The woman stepped forward, her heels clicking against the white marble road as her cold gaze locked onto the guards. Her voice was sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension like a blade.
"You lowly worms," she spat, chin raised with contempt. "Go inform your so-called 'Boss' that I, Mea of the Silverlight Family, have come bearing royal notice."
The guards did not flinch.
She took a step closer, voice growing louder, resonating with authority. "This territory stands accused of grave crimes—exploiting the weak, fostering corruption, and defying the law of the kingdom."
Her eyes narrowed, and then she thundered, "The penalty for such treason is death. So kneel… and beg for mercy before I lose my patience!"
Her words echoed across the walls of White Wolf City. The ground seemed to tremble under her fury. From the crowd gathered outside, gasps and stunned silence followed. Even deep within the city, in a certain mansion room, Gray froze.
"Damn it…" Gray growled, snapping up from the sofa. His bare chest gleamed with sweat. His voice was filled with irritation and disappointment. "That f**ker just ruined the damn mood."
Beside him, Bella lay breathless and exhausted, still flushed and glowing from their intense, passionate session just moments earlier. Seeing her state, Gray calmed his voice and whispered softly to her, caressing her cheek. She smiled faintly before slipping into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Then, without wasting another second, Gray stepped outside the mansion. Within moments, he was atop the central balcony of the White Wolf City Mansion, the highest point in the city where he could oversee everything.
His golden-red eyes narrowed as he looked toward the city gates. From this distance, he could make out the flowing dress, golden hair, and prideful posture of the woman below. Even from afar, her powerful aura was obvious.
He exhaled deeply, then spoke aloud, his voice amplified across the city by some unseen force.
"Let her in."
The four white-uniformed guards at the gate instantly stepped aside, forming a neat passageway. As they did, the great marble gates slowly opened with a deep groan. Light flooded the ground beyond.
The crowd outside gasped in unison.
Beyond the gates was a sight few could have ever imagined. Streets paved in glowing white marble stretched out in every direction, inlaid with delicate golden veins that shimmered like sunlight trapped in stone. Homes, small and grand alike, were built from the same material, each one immaculate, each one beautiful. Even the lamp posts were topped with crystals and gold-plated bands.
The visitors stared in disbelief. This was no ordinary city.
It was something divine.
Mea, however, did not get back into her carriage. Instead, she stepped forward gracefully, choosing to walk. Two guards in white wolf uniforms walked ahead of her, and two more followed behind. As she passed through the gates, her heels echoed against the marble roads. The moment she entered, a strange sensation brushed against her body, like invisible chains wrapping around her soul. Her instincts flared, sensing that she was now being watched from every angle.
And worse… she couldn't shake the feeling that if she tried to run or attack, she would fail.
She glanced around subtly, refusing to show weakness.
White-uniformed figures began to appear along the street, emerging from alleyways, rooftops, and doorways. Dozens of them. Then hundreds. They didn't move aggressively. Instead, they stood in silence, spaced evenly apart, five meters between each, lining both sides of the road like an honor guard. Their eyes glowed faintly. Every movement they made was perfectly disciplined.
Mea walked through them, head held high, though her heart pounded slightly beneath her calm exterior.
The white soldiers, the Beta Werewolves of White Wolf City, stood like statues. Silent. Unyielding. Watchful. Not a single word passed between them. Their presence was a clear message.
No Funny business, lady
She reached the mansion courtyard soon after. In the center stood a strange stone statue, a beast she had never seen before. Its sharp fangs, hunched posture, and gleaming gemstone eyes made it feel almost… alive. A shiver ran down her spine as she passed it.
The mansion loomed before her. A majestic fortress crafted entirely from flawless white marble. At its peak was a carved wolf head that looked down on all below like a divine protector.
"This city…" she thought. "It's no city. It's a temple."
The beggar who had signaled her earlier flashed briefly in her mind. That wasn't just a poor man, that was her spy. A skilled assassin from her elite unit, level 42, was sent days before her to infiltrate and scout the city. But he had failed. Whatever power protected this place… it was beyond his skill.
Now she was here. Alone.
She was led inside the mansion. Servants in clean white uniforms escorted her without a word. She was guided into a grand hall and offered a seat. A maid arrived, placed a cup of tea before her, and left without speaking, bowing, or even glancing at her. It was deliberate. She was not being honored.
She was being tolerated.
Mea pressed her fingers to her temples, her mind racing with possibilities.
Then—
"What's an esteemed guest from the royal capital doing here, unannounced?"
The voice was calm. Strong. Slightly amused. Mea looked up.
There, on the upper railing, stood Gray Soliski.
He didn't wear armor. Nor a robe. Just simple black pants and an open vest. Yet the way he stood, the confidence, the power behind his golden-red eyes, made her feel like a commoner beneath a king.
Their eyes met.
She didn't respond.
Gray tilted his head. "No answer?" he asked. And then, without warning, he jumped from the railing.
He landed beside her without a sound, crouched slightly, then stood to his full height. He sat down opposite her, arms crossed, one leg over the other.
And then, with a low, dangerous grin, he spoke again.
"Alright, bitch. You disturbed something important. So speak fast, before I decide you're not worth hearing."