Chapter 261

Chapter 261
Iris's POV

Chaos had already erupted across the square. Beta Erik stood triumphantly on the elders' platform, his declaration of taking power still echoing as his followers began their partial transformation. Their eyes glowed golden, claws extending, ready to enforce their leader's will.

"Seize the outsider!" Erik's voice cut through the growing panic, pointing directly at me. "The Alpha credential belongs to our pack! Anyone standing with her is a traitor to our kind!"

I discreetly touched the communicator in my earring, sending the pre-arranged distress signal. At the same time, my eyes scanned for possible escape routes, though I knew running wasn't the best option—in werewolf society, showing fear was equivalent to submission, and I couldn't afford to submit.

Elder Magnhild was the first to stand against him. "Erik! You have no authority to make such unilateral decisions! According to our traditions, the transfer of leadership requires the consent of the Council of Elders!" Her voice trembled with anger and disbelief, clearly unprepared for the Beta's open challenge to their council system.

I noticed Beta had come prepared. With a gesture, a dozen strong werewolf warriors immediately surrounded the elders. This wasn't a spontaneous act, but a carefully planned coup. I quickly adjusted my strategy—this was no longer just about me, but an internal power struggle within the Northern European pack. I was merely the catalyst.

"My respected elders," Beta's tone carried deliberate politeness, but couldn't mask the underlying threat, "in times of crisis, we need decisive action. This outsider, holding an Alpha credential, preaching dangerous ideas of human integration—she's poisoning our pack's thinking! If we don't act immediately, the Northern European pack's pure bloodline and traditions face destruction."

Standing to the side, I felt the tension rapidly escalate. Beta's followers were strategically positioned throughout the square, effectively trapping me in the center. But I maintained a calm exterior, taking a deep breath, preparing for the coming storm. A flicker of worry crossed my mind—I'd hoped to resolve this through dialogue, but now conflict seemed unavoidable.

Beta turned toward me, danger flashing in his eyes. "You, Aurora," he almost growled the title, "you are the most dangerous infiltrator! Not only did you steal our Alpha credential, but you seek to poison our minds!" He advanced toward me, each step laden with threat. "Tell me, who sent you? Which rival pack deployed you?"

I didn't back down, meeting his eyes directly. Stepping back would mean conceding ground, a fundamental rule in werewolf politics. "No one sent me," my voice remained steady and firm. "As I've already explained, I came here to peacefully resolve the credential issue, to prevent unnecessary conflict."

"Lies!" Beta roared, his face inches from mine. I could feel the heat and fury of his breath. "You come bearing a sacred item stolen from us, yet pretend to be a peace envoy? Your arrogance is sickening! If not for your appearance, the Northern European pack would remain as strong as ever!"

An elderly male elder—Olaf, I recalled—suddenly stepped in front of Beta, fearless despite his smaller stature: "Erik, enough! This is betrayal! We accepted you as Beta because we believed you would respect our traditions and decisions. Now you use force to coerce the Council—that's more dangerous than any external threat!"

Beta's expression hardened. "I never wanted it to come to this, Elder Olaf. But your indecision and blind adherence to tradition have kept the Northern European pack stagnant. Look at her—" he pointed at me, "an outsider, spreading rebellious ideas in our square, and you allow it!"

Elder Magnhild joined the opposition: "You're wrong, Erik. Your autocratic actions are the true betrayal of tradition! The Northern European pack's traditions are built on respect, wisdom, and adaptation—not blind xenophobia and violent rule!"

I observed this intense confrontation, rapidly analyzing the situation. The elders' open opposition gave me hope, but also made Beta more furious and dangerous. I noticed his fingers beginning to subtly deform—a sign of impending loss of control. I needed to stay vigilant while looking for potential allies and support.

"I've had enough of this empty talk!" Beta suddenly bellowed, his voice carrying a wolf's howl that shook the square. "The Northern European pack needs action, not debate!" He turned to his followers, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Brothers, it's time to clean house!"

As his words died away, a piercing whistle cut through the night air. About fifteen men around Beta immediately sprang into action, quickly forming a circle that trapped me and my supporters in the middle. Their movements were coordinated and swift, clearly trained warriors.

My heart suddenly accelerated, and my palms began to sweat. This wasn't the development I had expected—I had hoped for understanding through peaceful dialogue, not violent conflict. But now, danger was imminent.

"Erik! What are you doing?" Elder Magnhild cried out in horror, her voice filled with disbelief. "You can't do this! This violates our traditions! Aurora's identity is protected by ancient law!"

Beta laughed coldly, his eyes flashing with terrible resolve. "Traditions? When traitors and outsiders threaten our existence, protecting the pack becomes the highest tradition!" He turned to his followers, his voice low and dangerous. "Begin!"

The square had already descended into chaos, screams and growls filling the night air. Beta's followers, partially transformed with glowing golden eyes and extended claws, were closing in on me and my supporters. Most of the young pack members who had sided with me weren't prepared for combat, their eyes wide with fear.

Just as Beta's men closed in, something unexpected happened. From different corners of the square, several figures suddenly broke through the crowd, moving with coordinated precision toward me. I recognized Dina emerging from behind a group of elders, her movements fluid and deadly. Daniel appeared from among Beta's own supporters, dropping his disguise and revealing concealed weapons. Jenny materialized from a side alley, already in partial shift.

And then—making my heart skip a beat—Sebastien pushed through a cluster of young pack members where he'd been blending in, his eyes locked on mine with fierce determination.

They had been here all along, scattered throughout the square according to our infiltration plan, waiting and watching. The distress signal had merely activated our contingency protocol.