Third Person's POV Magnus did not voice approval nor rejection-he simply caught Aysel's ear between his fingers, his tone low and edged with a promise. "Remember what you said, Aysel." Whether now or later, it didn't matter. The bond between them would deepen; he had the patience of a predator stalking eternity. Sooner or later, she would choose him first. --- There was still time before the Moonvale Pack's grand celebration at dusk. Aysel, the so-called guest of honor, should have been preparing at the ancestral Hall, but instead she returned to her den in the city to sleep off the exhaustion. Magnus followed without question. When she found him sprawled across her bed like he belonged there, she stared at him in silence. "The couch is full of your stylists' gear," he said, feigning innocence. "No room for a wolf to rest." Lisa and the others had left their tools for the evening styling. They'd begged Aysel to let them finish early, but she had waved them away. This birthday feast wasn't for her-it was another Moonvale performance, a farce to bind her. She'd have gone in jeans and a loose shirt if Magnus hadn't insisted on "a touch of ceremony." Now, with one bed left and the Shadowbane Alpha lounging upon it, Aysel sighed. She couldn't very well kick out the most dangerous wolf on the continent. "Relax," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We've shared a bed before. I'll behave." It was true-one night, a storm, an accident, and blurred boundaries. Those lines had never been quite restored. With a resolute huff, she threw the blanket between them like a battle line. "You take the left. I'll take the right." Perhaps the exhaustion of earlier confrontations had drained her, because sleep claimed her quickly despite the nearness of another wolf. Magnus lay awake, listening to the rhythm of her breathing. His eyes opened in the dark-deep, turbulent, and unreadable.--- By the time Lisa's knock stirred them, dusk had already begun to fall. They left late, the scent of sleep still clinging to them. As the Moonvale mansion came into view, its great banners fluttering with the silver insignia of their Pack, the air inside was taut with disapproval. They'd been calling her all day, unaware that Aysel had blocked every one of their numbers. The elders wore grim faces as guests arrived. "She's doing this on purpose," Fenrir muttered, his voice tight with resentment. Beside Luna Evelyn, Celestine sighed softly. "If she didn't want to attend, she could have said so." "She's always been this defiant," Fenrir growled. Alpha Remus's tone was cold as stone. "Enough. Cancel the celebration. We'll proceed with the announcement of her bond to Damon." Celestine's lips trembled. Even if she doesn't come... they'll still force it. "But the bride isn't here-" Damon's voice cut through, sharp as an Alpha's command. "Everything proceeds as planned." He stood under the chandeliers, expressionless but burning inside. He knew she hadn't come because of him-the Shadowbane wolf. Each thought of Magnus Sanchez made his blood curdle with rage and fear. He told himself she was only rebelling, that she'd return to reason. "She's unwell," he said curtly. "I'll explain to the guests. No one will question it." His tone carried the conviction of a wolf who lied as much to himself as to others. Celestine watched his retreating back, her polite smile falling away. Cold resolve glimmered in her eyes. You forced this. Lykos approached timidly. "Celestine, have you heard from Aysel?" For a brief moment, Celestine's eyes were icy-then she masked it with a faint, weary smile. "She's probably trying to punish us," she said softly. Lykos snorted. "Punish us? After everything she's done-burning down the packhouse, fighting with Father-she still thinks she's the victim!""She's still your sister." "I have no such sister," he spat. "She's a disgrace!" He stormed off, muttering about throwing away the gift he'd prepared. None of the Moonvale elders stopped him. Then, as they turned toward the hall to salvage what remained of their performance, a clear, cold voice rang through the courtyard-smooth as frost over a blade. "Well, well. My dearest brother and sister," Aysel said from the doorway, her smile edged with challenge. "What sweet things were you whispering about me this time?" Luna Evelyn gasped, eyes bright with disbelief. "Aysel-!" The Moonvale Pack turned as one, the air thick with the mingled scents of shock, shame, and something darker- the arrival of the wolf they had tried to erase.