Aysel's POV People used to whisper that Celestine was the "glittered saint" of the eastern territories-but Skylar and I knew better. And now, as Dariusz's trembling voice spilled the rest of his secrets, the darkness behind her false halo finally bared its fangs. "Some wolves mocked her behind her back," he rasped, "said she was a parasite on the Moonvale Pack... and she hinted their parents had married her off to an abusive gambler." He gulped for breath, shaking so hard the scent of fear rolled off him in waves. "And-she pretended to feed stray cats and pups in the alleys, but in truth... she tortured them. I have proof. Videos. Everything." Every hair on my wolf's spine bristled. Some filth Celestine handled with her own claws, but the smaller, dirtier tasks-once polished by her sweet-mask storytelling-had traces of Damon Blackwood's and even some Moonvale wolves' "cleanup" lingering behind them. Beside me, Skylar's Frostfang aura spiked, cold and killing-sharp. I felt the same burn rising through my own bones. Again and again, Celestine clawed past the bottom line of what even a corrupted wolf should be. Dariusz was already writhing on the floor, half-collapsed, the fruit dagger still skewering his bloody palm. "I'll hand over all the evidence," he sobbed. "Please-have mercy. I beg you." I crouched, my wolf's breath warm against his cheek, lips curling. "All you've done is list Celestine's sins. You mentioned Damon Blackwood. You mentioned my own Moonvale kin. But what about you?" I tilted my head. "Dariusz... were you pure in any of this?" He froze. His scent soured-guilt and panic tangled together. A knock came. One of the Shadowbane wolves I'd summoned earlier pushed the door open. "Luna?" he addressed me. I flicked my gaze toward the ashen-faced Dariusz. "He enjoys falling into the sea. Let him soak in saltwater for a few days. Maybe it'll cleanse that rotten brain.""Yes, Luna." They didn't question a thing. They simply gagged him and dragged him out with efficient, predatory precision. Just as the door swung shut, Magnus's video call lit up my screen. Of course he would pick this exact moment to see Dariusz being hauled away-bloody hand, embedded blade and all. Skylar stiffened, glancing at me as if expecting Magnus-the continent's strongest Alpha, wolf Rafe of Shadowbane-to be shocked that his mate had gone feral on someone. Some males liked their females soft, gentle, "untainted." Not mine. Magnus only frowned slightly, golden eyes narrowing. "Why did you dirty your own hands?" His tone held mild annoyance. "Messy." Then, in the second breath- "The angle of the blade won't fully disable his hand. If you were aiming to cripple it, you should've gone an inch lower. Sever the tendons." Skylar choked on air. I bit back a grin. Magnus shook his head, sighing. "One hand is too generous anyway. Aysel, you never need to hold back with trash." I blinked at him playfully. "Relax. That was just an appetizer." Skylar made a strangled noise beside me. She shouldn't have worried. We were perfectly matched in every feral way. ... After he and I exchanged a few minutes of disgustingly sweet mate-talk, Skylar finally snapped, collapsing forward onto the table as if the weight of our public affection physically crushed her. She leaned into frame with a deadpan smile. "Alpha Magnus, this is a best-friends-only trip in M-country. Can you stop stealing my girl right in front of me?" I had only been here one day.Magnus didn't even look offended. He greeted her casually, "Aysel is lucky to have you watching over her. I heard Frostfang is looking for new gemstone mines. I can arrange something as a backup option for you." Backup option? From the Shadowbane Alpha? That was essentially a guarantee of treasure. Skylar, moments ago insulted, immediately straightened like a soldier receiving a royal decree. "Ah-well-thank you, Alpha Magnus!" She thumped her chest. "Don't worry, we'll finish this drink and go home early. I won't let Aysel get drunk. And once the Sofia troupe business is settled, I'll personally escort her back." Magnus smiled, pleased. "Much appreciated." "Always a pleasure," Skylar replied with enthusiastic politeness. Once the formalities ended, he told me he wouldn't disturb my evening and hung up. Skylar turned to me, face impossibly innocent. "Babe... what can I say? He offered too much." We stared at each other for half a heartbeat- -and burst into laughter.