The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 175

**Midnight Letters by Daniel Crowe**
**Chapter 175**

From a distance, the gathering of the Pack alumni buzzed with laughter and chatter, but amidst the clamor, Aysel’s presence commanded attention like a beacon. Despite the whispers of her notorious past, no one could deny the striking beauty that radiated from her. Young male wolves, despite their bravado, would roll their eyes and mutter under their breath, but their eyes told a different story—always darting toward her, longing to catch even a fleeting glimpse of her elegance.

As Aaron stood among the throng, he couldn’t help but reflect on his own achievements. He had carved out a respectable place for himself within the pack, but the sight of Aysel made him reconsider everything. She was still of noble lineage, and her reputation, while fearsome, had softened over time. If she had remained as enchanting as she once was, perhaps he could have entertained the idea of courting her, of having her as a mate.

But then again, her sharp temper was a well-known trait, one that could intimidate even the most confident of wolves. Yet, what was a little fire compared to the status and pride that would come from being by her side? The allure of her beauty was enough to make anyone overlook her fierce nature.

However, as soon as he arrived, Aaron quickly realized that his confidence was misplaced. Aysel had already established her dominance, her presence overshadowing him. To add salt to the wound, he discovered that her current mate was none other than Magnus Sanchez, the formidable Alpha of the Shadowbane Pack. Magnus was a wolf of immense wealth and influence, a force to be reckoned with, and he indulged Aysel’s every whim without hesitation. A luxurious lodge? Delivered at her command. Other heirs? They practically bowed before her.

The thought of pursuing Aysel was not just a distant fantasy; it felt like a perilous dream that could quickly turn into a nightmare. Just the idea of it sent a shiver down his spine.

When Aysel stepped forward to defend the class leader from a particularly rude remark, Aaron had no choice but to swallow his pride and offer a sheepish apology, retreating from her fierce gaze like a chastised pup.

Meanwhile, Zenia stood off to the side, her gaze lingering on Aysel. Memories flooded her mind, an image of the girl she once knew juxtaposed with the woman who now commanded the room. A smile crept across her face, a mix of nostalgia and warmth.

“Long time no see,” Zenia said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with genuine affection.

Aysel’s smile mirrored hers, her amber eyes sparkling with a mixture of calmness and radiance. “Long time no see. How have you been?”

For a moment, Zenia hesitated, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her features. This encounter wasn’t about the past—the unanswered questions regarding Aysel’s sudden disappearance or the financial support she had received in secret. No, it was about something deeper, a sincere concern for each other’s well-being.

Years had passed since their paths first crossed, and though they had never been particularly close, both had faced their share of struggles. Their interactions had always been polite, yet minimal, a testament to the barriers life had erected between them.

After the grueling High Moon exams, Zenia had faced a harsh reality—her parents, unwilling to support her dreams of higher education, had insisted she abandon her aspirations to work in the human world. They had even gone so far as to arrange a suitor for her, a man decades her senior from another pack, a move that filled her with dread.

On the day of the alumni gathering, she had planned to seek advice from the elders regarding tuition grants and inter-pack scholarships, a last-ditch effort to reclaim her future. But as fate would have it, her parents intercepted her, their presence a suffocating cloud of disapproval.

They had sworn that even if she managed to enroll, they would follow her to her dormitory, ready to sabotage her at every turn. The threat of their wrath loomed over her like a dark shadow—disobedience would lead to unbearable consequences.

That night, as the alcohol dulled their senses, Zenia seized her chance. She gathered every document she could find, along with any unbanked coins, and swapped her brother’s latest communication device with her own credentials.

Before she left, she unleashed her pent-up rage, slapping each of her kin with a force that surprised even her. Her brother, still dazed from the drink, could only stare in disbelief—how could his timid older sister dare to strike him?

Zenia made her escape, heading directly to the nearest airfield. The cash she had taken, combined with the funds from the envelope, secured her a ticket out of their suffocating territory, marking the dawn of her struggle for survival in a world beyond their reach.

Over the years that followed, she roamed from city to city, working tirelessly, learning the intricacies of both the human and wolf worlds. Eventually, she reapplied to a new university, determined to reclaim her future.

Life was grueling, yet it was a life filled with freedom.

In the past two years, she had seized every opportunity that came her way, producing several small-scale plays with her classmates, earning enough to live without the constant fear that had once gripped her.

Her return this time was intentional—a mission to repay a debt that had lingered in her heart. Though the envelope bore no name, she knew exactly who had sent it, and she was ready to face the past that had shaped her future.