The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 4

Aysel’s POV

I didn’t even know what kind of storm I’d stirred until dawn bled over the Moonvale estate.

The moment I stepped through the gates, still reeking of dried blood and smoke, my father—Alpha Remus—met me with a snarl and a hand faster than thought.

The slap cracked across my face, sharp as a whip. My head snapped to the side, and for a second, the world went white.

“I should have known,” he growled, his voice shaking the walls. “No daughter of mine would dare bring shame to this Pack!”

The metallic tang of my own blood filled my mouth. My wolf bristled, teeth bared under my skin. I didn’t move. I didn’t even blink.

Around us, the room froze.

Luna Evelyn gasped softly. My brothers—Fenrir and Lykos—stood tense, eyes bright with anger. And on the sofa, Celestine Ward—our precious family guest, our beloved ward—watched everything with the smallest, most poisonous smile.

So that was it.

Last night’s ambush by those filthy rogues, the one I barely survived—it wasn’t random. I’d suspected as much. And judging by the calm in Celestine’s eyes, I’d been right.

The little snake had planned it.

She’d tried to have me ruined—or dead. And now, she’d turned my own family against me before the bruises on my skin had even faded.

I didn’t say a word.

I just moved.

Three strides, and I was in front of her. Her perfume—sweet amber and deceit—burned my nose.

Then my palm connected with her face.

The sound cracked through the hall like thunder.

For a heartbeat, no one breathed.

Luna Evelyn screamed, “Aysel! What are you doing?!”

Before anyone could stop me, I struck again—the other cheek this time. “That’s for last night,” I hissed. “For the rogues you sent after me.”

Celestine staggered, one hand pressed to her now symmetrical face, shock twisting into fury. She’d always been the serene one, the fragile one—the saintly sister everyone adored. Now she looked ready to shred me apart.

Fenrir lunged forward, grabbing my wrist and throwing me back. My spine hit the cabinet with a dull thud, right against the bruises from the night before. Pain flared, sharp and deep. My wolf snarled, but I bit it back.

No one noticed.

Of course they didn’t.

Everyone’s eyes were on Celestine—checking her skin, soothing her, murmuring comfort.

No one cared about the Alpha’s daughter covered in dirt and blood.

“Why would you hit your sister?” Alpha Remus’s voice roared again, shaking the chandelier.

I lifted my chin, tasting iron. “Then why did you hit me?”

He froze for a fraction of a second.

I smiled without warmth. “You taught me that, didn’t you? Strike first. Then talk about justice later.”

His face reddened with fury. “You dare compare yourself to me? You bought rogues to attack your own blood! Do you even realize what you’ve done?!”

“Bought rogues?” I echoed, my voice colder than moonlight. “Then where’s the proof?”

“The rogue confessed!” he barked. “He said you paid him to crash Celestine’s car. If it weren’t for her mercy, you’d already be locked in the Enforcer’s cell!”

I laughed under my breath. “So all you have is a liar’s word.”

Celestine’s lips trembled. “Aysel, I don’t know why you hate me so much. If you want me gone, I’ll leave Moonvale. I’ll leave the Eastern Territories forever. Just… stop hurting everyone because of me.”

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