Kirby’s POV – Blood Moon Hunt Festival, Backstage


    The moment I arrived, I saw something I would never forget.


    25


    +8 Pearls


    My mother and sister–begging. Practically pleading with the woman I had once discarded like she was nothing.


    And that woman, my ex–wife, Leslie, stood there calm and detached, casually toying with Crimson Moon Pack’s most sacred relic–the Ancestor’s Fang.


    “Do something about that bitch!” Slyvana shouted like she’d just seen her savior.


    “Kirby, it’s her! She’s the one who stole the Ancestor’s Fang!” my mother cried out in desperation.


    I didn’t answer either of them. My head felt like it was about to split open. I had rushed here from the Pack’s territory overnight just to deal with this mess they’d created.


    “Leslie,” I said, voice hoarse, “you can’t take that with you.”


    She raised an eyebrow, then scoffed and lifted the official ownership contract in her hand. “Look closely. This isn’t your Crimson Moon Pack estate. This is mine now. ck and white, signed and witnessed by the Watcher Elders.”


    “If you’ve <i>got </i>time to throw a tantrum,” she added, her cold gaze sweeping toward my mother, “maybe use it to think about how you’re going to exin this to the old man. His precious relic went up for auction—and it doesn’t even belong to him anymore.”


    My mother wentpletely white.


    “Leslie,” I said, struggling <i>to </i>keep my anger down, “how much do you want to leave it behind?”


    I knew it was the dumbest question. But money was the only tool I had left to fix anything.


    Sheughed. Bitter. Contemptuous.


    “Leave it behind? You want it?” she said–and then did something no one expected.


    She raised her hand and tossed the crystal dome containing the Ancestor’s Fang into the air, sending it hurtling toward the stone floor.


    “Aah!” My mother and sister screamed in horror.


    My body reacted faster than my brain–I lunged forward, trying to catch it before it shattered.


    Chapter 59 Your Mess. Your Blood


    25


    +8 Pearls


    But just as my fingertips grazed the edge of the dome, a slender hand shot out and caught it midair, steady as stone.


    Leslie.


    She was just ying with us.


    “What’s wrong, Alpha Kirby? Can’t buy it, so now you’re trying to steal it?” She twirled the priceless relic in her hand like a toy, staring at me with pure scorn as I froze, humiliated.


    Leslie’s POV


    “Did you really think I’d actually drop it?” I looked at Kirby’s pale and furious face, and somehow, my mood improved. “Please. I paid thirty million for this thing. It’s not a lot, but I’m not about to throw my own money away just because a couple of pests got on my nerves.”


    I gave a dismissive huff and turned on my heel, Skoll falling into step beside me as I walked in high heels toward the exit.


    “Oh, right.” At the doorway, I suddenly turned around and addressed the festival organizers. “You offer top–level security for your buyers, don’t you? I mean, I just purchased an extremely valuable relic. If I were to get mugged by some sore loser the moment I step outside, I’m sure the Watcher Pack would have to take responsibility for that–right?”


    I said sore loser clearly and deliberately.


    As expected, Kirby’s face twisted like he’d swallowed a live cockroach.


    The event’s security detail was activated instantly–over a dozen gamma–ss warriors surrounded me protectively, ring at Kirby and his defeated mother and sister with cold hostility.


    And just like that, I walked out–poised, untouchable, like a queen nked by her soldiers.


    By the time my figure disappeared from sight, I could already imagine Belle clutching Kirby’s arm, begging him to fix this.


    And Kirby–after brushing off whatever was left of his shattered pride–would turn away coldly and leave them to clean up their own disaster.


    He wouldn’t be wrong.


    You make a mess–you pay the price.


    Back in Skoll’s sleek ck sports car, he finally asked the question that had clearly been nagging


    at him.


    …


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    Chapter 59 Your Mess, Your Blood


    “They really put something that important up for auction?”


    “For vanity,” I said quietly, “werewolves are capable of anything.”


    +8 Pearls


    When we got back to the Governor’s Mansion, I casually ced the Ancestor’s Fang on the mantel above the firece, treating it no differently than a cheap decorative trinket.


    I didn’t bother thinking about Kirby or his family’s reaction.


    Because I knew–they’de crawling back soon enough.


    All I had to do now… was wait.


    Wait for the big fish to swim straight into my.


    Send Gifts


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