Chapter 10 - The Rage of the Ancient Blood
Scarlett took a deep breath,
trying to look the ancient sovereign in the eyes,
though her own inner wolf was howling in terror.
"First,"
Scarlett declared,
raising a trembling finger to point at the beautiful white gown on the mannequin.
"I marked that wedding dress before she ever did."
"Her dirty hands touched it afterward,
so it's completely tainted now."
"I want ten wolves' worth of high-grade tribute from your pack by tonight to wash away the insult."
"Second,"
Scarlett continued,
her voice growing more demanding as she gained false confidence.
"She broke my wrist like some unranked,
pathetic nobody in public."
"I want her hands bound tightly in heavy silver chains until she completely forgets how to make a fist."
"And last thing,"
Scarlett hissed,
her eyes flashing with malicious spite as she looked over at Ivy.
"The most important thing of all."
"Her ridiculous claim on Kane ends right now,
this very second."
"No formal engagement,
no pack mark,
no family name."
"She doesn't get to come anywhere near the Crimson territory ever again for the rest of her miserable life."
Scarlett stepped even closer to the mother,
her face inches from the ancient Alpha's calm mask.
"Do all of that right now,"
Scarlett threatened,
"and maybe,
just maybe,
your minor pack keeps its current territory."
"Otherwise,
I promise you that none of you will walk out of this city alive today."
The entire room held its breath,
the guards staring in absolute horror at Scarlett's insane,
suicidal demands.
Kane wanted to reach out and pull her back,
but his limbs felt completely paralyzed by the mother's mounting aura.
The mother stood perfectly still for a long moment,
listening to every single word without interrupting.
Then,
slowly,
her lips parted,
and she let out a soft,
melodic laugh that echoed beautifully yet chillingly through the ruined room.
Her smile was wide,
revealing perfectly white,
sharp teeth that gleamed in the dim light.
"Ivy's claim on the Crimson pack is over?"
the mother repeated,
her tone light,
almost amused.
"Done."
"In fact,
I completely agree with that particular term."
Kane looked up,
a sudden spark of hope igniting in his chest,
believing the mother was backing down to avoid a war.
But his hope was instantly crushed by the mother's next words,
which fell like heavy execution axes.
"Kane was never old enough in blood,"
the mother stated coldly,
her eyes looking down at him with absolute disdain.
"He was never strong enough,
never honorable enough,
to deserve even a single mark from my precious daughter."
"As for the rest of your pathetic little list..."
May you like
the mother whispered,
her smile vanishing instantly.
