Third Person’s POV
+10 Free Coins
“Susan,” Prisci suddenly stopped and asked, “Do you think it’s possible that Alpha Lance truly favors Adide?”
She’d long harbored suspicions, especially given the ceremony’s grandeur–hardly the casual affair he’d described.
He talked like it was all just talk. But every process was handled with top–notch care. The vi was being decked out in pure luxury.
“If it’s true, that’s wonderful,” Susan replied. “At least Alpha Lance has found someone he loves.”
Prisci shook her head, her brows creasing with worry. “No, thatplicates things. <b>If </b><b>she’s </b>the one he loves, he’d shield her in everything. How am I to assert my authority then?”
Susan cated her, “We’re just specting. Don’t overthink it. If Adide were his true love, how could he have stood by and watched her mate with Ulrik?”
Prisci saw her point.
Lance was far away on the battlefield back then. Even if he’d wanted to prevent Adide and Ulrik’s mating bond, it was impossible.
The distance between the front and the capital was vast. Even if Adide had given birth, Lance might not have known in time.
Moreover, focused on winning the war and believing Aire had consented to his and Adide’s mating bond, he was determined to return victorious.
Unaware of these details, Prisci still viewed Adide as a blemish on her ns.
This conflicting mix of relief for her son’s impending marriage and dissatisfaction with his choice tormented her.
Meanwhile, both the Bloodmoon and Ironw Packs were busy preparing for the next day’s mating ceremony.
This was Ulrik’s third such ceremony, yet his feelings were entirely different from the previous two.
When he mated with Adide, he was overjoyed, considering her a moonstone–like treasure and the greatest fortune of his life.
Even when he received orders to deploy on the wedding day, seeing Adide in her gown filled him with happiness.
His vows were sincere then, but he ultimately missed his chance.
His mating bond with Velda was different. He believed he’d found a soulmate.
Though Velda’s suggestion to withhold half of Adide’s assets made him uneasy, it didn’t shake his
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<b>1/3 </b>
15 <b>Wed</b>, 900
optimism for the future.
Now, mating with Gloria was arranged by Lycan Erasmus.
410 Free Coins
Ulrik had met Gloria only once. She was more beautiful than Velda butcked Adide’s brilliance.
Most importantly, he felt nothing for Gloria. Her presence left him indifferent.
Worse still, the previous mating ceremony had drained the Bloodmoon Pack’s resources. Even the million dors from Lycan Erasmus were spent, and he still couldn’t afford a decent ceremony for Gloria.
Fortunately, the Ironw Pack was wealthy, and with Gloria’s brother Tad as the Royal Armymander, the ceremony wouldn’t be shabby.
But the fact that this ceremony was on the same day as Lance and Adide’s was a headache. Guests trying to please both sides would have to rush between locations.
This was all due to Tad’s influence, not Ulrik’s standing, which filled him with frustration and thoughts of withdrawal.
Now, he had to deal with Velda’s mood. If she caused a scene on the ceremony day, it would be disastrous and humiliating.
Pushing open the door, Ulrik’s cedar pheromones swirled into fog on the porch.
Velda sat quietly in a wolf–head–crested armchair, her mint pheromones tinged with the coppery stench of blood. It mirrored the night he’d told Adide he’d mate with someone else—except now, the unhealed mark on her neck oozed silver–blue blood, a sign of pheromone disruption.
“I know you feel wronged,” his cedar pheromones carried an apologetic tone, his wolf ears drooping.
“Mrs. Voss indicated that Lycan Erasmus personally approved this.”
Recalling the emperor’s overwhelming pressure, the temporary mark on his neck red.
Velda lifted her head, her mint pheromones intensifying, her pupils slitting into bloodlines under the candlelight. “Did you say the same to Adide before mating with me?”
Her scarred cheek seeped silver–blue blood, a sh of Snke’s wolfsbane and Ulrik’s cedar.
“No, I told you outright that my heart was yours.”
Ulrik’s wolf ws dug into his palms, silver–blue droplets staining the blood–moon carpet.
He remembered that night–Adjde’s ear tips gleaming in the moonlight, his cedar pheromones untainted by today’s regret.
She suddenlyughed, her unveiled scar twisting in the candlelight, her mint pheromonesced with twisted delight. “And now? Who holds your heart?”
Ulrik’s cedar pheromones spiraled into chaos, sulfurced with the stench of burning.
Staring at the wolfsbane<b>–</b>scarred mark on Velda’s neck, he recalled Adide on the battlefield, her wolf ws tearing enemy gs, the moonlight cascading over her armor—his wolf soul had whimpered
<b>2/3 </b>
12:15 Wed, 9 Jul
red, <b>9 </b>Jul G G
uncontrobly.