Chapter 174

Chapter 174
Sophia’s POV:
I stepped closer, letting her see the steel that had replaced the fear in my eyes.
"Elena," I said quietly, then my voice grew colder. "I'm going to say this once, and I suggest you listen carefully. If you stop coming to me with your complaints and accusations, we can coexist peacefully. "
"But if you continue this harassment..." I paused, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Well, perhaps you'll be the next one to face the consequences of your actions. Don't test whether you'll be any different."
Elena's face flushed red with rage, her eyes blazing with indignation. "How DARE you threaten me!" she shrieked. "You think I'm afraid of some pathetic Omega? I will NEVER allow you to be the Luna of this pack!"
Her voice rose to a near-hysterical pitch as she continued her tirade. "Even that little manipulator Aria would be better than you! At least she has Lucas's fated bond – what do you have? Nothing but lies and whatever spell you've cast over my son!"
The mention of Aria sent a wave of rage through me so intense that I could feel Amy stirring restlessly in my mind.
My grip tightened on the glass of milk Ruth had brought me earlier.
Elena wasn't finished. "When Lucas realizes what you truly are, he'll cast you aside like the worthless—"
"At least your son is completely infatuated with me right now," I interrupted smoothly, a cold smile playing at my lips.
Elena's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her entire body trembling with rage at my words.
She lunged forward, her hand raised as if to strike me.
Without thinking, I lifted the glass and threw its contents directly into her face. The white milk splashed across her features and dripped down her perfectly styled hair, leaving her sputtering and shocked.
"You... you dare!" Elena shrieked, wiping milk from her eyes.
The liquid had turned her appearance into something almost comical.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Marcus appeared in the doorway.
"Luna Sophia? Is everything—" He stopped short, his eyes moving from Elena's milk-soaked appearance to me.
Elena immediately transformed, tears springing to her eyes as she turned toward Marcus.
"Marcus!" she cried, her voice trembling with wounded dignity. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're here! This... this madman has assaulted me!"
I stepped back, watching with detached interest as Elena played her role to perfection.
"She threw milk in my face!" Elena continued, gesturing dramatically at her stained clothing. "She attacked an elder, the mother of Alpha Lucas!"
Elena demanded, turning to face me with imperious fury. "Tell Marcus why you thought it was acceptable to assault your Alpha's mother! Explain yourself!"
I studied Elena's arrogant expression, realizing how her brief imprisonment had done nothing to humble her. She truly had no idea of the shift in power that was coming.
Then I turned my attention to Marcus, letting my gaze settle on him with the full weight of my authority, wondering whether Marcus truly accepted me as his Luna.
"Marcus," I said, my voice carrying the unmistakable tone of royal command. "Do I need to explain my actions to you?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge.
Marcus shook his head slightly.
"No, Luna," he said quickly, his head bowing in deference. "Of course not. I trust your judgment completely."
Elena's mouth fell open in shock at Marcus's response, her carefully constructed victim narrative crumbling before her eyes.
"What?" she sputtered. "Marcus, you can't be serious! You should be on my side now!"
Elena's shock quickly transformed into fury as she realized Marcus wouldn't support her. "Fine! If you won't do anything about this insolent little witch, then I'll handle this myself!"
She raised her hand again, moving toward me with renewed aggression, but Marcus immediately stepped forward, positioning himself protectively between Elena and me.
"Mrs. Stone, please calm down," Marcus said firmly, his stance unwavering.
Elena stared at Marcus in complete disbelief. "You... you would stand against ME? Against Lucas's MOTHER?"
"I'm simply following Alpha Lucas's orders to protect Luna Sophia," Marcus replied evenly.
Elena's face contorted with rage.
"TRAITOR!" Elena screamed, her composure completely shattered. "You've all been brainwashed by her manipulations!"
Marcus turned toward the doorway and gestured to the guards who had been waiting outside.
"Escort Mrs. Stone back to her quarters immediately," he commanded with quiet authority. "And ensure she understands that any further disturbances will result in her being sent to join her husband in exile."
Elena's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "You wouldn't dare! Lucas would never allow you to treat his own mother this way! He would never—"
Elena whirled back to face me, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch. "Whatever spell you've cast over my son, whatever dark magic you're using to control him – it ends NOW!"
She pointed an accusatory finger at me, her entire body shaking with rage. "You made him exile his own father! You forced my poor Isabelle to watch that horrific execution! You've turned my son into a monster who destroys his own family!"
I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. This argument was accomplishing nothing.
"Enough," I said firmly, my voice cutting through Elena's hysteria. "Guards, remove her from my sight. Now."
The guards stepped forward without hesitation, moving to either side of Elena. When she tried to pull away from their grasp, they were forced to take hold of her arms more firmly.
"No! NO!" Elena shrieked, struggling against their grip as they began to escort her toward the door. "You can't do this! I am Elena Stone! I was Luna of this pack for decades! You have no right!"
Her angry roars echoed through the hallway, growing more distant but no less furious.