Matthew's Pov

　　The ensuing silence was almost deafening, the battlefield taken by a moment of quiet filled with blood and the smell of death.

　　The warriors of the Moonshadow Pack, seeing their leader defeated and with Ava still screaming for Michael to stop, began to surrender one by one.

　　The victory was ours, but it came with a weight and not with a feeling of joy. The battlefield is shrouded in a cold mist, where the light of the moon barely illuminates the dark trees and fallen bodies. Ava is kneeling beside her brother Michael's body, crying over the defeat that occurred. Her lament is a sad and desperate sound that tries to cut through the night's fog. I can't feel any pity or sympathy for her or anyone from the Moonshadow Pack. The atmosphere is charged with tension and despair as the battle's survivors wander in a daze, many still holding their weapons, unsure if they are safe or if more danger lies ahead. I order through the mindlink for my men to neutralize all the warriors of the Moonshadow Pack.

　　I pull her away from her brother's body, and Ava doesn't protest against it. Her expression was pure despair, her eyes swollen and red, but she didn't resist my strength.

　　"This wasn't what I wanted. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, it wasn't," Ava whimpers, her words lost in sobs. I don't let myself be manipulated by her tears of sadness. The pain on her face is evident, but I can't allow myself to feel compassion.

　　"They felt no compassion for Emma," Fenrir comments angrily.

　　"What did your brother do to Emma? Where is the sorcerer who did this to her, Ava?" I question seriously, the anger still radiating from my body like suffocating heat. I tighten my grip on her arm and shake her body to bring Ava back to her senses. "AVA! EMMA IS DYING! I need to know what your brother did to her, now!"

　　But Ava just cries in front of me. Her whole body trembles and sobs, snot even coming out of her nose. The scene is deplorable and shameful, but I don't have time to be merciful with her. Not while Emma is still cursed, dying in a hospital bed because of Michael.

　　"Liam!" I shout for my beta, and Ava shrinks at the sound of my voice. The trees around seem to vibrate with the force of my shout as if the forest itself responds to my anguish.

　　In seconds, my beta is by my side. His body is wounded, his face bruised, and a bullet has pierced his shoulder, yet Liam stands firm to receive my orders. The moonlight illuminates his hard features, highlighting his eyes vibrant with adrenaline.

　　The dawn is cold and full of nocturnal terror at the gates of the Moonshadow Pack. The invasion was successful, and all the warriors of the Moonshadow Pack have surrendered.

　　"I want Alpha Tim Davis and Emma's family here in front of me... NOW!" I order with foam-flecked hatred from my mouth.

　　Ava tries to break free from my grip on her arm, but I don't allow it. She is in panic, her eyes searching for a way to escape, but there is nowhere to run.

　　"She was your best friend. She went through hell because of you, did you know that? Your brother, that fucking bastard," I hold Ava's face and direct it to Michael's unconscious body, "look at him! He mistreated her, humiliated her, and rejected her. Now he tries to kill her?"

　　"He didn't do it. He thought I had died and, he didn't mean it. He loves her," Ava responds between sobs and stammering, her voice laden with remorse and sadness. Her body seems ready to collapse at any moment, but her voice still carries a fragile defense.

　　"That's no excuse! Emma was his destined mate. Your best friend and you treated her like trash. Did you know that since she thought you were dead, she hasn't drunk a single drop of alcohol? Never! It's been a year since shit hit the fan, and she thought about killing herself, and since then, she hasn't touched a drink!" I inform Ava with a mixture of anger and pride for my mate. My words are harsh, and cutting, and I see the impact they have on Ava.

　　"So what?" Ava mutters nervously, her eyes darting to me. "Emma is no saint! She should have stopped drinking. Do you know how many times I had to pick her up from bars? From parties? If she hadn't drunk that night, I wouldn't have had to go get her! Emma is a spoiled brat. You deserve someone much better than her!" Ava responds in a hateful manner that leaves me stunned for a few seconds. Her voice carries a venomous tone that makes my blood boil even more.

　　Ava's body straightens, and her eyes, once filled with sadness and fear, change drastically, carrying a more challenging expression. It's as if a mask has fallen, now revealing the true Ava.

　　"Emma doesn't deserve you, Alpha Matthew! She isn't worthy of you. You need to marry someone on your level. Someone who will be loyal and faithful to you. Who has never had a destined mate before. Someone new, pure. Powerful," Ava declares firmly, with a tone of seduction that disgusts me.

　　Her hand reaches towards my face, and I dodge, firmly holding her wrist.

　　"Have you lost your mind, Ava? Don't tell me you think you're worthy of being with me. That I could love you?" I question with disgust and disdain. "Emma was supposed to be your best friend, and this is how you treat her? In a moment of fragility?"

　　My fingers still grip Ava's wrist tightly; my urge is to break her arm for her audacity in thinking that she and I would ever have any chance of being together. The fury inside me is palpable, and Fenrir is ready to break free.

　　"She is insane!" Fenrir comments inside me, and I agree with a growl. His voice echoes in my mind, fueling my anger even more.