chapter 103
Tori's POV:
My chest constricted as I struggled to breathe.
Tracy whimpered inside me, sensing danger from all sides. My wolf wanted to run, to escape, but my body remained frozen in place.
"She should be removed from the school immediately!" someone called out.
"Send her back to Silver Fang where she belongs!"
"Can you tell us why you willingly went to Noah Morris's villa? And why did you resist so violently? Was there something more going on between you? Or was this some kind of playing-hard-to-get tactic?" someone called out.
"Was he your brother? He died trying to protect you. Have you ever felt grateful that he saved your life?" another voice shouted.
"I heard your personal life was quite chaotic five years ago. Is that true?"
"Reports say you were dating Ethan Grayson at that time. Are you still in contact with him now?"
"Miss Sullivan, please answer the questions!"
"..."
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no words came.
How could I explain? How could anyone understand what I'd been through?
Just as I thought I might collapse under the weight of their judgment, a wave of pure power rolled through the hall.
The microphones and cameras near the stage suddenly emitted high-pitched whines, screens flickering before going dark.
This was something only Alphas in a state of extreme rage could manifest.
The crowd fell silent instantly, as if someone had muted the entire room. Even the reporters who had been shouting questions moments before went rigid.
I turned to see Lucas rising from his seat in the front row.
His silver-white eyes gleamed with dangerous intensity, his jaw set in a hard line. The air around him seemed to crackle with authority as he walked toward the stage, each deliberate step causing lower-ranking wolves to instinctively back away.
Lucas climbed the steps to the stage with predatory grace.
Without a word, he took my arm and gently pulled me behind him, positioning his body as a shield between me and the crowd.
The gesture was protective in a way that made my heart skip despite my terror.
"These questions," Lucas said, his voice low but carrying effortlessly through the silent hall, "seem remarkably unrelated to the achievement we're here to celebrate today."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the audience like a physical touch. I could see people shrinking in their seats.
After a moment of tense silence, a brave—or perhaps foolish—reporter from the back raised his voice.
"Why are you helping her, Alpha Grayson? Is it because she's Ethan Grayson's former girlfriend? Or have you also fallen for her façade?"
Several others chimed in, seemingly forgetting they were addressing the most powerful Alpha in Moonhaven.
"What's your personal interest in this Omega, Alpha Grayson?"
Lucas's expression didn't change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees.
"The Lunar Phase Research Institute was established to advance our understanding of how lunar cycles affect our kind," he stated, his tone measured but with a dangerous edge.
"That's the kind of question a professional journalist might ask today. Questions about the groundbreaking mathematical models Ms. Sullivan has developed. Questions about how this research might benefit all packs."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Not digging into private matters with questions that wouldn't be fit to print in any respectable publication."
William Sullivan, Alpha of the Sullivan Pack, had risen to his feet.
His silver eyes scanned the crowd before settling on me with an unreadable expression.
"The Sullivan Pack stands with Alpha Lucas," he announced formally. "And with Tori."
"On behalf of the Lunar Phase Research Institute, I thank everyone for taking time from your busy schedules to support our inauguration ceremony," William announced, his voice carrying a subtle edge beneath its formality.
"I sincerely hope today's ceremony can be completed successfully, so I must ask our friends in the media to exercise restraint in your reporting. Focus on the ceremony itself, not matters unrelated to our purpose here today."
He smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"As a token of our appreciation, I've arranged a special gift for each person present. Should today's ceremony conclude without further... disruption, I would be honored to express my deeper gratitude in the future."
The unspoken threat behind his words hung in the air.
Should anyone dare spread news of what happened here, causing damage to the institute's reputation, there would be severe consequences.
His calculated words, balancing reward and intimidation, sent a wave of unease through the crowd.
Near the entrance, someone attempted to quietly slip out, only to freeze upon opening the door.
Outside stood a line of imposing security personnel, their expressions leaving no doubt about their purpose.
The person backed away quickly, returning to their seat with a pale face.
As the venue fell silent once more, William turned to Lucas and spoke in a low voice.
"Take Tori and go," he said firmly. "I'll handle matters here."
Lucas gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Without hesitation, he took my hand, his warm fingers wrapping protectively around mine.
The simple contact anchored me as he guided me toward a side exit, his body positioned between me and the crowd the entire time.
In a daze, I allowed him to lead me off the stage and through a side exit.
Outside, the cool night air hit my face, helping to clear the fog of panic that had enveloped me. Lucas guided me to his waiting car, opening the door for me before sliding into the driver's seat.
For several minutes, we sat in silence. I stared at my hands, still shaking slightly in my lap.
"Thank you," I finally whispered, my voice hoarse.
Lucas turned to me, his expression softer than I'd ever seen it. "I'm sorry I couldn't prevent this."
I shook my head, fighting back tears. "You've already done so much for me. "
Without a word, Lucas reached across the console and pulled me into his embrace.
I stiffened momentarily before relaxing against his chest, drawing comfort from his steady heartbeat and the protective way his arms encircled me. The familiar scent of pine and winter frost enveloped me, calming my frayed nerves.
The sharp ring of his phone cut through the moment, making me jump slightly.
Lucas glanced at the screen, frowning when he saw the caller ID.
"Ethan," he said, accepting the call and putting it on speaker. "This isn't a good time."
"Is Tori with you?" Ethan's voice sounded urgent, almost desperate.
Lucas's eyes flicked to me. "Yes."
"Thank God. Is she okay? I've been calling her phone non-stop but she's not answering."
Something subtle shifted in Lucas's expression—a flash of possessiveness mixed with irritation.
"You're overstepping, Ethan," Lucas replied coolly. "Her well-being isn't your concern anymore."