Aysel's POV When Luna Evelyn brought up the past, I could see the discomfort flicker across her face. She rubbed at her nose-a nervous tic she'd never shed. "You really are one to hold a grudge, aren't you, Aysel?" she said, half-laughing, half-defensive. "Those were just words said in anger. Do you really think we'd demand repayment of your meager upbringing? Over a few coins?" Her tone was airy, dismissive, but I caught the faint shift in her scent-guilt, bitter and sharp as frostbite. She was remembering it too: the shares in the Moonvale Trading Syndicate that once bore my name, quietly reassigned to Celestine Ward. The scent of injustice still clung to that memory like blood on snow. After a pause, Evelyn softened her voice. "When you and Damon are mated, your father and I will restore your five percent. That should make things right." A humorless laugh escaped me, low and edged with the growl of my wolf. "So the things they received freely at eighteen, I must buy back with my marriage? Tell me, Luna Evelyn, is that what you call fairness?" Her hackles rose. "Must you always speak with fangs? If you hadn't brought ruin on your aunt-or bullied poor Celestine-none of this would have happened. That share rightfully belongs to her. Are you saying your aunt's life is worth less than a few scraps of ownership?" "And this talk of trading marriage for restitution-do you want people to think your father and I are the sort to arrange our daughter's fate like livestock? You and Damon grew up together. You adored him once. Isn't this what you always wanted?" "They didn't tell you," I said quietly, "Damon and I ended our bond." Evelyn blinked, then waved it off. "You young wolves are so impulsive. I heard about the coronation. You overreacted-just because he left for the infirmary? I was the one who called him there, Aysel. Celestine needed him. Don't be petty. You'll be Luna of the Blackwood Pack one day. Try to act like it-stop letting jealousy drive your claws." My lips curled. If our places were reversed-if Celestine were the one abandoned-Evelyn would call her fragile, wronged, deserving of comfort. But when it was me? I was "petty." "Then I hope," I said, my voice as soft as a threat, "that one day something similar happens to Father, and you can show the same magnanimity." Her eyes flashed. "Aysel Vale!" Her chest heaved, anger scenting the air thick with ozone. But she swallowed it down, remembering the purpose of her visit."I came to tell you to return home tomorrow," she said stiffly. "We're holding a feast-your twenty-third moonday. It's time the packs knew of your engagement to Damon. The invitations are already sent." "I told you," I said coldly, "there is no engagement. I will not marry him." She clicked her tongue. "Don't be childish. The invites are out." "Then let your other daughter attend in my place." Her voice sharpened. "Watch your tongue. Celestine and Damon share nothing but friendship-and she only stays near him because of her illness. You forget, her mate, Dariusz, died saving Damon's life. If not for that, would you have enjoyed all those blissful years with him?" "Then perhaps," I said, smiling thinly, "Damon should be her compensation." "You heartless girl. I don't care what you think-you will appear tomorrow. For once, think about your pack's name." "The pack's name?" I let out a quiet laugh. "That feast wasn't arranged with me in mind. You didn't even tell me. Don't pretend Moonvale's honor still binds me. We severed that tie years ago." "Severed?" Her tone turned venomous. "Your life is a gift from us. You can't sever what you owe in blood. Can you give that back, Aysel?" The words hit harder than claws to the chest. The air left my lungs; my wolf went still inside me. Evelyn realized too late what she'd said. She turned away, trying to recover. "Your grandmother left me a pair of heirloom bangles-one for Celestine, one for you. Do you want me to shatter the last thing that connects you to her too?" Of course she knew exactly where to strike. I gave a pale smile. "Last time it was Grandmother's house. Now it's her bracelets. When all that's gone, Luna Evelyn, what will you threaten me with next?" Her scent flickered again-fear, faint and metallic. But she forced her tone to steel. "You're my daughter. You'll never break that bond." She left confident I'd appear-certain that I'd cave for the heirloom, for the ghosts of the past. Maybe I would have. But that was before Magnus made me an offer of his own-to settle our old debt with a single night at the Shadowbane Pack's gathering. The same night as Moonvale's feast. So no, I wouldn't be attending their little charade. Not when I had far sharper teeth to bare elsewhere.