Chapter 5: Serene’s First Scheme

The Black Ridge Pack’s central clearing was alive with laughter and music. Tonight’s gathering was meant to be a night of bonding, a time for the young wolves to celebrate together. But for Serene, it was an opportunity.

Sitting in a secluded corner of the pack’s meeting hall, Serene leaned forward, her voice sharp with determination. “Tonight, we remind everyone that Samantha does not belong here.”

Her closest friends Lina, Mira, and Cassius listened intently.

Cassius, ever eager to please Serene, grinned. “What’s the plan?”

Serene smirked. “We humiliate her in front of everyone. She’s already an outcast, but after tonight, she’ll never show her face at a pack event again.”

Mira’s eyes gleamed. “How do we do it?”

Serene tapped her chin. “We make her trip while everyone’s watching. I’ll make sure she’s at the center of attention, and when the moment is right, one of you will”

“I’ll do it,” Cassius interrupted. “I’ll make sure she falls hard.”

Serene grinned. “Perfect.”

A Secret Overheard

Unbeknownst to them, Elise, Alex’s younger sister, had been nearby. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but when she heard Samantha’s name, she froze in place.

Her heart pounded. She had to tell Alex.

Without hesitation, she sprinted away, heading straight for the training grounds, where Alex and Ronan were practicing.

“Alex!” Elise called breathlessly.

Alex turned. “What’s wrong?”

Elise hesitated, looking at Ronan before blurting out, “Serene is planning something against Samantha tonight. She and Cassius are going to humiliate her in front of everyone!”

Ronan’s jaw clenched. “That girl never stops.”

Alex’s fists tightened. “We have to stop them.”

Samantha, who had been sitting nearby, overheard. “Stop them from what?”

Ronan sighed. “Serene is planning to embarrass you in front of the whole pack.”

Samantha’s frown deepened. “She wouldn’t do that.”

Alex scoffed. “Are you serious? Serene lives to make your life miserable.”

Samantha shook her head. “She’s my sister. I don’t want to retaliate.”

Ronan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Samantha, you need to stop defending her.”

Samantha sighed. “I don’t want to be like her.”

Alex crossed her arms. “Fine. We won’t fight back. But we are going to stop it.”

The Gathering Begins

The pack members gathered in the central clearing. A large bonfire flickered in the middle, casting warm light over the young wolves. Samantha arrived with Ronan and Alex, oblivious to the eyes watching her every move.

Serene smirked as she saw Samantha standing near the fire. She nudged Cassius. “Get ready.”

Cassius positioned himself near Samantha, waiting for the perfect moment.

Then, Derek arrived.

The Alpha’s son, tall and commanding, walked into the clearing with Cassius by his side. His sharp golden eyes scanned the crowd, but when they landed on Samantha, they softened.

Cassius shifted nervously, realizing that humiliating Samantha in front of Derek might not be a great idea. But Serene gave him a sharp look, and he knew backing out wasn’t an option.

Serene suddenly called out, “Everyone! Let’s hear a speech from our dearest outsider, Samantha.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Samantha’s face flushed as all eyes turned toward her.

Before she could react, Cassius made his move. He stepped forward, pretending to pass by her, and shoved his shoulder against hers.

Derek Steps In

Before Samantha could stumble, a strong hand caught her arm.

She gasped, looking up to see Derek standing protectively beside her. His grip was firm but gentle, steadying her before she could fall.

“Are you okay?” Derek asked, his voice low but filled with concern.

Samantha blinked, startled by his sudden intervention. “Y-yeah, I think so.”

Derek’s golden eyes flicked to Cassius, his expression darkening. “What are you doing?”

Cassius hesitated. “It was an accident.”

Derek’s gaze didn’t waver. “You sure about that?”

Serene’s hands clenched into fists. This wasn’t part of the plan. Derek was supposed to be hers.

“Derek,” she said sweetly, stepping toward him. “It’s nothing. Samantha is just clumsy.”

Derek barely looked at her. His attention was still on Samantha, who was shocked by his concern.

Cassius shifted awkwardly. “I”

Before he could finish, Alex moved like lightning.

She grabbed Cassius’s arm and yanked him forward, causing him to stumble right into Serene.

The two crashed onto the ground.

A stunned silence filled the clearing before bursts of laughter erupted.

Serene scrambled to her feet, humiliated and furious. Cassius looked mortified.

Ronan stepped forward, his voice cold and firm. “If anyone here deserves to be embarrassed, it’s the ones who prey on their own packmates.”

Serene’s glare snapped to him. “You always take her side!”

Ronan didn’t flinch. “Because she’s not the one acting like a monster.”

Serene’s face darkened.

But then, Samantha stepped forward.

For the first time in her life, she lifted her chin and stood up to Serene.

“I never took anything from you, Serene,” Samantha said, her voice steady. “You pushed them away yourself.”

Serene froze. The words cut through her sharper than any blade.

Derek watched the exchange, something flickering in his eyes. Admiration.

Serene’s face twisted with rage. Something inside her snapped.

“You’ll regret this,” she whispered.

Then, she turned and disappeared into the night

As Samantha watched Serene vanish into the darkness, a strange unease settled over her.

For the first time, she had truly fought back.

And for the first time, she realized…

Serene wasn’t done.

Something had changed.

Something far worse was coming.