Third Person’s POV
Adide knew exactly what Cami was doing. She was stirring the pot, throwing shade at Lycan Erasmus for neglecting her as his primary mate.
Adide raised her ss and gave a textbook–perfect response.
“Lycan Erasmus and Lycan Luna rissa are the ultimate soulmates. The rest of us are just doing our best to mimic the kind of love you two have.”
Cami’s face went stiff as she forced a thin smile. She didn’t push it.
Her life with Lycan Erasmus was a total PR stunt; his heart really belonged to Tracy, who was sitting right across the table.
If he gave her even half the attention he gave that breeder, she wouldn’t be this stressed out, constantly ying 4D chess to secure her son’s future.
In the cutthroat world of the Lycan royals, if Tracy managed to drop a male cub anytime
soon…
While she was lost in thought, an omega stepped up to Tracy with a gilded bowl and whispered, “It’s time for your supplements, ma’am.”
A lightbulb went off in Cami’s head. Her eyes sharpened with predatory focus, and she asked, feigning casual interest, “Oh, is Tracy pregnant? That’s huge news. Why was I kept out of the loop?”
Tracy was rocking a loose velvet gown today. She definitely had that pregnancy “glow.”
She didn’t even bother standing up. She just looked up, gave azy, sm. hand on her still–t stomach.
ile, and rested a
“Doctor wanted me on total bed rest, so he told me not to go public too early. My bad, Lycan Luna. Hope you can forgive the oversight.”
Cami gripped her wine ss so hard her knuckles turned white.
“It’s a blessing for the kingdom, why talk about forgiveness? You’re doing the heavy lifting for Lycan Erasmus; I’ll make sure you’re rewarded for it.”
“Much appreciated,” Tracy replied, dripping with sarcasm.
<b>2 </b>
s
The room broke into a chorus of toasts, everyone congratting Lycan Erasmus and Tracy.
Lycan Erasmus set his ss down and said with a dry smile, “Everyone, rx. Let’s not make this a formal hearing.”
But every high–ranking wolf in the room could feel the auraing off him. He was low–key pissed.
Tracy going rogue and announcing the pregnancy was a massive breac.. protocol- especially since his own mother, rissa, hadn’t been told yet.
Tracy hadn’t shown Cami a shred of respect, which was a tant middle finger to the royal hierarchy.
Lycan Erasmus might spoil her, but he was a stickler for order. Doing this in front of all the pack leaders made him feel like his authority was being undermined.
And Cami? Her “calling it out” in front of everyone just made her look thirsty for drama, which annoyed him even more.
The mood in the hall plummeted as Lycan Erasmus‘ expression darkened. Suddenly, everyone was very interested in their tes.
Everyone, that was, except Prisci. She was perfectly happy to keep crushing hermb chops and truffle soup, totally oblivious to the politicalndmines exploding around her.
rissa, watching from the head of the table, just shook her head. “Must be nice to be that oblivious,” she thought.
Aldrich turned to Germain. “By the way, Germain, how’s Pandora doing? Any improvement?”
Germain put down his silverware and gave a respectful nod. “Thanks for asking, sir. My mother’s doing a lot better.”
Aldrich nodded, a sharp glint in his clouded eyes.
“Good. You’ve been putting in the work, taking care of her day in and day out. I’m just now realizing what a family–oriented Alpha you are.”
It sounded like apliment, but his tone felt… off. It made people uneasy.
Even Adide took a second look at the exchange.
Alpha Germain had always yed the part of the perfect son, applying toe back to the capital every year to “visit his sick mother.”
<b>11:11 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Jan </b>15
920
s
Sometimes he was approved, sometimes not–it had been his routine since the former Lycan King’s reign.
Why was Aldrich calling out his “loyalty” now?
But the booze was flowing and the party was too big for the tension tost. Everyone went back
readable look. to their conversations, except for Lycan Erasmus, who gave Germain a
Germain went pale for a split second before snapping back into his polishcu, noble–wolf smile. “I was raised on royal values, sir. I never forget my duty to the kingdom’s honor.”
After dinner, thedies headed up to the balcony boxes for the opera.
These things usually dragged on until 2 AM. Tracy used the pregnancy card to head back to her room early.
rissa was still wired evente into the night. She hadn’t seen Adide in a while due to work, so she kept hold of her hand, chatting away.
Hera, sitting nearby and fluttering a feather fan, suddenly chimed in.
“So, Adide, you and Lance have been bonded for a minute now. When are we gonna see a baby bump?”
Adide hated this question. Whether or not she had a cub was a “her and Lance” problem. Why was it everyone else’s business?
Before Adide could p back, rissa shut it down like a boss.
“She’s the Commander of the Ironthorn Legion. She’s got a million things on her te. Shouldn’t she be focused on her career?”
rissa had always pushed for she–wolves to do more than just breed; s‘ praised Velda back when she had her military wins.
even publicly
Prisci, who was actually enjoying the opera, added her two cents, “Exactly. I’m not even nagging her. Stop being so nosy, Hera.”
Hera had nothing. She just shut her mouth and fanned herself harder.
Luna Skye, who’d been quiet the whole time, leaned over a few people <i>to </i>look at Adide.
“Adide, I heard you opened this ‘Tamara Institute‘ to take in dumped she–wolves?”
11:12 <b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Jan </b><b>15 </b>
“That’s right,” Adide said shortly.
Skye leaned in further, her voice dropping to a gossipy whisper.
<b>6923 </b>
s
“But Tamara killed herself. Using her name for a school? Aren’t you worried about a curse? That’s like begging for bad luck.”
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<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.