Page 48 of Howling Mad
At the front of the room, Claudia continues smoothly.“My approach synthesizes traditional pack economic principles with select human market insights, creating a hybrid model uniquely suited to modern shifter needs.”
The smug satisfaction radiating from her makes it clear this isn’t about winning Michael back but about proving her superiority and his insignificance to the pack.She occasionally glances our way, gauging Michael’s reaction with poorly concealed triumph.
When she finally opens the floor to questions, Michael raises his hand.The room stills, clearly aware of the angry pheromones pouring off him.
“Ms.Hayburn,” he says, his voice perfectly controlled but ice-cold, “I couldn’t help noticing the striking similarity between your proposed strategies and the investment model I developed three years ago.Particularly the risk assessment matrix on slide seventeen, which appears identical to my work.”
Claudia’s smile doesn’t falter, but her eyes narrow fractionally.“I’m not surprised you see similarities.After all, I was the one who conceptualized these approaches while you merely worked out some technical details.It’s natural that you’d recognize elements of our collaborative process.”
The blatant lie sends a surge of fury through me.A low growl escapes my throat, and it’s audible enough to make several heads turn in my direction, including Claudia’s.
Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arch as she gives me a dismissive once-over.“Perhaps your...companion...should remember her place in the pack hierarchy before making such sounds during a formal business presentation.”
“My place?”The words escape before I can stop them.
“Indeed.”Claudia’s smile turns condescending.“As a guest, and presumably a potential mate still seeking approval, traditional protocols suggest listening rather than growling, especially when discussing matters beyond one’s expertise.”
The room temperature seems to drop several degrees.Michael half-rises from his seat, but I place a restraining hand on his arm.This is my battle now.
“Funny,” I say, keeping my voice even, “I thought my place was beside my mate, defending his intellectual property from theft.”
Gasps ripple through the assembly.Claiming Michael as “mate” so publicly, without formal pack recognition, is provocative enough, but accusing Claudia of theft pushes it into outright challenge territory.
Her perfect composure slips for just a moment, and raw anger flashes in her eyes before she controls it.“Bold words from someone whose wolf form we haven’t even seen.Perhaps you should demonstrate what kind of mate Michael has chosen, so everyone can see.”
The challenge hangs in the air, unmistakable in its intent.She expects me to back down, to shrink away from displaying my wolf form to the pack.She has no idea that I’m smaller than the typical wolf but likely has guessed I probably won’t pass muster with these judgmental jerks.It’s a calculated move to humiliate both me and Michael in one stroke.
Instead, I rise from my seat.“With pleasure.”
Michael starts to protest, but I shake my head slightly.I’ve spent my entire life being judged for being different.I’m done hiding.
Without hesitation, I step into a clear space between the tables.In one fluid motion, I toss off my dress and shift into my full wolf form.My process is notably quicker than most wolves can manage, a quirk I’ve possessed since childhood.My underwear rips and flies everywhere.
The assembled pack members gasp audibly.Where they expected a traditional wolf, my form is smaller than average with unusual silver-tipped fur that immediately marks me as different.Whispers spread through the room, and I catch fragments about my “runt” size.From the corner of my eye, I see Michael’s father’s expression darken with disapproval.
Not to be outdone, Claudia steps forward.“If we’re demonstrating forms...”
After disrobing, she shifts as well, her transformation elegant and practiced.Her wolf form emerges textbook-perfect.Glossy black fur, powerful build, and an imposing size at least a third larger than mine.Everything a “proper” wolf should be.
She circles me with clear predatory intent, expecting easy dominance over the smaller wolf.The pack watches, a few leaning forward in anticipation of my inevitable submission to her superior form.
What happens next shocks everyone, including, slightly, me.
When Claudia lunges, I don’t retreat or submit.Instead, I move with the lightning speed and uncanny agility that my smaller form allows.I sidestep her attack with a maneuver that no one anticipates, using my size as an advantage rather than a liability.Years of being underestimated by larger wolves in my childhood pack taught me how to fight smarter, not harder.
She recovers quickly, whirling to face me with a snarl.She lunges again, expecting to overwhelm me with her superior mass.Instead, I duck beneath her, using her momentum against her.Through a series of strategic movements—feints, redirections, and one particularly daring roll—I manage to get behind her.
In a display of strength that surprises even me, I leap onto her back and pin her to the ground, placing my teeth at her neck in the classic wolf dominance position.I don’t bite down since I’m not looking to harm her but make it unmistakably clear who has won this confrontation.
The pack meeting room erupts in chaos.Eleanor’s appreciative howl cuts through the commotion as Alpha Dexter rises, shouting for order.Michael’s father stands frozen, his expression caught between outrage and reluctant admiration.
I hold the position for three more seconds—long enough to make my point without humiliating Claudia further—and then release her and step back, keeping my head high and my posture proud.
For a moment, the two of us stand facing each other, wolves assessing the new reality between us.Then, with deliberate calm, I shift back to human form and retrieve my dress.
Claudia shifts back as well, though her perfect appearance is now distinctly disheveled.Somehow, I’ve emerged looking more composed than she has.
“This meeting is in recess!”Alpha Dexter’s voice cuts through the uproar.“We will reconvene in one hour.”
