Third Person’s POV
Rosemary, who highly valued reputation, sternly confronted Gloria. “You’re carrying my son’s child <b>Why </b>did you go to the Hutchinsons‘? Whose child are you carrying? Did you and Eugene rekindle your rtionship after he returned, and you’re carrying his child?”
Gloria had long lost all respect for Rosemary.
She coldly retorted, “We’ll know the father once the child is born. Your ims of a rekindled rtionship and me carrying another’s child–if such talk spreads, won’t it damage Ulrik’s reputation? He’d be <b>a </bughingstock.”
With that, she turned and left.
Inside, she was seething with tears. Though fallen on hard times, she wouldn’t tolerate being trampled
upon.
The Bloodmoon Pack had no right to judge her. After all, she had lost two omegas there.
Yet Velda still lived freely, well–provided for andfortably housed.
Ulrik had learned of Gloria’s visit to the Hutchinsons‘ from his colleagues‘ whispers during duty.
He felt utterly humiliated. Upon returning to the Bloodmoon Pack, he stormed into Gloria’s room in <i>a </i>
rage.
Gloria was prepared. Addressing Ulrik wasn’t difficult. “I went to the Hutchinsons‘ because Christine returned the pension. She’s helped me a lot over the years. I couldn’t bear to let her spend more on me, <b>so </b>I decided to repay her.”
“Now that I’m carrying the future heir of the Bloodmoon Pack, I must clear my name for the child’s sake.” she said, gently stroking her still–t stomach,/her face radiating maternal warmth.
Ulrik didn’t believe her.
He knew Gloria’s nature–she must have wanted to rekindle things with Eugene.
But he suppressed his anger. Watching her caress her abdomen, he felt aplex mix of emotions.
His feelings for Gloria weren’t deep, but he didn’t doubt the child was his. He trusted Eugene’s character…
“Alpha Ulrik!”
Gloria stood up and encircled his waist. “This is our first child. I’m full of anticipation and will take good care of myself. Let’s protect him together, shall we?”
Ulrik pulled her into his embrace and agreed.
His unspoken sigh held onto the urge to question her about the ckthorn Pack, but he let <b>it </b><b>go</b><b>. </b><b>Better </b><b>to </b>
avoid trouble.
<b>1/3 </b>
<b>09:33 </b>Sat, <b>2 </b>Aug
The lost face was irretrievable.
The Bloodmoon Pack’s safety was fortunate enough.
The next day, Sadi sent the Ironw Pack a gift, announcing her visit the following day.
Christine recalled Adide’s words and her expression turned grave.
After some thought, she instructed an omega, “Prepare a gift. I’m paying a visit to the ckthorn Pack<b>. </b>
The omega questioned, “Isn’t it a bit rude to just show up like this?”
“No. When I took Gloria, I told Luna Adide I’d apologize. It’s not rude,” Christine said.
With the Blue Abyss Pack’s visit imminent the next day, there was no time to lose.
In the ckthorn Pack’s lounge, Adide looked at Christine’s swollen<b>, </b>red face and the clear finger marks.
She asked, “Are you alright?”
Christine gave a wry smile. “I’m fine. I did <i>it </i>to myself. No one in the Ironw Pack dares <b>to </b><b>strike </b><b>me</b>.”
Adide didn’t pry into Christine’s pack matters. Yet, seeing the weary but still dignified she–wolf <b>before </b>her, she was moved.
A stable–minded mate was crucial for <i>a </i>pack.
Adide said, “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not a big deal. I don’t hold her in regard. If apologies are due, it’s not your ce to offer them.”
Christine, after a moment’s thought, decided to be direct. “Luna Adide, please forgive my intrusion. My apology is but a pretense. I’vee to ask you something.”
Adide set down her coffee cup, took a slow sip, and her gaze swept over Christine’s face. “Ask away,” she said calmly.
Adide knew what she wanted to ask–the Blue Abyss Pack had sent the Ironw Pack a gift.
Every move of Alpha Germain since his return to the capital was under Lance’s surveince, with Avery personally overseeing the watch.
Such attention was warranted given Germain’s stature.
Christine tried to mask her anxiety but, exhausted from dealing with Gloria’s affairs, herposure wavered. “Luna Adide, Alpha Germain had Luna Sadi send a gift to the Ironw Pack. You know my mate Tad is at the southern border. Alpha Germain returned, first met with Lycan Era
then came <b>to </b>
the ckthorn Pack, and now he’s heading to the Ironw Pack. I’m unsure how to receive him. <b>I </b><b>seek </b>your guidance.”
Her question was artfully framed, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
<b>It </b>seemed a simple inquiry on etiquette and protocol.
Yet Christine, well–versed in such matters, had a deeper intent.
Adide put down her cup and smiled. “It’s likely Luna Sadi or Maya wishes to visit Luna <b>Cynthia </b><b>Luna </b>Sadi is Alpha Germain’s new mate. You’re experienced in such social dealings and know the rules <b>well</b><b>. </b>
“Luna Adide, you’re right… but if there’s something else<i>…</i><i>” </i>Christine began.
Adide interrupted with a smile. “There’s nothing clsc. The Ironw Pack seldom interacted with <b>Alpha </b>Germain before. This is just a routine visit.”