Third Person's POV Inside the villa, Aysel widened her eyes the moment Fenrir appeared on the screen. Someone had intercepted the move-stepping in first to deliver a "gift" ahead of her. So even this could be stolen. Beside her, Magnus let out a low, amused scoff. "When Moonvale wolves are involved in their own benefits," he said coolly, predatory calm in his voice, "they're never stupid." Evidence gathered. Revenge delivered with precision. "They even know how to strike the vital point." His golden wolf Rafe stirred beneath the surface, unimpressed. "Jackson was slow," Magnus added flatly. ... On the screen, the very wolf being criticized-Jackson appeared the very next second, as if summoned by Alpha will alone. He wiped sweat from his brow. Being late by even a breath had nearly cost him another bonus. He had only waited-just a little-to let Damon and Celestine complete their bonding ritual, to let the knot tighten beyond escape. Who could have predicted someone else would try to steal the hunt? Behind Jackson, two Shadowbane enforcers shoved forward a massive gift box-taller than a grown wolf standing upright. Jackson straightened, professional smile locked firmly in place. He ignored the ashen expressions of the groom and bride, ignored the startled murmurs rippling through the den of guests. "Alpha Blackwood, Miss Ward," he said smoothly, voice echoing through the hall, "Congratulations on your bonding."His gaze swept lazily across the room. "Not bad. Quite lively today." Damon tightened his jaw, his scent spiking sharply as he stared Jackson down. "What are you doing here?" Jackson tapped the half-wolf-height gift box lightly, the sound hollow. "Nothing special. Our Lady Aysel was once... very well cared for by the two of you. Her life was quite the roller coaster." He smiled wider. "This time, although we didn't receive an invitation, she still thought of you-and sent a small gift in return." At once, Celestine's pupils constricted. Fear bled into her scent. Damon's lips trembled, something between laughter and grief twisting his expression. "Aysel... sent this?" he whispered hoarsely. "She wishes me happiness in my bond?" "Of course," Jackson replied pleasantly. "This gift was prepared personally by Lady Vale-and she specifically requested that Alpha Damon receive it himself." Among the guests, low whispers spread like disturbed prey. "I thought Aysel fell out badly with them?" "Maybe the rumors were wrong?" "Or maybe she's thanking Alpha Damon for not mating her. She's deeply bonded with Alpha Magnus now, isn't she?" "Hah-brutal. Compared to that, today's bonded pair looks ridiculous. Did you see Damon's face during the ring exchange? Celestine could barely hold her smile." The murmurs stabbed like claws. The Blackwood elders shifted uneasily in their seats. Damon stepped forward, reaching for the box. No matter what-This was Aysel's gift. But Celestine reacted as if sensing death. "No-don't open it!" She clutched his arm, fingers shaking violently. Damon frowned. "Let go." She didn't. Their scents tangled-fear against fury-until the massive gift box at the center of the hall suddenly burst open from within. The lid flew apart. A man crawled out, grinning broadly. "Surprise!" Moon above- He had nearly suffocated in there. A familiar face crashed into the sight of everyone present. Damon's pupils shrank violently. Celestine went bone-white. Even Alpha Blackwood and his Luna surged to their feet, mouths open in shock. The Moonvale Pack-Alpha Remus, Luna Evelyn, Lykos, and Fenrir-were equally stunned, though Fenrir's surprise melted quickly into cold understanding. Thinking back to the hidden truth behind Yuna Ward's death, a repetition of such deception no longer seemed strange. Fenrir smiled, sharp and mocking. Celestine Ward truly was her mother's daughter. "Dariusz?!" Damon stared, disbelief tearing through his Alpha composure. Someone among the younger wolves gasped."Dariusz? Celestine's ex-mate?" "I heard he died years ago-drowned at sea saving Alpha Damon!" "What in the Moon's name-he resurrected?!" Damon filtered out every sound. His eyes locked onto the man before him. "You're not dead." Jackson chuckled softly. "Of course not. He's been living quite comfortably in the western lands, funded by Miss Ward. Alpha Blackwood-are you satisfied with this gift?" Dariusz kept smiling, but his legs trembled violently. He didn't dare flee. Running would only double the punishment. Ever since Aysel Vale had found him, his days had been worse than death. He had pinned all hope on today-on finally being released. He swallowed hard and forced a grin. "Damon. Long time no see." Then he turned to Celestine. "Miss Ward-we agreed. I took the money, played your mate, staged the rescue, disappeared. But you cut off my funding long ago. Coming back doesn't break the deal, does it?" Celestine's mind roared. Aysel Vale. Aysel Vale. She always knew exactly how to hurt her most. But Damon's fist was faster than thought. He lunged like a maddened Alpha, punching Dariusz square in the face. "So it was you!" Damon roared. "You deceived me-framed me with a false debt, colluded with Celestine! Dariusz, I trusted you as my brother-how could you betray me?!" Memories tore through him. Dariusz collapsing into the sea. Celestine's tear-filled eyes. Aysel standing alone-wounded, abandoned. His mind shattered. His heart ripped apart. Dariusz tried to dodge, but Damon tackled him to the ground, fists raining down like execution blows. "I didn't want to!" Dariusz screamed through blood. "It was Celestine-it was all her! She paid me! She was jealous of Aysel Vale-she wanted to steal you from her!" Damon said nothing. His eyes burned red, sanity stripped away, striking again and again like a feral beast. For two liars- He had lost the one wolf who was his entire life. "Give Aysel back to me!" he roared, near madness. "Give her back!" Blood sprayed from Dariusz's face. Terrified guests screamed, the hall erupting into chaos as the scent of violence and betrayal flooded the air.