Chapter 164. Steel and Spine

Princess Elena’s POV

I could feel the weight of every gaze on me, heavy and expectant. My hands twitched at my sides, the urge to act warring with the unease coiling in my stomach.

“I’ll do it, Lady Elena,” Evelyn’s voice cut through the tension, firm but cautious. “No need for you to soil your hands…”

Alpha Jose’s mocking tone stopped her. “So the Frostpine blood in her veins isn’t enough to demand vengeance herself? She’s just going to let someone else handle it?”

A ripple of snickers ran through the crowd. Eyes were fixed on me, measuring, waiting. I inhaled slowly, forcing my hands to unclench and then clench again, reminding myself who I was.

I held up my head. Calm and steady. “Thank you, Alpha Jose,” I said, voice even, almost polite. “This is… exactly the reminder I needed.”

Then I stepped forward. The kneeling man’s eyes widened at the sight of me. The crowd fell silent, the air thick with anticipation. Even Alpha Jose’s brow furro