Third Person’s POV


    Paisley took a sip of freshly brewed ck coffee and noted, “Wendy says Sabrina didn’t show her face <b>at </b><b>all</b>. On the other hand, Velda actually managed to show up for the old hag’s funeral.


    Ever since the assassination attempt that nearly cost her her life, Velda had been acting like a spooked rabbit, hiding out in her vi and skipping even the major holidays.


    During Rosemary’s final days, she was practically a ghost.


    Paisley frowned. “If the hitmen are still tailing her, slipping in to finish the job during a funeral would <b>have </b>been child’s y.”


    “She only crawled out because she saw an opening,” Adide said, not even looking up from her paperwork.


    “With those high–profile royal cases still open, the Royal Guard has the whole city under a microscope. Nobody’s going to risk a hit right now. Velda’s got just enough brains to know that.”


    “Who’s organizing the service?” Adide asked casually.


    Gloria was still physically wrecked from her prematurebor and didn’t have the energy; someone like Velda would just go through the motions and never handle the tedious logistics.


    “Vanya,” Paisley sighed. “They’re still kin. Even if they’ve split households, she couldn’t just cut them offpletely. She’s the only one left willing to step up for the sake of the pack’s reputation.”


    “Vanya has a lot of heart,” Adide said, a hint of genuine respect in her eyes. “In a den of vipers like the Bloodmoon Pack, that’s a rare trait.”


    Everyone nodded in silent agreement, while simultaneously offering a mental curse to Rosemary’s


    memory.


    Lance was the only one who didn’t join in the bashing.


    As an Alpha, he obviously loathed Rosemary for how she’d treated Adide, but he also knew that if she hadn’t been so spectacrly stupid, he might never have had the chance to mate with Adide.


    Right now, the formidable Alpha was sitting on the sofa, nursing a bruised ego.


    His leg was mostly healed, and the goose–egg lump on his head had gone down, but it had left behind a faint, stubborn bruise.


    At a nce, it looked like some kind of unlucky omen tattooed on his forehead.


    Caldwell, far from being supportive, had decided to poke the bear. “Oh, Alpha Lance, your forehead is looking a bit… dark. That usually isn’t a great sign for one’s fortune.”


    Lance nearly threw a stack of files at his head.


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    MON


    <b>12 </b>


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    In the end, it took Tommy to hold back the temperamental Alpha. Consequently, Lance–who was usually obsessed with his image—had gone into semi–seclusion, spending his days holed up in his room.


    Luckily, Prisci was over at the Pce keeping rissapany; otherwise, she’d be hovering over him like a frantic hen, talking his car off.


    Inside the Pce, it was perpetual spring. The massive ss dome kept the blizzards at bay, protecting a garden full of rare, exotic blooms.


    Prisci had been there for a few days and had already crossed paths with Lycan Erasmus several times.


    News of Rosemary’s death had reached the royal cars long ago.


    rissa was busy pruning an expensive orchid when she heard. She just gave <i>a </i>cold snort.


    “Good timing. Maybe now we can actually have a peaceful holiday.”


    Prisci was lounging on a velvet daybed, messing with a bowl of crystal candies.


    She looked up, confused.


    “You’re stuck in the Pce all day; how does the gossip about some broken–down pack even reach you?”


    “What’s wrong with knowing what’s happening outside?” rissa put down her shears.


    “You’re the one who’s out of the loop. Just because you live with Lance doesn’t mean you should sit around all day. You need to start helping Adide instead of just enjoying yourself.”


    Prisci pouted. “Lance and Adide love me; they take great care of me. Why shouldn’t I enjoy the quiet life?”


    rissa shook her head. “You really are toozy for your own good. Zero ambition.”


    Prisci popped a red candy into her mouth.


    “Do you have any idea how many she–wolves tried to take my spot back in the day? I’ve survived enough drama and schemes to earn a little happiness.”


    rissa didn’t have the heart to tell her that if she hadn’t been cleaning up Prisci’s messes behind the scenes for years, she would have been toast a thousand times over.


    Prisci chewed her candy. “You still haven’t said why Rosemary being gone makes the holiday ‘peaceful. Do you actually have a grudge against her from a lower pack?”


    rissa gave her a look of pure exasperation.


    “She treated your son’s mate like dirt. She made Adide’s life a living hell. How could you not hate her?”


    Prisci’s eyes went wide. “But you’re the Dowager Luna of the entire kingdom! Is she even worth your attention?<b>” </b>


    <b>12 </b>


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    <b>00 </b>


    MON


    Chapter <b>704 </b>


    <b>In </b>Prisci’s memory, rissa was always the picture of regal indifference.


    rissa rolled her eyes, her voice dropping to a low, serious tone.


    “Aire was my best friend. Rosemary bullied her daughter and put her through the wringer. Now <b>that </b>she’s gone, damn right I’m happy.”


    The New Year season was packed with holiday banquets–grand, expensive, and incredibly tedious.


    The annual Royal New Year G was held in the glittering pce ballroom, and every member of the royal family was required to attend.


    In the ballroom, there was an invisible wall between the tables. On one side, the Alphas talked shop about politics and territory; on the other, the Lunas in their designer gowns engaged in a high–stakes battle of vanity and social posturing.


    MONE


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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.