Chapter 761: Challenge

Hayley’s POV:

Melody completely ignored my interruption and continued, “He’s the beta of the Cyclone Pack’s alpha and the host of this year’s auction–Quentin Hanover, head of the Hanovers, a prestigious family that has long dominated the rock betting industry.”

She paused for a moment before adding, “Every year, the Hanovers manage to uncover stunning gems at the auction. That’s how they’ve stayed at the top of the rock betting world. But last year, something unexpected happened.”

Just as she was getting to the good part, she stopped.

I was already hooked and leaned in. “Why’d you stop? Come on–what happened?”

“Well,” Melody said, her voice calm but carrying weight, “rumor has it, a woman bought several raw stones last year, and every single one turned out to be top-grade gems. Meanwhile, the Hanovers had a terrible showing. Their family’s reputation took a hit, and Quentin nearly lost his spot as the lead beta.

“For years, the Hanovers have acted like they’re above everyone else, second only to the alpha family in the pack. They’ve never treated outsiders with an ounce of respect. That woman? She was like a breath of fresh air for everyone who’s ever been looked down on by them.”

For once, Melody’s tone held something close to admiration.

I raised an eyebrow, paused my steps, and asked, intrigued. “So? Where is this woman you’re talking about?”

Melody’s eyes dimmed again. “She disappeared after the auction. No one’s seen her since. Who knows if she’ll show up again this year?”

“Oh, come on. Stop your delusion. You really think she’ll get that lucky twice? If she dares show her face, she’ll just end up making a fool of herself, probably a clown with a one-hit wonder! Hahaha!” sneered a voice that grated on my nerves the moment I heard it.

I turned around to see a man sauntering in, dressed in flashy clothes and followed by a group of high-ranking werewolf bodyguards.

“And you are?” I asked coldly.

Melody leaned toward me and whispered, “That’s Preston Hanover. The only son of Quentin Hanover–the guy you just met earlier.”

Preston strode straight up to me. He eyed me with a smirk that reeked of lecherousness. “An Omega, but you’re a real beauty. First time at Cyclone Pack, sweetheart? You know who I am?”

I met his gaze; my stomach churned.

And just then, Truman appeared out of nowhere, stepping protectively in front of me. “How strange,” Truman said, his voice calm but razor-sharp. “Your father tried to have my people thrown out, and now here you are bothering them too. It seems the Hanovers don’t think much of me, do they?”

A flicker of annoyance passed through Preston’s eyes before he forced a crooked grin and shifted the topic. “You’re talking about that mystery woman, right? What a joke! Haha! She was just a coward.

“That’s not a fair thing to say, Mr. Preston,” Melody spoke up coolly, offering him no grace. “If she had gone head-to-head with you, I’m not so sure you would’ve come out on top.”

I caught a hint of protectiveness in Melody’s voice–like she was defending that woman. My lips curled into a faint smile.

Preston’s eyes blazed, his pupils narrowing like a wolf about to attack.

“I don’t care about all that bullshit,” he growled. “This time, my family is showing up with a secret weapon. No one’s stealing the spotlight from us!”

“Oh?” I scoffed, unable to hold back.

Sure, maybe I’d gotten lucky last time, but he was underestimating me far too much.

Preston kept staring at me like I was a prize to win, not a person.

I stared back–at the veins in his neck–and tried to resist the overwhelming urge to let Hera take over and tear through his throat.

Clenching my fists tight, I kept my face calm and asked coldly, “Why don’t we settle this with a match?”

Preston was stunned by my offer. “You want to compete? In rock betting? You?”

“Me,” I said with an easy smile. I may have relied on luck last time, but every stone I picked turned out perfect. This time will be no different.

“Let’s see who finds the rarer gem. Highest single-stone value wins.”

Truman’s dark eyes narrowed as he turned to look at Melody.

She stepped in quickly, her voice firm. “Ms. Carson, please don’t be reckless. The family can use their wolves to sniff out the gems hidden inside the stones. You’re no match for that.”