Aysel's POV I rubbed the last vestiges of sleep from my eyes, yawning as the shadows of evening crept into the apartment. It was nearly eight o'clock, yet I had slept like a wolf hibernating through the day, every muscle loose and exhausted. Stepping out of my bedroom, I froze mid-step. A man-tall, imposing, and radiating cold authority-stood on my narrow balcony, speaking into a phone. Even without the lights on, his presence was sharp enough to cut through the dim, a spine-chilling chill that clawed along my skin. I blinked at him, then muttered under my breath, "Who the hell are you?" "Magnus Sanchez," he turned to me and said casually, as if he'd read my thoughts before I spoke them. I blinked. The name... Shadowbane Pack. The legendary Alpha. The ruthless, merciless wolf that ruled the continent's most feared pack. My ears twitched involuntarily. "You... you're the Alpha of Shadowbane Pack? The one everyone says is cold-blooded and kills without hesitation?" His expression flickered the slightest hint of amusement. "Guilty as charged." I sucked in a breath and turned sharply toward the kitchen, reminding myself: don't look weak. Not here, not in front of a predator like him. Meanwhile, another man's voice carried faintly from the phone, updating him about the chaos my... unexpected actions had caused. Word had spread that Magnus had gone missing, badly injured, and now Conor Sanchez was making his rounds among shareholders, scheming to sway loyalties. Magnus's gaze followed me as I moved, lazily cool. "Ignore his little games, Jackson" he said, voice smooth, dangerous. "The higher he climbs, the harder he falls." "Alpha, you shouldn't be exposing yourself like this right now. Don't you want to retreat to... Shadowbane Court for recuperation?" the man named Jacckson asked, I guess it should be the secluded estate he owned-staff and healers always on call, and a place so massive that even a single room outshone my whole apartment. "I have my own arrangements," he said simply, eyes flicking to mine for a moment before returning to the night outside. "Keep your eyes on Conor." I nearly touched the boiling pot on the stove, lost in my own thoughts, when suddenly Magnus's hand shot forward. He grabbed my wrist, and the warmth of his huge frame pressed against me as the small kitchen shrank around us. My elbow accidentally jabbed him in the stomach. "What-what are you doing?!" I exclaimed, startled.He made a low hum, unfazed. "I can't have perfectly good dumplings tainted by the scent of burnt meat," he said, and calmly reached behind me to switch off the gas. I blinked, realizing that if he hadn't caught me, I would have scorched my arm. I gave a small, reluctant smile and grabbed the opened dumpling package. "Fine, fine... since the generous Alpha is saving my life, you'll eat dinner too," I said, deliberately mimicking Jackson's tone. He raised an eyebrow, a trace of amusement curling his lips. "You're inviting your savior to dinner... and that's all?" I froze, realizing I hadn't even cooked his portion. "Hey, you are a guest under my roof. Wrapping a few dumplings for you is already mercy. Don't you dare complain," I said, lightly elbowing him as a warning. Magnus finally released me from his embrace and straightened, leaning against the fridge. "Ten million," he said casually. I paused mid-motion, turning to glare at him with wide, golden eyes. My pack wasn't poor, but I was down to my last reserves after buying this place outright. Magnus's gaze softened slightly at the intensity of my stare, though I caught the faint glimmer of amusement. "Consider it your lodging and meals while I stay here," he clarified. I huffed, suddenly bending over the stove again. "Yes, yes, my great benefactor. Please enjoy your meal." I shepherded him back to the sofa, then picked up my phone to order takeout. "As the great Alpha, don't you deserve at least one home-cooked meal from me?" I teased, though inwardly I knew my culinary skills were laughable. Magnus tilted his head, pretending to be displeased. "You only make three dishes, right?" "Exactly. Fried dumplings, boiled dumplings, pan-fried dumplings." I said innocently, as if that somehow counted.