Chapter 1

I’d barely unpacked my things in the Neutral Zone’s werewolf penthouse when someone tagged me on the pack forum.

"Hey, you. The nobody rogue in the penthouse. You don't even have a mate, yet you're hogging the Moon Terrace just to store your trashy liquor bottles? What an insult to the Moon Goddess!"

"My husband is the Gamma of this zone. We're hosting the full moon banquet on the terrace tomorrow night. Move your booze today and clear the space. We’ll give you 300 bucks out of goodwill. A mateless female like you should be grateful for the chance to contribute."

I stared at my screen. What a joke.

As the only princess of the pureblood Lycan Royals, I was sick of the court's power plays and bloodline dominance. I hid my scent and moved here just to find some peace.

I just wanted to chill on my terrace with my rare vintage liquors—drinks specially brewed to calm a werewolf’s primal rage—and enjoy my life.

That Moon Terrace wasn't a public area.

I paid a million dollars for it. I bought the permanent property rights and the top-tier security access.

And now, a few low-ranking wolves thought they could hijack a Lycan Princess’s private territory for 300 bucks?

I didn't have the patience to argue. I just typed back: "Keep dreaming."

I didn't expect the building manager to show up at my door the next day with two massive werewolf guards.

They accused me of "selfishly hoarding public space."

In the name of "pack unity," they demanded my scent-access codes.

Fine.

I always hated using my bloodline to crush others. But if they insisted on forcing a peace-loving apex predator to bare her fangs...

They were about to learn exactly what absolute Royal aura felt like.

Chapter 1

I hid my Lycan scent and moved to the Neutral Zone just to enjoy a quiet life. I never expected my new neighbors to mistake me for a weak rogue and try to bully me.

I had just walked back from my terrace wine room when my phone buzzed like crazy.

A female wolf named Monica was calling me out on the forum.

"Is the rogue hogging the terrace playing dumb? I told you, the full moon party is happening up there tomorrow! Hogging public space is wrong. You should feel honored we're using your spot. $300 is more than generous for a bottom-feeder like you."

"Plus, if you cooperate, we’ll let you eat and drink for free at the party. Consider it your ticket to joining the community."

300 bucks?

I shook my head. The cheapest moonflower liquor in my collection cost at least 10,000 dollars. Not to mention I paid a whole million for the space itself.

"Keep dreaming," I typed, ready to turn off my phone.

Monica replied instantly. "A rogue dares to talk back? Not enough money? Fine, name your price. But you better think hard about whether you still want to live in this pack."

A threat?

I put down my glass. My Lycan blood began to boil.

That innate, bloodthirsty instinct was trying to break through my scent-blockers. I took a deep breath and pushed the anger down. I hated violence.

"First, it’s my private property. My name is on the deed. Second, 300 bucks doesn't even cover my electric bill," I typed, keeping my tone polite but cold. "Third, I don't need to 'give' it to anyone. It's my private wine room. Back off and respect boundaries."

Monica blew up.

She sent a voice memo, her voice shrill and nasty. "Private property? Cut the crap! You live in this building, you follow the Neutral Zone rules! My husband is Julian, the Gamma of the Zone Council. He runs this territory. Do you know how easily he could crush a bottom-feeder rogue like you? Like a bug. Do you know how much he’s done for this pack?"

"He just wants to use your terrace to host a dinner for our people, and you’re being this selfish?"

"Honestly, I’m starting to wonder how a scentless, single female like you can even afford a penthouse. I bet that money is dirty."

I rubbed my temples, glaring at the words.

Before I could close the app, Gideon, the building manager, chimed in.

"Monica is right. The full moon festival is about pack unity. Vesper, it’s unreasonable for you to hog the entire terrace."

"I’ll send someone up tomorrow to clear out your wine cabinets and set up the venue. Look at you, you’re clearly just an Omega. Don't piss off the high-ranking wolves."

I stared at the screen. I saw it clearly now.

This wasn't a negotiation. It was a daylight robbery.

A pathetic woman flaunting her husband’s cheap Gamma title. A spineless, ass-kissing manager helping her steal my territory.

And these idiots couldn't smell my true scent, so they actually thought a pureblood Lycan hiding her aura was a bottom-tier Omega?

Monica quickly added: "See? Even the manager is on my side! If you don't move your stuff tomorrow, we’ll do it for you! Gideon, let's prep a classic theme for the party."

Gideon replied: "No problem. Anything for the peace of the Neutral Zone."

I took a deep breath and set my phone down.

I came here to escape Royal politics. I didn't want conflict. I just wanted to relax.

I wanted to drink my rare liquors and enjoy a moment of peace.

But that didn't mean I was going to hand over my million-dollar territory to these brainless thieves.

Chapter 2

The next afternoon, I just took a bottle of moon-wine out of the cooler. Before I could even taste the amber liquid, the doorbell rang aggressively.

I looked through the peephole. Three figures.

Gideon stood in the front, flanked by two massive werewolf guards. Their muscles bulged against their cheap suits, eyes cold like hired thugs.

I opened the door. They immediately tried to push their high-rank pheromones onto me.

"Miss Vesper," Gideon smiled falsely, pulling a document from his briefcase. "The Zone Council just passed a resolution. The penthouse terrace is now re-zoned as a public banquet area. Hand over your scent-access codes right now."

I glanced at the paper.

A fake seal. A forged signature. Even the paper was cheap.

"Changing the rules and breaking a contract," I looked at him calmly. "This is how you do things?"

"This fake paper has no legal power." I tossed it back at him.

Gideon’s fake smile vanished.

"Legal power?" He dropped the nice-guy act. "The Council’s rules override your little contract. We decide who owns what. Around here, Gamma Julian’s word is law! You think a nobody rogue like you can fight the management?"

The two guards stepped forward, low growls rumbling in their throats.

I looked at them blankly.

Even now, I didn't want to get violent. I didn't want to be the kind of Lycan I hated—the kind that ruled by bloodline fear.

"I'll call the Council Enforcers. You're breaking pack laws. Even the Neutral Zone can't escape that. Leave."

Gideon just sneered.

"Pack laws? You really underestimate Julian’s power. Besides..."

Gideon narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, a young female living alone in a huge place like this... it makes people talk. To avoid nasty rumors, I suggest you lay low."

Was he implying I sold my body?

"Get out." My voice was flat, but ice-cold.

"Just saying," he shrugged. "Young wolves should learn to fit in, not fight the top dogs. It's for the good of the pack."

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to rip his throat out.

I just wanted to live in peace. I didn't want to dirty my hands with this trash.

"Either way, hand over the codes today," Gideon fully dropped his mask. "If you don't cooperate, we'll have to take action."

"Action?"

"Like, bypassing the lock for a 'routine security sweep'," he smiled an ugly, smug smile. "For the safety of the pack, of course. Totally legal."

One guard pulled out an electronic hacker, tossing it in his hand. The other cracked his knuckles.

The threat was obvious.

"Look, Miss Vesper, I know you feel wronged," Gideon gloated. "But powerful wolves get priority. That's survival of the fittest. Gamma Julian has done so much for us. Borrowing your terrace is a small price to pay, don't you think?"

"If you keep fighting us..." He checked his watch. "We already have authorization to cut power and access to the penthouse elevator."

The guards took another step, blocking my door. Their eyes were full of malice, just waiting for the order to pounce.

I felt the Lycan blood trembling in my veins. It was the primal reaction of an apex predator whose territory was breached.

I took a step back, a cold smirk touching my lips.

"Fine," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous calm.

I stared dead into his eyes. "Go ahead. Hack the door. But you better make sure you can handle the consequences of what happens next."

I slammed the door in their faces.

Chapter 3

The second the door clicked shut, I grabbed my phone.

I needed to see their next move.

I opened the pack app. My instincts were right.

Monica posted a new thread. She announced the party was happening on the penthouse terrace tomorrow night. Everyone could get the Moon Goddess’s blessing at the highest point in the city.

She shamelessly claimed it was a "gift" to the pack from her and her damn Gamma mate.

Dozens of comments flooded in.

"Wow, Monica, you're the best!"

"Gamma Julian is such a great leader!"

"I always wanted to see that terrace! Finally!"

"Wait, how did you get the rogue up there to agree? Didn't she say no?"

My fingers tightened when I saw Monica’s reply.

"Some wolves just have no pack spirit. They think they're better than us. But in the face of real power, they have no choice but to submit."

Even now, I was trying to be civilized. Trying to use the rules.

"That is private property. This is trespassing," I replied directly under her post.

Under ten seconds later, Monica sent me a toxic voice note.

Her voice was sharp and hateful. "Private property? Stop acting, Vesper! You think I don't know? How could a defective, scentless Omega like you afford a penthouse?"

"I bet you're just some rich Alpha's whore! A piece of trash like you dares to fight us?"

"Let me tell you, one word from Julian, and you won't even leave this pack alive!"

I gripped my phone, anger burning in my chest.

This was hilarious.

My father was the Lycan King, and this low-born bitch was trying to slut-shame me?

The forum blew up.

"Oh Goddess, is that true?"

"I knew it. How else could a young rogue afford that?"

"These sugar-baby Omegas are getting too arrogant."

"No wonder she's so stuck up. Her blood is dirty."

"Monica is right! Kick her out!"

I calmly screenshotted every single comment for evidence.

I made a promise to myself. I left the Royal Court for a reason. I would handle this the civilized way. With lawyers and lawsuits. Not with fangs and blood.

"Monica, this is defamation and conspiracy to trespass. I have screenshotted everything. My legal team will contact you," I typed.

Monica shot back, even more arrogant. "Trespass? Hahaha! Go ahead! Sue me! Let's see if you can find a single judge in this zone who dares to take your case!"

"You bottom-feeders will never understand Julian’s connections!"

Gideon jumped in too. "Miss Vesper, watch your tone. We are acting on Council orders. Everything is legal. If you keep disrupting pack harmony, we will ban your account."

The neighbors piled on.

"Yeah! Vesper is so ungrateful!"

"Monica and Julian do so much for us, why can't you just cooperate?"

"A shady woman playing the victim?"

The fury inside me roared like wildfire. My sanity was hanging by a thread.

I turned off my phone, leaned back on the couch, and closed my eyes.

My million-dollar territory, stolen. My property deed, called a fake. My reputation, dragged through the mud.

Fine. Reason didn't work.

I stood up, took photos of my property deeds, encrypted them, and emailed them to my exclusive Royal legal team.

The moment I hit send, my hyper-sensitive nose caught a strange scent.

Then, the faint sound of glass breaking.

It came from the Moon Terrace upstairs.

Someone was in there? So late?

I dropped my phone.

The strange wolf scents were getting stronger.

More than one. At least three or four.

What were they doing in my wine room?

A bad feeling hit me.

I rushed to the stairs.

The smashing sounds grew louder, mixed with crude laughter and heavy footsteps.

When I pushed open the door to the terrace, the sight froze me to the core.

Chapter 4

The security barrier was smashed. My heart almost stopped.

My entire collection of rare Lycan suppressants and vintage liquors was shattered.

Bottles worth millions, centuries-old treasures, were reduced to a sea of broken glass and spilled alcohol.

Every drop of that liquid could calm the primal rage in Lycan blood. Now, it was just bleeding out on the floor, smelling like heartbreak.

But what made my blood boil was the glass wall. Sprayed in massive red paint were the words: "Omega Whore."

Shaking, I pulled out my phone and called management.

"Hello?" The voice was lazy.

"My private terrace was broken into!" I kept my voice tight. "Send security up here right now!"

A heavy sigh on the other end. "Oh. Got it. We’re short-staffed. We'll send someone up in an hour or so."

"An hour?" My voice dropped below zero. "My home was invaded, my collection destroyed, and that's your answer?"

"Hey, we’re busy downstairs. Wait in line. We'll get to you when we get to you."

He hung up.

I stared at the phone. The beast inside my chest started slamming against its cage.

Almost an hour later, Gideon finally strolled up with one guard.

He looked at the mess and whistled. "Wow. They really went to town on this place."

"What is management going to do about this?" I glared at him.

He threw his hands up. "This? Not our jurisdiction. It's not a violent assault. Even if the Enforcers come, they’ll just make you fill out a form. You'll just have to suck it up."

"Suck it up?" My voice rose. "I pay tens of thousands in HOA fees! My terrace is trashed, my property destroyed, and you tell me it's not your problem?"

He rolled his eyes. "Lady, we’re managers, not the Royal Guard. We don't care about this drama. You pissed someone off, you deal with it."

Before I could speak, a shrill laugh echoed from behind me.

"Well, well, if it isn't our penthouse neighbor! What happened to your little bottles?"

I turned around. It was Monica.

She pointed at the red paint, laughing hysterically. "'Omega Whore.' Wow, whoever did this nailed it! Hahaha!"

"Looks like someone finally taught a shameless woman a lesson. This is what happens to home-wrecking whores!"

"I want to see the security footage." My voice was ice.

Gideon and Monica exchanged a look. "Unfortunately," Gideon smirked, "the cameras broke tonight. System glitch. We didn't catch a thing."

"System glitch?" I sneered. "How convenient."

Monica suddenly lunged at me with a furious look. "You little bitch, you still dare to mock us?!"

She slapped me hard across the face.

I stumbled back, blood pooling in the corner of my mouth. I didn't dodge. I was too busy holding back the Royal beast that wanted to tear her head off.

The guard rushed over and grabbed my shoulders, thinking he could hold me down.

"Who do you think you are?" Monica bragged. "Let me tell you, my husband just needs to make one call to the Lycan Beta, and you’ll be torn to shreds!"

"Have you heard of Caleb? The legendary Enforcer! One word from Julian, and he'll come deal with trash like you!"

I slowly turned my head and wiped the blood from my mouth with my thumb.

Lawyers. Judges. Legal teams.

I really tried to use human rules for this.

Now I realized how stupid that was.

You can't sue animals with human laws. You can't reason with mad dogs who only understand the jungle rules.

Against beasts, you use the only language they understand: absolute bloodline domination.

They crossed the line. My father's line.

I spat blood onto the floor and pulled a tiny crystal vial from my pocket.

It was my scent-suppressant. The thing I used to pretend I was harmless.

Right in front of them, I crushed it in my hand.

Monica didn't back down. She laughed louder. "Calling for backup? You think I'm scared? My husband can summon Beta Caleb! Even if you pray to the Moon Goddess, no one can save you!"

The guard chimed in. "Miss Vesper, don't make this ugly. You can't mess with Gamma Julian and his connections. You're a nobody. Just apologize to Monica and let it go."

Monica crossed her arms, lifting her chin. "Hear that? Last chance. Kneel, apologize, and give me the access codes. I might let you live. Or else..."

Beta? Caleb?

The cold-blooded killer who kissed my father's ring at the Full Moon Festival last year and swore loyalty to me?

The Royal executioner.

And this bitch was using his name to threaten me?

I felt my Lycan blood roaring as it was finally freed.

A cruel smile crept onto my face—the smile of Lycan royalty right before an execution. I pulled out my phone and dialed the number right in front of them.

"Find Caleb. Tell that piece of trash he has twenty minutes to get his ass to my penthouse in the Neutral Zone. If he isn't kneeling here licking the blood off my floor by then... he won't live to see tomorrow's moon."

Chapter 5

Monica stared at my phone like it was the funniest joke in the world.

"Hahaha! She actually called someone!" She clutched her stomach. "Goddess, this bitch really thinks she can order Caleb around? The legendary Beta?"

The guard laughed too. "Vesper, bad acting. Caleb is the right hand of the Royal Court! You think a fake phone call scares us?"

Monica wiped a tear of laughter. "I actually pity you now. Making up such a ridiculous lie just to look tough."

She pulled out her phone and smugly texted Julian. "Honey, bring the guys up. We have a crazy woman here who needs a trip to the psych ward."

I calmly watched the countdown on my watch. Nineteen minutes.

As the seconds ticked by, the heavy, suffocating pressure in the air grew thicker.

The pureblood scent of a true apex predator started bleeding into the hallway.

The tall guard's smile froze.

His breathing turned shallow. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He instinctively took a half-step back, his knees turning to jelly. It was the genetic instinct to submit.

But Monica, a low-blood wolf with terrible senses, didn't notice a thing. She was a complete idiot.

She stared at the shattered glass of my suppressant vial, thinking she had caught me red-handed.

She covered her nose and shrieked dramatically. "You bitch! You bought black-market witch potions to fake a pureblood scent?!"

"You think breaking a bottle of black magic perfume is gonna scare us? Using dark magic to fake a bloodline will get you rotting in a pack prison for life!"

The guard swallowed hard when he heard that.

He forced himself to stand straight, clinging to her logic.

"So it's a trick," the guard gritted his teeth, fighting his trembling legs. "Almost fooled us with your dirty tricks."

"Julian is on his way," Monica waved her phone proudly. "When he exposes your cheap potion, I’m gonna strip you naked and throw you out of the Neutral Zone myself."

Ten minutes.

Five minutes.

I didn't even blink. To them, my silence was proof of my guilt.

"Scared now?" Monica stepped closer. "Still time to get on your knees and beg."

One minute left.

The crushing dominance of a pureblood Lycan choked the entire hallway.

The guard turned pale as a ghost, gasping for air like a dying fish.

Even though his brain told him it was black magic, his body was on the verge of a breakdown.

Ding. The elevator stopped on the top floor.

Monica turned her head in triumph. "Look, Julian is here! You're dead, bitch!"

The elevator doors slid open.

But it wasn't Julian. It was a squad of Royal Guards in pitch-black suits.

Their eyes were sharp as blades, radiating a terrifying aura of death.

Then, a massive figure stepped out from the shadows.

Caleb.

The legendary Enforcer. The Royal Court's most ruthless executioner.

His killing intent instantly sucked all the oxygen out of the hallway.

The guard's legs gave out, and he passed out cold on the floor.

Ignoring the broken glass, Caleb marched straight toward me.

This killer, who made the entire werewolf world tremble, dropped heavily to both knees, splashing into the spilled liquor and blood.

Sweating bullets, he picked up my hand with trembling fingers and kissed my Royal signet ring in pure terror.

"Your Highness," his voice shook with ultimate fear and reverence. "Please punish me for arriving late."

Monica’s smug smile completely froze. Her brain short-circuited.

Just then, the elevator pinged again.

Ding.