Natalie's POV
The older version of me stood from the throne. Her movements were too smooth. Too controlled. Like she had forgotten what it meant to be uncertain. To be afraid. The crown on her head pulsed with cold blue light that made my skin prickle.
"You think power makes you a leader?" Her voice echoed off the ice walls.
"I never said that." I kept my distance. Watched her circle me like a predator sizing up prey.
"No. You just acted like it." She moved closer. "You claimed your Winter Blood. Killed Tehila. Survived the Harvesters. Made two alphas fall at your feet. And now you think you are ready to rule."
"I never wanted to rule anything," I shot back. "I just wanted to survive."
She laughed. The sound was bitter and cold. "Survival is not leadership child. Leadership is sacrif
