Chapter 239 The Lost Bet


    <b>Leslie’s </b>POV


    H


    <b>81 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    “Of course I do,” I said, my voice soft but cutting through the hall like a de. “I wonder if Lucian still remembers the wager? Whoever lost would step down.”


    No hesitation. No wasted words. Men like him contributed nothing to the Pack–dead weight, a rot that spread if left alone.


    Lucian’s face drained of color, hisposure unraveling. He turned desperately to Thorbane. “Princess Leslie, I… we only ever acted in the Pack’s interest! Now that you’ve secured the project, no one is happier than we are-”


    Thorbane’s eyes were cold iron. “So. You mean to linger where you don’t belong?”


    The room froze. Every elder’s gaze fell like needles on Lucian, his skin burning beneath their silence.


    His jaw tightened. “Linger? I am Rogue Pack’s beta. If I am to leave, it must be with Lars’s consent!”


    I arched <i>a </i>brow, smiling. “Fair enough.”


    Deliberately, I pulled out mym. Without flinching, I dialed my father right there at the table.


    “Beep–beep–Leslie, I’m fishing. You and your brothering home for lunch?” My father’s voice floated in, easy and amused.


    I couldn’t help but smile. “Dad, we’re in council. Lucian lost his wager. He ims stepping down requires your approval. Everyone here would like to hear your opinion.”


    Lucian’s eyes widened, panic bleeding into every line of his face. “Alpha-” he started, but my father’s voice rang crisp and unmistakable through the speaker.


    “Leslie, I entrusted West Territory to you and your brother. Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by it. You give the order–I’ll sign.”


    The chamber fell into dead silence. Any who had been tempted to intercede shut their mouths tightly.


    Lucian sat frozen, pale as ash, his lips trembling.


    I let my smile linger,zy, almost yful. “Thank you, Dad. Enjoy your fishing.”


    Chapter 239 The Lost Bet


    The line clicked off. I lifted my head to Lucian, eyes sharp with amusement.


    +8 Pearls


    “Then it’s settled. Elder Lucian, you can enjoy your retirement. Leave the work to those who still have fight left in them.”


    I rose, hands braced lightly on the table. “I have other matters. Continue without me.”


    Mym had already pinged–Eren waiting downstairs at headquarters, practically beside himself. And Astrid had turned up too, saying she was in a foul mood and wanted me to shop with her.


    Just as I stepped out of the council chamber, a message from her buzzed in.


    <i>Who </i><i>did </i><i>Rogue </i><i>Pack </i><i>offend </i><itely</i>? <i>There’s </i><i>someone </i><iying </i><i>chrysanthemums </i><i>at </i><i>the </i><i>front </i><i>gate</i>.


    Astrid’s POV


    I leaned against the stone steps outside headquarters, staring at the blond, blue–eyed wolf clutching a bouquet.


    pup


    The sunlight gilded his curls, making him look like some cherubic little angel. But that bundle of pale–yellow chrysanthemums in his hands made my brows knit tight.


    My chest felt oddly heavy, tangled.


    When did Leslie start “bullying” cubs this small? Since when had her sense of mischief turned this… warped?


    My eyes narrowed, lips curling in silent disbelief.


    Leia, my wolf, growled with disdain in the back of my mind. <i>His </i><i>scent </i><i>isn’t </i><i>even </i><i>formed </i><i>yet</i><i>, </i><i>but </i><i>the </i><i>brat </i>dares <i>to </i><i>stand </i>so <i>bold</i><i>? </i>


    Send <b>Gifts </b>


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