Aysel's POV I burst out laughing the moment the girl in front of me-chin lifted, scent sharp with arrogance-told me to leave Magnus. Of all the reactions I expected after the mess at the Moonbirth banquet, this was not one of them. I thought the first to come knocking would be one of the Sanchez elders from the Shadowbane Pack-either to negotiate... or to pressure me into disappearing. But never-not in any realm governed by moon or wolf-did I expect the first person to lose control to be a girl claiming to be Magnus's childhood betrothed. This morning, I had taken Daron out for a run. By the time I returned, the wardens told me someone was looking for me. Whoever found this place this fast clearly had resources. So I told them to bring her in. And the moment she arrived, she unleashed a tidal wave of entitlement. Agnes crossed her arms, posture dripping superiority. "You actually think Magnus will mate you? Please. I was abroad for a little while, and you managed to squeeze in through the gap." Her gaze slid to Daron beside me, and pure jealousy sparked in her eyes. "Not just anyone is allowed to touch Daron! You have no manners taking someone else's beast-hound out for a walk-" She stomped forward, reaching out as if she could just snatch him away. She didn't even get close. Daron's lips peeled back. A growl ripped from his massive chest-and he lunged. His teeth grazed her leg before I even had to say a word. Agnes collapsed onto the floor, clutching the small wound on her calf, shock and betrayal contorting her face. Now she sat on the ground, trembling, tears spilling down her cheeks. When she looked up at me-calmly checking Daron's jaws for debris-her expression twisted as if she'd been insulted on a royal scale. "Do you even know who I am?" she choked out. "You trained Daron to attack me! Magnus will avenge me, you'll see-"I lifted my phone, shaking it lazily. "No idea who you are. But I do have a mouth. I can ask." She froze as she saw the ongoing call screen. "You-who did you call?" I gave her the answer a second later. One hand on my hip, voice steady and sharp, I said clearly into the phone: "Magnus Sanchez. Your so-called childhood fiancée is in my villa. If you don't clean this up in five minutes, I'll clean you up." Agnes went silent-shock slamming the tears right out of her. Was I insane? Suicidal? Except then... his voice came through the speaker. Familiar, low, edged with a strange amusement. "I don't have a childhood fiancée, Miss Vale. Please don't let anyone slander me like that." I glanced at the woman sitting on my floor looking painfully confused. "Well, she swears you are. Also said you'd avenge her." Magnus sighed on the other end. I could almost picture him stepping out of a war council meeting, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Who is it?" "She said her name is Agnes." A pause. "Agnes who?" "..." Silence filled both the phone and the room. I locked eyes with Agnes. Daron didn't recognize her.Magnus didn't remember her. Her morning had officially collapsed. She broke. Face down on the ground, she burst into loud, humiliated sobs. But her disgrace wasn't done yet. Two minutes later, a team of Shadowbane enforcers appeared out of nowhere. They lifted her-dirt, tears and all-and dragged her out of my villa with smooth, terrifying efficiency. I was still processing when Magnus chuckled through the phone. "Five minutes. Looks like my residency rights are safe for now." "...Fine," I muttered. "Impressive move." "You didn't even ask what happened. Aren't you afraid you're siding with the wrong person? What if I bullied her?" "Right or wrong doesn't matter," he said flatly. "If she caused you trouble, she's at fault." I nearly snorted. It was unfair. Irrational. Completely Alpha. And somehow... "Magnus... what am I supposed to do? Being the one someone's biased toward actually feels kind of nice." He laughed quietly. "Well, the future Luna of Shadowbane should enjoy a few privileges." A shadow passed through his voice-cold and lethal. "That woman didn't appear by coincidence. I'll find out why. And you did well calling me directly. If someone comes for you again, and you don't like dealing with them... throw them out. Don't let anyone push you around. Aysel, that's your home. Your territory. Be ruthless." Arrogant. Fierce. Protective. Nothing like the terrifying warlord the rumors described-the monster who could break an entire pack with a single order.