5

The early shifting celebration ended in chaos.

Just as I faced down Michael, our parents finally returned.

They smoothly dismissed the gathered pack members with diplomatic grace.

Sarah tried her usual victim act with Mother, but was cut off by a steel-edged smile:

"Excuse me, but pack matters stay within the pack. You may leave now."

Sarah choked back tears, casting one last pleading look at Michael before slipping away.

Once only family remained, Father's Alpha power filled the room:

"Now, explain what happened here."

Before Michael could speak, I jumped in:

"A new wolf transferred to our territory. She tried to steal my research on silver poisoning prevention."

"When she failed, she started cutting herself with silver, claiming I was bullying her."

“Later I found out that this girl was the Michael that my brother loved and had supported for several years.”

Michael's head snapped up, shock radiating through our pack bond.

Surprised, brother?

Did you think I wouldn't discover your secret connection with her?

I pressed a hand to my eyes, letting my voice crack:

"I wouldn't have minded sharing the research if she'd just asked. A celebration of my early shifting isn't worth all this."

"I just don't understand why my own brother wouldn't believe me..."

See? I can play the innocent victim too.

Father's Alpha power pulsed through the room, silencing us both:

"Enough. This ends now."

"I don't care who attacked whom. This stops before it damages the pack's reputation."

His eyes locked with mine:

"The silver prevention formula - you developed this yourself?"

I nodded, projecting sincerity through the pack bond.

"I've made a breakthrough. With more time, I could perfect it."

Mother's sharp intake of breath matched Father's widened eyes.

Silver poisoning was our kind's greatest weakness.

Father's decision came swift and final:

"The research is yours. No one will take it from you."

His Alpha command vibrated through the air:

"This matter is closed."

Back at school, I began openly tormenting Sarah.

My wolf would emerge without warning, cornering her in empty corridors.

I'd let my Alpha power crush her to her knees during training sessions.

"Go on," I'd taunt through the pack bond. "Report me to the Committee. Isn't that what you do best?"

She'd tremble as my claws traced the air near her throat.

Hatred flashed in her eyes, but she'd still whimper:

"I'm sorry, Vivian. If I've upset you somehow, I'll make it right. Please."

"Your existence upsets me."

I tilted my head, fangs gleaming. "How will you fix that? Die?"

She could only stare, frozen in terror.

Then cry, as usual.

I discovered being the villain was surprisingly satisfying.

Of course she went to the Alpha Committee.

When they summoned me, I played my part perfectly.

Tearfully explaining about the celebration disaster, then producing my healer's certification:

"The early shifting experiments I did for Daniel... testing herbs on myself... it makes every transformation agony now."

"She knows this, yet claims I shift just to torment her."

The Committee ended up comforting me instead.

Everyone could see how much I despised Sarah.

Emma couldn't understand: "Why do you hate her so much? What did she do?"

I grinned wickedly:

"Can't I just be a terrible person who looks down on weak Omegas?"

"Yeah right."

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm a half-breed, even less accepted than Omegas. If you were that type of wolf, why protect me all through first year?"

"That's different."

And it was.

Everyone understood this basic truth.

Everyone except my brother and mate.

I smiled, but my eyes remained cold.