Lilith pov


    The Alphas were angry.


    Really angry.


    And they were angry for me.


    I stood behind them as they stared at the elders with cold, terrifying gazes, the kind that could send a shiver down my spine and make my heart race as the tension in the air suddenly grew thicker, darker.


    The crowd immediately moved away from the elders, their eyes wide with fear as the respected and powerful men of the pack writhed in pain, their hands wing at their throats as though some unseen force was choking them.


    As I watched everything unfold, and Lucien uttered those words.


    “Let’s start with their tongues first, that way, we won’t have to hear them scream.”


    I swallowed hard, once again remembering that the men who brought me flowers, who gave me gifts, who told me I was beautiful with gentle smiles, were not princes from a fairytale. No, they weren’t the kind who would wake the women they loved with a true love’s kiss. They didn’t seem like the kind who would steal their beloved away from an evil stepmother.


    No, these men were the kind who would kill for the ones they loyed, who would burn the world for them. They were the kind of men who wouldn’t hesitate to stain their hands with blood if it meant protecting what was theirs


    After all, they were even cursed for their cruelty by the Moon Goddess


    But this time, instead of fear, the fear I was supposed to feel, instead of calling them ruthless, I felt something else bloom in my chest.


    Something… warm.


    They were always taking my side.


    The time with Seraphina.


    The time with the maid who had spoken ill of my father.


    And now, once again… they had my back.


    And right now…


    I watched as the elders tried to speak, to beg, but the Alphas only increased their aura, pinning them mercilessly to the ground. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a few men, four or five wanting to step forward to help, yet they stood frozen in fear, unable to move. Almost immediately, I realized they were some of the elders’ sons


    “F-forgive us, Alphas…” one of the elders stammered, trying to speak, only to end up gasping for air as another managed to force out broken words.


    “We didn’t… we didn’t…”


    He grunted, his face turning redder, clearly on the brink of suffocation, and Lucien, Ss, and ude didn’t seem like they would release them anytime soon. No, if anything, it almost looked like they would continue until the elders died right there and then.


    But just as that seemed about to happen. I took a step forward and spoke, my voiceing out firmer than I expected


    “Alphas, please stop,”


    My voice echoed louder than it should have, slicing cleanly through the heavy tension. Almost immediately, everyone jerked their heads toward me at the same time, their eyes widening in surprise… in disbelief.


    And I knew why.


    “D-did she just order the Alphas to stop?” someone whispered from the crowd in shock.


    “Right? Is she courting death? Even as the new beta, how dare she order the Alphas? Does she think they will stop just because she asked them to-”


    They stopped.


    They actually stopped.


    At the exact same time, like obedient wolves responding to amand, they drew back their auras. The air shifted instantly, and the elders copsed into harsh coughing fits, desperately gasping for breath.


    And the Alphas….


    Lucien, Ss, and ude all turned to me at once, and like a switch had flipped, Ss’s indifferent gaze disappeared. Instead, he smiled, his eyes warm as he hummed softly.


    “As you


    wish, Lilith.”


    “Yes, little wolf, anything you want. Do you want to end them yourself, perhaps?” ude’s killing intent practically evaporated as his lips stretched into a wide grin, an excited glint lighting his eyes as he stared at me.


    “Do whatever you want,” Lucien grunted, his cold expression still intact, yet I could see he had visibly rxed, not a trace of his earlier terrifying aura lingering around him.


    I stared at them, a little taken aback by how easily they had listened.


    Like… they had actually obeyed without a second thought.


    And if I was surprised, then the crowd was utterly bbergasted. Their eyes were wide, disbelief written all over their faces, and I swore I heard someone whisper shakily-


    “Pinch me… because this can’t be real…”


    As the room seemed to fall into silence, the Alphas kept watching me with what could only be described as expectant, almost puppy-like gazes. If I wasn’t being delusional, it genuinely looked like they wanted to please me… like they were waiting for praise.


    While they watched me, the entire crowd watched me as well. My eye almost twitched, but I quickly regained myposure and forced an awkward smile.


    “Erm, thank you, Alphas.”


    Almost immediately, Ss and ude shook their heads, their smiles widening as if to say it was nothing. As they did, I heard Dravena chuckling at the back of my mind at the absurd scene before me, but I inhaled sharply, forcing myself to remainposed as I spoke again.


    “Alphas, thank you for defending me, but can you give me permission to handle this myself?”


    For a moment, all three men stared at me in mild confusion, but upon seeing my serious expression, they seemed to understand. Ss nodded first before speaking.


    Chapter


    “Do anything you want, Lilith. We have your back.”


    At his words, my heart couldn’t help but skip a beat, especially when ude nodded in agreement and Lucien gave a low hum, all silently granting me the permission I needed.


    As I looked at them, I couldn’t help but recall what Father once said.


    If no one has your back, then have your own.


    However, it seemed these men… truly had mine.


    A small, genuine smile curved my lips, and I lowered my head lightly.


    “Thank you, Alphas.”


    That was all I needed. Permission.


    As everyone watched, I flicked my gaze to the elders, staring as they continued to gasp, slowly regaining their breathing, their eyes fixed on me, ring as I kept my gaze cold and unflinching, staring down at them.


    It wasn’t surprising that I was not epted as the beta.


    Even when I had defeated Ss in the match, I knew no one would truly ept me. Like I said, I was everything they didn’t


    want in a beta.


    If my father was alive, if I wasn’t deemed wolfless, and the Alphas wanted to make me beta, I was sure no one would oppose it so openly. Not because they respected me… but because of his worth when he was alive.


    My father had been the strongest beta this pack had ever seen.


    He had strength, brains, andpassion—


    All the things I was taught a beta should be.


    “A beta shouldn’t be afraid! A beta should be able to face anything… even death itself.”


    My father’s voice rang through my head as I lifted my chin higher, meeting every single re thrown my way. And as everyone watched me, I walked forward, past the Alphas, my steps steady, unwavering.


    “A beta should be smart! A beta should be able to turn any situation to their advantage…”


    I held myposure before stopping right in front of the elders, my back straight, my presence firm as his voice echoed again, clearer this time.


    “A beta should not demand respect. They should not speak their worth to others. No, Lilith… they should show it. Words are baseless. Actions are proof.”


    My eyes lowered to the elders beneath me, and then I spoke, my voice calm, collected


    “I understand your fears. I am a woman… I have no strength, and moreover-”


    I flicked my gaze toward the men at the side, the ones who had tried to step forward earlier, and the corner of my lips lifted into a slow, knowing smile.


    “Moreover, you believe your sons should be the beta instead.”


    The moment those words left my lips, the elders stiffened, their res sharpening, ready to speak but I cut them off before a single word could escape.


    “How about this… let’s have a match.”


    The hall seemed to freeze.


    “If your sons are able to defeat me here and now… then the position of beta will be theirs.”


    A ripple shot through the crowd, gasps and murmurs breaking out instantly as disbelief spread across their faces.


    “But if I defeat them…” I continued, my voice dropping slightly colder, heavier, “…then no one will ever oppose me being beta again.”


    The tension snapped.


    I could feel the Alphas’ gazes on me sharpen, heavy and intense while the entire hall buzzed with shocked whispers.


    “Was she serious?”


    “How could she possibly win against all of them?”


    However, from the corner of my eyes, I saw the elders sons begin to smile, confidence blooming on their faces, already convinced of their victory. The elders were no different. Their earlier anger twisted into pleased, scheming smiles as they leaned toward one another, whispering.


    Good.


    Let them be happy.


    Let them believe they had already won.


    Because I was going to prove myself.


    I was going to make everyone here remember exactly who I was


    I was the daughter of Jayden.


    And I would show them my worth with my own hands.


    At the back of my mind, I saw Dravena again-


    Sittingzily on


    her throne, legs crossed, her golden eyes gleaming with wicked delight.


    But this time, something in her gaze was different.


    Familiar.


    Thrilled.


    A wild grin stretched across her lips as she leaned forward slightly and purred, low and eager-


    “ytime-”


    Cede


    <strong>Cede</strong> is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.