The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 55

**Midnight Letters by Daniel Crowe**
**Chapter 55**

**Aysel’s POV**

Just the day before, I found myself standing before Magnus, my heart racing with uncertainty as I posed a crucial question about the role I was to play that evening at the Shadowbane family gathering.

His reply was refreshingly blunt—“Arrogant. Wildly arrogant.”

That single word was all I needed to set the course for the night ahead.

This gathering, while not a royal court, was far from casual; it was an intimate feast among Alphas and their heirs, where the weight of appearances was heavy and undeniable. I had to embody the essence of a she-wolf who radiated confidence, someone who was acutely aware of her mate’s favor—proud, untouchable, a delicate venom cloaked in soft velvet.

Yet, I was acutely aware that the night would serve as my battlefield, and in battles, one does not win simply by dazzling the crowd with superficial charm.

So, I resolved to adopt an alternate persona—soft, fragile, like a trembling doe caught in the gaze of feral beasts.

Two masks, two facets of survival, each crafted to shield me in their own way.

Lisa, my stylist, was practically vibrating with excitement at the concept. “Got it. I’ll make you unforgettable, Aysel,” she declared, her eyes sparkling with creative fervor.

Her nails were sharp, but her instincts were sharper still. By the time she had worked her magic, I was adorned in two completely distinct looks, each curated and perfected under her discerning gaze.

For the midday gathering, I slipped into a stunning scarlet off-shoulder dress. The moment I emerged in it, Lisa froze, her breath hitching in her throat.

“Moon’s mercy… you were born for red,” she whispered, awe threading through her words.

But it was the evening gown that truly showcased her artistry. Crafted from silver-white silk, it flowed like moonlight captured within fabric. Tiny diamonds adorned the hem and bodice, shimmering with every breath I took, each movement sending reflections dancing like frost glistening on water.

Lisa circled around me, her expression one of pure admiration. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect. You look like a goddess,” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with wonder.

If only she knew the truth of my identity—the disgraced daughter of the Moonvale Pack—perhaps she would have offered me to her designer friends in the vibrant human cities beyond our borders.

The pack house buzzed with activity all morning long. Yet Magnus remained unfazed by the chaos, standing in the kitchen with his black shirt sleeves rolled up, effortlessly pan-frying dumplings as if it were the most mundane task in the world.

Even that—

especially that—

drew the gazes of many.

The Alpha of Shadowbane, the most formidable wolf on the continent, preparing breakfast with his own hands.

A few of the male staff members attempted to look away, but when I stepped out in my new dress, their gazes lingered far longer than necessary. The moment Magnus caught sight of their lingering stares, a low ripple of Alpha dominance swept through the room, cold and commanding. In an instant, no one dared to lift their heads.

He didn’t need to utter a single word.

Shadowbane wolves didn’t bark;

they ruled.

As I settled into my seat, Magnus placed a plate in front of me and, without a word, offered me a dumpling. I accepted it, knowing he was aware I hadn’t eaten yet; he had been awake since dawn, engaged in pack affairs and leading a war meeting through the Pack Link network.

I chewed quietly, then gestured with my fork. “Fruit. And yogurt.”

He complied, a faint smile ghosting across his lips.

The stylists around us were rendered speechless, their expressions a blend of disbelief and awe. A few of them likely thought they had stumbled into a fever dream—no one would believe this tale if they dared to share it beyond these walls.

After hours of meticulous preparation, everything was finally set.

As the sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the Shadowbane estate, the guards straightened at once, their posture rigid with alertness.

Magnus was the first to step out, tall and exuding an air of calm confidence, before circling around to extend his hand to me.

That simple, protective gesture—

it made the butler’s face pale. He understood the significance of an Alpha of Shadowbane bringing a woman into the gathering in such a manner.

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