The silence was deafening.
Damon stared at me, his wolf raging beneath the surface, barely contained. "You're... you're their Alpha?"
The disbelief in his voice would have been amusing if it weren't so pathetic.
I raised a brow. "You rejected your mate because you thought she was an omega. Now, you find out she's the Alpha of the pack you begged for help. Must be a tough day for you."
His BetaâLucaâstepped forward, eyes flickering with uncertainty. "The Shadow Crescent Pack is legendary." He swallowed hard. "You... you're the Phantom Alpha?"
The title spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Whispers.
Fear.
Recognition.
I let them sink in.
Damon clenched his fists. "How the hell is this possible?"
I tilted my head, letting my wolf and vampire aura seep into the air. "Because I'm not just a wolf."
The temperature dropped slightly as a breeze ruffled through the trees, responding to the power that pulsed beneath my skin.
Nova flicked her fingers, and a small spark of lightning crackled in her palm. Kian smirked, making the earth beneath us tremble slightly.
Damon's warriors took a step back.
Fear.
Respect.
Power.
Damon exhaled sharply. "The Council didn't tell me who they were sending."
I smirked. "Guess they thought you'd figure it out on your own."
His jaw tensed. "I don't need help."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "Then why did you ask for it?"
His breath hitched.
Checkmate.
His wolf recognized my power. Respected it.
Even if he wasn't ready to accept what I was to him.
Not yet.
But he would.
And by then, it might be too late.