Third Person’s POV


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    Sensing his mate’s tension, Lance shifted closer, closing the gap between them. He reached out and caught Adide’s cold fingertips in his palm.


    “Don’t worry. No matter the cost, we aren’t letting this hit the worst–case scenario. As long as I’m drawing breath, nobody touches your family.”


    Adide squeezed his hand back, her grip tight. She knew he was trying <i>to </i>ground her, but she also knew nothing was guaranteed.


    When Orion, the new Lycan King of the Western Tribe, was still just a Lycan Prince, he was already known as a bloodthirsty beast.


    He’d used the Snowdeer Town tragedy to fan the mes of hate across his borders, riding a wave of populist rage to the throne.


    Now that he had absolute power, he was only going to be more dangerous.


    Caldwell looked over the thick stack of intel reports and gave a grim summary.


    “This Lycan Orion… he doesn’t seem to care about political stability. His endgame is forcing us to cede territory along the border. Honestly,” Caldwell paused, his voice dropping an octave, “I think he actually wants a war.”


    “The only thing stopping him is that the West took a massive hit to their military strength back when they helped the Dragon Ash Kingdom. Plus, they’ve been in a stalemate with us for years; they’ve lost a lot of good wolves at the Bloodscar Border. Starting an all–out war now isn’t exactly the ‘smart‘ y for them. Their soldiers need to recover.”


    “Because of that, there’s a strong anti–war faction in their Council. And the loudest voice among them belongs to Helia.”


    “The fact that Helia is personally leading this delegation is likely apromise Orion had to make. It’s a temporary concession. If we can’t make a deal with her, Orion will use the failure to crush the anti–war movement. Then, war bes inevitable.”


    At the mention of Helia, the room went quiet.


    She was the eldest daughter of thete Western Lycan King and Orion’s older sister.


    In fact, Orion only secured the throne because she backed him.


    1839 Thu, Fel ame


    4G Co


    420 Free Coins


    When the former Lycan King was dying, she was the one who suppressed the internal pack rebellions.


    In the Western Tribe, her reputation actually eclipsed Orion’s.


    There was amon saying back there: If Helia had been born male, there wouldn’t even be a debate about who should be on the throne.


    Craig, who had been silent, finally spoke up.


    “I’ve met her a few times. She’s got incredible poise and she’s sharp as a razor. Her aura is as heavy as any Alpha male I’ve ever encountered.”


    Caldwell leaned in.


    “You know her? Does she have a weakness? Anything we can use as leverage at the table?”


    Craig thought for a moment, his gaze growing distant. “Her weakness… is also her greatest strength. It’s her faith. She values the lives of her people above everything else.”


    Lance nodded slowly.


    “That’s a tough armor to crack. A leader who truly cares about the future of their species can’t be bought or bullied.”


    A flicker of hope sparked in Adide’s eyes.


    “The fact that she’sing means the peace faction is still holding the line. That’s our opening. Even if it’s just a slim chance, we have to take it.”


    Caldwell rubbed his temples.


    “It’s an opening, sure. But a negotiator like her is going to want the moon. We’re talking about territory and sovereignty–things we don’t even have the power to give away. Even if we wanted to settle, would Lycan Erasmus ever agree to move the line?”


    The border was the ultimate sticking point.


    The current line was a wall of blood and bone built by their warriors.


    Giving up an inch went against every wolf’s instinct.


    The air in the room grew heavy with the bitter scent of anxiety again.


    Lance saw the toll it was taking and waved a hand to end the meeting.


    18:39 Thu. Febs n


    Chapter 728.


    20 Free Coins


    “Everyone, get some sleep. We’ll wait to see if the Enforcement Bureau pulls any new intel out of the interrogations before we make our next move.”


    At Adide and Lance’s bedroom, Beata stepped forward as they entered, holding a polished wooden box.


    “Luna Adide, the jewelry you asked me to handle… it’s all been sold through the underground market. Between the checks and the gold bars, it totals five hundred thousand dors.”


    Lance, who was halfway through unbuttoning his cor, stopped and turned. “What jewelry?”


    Adide sighed, unpinning her cloak.


    “The stuff the Bloodmoons sent back. I didn’t want any of it in the house. I’m surprised it fetched that much.”


    Lance felt a pang of sympathy. He walked over and stroked her hair, pulling her into a hug so her face was pressed against the warmth of his chest.


    “You gave them your heart and they didn’t know what to do with it. That’s their mistake, and their loss.”


    Adide gave a weary smile. “It’s in the past now.”


    She turned back to Beata.


    “Take that money to Paisley tomorrow. It’ll cover the operating costs and the expansion for the Independent She–Wolf Center.”


    “Understood,” Beata replied.


    Having grown up alongside Adide, Beata could sense the bone–deep exhaustion Adide was feeling.


    Adide hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days.


    “Luna Adide, I’ve prepared a bath for you. I added those Moonlight Salts you like for rxation,” Beata said softly.


    “Go soak for a bit. It’ll help the muscle tension, and maybe you can actually get some rest tonight.”


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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.