Desiree POV
The arena was still buzzing with whispers long after the fight had ended. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me—some filled with disbelief, others with curiosity, and a few with clear resentment. The tension hung in the air.
Celine was still on the ground, clutching her jaw and stomach as she struggled to breathe properly. The arrogance that had filled her earlier was completely gone, replaced by humiliation and pain.
Elder Maeve rushed forward and helped her daughter stand. Her hands trembled slightly as she brushed the sand off Celine’s clothes, her face pale with anger and embarrassment.
Then her gaze slowly lifted to Brandon.
“My Alpha,” she said, her voice trembling as if she was deeply wounded. “Are you certain you are not making a terrible mistake?”
“What mistake are
