Chapter 96\u00a0<\/p>\n
Third Person\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
The execution of Magnus\u2019s plan that night left Zark\u2019s years of scheming in ruins.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A violent pulse throbbed across Zark\u2019s temple, veins bulging, eyes widening with disbelief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No-something was wrong. Terribly wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Louisa had never explicitly said that the calligraphy piece was a gift for him, but the implication had been clear. And he knew-his memory never failed him-she had never told him that relic carried that much weight. If she had, he would never have sold it off, not even with his recent desperation for coin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A trap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything reduced to that single word-sinking claws into his mind until nothing else existed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone who knew about his hidden connection with Louisa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone who could tempt a Thornwild heiress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone who normally never appeared at such gatherings but suddenly arrived, openly, with a woman beside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone who had noticed the little maneuver Zark tried pulling at the home of Agnes a few days ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All the clues snapped together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus was targeting him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What he couldn\u2019t understand was why. Agnes had failed to accomplish anything significant. Was Magnus really so vengeful as to retaliate this severely?\u00a0<\/p>\n
And even if he had embarrassed himself in public, what did that earn Magnus?\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Zark forgot one thing-everyone knew Magnus had long severed himself from the Sanchez bloodline. In the eyes of the world, Magnus and the greater Sanchez family might as well be two separate packs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And Magnus\u2019s \u201cgenerous\u201d response earlier-well, most of that generosity had been carved directly out of Zark\u2019s hide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not that it mattered. Magnus had displayed perfect poise and offered benefits without blinking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zark\u2019s rage, shame, or ruin would never touch Magnus personally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel\u2019s last impression of Zark remained that moment in the Moonvale Pack\u2019s manor-when he had sneered \u201chopeless romantic\u201d at Magnus with that polished, handsome arrog. here now was nothing like that. Zark looked rabid-an enraged, helpless wolf\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is he being so self-destructive?\u201d Aysel murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
aming behind a cage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus poured her a cup of moon-leaf tea. \u201cHe believes the collapse of his little company is my doing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pathetic. Faced with failure, instead of fighting to salvage his territory, Zark had tried seducing alliances. through women-and worst of all, he had attempted it on someone connected to Magnus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWas it you?\u201d Aysel asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus took a slow sip, voice indifferent. \u201cHis territory is too insignificant for me to bother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Louisa was arranged by you,\u201d she said, eyes brightening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She even gave him a discreet thumbs-up. \u201cYou have good taste.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus\u2019s lashes lowered as he caught the brilliant smile on her face. His tone was unreadable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou like her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel tilted her head. \u201cShe\u2019s very charming.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clear-cut. Rational.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And from an objective viewpoint, Zark truly didn\u2019t deserve someone like Louisa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And Louisa herself had never cared much for Zark. He looked decent, sweet-talked well, his family background was acceptable, and his abilities weren\u2019t terrible-he was a fine candidate for a political mating\u00a0<\/p>\n
contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But if the Thornwild Pack could collaborate directly with Magnus Sanchez, the strongest Alpha on the continent-why would she settle for Zark?\u00a0<\/p>\n
A boyfriend? Replaceable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inter-pack benefits? Never.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She should thank Zark\u2019s stupidity for handing her such an opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Aysel\u2019s openly appreciative expression, Magnus tapped his finger once against the rim of his\u00a0<\/p>\n
cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLouisa is clever, yes. But she is ambitious-consumed by power and profit. She offers barely half a heart to anyone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel shot him a sidelong glance..\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why was he bad-mouthing others so randomly?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ub2e4\u00a0<\/p>\n
And honestly, half a heart was still far more than Magnus had ever offered the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But she wisely said nothing aloud.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then she suddenly remembered the scandal of Olivia catching Zark cheating.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing with Olivia-was that you too?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus squeezed her cheek, unable to resist the impulse. \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He paused-just a beat-and added, \u201cI don\u2019t make a habit of breaking mating bonds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course he wouldn\u2019t. Magnus was not someone who watched pack alliances for amusement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He simply crushed everything with raw dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stifled a small laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Truly, Zark had terrible luck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He chose excellent girlfriends-each better than the last-and this time he even kept the relationship low- key.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before tonight, hardly anyone knew about him and Louisa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But with the Sanchez siblings constantly circling like wolves desperate for inheritance, sabotage was inevitable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And this time Zark himself had stepped into the snare-and obliterated his own future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whatever anguish Zark felt, Aysel enjoyed every moment of the spectacle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, someone always had to ruin her fun..\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she stepped out of the auction hall, Damon and Celestine stood waiting together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Celestine had long concealed her anger from being outplayed earlier Seeing Aysel emerge, she offered a gentle, serene smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAysel. Alpha Magnus.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She produced an embossed invitation and looked directly at Aysel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my performance invitation. I hope you can attend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her manner was elegant, as if the tension inside the auction hall had never existed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Aysel saw the sharpness behind her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So what if Aysel had won at the birthday banquet? Her parents still felt sorry for Celestine, believing she had been wronged by being forced into the substitute engagement. To compensate her, they spent heavily to build her a full touring stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A stage Aysel could never claim again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
9\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
The loss of dance-the permanent scar in her life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel let out a short, cold laugh. \u201cCelestine, don\u2019t debase yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Celestine bit her lip, stealing a glance at Magnus\u2019s impassive expression before looking pitifully at Aysel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAysel\u2026 I know you\u2019re upset that I got engaged to Damon. You loved him for so many years\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She lowered her head. \u201cIf it makes you unhappy, we can cancel the engagement any time\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Crack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A resounding slap landed across Celestine\u2019s pretty, fragile face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCancel the engagement? No need. I don\u2019t recycle filth. But if you want another trip to the healer\u2019s ward, I can arrange that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Celestine stared in shock, hand on her cheek.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So many wolves watching-was Aysel insane?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAren\u2019t you afraid your parents-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Crack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another slap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI cut ties with the Moonvale Pack long ago. Don\u2019t know where you get the nerve to claim kinship.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Aysel raise her hand again, a strong grip caught her wrist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAysel,\u201d Damon growled. \u201cYou\u2019ve gone too far.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whether he was offended that she called him filth, or whether he felt heartache for Celestine being slapped while offering an invitation-his eyes were red, and his grip tight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel tugged her wrist back. \u201cI\u2019m done hitting her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damon\u2019s chest loosened-confirmation, surely, that she still cared about him, still obeyed him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the moment he released her, a sharper, louder slap cracked across his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aysel smiled brilliantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hitting you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t hold back at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The watching crowd winced, instinctively raising hands to their own cheeks. The sound alone stung.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damon\u2019s eyes filled with hurt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only then did Magnus step forward, taking Aysel\u2019s hand, giving the two reddened faces before him a calm, chilly look.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cForgive her,\u201d Magnus said mildly. \u201cMy Aysel has a fierce temper. If Alpha Damon is unhappy\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowd held its breath-waiting to see what gift, what monumental concession the Alpha of Shadowbane would offer the Blackwood Pack to smooth things over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magnus\u2019s lips curved faintly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen don\u2019t appear in front of her again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence rippled across the gathered wolves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Was this real?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Telling the victim to avoid the aggressor?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Utter reversal of heaven and earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the crowd, Rudi Sanchez curled her lip in displeasure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind of wolf lets his mate slap everyone she sees? Magnus, you ought to control that little girlfriend of yours.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 96 Chapter 96\u00a0 Third Person\u2019s POV\u00a0 The execution of Magnus\u2019s plan that night […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chosen-by-none-feared-by-all"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23299\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}