Ronan Duskcliff's gaze was laced with primal dominance as it pinned Riley Vale to the wall. His eyes-cold, calculated, and merciless-burned into her like she was not a person, but territory. Something he had marked once, and now had returned to reclaim. "You've bullied Scarlett before," he said lowly, each word like ice splintering into her skin. "Don't act innocent in front of me, Riley. I know exactly what kind of she-wolf you are." He took a step closer, his broad frame crowding her space, the air tightening with his scent-rich cedar and fury. "If you apologize to her right now," he continued, "I might pretend this little outburst didn't happen." "But if you don't..." His lips curled into a cold smile. "I have ways to make you regret it." Riley stared up at him, her expression unreadable. Not hurt. Not angry. Just...quiet. That only made him angrier. Once, years ago, this same girl would have looked at him with fire and tears. Would have pushed back. Fought him with that same brilliance that made her unforgettable. But now? Now she didn't even care. Five years in the Rogue prisons had stripped her of illusions-but forged her into steel. She didn't flinch at Ronan's accusations. Didn't tremble at his threats. In her mind, he was just another Vale man who thought his opinion defined her worth. And she was done letting them. But Andy, standing nearby, was nowhere near as composed. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he snapped, stepping forward with fists clenched. "You speak like you've got fangs growing from your skull instead of sense. Did you even see what happened?" Andy jabbed a finger toward Scarlett, who was hiding behind Ronan like a wounded pup. "Your precious little damsel attacked Riley. Grabbed her hair like a feral wolf. And you want her to apologize?"Ronan's gaze flicked to Andy with disgust. "You're not even pack. This doesn't concern you." Before Andy could reply, Riley placed a hand gently on his arm. "It's not worth it," she said softly. "The Matriarch's celebration is about to begin." She turned, her voice cool as ever. "Don't waste your breath on people who stopped mattering five years ago." Ronan stiffened. Not because of the words-but because of the way she said them. As if he never mattered. That cut deeper than he cared to admit. He didn't want her forgiveness. But being ignored? Being discarded? That, he couldn't tolerate. His hand lashed out-faster than Riley anticipated-and caught her by the wrist. One sharp tug, and she stumbled back against the corridor wall, the impact jarring the breath from her lungs. The gift box in her arms tumbled to the floor. The embroidered cloth inside-a delicate heirloom piece she'd spent weeks stitching for Lucien's grandmother-spilled across the tiles. "Apologize," Ronan snarled, pressing her against the wall, fury thick in his voice. "Now." Riley's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with loathing. She pushed against him, but his body was like stone-unyielding. Andy's shriek split the air. "You've gone rabid! Let her go!" He lunged forward and shoved Ronan with all his strength. Ronan didn't even budge. He turned, expression dark, and slammed a boot into Andy's ribs. Andy hit the floor with a groan, curling in pain. Riley gasped, torn between fury and fear. But before she could move to help, a shadow passed over the fallen embroidery. Scarlett bent down, picked it up-delicately, almost lovingly-and inspected it.Riley's blood ran cold. "Put that down," she said sharply, voice trembling with restraint. Scarlett smirked. "I was just trying to help," she said sweetly, but her claws dug into the delicate threads, warping the shapes Riley had painstakingly stitched. "Is this...a gift for the old Luna? How quaint." "Scarlett," Riley warned, stepping forward. But Scarlett pulled back, clutching the fabric closer. Riley didn't think. She lunged. The slap echoed like a whip crack. Scarlett reeled, staggered, one hand flying to her face. A perfect red imprint bloomed across her cheek, blood beading at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes widened in stunned disbelief. Not at the pain-but that Riley dared strike her in front of Ronan. Her tears came instantly, as though summoned on command. "Ronan...she hit me," she sobbed. "I tried to help, and she just-she snapped!" Ronan growled low in his throat, striding toward them. But Riley didn't look at him. Her eyes were locked on the embroidery now crumpled in Scarlett's grip. "Give it back," she said, voice hollow. Scarlett's fingers clenched tighter, crushing the stitches further. Riley saw red. With a snarl, she launched herself forward, claws out, tackling Scarlett to the floor. The two she-wolves tumbled in a blur of silk, snarls, and claws. "GET OFF HER!" Ronan roared. He grabbed Riley around the waist, yanking her off like she weighed nothing.Riley thrashed in his grip, snarling like a wolf finally pushed too far. "You bastard! Let go of me!" He dragged her to a side room and kicked the door shut behind them. "Bang!"