Dahlia stepped onto the set, her heels clicking confidently.
She was met with hushed whispers, eyes darting toward her.
"...can't believe she's still with him, married or not."
"...homewrecker, ruining that poor woman's life."
Dahlia's expression darkened.
She strode toward the gossiping group.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice icy.
They turned, startled.
"Please, continue. I'm fascinated by your expertise on my love life."
The group shifted uncomfortably.
"Clyde loves me," Dahlia declared. "Dearly. And I love him."
One of them mustered courage. "But what about Anissa?"
Dahlia's gaze hardened.
"That's between Clyde, Anissa, and me. Not your concern."
The group dispersed, embarrassed.
Dahlia took a deep breath, shaking off the tension.
"Makeup?" she called.
Her makeup artist, Rachel, hurried over.
"Right away, Dahlia."
As Rachel worked her magic, Dahlia's thoughts drifted to Clyde.
Their love, though complicated, was genuine.
She focused on the task at hand.
Becoming Talia.
Rachel finished, and Dahlia gazed into the mirror.
Talia stared back, scar and all.
Dahlia immersed herself in Talia's world.
A werewolf, scorned and neglected.
Fighting for her rightful place.
Dahlia's own struggles mirrored Talia's.
Empowerment surged through her.
She stood, ready to bring Talia to life.
"Action!" the director called.
Dahlia, now Talia, stepped into the scene, her senses transporting to the world of werewolves and ancient feuds.
Kael, her adoptive brother, paced before her, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Still around?" he growled into the phone, his voice low and menacing.
Talia's heart quickened, her instincts on high alert.
Who was Kael talking to?
What danger lurked in the shadows?
The set faded into the background as Talia's world unfolded.
Kael's words dripped with venom.
"...did they succeed?"
Talia's thoughts raced.
Had they found the rogue pack?
Or was it something more sinister?
Kael's gaze locked onto hers, his expression twisted.
"You're still here?," he spat.
Talia stood tall, her voice firm.
"I won't leave. This is my home."
The scene unfolded, Talia's emotions raw and exposed.
Kael's anger clashed with Talia's defiance.
Their words danced, a delicate balance of power.
The air thickened with tension.
Talia's senses heightened.
Every sound, every movement.
A rustle in the bushes.
A snap of a twig.
Talia's eyes darted toward the noise.
Kael followed her gaze.
....
Talia stood before the pack, mediating a heated dispute between two rival factions.
Kael stormed in, fury etched on his face.
Lord Ravenswood, Talia's father, followed, disgust twisting his features.
"Talia, how embarrassing can you be?" he spat.
Talia's confusion deepened.
"What's wrong, Father?"
Lord Ravenswood's hand flashed out, slapping her.
Talia reeled, shock and pain mingling.
He tossed pictures at her feet.
Images of Talia, dressed indecently, with the same men who attacked her.
Her mind recoiled.
How did they...
She remembered the night.
The attack.
The darkness.
The helplessness.
"They must have taken these when I was unconscious," Talia stammered.
Lord Ravenswood's face contorted.
"Disgusting," he growled. "Liar."
Talia's eyes widened.
"You don't believe me?"
Kael's expression remained stony.
Talia felt betrayal sting.
"Kael, you know me," she pleaded.
But Kael's silence cut deeper than any word.
Lord Ravenswood's voice dripped venom.
"You've shamed our family. You're no daughter of mine."
Talia's world crumbled.
Her family.
Her pack.
Her own brother, someone who once cherished her.
Against her.
Talia stood tall, her voice unwavering. "I was attacked," she repeated, emphasizing each word.
The elders' gazes turned cold, their expressions unyielding.
Kael sneered, his lips curling. "Even if that's true, it only proves you're not strong enough to protect yourself," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Talia felt a sting from his words, but she refused to back down. "That's not the point," she argued. "I was helpless, but that doesn't define my worth."
Kael's sneer deepened. "A woman can't lead our pack," he declared. "You're weak, Talia. Emotional. Unfit to make decisions."
Talia's shock gave way to outrage. "How can you say that?" she demanded, her voice rising. "I've proven myself time and again."
But Kael's expression remained unyielding. "Proven yourself?" he repeated. "You've proven only that you're vulnerable."
Lord Ravenswood stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "Enough of your lies," he growled.
He ripped off Talia's mask, exposing her scar.
Talia's hands instinctively covered her cheek, but it was too late.
The elders' faces reflected revulsion, their gazes lingering on her scar.
"Look at her," Lord Ravenswood spat. "She's flawed. Unfit to lead."
Talia's eyes burned, tears threatening to spill.
She wanted to reveal her secret.
Her wolf.
Finally awakened.
Proof of her strength.
But the words caught in her throat.
Fear and shame silenced her.
Kael's contemptuous gaze lingered.
"You'll never be worthy," he said, his voice cutting deep.
Talia's heart shattered, her confidence crumbling.
She felt trapped, suffocating under their judgment.