Third Person’s POV


    Prisci let out an “Oh,” pressing her fingers against her nasbial folds.


    Her tone wasplex, “Adide is not easy to deal with.”


    rissa, of course, understood her thoughts.


    She immediately cautioned, “You’ll be living in Lance’s ckthorn Pack soon. If you don’t understand pack affairs, don’t force yourself into management. Adide will naturally take charge…


    “rissa, that’s not right,” Prisci interrupted, uncharacteristically serious.


    “I don’t trust her. Let me be clear–I don’t like her, I don’t want her as Lance’s mate, and I won’t allow her to manage the ckthorn Pack.”


    “Oh? So you’ll take over?”


    rissa arched an eyebrow. “Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll have Cami hand over the pce management to you. Let her rest, and you try managing for a few days.”


    “I’ve managed pce affairs before. And when you were in charge, did I not help you often?” Prisci retorted.


    “You did help, but mostly in ways thatplicated things,” rissa said bluntly.


    “Our parents spoiled you. After you entered the pce, I had to watch over and protect you at every turn. You were able to safely give birth to a son and a daughter only because I smoothed things over behind the scenes. How many times did I clean up after your messes?”


    “But in Lance’s ckthorn Pack, if you want peace, don’t provoke Adide. Whether you like or oppose her, it’s a done deal that she’s Lance’s mate. Your opposition won’t change that.”


    “However, if you cause trouble in the ckthorn Pack, I won’t let you off the hook.”


    rissa rarely spoke to her so sternly. Prisci knew that because of Adide, her sister seemed to care for her less, which deepened her resentment toward Adide.


    Yet she understood the reality–no matter her dissatisfaction, Adide would be Lance’s mate, and she couldn’t stop it.


    She thought, “it’s true that at Madison’s birthday party, the announcement had already been made publicly.”


    Now, if she imed to forbid their bond, Adide’s reputation would be ruined.


    After much deliberation, she decided to take things one step at a time.


    Soon, the news that Alpha Lance, with Lycan blood, was to bond with Adide spread throughout the city,


    173


    Opinions varied<b>–</b>some said Adide was unworthy, while others called them a perfect match.


    But another narrative quickly emerged–when Adide had mated Ulrik years ago, it was mere months after Alpha Bentley’s death.


    Now, less than a year after her mother’s passing, she was set to mate again.


    Clearly, she had no regard for her parents.


    How could a unfilial person have cared for Rosemary in the Bloodmoon Pack?


    This narrative spread like wildfire.


    Within days, the situation escted, with some even heckling near the Frostfang Pack’s territory.


    Beata was nearly in tears. “Your mating with Ulrik was three years after Alpha Bentley’s death. Why is this being distorted now? No matter how we exin, they won’t listen.”


    Adide, adjusting her clothes, smiled and said, “It’s fine. Let them rant for a few more days. Madison has plenty of money; let her spend a little more.”


    It was obvious that Madison was the mastermind behind the public outcry. While some were swayed, others were paid to join the chorus.


    Let them shout–it wouldn’t be hard to expose the rumors, as they were baseless.


    Madison was indeed behind this.


    Since she couldn’t have Lycan Erasmus punish Adide for disrespect, she resorted to her own methods to teach her <i>a </i>lesson.


    If the public praised Adide’s filial piety, then let’s see how she fares under public scorn.


    An omega entered the mansion’s living room, reporting joyfully, “The news is spreading everywhere. Almost everyone is talking about it, and almost all are cursing her.”


    “Almost? Not everyone?” Wanda asked coldly. “Is there anyone defending her?”


    The omega replied, “A few are speaking up for her, saying that her mating ceremony was over two years after her father’s death.”


    Wanda said, “Who would remember the exact date? It’s probably the Frostfang Pack trying to spreading fake information.”


    She turned <i>to </i>Madison and asked, “Mother, is what we’ve spread true?”


    Madison replied indifferently, “Who knows? Themon folk won’t bother with such details. They’ll curse her, feel satisfied, and not think twice.”


    “But if she rifies, people might believe her. Wouldn’t our efforts be in vain? You’ve spent a fortune on this, haven’t you?”


    Madison acknowledged this, though her expression soured. “I’ve spent a fortune, but if it ruins Adide’s reputation and leaves her humiliated, it’s worth every coin.”


    While she felt a twisted satisfaction, the expenditure weighed heavily on her.


    Over the years, her estate’s funds had flowed out like water. Despite appearances, her finances were depleted.


    This always fueled her resentment toward her father for not endowing her with more wealth.


    She continued, “Even if she does rify, who would believe her? The Bloodmoon Pack is in decline, and there’s no one of standing left to vouch for her. Ordinary people’s rifications are meaningless. Do you think I’ve wasted all this money for nothing?”


    Only then did Wanda smile in satisfaction. “Let’s sit back and watch her reputation crumble. Maybe Lance will think twice about choosing her.”