Chapter 9
I hadn’t expected Andrew to seek me out before the Grand Competition.
Gabriel had gone to the library to return some books for me, leaving me alone in our suite..
Andrew entered without knocking, his posture lazy, but his golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
“You’re something else, Elisabeth,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “You leave me, and the next thing I know, you’re warming Gabriel’s bed. You’re just a parasitic plant–always clinging to someone. stronger.”
I barely spared him a glance. “If that’s all you came to say, then get out.”
Andrew’s expression darkened. “I came to talk about the competition.”
I tilted my head, unimpressed.
“Elsa is the Pack’s Gamma,” he continued, his voice laced with condescension. “You won’t stand a chance against her. If you surrender now, I’ll make sure she goes easy on you tomorrow–out of respect for your father.”
I finally looked at him.
He was serious.
Andrew truly believed that if I surrendered, Elsa would show mercy.
A slow, taunting smile spread across my lips. The mark on my forehead pulsed faintly.
“Did you see that. Andrew?” I whispered. “Now, let me return your words. to you–if Elsa comes to me on her knees, begging for forgiveness, I might spare her.”
Andrew’s face paled. “You’re a witch?”
“Tomorrow, after the Grand Competition, I’ll be the only witch in this Pack.”
His hands clenched into fists. “No wonder you agreed to fight Elsa. You‘ re doing this because of your newfound powers! Elisabeth, you’re cruel! You just won’t let Elsa go!”
His anger boiled over, and he grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. The movement made my loose clothing slip down my shoulder, revealing the witch’s marks curling across my skin.
Andrew froze. His breathing turned ragged. “You and Gabriel… you’re already mates?”
I ripped my arm free, my gaze turning ice–cold. “What business is it of yours?”
He stared at me as if seeing me for the first time.
“Get out, Andrew.” My voice was calm, but my power crackled beneath my skin. “I won’t kill Elsa, but if you value your pride, you’ll leave now.”
Andrew hesitated, then stormed out.
By the time Gabriel returned, I had already rid the room of his scent.
We spent the night together, waiting for morning to come.
The Grand Competition was held in Moon Goddess Square, the heart of the Pack’s territory.
Hundreds of wolves gathered. their excitement tangible.
When Andrew arrived, his expression was even worse than the night
before.
But before the competition could begin, a black mist suddenly appeared in the center of the square, sending a ripple of unease through the crowd.
Gasps filled the air as the mist swirled, then parted–revealing Tanya.
She stood there smiling at me, her frail body untouched by the dark magic surrounding her.
I smiled back.
The Pack was thrown into chaos. Whispers turned to shouts, but no one dared to look too closely.
They feared what they might find.
The first match was called: Gabriel vs. Andrew.
Gabriel stepped onto the platform, his golden gaze unwavering. With a low growl, his wolf shifted instantly.
Midnight black fur. Muscles rippling beneath his coat.
He stood proud, power radiating from every inch of him.
The crowd roared in approval.
All eyes turned to Andrew.
But he wasn’t shifting.
Confusion flickered across his face. He braced himself, straining to transform–Nothing happened.
A murmur ran through the audience.
“Why isn’t the Alpha transforming?”
I chuckled, tilting my head toward Tanya. “His wolf is gone, isn’t it?”
Tanya’s expression didn’t change. “The contract with his wolf was something your father arranged for him. Andrew took that gift for granted. He treated you poorly, broke his bond with you, and never truly honored his role as Alpha. It’s no surprise this has happened.”
Andrew let out a desperate, ragged howl, but his wolf never came.
His body trembled with rage, but it was useless.
The Pack’s Alpha was powerless.
At that moment, Gabriel threw his head back and howled-
A long, mournful battle cry that echoed through the mountains.
The Pack’s warriors responded instantly.
Their howls rose into the sky, a declaration louder than words.
A new era had begun.
