Third person’s POV


    A wave of nausea washed over Ulrik.


    +20 Free Coins


    He thought of Melinda, that poor she–wolf. As Luna Skye’s own flesh and blood, she had been systematically abused by Dwight, yet neither Howell nor Skye had the spine to lift a finger to help her.


    And now they were iming to feel “guilty” about what happened between him and Adide? The hypocrisy was staggering.


    As if reading Ulrik’s mind, Raven let out a sigh and offered a bitter smile.


    “You know how the noble circles in the capital work. Alpha Howell has only survived this long by keeping his head down and staying invisible. Seeing the Bloodmoons fall so far from grace… Luna Skye truly couldn’t bear it anymore. That’s why she risked sending me here.”


    This hit home for Ulrik.


    He thought about Silverlight’s position over the years–if they hadn’t yed weak, they would’ve been pped with treason charges ages ago. That kind of heat brings disaster to an entire pack.


    Ulrik nodded, his guard dropping significantly. “Regardless, tell Luna Skye I appreciate the concern.”


    Seeing the opening, Raven pressed on.


    “So, Alpha Ulrik, what’s the game n? You’re an Alpha with actual military authority.”


    Raven gave a meaningful, half–smile, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.


    “Right now, Lycan Erasmus is nning to strip the ‘Elite Royal Guard‘ out of the Ironthorn Legion’s structure so it’s no longer under Adide’s thumb. That means that position is about to be the true seat of power.”


    “If you choose to quit now,” Raven continued, tapping his fingers on the table, “that spot will vanish into someone else’s hands in a heartbeat. Will there even be a seat at the table for you in the Pce after that?”


    Ulrik let out a hollowugh.


    “If that’s how it goes, there’s nothing I can do.”


    He wasn’t stupid. He knew Lycan Erasmus making the Guard independent was a move to sideline Alpha Lance; Lycan Erasmus wasn’t about to let Adide be responsible for his personal safety.


    Raven smiled. He picked up the silver coffee pot and personally refilled Ulrik’s cup with steaming ck coffee.


    “Alpha Howell can help you with that.”


    Ulrik looked up, stunned. Alpha Howell? The man barely talked to anyone. How could he possibly have the pull to influence a royal appointment?


    And why? Just out of guilt?


    In the wolf world, there was <i>no </i>such thing as a free lunch.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    If Howell helped him, he’d own him.


    Ulrik’s tone went cold.


    +20 Free Coins


    “I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. The capital is crawling with Alphas like me. As far as Lycan Erasmus is concerned, <i>I’m </i>totally receable.”


    Raven chuckled and shook his head.


    “Alpha Ulrik, you’re seriously underselling yourself. You’ve let Lycan Erasmus down multiple times, yet why does he keep giving you another shot?”


    Ulrik frowned.


    “Because you have a grudge against the ckthorns, obviously.”


    “You know as well as I do that the Ironthorn Legion was Alpha Lance’s baby. After Lance became the Minister of Justice, he technically could have stayed on as Commander. Why do you think Lycan Erasmus insisted on Adide taking the job instead?”


    Ulrik thought it over, a theory starting to form, but he wasn’t sure.


    “Why?”


    Raven’s eyes turned sharp, and he didn’t mince words.


    “Recing Lance directly would’ve pissed off the rank–and–file soldiers and risked a coup. But if his mate took over? The pushback is minimal.”


    “But Adide’s time as Commander is a countdown. Lycan Erasmus is going to peel away her power like an onion.”


    Raven started folding down his fingers one by one.


    “First, the Elite Guard goes independent. Then the Pce Guard. Then the Capital Defense Force. In the end, he’ll leave her with the Royal Patrol–a bunch ofzy<i>, </i>noble–born trust–fund wolves just killing time.”


    Ulrik had suspected as much, but hearing itid out so bluntly made his skin crawl.


    So that was it.


    To Lycan Erasmus, he was just a tool. A convenient counterweight to keep Lance and Adide in check.


    Because of their personal history, he could be the sharpest knife in Lycan Erasmus’s drawer.


    Dr. Digby had been right, “You’ve got talent, but you aren’t an elite Alpha.”


    If the doctor saw it, there was no way Lycan Erasmus hadn’t seen it too.


    Ulrik felt his pride as an Alpha disintegrating. At this point, he’d rather be a regr sentry at the Pce gates than a pawn in this game.


    Catching his hesitation, Raven narrowed his eyes, his voice turning hypnotic, like a snake.


    “Alpha Ulrik, are you really okay with this? A she–wolf you rejected is now your boss, and you have to take orders from her every single day?”


    <b>10:43 </b><b>pm </b>


    <b>+20 </b>Free Coins


    Seeing Ulrik’s fist clench, Raven doubled down.


    “When you two severed that bond, she turned it into a circus. She made the Bloodmoon aughingstock. And honestly…”


    Raven paused, his eyes turning vicious.


    “Even your mother’s death… that’s on her too. Why do you think Dr. Digby refused <i>to </i>give you the Danzel Form?”


    “The ckthorns has crates of that stuff, yet she sat back and watched your mother die in agony.”


    “What?”


    Ulrik snapped his head up, staring at him in pure disbelief.


    Raven smirked, satisfied with the reaction.


    “Adide killed your mother. She’s the reason the Bloodmoon is in the gutter.”


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.