Chapter 0408

The nerve of this man. This man I once idolized, the one I believed held all the answers. Now, I see the truth—a pathetic, washed-up Alpha clinging to his fading power.

His arrogance is staggering. To think I was staring at him out of desire? Disgusting.

I watch his face go rigid when I call him father.

"Twelve years old when you cast me out. Remember now?"

"That's impossible."

"Why, Dad?" I sneer. "Because you couldn’t wait to see if I’d get my wolf? Because you couldn’t love me unless I was worthy in your eyes? Well, surprise. It’s me—Isolde. The daughter you exiled. A future Guardian. Does that jog your memory?"

"How dare you—" His hand flies up to strike me.

I catch his wrist mid-air, my grip unyielding even as he struggles.

"Does your mate know?"

"Shut your mouth!"

"Guess not. Let’s enlighten her, shall we?" I turn to his mate, still holding his arm aloft. "I’m only alive because my mother ran with me when he banished us." Horror floods her eyes. She had no idea we existed.

I don’t want to hurt her, but his lies end today.

"For years, I watched my father betray the mate bond, slowly killing my mother." His mate clutches their son, tears streaming.

"Shut up, you little bitch!"

"Oh, Father. Your days of intimidating me are over."

"But you know what finally killed her? When you marked your new mate. You knew it would destroy her. And you did it anyway."

I yank him closer until our faces are inches apart. "On my sixteenth birthday. Tell me that wasn’t deliberate."

Shoving him back, I release him with a snarl.

"What do you want?" he spits.

"Glad you asked." Facing him isn’t terrifying—it’s liberating.

"I want my pack. I am the rightful heir. The true Alpha. And I. Want. My. Pack." Selene surges forward, lending her strength to my words.

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

"You’ll have to fight me for it."

"Gladly. And I’ll show you the same mercy you showed my mother. One week, Alpha." I turn to his mate, softening my tone. "You’re innocent in this. Stay out of my way, and you can remain in the pack. But think hard—do you really want this man as your mate when I come for him?"

I lock eyes with my father again. "Because I will kill you for what you did."

Another Alpha steps forward. "You think you can just waltz in and take our packs? Guardian or not, I’m not afraid of you."

Seraphina and Evelyn move to my sides.

"You don’t need to fear us," Seraphina says. "But you will respect us." Her aura slams into him, forcing him to his knees, neck bared in submission.

Evelyn scans the crowd. "Anyone else want to test us? We’d be happy to oblige." Selene’s growl echoes through the clearing.

My father finally understands—he’s outmatched.

"One week," I repeat. He turns and flees.

Victor wraps his arms around me from behind. "So, we’re assimilating another pack?"

I twist in his embrace. "I should’ve discussed it with you. But I didn’t realize it was what I wanted until I faced him."

He presses his forehead to mine. "Luckily, the elders are here. We’ll negotiate for the land between ours and Black Canyon. We can afford it now."

"If not, Sebastian and I will help," Adrian says, pulling Evelyn close.

"How many pack members are we talking?" Victor asks.

"One hundred seventy-five," a deep voice answers.

I turn. "Silas."

He shakes his head. "I owe you an apology. I should’ve done more. As his Gamma, I should’ve known."

"Will the pack follow me?"

He studies me. "They’ve suffered under him for years. They’ll accept you as their Alpha."