Third Person’s POV
Lance nced at Gloria, her wild state and dagger in hand sending ripples of worry through <b>his </b><b>cedar </b>pheromones.
His alpha aura subtly shielded Adide’s nk. “Be careful not to hurt yourself,” he said, then walked <b>back</b>.
Seeing Germain emerge, he extended an arm to block him.
The alpha aura descended like a wall, halting Germain in his tracks. “Let’s continue our coffee chat<b>. </b><b>Where </b>were we?” he asked.
“What’s going on? Who dares to barge into the ckthorn Pack like this?”
Germain demanded, his tone stern. “They need to be taught a lesson. No one should intrude on <b>a </b><b>royal </b>family’s territory like this.”
Maya emerged as well, and Lance didn’t stop her.
“Alpha Lance, isn’t that Luna Gloria from the Ironw Pack? What’s happening?” she asked, continued Germain’s words.
Gloria hade to confront Adide, not expecting Germain to be there. Maya’s question somewhat dampened her fiery rage. She coldly said to Adide, “Let’s talk privately. Otherwise, I’ll take my own life here. You’ve left me with no other choice.”
“Somece private, huh? With Germain here, he’ll surely back you up,” Maya said from the porch, feigning understanding.
Adide called out, “Paisley, take Maya for a walk in the yard.”
Paisley, nearby but reluctant <i>to </i>meet Sadi, leaped down and grabbed Maya’s arm.
“You love sticking your nose in others‘ business. The koi in the pond are fighting. Come persuade them,” she said, dragging Maya away.
Maya was both anxious and angry but didn’t want to cause a scene in public.
Germain, pulled back by Lance, could only bitter smile.
Germain said, “No need for such a fuss<b>. </b>I just wanted to see who was causing the disturbance<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Lance retorted, “Let them handle it. Why involve ourselves? Are you bored in Blue Re State?” Germain, silenced, felt humiliated.
Prisci chimed in, “From so far away, you must be bored. Not like Lance here in the <b>capital</b><b>, </b><b>busy </b><b>with </b>official duties.”
Luna Sadi, noticing Germain’s sour expression, quickly said, “Being carefree is a blessing too.”
Prisci, unabashed, asked, “Why would a young woman like you choose an older mater
Sadi bristled, “Prisci, Germain is in his prime. How is he old?”
Outside, Adide dismissed the guards and said to Gloria, “Go to the lounge, before walking away herself.
She was genuinely puzzled. What had driven Gloria to act out like this<b>? </b>
In the lounge, the two sat face–to–face.
Adide frowned at the dagger still pressed to Gloria’s neck. “Are you nning to keep that dagger at your neck forever? If you want to die, just smash your head here and save face. These tantrums only embarrass yourself.”
Gloria wiped her tears, revealing a pale and stubborn face. “Adide, it’s despicable to meddle in others rtionships. You’re so malicious.”
Adide sat ramrod straight. “What rtionship of yours did I meddle in? Your issues with Ulrik are your business, none of mine. You really can’t tell right from wrong. I saved you during the Bloodmoon Pack’s attack, you know.”
Gloria coldly replied, “That’s one thing, but this is another. You didn’t help us then for my sake. I don’t owe you gratitude.”
Adideughed. “I don’t need your gratitude. What exactly do you think I’ve done to sabotage your rtionship?”
Gloria gritted her teeth. “Don’t y innocent. You know full well what you’ve told Eugene. You couldn’t stand to see me happy, found out about my past, and told Eugene everything. Now that he’s turning his back on me, are you satisfied?”
“Eugene?”
Adide initially thought the conflict was between her and Ulrik, <b>so </b>she didn’t get it <i>at </i>first.
Then she recalled seeing Gloria and Melvin acting strangely at the Digby Medical Center.
Suddenly, everything clicked into ce.
-She realized Gloria had sought Eugene out, hoping to rekindle their rtionship.
But perhaps Gloria and Melvin had a secret affair that Eugene discovered.
Now Eugene was spreading rumors
of seeking a new mate to cut Gloria’s hopes.
Gloria used Adide of telling Eugene about her past<b>. </b>
Adide pieced together the situation but was shocked. Gloria, pregnant with Ulrik’s <b>child</b>, <b>still </b>wanted to get back with Eugene.
She said, “Gloria, I haven’t told Eugene a single thing about you. As for you thinking <b>I </b>can’t stand <b>your </b>happiness, that’sughable. Why would I care if you’re happy or not? I’d rather have nothing <b>to </b><b>do </b><b>with </b>you.”