Third Person's POV Mr. Smith had long lost the color in his cheeks. He had come hoping to court business with Zark's small private company, perhaps even secure a stepping stone toward legitimate cooperation with the massive Shadowbane Pack. Instead, he had somehow offended Louisa, lost any chance at alliances, and found himself caught in a storm of Alpha hostility. Now, with Magnus standing between him and Louisa's lethal glare, Mr. Smith made the most desperate decision of his life. "I-I suddenly recall urgent matters back at the pack," he stammered, bowing so low his forehead nearly brushed the ground. "Alpha Magnus. Lady Louisa. My apologies-I shall take my leave at once." He all but fled the private chamber, tail tucked metaphorically between his legs. The moment the door shut, two figures slipped in-Mrs.Kurt and Sandy. They had clearly been waiting for a moment to intervene. Accalia gave Louisa a strained smile. "Louisa, dear... surely we can speak privately? If Zark has wronged you, we will reprimand him thoroughly." Sandy chimed in with youthful indignation. "Seriously, Louisa, you can't just walk in and strike my brother. Do you know how humiliating that is? We're still Shadowbane blood." Louisa didn't even blink at them. Her gaze sharpened, instead, on the scene unfolding by the tall moon-forged window-where Aysel stood, chin propped on her hands, watching the spectacle with open fascination. Louisa nodded toward Magnus. "Alpha Magnus, earlier your... companion claimed you could arbitrate this matter. So-can you?" Magnus did not hurry. His wolf moved first-an invisible shift in the air, a low rumbling dominance wave. He gently pulled Aysel away from the windowsill, brushing his thumb over the reddened skin of her elbow from leaning too long on the cold glass.Only then did he turn back to the room. "If my Second Brother has acted in folly," Magnus said lazily, "then Thornwild's ancestral relic shall, of course, be returned untouched." The room rippled. Sandy gasped. Zark stiffened. Magnus continued as though discussing the weather. "And the charity funds Zark pledged at tonight's Moon Auction will be increased fivefold, with all donations made under Lady Louisa's name." Another ripple. A crack in Zark's composure. "And," Magnus added with the finality of a guillotine dropping, "the Shadowbane–Mr. Smith collaboration he secured shall be reassigned to Thornwild. Additionally, I will compensate your pack with one more exclusive project." Silence. Zark's face drained faster than blood from a corpse. His wolf bucked violently under his skin-anger, disbelief, terror. "That's my company," he snarled. "Far Moon Tech is mine. You can't just-" "You can't possibly side with an outsider!" Sandy burst out. "The painting is here-just return it and be done. Why cripple my brother?" Before Magnus could reply, Aysel-small, soft, and nestled comfortably in the crook of Magnus's arm-lifted her lashes and spoke with the sweetness of honey... and the sharpness of a dagger. "Second Brother," she said, voice warm and mocking, "A man should admit his mistakes. Be gracious." Magnus's lips curved-barely. But the warmth that entered his golden eyes was unmistakable. Hidden from the others, his hand closed around hers, fingers squeezing lightly. Then his wolf surged forward-cold, deadly, absolute. He looked at Zark and said,"Don't disgrace the Shadowbane name." The command-Alpha to lesser wolf-hit like a hammer. Zark's knees buckled, his fury freezing mid-snarl. Louisa threw her head back and laughed. "Well said, Alpha Magnus. Efficient. Brutal. Fair. I'm very satisfied." She lifted the relic-her Thornwild ancestral scroll-now secured in a rune-steel case. "I look forward to working with Shadowbane." With a sweeping turn, she strode toward the door, flanked by her Thornwild guards. At the threshold, she pivoted back toward Aysel and winked. "Moonvale's little star-thank you for your assistance today. Dinner, my treat." Aysel smiled without hesitation. "My pleasure." Louisa laughed again, a low, rich sound that echoed like a dominant wolf's approval. The Thornwild heiress had arrived like a storm and departed like a conquering general-her relic intact, her coffers filled, and her influence greater than when she came. The only one who lost anything was Zark. His investor had fled. His alliance was destroyed. His lover had abandoned him. And now his standing within Shadowbane had shattered completely. He stood there trembling, air wheezing through his teeth. A proud Shadowbane heir reduced to a cornered mutt. But his humiliation was only beginning.