Chapter 25 Chapter 25 My icy voice snapped everyone to attention. Ophelia put on a wounded look, her eyes wide with false concern."Arabella, what are you talking about? I just begged Darnell to go easy on you!" "Save it. My gaze turned razor-sharp. "After Luna Werner's 'accident', her bodyguard conveniently had a rogue encounter too. How....coincidental. Pity some pups can't spot a setup." Ophelia was stunned. Emmett frowned, his fur bristling with annoyance. "Arabella, must you still cause trouble at a time like this? Can't you ever learn to obey?" I met his gaze with icy detachment."And what gives you the right to accuse me, Emmett?" "You-"His words caught as he stared into my unfamiliar eyes, an unnameable irritation churning within him. Since when had I looked at him like he was nothing, my heart no longer leaping at his presence? I looked at Darnell, then glanced around at all the fancy pack members in the room, their eyes filled with malice and anticipation. Wait-where's Grandpa? It hit me he probably couldn't bear to watch me get humiliated, so he ducked out of sight, his old heart unable to withstand the strain. Before entering, I'd asked Madilyn to stay with him, to comfort him and protect him from the storm that was about to break. This battle was mine to fight alone. "Darnell, let's get started." Darnell's cold, piercing gaze locked onto my radiant face. An odd illusion flashed through his mind-why did his palm suddenly ache, as if it remembered the sting of a forgotten blow? "Arabella," he uttered with icy menace, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down the spines of the weaker pack members. "Today, I'll teach you the meaning of true suffering. I'll break you, pup." I responded with a dazzling smile-pearly teeth against crimson lips."Darnell, recall my words yesterday? That slap you gave me...tonight, I return it tenfold." The crowd erupted at my audacity, their howls of outrage echoing through the den-hall. "Arabella! How dare you act so vicious and arrogant? Do you even realize what's waiting for you tonight? You have no pack to protect you." "You're truly despicable-targeting an elder Luna! Someone like you deserves to be exiled, hunted down like a rogue!" The she-wolves nearest to me couldn't resist speaking up-partly out of genuine indignation, partly to curry favor with Darnell by joining the chorus of condemnation. I gave a cold glance at a few pack members and didn't say anything, refusing to waste my breath on their petty insults. Go ahead, bark all you want. Nymeria scoffed. Darnell sneered, his eyes narrowed with amusement. "How...amusing. You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But spirit alone won't save you." Then, with sudden elegance, he extended a paw toward Ophelia, his voice softening, dripping with affection."Now then, our lovely Miss Campbell-shall we take the stage? Let the world see your kindness and heroism." Ophelia drew a deep breath, savoring the moment. This moment of glory would cement her as the shining star of high society, the epitome of pack loyalty and virtue. Her father would reap endless alliances and deals from this, securing his position among the elite. Even Emmett's status would rise with hers, binding him tighter to her side, ensuring her place as his future Luna. I watched Ophelia's back, a faint smile playing on my lips. Emmett caught my expression-and something twisted sharply in his chest, a pang of regret and a flicker of... was it longing? Not because of the smile itself, but because this version of me was so unfamiliar... so stunningly different. The previous Arabella-the one whose eyes would cling to him the moment he entered a room, whose heart would beat only for him-was gone, replaced by someone stronger, fiercer, and infinitely more dangerous. 07.39 19.8% < Chapter 25 Now, the she-wolf who'd once adored him seemed determined to look anywhere but at him, my gaze filled with scorn and indifference. Emmett was getting more and more annoyed, his Alpha instincts chafing at this blatant rejection. He took a step toward me, lips parting- I turned and walked away, my back straight, my head held high. Emmett froze mid-step when he saw my look of utter disdain. Back off, Alpha. You have no claim on me anymore." Darnell was enthusiastically introducing, his voice booming through the hall."Thank you all for coming to tonight's appreciation dinner. This beautiful Miss Ophelia here saved my grandma and the whole Werner Family from a terrible tragedy, displaying courage and selflessness beyond measure." Everyone knew that Luna Werner had the final say in the shares, and her gratitude was worth more than gold. Darnell looked at me and said, his voice laced with venom."Arabella, get down on your knees and apologize. Acknowledge your wrongdoing, and beg for forgiveness from the pack. After you apologize, I will have your claws removed, so you can't do any more harm in the future. You'll be nothing more than an omega slave." I arched an eyebrow at him, unmoving."Never." Emmett frowned."Was Darnell going too far this time? Surely even Arabella didn't deserve such a harsh punishment.* Ophelia quickly interjected, her voice dripping with false sincerity."Darnell, my sister didn't mean it! She's just misguided and confused! Please forgive her! Show her mercy!" Her loud "plea" for mercy only earned her more admiration from the crowd, solidifying her image as a kind and compassionate soul. "Phelia, don't mention this anymore, I've made up my mind." He angrily looked at me."Arabella, kneel. Now. Don't waste our time. Don't make me force you." Ophelia was just putting on her best "concerned" face, about to speak again, when a hoarse, icy voice cut through from the entrance, silencing the hall and sending a ripple of shock through the crowd: "Who told you it was Ophelia who saved me?" 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