Third Person’s POV


    +5 Free Cons


    The pine torches on the rock wall crackled and spat, casting interwoven shadows in the flickering firelight. The entire night was bathed in a warm, primal gold.


    And wasn’t their life ahead long enough?


    The next morning, before 6. a. m., Ivy knocked outside.


    The bedroom had an inner and outer chamber, separated by a velvet curtain.


    At the knock, Lance and Adide sat up instantly–their wolf instincts ever–vignt.


    Adide, upon seeing Lance bare, froze before grabbing the velvet nket to cover herself.


    Her cheeks burned.


    Lance, recalling the previous night, felt a pang of inexperience and avoided her gaze.


    He slipped into his silk robe and cleared his throat. “I’ll get up first. You… put on your robe. I’ll call an omega in to help you dress.”


    Why was there such awkwardness?


    He couldn’t meet her eyes but nced sneakily.


    Her sleepy, dazed look was like morning dew–stunning.


    He opened the door to Ivy and Susan. They bowed. “Alpha Lance,” Susan greeted.


    Lance nodded. “Help Luna Adide change.”


    But Susan wasn’t there to dress Adide. On Prisci’s orders, she was there to check for marks.


    When Adide rose in her robe, the moon crown mark on her neck oozed silver–blue blood beads. The nd punctured by Lance’s fang was visible beneath her cor.


    Adide, meeting Ivy’s gaze and thinking of the unmistakable hickey, felt embarrassment surge but kept herposure. “Since you’re all here, let’s get ready.”


    Lance, usually attended by omegas, had kept everyone out this time. He nned to let Adide choose her attendants.


    After years at the southern border he was used to Caldwell’s temporary omega staff, but they hadn’t gelled.


    He preferred no females close.


    He took his morning suit to the dressing area behind the screen. Just as he was about to enter, he saw Susan examining Adide’s neck.


    He stopped her immediately. “Susan, what are you doing?”


    O


    JUL


    +5 Free Couns


    Susan, having seen the mark, grinned. “I’m just tidying up yesterday’s clothes for washing


    Adide’s cheeks flushed again. She started her morning routine, pretending not to notice Susan’s actions


    Susan called in two servants to collect all bedding for washing and remake the bed.


    Ivy watched with bittersweet feelings–sad that Adide had given so much during her year in the Bloodmoon Pack with little substance, yet d that Lance was the first to mark her.


    With this proof, no one in the pack would dare question Adide’s standing.


    Today required a formal gown for Adide.


    They were heading to the pce to pay respects to Lycan Luna rissa and Lycan Erasmus, necessitating a formal Luna dress.


    She donned a crimson velvet gown with symmetrical silver phoenix and rose embroidery, fastened with gold sps.


    Beneath it, a green round–neck dressplemented the look.


    On her head sat a splendid headdress adorned with nine silver feathers and a crystal cloud at the peak.


    Due to the cold, Ivy added a hooded crimson velvet cloak. The hood rested behind her head, its sides and rim lined with white fox fur, adding an air of dignity with a touch of yfulness.


    Lance needed assistance with his formal attire.


    Unfamiliar with the cumbersome process, he summoned Ralph and a wolf guard to help him dress.


    He wore a sapphire–encrusted hat, a deep blue coat embroidered with five sets of silver scrollwork, andurel leaves symbolizing power on the shoulders. A wine–red leather belt with diamond pins secured his waist.


    The pins featured gold geometric patterns linked by pearl chains, with ribbons in red, white, light blue, and green hanging from the bottom.


    A wide sash in these four colors crossed his chest, enhancing his already imposing figure in the tailored


    suit.


    Adide applied light makeup–her natural beauty notwithstanding, a bare face was inappropriate.


    Once ready, she left with Ivy and Beata.


    On their way, she inquired about Cedric, relieved to hear he was sleeping soundly under Jasmine’s care.


    In the outer room, Adide and Lance met each other’s eyes.


    Dressed formally, they momentarily forgotst night’s intimacy and felt no awkwardness.


    Lance extended his hand naturally, Adide ced hers in his, and they smiled at each other before walking out together.


    Behind them, Ivy discreetly wiped away tears. Though she’d promised not to cry, seeing Lance and


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    O


    <


    10.00


    Adide so lovingly united brought tears to her eyes.


    Prisci was already seated in the Packhouse’s council chamber, on a carved velvet armchair she’d speciallymissioned.


    Despite rarely spending much time there, today she needed to project authority.


    As the couple prepared to leave, Caldwell intercepted them.


    s


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