Aysel's POV Dariusz and Damon were old allies. When I heard about the trip, Dariusz insisted on joining too. Back then, he was a key member of Damon's project, and given their personal ties, Damon couldn't refuse. What started as a voyage for two soon became a pack affair-but I hadn't expected Dariusz to drag Celestine along as well. The so-called "distraction" never distracted anyone. Instead, Damon and I ended up bearing the shadow of a death. Dariusz played his part flawlessly. Even Skylar, who despised Celestine and had no fondness for her, couldn't utter a single word against him. The only fault to poke at was his ridiculous taste-falling for that venomous female, Celestine Ward. That day, the incident unfolded in chaos. Dariusz saved his mate, Celestine, and several others before finally collapsing when he tried to rescue Damon. He was celebrated as a saint for it. Later, when the Blackwood Pack considered replacing their daughter-in-law, and the Moonvale Pack worried for Celestine's safety, everyone pressured Damon to adopt Dariusz's guise and care for Celestine's fragile life. Anyone in the know couldn't accuse him of wrongdoing. Only I was bound by gratitude, my jealousy and protests weighed down by moral chains. And because Celestine, driven to despair, repeatedly attempted to end her own life. My own family held me accountable for the storm that had begun the sea expedition. Relations between our Packs froze once again. I endured more than I can recall, hiding from Moonvale Pack, yet still getting tangled in their schemes. And then... that wretched male hadn't even died. Skylar never believed in coincidences. Her first suspicion fell squarely on Celestine. Something felt off-back in high school, Celestine had chased Damon repeatedly. How could she suddenly switch her devotion to a man of mediocre standing, aside from his own attributes? Celestine's self-serving nature didn't allow her to love so purely. But the longer I observed, the clearer it became-they were inseparable, flawless in their bond. I could only scorn my own doubts. After all, Celestine's romance with Dariusz had begun long before Damon and I ever became entangled. Now, it all made sense. From the start, Celestine's affair was a trap set for Damon and me. Even Dariusz's polished, gentle demeanor-his outward civility and refined manners-masked a thrill-seeker's spirit, calibrated perfectly for this moment. I ground my teeth. "That woman is ruthless." I pressed my lips together, my emotions calmer than I expected. Dariusz may have sparked the collapse between Damon and me, but the ultimate outcome wasn't his doing alone.Perhaps Damon's initial care for Celestine stemmed from guilt, family pressure, or public expectation. But as he repeatedly chose her over me, I suspect he began to savor the forbidden, dangerous closeness. Being with Magnus now, I understand clearly what true favor and protection look like. If someone tried to repay Magnus with mere worldly wealth, he might grant it readily-but if they attempted to harm me under the guise of repayment, he would mark them as a threat, and their fates would be sealed, regardless of any past service. I don't waste time tracing the "what ifs" of Dariusz's survival. Seeking answers now is just giving my former self some closure. "We're going to confront him tonight," I said. Skylar's eyes lit up with anticipation. "How so? Break into his den?" I could only smirk at her eagerness. Skylar thought for a moment, her Frostfang eyes narrowing. "But his den is hard to track. Who knows where he's out prowling tonight." I only shook my head, the faintest curl of a smile brushing my lips. "No need. We'll let the prey wander into our snare." I sent a brief message to the bodyguards Magnus had assigned to me, then rested my gaze on the foreign streets flashing past the car window-streets carrying the scents of strange wolves, strange territories. my smile deepened.