I froze as my eyes scanned the contract in my hands, disbelief twisting my gut. My father had gone ahead and bought me a house without so much as a word to me first. The scent of the deed, crisp and official, hit me like the warning growl of an intruding wolf: this was mine, and mine alone.
Erica's voice sliced through the room like a snapping fang. "Don't pretend you don't know, Anastasia! The contract's right here you can't deny it!" Her tone was sharp, demanding, as though she could mark this territory by shouting.
I raised an eyebrow, steadying myself. "I'm not pretending. Yes, Dad bought it for me. So what? You have a problem with that?" My voice was calm but carried the weight of my pack instincts. Every syllable radiated dominance I wasn't about to back down.
Naomi stepped forward, a storm of control radiating from her like a smaller wolf challenging a stronger Alpha. "Your father's money belongs to the whole family! He needs my permission and Erica's before buying anything for you. Half of that house will belong to Erica!"
I couldn't help but snort, the sound low and amused, like a wolf assessing a weaker pack member trying to stake territory. "This property is under my name. Half of it doesn't belong to anyone but me," I said, letting my words land heavy, sharp with authority.
Erica huffed, arrogance dripping off her like spoiled scent. "Then I'll ask Dad to buy me a house too or just give me eight million!"
I leaned back slightly, letting the corner of my mouth twitch. "Go ahead, then. Ask him. Why come storming into my den?" The words were laced with dominance, a quiet warning that they were trespassing into my space.
Naomi's eyes flashed, fire and frustration coiling in her body. "Anastasia, I'm warning you. If you keep having your father buy things behind my back, I'll leave him. You'll be responsible for our pack's collapse if that happens."
I smiled wryly, the corner of my lips curling like a wolf's confident snarl. "If that's the case, do let me know when you step away. I'll know when to introduce Dad to someone worthy, and I can assure you… she'll be stronger than you."
Naomi's entire form stiffened; her frustration was palpable, almost enough to make the air itself shimmer with tension. Erica, sensing my dominance, frowned and let her claws extend in anger. "Anastasia, I'll make you lose your place in this pack your job right now!"
I fixed her with a steady stare, each second of silence thick with my Alpha instincts. "What exactly are you planning?" I asked, letting the words vibrate like a low growl.
Her voice sharpened, venomous and desperate. "I'll tell everyone! Anastasia Tillman is a mistress! She destroyed someone else's family and bore a child overseas!" She wanted to tear at my reputation, mark me with shame like a rival wolf trying to challenge my bond and territory.
I leaned forward, eyes narrowing, my pack instincts flaring. "Should I get you a microphone, Erica? Make sure everyone hears you clearly?" My voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of lethal warning: I did not fear her, and I would not be dominated.
"You think I'm scared?" Erica snapped, spinning on her heel. She stormed out, her anger trailing behind her like a weak scent fading into the wind. Naomi followed, satisfied at her daughter's audacity but unaware of how little power they had over me.
I returned my attention to my contract, the scent of paper and ink grounding me, reaffirming my dominance in this den. Let them make noise. Let them try to intimidate the pack. This was my territory, my bond with my father, my claim. And no amount of envy, threats, or lies could break it.
From the hallway, I heard Erica's shrill voice echoing down the corridors, her accusations like wild howls attempting to challenge my Alpha position. "Anastasia Tillman is a mistress! She destroyed families and had a child overseas! Beware of her cunning ways!"
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting the sound wash over me like a distant storm. Let them howl. They couldn't touch what I had claimed, and my pack instincts hummed with the certainty that no rival could unsettle my dominance not in my den, not in my life, not ever.
The office went silent for a heartbeat before erupting into shocked murmurs. All eyes turned toward Erica, who was shrieking accusations like a low-ranking wolf trying to mark territory. One assistant even asked cautiously, "Really? Miss Tillman… is she really someone's mistress?"
Erica's grin was venomous, sharp as claws. "Of course! Why would I lie? She was playing in the city five years ago, working in a club, selling herself for money… That's why my father drove her out!" She strutted, flaunting old wounds as if they gave her dominance over me.
I had tolerated her venom for too long five years of her sneering, her lies, her attempts to claw at my pack's honor. When she dared to call my son illegitimate, something snapped inside me. My Alpha instincts surged, and my blood boiled hotter than fire beneath my skin.
Before anyone could react, I was behind her. My hand shot out, grabbing her shoulder and delivering a sharp slap across her face, the sound like a wolf striking its rival.
"Ah!" Erica shrieked, spinning to lash back at me, but my reflexes sharp and primal made me dodge effortlessly. I gripped her long hair, anchoring her to the ground. She squirmed like a young pup caught in the wrong den, and I could feel the thrill of dominance surge through me.
Naomi arrived at the scene, her eyes wide and furious. "Anastasia! You b*tch! How dare you hit my daughter! Let go of her!"
Her hand shot for Erica's hair, trying to pull her back, but my grip tightened, echoing the primal pain and power of a wolf protecting its mate and territory.
"Ah! It hurts! Let go, Anastasia!" Erica screamed, her voice straining under the pressure.
Naomi's anger flared, her arm snapping forward to strike me across the face. Pain bloomed in my cheek, but it only fueled my Alpha instincts. I let the sting flow through me, letting it sharpen my dominance rather than weaken me. My hand met Erica's face with a snap, slapping her down again, kneeling her in submission.
"Hit me once," I growled low and dangerous, my voice carrying the weight of pack authority, "and I'll hit her thrice. Try me." Every syllable vibrated with instinct, dominance, and a warning: no wolf crosses my pack without consequence.
Naomi froze, anger flashing in her eyes, but she could feel my Alpha presence. Slowly, she backed off, releasing Erica. I loosened my hold, letting go of the strands of hair I'd claimed in battle. Erica's face was pale, swollen, her pride bruised as severely as her body.
Felicia appeared then, hurrying in with other employees, her voice sharp with authority. "Who are you people?! Why are you causing a ruckus in our company?"
I straightened, every inch of me humming with raw power, the heat of my pack instinct still flowing strong. My gaze swept over Erica and Naomi, and I knew one thing: no rival, no matter how loud, could claim dominance over me or mine. My son, my bond, my territory they were mine, and I would defend them with every ounce of my Alpha strength.
The office fell into a tense silence, aware now that the pack leader had spoken, and the consequences of defying me were clear: challenge me, and you would feel the full force of a wolf whose bond and pride were unbreakable.