Lord Ravenswood's face turned beet red with rage, his eyes bulging as he slammed his fist on the table.
"How dare you!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "You ungrateful, insolent child! You've always been a disappointment!"
Talia stood firm, despite her father's fury, her mask trembling slightly.
"I am the rightful heir," she repeated, her voice steady and resolute.
Kael's frown deepened, his eyes flashing anger.
"Talia, you're being ridiculous," he growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You can't lead. You're weak, broken."
Lord Ravenswood's anger boiled over, his face purpling.
"You'll never lead this pack!" he bellowed, spittle flying from his lips. "You're flawed, unworthy! My son, Kael, is the true heir!"
Talia's eyes flashed defiance, her voice rising.
"I will not be silenced," she declared, her words ringing through the hall. "I will not be ignored. I am the biological child of the alpha, and I will claim my birthright!"
The elders shifted uncomfortably, sensing the escalating tension. Some nodded in agreement with Talia, while others backed Kael. Pack members murmured among themselves, divided loyalties evident.
Lord Ravenswood's fury reached a boiling point.
"Guards!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "Take her to her room! She'll learn obedience!"
Talia's eyes flashed defiance as guards approached.
"I will not be imprisoned," she said, her voice steady. "I will rise. And I will claim what's mine."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the stunned assembly behind. The grand hall erupted into chaos, with pack members and elders arguing.
Kael stormed into Talia's chambers, his face twisted in anger.
"Talia, what's gotten into you?" he demanded. "You can't seriously think you can lead the pack."
Talia stood tall, her mask firmly in place.
"Kael, please," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't steal my birthright. I've loved you as a brother, despite everything."
Kael's frown deepened.
"You're a woman, Talia," he sneered. "You can't be alpha. And you're wolfless. What could you possibly offer the pack?"
Talia's eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking.
"That's not the point," she whispered. "I'm the true heir. And I won't let you take that away from me."
Kael's gaze dropped to her mask.
"And what about your... condition?" he spat. "The scar beneath that mask. You're flawed, Talia. Unfit to lead."
Talia's face contorted in pain, her hand instinctively rising to her mask.
"Kael, stop," she pleaded. "You're hurting me."
But Kael continued, his words slicing deep.
"You'll never be whole, Talia. Never be worthy. Give up now and spare yourself the shame."
Talia's eyes overflowed, her body shaking.
---
Later that night, Talia walked in the moonlit gardens, seeking solace.
She stumbled upon her childhood friend, Lyra.
"Talia, I heard what happened," Lyra said, concern etched on her face. "I'm so sorry."
Talia broke down, tears streaming down.
"Kael's words cut deep," she confessed. "But I won't give up."
Lyra hugged her tightly.
"You're strong, Talia. And rightful alpha."
---
The next day, Talia approached Lord Ravenswood.
"Father, I request an audience with the elder council," she said firmly.
Lord Ravenswood sneered.
"You'll never get their support, Talia. You're weak."
But Talia stood firm.
"I'll prove you wrong."
---
Talia stood before the elder council, her mask in place.
"I claim my birthright as alpha," she declared.
The council chamber erupted into chaos.
Some elders backed Talia, while others supported Kael.
As tensions rose, Talia's determination grew.
She would fight for her rightful place.
The elder council chamber fell silent as Talia declared her claim, her voice echoing off the stone walls.
Elder Thompson sneered, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. "You expect us to follow a leader who hides behind a mask? What secrets do you conceal, Talia?"
Talia's hands clenched, but she stood firm, her mask glinting in the flickering torchlight.
"And what of your wolflessness?" Elder Jenkins added, her voice laced with disdain. "How can you protect the pack when you can't even shift?"
Talia's eyes flashed, her voice steady. "My wolflessness doesn't define me. I have strategies and strength, earned through hardship and determination."
But the elders remained unconvinced, their expressions skeptical.
Just as it seemed hopeless, Elder Aethon, the wisest and most revered sage, spoke, his voice low and authoritative.
"Enough," he said, his eyes scanning the room. "We forget the ancient prophecy, etched in our pack's history."
The room fell silent, curiosity piqued.
Aethon continued, "A leader shall rise, mask hiding their face, heart full of courage. Wolfless, yet fierce. Born of alpha blood, with the heart of a true leader."
Talia's eyes widened, her breath catching.
Aethon turned to her, his gaze piercing. "You, Talia, are the chosen one. Destined to lead our pack through turmoil and triumph."
The council erupted into shocked murmurs, some elders nodding in agreement while others looked stunned.
Kael's face turned red with rage, his fists clenched.
Lord Ravenswood's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.
Aethon raised his hands, calming the room.
"The prophecy is clear. Talia shall lead our pack. Let us not forget the ancient words."
The elders nodded, convinced.
Talia's determination grew, her heart swelling.
She would prove herself worthy.
As the council dispersed, Lyra approached Talia.
"Talia, I'm so proud," Lyra whispered.
Talia smiled.
But Kael's anger simmered.
"This isn't over," he growled.