Third Person's POV Aaron had barely finished speaking when he shot Wren a sharp look, signaling her to escort Aysel away immediately. Yet Manager Wren seemed to treat this "private-booking client" as if he were thin air. Her entire nervous focus rested solely on Aysel. "Your... your room?" Wren stammered, spine taut with tension. "We prepared everything exactly as instructed, Miss Vale. Is there anything you're unhappy with?" She straightened rigidly, almost trembling. "Just say the word-whatever needs changing, we'll fix it at once!" Every arrangement in that private villa- the height of the pillows, the shade of the bedding, the type of floral arrangements, even the freshly-pressed goblet of moon-citrus juice she was carrying- had been set according to a detailed list that Special Assistant Jackson claimed came directly from Magnus Sanchez himself, the Shadowbane Alpha. But what if Miss Vale's preferences had shifted? What if they had failed the Luna to be woman who could bring their entire lodge to its knees with a single complaint? Manager Wren glanced at her anxiously, desperate for redemption. Aysel realized the misunderstanding and shook her head gently. "No, everything's perfect. I'm not leaving." Relief washed over Wren's face. "Wonderful, Miss Vale. This moon-citrus juice is freshly prepared for you. Alpha said you've been unwell recently and should avoid alcohol." Aysel thanked her as she accepted the glass. Everyone nearby stared-frozen, bewildered. This was one of the highest-tier lodges in the entire wolf-continent. How could their manager possibly memorize one guest's physical condition and personal dislikes? And personally serve her?Summer-eyed Aaron, however, caught something wrong. "What room?" he snapped. "Didn't I book all the rooms tonight?" Wren gave him a baffled look. "Yes, sir, your rooms were booked under your name." Aaron jabbed a finger at Aysel. "Then what's she doing here? Aysel Vale-did you seriously use my name to scam the lodge into giving you a room?" He turned sharply back to Wren, voice rising, disrespect bleeding into every word. "I booked the entire lodge. I decide where she stays. You don't distribute anything without my approval!" Wren's expression chilled instantly. "Sir, please show some respect." Then confusion flickered across her face again. "Your rooms are, of course, yours to arrange. Mistyhowl Mountain Lodge never makes such errors." "Then where's her room?" Aaron demanded. "Explain that, unless you two are colluding!" Wren paused-speechless at his imagination. "Miss Vale is staying in the lodge's private reserved villa," she clarified. "It is not open to public guests." A ripple of realization cut through the onlookers. No wonder. This was land under the Shadowbane Pack's ownership-territory belonging to the strongest Alpha on the continent. Emma suddenly remembered Aysel's earlier statement that she "already had a place to stay." Now she saw why- the woman never needed Aaron's crumbs to begin with. Aaron blinked, then gave a disbelieving, ugly laugh. "A private villa? Oh, I get it now. That's why you're acting all calm." His voice dripped mockery. "You've climbed to a higher branch, huh? Aysel Vale, your identity as Moonvale's princess still isn't enough for you-you had to go cling to some decrepit old wolf?" A shower of cold citrus liquid splashed across his face. Aysel casually dug a finger in her ear. "Gods, your barking is grating." She then turned, smiling, toward Manager Wren. "Thank you for the juice. No need to bring more-I'll drink what's on the tables." Wren bowed slightly. "Of course, Miss Vale. We've stocked the villa with more." Aaron froze, stunned by the splash. Then rage erupted. "You-You dare throw juice at me?! You think getting some old wolf to sponsor you makes you powerful? He'll dump you by tomorrow! Just wait!" He wiped his face violently and rounded on Wren again. "I booked the whole lodge! Throw her out-now!" His command was answered by another cup of alcohol. Then another. And another. The table's supply began to shrink rapidly. Aysel, calm as moonlight, continued tossing them at him without pause. Emma quietly set down her own wine, sliding it toward Aysel. The other girls followed silently. By the tenth drink, Aaron was genuinely losing his mind. "Someone-ANYONE! Get this woman out! OUT! Aysel Vale, I'll kill you! I don't care who's behind you-even if it's some ancient ghost-Alpha-you're dead!" Hotel security arrived at last. But the ones they restrained...were his arms. His shoulders. His furious, dripping body pressed down to the polished floor. His cheek scraped painfully across the stone tiles as he was pinned. The world felt insane. Upside down. Impossible. "You're all insane! I'm your patron! The biggest client tonight!" He howled the words like a wolf cub who realized too late that the true Apex Predator had already claimed the territory-and it wasn't him.