Chapter 4

EMILY’S POV

Regina had been staring at me as I walked into the grand halls. She watched me in shock, observing my every step. I no longer looked like the innocent girl that she used to control; I was different now.

She raised me and she always knew just what to say and do to make me listen to her. She knew my weaknesses, she also knew I used to have low self-esteem. She probably thought she could tell me a few lies and make me believe her.

She waited patiently for me, as I finished my speech claiming the throne as the rightful Alpha of the Blackstone pack. Immediately after I was done, she quickly moved in front of me.

“Emily, dear,” she began, with a sweet tone dripping in fake sympathy to deceive me. “It has been years since you left this pack, can you expect to come back and take up the position of the Alpha? The pack has struggled in your absence; they need someone who has been here, who understands how to manage the pack.”

I turned to her, my eyes sharp. She faltered in my steps from my gaze but she didn't back down.

“Now, I know your father would hate to see his pack suffer because you haven't been trained to be an Alpha,” she said, raising her voice so the crowd could also hear her. “You weren't even here with your father when he died, and you never came back for his burial. How can the pack believe in you when you have failed as a daughter?”

I could see some of the pack members agreeing with her, and some of them were even nodding as they listened to her argument. I know she wanted them to agree with her and decide that I wasn't fit to become the Alpha.

I remained silent, not responding to her questions. She smiled maliciously, happy that she was winning against me.

Finally, I looked at her, “I guess some of the things you are saying are right.” I replied with a cold voice. I reached into my purse and pulled out a document.

She strained her eyes to see the contents, her expression hardening as she realised it was my father's will.

“However, I want to assure you and every member of this pack that I am ready for this pack’s leadership; my father left a will that states that I am the legal heir; and I possess all the skills and abilities.”

She was rattled by my confidence, her eyes still filled with shock as she continued. “Skills and abilities? What skills could you possibly have gained while you were gone? You’ve been absent for five years, Emily! This pack needs someone who’s been here, who understands their struggles!”

“And that someone is you, I suppose?” I sneered, turning to her.

“Exactly!” she shouted, stepping up towards me. “I have been here with your father till his last moments. I have held this pack together and you can't dismiss me and take my title away from me” she shouted, her voice raised.

My eyes glowered as I stared at her closing the distance between us.

“Deserve? You deserve absolutely nothing. And I just want to ask a few questions. Why were you in a hurry to take over the Alpha crown without confirming my death? And my father was never sick. Why did he suddenly die?” I snapped.

She froze, her eyes widening from my questions. She looked around in humiliation, sensing the crowd agreeing with me and doubting her.

“You… you ungrateful little bitch” she stammered, her hand drawn back to slap me. But before her palm could meet my face, I caught her hand midair, wrapping my hands tight around her wrist.

I raised my other hand and hit her hard across her face. She stumbled back a few steps from the force of my fist.

I got the familiar shiver down my spine, that I always had all those years when she beat me constantly.

Her face was filled with rage as she stared at me in total surprise. I knew she was shocked because she wasn't expecting me to stand up for myself.

She was used to the frightened little girl who cried and begged to stop hitting her, the one who had to fold every time her stepmother screamed at her, tears welling in her eyes.

But those days were long gone as I faced her head-on, my body burning with rage as I remember all the times she controlled me and made fun of me because I was too scared of her.

She would leave marks on my body and make sure I was starved and weak so she could control me while her daughter was well taken care of.

But I was a changed woman now and there was nothing she could do to control me.

“Do you think I'm still that little girl that used to cower at you in fear?” I sneered in her face, my eyes cold as I stared at her. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at me, surprise clouding her features.

“How dare you!” she growled, her eyes burning with anger. “You piece of work, how dare you lay your hands on me, you witch!” she screams, her voice echoing through the hall.

“You will never speak to me like that ever again,” I replied, my eyes filled with hate. “I am the Alpha not you and you would show me respect.” I remind her.

The crowd all seemed frozen as they watched us, their mouths opened in disbelief. Their eyes widened in fear as they stared at me. I could feel the crowd shift, their whispers and murmurs in support of me.

“You will not escape this!’ she shouted angrily attempting to pull her hand away from her but I refused to let go.

“Do it,” I dared her. We both stood close to each other, our eyes locked in heated gazes.

It could however have turned worse until Lucy stormed up the stage with a very angry look on her face. “You bitch!” she screamed. “How dare you raise your hands to my mother.”

She stood in front of me, our eyes clashing. She raised her hand to hit me in retaliation but I caught her hand midair, squeezing with all my strength until her bones cracked.