Magnus's POV I could have crushed the pest lingering outside her building-snapped his spine, let his blood stain the pavement, ended the problem for good. But between killing an eyesore and going home to feed my little rose, I didn't hesitate for long. Even a beast knows priorities. I've heard that a dead "white moon" burns brighter in memory than a living one ever could. Perhaps that's true. But I'm not the sentimental type. And I'm not saying I want to "fall in love" with Aysel Vale. Love is a fragile, human thing. I don't need it. Still, I'll be damned if my pet keeps thinking about another man. Letting that Alpha from Blackwood die quickly would be too merciful. No-peeling him apart, layer by layer, until his pretty lies and rotting insides were bared before her... that would be far more satisfying. I want her to look at him and feel disgust instead of longing. As I drove, my wolf-Rafe-purred beneath my skin, already crafting a hundred and eight ways to make them sever for good. Maybe start with humiliation. Maybe a scandal. Maybe fear. The thought alone made me grin. Down by the greenbelt, Damon Blackwood must've felt the weight of my gaze-or maybe just the ghost of it. His shoulders stiffened, his instincts whispering danger, but by the time he looked up, I was already past him. The fool frowned, muttering something about reckless drivers. I could almost hear his thoughts-how he'd buy Aysel a new place once they "made up." Pathetic. He didn't even recognize the predator watching him from the shadows. By the time he looked up again, I was gone, and he was already fantasizing about their reunion, about touching what no longer belonged to him. I parked in the underground lot, grabbed the plastic bags filled with groceries and a small cake, and took the elevator up. Aysel had just threatened to order food delivery if I didn't hurry. The things she said-her tone-most Alphas would take offense. I found it... endearing.Inside the elevator, I ran into an elderly couple. Sweet, harmless humans from the building. Since my injuries had healed, I'd stopped masking my scent,of course not my full Alpha scent. The concealment spells had worn off. Aysel sometimes dragged me out for night walks when she overate. The sight of us together had drawn plenty of attention. The neighbors assumed we were newly mated-a young pair from a noble lineage, living quietly among humans. "The perfect couple," they called us. The thought amused me. The old woman smiled kindly. "Young man, did you see that black car downstairs? The driver's been hanging around your building for weeks. We've seen him knock on your door-once your wife went to take out the trash, and he wouldn't leave her alone. The guards had to step in! You better be careful, protect your mate!" Your mate. I didn't correct her. In fact, I rather liked the sound of it. I gave her a polite nod. "I know him," I said smoothly. "That man's a married scoundrel who's been stalking my mate. He can't take no for an answer-even after I told him we're bonded. Claims he'll ‘take her back' no matter what. We've tried reporting him, but he always slips away. His poor wife's still in the hospital." The couple gasped in horror. "That handsome young man? The nerve of him! Shameless!" I sighed, playing the weary husband. "We just want peace. But thank you for warning us-it means a lot." By the time I reached our floor, I could already hear the grandmother typing furiously on her phone. Within minutes, the residents' chat group exploded. "That guy downstairs is a homewrecker!" "You mean the tall one with the car? He's got a wife in the hospital and still chasing another woman?" "Disgusting!" "I heard he's violent too-probably the reason his wife's in the hospital!" "Oh my goddess, there's a stalker in our building?!" The rumor spread like wildfire, mutating with every message. By the time I reached my door, Damon Blackwood-Alpha of the East-was being surrounded by a pack of furious humans. Someone had called the guards. Others were shouting to call the police. A few even kicked him. Through the security feed on my phone, I watched him get pinned against his own car, face contorted with shock and rage. The great Alpha reduced to prey. Rafe purred again, pleased. Poetic justice. After all, while he was choking on humiliation, my little rose was upstairs waiting for me-impatient, hungry, alive.