Emily’s POV

I stood, fists clenched, watching Lia approach with that smug smile that made my blood boil. Each step she took toward me felt like a deliberate taunt, fueling the anger already simmering inside me. The urge to rip that smirk off her face, once and for all, was almost overpowering. This time, I told myself, I wouldn’t care about anyone’s opinions.

“Why are you making this so difficult, Emily?” Lia sneered, crossing her arms as she stopped just a few feet away. “The Council has already made it clear—you’re not welcome in the Crimson Pack anymore. So why keep fighting it?”

I narrowed my eyes at her, letting...