Aysel's POV "And you still carry the bond of betrothal to Celestine, remember your place," I said, letting my voice growl with warning, "One transgression is enough-do you want to tempt fate a second time?" My words had barely left my mouth when I felt Magnus relax beside me, the shadow of annoyance lifted from his expression, sunlight breaking through clouds in the human world, or perhaps moonlight through the forest in ours. He glanced at Damon, who stood frozen, legs heavy as ancient roots, unable to take a step forward. I could feel the tension between them, like two rival wolves circling, but Magnus and I-our scent, our bodies close and natural-were in sync. Damon's denial was palpable. The moon's favor, the pack's protection, it was mine, and it clung to Magnus as if marked by the wild itself. Damon swallowed thickly, trying to mask the sting, the ember of frustration and loss lighting his eyes. He forced a calm smile, trying to persuade himself, "It's alright... Aysel, you're young. Love and hatred come too violently. I'll wait for you to understand." His voice faltered against the storm that was Magnus and me. "Did you get the hyacinths I sent? Shall I bring you some every day?" Hyacinths? The Shadowbane Pack had never sent such trivial flowers. I glanced at Magnus, curious, only to see his gaze wander casually to the corner of the room, eyes pretending to drift. I smiled faintly, twisting my fingers in his hand, and said lightly, "I threw them away." Four simple words, but I could feel Damon's world tilt. "Why?" "I don't like hyacinths. You sent them knowing their meaning-a wordless apology-but each bloom reminded me of the wounds you've left. Damon, I don't need your apologies; I need justice. I need to be treated rightly." I cut him off before he could speak again. "And don't send anything else. I despise them-not for what they mean, but because they come from you. Nothing from anyone else is welcome. There is no need of any gift from a third party in our pack. Damon, entanglement is a weakness, and it is contemptible." Words flung like sharpened claws. Damon had never seen me like this, unyielding, all sense of mercy stripped away. I could hear the wind howl in the gaps his chest had left, a gaping void. Magnus's hand clasped mine, his strength grounding me, as we brushed past Damon, who stood stunned, silent, the wolf inside him clawing at the restraint his pack training demanded.Magnus halted just a step beyond, a growl rumbling in his throat, his eyes catching Damon's with chilling precision. "Aysel is not with child." Damon blinked, caught off guard. Magnus's voice remained calm, firm, filled with an Alpha's authority. "Forcing a woman to end a life she carries-that is the act of a powerless man. Understand this: I speak not to gratify you, but to warn that no false whispers of her name will spread. Aysel deserves the utmost care, the highest respect-always." He had always been cautious, deliberate, yet every action screamed sincerity. The lesson was clear, carved in the air like claw marks on bark. Damon's pride would bruise, but Magnus left nothing to doubt-our bond was unassailable, sacred in the eyes of the moon and pack alike. We walked on, hand in hand, our silhouettes a single shadow moving through the sterile hall. Behind us, the chaos intruded-voices startled, feet pattering frantically. "Oh, doctor! Doctor! Someone's bleeding!" "Hurry! Lift the patient onto the stretcher!" "So young... what trauma could have caused this?" Damon's fury had consumed him, and his body betrayed him-he coughed up blood and collapsed, the harsh scent of iron and rage filling the air. The murmurs of the pack and onlookers swirled around my ears like restless wind. I cast a single glance back, but only one. Damon's figure was soon swallowed by the crowd, vanishing like a lone wolf pushed from the hunting ground. I let my eyes wander briefly over the scene, detached, almost amused.