"No, this can't be possible!" the man shouted, vehemently disagreeing.

The other man froze, staring at my reflection. Watching my reflection in the water, I observed their expressions.

"You're a witch, aren't you? This is all an illusion! You're fooling us to save yourself," the man mumbled, his knees trembling.

The other man slowly backed away, each step requiring considerable effort.

"She's an Alpha!" he whispered fearfully.

The man who had initially disagreed shook his head. "She might be an alpha female, but that wolf! That's impossible! How can that wolf"

A grin touched my lips. I enjoyed their fear.

I turned and smirked. "Done muttering nonsense?"

Their eyes widened, as if they'd seen a ghost. They were terrified, their eyes—not the ocean blue of omegas, but a deep, consuming blue—fixed on mine.

I twisted my neck. The sound of cracking bones reached their ears. They gulped, taking another step back.

"W-we thought y-you—"

"You what? You thought I was an omega? You saw the fear in my face and thought to take advantage of me? For what?"

"W-we had no idea you were an alpha. If we had known, we wouldn't have approached you."

I chuckled, sensing their nervousness. They couldn't move, couldn't run; they knew any attempt would mean death. My brother had warned me at the dinner table: if anyone dared harm me, I was more than capable of killing them.

I remembered the night Adrian saved me from rogues at the council's party. If he hadn't arrived, I would have been

I always avoid conflict, but when escape is impossible, I show them who I am. The moment they recognize me

I, Natalia Hansley, am not an omega, but an alpha she-wolf. For years, people have tried to find an alpha like me, but they failed. My wolf couldn't shift until I returned to my pack.

Only my family knew my wolf's appearance. Why else would my father give me such a high position in the pack company? Why my brother?

I saw the men exchange glances, attempting to flee.

"What are you two planning? Don't you want to play with me? 'Eating me every day, blooming me daily'? What about those things?"

They shook their heads. "Forgive this naive man."

"Forgive me, Alpha. We didn't know someone like you lived in this pack."

They begged forgiveness. But I couldn't let them go so easily. They tried to harass me. If I weren't a powerful wolf, they would have already

How many other girls had they victimized?

The thought provoked a growl that made their knees buckle. They fell to their knees.

I approached deliberately. "I tried to avoid conflict. I don't want to shift; I can't control my aggression in that form."

"F-forgive us—"

I grabbed the man's hair, pulling his head back. He groaned.

"Women aren't weak. It's rank that makes men believe they're more powerful."

The other man bowed his head in submission.

I released the man's hair and stepped back.

"Go."

They looked up. I nodded. "Run. Run faster than I can catch you. If I catch either of you, you will die."

They scrambled to their feet and fled. I watched, scoffing when one fell, his clumsy flight reminding me of

I clenched my jaw, remembering my past. I took a step back, then ran, pursuing them.

Under the moonlight, my giant black wolf, Nancy, landed, hunting them. Nancy is stronger than people think—a black wolf with blue eyes, abilities they don't know.

It took minutes to catch one. He shifted, but before he could attack, I clawed his chest, killing him.

Unaware of his companion's fate, the other man called for help in fear. He tried to bite my leg after shifting, but my wounds healed quickly. I broke his neck, then tossed his body onto a tree branch. It swung there, lifeless.

I looked to the sky and howled at the moon. "I will kill anyone who tries to stand in my way."