Third Person's POV The moment the pack youths began chattering again-one voice after another-the atmosphere reignited, louder than before. And in this Mistyhowl Mountain gathering, the only wolf expelled from the event was Aaron. Drenched in sticky juice and spilled liquor, Aaron was forced to retreat under everyone's stare, humiliation burning hotter than his wolf's pride. But worse still awaited him. Just as he called his driver, the voice on the other end tightened with unease. "Alpha Aaron... the car's tires just blew." Aaron froze. His wolf snarled. There was no way this wasn't sabotage. Unless someone wanted him stranded. He clenched his jaw until it hurt, rage boiling under his skin. The Lodge refused to lend a car. Dispatching another would take time he didn't want to spend rotting on this cursed mountain. He wanted out-now. Several thoughts flashed through his head before he finally dialed the close friends he himself had invited to this gathering-the ones who once followed him like loyal pups. "You're staying for the two-day retreat, right? Let me borrow your car. I'll return it tomorrow." But on the other end, every single one of them stuttered, dodging, making excuses. Call after call. Not one would lend him a vehicle. He had just offended Aysel, the Moonvale she-wolf protected by Magnus Sanchez, the most dominant Alpha on the continent.Who would dare get entangled with Aaron now? Cutting ties was mercy. Within half an hour, the once-smug young wolf-so eager to defend Celestine Ward-fell from heaven to the deepest pit, tasting the coldness of pack politics. Fury exploded in him. He smashed his phone to the ground, and when that wasn't enough, he grabbed the driver's device too and hurled it. The driver stared wordlessly. Fine, smash them both. Now he couldn't even call for outside help. Ten minutes after his tantrum burned out, Aaron finally realized what he'd done. Before he could erupt again, the security captain of Mistyhowl Mountain Lodge approached with a professional smile. "Sir, this is pack-neutral territory. Non-lodging guests must vacate quickly." Aaron glared. "Hurry, hurry, hurry! You rushing me to my death?! I don't even have a car-how am I supposed to get down the mountain?!" The captain lowered his gaze... to Aaron's legs. Aaron froze. Moments later, he found himself walking down the mountain path-stumbling, sweating, legs weak, wolf energy drained-regretting ever arranging this gathering to humiliate Aysel Vale. He still thought Celestine was "pitiful," sure. But now that he experienced genuine helplessness, the romance of "saving a damsel" suddenly felt far less glamorous. And he didn't even know yet that on his smashed phone were dozens of missed calls from his furious parents-and that he was one step away from being shipped to a harsh outpost in the South with Knox Draven and his pack brothers. If he knew, he might have wanted to roll off the cliff himself. The first car he saw coming up the mountain-he flagged down immediately.The vehicle stopped. The window rolled down. Aaron saw the woman behind the wheel. Somewhat familiar. But he didn't know her. And the car wasn't anything impressive. Surely not from the Imperial wolf elite. He lifted his chin with entitled arrogance. "Your vehicle. I'm requisitioning it to get down the mountain. I'll pay you ten thousand." Zenia looked at him first-really looked-at the hair that was no longer the garish color she remembered. Then her eyes settled on his face. Her lips pressed tight. A wolf's nature never changed. Time didn't cleanse rot. She restarted the engine. "Tell your man to get out of my way," she said coldly. "Or I drive straight through him." And she even moved forward a little. Aaron's driver jumped aside without needing instruction. Aaron glared at him, powerless, forced to watch the only salvation he'd encountered disappear in a cloud of exhaust. He cursed into the wind. Today truly was cursed-he must have offended every she-wolf on the continent. Meanwhile, ahead, Zenia stared into her rearview mirror at the man ranting on the roadside. Her face remained blank, but memories flooded her mind. Funny enough, it was partly because of Aaron that she and Aysel ever crossed paths.Years ago, in Mistyhowl Mountain as well, their class had joined several elite senior classes for a team-building retreat. Zenia, the class monitor, ended up responsible for half the logistical work. Her parents were ordinary Omega laborers, and she had a younger brother-her family heavily favored sons. Plain appearance, quiet nature-she was the kind easily ignored. She worked nonstop doing paid chores for other wolves: writing assignments, running errands, delivering items. It was how she earned her school fees. And she became class monitor only because the wealthy wolf students were too rebellious, too proud. The teachers were desperate. A leader? No. A tool? Yes. No one else wanted the job. But the role came with scholarship bonuses. So she volunteered. Which only meant being used more. And the worst among them? Aaron. Constantly running errands for Celestine Ward-wanting to impress her-but never going himself. He ordered Zenia around rain or shine, whether she was studying or sick. Other students at least paid properly. Sometimes even thanked her. Aaron? He threw money on the ground.And laughably-he paid the most-whenever Celestine gave him a smile, he would tip more. During that Mistyhowl retreat, they camped outdoors because Celestine wanted to stargaze. Zenia had her period that day and felt awful, but Aaron wouldn't let her rest-he "might need her anytime." While preparing grilling ingredients near the cliffside, she felt something wrong-warmth spreading down her back. Mortified, she reached for a spare pack from her bag, only for a hand to snatch it away. A boy, face flushed, holding her sanitary pads. "Perfect, you've got some. I'm taking these. Celestine needs them." He tossed a hundred-credit bill at her feet. Zenia sat on a rock, fighting cramps and humiliation, and grabbed his wrist. "I'm not selling that. Give it back." Aaron's face darkened. "Using your things is doing you a favor. Drop the act." "But I need them too," she whispered. She thought for a moment. "Celestine only needs a couple for emergencies. You're definitely getting someone to fetch her a more expensive pack from the foot of the mountain. Give me back the rest."