Miss Natalia," I heard a voice behind me, heading toward the stairs.

I turned and saw Alpha Leo, the head Alpha of the Moon Stone Pack. I frowned as he extended his hand toward Natalia, who was descending the stairs. Without hesitation, she took it.

"Alpha Leo, how are you?" Natalia asked.

Her politeness toward him contrasted sharply with her coldness toward me. Why was she so cold to me, yet so warm to everyone else? my wolf asked internally.

I ignored him and watched as she exchanged nods with everyone, receiving admiring glances. Even Patric shook her hand, stunning me. By the time I looked around, everyone else had left for the meeting hall; I was the only one left staring at her.

"We don't mean any harm," Patric said to her. "Adrian wants the alliance to help."

Natalia raised an eyebrow. "Help? We don't need any help."

Her arrogance was infuriating. Where was this woman when she was my wife? She used to be weak, a crybaby. I believed her newfound confidence stemmed from her royal family; overnight success often breeds overconfidence.

"Natalia, may I ask a favor?" Patric asked.

What favor could he possibly need? I scowled. He was my beta; he shouldn't need anything from her.

"Yes?" Natalia asked, glancing at me over Patric's shoulder.

Our eyes met, and I forgot everything I thought I knew about her. Her sharp gaze pinned me, predatory.

I averted my gaze, shoved my hands in my pockets, and headed for the meeting hall.

"Tell your brother to put the past aside and consider the alliance," Patric muttered.

I stopped and turned. Natalia calmly shook her head.

"My brother doesn't humiliate others," she said. "He's a professional; his decisions are based on the pack's needs, not personal feelings—unlike your Alpha, you know."

Patric looked stunned. I was furious. Why had he said that? Instead of a positive response, she'd taunted me.

"She's not the head Alpha of this pack," I told Patric. "Stop talking to her, and let's go."

Patric followed silently. He shouldn't have approached her.

Entering the meeting hall, I noticed the sudden silence. A large wooden table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by a few couches. I counted—

(The text then contains a website advertisement, which I have omitted.)

"How could I forget? It's a pack of wizards," I murmured.

The Blue Blood Pack was large, including many wizards alongside werewolves. Their history involved frequent reliance on wizards for assistance. This habit highlighted their perceived powerlessness. While they valued unity and mutual aid, I'd never sought help from a witch or wizard, not even during my father's serious illness.

"Alpha Adrian," Alpha Jason's voice made me turn from the books.

He sat at the head of the table, his beta, Eric, beside him. Ignoring him, I walked to the table. My officials were already seated; they'd arrived before Patric and me. I sat down and turned my attention to Alpha Jason.

"I thought Alpha Adrian was punctual, arriving a day early. Why the delay?"

I could sense the others' apprehension, but I wasn't here for an argument. "My apologies, Alpha Jason. Something interesting caught my attention."

Their shock was evident. They understood. Alpha Jason chuckled. "Of course. My pack offers many interesting distractions. That's why Alpha Adrian left his work for this alliance."

I nodded, signaling I wasn't looking for conflict.

The meeting began; each Alpha presented proposals. Seven Alphas were present, discussing the alliance with Alpha Jason. When it was my turn, Patric explained my proposals. The other Alphas looked horrified at the mention of wartime assistance.

"Will Alpha Adrian himself come to the rescue?" an Alpha asked.

"If necessary," I replied.

Their doubt was palpable. Even without my proposal, I was the obvious choice to lead. Why would they need inferior facilities when they could have mine? I'd developed my pack enough to support others.

All eyes turned to Alpha Jason, who looked at me.

"Impressed?" I asked. He had no choice but to concede.

He burst into laughter. I frowned.

"Alpha Adrian Miller, you're something else," he chuckled.

Silence fell over the hall.

"How could you think my pack needs you? I can protect my pack. Would a man defeated by my sister, losing projects to her, support me in war? You must be joking!"