Athaliah let out a soft laugh, but there wasn't a single hint of real amusement in her eyes. The humiliation Ravyn had just thrown at her in front of everyone wasn't something she could simply brush off.
She lifted her chin with fierce pride, refusing to let anyone think for even a second that she had been defeated. "No, Beta Damon," she said, her voice carrying across the gym with calm, unshakable confidence. "Keep the money. I have no use for it… unlike someone standing right in front of me."
The meaning behind her words hit everyone instantly. She wasn't talking about Damon. She was talking about Ravyn. The Alpha's expression darkened immediately. His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Athaliah met his gaze without the slightest hesitation. She didn't look intimidated at all. If anything, she looked faintly amused. "I only came here for two reasons." She raised two fingers, then lowered one.
