And Alina, simple, plain Alina who used to hide behind modest dresses and quiet smiles, was sitting in the driver’s seat of his car, laughing with him.
How dare that poor girl be able to drive such an expensive car?
Celeste felt sothing hot and sour burn in her chest. Her fingers tightened around her purse until her knuckles went white.
How did she end up with soone like him?
Her boyfriend had money, yes, but he wasn’t this. He wasn’t driving limited-edition cars or walking around with an aura that made people stop and stare.
Celeste’s stomach twisted.
Jealousy flashed through her like a spark catching dry leaves.
You got lucky, didn’t you, Alina? she thought bitterly. Let’s see how long that luck lasts.
Her boyfriend called her na from behind, but she didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed fixed on the white T-ONE Phantom as it pulled away from the curb, sunlight catching its gleaming surface like liquid silver.
Inside, Alina had no idea that sowhere behind her, a pair of eyes followed her car, burning with envy, disbelief, and a storm of resentnt.
anwhile, the entire ti, Dante was already aware of the unkind eyes fixed on them. Though his expression remained calm and composed, a faint tension touched his jaw, and the quiet air around him shifted almost imperceptibly.
He didn’t bother to look back; he didn’t need to. His senses were sharp, trained to pick up the smallest flicker of malice in a room. He could feel the jealousy crawling from behind them like a faint ripple of shadow, aid not at him but at her.
As Alina laughed softly at sothing Georgia said, Dante’s gaze stayed gentle on her face, but his aura darkened beneath the surface. Whoever dared to look at her with that kind of envy, whoever wished her harm even in thought, would regret it.
******
Inside the Moonfang Pack House, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Alpha Ryker sat at the long oak table surrounded by his senior warriors. His daughter occupied the seat beside him, her expression sweet whenever her father looked her way, but the mont he turned his attention elsewhere, she dropped the smile, shooting impatient looks at everyone present. A few warriors hid their amusent behind coughs.
Ryker tapped his fingers against the table. "We’ve got another landslide near the east ridge. The logs from last month’s harvest are gone, and our stockpile won’t last the winter."
One of the older warriors leaned forward. "Alpha, the forest there is thick and healthy. If we clear a stretch of it, we’ll have enough timber for housing repairs and the new training grounds."
Another warrior frowned. "But that forest marks the edge of the Spirit Grove. The druids warned us not to cut too deep. They said the roots there feed the river."
Ryker’s brows drew together. "And without the wood, how do you plan to rebuild the cabins for the new families? Or the outer wall that keeps the rogues out?"
A younger scout spoke up cautiously. "We could harvest from the southern side instead, Alpha. The trees there are older but easier to replace."
Ryker sighed, glancing at the map spread before him. "The south slope is steep. One wrong cut and we’ll bring half the mountain down." He looked at his beta. "Your opinion?"
The beta hesitated. "If we cut carefully, just a small section near the lower ridge, we could gather what we need without touching the sacred line. But it will take longer."
The Alpha sat back in his chair, his large hand brushing over the edge of the map spread across the table. "Longer is fine," he said finally, his deep voice steady but cautious. "I don’t want unnecessary trouble with the forest spirits again. Last ti, the rain didn’t stop for a week."
A murmur of agreent rippled through the room. The warriors rembered that storm—it had flooded half their hunting grounds and left the eastern dens in ruin. None of them wanted to repeat that mistake.
Silence lingered for a few monts as everyone weighed their options. Then, suddenly, Luna spoke softly, her brows furrowed as though thinking of sothing distant. "Daddy," she began slowly, "Miss Alina once told us during lessons that plants give us air to breathe, and that they also protect the soil and water."
Her words made a few heads turn in surprise. Luna rarely quoted anyone.
She looked around the table, her expression more serious now. "If we cut too much, the forest will lose balance. The air won’t be the sa. And she said that even the smallest tree matters because it helps the land stay alive."
Ryker tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Hmm. I didn’t know you listened that closely to your teacher’s lessons," he said, a trace of amusent flickering in his tone.
Luna pouted lightly. "I listen sotis," she said quickly. "Luna thinks plants are like pack mbers—they work together to keep everyone safe."
The room went quiet for a mont, thoughtful. Even the older warriors exchanged small glances, as if her words had made them think in ways they hadn’t before.
One of them finally cleared his throat. "Luna has a point, Alpha. If we take too much, the mountain itself might turn against us. The soil will weaken, and the rains could wash away the ground."
Ryker nodded slowly. "Then we’ll be smart about it." He placed his hand on the map again, his finger tracing the southern edge. "We’ll only take what’s necessary, and we’ll plant double after we’re done. I want the druids’ blessings before we begin."
The warriors nodded in agreent.
Luna smiled faintly, proud that her words—Miss Alina’s words—had made a difference. "I’ll make sure everyone rembers to replant," she said earnestly.
Her father looked at her, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. "Good. Then it’s decided. We’ll take the wood we need, no more, no less. Let the forest know Moonfang still rembers respect."
anwhile, after they left the pack council room, the tall wooden doors closing softly behind them, Alpha Ryker turned to his daughter with a rare, unguarded smile. His heavy steps slowed as they entered the open corridor, sunlight spilling through the carved arches and lighting the dust motes in the air. For once, the Alpha didn’t look like the fierce leader of Moonfang—he simply looked like a proud father.
"Luna," he said, his deep voice carrying warmth, "you spoke wisely today."
Luna blinked in surprise, her eyes widening slightly. "I... I did?"
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