The air, thick with the scent of testosterone, vibrated with the presence of burly Alpha males gathered before the meeting hall. As I stepped from the warmth of my car, their chatter died, replaced by an eerie silence. Bewildered, disgusted, yet calculating eyes followed my every move.

They knew me. They knew of my battles and the strength I possessed. Straightening my back, chin jutted out in defiance, I strode through the crowd, claiming a random seat in the arena where the conference would take place.

"Welcome, Alphas. The meeting shall commence shortly for he is not yet here, therefore we shall begin when he arrives." A male voice echoed, and my ears perked up, a welcoming note to its blast. "Elriam, answer me this, who is this wolf talking about? Is this male important?" I questioned my beta, who stood guard behind me.

"Alpha, he is..." She began, but a sudden, resounding slam of the main door cut her off, startling us all. Clamorous, heavy footsteps approached, followed by the screech of chairs as Alphas left their seats, falling to their knees on the marble floor, heads bowed in reverence. Who was this male? What kind of power did he hold, that even other Alphas bowed before he was even in their presence? All I smelled was trouble.