Chapter 3: The Welcome Party (3)

"She has been with our pack for eighteen years," Evelina continued. Her smile was blinding. "She has learned exactly where she belongs. She belongs in the hot kitchen. She belongs in the damp laundry room. She does not belong at our tables or among wolves of noble standing."

Evelina spread her arms wide.

"Tonight, I want to give her a special gift. The gift of clear purpose. She will serve you all tonight, just as she has served my family her entire miserable life. Because this," she pointed directly at me, "is what a thief's bloodline was born to do."

The room erupted. Scattered applause, mocking laughter, and uncomfortable shifting filled the air. Lady Miranda narrowed her eyes in distaste. The scarred Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack crossed his arms, looking completely unimpressed.

Then I felt it.

A freezing liquid cascaded down the back of my neck.

I did not need to turn around. I knew it was Sera. She was Evelina's favorite, desperate Omega lapdog. The silver tray was yanked from my hands. It shattered onto the marble floor with a deafening crash. Ice cold champagne soaked into my cheap dress. It dripped steadily down my bare legs.

"Oh, my goodness!" Sera faked a high pitched gasp of shock. "I am so incredibly sorry, Cassia. The tray was just so heavy, and my hand slipped. How clumsy of me."

More laughter echoed from the elites. I stood frozen. Golden champagne dripped from my hair. The oversized dress clung to my thin frame, designed to make me look pathetic. I was a wet, trembling servant surrounded by vicious predators. They viewed my humiliation as prime entertainment.

For one terrifying second, the old despair clawed at my chest. The dark voice whispered that I deserved this.

Then, the despair vanished.

It was replaced by a cold, hard sensation. Eighteen years of quiet rage finally crystallized into unbreakable steel.

I turned around slowly.

Sera's arrogant smirk faltered. I was not crying. I was not shaking.

I was smiling.

"Thank you, Sera," I said. My voice sliced clearly through the quiet room. "The crowd was making me feel rather warm."

Sera's fake shock completely froze. She did not plan for a polite, unbothered response.

I reached up and wrung a handful of spilled champagne from my wet hair. I let the golden liquid drip directly onto her expensive velvet shoes.

"This vintage is far too expensive to waste on my cheap uniform, however. You should be much more careful next time, Sera. The cellar master keeps the reserve strictly locked. I imagine the Alpha council will dock your family's monthly stipend to cover the enormous cost of your clumsiness."

The heavy threat hung in the air like thick smoke. Sera's pale face flushed a mottled red. She opened her mouth to stutter a defense, but I had already turned my back to her.

I walked away. I did not scurry in shame. I walked with perfect composure straight back toward Lady Miranda's table. The crowd of wolves parted for me automatically. Some moved in absolute shock. A few stepped back with expressions resembling reluctant respect.