Claire’s POV. 

The meeting hall was filled with tension. 

Alpha Damien is at the head of the table, strong and serious. 

The Betas sat beside him, the Elders close by and omegas standing while others spread out the maps showing borders and patrol lines.

“We can’t leave the east side unguarded again,” one Elder said. “The rogues will see us as weak.”

One of the Betas agreed. “We need more patrols, but we are short of warriors.”

I was about to speak when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I wanted to ignore it, knowing the rules that no one was supposed to be disturbed during pack meetings, but my phone continuously buzzed, causing a distraction in the meeting.

I quickly hid the phone to avoid further distraction. 

I gave a small, awkward laugh, trying to cover it up. “Uh… I’ll… come back to that,” I said, forcing a smile.

Alpha Xavier raised a brow while the Elders exchanged quiet looks.

Alpha Damien's sharp eyes stayed on me as if he knew something. 

Inside, I was cursing myself just one message from Betty, and I had forgotten everything I meant to say.

For the first time, I wanted the meeting to end so badly that I ignored it even with the Alpha watching me closely.

When the meeting finally ended, everyone started to leave the room.

The Elders and betas bowed to the Alpha, and they talked quietly as they walked out. 

I gathered my papers, trying to act calm, when Alpha Damien's voice rang.

“Claire,” Alpha Damien’s voice stopped me.

I turned around, and I saw him still sitting at the head of the table with a small smirk on his face.

“You seemed lost today,” he said. 

I tried to smile. “Just a little tired, Alpha.”

He raised a brow. “Or maybe your human friend sent something that distracted you?”

I stopped my movement for a while. “You… heard?” I asked, though I already had the answer.

His smirk grew lightly  “You wear your emotions too openly, Claire. Don’t let a human pull you away from pack matters.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I said softly.

He gave a small nod, then stood. “Be careful,” he added before walking past me.

 I watched him leave, while my fingers wrapped around my phone. “No warning could keep me from calling Betty,” I said, smiling to myself. 

First of all, I need to hear the voice note to know what happened. 

Her voice played in my ear, full of excitement. “Claire! It’s me! Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you. You won’t believe it!”

What news could make her that happy? I wondered. 

I quickly looked for a quiet hallway and around and made sure no one was looking.

My heart beat a little faster as I raised my hand and whispered the words. A soft blue and golden light formed in the air, slowly spinning until a portal opened in front of me.

Without looking,  I stepped inside  

The light quickly disappeared and I found myself inside Betty’s apartment.