Third Person's POV Jackson, retracting his boot from Damon's back, smirked with wolfish coldness. "Why bother, Damon? Regret is a luxury no wolf can afford. What's lost is lost. You could have dominated your family's intrigues, but you chose to humiliate yourself instead." He crushed the offending boot into the ground, signaling his subordinates, face steely as flint. "Take him away. Attend to our Alpha properly." The earlier declaration of affection had passed without a ripple of notice from most of the gathering. Those unaware of Magnus's identity were quickly enlightened by murmurs from classmates, their eyes widening in stunned realization. Previously, when Aaron had accused Aysel of "climbing the ranks of the old Alpha," no one had believed it-but curiosity about the lord of the lodge now brought sharp attention. And here he was, in flesh and bone, utterly undeniable. Magnus was no mere "good" Alpha; he was the pinnacle of Alpha perfection. A few former high-schoolers who had quietly adored the pairing of Damon, the distant, cold Alpha, and Aysel, the stunningly intelligent and beautiful Moonvale she-wolf, had felt their hearts shatter when Damon had publicly fumbled his affection toward the infamous trickster, Adam. Yet with Magnus' sudden arrival, their spirits revived. No one had ever revealed the sweetness and solidity of this true mate-bond. Aysel guided Magnus through the throng, introducing him smoothly. "This is our class leader, Zenia, and our classmate, Emma." She reached for Magnus' hand again, a subtle yet undeniable claim. "My mate... and my fiancé, Magnus Sanchez." Magnus inclined his head in a formal but effortless gesture. "Greetings. I am Aysel's mate and fiancé." Both Zenia and Emma smiled knowingly, the familiar warmth of the "Alpha in full command" aura unmistakable. "Understood, understood," Zenia cooed. "May your union be long and harmonious." Magnus' eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. Rarely did he allow strangers such access to witness his emotions. "When we wed, Aysel will personally send you invitations," he said, a subtle growl threading through his words, signaling both dominance and charm. Emma's eyes practically sparkled. To receive a wedding invitation from the Shadowbane Alpha himself was a treasure few could ever imagine. Zenia simply beamed, feeling the quiet reassurance that the younger generation's fleeting romances were eclipsed by the true apex wolves.As they spoke, a sudden flash of light flickered nearby. A girl holding her device froze, caught mid-photograph. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. "Sorry, sorry... I just thought you two were... perfect together." Emma, knowing well the Alpha's distaste for unauthorized recording, quickly interjected, smoothing the situation. "I'll make sure it's deleted immediately." Tonight, the revelations and spectacles had been so extraordinary that countless photos and videos surely circulated, but discretion remained paramount. Magnus, however, cast a cool glance at the girl's device and remained utterly composed. "Keep it," he said, voice low and commanding. "Capturing memories at a reunion is natural. My presence should not impose upon the pack." The girl looked at him in astonishment, heart pounding. A legendary Alpha, feared and revered, and yet... merciful. Zenia, observing from nearby, caught the subtle intent in Magnus' eyes. This was no mere civility; it was a territorial declaration. While others remained ignorant, she understood perfectly who had truly been the object of Damon's earlier fumbling: it had always been Aysel. Magnus had no need for secrecy. Had he wished to control the moment, he would have denied them any chance at photography from the start. But he wanted witnesses-not to flaunt, but to establish the certainty of their mate-bond in the memory of those who had known their past. His gaze flicked briefly to the shadows where Damon had vanished, now empty. Cold. Detached. The sight reminded him of the girl's earlier expression: revulsion, shame, and helplessness. Magnus' wolf senses tingled, the primal awareness that any threat or rival observing should understood clearly: Ayselwas claimed, heart, body, and soul, by the apex of the continent, Shadowbane Alpha, Rafe.