Third Person’s POV
Irene spoke sternly, “You can’t stay by her side forever. Everyone must live their own life. Besides, is the city really a ce to stay? Even if it were, it’s not a ce for us from the Warscar Training Camp
Irene had no fondness for the capital or its royal werewolves.
Yet, Lance’s character was beyond reproach, and his remation of the southern border had preserved <b>the </b>nation’s territory, earning her reluctant eptance.
But whether hearts remain unchanged still required time’s proof.
Initially, Lance had intended to be her student, but Irene had hesitated to take in a royal Lycan’s descendant.
It was Klein who inexplicably took a liking to him and epted him.
Irene had once thought such a privileged prince would never endure the training’s hardships and looked down on him.
Little did she know, Lance spent a month each year on the mountain under Klein’s guidance and trained diligently in the capital the rest of the time, achieving remarkably highbat skills.
Irene sighed, letting the others chat while she went to find Klein and Lance.
Lance, now mated with Adide, was family, and she couldn’t maintain her teacher’s authority anymore.
After a long chat, Adide took Lance and Cedric to the Moonlight Altar. After praying to the Moon Goddess, Adide knelt, and Lance followed suit.
Seeing his promptness, Adide’s eyes welled up.
In a hushed voice, she said, “Father, Mother, Brothers, I have found my mate. From now on, I will live well with Cedric.”
Cedric, also tearful, added, “Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, I will obey Auntie Adide and stay out of trouble.”
Lance simply stated, “I vow never to let you suffer and will never allow the pack to have a breeder. Adide is my only mate for life.”
Adide’s tears fell. She understood why Lance said this.
Her mother had chosen Ulrik for the same promise.
She thought Lance, as royalty, would have multiple breeders.
So, she admired Lance but wouldn’t entrust her daughter to him.
Little did she know, she had mistaken fish eyes for pearls and vice versa.
111
C
<b>1/3 </b>
Fortunately, the truth was now clear. Though the future might not be smooth<b>, </b><b>having </b>a <b>devoted </bpanion was better than her lonely days in the Bloodmoon Pack.
After the Moonlight Altar ritual, Adide introduced Cedric to Irene and Klein, then joined everyone for a meal.
At the Warscar Training Camp, meals were silent, especially with Klein present. The dining etiquette rivaled that of noble families.
Adide cherished these meals, stealing nces at Irene, Craig, and Prune, her heart warm.
Yet, thinking of their imminent departure from the capital, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness.
Post–meal, servants cleared the leftovers as the group lingered in the meeting hall, chatting.
Irene called Cedric over, “Cedric,e here.”
Cedric approached promptly, “Hello.”
“Do you want to be as skilled as your aunt, one of the top fighters in the camp?” Irene <b>asked</b>.
Adide’sbat skills weren’t unmatched, but within the Warscar Training Camp, they <b>were </b>exceptional.
Cedric nodded vigorously, “Yes!”
Adide’s eyes welled up–was Irene nning to take Cedric to the Shadow Peaks?
“Why do you want to learnbat?” Irene pressed.
“To protect my auntie,” Cedric replied, then paused, feeling his answer was too narrow, “And to be like my grandfather and father, fighting on the battlefield to defend our territory.”
Irene smiled, “Such aspirations at your age aremendable. But being a hero requires hardship and toil. Can you endure that?”
“I can!” Cedric puffed out his chest.
Unfazed by Irene’s probing, he dered loudly, “I’ve endured worse!”
“And if it means separating from Adide? Would you agree to that?” Irene continued.
Cedric instinctively stepped back, shaking his head, “No, I won’t leave my auntie.”
Adide also couldn’t bear to part with Cedric–he was now the sole heir to the Frostfang Pack.
“If he wishes to learn, I’ll teach him,” she said.
Irene nodded, “Naturally, you’ll teach him first. With his currentck of knowledge, would I need to teach basics myself? Once his leg heals, train him in the ckthorn Pack for two years. Solidify the fundamentals, then let him learn advanced skills in the Shadow Peaks with Craig and the others.”
Cedric would inherit the Frostfang Pack someday. Learning was essential.
Adide understood Irene’s intentions and tearfully agreed, “Yes, I know what to do.”
<b>273 </b>
III
10:31 Sat, 12 Jun
Joining the Warscar Training Camp was a dream for many.
There, one learnedbat and more—like Craig, a rare schr who excelled in painting, music, literature, and chess, with vast knowledge.
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