The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 56

**Midnight Letters by Daniel Crowe**

**Chapter 56**

**Aysel’s POV**

A low, derisive laugh escaped Magnus’s lips, reverberating through the lavish hall like a mocking echo. “Her? Worthy of me?” His tone dripped with scorn, a clear dismissal that hung heavily in the air, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those who heard it.

A low growl rumbled from the depths of the room, a warning from his father, Alpha Bastien, who seemed ready to unleash a torrent of reprimands. But before he could voice his discontent, the old Alpha struck the marble floor with his cane, the sound resonating like a gunshot that shattered the murmurs of the gathered wolves. “Enough! You’re making a spectacle before the entire pack!” His voice boomed with authority, silencing the whispers that had begun to swell like a rising tide.

The atmosphere thickened with tension, the air almost electric with unspoken rivalries. Even the youngest wolves, usually brimming with energy, stilled their hearts at the sharpness of Bastien’s tone, their eyes wide with apprehension.

I let my gaze wander across the grand hall, absorbing the myriad of faces that blurred together into a sea of unfamiliarity. The scents swirled around me, each one a reminder of the rigid ranks and hierarchies that dictated this world. I struggled to recall even half of the names that floated through my mind, but in truth, I had little desire to do so.

Yet, amidst the throng, one figure emerged from the crowd—Sandy Sanchez, the daughter of Magnus’s third uncle. She scrutinized me with a piercing gaze, her expression shifting from curiosity to a frown. “Vale… as in the Moonvale Pack? Are you related to Celestine Ward?”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden interest. “You might not be mistaken,” I replied, allowing a hint of mystery to lace my words, my tone playful yet guarded.

Instantly, her face contorted, recognition flashing in her eyes like a sudden spark. I could see it—the gossip, the whispers that had swept through the pack like wildfire. Celestine’s sister. The scandal. The unwanted daughter—the very notion seemed to linger like a bitter aftertaste.

A murmur rippled behind her, and soon, the air grew thick with the scent of disdain, rotting like a forgotten carcass in the sun. Wolves thrived on hierarchy, and nothing entertained them more than the downfall of a noble, especially one cast aside.

Ulric’s snarl sliced through the tension next. “Not every lowborn wolf is fit to be Shadowbane’s Luna.” His voice was sharp, a predatory hunger that sought to draw blood while masquerading as righteous indignation.

He aimed to humiliate Magnus, to undermine his authority through me, a mere pawn in his twisted game.

I tilted my head, feigning innocence, as if I hadn’t heard the venom in his words. “That’s fine,” I replied sweetly, my voice laced with quiet venom. “I don’t mind Magnus marrying into my pack instead.”

The hall fell into an eerie silence.

Even the flames flickering in the sconces seemed to hesitate, caught in disbelief at my audacity.

Moon above, I could feel the shock wave ripple through the room, a palpable energy that tasted sharp and metallic on my tongue—delicious.

Magnus didn’t correct me, nor did he flinch. Instead, he looked down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes—wolfish, indulgent, and dangerously protective.

“Absurd!” Bastien roared once more, his cane slamming against the floor with such force that I feared the marble might crack beneath the pressure.

Across the table, a younger she-wolf—Rudi Sanchez, the favored daughter of Alpha Bastien—finally erupted. “How dare you speak that way at a Shadowbane feast? You are an outsider, and this is a sacred family gathering!”

Magnus wore a faint smile, calm and predatory, as if he had just secured a victory in a game only he understood.

And just like that, the game was his once more.

—

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted dramatically. The tension that had once threatened to suffocate now crackled with a newfound energy, resonating with the thrill of defiance and the promise of change. Aysel stood resolute amidst the chaos, her bold words echoing in the minds of those who had once looked down upon her. The whispers of disdain that had followed her like a shadow transformed into a murmur of intrigue, as she deftly turned the tables on her adversaries. With each calculated retort, she not only defended her worth but also illuminated the fractures within the Shadowbane hierarchy, revealing the vulnerabilities of those who had sought to belittle her. In that moment, she was no longer just Celestine’s sister; she was a force to be reckoned with, a wolf ready to carve her own path.

Magnus’s unwavering support added another layer to Aysel’s burgeoning confidence. His amusement and pride in her defiance spoke volumes, solidifying their bond in a world that thrived on division. As the murmurs of disbelief faded into the background, a sense of unity began to blossom between them, one that transcended bloodlines and societal expectations. The game had shifted, and with it, the power dynamics of the pack. Aysel realized that she was no longer an outsider; she was a player in this intricate dance of wolves, ready to claim her place. Together with Magnus, they stood poised to challenge the status quo, igniting a spark of hope for a future where loyalty and strength reigned supreme over lineage and privilege.

—

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the air crackles with tension and unspoken rivalries, the next chapter of *Midnight Letters* promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of power dynamics and personal vendettas within the Shadowbane pack. With Magnus’s bold declaration echoing in the hall, the stakes have been raised, and the alliances that once seemed unshakeable are now teetering on the brink of chaos. Aysel’s defiance has ignited a firestorm of reactions, and the fallout from her audacious remarks will undoubtedly ripple through the pack, forcing hidden agendas to surface and loyalties to be tested. Readers can expect an explosive confrontation that will challenge Aysel’s place in this volatile world, and the repercussions of her words may lead to unexpected alliances—or deadly enemies.

Moreover, as Aysel navigates the treacherous waters of pack politics, her relationship with Magnus will be put to the test. Will their bond strengthen in the face of adversity, or will the growing animosity from others drive a wedge between them? The tension between Ulric and Magnus is palpable, and with the elder Alpha Bastien watching closely, the next chapter will likely reveal secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Shadowbane legacy. As whispers of betrayal and ambition swirl around them, Aysel must harness her cunning and strength to survive, while also confronting her own tumultuous past. Expect revelations that will not only challenge her identity but also redefine her role in the unfolding drama of the pack.

Prepare for a chapter filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and the relentless pursuit of power as Aysel stands at the crossroads of loyalty and ambition, ready to claim her place in a world where the line between predator and prey is razor-thin.