Episode 2

The hall was adorned with all the luxury the lupine aristocracy could offer, glittering with the light of gigantic chandeliers that transformed the night into a golden spectacle. But, for Aliya, that opulence was nothing more than a gilded cage. The whispers and disdainful glances followed her like shadows, reminding her of her place. Omega. Inferior. Marginalized. She was leaning against a column, feeling the tension of the night condensing in her chest.

"You should have stayed in your room," Lyanna murmured, who made a point of flaunting her superior status. She smiled, but her eyes were cruel. "You're attracting attention you don't deserve."

Aliya clenched her fists, swallowing the retort that burned her tongue. She wouldn't give Lyanna the satisfaction of seeing her words hurt her.

Before she could reply, the hall doors burst open with a bang that silenced every murmur. All eyes turned to the entrance, where the twins made their appearance. The Alpha Supremes. Predators who emanated absolute power with every step, as if gravity bent around them. Aiden, with blond hair and a glacial gaze, seemed molded from pure discipline and strength. Beside him, Kael was a dangerous contrast, with a seductive and wild presence, eyes that promised both pleasure and destruction.

The hall, once so vibrant, now throbbed with an almost physical tension.

Aliya took a deep breath, feeling the impact of the two immortals like an overwhelming wave that left her dizzy. She kept her head held high, though she could feel the judgment in her family's eyes. Averting her gaze would be an act of submission, and that was something she would never do.

"These are the Alpha Supremes," Lyanna whispered, her lips twisting into a smile full of anxiety and expectation. "Don't think you're even worthy of breathing the same air as them."

Aliya didn't answer, but she felt her blood boil beneath her skin. Before she could think of moving away, the immortal brothers stopped before her family. Cedrik, Aliya's father, with a sweat that betrayed his nervousness, made an exaggerated bow.

"Alpha Supremes, it is an immeasurable honor to have you here," he announced, his voice trembling. "Please, allow me to introduce my... family."

Aiden didn't even seem to notice the man, his cold gray eyes going directly to Aliya. For an instant that seemed an eternity, they stared at each other, the surroundings fading into an oppressive void. Aliya's heart pounded like a drum. The intensity of that gaze was too much, as if Aiden could see all the secrets she kept.

Kael watched the scene with a smirk. "Interesting," he murmured, a whisper that sounded more like a challenge. "You don't bow, omega."

Aliya swallowed hard, but her pride made her keep her posture erect. "Why should I? My position as an omega doesn't make me any less worthy."

The air around them grew dense, and Aliya could hear the crackle of electric tension, as if a storm was about to break. Aiden took a step forward, his overwhelming presence filling the space. His eyes, glacial and unyielding, were blades that cut through any resistance.

"You have courage," he spoke, his deep voice reverberating down Aliya's spine. "But courage is not synonymous with wisdom. Don't you know the danger of challenging those you shouldn't?"

Aliya felt heat rise to her face, but she showed no weakness. "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees, Alpha Supreme."

Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were trying to decipher her, or perhaps holding himself back from breaking something—or someone. The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Cedrik turned pale, almost unable to react, but Lyanna seemed to revel in the possibility of seeing her punished.

Kael let out a soft laugh, a sound that promised nothing but chaos. He tilted his head, observing her as if she were a puzzle he was eager to solve. "You like to walk the line of death, Aliya," he taunted. "Tell me, how do you expect to survive when fate has other plans for you?"

"If fate wants to destroy me," Aliya retorted, her voice firm, "it will have to fight for it."

Kael's smile widened, a dark glint in his eyes, while Aiden took a step back, his expression as hard as stone. But Aliya could sense something beneath that mask of coldness, something almost... vulnerable.

"Courage can be a gift or a curse," Aiden said, the words sounding almost like a warning. "And yours, Aliya, can attract things you cannot control."

Kael laughed again, and the sound made the entire hall tremble. "It seems we've finally found someone who doesn't know her place," he commented, addressing his brother. "Are we going to have to teach her?"

Aiden's hand gripped Kael's shoulder, like a steel chain. "Enough, Kael," he warned, and the tension between the two brothers was almost tangible, like a thread about to snap.

Aliya felt the weight of the silent war between them, as if she were at the center of a storm about to break. But if they expected her to crumble under that pressure, they were wrong. She was tired of being treated as if she didn't matter.

"What more do you want from me, Alpha Supremes?" Aliya taunted, her gaze sparking. "My submission? You won't have it."

Kael lunged forward, his eyes burning with an almost predatory intensity, but Aiden held him firmly, his face hardened. "This isn't a game, Kael," he hissed, his control firm but his anger evident.

The war was no longer silent. Aliya realized that, unwittingly, she had become the catalyst for something the two brothers struggled to hide. And as the hall filled with an overwhelming energy, she knew her life would never be the same.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***