Queen Rebukes Rejected Alpha

Brandon's words hung in the air like poison. My son—my precious Lucas—carried Silverpine blood? The audacity of his claim made my blood boil, but I maintained my composure. Lucas whimpered against my chest, his small body still burning with fever.

"That's quite an accusation, Alpha Walsh," I said, my voice deliberately calm. "Especially considering you rejected me five years ago."

Before Brandon could respond, the crowd parted as Amanda strode forward, her heels clicking aggressively against the tile floor. Her eyes, cold as winter frost, locked onto mine. The jealousy and spite I remembered so well hadn't faded with time—if anything, it had sharpened.

"Well, well," she said, her voice carrying through the now-silent medical center. "If it isn't the runaway Omega."

I felt Diana bristle within me. *Stay calm. We are Queen now.*

"How dare you show your face here," Amanda continued, her voice rising with theatrical concern. "After abandoning your duties? After what you did?"

She turned to the gathered wolves, many from visiting packs attending the medical conference. "This woman," she announced, pointing a manicured finger at me, "left an elderly pack member to die alone. Elder Margaret needed care, but Sophia was too busy running away to fulfill her responsibilities."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Amanda's eyes gleamed with triumph as she continued her performance.

"She neglected her duties, abandoned her pack, and now she returns with a child she claims is—"

Something inside me shifted. Not the old fear or shame, but something powerful and regal. Without conscious thought, my Queen's aura unfurled like massive wings, filling the space around us. The sensation was electric—a manifestation of power I rarely displayed in public.

Amanda's words died in her throat as the pressure of my aura pushed against her. Several wolves nearby instinctively lowered their gazes. Brandon's eyes widened in shock.

"That's quite enough, Amanda," I said, my voice quiet but carrying an unmistakable authority. "Elder Margaret died because she was denied pack healer services—services you and Brandon were too busy to authorize while attending your mating ceremony."

I stepped forward, Lucas still secure in my arms. "As for abandoning duties—I believe the exact words were 'accept your place as Omega or leave.' I chose to leave with my dignity intact."

My gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of the visiting pack members. "For those unfamiliar with our history, Alpha Walsh rejected our mate bond five years ago. He has no claim on me or my son."

Amanda's face contorted with rage. "You lying little—"

"Careful," I cautioned, my Queen's aura pulsing. "You're addressing the Lycan Queen of the Pacific Northwest territories."

The revelation hit like a thunderclap. Brandon physically recoiled, his face draining of color as he finally registered what my aura meant. Amanda's mouth opened and closed, no sound emerging.

Behind me, I felt movement as Moonveil pack members emerged from various rooms. My Beta's mate, a senior nurse, positioned herself at my right. Two off-duty warriors appeared on my left. Within seconds, a protective half-circle had formed around Lucas and me—not because I needed protection, but as a silent statement of loyalty.

"My son needs medical attention," I stated calmly. "Elder Elara is expecting us."

Brandon seemed frozen, his eyes darting between my face and the Moonveil wolves surrounding me. The pack members who had once witnessed my humiliation now witnessed my strength. The irony wasn't lost on me.

"This isn't over," Amanda hissed, but her voice lacked conviction. The fear in her eyes betrayed her understanding of what she'd just done—publicly challenging a Lycan Queen.

I simply nodded to my pack members, who parted to create a path toward the treatment rooms. As I walked past Brandon, I caught his whispered words, meant only for me.

"Lycan Queen? Impossible. What have you done, Sophia?"

I didn't answer. Lucas needed me more than Brandon deserved a response. But as I moved down the corridor, Diana's satisfaction rumbled through our bond.

*He has no idea what's coming.*

Neither did I, but I sensed the gathering storm. This confrontation was only the beginning. And somewhere across the city, I knew my mate—my true mate, the Lycan King himself—would already be feeling my distress through our bond.

Brandon thought he could walk back into my life and claim what was never his. He was about to learn how much had changed in five years, and exactly what happened when you threatened the family of a Lycan King.