Amber stood back, arms crossed, watching with smug satisfaction. “You wanted to make me regret this?” she taunted, pressing her heel against my cheek. “Go on, Elliana. Show me how tough you really are.”
The pull of the shift clawed at me, my wolf pacing beneath the surface. The Alpha blood in my veins burned, begging to be unleashed. My muscles coiled with the need to protect myself, to end this.
But the cool pendant around my neck kept me grounded. I bit back the urge, knowing I couldn’t shift here. Not in front of so many humans.
I closed my eyes, bracing myself, when a sudden roar of engines shattered the chaos. The crowd froze as sleek black SUVs pulled up, their presence commanding attention.
Just then, a line of sleek, high-end cars rolled up, halting right in front of the gathering.
Darren stepped out of one of the cars, his usual smug expression plastered across his face.
As soon as Darren appeared, the noisy crowd fell silent, as if someone had pressed the mute button.
Everyone's attention shifted toward him. His presence was magnetic, drawing all eyes.
The people who had been surrounding me instantly backed away, straightening up, their gazes locked on Darren.