A few of the younger women tittered behind their hands.
Kira's smile was bright and unbothered, the same smile she had perfected while enduring years of pack mockery.
"Management is management, Lady Cherry," Kira said, her voice clear and calm. "Whether it is a small pack or a big kingdom, the rules are the same: you keep the loyal people close and make sure the ones with loud mouths know their place. Don't you agree?"
Cherry's face flushed a deep red. A few of the older Lunas exchanged glances. They had expected a girl they could intimidate, but they had found a woman who knew exactly how to wield her tongue like a silver blade.
As the dinner went on, the women tried to ignore Kira by talking about pack business. They discussed pack laws, taxes, and how to care for the elderly and children. They hoped to leave Kira out of the conversation, but she shocked them all.
