Aysel's POV The banquet tonight was held beneath the open sky, in the back gardens of the Moonvale estate. Silver lanterns swayed in the wind like moons caught between branches, and the scent of night-blooming flowers mingled with the musk of wolves in fine clothing. I stepped out of the shadows wearing a gown of white silk that flowed like moonlight itself. Every gaze turned toward me as I moved-through the blossoms, beneath the canopy of stars. The whispers began immediately. Even without releasing a trace of my Alpha scent, I could feel the ripple I caused. My mother, Luna Evelyn, smiled-too easily. Her eyes shone with tears she didn't deserve to shed. "My daughter," she whispered to those around her, pride softening her tone. "She's every bit the moon's chosen child." None of them could match the beauty of the daughter they had cast out. Of course, she didn't think of that. To her, my return tonight must have meant forgiveness-that I had finally chosen to reconcile. She had forgotten how she and Alpha Remus once threatened me, stripped my title, and drove me from the Pack's seat. Remus's voice cut through the murmurs. "Since you're here, come inside. The guests have waited long enough." His gaze flicked down my gown, as if checking whether I remembered how to act like a Pack heir. I smiled-slowly, sweetly. "Wait." I stopped them with a single word. Confusion rippled through the air. Then, before anyone could react, my hand lashed out. The sound of my palm against flesh echoed like a whipcrack. Lykos staggered back, one side of his face swelling crimson. "Aysel!"** he snarled, baring his teeth. "You-how dare you hit me?" My voice dropped, cold and low, carrying the weight of my bloodline. "Because you are insolent, arrogant, and foolish." He blinked, stunned that I dared speak to him as an Alpha would. His claws twitched, but Fenrir stepped between us, glaring."Not here," he growled softly. "She's the guest of honor tonight." I almost laughed. Guest of honor. The hypocrisy burned like silver. They ushered my brother away, his face still marked by my hand. The smell of his blood lingered faintly in the air-a scent both satisfying and sad. That strike shattered whatever fragile illusions the Moonvale wolves had built. I hadn't come home to forgive them. I had come to collect my debt. Remus's tone turned sharp. "You've had your say. You've drawn blood. Now leave." But I stood firm, meeting his Alpha glare without flinching. "Where's the bracelet?" He frowned. "You'll get it after the banquet." "No," I said. "Now. I don't trust you." His chest heaved, nostrils flaring. "And we don't trust you." The power that simmered beneath his words pressed against my wolf's skin, but I didn't yield. "Then have Luna Evelyn hand it to the steward," I countered. "I want it presented publicly-under the moon-as my birthright offering." Remus's jaw clenched, then he gave a single curt nod. "Fine." We entered together-a portrait of unity painted over a battlefield of hate. As we passed through the gates, every whisper sharpened. "That's the Moonvale girl?" "I thought she was gone for good-look at her, she's stunning." "So that's why the Alphas fought over her." Men stared as though bewitched. Women whispered like wolves scenting blood.Some heir murmured, "Even with her temper, that face is divine. If I pursued her-" Another laughed. "Forget it. Haven't you heard? Tonight's the Moonvale–Blackwood engagement feast." "Ah, so Alpha Damon is claiming her." Their voices blurred behind me, but one stayed silent-Knox Draven, the Ironhowl outcast. I saw him lift a goblet, down it in one swallow, then turn away into the dark. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. So he still watched. Still waited for ruin. Then came his scent-the one that once meant home. Damon stood among the guests, his golden eyes fixed on me with something dangerously close to awe. I could feel his heart stumble, could almost taste the hope rising from him. He stepped forward, reaching for my hand. "Aysel..." he breathed. I moved aside. His touch grazed air. From the moment he conspired with my family to trap me into this "union," the image of him in my mind had shattered beyond repair. Love could never come from coercion-or betrayal. Damon's smile faltered, but he recovered quickly, ever the composed Alpha. He thought time would heal this. He thought I would forget. He was wrong. The moon above us flared silver-white, and my wolf stirred beneath my skin, whispering in a voice only I could hear: "They took your home. Tonight, you take it back."