Chapter 259

Chapter 259
Iris's POV

"This is all bullshit!"

Erik's crude words echoed across the square, the harsh sound bouncing off stone walls and striking me like physical blows. I felt hundreds of eyes suddenly drilling into me, waiting, judging, wondering how I would respond to such a blatant challenge. For a moment, a wave of doubt washed over me—had coming here been a mistake?

Then I felt it—a warm pulse of energy from the Alpha credential on my wrist, almost as if it were alive, sensing my uncertainty and offering strength. My fingers brushed against it, and something shifted inside me. I wasn't going to back down. Not now.

"Is that so, Beta Erik?" My voice emerged surprisingly steady, carrying across the silent square. "Then please, tell me exactly which part is 'bullshit'? Is it the part where werewolves can thrive in the human world? Or perhaps the part where tradition can coexist with modernity?"

I stepped toward him, deliberately closing the distance between us. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my chin up. "Or is it simply that you're afraid of change and the challenges it brings?"

Erik's eyes flashed with something—surprise, maybe. He clearly hadn't expected me to challenge him so directly. Around us, the atmosphere tensed like a drawn bowstring, but I caught whispers of approval among the younger pack members. That tiny encouragement fueled me to continue.

"Change?" Erik's laugh was cold, dripping with disdain. "You think you understand change? The Northern European pack has existed for thousands of years. Our traditions, our bloodlines, our honor—these are things an outsider like you could never comprehend." He turned to address the crowd, raising his voice. "Integration into human society? That will only dilute our strength and eventually lead to our extinction!"

His words drew nods from some of the older pack members, their faces hardening with agreement. But I noticed more of the younger wolves looking thoughtful, uncertain. Good. Division was exactly what I needed.

"The Northern European pack has indeed existed for thousands of years, and that's truly impressive," I acknowledged, infusing my voice with genuine respect. "But tell me, Beta Erik, in all those thousands of years, has the pack never changed? Never adapted to the times?"

I gestured toward several modern structures visible in the distance. "I see you use electricity. I see you use modern communication devices." My eyes caught on the smartphones tucked into the pockets of several younger pack members. "I even see you use smartphones. Aren't these adaptations to change?"

Erik's face darkened like a thundercloud. He'd been caught in a logical trap, and he knew it. "These are merely tools," he snapped. "They don't affect our essence or our traditions."

"Exactly my point," I seized on his words, feeling a surge of confidence. "Adapting to modern society doesn't mean abandoning our essence or traditions. On the contrary, it's a way to make those traditions continue to thrive in a new era."

I paused, letting my words sink in. "Beta, I understand your concerns. Protecting tradition is important. But if tradition can't adapt to the times, it eventually becomes nothing more than an exhibit in a museum rather than a living force in our blood."

I turned to address the wider audience, softening my voice. "Let me tell you my story," I said, feeling a strange power in opening up to these strangers. "I once feared that my werewolf identity would be an obstacle to integrating into human society. But I discovered that our gifts, our senses, our instincts—these are invaluable assets in the human world as well."

The memory of my first design sketches flashed in my mind, and I smiled slightly. "When I first picked up design tools, I found that a werewolf's sensory advantages were a gift. My sensitivity to color, my perception of texture, my understanding of natural patterns—these became my secret weapons in design."

I described those long nights alone in my studio, when my wolf nature would surge through me like electricity. "Sometimes, on full moon nights, I would feel the strong urge to shift. But instead of suppressing it, I learned to channel that energy into creation. Some of my most successful designs were born on nights when I danced with my inner wolf rather than fighting against it."

The atmosphere in the square subtly shifted. The younger pack members especially seemed captivated, their eyes brightening with curiosity and longing. A few young women even unconsciously stepped closer, hungry to hear more.

"Now, my designs are recognized worldwide. I've built my own brand and earned respect—not as a werewolf, but as a talented designer." I caught the gazes of several young pack members. "I accomplished all this while never forgetting who I am, never surrendering my essence. In fact, it was by embracing my werewolf identity that I created something truly unique."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small box. Opening it, I revealed an intricately crafted pendant—a wolf's head with details so precise it seemed almost alive. "This is my latest design, inspired by our traditional totems. It's not only popular in the human world but has become a symbol—a perfect blend of tradition and modernity."

The pendant caught the firelight, casting mysterious gleams that drew gasps of appreciation. Several elders couldn't help but lean closer to see it better. I slowly rotated the pendant, making sure everyone could see every angle. "Each line, each detail, contains the wisdom and power of our ancestors. But the form is modern, something contemporary people can appreciate and love."

"In human society, I haven't just found success; I've found a way to honor and promote our traditions in my own way." I handed the pendant to a young woman standing closest to me. She took it carefully, her eyes wide with delight. "Every time someone wears my designs, they connect with our traditions and honor our existence, even if they don't realize it."

Erik snorted dismissively. "Pretty trinkets? What do they represent? This is just your way of pleasing humans!"

"No," I countered firmly, feeling a surge of emotion rise within me. "This is my way of carving out my territory in the human world. In that world, I don't need claws or fangs—just my intelligence and creativity. Isn't adaptability something we werewolves have always prided ourselves on?" My voice trembled slightly with emotion. "And my success isn't just personal. It proves that all of us can find our place in the wider world without sacrificing who we are."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I was about to reveal. The atmosphere in the square had changed—it was time to take the final step. "Some of you may have heard the name 'Aurora.'"

The name sent a ripple through the crowd. I noticed Beta Erik's face change drastically, and the elders exchanged meaningful glances. Clearly, the name "Aurora" held special significance to them—more than I had anticipated.

"What is Aurora?" a young voice called out from the crowd, filled with curiosity.

Before Beta or the elders could answer, I spoke directly: "Aurora is a legend—a legend about someone who achieved success in the human world while maintaining their werewolf identity. It's said that Aurora can guide lost werewolves even in the darkest night, showing how to adapt to new times without losing oneself." I paused, scanning each face, feeling my heart rate increase. "This legend has circulated in werewolf communities for years, but few know Aurora's true identity. This was also the inspiration for my designer name."

The atmosphere in the square grew heavy. Everyone held their breath, waiting for my next words. Beta Erik's face grew increasingly dark, hostility radiating from him in waves, but there was no turning back now. This was a step I had to take.

"I am Aurora." My voice wasn't loud, but in the silence of the square, it carried clearly. As I spoke those words, I felt a strange sense of relief, as if I'd set down a burden I'd carried for too long.