Chapter 34 Blood and Authority
Leslie’s POV – Westview Headquarters
35
Finished
When I arrived at the Westview headquarters building, I could sense it immediately–the way the wolves around me looked at me had shifted. The online rumors had reached even here.
Thorbane himself presided over the full executive meeting at HQ<i>, </i>formally announcing my appointment as Governor of Westview.
It was a coveted position–controlling a third of the Pack’s economy and strategic territories— and it had sat vacant for some time. Now, it had been handed <i>to </i>me, a so–called outsider, once
the Luna of Crimson Moon Pack.
The air in the room was thick with mixed pheromones: jealousy, resentment, distrust.
Before Thorbane could even close the meeting, a woman stood up. Rowan–a Beta from Silverwind—finally couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Lord Thorbane, I, Rowan of Silverwind, do not recognize this appointment!” Her voice was sharp, trembling with indignation.
“ording to ancient Packw, any opposed to a major appointment may invoke a Challenge of Honor. Leslie is a werewolf exiled from Crimson Moon Pack—I believe she ispletely unfit to lead Westview. And what she didst night in the bar–brutalizing a fellow werewolf under the protection of Rogue Pack! Such cruelty disqualifies her! For the sake of Westview’s stability, I hereby challenge her for the governor’s seat!”
A collective gasp rippled through the room.
Even I was mildly surprised, though Asphodel scoffed in my mind. <i>She </i>wants to challenge us? Looks like someone’s <i>itching </i><i>for </i><i>a </i><i>beating</i>.
No, I replied silently<i>, </i><i>she’s </i><i>not </i>just <i>challenging </i><i>me</i>. <i>She’s </i><i>challenging </i>Thorbane’s authority through me.
Whatever her aim, I had no intention of refusing.
Ancientw was clear: if a challenge is issued and refused, the one who turns it down is deemed a coward and loses all standing.
Thorbane’s expression darkened instantly. A sh of killing intent red in his eyes–but he held back. He trusted me.
I stood up slowly, showing no surprise, only a faint, amused smile. “Fine. I ept your challenge, Rowan. Right here. Right now.”
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Chapter 34 Blood and Authority
The center of the room was quickly cleared, forming a makeshift dueling ground.
Finished
Everyone stepped back, their eyes filled with a mix of excitement, tension… and doubt toward <ol><li>me. </li></ol>
Rowan dropped into abat stance. Her muscles tensed, hands shifting into ws. A low growl rumbled from her throat.
She was a battle–hardened Beta with a strong reputation in Westview.
Me? I hadn’t even moved the hem of my skirt.
Asphodel gave a dismissive snort. A <i>mutt </i><i>ying </i><i>warrior</i><i>. </i><i>Leslie</i><i>, </i><i>show </i><i>her </i><i>what </i><i>true </i>royal blood looks like<i>. </i>
“Begin!” called the presiding elder.
Rowan lunged like a shot arrow, her ws slicing the air, aiming straight for my throat.
I pivoted slightly and avoided her easily.
To me, her movements were painfully slow.
The moment she stumbled from missing her mark, I moved.
No fancy techniques. No wolf. Just pure Alpha speed and strength.
My kicknded square in her abdomen. The sheer force sent her flying across the room like a broken kite. She smashed into the wall and dropped to the floor with a grunt of pain.
Silence fell like a nket.
I walked toward her slowly, looking down on her like she was nothing more than a speck of dirt.
Then I let loose.
The raw, ancestral Alpha pressure of the Rogue Pack’s royal bloodline surged from my body like a tidal wave.
The very air in the room thickened. All the werewolves around me struggled to breathe. Several lower–ranked Betas copsed to their knees, trembling uncontrobly,
Rowan–locked in my aura–turned deathly pale. Fear consumed her. She couldn’t even summon the will to resist.
“Do you yield?” My voice was cold. Emotionless.
Chapter 34 Blood and Authority
<b>35 </b>
Finished
“I… I yield… Governor…” Rowan’s voice barely escaped her throat, her body shaking like a leaf.
I pulled back the pressure. The tension in the room eased.
When I looked around, I saw fear in their eyes.
<i>Good</i><i>. </i>
That’s exactly what <i>I </i>wanted<i>. </i>
Establish dominance–the simplest, oldest method–to show them who ruled here now.
Thorbane watched the trembling wolves with satisfaction and smiled.
He patted my shoulder. “Well done. You’re everything I hoped for in a governor. I won’t interfere anymore. This is your stage now.”
He walked out, leaving the spotlight to me.
Once he was gone, I calmly sat in his seat and resumed the meeting, listening to these wary wolves report their business.
But less than thirty minutester-
Liam, my chief assistant, burst in, face grim.
“Governor! We’ve got a problem! Arge group of protestors has gathered outside headquarters! They’re demanding youe out and give a public statement!”
I walked to the tall ss windows and looked outside.
The square in front of headquarters was flooded. Hundreds of werewolves had gathered, waving signs that read:
“Tyrant Out of Westview!”
“Justice for the Innocent!”
“Leslie of Rogue Pack–Apologize Now!”
At the front stood a ringleader with a megaphone, shouting to the crowd.
“Look, everyone! Leslie of Rogue Pack is right inside! The same brute who snapped a fellow wolf’s arms over a barroom argument! We cannot let someone like her stay in Westview! Kick her out! Make her apologize!”