Chapter 6 Vivian's POV The next morning, a sharp knock on my door makes me spring out of bed. I rush to open it, curiosity and irritation mixing in equal parts. Standing there is a brown-haired man, staring at me with a smug expression I don't appreciate. I figure he must be Alpha Orion's Beta, but frankly, I could not care less. "What do you want?" I demand, my voice short and clipped, dripping with disinterest. "Good morning, Vivian. I am Beta Alder," he says, giving the introduction like I haven't already figured it out. I know who he is, yet I refuse to accept him as my beta. "What do you want?" I repeat, the irritation sharper this time. His lips curl into a small, confident smile, and the glint in his eyes makes me instinctively suspicious. I know whatever he's about to say won't be pleasant. "Alpha asked me to train you," he announces casually. My frown deepens, and I cross my arms. Train me? Seriously? I'm already a trained warrior. I can handle myself in a fight. I do not need Alder, or anyone else for that matter, telling me what to do. "For what?" I ask, narrowing my eyes. "Get ready. Training starts now. Meet me in the training room," he says, turning on his heel like he's the one in charge here. The arrogance makes my skin crawl. Does he think he can just waltz in and boss me around? "Tell your Alpha to come get me himself!" I snap, slamming the door in his face. I collapse onto my bed, letting the frustration pour out. Why is he trying to get under my skin? Why can't he just leave me alone, pretend I don't exist? I sit there, tense, staring at the floor, feeling the heavy weight of my situation press down on me. "What do you think you're doing?" Orion's voice slams into my mind, intrusive and commanding. "What does it look like?" I fire back silently, my irritation spiking. "Get dressed and meet Alder in the training room now!" he commands, using that alpha tone I've learned to resist. I block it, my skills at battling compulsion keeping me in control. "Unless he's going to fuck me, he has nothing to teach me," I think, loud enough for him to feel the defiance. His silence is confirmation enough that I've won this little mental argument, at least for now. Satisfied, I grab the yogurt from my breakfast tray, savoring its sweetness as a small act of rebellion and comfort. Then, suddenly, the door crashes open. I drop to the floor instinctively, claws extending, teeth bared, growling as I take a defensive stance. My heart thunders in my chest. Then I see him-Alpha Orion-and I exhale in relief, though fear still coils in my stomach. "I can't believe you broke the lock," I say, attempting nonchalance, but his furious glare makes my stomach twist. I try to back away, but there's nowhere to go. He's a storm in human form, and I don't want to be caught in it. Without warning, he grabs me, pressing me against the wall with a controlled intensity that terrifies me. He's careful not to be rough, yet I feel trapped and vulnerable. Tears prick at my eyes, but he stares at me, eyes burning with anger. "How long do you want to keep disrespecting me?" he growls. I can't speak. "When I tell you to do something, you should do it!" His words hit me, sharp and commanding. I take a shaky breath, gathering courage. "I am not a slave for you to command," I say, voice firm despite the fear curling in my chest. "As much as it pains me to admit it, I am your wife and should be your luna, yet you degrade me to nothing. I am not part of your pack, and I will not train with them." He pulls back, brushing his hair with one hand, a laugh escaping that is both exasperated and cruel. "You must be a joke, Vivian Blackwood. Everyone here can defend themselves. Everyone-except you. I cannot have a liability near me," he says, and my blood boils. "I didn't need any of you to help me take down the rogue that attacked me the other night," I snap, my pride flaring. "Exactly. You almost died handling just one rogue," he says, dismissive, trying to belittle my efforts. I step toward him, locking my gaze with his. "If you had done your job as an Alpha, you would know it wasn't just a rogue. It was an Alpha that went rogue. And I was blindsided-and yet I survived. Don't fuck with me, Alpha Orion. I am nothing like my father." "Get dressed and go to training," he says again, without the mental authority this time. 'Like I said, Alpha,' I think smugly, 'unless Alder is teaching me some fucking screwing lessons, I'm not interested.' I flop down at the foot of my bed, stubborn and defiant. He comes over, scoops me up effortlessly, and I know struggling is pointless. I relax on his shoulder, letting the rough, bumpy ride distract me from my anger, even if just a little. He carries me down the hall and sets me in a large open space where a crowd has gathered. My stomach twists when he announces loudly, "Vivian Blackwood feels she's too skilled to train with us!" I glare at him, feeling betrayed. Our private conversation is now a public spectacle. "What do you think we should do about this proud wolf?" he asks the assembly. Silence hangs in the air. "Very well, Felix and Rowan," he says, and two men, large and imposing, step forward. "Shift and teach this wolf a lesson," he commands, stepping back to observe. Kova stirs within me, eyes blazing, claws lengthening, teeth sharpening. I growl low, my wolf roaring in fury. I am furious at Alpha Orion for trying to humiliate me, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. "Show no mercy!" I hear him bark, and I note the shock rippling through some of the pack members. I center myself, conditioning my mind. Kova and I are outsiders here, and we must fight like it. By pitting two strong wolves against me, he intends to crush my will and make me obey. I will not let him win. I am furious, and I will let that anger guide my attack. Kova growls in agreement, and the two men growl back. One lunges from my left, the other from my right. Their eyes flash yellow, the wolf within them responding to the call. Jaws snap, paws extend, and they leap at me, teeth bared, claws aimed, ready to make me pay. Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.