Chapter 10 Callum Recently, the student council office had turned into chaos. Again. Stacks of papers lined my desk, spilling over like an avalanche of disorganized responsibility, and I'd barely touched my tea before it went cold. I absently opened the mini fridge under my desk, plopping some ice cubes in the mug. The student council lounge, my usual sanctuary, was anything but quiet. The sound of Drake's boots thudding against the floor as he paced, talking on and on about his training. That red-headed, muscle brood only cared about one thing, and he was filling my silence with it. That, and Toby's typing, plus the faint hum of arguing voices outside, made my temple throb. Homecoming preparations had always been a logistical nightmare, but this year? It was a disaster. All thanks to Princess Bianca. I quickly bit my mind's tongue. Happy thoughts. Toby stood up quickly and stood across from me with a clipboard clutched like a weapon, his face pinched with restraint. "Okay, so it seems like she wants to change the flower arrangements again. Lilies are apparently too 'funeral chic.' And she wants the caterers to switch to imported macarons. By Friday." I rubbed a hand down my face. "Imported. By Friday." He nodded. "Also, she's demanding a swan ice sculpture." I eyed the red mark on his cheek. His hand lifted to it, knowing what I was silently asking. 1/3 Chapter 10 "Oh, I thought the swan was a joke. It wasn't." I leaned back in my chair and exhaled through my nose. The leather creaked under me. "She's derailing everything." Toby's silence said more than words ever could. +15 BONUS The female alpha I'd always heard about-graceful, poised, restrained-was a vision of perfect, quiet strength. Sometimes described as aloof, sure. But never... extravagant. Never this needy. These tantrums, the entitlement, the passive-aggressive remarks she disguised as charm, it was grating. Worse, it was interfering. My work mattered. The student council kept the school from collapsing into chaos, a show of my leadership skills for when I am ready to take over the pack, and I didn't have time to chase every whim of someone who still thought there was a difference between a swan and a goose ice sculpture. Toby hesitated, then pulled a second sheet from the clipboard. "I took the liberty of compiling student council complaints. From all departments." I scanned the list. Event delays. Budget overages. Time wasted. Friction in team morale. My jaw clenched. "She's supposed to be the ideal match," I muttered. Toby tilted his head. "The budget? Oh, Bianca. Right. Was that... sarcasm?" "I think so," I sighed. "That's new." The alert on my phone buzzed. Bianca. Of course. I tapped the screen and put her on speaker. "Yes?" 2/3 Chapter 10 +15 BONUS "Callum," she purred, reminding me of my old cat that used to bite me. "I'm calling to inquire, are you wearing black or blue? I mean, your boutonniere must match my dress! I'm thinking pink-" I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Bianca, I'm swamped. Homecoming isn't far-' "Oh, Callum." Her voice turned syrupy. "I've already made arrangements. People will talk if the heir doesn't match his mate. We can't have that, can we?" "I really-" "I'm not asking," she interrupted sweetly, composing herself. "I'm reminding you of your obligations. Besides, it'll be good for us." The call ended. Toby looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "So... swan sculpture?" I didn't laugh. But it was close. Looks like I would be working overtime for the day. Later that evening, my core team gathered in the lounge: Toby, Drake, and-unfortunately - Zane. Drake was already mid-rant. "So, tell me again what happened with the freaky wolfless girl? I heard she's strong! Like crazy strong! Man, I'm pumped! Did she actually slap Bianca across the field? I heard it echoed." I stiffened. The slap. The necklace. The quiet power in her eyes. Liora. 3/3