Third Person’s POV
Adide looked at his dazed expression and decided to be direct, “If it’s convenient for you, Alpha Lance, <b>please </b>pass on this message to Lycan Erasmus–I have no interest in the royal priesthood.”
Lance stared at the silver moon grass earrings on her ears, and a hoarse howl rumbled in his throat, “You regard both of us <b>as </b>family?”
His tailbone, under the armor, twitched uneasily–a instinctive reaction when a werewolf’s sore spot was touched.
1
“Yes,” Adide straightened the wolf totem on her cloak.
She thought she had made her stance clear to both Lycan Luna and Lance, so Lycan Erasmus should understand her intentions by now.
She said, “I won’t disturb you anymore, Alpha Lance. I’ll take my leave.”
Lance watched the silver–blue cape flutter as she turned around. His wolf ears under the golden crown shuddered fiercely: family?
He cursed inwardly, his nails subconsciously digging into his palm–his inner wolf was restlessly digging in his consciousness.
To hell with that. Who wants to be her brother?
He has a half–sister from the same mother. He doesn’t need another.
After pondering Adide’s words, Lance turned back to the pce.
Perhaps she wanted to use him to send a firm rejection to Lycan Erasmus.
When Lycan Erasmus finished dealing with important matters, Lance sneaked into the study again.
Seeing Lance still in yesterday’s clothes, Lycan Erasmus’s irritation red. The stench instantly overpowered the ambergris in the hall. He snapped, “Did you not change at Prisci’s? If you have no clean clothes, go back to the pack this instant.”
Lance slumped into <b>a </b>seat like a hoodlum. “I was leaving, but I ran into Adide at the door. She said Lycan Luna Cami summoned her. Want to hear what she said?”
Lycan Erasmus, intrigued by Lance’s smugness, asked, “And what did she say?”
Lance grinned, revealing his teeth. “She said she regards both you and me as older brothers<b>, </b><b>as </b>family.”
Lycan Erasmus’s quill snapped. Ink sttered across the parchment in a wolf–shaped blot. “Both <b>of </b><b>us</b>?”
He burst intoughter, fixing Lance with a mocking <b>gaze</b><b>. </b>“Seems the Frostfang whelp confuses camaraderie with kinship.”
But Lance<b>, </b>trying <b>to </b><b>stay </bposed, said, “At <b>least </b>she refused the royal priesthood.”
He could <b>slowly </b>build a rtionship with her. <b>He </b>stood up and left the study directly.
Lycan Erasmus watched Lance leave, his knuckles tapping the wolf–carved table edge. Suddenly, he called out, “Beta Fabian!”
“Here!” Beta Fabian swiftly entered and bowed.
“Ry my order,” Lycan Erasmus said, “If Adide hasn’t found a mate in three months, appoint her as the New Moon Priestess<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Beta Fabian lowered his eyes and responded, “Yes, Lycan Erasmus!”
“Also, inform Alpha Lance of mymand. But keep it concise.” Lycan Erasmus added.
Fabian said, “Yes, understood. I’ll get to it right away.”
“Go.” Lycan Erasmus lowered his lids, speaking indifferently.
Shortly after Beta Fabian left, word came that Lycan Luna Cami had arrived.
Lycan Erasmus, of course, knew why his mate hade. He said, “I see.”
Cami entered with Omega Medici, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup.
Her voice, like melted silver honey, rang out as the shadow fang wolf–head bracelet on her wrist clicked, “I’ve prepared this deer bone silver moon grass soup specially.”
Lycan Erasmus nodded slightly, “Put it down.”
He picked up the bowl and drained it in one gulp. The blood moon rose scent exploded on his tongue.
Setting down the porcin bowl, he asked, “What did Adide say?”
Cami<b>, </b>seated nearby, replied gently, “I spoke with her. She was surprised, then declined. Said she’d be happy to take me as her sister.”
Lycan Erasmus nodded, “Hmm, noted.”
Cami scrutinized Lycan Erasmus cautiously.
<b>He </b>showed no displeasure, but his gaze was strange. Clearly, he cared.
She paused, then said, “I think Adide’s proposal is splendid. I have no <b>sister</b>; perhaps I could……”
Lycan Erasmus looked up, his eyes cold, “What? No <b>sister</b>, so you want one? So many she–wolves in the world. Why her?<b>” </b>
Hearing this, Cami knew he hadn’t given up. She smiled, “<b>I </b>simply like her. <b>If </b>you disapprove<b>, </b><b>consider </b>
it unsaid.”
<b>2/3 </b>
Lycan Erasmus <b>fell </b>silent, returning to <b>his </b>documents. 1
<b>After </b>sitting for a while and seeing he had nothing more to say, Cami rose. “I won’t keep you then<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Mmm, go ahead,” Lycan Erasmus said without looking up.
Cami couldn’t hide her dejection.
In public, they maintained mutual respect.
In private, Lycan Erasmus was perpetually impatient with her, often not even lifting his head to speak.
Even when priestly disputes arose, no matter who was at fault, he stayed out of it.
The only task he’d assigned her since they bonded was to ask Adide about the priesthood–a clear sign of Adide’s special ce in his heart.
He truly cared for Adide.
But why did he value her so much?
Cami felt despondent. Her status was secure, but without Lycan Erasmus’s affection, what good was it?
Would he only look at her differently if she helped make Adide a priestess<b>? </b>