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    Third Person’s POV


    s


    Freya’s gaze remained icy as she watched Eleanor make her theatrics, clearly trying to manipte the scene in front of onlookers. Siverfang Pack’s matriarch, as always, thought she could control everything with bluster and theatrics–but Freya’s wolf coiled tightly in her chest, a silent growl rumbling under her ribs at the audacity of Eleanor’s act.


    Caelum, standing just beside his mother, spoke in a low, firm tone, his wolf emanating a controlled but sharp aura. “Freya, you’d better apologize to my mother right now.”


    Freya’s amber eyes flicked to him, her voice cutting through the tension like a hunting knife. “She attacked me first. I see no reason to apologize.”


    “Regardless,” Caelum’s tone hardened, wolf bristling beneath the skin, “my mother is a senior. Even if she scolds you or strikes you lightly, can’t you tolerate it?”


    Lana standing a step behind Freya, let out a low, wolfishugh, her tail flicking in barely restrained amusement. “Ha! I’ve never heard such a ridiculous joke. Caelum, you’re divorced from Freya–what reason does she have to tolerate you or your mother?”


    Aurora stepped forward, her wolf a quiet shadow of pride and propriety. “Freya, you shouldn’t encourage your friend to insult my elders,” she said, though the faint tremor in her voice betrayed her inner unease. Wolves can hide their fear, but never fully.


    Freya’s gaze sharpened, wolf coiled, dangerous. “I’m not insulting them,” she said softly, though every syble carried the weight of her predator’s focus. “But perhaps the investigation report from City’s Fire Authority will rify whether your inaction had consequences, Aurora.”


    Eleanor’s hand flexed in frustration, her wolf growling faintly beneath her skin. Giselle added her voice, shrill and sharp. “Freya, you just can’t stand that my mother favors Aurora over you! Tell me, what makes you deserving of her kindness? Can youpare to Aurora?”


    Before Freya could respond, a massive electronic screen in the center of the mall flickered to life. The familiar, polished voice of the City news anchor boomed across the shoppers, drawing every gaze in the vicinity.


    66


    “… Following a thorough investigation into the border wildfire five years ago, the Fire Department has submitted its findings to the local government. After review, it has been decided to revoke Aurora’s title as Fire Hero…”


    Aurora’s wolf stiffened. Her tail twitched, heart mming against her ribcage. She staggered slightly, her body trembling as disbelief washed over her. How could this be? She had spent


    9:44 Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>12


    :


    <b>81 </b>


    s


    years covering every angle, paying favors, ensuring her reputation remained untarnished- and now the title was gone.


    Before she could process the loss, another news clip began to y, sent from a press conference held by Wing, the aviation conglomerate she worked for. Freya’s wolf’s senses heightened, eyes narrowing as she observed the Alpha’s reaction.


    “…Following the internal review, Wing has decided to terminate Ms. Aurora’s employment. Effective immediately, she will no longer serve in any capacity with Wing…”


    Aurora’s wolf recoiled, pulse pounding. Her face drained of color as if the life had been sucked from her. The text message notification pinged almost simultaneously on her WolfComm device. Trembling hands opened it. Confirmation: Wing formally terminating herbor


    contract.


    “Mom, what’s going on? Why are they taking her title? And Wing–is she really being dismissed?” Giselle demanded, confusion and a flicker of panic in her voice.


    Eleanor frowned, trying to appearposed despite the sudden upheaval in their carefully curated social world. “What is this about?”


    Caelum stepped forward, voice measured, wolf controlling the surge of tension in the air. “Mother, hold your questions. Let’s understand the situation first.”


    Giselle, fidgeting, pressed, “Will she still be a co–pilot?” Her wolf quivered; the thought of losing status unsettled her more than she’d like to admit.


    Lana’sugh rippled through the mall, wolfish, carrying an edge that drew a few startled nces from passing shoppers. “Aurora’s downfall is deserved. She ignored a colleague in peril, had a fire extinguisher at hand, and yet abandoned them. Now, not only is her Fire Hero title revoked, but Wing has terminated her contract.”


    Freya’s amber eyes glinted dangerously, wolf coiled and taut. “Let’s not forget, Aurora’s original rise to co–pilot wasrgely due to the Fire Hero recognition. Now that’s gone, her position in aviation could very well vanish as well. I wonder which pack–orpany–would dare take her in again.”


    Every word Lana spoke carved deeper into Eleanor and Giselle’s expressions. The elder matriarch’s face twisted from indignation to disbelief. Giselle’s scowl turned almost frantic. The mall’s shoppers had begun pointing, whispering, the scent of scandal spreading through the air like a predator’s musk.


    Aurora’s face flushed, red–white in contrast, and she muttered, voice tight. “Caelum… I want to return home immediately.”


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    <b>181 </b>


    s


    “Of course. I’ll take you back,” he replied, wolf guiding every movement, yet restrained to avoid exacerbating the situation further.


    Suddenly, Eleanor lunged, grabbing Caelum’s arm, anger spiking like a wolf scent in the wind. “So that’s it? I see now why you took us shopping–so we’d soften to your loss<b>, </b>so we wouldn’t speak up!”


    Aurora’s jaw tightened. She wanted to defend the act, but the wolf inside her recoiled, aware of the power dynamics at y. “Aunt Eleanor… it’s not like that,” she began, voice careful, precise.


    But Eleanor’s wolf surged, ws metaphorical and sharp, her ego wounded by the social exposure and the loss of prestige. “Don’t lie to me! Do you think we won’t notice?” </blockquote>