Chapter 161. A Brand New Status

Princess Elena’s POV

Power had stopped being an abstract idea for me. It wasn’t pride. It wasn’t ambition. It was survival. After everything that had happened; courtrooms, chains, threats whispered behind smiles, I understood one thing clearly: titles without authority were useless. Being a noble meant nothing if someone stronger could still crush you. And people like Sara and her father? They won’t spare me. They are waiting.

That was why I didn’t interrupt when Evelyn started talking about succession. I already knew where this was going.

“If I want to stay alive,” I said slowly, meeting her eyes, “I can’t just be protected. I need power of my own.”

Evelyn’s lips curved slightly. “You’re learning fast.”

I let out a breath. “So becoming the next female Alpha isn’t optional, is it?”

“No,” she said. “It’s necessary.”

The thought settled heavily in my chest. Authority. Command. A position high enough that no one could drag me back to an