Chapter <b>14 </b>
Third Person’s POV
Rosemary’s bedroom glowed with crimson light throughout the night.
When Ulrik announced his n to reject and exile Adide, former Alpha Isaiah objected first. “Exiling her will make you a target
for public outrage–self–sabotage.”
Simon added, “Father’s right. Many wolves loyal to Adide’s father helped you earn your merits. Lose them, and your standing
crumbles<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“But she ckmailed me with my mother’s life!” Ulrik’s face darkened. “I won’t tolerate this!”
Rosemary, recovering from her illness, seethed at Adide’s “treachery.”
She rasped, “No–she must be exiled! Once gone, she won’t take a penny of Frostfang’s wealth.”
Ulrik frowned. “I’m not after her money-
“Why not?”
Rosemary clutched her aching chest. “If she’s exiled<b>, </b>her assets default to Bloodmoon. With that wealth, Digby’s services are assured. You’ve seen our empty coffers–we sold shops to fund your ceremonies!”
Isaiah urged, “Rosemary, focus–reputation or wealth? Choose wisely!”
Posemary’s face twisted in themplight. “Lycan Erasmus needs new wolf generals. Even if the council criticizes you, Lycan
Erasmus will only issue a p on the wrist.”
Ulrik pressed, “I <b>admit </b>this is rash, but I can’t bear a selfish, jealous schemer as my Luna. I’ve decided that even if it means scandal, the Southern Tribes need aid. Alpha Lance’s stalled campaign cries for backup. If <b>Velda </b><b>and </b>I deliver victory there-
His <b>eyes </b>ignited with fervor. The Southern Tribes war, dragging on for years, had imed all Frostfang’s male Alphas.
Alpha Lance’s two–year stalemate offered <b>no </b>progress.
A victory <b>under </b>Ulrik and <b>Velda’s </b><b>leadership </b><b>would </b><b>honor </b><b>Alpha </b>Bentley and silence critics.
“I’ll endure the bacsh temporarily,” he said. “Trust Velda and <b>me</b>–we’ll prove ourselves.”
Isaiah and Simon <b>wavered</b>.
Rosemary, triumphant, dered, “Then exile her! She nearly killed me out of jealousy–only the royal pack’s healer saved me
tonight.”
<b>Greed </b>coiled <b>around </b>Rosemary’s <b>heart </b>like a <b>viper</b>.
She forgot Adide’s year of devoted care, the public praise she’d showered on <b>her </b>as a model Luna.
“Her wealth stays,” she hissed. “Exile her to Frostfang’s ruins–let their scraps sustain her. We need her gold to secure Ulrik’s
+15 Bonus
future.”
Ulrik shook his head. “I won’t take her wealth.”
Rosemary, <b>frantic</b>, snarled, her wolfish fangs elongating beyond her control, venom dripping from their tips.
“Absolutely not! Not a penny leaves with her! Someone–fetch me that asset list now!”
Ulrik lunged to intercept. “Mother<b>, </b>please hear me I can’t.”
Rosemary, frantic, snarled, “Don’t be a fool! She used your mother as a bargaining chip!”
Ulrik stood firm. “A true Alpha doesn’t seize a mate’s pre–nuptial assets. Tomorrow, I’ll summon Adide’s n elders and the
original bond officiant for the rejection ritual.”
“The officiant <b>was </b><b>Sidney </b>Preston,” Isaiah frowned. “Aire’s cousin–Adide’s elder<b>.</b>”
“Then we omit her,” Rosemary said<b>. </b>
Ulrik said, “I’m going out for a bit.”
“Sote? Where to?” Simon asked.
“I’m patrolling the pack borders,” Ulrik replied.
He strode out, transforming mid–run into a silver–gray wolf, and headed straight for Velda’s home.
Knowing Velda despised cowards who <b>bully </b>she–<b>wolves</b>, he needed her to understand this wasn’t about Adide–it was about
justice.
A pebble tapped her window. Velda opened the <b>door </b>silently.
Her room, adorned with enemy fangs, bathed in dim light.
“Ulrik, <b>what’s </b><b>wrong</b>?”
<b>The </b><b>Freeman </b>house was <b>modest</b>, <b>with </b>bedrooms nking <b>a </b><b>narrow </b>living room <b>and </b>a <b>small </b>yard out back.
Velda kept <b>her </b><b>voice </b>low, wary of eavesdroppers.
He gripped her shoulders. “I’m rejecting Adide. I need your support.”
“Rejecting her? Why<b>?</b>”
“Luna Rosemary’s illness <b>worsened</b>. I called Digby, but he <b>refused </b>toe.”
“Is Luna Rosemary all right?” Velda asked urgently
“Stable now, <b>thanks </b>to the royal healer. But Digby’s herbs are the <b>only </b>cure. Adide hired him–Digby’s bound to her. She denies him <b>ess</b>, he refuses treatment.”
Velda connected the dots instantly, “So she’s ckmailing you with your mother’s health to stop our bonding”