Third Person’s POV
Paisley’s wolf ws suddenly elongated by three inches. The hard keratinyer pierced through her silk gloves, emitting an cerie blue glow.
“What are you doing…”
Willow instinctively backed away but was seized by Paisley’s iron–like wolf ws on her shoulders<b>. </b>
Paisley’s vertical pupils abruptly contracted into blood–moon–like slits. A low growl rumbled in her throat, and her aura crushed down.
Willow’s legs buckled, and she fell to her knees. Fear pheromones from her nape mixed with cheap perfume, creating a pungent, sour stench.
“Remember this—I am Paisley of the Crimson me Pack and the Stephens family,” Paisley said, her wolf ws tightening.
The aura of her dominance cascaded over Willow like a tidal wave, unrelenting in its crushing force. “Every time I hear you nder Luna Adide–every single time–I’ll make you kneel again,” Paisley growled low in her throat. Her voice carried the weight of her threat, resounding within the <i>hall</i>. Willow trembled, her body trembling under the weight of Paisley’s domineering presence.
Thedies of the Soulrend Pack turned pale with embarrassment and fury. Their pheromones,ced with shame and indignation, filled the room.
This day had brought nothing but disgrace, and they were doubly angered–both by Willow’s insolence and by an outsider’s interference in their pack’s internal affairs.
Melinda’s cedar pheromones suddenly wavered, Her once bright eyes welled with
Clinging to Chloe’s sleeve, she whispered, “Luna Chloe, she… Willow has gone too far.”
Adide slowly ced her coffee cup on the table. The gentle clink echoed crisply in the silence.
Her amber eyes scanned the room before settling on each person present. In a calm, measured tone, she said, “Melinda, apany me in touring the Soulrend Pack.”
Then, turning <i>to </i>Chloe, her moonstone pendant casting a cool glow on her corbone, she asked, “Would you mind if I take a look around?”
Chloe forced a smile, her pheromones now tinged with noticeable relief. She recognized Adide’s intent. “Luna Adide, please feel free. Melinda, see to our guests,” she replied softly.
Melinda rose and guided Adide outside. Just then, they caught sight of Willow being dragged by her hair by Paisley.
All traces of Willow’s former arrogance were gone.
Paisley’s hand left distinct marks on Willow’s cheeks, the skin swollen from the force of her strikes.
Seeing them approach, Paisley shoved Willow away with disdain. “Scram!” she spat.
Willow staggered to her feet, chin still defiantly raised as she addressed Melinda. “Your guest is quite the savage. But I must thank her–Dwight will only dote on me more<i>.</i><i>” </i>
With that, she clutched her abdomen and, supported by an omega, shuffled away.
Melinda’s face drained of color, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
Adide led her to the side hall of the vi where she stayed and gently dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.
She sighed, “How can she lord over you like this? You’re Dwight’s mate.”
Melinda sobbed, “What good is my status as his mate? Dwight doesn’t need to rely on my parents. Besides, even they can’t help advance his career. They’re already stretched thin.”
As a pack leader with no real position within the royalty, he wielded no actual power. Nor was he adept at managing pack affairs. With limited savings, his family relied on ie from their inherited businesses to get by.
He maintained several breeders, each requiring sustenance and provisions. He and Luna Skye were simply unable to offer Melinda any real support.
Adide inquired, “Has she always been so insolent?”
“Once, when she served me coffee, she deliberately spilled it on my shoes. I said a few words inint, and Dwight berated me,” Melinda said, tears streaming as she wiped her eyes, her gaze filled with profound despair.
“Adide, what am I to do? I love him so much, yet how can he break my heart like this? I’m carrying his child, and he chooses a nightclub call girl as his breeder. Have you ever heard of a prestigious wolf pack taking in a nightclub call girl?”
Paisley interjected, “Please. What’s there to brag about with the Soulrend Pack? If it weren’t for that one standout talent, it would have declined long ago.”
Melinda sniffled, “I used to think I was so lucky. Among all the she–wolves who adored him, he chose me. I know I’m not as beautiful as Willow, but I’m from a royal family. How could he treat me so indifferently? – Ever since Willow joined the pack, he’s refused toe near me. Even when I’m pregnant and feeling
miserable, he just sends someone to ask after me briefly.”
“What about breeder Hayden?” Adide asked, dabbing at Melinda’s tears.
“Hayden is only interested in using her family’s wealth to elevate her status. A portion of her personal assets even helped Dwight pay Willow’s breach of contract fee, and she did it willingly.”
“Breaking the mating bond!” Although Paisley knew it wasn’t a simple matter, Dwight, being such a heartless and fickle person, wasn’t worth entrusting one’s future to.
Melinda gave a mirthless smile. “Breaking the mating bond? If I do, my parents won’t allow me back into the pack. Adide, do you remember when you broke your bond? She didn’t even ept the gifts you sent
me.”
<b>2/3 </b>
09:55 Tue, 15 Jul
<b>le</b><b>, </b>153
476%
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“Are your parents unaware of the life you’re leading? Haven’t they confronted Dwight about it?” Adide
asked.
“My father knows, but he says it’s normal for an Alpha to have several breeders and tells me not to be jealous. My mother, though she pitics me, also advises me to endure it. She says that in a couple of years, Dwight will grow tired of Willow ande back to me. I’m supposed to just wait it out.”
Paisley couldn’t help but curse, “The Howells are such cowards.”
“But how can I bear this life? If she just stayed in her room, it would be one thing. But Dwight dotes on her, and shees to me every day to embarrass me. She always talks about how she and Dwight…”