Third Person’s POV


    Prune wiped Adide’s tears with a smile, though her eyes glistened. “No more <b>tears </b>today. It’s <b>a </b><b>joyous </b>asion. You must look your best<b>.</b>”


    Prune was tall and pretty, but folks didn’t know she was a total badass in battle.


    As a werewolf, her hiding and acting skills were top–notch.


    She was the Alpha of the Cloudwing


    But she was always on the move and left the Cloudwing Pack to the Beta.


    Today, she came with her Cloudwing Pack members and gave a gift in the pack’s name.


    The makeup artist at the styling studio had seen lots of big stuff, but Alpha wolves dressed like nobles in fancy clothes? That was new.


    She wanted to fix Adide’s makeup, but with Adide still crying, she just stood by waiting.


    After Adide finished chatting and crying, she got to work.


    As Adide dried her tears, she saw Klein standing next to Craig.


    A fresh wave of sadness hit her. “Klein, I’m not really crying–I’m just so happy, tears are just… falling. Please don’t punish me,” she said.


    Klein nced at her, all nonchnt. “I’ll let it slide this time. Next time, though? You’ll get punished for


    sure.”


    Klein was in charge of rewards and punishments at Warscar Training Camp. Everyone feared him–even Irene had to watch her words around him.


    After getting punished once, Irene regretted ever bringing him in to manage the camp.


    His first rule? Nobody leaves without his say–so, him included. Even suggesting it got you in trouble.


    Adide covered her eyes like she was scared of Klein’s punishment. But when she peeked through her fingers, she noticed Klein was wearing a high–end suit.


    Her urge to wail died instantly. “Klein, why are you in a high–end suit? I thought you didn’t like that stuff.”


    Klein treated money like trash. Usually, he wore flip–flops he just threw on an extra jacket.


    His wolf was super strong, so the cold didn’t bother him


    casual clothes. Even in the coldest winters,


    much


    He also didn’t care for noble werewolves, which was why Adide never connected him to Lance <b>before</b>, Klein snorted. “Feels like I’m covered in thorns. I’d never wear this if it weren’t for <b>your </b>mating <b>ceremony </b>


    <b>1:09 </b><b>THU </b>10 JE


    Chapter <b>246 </b>


    Klein was proud but also cared about appearances.


    So he red at Adide, warning her not to push the topic. If she did, he’d stitch her mouth shut, ceremony or not.


    Adide wisely kept quiet. She looked around but didn’t see Avery, Choking back a sob, she asked, “Where’s Avery? Didn’t hee?”


    Paisley giggled. “He sent the gift from the Ancient Moon Pack. He’s already with the convoy, heading <b>to </b><b>the </b>ckthorn Pack.”


    Adide turned to the Alpha of the Ancient Moon Pack. The Alpha was usually strict but looked kind today.


    Beta Valentin, wiping his tears, said, “We’re about to leave. Hurry up and fix your makeup.”


    Adide had to leave quickly after seeing Irene and the others. She was reluctant to <i>go</i>.


    “Can we wait a little longer?” she asked, acting shy.


    “No can do,” they said. “The mating has to happen on schedule.”


    Prune took her hand. “Come on, fix your makeup. We’re here for your ceremony. We’ve got seats at the ckthorn Pack’s square for the mating ceremony feast.” Adide’s eyes were misty as she blinked. “So Lance knew you guys wereing?”


    “He knew, but he didn’t know you didn’t,” they said.


    Okay, so he wasn’t really keeping it a secret.


    She gathered herself, stood up, and thanked the guests who came to bless her. “No need,” Irene said, waving her off. “Just go get ready–it’s the least I can do.” Adide said “oh” and turned to leave, thinking Irene was way too casual.


    While she was fixing her makeup, amotion came from outside the packhouse.


    We’ll go with


    A pack guard rushed in. “Alpha Lance is here to pick her up himself,” he announced. Klein hated all the fuss. “What’s the big deal? If he doesn’te, I’ll cut his ears off,” he snapped. The pack guard, shrunk back, cowed by Klein’s sharp re, and slunk away.


    you.


    Gloria, meanwhile, thought her only advantage was that Ulrik would personally escort her to the Bloodmoon Pack for the mating ceremony–something Lance<b><i>, </i></b>a royal descendant, wasn’t expected to do.


    But when she heard from the Ironw Pack that Lance was picking up Adide himself, she was stunned. Did she really deserve such kindness from Alpha Lance?


    She’d nearly been kicked out of her pack and couldn’t forget her ex–mate. Did she really deserve this?


    <b>273 </b>


    <b>Thu</b>, TU <b>Jul </b>


    But she was good at hiding her feelings, and Lance was none the wiser.


    That thoughtforted her.


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