Victoria regarded Ethan’s furious ultimatum with an unsettling serenity, like a creature who had seen kings rise and fall, and was unimpressed by all of them.
“I do not fail, Alpha,” she said coolly. “But magic requires cooperation, not just brute strength or possessive rage.”
Ethan bristled, but Victoria had already turned from him. Her violet eyes fell on Alicia, softening for the briefest moment, as though recognizing a wounded creature hiding a storm.
“The root of your blockage,” Victoria began, stepping closer, “is fear. Not weakness, fear. Years of suppression. Abuse. A wolf forced to shrink herself to survive. That is what severed your bond’s natural instinct.”
Alicia inhaled sharply, her fingers twisting together. “So… it’s not broken?” she whispered.
“Nothing in you is broken
