Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Christian’s POV
The other human executives murmured agreement, their praise genuine and well-deserved. Sophie had just impressed some of the most powerful businessmen in the city.
But the pack members weren’t impressed. They were threatened.
"Of course," Rebecca said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "we should verify some of these findings. New employees don’t always understand our... established methods."
The human executives looked confused by the comment, but every supernatural person in the room understood the challenge. Rebecca was questioning Sophie’s competence and loyalty in the same breath.
I couldn’t let that slide.
"Sophie’s research is solid," I said, my voice carrying enough Alpha authority to make Rebecca back down. "Her conclusions match our internal projections exactly."
Sophie’s scent shifted again, this time carrying notes of gratitude and something warmer. She understood that I’d defended her, and my wolf preened under her approval.
"Well," Sophie said, wrapping up her presentation with a confidence that hadn’t been there when she started, "I believe that covers everything. Are there any other questions?"
The human executives asked a few more technical questions, all of which Sophie answered with the kind of expertise that made it clear she knew her stuff. By the time she finished, even Johnson was looking impressed.
"Outstanding work," Johnson said as Sophie packed up her materials. "We’ll definitely want to discuss this further."
The human executives began filing out, talking among themselves about Sophie’s recommendations. But the pack members lingered, their supernatural senses picking up the tension that humans couldn’t detect.
That’s when Dad made his move.
"Sophie," he said, his Alpha voice carrying casual authority, "excellent presentation. It’s clear you have significance... potential."
"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," Sophie replied, but I could smell her wariness. Her instincts were telling her something was off.
"In fact," Dad continued, his steel-gray eyes fixed on Sophie with calculating intensity, "I think it’s time we tested your loyalty to Knight Industries. After all, we need to ensure our employees are fully committed to our organization."
The words sounded innocent enough to human ears, but every supernatural person in the room understood the real meaning. Dad was calling for a formal pack trial.
Sophie’s scent shifted to confusion and growing alarm. She might not understand pack law, but her wolf instincts were screaming warnings.
"What kind of test?" she asked, her voice steady despite the danger she sensed.
Dad’s smile was perfectly pleasant and absolutely terrifying.
"Nothing too strenuous," he said, his tone suggesting the opposite. "Just a simple evaluation of your dedication to the pack—I mean, to the company."
My wolf snarled silently. I knew exactly what kind of "test" Dad had in mind, and it wasn’t going to be simple or safe.
Sophie looked around the room, her green eyes taking in the hostile faces of pack members and the false smiles of the humans who were still gathering their things. She was trapped, and she knew it.
"When will this test take place?" she asked, her vanilla and jasmine scent now carrying sharp notes of fear and defiance.
"Tomorrow night," Dad said, his Alpha authority making the words sound like a royal decree. "At the Shadow Ridge territory. We’ll send you the details."
The human executives finished packing up and headed for the door, completely oblivious to the supernatural drama playing out around them. Johnson waved goodbye to Sophie with genuine warmth. Williams handed her his business card with a smile.
But as soon as the humans were gone, the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
"You should be honored," Rebecca said, her voice carrying subtle mockery. "Not everyone gets invited to prove their worth so quickly."
"Some of us had to earn our place over years," Thomas added, his brown eyes cold with resentment.
Elena didn’t say anything, but her smile was sharp as a blade.
Sophie looked at me, her green eyes searching for answers I couldn’t give her. Not here. Not with Dad watching every move I made.
"I’ll be ready," Sophie said finally, her voice carrying a strength that made my wolf howl with pride and terror in equal measure.
Dad’s smile widened, and I felt ice form in my stomach.
"Excellent," he said, his Alpha authority radiating satisfaction. "I do so enjoy seeing new pack members demonstrate their... commitment."
Sophie gathered her materials and headed for the door, her vanilla, and jasmine scent now carrying undertones of determination and barely controlled fear. She was walking into a trap, and we both knew it.
As she reached the doorway, Sophie turned back one last time. Her green eyes met mine across the empty boardroom, and I saw the question there. The plea for help that I couldn’t answer.
Not yet.
But as the door closed behind her, Dad’s steel-gray eyes fixed on me with the kind of intensity that meant he knew exactly what was happening between Sophie and me.
"Interesting," he said, his voice carrying dangerous amusement. "Very interesting indeed."
My wolf was already planning ways to protect her, but I had a sinking feeling that tomorrow night’s "test" was going to be more than just a trial.
It was going to be an execution.
And Dad was expecting me to watch.
