CHAPTER 180: UNDER MY PROTECTION

"Dude, she’s known to our Alpha," Harlin warned, stepping beside Aven, whose fangs were already bared, eyes glowing a fierce gold.

Flora struggled to rise from the ground, her body trembling from the blow, but her knees buckled beneath her. Aven took a threatening step toward her, only to freeze when a voice thundered across the open area.

"What’s going on here?"

All heads snapped toward the source.

Zander stood at the entrance. His sharp gaze locked onto Aven, who immediately lowered his eyes, the glow fading into submission. The others quickly bowed in respect.

Flora forced herself upright while her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

"Alpha," Rhea stepped forward with an air of false innocence, "we were only trying to teach Flora some manners. She’s forgotten how to speak to her seniors," she added with a cold glance at Flora, her voice laced with mockery.

Zander’s jaw tightened hearing that remark. "At the company? In front of dozens of people? Is this where you’ve decided to play your little dominance games?" His eyes swept over the group, anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Zander’s gaze finally settled on Flora, who looked like she was on the verge of crying.

"Everyone should go home," Zander announced. "This isn’t the place for personal vendettas."

He turned his eyes back to Aven. "And Aven, decency is expected in this company, no matter the rank. Understood?"

Aven lowered his head, the sting of humiliation flickering across his face. "Understood, Alpha. I apologize for causing a scene," he muttered. Swallowing the anger burning inside him, he turned and strode away. The others followed, quietly dispersing.

Flora turned to leave as well, but Zander’s voice stopped her.

"Flora. Come with me," he said with a gentler voice this time.

Flora wanted to refuse him, but then, she couldn’t even ignore the Alpha’s command. She turned to face him and saw him moving toward the already parked car at the right side.

She stopped at the backseat door for a moment, then entered. The chauffeur closed the door and settled on the driver’s seat.

As the car moved on the road, Zander finally broke the silence.

"How long has it been going on?"

"Two days," Flora replied quietly.

She kept her gaze fixed on the blurred city lights outside the window. "It’s going to get worse. I know I have to pay for what I did to Amelie." She was preparing for this torture and humiliation mentally.

Zander turned his head slightly. "So... you want to fight back?"

Flora exhaled slowly. "You told me that if I wanted to clean my image, I’d have to stand my ground. If I wanted to live here like before, I’d need to earn it."

There was a pause again.

"But I’m starting to wonder if that’s even possible," she murmured. "The others won’t forget that you saved me... that you still speak to me. Tomorrow, it’ll start again."

She turned her eyes toward him.

"That’s why you shouldn’t get involved, Alpha. In a pack, this is the fate of wolves who’ve been marked as outcasts. It’s... normal."

The word tasted bitter on her tongue, but she meant it.

"If that’s what you want, then I won’t intervene," Zander stated. "However, I’m not Alex, who doesn’t care about the wolves in the pack. Every single wolf here is under my protection, so I’ll keep getting involved." It was a declaration that being an alpha, he wouldn’t let any of the wolves harm Flora.

"I didn’t thank you earlier for saving the lives of my parents. Now, I want to. Also, thank you for helping me out. Aven would’ve not hesitated to kick me," Flora said, smiling.

"I did what I felt was right," Zander said. "Does Amelie talk to you?"

"No. She’s upset with me. And... How can she even talk to me? I ridiculed her when Alex rejected her. I was so proud of myself that time. I think Amelie is still too forgiving. She even gave me a second chance to live," Flora murmured in a low voice.

"At least you acknowledge the wrong you’ve done. Repentance is more powerful than pride," Zander said. "Someday, Amelie might forgive you... but don’t expect it. Forgiveness isn’t always guaranteed."

Flora nodded slowly. "I know. But... I still hope she does."

She turned her gaze back to the window. The rest of the ride passed in silence, until the car finally came to a stop in front of her house.

"Thank you, Alpha," Flora said sincerely before stepping out.

She shut the door gently and took a few steps back, watching as the car pulled away into the distance. Once it disappeared down the road, she turned and entered the house.

Inside, the soft glow of a nearby lamp lit the living room. Her eyes landed on Samyra, who was seated on the couch, staring at her phone with a blank expression.

"Good evening, Mom," Flora greeted, settling into the armchair. "Still hoping Amelie will call?"

Samyra glanced up, her eyes lingering on the coffee stain across Flora’s shirt.

"You spilled coffee on yourself?" she asked, frowning. "That shirt’s ruined."

"Yeah. It was one of my favorite shirts," Flora admitted with a small sigh, brushing at the coffee stain as if that could undo the day.

Samyra’s expression softened. "Amelie actually called me," she said, a hint of joy lighting her features. "The wedding reception will take place at the palace. She wants us to come."

Flora blinked in surprise. "That’s... nice."

"It is," Samyra agreed. "And maybe it’s a chance for you to try winning her heart back. I know what you did was difficult to forgive, Flora, but as a mother..." Her voice wavered slightly. "It hurts to see my two daughters turned into strangers."

Flora looked away, her brows knitting together. "For that, she’d have to give me a chance," she whispered.

There was silence for a second before she added, "Also, Mom... can we leave this pack someday? In the future, I mean."

Samyra’s eyes narrowed in concern. "Why do you want to leave the pack? Did something happen?"