Chapter 221
Elle’s POV
Calista’s face was flushed with anger, her amber eyes blazing with a fury that seemed disproportionate to our brief exchange. But there was something else there too – something that looked almost like jealousy mixed with desperation.
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” she hissed, taking a step closer to me. “Standing there with your perfect little responses, acting like you belong here.”
Sophia moved subtly closer to my side, and I could sense Abigail tensing nearby, ready to intervene. But I held up a gentle hand, stopping
them both. Whatever this was about, I needed to handle it myself.
“Calista, I’m not sure what I’ve done to upset you so much,” I said calmly, though my heart was racing. “But perhaps we could discuss this
privately instead of-
“Privately?” she laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Oh no, I think everyone here deserves to know the truth about little Elle West.”
“The truth about what, exactly?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the fear creeping up my throat.
Calista’s smile was sharp as a blade. “The truth about how you’ve managed to worm your way into not just one, but two of the most
prominent families in our society.”
The murmurs around the ballroom grew louder. I could feel the judgment, the curiosity, the speculation rolling off the assembled guests
in waves.
“My relationship with the Blair family is hardly a secret,” I replied carefully. “It was announced publicly, and-
“Oh yes, very convenient timing, wasn’t it?” Calista’s voice was getting louder, more theatrical. “Right when you needed legitimacy to
catch an Alpha’s attention. Tell me, Elle, how does it feel to know that you’re nothing but a replacement? A human substitute for someone
actually worthy?”
The accusation hit me like a physical blow, but I forced myself to remain composed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t you?” Calista stepped even closer, her wolf scent sharp with aggression. “That you also don’t happen to be Blair family’s official
daughter? You don’t think you can replace Dakota’s position just because you happen to share the same face as Dakota Blair! You’re still
just a human after all!*
The words exploded from her like a bomb going off in the middle of the ballroom.
Dead silence.
Every werewolf in the room went absolutely still. I could see the shock on their faces, the way their nostrils flared as they processed what
had just been said out loud.
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Chapter 221
But before I could even think of how to respond, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.
“Calista.”
The single word carried so much Alpha authority that several people actually stepped back. I turned to see Brad approaching, his face a mask of controlled fury that made the air itself seem to vibrate with dangerous energy.
Calista’s entire demeanor changed instantly. The aggressive posture melted away, replaced by the submissive stance of a wolf who had just realized she’d made a terrible mistake.
“Alpha Brad,” she said, her voice suddenly small and uncertain.
“It seems,” Brad said, his tone conversational but carrying an undercurrent of menace that made my skin prickle, “that my family business has become the subject of public commentary. How interesting.”
He moved to stand beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, close enough that every werewolf in the
room would understand the message of protection and possession.
“I’m not sure what business of yours my mate’s family connections are,” he continued, his amber eyes fixed on Calista with laser–like intensity. “Perhaps you’d like to explain your interest?”
Calista looked around desperately, her gaze finding Victoria across the room. “Aunt Victoria, I-
“Don’t.” Victoria’s voice carried clearly across the ballroom as she approached, her expression thunderous. “Whatever you were about to
say, don’t.”
Victoria reached us with her usual graceful stride, but I could see the fury carefully controlled beneath her elegant exterior. “Calista, dear,” she said sweetly, “perhaps you’ve forgotten that we don’t air family matters in public.”
“I was just ” Calista began, but Victoria’s sharp look cut her off.
“You were just leaving,” Victoria said firmly. “I think the evening air might help clear your head.”
But Brad stepped forward, his Alpha presence filling the space around us like a physical force. “Actually, no. I think Calista should finish
what she started.”
His voice carried the unmistakable tone of an Alpha command, and several of the weaker wolves in the room actually whimpered. Calista’s
face went pale.
“I want to know,” Brad continued, his eyes never leaving Calista’s face, “exactly why you think you have the right to comment on my
choice of mate. Exactly why you think your opinion on Elle’s worthiness matters to anyone in this room.*
The silence was deafening. Calista opened and closed her mouth several times, but no sound came out.
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Chapter 221
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“Because from where I stand,” Brad’s voice grew colder, “It sounds like you’re questioning my judgment. And I have to wonder if the
Hamilton family has forgotten their place.”
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The threat was subtle but unmistakable. I saw Peter Hamilton moving quickly toward us from across the room, his face tight with concern.
“Brad, please, Victoria interjected, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m sure Calista didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“Didn’t she?” Brad’s amber eyes flicked to Victoria, then back to Calista. “Then perhaps she should clarify what she did mean.”
Calista finally found her voice, though it came out as barely a whisper. “I… I apologize. I spoke out of turn.”
“You spoke out of turn to my mate,” Brad corrected, his voice deadly quiet. “In my grandmother’s house. At a family celebration.”
I could see the fear in Calista’s eyes now, the understanding that she had crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. The power dynamics in the room had shifted completely, and everyone could feel it.
“I apologize,” she said again, this time looking directly at me. “Elle, I’m sorry. I was… thoughtless.”
Victoria stepped forward, her voice carrying the authority of the family matriarch. “Calista will offer a proper apology, of course. Won’t you, dear?”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
