Third Person’s POV
Lycan Erasmus hadn’t anticipated unearthing such shocking evidence.
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He’d assumed Madison’s mansion harbored only the venomous familial disputes typical of noble houses.
Concerned by the excesses, he’d intended to intervene but hesitated to overstep by directly ordering an investigation into Madison’s internal affairs. Hence, he’d nudged events forward on the Moon Newborn Festival.
Truth was, he wasn’t certain if anyone would act against Madison’s mansion tonight. Lately, rumors had run rampant.
Some alleged Dwight’s breeder was Madison’s bastard daughter.
Erasmus had probed Madison’s mansion and Hunt, uncovering Hunt’s ties to the Barker family in the capital.
It turned out a Barker she–wolf had visited the ckthorn Pack multiple times.
These fragmented clues didn’t paint a clear picture.
But fate wove a curious tapestry—Madison’s mansion, as usual, had invited numerous priests for the Moon Newborn Festival rituals; and Craig had arrived in the capital just before the festival.
Erasmus also recalled the past discord between Adide and Madison, specting that Madison’s private vendetta might entangle the Barker family. <fn08e1> Content originallyes from fι?dnοvel</fn08e1>
He didn’t know Adide intimately, but he knew her for a just and discerning woman.
If the Barkers had appealed to her and she already held a grudge against Madison, it was usible she might intervene.
Most critically, the abduction of Cassius’s family had urred at this juncture.
If Madison was indeed behind it, Adide would undoubtedly act.
These were Erasmus’s spections, but he hadn’t expected the search to reveal weapons, armor, and a stockpile of gunpowder.
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Lance stood and swiftly organized his thoughts.
“Yes, Lycan Erasmus,” he said with a bow.
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Lycan Erasmus said to Cyrus, “You may leave now, Cyrus. Lance and I need to speak privately
Cyrus rose and bowed. “I’ll take my leave then.”
“Walk safely, Cyrus,” Lance said with a wave.
Cyrus nced at Lance, said nothing, and left.
After Fabian closed the study door, Lycan Erasmus looked at Lance and said, “Sit. Tonight, let’s speak inly as brothers.”
Lance sat and replied, “Yes.”
Lycan Erasmus fixed him with a piercing gaze and asked bluntly, “Tell me, were the infiltrators tonight your doing?”
Lance immediately rose and knelt on one knee. “Yes. I ept responsibility.”
Lycan Erasmus’s expression was stern, his tone usatory. “You knew of her treasonous intentions? Why didn’t you inform me? Do you think I wouldn’t believe you?”
Lance inwardly winced. Without evidence, how could Lycan Erasmus have believed Madison was plotting treason?
If he’d spoken up earlier, he’d likely have been rebuked for absurdity.
But he held his tongue and solemnly exined, “I hadn’t uncovered her treasonous intent. Tonight’s operation wasn’t premeditated–it was a sudden move.”
“The Cassius family’s abduction prompted our suspicions. When both Cassius’s mate and children vanished, we began to suspect Madison’s involvement.”
He paused, noting Lycan Erasmus didn’t interrupt, and continued, “We intercepted a she–wolf on my return journey from rescuing the Eugenius Team at the Southern Border.”
“She imed to be Hunt’s bastard daughter, Ramona, with a mother named Aireanna. Due to Aireanna’s resemnce to Adide’s mother, Madison took her in as a breeder for Hunt, and sheter bore Ramona and her sister, Wilorina.
“Wilorina is Dwight’s breeder, the infamous Willow. Ramona told us Madison ordered her to sabotage my rtionship with Adide. But Ramona refused and instead revealed her
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coercion to Adide, begging for help to save her mother. She also disclosed the existence <b>of </b>the basement dungeon to me.”
“So, you plotted the Moon Newborn Festival operation?” Lycan Erasmus’s eyes turned cold. “But you just said it wasn’t premeditated.”
“It wasn’t. Initially, we couldn’t verify Ramona’s ims and wouldn’t act rashly. Madison is our aunt and a royal princess. To storm her mansion without evidence would be an affront to royal dignity–something I would never risk.”
Lycan Erasmus’s demeanor softened slightly. “So, you acted because the Cassius family disappeared?”
Lance met his gaze.
“Yes. After their abduction, both the ckthorn and Frostfang Packs searched extensively but found no trace. We eventually suspected Madison and had Ramona infiltrate her mansion to gather information from the servants.”
“When Ramona learned that on the night of Cassius’s mate’s disappearance, Madison’s wolf guards brought two children and a pregnant woman into the basement dungeon, we zeroed in on Madison’s mansion.”