Caitlyn's POV
Looking what happened in front of me, I was momentarily speechless.
"I'm not the Gamma, and you guys are exaggerating," I said, shrugging helplessly, then descending from the high platform.
Those werewolves who had been prostrate on the ground also awkwardly stood up in reaction to their outburst.
Almost every pack's Gamma was honed through mission after mission. How could I expect everyone to admit me as the Gamma just because of my high potential?
"Caitlyn, how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?" Zed shook his head, acting somewhat helpless, but the delight in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
My performance was undoubtedly a morale boost for the majority of the pack.
"No, this can't be possible. She's just a werewolf-human hybrid. How could she have more potential than me? She must have secretly done something!" Karma whipped around and shouted toward me.
This outburst from Karma reminded the surrounding people that it was my first return to the Fullmoon Pack.
The sudden manifestation of powerful potential was indeed surprising. The light was even more dazzling than when Zed tested it, resembling a miracle that would only happen in a book. The surrounding clansmen looked at me with questioning eyes.
"Alpha, I think she's definitely a fraud. I suggest checking her out!" Karma's words were offensive.
"You all witnessed Caitlyn's test with your own eyes, and Azir was right next to you. Are you questioning me, the Alpha, by arguing here now?" Zed examined his surroundings with a stern face. It was obvious that the pack members who had raised a ruckus earlier were basically following Kayn.
As Zed fumed, the previous questioning instantly subsided. After all, no ordinary pack member would dare to incur the Alpha's wrath.
"Alpha, it's not right! We're all thrilled that Ms. Caitlyn has shown so much potential. However, it took us a long time to find someone who can help revive the pack. No one wants this to be a fleeting success, so to make sure everyone is on the same page, I suggest we reassess."
Just then, Kayn pushed his way out of the crowd and glanced up at Zed slowly.
I stood between the two, feeling the low, intimidating noises of both their wolves. It was evident that Zed's wolf was noticeably more powerful.
"Are you accusing me of cheating?" I couldn't help but glare at Kayn, snapping at him when I saw him in this state.
"What exactly did you do? I guess only you know."
Kayn laughed lightly, showing no concern for my offense.
"You shouldn't be satisfied with just your own potential. It's ridiculous to question everyone's ability when you can't do it yourself."
I glanced at Kayn and sneered.
Perhaps Kayn never had heard someone speak like that in front of him, and his face quickly reddened. Just as he was about to retaliate, Karma stepped out ahead of me and pointed at my nose, cursing.
"Damn it, what kind of attitude is that? Who the hell are you to speak to my father like that? Believe it or not, I'll rip your mouth off."
"Come on, if you want to get slapped again, feel free." I taunted Karma.
This provoked a great deal of anger in her. Her expression became grim as she looked at me coldly, an intimidating whimper escaping from her throat as a precursor to transforming into a wolf.
"Do you really think I'm afraid of you?" With a somewhat disdainful expression, I met Karma's gaze head-on.
At that moment, another wolf howl emanated from within me. Compared to before, it was extraordinarily loud, as if it was shouting directly into my ears.
At the same time, the power within my body was spreading in all directions, and the mark Talon left on my neck was slowly becoming scorching hot. This familiar sensation made me realize that my transformation was about to occur.
Perhaps in an attempt to give Karma a lesson, Zed, who had been about to intervene moments ago, closed his mouth, took a few steps back, and looked at me with anticipation.
On the other hand, the surrounding clansmen sensed my gradually intensifying aura, and a hint of panic appeared in their eyes, as if they remembered the incredible light that erupted earlier during my potential test.
Almost everyone was eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
"Karma!"
Just then, Kayn snapped at Karma, preventing her from continuing.
"Father, trust me, I will handle her..."
Karma gave me a somewhat unwilling look and viciously moved towards me, but she abruptly stopped before finishing her words.
"I'm really sorry; I'll definitely go back and educate her properly," Kayn suddenly put on a smile and pretended to be angry, pushing Karma a bit, declaring their departure from the scene.
This sudden turn of events left everyone a little confused, wondering about Kayn's change of heart.
Quite a few couldn't help but sigh in relief, having missed out on a potentially dramatic scene.
On the other hand, Karma oddly offered no resistance to Kayn's words and obediently followed his lead.
Only as she passed the werewolf statue, her form lurched, and she flicked the hem of her skirt with her hand before continuing on her way.
Intuition told me something was amiss with Karma's behavior, so I lunged forward and shouted,
"Wait!" My voice visibly startled Karma.
"Don't be ungrateful!" She glared at me, attempting to maintain her earlier bratty look, but her head was now coated with a fine layer of sweat.
"What's wrong, Caitlyn?" Zed frowned, not quite sure why I had suddenly changed my tone.
"Just take a look at what Karma is holding in her right hand."
Upon hearing my words, Karma visibly panicked, then glanced at Kayn beside her for support.
"What's that supposed to mean? Is it hard to believe that you still suspect us?" Kayn frowned, a hint of disdain tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"We'll know soon."
I waved my hand and shrugged.
"We don't need to prove anything to you."
Kayn said coldly before taking Karma's hand, preparing to leave.
"It won't take a long time."
At this moment, Azir, who hadn't spoken for a long time, suddenly spoke up, capturing everyone's attention.
All eyes turned to Karma, who tightly held her right hand. She blushed in shame and then slowly opened her palm as everyone observed.
A tiny transparent box appeared in her hand, and at its center hid a drop of crimson blood.