Stella's face drained of color, her lips quivering uncontrollably. "Kolton, you can't be serious."
Kolton exhaled slowly, watching her composure crumble before his eyes. He felt no satisfaction from her pain, but he couldn't ignore the political implications. Stella was the beta's daughter, and antagonizing pack officials before claiming his birthright would be reckless.
The responsibility of leadership weighed heavily on his shoulders, even though he resented it. As the sole heir to the Arcane Phantom Pack, duty bound him whether he wanted it or not.
His great-grandfather had conquered this territory decades ago through blood and strategy. Every generation since had upheld that legacy, making calculated decisions that strengthened their people's position. The pack members had never been let down, their trust earned through consistent leadership.
