Third Person's POV When Damon's father, Alpha Blackwood finished speaking with his attendants, the anxious glint in his eyes faded behind a composed smile. He crossed the marble courtyard toward his ally and counterpart, Alpha Remus, his expression cordial, voice deep and steady. "Brother Remus," Alpha Blackwood said lightly, "are you leaving the honor of announcement to me this time?" He leaned closer, his tone dropping to a whisper meant for wolf ears alone. "Damon's been found. He'll be here soon. We only need to delay a little." Then, straightening again, he turned to address the gathered packs-wolves of high rank, nobles, and the old houses who had once pledged under the same moon. "All of you know," Alpha Blackwood began warmly, "that our children have grown together under the same stars. Their bond is fated, their affection long known. Today, we gather not merely to feast, but to witness their union-Moonvale and Blackwood bound by both blood and moon." A soft murmur rippled through the crowd. His voice, practiced and steady, soothed every hint of suspicion. None doubted now that Damon's absence was but part of some grand surprise. Even Alpha Remus, though his jaw was set, played along, laughing lightly to ease the air. Servants hurried to ready the open-air projection-the ancient moon-scry, used to display memories and vows through captured aura-light. Luna Evelyn moved gracefully among the guests, helping Luna Blackwood to distract attention. On the dais, the enchanted screen shimmered to life. The scenes it showed had been given by Damon himself-fragments of years spent beside Aysel. From childhood hunts beneath the frost pine trees, to the nights of shared laughter by the bonfire, their bond had been sacred and deep. Only in recent years had such memories grown few. He had even planned, after the official proclamation, to renew his vow before all-an Alpha's promise under the full moon. Some of the younger wolves groaned in disappointment when nothing dramatic occurred. Their interest waned. Among them, Damon's friends exchanged smirks. "See?" one whispered. "Aysel's little rebellion was all for show. The Vale girl's as tamed as ever." "She can play cold, but she came running back to him like always." They laughed quietly, assuming tonight would end in another glittering display of love between the eastern Alpha and his chosen Luna.Yet as the first image flickered across the moon-scry, the laughter died. A gasp rippled through the crowd. Faces turned pale beneath the silver light. There, before the entire assembly of packs, appeared the missing groom-Damon himself-locked in a close embrace not with his betrothed, but with her elder sister, Celestine. The two stood behind the eastern gardens, where moonlight carved silver lines along the ivy. Their auras tangled in unmistakable intimacy. Damon's hand brushed her hair with tender reverence. "Do not fear," he whispered, his voice caught by the recording spell. "I will stay by your side, always." "Say it again," Celestine murmured, her tone soft, trembling. "I love you," he answered without hesitation. "And this bond you are forced to forge with another-?" "There is no other," he swore. "You are the only one I will ever claim." The words fell like blades. Even those long accustomed to pack politics could not speak. It was not rumor. It was not illusion. This was a live feed from the sacred grounds, cast by one of the Luna orbs. The scene shifted slightly, the lens moving from their faces to Damon's back-Celestine in his arms, his head lowering, their lips meeting beneath the ancient oaks. The silence broke. Gasps. Growls. The crowd's shock turned to low murmurs, then outrage. Even the wolves who once despised Aysel found themselves staring at her now, pity softening their contempt. For the Moonvale heiress stood at the edge of the light, unflinching. Her eyes, calm as frozen starlight, reflected the silver glow of the screen. Her lips curved-barely, faintly-as if in acknowledgment of some cruel truth she had long foreseen. So he hadn't failed her after all. The plan had worked. As the screen continued its cruel display, the older wolves-Alpha Remus, Alpha Blackwood, and Luna Evelyn-remained deathly silent. The spell finally cut out. The moon-scry dimmed to black. But what had been seen could not be unseen.The two great packs, once allies, now stood humiliated before all others. Alpha Remus's claws flexed beneath his robes. Fury burned through his calm. This was supposed to be a sacred union-now it was a farce, a wound to both names. He knew of Celestine's affliction-the Moon Sickness that drove her to madness when her mate's scent was near. Damon had agreed to help with her treatment. That much was true. But must the fool kiss her before the eyes of the goddess? Remus's fury tangled with despair. They could reveal the truth, perhaps-but then the world would know Celestine's curse, and all the pain they had hidden to protect her, to protect Aysel, would be for nothing. Fenrir stood silent beside his father. He had once scolded Aysel for jealousy, for pride. Now, watching the image of Damon's tenderness toward another, his heart twisted with shame. So this was what she had endured in silence-this cruel dance of devotion given to another. He turned to his sister. Beneath the heavy torchlight, Aysel stood pale but proud, the faint shimmer of Alpha pheromones coiling around her like silver smoke. Fenrir took a step forward, placing himself between her and the cruel stares. His voice, hoarse but resolute, carried over the stunned crowd. "Aysel, fear not," he said quietly. "The Moonvale Pack will see justice done for you." She looked at him, her gaze cool and distant. "Then start," she said softly, "by returning Grandmother's bracelet." He blinked, startled. "Now? In this chaos?" "Now," she repeated. Fenrir hesitated. "After the feast. I'll bring it myself. There are greater matters at hand-" Aysel smiled, a small, bitter curve that held both mockery and resignation. It was then that Alpha Remus and Alpha Blackwood, those old wolves of power and cunning, met each other's eyes and came to the same grim realization. They knew they have to make a desicion.