Chapter 222 The Shadow of Adler
Leslie’s POV
<b>82 </b>
+8 Pearls
Lucian’s face turned an ugly shade as he red at me, his tone sharp. “And how will the winner between two people?”
you
decide
“Simple. Whoever wins, wins. Whoever fails, bears the loss.” Thorbane’s gaze cut across Lucian
like a de.
Lucian jabbed a finger in my direction, voiceced with provocation. “So if she loses, she’ll step down from her position as governor of the West?”
Before Thorbane could speak, I answered first. “Yes. Each of us carries our own weight.”
I met Lucian’s arrogant stare, the corner of my lips curling upward.
Trying to bait me into retreating? Dream on.
When the council finally dismissed, I stayed behind with Thorbane.
He pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated. “I didn’t mean for you to gamble with him.”
I arched a brow, mocking. “Toote. The words were already said. What was I supposed to do? Besides, weren’t you the one who dragged me in to begin with?”
“Damian’s a useless wreck. You’d be better off expecting a sow to climb a tree than expecting him to seed.” Thorbane snorted. “You’ll be handling this because I actually want the deal to
work.”
That drew augh from me, my curiosity stirring. “What’s with you and Damian? Why do you hate him so much?”
Thorbane’s smile twisted cold. “He assaulted an Omega in the Pack, caused a scandal that nearly ruined the royal family’s reputation. I paid heavily to cover it up, and he still wouldn’t stop–he even tried to keep her as a ve. Lucian has shielded him time and again. I’m sick of
both of them.”
My amusement vanished. Disgust settled in. “Scum. Then he deserves whateveres.”
I turned to Liam. “Any information on Adler and the alliance?”
He nodded and handed me a folder. I opened it–and froze.
nk.
9:12 Thu, <b>Sep </b>18 <b>G</b>…
Chapter 222 The Shadow of Adler
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[82<b>] </b>
+8 Pearls
Thorbane cleared his throat and rose. “Nothing to be found. Even his name may be false. This one’s on you.” With that, he left.
I sat there speechless. Great. I’d just taken on a nightmare assignment.
Liam smothered augh. “If you need help, say the word.”
I narrowed my eyes, suppressing my doubts. “Do you know why Lucian’s so confident Damian can secure this? He staked everything. He’s not a fool. He has to have something.”
Liam’s face dimmed, and he shook his head. “I don’t know. But I’ll look into it right away.”
I leaned back, lips pressed tight.
The more mysterious Adler was, the more intrigued I became.
The next day, Thorbane informed me Adler would be giving a public lecture at West University.
I went immediately.
A man of his caliber would surely be surrounded by admirers.
But when I arrived at the lecture hall, I stopped cold.
Packed to the rafters, not a single seat left.
Adler–the royal Alpha of Gold Pack—was clearly far more maic than I had imagined. Everyone wanted to see him.
I lingered at the entrance, irritation bubbling. Should I wait outside?
Just then, a deep, steady voice called out. “Leslie, over here…”
I looked up–and nearly cracked a tooth.
Kirby. Sitting dead center in the front row, waving me over with that infuriating smile.
Was this man haunting me?
I drew in a breath, forcing down the anger wing at my chest.
As loathsome as he was, the Pack’s interests mattered more. After a moment’s hesitation, I walked down and sat beside him.
“What are you doing here?” My tone was sharp as I took the seat.
9:12 Thu<b>, </b>Sep 18 B…
Chapter 222 The Shadow of Adler
:
He smiled, voice low and calm,ced with that infuriating case. “Same as you.”
-Adler.
No need for more words. Between Alphas of our level, the goal was clear-
He sat close, so close I caught his scent: steady wood, tinged with a dangerous edge that lingered faint in the air.
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The surrounding stares locked on us instantly. The heirs of two great Packs, side by side–it drew every eye in the hall.
“And this kind of task, Lord Alpha handles it personally?” I sneered softly, trying to keep distance.
“Didn’t Leslie alsoe in person?” His tone dipped low, smooth, rich enough to drown in.
I shot him a sideways nce. He looked calm, as always, but in his eyes flickered a softness that unsettled me, warm and steady as a hidden current.
When our gazes met, it was suffocating.
His lips tilted in a faint smile. “Am I nice to look at?”
I froze, then rolled my eyes hard.
Shameless!
His grin only widened, voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “If you like looking, don’t hold back. I won’tugh at you.”
My jaw clenched so tight I nearly cracked a tooth. “Kirby, have you no shame?”
A lowugh rumbled from his chest, unbothered, almost pleased.
Because I had spoken to him more than a few words, his eyes carried a glint of quiet satisfaction.
I turned my head away in fury, though my heart stumbled, skipping out of rhythm.
When had he be so maddeningly brazen?
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