hunting territories, she's already looking for her next target."My jaw tightened. "What are you implying?""She's been trying to reconcile with Damon," Madeline revealed, showing me explicit messages on her device. "Look at these communications between them. She's using their past connection to manipulate him."I stared at the screen, anger building in my chest as I read the intimate exchanges. The messages showed Elara reaching out to Damon, expressing regret and hinting at rekindling their r
**(Rachel's POV)**I felt dizzy and weak after hours of intense bonding with Caleb. My body trembled as I grabbed a sleeping fur and threw it at him."Caleb Rivers, are you trying to exhaust me to death so you can be with Amanda Reed?"Caleb's face darkened as he emerged from the washing area. He pinned me down against the sleeping furs, his eyes blazing."I need to teach you proper respect," he growled."Caleb! I was wrong... really wrong!" I whimpered quickly.He smiled but held me firmly. I flipped over and clung to him like a vine, terrified he would disappear."From now on, tell me everything immediately," Caleb said. "Whatever you say, I will always believe you. Between you and the truth, you will always be more important.""I believe what you say is the truth. You won't lie to me.""Understood..." I mumbled, exhausted."Rachel Woods... don't lie to my wolf," he whispered.I could hear his vulnerability. He feared I might deceive him too."Amanda Reed's return wasn't
**(Rachel's POV)**The crystal wine glass exploded against the marble wall of my private den, sending shards cascading across the polished floor like fallen stars. The sound was satisfying, momentarily drowning out the chaos in my head.Without thinking, I grabbed another glass from the bar and hurled it with all my strength. Then another. And another."Alpha Woods!" My pack healer called from the doorway, alarmed by the sounds of destruction."Get out!" I snarled, not even looking at her.The crystal chandelier reflected my rage in a thousand fractured pieces as I continued my rampage. Decanters, wine glasses, even the expensive moonstone figurines Harold had given me - everything became ammunition for my fury.When I finally ran out of things to throw, I stood panting in the center of the devastation. Glass covered every surface, glinting dangerously in the dim light.I walked forward without thought, my bare paws crunching through the sharp fragments. The pain was immediate a
**(Elara's POV)**James Foster's luxury SUV pulled up to my rented den in neutral territory with an aggressive purr of the engine. I could see his sour expression through the tinted windows as he waited for me to exit."Thank you for driving me, Alpha Foster," I said awkwardly as I stepped out onto the cracked pavement.James rolled down his window, his eyes scanning the shabby buildings around us with obvious disgust. "Look at this place, Elara. You're living in territory-less omega housing."His voice carried that familiar tone of superiority that always made my hackles rise."Maybe you shouldn't be with Lucian if this is the best he can provide for you," he continued coldly.Anger flared in my chest. The audacity of this Alpha, judging our circumstances when he had no idea what we'd been through together."Alpha Foster," I said, my voice sharp with irritation, "if I secure the Silver Creek project successfully, will you help me acquire a proper territory?"James was quiet fo