This barbed remark,ced with contempt for Adide, solidified Madison’s stance.


    Third Person’s POV


    Some Lunas present had previously visited the Frostfang Pack with the intention of arranging a bond between their sons and Adide.


    After all, a union with her could secure a seat on the Royal Elder Council–why wouldn’t they leap at such an opportunity?


    But after hearing Madison’s remarks, they quickly abandoned the idea.


    Who among the Lunas genuinely approved of a mate’s concubine?


    More importantly, none wanted their sons deprived of breeders in the future.


    If Adide couldn’t bear pups, the pack would face a session crisis.


    Seizing the moment, Rosemary began to air her grievances, painting Adide as arrogant, disrespectful, and envious.


    Rumors, like wildfire, spread through the gathering.


    Within half an hour, Adide was vilified by most of thedies present.


    Though some knew the truth, they stayed silent–no one dared defend Adide against the tide of nder.


    Before Adide even arrived, priestesses from the former Lycan King’s court, including Prisci, had already taken their seats.


    Madison, as the former Lycan King’s sister, naturally drew their attendance for her birthday banquet.


    As the royal members entered, thedies present rose one after another to curtsy.


    Prisci had no desire to be there. She and Madison had long been at odds, with Prisci suffering many indignities at Madison’s hands.


    But a declined invitation would only give Madison more ammunition for gossip..


    So, despite her reluctance and bristling wolf–hair, Prisci attended.


    The sulfurous pheromones and sharp gossip floating through the hall stabbed at Prisci’s nds like needles.


    She was livid but took a seat in the corner, hoping to avoid the spotlight.


    So far, no one knew Adide was about to bond with Lance.


    If the news got out, especially with Madison leading the smear campaign, Prisci would be too embarrassed to be here.


    +10 Free <b>Coins </b>


    She deliberately chose <b>a </b>seat in the corner. But Madison’s daughter, Wanda, approached in stilettos.


    As her moon–white dress brushed the floor, she released a provocative mint pheromone.


    “Well, look who it is–Prisci,” Wanda drawled, her wolf–pupils gleaming coldly under the chandelier.


    “What birthday gift did you bring for my mother?”


    Wanda’s deliberate choice to target Prisci was clearly intentional.


    Prepared for the confrontation, Prisci replied stiffly, “I heard Madison often prays to the Moon Goddess at the altar. So, I brought a star–iron Moon Goddess statue as a gift.”


    She signaled an omega to present the gift.


    .


    Madison nced at it, her fingers tracing the ancient wolf–script on the base, and curled her lips in a mocking smile. “I already have a dozen star–iron pieces, but since it’s from Prisci, I’ll ept it.”


    The words sliced Prisci’s pride like a dull knife. Her neck’s temporary mark red with pain.


    She seethed inwardly, “If you don’t value it, don’t take it,” but only a muffled growl escaped her throat.


    In verbal sparring, she was no match for Madison.


    In status, since the former Lycan King’s death, her former position as new moon priestess had faded.


    Her son Lance’s triumphs were a brief source of pride, but outside the pce, she dared not mention him -she knew Lance had emotionally distanced himself from her.


    If not for Lycan Erasmus’s intervention, allowing her to move to the ckthorn Pack with Lance, he might have refused her altogether.


    This estrangement was her deepest ache.


    Despite Lance’s recent victories and des, he hadn’t sought to elevate her standing.


    Though still a new moon priestess with rissa’s support, Prisci remained below the full moon priestess in the royal hierarchy–a bitter pill to swallow.


    She could only swallow this grievance silently.


    Madison’snguid voice cut through the tension, her wolf–head ring glinting in the candlelight. “I heard Lycan Erasmus permitted you to leave the pce and live with Alpha Lance in the ckthorn Pack. How delightful for mother and son to reunite. Congrattions are in order.”


    Prisci’s ear–tip silver fur twitched with smugness- even Madison had to acknowledge Lance’s achievements.


    “Lance insisted I move in. I n to assist him in managing the pack. With his recent honors and numerous estates andpanies under his name, someone needs to help.”


    +10 Free Colos


    Madison burst intoughter, her finger gliding over the dragon–scale embroidery on her gown, her eyes narrowing with scorn. “How ‘filial. But if he’s so devoted, why not petition Lycan Erasmus and rissa to promote you to full moon priestess?”


    Prisci’s smile froze- Madison’s words struck a nerve.


    “Your own son distances himself from you. What a failure as a mother.”


    Madison’s follow–up <b>was </b>a honeyed dagger.


    The surrounding guests, though silent, radiated disdain through their pheromones, flushing Prisci’s ears with humiliation.


    She seethed with rage, her wolf–ws clenching under the table, when the hall announcer dered-“The Frostfang Pack’s Alpha, Golden w Gamma Adide, has arrived!”