Third Person's POV Celestine's soft voice slid over his like silk wrapping a blade. "Father, don't be angry. I know Knox. If Aysel apologizes properly, the Ironhowl Pack won't pursue it further." Her words were gentle, but her eyes gleamed faintly with triumph. Remus sighed, looking at Celestine with paternal affection. "You see, Aysel? If you had half your sister's sense, I'd live ten more years." Aysel's laugh was sharp and humorless. "You already know he's in the ward, but you didn't think to ask if I was hurt? Or do your Moonvale morals only extend to outsiders?" Remus frowned. "Don't twist this, girl. I heard what happened. You were at a tavern-again-and got into trouble with several males involved. You can't keep visiting those dens of filth." "Celestine said that, didn't she?" Aysel asked lazily. "And you just believed her?" "Enough!" Remus snapped. "Your sister speaks for your own good. She's always defending you even when you make it impossible.""Defending?" Aysel's wolf stirred, her voice turning low and dangerous. "Knox Draven dragged me into a booth with his pack of mongrels and demanded I drink with them. He thought the daughter of Moonvale's Alpha would sit pretty and pour his liquor. So yes, I hit him. Consider yourself lucky I didn't take his throat." The silence that followed was sharp as frost. Remus's jaw tightened, his dominance pulsing faintly through the call-an instinctive attempt to rein her in. But Aysel wasn't a cub anymore. Her wolf pushed back, calm and unyielding, until his aura broke against her resistance like waves on stone. He exhaled slowly. "Is that true?" Aysel smirked. "Why, does it make you proud? Or are you wondering if the great Alpha Remus has fallen so low that his blood can be mistaken for a barmaid's?" Remus's roar shook the speaker. "Watch your tongue, girl!" But she could hear the shift in his breathing, the doubt seeping in. Celestine's hands froze mid-pour, her delicate mask tightening. Remus's voice lowered. "If that's truly what happened, then we have every right to stand our ground. No pack insults Moonvale's blood." He hesitated. "You weren't... harmed, were you? Did that whelp touch you?" Aysel's grin widened. "Finally remembered I'm your daughter, Alpha? Don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. Still alive. No need to prepare my funeral pyre just yet." Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Must you speak like that? You curse yourself every time you open your mouth." She let out a short, cold laugh that carried no warmth. Celestine, sensing the shift, quickly stepped in. "Father, please don't be upset. Aysel didn't mean it that way. She's just... emotional. Maybe she can apologize in person, to show good faith to Ironhowl. I'll even go with her." Her tone was gentle, her smile sweet-but her eyes flicked briefly toward Remus with a silent cue. Remus blinked, then cleared his throat as though recalling something important. "Ah, yes. Aysel, your aunt's memorial is in two days. Don't forget. Be here early-we'll prepare the offerings together before heading to the ancestral grove." At the mention, Aysel's expression froze. Her hand clenched around her phone until her knuckles whitened. "I remember," she said quietly. Then, without another word, she ended the call. The flat tone of disconnection filled Remus's office. For a long moment, neither he nor Celestine spoke. Celestine finally broke the silence, her voice soft and apologetic. "I'm sorry, Papa. I didn't realize things were like that. I only knew Knox was badly hurt and the healers said his injuries were serious. I was worried." Remus waved a hand, weary. "It's not your fault. You were thinking of the pack." "What about Ironhowl?" she ventured cautiously. He let out a derisive snort. "Hmph. The boy tried to toy with my daughter and ended up on the floor. They're lucky we don't demand reparation. The Dravens should count their blessings." Celestine bowed her head, but behind her composed expression, her thoughts turned darker. The Dravens' fall would ripple through the packs like blood through water-and somehow, Aysel would walk away untouched, as always. She smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with something unspoken.