Elara Thorne POV:
The beast-station in town was a chaotic hub of activity, a mix of werewolves from different packs, all crowded together waiting for the large, docile beasts that served as public transport. The air was thick with a hundred different scents, and I instinctively kept Magnus close to my side.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Stone family's Omega," a sneering voice cut through the noise. "What's the matter? Finally got kicked out?"
The speaker was Leo Volkov, a young wolf from a neighboring pack, known for his sharp tongue and love of gossip. His eyes raked over our shabby clothes and small packs with open contempt.
He raised his voice deliberately, making sure everyone could hear. "Running away with your son? You look just like a pair of homeless rogues."
The word "rogue" sent a ripple of murmurs and suspicious glances through the crowd. Rogues were outcasts, considered dangerous and untrustworthy.
Magnus's face flushed with anger. His fists clenched, his inner wolf snarling, ready to defend our honor.
I placed a calming hand on his shoulder. This was not a fight to be won with fists.
I walked slowly toward Leo, my face a blank mask.
He smirked, thinking I was coming to beg. "What? Want me to keep my mouth shut?"
I stopped directly in front of him. In a single, fluid motion that no one expected, my hand shot out and grabbed a handful of his carefully styled blond hair, yanking his head down hard.
Leo yelped in pain and surprise, forced to bow before me.
The crowd gasped. An Omega, physically dominating another wolf in public, was unheard of.
I leaned in, my lips close to his ear, my voice a venomous whisper only he could hear. "Leo Volkov. I remember last year when you were caught spying on old Mrs. Bella while she was bathing. Your father had to pay three sheep to keep her quiet."
The color drained from his face. It was his deepest, most humiliating secret.
"Do you want me," I continued, my voice dropping even lower, "to announce that to everyone here?"
He trembled, shaking his head frantically.
I let go, shoving him backward so he stumbled. I turned to the stunned crowd, my expression calm. "I am taking my son to visit my ailing sister," I announced, my voice clear and steady. I held up the travel writ from Silas. "I have a writ to prove it."
My cold eyes found Leo's terrified ones. "Some people's mouths work faster than their brains. They seem to have forgotten how to show respect. I don't mind teaching them."
Leo scrambled to his feet and practically ran from the station, not daring to look back.
The whispers died. The looks of contempt were replaced with something new: respect, and a little bit of fear.
The transport beast arrived. The driver, a weathered old wolf named Caleb Finch, gave me a respectful nod and gestured for us to board.
We found a quiet corner in the back of the large cart.
"Mother," Magnus whispered, his voice full of awe. "How did you know about that?"
"I heard the story in past," I answered quietly. "Some people never change."
He looked at me with an expression of pure reverence.
The cart lurched into motion, carrying us away from the only home we had ever known. The road ahead would be long and filled with dangers. This was only the first test.
