Chapter 4

At 2:50 PM, the pack assembly hall was packed.

I stood backstage, watching the scene on a monitor.

Pack members were gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with the ugly excitement of a crowd gathered for a public execution.

Chloe sat in the front row, center stage, surrounded by a group of young wolves like a conquering hero.

Marcus moved through the crowd, shaking hands and getting pats on the back.

They thought they had won.

"Alpha, the livestream equipment is ready," a technician reported. "We already have over fifty thousand viewers online."

Fifty thousand.

The entire North American werewolf community was tuning in for the drama.

"Good." I straightened my suit jacket. "Let's start."

I pushed the door open and stepped onto the stage.

The noisy chatter stopped instantly.

All eyes were on me—some expectant, some hostile, some curious, and some filled with a poorly hidden sense of triumph.

I walked to the center of the stage, facing the cameras and hundreds of pairs of eyes.

"My fellow pack members, thank you for attending today's emergency assembly on such short notice."

My voice was calm, almost gentle.

A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

"I know there has been a lot of discussion online recently about me and about our pack," I continued. "And I know many of you have issues with my decisions."

Chloe and Marcus exchanged a look, a smug smile flashing across their faces.

"After two days of reflection, I have come to realize... I made a grave mistake."

The hall erupted in chaos.

"The Alpha's admitting she was wrong!"

"She's going to apologize!"

"About time!"

I waited for the noise to die down, then continued.

"My mistake was focusing only on your material needs. I neglected your spiritual ones—your desire for tradition."

Heads started nodding in the audience. Some people even started to applaud.

The livestream chat was flying.

"She finally gets it!"

"An Alpha who can admit she's wrong is a good Alpha!"

"Bring back the tradition!"

"Therefore," I raised my voice, "I have decided to make the following adjustments."

The hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"First," I let the word hang in the air. "Effective immediately, we are reinstating our sacred tradition: the annual distribution of the Moonflower Ornaments."

The hall exploded with thunderous applause and cheers.

"Yes!"

"See? The Alpha finally came to her senses!"

"This is our tradition!"

Chloe was so emotional she started crying. Marcus nodded with a look of pure satisfaction.

"I told you so," one pack member said loudly. "The Alpha should have done this a long time ago!"

"Right!" another agreed. "How can a pack have no tradition? The Moon Goddess would punish us!"

"Now we can finally hold on to our dignity as werewolves!"

"Chloe did the right thing! If it wasn't for her, we'd still be shamed!"

The chatter in the hall grew louder as everyone celebrated their "victory."

I stood silently on the stage, letting them celebrate. I watched their triumphant faces.

The livestream chat was a blur of celebration.

"The New Moon pack is finally back on track!"

"Long live tradition!"

"This Alpha can be saved after all!"

Marcus stood, puffing out his chest, playing the part of the wise elder. "Emilia, I knew you would make the right choice. Our traditions cannot be abandoned. Our honor before the Moon Goddess depends on it!"

"Yes!" Chloe said, wiping her tears. "Alpha, you're doing the right thing. The Moonflower ornaments carry the blessings of our ancestors. That's more important than anything!"

The crowd applauded even louder.

Pack members nodded in approval.

"The Alpha made the right call this time!"

"She's finally listening to us!"

"She should have listened to the pack's voice sooner!"

I waited for their celebration to quiet down.

My voice cut through the noise, smooth as glass.

"Since you are all so supportive of tradition... then my second decision should be simple for all of you to accept."

Every face turned to me, shining with anticipation.

"To better honor our heritage and the will of the Moon Goddess..." I paused, letting the silence stretch. "effective immediately, the ten-thousand-dollar Winter Solstice cash bonus..."

I let the words hang in the dead air.

"Is permanently canceled."