ollow, the inevitable confrontation between those who considered themselves the real leaders and those who dared to question the established order. Romain stood near her, a q

on his chest, his shar

said acerbic, almost mocking. It l

face was the time to prove everything. She had not only the stake of her positi

you, you only sow discord, she replied, her firm but calm voice. It is not t

Mathis, but without the same aggressiveness. He did not seem fri

onviction. You cannot remain anchored in a past that has no room here.

n forming on his lips. He seemed to hav

said in a mocking tone. What do you know what it is to be a real alpha? An alpha is not c

of an eye, without getting

wing the way, by inspiring the others. Maybe you forgot it, but the alph

knew that in these moments, any weakness, even a fraction of a second of

ours. You were rejected. It's my turn now, and you won't mak

flamboyant gaze. He stopped a few meters from Elise, staring at her face wi

imple desire to do well. You don't have the strength to hold this place. I left you there on th

forward, his gaze n

e alpha, you would have already acted. But you're just a man from the past, lo

nister smile emer

I lost, you make a mistake. It's not you who will dictate t

le, that this face-to-face would mark the beginning of her true test. It could not al

d look, but he didn't need words to let him know that he would support her whatever happens. A

. We are not in a fight for the pack survival, we are in a fight for the su

He knew it was not a fight that he would simply gain by intimidation. He had under

Show me that you have what it takes t

rmination animating her. She didn't need to speak. The words were u

aunched. The fight

osphere was already heavy with doubts. Basically, the other members of the pack did not yet know how much this confrontation would change

almost too sure of himself. As for Elise, although she did not have the right to make mistakes, it was impossible to deny the intensity that burned in her. She was not

d Mathis, a sly smile appearing on his lips.

ear. She had lived more difficult moments than

thing, Mathis, she replied firmly.

se knew that they were listening. Each word pronounced, each movement, e

cles like springs ready to free herself. Mathis looke

hispered. This is your mistake, Elise.

speed. He was waiting for no hesitation, no weakness on his part. His claws stretched out, piercing

he two opponents, and the pack, all around, observed with eyes full of waiting. But Elise knew t

not caught off guard. It anticipated its movement and, in a fluid movement, it contrasts it, sending it to the ground with a controlled s

show me what you hav

ught that this fight was just a demonstration of force. But that was not what she was defending. It was no

He did not intervene, although Elise knew that he would be there

for a flaw. He knew that, behind this apparent sweetness, hid an unexpected force. But with every time he gave, Elise res

pain escaped from her lips. Mathis had managed to touch her, her claw heartbreaking his skin. Blood mingled with the dust of the soil, but Elise did n

ing to lose. N

forward, his gaze

in a calm, but impactfu

owards him, a mocking sm

e? he said, straightening up.

piercing eyes not leaving the fig

t's you. It's you who don't understand, yet. Elise

The questioning of his own power, of his position seemed to disturb him more

me she didn't make a mistake. She used all her strength, her agility, and in a last movement,

nly physical. He was mental. It was all about just domination. It was the question of

back, an air of defeat on the face.

whispered. It is j

p, responding nothing. She no longer needed words. The v

aste. His eyes turned to other members of the pack. Murmurs, looks exchanged. Romain app