Chapter 33 Smoke and Mirrors
Leslie’s POV – Private Residence
35
Finished
Astrid and I sped away from Moon Bar, the shing lights and rabid noise of the info hunters snapping at our heels like hyenas.
Inside the car, Astrid was still visibly shaken, her buzz mostly sobered up by the chaos.
“Leslie… those people just now… and that guy you—”
“It was a setup, Astrid,” I said, starting the engine and smoothly merging into the night. “Slyvana’s move. She’s trying to drag my name through the mud.”
Astrid’s face darkened with fury. “Those bastards! That’s the lowest trick I’ve ever seen!”
I let out a coldugh. “Let them dance. The higher they jump, the harder they fall.” Asphodel growled with disdain inside me. This level of provocation wasn’t even worth our attention.
Back at my quiet and secure residence within Rogue Pack territory, I got a full night’s sleep.
But by morning, Astrid’s urgent voice jolted me awake.
“Leslie! Wake up–something’s happened! Look at the!” She shoved a portable media tablet at me, her face flushed with anxiety and rage.
I took it. The moment I saw the screen, I wasn’t surprised.
Bar Assault #RoguePack Alpha Goes Berserk in Public #Uncontrolled Fury
Under the sensational headlines were carefully edited clips fromst night at Moon Bar.
The footage only showed me snapping the one–eyed wolf’s arms, forcing the drugged drink down his throat, and the grotesque scene of him grinding his bloody groin on the floor. The context? Completely erased. They’d painted me as a vicious, violent lunatic with no self- control.
Thements section was a cesspool of spection and nder, clearly amplified by bots or paid trolls.
“She always gave me bad vibes. No wonder Crimson Moon Pack kicked her out!”
“She’s terrifying! How could someone like that lead Rogue Pack?”
“Heard the Beta was innocent–just looked at her friend a little too long…”
Chapter 33 Smoke and Mirrors
“Lycan King needs to punish Leslie–hard.”
Finished
“Disgusting pigs!” Astrid was trembling with rage. “How can they twist the truth like this?! I’m going to my father–he’ll-”
“No need, Astrid.” I calmly switched off the tablet, my face unreadable.
Compared to the hell I went through in Crimson Moon Pack, this little smear campaign wasughable.
“But…” Astrid looked desperate. “This could ruin your reputation! And the Pack’s!”
“Rogue Pack won’t crumble because of one headline,” I said as I moved to the wardrobe. “Real allies won’t flinch over manjpted footage. And those fence–sitters and enemies–do their opinions even matter?<b>” </b>
Asphodel yawnedzily in my mind. <i>Foolish </i><i>sheep</i><i>, </i><i>bleating </i><i>after </i><i>their </i><i>shepherd</i><i>. </i><i>Not </i><i>worth </i><i>a </i><i>second </i><i>thought</i>.
I picked a sharp, deep–blue tailored suit and tied my hair into a sleek ponytail.
There was a major meeting at Westview HQ today. Thorbane would be formally introducing me to the heads of each department. I didn’t have time to waste on online circus acts.
Just as I was about to leave, the old butler my father Lars had assigned to assist me hurried in, respectful but clearly ufortable.
“Governor, His Majesty… has prepared several vehicles for your use. They’re parked outside.”
Puzzled, I walked to the window and looked out.
In the courtyard were five or six luxury cars, each glowing faintly with powerful magical runes and radiating intense energy.
There was the sleek, predator–like Shadow Cruiser… the massive, mammoth–like Frostfang Conqueror… and even several clearly military–grade Thunderw Assault Units—all armored, armed, and elite.
“…Seriously?” I muttered.
The butler exined, “Upon hearing aboutst night, His Majesty was extremely concerned for your safety. These are the highest–grade vehicles from his private garage, specially reassigned for your use. He also said… a few custom models from the Human Kingdom with even strongerbat and defense features are currently being expedited…”
Father… you really…
Chapter 33 Smoke and Mirrors
Warmth rose in my chest, but I shook head.
my
<b>35 </b>
Finished
“Please thank him for me. But these… these are way too conspicuous.” I was trying <i>to </i>earn respect in Westview through capability, not by parading around in military tanks. Showing up to HQ in one of those would backfire instantly. “Tell Father I appreciate the gesture. But right now… subtlety matters more. Liam will handle my security.”
I turned to Astrid. “Mind if I borrow your Cyclone?” Her vehicle, while still top–of–the–line for internal Pack use, looked practically humble next to these monsters.
“Of course!” she nodded without hesitation, tossing me the keys.
I caught them and smiled at the butler. “Store these beasts for me, will you? Maybe we’ll need them someday.”
With that, Astrid and I walked toward her rtively “low–profile” Cyclone, leaving behind a fleet of vehicles that would make any Pack leader green with envy.
Send Gifts
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