Tina sneered, “You expect me to apologize to a low-ranking Omega? And why should I?”
Benjamin’s wolf eyes glowed a menacing red, the threat in his voice palpable. “Because she is my fiancée, the future Luna of the Midnight Pack! Insulting her is the same as insulting the entire Midnight Pack.”
“If you think offending us doesn’t matter, you’re welcome to leave.”
Despite being visibly shaken by Benjamin’s presence, Tina clung to a thread of defiance. “I’m Odessa’s best friend. How will you explain this to her?”
Benjamin’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze cold and indifferent. “The Southwells, and indeed the entire Midnight Pack, answer to me as their Alpha. I never have to explain myself to anyone.”
“Furthermore, I do not forget slights.”
This last statement shattered Tina’s bravado. She had momentarily forgotten that, despite Mrs. Southwell being Benjamin’s mother, he had long since taken over as Alpha, the true power holder. Offending Benjamin could bring nothing but trouble to both herself and the entire Ortega family.
After a long moment of silent calculation, Tina swallowed her pride and anger. She walked up to Hayley, lowered her head, and said softly, “I’m sorry. What happened today was my fault.”
Her voice was so soft that, if not for the high-ranking werewolves present, no one would have heard her.
Henry, clearly dissatisfied, taunted her from the side, “I must be going deaf at such a young age. Did someone say something just now?”
In local circles, the Ortegas were almost untouchable, even among high-ranking werewolves who usually treaded carefully around them. But Henry was fearless, no matter where he was. Not only that, he seemed eager for the two families to fall out entirely. That way, he could freely and thoroughly deal with those who had bullied Hayley!
Tina clenched her fists, struggling to contain her fury. After a tense silence, she reluctantly raised her voice and apologized again, “Ms. Carson, I’m sorry!”
Hayley’s POV: Seeing Tina lower her proud head and apologize to me once more, I understood. This was the most I could expect from her. If Henry continued to harass and punish her, she might just lose her temper and entirely turn the situation. At that point, it would all be because of me, straining the relationship between the Southwells and the Ortegas, which would harm the Midnight Pack’s interests.
So, I said directly to her, “You can leave now.” I knew she wasn’t genuinely remorseful or truly apologetic. To avoid dragging the Southwells further into this, I wouldn’t press her more in front of Benjamin and Henry. But she had crossed me, and I wouldn’t forgive her so easily. I’d make sure the entire Ortega family learned their lesson—one that would foster a sense of decency from now on…
I walked out of the office with Benjamin and Henry. Noticing Benjamin and me chatting intimately, Henry tactfully decided to leave on his own.
“Well, since everything’s settled, I’ll be off. I need to prepare for the SI assessment.”
“SI?” I was startled by the sudden mention of it.