Chapter 4

Sophia POV:

The silence in the ballroom was heavy, suffocating. Hundreds of eyes bore into me-judging, confused, angry.

"Who is she?"

"Is she mad?"

"A Rogue approaching the Supreme Alpha's seat? She has a death wish."

Hailey sprinted in front of me, blocking my path just ten feet from the dais. Her face was twisted in ugly triumph. She wanted a show? She was making one.

"You have no shame!" Hailey screamed, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. She pointed at my wrist, where I wore a new bracelet-this one made of interwoven platinum and diamonds. "Look! She's wearing more fake jewelry! She's mocking our customs!"

August caught up, grabbing my arm roughly. "I apologize to everyone!" he shouted to the room, sweating profusely. "This woman is mentally unstable. She is my... ex. She's a human who couldn't handle the rejection. I will remove her immediately."

"Get your hands off me," I said, my voice low and dangerous.

"Or what?" August sneered. "You'll cry? Guards! Drag her out!"

Two Aurelis warriors stepped forward, their muscles tense. They reached for me.

"Don't touch her," I warned.

The first warrior grabbed my shoulder.

*ZAP.*

A pulse of white energy exploded from my skin. It wasn't magic-it was pure, concentrated lineage power. The warrior flew backward as if hit by a truck, crashing into a buffet table.

The crowd gasped.

"She's a witch!" Hailey shrieked. "Kill her!"

Hailey, fueled by jealousy and stupidity, lunged at me. Her claws extended-she shifted partially. She aimed for my face.

I raised my arm to block.

Her claws raked across the back of my hand.

Pain flared. Bright, hot, and stinging.

Blood dripped onto the pristine white marble floor. *Drip. Drip.*

The scent of my blood-rich, powerful, and undeniably *Royal*-wafted through the air conditioning vents.

Suddenly, the air in the room changed.

It grew heavy. Oppressive. It felt like gravity had increased tenfold. The champagne glasses on the tables began to rattle.

A low, terrifying growl vibrated through the floorboards. It didn't come from a wolf in the room. It came from outside.

*BOOM.*

The double doors at the main entrance slammed open, not blown off their hinges, but forced wide by a wave of raw, kinetic power. Wood splinters rained down on the guests.

A shadow stood in the doorway.

He was massive. Over six foot five, with broad shoulders that blocked out the light. He wore a black tactical suit that strained against his muscles. His eyes were glowing a vibrant, predatory gold.

Ryder.

And in his arms, holding a small stuffed wolf, was a three-year-old boy with messy dark hair and eyes that matched his father's.

"Daddy," the boy said, his voice small but clear in the terrified silence. "I smell Mommy's blood."

Ryder stepped into the room. The temperature dropped twenty degrees.

He didn't look at the crowd. He didn't look at the other Alphas who were instinctively bowing their heads, exposing their necks in submission.

His golden eyes locked onto me. Then, they shifted to the blood on my hand. Finally, they landed on Hailey, who was standing there with my blood under her fingernails.

"KNEEL."

The command wasn't spoken. It was a thunderclap of Alpha power.

Every wolf in the room slammed to the floor, forced down by the sheer weight of his voice. August collapsed, his forehead hitting the marble with a crack. Hailey fell flat on her stomach, gasping for air.

Only I remained standing.

Ryder walked toward me, the crowd parting like the Red Sea for the god of death.

*