Third Person’s POV
Ulrik’s cedar pheromones exploded suddenly, his wolf–transformed knuckles gleaming silver.
He stared at Velda’s blood–stained battle armor, recalling how she had recklessly charged for glory on the Southern Border, luring werewolf warriors into an ambush.
Now, here she was, humiliating his family in a sickroom. Old and new grievances surged in his heart.
“Enough!” His palm, carrying the Alpha’s aura, struck Velda’s right cheek.
The wolf–w nails left three shallow red marks. “Do you have any respect for your elders?”
Velda stumbled back in shock, clutching her stinging check, disbelief etched on her face as she looked at the man who had once taken a knife for her in battle. “You struck me?”
Another p followed, this oneced with sulfur–tinged, chaotic pheromones. “Get out! Don’t let me catch you causing a scene in mother’s sickroom again.”
Velda was furious. Her wolf–head sword at her waist hummed with bestial transformation.
But instead of grasping her weapon, she seized the oak–wood round stool–custom–made by Adide for Rosemary’sfort–and swung it at Ulrik’s head. “I’ll take you down with me!”
Ulrik dodged instinctively to the side. The stool smashed straight into Isaiah’s head behind him.
“Father!”
Ulrik and Tamara eximed in unison. Isaiah’s head gushed blood, and he copsed with a thud. 2
Everyone stood stunned for a moment before rushing to lift him up.
Ulrik’s fully transformed right palm pressed against his father’s bleeding temple. His elongated fangs bit through a moonstone vial of blood–stopping powder.
“Get the doctor now!” he roared.
Ulrik red at Velda like a furious lion. “Out! Get out this instant!”
Velda was paralyzed with fear and shock.
In her blind rage, she hadn’t intended to hit Isaiah.
Seeing Ulrik’s ferocious expression, she was filled with a mix of fear and wronged, and she turned and fled.
Rosemary clutched her chest. “Go, bring Vanya here. Have her fetch Adide.”
Any previous reservations about reaching out to Adide were gone.
She would pay any price to have her back now.
After themotion, the doctor entered with his medical case.
The bleeding was staunched, but the wound was severe, and Isaiah had lost a lot of blood. He remained unconscious<b>. </b>
The doctor administered nutrient injections, but Isaiah didn’t regain consciousness.
He informed Ulrik that the situation was grave–the injury might have affected the brain. He suggested calling Shaman Digby to ensure safety.
The Tenar paled at the mention of Digby.
How could they possibly afford him now?
It had taken Tamara a day and night of pleading to convince Digby to sell them medicine.
And Digby had made it clear he would no longer make house calls.
“Absurd!”
Vanya mmed her fist on the table, the dim yard lights casting shadows on her angry face..
Simon and Tamara, scolded by her, kept their heads down.
“Do you still have the nerve to mention the Frostfang Pack?” Vanya’s wolf ws struck the oak table, five deep grooves oozing silver–blue blood beads–the Frostfang Pack’s signature battle mark. “Have you forgotten how you schemed over her dowry during the marriage negotiations? If it weren’t for the Lycan King’s Moon Crown Order, you would have added her Frostwolf Manor to the Bloodmoon Pack’s ledger long ago, wouldn’t you?”
Simon and Tamara pressed their lips tightly together, not daring to meet Vanya’s furious gaze.
“When you drove her out of the pack, did you show her an ounce of mercy? You even schemed to seize her Frostfang assets. If it weren’t for Lycan Erasmus’smand, wouldn’t you have swallowed all her shops and manors whole?”
“I won’t be your stepping stone, no matter how shameless you are.”
Tamara couldn’t help but speak up, “But Father is still in aa……‘
“Coma?” Vanya snorted coldly. “Isaiah’s fading wolf soul–isn’t it because you’ve drained the Bloodmoon Pack’s resources to keep Rosemary alive? Now you remember Adide’s goodness? How did you treat her when she was here?<b>” </b>
Simon unconsciously rubbed the sleeve of his only military merit medal, which now felt like a searing
brand. “We know <b>we </b>were wrong<b>……</b><b>” </b>
“Since you’re <b>set </b>on doing this<b>, </b>go to Sidney. When you wanted to drive Adide away, you didn’t <b>dare </b>approach Sidney. Now, to reconcile, shouldn’t you seek her out? Why the hesitation? <b>Are </b>you afraid Sidney
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will have you thrown out?<b>” </b>
“Or do you think Sidney’s too frail to make decisions<b>, </b><b>so </b>you can bully her? Let me tell you, your underhanded deeds have already ruined the Bloodmoon Pack’s reputation.”
After her outburst, Vanya had Omega usher them out.
She wouldn’t listen to their excuses. The Bloodmoon Pack’s finances were in shambles, and she couldn’t afford the expensive medicine.
Simon and Tamara left Vanya’s in high dudgeon, exchanging a nce with sour expressions. 2
Tamara hesitated for a long moment, then said, “Actually, Rosemary’s just being wishful. Adide would nevere back. Why should we subject ourselves to humiliation for them?”
C
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