CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273 - BULLIES ARE BRAVER AGAINST THOSE WHO WON’T FIGHT BACK

"And what exactly do we have here?"

Phone held high enough for them to notice, my voice cut teasingly across the plaza. All three of their heads snapped toward me... but for now I kept my focus on the two boys who suddenly looked a lot less sure of themselves.

Probably tone down the eyes, I wasn’t trying to make them run off, Vrika! Yes, I know I have a lot of control of them too, but you can kind of cover making me not look angry when I am, right?!

"Pack business. Nothing that concerns outsiders."

Squaring his shoulders and puffing his chest, the blonde tries to hold his ground. His ally looks toward him like he’s the one in charge, so I know who to intimidate.

"Outsiders?"

I laughed, sharply - and he flinched. Hm, the youth here have less poise at dealing with adults than I expected. In my kingdom, some of the vicious little street urchins would already be charging me.

Of course, back then I would just lead them on a chase past a guard station and they would give up, usually... and unlike the rogues I’ve encountered so far, I do not really wish to test harming these children. Even if they need some corrective punishment.

"Tell me and the camera, what are your names? I’d like to make sure your Alpha even knows who you are before I send this video to her."

Quickly, the dark-haired one stepped forward between me and Zoé. Like he was trying to block her from the footage. But he didn’t remain there in the way long when a guttural growl tore from my throat.

Stupid boy. Don’t stand in dangerous places, like the path of a... guardian to their... hm. Guarded?

"Y-you can’t just... just-"

"I can’t just what? Document the clear public harassment that rather poorly represents the Rimecoat as it occurs in broad daylight?"

My fingers touch the screen as I zoomed in on his face, before beginning to pan toward the other one. Meanwhile, I had yet to actually stop walking. Though not in any hurry.

"I think I can. Just like you think you can. Stop me if you’d like, but otherwise - please, continue. After all, I’m sure Kyrie Voss will be fascinated to see how her wolves treat the others in her city when she isn’t nearby."

Just a slow, inevitable step closer and closer as I talk. One that I know to be more deeply frightening than any momentary burst of darting toward them.

Because they are expecting that to happen at any time. Every second that goes by.

Building and building. Fraying their nerves, as the answer of whether to fight or flee bounces around in their mind like a steel ball in a glass house.

Zoé had frozen in place herself, with only one of the books she’d ’dropped’ clutched to her chest. Watching me with wide brown eyes, I lower the phone and meet them for a half second.

Enough for the blonde to find his nerve and snarl at me, letting his eyes ring orange. Not because I felt any particular fear, but I stop walking. There is no sense in ’forcing’ him to feel the need to attack.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about. The Alpha wouldn’t take your word over ours, even with a video. Besides, she’s just some rogue that lives here trying to seduce her way into the pack."

"Seduce?"

Making sure my phone caught it, I repeated the term. One I’m not sure could ever fit such a young, innocent werewolf. Though I do so in a shocked and slightly husky tone that I knew would bother *her* when she heard it.

"How remarkably... old-fashioned of you. To think that a woman has to lead one of your members astray to possibly be of any interest."

Twisting my hand and holding out the device, I point the camera at my face and sneer. Knowing it was plenty overkill, but I’m too angry about the last bit of my sub laying on the ground back there to care.

"I’m sure that attitude represents the Rimecoat pack’s values perfectly. Wouldn’t you say, Kyrie?"

The dark-haired one suddenly grabbed his friend’s arm when he heard me say the name so easily. It seems to have finally clicked that I may not be bluffing.

"Derek, maybe we should just go."

"Derek!"

I said the name so sweetly. As if relieved and overjoyed, like someone meeting an old friend again... and finally remembering their name.

"Thank you. And what about your sharp witted friend there? Would you like to drop his name too, in revenge for selling you out?"

"We don’t have to tell you anything!"

The blonde snapped back, but I could see the uncertainty creeping in. Part of my applauds the determination and whatever twisted sense of honor has him continuing on like this. At least consistency is admirable.

But the other part is annoyed how close his hand just swung out, wildly, towards the dark skinned cheek that I... for some reason... just want to pet as I hug her and tell her things are fine.

"You’re absolutely right. You don’t have to tell me anything. And I did not have to try to make you see the error of your ways through words that should have convinced you."

I lowered my hand that held the device in it. If only so that when it drops it has more than a foot less to fall. Met his gaze directly. And stomped forward.

"But if you do not back away from my friend, you will soon find out that whatever rules you think are constraining me are not. I will shift right here and maul you until your wolf submits. So then..."

Feeling my jaw snap and the pores on my face shooting out a half inch of fur as I slow the change down as much as possible. I may not have gotten a hold of how their Alpha does it only on certain spots, but stalling it across the board has gotten far more reliable.

"Are you a good child that listens or a bad one that needs the discipline?"

Though it is so, so ugly! I should attack just for them making the cute girl see my like this, ugh!

The second boy - the dark haired one whose name I still didn’t have - was already backing away at speed. Smart kid. But Derek? Was either too stupid or too proud to back down.

"You think you can just waltz in here and threaten us like that? You’re nobody. Just another rogue like her with a big mouth to match your big chest. Probably here looking for a man too."

I smiled, the expression cold and twisted enough with the sharpening and shifting of teeth that occurred to make Zoé shiver. I’ll have to apologize for that nightmare later.

"Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea who you’re talking to."

Snapping the transformation back down to my usual partial, under the surface only version... I stopped the recording and opened my messages. Quickly trying to attach the video file to a text, I encounter something... unfortunate.

[Video size too large.]

Staring at the screen for a few seconds before glancing up at the group of teens, I can feel my face twitch in embarrassment before I hold up my finger in the ’give me a second’ motion.