Third Person's POV Before Ryan could even let his triumphant smile spread, a soft, ethereal female voice cut through the air behind him. The men turned, spotting Julia stepping out with a measured grace. "Why?" one of them asked, incredulous. Julia rolled her eyes, exhaling with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "She has a mate already-or rather, fiancé now." It was a good thing Magnus hadn't accompanied them to M Country this time. Had he been here, seeing these males salivating over prey they could never claim, he might have ripped them all apart on the spot. Julia's tone carried a warning. "Do not let it show too much." Ryan's heart sank, fragile as a frostbitten paw. "But they're not married yet! Maybe Aysel would prefer my type?" he protested, claws flexing in frustration. His two male colleagues stared in disbelief. Could it be that even the composed, distant Ryan could become so love-blinded, willing to challenge Aysel's mate? Julia's expression twisted into something inexpressible. "Don't even think about it. You have no chance." Ryan's fangs clicked nervously. "Why not? Her fiancé-he's handsome, right? Wealthy? Can he care for her like I could?" Julia nodded seriously. "More handsome. Richer. Aysel is his treasure. Accept it, wolf-you have no chance." The blow hit Ryan like a snapping branch in winter, leaving him shattered once again. "I... I just can't-" Julia raised a hand, cutting him off. "Sophia! Ryan's trying to chase Aysel!" She had tattled instantly. Sophia, just leaving the theater, froze, eyes wide in shock. "Are you serious?" she demanded, glaring at Ryan like he'd lost his mind.Before he could answer, she launched into a rapid-fire warning. "Don't be foolish. If you want to keep dancing your lead role, behave! Do you even know who her fiancé is? Our troupe's patron-the one they call Alpha Sanchez!" Ryan's eyes widened, pupils dilating like a wolf catching the scent of prey. "It's... him?" Ryan's lineage was respectable, but whispers of this mysterious patron had reached him long before. The man was said to be a shadowy master of wealth and influence, his mark hidden behind multiple empires and subtle machinations, courted by political wolves yet rarely seen. Dangerous. Brilliant. Untouchable. And now, he realized, Aysel's mate-the one who held her heart-was exactly such a wolf. Defeated, Ryan lowered his head. Sophia's sharp gaze softened as she saw he understood. She exhaled, tension leaving her fur. "Fine. Focus on your craft. After the new production premieres, your careers will rise to a new height. Don't do anything foolish." She paused, letting her next words land with the precision of a wolf's strike. "Besides... Aysel isn't interested in you." The words pierced through several male dancers like teeth sinking into flesh. Julia snickered softly. Aysel herself remained unaware that Magnus had quietly invested in Sophia's troupe. While he insisted on letting her carve her own path, the Shadowbane Alpha could never truly remain hands-off. He trusted her skill completely-he hadn't interfered even when Andrea had tried to make things difficult. But Magnus ensured the troupe had the resources, the backing, and the network to elevate Aysel's performances further than she could alone. Sophia, observing the young couple, held them in high regard: a gifted choreographer and a powerful Alpha with minimal demands, willing to provide. She had no intention of letting outsiders disrupt their bond. Sophia quietly plotted: since Aysel was responsible for the solo segments of the lead, she'd simply separate her from the male dancers during rehearsals. Unbeknownst to Magnus, a potential upheaval-a wolfish attempt to lure his mate away-had been quietly neutralized by his resources and foresight. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to keep him seated, restrained in patience.