Third Person's POV Magnus's low laugh rolled through the Moonvale Hall like distant thunder-deep, cold, and laced with power. Even the chandeliers seemed to tremble. To Alpha Remus and his son Fenrir, it sounded like the whisper of a god who had no need for mercy. "Well then," Magnus murmured, voice darkly amused. "If this is all a misunderstanding, why not invite the Luna and her companions down? It is a birthday feast, after all." The words fell like a blade wrapped in silk. Everyone in the hall felt the weight beneath them-the quiet wrath of the Shadowbane Alpha. He was not merely a guest tonight; he was judgment given form. Aysel sat at his side, her golden eyes lowered, calm as still water. The wolves of Moonvale did not yet understand that their mockery, their betrayal, their theft of her name and kinship, had summoned the storm now seated beside her. Magnus continued softly, his lips curving. "It would be a shame for them to miss this celebration. After all, the Moonvale Pack prides itself on unity." Fenrir swallowed. "Lord Magnus, my mother... she's not in any state to-" Magnus tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Not convenient? Then perhaps my men will assist." He turned slightly, his voice a command. "Jackson." From the shadowed edge of the hall, Jackson stepped forward with several enforcers of the Shadowbane Guard-black-suited, silver-sigil wolves whose power filled the room like smoke. "Yes, Alpha," Jackson said smoothly, bowing. "We'll bring them down." Alpha Remus and Fenrir stiffened. The elder tried to stand, but the guards' presence alone pressed him back into his seat. A ripple of unease coursed through the onlookers. "Y-you can't-" Remus began, voice cracking. Magnus merely smiled. "Can't I?" His tone was mild, but his eyes-those pale wolf eyes, glacial and ancient-said otherwise. "Let them come, Alpha," he added softly. "Surely your Luna would wish to see her daughter's triumph."From the dais, Aysel raised her head. The firelight played across her pale features, her throat slender beneath the white silk of her gown. She looked ethereal-fragile, even. Yet when she spoke, her voice carried the quiet authority of lineage reborn. "Father," she said, almost gently. "I only wanted Mother to wish me a happy birthday. Is that so wrong?" Her words fell like frost upon the silence. The crowd stirred, eyes flicking between her and the Alpha who had once denied her. Even the hardest wolves felt a pang of unease. She lowered her gaze, lashes trembling. To mortal sight, she seemed sorrowful; only Magnus saw the faint curve of cunning in her eyes. Ah, he thought, my little wolf is learning to bare her fangs. Around them, whispers began to rise. "What kind of father scolds his daughter on her birthday?" "Poor thing... she only asked for her family." "Alpha Remus has no heart." Remus's jaw locked, fury flashing beneath his skin, but he could not afford to bare his teeth at the Shadowbane Alpha. Upstairs, chaos reigned. Knox had already been carried to the healers; Lykos paced the floor, the remnants of sedative still dulling his instincts, muttering curses under his breath. Beside him, Celestine's dress torn, her scent muddled with fear and humiliation-clung to her mother, Luna Evelyn. Evelyn's heart pounded. Everything had gone wrong. The plan, the image, the perfect future-slipping away like blood through her claws. Then the heavy doors burst open with a thunderous crack. Jackson stood at the threshold, flanked by the black-clad wolves of Shadowbane. Their eyes gleamed like obsidian, unyielding. "Luna Evelyn," Jackson said with a courteous smile that did not reach his eyes. "Our Alpha requests your presence. The feast below awaits your company." Evelyn bristled, stepping protectively in front of Celestine. "Who are you?" she demanded. "How dare you break into the Luna's quarters?" Jackson's smile deepened. Away from the crowd, he no longer bothered to play the polite envoy. "No need for alarm," he said smoothly. "Our Alpha simply believes family should celebrate together. Surely you wouldn't deny your daughter that joy?" Her brows furrowed. "The feast hasn't ended?" "Of course not," Jackson replied. "The trueborn daughter of Moonvale is still waiting." Evelyn froze. Trueborn... Her mind spun. That word could only mean one thing. It was Aysel who had sent for them. Aysel-the child she and Remus had cast aside. Celestine's tears soaked her mother's sleeve. "Mama, what's happening?" she whispered. But Evelyn could not answer. Because deep down, she already knew. This was not a birthday celebration. This was reckoning.