Am''s POV


    The tension in my shoulders red as our carriage rolled into neutral territory. This patch ofnd belonged to no pack, where woes from anywhere could meet without Alpha politics micking things up. Back in training days, I''dpeted here before I was traitor''s daughter" - just a kid with decent fighting skill and something to prove.


    Our ride stopped outside Moonlight Arena, one of the oldest wattice pathering spots in the neutral zone. When Tyler opened the door. I shot Sophia a centred look


    "A fighting arena?" Last ce I''d expect Moss Designer Clothes to pick.


    Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Wanted to catch tonight''s matches. Heard some northern wohen arepeting their style''spletely different from


    My eyebrow shot up. Sophia Morgan, interested inbat techniques? Seeing my surprise, sheughed.


    "What thought I only shopped for pretty dresses?"


    "Honestly? Yeah, I admitted, following her out.


    Weindly, Tyler stayed put, just mentioned he''d wait for us. But I clocked ke''s two Gamma guards slipping out of their carriage, trailing us with practiced casualness. They wore civilian clothes trying to blend in, but their posture screamed "ready to attack." Not to mention their hyper-alert eyes, scanning for threats even in neutral territory.


    "Your dad''s watchdogs are still on us." I mattered to Sophia. Just keeping their distance."


    She sighed. Figures, Wee to my life-trapped in an invisible cage. For a split second, I caught a glimpse of loneliness in her eyes that mirrored my own. Maybe being an Alpha''s daughter wasn''t the golden ticket I''d imagined.


    Moonlight Arena was more picked than I remembered. Hundreds of wolves crammed the curved stands, surrounding the central fighting tform. The air teeked of sweat, excitement, blood, and the distinct spices from different pack territories. Music, howls, and apuse created a wall of noise that hit you like a physical thing-


    I nced at Sophia, expecting her to cringe at the rowdy atmosphere. Instead, her eyes lit up-she looked more rxed, more alive than I''d ever seen her


    "Nobody ever wants to bring me to these ces," she shouted over the noise. Tos unbing for an Alpha a daughter,"


    We pushed through the crowd, hunting for a decent view, Sophia navigated the chaos with surprising ease, leading us away from the most crowded sections toward a slightly elevated spot


    Listed


    "Youe here a lot? 1 a


    Her smile turned secretive. "Sneak out sometimes. Tyler used to cover for me until Dad found out


    Well, damn. Princess had some rebellion in her after all.


    Just as we nearly teached our destination, a group of wolves in Shadow Creek colors blocked our path. My muscles instantly coiled tight,bat-ready-


    "Look who it is, neered a tall male wolf I recognized as Brock, one of Jackson''sckeys. "Rivers the traitor''s little girl."


    My blood heated, but I forced myself to stay cool/Starting shit in neutral territory could get you banned


    -or wome


    "Move aside," 1 said evenly. "Were just here for the Eights."


    "What gives you the right to stand here? A female wolf joined in, her eyes crawling over me with disgust. "Your father''s betrayal got my cousin killed in


    battle."


    My heart hammered, rige boiling under my skin. Dad never betrayed anyone, but


    I had no proof to shut these assholes up. "Not looking for trouble,” I


    epier H


    managed through clenched teeth.


    "Too bad it found you," rock stepped formand, deliberately bumping my shoulder. His scent screamed challenge. Traitor''s blood should walk with ever down, not watching matches like nothing happened."


    People started gathering, swelling potential conflict. Some recognized me, whispers spreading!


    cading through the cred. My wolf and inside me, but I knew better than to them down here- Fid not only get myself hurt but trash the chance ke had given me.


    host as things were about to snap, Sophis glided in front of me, her entire presente transforming. Straight spine, lifted chin, and a bone-deep authority that radiated from her. Suddenly, the wasnt bast some sich girl she was Alpha lnd made flesh.


    "Is there a problem? Her voice wasn''t lood, bot each wood carried undeniable weight.


    Brock and his friends hadn''t recognized her, still wearing their mocking smiles. "None of your business, beautiful. Unless you want to get kicked out with Traitor cul here."


    I watched Sophia''s eyes sh icy blue, Alpha energy pulsing from her in subtle waves-just like her father''s when pissed, only poonger and less contrilled.


    "Tho you know who you''re speaking to she asked, her voice dropping dangerously low.


    The crowd backed up feeling the suddenly heavy air. Brock''s smirk faltered as realization dawned that this wasn''t just some random rich girl.


    "I''m Sophia Morgan, daughter of ke Morgan, Alpha of Silverprak," she dered, vach wordnding like a hammer blow. "And this my friend, under the protection of the Alpha King himself."


    The Shadow Creek wolves went pale, their postures shifting from aggressive to terrified. Picking on a traitor''s daughter was one thing, but insulting the Alpha King''s daughter? Practically suicide.


    "Miss Morgan... we didn''t know..." Brock stammered, horror washing over his face,


    "Clearly," Sophia replied coldly. "You not only tried to start trouble in neutral territory, but you insulted a guest weed by my family. Is this Shadow Creek''s idea of hospitality?"


    They exchanged panicked looks. If the Alpha King took offense with Shadow Creek over this, the consequences would be brutal-especially when their pack desperately needed powerful allies.


    “A misunderstanding. Miss Morgan, the female wolf rushed to exin. "No offense intended."


    "Then apologize," Sophia''s voice left to room for argument. "Now. To my friend."


    They practically fell over themselves bowing. "Sorry, Miss Rivers, they mumbled, barely audible over the arena naise


    ed, satisfied. “Now, we''d like to watch the matches. Unless you object?"


    Sophia nodded,


    They scrambled to clear a path, even giving up their prime viewing spots. As I followed Sophia past them, 1 felt their states no longer contemptuous, but weird mix of fear, respect, and confusion at my apparent rise in status.


    Once seated in our new spots, I whispered to Sophia: "Thanks for sticking up for me."


    Sophia shook her head. "Don''t mention it." Her eyes niet mine with genuine fire. "The way they treated you pissed me off."


    I studied her profile, realizing her anger wasn''t put/un. Not some obation or duty, but real emotion.


    Im used to it," I admitted. "Happens all the time since Dad got locked up


    "It''s not right," she said, sympathy in her eyes, ''You shouldn''t pay for someone else''s actions. And honestly, I''m starting to doubt your father did what they


    That hit me like a sucker punch. I stared her, stunned, "What do you mean?''


    But she didn''t get to exin-the match in the center ing finished, and the crowd erupted in thunder cheers. The announcer bellowed about the fight, pulling everyones attention back to the action.


    "Later," she whispered close to my est. "Let''s watch now."


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