Third Person’s POV


    Tamara didn’t expect Simon to disagree with her.


    Simon’s pupils turned vertical with anger. He said, “Stop this pack–splitting talk! Bloodmoon’s glory is one and all. Didn’t we bask in some respect from Ulrik’s military honors? Even if Adide doesn’t n to rejoin the Bloodmoon Pack, don’t speak like that.”


    Tamara’s wolf cowered deep in her mind. She dared not meet her husband’s red–tinged vertical pupils. “But Adide’s a Golden w general now. Why should we expect her to overlook past grievances?”


    Simon’s fingers unconsciously caressed the frosted–wolf engraving on his ring, the only item salvaged from Adide’s Frostfang silverware.


    0


    He said, “Mother’s right. This isn’t about pride. Father’s still in aa. We need help.”


    Tamara, timid by nature, remained silent after Simon’s rebuke, though inwardly she seethed.


    It was said Alpha Ulrik, as a general, would restore the Bloodmoon Pack’s glory.


    Yet after earning his merits, he traded them for amand–making Velda the pack’s Luna and abandoning Adide.


    Since Velda became Luna, the pack’s assets dwindled.


    Rosemary couldn’t even afford medicine.


    When she begged Shaman Digby for help, she gained a reputation for filial piety but also faced gossip.


    Moreover, during Velda’s tantrums, she was called ipetent and weak, tasked with solving problems.


    She did act, but by resorting to violence, nearly killing Isaiah.


    Oddly, instead of addressing this, everyone focused on bringing Adide back, as if her return would magically resolve all the Bloodmoon Pack’s issues.


    Tamara knew she shouldn’t think it, but she agreed with Vania.


    Why should Adide be at their beck and call, treated as a tool?


    Simon went to consult Rosemary.


    Her moon grass bracelet glowed faintly on her wrist.


    Staring at her eldest son, her wolf eyes clouded with illness, she said, “Vanya’s always favored outsiders. She’s no help. But she’s the only one with any influence over Adide now.”


    After a pensive moment, she added, “Sidney’s out of the question. I heard Alpha Howell and his wife are under house arrest. No idea what they did to cross Lycan Erasmus<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    +10 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Pausing, she suggested, “Adide’s riding high after her triumph. And since Luna Skye is Airelle’s sister- Airelle doted on her–perhaps we could sound her out. If she’d intercede, we’ve got a good shot.”


    “Then let’s approach Luna Skye,” Simon said.


    Ulrik entered, hands behind his back, a stern look on his face. “No one is to contact Adide.”


    Despite everyone’s persuasion, Ulrik remained unyielding. “No one from the Bloodmoon Pack is to seek out Adide.”


    Rosemary’s decaying violet pheromones burst forth, causing the bronze bedpost to screech.


    She sighed, “I don’t want to go to her, but the Bloodmoon Pack needs a way out. Look at what Velda’s done. Not only has she shamed us, but after assaulting your father, she hid with her parents. Let her stay there; she’s not wee back.”


    “You could reject her, but you’re the one who begged Lycan Erasmus to bond with her.”


    Rosemary suddenly paused, then sharply turned to Ulrik, “Since she assaulted Alpha Isaiah and disrespected me, as the former Luna, can’t we report her to Lycan Erasmus and have her expelled?”


    Ulrik’s face was etched with frustration, “Stop this. I just want Lycan Erasmus to forget about me for three to five years.”


    Rosemary was aghast, “Three to five years? How can you afford to wait that long? As a werewolf general, youth is your advantage…”


    “How could it be so severe? It’s just that you failed to control Velda. Lycan Erasmus still released your bonus, and you were invited to the victory banquet. That shows he still wants to use you.”


    Ulrik slumped into the high–backed chair with the wolf–head emblem, too exhausted to speak.


    His wolf ears drooped listlessly, and his tailbone curled in his mind like a wounded pup.


    Since returning from the battlefield, he hadn’t slept a night through or eaten a proper meal.


    He couldn’t tell his family about the atrocities in the Bloodscar Border–the civilian massacre in the vige and the humiliation inflicted on the Western Tribe Lycan King’s prince.


    He had to keep it all buried, not a word to outsiders.


    Rosemary’s moon grass bracelet glowed softly in the candlelight. Watching the dark circles under her son’s eyes, her wolf pupils swirled with regret and anger. “Why won’t you speak? In what way is Velda better than Adide? She’s not even worthy to be with you.”


    Rosemary was filled with panic and fury. It was all Velda’s fault–the shame at the bonding ceremony and now Ulrik’s reduced military honors.


    She sighed deeply, “Why on earth did you fall for her?”