Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Faye walked away refusing to bask in the attention or the whispers that followed her She had no interest in proving anything more, and she wasn’t even in the mood to train anymore
Delta remained on the ground longer than necessary, stunned, her palms pressed to the dirt where Faye had thrown her. She could barely believe what had just happened. It wasn’t only that she had lost, it was how she had lost clean, decisive, humiliating
She had been sure she would put Faye in her place, sure she would embarrass the newcomer and prove to the pack that Alexander’s choice of mate was unworthy. Instead, she was the one who had been humiliated in front of every pair of eyes watching.
“Damn you, Faye!”
Her chest heaved as she forced herself to stand, brushing dirt from her clothes in angry, jerky movements. But it didn’t matter how much dust she wiped away, the shame clung tighter than any stain. All around her, wolves were still staring. Their eyes pricked her like needles. Their silence was worse than laughter…it told her that they had seen, that they were remembering, that her defeat had been absolute.
“What are you all looking at?” she snapped, her voice sharp. She hated how it cracked at the end, betraying her agitation.
The pack members quickly looked away. One after another, they shifted back into their routines, unwilling to meet her eyes. Some bent to stretch, others began pairing off to spar again, and a few drifted toward the weapons racks with sudden, exaggerated interest. It was as if they were afraid that looking at her any longer might invite her wrath, or worse, might confirm that they were secretly amused by what had happened.
And then Irene walked up, and Bella stiffened. Of all people, it had to be Irene.
Irene approached with her arms loosely folded, her expression filled with amusement that
she didn’t bother to hide.
“Well,” Irene said casually, her lips twitching as if she was suppressing a laugh. “That was… interesting. ” She tilted her head, studying Bella with open curiosity. “What exactly were you trying to do out there? Because from where I was standing, it looked like you marched straight into humiliation with both eyes open. I would have stopped the madness, but you’ve been asking for it.”
Bella spun on her, her face flushing hot. “What?” she hissed. “That’s all you have to say? Didn’t you see what just happened? She–she attacked me in front of everyone!”
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Trene raised her brows, unfazed by Bella’s sharp tone. “Attacked you?” She gave a short laugh.
That’s the story you’re going with?”
“Yes!” Bella insisted. Her fists clenched at her sides. “She’s crazy. You saw it she humiliated me in front of the entire pack. And you just stood there?”
Irene’s calmness only infuriated her more. Irene tapped her finger against her arm thoughtfully, as if considering how much truth Bella actually deserved. Finally, she said, “I saw everything. Bella. I saw you provoke her, I saw you shove her, and I saw you challenge her in front of everyone. What did you think would happen?”
Bella was a bit lost for words, opening her mouth and then snapping it shut. She had wanted Irene’s agreement, her sympathy, anything to validate the bruised pride burning inside her. Instead, Irene cut straight through her excuses with words sharp enough to sting.
“You’re lucky, actually,” Irene went on, her tone dropping. “Because if Faye had really wanted to, she could have ripped you apart. You felt it, didn’t you? The strength in her, that wasn’t her going all out. That was her holding back.”
The words twisted like a knife. Bella hated the way Irene spoke so matter–of–factly, as if it were undeniable. But deep down, beneath her anger, Bella knew it was true. The memory of Faye’s eyes glowing with her wolf’s energy still haunted her, the sheer pressure of it enough to make Bella’s own wolf recoil.
“You should be grateful,” Irene added, softer this time. “Next time, maybe you’ll think twice before provoking people.”
Bella’s nails dug into her palms. Gratitude? That was the last thing she felt. Her pride screamed against the suggestion. “So you’re just going to take her side? You…you didn’t even try to stop her. You’re supposed to protect this pack, Irene, and that includes me. And when Alexander comes back, I’ll make sure he knows just how insane his precious mate is.”
Irene sighed, shaking her head as if Bella were an unruly child. “Honestly, Bella, do you hear yourself? Calling it an attack when it was clearly a challenge…you threw the challenge, bella? Faye beat you, fair and square, in front of everyone. And the only thing all your whining is showing right now is that you’re a sore loser.”
Bella’s mouth dropped open. A sore loser. The words echoed in her mind, each syllable cutting deeper than the bruises already forming on her skin. She wanted to argue, to deny it, but Irene’s steady gaze pinned her in place.
For a moment, Bella’s anger trembled with uncertainty, with the sting of honesty. Then, slowly, she straightened her shoulders, forcing the humiliation down into a cold, hard knot in her chest.
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< Chapter 45
“This isn’t over,” she said finally. “Not by a long shot.”
425 Points
Irene studied her for a long second, then gave a small shrug. “Suit yourself. But if you’re smart, you’ll know when to quit.”
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