Chapter 134: Unexpected Protector

Not just Okami, but everyone within Prince Mikhail’s immediate vicinity could feel the oppressive weight of his dominance. Conversations died mid-sentence, and several werewolves instinctively lowered their heads, while others stiffened beneath the invisible pressure bearing down on them. A few shifted uncomfortably in their seats, struggling to maintain their composure, while those standing nearby took cautious steps backward. Nobody wanted to become the target of the Crown Prince’s displeasure.

Sera, however, was too indignant to remain silent. She turned toward Mikhail, her brows drawing together as she watched him exert his dominance over Okami. "What exactly are you trying to do, Prince Mikhail? Dominate your way out of the situation?"

Mikhail’s gaze shifted toward her, his expression cold and unreadable. For a moment, it seemed as though he might respond, but he merely stared at her before withdrawing his dominance. The oppressive pressure vanished almost immediately, leaving the gathered werewolves struggling to recover their composure.

Relief spread throughout the seating area. Several people discreetly exhaled, while others relaxed their shoulders and exchanged uneasy glances. A few even adjusted their clothing, as though the brief ordeal had left them feeling physically uncomfortable. Nobody wanted to acknowledge how thoroughly the Crown Prince’s dominance had affected them, but the sudden change in atmosphere made their relief obvious.

Everyone, that was, except Starlight.

She looked around in confusion, wondering why the entire gathering seemed to have relaxed all at once. She hadn’t felt anything unusual, nor had she noticed the invisible pressure that had left everyone else struggling to maintain their composure. While the others had been too caught up in Mikhail’s display of dominance and Okami’s reaction to pay much attention to anything else, Starlight had simply watched them with growing bewilderment. She couldn’t understand what had just happened or why Okami suddenly seemed less inclined to challenge the Crown Prince.

Nikolai, on the other hand, could barely hide the smirk spreading across his face as he watched Okami recover from his brother’s display of dominance. He couldn’t care less what the others thought of the incident. He was simply delighted that Mikhail had put the other Alpha in his place. Just because Starlight had willingly sat beside Okami did not give him permission to challenge the Crown Twins. Perhaps he believed that because she had leaned toward him for protection, he had somehow gained the right to stand against them. Nikolai found the notion amusing. A little attention from a human girl had apparently been enough to convince Okami that he could compete with the imperial heirs.

How entertaining.

Eden, meanwhile, had covered his face with one hand, pressing his fingers against his forehead as though he could somehow shield himself from the disaster unfolding before him. He had expected an uncomfortable evening, as was often the case when the royals and sub-royals gathered, but he certainly hadn’t expected the entire gathering to turn into a public confrontation involving the Crown Twins, an indignant Sera, a protective Alpha, and a human girl who seemed determined to make everything worse.

He could already tell that the evening was going terribly wrong.

And the worst part was that they hadn’t even reached the actual purpose of the gathering.

Starlight, however, was carefully observing everyone’s reactions. She noted Sera’s growing indignation, the confusion among the Elite Circle, Beatrice’s barely contained irritation, and the Crown Twins’ increasing hostility. She even caught the moment Okami’s confidence faltered beneath Mikhail’s dominance, although she couldn’t understand why the other Alpha had suddenly seemed so uncomfortable. The entire situation was developing far better than she had planned, and she would have been perfectly happy to watch the princes squirm a little longer.

However, she knew better than to let the confrontation spiral beyond her control.

The last thing she wanted was for the Crown Twins to turn the discussion into another display of dominance and somehow escape answering the question that mattered most. She needed them to make it clear, in front of everyone, that the corrective conduct program would not continue. She had no intention of spending any more time alone with the two princes than necessary, especially now that she had seen how determined they were to keep her under their control.

Before anyone could push the gathering into a full-blown war of dominance, Starlight lifted her head.

"I don’t understand why everyone is getting so upset," she said softly.

The sudden interruption drew several gazes toward her. Starlight shifted uneasily in her seat, maintaining the timid expression she had been wearing since Sera offered to help her.

"I mean, perhaps I really do deserve some punishment for the way I’ve behaved. I know I’m not the easiest person to deal with, and I understand that the Crown Twins might think I need to learn how to behave better around werewolves." She hesitated, then glanced at Mikhail and Nikolai. "I don’t particularly like being placed in a program I never agreed to, but if this is their way of teaching me that werewolves are superior to humans, then perhaps I should simply accept it. I’m only human, after all. What right do I have to question the decisions of the future rulers of the empire?"

Her words were quiet, almost apologetic, but the implication behind them was impossible to miss. Several people stiffened.

Sera’s mouth fell open slightly, while Eden slowly lowered his hand from his face to stare at Starlight in disbelief. Even those who had initially been uncertain about the situation began to look uncomfortable. Whatever the Crown Twins had intended, the suggestion that they were using their authority to force a human girl into submission was not going to improve their reputation.

Starlight lowered her eyes again, appearing oblivious to the effect her words had produced. That was when Beatrice finally lost her patience.

"Will you just keep quiet, you disgusting whore?" she snapped, leaning forward with a furious expression. "It’s obvious you’re only trying to cause trouble between everyone here! You—"

She didn’t get the chance to finish.

Okami shot to his feet so abruptly that the sofa shifted behind him. Before anyone could react, he crossed the short distance between them and seized Beatrice by the throat, his fingers tightening around her neck as he forced her backward. A vicious growl tore from his chest, and the sudden violence sent a ripple of shock through the gathering.

"Watch your mouth when you’re talking about her!" Okami snarled.