The Price of a Stolen Name

"That's right, Selena, let us come see it!"

"A Consecration Ceremony for a top-tier territory—if I miss this, I might never see one again."

The members swarmed around Selena, their faces beaming with excitement.

Selena struggled to compose herself, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "The ceremony still requires a lot of preparation, so now isn't a good time."

I sensed her panic and pressed my advantage. "Are you looking down on us? Do you think common wolves like us aren't worthy of attending your noble ceremony?"

"Or is it because that runestone isn't yours at all, so you don't dare hold a ceremony?"

I hit her with a barrage of questions.

Even the members who had been fawning over Selena began to waver.

Selena probably never imagined she'd be showing off in front of the true owner on her very first day in the pack.

Just as I thought Selena's facade was about to crumble, the pack's Beta, Marcus, strode into the clearing. As soon as he saw Selena, he approached her warmly, as if she were the future Alpha female.

"Selena, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the assembly? What's wrong? Are you in trouble?"

Though Marcus's tone was one of inquiry, his words were a clear attack on me. "Elara, I know you're upset that you don't have the Alpha's full attention, but don't project your jealousy onto others."

"Selena's territory? The Alpha of the Vance Clan personally arranged for me to perform a remote blessing for her. I witnessed the entire process. How could it be fake? If Selena chooses not to pursue this, it's because she's generous. But if you continue, I may have to propose your exile for threatening the pack's unity."

With Marcus's public support, the members doubled down on defending Selena.

"Elara, don't drag us down with your jealousy."

"We never doubted Selena for a second."

Selena, feigning generosity, said nonchalantly, "Since the Beta has spoken, I'll act as if nothing happened. Elara, you should remember that not everyone is as tolerant as I am."

Her words made my earlier confrontation seem like a joke. It was a masterful performance, the two of them working in perfect sync.

I wasn't about to play the villain in their little show, so I let it go.

However, Selena's supporters wouldn't let it go, replaying my words and actions on the pack's public network.

Some members kept bombarding me online with insults. Others, lost in fantasies of attending the ceremony, pestered Selena about when they could go.

Selena soon posted a dozen images of my private sanctuary's interior, drawing a chorus of praise and envy. She pinned a message to the top. "Once the ceremony is ready, I will definitely invite everyone to be my guests."

My mate, Ethan, saw this and immediately went over to formally invite Selena to dinner.