Aysel's POV My wolf, Mia, stirred restlessly inside me. He helped us once. And before I could think twice, I was already moving-swift, silent, following the blood and fury into the forest beyond the ashes. Moonlight spilled across the clearing when I found him. The man was in his wolf form-a massive gray beast with fur matted by blood. Ten rogues circled him, snarling, their eyes gleaming red with feral madness. He was still fighting, but barely-each movement slower, heavier. If I hesitated another second, he'd be torn apart. A snarl ripped from my throat before I even realized it. The rogues turned toward me. Big mistake. I let go. I let Mia out. Bones cracked. Skin burned. In a heartbeat, I was no longer human-Mia surged forward, my white wolf bursting into the moonlight like vengeance given form. The rogues lunged. I met them head-on. The night exploded in growls and screams. One rogue fell with his throat torn out. The second tried to flee-I ripped into his hind leg before snapping his neck. Then the third one, the fourth one... The last one, the biggest, managed to scratch my shoulder before I pinned him beneath my paw and ended it cleanly. Silence again. Only the sound of my own ragged breathing, the faint crackle of dying embers in the distance.The man had collapsed, his gray fur soaked crimson. He shifted slowly, painfully-bones cracking back into place until he lay naked among the grass, his breath shallow but steady. I exhaled and changed back too, biting back a groan as my body rearranged itself. The cold air hit my bare skin like a slap. Damn, I forgot how much I hated this part. I quickly snatched my hoodie and shorts, tugging them on before glancing back-and nearly forgot to breathe. The man lay half-conscious under the moonlight, all muscle and scars, his skin catching the silver glow like sculpted stone. Even it was the second time I met him. He was still... beautiful in a dangerous way. The kind of beauty that burned. "Damn," I muttered before catching myself and jerking my head away, cheeks heating. "You're lucky you're half-dead, or I'd let you bleed out just for being that distracting." He stirred then, voice rough and low, laced with dark amusement. "Is that how you thank your savior, Moonvale princess?" My heart jumped. He'd recognized me. Of course he had. "I don't recall asking for company, let alone a half-dead Alpha," I snapped, crossing my arms to hide the shiver that ran down my spine. "You're bleeding all over my forest." "Then stop complaining and help me up," he murmured, eyes flicking open-sharp, black, and full of that same wicked calm I'd seen once before. I sighed, cursing my conscience, and slung his arm over my shoulder. Even half-dead, he was heavy-solid muscle and quiet power. The kind of strength that warned you not to test your luck. Dragging him back to my apartment took everything I had. By the time I dumped him onto my couch, my arms were shaking. He let out a low groan, blood streaking his abdomen. I winced despite myself. "You really don't want a medic?" I asked."No need," he said, his voice steady despite the pain. "My people will come." I eyed him, doubtful. "You sure you'll still be alive by then?" He smirked faintly. "What's wrong, Aysel Vale? Worried I'll haunt your dreams?" "Worried you'll die in my living room and ruin the carpet," I muttered, turning away to grab a towel. When I came back, his eyes were half-lidded, but he was still awake-still watching me like a predator pretending to sleep. The sheer calm in his gaze sent a strange chill crawling down my neck. He was dangerous. I knew it. Every instinct screamed it. And yet... I didn't tell him to leave. I didn't move when he murmured, "You shouldn't look at me like that." "Like what?" "Like you've seen a ghost," he said softly. "Or someone you should run from but won't." Before I could answer, his hand-cold, blood-stained-brushed against my ankle. I froze. The contact jolted through me like lightning. His palm was rough, his fingers long, his scent-dark smoke and steel-wrapping around me until I almost forgot to breathe. I kicked his hand off, heart pounding. "Don't touch me." His lips curved faintly, a shadow of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Still fierce. Good." A knock came at the door before I could reply. Two men entered, his Beta, and a sleepy-looking medic clutching a kit. The look on their faces when they saw the man half-naked on my floor and my bare ankle stained with his blood was priceless. For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then his assistant cleared his throat. "Uh... sorry, Miss. We'll just-handle this quickly." Their Alpha didn't even flinch. "She saved my life. Show some respect." Their eyes widened. Mine rolled."Respect?" I muttered, backing away. "You mean ‘get out of my house before I throw all three of you out.'" His Beta shot me a terrified look and bowed his head. "Y-Yes, ma'am." As they tended to him, I turned toward the window, pretending not to notice the man's quiet chuckle behind me.