Third Person’s POV


    47%


    s


    Madison stepped forward to ease the tension, shooting Maya a cold nce to keep an eye on Luna Sadi.


    Maya, though annoyed, couldn’t intervene directly earlier due to her breeder status when Luna Sadi was mingling.


    Before arriving, Maya had told Sadi that the event required solemnity–not forworking.


    Quiet reflection, writing memorial cards, and reciting prayers were the ways to showcasepassion and social grace.


    Yet Sadi arrived eager to chat and make connections, behaving as if at a lively banquet.


    Her actions had already drawn disapproving nces from the otherdies.


    Maya approached and gently said, “Luna Sadi, join us in writing memorial cards.”


    She brought along copies of “Moon Goddess Prayers” and “Prayers for the Afflicted,” texts she’d transcribed while caring for Pandora at the pce.


    Sadi reluctantly wrote, but soon her wrist ached and she wanted to stop.


    Madison’s cold stare silenced herint.


    Madison stayed nearby to monitor her.


    As more guests arrived, Madison greeted them briefly.


    The moonlight altar outside was ready, adorned with fine incense and candles.


    The costs were shared among attendees.


    After their meal, the priests joined the gathering.


    Everyone rose to greet them.


    O


    <


    10:05 Mon, 1 Septt <b>T. </b>


    47%


    s


    Mrs. Watson smiled and said, “It’s a privilege to see Priest Abram and the other priests again this year.”


    Priest Abram, in his eighties but appearing decades younger, wore a priestly cloak with moon patterns.


    He greeted the guests warmly. <fnd493> Follow current nov?ls on Find★Novel</fnd493>


    Mrs. Kell and the others stepped forward one by one to greet the priests and exchanged a few polite words.


    Sadi tried to approach but was held back by Maya.


    Despite her frustration, she stayed put to avoid a scene.


    Priest Abram noticed the crowd’s mixed motives but remained unfazed.


    A person’s true feelings are written in on the face. After decades he had seen the worst and the best, so nothing startled him.


    He came each year because the dead needed him.


    Madison, thedies–they were not the point. It was the wronged souls who called.


    But he also knew the ce’s real need was not another priest. It needed someone who could drag the living out of this private hell.


    Should such a person arrive, he’d have no reason to return next year.


    As a harp sounded, Priest Abram led the priests onto the moonlight altar to begin the prayer ceremony.


    The guests sat and began their silent prayers.


    Abigail and Arethusa distributed the prayer texts. Unfamiliar with the process, Sadi helped pass them out.


    Madison listened to the prayers, but her mind was restless. Her ebony pheromones swirled with unease.


    The hairs at the back of her neck prickled–a sensation of being watched from the


    shadows.


    <b>< </b>


    10:05 Mon, 1 Sept I


    47%


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    An indescribable anxiety enveloped her, seeping into her bones like damp fog.


    She recited the prayer silently, seeking calm, but her fingers dug into her palm.


    Her wolf ws faintly emerged. The harder she tried to focus, the more agitated her pheromones grew, weaving a tense around her, each vibration screaming potential danger.


    At ckthorn Pack’s Packhouse, Caldwell had been busy all day, arranging everything.


    Now, he waited for the final oue.


    Adide and Paisley stayed close, waiting anxiously.


    Craig, too, hade and intended to stay.


    The infiltrators selected for tonight’s mission were elite wolf warriors, rarely seen even within the ckthorn Pack.


    Caldwell hadn’t contacted the Capital Guard or Royal Patrol.


    Lance had likely coordinated with Ellen beforehand.


    Tonight, Caldwell had been running non–stop because of the Cassius family–he’d spent the whole night chasing leads and making calls.


    Tonight’s operation at Madison’s mansion didn’t worry them much.


    The infiltrators were already en route.


    Given the Moon Newborn Festival’s rituals at Madison’s mansion and the presence of numerous priests, the Capital Guard would focus on the area.


    Should any infiltrators surface, Caldwell’s men would cry out, drawing the guards


    to the scene.


    Once inside Madison’s mansion, the infiltrators would head straight for the basement dungeon.


    Armed with the mansion’s blueprint and knowledge of the dungeon’s entrance, they would be guided right to it.


    111


    O


    <