《A Female Alpha’s Revenge》


 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 1

    <strong>Chapter 1</strong>


    <strong>Adide¡¯s POV</strong>


    The council hall of the Bloodmoon Pack hummed with cedar and damp.


    I shrugged off my sweat-drenched silver fox cloak, my fingers absently tracing the Moon Goddess pendant at my throat.


    The bronze throne beside me yawned empty¡ªAlpha Ulrik¡¯s seat.


    Boots echoed on stone steps before the door burst open, snowmelt and pine scent flooding in.


    I knocked over the mead jug, rising to greet him, amber liquid pooling over the sheepskin map.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally back,¡± I managed, my voice catching.


    A year ago, we¡¯d pledged ourselves as mates before the pack. Then the Lycan King summoned him north.


    He never even marked me.


    Now, as I looked at him, my mind was a tangled web.


    My wolf let out a faint, rebellious snarl, catching a tangle of scents on Ulrik¡¯s trail that made its hackles rise.


    Now Ulrik stood armored and alive, his jaw set in that familiar stubborn line.


    ¡°Adide, the Lycan King¡¯s dered Velda will join the Bloodmoon Pack. I¡¯ll mark her.¡±


    My wolf snarled low in my ribs, scenting the musk of another female on him.


    ¡°Lycan Luna swore Velda was a warrior through and through. Will she kneel as a breeder?¡±


    As soon as I finished speaking, Ulrik¡¯s cedar scent,ced with his Alpha aura, swept over me like a tidal wave.


    He strode past me toward the throne, the tail of his sword scabbard scraping water-soaked stone and scraping up dark red moss.


    ¡°I¡¯m marking her as my mate,¡± his voice carried a sharp edge of anger. ¡°She¡¯ll be my second Luna, just like you¡ªequal in the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    The silver chain snapped in my fist. The moonstone pendant ttered toward a rain puddle.


    ¡°Two Lunas? The Moon Goddess would rage, and Bloodmoon would weaken¡­¡± I ground the shattered gem beneath my heel. The rain pounding outside the Packhouse suddenly roared in my ears. ¡°Last year, on this day, you swore before her statue that my eyes were brighter than midsummer¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Those were pheromones talking!¡± he roared, slit pupils narrowing as lightning shed.


    His sword hissed free, the tip lifting my damp cor. ¡°Look at your neck. Even the temporary mark¡¯s fading.¡±


    He sheathed the de with a metallic sigh. ¡°Velda and I fought side by side in the north. I admired her. I used my campaign merits to petition the Lycan King for her ce here. As my mate. Truth is, I didn¡¯t need your approval.¡±


    I stared at my flushed face reflected in the de, memories flooding back of the East Wing copse during the dry season


    Those sweltering nights hauling basalt in the heat¡ªUlrik¡¯s messengers always imed war made replies impossible.


    Turns out, the cornflower seeds in the battle reports were never for me.


    I let out a softugh, but when I spoke again, my voice wasced with sarcasm. ¡°So you ¡®admire¡¯ her? What about the promises you made before you left for the northern tribes? You said if I fulfilled my duties as Bloodmoon¡¯s Luna, you¡¯d use your merits to help save Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s expression turned awkward.


    He looked away, his voice tight. ¡°Let¡¯s just forget those words. When we pledged to be mates, I hadn¡¯t met Velda yet. You were always suited to be a Luna¡­ and now, I need something real.¡±


    I watched him, noting the tenderness in his eyes whenever he spoke of Velda.


    Soon, he turned back to me. ¡°She¡¯s unlike any she-wolf I¡¯ve ever met. I love her.¡±


    I felt like I¡¯d swallowed a fly¡ªdisgusted, but I pushed through the lump in my throat.


    ¡°And the elder Alpha and Luna¡ªthey agree?¡±


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s the Lycan King¡¯s decree. My father, as former Alpha, understands its weight. Besides, they adore Velda.¡±


    They actually agreed? How ironic.


    After all I¡¯d done for Bloodmoon this past year, this was my reward.


    ¡°Is she already here? Why can¡¯t I sense her?¡±


    I frowned, my wolf snarling in my mind as its tailshed against my spine.


    ¡°No intruder¡¯s scent,¡± it growled back.


    Ulrik¡¯s gaze flickered, then he snapped, ¡°She¡¯ll be my mate soon. I¡¯ve already given her a temporary mark.¡±


    My wolf erupted in a snarl of fury.


    Though Ulrik hadn¡¯t fully marked me, our vows before the Moon Goddess had forged a mate bond.


    Giving another she-wolf a temporary mark was betrayal in and clear.


    Sensing my rage, he sheathed his sword with a metallic screech that startled the starlings nesting outside.


    His irond armor mmed into me, knocking me back. The bronze candbra behind me thudded as I collided with it.


    ¡°I know you feel wronged,¡± he said, silhouetted against the light, ¡°but it¡¯s the Lycan King¡¯smand.¡± He paused at the stone door. ¡°You¡¯re still the nominal Luna¡ªuntil the pack grows familiar with Velda.¡±


    I forced a smile. ¡°Then have Veldae see me. I have questions for her.¡±


    Ulrik refused tly. ¡°No need. She¡¯s not like the simpering she-wolves you know. A warrior through and through, too proud for petty jealousy.¡±


    I countered, ¡°What does that make the she-wolves I know? Or what does it make me, in your eyes?¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 2

    <strong>Chapter 2</strong>


    <strong>Adide¡¯s POV</strong>


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik, you seem to forget I¡¯m the daughter of the Frostfang¡¯s Alpha. Alpha blood runs through my veins¡­¡±


    Ulrik cut me off with a snort. ¡°You grew up shielded by your parents and pack. You¡¯ve never seen war¡¯s teeth, never faced a real battle. Velda despises soft wolves like you. I¡¯m sparing you the humiliation of her tongue.¡±


    I lifted my chin, voice steady as the north wind. ¡°If she insults me, I¡¯ll let it slide. Keeping the bigger picture in mind is Luna¡¯s first duty, isn¡¯t it? You said yourself I¡¯m perfect for the role.¡±


    He raked a hand through his rain-damp hair. ¡°Why court trouble? The Lycan King¡¯s orders stand. Even as my Luna, Velda won¡¯t interfere with pack management. She disdains everything you value.¡±


    ¡°Do I cling so desperately to being Bloodmoon¡¯s Luna?¡± I countered, fingers tightening around theb in my grip.


    Ulrik was a fearless fighter, but managing a pack? It was not his strong suit.


    The former Luna¡¯s wolf was failing¡ªDigby¡¯s potions were the only thing keeping her alive, and they were expensive.


    Running the pack cost a fortune¡ªfood, medicine, everything.


    Bloodmoon¡¯s ounts were practically empty.


    For the past year, it had been my Frostfang assets keeping them afloat.


    And this was the thanks I got?


    Ulrik lost his patience. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m done talking. I just had to inform you¡ªyou can agree or not, but it won¡¯t change a thing.¡±


    I watched him turn and leave without a backward nce. Bitterness flooded me.


    I walked back to my cottage through the storm.


    The house, a short distance from the Packhouse, felt lonelier now. I used to wonder why Ulrik never invited me into his home.


    Now I understood.


    Beata, my omega from Frostfang, was waiting inside.


    After showering and changing out of my rain-soaked clothes, I sat at the vanity tob my golden hair.


    I filled Beata in on what had happened.


    Beata sniffled. ¡°Luna Adide, Alpha Ulrik is such a jerk. He¡¯s your mate¡ªhow could he do this?¡±


    ¡°Knock it off,¡± I snapped, shooting her a re. ¡°He never marked me. That temporary bite on my neck? Just a scratch. He¡¯s not my real mate. Now fetch the Frostfang asset ledger.¡±


    ¡°Why the ledger?¡± Beata wiped her eyes.


    I tapped her ear. ¡°Dense much? If Bloodmoon¡¯s Alpha treats me like dirt, why stick around as theirckey?¡±


    Beata rubbed her ringing ear. ¡°But the alliance¡ªLuna Aire arranged it. Alpha Bentley wanted pureblood pups from you.¡±


    Hearing my mother¡¯s name made my fangs pierce my lip.


    My dad bonded with my mom for life¡ªthey had six sons and one daughter.


    My brothers followed our dad into battle for the Lycan King.


    All of them died three years ago in the Silvermoon Canyon massacre.


    Born into Frostfang, I had brothers¡ªenough that I¡¯d never inherit. Yet Dad, Alpha Bentley, still sent me to train.


    In Shadow Peaks, I learned hunting, fighting, strategy¡ªfrom the shifter elders themselves.


    At fifteen, I found my wolf and shifted for the first time.


    But when I got back, Frostfang was shattered. Alpha Bentley and my brothers¡ªall gone in that same damn battle.


    Mom¡¯s wolf withered without her mate.


    Clutching me, she whispered, ¡°Find a strong Alpha. Birth strong pups under the full moon. You¡¯re myst moonbeam.¡±


    My heart felt carved out. No tears¡ªjust a howl stuck in my throat.


    I trained to be the Luna who watches over the Alpha, the one who cares for every wolf in the pack.


    Then my mom chose Ulrik for me¡ªall because he swore to make me his Luna and honor our bond.


    But six months ago, Frostfang was hit.


    Every wolf¡ªelders with snow-white fur, pups still on blood-milk, even the patrol guards¡ªwas torn apart.


    My youngest nephew, barely weaned, was nailed to the moonlight altar.


    When the Lycan King¡¯s guard and shifter enforcers arrived, they caught just a few killers.


    Bloodtooth wolves, their bodies marked with their pack¡¯s totem.


    They didn¡¯t care about exposing themselves¡ªtheir brutality was pure vengeance.


    By the time I got back, all I found were my mom and grandmother¡¯s bodies.


    Now Frostfang¡¯s down to me, the only unmarked she-wolf left.


    To the hyena-like tribal elders, rebuilding Frostfang¡¯s glory was just a joke. To them, an unmated female¡¯s just a breathing ornament.


    But Velda? She was different. She just tore through a northern tribe¡¯s leader, bing the first femalemander to earn the Bloodw Medal.


    With her backing Ulrik, his path¡¯d be smoother. No wonder the Tenar n agreed to let her join Bloodmoon as Luna.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 3

    <strong>Chapter 3</strong>


    <strong>Adide¡¯s POV</strong>


    Beata brought the Frostfang asset list. ¡°You¡¯ve covered six million in Bloodmoon¡¯s operating costs this year alone. The mines, houses, estates? untouched. All of Luna Aire¡¯s bank ounts and property deeds are locked in the vault.¡±


    I stared at the list. Aire had prepared all this to ensure my happiness¡ªhow heartbreaking my current situation must be to her memory.


    My wolf whined, painncing through me.


    ¡°Where can we even go, Adide?¡± Beata asked. ¡°Back to Frostfang?¡±


    The memory of Frostfang¡¯s za, slick with blood, shed before my eyes.


    My heart clenched. ¡°Anywhere¡¯s better than here.¡±


    ¡°But won¡¯t Ulrik be thrilled if we leave?¡± Beata fumed.


    ¡°Let him,¡± I said tly. ¡°Staying here would mean a lifetime of watching them fawn over each other. Beata, Frostfang¡¯s down to me. I need to live well¡ªto honor my parents and brothers. The Moon Goddess will watch over us.¡±


    ¡°Adide!¡± Beata sobbed.


    I knew her pain¡ªeveryone she loved had died in Frostfang¡¯s massacre.


    ¡°Is there no another way at all?¡±


    ¡°There is,¡± I said, my voice tinged with a wolfish rasp.


    I traced the fading moon-mark on my neck. Moonlight from the bronze sconce cast wolf-shaped shadows on the starstone walls. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the Lycan King.¡±


    I pricked my finger on the temporary mark, silver-blue blood blooming on my shirt. ¡°I¡¯ll use my family¡¯s merits to ask him to revoke the decree.¡±


    Beata paled. ¡°Don¡¯t! The Lycan King won¡¯t agree¡ªhe¡¯ll be furious. He has powers beyond shifters. Don¡¯t risk it.¡±


    ¡°Think I¡¯m that foolish?¡± I smiled faintly. ¡°If the Lycan King allowed Ulrik and Velda to bond, he can allow me to leave Bloodmoon.¡±


    I wouldn¡¯t leave as a deserter or exile.


    As thest of Frostfang¡¯s Alpha bloodline¡ªone of the mightiest packs in the shifter kingdom¡ªI¡¯d leave with my head held high.


    A knock sounded at the door. ¡°Luna Adide, Luna Rosemary requests your presence,¡± came the voice from outside.


    Adide suppressed her wolf and rose gracefully. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said.


    Sunset bathed the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s za, the rain having ceased. Autumn wind swept toward the nearby Packhouse.


    Bloodmoon¡¯s territory, a gift from the previous Lycan King, once thrived.


    Now it faded.


    The Tenar family held no sway with the current king, nor seats in the royal council.


    Only Alpha Ulrik and his brother Simon fought for the Lycan King.


    The former Alpha¡¯s brother remained in the pack, refusing to branch out.


    With dwindling members, Bloodmoon weakened further.


    Beata and I arrived at Luna Rosemary¡¯s residence. She looked robust.


    She lounged on an obsidian sofa, her ws tapping the armrest in greeting.


    Others were present¡ªSimon and his mate Tamara, Ulrik¡¯s sister Sabrina, even the elder Alpha¡¯s brother.


    ¡°May the moonlight bless you, elder kin, loyalpanions,¡± I intoned, bowing to expose the healing mark on my neck.


    ¡°Come closer,¡± Luna Rosemary beckoned, her silver fur shimmering. ¡°The northern winds have finally returned your mate. Frostfang¡¯s blood-debt shall be settled.¡±


    I asked calmly, ¡°Have you met Velda today?¡±


    Luna Rosemary¡¯s smile faltered, then resumed. ¡°Met her? She¡¯s as rough as sandstone, though her looks can¡¯tpare to yours.¡±


    I held my gaze. ¡°So, you don¡¯t approve of her?¡±


    Luna Rosemary forced a smile. ¡°Likes and dislikese with time. Since the Lycan King has spoken, it¡¯s settled. Velda will ride with Ulrik, and you¡¯ll manage the pack as Luna. How perfect.¡±


    ¡°Perfect indeed,¡± I said, my smile sharp. ¡°A warrior like her reduced to a breeder¡ªwhat a waste.¡±


    Luna Rosemaryughed lightly. ¡°Lycan King¡¯s decree makes her a Luna too, just like you.¡±


    ¡°Two Lunas? Is that even tradition?¡±


    Luna Rosemary¡¯s tone cooled. ¡°You¡¯ve managed well, Adide, but a Luna¡¯s duty is to support the Alpha.¡±


    ¡°With Velda here, she can easily take over,¡± I retorted.


    ¡°But Velda¡¯s always at war,¡± Luna Rosemary said. ¡°You¡¯re the one here, managing the pack.¡±


    I turned to Tamara. ¡°You¡¯re a Beta¡¯s daughter, trained for this role. You can do it.¡±


    Tamara paled. ¡°No, I¡ªI¡¯m not fit. Everyone¡¯s happy with how you run things. Let¡¯s keep it that way.¡±


    My lips curled. Happy because I fund the pack.


    But times changed. Once, I genuinely wanted to be Ulrik¡¯s perfect mate.


    Now? I wouldn¡¯t y the fool.


    ¡°Enough,¡± I said, rising. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on my duties tomorrow. From then on, Bloodmoon¡¯s problems are yours.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 4

    <strong>Chapter 4</strong>


    <strong>Adide¡¯s POV</strong>


    I turned to leave, but Luna Rosemary unleashed a wolfish howl behind me.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    I nced back, no intention of returning.


    Rosemary¡¯s face darkened.


    She roared to me, ¡°Adide, how can you be so foolish? Ulrik¡¯s an Alpha¡ªhe¡¯ll have more than one woman. Every pack works this way. You¡¯re still his mate¡ªwhat more do you want?¡±


    Her words made me sneer inwardly.


    A year ofpliance had made them think me pliable.


    They forgot that I was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°Cool your jets,¡± I said tly. ¡°Other packs can rot for all I care.¡±


    Rosemary spluttered, coughing into her fist.


    Normally, I¡¯dfort her, but this time, I stayed put.


    Sabrina barged in, eyes zing. ¡°Look at Luna Rosemary! You¡¯re embarrassing us! Frostfang¡¯s already fallen¡ªyour family¡¯s gone. What makes you think your Alpha blood means squat now? Ulrik can reject you too!¡±


    I looked at Sabrina, dressed in the pale yellow dress I had made for herst fall.


    Now she wore it to question and use me¡ªhow considerate.


    ¡°Take it off first,¡± I said coolly, ¡°then have your tantrum.¡±


    Sabrina¡¯s face flushed. ¡°I didn¡¯t beg for this dress! I¡¯ll return it!¡±


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± I said. ¡°And those gems on your neck and wrist? Return those too.¡± I swept my gaze over the room¡ªonly Rosemary kept her poker face.


    ¡°Anything else?¡± I asked. ¡°No? Then I¡¯m leaving.¡± I strode out, not looking back.


    But I didn¡¯t leave immediately.


    I stood at the door, my wolf snarling in my mind. ¡°You should¡¯ve let me take over. Let me rip their throats out with my ws.¡±


    I rubbed my temples, responding silently, ¡°We¡¯re in Bloodmoon territory, near Lycan Erasmus¡¯s pce. I don¡¯t want to be a werewolf ouw.¡±


    Muffled voices drifted from inside.


    My ears twitched, and I mentally silenced my wolf.


    Sabrina muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t believe Adide¡¯s being so stubborn. She even ignores you, Luna Rosemary.¡±


    Rosemary replied coldly, ¡°She¡¯ll bend eventually. She has no choice.¡±


    Oh?


    A smile tugged at my lips.


    To Bloodmoon, I was a lone wolf with nowhere to go.


    Many she-wolves, after mating with other packs, could return to their birth pack. But Frostfang¡¯s extinct¡ªonly itsnd and ruins remain, museum-piece perfect.


    Everyone assumed I was stuck here.


    The next morning, Beata and I reached Frostfang¡¯s border.


    The wards still held.


    As I approached, my wolf let out a sharp snarl, then a howl¡ªonly Beata heard it, shivering behind me.


    Her ears sprouted wolf-tipped fur.


    We walked in. The za, untended for half a year, was choked with waist-high grass, leaves piled like forgotten memories.


    Autumn wind sighed through empty streets.


    Stepping back into Frostfang, my heart ached.


    Six months ago, I copsed in tears at the massacre, kneeling beside my grandmother and mother¡¯s lifeless, blood-soaked bodies.


    Now, the sacred za held a stone altar.


    Beata and I stood in silent grief, tears falling.


    Running my fingers over my family¡¯s grave markers, I whispered firmly, ¡°Mom, Dad, forgive the path I¡¯ve chosen. I won¡¯t be a Luna for any pack¡ªnot when Ulrik¡¯s not the mate the Moon Goddess chose for me. Rest easy. I¡¯ll survive.¡±


    Beata knelt beside me, weeping.


    After paying our respects, we headed to the pce.


    For two hours under the autumn sun, we waited outside the gates¡ªunnoticed, unmoving.


    By noon, the heat was relentless.


    Beata fretted, ¡°Lycan Erasmus might not see you. You haven¡¯t eaten sincest night. Let me get you something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± I said, my resolve unshaken. My mind was set¡ªget the rejection decree and return to Frostfang.


    ¡°Maybe we should just leave?¡± Beata suggested.


    I turned, my voice cold. ¡°Beata, if you ever utter such spineless words again, I¡¯ll leave you behind.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 5

    <strong>Chapter 5</strong>


    <strong>Adide¡¯s POV</strong>


    Beata didn¡¯t argue further, sensing my resolve.


    I wasn¡¯t mad. Beata, an Omega raised in Frostfang, still had that innocence¡ªthey didn¡¯t bully Omegas there.


    But I, as Alpha-born, had to stand my ground.


    Outside the pce, time stretched endlessly.


    Finally, the doors opened. Fabian, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s Beta, emerged.


    ¡°Adide, Lycan Erasmus will see you now.¡±


    Relief washed over me. I nodded gratefully and followed him in.


    The obsidian tiles carried hints of dragon¡¯s breath pheromones¡ªevery step felt like walking on ice.


    I stared at the patterns under Fabian¡¯s crimson cape, blood rising in my throat as my wolf wed at my consciousness, straining against the invisible aura from the throne.


    The cedar scent that once clung to my father¡¯s armor now froze my nape with cial cold.


    I knelt before Lycan Erasmus, head bowed.


    My gaze fell on the shattered moonstone patterns on the floor.


    A bronze candbra sparked as Erasmus¡¯s snow-leopard boots crushed wolf-shaped reliefs beneath him, grinding my shadow¡¯s head to dust.


    ¡°Speak on your feet.¡± His voice boomed like ciers colliding, sending dust cascading from the rafters.


    I pressed my hands to my throbbing neck veins, bowed properly.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I¡¯m sorry to intrude, but I beg your mercy.¡±


    The golden-trimmed throne creaked. A surge of white musk hit the air.


    My knees mmed the floor, shoulder des groaning under the pressure.


    Through blurred vision, I saw my broken nails digging into my palms.


    ¡°Adide, I¡¯ve already dered my orders to all Alphas,¡± Erasmus said, his voice as unyielding as three years ago in Silvermoon Canyon. ¡°I can¡¯t take it back.¡±


    Straining against the suffocating aura, I lifted my chin.


    His dark-gold slit pupils narrowed, aurora-like energy swirling in his eyes¡ªthe legendary ¡°Sky¡¯s Eye¡± that once tore apart the Northern Bear Pack.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to rescind your decree,¡± I said, every word a fight. ¡°I¡¯m asking for a new one¡ªpermission to rejct my mating bond with Alpha Ulrik.¡±


    My split canines bit through my lower lip, blood filling my mouth.


    ¡°Rejection? You want to reject Ulrik?¡± Lycan Erasmus¡¯s tone was filled with surprise.


    I held back tears. ¡°Lycan Erasmus, Alpha Ulrik and Velda used their battle merits to ask for your permission to form a mating bond. Today marks the anniversary of my father and brothers¡¯ death. I want to use their merits to ask for your permission to reject Ulrik.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what awaits you outside Bloodmoon, Adide?¡± Erasmus¡¯s voice held a hint ofplexity.


    ¡°Do you know what you¡¯ll face after this rejection?¡±


    Before Erasmus became Lycan King, he¡¯d visit Frostfang often.


    He trained with my father and brought me gifts.


    But when I was sent to the elders, he faded from my life.


    ¡°I know,¡± I forced a smile. ¡°I won¡¯t stand in Ulrik and Velda¡¯s way. If their love¡¯s true, it¡¯s the Moon Goddess¡¯s will. I won¡¯t break tradition.¡±


    ¡°Frostfang¡¯s gone, Adide. Will you return to ruins? What¡¯s next for you?¡±


    At that moment, my mood had already calmed down.


    I answered, ¡°I¡¯d visited Frostfang today. Thend¡¯s abandoned, but the wards still hold. I¡¯ll take in any wolf who wants to join and care for lone pups. Even if Frostfang remains small, I¡¯ll keep it alive.¡±


    The young king rose, his crimson cape sweeping down a row of candles.


    In the flickering gloom, he leaned close, the rust of iron and white musk hitting my senses. ¡°Really thought this through? The little wolf who tugged at my sleeve for frosting-topped pastries¡ªlook at you now¡­¡±


    His fingers, armored in ck iron, tapped the desk. ¡°Using Frostfang¡¯s merits for freedom?¡±


    ¡°I have. I won¡¯t choke my life away on a broken bond or a title.¡±


    ¡°You said you liked Ulrik when you two mated.¡±


    Liked?


    Not exactly. I¡¯d always admired shifter warriors, and my mom wanted peace for me. That¡¯s why I agreed.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°If he can walk away, so can I.¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s slit pupils zed sapphire. ¡°I grant it. A new decree wille¡ªfreeing you both.¡±


    ¡°Adide, if anyone crosses you, my door¡¯s always open,¡± he added gently.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty,¡± I said, feeling lighter already.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 6

    <strong>Chapter 6</strong>


    <strong>Third Person¡¯s POV</strong>


    After Adide left, the temperature in the pce parlor dropped noticeably.


    Beta Fabian strode in and respectfully addressed the Lycan King, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, rissa sent an Omega to ask if you could see her.¡±


    rissa, the former Lycan Luna, no longer held the position but stillmanded immense respect within the pce.


    Erasmus sighed, ¡°This must be about Adide. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    rissa lived alone in the East Tower vi with its private garden, where vibrant flowers bloomed.


    She sat in a pavilion at the garden¡¯s center, wearing a ret robe and holding a moonstone-staff topped with a lunar crescent.


    Her face looked haggard.


    ¡°Good afternoon, rissa,¡± Erasmus greeted with a bow.


    rissa¡¯s ws dug into her seat.


    Frostced pheromones crystallized the air, forcing Fabian to kneel ten paces away, his Beta ears trembling under her pressure.


    ¡°You condone this madness?¡± she hissed, her slit pupils glowing blood-red. ¡°When Frostfang¡¯s Alpha spilled seven lives to pave your throne, did you smell the silvermoon grass in his blood?¡±


    Fabian hung his head, unable to meet her gaze.


    ¡°This was my doing,¡± Erasmus said firmly. ¡°Fabian¡¯s not to me.¡±


    rissa sighed. ¡°You¡¯re all dismissed.¡±


    Her aura lifted. The Omegas and Fabian hurried out.


    ¡°This decree is reckless,¡± rissa said gravely. ¡°You dishonor Frostfang¡¯s fallen Alpha and his pack. As Lycan, we¡¯re role models for all shifters. How can you vite the Moon Goddess¡¯s traditions like this?¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s iron armor shed against the ice crystals on the floor. ¡°Ulrik earned his right to bond with Velda through battle.¡±


    ¡°Sacrifice Frostfang¡¯sst light?¡± rissa rose abruptly, her purple skirt sweeping down a bronze candlestick. Melted wax snaked across the floor like blood tears.


    ¡°Wolf Code, Article Three¡ªNo second Luna until the first bond is rejected. When you trampled the code, do you remember who shielded you from the rebels¡¯ poison arrow with their fangs?¡±


    ¡°Ulrik left the day he bonded with Adide, without even marking her properly. Now he ns to bond with another. Did you consider how this might destroy her and her wolf?¡±


    Tears streamed down rissa¡¯s face. ¡°Frostfang¡¯s Alpha and Luna had only one daughter left. How much more can she endure?¡±


    rissa¡¯s grief stemmed from her lifelong friendship with Adide¡¯s mother, whom she¡¯d watched grow up.


    Seeing his mother¡¯s tears, Lycan Erasmus knelt before her, head bowed in guilt.


    ¡°This was my oversight,¡± he admitted quietly. ¡°Ulrik returned victorious and made his demand public. I know it¡¯s unreasonable, but both he and Velda insisted¡ªthis was the only thing they wanted. If I¡¯d refused¡­¡±


    rissa¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°So you¡¯d rather Adide sacrifice herself to spare Ulrik embarrassment? Frostfang¡¯s suffered enough! Do you have any idea what she¡¯s been through this year?¡±


    As Lycan King, Erasmus was well aware of the struggles of major packs.


    ¡°Ulrik¡¯s heart has turned,¡± he said. ¡°Even without my approval, he¡¯d find a way to bond with Velda. And Adide would suffer for it.¡±


    He paused. ¡°Adide just asked me for a mutual rejection from Ulrik. I agreed.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± rissa¡¯s voice shot up. ¡°She wants to reject Ulrik? Where will she go after leaving Bloodmoon? Frostfang¡¯s already in ruins.¡±


    ¡°She says she¡¯ll return to Frostfang and take in any wolf who wishes to join.¡±


    rissa sighed deeply. ¡°Can Frostfang even be home to her again? She¡¯s seen the bodies of her kin¡ªhow can she live there without nightmares?¡±


    Her heart ached. ¡°Why didn¡¯t shee to me? I could¡¯ve helped her, taught her to handle Velda. Why choose such a hard path?¡±


    ¡°Adide¡¯s made up her mind. She won¡¯t endure a lifetime of watching Ulrik and Velda despise each other. Keeping their bond intact would hurt her more.¡±


    rissa winced¡ªthis struck too close to home.


    The former Lycan King had stayed mated to her despite finding his true mate in an omega.


    To preserve the royal pack¡¯s stability, he¡¯d kept their bond, but the omega remained.


    rissa had endured the pain of his betrayal.


    ¡°Velda¡¯s a decorated general¡ªI once admired her, thought she¡¯d elevate she-wolves¡¯ status. Now I¡¯m deeply disappointed,¡± rissa said, her face pale.


    ¡°I¡¯ll address them,¡± Erasmus promised.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant Ch 7

    Adide¡¯s POV


    After securing Erasmus¡¯s promise, I felt a little lighter.


    Back at Bloodmoon, I slept soundly.


    The next morning, as I freshened up, Ulrik burst in, his face set and Alpha aura zing.


    The force of his aura hit me like a tidal wave.


    My wolf whined in my skull, trapped under the weight of it.


    ¡°Adide!¡± he roared, half-wolf fury in his voice.


    Beata stepped forward, but the power gap between us drained her, sweat beading on her forehead.


    But she stood frozen, wide-eyed and trembling, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, what¡ªare you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Beata,¡± I said calmly, ¡°stand down.¡±


    She retreated to my side, still watching Ulrik like a hawk.


    In my mind, I met my wolf¡¯s gaze. It rose, shaking off its snow-white fur, and pushed back against Ulrik¡¯s aura.


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You went to the pce yesterday. Comined to Lycan Erasmus, tried to get his decree revoked.¡±


    He spat the words, not as a question but a statement, his jaw clenched.


    I met his gaze calmly and shook my head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± He smirked, contemptcing his words.


    ¡°Coward much? Is this how the Frostfang Alpha¡¯s daughter behaves? Pathetic.¡±


    The man before me felt unfamiliar, sending a chill down my spine.


    Was this even the Ulrik I thought I knew?


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes reddened with frustration.


    Fangs bared, he snarled, ¡°Speak! What else did you say to Lycan Erasmus? Did he agree to revoke the decree?¡±


    I looked down. ¡°Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t agree. The bonding ceremony will proceed as nned.¡±


    Ulrik exhaled sharply but kept his tone cold. ¡°That bond was earned through battle. If Lycan Erasmus wavers, it¡¯ll shame every Alpha warrior. He summoned me to the pce today but refused an audience¡ªprobably due to your theatrics. I won¡¯t stoop to your level, but know this¡ªI¡¯ve done my duty.¡±


    ¡°y nice, Adide. No more drama. Once Velda and I bond, you¡¯ll have pups of your own.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.


    Once Ulrik¡¯s presence faded, Beata burst into tears.


    ¡°What are you crying for?¡± I asked, puzzled.


    ¡°I just feel so wronged. Aren¡¯t you upset?¡± Beata sniffled.


    I smiled. ¡°Of course I¡¯m upset, but tears won¡¯t change anything. Let¡¯s focus on how to make our future better.¡±


    ¡°Why do the Bloodmoon wolves treat you like this? You¡¯ve been so good to them!¡±


    ¡°Because, in their eyes, I no longer matter,¡± I said with a wry smile.


    I knew it¡ªI was never important. All that mattered was the Frostfang wealth I brought.


    Beata wiped her eyes. ¡°What about the other Frostfang wolves who came with you? Are you taking them with you?¡±


    ¡°If I leave, Velda won¡¯t spare them. They¡¯ll follow me,¡± I said.


    Since joining Bloodmoon, the Frostfang Omegas I brought had taken on key roles.


    The assets I brought also helped fund Bloodmoon¡¯s operations.


    After all, Luna Rosemary¡¯s health was failing, and her herbs were expensive. Ulrik¡¯s royal sry couldn¡¯t cover it.


    Luckily, I only used profits from shops, rental ie, and some farnd proceeds.


    The next day, I visited Luna Rosemary as usual, but only to find Shaman Digby there.


    Luna Rosemary smiled relieved when she saw me. ¡°Velda will be here soon. You two should meet and learn to get along.¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond, just waited quietly.


    Once Digby finished treating her, I said, ¡°Shaman Digby, let me escort you out.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I need a word with you too,¡± he replied, leaving without a backward nce at Luna Rosemary.


    As we walked through the corridor, Digby said, ¡°Bloodmoon doesn¡¯t deserve your kindness. Don¡¯t send for me again¡ªI won¡¯te.¡±


    ¡°I understand. I won¡¯t send for you anymore. I¡¯m nning to reject Ulrik anyway,¡± I said.


    Digby chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s the Frostfang spirit. I don¡¯t need Bloodmoon¡¯s money. I only treated her for your sake.¡±


    After seeing Digby off, I returned to my cottage.


    Within the hour, Ulrik arrived with a woman in tow.


    As they entered the yard, my eyes locked onto their interlocked hands. A new n began to form in my mind.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 8

    Adide¡¯s POV


    The moonstone on the bronze candbra cast a silverleaf grass scent through the air. I took a deep breath¨Ctime to stop beating


    around the bush.


    Once Beata left, I said, ¡°Please<b>, </b><b>have </b>a seat.¡±


    Velda wore a wine¨Cred pleated skirt, a wolf¨Ctooth pendant symbolizing her battle merits gleaming at her throat.


    When she sat, her bloodmoon sigil belt clinked against the basalt chair. The pendant caught the moonlight, making the fang seem almost alive against the night sky.


    Velda wasn¡¯t ssically beautiful, but her sharp features and the killing edge honed in northern tribes radiated a shifter warrior¡¯s


    <b>Jura </b>


    ¡°Frostfang¡¯sst scion,¡± she said, her slit pupils like poisoned des. ¡°Hear you <b>wanted </b>to see me. I¡¯m here. One question¨CWill you coexist with me in Bloodmoon?¡±


    Her tone was unyielding, a low growl warning in her throat. ¡°Give me the truth. ying weak won¡¯t work on me.¡±


    I met her gaze. ¡°Lycan Luna rissa called you every she¨Cwolf¡¯s pride. How about <b>this</b>¨Cdo I have a choice besides coexisting?¡±


    Velda¡¯s reply was ice. ¡°Depends on you.¡±


    Iughed a sharp sound that caught her off guard, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m all for coexisting peacefully,¡± I said evenly.


    Once the mating bond is severed, we¡¯ll have no ties left¨Cwhere¡¯s the conflict?


    Velda bared her teeth in a predator¡¯s grin. ¡°I told you, don¡¯t lie. Think putting on this meek act will change Lycan Erasmus¡¯s


    mind?¡±


    My nape nds red hot. ¡°Watch your tone, Velda,¡± I <b>growled</b>, my voice dipping into a <b>lupine </b>rasp.


    I let a flicker of Alpha aura escape¨Cenough to make Ulrik¡¯s <b>brow </b>twitch.


    But <b>Velda¡¯s </b>pupils slit, her ears sprouting wolf¨Ctipped fur.


    I wasn¡¯t about to let her <b>lose </b>control here.


    ¡°Not every she¨Cwolf can rip through battle like you,¡± I continued. ¡°Does that <b>make </b>the rest of us frauds?¡±


    Turning to Ulrik, I <b>pressed</b>, ¡°You swore before the Moon <b>Goddess </b>to <b>honor </b>me as your only mate. You broke that blood oath first


    -don¡¯t paint me as the viin.¡±


    Velda snorted. ¡°Blood <b>oaths</b><b>, </b><b>huh</b>? Makes me look like a scavenger hyena <b>now</b>.¡±


    Ulrik squeezed her <b>hand </b>and fined to me. ¡°I didn¡¯t understand love back then. Meeting Velda changed that. My careless promises were wrong, but now my heart¡¯s with her. We never meant to hurt you. You¡¯re still Luna Adide. Once Velda and I are at war for Lycan King, our pups can stay with you. It¡¯ll secure your standing in the pack.¡±


    1 shot to my feet, ws elongating three inches. ¡°What did you say? You want me to raise your pups?¡±


    Dirik plowed on. ¡°If you want pups of your own, we can mate. But after you¡¯re pregnant


    I turned to Velda, ¡°And you agree to this?¡±


    I¡¯m done with you,¡± he finished..


    Velda¡¯s face soured, but she <b>said</b>, ¡°I don¡¯t do jealousy. Have your pups, secure your future. His visits to your bed? Not my


    concern.¡±


    A <b>low</b>, threatening growl rumbled in her throat.


    <b>Ulrik </b>jumped in. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, <b>once </b>she¡¯s pregnant, I¡¯ll never touch her again.¡±


    ¡°No need for promises,¡± Velda muttered, turning away, her brows lilited in displeasure.


    Looking at the two before me, I felt utter absurdity. ¡°You¡¯re a woman too¨Cwhy demean our kind? Do you think 1, Adide, need Ulrik¡¯s pups to survive? Must I stay in Bloodmoon, ying <b>second </b>fiddle to you forever?¡±


    Velda froze, then frowned. ¡°That¡¯s <b>dramatle</b>.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just reject each other. No more words,¡± I said coldly.


    ¡°Reject? Is that a <b>threat</b>?¡± Velda sneered. ¡°I¡¯m not intimidated. <b>Go </b><b>ahead</b>¨Churt your own <b>standing</b>.¡±


    Ulrik chimed in, ¡°Adide, I won¡¯t reject you. This is for your own good.¡±


    ¡°No need!¡± I unleashed my <b>Alpha </b><b>aura</b>, my voice <bced </b>with a wolf¡¯s <b>howl</b>. ¡°You fear being branded an oathbreaker, yet you im to act for my sake. How hypocritical.¡±


    <b>Ulrik¡¯s </b>face fell. ¡°I didn¡¯t <b>mean </b>that. Please understand-


    Velda scoffed, her tail <bshing</b>, ¡°How out of <b>touch</b>. Clinging to your ¡®noble blood¡® in a time like this¨Cit¡¯sughable. I came to warn you that once the bond¡¯s severed, you¡¯ll be a stray. The wilds won¡¯t be kind. But if you won¡¯t listen, suit yourself. I love Ulrik openly I won¡¯t cower from the pack¡¯s gossip.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not afraid of gossip, why are you here?¡± I retorted.


    Velda stepped closer, her gaze icy, ¡°I¡¯m here to ensure no whining wolf uses a blood oath to sabotage Ulrik and me. Our bond, earned through battle, won¡¯t be destroyed by you.¡±


    I shook my <b>head</b>, pitying their arrogance. ¡°Leave. This conversation¡¯s <b>pointless</b><b>. </b>I respect warriors who fight for their pack¨C1 <b>won¡¯t </b>waste more breath.¡±


    ¡°<b>Beta</b><b>, </b>show <b>them </b>out,¡± I said..

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 9

    +16 Bonus


    Adide¡¯s POV


    din,


    <b>Beata </b>rushed in<b>, </b><b>her </b>green eyes glistening with tears.


    <b>¡°</b>Your love is your business, but don¡¯t bully Luna Adide¨Cor unt your battle merits!¡±


    ¡°Insolent wretch!¡± Velda roared, her warrior presence crashing down <b>like </b><b>a </b>boulder.


    ¡°SLAP!¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s iron¨Cd paw struck Beata¡¯s face with a crack. ¡°Is this the Omega you¡¯ve raised? Defiance?¡±


    I sprinted to Beata¡¯s side<b>, </b>catching her as her cheek swelled, flushed unnaturally¨CAlpha pheromones burning her tender nds.


    Turning, I summoned my wolf. My knuckles burst into silver¨Cgray ws.


    A howling sh raked Ulrik¡¯s cheek, five shallow trenches flipping flesh open, blood droplets falling like rubles.


    ¡°Touch my people again, and feel my ws deeper,¡± I growled, my ws dripping silver¨Cblue blood.


    Ulrik staggered back, pupils slitting with pain<b>, </b>cedar musk souring with sulfur.


    His wounds healed swiftly, leaving five pink scars branded beneath his eye.


    ¡°<b>You </b>dare¡­¡± His voice mixed with a suppressed howl<b>, </b>muscles under his iron armor taut as bowstrings.


    I shook off the <b>blood </b>from my wolf ws, the fur on my fingertips receding. ¡°Consider this a warning.¡±


    Velda stepped forward, a threatening growl rising in her throat, but Ulrik held her back.


    He locked eyes with me, cedar musk soured with fury almost tangible, then turned and dragged Velda away. His boot heels


    crushed the moonstone tiles, the gust from his departure scattering the remnants of his humiliation.


    I touched Beata¡¯s swollen cheek. ¡°Does it hurt?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she lied, her eyes glistening. ¡°Soon we¡¯ll be free of Bloodmoon.¡±


    Gazing at her bruised <b>face</b><b>, </b>my throat <b>tightened</b>.


    Lycan Erasmus had promised the decree dissolving our mate bond was imminent¨Cbut how long <b>was </b>¡°soon¡°?


    Every moment in Bloodmoon felt like a lifetime.


    Their bonding ceremony <b>was </b>set for October. Now in August, the Bloodmoon elders buzzed with preparations.


    Only I <b>and </b>Vanya, Ulrik¡¯s <b>aunt </b>and the former Alpha¡¯s mate, could officiate.


    I¡¯d sworn off involvement, but Rosemary summoned <b>me </b>to the family council<b>, </b><b>no </b>doubt to pressure me into funding <b>the </b>


    ceremony with Frostfang¡¯s wealth.


    Bonus


    <b>In </b>the council <b>hall</b>, Vanya pped the ledger onto the table, her tone icy. ¡°Velda¡¯s parents expectpensation for the bonding


    ceremony.¡±


    When a shifter finds their mate and joins their pack, tradition dictates the mate¡¯s family or original pack receives payment for the


    loss.


    Vanya sneered. ¡°Velda¡¯s parents want a million. Bloodmoon¡¯s ounts <b>have </b>less than ten.¡±


    Ulrik scanned the ledger, frowning ¡°Who¡¯s managing the books?¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± I said tly.


    He snapped his head up. ¡°Where¡¯s the money?¡±


    ¡°The pack isn¡¯t a goldmine,¡± Vanya said. ¡°Rosemary¡¯s meds alone cost thousands daily. Not to mention luxuries.¡±


    She turned to Ulrik, her gaze cutting. ¡°Your grandfather¡¯s legacy? It barely covers the Alpha family¡¯s expenses, let alone the


    <b>entire </b>pack. We¡¯ve relied on Adide¡¯s Frostfang assets for a year.¡±


    Ulrik looked unconvinced, pushing the ledger away. ¡°You¡¯re just stonewalling. I¡¯ll find another way. Lycan King owes me for my


    merits<b>.</b>¡±


    Vanyaughed coldly. ¡°The merits you used to propose to Velda? If you two are so in love, ask her parents for a discount.¡±


    Listening to this, I found it all absurd.


    Gazing at the darkening sky outside, I bit my lip until it hurt¨Clet it be. Once Lycan King¡¯s decree arrives, <b>this </b>will no longer be my


    concern.


    Rosemary turned to me, smiling as she beckoned, ¡°Adide, lend us the money first. We¡¯ll repay you when we¡¯re more <b>liquid</b>.¡±


    Sabrina snorted, ¡°<b>Mother</b>, we¡¯re family. A million is pocket change to her¨Cshe can spare it.¡±


    Rosemary feigned irritation. ¡°Adide has done so much for Bloodmoon this past year. Remember that.¡±


    All <b>eyes </b>turned to me<b>, </b>even Ulrik¡¯s¨Cstill uneasy from yesterday¡¯s p.


    I shook my head slowly. ¡°It¡¯s inappropriate for me to cover the cost. Velda <b>is </b>Ulrik¡¯s new mate. The pack should fund it.¡±


    Turning to Ulrik, I <b>asked</b>, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, what¡¯s your <b>take</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Ulrik shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out myself. No need for your help.¡±


    With that, he left.


    The <b>room </b>fell silent, all eyes on me. I smiled. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±


    ¡°Adide<b>, </b>stay,¡± Rosemary said sharply. ¡°I know you¡¯ve petitioned Lycan King. It¡¯s improper. Velda as Ulrik¡¯s mate strengthens


    the pack¨Cit benefits you too.¡±


    I offered no rebuttal. ¡°As you say.¡±


    Satisfied, Rosemary continued, ¡°Then the million isn¡¯t much for you. Cover

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 10

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide nodded. ¡°Certainly, but I¡¯ll need Alpha Ulrik to sign an IOU first.¡±


    ¡°Absurd!¡± Rosemary snapped<b>. </b>


    Adide leaned in, her voice soft as she steadied Rosemary¡¯s back. ¡°Don¡¯t overexert yourself. Your herbs onlyst five days, and Shaman Digby won¡¯t return after that.¡±


    ¡°What did you <b>say</b><b>?</b>¡± Rosemary¡¯s


    bony ws dug into Adide¡¯s wrist, her moonstone bracelet biting into the skin.


    Luna Rosemary had forgotten Adide¡¯s Frostfang Alpha blood.


    As aura mounted, Adide¡¯s muscles instinctively tensed.


    Sabrina seized the moment, shoving Adide¡¯s shoulder. The second her fingers made contact, a wave of Alpha aura erupted


    from Adide.


    Sabrina stumbled backward, knocking over a chair. Her golden¨Ctipped ears red in terror, pupils shrinking to slits under the moonlight¨Cshe¡¯d caught the unmistakable scent of Alpha dominance.


    ¡°<b>You </b>you used aura on <b>me</b>?¡±


    Adide examined the red marks on her wrist, her pheromones lingering like an invisible caress.


    Rosemary gasped, releasing her grip as if she¡¯d touched burning opal, her withered <b>ws </b><b>trembling </b>in the air.


    ¡°Sabrina,¡± Adide said, adjusting her sleeve, her tone as calm as if discussing tomorrow¡¯s patrol. ¡°Shaman Digby <b>said </b>he won¡¯t


    return. If you doubt it, confront him yourself.¡±


    Sabrina stared at the fading temporary mark on <b>Adide¡¯s </b>neck¨Ca stark contrast to the meek Luna who once gently distributed


    cornflowers in the <b>pack </b>square.


    Her throaty usation dissolved <b>into </b>a reluctant <b>whimper</b>, <b>and </b>under Adide¡¯s cold gaze, she bowed her head.


    Rosemary let out a broken growl. ¡°How dare you suppress Sabrina with your Alpha <b>aura</b>?¡±


    Adide quirked a smile. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±


    Gazing at the blood moon outside<b>, </b><b>her </b>pupils slit like a wolf¡¯s in the moonlight, she added, ¡°Just remembered¨CFrostfang¡¯s


    s <b>daughter </b>isn¡¯t a wrist to be grabbed lightly.¡±


    With that, Adide turned and left, the room¡¯s <b>chaos </b><b>swallowed </b>by night.


    She immediately sent an Omega to fetch him, but Digby <b>didn¡¯t </b><b>appear</b><b>, </b>only sending a message <b>via </b>the duty healer.


    Rosemary refused to belleve Shaman Digby wouldn¡¯te. He¡¯d delivered medicine yesterday and detailed her condition.


    <b>avia </b>


    The message, delivered verbatim, nearly sent Rosemary into <b>a </b>rage.


    +15 Bonus


    The duty healer ryed Digby¡¯s message, ¡°Don¡¯t call me again. Bloodmoon¡¯s actions are disheartening. Treating wolves with


    such poor conduct makes me unhappy. As a rogue, <b>I </b>answer to no pack.¡±


    Rosemary fumed, ¡°She must¡¯ve ordered Digby to stop treating me. How heartless! When she bonded with Ulrik, I thought her


    gentle. But she¡¯s plotting my death without his medicine.¡±


    Alpha Isaiah stayed silent, clearly displeased<b>, </b>feeling Luna Adide had <b>grown </b>disobedient.


    He¡¯d expected a tantrum, not a cutoff of his mate¡¯s medicine¨Cthis was crossing a line.


    When Alpha Isaiah summoned his second son, Wilmot, the young wolf was gnawing on a dried deer bone.


    ¡°Bring Ulrik home,¡± Alpha Isaiahmanded, mming the oak table and sending moonstone dust drifting. ¡°By any means


    no more stress for your mother.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father!¡± Wilmot bolted out, aware Adide¡¯s ¡°outbursts¡± weren¡¯t baseless, but knowing his father prized pack dignity over


    truth.


    Sabrina, meanwhile, stormed to Adide¡¯s cottage¨Conly to find the door locked.


    ¡°Adide, get out here!¡±


    ¡°Think hiding will save you? In Bloodmoon, <b>you </b>stay hidden forever!¡±


    Beata¡¯s voice came from the door. ¡°You wanted your <b>things </b>back? Return them first, then talk.¡±


    Sabrina snapped, ¡°Why should I? She gave them to me. You don¡¯t take back gifts!¡±


    She¡¯d meant to return them¨Cuntil she realized how many of her jewels and dresses were gifts from Adide. Returning them


    would leave her with nothing decent.


    Beata¡¯s calm reply cut through her anger. ¡°Gifts don¡¯t give you leave to insult.¡±


    Speechless<b>, </b>Sabrina stormed off.


    Beata returned inside, furning. <b>¡°</b>Greedy <b>wolves</b>. <b>Where¡¯s </b>Lycan King¡¯s decree?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait either,¡± Adide said with a faint smile.


    ¡°Luna Rosemary won¡¯t me you. <b>You </b>honored her wishes¨C<b>Ulrik¡¯s </b>the <b>one </b>who broke the bond.¡±


    <b>Beata¡¯s </b><b>eyes </b>glistened. ¡°This is Bloodmoon¡¯s fault, not yours.¡±


    Adide sighed softly. ¡°<b>Serving </b>as Luna isn¡¯t the Frostfang Alpha bloodline¡¯s destiny.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 11

    Adide¡¯s POV


    After talking with Beata, she prepared afternoon tea for <b>me</b>.


    The ss container held homemade vani ice cream, its sweet scent mingled with fresh blueberries Beata <b>had </b>just picked.


    Our shadows on the basalt countertop were shattered by the loud crash of iron armor.


    ¡°Adide!¡± Ulrik¡¯s howl made the starlight chandelier above tremble. ¡°How long do you n to keep up


    this farce?¡±


    ¡°Beata,¡± I said, watching the melting ice cream¨Ca three¨Chourbor of love from Beata¨Cslip down the counter, ¡°clean


    ss. Ulrik and I need to talk.¡±


    Once Beata¡¯s footsteps faded upstairs, I looked up at the Alpha, his hackles <b>raised</b>. ¡°<b>Want </b>to discuss Shaman Digby?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s slit pupils burned crimson. ¡°How dare you?¡±


    up


    the


    I smirked, unleashing my wolf¡¯s aura.


    Why sh


    I? Maybe the Tenar family should ask why the most reputable shaman, Digby, refused to treat Luna Rosemary. His contract clearly states¨CIf the employer dishonors the healer, the contract may be voided.¡±


    ¡°Stop ying innocent!¡± Ulrik¡¯s wolf w hovered inches from my nose.


    ¡°I know you lied to Digby to stop him from treating my mother¨Call to sabotage my bonding with Velda. But this petty ckmail


    won¡¯t work.¡±


    He unleashed cedar pheromones, thick with Alpha aura. ¡°Adide, I warned you¨CI won¡¯t be threatened. You scheming she-


    wolf!¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯d known you were <b>this </b>maniptive and cruel, I¡¯d never have let you be Bloodmoon¡¯s Luna. I must¡¯ve been <b>blind</b>.¡±


    I lunged forward, my <b>nails </b>elongating into sharp points that pressed against his throat. The height difference forced me to look. up at him, my former mate.


    But the pheromones released from my nds were <b>as </b>cold <b>as </b>ice spikes piercing his pores. ¡°If you <b>hate </b>me so much, why won¡¯t


    you reject <b>me</b>?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, a suppressed wolfish howl caught in his throat¨Cthis question seemed to have never crossed his


    mind.


    ¡°What?¡±


    I enunciated each word clearly, ¡°I said, since you hate <b>me </b>this much, why won¡¯t you reject me? Because you can¡¯t. You im: Velda¡¯s your true mate, yet you won¡¯t sever our <b>bond</b>. The Moon Goddess forbids two mates¨Cso why cling to me?¡±


    +15 Bonus


    Ulrik froze<b>, </b>at a loss for words.


    ¡°Name your reasons<b>,</b>¡± I pressed, ¡°or I will. ¡®Failure to nurture offspring¡® sounds good¨Cor how about ¡®endangering family health¡°? Your mother¡¯s failing wolf spirit is tied to your poor choices.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s chest heaved, cedar musk soured with sulfur¨Ca sign his pheromones were fracturing


    His fingers absently rubbed the Bloodmoon sigil on his sleeve, fresh blood seeping from palm abrasions.


    ¡°I won¡¯t reject you,¡± he growled, Alpha rumbleced with exhaustion. ¡°Ask for anything else, but leave my mother out of this.¡±


    ¡°Coward,¡± I said clearly.


    ¡°Rejecting me brings you no benefits¨Conly risks. The Lycan King¡¯s warriors respect my father¡¯s legacy. You fear being branded heartless¨Cand losing his loyalists.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s face darkened.


    I continued, ¡°You want Velda to satisfy your wolf and your heart, yet demand a future too. But you can¡¯t have it all. Frostfang may be weakened, but it stands on its own¨Cwithout Bloodmoon¡¯s charity.¡±


    ¡°You underestimate me and overrate yourself,¡± I said.


    He crushed the sigil in his fist, metal edges carving deeper into his palm.


    I¡¯d struck a nerve<b>. </b>


    ¡°You don¡¯t <b>need </b>to lecture me. Velda <b>and </b>I bond by the Lycan King¡¯s decree. Name your price¨CI¡¯ll agree.¡±


    ¡°No price. I want nothing from you.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s frustration red. ¡°Honestly, Adide, I thought you¡¯d understand. Your father and brothers were warriors¨CI thought you¡¯d respect Velda.¡±


    ¡°<b>One </b>mate per wolf is the norm. Even with lovers <b>on </b>the <b>side</b><b>, </b>no one <b>bonds </b>with <b>two </b>at once. Yet you n to mark another <b>she- </b>


    wolf while our bond¡¯s unbroken. Expect me to smile at <b>that</b>?¡±


    Ulrik snarled, ¡°Then don¡¯t me me when I take this to Lycan Erasmus. Your defiance¡¯s treason.¡±


    ¡°Feel free to try. You <b>can </b>also seek out Luna Rosemary,¡± I said coolly.


    ¡°You think I <b>dare </b>not?¡±


    ¡°Goodbye and good riddance.¡± I couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°Don¡¯t regret this!¡±


    The door mmed so hard the wolf¨Chead carvings shuddered, leaving <b>scorch </b>marks from his residual <b>pheromones</b>.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 12

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik, you should budget better for your wedding¨Cneed a loan?¡± Adide¡¯s taunt followed him.


    Ulrik¡¯s boots paused on the marble, then quickened.


    He¡¯d rather video¨Ccall Velda about cost¨Ccutting than face her mocking silver¨Cblue gaze.


    Beata emerged from the kitchen. ¡°If Alpha Ulrik really asks for money, would you lend it?¡±


    Adide<b>, </b>massaging her aching jaw, replied, ¡°Of course¨Cat Wall Street rates. Due in full, with interest.¡±


    ¡°What if he doesn¡¯t repay?¡±


    ¡°Then daily debt collectors it is. Bloodmoon isn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    She nced toward the kitchen, where blueberry pancake aroma wafted. ¡°But he¡¯ll likely convince Velda to simplify the <b>ceremony</b>. <b>¡®</b><b>Bloodw </b>Medalist¡¯s modest wedding¡® sounds like good PR.¡±


    Adide suddenly eyed the ss jar on the counter. ¡°Any ice cream left?¡±


    ¡°Half tubs of strawberry and vani,¡± Beata brightened. ¡°I¡¯ll get them. The Frostfang guards deserve some too¨Cthey¡¯ve packed their suitcases in the garage, just waiting for Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decree to head home.¡±


    Beata¡¯s gloom lifted.


    <b>¡°</b>Yep, just waiting on the Royal Pack¡¯s orders. <b>Though </b>Ulrik might <b>ask </b>Velda¡¯s parents to reduce thepensation. Velda¡¯s


    generosity will probably agree¨Cshe¡¯s unlike other she¨Cwolves, after all.¡±


    Beata snorted. ¡°A million¨Cdorpensation? Does she think Bloodmoon¡¯s made of gold?¡±


    Adide hadn¡¯t told anyone yet about Lycan Erasmus¡¯s uing decree nullifying her bond with Ulrik¨Cexcept her Frostfang guards and Omegas.


    Her only worry¨CLycan Erasmus might never issue it.


    If <b>she </b><b>was </b>rejected or exiled, she¡¯d lose ess to Frostfang¡¯s assets.


    ¡°But why the dy?¡®


    ¡°Was Lycan Erasmus waiting until after their <b>bonding </b>ceremony?¡±


    The thought was torture<b>. </b>


    Beata¡¯s ears pricked. ¡°Tamara¡¯s <b>here</b>, with encrypted audit books.¡±


    ¡°Let her in,¡± Adide said, smoothing the silk cuffs of her shirt. The silver moon¨Cpatterned cufflinks gleamed coldly under the


    +15 Bonus


    floormp.


    The handover should <b>have </b>happened days ago, but with one thing after another cropping up these past few days, it had been postponed.


    Tamara, reluctant to take over the financial mess, entered.


    As the mate of a Bloodmoon Alpha family member, she sympathized with Adide.


    Simon insisted Velda would bring glory¨Chow the Western Tribe¡¯s surrender hinged on Velda¡¯s heroics.


    The royal pack elders remembered, which was why her merits secured the bonding decree.


    Her merits secured the bonding decree, so Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t arrange otherwise.


    <b>Now</b>, Lycan Erasmus <b>was </b>grooming young wolf generals; with Velda, the Tenar n now boasted three rising stars.


    Lycan Erasmus values this, especially with Adide, the Frostfang Alpha¡¯s daughter, whose lineage has served the royal pack


    with unmatched valor.


    ¡°Frostfang¡¯s served the royal pack well,<b>¡± </b>Adide said, sliding the ledger toward Tamara. ¡°Here¡¯s the current ount bnce.


    Annual rents are itemized. This year¡¯s ie is spent¨Cleaving $90k I loaned to the pack. I¡¯m reiming it. Any issues?¡±


    ¡°Reiming? The ount will <b>be </b>empty!¡± Tamara gasped.


    ¡°The Tenar family trusts should suffice,¡± Adide said. ¡°The Royal Pack¡¯s sry covers basics, especially with Alpha Ulrik¡¯s


    <b>recent </b>merits increasing his pay.¡±


    ¡°Why is Bloodmoon so strapped?¡± Tamara frowned.


    <b>She </b>was not doubting Adide. Before Adide joined Bloodmoon, the pack was struggling<b>. </b>


    The former Alpha disbanded and exiled some Omegas.


    <b>The </b>guards and servants Adide brought with her? She funded them <b>entirely</b>.


    Rosemary¡¯s meds too¨CAdide¡¯s the reason the pack¡¯s still afloat.


    Adide shrugged. ¡°Not sure.¡±


    She <b>knew </b>all too well. Rosemary¡¯s <b>chronic </b><b>illness </b>and costly herbs <b>had </b>drained the coffers.


    Poor <b>business </b><b>decisions</b>¨Cabandoned ventures and sold shops¨C<b>had </b>squandered what little remained.


    The only steady ie was Ulrik¡¯s royal sry.


    Tamara, aware of Bloodmoon¡¯s <b>pre</b>¨Cexisting financial struggles, <b>hesitated</b>. ¡°Adide, I really can¡¯t manage these ounts,¡± Tamara said, her voiceced with a headache. ¡°Getting the Alpha family to chip in? It¡¯s never easy.


    Adide smiled. ¡°No worries. Manage it temporarily. Once Velda bonds with Alpha Ulrik, she¡¯ll be Luna¨Chand the responsibility


    to her then.¡±


    <b>Tamara </b>relented, though noting Adide¡¯s newfound firmness beneath her politeness.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 13

    Adide¡¯s Poy


    After handing over pack management, I secluded myself.


    I only interacted with the Omegas and guards from <b>Frostfang</b>, even dining in my private kitchen.


    Meals were prepared by Omegas Ivy and Jessica<b>. </b>


    Recalling how I¡¯d disbanded the Frostfang guards and Omegas I¡¯d recruited, I knew Bloodmoon was in chaos.


    Tamara had to temporarily promote low¨Cranking wolves to fill patrol gaps.


    With the bonding ceremony approaching, guard shortages worsened.


    The recruits I¡¯d <b>trained </b>were long gone, and the remaining Omegas struggled to support the Tenar family.


    Word reached me that when Tamara reported to Rosemary, the old matriarch raged, demanding I fund the crisis.


    Vanya approached me next, but left without requesting more funds.


    Omega Jessica informed me Bloodmoon was <b>selling </b>assets.


    ¡°Expected theirst resort,¡± I said.


    <b>Jessica </b>fumed, ¡°When the pack was broke before, you used Frostfang assets. Why not sell shops now?¡±


    ¡°Not the same,¡± I smiled. ¡°Luna Rosemary¡¯s waiting <b>for </b>Velda and Alpha Ulrik to earn more merits. Then she¡¯ll reap the


    rewards.¡±


    Beata snorted. ¡°You used Frostfang wealth to sustain Bloodmoon, hoping Alpha <b>Ulrik¡¯s </b>merits <b>would </b>earn Lycan Erasmus¡¯s favor.


    But they used his merits to justify Velda.¡±


    I put down my pen. ¡°I was naive, hoping Lycan Erasmus¡¯s <b>decree </b>dissolving our bond woulde quickly. We could leave and


    escape their <b>drama</b>.¡±


    But days <b>passed </b>with no <b>word </b>from Lycan Erasmus.


    Rosemary¡¯s health worsened.


    Without Digby¡¯s herbs, her wolf spiraled.


    I relented, thinking if I let them part <b>amicably</b>, I could ask Digby to treat her¨Con their <b>dime</b>.


    Rosemary¡¯s <b>wolf </b>spirit was critically weakened. The entire <b>Alpha </b>family <b>was </b>preupied with her care.


    Ulrik finally <b>brought </b>a royal healer to stabilize <b>Rosemary</b>.


    +15 Bonus


    When he stormed into my house that night, I <b>was </b>awake.


    His half¨Cwolf form tore through the wards, cedar and blood hitting me at once.


    ¡°Guards, <b>Beata</b>¨C<b>leave</b>,¡± I ordered, my Alpha cars pricking


    ¡°Get Digby by next moonrise, or else,¡± he growled, his three¨Cmeter frame casting shadows, <b>venom </b>dripping from fangs.


    1 <b>bared </b>silver ws. ¡°Or else what?¡±


    He smashed a w into the wall. ¡°Or I reject and exile you!¡±


    I met his gaze. ¡°Exile?¡±


    ¡°Fully,¡± he sneered. ¡°You¡¯ve failed as Luna¨CI can reject and exile you!¡±


    ¡°Atst, you¡¯ll sever the mate bond,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for your rejection<b>.</b>¡±


    His slit pupils narrowed. ¡°Know this¨Cif I exile you, Frostfang¡¯s assets <b>stay</b>.¡±


    Iughed<b>. </b>¡°Keep <b>them</b>. Tomorrow, invite the <b>Davis </b>n elders and the original bond witness. Announce the rejection and exile-


    I¡¯ll leave immediately.¡±


    Ulrik jabbed his finger at me. ¡°Midday tomorrow. Be prepared!¡±


    He shattered the wall on his way out.


    Jessica <b>rushed </b>in, aghast. ¡°Luna Adide, if you¡¯re exiled, <b>he¡¯ll </b>steal Frostfang¡¯s wealth!¡±


    Beata¡¯s eyes <b>reddened</b>. ¡°Luna Aire gave you half <b>Frostfang¡¯s </b>assets!¡±


    I slumped in my chair, recalling his <b>vicious </b>look. My heart ached.


    I¡¯d be lying if I said I didn¡¯t expect anything <b>from </b>this year¨Cit was my mother who chose him as <b>my </b>mate, after all.


    ¡°Those assets may not leave with him,¡± I whispered. ¡°Exiling mees at a cost.


    ¡°True,¡± Jessica said. ¡°You¡¯ve managed the pack well. <b>Exiling </b>you so abruptly¨Cthe Royal Pack won¡¯t ignore it. The media will


    crucify him.¡±


    ¡°Fearless or <b>not</b>, he might <b>proceed</b>,¡± Beata worried.


    My concerny elsewhere¨CWould Lycan <b>Erasmus </b>reverse course?


    Cultivating new warriors might make him hesitate to nullify my bond with Ulrik


    But Frostfang¡¯s wealth was secure. Bank ounts and stocks could be transferred; family business shares were already in


    <b>Frostfang¡¯s </b>name.


    They¡¯d only get


    They¡¯d only get jewelry <b>and </b>furniture¨Closses, but not crippling.


    If Ulrik pushed this far, I¡¯d fight back..


    Jessica spat, ¡°You offered to call Digby for him?


    Worthless!¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 14

    Chapter <b>14 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Rosemary¡¯s bedroom glowed with crimson light throughout the night.


    When Ulrik announced his n to reject and exile Adide, former Alpha Isaiah objected first. ¡°Exiling her will make you a target


    for public outrage¨Cself¨Csabotage.¡±


    Simon added, ¡°Father¡¯s right. Many wolves loyal to Adide¡¯s father helped you earn your merits. Lose them, and your standing


    crumbles<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°But she ckmailed me with my mother¡¯s life!¡± Ulrik¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate this!¡±


    Rosemary, recovering from her illness, seethed at Adide¡¯s ¡°treachery.¡±


    She rasped, ¡°No¨Cshe must be exiled! Once gone, she won¡¯t take a penny of Frostfang¡¯s wealth.¡±


    Ulrik frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not after her money-


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    Rosemary clutched her aching chest. ¡°If she¡¯s exiled<b>, </b>her assets default to Bloodmoon. With that wealth, Digby¡¯s services are assured. You¡¯ve seen our empty coffers¨Cwe sold shops to fund your ceremonies!¡±


    Isaiah urged, ¡°Rosemary, focus¨Creputation or wealth? Choose wisely!¡±


    Posemary¡¯s face twisted in themplight. ¡°Lycan Erasmus needs new wolf generals. Even if the council criticizes you, Lycan


    Erasmus will only issue a p on the wrist.¡±


    Ulrik pressed, ¡°I <b>admit </b>this is rash, but I can¡¯t bear a selfish, jealous schemer as my Luna. I¡¯ve decided that even if it means scandal, the Southern Tribes need aid. Alpha Lance¡¯s stalled campaign cries for backup. If <b>Velda </b><b>and </b>I deliver victory there-


    His <b>eyes </b>ignited with fervor. The Southern Tribes war, dragging on for years, had imed all Frostfang¡¯s male Alphas.


    Alpha Lance¡¯s two¨Cyear stalemate offered <b>no </b>progress.


    A victory <b>under </b>Ulrik and <b>Velda¡¯s </b><b>leadership </b><b>would </b><b>honor </b><b>Alpha </b>Bentley and silence critics.


    ¡°I¡¯ll endure the bacsh temporarily,¡± he said. ¡°Trust Velda and <b>me</b>¨Cwe¡¯ll prove ourselves.¡±


    Isaiah and Simon <b>wavered</b>.


    Rosemary, triumphant, dered, ¡°Then exile her! She nearly killed me out of jealousy¨Conly the royal pack¡¯s healer saved me


    tonight.¡±


    <b>Greed </b>coiled <b>around </b>Rosemary¡¯s <b>heart </b>like a <b>viper</b>.


    She forgot Adide¡¯s year of devoted care, the public praise she¡¯d showered on <b>her </b>as a model Luna.


    ¡°Her wealth stays,¡± she hissed. ¡°Exile her to Frostfang¡¯s ruins¨Clet their scraps sustain her. We need her gold to secure Ulrik¡¯s


    +15 Bonus


    future.¡±


    Ulrik shook his head. ¡°I won¡¯t take her wealth.¡±


    Rosemary, <b>frantic</b>, snarled, her wolfish fangs elongating beyond her control, venom dripping from their tips.


    ¡°Absolutely not! Not a penny leaves with her! Someone¨Cfetch me that asset list now!¡±


    Ulrik lunged to intercept. ¡°Mother<b>, </b>please hear me I can¡¯t.¡±


    Rosemary, frantic, snarled, ¡°Don¡¯t be a fool! She used your mother as a bargaining chip!¡±


    Ulrik stood firm. ¡°A true Alpha doesn¡¯t seize a mate¡¯s pre¨Cnuptial assets. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll summon Adide¡¯s n elders and the


    original bond officiant for the rejection ritual.¡±


    ¡°The officiant <b>was </b><b>Sidney </b>Preston,¡± Isaiah frowned. ¡°Aire¡¯s cousin¨CAdide¡¯s elder<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Then we omit her,¡± Rosemary said<b>. </b>


    Ulrik said, ¡°I¡¯m going out for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Sote? Where to?¡± Simon asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m patrolling the pack borders,¡± Ulrik replied.


    He strode out, transforming mid¨Crun into a silver¨Cgray wolf, and headed straight for Velda¡¯s home.


    Knowing Velda despised cowards who <b>bully </b>she¨C<b>wolves</b>, he needed her to understand this wasn¡¯t about Adide¨Cit was about


    justice.


    A pebble tapped her window. Velda opened the <b>door </b>silently.


    Her room, adorned with enemy fangs, bathed in dim light.


    ¡°Ulrik, <b>what¡¯s </b><b>wrong</b>?¡±


    <b>The </b><b>Freeman </b>house was <b>modest</b>, <b>with </b>bedrooms nking <b>a </b><b>narrow </b>living room <b>and </b>a <b>small </b>yard out back.


    Velda kept <b>her </b><b>voice </b>low, wary of eavesdroppers.


    He gripped her shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m rejecting Adide. I need your support.¡±


    ¡°Rejecting her? Why<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Luna Rosemary¡¯s illness <b>worsened</b>. I called Digby, but he <b>refused </b>toe.¡±


    ¡°Is Luna Rosemary all right?¡± Velda asked urgently


    ¡°Stable now, <b>thanks </b>to the royal healer. But Digby¡¯s herbs are the <b>only </b>cure. Adide hired him¨CDigby¡¯s bound to her. She denies him <b>ess</b>, he refuses treatment.¡±


    Velda connected the dots instantly, ¡°So she¡¯s ckmailing you with your mother¡¯s health to stop our bonding¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 15

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +15 Bonus


    ¡°I¡¯ve already decided to reject her tonight, but rest assured, I won¡¯t take her wealth. I¡¯m not bullying <b>her</b>¨Cshe¡¯s gone too far,¡± Ulrik said, stroking the silver wolf¨Chead pendant at his throat, a symbol of his Alpha status.


    Velda¡¯s fingertips traced the oak table, leaving faint w marks in the moonlight.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about disrespect¨Cit¡¯s outright elder endangerment!¡±


    ¡°So you agree with rejecting her?¡± Ulrik pressed.


    Velda¡¯s pearl earrings gleamed in the night air.


    She weighed the consequences.


    Rejecting Adide posed risks to their future.


    But whenever she pictured Adide¡¯s striking face<b>, </b>a nameless agitation stirred within her.


    With that beauty and Frostfang¡¯s Alpha bloodline, there was no guarantee Ulrik wouldn¡¯t revert to old feelings.


    After all, their mate bond was still very much intact.


    If Ulrik exiled Adide and severed the mate bond, Velda would be Bloodmoon¡¯s sole Luna, Ulrik¡¯s only mate.


    She¡¯d always seen Adide as a tough opponent. Better to eliminate the threat once and for all.


    ¡°Given her malice, proceed as <b>nned</b>. As for <b>pre</b><b>¨C</b>nuptial assets¡­¡± she paused, ¡°under the Werewolf ord, exiled parties.


    forfeit ine Returning her wealth is grace, not taking it is right. But I¡¯ll stay out of it.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t take a penny,¡± Ulrik <b>insisted</b>.


    Velda¡¯s gaze softened, ¡°I know you¡¯re above her wealth. Besides, Bloodmoon¡¯s vast holdings make it irrelevant.¡±


    Ulrik, heartened, blurted, ¡°I¡¯ll also refund the pack <b>funds </b>she¡¯s covered this year.¡±


    Velda¡¯s smile froze. ¡°She subsidized the pack?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf <b>ears </b>twitched <b>beneath </b>his hair. ¡°<b>Rosemary¡¯s </b>meds are expensive. The pack¡¯s finances are strained¨Cshe¡¯s helped.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t Bloodmoon own three <bkes</b><b>?</b>¡± Velda¡¯s nails bit into her palm ¡°My father mentioned royal shop grantsst year<b>!</b>¡±


    ¡°True, but poorly managed¨Cthey¡¯re sold,¡± Ulrik said.


    Velda reeled. ¡°So Bloodmoon¡¯s ounts are <b>nearly </b>empty?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s temporary. Our future merits will bring more,¡± Ulrik said.


    +15 Bonus


    Ulrik was filled with visions of a shared future with Velda, convinced that their current struggles were but a fleeting phase,


    He held firm in the belief that Velda would stand by his side through these trials.


    Velda¡¯s thoughts darkened.


    She never imagined the once¨Cmighty Bloodmoon Pack could fall so far. It made sense, though. Ulrik¡¯s father and uncle held no significant positions, and his brother was unremarkable. The entire pack had relied on Ulrik¡¯s past military merits.


    Recalling the grandeur of Ulrik and Adide¡¯s bonding ceremony, Velda <b>had </b>assumed both packs <b>were </b>equally powerful.


    Now, it seemed Frostfang had bankrolled their bonding ceremony.


    If that were true, Adide¡¯s wealth must be substantial.


    Her stance shifted subtly. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she <b>said</b>, ¡°Returning all her assets would make you seem at fault.¡±


    Ulrik was taken aback. ¡°So you¡¯re saying?¡±


    Velda averted her gaze, her voice muffled. ¡°I just think returning half is already generous<b>.</b>¡±


    Ulrik froze. ¡°How can I take her wealth? As Alpha, how can I fund the pack with an exiled mate¡¯s assets?¡±


    Velda met his eyes, her gaze softening. ¡°Luna Rosemary needs costly medication. Our military merits won¡¯t yield rewards soon. Even our sries might not cover pack expenses.¡±


    She paused, then added hurriedly. ¡°And even if we keep amassing merits, it won¡¯t happen overnight. We can¡¯t let Luna Rosemary¡¯s condition worsen.¡±


    Ulrik felt a mix of disappointment and helplessness<b>. </b>


    But deep down, he knew Velda was <b>considering </b>his position.


    ¡°Velda, I¡¯ll handle it,¡± <b>he </b>said, warming to her support.


    ¡°I support whatever you decide,¡± she said.


    Ulrik embraced her. ¡°I promise <b>you¡¯ll </b><b>never </b>suffer.¡±


    Velda rested her head on his shoulder, sighing <b>inwardly</b>¨Cshe¡¯d swayed him to keep some of Adide¡¯s wealth.


    This wasn¡¯t greed, she told herself, gazing at the bloodmoon.


    Adide¡¯s ckmail deserved punishment.


    Let her learn <b>a </b>lesson.


    As their pheromones mingled<b>, </b>Velda unsped her silver <b>chain</b>.


    2

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 16

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Rejecting a Luna and exiling her <b>from </b>the pack isn¡¯t trivial.


    The next morning, Bloodmoon members began preparations.


    <b>As </b><b>a </b>union between two packs, their bonding followed <b>formal </b>traditions, and its dissolution required the same.


    Elders from both families, along with the wolf who officiated the original ceremony, must witness the rejection to confirm the


    Luna¡¯s breach of contract.


    Especially for packs like Bloodmoon and Frostfang, the process couldn¡¯t be a simple verbal deration by Alpha Ulrik.


    <b>On </b>the Davidson <b>side</b><b>, </b>Alpha Bentley had <b>no </b>direct heirs.


    For decades, Frostfang Alphas either died in battle or in infancy.


    Bentley¡¯s father had three sons<b>, </b>all killed in <b>war</b>.


    Bentley himself had six sons and a daughter, five of whom mated and had pups.


    But those pups <b>were </b>ughtered in an assassination half a year prior.


    Now Frostfang¡¯s Alpha bloodline survived only in Adide.


    However, Bentley¡¯s great¨Cgrandfather¡¯s line had split off to form their own <b>pack</b><b>, </b>with <b>the </b><b>retired </b>Alpha joining the council <b>to </b>


    manage Davidson affairs.


    <b>This </b>elder had handled the aftermath when Frostfang was attacked by Western Tribe defectors.


    Now Bloodmoon had summoned him for the rejection <b>and </b>exile.


    The Davidsons were divided on the alliance¨Csome sympathized with Adide, others coveted Frostfang¡¯s former glory.


    When Elder Halsey entered the council <b>hall</b>, her rage <b>was </b><b>palpable</b>.


    Hepletely disregarded the fact <b>that </b>Ulrik was a wolf <b>general </b>held in high esteem by the Lycan King.


    ¡°Alpha fickleness isn¡¯t new, but rejecting a Luna <b>days </b>after a temporary <b>mark</b>? And over a rogue she¨Cwolf? You¡¯ll answer to Lycan


    Erasmus today<b>!</b>¡±


    Isaiah, sensing Halsey¡¯s sulfurced fury, released calming pheromones, ¡°We¡¯ve invited a seer to witness this. Justice will be


    <b>served</b>.¡±


    ¡°Wait for Adide to speak¨Cdon¡¯t let Bloodmoon dictate the narrative,¡± Halsey snapped.


    Elder Halsey snapped, ¡°No matter the <b>reason</b>, Ulrik <b>shouldn¡¯t </b><b>have </b>treated Adide this way. She managed the <b>pack </b>and cared <b>for </b>


    #15 Bonus


    Luna Rosemary while he was away fighting in the northern tribes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait until everyone¡¯s here and discuss this calmly,¡± Ulrik said, his tone even.


    Bloodmoon had also summoned Elder Miriam.


    When informed of Ulrik¡¯s ns, Miriam had inwardly recoiled¨Crejecting his Luna now, especially Frostfang¡¯s Adide, would ruin his standing.


    But she quickly rationalised¨CDavidson¡¯s decline was inevitable. Frostfang¡¯s glory faded with no heirs left.


    Velda, as the first female general and favoured by Councilor rissa, had a bright future.


    With her support, Ulrik would rise.


    Moreover, Velda


    would never settle for being a lover or breeder, Bloodmoon had to choose sides.


    Adide¡¯s alleged disrespect provided grounds for rejection.


    Yet everyone <b>had </b>seen her dedication to the pack, her care for Rosemary.


    Ulrik¡¯s desire for two Lunas already broke tradition.


    Ulrik¡¯s reputation might take a hit after today.


    ¡°Where is she? Send someone to fetch her,¡± Rosemary snapped.


    As an Omega rushed out, a guard handed Ulrik a letter from Velda.


    Expecting her tofort him, he sighed¨Cshe still protected Adide, a lost cause.


    He opened it in the corridor, freezing mid¨Cstride. The letter<b>, </b>unmistakably Velda¡¯s script, demanded seizing half of Adide¡¯s assets, citing ¡°legal right.¡±


    ¡°Keeping half is mercy¨Cothers would take it all,¡± it concluded.


    <b>Ulrik</b><b>, </b><b>the </b>honorable Alpha, couldn¡¯t bear seizing his ex¨Cmate¡¯s pre¨C<b>nuptial </b><b>wealth</b>.


    The scandal would be ruinous.


    e ruinous.


    Distracted, he looked up to find Adide standing before him, silent as a ghost.


    The silent approach startled <b>him </b>into releasing his grip, the letter <b>fluttering </b>to the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t read that!¡± He snatched the letter, stuffing it into his sleeve.


    Adide¡¯s lips curled. ¡°How ¡®thoughtful¡® of Velda to ¡®<b>save</b>¡® me <b>half </b>my wealth.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s <b>not </b>what you <b>think-</b>¡± Ulrik stammered, cut <b>short </b>by the signature.


    Adide raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Then pray tell, Alpha¨Cwill my assets be fully returned after the rejection?¡±


    Without that letter, Ulrik would have vowed to return every penny, dence be damned.


    But Velda¡¯s demand hung over him.


    Adide¡¯s <b>smile </b>turned <b>sharp</b>. ¡°Hesitating? So you do have greed in you.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 17

    Adide¡¯s <b>POV </b>


    My voice was soft, but my pheromones carried the chill of silverfir¨Clike ice des slicing through the air.


    Ulrik froze, his suppressed whine choked off by my aura as I brushed past him.


    Halsey


    immediately asked, ¡°Adide, stand firm. I¡¯ll fight for your justice.¡±


    My eyes welled up as I bowed before her. ¡°I¡¯ve brought shame to the family¨CI failed.¡±


    ¡°Rise!¡± Her tailshed like a whip, silver fur revealing old battle scars. ¡°Even Frostfang¡¯sst pup deserves respect¨Cnot exile for keeping vows Blood Moon broke.¡±


    Her pheromones surged<b>, </b>rotting lcs flooding the room. ¡°Since you joined Bloodmoon, has any Tenar wolf cursed or harmed


    you?<i>¡± </i>


    I shook my head slowly. ¡°No.¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s fury boiled over. ¡°Then why attack me? Jealous of Velda? It¡¯s Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decree! Your jealousy¡¯s a sin¨Cwhat


    more do you want?¡±


    Halsey cut her off. ¡°The whole city knows she nursed you day and night!¡±


    Rosemary sneered. ¡°I thought her ¡®devotion¡® was sweet¨Cuntil she cut off Digby. That¡¯s attempted murder.¡±


    Halsey fell silent, momentarily stumped.


    ¡°Exile me,¡± I said coolly, ¡°but let me ask¨Cwhat about the pre¨Cnuptial assets I brought?¡±


    Rosemary coughed <b>lightly</b>. ¡°Bloodmoon doesn¡¯t cover your wealth, but byw, exiled wolves can¡¯t take all their assets. Considering you managed the pack for a year, <b>we¡¯ll </b>only retain 70%, leaving the rest for you.¡®


    ¡°Shameless!¡± Elder Halsey¡¯s pheromones red. ¡°This isn¡¯t about justice¨Cit¡¯s about scavenging from a fallen n. You¡¯re


    openly stealing from Adide<b>.</b>¡±


    Turning to Ulrik, she demanded, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, I respect your service to


    seize <b>seventy </b>percent of Adide¡¯s pre¨Cnuptial wealth?¡±


    he Lycan King Alme true¨Cdo you really <b>intend </b>to


    Ulrik stood at the doorway, avoiding my gaze. ¡°Fifty percent,¡± he said, scanning the room. ¡°I¡¯ll return half. Report me to Lycan King if you will¨Csee if my actions align with shifter traditions.¡±


    Halsey snarled, ¡°How greedy can you get?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s knuckles whitened around the crumpled letter. ¡°<b>Go </b>ahead¨Creport me.¡±


    A Beta handed him a parchment.


    +15 Bonus


    I nced at it¨Chis signature dered my exile.


    ¡°Hope you find your mate someday,¡± Ulrik said, his voiceced with irony. ¡°But learn honesty first.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the lesson,¡± I <b>said</b>, holding up the document. ¡°But thiscks the council¡¯s seal.¡±


    He looked away. ¡°I¡¯ll file it myself¡­ As for the assets, 50% is my final offer. <b>This </b>is on <b>you</b>.¡±


    I¡¯d already transferred core assets to Frostfang¡¯s offshore ounts. They¡¯d only get furniture and trinkets.


    I didn¡¯t want to wait any longer. I suspected Lycan Erasmus <b>was </b>dying until Velda and Ulrik formalize their bond.


    ¡°No <b>price </b>is too high to see Bloodmoon¡¯s true colors,¡± I said.


    Ulrik paled. ¡°Stop provoking me-¡±


    ¡°Or what? Take 90%?¡± I challenged. ¡°Leave enough to keep me from starving.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed twice, his fingers nervously twisting the edge of the agreement.


    ¡°<b>50</b>% is final,¡± he insisted<b>, </b>his knuckles whitening. ¡°I¡¯ve dyed you a year¨C<b>I</b><b>¡­</b>¡±


    ¡°Drop the act,¡± I said. ¡°Want the money? Just take it.¡±


    Rosemary turned to Halsey, her voice shrill. ¡°See her attitude?!<b>¡± </b>


    Halsey¡¯s beard trembled. ¡°She¡¯s kinder than you deserve.¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s chest heaved. ¡°Adide, hand over the asset list!¡±


    I pulled out the real list from my sleeve, the paper snapping crisply. ¡°You have a copy¡ªwhy mine?¡±


    ¡°Hand it over, or leave empty¨C<b>handed</b>,¡± Rosemary snapped.


    Halsey¡¯s staff mmed the <b>floor</b>. ¡°<b>You- </b>


    I stared at Rosemary, struck suddenly by the absurdity of it all¨Chow had I spent the past year keeping vigil by her bedside, begging shamans for help, and footing her medical bills<b>, </b>all for <b>someone </b>like her?


    I tossed the list at <b>Ulrik</b><b>, </b><b>the </b>pages fluttering to his chest. ¡°Here.¡±


    The asset list was practically pressed against Ulrik¡¯s chest¨Cwithin arm¡¯s reach if he chose to take it.


    Take it i


    ¡°Take it,¡± Rosemary urged. ¡°End this


    today.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 18

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I flicked the edge of the list, letting it dangle tauntingly as Ulrik reached for it¨Conly for me to yank it back.


    A cedar tang burst from my nape, Alpha pheromones flooding the air.


    Ulrik¡¯s pupils slit, his knuckles elongating into wolf ws.


    I sidestepped his grasp, my moonstone ne suddenly searing hot¨Ca sign Frostfang¡¯s Alpha bloodline was awakening.


    ¡°Come and take it,¡± I said, letting the list slip into the gale of my aura.


    Ulrik¡¯s shoulders cracked with the sound of bone shifting


    His lea


    His leap left granite floor splintered, irond muscles straining <b>against </b>his uniform.


    As his fist whistled past my temple, I bit my lip, fangs piercing flesh.


    My wsshed out.


    Ulrik¡¯s punch veered at thest second, shattering a blue porcin <b>vase </b>behind me..


    I seized his wrist, my nails¨Chardened into des¨Cpressing against his pulsing vein. ¡°Did yourbat trainer never teach you?¡± I taunted. ¡°Never go easy on a Frostfang wolf.¡±


    He headbutted me, his fangs grazing my earlobe as I dodged.


    In <b>one </b>fluid motion, I flipped him to the ground..


    <i>¡°</i>Still figh


    fighting?¡± I felt his ws coiling at my <b>waist</b><b>. </b>¡°I could slit your throat thrice before you fully shift.¡±


    Elder Halsey¡¯s staff mmed the floor. ¡°Enough! Frostfang¡¯s daughter doesn¡¯t turn her fangs on kin.¡±


    <i>The </i>n


    moment I released him, Ulrik rolled me aside.


    Propping himself up, he rasped, ¡°<b>You</b>¡­ can fight?¡±


    ¡°Not masterfully,¡± I said, my ws retracting.


    aid, my ws retracting-


    I channeled my wolf, Alpha aura scattering leaves into des.


    ¡°Watch closely.¡±


    The leaves swirled into a de¨Cstorm.


    Ulrik, half¨Cshifted<b>, </b><b>raised </b><b>his </b><b>ws</b>¨Ca futile <b>dance</b>.


    Then he froze, three fresh scratches bleeding on each cheek.


    +15 Bonus


    Ulrik stared at me, chest heaving.


    He¡¯d never seen this side of his meek mate.


    ¡°Why hide this skill?¡±


    I clutched the asset list, a faint smile ying on my lips.


    With a flick of my wrist, I flung it into the air. As it descended, the parchment shredded into a flurry of paper¨Clike snowkes drifting through winter.


    Rosemary¡¯s voice quivered. ¡°You tore <b>the </b>list! Fine! Leave¨Cempty¨Chanded!¡±


    1 smiled lightly. ¡°The things I want? No one stops me.¡±


    She lunged, Beta support at her side. ¡°Touch anything, and I¡¯ll report you to the royal council!¡±


    She turned and shrilled at the Omega, ¡°Get her out of here! And none of the Omega¡¯s or her wolf guards leave either¨Cthey¡¯re


    Bloodmoon wolves now!¡±


    The Bloodmoon guards exchanged nces, ready to act, when a cry echoed from outside, ¡°Beta Fabian¡¯s here!¡±


    The room froze. Rosemary straightened her cor. ¡°Quick, prepare to receive him!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s Beta, Fabian, strode in, nked by royal guards.


    Ulrik opened his mouth, but Fabian silenced him.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decree for Miss Davidson<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Rosemary <b>sneered</b>. ¡°She¡¯s no longer our Luna¨CUlrik rejected her<b>.</b>¡±


    Fabian nced at her, then fixed Ulrik with a cold stare. ¡°Is this true?¡±


    Ulrik confirmed, ¡°I¡¯ve rejected and exiled her, witnessed by both ns.¡±


    Fabian¡¯s smile faded. ¡°Irrelevant. Lycan Erasmus¡¯s will <b>prevails</b>.¡±


    Turning to me, he dered, ¡°By royal <b>decree</b>, <b>Alpha </b>Bentley¡¯s merits <b>grant </b>his heirs a hereditary <b>seat </b>on the King¡¯s Council. Miss


    Davidson, <b>you </b>may <b>inherit </b>this seat or nominate a Frostfang member.¡±


    Halsey choked back a sob. I <b>saw </b>her wipe a tear.


    Rosemary¡¯s moonstone pendant shattered in the sunlight.


    Fabian continued, ¡°Regarding Miss Davidson¡¯s appeal¨CUlrik Tenar vited the mate bond. The council annuls your bond. The


    Tenar and Davidson ns are <b>severed</b>, with no further interference.¡±


    As thest word fell, autumn wind swept dead leaves across the courtyard.


    I <b>watched </b>Ulrik¡¯s rigid back, his fingers absently rubbing the Bloodmoon sigil.


    Rosemary gagged, choked by invisible hands.


    Beata stood by with a wooden box, its military medals pressing into my palm¨CFrostfang¡¯s pride, never to be trampled.


    ¡°Congrattions, Miss Davidson,¡± Fabian murmured.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 19

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I knelt on one knee, my spine finally rxing.


    The decree from Lycan Erasmus arrivedte, but it arrived.


    ¡°Thanks, Lycan Erasmus, for his mercy!¡± As my words fell, the coolness of the ground beneath my palm, mixed with the scent of


    withered leaves from the courtyard, was oddly reassuringpared to Bloodmoon¡¯surel fragrance.


    Ulrik stood rigid in my peripheral vision, his face ashen.


    He opened his mouth but no sound emerged¨CI knew he was shocked, confused, perhaps even recalling all my patience and concessions over the past year.


    But those spections <b>no </b>longer concerned me. My gaze was fixed on the parchment in Fabian¡¯s hand, the gilded wolf¨Chead crest gleaming warmly in the autumn sun.


    Rosemary suddenly clutched my sleeve, her nails digging painfully into the fabric.


    ¡°Adide<b>, </b>it was all a misunderstanding!¡± Her voice carried unprecedented urgency, ¡°I thought you were trying to stop Ulrik and Velda, so I-¡±


    I gently withdrew my arm, putting half a step between us.


    Her grip lingered on the sleeve, but it no longer swayed me.


    ¡°If it¡¯s a misunderstanding, rity would suffice,¡± I said, turning to Fabian with a smile. ¡°Beta Fabian, once Frostfang is resettled, do <be </b>by for Beata¡¯s baking¨Cher honey scones earned praise even from Lycan <b>Luna</b>.¡±


    <b>Fabian </b>nodded, his eyes holding a hint of <b>relief</b>. ¡°Lycan Erasmus specifically mentioned Frostfang¡¯s Packhouse has been renovated to your <b>childhood </b>memories. The construction department worked for thirty days straight¡±


    He lowered <b>his </b><b>voice</b>. ¡°Luna rissa often spoke of you, mentioning how you used to <b>hide </b>candied berries under her pine <b>desk </b>as


    a child.<b>¡± </b>


    My throat tightened. Staring at the cobblestones, I <b>watched </b>autumn sunlight cast slender <b>shadows </b>in the cracks.


    ¡°Thank Lycan Erasmus for me<b>,</b>¡± <b>I </b><b>said</b>, lifting my head to find <b>Rosemary </b><b>watching </b>me.


    Her eyes <b>swirled </b>with emotions I couldn¡¯t <b>decipher</b>¨Cperhaps regret, <b>perhaps </b>resentment, but none mattered anymore.


    ¡°Once, I was Bloodmoon¡¯s <b>Luna</b>,¡± I nodded slightly at Rosemary, ¡°<b>and </b>naturally followed its rules. Not anymore.¡±


    Before she could <b>speak</b>, I turned <b>toward </b>Beata, who <b>waited </b>with a wooden box.


    <b>Inside </by my father¡¯s medals and my <b>mother¡¯s </b><b>silver </b>wolf¨C<b>head </bb.


    +16 Bonus


    Ulrik suddenly blocked my path, his gaze asplex as northern winter snow.


    ¡°Did you n to leave ever since 1 asked <b>Lycan </b>Erasmus to approve my bond with Velda?¡±


    His voice, low and raspy, carried a vulnerability I¡¯d never <b>heard </b>before. ¡°What exactly can¡¯t you ept her?¡±


    ¡°Why am I ept <b>her</b>?¡± I looked up, watching the Bloodmoon sigil on his chest <b>sway </b>in the breeze. ¡°ept your broken vows? A


    hollow title? Or a lifetime of pretense in Bloodmoon?¡±


    My lips curled. ¡°Ulrik, we both know some things shouldn¡¯t be trampled once vowed.¡±


    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. ¡°Not a single shred of regret?¡±


    His voice was a whisper. ¡°This year¡­ what about us?¡±


    ¡°Regret what?¡± I cut in, tracing the gilded script on the parchment. ¡°<b>There¡¯s </b>nothing to regret. From the moment you broke your


    oath, you meant <b>nothing </b>to me.¡±


    Recalling his usations, my tone turned sharp. ¡°Velda ims she¡¯s above jealousy, but I won¡¯t even waste breath exining


    ¡°above¡± to her.¡±


    As I turned, my whip cracked against the stone steps. ¡°Ulrik, some paths end not from jealousy, but from pride¨Cthe daughter of Frostfang¡¯s Alpha doesn¡¯t kneel for crumbs of a heart.¡±


    ???


    The courtyard wind suddenly rose, carrying Rosemary¡¯s plea and Ulrik¡¯s silence into the autumn sun.


    Beata draped a leather coat over my shoulders, her touch warm and unchanged.


    A chapter of life in Bloodmoon was closing


    Ahead, Frostfang¡¯s banner would fly proud, and 1, bearing the Davidson legacy, would stride into broader horizons.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Halsey said, wiping her <b>tears </b><b>as </b>she rose with a <b>cane</b>.


    Her figure stood firm in the autumn <b>sun</b>.


    The elder invited by Bloodmoon slipped away in the chaos, her skirt brushing the threshold with a sigh.


    The Tenar family stood rooted in the courtyard. Ulrik¡¯s hand was clenched, his knuckles pressed against the Blood Moon


    medallion


    I <b>knew </b><b>what </b><b>they </b><b>were </b>staring at the gilded word on the <b>parchment</b>¨Ca sharp needle piercing theirst <b>shred </b>of hope for Frostfang¡¯s wealth


    ¡°Large furniture can¡¯t be moved <b>today</b>,¡± I <b>said </b><b>as </b>Omega Jessica directed packing ¡°Send a truck tomorrow¨Cnot a single nail left


    for them.¡±


    ¡°<b>Yes</b><b>, </b>even the storage <b>jars </b><b>need </b><b>inventory</b>,¡± <b>Beata¡¯s </b><b>eyes </b><b>sparkled</b>. ¡°Every <b>de </b>of grass from Frostfang deserves toe home.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I <b>said</b>, taking the leather jacket from Beata. Passing through the courtyard, <b>Ulrik </b>still stood motionless, a soulless


    statue.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 20

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The Frostfang wolves loaded their luggage into trucks, their convoy rolling through Bloodmoon¡¯s iron gates with finality.


    No one from Bloodmoon dared to stop them¨C<b>Lycan </b>Erasmus¡¯s decree had taken effect.


    Adide, now Frostfang¡¯s Alpha and heir to a royal council seat, left with the blessing of the Moon Goddess¡¯s council, far beyond


    the Tenar n¡¯s reach.


    After a long silence, Isaiah, Ulrik¡¯s father, murmured<b>, </b>¡°Adide would¡¯ve made a fine Luna. She managed the pack well.¡±


    Tamara turned to Ulrik. ¡°What did you see in Velda? How is <b>she </b>better than Adide?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s throat tightened as he recalled Velda¡¯s letter¨Cthe one demanding half of Adide¡¯s wealth.


    He remembered her words, ¡°Hesitating? So you do have greed in you.¡±


    Tamara sighed<b>. </b>¡°Velda won¡¯t care for Luna Rosemary 1


    like Adide did. Adide slept in her room every night.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was all an act,¡± Ulrik said, his voice tinged <b>with </b>reluctant doubt.


    ¡°An act deserves credit,¡± Tamara said sharply.


    Tamara knew Velda <b>wouldn¡¯t </b>take responsibility for caring for Rosemary. Odds were it would fall to her. ¡°Hopefully, Velda <b>will </b>at


    least put on a show,¡± she muttered.


    Ulrik insisted firmly, ¡°Velda will honor <b>Luna </b>Rosemary.


    Tamara snorted. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±


    Sabrina chimed in, ¡°If you miss her so much, why not just go after her?¡±


    Tamara shot <b>her </b>a re. ¡°Adide treated me kindly¨Cgifts <b>and </b>all. Unlike some who take bribes and stab in the back.¡±


    She left, ignoring Sabrina¡¯s flushed anger.


    Tamara¡¯s <b>frustration </b>simmered as <b>she </b>juggled <b>pack </b><b>finances</b>¨CBloodmoon was nearly insolvent.


    As dusk settled <b>over </b>the Mirror Lake, its <b>surface </b><b>reflected </b>the bloodmoo¡¯s glow. The temporary mark on Ulrik¡¯s nape, still healing, throbbed faintly.


    Velda¡¯s pine scent,ced with snowstorm cold, <b>couldn¡¯t </b><b>mask </b>the silvermoon grass lingering on <b>his </b>cor.


    Velda was unaware of the day¡¯s upheaval. Expecting Ulrik to brief her on the progress of rejecting Adide, she was met with his


    <b>tense </b>silence.


    Unable to contain her impatience, she stopped. ¡°Is it done? Did you secure half her assets?¡±


    +15 Bonus


    The sunset¡¯s light bathed her wheat¨Ccolored skin. Ulrik was suddenly reminded of Adide¡¯s pale face<b>, </b>a sharp pain striking his


    chest.


    Ulrik¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you insane?¡± Velda¡¯s bone ws suddenly elongated half an inch, raking deep <b>grooves </b>into the maple tree.


    ¡°I specifically sent a message emphasizing we need to secure at least half,¡± she snarled. ¡°You know Bloodmoon¡¯s finances are a


    disaster. Without the funds, how will we survive?¡±


    Ulrik met her gaze <b>steadily</b>. ¡°It¡¯s her wealth, not mine. Velda, are <b>you </b>afraid of a simpler life?<b>¡°</b>¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± Velda turned away, a flicker of calction in her eyes. ¡°I just want us to focus on building our future without


    financial distractions.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll manage,¡± he said softly.


    Velda whirled <b>around</b>. ¡°So she took everything?¡±


    Seeing her disappointment, Ulrik felt a chill.


    ¡°Beta Fabian witnessed it. She <b>petitioned </b>Lycan Erasmus to void the <b>bond</b>.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She said she disdains it,¡± Ulrik said tly.


    Velda sneered. ¡°Disdain? Who does she think she is?¡±


    ¡°Adide¡­.¡± <b>Ulrik¡¯s </b><b>voice </b><b>was </b>expressionless. ¡°Beta Fabian brought Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decision¨Cshe¡¯s now Frostfang¡¯s Alpha.


    <b>She¡¯ll </b>join the royal council <b>as </b><b>an </b>elder, and can even <b>nominate </b>her mate for a seat.¡±


    Velda¡¯s eyes <b>widened </b>in shock. ¡°Why <b>would </b>Lycan <b>Erasmus </b>do <b>this</b>? Her mate gets a seat too? So she goes from exile to-¡±


    From outcast to the <b>most </b><b>sought</b>¨Cafter she wolf <b>overnight </b>


    ¡°<b>Velda</b><b>, </b>she <b>can </b>fight,¡± Ulrik said, watching crimson leaves drift on theke. He <b>recalled </b><b>how </b>Adide <b>had </b>used her pressure to


    turn <b>leaves </b>into des.


    Velda snorted. <b>¡°</b>pping someone?¡±


    ¡°<b>Today</b>, she <b>used </b>her <b>aura </b>to lift leaves and scratched my <b>face</b><b>,</b>¡± Ulrik <b>said</b>. ¡°<b>No </b>need to pluck them¨Cshe turned falling leaves into weapons.¡±


    Velda <b>sneered</b>. ¡°Leaf des<b>? </b>Impossible¡±


    ¡°Not <b>impossible</b>,¡± <b>Ulrik </b>said. ¡°She nearly drew blood today.¡±


    Ulrik fell silent, too humiliated to recount the day¡¯s events.


    Velda pressed, ¡°Is it true or not?


    Ulrik sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s drop it¡±


    Velda punched his arm. ¡°Knew you¡¯d dodge. Fine, but admit it¨Cher underhanded tricks are beyond you.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 21

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda smirked. ¡°I can¡¯t mimic her meekness. But if I were to <b>pretend </b>to be sweet <b>and </b>coo¡­¡±


    She crossed her arms, <b>forced </b>a sugary grin, and drawled, ¡°Honey¡­¡±


    She shuddered dramatically. ¡°Ugh, goosebumps! How does she stand being so


    fake?¡±


    Ulrik shuddered too, but the act reminded him of Adide her gentle voice always firm, her posture <b>straight </b>as a wolf¡¯s pride


    g, never bending to please.


    Velda strode onto the boardwalk, herbat boots tapping sharply.


    It was a pity they couldn¡¯t keep half her assets, but with Adide gone, Velda would be the undisputed Luna.


    She no longer had to persuade herself with the title of ¡°secondary mate.¡±


    Ulrik stayed <b>behind</b>, sitting on akeside bench.


    <b>The </b>parchment he received that afternoon zed like <b>a </bser, piercing through his mental fog.


    Memories, buried by battle and ambition, surfaced slowly<b>¨C</b>ripples on theke <b>bringing </b>fragments to light.


    He remembered the first time he saw Adide at a werewolf gathering, <b>standing </b>by a floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, conversing with


    elders.


    When <b>he came </b>to <b>Frostfang </b>to court her, <b>she </b>sat on a leather <b>sofa</b>, twirling her father¡¯s old badge. ¡°<b>I </b>want a mate who honors wolf


    <b>traditions</b>¡ªno lovers, no breeders. <b>Can </b>you do that?¡±


    He¡¯d pledged his life to her then, his heart swelling with <b>pure </b>joy.


    He <b>recalled </b>the wedding preparations, the emergency orders on the day of their bonding ceremony.


    When he <b>said </b>goodbye to Adide at the pack <b>borders</b>, the <b>heart</b>¨Cwrenching <b>reluctance </b>he still vividly <b>remembered</b>.


    At that time, <b>his </b><b>mind </b>was filled with the iplete <b>bonding </b><b>ceremony</b>¨Che was supposed to fully mark her in the bedroom, yet all he <b>could </b>do was watch her figure <b>grow </b><b>smaller </b>in the distance, the white hem of her dress lifted by the airflow, like a silver wolf eager to spread its wings.


    Later<b>, </b>as the campaign <b>against </b>the Northern Tribe <b>progressed</b>, many wolf warriors perished.


    He didn¡¯t <b>know </b>when his turn would <be</b>, and at that <b>moment</b>, he stopped thinking about Adide, focusing instead on strategizing with <b>Velda </b>and the wolf warriors on how to defeat the enemy.


    He witnessed Velda shift into a massive <b>gray </b>wolf, her <b>ws </b><b>bared </b>against the Northern Tribe¡¯s wolves.


    In <b>that </b>moment, he realized female wolves could be so powerful.


    +15 Bonus


    He began to see Adide¡¯s carefully coordinated scarves and handmade cooldes as relics of a parallel world.


    On nights in the trenches eatingpressed rations, he preferred listening to <b>Velda </b>analyze enemy fortifications, watching her


    dagger trace <b>attack </b>routes in the sand, her eyes reflecting <b>determination</b>.


    He fell for Velda when she shared her beliefs: <b>female </b>wolves needed no special protection¨Cstrength was its own shield


    Her confidence, her sharp analysis of battle <b>ns</b>, <b>her </b>unwavering gaze¨Cshe was everything Adide wasn¡¯t.


    Her noble life, he understood, was safeguarded by the blood of wolf warriors.


    He conveniently forgot the seven graves in Frostfang¡¯s cemetery, bearing Adide¡¯s family names.


    <b>Returning </b>to Frostfang, Adide walked past the Packhouse.


    The pack grounds bore signs of renovation. The Packhouse <b>and </b><b>the </b><b>Alpha </b><b>and </b>Beta residences had all been refitted with new doors, erasing all traces of blood and w marks.


    Even the bloodstains on the walls, those that refused to wash away, had been covered with a coat of whitewash.


    Elder Halsey had called in favors from distant n members to help unload <b>and </b>organize the moving truck.


    After the bustle died down<b>, </b>Halsey and Adide strolled the za.


    Frostfang used to be lively and bustling, but now it <b>was </b>eerily quiet.


    <b>Halsey </b>said, ¡°Frostfang¡¯s yours to rebuild. The Omegas <b>are </b>just <b>the </b>few you brought from Bloodmoon, and the wolf guards are rmingly few. You need to <b>recruit </b>new members. I can help with the Omegas.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Adide said. ¡°Jessica and Ivy will handle it.¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all. We¡¯re <b>Davidson </b>kin,¡± <b>Halsey </b><b>sighed</b>. ¡°Your father, Alpha <b>Bentley</b>, used to <b>share </b>battle stories. We were so


    proud of him. Now, no Davidsons step into the arena.¡±


    Adide fell silent. ¡°Honores in many forms.¡±


    ¡°Sever ties with the Tenars,¡± Halsey warned at the pack¡¯s edge.


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°One <b>day</b>, Ulrik will regret this.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± <b>Adide </b>said firmly. ¡°But I don¡¯t <b>care</b><b>.</b>¡±


    Halsey nodded approvingly and <b>turned </b>to leave Frostfang


    <b>Adide </b>returned to the Packhouse and tasked Jessica with recruiting new Omegas <b>for </b>the pack, emphasizing the need for careful


    selection.


    Adide still <b>resided </b>in <b>her </b>old house, which bore no traces of renovation.


    <b>Since </b>her departure for Bloodmoon, it had stood empty, save for routine cleaning.


    The year with Bloodmoon felt like a nightmare.


    Had she not be Alpha Ulrik¡¯s Luna, her family¡¯s fate might have been different.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 22

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling.


    Rebellious since childhood, <b>I¡¯d </b>never obeyed¨Cexcept that one time.


    I followed my mother and brothers¡® mates, learning to be a Luna, managing the pack<b>, </b>abandoningbat books, and ditching my dreams of bing a wolf warrior.


    I learned quickly. Mother said if I couldn¡¯t be the best female Gamma<b>, </b>I¡¯d excel <b>as </b>a Luna.


    But she was wrong. I was wrong.


    I should¡¯ve kept rebelling. Then I wouldn¡¯t be alone now.


    I still didn¡¯t understand why the Western Tribe rogues did this.


    The official story¨CAlpha Bentley¡¯s defeat shamed them, <b>driving </b>their revenge.


    But it doesn¡¯t add up.


    The rogues¡® survival near the Royal pack wasn¡¯t easy.


    If they could infiltrate that deeply, their priority <b>would </b>be intelligence¨Cnot exposure.


    The Western Lycan King wouldn¡¯t order such senseless bloodshed.


    The truth was buried.


    I was reminded of my father and brothers, grief and anger swell


    swelling.


    They reimed the Southern Territory but couldn¡¯t hold it, dying honorably in battle.


    If Alpha Lance avenged them by <b>reiming </b>the South, it would fulfill <b>their </b>legacy.


    My first night back in <b>Frostfang </b><b>was </b>sleepless.


    <b>Visions </b>of my family¡¯s murder haunted my <b>dreams</b>.


    Iy wide¨C<b>eyed </b>until dawn.


    The next day, managing pack <b>affairs </b>in the Packhouse, Beata informed <b>me</b><b>, </b>¡°Elder Halsey <b>and </b>some wolves went to Bloodmoon to retrieve belongings.¡±


    I nodded, but said <b>nothing</b>.


    I no longer <b>cared </b>about <b>Bloodmoon</b>.


    +15 Bonus


    After a pause, Beata said, ¡°We brought back the high¨Cend furniture and decorations we took to Bloodmoon.¡±


    ¡°Luna Rosemary¡¯s inconsble, cursing us <b>as </b>selfish thieves,¡± <b>she </b>added,


    I snorted. ¡°She¡¯s just upset about the assets. If she keeps this up<b>, </b>every pack will know Bloodmoon¡¯s reputation is in tatters.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Adide, you¡¯re right. Elder Halsey pointed that out, and Rosemary fell silent. But Ulrik said something.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He said, ¡°Hope you don¡¯t regret this.¡±


    ¡°Regret?¡± I smiled faintly. ¡°I regret not rejecting him a year ago.¡±


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Once Adide¡¯s belongings were removed, Rosemary seethed, ¡°He took everything! Bloodmoon can¡¯t even afford


    now!¡±


    my


    medicine


    Ulrik, though <b>uneasy</b>,forted her, <b>¡°</b>The Southern front will <b>need </b>Velda <b>and </b><b>me </b>soon. <b>We¡¯ll </b>return with new merits<b>.</b>¡±


    Rosemary <b>wailed</b>, ¡°How could she be so heartless? Just because she¡¯s not a lover? Does she think she¡¯s the Lycan King¡¯s


    daughter?¡±


    Uirik¡¯s mouth opened, but no words came.


    Adide¡¯s newfound influence, backed by the Lycan King¡¯s <b>decree</b>, was undeniable.


    ¡°Good riddance to her family!¡± Rosemary spat.


    Ulrik also found it strange that the Western rogues had ughtered Frostfang¡¯s Alpha family, including the defenseless she-


    wolves and pups.


    Why would Western rogues ughter defenseless she¨Cwolves and <b>pups</b>?


    It was <b>an </b>act with no strategic value.


    But Frostfang¡¯s <b>affairs </b><b>no </b><b>longer </b><b>concerned </b><b>him</b>, <b>and </b><b>he </b><b>refused </b>to <b>get </b><b>involved</b>.


    <b>Adide </b>would regret this<b>. </b>Ulrik had considered helping her <b>investigate </b>when he first learned about the massacre, but she


    refused the <b>opportunity</b>.


    <b>The </b><b>removal </b>of <b>valuable </b>furniture left Rosemary heartbroken.


    Spotting <b>Tamara </b><b>observing </b>from the porch, she snapped, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop them?¡±


    Tamara replied coolly, ¡°I won¡¯t stoop to such shame.¡±


    Rosemary red, ¡°Are you defying me <b>too</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Tamara, recalling Adide¡¯s year of diligent leadership versus Rosemary¡¯s current venom, felt a chill. ¡°Adide honored you. Look what it got her. Hope Velda treats you the same.¡±


    ¡°She will!¡± Rosemary hissed. ¡°Don¡¯t speak of that bitch! If she were truly filial, she¡¯d ensure my medicine.¡°.


    Tamara rified, ¡°Adide didn¡¯t cut your medicine. Shaman Digby refused to return, deeming the Tenar n dishonorable.¡±


    Sabrina erupted, ¡°How dare you side with outsiders against your own <b>mother</b>? Alpha Ulrik will reject you when he hears of this!¡±


    Tamara, knowing the Tenar n¡¯s selfishness, thought of her own plight.


    <b>Unlike </b>Adide, if she were rejected, she¡¯d be a rogue with nowhere to go.


    ¡°Fine, I was wrong,¡± Tamara said, turning to leave.


    Ulrik noticed her fleeting panic¨Ca look he recognized all too well.


    He consoled himself, thinking things would improve once Velda and he earned new merits.


    ¡°Adide <b>will </b>regret this,¡± he muttered.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 23

    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    Before Christmas, the Bloodmoon Pack formally held the bonding ceremony for Ulrik and Velda.


    As the future Luna of Bloodmoon, Velda¡¯s ceremony drew significant attention.


    Despite prior controversy surrounding Adide and Ulrik¡¯s dissolved bond, the pair remained recognized by Lycan Erasmus.


    Numerous wolf generals and royal members attended, filling the banquet hall with elegance and buzz.


    Rosemary, eyeing the gift tableden with crystal champagne flutes and bespoke silverware, felt her spirits lift.


    During the oath ceremony on the pack za, Velda stunned in <b>a </b>tailored wedding gown, her silver wolf¨Cbadge gleaming under


    spotlights.


    Rosemary beamed, recalling <b>Ulrik¡¯s </b>mention that Lycan Erasmus credited Velda most for the Western Tribe peace treaty¨Ca boon


    to Bloodmoon¡¯s reputation.


    Yet as the ceremonymenced, chaos erupted.


    <b>ording </b>to the guest list, Bloodmoon Pack <b>had </b>arranged 200 seats in the pack za.


    <b>However</b>, Velda invited over a <b>hundred </b>wolf warriors, who stormed into Bloodmoon¡¯s pack za and instantly upied half of


    the tables.


    As the <b>future </b><b>Luna</b>, Velda was supposed to wait in the lounge for the first dance. Instead, disregarding the fishtail of her <b>wedding </b>


    <b>gown</b>, she strode over to the main table and personally poured tequ for these wolf warriors.


    Herughter, mixed with militaryughter, echoed through the hall, while the clinking of metal cutlery against tes <b>drowned</b>.


    out <b>the </b>string quartet.


    The <b>seating </b>crisis was the most pressing issue.


    Royal <b>guests</b>, council members, and <b>Alphas </b>or Lunas <b>from </b>other packs stood awkwardly on the rose¨Cdecorated za, champagne


    They watched <b>helplessly </b>as <b>wolf </b>warriors seized their seats


    A <b>Luna </b>adorned with a pearl ne <b>frowned </b>at the soldier devouring steak before her. Her tailored gown appeared overly formal and out of ce in <b>the </b>winter setting.


    Rosemary hissed at <b>Tamara</b>, ¡°<b>Didn¡¯t </b><b>you </b>check the guest list?¡±


    Tamara, flustered, struggled to <b>respond</b><b>. </b>Seeing the royal guests¡® stern expressions, Rosemary realized <b>the </b>gravity of the


    situation


    +15 Bonus


    Tamara, unaware of the additional wolf warriors, hadn¡¯t prepared enough seats.


    Velda had deliberately removed the warriors from the guest list, deeming them ¡°above formalities.¡±


    The guests were stunned. Over a hundred undisciplined individuals <b>had </b>stormed in, iming seats and helping themselves to food and drink, while jesting familiarly with the bride. The atmosphere was chaotic.


    Some Alpha guests from powerful packs had never witnessed such a scene.


    Bloodmoon, though not ancient, had a long¨Cstanding tradition. How could such disorder arise?


    few


    A few guests, holding champagne flutes, waited politely for seating arrangements.


    But as minutes ticked by, they grasped the situation.


    A royal guest finally spoke, her handbag swinging gracefully. ¡°Alpha Ulrik, apologies, but I have prior engagements. Congrattions on your ceremony.¡±


    Ulrik was stunned. He hadn¡¯t anticipated the soldiers¡® arrival.


    Watching guests depart one by one, he felt each exit like <b>a </b>p to the face¨Chumiliated and furious.


    He stormed over to Velda<b>. </b>¡°With me. Now.¡±


    Velda, <b>unfazed</b><b>, </b>winked at herrades. ¡°Hold the fort!¡±


    ¡°Keen to mark me already?¡±


    Velda slurred, her words drawing lewdughter.


    The remaining guests, faces flushed with indignation, left without farewells.


    Ulrik was beside himself with rage. These were some of the most influential wolves.


    Watching the dignitaries exit, he felt his face flush with shame.


    His wolf, restless in the chaotic atmosphere, couldn¡¯t project <b>dominance</b>.


    But his pupils, sharp with fury, had already slit.


    He dragged Velda to the Packhouse, pacing furiously until he mastered his temper. ¡°Why did you invite them without telling us? The guests are all gone. The entire royal court is <bughing </b>at us!¡±


    Velda, still tipsy, bristled. ¡°What¡¯s so shameful? My buddies risk their lives¨Cof course they belong here.¡±


    She tugged at her gown¡¯s strap, a detail she¡¯d insisted on. ¡°Let the royal wolves <b>see </b><b>what </b>true loyalty looks like.¡±


    She believed this would impress the council, showing her camaraderie with warriors and winning their hearts.


    So she drank heartily, oblivious to the scandal she¡¯d caused.


    She¡¯d expected admiration, not realizing how her actions would be perceived.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 24

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Wonderful! All our guests are gone. Just wonderful!¡± Ulrik <b>snarled</b>, his voiceced with sarcasm and fury.


    Velda¡¯s wolf fur prickled beneath her dress.


    She strode to the Packhouse window, nced at the deserted za, and asked innocently, ¡°Why did they leave?¡±


    ¡°Not enough seats!¡± Ulrik exploded. ¡°Why did you invite them without telling us? They don¡¯t belong here!¡±


    Velda¡¯s pupils shrank, her belt clinking against her gown. ¡°So they¡¯re discriminating against wolf warriors?¡±


    Her voice carried the chill of a blizzard. ¡°<b>Those </b>royal Lycans and council wolves¨Cdo they think our border guards aren¡¯t worthy of respect? After we fight and die to protect them?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about respect! You invited them without clearance! Did you even inform the base?¡±


    He forced his roar down, his voice trembling with frustration. ¡°Even if approved, you should¡¯ve told Tamara! We set up 200 seats, but you added 150 warriors. Did you expect guests to stand and sip champagne?¡±


    Velda¡¯s ears twitched irritably beneath her headdress. ¡°Now you¡¯re quizzing me on military protocol?¡±


    She grabbed the tequ bottle and drank straight from it. ¡°I became your mate today¨Cnot to learn silverware etiquette.¡±


    She sneered, ¡°Besides, Bloodmoon doesn¡¯t prepare extra seats? Tamara¡¯s ipetence is shocking.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s anger


    deted.


    He softened. ¡°Were <b>they </b>actually approved?¡°¡±


    Velda dodged the question¨Cshe¡¯d just sent a <b>group </b>message to Gamma, ¡°All attend.¡± No formal request.


    But she fixated on another grievance<b>: </b>¡°<b>This </b>is your fault! My friends shouldn¡¯t be left outside eating cold sandwiches!¡±


    Ulrik felt a twinge of guilt.


    <b>Most </b>packs reserved extra seats for such <b>asions</b>.


    He shifted his <b>ire </b><b>to </b><b>Tamara</b>, who¡¯d organized the event.


    ¡°Go to our room,


    Seeing the guests gone, Velda conceded. No point in celebrating with soldiers who couldn¡¯t see her shine.


    <b>She </b>nodded. ¡°But you should ask <b>Tamara </b>why the ceremony <b>was </b><b>so </b><b>shabby</b>.¡±


    Ulrik agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to her. Let me walk you home.¡±


    +15 Bonus


    Today¡¯s humiliation stung¨Cespecially the royal guests¡® disdainful looks.


    Velda was furious too. The event was supposed to be her moment in the spotlight, not a farce.


    As the sole female Gamma praised by the Lycan King, she¡¯d envisioned mingling with royalty and powerful Alphas. Instead, <b>she¡¯d </b>


    Gamma praised be aughingstock


    She med Rosemary and Tamara for the disaster.


    Ever <b>since </b>Velda learned that Adide¡¯s mating bond with Ulrik was null and void, and that she could join the Bloodmoon Pack as its Luna, she had been looking forward to this highly anticipated bonding ceremony.


    She had envisioned the moment when all the guests would be seated<b>, </b>allowing her to mingle with the royal family and meet the Alphas and Lunas of powerful and reputable wolf packs.


    Now, thanks to Tamara¡¯s penny¨Cpinching, it was ruined. Adide would revel in <b>this</b>, Velda thought bitterly.


    In a fit of rage, she overturned the dessert table and champagne pyramid.


    With guests gone and soldiers left to their revelry, Rosemary nearly shifted from fury.


    Other Bloodmoon members exchanged uneasy nces.


    Ulrik confronted Tamara, his temper ring. ¡°If you couldn¡¯t manage the ceremony, why not say so? Now our guests are gone, and <b>we¡¯re </b>the joke!¡±


    Tamara, tearful, protested, ¡°I followed the <b>guest </b>list! How was I to know so many woulde unannounced? I wasn¡¯t even managing the pack before! It was all Adide who did such things.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bring her up!¡± Ulrik snapped. ¡°Even if you weren¡¯t in charge before<b>, </b>for a bonding ceremony this big, wouldn¡¯t you prepare extra seats?¡±


    ¡°I did¨Ctwo extra tables,¡± Tamara said, looking to Simon for support.


    Put simply, funds were limited.


    Simon, protective of his mate, retorted, ¡°If not for <b>the </b>sudden crowd, nothing would¡¯ve gone wrong.


    Rosemary gasped, clutching her chest. ¡°<b>Enough</b>!¡±


    Ulrik, thinking of <b>Velda¡¯s </b>chaotic behavior, felt a growing sense of helplessness.


    He left without another word.


    He refused to entertain regrets¨Cnot when he was waiting for Adide to regret everything

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 25

    Chapter <b>25 </b>


    Adide¡¯s POV


    I returned to my courtyard <b>and </b>immediately penned a letter, dispatching a former Frostfang guard¨Cshifted and under cover


    <b>Warscar </b><b>Training </b>Camp by night.


    The southern border battle <b>gnawed </b>at me like a splinter.


    Scattered clues hinted at something amiss, but I¡¯d keep conjectures buried until hard evidence surfaced.


    to


    My maternal grandfather, Alpha Zander, and my two uncles had been stationed at the border for years. Last winter, they deployed


    with wolf warriors to aid the Southern Tribe¡¯s war effort. When the Western Tribe retaliated, Bloodmooncked the warriors <b>to </b>


    hold the line.


    Ulrik and Velda had gone to reinforce them, but what exactly transpired on the battlefield?


    For the following month, I sealed Frostfang¡¯s borders.


    I appointed suitable individuals as Beta, Gamma, and wolf <b>guard </b>captain¨Call loyal Frostfang members.


    The new Beta, now returned from retirement, had served Frostfang before the new Beta took over.


    His silver¨Cflecked temples were a stark reminder of his experience.


    ral


    That night, after a run along the border and <b>a </b>soak in the tub, I emerged to find Beata entering with a letter.


    ¡°Alpha Adide, a message for you,¡± she said.


    As the note unfurled in my palm, searing pain erupted¨Cwolf ws <b>bursting </b><b>through </b><b>my </b><b>skin</b>.


    Before deciphering the script, my wolf erupted in a soul¨Cshattering howl <b>within </b>my consciousness.


    Silver¨Cblue blood welled from my elongated ws, <b>carving </b>deep trenches into <b>my </b><b>palm</b>.


    My <b>wolf¡¯s </b>self¨Cmuttion screamed a warning.


    The parchment, reeking of <b>cedar </b>and violet <b>pheromones</b>, <b>bore </b>grave <b>tidings</b>.


    ¡°Velda massacred an entire surrendered vige. Border wolf generals have <b>jointly </b>petitioned in secret.¡±


    Beata¡¯s <b>voice </b>drifted through the fog, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    I stared at my reflection <b>and </b>said, ¡°Fetch a bottle of vodka.¡±


    The candle flickered <b>as </b>Heata hurried out. Once alone, I suppressed <b>the </b>rising wolfish <b>snarl </b>


    Cedar musk exploded <b>in </b>the air, and the note¨Cnow scorched at the <b>edges</b>¨Cwas shredded into snowke¨Clike fragments.


    +15 Bonus


    In the swirling ash, invisible <b>ws </b>shredded the script, each stroke disintegrating into dust finer than moonstone <b>powder</b>.


    The Western Tribe and our kingdom <b>have </b>always spared civilians and captives¨Can unspoken rule.


    Could Velda have broken it?


    Recalling Ulrik¡¯s averted gaze when he spoke of ¡°battlefield <b>ruthlessness</b>,¡± the pieces clicked. Their ¡°victory¡± was baptized in


    civilian blood


    When Beata returned with the vodka, I was calm, though the pour trembled slightly.


    Outside, a distant howl pierced the night. I traced the wolf¨Chead engraving on my ss and remembered the day I joined


    Bloodmoon. Ulrik <b>had </b><b>said</b><b>, </b>¡°When I return victorious, we¡¯ll share this drink.¡±


    Some victories are built on mountains of bones.


    My suspicions solidified¨Cthis war was tainted.


    Velda¡¯s massacre of an entire vige, including civilians<b>, </b>has ignited the Western Tribe¡¯s spies into a vengeful frenzy against


    Frostfang. They¡¯ve targeted our elderly and vulnerable members to settle both new and old scores.


    My father, Alpha Bentley, had repelled the Western Tribe¡¯s forces at Bloodscar Border multiple times.


    This attack was their way of avenging past defeats and present <b>grievances</b>,


    Besides, I was Ulrik¡¯s Luna.


    But what I didn¡¯t understand is, if Velda did massacre the vige, the Western Tribe wolves would be even angrier.


    They should gather their forces and attack the Bloodscar Border to avenge the innocent civilians, rather than surrender and sign


    a peace treaty with Velda<b>, </b>delineating the border <b>and </b>pledging no further aggression.


    The treaty, brokered by Velda with Ulrik as secondary, granted her the greatest merit.


    Why was Velda in charge? Where was my grandfather?


    I resolved to wait for Craig¡¯s return <b>from </b>the Bloodscar <b>Border </b>for answers.


    One thing was <b>certain</b>¨CFrostfang¡¯s disaster stemmed from Velda¡¯s ughter of defenseless captives.


    But why did Lycan <b>Erasmus </b>deem <b>this </b>an achievement?


    The Lycan Erasmus I know wasn¡¯t bloodthirsty.


    Perhaps he was unaware.


    And my grandfather, <b>Alpha </b>Zander, who¡¯s never <b>harmed </b>a Western civilian in decades of guarding the Bloodscar Border¨Cwould


    he condone Velda¡¯s actions?


    Fortunately, Alpha Zander regrly sent intelligence from the border.


    The royal archives likely held copies.


    I¡¯d need to infiltrate the royal archive room.


    The Western Tribe¡¯s wolves were vengeful.


    Regardless of their reasons for surrendering, the Western Tribe wolves wouldn¡¯t let this go easily.


    If Velda massacred an entire vige, they¡¯d ally with the Dragon Ash Kingdom to invade the Southern Border.


    Alpha Lance, currently stationed there<b>, </b><b>would </b>face certain defeat with their reinforcements.


    This variable was unknown to him, leaving <b>him </b>unable to prepare in advance.


    Even forewarned, without aid, Lance would still fall.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 26

    Chapter <b>26 </b>


    Adide¡¯s POV


    <b>I </b>slipped into the royal archives, shielded by Frostfang¡¯s stealth cloak.


    It masked my scent and muffled my steps, allowing me to glide through the high¨Csecurity area like a wraith.


    No need to search¨Cthe Bloodscar Campaign reports were neatly arranged on the upper shelf of the left oak bookcase.


    I retreated to a dim corner of the archive room and, by faint light, began reviewing the dispatches one by one.


    By the time I finished thest report, my blood felt frozen, and a bone¨Cchilling dread spread through me.


    Tears welled up uncontrobly, blurring my vision.


    Ulrik and Velda<b>, </b>as reinforcements, rushed to the Bloodscar Border and plunged into the fray.


    Their inexperience on the battlefield soon became apparent.


    In the first battle, my uncle lunged to save Ulrik, his left arm severed by an enemy de¨Ca scene so visceral, it yed out before


    my eyes.


    My youngest uncle<b>, </b>ever¨Cvibrant and dashing in my memory, fell heroically before reinforcements could arrive.


    My grandfather, struck by an arrow, was left critically wounded, leaving Ulrik tomand subsequent engagements.


    Yet, there¡¯s <b>no </b>denying Ulrik and Velda¡¯s pivotal role in turning the tide.


    They led troops into the Western Tribe¡¯s Snowdeer Town.


    Ulrik set fire to their arsenal, while Velda captured several soldiers.


    These captives became the leverage that forced the Western Tribe¡¯s surrender.


    Only after the treaty was signed in Snowdeer did Velda release the prisoners.


    The battle reports made no mention of <b>massacres </b>or killing captives.


    <b>This </b>omission could mean either my grandfather deliberately concealed it, or he was entirely <b>unaware</b>.


    Either way, should the truthe to light, he, as themanding officer on the battlefield, would face <b>severe </b>consequences.


    <b>I </b>stifled my grief and fury, reced the documents, and swiftly exited the archives.


    Back at Frostfang, Beata awaited me.


    Without a word, she <b>handed </b>me a note from Prune.


    Reading it, I felt a chill¨Cit confirmed my fears.


    +15 <b>Bonus </b>


    Prune¡¯s message revealed that Western Tribe soldiers, disguised as Dragon Ash wolves, were en route to the Southern Border.


    This meant the Western Tribe had allied with Dragon Ash.


    Erasmus. I reflected for a moment <b>and </b>said to Beata, ¡°<b>Beata</b>, help me select <b>an </b>appropriate o


    outfit. I¡¯ll meet Lycan


    I needed to see Er


    Erasmus tomorrow<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha Adide. You should rest now. It¡¯ste,¡± Beata replied as usual<b>, </b>without further questions.


    ¡°You rest to


    too,¡± I said, my voice slightly hoarse from recent tears.


    The next day, I arrived at the pce and requested an audience with Lycan Erasmus.


    ¡°Hail, Your Majesty!¡± My voice, still rough fromst night¡¯s tears, held a tremor.


    Last night, after Beata left, I¡¯d cried into my pillow for hours. The pain of my family¡¯s loss and the current crisis weighed heavily


    <b>on </b>me.


    ¡°Have <b>you </b>been crying?¡± Erasmus frowned, his usually handsome face creasing with displeasure. ¡°Still upset about Ulrik and Velda¡¯s bonding ceremony?¡±


    I shook my head hastily. Before I could speak, Erasmus continued<b>, </b>¡°Your bond with Ulrik is dissolved. Since you¡¯ve no further


    connection, why grieve over the past?¡±


    His voice was mild, yet I sensed an underlying annoyance.


    I spoke quickly, lest he interrupt <b>me</b>. ¡°My tears aren¡¯t for Ulrik. I have no lingering <b>feelings </b>for <b>him</b><b>. </b>I weep because Prune


    Informed me of <b>my </b>uncles¡® fates and my grandfather¡¯s injury from an <b>arrow</b>, which hasn¡¯t healed.¡°\/


    I wouldn¡¯t reveal that I¡¯d infiltrated the royal archives to uncover the truth.


    <b>Erasmus </b>paused, then sighed deeply. ¡°I intended to shield you from this, given your family¡¯s tragic massacre <b>half </b>a year ago. Your


    uncle died a hero for the kingdom. I¡¯ve posthumously honored him as a War God. Do not mourn excessively¨Cit would distress your health,¡±


    I blinked back tears. ¡°I understand. They were wolf warriors. I¡¯vee today <b>on </b>urgent business. My friend, Craig, while traveling abroad, discovered Western Tribe soldiers infiltrating Dragon Ash, disguised as their warriors, en route to the Southern Border battleground.¡±


    At this, Erasmus¡¯s brow furrowed and he eximed, ¡°Ridiculous! Utter nonsense!¡±


    1prehended his skepticism. The Western Tribe had recently signed a non¨Caggression pact with the kingdom.


    Should they dare to <b>vite </b>it so soon, they¡¯d ruin their trade <b>standing</b><b>. </b>


    <b>This </b>was precisely why Erasmus found my im unbelievable.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 27

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I knew Lycan Erasmus wouldn¡¯t take my word easily, so I presented a letter. ¡°This is from Craig. Believe or not, it¡¯s up to you.¡±


    In reality, <b>Craig </b>hadn¡¯t penned this letter. The intel came from Prune<b>. </b>


    But Craig was renowned.


    The letter was forged in Craig¡¯s handwriting. If I¡¯d said Prune gathered the intel, Erasmus would¡¯ve dismissed it outright.


    Last night, I thought through the Southem Border¡¯s peril.


    Without royal reinforcements, Alpha Lance¡¯s battle would likely end in defeat.


    The situation was dire. The Western Tribe¡¯s army had already infiltrated the Dragon Ash Kingdom, en route to the Southern


    Border.


    Even dispatching aid now might be toote.


    As for post¨Cbattle ountability regarding the Bloodscar Border and Snowdeer Town campaigns, and whether my grandfather would be implicated¨Cthose were concerns for another day.


    Hearing that my friend Craig supposedly sent the message, Erasmus¡¯s surprise was evident. He immediately ordered Beta Fabian to bring him the letter.


    The handwriting matched Craig¡¯s style precisely.


    I knew Erasmus, during his time as crown prince<b>, </b>had collected Craig¡¯s works and was intimately familiar with his handwriting.


    The letter I forged in Craig¡¯s handwriting detailed his travels.


    In the final paragraph, I wrote, ¡°While crossing the Sunset Peaks, I spotted countless Western Tribe wolves d in Dragon Ash military uniforms. They¡¯re heading toward the Southern Border. This is <b>grave</b>. Consider reporting this to Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    I kept my head bowed, anxiety churning in my gut.


    Erasmus¡¯s frown deepened as he <b>finished </b>reading.


    His sharp gaze pinned me¨Ca clear sign the forgery was detected.


    Erasmus was astute¨Ca collector of Craig¡¯s works during his time <b>as </b>crown prince. He¡¯d studied Craig¡¯s handwriting meticulously.


    But with time <b>pressing </b>and no better option<b>, </b>I¡¯d resorted to this.


    Erasmus <b>fixed </b>me with <b>a </b>severe gaze. ¡°Do you realize that this forged letter could cost you your life?¡±


    +15 Bonus


    ¡°You should know your limits. You requested the dissolution of your mate bond, and now you cause more trouble. What are you trying to achieve?¡±


    ¡°As a graduate of the Warscar Training Camp, aren¡¯t you ashamed to bring disgrace to your camp? To shame it because of you?¡± Erasmus¡¯s usations came rapid¨C<b>fire</b>.


    I admitted, ¡°Yes. I forged it. Punish me as you will. But the intel is true. I swear on my life.¡±


    I


    ¡°Absurd!¡± Erasmus mmed the table, his eyes zing with stern disapproval. ¡°The legacy of the Frostfang Alpha line rests solely with you now. If harm befalls you, it would mean theplete extinction of Frostfang. Do you understand the gravity of my concerns?¡±


    ¡°I established a precedent by allowing your future mate to inherit your title, ensuring yourfort and honor inter life¨Ca legacy earned by your father and brothers. How can you squander such a sacrifice?¡±


    ¡°You forged this message to provoke a military response. Do you wish Ulrik and Velda to return to the Southern Front, where danger lurks, and secretly hope they perish in battle?¡±


    ¡°Adide, why have you be so bitter and detestable?¡±


    The rebuke wasced with humiliation. I felt my face and ears flush with heat.


    My ws shot out, piercing my palm, as silver¨Cblue blood dripped onto the marble floor.


    A howl rose in my throat, mingling with the cedar musk that spiraled out of control.


    The bronze candbras ttered to the ground, their melting wax weaving grotesque patterns on the floor.


    I stammered, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I forged the letter. The intel didn¡¯te from Craig¨Cit was Prune, via homing pigeon. I used Craig¡¯s name to add credibility.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Erasmus¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Prune infiltrating Dragon Ash? Preposterous!¡±


    ¡°Prune¡¯s ws have tasted northern wolves¡® <b>blood</b>!¡± I arched my back, overturning the gilded wolf¨Chead chair, my de- <b>hardened </b>nails digging deep into the table¡¯s edge. <b>¡°</b><b>In </b>a blizzard, she can <b>track </b>a scent thirty miles away-¡±


    I knew he¡¯d dismiss it. No amount of pleading would convince him.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus-¡±


    He cut <b>me </b>off sharply. ¡°<b>Guards</b>, escort <b>Alpha </b>Adide back to Frostfang. Confine her to the pack borders<b>,</b>¡± Erasmus barked, sweeping out with a swish of his cape.


    I lunged forward, only to be halted by royal guards.


    I couldn¡¯t risk a fight¨Cnot without escting tensions further.


    +

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 28

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I watched Erasmus¡¯s retreating back <b>and </b>called out urgently, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, my father and brothers were feared on the battlefield, I <b>may </b>not <b>match </b>their <b>valor</b>, but I won¡¯t be swayed by emotions.¡±


    ¡°Since my bond with Ulrik is dissolved<b>, </b>I won¡¯t cling to him. I won¡¯t let personal feelings cloud my judgment. Please trust me this


    Erasmus halted but didn¡¯t turn.


    <b>Coldly</b>, he <b>said</b>, ¡°<b>Don¡¯t </b>tarnish your family¡¯s honor. I <b>can </b>grant you glory¨Cand take it away. Return to Frostfang and act as if this


    day never happened.¡±


    mel


    He strode <b>away</b>, leaving me helpless.


    In his eyes and others¡®¨CI <b>was </b><b>unreasonable </b>and petty.


    The <b>daughter </b>of <b>Alpha </b>Bentley, reduced to a drama queen over a broken bond?


    I¡¯d left Frostfang as a pup for <b>Warscar </b><b>Training </b>Camp.


    Over the two years since returning to Frostfang, I spent the first year learning from my mother how to be a Luna, and the


    second <b>managing </b>the pack¡¯s affairs at <b>Bloodmoon</b>.


    At least during this time, I¡¯d never stepped out of line.


    But now, just <b>because </b><b>my </b><b>mate </b>bond <b>was </b>dissolved, I wasbeled petty and <b>selfish</b>?


    Frustrated, I returned to Frostfang, followed by royal guards.


    They were restricting my movements, forcing me back to Frostfang.


    Returning to <b>Frostfang</b>, <b>Beta </b>Valentin showed <b>no </b>surprise at the royal guards following me.


    One of the guards stated, ¡°We¡¯re stationed at the border by orders¨Cwe won¡¯t disturb <b>Alpha </b>Adide.¡±


    Only after re¨Centering the pack¡¯s territory did Valentin ask, <b>¡°</b><b>Alpha </b>Adide, what¡¯s happening?¡±


    I entered the <b>Packhouse</b><b>, </b>shed my cloak, and <b>summoned </b>Omegas Jessica and Ivy.


    ¡°Erasmus has guards surveilling me daily. I need to <b>leave </b>urgently. Keep Frostfang running as usual. If questioned<b>, </b>say I¡¯ve returned to Warscar.¡±


    Valentin assured me, ¡°Go. I¡¯ll protect Frostfang.¡±


    Jessica and Ivy nodded.


    +15 Bonus


    ¡°When do you leave? Alpha Adide.¡± Ivy asked.


    ¡°Tonight,¡± I said firmly.


    I had to warn Alpha Lance of the Western Tribe¡¯s advance at the Southern Border.


    I nned to shift and travel as a wolf through the forest.


    ¡°By the way, in two days it¡¯s Melinda¡¯s bonding ceremony¨CAlpha Howell¡¯s daughter from the Silverlight Pack. Should we send a gift?¡± Beta Valentin asked.


    I¡¯d forgotten Melinda¡¯s news. She was my cousin.


    I


    I was still in = Bloodmoon when Luna Skye had someone inform me about it. I really should send a gift.


    My mother and Luna Skye had been close.


    I felt a twinge of regret for not attending Melinda¡¯s bonding ceremony, but there were more pressing matters at hand.


    I said. ¡°Send the gift. The royal guards won¡¯t restrict your movements.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Ivy said, leaving to prepare.


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Beta Valentin departed Frostfang for Silverlight Pack with the gift.


    The royal guards, bound to monitor Adide, didn¡¯t question his travel,


    At Silverlight, Valentin presented the gift as Adide¡¯s well¨Cwishes..


    An Omega soon emerged and said, ¡°Luna Skye said that since Alpha Adide has had her mating bond nullified and has returned. to her pack, she is likely in need of financial assistance. There¡¯s no need to spend money on gifts. Our regards have been received, but the gift is declined. Beta Valentin, please return and do not visit unless necessary.¡±


    Valentin stood stunned, the Omega¡¯s indifference etched <b>on </b>their <b>face</b>, when he grasped the truth.


    Melinda disdained Adide for her dissolved bond.


    ¡°Very well, then,¡± Beta Valentin said with <b>some </b>asperity. ¡°I shall convey Adide¡¯s best wishes to Melinda<b>. </b>Farewell.¡±


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± came the curt reply.


    Beta Valentin felt a <b>pang </b>of sorrow. He was well aware of the rumors surrounding Adide during her time at Frostfang


    What pained him more was that Luna Skye<b>, </b>sister to thete Luna <b>Aire</b><b>, </b><b>had </b>never supported Adide.


    In <b>life</b><b>, </b>Aire and Skye <b>had </b>been close.


    Now, not only had Skye turned her back on Adide, but she also looked down on her.


    What had Adide done to deserve <b>such </b>treatment?


    Back at Frostfang, Valentin saw <b>a </b>car parked at the border.


    Ivy was talking to a haggard she¨Cwolf who was pleading desperately.


    ¡°Let me in to see Adide. I really need her help,¡± the she¨Cwolf begged.


    +15 Bonus


    ¡°Adide¡¯s bond with Ulrik is dissolved. Your concerns no longer concern her. Leave before things get ugly,¡± Ivy replied cold


    ¡°Ivy, Rosemary¡¯s illness has red up. They can¡¯t summon Shaman Digby and are pressuring me¨CI¡¯m at my wit¡¯s end,¡± she pleaded.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 29

    +15 Bonus


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ivy interjected, ¡°Alpha Ulrik and Luna Velda have earned their merits. There¡¯s nothing they can¡¯t handle. You shouldn¡¯t seek help from Frostfang¡¯s Alpha.¡±


    Tamara clutched Ivy¡¯s hand, her face mournful. ¡°Ivy, Adide has always treated me well. Please speak to her for me. The things those people say¨CI didn¡¯t spread them. I swear-¡±


    Ivy shook off her grip and nced at Beta Valentin. ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the Packhouse, Beta Valentin.¡±


    Valentin and Ivy walked toward the Packhouse, leaving Tamara stranded at Frostfang¡¯s border.


    Ivy refused toment on Bloodmoon affairs.


    Noticing Valentin¡¯s troubled expression, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°Luna Skye rejected the gift from Adide for Melinda<b>,</b>¡± Valentin said quietly.


    Ivy paused. ¡°But Luna Skye and Luna Aire were close friends¡­ Alright.¡±


    In the eyes of powerful pack Alphas, many believed Adide¡¯s favor with Lycan Erasmus stemmed solely from her father¡¯s legacy.


    So <b>no </b>one took Adide seriously.


    Valentin said<b>, </b>¡°Don¡¯t let Adide know about this.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Agreed,¡± Ivy nodded. ¡°No need to upset her,¡±


    Ivy didn¡¯t inform Adide about Tamara¡¯s visit.


    That night<b>, </b>Adide would leave. They didn¡¯t want Bloodmoon¡¯s chaos to affect her.


    Valentin handed Adide the medicine from <b>Shaman </b>Digby. Opening it, she found wolf¨Cspecific remedies¨Csome for wolfsbane poisoning and others to boost self¨Chealing-


    ¡°Did you pay him?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°He refused payment,¡± Ivy replied.


    Adide nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll settle with him upon my return.¡±


    She opened another bundle, revealing pastries and sandwiches.


    Valentin remarked<b>, </b>¡°The snow¡¯sing. Be cautious of blizzards when traveling.¡±


    Adide softly said, ¡°Thank you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    +15 Bonus


    Her eyes glistened. ¡°Beta Valentin, I leave Frostfang in your hands.¡±


    ¡°Return safely, Alpha Adide,¡± Valentin said, his worry evident.


    Aid would arrive eventually, though likely toote.


    Adide nned to rally Warscar Trainees and old allies to reinforce Alpha Lance until reinforcements arrived.


    Lance, battling Dragon Ash at the Southern Border, would ry Dragon Ash¡¯s movements.


    But adjusting tactics swiftly would be challenging.


    Adide¡¯s POV


    Snowkes drifted down, settling


    branches.


    The afternoon sky turned a pristine white.


    The beauty of the scene escaped me¨CI was preupied with reaching the Southern Border as swiftly as possible.


    Though swift, I couldn¡¯t travel a thousand miles a day.


    Nonstop travel was impossible. Rest was necessary.


    I entered the house, weapon in hand, as Omegas offered tea.


    After a few sips, I instructed, ¡°Bring in my homing pigeons.¡±


    Recalling my eight years at Warscar Training Camp, I remembered my reckless early days roaming the mountains.


    A brutal beating taught me humility, sparking my dedication to training.


    By thirteen, I¡¯d bested nearly all trainees.


    Eager <b>for </b>more challenges, I¡¯d provoked many, <b>making </b>enemies whoter became friends.


    I drafted identical notes, ¡°Head to the Southern Border immediately!¡±


    Tying them to the pigeons¡® legs, I released them.


    With that <b>done</b>, I <b>bathed </b>and rested, nning to depart that night.


    Just as Iy down, Ivy reported, ¡°Alpha <b>Adide</b>, <b>Vanya </b>from Bloodmoon has arrived with Tamara. Tamara visited once today¨CI


    turned her away, but she¡¯s returned with <b>Vanya</b>.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Escort them to <b>the </b>Packhouse conference <b>room</b>. I¡¯ll be <b>there </b>shortly,¡± I said.


    The <b>snowfall </b>ceased after <b>less </b>than an hour.


    I entered the conference room at my usual measured pace and said, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Vanya rose quickly, grasping my hand and studying me closely.


    Her eyes welled with concern. ¡°Adide, how have you been?¡±


    ¡°Vanya, rest assured, I¡¯m well,¡± I said, guiding her to sit. Smiling warmly, I asked, ¡°And you, Vanya?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°All is well,¡± Vanya replied.


    ¡°Adide,¡± Tamara began, but Vanya silenced her with a nce.


    ¡°Rosemary¡¯s condition isn¡¯t urgent. Let me speak with Adide first.¡±


    I understood¨CRosemary¡¯s illness had worsened.


    But I said nothing, continuing my conversation with Vanya.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 30

    Adide¡¯s POV


    ¡°Pay no mind to the outsiders¡® chatter. People are fickle. Soon enough, it¡¯ll all be forgotten. Don¡¯t let it trouble you,¡± I said.


    ¡°Whatever they say, I remain indifferent,¡± I replied.


    Vanya dropped the topic.


    She didn¡¯t ask about the royal guards outside, only inquiring about my daily routines.


    We chatted for half an hour.


    Tamara, fidgeting beside us, finally blurted out, ¡°Adide, I need your help.¡±


    I turned to her, her chapped lips and blistered corners revealing her distress.


    ¡°Cold as it is, you¡¯re clearly overwhelmed,¡± I said gently.


    ¡°Speak your mind.¡±


    ¡°I came today because Rosemary¡¯s illness red upst night. She fainted this morning from rage. She¡¯s awake now, but I don¡¯t think she¡¯llst long. I¡¯m here to beg you to intercede with Shaman Digby for me,¡± Tamara said, on the verge of tears.


    ¡°Rosemary threatened to have Simon reject me if I couldn¡¯t get Digby here. I had no choice but toe to you.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Passed out?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°Rosemary <b>took </b>Digby¡¯s herbs only a month <b>ago</b>. Why the sudden severity?¡±


    Tamara¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°It¡¯s about yesterday¡¯s bonding ceremony-¡±


    She mmed up, realizing her slip.


    Seeing her anxiety, I reassured her, ¡°<b>Go </b>on.¡±


    I was leaving tonight. If I didn¡¯t resolve this now, she¡¯d keeping back.


    Better to hear her out once and for all.


    I knew she was not well¨Cliked at Rosemary¡¯s. Born into a <b>small</b>, powerless pack, she had <b>never </b>caused me trouble or put on airs.


    I was willing to listen.


    Tamara tearfully recounted the chaos of the ceremony: guests fleeing, wolf warriors leaving disgruntled, everyone ming her-


    <b>even </b>her mate Simon.


    Velda <b>had </b>overturned tables, and Ulrik, after leaving, was summoned back by Luna Rosemary.


    +15 Bonus


    ¡°It gets worse,¡± Tamara said miserably. ¡°This morning, an Omega didn¡¯t spot her neck mark. Velda imed Ulrik marked her on


    <b>the </b>return journey, and the wolf warriors present know of it. Rosemary fainted from rage.¡±


    Ivy, listening in<b>, </b>paled. <b>¡°</b>Tamara, stop.¡±


    I understood Ivy¡¯s concern. My current position <b>made </b>me unsuitable to hear such breaches of tradition.


    Bloodmoon, though no longer a top¨Ctier pack, prized appearances.


    Rosemary, always image¨Cconscious, had exploited my assets from Frostfang


    After my bond with Ulrik dissolved, she spread rumors of my disloyalty.


    Most likely, she¡¯d fueled the gossip, amplified by busybodies.


    Listening quietly, I felt a pang of empathy.


    I¡¯d gone a year with Ulrik without a mark¨Ca fortunate escape.


    Tamara said, ¡°I spoke out of turn just now. But for the sake of our friendship, please help me. Ask Shaman Digby to treat her, or at


    least sell us some medicine.¡±


    No response came from <b>me</b>.


    Tamara must have thought I¡¯d ordered Digby to stop treating Luna Rosemary.


    Ivy snapped, ¡°<b>Think </b>we can summon Digby just because you ask? He refuses to treat Luna Rosemary because he despises her


    antics¨Cnot because of Alpha Adide.¡±


    Tamara sighed resignedly. ¡°Seems I¡¯m always in the wrong. Adide, I beg you.¡±


    <b>Vanya </b>mildly chided, ¡°You¡¯ve made your plea. If it¡¯s impossible, tell them to try themselves. Why target you?¡±


    Tamara, voice breaking, said, ¡°They threatened to exile me if I fail.¡±


    Gazing into Tamara¡¯s desperate eyes, I recalled how the Bloodmoon <b>Pack </b><b>had </b>schemed to drive me out, likely terrifying her as


    well.


    After a <b>pause</b>, she continued, ¡°Adide, I¡¯m telling the truth. Luna Rosemary believes Bloodmoon has risen in status among wolf nobility. She often criticizes me for managing <b>the </b><b>pack</b>.¡±


    I reflected for <b>a </b>moment. ¡°Shaman Digby holds loyalty in high regard. His anger stems from Luna Rosemary¡¯s actions. If Ulrik and Velda plead with him for a day or two, he might relent.¡±

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 31

    Adide¡¯s POV


    C


    @


    D


    Finished


    Tamara shook her head hurriedly and said, ¡°Alpha Ulrik and Velda would definitely not appeal to Shaman Digby. Although Shaman Digby is well¨Cknown, he has no pack and is merely a rogue. Alpha Ulrik and Velda, being esteemed Lycan generals under Lycan Erasmus, would never stoop to seeking Digby¡¯s help.¡±


    I looked at her and said, ¡°Then you should go. Kneel there for two or three days. If you can bring Digby here, it will be your merit. Even if you can¡¯t, all the surrounding packs will see your effort. Then no one can say you haven¡¯t done your part.¡±


    Tamara¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up as she grasped my intent.


    I never expected Ulrik and Velda to make the appeal¨Cit was Tamara I was sending.


    Once she earned a reputation for filial piety, the Bloodmoon Pack couldn¡¯t exile her on flimsy pretexts.


    Vanya nodded in agreement. ¡°Thank you, Adide. It¡¯s the only solution now.¡±


    Then, with a light sigh, she added, ¡°You once devoted yourself to caring for Luna Rosemary, but the outside world couldn¡¯t see or know of it, granting you no recognition.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all in the past,¡± I said calmly.


    Tamara quickly expressed her gratitude. ¡°Thank you for your advice. Without it, I¡¯d be at aplete loss. This past month has felt like an eternity of torment.¡±


    <b>I </b>said, ¡°I¡¯ve set up a new altar at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s za. Over the next few months, I¡¯ll be praying there to the Moon Goddess for the fallen wolves of the Frostfang Pack. So I won¡¯t be seeing any visitors during this time. Please take care.¡±


    i


    My meaning was clear¨CI hoped that no matter what happened in the future, they wouldn¡¯te to me anymore.


    After Vanya and Tamara left, I didn¡¯t go back to my room to rest.


    Seeing the sun gradually setting, I knew I had to set off after dark. Even if <b>I </by down for a bit now, it wouldn¡¯t do much good.


    Recalling the chaotic scene at Ulrik¡¯s wedding <b>as </b>described by Tamara, for some reason, <b>I </b>suddenly found it quiteical.


    So this <b>was </b>the farce triggered by his <i>so</i><b>¨C</b>called ¡°true love<b>¡°</b><b>? </b>


    Guests left one after another, leaving the Bloodmoon Pack utterly humiliated. The wedding <b>was </b>nothing but a ironically named <b>¡°</b><b>feast</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    2:13 PM


    Finished


    I silently repeated the name, feeling the long¨Csuppressed hatred welling up again.


    If it weren¡¯t for hermitting atrocities like ughtering surrendered viges for military merit, the Frostfang Pack wouldn¡¯t have faced such a disaster.


    She had stolen Ulrik from me before and humiliated me. At that time, considering her contributions, I still held a bit of respect for her.


    But now, just thinking of her made my fingers clench with pain.


    As for whether my grandfather knew of this?


    Was Lycan Erasmus also kept in the dark?


    The battle reports made no mention of it. I had to investigate personally.


    After night fellpletely, I crossed the pack za and made my way to the house closest to the pack¡¯s border.


    Walking into the living room, I spotted several gift boxes.


    I was a bit confused¨Cweren¡¯t these the gifts I had Valentin send to Melinda?


    I immediately understood the reason and couldn¡¯t help but smirk.


    Of course, no she¨Cwolf about to form a bond would willingly ept blessings from a rejected she¨Cwolf.


    But these gifts were my sincere offering. Once given, it didn¡¯t matter whether they were epted


    or not.


    I locked the darkest room on the west side.


    Moonlight streamed through the small window, illuminating the oak table where three oilcloth- wrapped bundles were prepared. Inside were three sets of leather armor designed for easybat, with edges reinforced with bull tendons for better biting.


    As I loosened the sash of my silk robe, the nds at the back of my neck began to uncontrobly secrete cedar pheromones.


    My bones made popping sounds first, my knuckles twisting into wolf ws suited for sprinting.


    My spine stretched and restructured like a <b>steel </b>bar being hammered by an invisible cksmith, the intense pain forcing me to bite down on the prepared jet chain.


    The walls suddenly disyed a grotesque shadow as the scap bone pierced the skin, revealing bone spurs that slowly retracted in rhythm with the tearing and reorganization of muscle fibers.


    When my fully shifted forepaws shattered the tiles, the oilcloth bundle was flipped by the rush of


    air.


    2:13 PM


    the bundle. My fangs urately pierced the reserved wolf tendon bindings.


    Finished


    The royal guards at the border were likely dozing off. Under the cover of night, I relied on my werewolf agility to swiftly vanish.


    The cedar pheromones mixed with the night wind filled my lungs. My muscle memory in wolf form instantly found the optimal sprinting rhythm.


    The blizzard and ice pelletsshed at my eyelids, so I simply closed my eyes and relied purely on the pheromone trail to navigate.


    The rumbling in my wolf¡¯s throat resonated with the wind. I could distinctly taste the bloodiness from fifty miles away.


    As the first streak of dawn pierced the clouds, my wolf paws shattered the stained ss window of an abandoned church.


    The pain from the stained ss shards embedding in my paw pads jolted me fully awake, with residual beastly features swelling under my skin.


    I arched my back, shaking off thest few wolf hairs, and scraped the stone wall with my hardened nails until five grooves, glowing with silvery¨Cblue blood, were etched into it.


    On the fifth morning after my departure, I finally reached the southern border.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 32

    Adide¡¯s POV


    0


    0


    Finished


    I didn¡¯t see any food supply convoys on the way. Alpha Lance must be so sure of victory that he stopped food transportation.


    But with the big battle about to start, how could he?


    After asking around, I found out Frostbite Town and Darkw Town were the only ces not yet. reimed.


    No wonder the supply lines had disappeared¨CAlpha Lance was really something.


    I pushed myself harder and sprinted with determination. This was thest leg of the journey. I bit my lip and picked up speed. No matter what, I had to see Lance today.


    As dusk fell, I approached the battlefield.


    Lance¡¯s army was camped outside Frostbite Town.


    Once I crossed into the perimeter, I was met with the devastating aftermath of war¡ªit was heartbreaking. My father and brothers had sacrificed themselves on this verynd.


    Without time to dwell, I shouted at the top of my lungs, ¡°I¡¯m Adide, daughter of Alpha Bentley! I need to see Alpha Lance!¡±


    I kept yelling until my voice went hoarse.


    Werewolf warriors tried to block me, but I just barged through.


    ¡°I¡¯m Adide, Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter! I¡¯ve got urgent intel for Alpha Lance!¡± My rough voice stood out sharply in the quiet night.


    Suddenly, bonfires erupted, shooting embers into the sky. Over twenty spears, carved with wolf- tooth runes, pointed at my throat.


    Moonlight revealed the soldiers¡® elongated canines, and the sulfur pheromones from their necks formed visible crimson barriers.


    But when they heard I was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, they didn¡¯t attack.


    They lowered their weapons but still kept a close watch on me.


    Just <b>as </b>we were at an impasse<b>, </b>a ck horse galloped up and stopped right in front of me.


    The rider, d in golden armor and with <b>a </b>face full of dirt, had a shaggy beard that almost covered half his face<b>, </b>revealing only a pair of piercing eyes<b>. </b>


    The horce circled me slowly. He leaned down and serutinized me with <b>a </b>rasny voice full of doubt


    173


    2:13 PM


    0


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± I looked him in the eye without a hint of fear.


    Finished


    I knew Lance when we were kids. Even back then, he was way taller than the other boys, always practicing wolfbat moves.


    After I came back to the Frostfang from the War Scar Training Camp, I kept hearing how brave he was in battles. They also said he was one of the most handsome wolves in the kingdom.


    But the man before me was far from ¡°handsome.¡± However, he exuded an intimidating aura that dared not be underestimated.


    Especially his eyes¨Cthey were cold as ice.


    He stared at me intently, his gaze sharp as an eagle¡¯s.


    After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, ¡°I believe you. Follow me.¡±


    I breathed a sigh of relief. I had thought it would take a lot more effort to meet him, but it turned out to be surprisingly smooth.


    I followed Lance, using the bonfire light every ten steps to scan the camp. My heart sank.


    The southern border was supposed to have 300,000 wolf warriors, plus 100,000 from the Bloodscar Border¨C400,000 in total.


    But this camp looked like it had less than half that number.


    Lance had been taking cities and iming territories, but at a heavy cost in wolf lives.


    I followed Lance to a tent. Outside, numerous worn¨Cout warriors milled about.


    Their armor was tattered, faces coated in dust, and beards a mess.


    Among them, I spotted Abbot Hutchinson¨Che was one of my father¡¯s former subordinates and had held me in his arms when I was little.


    ¡°Adide?¡± Abbot strode over, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Uncle Abbot!¡± My eyes welled up.


    His lips quivered as he turned away.


    More of my father¡¯s old guards gathered around, their eyes bloodshot under the firelight.


    ¡°Miss Davidson, how is your mother?¡±


    The question stabbed my heart, but I nodded through the pain. ¡°Uncle Abbot, I need to speak with Alpha Lance urgently. We¡¯ll catch upter.¡±


    Lance stood before the tent. his massive frame casting a shadow over me. ¡°Come in,¡± he


    2:13 PM


    He lifted the tent p and walked in. I followed him into the tent


    The tent was freezing, no warmer than the outside.


    Finished


    A battle map and sand table sat in the middle. In the corner, a bed held soiled, blood¨Cand¨Cherb- stained bedding, with bloodied gauze nearby.


    Lance sat awkwardly¨Cone leg straight, the other bent.


    ¡°Speak. What¡¯s this urgent military intel? His tone was abrupt


    I locked eyes with him. ¡°Prune Bat, stationed in the Dragon Ash Kingdom, reports that Western Tribal wolf soldiers, d in Dragon Ash armor, are heading for the southern border.¡±


    Lance frowned. ¡°Prune¡¯s intel? Wasn¡¯t she from the Warscar Training Camp like you?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Her intel is solid. The numbers might not be exact, but a massive enemy force is definitely on the way.¡± I added hastily, sensing his doubt.


    ¡°Why not report directly to Lycan Erasmus?¡±


    ¡°Without evidence, he didn¡¯t believe me.¡±


    Lance¡¯s gaze intensified. ¡°You should say the info came from Craig¡¯s reconnaissance. Lycan Erasmus trusts himpletely.¡±


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 The Moon Goddess Pendant 33

    Adide¡¯s POV


    0


    Finished


    ¡°I did send a letter to Lycan Erasmus, imitating Craig¡¯s handwriting, but he saw through it. Alpha Lance, do you believe me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Prune¡¯s info is reliable. But Lycan Erasmus doesn¡¯t quite get lone wolves without a pack, except for Craig,¡± he said.


    I didn¡¯t expect him to know so much about the Warscar Training Camp.


    My heart, which had been in my throat the whole journey, finally eased a bit.


    Only then did I realize how exhausted I was. My legs trembled, and I plopped down on a folding chair, forgetting all about etiquette.


    It had been two years since I¡¯dst gone through days of nonstop running. Plus, my wolf form after shifting wasn¡¯t as strong as it used to be back at the training camp.


    Alpha Lance grinned, showing his white teeth. ¡°Tired, huh? How many days did it take you to get here?¡±


    ¡°Five,¡± I panted, my throat raw as if stuffed with prickly straw. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Amazing!¡± His eyes shed with approval. He bellowed outside, ¡°Get some food ready!¡±


    Immediate, thunderous acknowledgments came from outside.


    Without time to thank him, I quickly said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to figure out a strategy? Or send for reinforcements from Lycan Erasmus?¡±


    He leaned back on the tactical table, his long fingers drumming on his pants, squinting.


    ¡°Our quickest reinforcements would take half a month. Right now, we need to recruit more wolf warriors here to hold off the first attack,¡± he said.


    Turning to me with added approval in his gaze, he said, ¡°You did right toe here in person. If it were just a messenger, I might not have had time to deploy. I¡¯ll have someone take you to rest for a couple of days, then you should head back.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t go back,¡± I growled, the tent¡¯s copper nails rattling from the force. My elongated nails scraped my chest te, sparking blue¨Cpurple mes.


    Rust¨Cscented pheromones mixed with gunpowder surged as the wolf hairs on my neck exploded into icy crystals under his pressure.


    Alpha Lance¡¯s rust¨Cscented pheromones suddenly solidified, and the embers from the bonfire burst into scarlet iron water mid¨Cair.


    2:13 PM


    O


    O


    Finished


    happens to you, how would I face your mother? Also, you¡¯re Alpha Ulrik¡¯s mate now. By the way, he should have returned to the Bloodmoon Pack. Why send you, a Luna, to deliver the message alone?¡±


    His words stunned me.


    It made sense that he followed the Bloodscar border affairs, but how did he even know about me bing Ulrik¡¯s mate?


    However, he knew I had be the Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack but was unaware that the Frostfang Pack had been wiped out.


    I said nothing, lowered my eyes in silence for a moment, then looked up and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious why the Western Tribes allied with the Dragon Ash Kingdom wolves? They signed a non- aggression pact only to break it, disguising their forces to invade alongside the enemy.¡±


    In truth, I was more surprised that he believed me so easily. Even Lycan Erasmus had doubted me, yet he didn¡¯t ask any extra questions.


    Alpha Lance reached up and scratched his matted beard, his knuckles sinking into the stubble and couldn¡¯t pull free.


    His brows furrowed even more, yet his eyes gleamed fiercely like a wild beast¡¯s. ¡°The victory at Bloodscar was fishy from the start. I¡¯ve already sent people to investigate upon receiving the report, though the results are still pending. Do you know what¡¯s odd?¡±


    I didn¡¯t reply but instead asked, ¡°Why do you think the victory was questionable?¡±


    He tapped the Bloodscar marker on the map, analyzing clearly, ¡°In this battle, your two uncles were casualties, and Alpha Zander was critically injured. The reinforcements were Ulrik, but with his limitedbat experience, he followed Alpha Zander¡¯s orders to burn the enemy¡¯s food storage¨Ca mere dying tactic. Yet supposedly, a mere show of force with a fire raid forced the Western Tribes to surrender? I don¡¯t buy it.¡±


    His analysis filled me with admiration.


    Only a wolf warrior with decades of battle experience could use the wolf¡¯s unique keen intuition <i>to </i>see through the absurdity of repelling the enemy by merely burning their supplies.


    Especially in a decades¨Clong border tug¨Cof¨Cwar, the Western Tribes wouldn¡¯t surrender so easily over damaged provisions.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your theory?¡± Alpha Lance pressed, his cedar scent bearing down on me with Alpha authority.


    My wolf growled discontentedly in my mind.


    But I held nothing back. Given his capabilities, if he sent someone to investigate, they¡¯d likely uncover the truth anyway.


    Finished


    His pupils shran Erasmus aware?¡±


    Imic


    <b>video </b>


    <b>added </b><b>a </b><b>post</b>. <b>You </b><b>interacted </b><b>with </b>them <b>recently</b>.


    <b>< </b>


    les. ¡°Is Lycan


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The Bloodscar report didn¡¯t mention it. Of course, I only saw the transcribed copies in the royal archives¨Cnot necessarily the full documents submitted to Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    ¡°You infiltrated the royal archives?¡± His aura red golden, the wolf¨Chead emblem gleaming coldly in the candlelight. ¡°Do you realize essing royal archive secrets is a grave offense? You¡¯re too reckless! Why not consult your mate, Alpha Ulrik? Hemanded the reinforcing wolves.¡±


    <b>Send </b><b>Gifts </b>


    30

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 34

    Adide¡¯s POV


    @


    0


    He rose abruptly, his shadow morphing into a three¨Cmeter¨Ctall wolfish specter. Its wed silhouette mimicked a beast¡¯s shadow on the tent.


    Finished


    As he leaned forward, warning pheromones exploded from him, ¡°Moreover, even if you have truly uncovered some information, you must not easily disclose it, not even in front of me! Haven¡¯t you been trained in such protocols at the Warscar Training Camp?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± I was stunned, at a loss for words.


    ¡°Anyway, you must keep this to yourself, from everyone, including your mother.¡± His ear tufts bristled, and his tone left no room for argument, carrying an Alpha¡¯s domineering aura.


    I lowered my head and nodded, the back of my neck tingling from the pheromones.


    ¡°So, does Ulrik know?¡± His voice suddenly softened, cedar pheromones blending with a soothing undertone.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know.¡±


    Alpha Lance frowned, his finger tracing the wolf¨Ctooth pendant at his waist.¡°Then why not ask him, instead of sneaking into the royal archives? Was the prisoner ughter Velda¡¯s independent act, or did he order <i>it</i>?¡±


    I shook my head again, not disclosing that I¡¯d dissolved the mate bond with Ulrik.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that either.¡±


    ¡°Velda¡­¡± A low, husky growl escaped his throat.¡±I recall she¡¯s the daughter of a low¨Cranking wolf general, with no Alpha blood and no powerful pack backing. How could she have the authority to ughter prisoners?¡±


    I fell silent, my fingers unconsciously clenching my skirt¨Cif Velda had colluded with Ulrik and he trusted her implicitly, he might have granted her free rein.


    But these were mere conjectures. ¡°Regardless, the prisoner ughter at the Bloodscar Border did happen. The Western Tribal warriors are en route, expected to reach Frostbite and Darkw Towns soon.¡±


    Alpha Lance stared at me, his slit¨Cpupiled eyes swirling with aurora¨Clike energy.¡°Have you considered that if the Western Tribes surrendered due to the massacre, they could seek revengeter? Why ally directly with the Dragon Ash Kingdom wolves<b>? </b>Unless¡­ among Velda¡¯s captives was a key figure of theirs, who died after release<b>.</b>¡±


    Following his logic, my neck hairs stood on end.¡°Was the captive tortured and died from injuries after being released?¡±


    C


    .


    Finished


    unauthorized intrusion into the royal archives was reckless! Others might not have let you leave alive.¡±


    I whispered, I trust you won¡¯t kill me. And even if Lycan Erasmus finds out, he¡¯ll only imprison me. After all, I¡¯m the sole survivor of the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Lance, dinner¡¯s ready!¡± a wolf warrior¡¯s voice came from outside the tent.


    Alpha Lance red at me, the wolf¨Cw shadow slicing the air with a sharp sound, then waved his hand. Go eat first.¡±


    I turned to leave, only to hear him summon the Gamma under hismand.


    Though dinner was announced, another tent held merely a bowl of oatmeal and a few crackers.


    These were easily carried, as wolf warriors couldn¡¯t bringvish food on campaigns.


    Still, they considerately provided a pot of hot water.


    I quickly washed my hands and face, warming up.


    The small, makeshift tent had thick, heavy, and dirty bedding, with ayer of calloused, blood- caked sheets.


    The young, burly soldier who brought me in, with thick brows, big eyes, and a scruffy beard, scratched his head and asked, ¡°Can you eat this? If not, I¡¯ll have someone make you some hot soup.¡±


    ¡°No, this is fine,¡± I said, taking a bite of the cracker and offering a grateful smile.


    The cold weather had made the crackers harder.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m Tommy, a guard of Alpha Lance. Let me know if you need anything. There¡¯s no Omega here to tend to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need special care. I can manage,¡± I said, initially wanting to add that I wasn¡¯t fragile but deciding against it.¡°Thank you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll head out then,¡± Tommy turned and left.¡°Make do with the food and rest as best you can.¡±


    ¡°Will do.¡± I didn¡¯t borate.


    Exhausted from traveling and with my wolf weakened, I devoured all the food and drank plenty of water until I felt full.


    I lifted the tent p and nced outside. Most bonfires had died down, except the one before Alpha Lance¡¯s tent.


    I yawned widely, extremely tired, and decided to let them discuss while I slept.


    2:13 PM


    Finished


    But it struck me as odd that Alpha Lance seemed to know so much about the Warscar Training Camp and showed such concern for me, despite our limited past interactions.


    In the following days, I didn¡¯t see Alpha Lance.


    I wasn¡¯t confined and could move freely. From Tommy, I learned that after summoning the Gamma for discussion that night, Lance had begun recruiting wolf warriors.


    <b>Send Gifts </b>


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    (

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 35

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    33 Finished


    The wolves living near the southern border despised the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s wolves,


    They¡¯d invaded packs, seized territories, and ughtered numerous wolves.


    To add to the atrocities, they¡¯d stolen pack properties and abducted many Omegas.


    So, when these wolves saw Alpha Lance¡¯s announcement, numerous pack guards and exiled wolves flocked to join his cause.


    Adide had learnedbat skills at the camp since childhood and had heard many battle stories from Alpha Bentley and her brothers.


    Sometimes, her brothers would solemnly warn her of the dangers of real battle, which differed greatly from school sparring.


    Despite reading extensively, she had no actualbat experience¨Ceverything, was theoretical,


    She asked Tommy curiously, ¡°Has Alpha Lance requested backup from Lycan Erasmus?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s reported to Lycan Erasmus, but we don¡¯t know when reinforcements and food supplies will arrive. Alpha Lance says we must gather more wolf warriors first,¡± Tommy replied,


    ¡°How many have we gathered so far?¡± Adide asked,


    ¡°Several thousand,¡± Tommy said without hesitation,


    For them, Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter <i>was </i>trustworthy, especially after Adide had traveled from the capital to the southern border in five days to deliver important news¨Csomething not every werewolf could do.


    Adide was shocked.


    In just three or four days, they¡¯d recruited several thousand warriors.


    At this rate, they might gather tens of thousands before the Western Tribes¡® army arrived.


    However, these wolvescked battlefield experience,


    Seeming to sense Adide¡¯s concern, Tommy said, ¡°The recruited warriors have begun training. which has left the Gammas very busy¡±


    Adide quickly asked, ¡°Is there anything I can help with?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Tommy nodded. ¡°This morning, a few people arrived looking for you. Alpha Lance is verifying their identities. Why not go see? They might be friends of yours¡±


    0


    0


    quickly!¡±


    Tommy led her toward the za at the camp¡¯s rear.


    Finished


    From afar, Adide spotted several familiar figures¨Cher old friends from the Warscar Training Camp.


    Her fingertips glowed silver, wolf¨Cws flickering as she sprinted over, shouting, ¡°Avery! Halbert! Ang! Paisley!¡±


    The four looked up to see a figure charging toward them.


    Avery instinctively began shifting, his arm swelling thrice its size, covered in gray wolf fur.


    His fingers sprouted sharp ws, swinging at the oing figure.


    Adide sidestepped, her wolf¨Cws colliding with his wolf¨Cws, sparks flying.


    The two darted and leaped across the grass, their silver¨Cwed shadows intertwining, startling the surrounding wolf warriors¨Cthey¡¯d never witnessed such fierce close¨Cquartersbat.


    Soon, Avery¡¯s arm returned to human form. He stepped back, a smile ying on his lips. ¡°Your reflexes have slowed, Adide.¡±


    ¡°Your speed¡¯s increased by a third since the training camp,¡± Adide observed, eyeing the broader¨Cshouldered youth.


    Gray fur dotted his ears, revealing a newly inked wolf totem. ¡°And¡­ you¡¯ve finallypleted your first shift?¡±


    Avery Watson was the sole Alpha heir of the Ancient Moon Pack. Having passed the training camp ritual a dayter than Adide, he was always teased by her as ¡°the


    younger one¡°.


    At that moment, Halbert, Ang, and Paisley swarmed around her, bombarding her with questions.


    ¡°We heard you mated with the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Alpha? Is it true?¡±


    ¡°Your mate is with Ulrik? That Alpha known as the ¡®Executioner¡®?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Our instructors forbade us from leaving the camp. We could only sneak around to gather info about you¨Cyour instructor was like an enraged giant bear, utterly terrifying!¡±


    ¡°Adide, why did you choose to be a Luna of the pack? With your temper, how could you possibly submit to any Alpha¡¯s pheromones?¡±


    Halbert, from the Rose Pack, usually wore a kind smile on his round cheeks but now frowned as if contemting a philosophical puzzle.


    Ang, also from the Rose Pack, had wine¨Cred hair tied into a sleek ponytail and wore rose¨Cgold


    313


    2.13 PM 0


    Finished


    Paisley Stephens had the most distinctive background¨Cshe was the only daughter of the Crimson me Pack¡¯s Alpha. Our wolf kingdom¡¯s arms trade in the west was virtually controlled by their pack¡¯s enterprises.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 36

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Finished


    Three years back, Adide bumped into this spoiled little princess on the wastnd outside the training camp, and they shed over who should use the training area.


    When Paisley tearfully brought pack members to demand an exnation, they found out Adide¡¯s mentor was Irene, the legendary trainer of the Warscar Training Camp, and had to slink away.


    Seeing her pack members fear the Warscar Training Camp made Paisley furious.


    She left her pack, got lost in the mountains, and encountered a beast. At the time, she couldn¡¯t shift and had no wolf of her own. Fortunately, Adide was practicingbat skills on the mountain and saved her. The two became best friends from that day on.


    ¡°Shut it!¡±


    Adide¡¯s Alpha aura leaked out involuntarily, rustling the surrounding grass and trees. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to discuss pacts. They¡¯re recruiting wolves. We¡¯re joining Alpha Lance to drive the Dragon Ash Kingdom wolves back within their borders.¡±


    To join the battlefield, one needed legitimate warrior status, even the lowest rank would do.


    At the mere mention of ¡°legally hunting Dragon Ash wolves,¡± the four friends¡® eyes lit up.


    Paisley¡¯s whip cracked the air first, the metal tip creating a thunderous boom¨Ca unique ¡°Deafening Whip Technique¡± of the Crimson me Pack, using sound sts to disorient


    enemies.


    The Camma in charge of recruitment looked up, frowned, and waved them off. ¡°Under eighteens aren¡¯t allowed¨C¡±


    His words cut short,


    Paisley spun and leaped, steel studs on her boot soles sparking against the <b>ground</b>.


    Hey whipshed out like a living <b>thing</b>, ensnaring a granite target twenty paces away. Her left arm suddenly shufted, gray wolf fur bristling with veins, wolf ws gripping the whip handle tightly.


    With a myfled rour, spiderweb¨Clike cracks spread across the rock surface. As chunks fell away. they revealed the Dragon Ashi¡¯s ice¨Cpattern insignia embedded within¨Ca provocative disy of a wulf & trupy


    ¡°Boun¡ª¡ª¡± die boulder exploded into das


    Paisley advanced through <b>the </b>debris, her irises glowing with the wolf¡¯s signature golden¨Cred.


    Hey whip tap, still dusted with ruch powder, stopped at the right ce. She said. ¡®Protecting the


    Finished


    The werewolves behind stared in disbelief. The lead Gamma quickly nodded: ¡°We¡¯ll take you all! Of course we will<b>!</b>¡±


    The five were registered as Gray w warriors.


    But Paisley raised a dissatisfied brow. ¡°How many kills to get promoted?¡±


    The Gamma flipped through his manual. ¡°Thirty cumtive kills to be ¡®Iron w, and so


    on.¡±


    A arrogant smile spread across Paisley¡¯s face. ¡°Then bing a ¡®Silver w¡® general will be a piece of cake.¡±


    Low chuckles rippled around. The battlefield wasn¡¯t a training ground; the Dragon Ash warriors were far tougher than beasts.


    Only Adide knew the golden glint in Paisley¡¯s eyes wasn¡¯t naivety, but genuine battle lust.


    She touched the wolf¨Chead dagger at her gift from her father on hering¨Cof¨Cage day.


    ¨C


    That night, they¡¯d step onto the battlefield as ¡°Gray ws.¡±


    The blood of the Dragon Ash Kingdom wolves would stain the upied grasnds red.


    After joining Alpha Lance¡¯s ranks, trainingmenced.


    But for wolves from the Warscar Training Camp, the drills were too basic.


    ¡°Ten tests in four minutes,¡± Avery said, wiping sweat from his brow, his beast¨Cshifted knuckles still gleaming silver. ¡°I miss the camp¡¯s hellish weeks. At least there, the posts wouldn¡¯t snap with a punch.¡±


    At tactical theory ss, everyone focused tightly¨Cexcept Adide, the other four¡¯s groupbat <b>was </b>stuck <b>at </b>simted camp exercises.


    Late at night, the five huddled in Adide¡¯s canvas tent.


    grasp of


    The portable kerosenemp <b>cast </b>a flickering glow. Ang¡¯s wolf ears brushed the leather ceiling <b>as </b>she suddenly leaned in and asked, ¡°Are you and Alpha Ulrik of the Bloodmoon Pack mated?¡±


    Adide <b>sat </b>cross<b>¨C</b>legged on the cot and said, ¡°We were once, but no longer. Lycan Erasmus nullified our bond. I¡¯m a free Alpha now.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Ang pped excitedly. ¡°Leonard was really down about you bing the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna. Now <b>that </b>you¡¯re single again, he must <b>be </b>thrilled. Maybe he¡¯s your Second Chance.¡±


    Adide flicked her forehead. ¡°Knock <b>it </b>off. That guy¡¯s <b>as </b>fierce <b>as </b><b>a </b>bear with a sore paw. I¡¯d rather bed a grizzly.¡±


    ¡°But Leonard¡¯s cedar pheromones match yours perfectly!¡± Ang said, her rose¨Cgold earrings


    <b>2:14 </b>PM


    Finished


    ¡°Where do you get these ideas?¡± Adide grabbed a pillow and threw it, wolf feathers and dry straw bursting into the air. ¡°He left for battle the day our pact was sealed and dissolved the bond in the third week after his return. He¡¯s already got a new Luna.¡±


    ¡°So soon?¡± Paisley spat. ¡°What a jerk. I¡¯ll never be any wolf¡¯s mate.¡±


    Avery said, ¡°Paisley, that¡¯s not fair. If you¡¯re going to badmouth that scum, don¡¯t tar all males with the same brush. I¡¯m a good wolf, and so¡¯s Halbert.¡±


    agree, right¡­ What are you looking for?¡±


    He turned to Halbert, ¡°You


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry. Is there any


    food?¡±


    T


    ¡°Where would we get food? I haven¡¯t had a decent meal for days,¡± Adide sped her hands. ¡°But they must be gathering supplies. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll eat soon.¡±


    She forced a smile, but her friends exchanged nces, sensing an unusual wisp of mncholy in her eyes that they¡¯d never seen before.


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    30

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 37

    Third person¡¯s POV


    Finished


    The urgent intelligence, carrying the chill of the ice ins, pped against the oak desk. Lycan Erasmus¡¯s ws pierced the parchment, revealing the mark of the ¡°Dragon Ash & Western Tribes Alliance.¡±


    Moonlight, streaming through the parliamentary hall¡¯s wolf¨Chead emblem window, cast fractured shadows across his ashen face.


    He immediately notified Lycan Gamma Elias Kell and the werewolf generals remaining in the capital to convene at


    <i>ne </i>pce.


    Among them were Ulri


    and Velda.


    Lycan Gamma Elias¡¯s forehead glistened with cold sweat.


    ¡°The Western Tribes have allied with the Dragon Ash Kingdom to annex our southern borders? How could this happen? They only recently signed a non¨Caggression peace pact with us.¡±


    ¡°Our warriors led by Alpha Lance have already taken losses in battle. Food supplies are likely insufficient now. How can they possibly hold the line?¡± another voice added.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus<b>, </b>it¡¯s probably toote to send reinforcements now. We failed to detect this intelligence. It seems all our informants in the Dragon Ash Kingdom and Western Tribes have been eliminated,¡± said a royal elder anxiously.


    ¡°It does seem toote to dispatch aid now,¡± another elder echoed.


    Erasmus closed his eyes, and the events of ten days <b>ago </b>shed before him.


    Adide knelt before the throne, a wolf¡¯s¨Chead dagger pinning a bloodstained letter bearing the Warscar Training Camp¡¯s wolf¨Cpaw emblem.


    She had imed, ¡°Ulrik¡¯s military honors are stained with civilian blood.¡± He had dismissed her ims <b>as </b>jealousy toward Velda.


    He had even ordered the royal guard to restrict Adide from leaving the Frostfang Pack¡¯s territory.


    Little did he know she had spoken the truth.


    ¡°If I had believed her <b>ten </b><b>days </b>ago, immediately dispatched reinforcements, and arranged for supplies, <b>we </b>might <b>have </b>stood a chance against the alliance of the Western Tribes and the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom,¡± he thought.


    Velda and Ulrik exchanged nces. <b>The </b>opportunity they had awaited had finally arrived.


    They had used their merits at the Bloodscar Border to secure Lycan Erasmus¡¯s favor and


    2:14 PM


    0


    Finished


    Should they distinguish themselves on the southern border battlefield, they would be influential werewolf generals.


    Then, no one would dare mock them.


    Ulrik could not forget the humiliation of their bonding ceremony.


    ?????


    Though he had fully marked Velda since then, a lingering resentment remained.


    Rosemary, upon learning of his affair with Velda¨Ca betrayal of their mating bond¨Chad fallen ill with rage.


    Ulrik had personally sought Shaman Digby, only to fail to meet him.


    Later, Velda had also tried to appeal to Digby, who refused to even open his door, enraging her.


    It was Tamara who had eventually pleaded with Digby, securing his services for a hundred thousand dors.


    However, Rosemary¡¯s condition required more than a single cure. If this continued, the Bloodmoon Pack would be unable to bear the cost.


    Tamara had earned the praise of many wolves for her filial piety.


    Yet, Ulrik and Velda faced ridicule. The merits of their triumphant return had been forgotten; all that remained was the memory of their embarrassment at the bonding ceremony where guests had deserted them.


    Thus, they desperately needed merits to reim their glory.


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Ulrik¡¯s voice interrupted Erasmus¡¯s thoughts.


    The Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack knelt on one knee, the frost¨Cwolf emblem on his armor gleaming brightly. Before he could speak, Velda interjected.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, please dispatch reinforcements immediately. Alpha Ulrik and I can lead them to the southern border and strive to arrive before the Western Tribes¡® forces,¡± Velda dered.


    Ulrik was taken aback, but it was toote to object.


    Lycan Erasmus immediately asked, ¡°Can you arrive before the Western Tribes¡® troops?¡±


    ¡°I will do my utmost,¡± Velda replied resolutely.


    ¡°Very well. Ulrik shall be the chiefmander, and Velda the deputy. Depart at once with <b>a </b>hundred thousand werewolf warriors,¡± Erasmus ordered.


    Velda paused and said, ¡°Lycan Erasmus<b>, </b>a hundred thousand may not be sufficient. With less than two hundred thousand warriors on the southern border and thebined forces of the Western Tribes and the Dragon Ash Kingdom, I request the royal wolf warriors¡® support <b>as </b>well.¡±


    D


    protection and cannot be casually redeployed.¡±


    Finished


    Lycan Erasmus pondered for a moment. ¡°Then half of them shall apany Ulrik. Once the reinforcements arrive, they shall be ced under Alpha Lance¡¯smand.¡±


    Velda¡¯s pheromones suddenly fluctuated, and her wolf ws emerged slightly.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, the capital¡¯s wolf warriors may not heed Alpha Lance. It would be better if Alpha Ulrik and Imand them.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Elias¡¯s face darkened. ¡°A battlefield cannot have twomanders. Moreover, the capital¡¯s wolf warriors were trained by Alpha Bentley and have fought alongside Alpha Lance. They will obey him. If they refuse orders, what use are such warriors?¡±


    The president of the Royal Elder Council, Cyrus Voss, arrivedte.


    Upon understanding the situation, he concurred that immediate deployment was necessary, with all reinforcements ced under Alpha Lance¡¯smand.


    Cyrus, though over seventy, had not yet retired.


    His opinion carried weight with Lycan Erasmus and was logically sound.


    Lycan Erasmus dered, ¡°So be it. Return to your packs to prepare. Lead the reinforcements to the southern border and hand them over to Alpha Lance upon arrival.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡± Ulrik and Velda acknowledged the order.


    <b>Send Gifts </b>

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 38

    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    0


    0


    Finished


    I was about to leave with Velda when a light cough from Lycan Erasmus sounded behind us.


    We turned, and Erasmus¡¯s gaze locked onto Velda¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯ve pledged to reach the southern border before the Western Tribes. I trust it¡¯s not an empty promise. Should you turn the tide,¡± his w traced the wolf¨Ctooth carving on his throne, ¡°I¡¯ll reward you handsomely.¡±


    Velda knelt on one knee, her ice¨Cspiked pauldrons glinting. ¡°I swear by the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s


    totem.¡±


    As Velda and I left, Erasmus was still deep in discussion about supplies.


    This battle was decisive. None would ept failure now.


    My boots clicked urgently on the marble floor.


    Outside the pce, a snowstormshed at us with icy pellets. I frowned and said, ¡°This mission¡¯s impossible!¡±


    I dragged Velda into the shadow of a wolf statue. Cedar and mint pheromones shed. ¡°They¡¯ve been gone for over ten days. We haven¡¯t even set off. How can we possibly outrun them?¡±


    ¡°I said we can, then we will,¡± Velda interrupted, brushing my damp hair aside.


    Her eyes zed with ambition. ¡°There¡¯s nothing that can¡¯t be done with determination.¡±


    I sighed in frustration. ¡°It took two months to lead the capital guard to the Bloodscar Border. Now, with only twenty days, how can we make it?¡±


    Velda waved away my concerns. ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the pack and prepare. We leave immediately.¡±


    After a pause, she sneered, ¡°I know you¡¯ve been resentfultely, and Rosemary dislikes me too. But I¡¯ll prove Adide¡¯s tricks are useless. Only by earning merits on the battlefield can the Bloodmoon Pack regain its former glory.¡±


    Hearing Adide¡¯s name, I frowned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention her,¡± I snapped, my ws piercing my gloves. ¡°When we dissolved the bond, she didn¡¯t even leave me the wolf¨Chead g.¡±


    Velda¡¯s gaze turned cold. ¡°Does she still prick your conscience? Are you still entangled with her? <b>I </b>think she¡¯s ying hard to get, which is why you went to the Frostfang Pack looking for her.¡±


    ¡°Stop it,¡± I said, suppressing my anger. ¡°I told you, I went to Frostfang to consult Shaman Digby. My mother¡¯s illness requires more than medicine. Shaman Digby¡¯s wolf magic is essential. And I


    2:14 PM


    Finished


    ¡°Conveniently unavable, isn¡¯t she? Who knows what schemes you two are brewing?¡± Velda retorted.


    I looked at her cold face, feeling annoyed. ¡°We¡¯re heading into battle. Let¡¯s not argue over someone we¡¯ve already severed mate bond with.¡±


    My voice carried a wolf¡¯s howl.


    My wolf tail brushed my spine, growling discontentedly. ¡°Why does she frustrate me so much?¡±


    I muttered, trying to soothe my wolf.


    Velda realized the tension between us.


    Softening her tone, she said, ¡°You¡¯re the one who won¡¯t let me mention her. Your defensiveness only fuels suspicion.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s only you in my heart,¡± I said, taking her hand, though my gaze wandered to the gloomy sky.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe Alphas are loyal warriors,¡± Velda sighed, her resolve hardening. ¡°But I¡¯ll make you see that taking me as your mate is the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s greatest fortune. Adide can only help with your mother¡¯s care¨CTamara can do the same. I, however, can restore the Bloodmoon Pack to its former glory.¡±


    This was indeed my dearest wish.


    I nodded slightly, my wolf ears twitching unconsciously. ¡°It¡¯s strange that the Western Tribes would ally with the Dragon Ash to attack our southern border. They¡¯ve sworn blood oaths, with wolf¨Chead bone seals buried at the boundary markers.¡±


    Velda stroked the wolf¨Chead dagger at her waist, its totem gleaming coldly. ¡°The pact only binds the Bloodscar Border. The southern border remains unconquered, with Frostbite and Darkw Towns still in Dragon Ash control. The Western Tribes¡® assistance doesn¡¯t technically break the treaty.¡±


    ¡°Even so¡­¡± I tightened my grip on the wolf¨Chead military token, my finger tracing the battle scars my father had engraved.


    ¡°The Dragon Ash Kingdom and Western Tribes seldom interact. Shouldn¡¯t we fear their intentions?<b>¡± </b>


    The wolf hair under my pauldrons bristled with alertness, though I wasn¡¯t fully transformed, and the mating mark on the back of my neck still burned.


    Though not a battle<b>¨C</b>seasoned veteran, I could sense the oddity of their sudden alliance.


    Velda shrugged. ¡°Who cares<b>? </b>It¡¯s an opportunity for us. I¡¯m hoping theye.¡±


    Unlike Velda, I couldn¡¯t share her optimism.


    213


    2:14 PM <b>J </b>


    reinforcements under two hundred thousand, the situation was dire.


    Finished


    Alpha Lance¡¯s troops were short on supplies and filled with wounded soldiers, unable to capture Frostbite Town and could only wait for support on the spot.


    It was winter, and the southern border was bitterly cold, extremely unfavorable to us.


    Velda had easily promised to arrive on the battlefield before the Western Tribes, which seemed almost impossible to me.


    Shecked experience, and if we failed, we would be the first to be held ountable.


    ¡°By the way, do you know why Lycan Erasmus posted royal guard wolves at the entrance of Frostfang?¡± Velda suddenly asked.


    <b>Send </b><b>Gifts </b>


    30

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 39

    a b c d


    Finished


    Third person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik shook his head. He didn¡¯t want to talk more about Adide, fearing it would spark another argument.


    But Velda gathered her cloak and smirked, ¡°Naturally, it¡¯s to keep her from causing trouble. I heard, she went to Lycan Erasmus the day after our bonding ceremony. Then the royal guard sent her back to the Frostfang Pack, where she¡¯s been under watch. She must¡¯ve made some excessive demands to Lycan Erasmus¨Cprobably rted to you and me. She can¡¯t bear to <i>see </i>us do well.¡±


    Though Ulrik had heard rumors, he didn¡¯t dare to look into it and was surprised Velda had found


    out on her own.


    ¡°When we return victorious from the southern border, it will be interesting to see if she shows jealousy,¡± she said, linking her arm with his, her eyes filled with triumph.


    Ulrik couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°The Davidson family has a glorious military legacy. She may not be envious.¡±


    ¡°What does the Davidson family¡¯s legacy have to do with her? She¡¯s just reaping the rewards of her father¡¯s and brothers¡® sacrifices. Where is her own achievement?¡± Velda sneered, then feigned pity. ¡°Forget it, she¡¯s pitiable enough. I don¡¯t want <i>to </i>make her life harder.¡±


    In the past, hearing this would have filled Ulrik with admiration.


    But after the bonding ceremony, he realized Velda¡¯s disdain for she¨Cwolves was even more pronounced than that of many male wolves.


    The dark night swallowed the world, hiding the stars behind clouds, leaving only thick darkness.


    The news of Ulrik and Velda heading to the southern border thrilled and worried Rosemary.


    She repeatedly caressed the silver wolf¡¯s¨Chead pendant- a gift from Ulrik after his first military merit. The bloodmoon stone in the wolf¡¯s eyes warmed with her heartbeat.


    She knew the battlefield was a crucible¨Ca ce where heroes were forged and the weak consumed.


    In victory, the wolf¡¯s¨Chead g would be nted on the enemy¡¯s totem pole; in defeat, one would lose their life.


    After reflecting on all her emotions, she trusted her son and Velda.


    After all, at the Bloodscar Border, Velda had been the primary contributor to their sess<b>. </b>


    She was capable.


    Moreover, as wolf generals, not mere warriors, they wouldmand from the tactical tent,


    2:14


    Finished


    With this thought, she finally released her tightly bitten lower lip, now pale, and called out to an Omega, ¡°Polish Ulrik¡¯s Magma Wolf Scale Armor three more times¨Cmy children will return triumphantly, treading on the bones of the Dragon Ash wolves.¡±


    A few days after the two led the reinforcements out of the capital, the informants embedded in the Dragon Ash Kingdom finally sent back a bloody animal¨Cskin dispatch.


    As Lycan Erasmus¡¯s fingertips brushed the frost¨Cfire scorch mark on the dispatch¡¯s edge, the moon¨Cdiadem imprint on the back of his neck trembled violently. Every w mark matched those on the urgent report Alpha Lance had sent from the southern border three days prior.


    The


    young emperor crushed the gilded wolf¡¯s¨Chead candlestick on his desk.


    ¡°Half a month! A full half a month!¡± he shouted, his voice trembling with imminent rage.


    Though Velda imed they could arrive before the Western Tribes, Erasmus, a battle¨Cseasoned veteran, knew it was impossible.


    He said frustration, ¡°How could I have thought Adide was petty enough to want to get back at Ulrik? The intelligence she provided was crucial, yet I doubted her.¡±


    Beta Fabian said softly, ¡°It¡¯s also because Miss Davidson forged Craig¡¯s letter.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus shook his head. ¡°Without the forged letter, I would have trusted her even less. I would have thought she was trying to undermine Velda¡¯s achievements.¡±


    He suddenly recalled Adide¡¯s first plea to dissolve the mate bond. Her eyes had held the cold, determined fire of the Warscar Training Camp¨Ca look unfit for a noble she¨Cwolf confined in a gilded cage.


    Beta Fabian suddenly remembered something and said, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, when I went to the Bloodmoon Pack, I happened to see Alpha Ulrik and Adide engage in a brief fight. Herbat skills are exceptional. Alpha Ulrik was clearly no match for her.¡±


    ¡°Ulrik must have been holding back,¡± Erasmus said. ¡°Beta Fabian, go to the Frostfang Pack and bring Adide here. The Western Tribes¡® wolves¡® fickle stance suggests there might be more to the Battle of Bloodscar than I know.<i>¡± </i>


    Fabian went to the Frostfang Pack, and Valentin had no choice but to inform him truthfully.


    When Fabian returned to report, he found Lycan Erasmus lost in thought, gazing at the southern border map.


    Moonlight filtered through the frost¨Cpatterned windows<b>, </b>casting a cold shimmer on the moon- diadem imprint between his brows.


    ¡°She crossed the Dark Forest alone?¡± Erasmus suddenly chuckled, his fingertip tracing the ¡°Direwolf¡¯s Lair¡± on the map. ¡°Irene of the <b>Warscar </b>Training Camp lives up to her reputation.¡±


    After a pause<b>, </b><b>he </b>said, ¡°I¡¯m curious why Luna Aire chose Ulrik as her mate back then. Why pick


    2:14 PM


    O


    C


    O


    Finished


    Fabian hesitated for a moment before softly saying, ¡°Word has it that many wolves sought Adide¡¯s favor, but only Ulrik swore to Luna Aire never to betray his mate.¡±


    A displeased shadow crossed Lycan Erasmus¡¯s eyes. ¡°How ironic, Aire was mistaken.¡±


    ¡°Not just Ulrik, Luna Aire misjudged several others,¡± Fabian added.


    Lycan Erasmus looked at him and asked, ¡°Anything else?¡±


    <b>Send </b><b>Gifts </b>


    ¡£


    30

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 40

    Third person¡¯s POV


    Finished


    Fabian said, ¡°The other day, at the Silverglow Pack¡¯s Melinda¡¯s bonding ceremony, I heard that Adide had her Beta deliver a gift, but it was returned.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus frowned and asked, ¡®Why would that be?¡®


    Fabian¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple suddenly rolled, and his neck nds uncontrobly released a cypress scent¨Ca instinctive reaction of lower¨Cranking wolves when reporting sensitive matters.


    The wolf¨Chead carving on the armrest of Lycan Erasmus¡¯s bronze throne suddenly opened its vertical pupils, and the entire tent was instantly filled with icy pheromones akin to a tundra blizzard.


    ¡°I heard that they felt Adide, having returned to the Frostfang Pack after dissolving her mate bond, was not dignified enough,¡± Fabian exined. ¡°After all, Alpha Howell of the Silverglow Pack is a descendant of a royal elder.¡±


    The bronze goblet suddenly shattered into ice crystals. Lycan Erasmus¡¯s bone tail swept the ground, kicking up hexagonal frost flowers.


    The silver moon crest on his forehead emitted a cold light, and his elongated canines refracted the candlelight like cold ice. He said, ¡°Is this true? Skye and Aire are sisters, and Melinda and Adide were close as children. What¡¯s undignified about a cousin sending a gift to another cousin?¡±


    ¡°Moreover, it was I who dered their mate bond null and void. Are they questioning my decree?¡± Erasmus added.


    Under the pressure, Fabian¡¯s keratinyers peeled off. He had to kneel on one knee to steady his voice.


    ¡°Perhaps Luna Skye is being fastidious about noble appearances. Besides, with the Frostfang Pack now reduced to Miss Davidson alone and no hope of resurgence, even her own aunt treats her indifferently.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus recalled Lycan Luna rissa¡¯s friendship with Aire.


    His vertical pupils abruptly narrowed into silver lines, and all the bronze candbras in the tent melted simultaneously.


    He darkened his expression. ¡°Do not let Luna rissa know of this. She dotes on Adide. Should she learn that Adide has been slighted, she would surely be furious.¡±


    Fabian responded, ¡°Yes<b>, </b>I understand.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus reflected that all the grievances Adide had suffered stemmed from his orders, particrly themand allowing Ulrik and Velda to form a bond.


    173


    2:14 P


    Finished


    His irritation grew, and hemanded, ¡°Go to the Silverglow Pack and inform Howell and Skye that they are to reflect on their conduct within their pack this month.¡±


    ¡°As youmand!¡± Fabian said, retreating.


    Outside, the sky was a dull gray.


    Recalling a certain individual, Fabian felt an oppressive weight on his chest.


    It was a simrly bleak and freezing day when Erasmus, not yet the Lycan King, had been poisoned with wolfsbane.


    As the future Beta, Fabian had been held ountable for inadequate care.


    At that time, still young, Fabian had been ordered to be whipped with a wolfsbane¨Csoaked whip.


    His wounds, unable to heal from the poison, had weakened him.


    It was Luna Aire who had discovered the situation from the former Lycan King and brought Shaman Digby to cure him, saving his life.


    Otherwise, Fabian would have perished in that year¡¯s harsh winter.


    Now, with Luna Aire¡¯s daughter being despised, how could he stand idly by?


    Thus, the usually reticent Fabian had lodged aint with Lycan Erasmus that day.


    Alpha Howell, though the Alpha of the Silverglow Pack, wielded no real power within the royal


    court.


    Hence, reporting him wouldn¡¯t be seen as interference in royal affairs.


    Fabian summoned two royal wolf guards and headed for the Silverglow Pack.


    Howell and Skye exchanged puzzled nces, unaware of their misdeeds, as Lycan Erasmus ordered them to reflect within their pack, even barring them from the pce during Christmas to apany the old Lycan Luna.


    Howell secretly pulled Fabian aside. ¡°Please enlighten me, what exactly have we done wrong?<b>¡± </b>


    Theck of information was terrifying.


    Fabian waved his hand and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not privy to the details. I¡¯m merely carrying out orders.¡±


    The words ¡°carrying out orders¡± left Howell no choice but to desist.


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s authority <b>was </b>absolute¨Chis punishment and rewards were clear.


    After Fabian¡¯s departure, the two stared at each other in confusion.


    Finished


    Lycan Erasmus had even allowed their mother to leave the pce and reunite with them at the Silverglow Pack.


    As an Alpha withoutbat power or influence, Erasmus had always been supportive of the Silverglow Pack, maintaining a close rtionship.


    Why, then, had punishment suddenly befallen them?


    They had done nothing, nor dared to do anything.


    It was most perplexing.


    In December¡¯s harsh cold, heavy snow blocked the path for Ulrik and the reinforcements.


    Despite their initial haste, two days of relentless snowfall nketed the ground in white<i>. </i>


    The cold was bearable, but their progress was severely hampered.


    Each step was a struggle, and pulling their feet free was equally difficult.


    The southern border had also seen snow, fortunately light.


    Training for new wolf warriors wasrgelyplete, with thirty thousand recruits. Weapons and armor were being rushed from Tower City and were expected to reach the front lines before the Western Tribes¡® army arrived.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 41

    Adide¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    When Alpha Lance found me, I was sharpening my silver ws with the new recruits.


    His frost¨Ckissed ears bristled with anger, and his voice had that gravelly growl unique to werewolves, ¡°Pack up. I¡¯m sending you back to the capital before dawn.¡± I gripped the rust¨Cstained whetstone, my bandaged knuckles straining from my wolf transformation. I said, ¡°The Frostfang Pack doesn¡¯t have cowards. Unless you cut off my ws.¡± He stared at my bleeding palm for what felt like ten heartbeats, then growled hoarsely, ¡°Don¡¯t die too quickly,¡± and strode away, his mud- sttered cloak pping behind <b>him</b>.


    My wolf nudged me and said, ¡°His scent is intoxicating.¡±


    lignored it. Ang peeked out from behind a barracks post, her rose¨Cgold earrings catching the firelight.


    ¡°Does this wolf general always behave like a savage?¡± she asked.


    Paisley scuffed a frozen blood clod with her boot. The sulfur pheromones of the Western Tribal wolves mixed with her sigh. ¡°After three years here, who isn¡¯t a mess?¡±


    True enough, the southern border had been a battleground for years.


    My father hadmanded here. Now it was Alpha Lance¡¯s turn.


    Halbert patted his curved de and said, ¡°Savages make the best fighters. It¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    On Christmas Eve, Frostbite Town¡¯s gates burst open at dawn.


    Waves of werewolf warriors flooded out, Western Tribes and Dragon Ash wolves in mixed armor, indistinguishable from each other.


    Stepping onto the battlefield for the first time, my palms sweated around my spear.


    Ang¡¯s scream was swallowed by the drums. As I charged with the transformed wolves, I recalled my father¡¯s notes, ¡°In werewolfbat, there are no styles¨Cjust speed and sharper


    ws.¡±


    When my silver spear pierced a werewolf warrior¡¯s <b>throat</b>, the warm blood sshed my wolf-


    nose.


    I wanted to find the enemy¡¯s totem pole but saw golden¨Cwolf riders in the distance¨Ca ssic


    northern bait tactic.


    I gritted my teeth and fought on. From sunrise to moonrise, my arms grew leaden.


    My tongue was coated with dried blood, and bodies beneath my feet formed a macabre totem.


    3.22 PM ct c


    My wolf, weary from travel and training, couldn¡¯t heal it fast enough.


    +8 Pearls


    When the Dragon <b>Ash </b>warriors retreated into the town, I copsed into the blood¨Cmud, now icy.


    Paisley flopped down beside me, gasping, ¡°How many did you kill?¡± I flexed my stiff wrists, wolf- ws caked with flesh, and said, ¡°Lost count after thirty.¡±


    Halbert tried to rise on wolf¨Cws but only kicked up ice water. ¡°Fifty for me! Three hearts crushed with my ws!¡±


    As Abbott¡¯s cleanup crew passed by, pine torches lit the carnage.


    We¡¯d lost three thousand warriors. The Dragon Ash Kingdom, six thousand.


    Alpha Lance¡¯s Beta, blood¨Csoaked fur clinging to me like a moving blood carpet, lunged at me, ¡°Alpha Lance tallied your kills! Three hundred and seven throats slit!¡± His palm pped my shoulder, pain ringing in my ears. ¡°Every werewolf general¡¯s saying you honor the Frostfang Pack and the Bentley bloodline!¡±


    1 stared at the blood grooves on my peach¨Cblossom spear. I remembered my father¡¯s calloused hand gripping mine on his deathbed.


    Now I understood¨Con the battlefield, life and death depend solely on your weapon and an unyielding heart.


    The water skin Ang passed me tasted of rust. I noticed her wine¨Cred braid snagged a shred of someone¡¯s clothing.


    Distant wolf howls echoed as Halbert snored loudly.


    Leaning on my silver spear, I gazed at Frostbite Town¡¯s shut gates. Memories of childhood in the Frostfang Pack surfaced¨Cwatching my father and brothers polish their weapons.


    Some traits are eternal, I realized¨Cthe instinct to kill and the obsession with thisnd.


    The night wind carried the stench of blood. I touched the wolf¨Chead talisman at my waist.


    Father, I¡¯ve fought my first battle and haven¡¯t shamed you.


    ¡°I killed this many? I lost count too. So tired,¡± I said, my legs trembling from cold or exhaustion.


    ¡°Hurry! Alpha Lance wants you now!¡± Tommy urged as I tried to sit.


    Halbert leaped up, suddenly alert. ¡°Alpha Lance is waiting? Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Earlier, he¡¯d said thirty kills meant promotion. He¡¯d made fifty: I¡¯d¡­ lived up to expectations.


    I rose with my silver spear, knees scraping frozen pebbles.


    We five staggered into Alpha Lance¡¯s tent, the p flying open to thirty pairs of eyes on <b>us</b>.


    372 PM


    drawing raucousughter from the assembled officers.


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 42

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Paisley kicked Halbert.


    +8 Pearls


    Alpha Lance alsoughed, his gaze falling on me with unusual brightness. ¡°Adide, well done!¡±


    I wanted to respond modestly, but my throat was as dry as if stuffed with wolf hair, leaving me only to tug at the corners of my mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got your father¡¯s spirit!¡± Abbott¡¯s palm pped my back with such force that I staggered.


    I gritted my teeth to steady myself¨CI couldn¡¯t disgrace my father.


    ¡°Adide, receive your orders!¡± As Alpha Lance rose, his molten¨Cfur cloak swept the ground, revealing a map of the southern frozen terrain. ¡°You¡¯re now promoted to Silver w Gamma. Lead a thousand Gray w wolf warriors. Help yourself to the armory.¡±


    He then turned to my friends, his eyes warm with approval.


    ¡°You four are promoted to Iron ws, under Adide¡¯smand.¡±


    ¨C


    Ang secretly signaled her rank, while Halbert was already grinning from ear to ear.


    Back at the Warscar Training Camp, I was their captain. Now, it was just a different battlefield title. Typically, it takes three years of merits to be a Silver w Gamma, yet I achieved it in a day. Alpha Lance was in high spirits, praising me further in front of the other werewolf generals before dismissing everyone else, saying he wanted a private chat.


    Once alone, I forced myself to straighten my spine. ¡°What are your orders, Alpha Lance?¡±


    ¡°Sit.¡± He plopped down on a bear¨Cskin nket first. Blood scabs and beard hair on his face formed a hard mass, yet they couldn¡¯t hide the light in his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t be so stiff. You¡¯re amander now.¡±


    I struggled to kneel, ice shards from my knees piercing my wolf fur, eliciting <b>an </b>involuntary hiss of pain.


    Alpha Lance pulled out a woll¡ªsealed letter and pushed it toward me. ¡°This is why the Western Tribes allied with Dragon <b>Ash</b><b>.¡± </b>


    <b>As </b>my fingers touched the parchment, the hairs on the <b>back </b>of my neck bristled¨C<b>this </b>answer <b>might </b>unravel the mystery of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre.


    I walked out of themand tent with heavy steps, the night as ck as ink, soaking through my


    <b>armor</b>.


    word in the letter Lance gave me was like a poisonous de, carving into my lungs..


    + Pearls


    One of the werewolf generals Velda captured turned out to be the son of the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King<b>. </b>


    He was merely there for battle experience but was captured by Velda in Snow Deer Town.


    After capture, he concealed his identity. His defiance led to Velda¡¯s men forcing him to drink feces and urine, subjecting him to extreme humiliation, and even castration.


    The Lycan King¡¯s son¡¯s capture was the reason for the Western Tribes¡® surrender, as they sought to exchange their future heir for his return.


    Tragically, his endurance was weak. Upon release, hemitted suicide by stabbing himself.


    The Western Tribes naturally didn¡¯t want it known that their future Lycan King had been so humiliated and tortured.


    Even less did they want it known that he took his own life due to the trauma. Hence, instead of causing a stir at Bloodscar Border, they allied with the Dragon Ash Kingdom to seek revenge on the southern border battlefield.


    No wonder Velda was the hero of the Bloodscar victory.


    What¡¯s more, Velda had no idea that the wolf general she¡¯d humiliated was the son of the Western Tribes Lycan King.


    ¡°Prioritize the bigger picture,¡± Lance¡¯s words still echoed in my ears.


    I tilted my head back, letting the cold wind pour down my throat, the coppery sweetness spreading on my tongue.


    Yes, how could I hot endure?


    If I were to overturn the chessboard now, Alpha Zander¡¯s northern border would likely be jeopardized.


    But the dark informants with severed tongues<b>, </b>the wolf pups yed and hung on the city walls- whose blood debt would repay theirs?


    Victory would skyrocket her


    Velda, that fool, was probably still gloating, thinking the career, unaware that she¡¯d ignited a fire of vengeance between two kingdoms.


    The Western Tribes¡® wolves sought revenge but chose not to confront the truth head¨Con, instead taking a circuitous path to exact their vengeance on the southern border battlefield.


    Velda, she¡¯s doomed the southern border. Otherwise, with Alpha Lance¡¯s capabilities, capturing Frostbite and <b>Darkw </b>Towns would have been just around the corner.


    Now that the Western Tribes¡® werewolves were here, how many werewolf warriors would have <b>to </b>


    +8 Pearls


    Inside the tent, the candlelight swayed. Ang was clearing the medicinal powder from the ground, and a corner of Halbert¡¯s curtain was lifted by the wind.


    I pulled out the new bedding sent over, the coarse hempen cloth rasping against the calluses on my palm¨Cback in the Warscar Training Camp, I never imagined I¡¯d end up in such a cramped tent with a group of wolf warriors.


    Paisley tossed a wine bag at me, and Avery¡¯s shouts suddenly seemed very distant.


    ¡°I heard your ex¨Cmate and his new Luna areing. Won¡¯t it be awkward when you meet?¡± Ang¡¯s voice mingled with the coppery tang of blood.


    I stared at the hole in the tent ceiling, watching snowkes drift in and melt into beads on myshes.


    Ulrik¡¯s smug face surfaced again.


    ¡°What¡¯s awkward about it?¡± Paisley snorted. ¡°Excuse me? We have no regard for such scum.¡±


    Halbert lifted the curtain. ¡°Speaking of which, why did Luna Aire choose a despicable person like Ulrik as your mate?¡±


    ¡°He vowed never to betray his mate,¡± Iy down, my body feeling as if it had been run over by a cart¨Csore, achy, and exhausted. ¡°My mother probably hoped I¡¯d find an Alpha I could rely on.¡±


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 43

    Adide¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    Ang¡¯s once delicate face was smeared with blood, silver¨Cblue coagted blood resembling ice. shards embedded in her skin.


    She grimaced at the copper mirror. ¡°I get your mom¡¯s logic, but Ulrik¡¯s a frozen ingrate.¡±


    Halbert yanked off a bloodied bandage to rewrap his arm wound, his wolf tail restlessly pping the bed¡¯s edge. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d have led the Frostfang guards to raid the Bloodmoon Pack! You even punched a grizzly in camp. Why go soft on that jerk?¡±


    I leaned back on a pile of furs, my eyes shut. The mate¨Cbond scar on my neck throbbed.


    ¡°The capital¡¯s not Shadow Peaks. I¡¯m alreadybeled a ¡®rejected she¨Cwolf. If I scratch Ulrik, the whole Frostfang Pack¡¯ll be called ¡®savage brutes¨Croyals love such excuses to sneer.¡±


    ¡°Why drag the pack into this?¡± Halbert asked, puzzled.


    Paisley pulled a honey¨Csealed wine bag from a carved leather case. The crimson me pack¡¯s sulfur¨Cwine scent wafted out. ¡°It¡¯ll affect the pack. If you have younger siblings, no Alpha¡¯d ally with a mate¨Cyer family.¡±


    She drank deeply, the silver bag gleaming moonily. ¡°Noble rules are trickier than traps.¡±


    Ang suddenly gripped her rose¨Cgold dagger, the de warping her face in the palm. ¡°After this battle, we¡¯ll go to the capital with you. Let¡¯s see who dares soil you


    ¡°No need to wait for victory,¡± I said, eyes flying open. ¡°Ulrik and Velda will soon reach the southern border. Maybe I should tell Alpha Lance about us.¡±


    Paisley tossed the wine bag to her, her usual arrogant smile ying. ¡°You did nothing wrong. Let them confess when theye.¡±


    Suddenly came the crunch of snow¨Cboots outside. Avery¡¯s cedar scent preceded him.


    ¡°I smell wine! Paisley, you miser, hiding drinks¨C


    Avery burst in, lunging for the wine <b>bag</b>.


    Paisley threw it to me. I caught it, leaped up, and flew <b>out </b>of the tent.


    With a thud, I squatted down, dropping the <b>bag</b>. I clutched my nose <b>in </b>agony¨Cit hurt so much!


    What did I <b>crash </b><b>into</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>copper wall? My nose nearly bent.


    I massaged my throbbing nose, tears streaming.


    Thenuh blurred vis irun


    viviem brawa ud <b>nick </b><b>un </b>the l


    +8 Pearls


    As the man unscrewed the bag, a blizzard¨Cpine pheromone burst forth.


    His lowugh, carrying ancient werewolf howls, made the werewolf hairs on my neck freeze.


    But then he roared, ¡°Outrageous! Hoarding wine in camp¨Cconfiscated!¡±


    Before I could react, his tall figure swirled away with the wine bag<b>. </b>


    I stared at the wolf¨Chead emblem on his armor, those gemstone vertical pupils dimming as he


    left.


    Halbert wailed, his voice quivering like a tailless pup¡¯s, ¡°Confiscated by Alpha Lance? I¡¯d even lick the bag¡­..


    He suddenly stopped, his elongated canines piercing his tongue..


    His chest¨Cpounding antics made Paisley snicker. She shook her bulging bag and said, ¡°Think I¡¯d only bring one sk?¡±


    In Avery¡¯s cheers, Halbert ducked inside, their voices and wine¨Cscented air swirling out.


    I rubbed my still¨Chot nose tip as Ang shoved the wine bag into my hand.


    As the alcohol burned down my throat, a horn sounded outside¨C<b>a </b>second battle¡¯s iron hooves were crushing the snow outside Frostbite Town.


    Alpha Lance ordered to injure rather than kill this time.


    ¡°Why not kill if we can?¡± Halbert¡¯s de gleamed coldly in the moonlight.


    I gripped my silver spear, its tip piercing a shard of ice, ¡°Not the time for that question.¡±


    The spear butt mmed his chest guard. ¡°Disable them, leave them breathing to spread the word.¡±


    The distant battle cries grew louder. I saw the fire in his pupils- the ruthlessness unique to the southern border wolves.


    As over a hundred shadows lunged, my silver spear twirled in hand.


    The front¨Crank spears thrust toward me. I leaped onto my spear shaft, hearing the muffled cracks behind¨Cthey overextended, spears embedding intorades¡® backs.


    Paisley¡¯s whip coiled around all spear shafts like a snake. Herughter and spittle flew, ¡°Adide, keep it up!¡±


    The silver tip of my spear glittered in the sun. When the first blood spattered my wrist guard, I heard Ang¡¯s hammer smash an enemy helmet,


    Avery¡¯s <b>sword </b>slice a throat, Halbert¡¯s wolf ws carve a bloody path.


    off one by one.


    After countless foes fell, my spear shaft was blood¨Csoaked.


    As I severed thest enemy¡¯s tendons, his howl carried the distant sound of retreat.


    +8 Pearls


    Paisley¡¯s whip flicked my blood¨Cstreaked temple. Her face, smeared with blood and sweat, smiled. ¡°Was it fun?¡±


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 44

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    Adide licked the blood from her lips and drank thest swallow of wine from the bag.


    The distant smoke, mixed with the scent of blood, drifted from Frostbite Town, whose walls loomed in the dusk.


    Her silver spear dragged a long blood streak on the ground. Her heartbeat matched the heavy rhythm of the wolf¨Chead g in the night wind.


    This was just the beginning. Velda¡¯s debts and the Western Tribes¡® hidden des would all be settled here on the southern border.


    Alpha Lance adjusted tactics with precision, leading the charge like a well¨Coiled machine, his golden¨Ctrimmed de cutting through enemies.


    The de sliced through the Western Tribes¡® wolf warriors¡® armor, avoiding fatal spots to leave deep gashes around joints¨Ca psychological tactic to overwhelm the enemy¡¯s medical capacity.


    This wasn¡¯t mercy.


    <b>As </b><b>a </b>werewolf general with a decade of experience on the southern border, Lance understood. better than anyone: overwhelming the enemy¡¯s medical capacity with casualties was more intimidating than direct kills.


    When Dragon Ash warriors had to allocate a third of its forces to treat the wounded, it exposed a fatal weakness.


    No general would ignore the wounded, as it would crush morale.


    By nightfall, the battle ceased.


    As drums fell silent, crows flew past the battlements with the setting sun.


    Alpha Lance picked up Adide¡¯s wolf¨Chead pendant with his de,


    Blood droplets on the de froze into tiny crystals. ¡°Three hundred and seventeen confirmed kills¨Cthe Warscar Training Camp should erect a statue for you,¡± he said.


    Adide¡¯s face was caked with blood and grime.


    Alpha Lance gave her a thumbs<b>¨C</b>up. ¡°Another fine showing!¡±


    Though she cared little for merit¨Cit was her father¡¯s wish to reim the southern border that drove <b>her</b><b>. </b>


    Her father and brothers had perished here. Even if she was the sole survivor of her family, she <b>would </b>fulf


    +8 Pearls


    Alpha Lance gazed at Adide¡¯s weather¨Cbeaten face. When she¡¯d arrived, the wind had painted. her cheeks a ruddy hue, like overripe fruit, but her beauty had been undeniable.


    Now, Lance was hard¨Cpressed to recognize the woman before him.


    Her hair was a disheveled mess, clotted with dried blood from the battlefield, strands sticking together or pointing every which way- even a bird¡¯s nest looked more presentable.


    Her armor was torn and bloodied, with no patch of clean skin visible beneath the grime and mud.


    She hadn¡¯t bathed in days and looked more disheveled than a street beggar.


    ¡°How are you?¡± Lance asked, recalling the vibrant girl he used to see at the Warscar Training Camp¨Cfull of life and fire. She seemed like apletely different person now.


    ¡°Hungry!¡± Adide croaked, her chapped lips parting to utter a single word.


    Lance¡¯s facial hair twitched. ¡°We¡¯re all hungry. Bear with it.¡±


    ¡°Exhausted!¡± Adide said weakly, ¡°Can¡¯t even stand properly.¡±


    Alpha Lance suddenly gripped her shoulders, his cold de glinting against the molten fire in his eyes. ¡°Listen, Adide Davidson¨Csince the founding of our werewolf kingdom, no general has achieved such a record in their first battle. Not even your father, who killed a mere one hundred and twenty. You¡¯ve done remarkably well. So, hold your head high and walk out with pride.¡±


    At his words, Adide snapped her head up, the ice shards on her ears scattering like broken. crystals.


    Despite her left leg trembling from a tendon injury, she straightened her spine like a war drum being struck, leaned on her silver spear, and strode out, her bloodied cloak trailing behind. Each step left crimson w marks in the snow.


    Alpha Lance watched from behind, a bittersweet smile ying on his lips..


    He had known her since she was little, once imagining<b>¡­ </b>


    That night, when the supply convoy finally broke through the blockade with salted meat and moon grass wine, Alpha Lance ordered a bonfire in the camp.


    Though modest, it was a full meal for the troops.


    Later, Lance convened a meeting with all Silver w Gamma and higher¨Cranking wolf officers.


    Adide hobbled to the meeting on her silver spear like <b>a </b>crutch.


    <b>Inside</b>, the officers regarded her with admiration.


    Alpha Lance had called them to strategize the next battle.


    storm the city.¡±


    The tent erupted in dissent- a direct assault with current forces would be suicidal.


    +8 Pearls


    Only Adide remained calm. She poked a fragment of the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s war g with her spear tip. ¡°A feigned attack, perhaps?¡± she suggested.


    Alpha Lance¡¯s gaze locked onto hers. ¡°Continue.¡±


    ¡°After the first feint to draw their fire, a second to exhaust their molten¨Cshot crossbows. Then, she traced three arcs on the map, ¡°when they think we¡¯re ying games, the third feint bes the real assault.


    An eerie silence fell, broken only by snowkes tapping the tent.


    Alpha Lance roared withughter, embracing Adide in a bear hug. ¡°A born tactician! I can¡¯t wait to see you and Ulrik fight side by side as mates!¡±


    <b>Send </b>Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 45

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide gasped, a shiver running down her spine as pain prickled her neck.


    +8 Pearls


    She fought the urge to reveal her wolf ears, but her nails dug half¨Cmoon trenches into her palms.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, it hurts,¡± she said, her voice deeper than usual, a barely noticeable tremor betraying her difort¨Cnot from his rough touch, but from the ¡°mates¡± talk.


    As the Frostfang Pack heir, she¡¯d been taught, ¡°Vulnerability only shows when wounds scab.¡±


    ¡°Haha!¡±


    Alpha Lance¡¯sughter shook the tent. ¡°So delicate! Wait till you taste a bear¡¯s warhammer on your shoulder¨Cthat¡¯s real pain!¡±


    His p on her shoulder was rough yet familiar.


    Adide wasn¡¯t one could not endure hardships, but the cold had left her skin raw and sensitive.


    Lance¡¯s calloused fingers felt like needles.


    After his jest, Lance said, ¡°We¡¯ll capture Frostbite Town before reinforcements arrive, then face them in the final battle. Adide, I expect great things from you and Ulrik on the battlefield.¡±


    Adide thought for a moment and felt she really ought to tell everyone about the end of her mating bond with Ulrik.


    Otherwise, when Ulrik and Velda arrived with the reinforcements and everyone still thought she and Ulrik were mates, everyone would be really embarrassed.


    And it could cause a lot of mistrust among them<b>. </b>


    Though feuding with Velda, they were currently allies.


    Before she could speak, someone said, ¡°Ulrik¡¯s lucky to have a fierce she¨Cwolf like Adide as his Luna.¡±


    Abbott smiled at her. ¡°If he ever bullies you, tell me. I¡¯ll sort <b>him </b>out.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. Aire picked him. He can¡¯t be <b>that </b>bad. Let¡¯s not gossip <b>and </b>risk their rtionship,¡± someone else <b>said</b>.


    Mention of her mother¡¯s choice silenced Adide.


    Alpha Lance sensed her secrecy but didn¡¯t press.


    +8 Pearls


    Over these days, she¡¯d only eaten her fill on the first day and today. Otherwise, she¡¯d been half- starved, sleeping heavily despite the gnawing hunger.


    But tonight, after a rare full meal, sleep cluded her.


    The life here were truly tough. It was admirable how her father and brothers had persevered for years in such conditions.


    She was confident she could endure the same, but there was something that weighed on her mind¨Cthe unresolved issue with Ulrik. She hadn¡¯t properly exined her situation to Lance or her father¡¯s old subordinates, and it was beginning to bother her.


    How could she broach the topic?


    If she told them <b>that </b>the mate her mother had chosen for her had abandoned her shortly after carning battlefield glory, and was now seeking a bond with a she¨Cwolf like Velda, would they understand?


    It was likely they¡¯d misinterpret her motives, thinking she was here to prove herself superior to Velda.


    In the capital, she paid no mind to gossip.


    But here, on the battlefield where her father and brothers had fallen, she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her loyalty being misconstrued as petty jealousy.


    Sooner orter, the truth woulde out. Once Ulrik and Velda arrived with the reinforcements, her secret would be exposed.


    Adide sat up, and the snoring around her ceased.


    Everyone had been sleeping soundly yet alert. Her movement had immediately roused them.


    Avery, not hearing any bugle call, asked through the curtain, ¡°Adide, can¡¯t sleep?¡±


    ¡°Got a lot on my mind,¡± Adide said gloomily, hugging her knees.


    Everyone else sat up too. Ang, leaning against Adide¡¯s shoulder with her eyes still shut, asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Adide said, ¡°I want to tell Alpha <b>Lance </b>about Ulrik and <b>me</b><b>¡­ </b>Do you think he¡¯ll assume I¡¯m here topete with Velda<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Avery gasped. ¡°Isn¡¯t that why you¡¯re here?¡±


    Adide rolled her eyes. ¡°If even you think that, everyone else will too.¡±


    Paisley scratched her head. ¡°So what if they think you¡¯repeting? Aren¡¯t you better than her? You¡¯re <b>a </b>Silver w Gamma now.¡±


    +8 Pearls


    Avery said, ¡°Right, Adide always wanted to be a general like them. She¡¯s not here for Velda.¡±


    ¡°But will others believe that?¡±


    Paisley shot back. ¡°They¡¯ll think you¡¯re using the battlefield to prove yourself after being left.¡±


    Halbert added, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what others think. What matters is what Lycan Erasmus and Alpha Lance think¨Cthey¡¯re the ones who decide your fate here.¡±


    Everyone fell silent. They all knew it was true.


    If Lycan Erasmus and Alpha Lance believed she was treating the battlefield as apetition with Velda, it could affect her standing and future.


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 46

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    Ang opened her eyes wide and said, ¡°So what? Adide has truly earned her merits. In the first. and second battles, she was the key contributor.¡±


    Avery pped the bedding and said indignantly, ¡°Yeah, Adide, who cares what others say? Moreover, it¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s the <b>scumbag </b>guys and bitches who


    are at fault. We don¡¯t need to exin anything. When those jerkse, things will be exined naturally. If he dares to pin the me on you, even if he¡¯s a general, I¡¯llmit a lower¨Cranking wolf¡¯s offense and kill him.¡±


    Adide sniffed and said, ¡°They will probably say my mother has poor taste.¡±


    Paisley said, ¡°Aire¡¯s taste is indeed poor. When we meet her next time, I¡¯ll tell her so.¡±


    Tears suddenly burst from Adide¡¯s eyes, the blue glow in her eyes blurred by the water mist. ¡°You don¡¯t need to confront her. I¡¯m the only one left in my family.¡±


    This secret was like a frozen wolfsbane herb lodged in her throat. She had never dared to expose this wound to anyone.


    It was the pain in her heart, a pain that made her tremble all over whenever she thought of it.


    It wasn¡¯t until


    this moment, enveloped in the cedar pheromones of Paisley and the rose scent of Ang, that she finally found the courage to speak.


    Avery and Halbert abruptly flung open the tent curtain. In the darkness, their two shocked faces met the gazes of Ang and Paisley, and in unison, they eximed, ¡°What?¡±


    Adide buried her face in her knees, scalding tears dropping onto her bloodstained wolf¨Cfur wrist guard. She said, ¡°My mom, my grandmother, and my brothers¡® mates were all killed by Western Tribes¡® sleeper agents. At that time, I was still Ulrik¡¯s Luna, living in the Bloodmoon Pack, so I escaped the massacre. But if I hadn¡¯t been¡­


    She suddenly let out a trembling low howl, her nails deeply gouging her thighs, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t be his mate, they wouldn¡¯t have died.¡±


    Her wolf curled up as well, emitting a whimpering howl of sorrow.


    They were utterly stunned.


    A family massacre was truly a catastrophic disaster.


    The four of them stepped forward, enclosing Adide in their embrace, shedding tears with her.


    Ang cried, ¡°Adide, don¡¯t cry. We¡¯re still here for you.¡±


    The rose¨Cgold earrings of Ang brushed against Adide¡¯s trembling shoulder, their pheromones filled with warm pain. ¡°And how could you have known back then<b>¡­ </b>


    +8 Pearls


    ¡°Are those bastards all dead?¡± Paisley¡¯s sulfur pheromones suddenly became intense. She shoved the crowd away and pulled Adide into her crimson¨Cme totem¨Cembroidered cloak. ¡°If they¡¯re not dead. I¡¯ll grind their bones into arrowheads!¡±


    ¡°Dead ones are dead, and the rest have fled. Once we¡¯re free, it will be hard to track them down again.¡±


    Adide bit her lower lip, swallowing the name Velda and the intelligence report on the massacre of surrendered wolves back into her stomach.


    She knew that Paisley¡¯s dagger could slit throats in an instant, and Avery¡¯s silver sword would stab anyone who harmed her without hesitation.


    Ven their personalities, if they knew that Velda¡¯s massacre of surrendered wolves had driven the Western Tribes¡® wolves to brutally ughter her entire family, they would not care about the bigger picture.


    They would likely kill Velda the moment she arrived.


    But at this moment, she must avenge her family with the dignity of the Frostfang Pack, not by having herpanions sacrifice themselves for her personal vendetta.


    Moreover, this matter was not so simple.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to find them doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s impossible. Once the war is over, Paisley said furiously.


    we¡¯ll go


    look for them,¡±


    ¡°Yes, once the war is over, we¡¯ll go look for them,¡± Ang said.


    Halbert and Avery nodded vigorously, ¡°Adide, don¡¯t worry. Those people won¡¯t escape.¡±


    Adide unfolded her arms and hugged them back, tears still streaming uncontrobly. Thinking of her family, once the tears started, they were hard to suppress.


    That night, the five of them crowded into the cramped tent, none of them slept a wink.


    Adide stared at the rose¨Cgold bell in Paisley¡¯s hair, recalling her mother¡¯s words, ¡°A werewolf pack¡¯s wounds heal in the warmth of itspanions.¡±


    At that moment, Ang¡¯s head rested on herp, Avery¡¯s wolf tail unconsciously swept her foot, Halbert¡¯s snoring made the tent shiver, and Paisley¡¯s hand tightly gripped the wolf¨Chead bone


    token at her <b>waist</b>.


    These sources of warmth finally made the contract mark on the back of her neck, which had been empty for so long, no longer feel so cold.


    None of the five slept well. Their eyes were very swollen the next day.


    Fortunately, Paisley had powder to cover up the redness, and with their already dirty appearances, it <b>wasn¡¯t </b>too noticeable.


    +8 Pearls


    The Dragon Ash Kingdom reacted swiftly, mobilizing troops on the battlements and releasing. volleys of arrows.


    The attackers, shield in hand, surged forward in waves, scalingdders andunching siege. equipment.


    But after an hour, not a singledder was set up, and Lance¡¯s troops retreated.


    Snke stood on the battlements, gazing into the distance, and said coldly, ¡°They¡¯re desperate. Do they think they can storm the city with such a small force? Do they think that after we¡¯ve lost so many soldiers, we¡¯re powerless to fight back? It seems Alpha Lance is nothing special after all.¡±


    Victor stood beside him and said, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate him. Comcency is a dangerous


    mistake.¡±


    Snke cast a cold nce at him, ¡°You lot are useless.¡±


    Victor frowned. How could the Western Tribes¡® wolves be so arrogantly overconfident?


    The second attack was more intense than the first, with thirty thousand soldiers dispatched. Siege engines hurled numerous stones, cracking the city walls.


    However, they still couldn¡¯t withstand the arrow storm and soon retreated in disarray..


    Snkeughed heartily, ¡°Alpha Lance is nothing special. In a few more days, when they run out of food, we¡¯llunch a full¨Cscale attack.


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 47

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    In the military camp outside Tower City, Alpha Lance pressed his hands against the tactical table.


    T


    His towering figure radiated a cold cedar pheromone, his wolf pupils gleaming like molten fire under the bonfire light.


    ¡°Weunch the general offensive at dawn,¡± he said. ¡°Capture Frostbite Town, and we secure the Western Tribes¡® supplies¨Cfood, meat, cotton clothes, bedding, and more. Their wolf warriors arrived at the southern border loaded with provisions.¡±


    At the mention of ¡°meat, the werewolves¡® ears perked up.


    They¡¯d long subsisted on crackers, their eyes now glowing with hunger.


    Alpha Lance pointed to Frostbite Town¡¯s west side on the map, motioning Adide forward. ¡°After the city falls, lead three thousand wolves straight here. The supplies are stockpiled there.¡± ¡°The Dragon Ash Kingdom and Western Tribes have many wounded. Once the city breaks, they¡¯ll prioritize evacuating them over food,¡± he exined.


    ¡°Besides, there¡¯s food in Darkw Town. They won¡¯t care much. But for us, these supplies are. critical, Lance exined.


    The team finally understood why Lance had targeted enemy soldiers to inflict injuries rather than fatalities in the battle.


    Lance had never been one to show mercy on the battlefield.


    Adide felt her blood boil with enthusiasm.


    Food, meat, armor, cotton clothes, bedding¨Cthese were all desperately needed by Lance¡¯s forces. Adide¡¯s wolf w traced the map. The terrain was open, perfect for a rapid assault.


    ¡°Mission epted!¡± she dered.


    Three <b>thousand </b>enough? I¡¯ll give you five, seven thousand-whatever <b>you </b>need, Lance offered.


    ¡°Three thousand is plenty,¡± Adide said confidently.


    Alpha Lance let out an approving howl, shaking the pine torches. ¡°That¡¯s the Frostfang spirit! The rest follow me to bombard the east <b>gate</b>!¡±


    Adide voiced her concerns <b>about </b>the city¡¯s defenses¨Ctwelve Frostwolf crossbows and bear- n methrowers.


    +B Pearls


    His de mmed the table. ¡°I¡¯ll draw their fire. You five and Abbott¡¯s two Gammas seize the battlements.¡±


    ¡°Destroy the crossbows first, then capture the methrowers. Tommy¡¯s demo team will blow the gates. The rest depends on your speed,¡± he said.


    She suddenly saw Lance¡¯s n¨Cas the Alpha, he¡¯d draw all enemy fire once at the front.


    But this would also scatter the defenders¡® focus¨Cjust as her father once used a battle g as bait to buy time for a nk attack.


    ¡°But what about your safety?¡±


    ¡°My hide¡¯s tougher than crocodile scales, Lance said.


    ¡°Besides, if I die, you¡¯ll carry my banner¨Cthe daughter of Alpha Bentley can handle that, right?¡± he added.


    True to his style, Lance initiated the attack at midnight. Drums roared, horns red.


    The Western Tribes and Dragon Ash wolves never expected another assault so soon. Crossbows fired and archers took position, but while the defenders had bonfires zing on the battlements, Lance¡¯s forces remained hidden in the dark.


    This put the enemy in the open, while Lance¡¯s wolves advanced under cover of darkness.


    Adide and four others sprinted toward the city gates. As they reached the gates, they leaped onto the battlements.


    Adide¡¯s silver spear pierced the soldier operating a crossbow, and with a punch, she shattered the mechanism..


    The archers swung golden armor gleaming in the firelight.


    their bows toward her, but Alpha Lance scaled the walls. I


    Someone bellowed, ¡°It¡¯s Alpha Lance! Kill him!¡±


    All arrows now rained down on Lance. His golden de spun defensively, parrying wave after


    <b>wave</b>.


    Wolf warriors surged forward, ws swiping at him.


    Seeing this, Adide and her team swiftly destroyed the remaining crossbows and jumped down to open the gates.


    Two held the position while three covered them. Under their protection, the <b>gates </b>were flung


    open.


    The sudden attack left the enemy stunned.


    dismissively, ¡°Again? What a joke. Scare them off with arrows.¡±


    ¡°No, they¡¯ve breached the walls!¡±


    ¡°Alpha Lance and his wolves have breached the walls!¡± cries echoed through the chaos.


    ¡°Gates are open!¡±


    Snke was jolted awake by the shrill cries.


    +8 Pearls


    Snke red at Victor. ¡°Your men were supposed to guard the gates. That you didn¡¯t detect the assault is uneptable.


    Send Gifts


    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 48

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Victor had long held a grudge against him, but over the past three years of attritional warfare, his team had suffered seventy percent casualties. They now relied on chewing ice grass roots to stanch bleeding,cking even healing potions.


    Without the Western Tribes¡® aid, Frostbite and Darkw Towns would eventually fall.


    ¡°Enough yapping!¡± Victor crushed the Frostwolf horn at his waist with his wolf w. ¡°Aim the crossbows at the one wielding the gilt de¨Ctake out Alpha Lance, and his wolves will scramble like headless direwolves!¡±


    War drums thundered as Alpha Lance¡¯s undermanned force of two hundred thousand shed with the <b>enemy¡¯s </b>four hundred thousand.


    The moment drums shattered the morning mist, battlegs and totems collided.


    Adide trusted Lance¡¯s gambit and focused on securing food and supplies to prevent the enemy from burning them on retreat


    Halbert¡¯s wolf w pped the frost¨Ccoated ground, his fang ne clinking as he ran. ¡°Three miles to go! That brine cer reeks sweeter than Paisley¡¯s mithril dagger!¡±


    ¡°Save your strength for fighting!<i>¡± </i>Adide¡¯s wolf ears caught distant war cries. Her silver spear spun, ¡°After we seize the food stores, you can each have half a strip of jerky¨Cbut first, anyone who stops is a coward!¡±


    They reached the supply depot before dawn.


    Adide¡¯s silver spear punched through the iron door. The Dragon Ash guards barely had time to lift their warhammers before her de slit their throats.


    Warm blood spattered her goggles, but she grinned, fangs bared.


    Her mentor¡¯s words echoed, ¡°Strike the carotid¨Cencimy drops in ten heartbeats¡± Her spes moved so fast, enemies¡® hearts stopped on the third beat.


    H


    now


    ¡°Paisley! Blow the back door! Ang<b>! </b>Guard the depot!¡± She kicked aside a Dragon Ash wolf, her spear tip lifting a rock-hard b of deer meat. ¡°Halbert! Smash open the brine cer¨CI want every wolf pup on the battlefield gnawing on jerky!¡±


    Butughter was cut short by


    approaching hoofbeats.


    were after it


    The enemy, realizing Lance¡¯s forces food depot, dispatched twenty thousand soldiers there<b>. </b>


    Adide led three thousand wolves <b>against </b>them, with her five¨Cperson team the backbone.


    +8 Pearls


    After two hours of gruelingbat, most foes were in, the rest fleeing.


    Of Adide¡¯s original three thousand, only a thousand remained, having fought with every ounce of strength to eliminate the majority of the enemy.


    Exhausted, they copsed, gasping for breath.


    Sweat and blood streamed down their faces, freezing quickly in the bitter cold.


    The intense heat from battle gave way to piercing cold.


    ¡°Adide¡­¡­ Halbert panted, frost on hisshes, ¡°Do we just stay here and guard, not helping them fight?¡±


    ¡°Alpha Lance ordered us to secure the food depot¨Cthat¡¯s where we stay,¡± Adide replied.


    Adide leaned against the wall, her golden armor breached by two wounds. Though not bleeding, the cold and sticky sensation was tormenting.


    She scanned her team¨Ctattered armor, a sorry sight after the fierce fight.


    ¡°Everyone alright?¡± she asked.


    Paisley shook his head, too drained to speak.


    Bodiesy around them¨Cenemies andrades alike¨Cleaving all five feeling sad and grief- stricken.


    As the enemyunched another assault, Adide leaped up, roaring, ¡®Here theye again- fight!


    Another fierce battle ensued, leaving only carnage and bloodshed.


    Finally, most enemies at the food depot were defeated, with no more reinforcementsing.


    They copsed, too tired to even breathe properly.¡±


    After what felt like an eternity, drums and shouts announced the enemy¡¯s retreat and their victory.


    Adide and her team, stationed at the food depot, heard the cheers and knew Lance had secured a major win. Adide¡¯s nerves, taut as battlestrings, slowly rxed.


    Alpha Lance is as legendary <b>as </b>they say,


    <b>as </b>they say, Adide shivered, her lips trembling in the cold.


    ¡°The Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s been defeated. We¡¯ll finally have meat to eat, Halbert¡¯s round face froze in a stiff grin, his hands rubbing together in joy.


    Adide leaped up. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    +8 Pearls


    Alpha Lance, bloodied but unbowed, strode into Frostbite Town with his gilt de on his back.


    The town, once under Dragon Ash control, now had no lord.


    The supply depot was filled with grain and meat, and the wolves could finally eat their fill.


    During the Dragon Ash upation, houses had been built, sparing the wolves from tent life.


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 49

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Dragon Ash¡¯s soldiers had seized many civilian homes. When the Western Tribes army arrived,cking amodation, they¡¯d driven residents from their houses.


    Alpha Lance now decreed that all civilians could return home.


    Werewolf warriors without shelter were to camp on open ground.


    After this battle, Adide¡¯s fame soared.


    Adide had distinguished herself in previous battles, but hertest feat¨Cholding the supply depot with three thousand men and ensuring everyone ate meat¨Ceclipsed her prior achievements in the soldiers¡® eyes.


    The sessful expulsion of the enemy from Frostbite Town wasrgely due to Alpha Lance capturing Victor from the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom.


    Lance¡¯s informant in Frostbite Town had uncovered the tension between Victor and Snke, which Lance exploited to capture Victor.


    The Western Tribes sought Victor¡¯s execution, while the Dragon Ash Kingdom opted to retreat.


    This internal discord provided Lance¡¯s warband with a critical opportunity. The next day, after honoring the fallen wolf warriors, Alpha Lance convened a meeting.


    The next day, after burying their fallen, Alpha Lance convened a meeting.


    ¡°We took Frostbite Town because Snke and Victor¡¯s conflict gave us an edge. Post¨Cbattle, they¡¯ll unite and reorganize. This hasty defeat is a deep shame to them.


    ¡°However, a counterattack won¡¯te swiftly. Coordination and resupply will take time. Darkw Town¡¯s limited supplies make them hesitant to strike. We can await reinforcements for the final battle.


    Abbot noted, ¡°Reinforcements may take half a month<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Alpha Lance frowned at Abbot¡¯s words, ¡°Half a month?¡±


    He almost remarked on Ulrik¡¯s slow advance but nced at Adide, instinctively checking her


    He dropped the thought¨Cshe¡¯d earned her merit here, and he wouldn¡¯t slight her now.


    Adide met his gaze but stayed silent.


    Paisley was right¨Csome matters should be left to Ulrik and Velda.


    +8 Pearls


    Alpha Lance said<b>, </b>¡°Adide, bathe and change. I¡¯m taking you somewhere.¡±


    His pupils glinted amber in the firelight as he fondled his gilt¨Chilted de.


    Adide met his gaze, her wolf¨C<b>w </b>nails slightly elongated in the fire¡¯s glow. ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see. Rising, his presence made the candles waver. Cedar and gunpowder scents filled the air. ¡°Disperse and clean up¨Cno blood¨Ccrusted wolves in my presence.¡±


    Adide and the others exited.


    Bathing in the cold required copious hot water, but Frostbite Town had ample firewood.


    Unlike the spartan camp at Tower City, even drinking water had been scarce.


    As an officer, Adide was assigned a penitent Omega, Cynthia, a forty¨Csomething woman reeking of filth.


    Cynthia, imprisoned for shattering a vase in a business dispute, left herpetitor a fool but not <b>dead</b><b>. </b>


    Cynthia rubbed her hands together as she entered, a cracked rose¨Cscented soap hidden under her apron. She said, ¡°You can finally freshen up properly.¡±


    She heated water for Adide, fetched a bathtub, and even assisted with washing her hair- a task that required nimble fingers to thoroughly cleanse the blood¨Cmatted strands.


    Despite the soap¡¯s best efforts, Adide¡¯s hair remained slightly frizzy.


    Adide¡¯s face, once washed, revealed delicate features though her skincked its former


    smoothness<b>, </b>


    Adide scrubbed her cheeks until they were red and nearly raw, finally cleansing the crusted blood


    She changed into a clean linen shirt, donned a ck wolfskin cloak, and tied her damp hair into a high ponytail with a leather cord¨Cthe standard look at the Warscar Training Camp, practical for instant battle readines


    Post¨Cbath, she polished her silver spear, wiping away every trace of blood.


    Tracing the gun¡¯s etchings, sorrow welled up.


    She sensed where Lance was taking her¨Clikely to Frostbite Town<b>, </b>where her father and brothers likely fell


    She¡¯d known they¡¯d died on the southern border


    but <b>not </b>the exact spot.


    Her mother had avoided the topic, weeping uncontrobly whenever it <b>was </b>broached.


    Tall and fair¨Cskinned with a neat topknot, his bright eyes and chiseled features bore a resemnce to Lycan Erasmus¨Cthough Erasmus carried authority, this man exuded an undeniable maism.


    Adide almost didn¡¯t recognize him as Alpha Lance.


    His usual rugged beard was gone, revealing smoother skin and those piercing eyes.


    No wonder he was hailed as the kingdom¡¯s most handsome werewolf.


    Send Gifts


    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 50

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Though Adide had long abandoned the idea of seeking a Second Chance, her wolf still growled excitedly in her <b>mind </b>at the sight of Alpha Lance.


    ¡°His scent is truly intoxicating. Why don¡¯t we get closer?¡± her wolf repeatedly urged.


    Yet Adide remained where she stood.


    Lance, standing in the snow, his pupils dted slightly at the sight of Adide before narrowing into vertical slits. ¡°Ready?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Come, I¡¯ll show you a ce,¡± Lance said as he mounted his horse.


    A bag hung from his saddle, its contents unknown.


    Adide followed suit, mounting her horse and riding behind him.


    They reached a barren hill, its trees long since stripped of leaves, with scant vegetation.


    Paths stretched out in all directions, leading to higher elevations.


    The wind howled, as if countless ghosts were wailing.


    Lance stood on the hill, hands behind his back, gazing at a path to the left. Beside it stood a wordless tombstone.


    ¡°The townsfolk of Frostbite erected this for your father, Lance <b>said</b>. ¡°He stood alone against arrows on that path, unyielding


    Adide¡¯s vision blurred with tears.


    She had known Lance <b>would </b>bring her here and had mentally prepared herself, yet the pain still cut deep.


    ¡°He led troops here, severing the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s supply line to Frostbite Town. He aimed <b>to </b>fight valiantly, but after sessive battles, his men were exhausted. Lycan Erasmus, new to his role andcking authority, dyed reinforcements. Your father held on for so long. Lance exined.


    ¡°I had an informant in <b>Frostbite </b>Town. These are the tales they gathered. Witnesses were so moved that they secretly ced this tombstone here, fearing discovery and destruction by the <b>Dragon </b>Ash Kingdom,¡± he added.


    He retrieved <b>a </b>sk of wine from his saddle and handed it to Adide. ¡°Go ahead. Pour a drink for <b>your </b>father. Tell him you¡¯ve <b>be </b><b>a </b><b>fine </b><b>warrior</b>¡±


    +8 Pearls


    Adide wiped her tears, took the sk, and led her horse step by step down the hill to the tombstone.


    Kneeling, she poured the wine onto the ground, tears streaming down her face.


    She could vividly imagine the scene¨Cno retreat, no strength left, only one path: to hold the enemy¡¯s supply line at all costs and await reinforcements.


    She cried soundlessly, unable to utter a word or even the word ¡°Father.¡±


    Her sobs were fiercely suppressed. She didn¡¯t dare to cry out loud.


    Lance remained on the hill, not descending.


    On the first night of the siege, he had already paid his respects.


    He brought Adide now because he believed she was truly an exceptional warrior.


    In time, <b>she </b>would match her father¡¯s greatness.


    Lance had always thought she would follow the path of battle, bing the kingdom¡¯s first female wolf general.


    Instead<b>, </b>she chose to be Ulrik¡¯s <b>mate</b><b>. </b>


    With her strategy and bravery, she could still support Ulrik to greatness.


    Lance recalled the vibrant girl practicingbat skills at the Warscar Training Camp, her face forever adorned with an innocent, passionate smile.


    Now, he only saw her restraint.


    The loss of her family had deeply wounded her.


    But Lance didn¡¯t understand why she hadn¡¯t sought


    vengeance for her fallen kin.


    Why had she chosen to be another wolf¡¯s mate?


    The spirited girl he once knew was full of pride, yet now she couldn¡¯t even cry aloud, as if restraint had be her habit.


    What else had she endured?


    Had Ulrik wronged her?


    At the thought, Lance¡¯s gaze <b>turned </b>cold.


    Alter capturing Frostbite Town, Lance immediatel


    sent news to the capital.


    Within three days it reached I vean <b>Frasmus </b>igniting his excitement


    <b>3.23 </b>PM


    talented, even surpassing Velda.


    +8 Pearls


    Upon receiving the report of Frostbite Town¡¯s recapture, Erasmus summoned the Royal Elder Council.


    The council¡¯s president, Cyrus, teared up. ¡°Frostbite Town is retaken! Adide¡¯s bravery is unparalleled. She seized and held the food depot. We can now reduce supplies. Alpha Bentley, your daughter is amazing.¡±


    Lycan Gamma Elias was equally thrilled. ¡°With Alpha Bentley, Alpha Lance, and now Adide, the transition of power is sessful.¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s joy was palpable. ¡°Most crucially, only Darkw Town remains on the southern border. Once captured, Dragon Ash will have no strength left. Without their support, the Western Tribes have no reason to remain on the southern battlefield. Unless they seek another conflict with us at the Bloodscar Border.¡±


    Send Gifts


    70


    +8 Pearls


    321PM

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 51

    A Female Alpha¡¯s Revenge


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Cyrus¡¯s eyes were red and tearful. He said, ¡°We¡¯re about to reim our southern border towns. I never thought I¡¯d live to see this day. I can die content now.¡±


    Elias knelt on one knee and tteringly said to Lycan Erasmus, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, your wisdom in sending Adide to aid Alpha Lance on the southern border and secure Frostbite Town, along with the ample food supplies and military provisions, is unparalleled. One might even think the Western Tribes¡® wolves have delivered supplies straight to us.¡±


    Adide, of course, hadn¡¯t been sent by Erasmus.


    But emphasizing his behind¨Cthe¨Cscenes role highlighted his foresight.


    Erasmus smiled, his aura softening.


    ¡°Your point is well taken. The Western Tribes have inadvertently solved our supply issues. With new supply depots, our wolves will be well¨Cfed and equipped for the final push to Darkw Town


    Erasmus was genuinely thrilled.


    Recovering the southern border during his reign was his proudest achievement, one that would shine brightly in history.


    But as his joy intensified, so did his regret.


    The stronger his joy, the more he felt a twinge of regret.


    He recalled his harsh words to Adide when she¡¯d reported the situation.


    He felt <i>a </i>deep debt to the Davidson family and the Frostfang Pack, especially since Alpha Bentley and his six sons had died in battle due to his dyed reinforcements.


    He¡¯d tried topensate by dering the Frostfang Pack¡¯s permanent retention and making Adide its Alpha.


    Yet here she was, earning merits again.


    She preserved the Frostfang Pack¡¯s legacy of loyalty to the wal


    kingdom and the Lycan King.


    Erasmus sighed inwardly. He remembered announcing Ulrik and Velda¡¯s bonding, making Velda Ulrik¡¯s second mate¨Ca decision he now regretted.


    Turning to Lycan Gamma Elias, he said decisively, ¡°Adide¡¯s merits are recognized. Alpha Lance¡¯s promotion of her to Silver w <b>Gamma </b>stands, and I hereby knight her as ¡®Silvermoon Fang Once Darkw Town falls and the southern border is reimed, she shall be promoted to Golden w Camma:


    +8 Pearls


    Battlefield promises must be honored. The Royal Elder Council President and Lycan Gamma understood¨Ca new star was rising in the Frostfang Pack.


    Whether Ulrik, seeing his former mate¡¯s rise, felt regret was irrelevant.


    But no matter how much he regretted, it was meaningless.


    The kingdom buzzed with gossip over Adide dissolving her mate bond. Many suspected Bloodmoon Pack involvement.


    Erasmus first knighted her as Silvermoon Fang, then promised a Golden w Gamma promotion upon victory. This demonstrated his high expectations for Adide.


    The Royal Elder Council President agreed¨Cher rapid rise was justified by her merits.


    Cyrus noted, ¡°Reinforcements are overdue. Velda¡¯s promised arrival date has passed.¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s expression darkened slightly, but he still defended them, ¡°Traveling in snow is treacherous.


    Elias added, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, Adide is now a Silvermoon Fang Knight, while Alpha Ulrik and Velda remain Silver ws without knighthood¨Cpositionally lower than Adide.¡±


    Typically, Ulrik and Velda¡¯s diplomatic pact with the Western Tribes should outweigh Adide¡¯s contributions.


    Elias highlighted <b>this </b>discrepancy.


    Erasmus countered, ¡°So what? They traded their merits for bonding permission.¡±


    Elias realized Ulrik had used his merits to bond with Velda, depleting his advancement capital.


    Erasmus had promoted the young pair to bolster the kingdom¡¯s wolf general ranks, depleted by Alpha Bentley <b>and </b>his sons¡® sacrifice.


    At that time, he was unaware that the Frostfang Pack would rise a powerful female general.


    He hadn¡¯t fully investigated it yet, so he maintained a reserved stance toward Velda.


    Lance¡¯s report on the Bloodscar victory¡¯s oddities and the Western Tribes¡® shifting stance had prompted a discreet <b>inquiry</b>.


    But with the southern border <b>in </b>crisis, the investigation would take time.


    ¡°Publicize the Frostbite Town victory We¡¯ll recognize all merits <b>and </b>demerits upon their return to the <b>capital</b>. I¡¯ll <b>not </b>slight her,


    <b>in </b><b>court</b>, <b>but </b>keep Adide¡¯s merits under wraps for ¡­


    Erasmus dered.


    ¡°Yes, my lord!¡± Cyrus and Elias responded in <b>unison</b>.


    fawn upon her rise¨Ca perfect litmus test.


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 52

    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    After the New Year, in mid¨Cmonth, Velda and I finally led the reinforcement wolf warriors to Frostbite Town on the southern border.


    Stepping into the southern border, we received the battle report that Alpha Lance had already reimed Frostbite Town<b>. </b>


    Velda and I were anxious¨Clest we arrive a moment toote and miss the final battle.


    It would be such a pity to have journeyed here only to gain no merits.


    Fortunately, upon arrival, Alpha Lance¡¯s warriors had just finished pitching tents and had not yetunched the general offensive.


    Entering Alpha Lance¡¯s tent, the wolf generals were discussing tactics.


    My nose twitched as a familiar pheromone hit me.


    Scanning the room, I <b>saw </b>no abnormalities.


    Velda¡¯s wolf ears trembled with surprise as she took in the orderly setup.


    Through our Mind¨Clink, she said, ¡°Odd. I expected chaos from supply shortages, but these warriors look spirited¡±


    ¡°Not just the warriors. Didn¡¯t you notice?


    busy¨Cno sign of panic from the wars,¡± I replied.


    sorganized here. The civilians are calm and


    thought they¡¯d be eager for us, even have Alpha


    Velda¡¯s annoyed voice echoed in my redundant.


    Lance greet us personally. But now we seem redundant.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s <b>focus </b>on our mission first, I cut off the Mind¨Clink.


    Using it near stronger wolves risked exposure.


    ¡°Tim Alpha Ulrik. I want to see Alpha Lance.¡± I knelt on one knee, releasing cedar pheromones.


    Velda followed suit, her wolf ws <b>scraping </b>the <b>ground</b><b>, </b>¡°We¡¯re ready for duty.


    Lance nced at <b>us</b>, <b>his </b>g¨¡z¡­ i


    I met his eyes


    briefly.


    puzzled by his meaningful look.


    I simply said, ¡°The snow dyed us. Please nu


    The weather¡¯s not your fault, Lance replied.


    us as you see fit.


    +8 Pearls


    323 P


    Velda and I stood up.


    As I moved, Abbott approached, pping my shoulder andughing, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, great to finally meet you! Lucky to have such a fine Luna.¡±


    Scott also chimed in, ¡°Congrattions, Ulrik! Your mated pair¡¯s achievements will surely restore the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s glory.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Alpha Ulrik, your Luna¡¯s bravery on the battlefield puts us Gamma to shame,¡± another added.


    I froze. Had news of Velda and me¡¯s mating reached the southern border so quickly?


    Abbott and Scott were former subordinates of Alpha Bentley. Why were they congratting us? Before I could ponder further, I offered a polite smile, ¡°Thank you, Gamma.¡±


    Velda, beaming with pride, clearly savored the other generals¡® recognition.


    She¡¯d been praising our union as a perfect match of strength all the way here.


    Adide, who followed the rules, only leaned on the pack¡¯s glory¨Chow could shepare to Velda¡¯s battle¨Ctested worth?


    She smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m ttered. I only participated in the Bloodscar Battle¨Chardly deserving such praise.¡±


    The crowd fell silent, taken aback by her words.


    Seeing everyone¡¯s reactions, I became even more puzzled.


    Abbott, studying Velda, asked politely, ¡°You did contribute significantly to the Bloodscar Battle.¡±


    Velda¡¯s eyes flickered with triumph. She replied, ¡°I¡¯m overpraised.¡±


    Abbott turned to me, pushing me gently andughing, ¡°Why stand there like a statue? Greet your mate. She¡¯s still recovering from an injury.¡±


    I turned to Velda, anxiety creeping in. ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Velda responded instinctively.


    The atmosphere in the tent grew tense, the aura chaotic.


    My wolf paced restlessly in my mind, ears pricked and growling alertly.


    I sensed Velda trying <b>to </b><b>contact </b>me <b>via </b>Mind¨Clink, but I ignored it.


    The wolf generals shifted their gaze to someone behind me.


    Adide emergedposed and said ¡°Ulrik Velda <b>wee </b>We¡¯ve <b>been </b>waiting for long¡±


    ++8 Pearls


    Velda¡¯s expression changed subtly as she hooked her arm through mine, smiling at Adide. ¡°Miss Davidson, I didn¡¯t expect to see you here. It¡¯s a pity you didn¡¯t inform everyone about your dissolved bond with Alpha Ulrik earlier. No wonder there¡¯s been a misunderstanding.¡±


    Send Gifts

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 53

    Velda¡¯s POV


    I stared at Adide¡¯sposed face, my throat welling with a question, ¡°Why hide those matters?¡±


    Adide lightly flicked her ear tips, cedar pheromones blending with the crisp scent. ¡°It¡¯s merely pack business, hardly worth mentioning. Nothing to talk about.¡±


    Confusion crossed Abbot¡¯s face, and he blurted out, ¡°Dissolved mate bond? Why dissolve it?¡±


    I lowered my gaze, releasing submissive pheromonesced with mint and feigned grievance. I said. ¡°After the Bloodscar victory, Lycan Erasmus approved my joining to the Bloodmoon Pack Jand permitted me and Alpha Ulrik¡¯s bonding. Miss Davidson was upset, so she requested to sever her bond with Alpha Ulrik.¡±


    My words, while not the full story, weren¡¯t lies.


    Naturally, I omitted the part about using merits to seek Lycan Erasmus¡¯s approval for the mate bond.


    I wanted the Gamma wolves present to see Adide as domineering, defying the Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decree.


    Adide met my gaze, her silver¨Cblue pupils reflecting the candlelight. ¡°You two sought a mate bond via merits. When Ulrik returned, his first words were to ask me to let go. If your love is true, I requested Lycan Erasmus to dissolve our bond¨Cto grant your wish. After all, tradition holds that each werewolf may have but one mate.


    Abbot¡¯s hands suddenly shifted into sharp wolf ws:


    He shattered the armrest of his chair, his pheromones storming like a tempest. He roared, ¡°Absurd! Using merits not to strengthen the pack but to secure a lover?, Ulrik, you¡¯re an oathbreaker!¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s focus locked onto Adide, cedar pheromones mingling with sulfur¨Ca sign of turbulent


    emotions.


    The mention of our bond stirred fresh strife<b>, </b>and a weary look crossed <b>his </b>face.


    Unclear of his thoughts, I sensed his irritation with Adide for not prior warning, creating the awkward scene.


    I stepped forward, mint <b>pheromones </b>carrying battle intent. ¡°Our merits earned us Lycan King¡¯s permission to bond. It doesn¡¯t strip her Luna <b>status</b>. Ulrik <b>and </b>I fight on the front lines¨Cwhy can¡¯t she share Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s glory?¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf¨Chead pendant gleamed coldly in the firelight. She said, ¡°The Frostfang Pack has its own <b>glory</b>, no need to cling to others.


    +8. Pearls


    I sneered, ¡°Yes, your father and brothers¡® merits ensure yourfort. Admit it.¡±


    Her voice rose like a wolf¡¯s howl, ¡°Yes, their merits mean I¡¯ll never want for anything. Isn¡¯t that just splendid?¡±


    Suppressing my anger<b>, </b>I retorted, ¡°We can¡¯tpare. We must risk our lives to earn recognition. What pride is there in relying on family?¡±


    Adide¡¯s tone hardened, ¡°Pride enough. They sacrificed their lives to protect the wolf kingdom. I¡¯m proud of them.¡±


    Her words struck me like ice picks. Clenching my fists, I dared not erupt before Alpha Lance, instead averting her gaze.


    Abbot¡¯s fists, armored in hardened scales, shattered the air with a snow leopard¡¯s snarl.


    As his fist neared Ulrik¡¯s cheek, the air filled with pine needle¨Clike pheromones¨Cindicative of a high¨Crank wolf¡¯s oppressive aura.


    In that instant, Ulrik¡¯s pupils dimmed.


    Blood and ice shards sprayed <b>as </b>I smelled two pheromones shing.


    ¡°Loyalty¨Cless cur. Luna Aire thought highly of you, approved Adide as your Luna. Yet you spurn her. How heartbroken Aire must be, Abbot growled.


    His partially shifted punch carried real force.


    Ulrik¡¯s lips bled instantly, his cheek swelling.


    ¡°Have you lost your mind? This isn¡¯t the Frostfang Pack!¡± I lunged forward, my hardened nails slicing my palm. My wolf essence surged.


    But when Abbot turned to me, his Alpha aura obliterated mine.


    Ulrik wiped blood from his lips, ice crystals forming- a high¨Cranking wolf¡¯s sign of interrupted


    beast transformation.


    I seethed, ¡°This is our private matter. How dare you strike him<b>?</b>¡±


    Abbot red at Ulrik, fury in his <b>voice</b>, ¡°He breaks Luna Aire¡¯s heart. I strike him. If he <b>resists</b>, let him fight back. Don¡¯t cower behind a coward, letting your woman fight your battles.


    Rage shook me. I blurted, ¡°The Aire you speak of is dead. She died when the Frostfang Alpha family, save Adide, was wiped out. Did Adide not inform you? Why are you here, Adide? Hoping your father¡¯s old subordinates will champion you?¡±


    The tent fell deathly silent.


    Lance¡¯s gaze snapped to Adide. Her eyes red¨Crimmed, she met Lance¡¯s


    <b>stare </b>and nodded


    Send Gifts


    +8 Pearls


    Abbot, Scott, and other Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates all cried out in unison, ¡°What?¡±


    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 54

    Velda¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s voice was as fragile as cracking ice, ¡°Eight months ago, Western Tribes¡® moles in our kingdom massacred the Frostfang Pack¡­ Only the wolf guards with me at Bloodmoon Pack and a few Omegas survived.¡±


    Low growls erupted in the tent, pheromones chaotic with shock.


    The deaths of Alpha Bentley and his six sons at Silvermoon Canyon were devastating enough; the annihtion of the Frostfang Alpha family was a disaster that could cripple any pack.


    No one knew why those Western Tribes moles were so crazy.


    A cold smile yed in my heart as I feigned horror¨Cmy wolf¨Chead emblem gleamed coldly, a honor earned by merits.


    ¡°Adide, why hide the massacre of your own pack members?¡± I released doubtced mint pheromones. ¡°What¡¯s your motive?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Lance¡¯s icy white¨Cmusk pheromones crushed the crowd, forcing lower¨Cranking wolves to bow their heads. ¡°Report the number of wolf warriors you¡¯ve brought.¡±


    Ulrik rubbed his swollen cheek.


    Thanks to the Alpha wolf¡¯s innate healing ability, his injuries were already clotting.


    He reported, ¡°Alpha Lance, I¡¯ve brought ten thousand Royal Wolf Guards, ten thousand Magma Camp warriors, and fifteen thousand Ironthorn soldiers as reinforcements.¡±


    Lance turned to Adide, his tone softer, ¡°As a Silver w Gamma, you¡¯llmand the Ironthorn Army. Abbot takes Magma Camp. Rest your forces outside the city tonight and reorganize tomorrow.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Silver w Gamma?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but howl sharply, ¡°On what grounds? Are you ying favorites? On the battlefield, promotions must be recognized by all. She can¡¯t just ride on her family¡¯s coattails and boss <b>warriors </b>around. How can we ask wolves who¡¯ve bled in battle to ept that?


    Lance¡¯s pupils narrowed to silver slits, rust<b>¨C</b>colored pheromones brimming with menace.


    His powerful aura <b>swept </b>through the tent, <b>and </b>the <b>wolf </b><b>in </b><b>my </b>mind curled up in fear. I couldn help but lower my head, my hands trembling with nervousness.


    No one could resist Lance¡¯s aura¨Cnot even Ulrik.


    Lance¡¯s voice thundered, ¡°Adide fought <b>in </b>five southern border battles, slew three enemy Cammas, infiltrated alone to open city gates<b>, </b>and led three <b>thousand </b>wolves to hold off thirty thousand foes. Her merits are documented and acknowledged by Lycan Erasmus. She¡¯s a


    +8 Pearls


    My wolf ears ttened in shock¨CSilvermoon Fang¡® knight? Impossible!


    ¡°Slew countless enemies<b>? </b>I don¡¯t believe it!¡±


    ¡°Your disbelief means nothing to me. Leave, Lance¡¯s voice was ice¨Cedged.


    ¡°But the Ironthorn Army is ours!¡± My ws dug into my palms. ¡°It¡¯s the royal guard¡¯s elite! Handing it to her is a giveaway! She¡¯s just amon she¨Cwolf, pfopped up by Alpha Bentley¡¯s old subordinates¨Cwhat real skills could she have¡­


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Lance¡¯s voice carried a dangerous howl. ¡°You don¡¯t agree with that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t!¡± I stood tall. How could I swallow this bitter pill?


    Lance¡¯s pheromones solidified into palpable aura. The tent¡¯s torches flickered and died. ¡°No dissent in my ranks. Leave now if you won¡¯t obey.¡±


    My wolf tail burst through my battle robe. I nearly crumpled but forced myself to stand.


    Ulrik knelt hastily. ¡°Alpha Lance, we¡¯ll follow your lead. Our forces are yours tomand upon arrival¡­


    ¡°Of course, they¡¯re mine tomand, Lance said coldly, ¡°Or do you aim to overstep me?¡±


    I dare not!¡± Ulrik t


    at me.


    I hissed, ¡°Alpha Lance, how could you belittle us like this? We¡¯ve earned merits at the Bloodscar Border too-*


    ¡°Who here hasn¡¯t earned merits?¡± Lance¡¯s voice shattered the tension like ice on stone.


    The tent froze. I red at Lance¡¯s grim face, realizing I¡¯d overstepped.


    But I couldn¡¯t let go of my indignation¨Chow could Adide effortlessly im what I¡¯d fought


    for?


    Ulrik dragged me outside, pleading, ¡°Alpha Lance, forgive her tactles.


    ¡°Obey or leave, Lance¡¯s voice was ice.


    1, seething with resentment, shot Adide a cold nce.


    words.


    I was half¨C<b>dragged </b>cutside by Ulrik. Before leaving, I added with ¡°My humble origins leave me no room to seek justice. I¡¯ll obey Alpha Lance¡¯smands.


    My parting shot was for certain ears.


    <b>a </b><b>wry </b>smil.


    Thoped Adide would <bsh </b>out at <b>me</b>, but Adide <b>just </b>stood there, eyes red¨Crimmed and seemingly wronged.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 55

    Chapter <i>55 </i>


    Adide¡¯s POV


    After Ulrik and Velda left, the tent¡¯s atmosphere grew tense.


    Abbot crouched, shoulders shaking. Seeing tears slip through his fingers, I realized my words had been cruel.


    The other generals turned away, wiping their eyes<b>. </b>


    Lance¡¯s eyes were also slightly red.


    My own tears welled up but were quickly suppressed.


    I¡¯d cried enough. Each time brought a breakdown.


    I had to stay strong.


    Lance¡¯s throat bobbed. His eyes, though red¨Crimmed, quickly looked away. His knuckles rapped the table. ¡°What exactly happened?¡±


    My voice trembled as I began, ¡°Eight months ago<b>, </b><b>as </b>Ulrik¡¯s Luna, I managed the Bloodmoon Pack and cared for the ailing old Luna, Rosemary. The royal guard captain came to tell me the Frostfang Pack was raided by rogues overnight, with no survivors.¡±


    My nails dug into my palms, but I spoke through the pain, ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe it. I rushed back, only to find bloodshed everywhere. My mother, my brothers¡® mates, nephews, nieces, pack guards, Betas, Omegas¨Cno one escaped.


    ¡°Especially my mother and my brothers¡® mates, their bodies were all mutted. Some were dismembered. My brother¡¯s son, his head was cut off¡­ right there on the moonlight altar.¡±


    My breath hitched, a sob catching in my throat.


    I couldn¡¯t continue, the agony crashing over me like a mountainndslide.


    That scene was forever etched in my memory.


    ¡°Who did <b>this</b>?¡± Lance asked.


    I opened my mouth, having controlled


    moles.


    my emotions for so long, and uttered, ¡°Western Tribes


    The tent fell <b>into </b><b>an </b>eerie silence, only the candlelight flickering in <b>the </b>wind.


    Lance¡¯s eyes zed with rage.


    I knew what he <b>was </b>thinking¨Cthe timeline matched Velda¡¯s vige massacre and the capture of


    +8 Pearls


    ¡°Everyone, leave us, Lance said suddenly.


    As Abbot turned to go, I caught the tear tracks on his face. He opened his mouth but only patted my shoulder.


    Once alone with Lance, the only sounds were our breathing.


    A cup of wine slid toward me, its amber liquid gleaming in the candlelight.


    I drank it in one gulp, the burn from my throat to my stomach doing little to ease the ache in my


    heart.


    Lance¡¯s hand rested on my forehead, his touch feather¨Clight. This Alpha, who had taught me archery, now had emotions in his eyes I couldn¡¯t decipher.


    ¡®I had no idea¡­ His voice was barely audible.


    I saw his throat move and realized he still saw me as that young girl from the training camp, begging to learnbat.


    But now, my father and family were with the Moon Goddess.


    I¡¯d shattered my cherished mate bond and stood here reeking of blood.


    Outside, a horse neighed. I pressed my palm to my temples¨Cno more thinking, no more letting those images erode my sanity,


    Lance¡¯s hand was still on my forehead. I smelled the faint gunpowder on him.


    I suddenly recalled my father¡¯s words¨CFrostfang Alphas never show vulnerability.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I pushed the wine cup away, my fingertip catching a tear¨Cthankfully, none fell.


    Lance¡¯s hand paused, then withdrew, his fingers grazing the cup¡¯s edge.


    ¡°Calm down, then tell me everything,¡± Lance sat beside me, his pauldron brushing my wolfskin cloak. Cedar and gunpowder filled the air.


    want <b>to </b>know?¡±


    I clenched my fists, wolf ws ¡°What do you


    piercing my skin, silver¨Cblue blood seeping o


    His gaze fell on my trembling hands. A low, soothing growl rumbled in his throat, ¡°Everything. Why the sudden mate bond, what happened after, and¡­ the details of the Frostfang attack


    I froze.


    The mate bond had nothing to do with the war. Why was he pressing me on this?


    But my fingers brushed the wolf¨Ctooth pendant at my waist, and the sealed memories burst forth.


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    ¡°My mother forbade me to fight. She cried until her eyes blurred, forcing me to swear to stay in the capital¡­¡±


    ¡°You were never one to back down,¡± he suddenly said, his slit pupils reflecting the dancing candlelight.


    ¡°But the Frostfang Pack was left with only the elderly and weak,¡± I said, dropping my eyes. ¡°My mother feared I¡¯d die in battle. She hired etiquette tutors to teach me pack management, saying only then could I be a ¡®proper Luna<b>.¡± </b>


    At the words ¡°proper Luna,¡± my voice cracked.


    ¡°She chose Ulrik. First, he vowed never to betray his mate, no lovers. Second, the Bloodmoon Pack was in decline, avoiding pack disputes. She said a small, insignificant pack like ours could amodate me.¡±


    Send Gifts


    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 56

    Adide¡¯s POV


    ¡£


    Lance suddenly reached out and straightened the moonstonemp that had tilted.


    +8 Pearls


    The gesture tightened my throat¨Cmy father used to flick his wolf w in front of me when I was distracted.


    ¡°On the night the mate bond was formed, an urgent report came from the Bloodscar Border,¡± I said, staring at my swaying shadow on the tent wall. ¡°Ulrik left for the front, and we didn¡¯t even finish the full mark. He said he¡¯d help me revive the Frostfang Pack after his triumphant return.¡±


    ¡°What happened next?¡± His voice was as low as a winter night¡¯s snow.


    ¡°I waited for a year,¡± I said. ¡°I took care of the old Luna for him, sold Frostfang assets to support the Bloodmoon Pack. Until he came back with Velda, announcing Lycan King had granted her as his second mate.¡±


    The tent suddenly filled with the sound of armor shifting. Lance¡¯s wolf w crushed the gilt dagger scabbard.


    I realized his pheromones were thick with furious sulfur, like a volcano about to erupt.


    ¡°It¡¯s an outrage,¡± he ground out, his wolf¨Chead emblem gleaming with lethal intent in the firelight. ¡°What does he take you for? A decoration for the pack?<b>¡± </b>


    I watched his taut shoulders and suddenly recalled my mother¡¯s dying words, ¡°In the Alpha¡¯s world, a she¨Cwolf must hide her ws in gloves.¡±


    But now, faced with this Alpha¡¯s zing fury, it struck me how absurd my habitual restraint had been.


    ¡°Actually, this isn¡¯t the worst of it,¡± I said, my fingers brushing the wolf¨Chead pendant as I recounted how the Bloodmoon Pack coveted Frostfang assets and ndered me as jealous and unfilial.


    ¡°The real insult was their n to drive me out of the Bloodmoon Pack. They didn¡¯t expect Lycan Erasmus to honor my father <b>as </b>the ¡®Eternal Night Battle Wolf and let me dissolve the mate bond while keeping Frostfang <b>assets</b>,¡± <b>I </b>added.


    Lance¡¯s cedar scent intensified, his wolf w creaking against his armor. ¡°How dare they trample on the Frostfang bloodline like this? Adide, aren¡¯t you hurt?¡±


    ¡°If I still cared for him, I would feel hurt,¡± I said, meeting his rage¨Cfilled slit pupils.


    *But I never liked him. Leaving the Bloodmoon Pack was a relief, especially since their schemes backfired¨CVelda¡¯s angry stems from the fact that the Alpha she stole means nothing to me<b>.¡± </b>


    <b>Velda </b>sought to humiliate me<b>, </b>yet I left the Bloodmoon Pack <b>with </b>Frostfang <b>assets</b>, not a tear


    3:31 PM


    Basking in the glory of my father¡¯s and brothers¡® achievements, Velda must be seething.


    From Velda and Ulrik¡¯s nces, it was clear their mate bond was tattered


    +8 Pearls


    She thought securing Ulrik would outshine me, unaware that in my eyes, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s throne was worthless.


    Lance gazed at me for a long moment, then said slowly, ¡°The Davidsons never bow, Adide. Stay strong!¡±


    He paused, ¡°The Bloodscar Battle will likely prompt an investigation by Lycan Erasmus. The truth will emerge, and someone will have to take full responsibility¨Cbut perhaps not in the way we expect.¡±


    I grasped his implication.


    The Western Tribes value honor deeply. They¡¯d never admit their future Lycan King was captured, humiliated, and driven to suicide by wolfsbane and castration.


    They¡¯d rather wreak vengeance on the southern border than acknowledge such shame.


    Once exposed, not only Velda but Alpha Zander, the Bloodscarmander, would face me.


    Lycan Erasmus, to preserve unity, would likely keep silent.


    Since it couldn¡¯t be publicized, Velda couldn¡¯t be held ountable.


    The situation was such that mentioning the massacre of the Frostfang Pack was out of the question. Thus, the oue of the entire event was predictable.


    Moreover, how would the public react?


    In a war where the Western Tribes hadn¡¯t harmed civilians, our kingdom kidnapped the Lycan King¡¯s son and massacred viges. Would our people see us <b>as </b>the aggressors?


    And what exnation would we offer the Western Tribes? If the truth surfaced, the Western Tribes could demand reparations, seeking justice from our kingdom.


    What price would we pay to settle this?


    I¡¯ve pondered this repeatedly¨Cthis was why I didn¡¯t inform Lycan Erasmus.


    Not only must <b>I </b>stay silent, but I must feign ignorance before him.


    As for the wolf warriors who ughtered viges with Velda¡­ I could foresee their fate.


    But how could the ughtered civilians, the Frostfang Pack¡¯s souls, and the fallen warriors of the southern border find peace?


    ¡°I know what I must do,¡± I said, gripping <b>the </b>wolf¨Ctooth <b>dagger </b>at my <b>waist</b>.


    3:31 PM


    Army with me. From today on, you¡¯re the Ironthorn Army¡¯s deputymander.¡±


    +8 Pearls


    The Ironthorn Army, the elite of the royal wolf guard, had always answered only to Lycan King and Lance.


    The fifteen thousand reinforcements were handpicked from their ranks.


    When we reached the camp, the setting sun was blood¨Cred.


    Lance leaped onto a tform, the wolf¨Chead g billowing behind him. ¡°Attention! From this day forward, Commander Adide sharesmand with me. Her orders are my orders. Disobey, and face military justice!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


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 The Moon Goddess Pendant 57

    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    e


    A roar like thunder rolled over the ins outside Frostbite Town, shaking eardrums.


    Adide straightened her spine, meeting the firm gaze of every wolf in the formation.


    4


    D


    +8 Pearls


    I and Velda stood apart, watching the Ironthorn Army stand to attention like a forest at sunset.


    The wolf¨Chead emblems on the warriors¡® shoulder armor gleamed coldly, a hundred times more brilliant than the tattered Bloodmoon Pack banner.


    ¡°These reinforcement wolves are ours. Why should they answer to Adide?¡± Velda fumed. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have held me back earlier. Lance is clearly favoring her.¡±


    I suppressed my irritation, cedar pheromones mingling with soothing undertones. ¡°Even if they weren¡¯t under hermand, they wouldn¡¯t follow us. The Ironthorn Army is Royal sodiers. Moreover, as supporting wolf generals, we should heed Alpha Lance¡¯s orders.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? At the Bloodscar Battle, didn¡¯t we lead our own troops?¡± Her wolf ws scraped the ground, leaving deep grooves.


    ¡°The situation was different. Before reinforcements arrived at the Bloodscar Battle, Alpha Zander had already held on for so long and was gravely injured. Remember our first battle at the Bloodscar? We were caught off guard. If it weren¡¯t for¡­,¡± My thoughts drifted to Adide¡¯s uncle, who had timelye to our rescue.


    But he had paid the price of losing an arm.


    At the thought, My heart tightened. I truly owed Adide a debt of gratitude.


    My wolf magnified this sentiment, and Velda, marked by me, obviously sensed it.


    She turned to me.


    ¡°On the battlefield, it¡¯s either you save me or I save you. You don¡¯t need to feel guilty, nor do you owe Adide anything. If you owe anyone, it¡¯s her uncle,¡± Velda said.


    I didn¡¯t wish to dwell on it.


    Some things, if pondered too much, might lead to regret.


    Things had already progressed to this point¨CI and Velda had formed a mate bond and joined the southern border battlefield.


    <b>As </b>long as I fought bravely and earned merits, I could restore the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation.


    ¡°It¡¯s unfair, and I believe our subordinates <b>feel </b>the same<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Veldained.


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    331 PM <b>& </b><b>S </b>


    My wolf sensed her agitation.


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    I grasped her wrist, warning her, ¡°What are you nning? Don¡¯t speak out of turn in front of the troops.¡±


    She shook me off, her eyes shing with mockery. ¡°Need I say it? Everyone can see she¡¯s climbed the ranks through bloodline. Your protection of her- are you still clinging to old feelings?¡±


    ¡°I only safeguard the battlefield.¡± My cedar pheromones intensified. ¡°A major battle is imminent Don¡¯t cause more trouble.¡±


    ¡°Causing trouble?¡± Velda sneered, gazing at the blood¨Cred sunset. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to reveal whether this so¨Ccalled Alpha of the Frostfang Pack has real merit.¡±


    My heart jolted as I warned, ¡°Velda, I¡¯m warning you. If you speak out of line, you¡¯ll face the royal wolf court¡­¡°.


    Velda¡¯s pride red. ¡°I was the key contributor at the Bloodscar Battle and the first female Gamma in our kingdom. I¡¯ve made no grave errors. Who dares to punish me?¡±


    She moved to leave. I immediately followed.


    I questioned, ¡°You never exined why Snke suddenly surrendered at Snowdeer Town.¡±


    Her slit pupils narrowed, her tone impatient. ¡°I¡¯ve told you countless times. I spread news of Alpha Lance¡¯s reinforcement and burned their food supplies. They panicked and surrendered.¡±


    Yes, she had repeated this exnation many times before.


    I had seen no issues with it until I and Velda formed a mate bond.


    One day, she had mobilized over a hundred wolf warriors without prior approval, leading to a reprimand.


    Yet she had the audacity to tell me she¡¯d sought and received approval for mobilizing over a hundred wolf warriors¨Ca t¨Cout lie, delivered without a flicker of deceit in her.


    Recalling the Bloodscar victory, I felt something amiss.


    The Western Tribes¡® thirty¨Cthousand strong force<b>, </b>disguised as the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s wolves, was heading to the southern border.


    It made no sense for them to suddenly send troops after signing a peace treaty.


    Unless the Western Tribes had harbored resentment when signing the treaty at the Bloodscar.


    ¡°Ulrik, don¡¯t you trust your own mate?¡±


    Velda¡¯s eyes softened, her mint pheromones sweet. ¡°Snke signed <b>the </b>agreement himself. With only three hundred of us, if he hadn¡¯t willingly surrendered, <b>he </b>could <b>have </b>crushed <b>us</b><b>.</b>¡±


    <b>3:31 </b>PM


    If Snke had fought back, he could have annihted them along with Velda.


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    Guilt washed over me for doubting my mate. Softening my tone, I apologized, ¡°I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have spected. Please don¡¯t be angry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not angry. I¡¯m not that sentimental,¡± Velda replied nonchntly, though her words carried a hint of sarcasm.


    ¡°Of course you¡¯re not,¡± I said gently.


    After a pause, seeing her smile return, I added, ¡°We¡¯re here as reinforcements. We¡¯re unclear on the prior battles. So, regarding Adide¡¯s merits and Alpha Lance cing the Ironthorn Army under hermand, it¡¯s best we stay out of it.¡±


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 The Moon Goddess Pendant 58

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ??


    0


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    +8 Pearls


    Velda gave a dryugh. ¡°What can I do? Most of the wolf generals here were once subordinates of her father. If she wants to gain military merits on the battlefield, how many will go out of their way to help her? I don¡¯t dare to offend her.¡±


    Ulrik nodded.


    He had seen Adide¡¯s fighting skills, but on the battlefield, skill alone wasn¡¯t enough.


    In such a melee, her skill could only help her kill a few more enemies.


    How long had Adide been at the southern border?


    Even if she had killed enemies in battle, it was impossible for her to have been promoted to Silver w Gamma so quickly in such a major war.


    There must be some falsification involved. But Alpha Lance was willing to support her, and Ulrik and Velda had no recourse.


    ¡°If we can¡¯t fight her<b>, </b>can¡¯t we at least avoid her?¡± Ulrik said with a mix of helplessness and mncholy.


    Velda sneered, ¡°Why should we avoid her? My merits were hard¨Cearned. What is she?¡±


    ¡°What are you nning to do, Velda?¡± Ulrik asked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything.¡± Velda said and turned to leave.)


    Ulrik¡¯s nose twitched, but he sensed no pheromone fluctuations.


    However, three dayster, discontent began to spread among the wolf warriors who hade to support the southern border with Ulrik.


    Rumors about Adide spread like an epidemic through the camp.


    The warriors gnashed their teeth and whispered that Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter had be a Silver w Gamma, relying on her father and brothers¡® merits, without ever participating in a formal battle.


    Velda¡¯s wolf warriors kept stirring up emotions.


    They said, ¡°If you want to rely on bloodline, you might as well stay in the capital as an elegantdy. Whye to the battlefield topete for merits with us? We risk our lives to defend the nation, only for someone who does nothing to be a general. It¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s said that Alpha <b>Lance </b><b>is </b><b>strict </b>and fair in managing troops, but who would have thought he would favor her <b>and </b>grant her such significant merits for nothing? What¡¯s the point of us fighting


    3:31 PM <b>S </b>


    O


    +8 Pearls


    ¡°The Southern Border is in a dire situation. We¡¯ve been rushing here without rest, with many wolf warriors not getting a moment¡¯s respite, traveling day and night. Velda endured the pain of her old injuries ring up, unwilling to use the military doctor¡¯s medicine, worried about shortages at the front and willing to suffer in silence.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? When Velda arrived here, Alpha Lance reprimanded her, saying she was jealous of Adide, and handed over the Ironthorn Army to Adide¡¯smand. A she¨Cwolf driven out by her own pack is now in charge of the undefeated Ironthorn Army. If this gets out, won¡¯t it be aughingstock for our kingdom?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Velda has established great merits at the Bloodscar Border with only three hundred wolves. Now Adide, promoted by Alpha Lance, is even higher in rank than her.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of all ?this hardship? Are we just stepping stones for others?¡±


    Such rhetoric spread like poison, even causing ripples within the Ironthorn Army.


    Despite the warriors¡® fear of Lance¡¯s authority, they began to resist Adide¡¯s orders during training, eyeing the temporary mark on the back of her neck with contempt.


    Adide and her team, having focused on training ns for days, hadn¡¯t noticed the rumors among the reinforcements.


    Adide was puzzled by the Ironthorn Army¡¯sck of cooperation.


    When Alpha Lance had brought her there that day, the Ironthorn Army had shouted their obedience loud enough to deafen everyone.


    So, Adide put the training on hold and had Halbert and the others look into what had happened in the past few days.


    Halbert kicked open the tent door, his wolf ws clutching a crumpled anonymous leaflet. ¡°Look at these despicable words! They say Paisley is your Omega and that Avery and I are your ¡®littleckeys¡®!¡±


    Paisley and the others were fuming with rage.


    Paisley¡¯s whip cracked against the table<b>, </b>sulfur pheromones erupting. ¡°How dare they speak of me? I¡¯m an Alpha! Should I cut off their weapon supplies?<b>¡± </b>


    Ang was equally enraged. ¡°These scoundrels deserve a taste of my wolf¡¯s w!¡±


    ¡°The worst is <b>yet </b>toe!¡± Paisley unfolded the leaflet. ¡°They im you¡¯ve never killed an enemy and that all your merits were fabricated by Lance and Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates. Now they¡¯re demanding answers from Lance.¡±


    Ang seethed. ¡°Velda is clearly trying to incite mutiny within the army. She wants to force Lance to strip you of yourmand so she can monopolize the merits<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide¡¯s wolf ears pricked up. She didn¡¯t care for the rumors, but <b>deliberately </b>sowing <b>discord </b>


    3:31 PM ¡¤


    +8 Pearls


    Velda, who hadmanded at the Bloodscar Border, couldn¡¯t be unaware of this.


    ¡°Are these rumors only circting among the reinforcement wolf warriors?¡± she asked, her finger tapping the Frostbite Town marker on the map.


    Paisley, still furious, his already cracked face turning purplish ¨C red, said, ¡°Yes. The reinforcement troops are housed separately in the camp, so the original legions are unaware. Otherwise, there would be more than just discussion. There might even be fights.¡±


    Adide¡¯s brow furrowed further. Many seasoned warriors respected her.


    If they knew she was being ndered, there might be more than just discussions¨Cfights could break out.


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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    In this chaotic situation, how could they even consider reiming the southern border?


    It seemed they were just handing the battlefield over to the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s wolves.


    Halbert¡¯s pheromones, mixed with anxiety, said, ¡°They¡¯ve already started inciting some wolf generals from the reinforcement troops to confront Alpha Lance.¡±


    Adide stroked her wolf¨Chead pendant, her silver¨Cblue pheromones as steady as frozen tundra. ¡°Let them be. Lance won¡¯t tolerate morale¨Csapping. Moreover, the Western Tribes¡® ws are already near Darkw Town.¡±


    ¡°Are we just going to swallow this humiliation?¡± Paisley¡¯s whip cracked in her palm, the crimson me emblem on her pauldrons ring with anger.


    ¡°Shall I rip out Velda¡¯s tongue? She¡¯s merely an Iron w, low¨Cborn. I don¡¯t fear her.¡±


    Adide raised an eyebrow. ¡°Velda outranks you now. Disrespecting an officer has consequences. Feel free to test it. Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re a wolf warrior now.¡±


    Paisley snorted, ¡°If I weren¡¯t a wolf warrior, I¡¯d pay no heed to her rank. I tell you, once the southern border is reimed, I won¡¯t be a warrior anymore. Even if I were offered a general¡¯s post, I wouldn¡¯t want it.¡±


    That night, as expected, trouble brewed.


    Velda¡¯s cousin, Brock Freeman, led dozens of wolves toward Lance¡¯s tent.


    Lance, furious, ordered the ringleaders dragged out and gged thirty times. He issued a military decree¨CAny wolf who disobeys Adide could challenge her. If theysted five minutes, their sins would be forgiven.


    If not, it was back <i>to </i>drills. Those who neither challenged nor trained would face military justice.


    This decree spurred some reluctant but vocal dissenters in the Ironthorn Army.


    Among them was Ellen<b>, </b>an Iron w with notablebat skills.


    At Adide¡¯s next outdoor training session, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Gamma Adide, Alpha Lance dered that anyone may challenge you. If Ist five minutes, I¡¯ll ept my punishment. But I seek no pardon. If you defeat me, I¡¯ll acknowledge your merits, no matter their origin, and hold my tongue forevermore.¡±


    Ellen was arrogant, having trained in wolfbat since childhood.


    He¡¯d ioined the roval wolf army at fifteen and <b>never </b>ckened his practice.


    331 PM ¡¤


    To him, Lance¡¯s decree was a grave insult.


    Five minutes? Ridiculous!


    Even with Alpha Bentley as her father, Adide couldn¡¯t work that kind of magic.


    +8 Pearls


    The crowd erupted in thunderous apuse. The 15,000 soldiers of the Ironthorn Army roared, ¡°Ellen, we stand with you!¡±


    Adide eyed the wolf general in his early thirties, his face etched with defiance.


    Ellen, seeing her silence, sneered, ¡°Too cowardly to fight?¡±


    Adide nted her silver spear in the snow, her moonstone headband fluttering in the night breeze.


    She tilted her chin upward, her gaze as cold as ice, ¡°Just to beat you?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Ellen boomed, ¡°If I fall to you, I pledge fealty till death.¡±


    ¡°Bravo!¡±


    ¡°Show her her ce, leveraging your family¡¯s merits to climb over our wolf warriors.¡±


    ¡°Ellen, we¡¯re with you.¡±


    Ellen coolly addressed Adide, ¡°Gamma Adide, do you hear me?¡±


    Adide scanned the roaring Ironthorn Army, gripping her silver spear tightly, ¡°Very well, let¡¯s begin!¡±


    Ellen¡¯s eyes brimmed with contempt, ¡°Don¡¯t say I¡¯m bullying you, Gamma Adide. I¡¯ll let you strike first!¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Adide smiled faintly, the blood¨Cred mole beneath her eye vivid as blood.


    She revealed the wolf hairs at her nape and said, ¡°If you can stand after a minute, I concede.¡±


    From afar, Ulrik and Velda stood atop the battlements<b>, </b>surrounded by wolf warriors.


    Velda gazed at the training ground, her mint pheromonesced with sulfur.


    ¡°Look, someone¡¯s challenging Adide,¡± she remarked, her slit pupils narrowing with excitement.


    Despite the distance, Ulrik recognized the challenger¨CEllen, the Ironthorn Army¡¯s formidable ¡°Frostwolf¡¯s w.¡±


    His cedar pheromones suddenly roiled<b>, </b>and a low growl escaped him, ¡°Ellen.¡±


    Velda said with interest ¡°Ellen¡¯s one <b>of </b>the stronger warriors in the Ironthorn Army Wonder how


    Ulrik shook his head slowly, ¡°Ellen won¡¯t win.¡±


    Veldaughed heartily, ¡°You¡¯re quite the defender of Adide. Let¡¯s see.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts,¡± Ulrik said, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the battlement.


    +8 Pearls


    Velda suddenly burst intoughter, her mint pheromones sweeping like a storm. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see. I hope she doesn¡¯t lose too miserably. After all, the Frostfang Alpha can¡¯t afford another trampling.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes, fixating on the distant figures, secretly hoping Ellen¡¯s wolf ws would tear that silver¨Cgrey war¨Ccoat to shreds¨Cexposing the Frostfang ¡°princess¡± as a weakling propped up by lineage.


    Ulrik fell silent, yet his eyes remained locked on Adide.


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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +8 Pearls


    In the wilderness, Adide raised her silver spear and thrust it at Ellen¡¯s right shoulder.


    Ellen burst intoughter¨Cwas this weak strike even worthy of being called a battle move?


    The fifteen¨Cthousand¨Cstrong Ironthorn Army joined in the mockery. Judging by her grip, she probably couldn¡¯t even match a wolf pup¡¯s ws.


    Yet, in an instant, Adide¡¯s fingertips burst with silver¨Cblue bone spikes. Her seemingly delicate hands had partially shifted into wolf w.


    The silver spear, sensing the awakening of ancient blood, instantly crawled with frost¨Ctooth runes. As the spear tip pierced the air, it emitted a shrill howl.


    Ellen¡¯s muscles beneath his hardened scales suddenly convulsed¨Can instinctive reaction of a lower¨Cranking wolf to bloodline suppression.


    His elongating canines hadn¡¯t fully transformed when Adide¡¯s spear de, adorned with a silver moon crest, illuminated his shrinking pupils.


    Before the Ironthorn Army¡¯sughter had even faded, the frozen earth erupted with a sound like ice splitting.


    ¡°Wolf ws?¡± Adide¡¯s voice carried a faint sneer as her spine burst into a protruding bone tail, tearing through her cloak.


    The moment the spear tip grazed Ellen¡¯s iron pauldron, her hand fully transformed into a wolf¡¯s w.


    Ellen froze. If he tried to snatch the spear now, his entire arm would be shattered.


    Panicking, he attempted to retreat but was a step too slow.


    The spear tip grazed his left scap, piercing through the iron¨Cd armor and drawing blood that dripped down the de.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Adide said, releasing her wolf w. The front¨Crank wolf warriors dropped to their knees, uncontrobly.


    The front¨Crow warriors saw the blood seeping from beneath Ellen¡¯s pauldron, drop by drop, staining the snow crimson like plum blossoms.


    Ellen¡¯s face turned pale.


    What was the point? He couldn¡¯t evenst a minute.


    <b>In </b>the deathly silence only the north wind howled.


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    Ellen knelt on one knee, sheathed sword in hand, his voice still trembling, ¡°I, Ellen, from this day forth, pledge unwavering loyalty to you, Gamma Adide.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    From atop the distant battlements, Velda burst intoughter.


    ¡°Is that it? How perfunctory. Did Lance stage this farce to prop up Adide? No dodge, no parry ¡ªjust standing there to be stabbed. And she wins in one move? Unbelievable.¡±


    The distance between the battlements and the wilderness shielded us from the pheromones and the specifics of their bout.


    All we could see was Ellen standing there, epting the strike.


    In Velda¡¯s eyes, this was nothing but a charade orchestrated by Lance to elevate Adide.


    After herughter subsided, her voice bristled with fury, ¡°The Ironthorn Army bends to Lance¡¯s will. If he says bow, they bow. Why the theatrics? Treating the troops like monkeys.¡±


    I too was puzzled.


    Lance had no need for such theatrics¨CAdide¡¯sbat skills were more than decent. If it came to a real fight, Ellen might not even be her match.


    Could Adide¡¯s repertoire be so limited?


    Last time she struck at me, I was caught off guard.


    Regardless, today¡¯s so¨Ccalled challenge was a joke.


    Resentment simmered within me.


    It¡¯s not umon for noble wolf pups to enhance their glory on the battlefield, but handing over the Ironthorn Army <i>to </i>Adide and staging this ¡°Challenge Decree¡± was nothing short of absurd.


    How could this not dishearten the wolf warriors who fought and bled?


    ¡°I¡¯ll challenge her,¡± Velda said, turning to leave.


    Her wolf¡¯s restlessness was palpable<b>, </b>the surging pheromones unmistakable.


    I grabbed her arm sharply. ¡°Don¡¯t be reckless. She¡¯s inmand of the Ironthorn Army. Even if you beat her, where does that leave Lance and the Ironthorn Army¡¯s dignity? With a major battle looming, we can¡¯t afford internal strife that shakes the troops¡® morale.¡±


    She huffed, ¡°Their <b>special </b>treatment started this. Why should I care?¡±


    I lowered my voice, ¡°Do you <b>still </b>want <b>to </b>earn merits<b>? </b><b>The </b>battlefieldmander here is Alpha


    <b>3/3 </b>


    <b>3:31 </b>PM


    +8 Pearls


    Velda, reminded, realized we were on the southern border battlefield, under Alpha Lance¡¯s jurisdiction.


    Most Gamma here were former subordinates of Alpha Bentley, no friends of ours.


    Velda kicked the battlement, her armored body making a dull thud. ¡°All because of her birthright! This fame¨Cstealing wretch, I¡¯ll never let her have it easy. Once battle starts, if she hides at the back, I¡¯ll drag her to the front line.¡±


    I looked at her reddening eyes and sighed. ¡°Alpha Lance wants to use Adide to restore the Davidson family¡¯s glory. She has to be on the battlefield. Just¡­ many wolf warriors will likely protect her in secret.¡±


    Velda let out a discontented wolfish howl, suppressing her rage.


    ¡°On the battlefield, life and death are in heaven¡¯s hands. She hasn¡¯t seen the Bloodscar Border¡¯s cruelty. This time, no such luck.¡±


    ¡°The Bloodscar Border¡¯s nothingpared to the southern battlefield,¡± I said, recalling how Adide¡¯s uncle had taken a de for me, still sending chills down my spine.


    She red at the Ironthorn Army¡¯s formation in the wilderness and sneered, ¡°Infinite variables on the battlefield. If these fifteen thousand are just here to bolster her merits, I¡¯ll expose her in the capital after we return, let everyone see how she disgraces Alpha Bentley¡¯s name.¡±


    My heart was a tangle of emotions.


    On one hand, I understood Lance¡¯s intentions in promoting Adide¨Cto rally the troops around the Davidson family¡¯s legacy.


    On the other, this ¡°special treatment¡± felt ringly unfair.


    Everyone else earned merits with their blood, yet she climbed the ranks under protection.


    Thinking this way, I couldn¡¯t help but feel that Velda and I were in an especially tough spot, even tinged with tragedy.


    The lingering guilt I¡¯d harbored for Adide gradually curdled into disdain.


    Send Gifts


    8 70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 61

    Velda¡¯s POV


    B


    +8 Pearls


    Adide returnedte after training the troops, the bronze wolf¨Chead gates slowly shutting behind her.


    I stood in the shadows of the moonstone citadel, catching the lingering cedar pheromones from her armor.


    The bonfire¡¯s glow cast everything in a dim, yellow¨Corange light.


    ¡°You could at least put on a better show,¡± I said. ¡°The Davidson family¡¯s reputation is being dragged through the mud because of you.¡±


    The shadow¨Cwolf emblem on her pauldron glimmered.


    She gripped her silver spear, the moonstones embedded in the weapon¨Cpassed down from Alpha Bentley¨Cpulsing rhythmically.


    As her golden eyes shifted to the vertical slits of a wolf¡¯s gaze, the not¨Cyet¨Chealed mark on the back of my neck red with pain.


    My wolf trembled, cowering in the corners of my mind.


    That only made me angrier.


    Adide looked down at me, her tone icy. ¡°What does the Davidson family¡¯s reputation have to do with you?¡±


    I snapped, ¡°Quit ying the noble act! I saw it all today. Handing the Ironthorn Army over to you? Alpha Lance¡¯s word alone was enough. Why drag Ellen into this charade? Do you really think the other wolf warriors will follow you willingly? Do you think everyone¡¯s blind?¡±


    Adide met my gaze. ¡°You¡¯re right. Not everyone¡¯s blind. Some things can be hidden for a while, but not forever.¡±


    Her pheromones slowly enveloped me.


    I narrowed my eyes, my resolve weakening. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she said, moving past me.


    Agrabbed her arm. ¡°Adide, whatever your angle is¨Cthis is a battlefield. The Ironthorn Army is an elite unit. Don¡¯t use them for your own gain. You need to head back to the capital and stop causing trouble here.¡±


    <b>Her </b>cloak suddenly red, the dormant Frostfang Pack emblem awakening <b>as </b>she fully unleashed her Alpha pheromones.


    +8 Pearls


    Furious, I stamped my foot and shouted after her, ¡°You think you¡¯re better than me? No one here respects you. They justugh at you!¡±


    She didn¡¯t turn back but left behind a cold retort, ¡°If I¡¯m a joke, isn¡¯t it partly because of the rumors you spread and the truth you mock?¡±


    I scoffed.


    Mock the truth? What truth?


    She climbed the ranks on Alpha Bentley¡¯s legacy and Lance¡¯s protection, convinced she was some invincible warrior.


    Lance, clinging to his old ties with Alpha Bentley, handed her the Ironthorn Army without considering the risks of this war.


    The Ironthorn was supposed to be the elite vanguard, not her tool for advancing her reputation.


    No way. This had to stop.


    Early the next morning, I confronted Alpha Lance.


    When I entered, a dozen generals were huddled together, clearly discussing an attack n.


    The enemy had retreated to Darkw Town, low on supplies and in desperate need of rest¨Cthey wouldn¡¯t strike first. That left us no choice but to act first.


    I felt a pang of resentment. Before Lance could speak, I blurted out, ¡°Alpha Lance, if you¡¯re gathering everyone to n the attack, why didn¡¯t you include Alpha Ulrik and me?¡±


    Lance¡¯s sharp gaze fixed on me. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say you¡¯ve been on a long journey to support us? You¡¯ve been injured along the way. Take two days to rest. No need to involve yourselves in the discussion


    for now.¡±


    Did he really say that?


    I couldn¡¯t recall, but I pressed on. ¡°Alpha Lance, we¡¯re here to support you. Though the journey was tough, a night¡¯s rest was enough to recover. We¡¯re ready to discuss today. But first, I have a question.¡±


    ¡°Speak,¡± he said, leaning back in his chair.


    ¡°The Ironthorn Army is our elite unit, yet you¡¯ve ced it under Gamma Adide¡¯smand.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the issue<b>?</b>¡± His voice was calm but carried an unshakable authority.


    His aura was stronger, sharper than Adide¡¯s.


    I forced down my fear and shouted, ¡°Using our finest troops to protect <b>a </b>she¨Cwolf seeking glory on the battlefield is unwise.¡±


    <b>23 </b>


    3:32 PM


    +8 Pearls


    I sneered. ¡°So Alpha Lance is ying favorites. If the Ironthorn breaks through, Adide gets all the credit. Isn¡¯t that just handing it to her?¡±


    Abbot exploded. ¡°What are you implying? If she leads the Ironthorn and breaches the gates, that credit is rightfully hers. Are you suggesting wars are fought by lone wolves, with others hiding


    behind them?¡±


    I shot back, ¡°Are you saying Gamma Adide will fight on the front lines, not justmand from the rear?¡±


    Abbot¡¯s voice rose in fury. ¡°Absurd! A vanguard unit must have a general leading the charge. Who ever heard of amander hiding in the back?¡±


    ¡°Lead the charge?¡± I scoffed. ¡°Handing the Ironthorn Army to a she¨Cwolf who¡¯s never seen real battle? Looks to me like you¡¯re all taking her and the Ironthorn Army to storm the city for her.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s led troops in battle before!¡± Abbot argued. ¡°She¡¯s done it in previous fights.¡±


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    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 62

    Velda¡¯s POV


    O


    +8 Pearls


    I snorted and looked straight at Lance. ¡°Alpha Lance, you all know how she¡¯s fought those battles.¡±


    I knelt on one knee. ¡°I request to lead the Ironthorn Army into¨Cbattle. If Alpha Lance insists on Adide being in charge, then I challenge her. I brought the Ironthorn to the southern border; I can¡¯t stand by and watch them follow a she¨Cwolf who doesn¡¯t know the first thing about war and die for nothing.¡±


    The generals around us erupted in condemnation.


    ¡°How dare you speak like that? If she¡¯s not capable, the Ironthorn Army wouldn¡¯t follow her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about dying for nothing before the battle¡¯s even fought. That¡¯s absurd.¡±


    ¡°You say she doesn¡¯t know war, but how did she win before?¡±


    ¡°Alpha Lance has already ced the Ironthorn Army under Gamma Adide¡¯smand. Adide¡¯s already training the wolf warriors.¡±


    ¡°Velda, you¡¯re being too arrogant. Compared to Gamma Adide, you might not even measure up.¡±


    I tuned them out, keeping my gaze locked on Lance. ¡± Alpha Lance, didn¡¯t you say anyone can challenge? I challenge Adide. If she loses, the Ironthorn Army is mine tomand.¡±


    Lance nodded slowly. ¡°I grant you the right to challenge Adide. If she loses, you¡¯ll lead the Ironthorn Army. If you lose, fiftyshes with a wolfsbane whip for defying my orders and uttering those cursed words.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll strip you of all your achievements on the southern border. Should we win, your name won¡¯t be on the reward list,¡± he added.


    I immediately retorted, ¡°That¡¯s not fair. If she loses, she faces no punishment, yet I¡¯m to be flogged and stripped of everything. Alpha Lance, you¡¯re clearly biased.¡±


    Lance said coldly, ¡°If she loses, she loses themand of the Ironthorn Army. Isn¡¯t that punishment enough? Moreover, I was the one who ced her inmand. Removing her abruptly would cost her the trust of the wolf warriors. Isn¡¯t that a severe consequence?¡±


    <b>I </b>argued anxiously, ¡°But you said those who <b>resist </b>can challenge her.¡±


    Lance raised an eyebrow. ¡°True, but you¡¯re not just challenging her¨Cyou¡¯re trying to seize the Ironthorn Army from her. Your challenge is driven by ambition. Naturally, failure shoulde with a cost. Otherwise, everyone would question me, and how would we fight this war?¡±


    Eyeing Adide¡¯s slight figure, I figured she¡¯d <b>be </b>no match for me.


    3:32PM


    Abbot frowned in opposition. ¡°This was already decided. Are we really going to have these challenges? This isn¡¯t a sparring ring; it¡¯s a battlefield. Such actions don¡¯t foster unity.¡±


    +8 Pearls


    I took his objection as fear for Adide¡¯s potential loss, which only bolstered my confidence.


    I sneered, ¡°Those with true ability can shoulder greater responsibility. What¡¯s wrong with using a challenge to determine who¡¯s stronger? Are you worried she¡¯ll lose? If you¡¯re concerned about saving face, why not just hand the Ironthorn Army over to me now?¡±


    Abbot snorted coldly. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Just because you led the relief troops here doesn¡¯t make them your subordinates. I was trying to save you from embarrassment by stopping this challenge. Since you won¡¯t heed good intentions, suit yourself.¡±


    ¡°No more talk,¡± I said, rising to my feet. ¡°The Ironthorn Army won¡¯t be in Adide¡¯s hands unless she beats me. I¡¯m leaving now.¡±


    Once outside the tent, I didn¡¯t care what they thought.


    But I overheard Abbot immediately asking Lance, ¡°You¡¯ve already given the Ironthorn Army to Gamma Adide. Why allow Velda¡¯s challenge? The troops are already gossiping that she¡¯s unfit for her Gamma rank. If she loses¡­¡±


    Lance simply replied, ¡°Gamma Adide won¡¯t lose. Let the discontented see who¡¯s truly undeserving.¡±


    He also said he¡¯d amodate those eager to make fools of themselves¡ªa remark clearly aimed at me. But I didn¡¯t care.


    That afternoon, Alpha Lance informed everyone of my challenge to Adide for control of the Ironthorn Army, even outlining the consequences of victory and defeat.


    When Ulrik heard, he immediately objected. ¡°Adide¡¯sbat skills are formidable. I¡¯ve seen her in action. You can¡¯t beat her. Don¡¯t let


    anger cloud your judgment.¡±


    I stood firm, resolute. ¡°I¡¯m not acting rashly. This isn¡¯t just about battlefieldmand. If I can win the allegiance of those <i>15,000 </i>Ironthorn soldiers, think about what it means. After establishing our merit at the Bloodscar Border, neither the Royal Council nor Lycan Erasmus have assigned <b>us </b>new roles. Once we reim the southern border, what¡¯s next for us?<b>¡± </b>


    But Ulrik shook his head. ¡°Even after reiming the southern border, the Ironthorn Army will eventually return to Lance¡¯s control. How could it end up under yours? If you lose, you¡¯ll lose all your merits and <b>face </b>flogging¡­¡±


    ¡°Lose to her?¡± <b>I </b>sneered. ¡°Not just her, but even Abbot and his group don¡¯t register on my radar. Except for Lance and you, I won¡¯t be bested by anyone. We both saw how she fought against


    Ellen.¡±


    Ulrik grabbed my arm, his <b>face </b>etched with worry. ¡°Anything can happen. If you lose<b>, </b>you¡¯ll have nothing left. Do you want to spend the rest of your days managing wolf packs<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ????.


    3:32 PM


    But deep down, I knew¨CI would not lose.

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 63

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    0


    Her words stirred a warm feeling in Ulrik¡¯s heart.


    +8 Pearls


    Velda wasn¡¯t just any she¨Cwolf; she was a Gamma whomanded troops in battle and a hero who¡¯d signed the Bloodscar Border treaty.


    Her willingness to contribute to family and pack was truly touching.


    When she said she¡¯d even cook for the pack members for him, it was no wonder Ulrik felt his chest warm and his past disappointments in her fade away.


    The challenge was scheduled for dusk. Lance only sent Tommy to inform Adide.


    As Adide watched the wolf warriors train, she nodded slightly at Tommy¡¯s message. ¡°Hmm, noted.¡±


    Soon, the entire werewolf army knew about this challenge.


    After training, Paisley and the others sought out Adide.


    Each patted her shoulder, sparing with just two words, ¡°Beat her.¡±


    Adide smiled at them.


    Beating Velda would be tough¨Cnot because of killing her, but because of the struggle and the need for immense self¨Ccontrol.


    A streak of sunset couldn¡¯t dispel the border¡¯s cold.


    In the wilderness<b>, </b>15,000 Ironthorn Army soldiers stood in formation to the east.


    Other wolf warriors curious about the challenge packed the other areas, their chatter endless.


    Besides the royal guard wolf warriors who¡¯de to support, there were also those from Alpha Lance¡¯s original legion.


    Thetter had full confidence in Adide¡¯s abilities.


    However, the royal guard warriors, swayed by Velda, believed Adide had secured her Silver w Gamma position through connections.


    To them, Adide <b>was </b>a <b>she</b><b>¨C</b>wolf nearly exiled from the pack, unfit to stand alone on the battlefield.


    Thus, most of <b>the </b>supporting wolf warriors favored Velda<b>, </b>except for the Ironthorn Army, which <b>had </b><b>epted </b><b>Adide</b><b>. </b>


    334PM


    a


    Even nearby Ironthorn soldiers could feel the sharpness of her dominance.


    They knew how formidable she was.


    +8 Pearls


    But the royal guard didn¡¯t. They only recognized Ulrik and Velda, who¡¯d led them to the southern border.


    Coupled with previous rumors about Adide, they held her in even greater contempt, now that Alpha Lance had backed her.


    They hoped Velda would shatter Adide¡¯s teeth and tear off her mask of pretended invincibility.


    Abbot stood nearby, his expression stern. As the challenge¡¯s referee, he knew his responsibility was weighty. Other generals were also nearby, their gazes locked on the two women.


    Lance stood in front of the Ironthorn Army, d in armor. The setting sun cast its rays on his dulled gold armor, highlighting the congealed, blotchy bloodstains.


    His stubble had regrown a bit, and the harsh wind had chapped his skin. Though no longer as handsome as before, his majesty remained undiminished.


    In front of all the wolf warriors present, Lance reiterated the consequences of defeat for both sides of the challenge.


    Once both parties acknowledged them, Lance fell silent.


    Velda, her battle robe still unstained by blood, stood ramrod straight with bold eyebrows.


    She coldly eyed Adide, who held a silver spear before her.


    If not for Adide¡¯s still¨Cexquisite features, Velda would never have linked her to the elegantly dressed, poised Luna they¡¯d first met.


    Beyond her unchanged facial features, her skin and attire were a stark contrast.


    Her hair was disheveled and dirty, her face roughened by sand and cold, a far cry from her once- delicateplexion.


    Such beauty and skin had never made Velda envious.


    She despised that kind of delicate beauty, like a ss doll, fragile and easily shattered.


    The wind howled as Velda¡¯s voice carried over, ¡°Adide, do you really think stepping onto the battlefield will make you better than me? You¡¯re not just foolish. In a way, you¡¯re shrewdly cunning. You know how to exploit your father¡¯s connections to elevate yourself to a position you could never reach in your entire life.¡±


    Her words reached the ears of the generals and the Ironthorn soldiers<b>. </b>


    Velda prided herself on her bluntness, never mincing words.


    <b>3:32 </b>PM


    more.


    .


    +8 Pearls


    The murmur of discussion gradually turned into a barrage of insults aimed at Adide.


    Paisley and the others were so angry their faces turned livid. Had they not been restrained, they would have already lunged at Velda to teach her a lesson.


    Yet Adide¡¯s calm was maddening.


    Despite such provocation, she remained unruffled, gazing calmly at Velda without a word in


    retort.


    Indeed, Adide didn¡¯t respond, not even a flicker of emotion crossing her face. Her eyes merely deepened in intensity.


    ¡°Adide!¡± Lance took a wooden stick from Tommy and tossed it to Adide. ¡°Leave the silver spear aside and use this wooden stick instead.¡±


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    70


    1

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 64

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    D


    .


    Adide caught the wooden stick and flipped it back to Lance with a meaningful nce.


    ¡°Understood!¡± she said firmly, fully grasping Lance¡¯s intention.-


    +8 Pearls


    Werewolf duels were brutal. The hatred between Adide and Velda was like a ticking time bomb. One misstep, and Adide¡¯s silver spear could easily end up in Velda¡¯s throat.


    Velda felt humiliated and sneered, ¡°Using a wooden stick? Very well. Since you¡¯re so confident, don¡¯t me me for not holding back.¡±


    If she were more magnanimous, she¡¯d have reced her sword with a wooden stick too.


    But defeat wasn¡¯t an option¨Cit would cost her too much.


    This was where she and Adide differed, a ss inequality from the start.


    And so, fighting a wooden stick with a sword was justified.


    The sunset painted the sky red, and the bonfires were lit. The fires burned bright but not harsh, casting enough light to clearly see the two women standing in the center.


    Many anticipated a top¨Cnotch duel with dazzling back¨Cand¨Cforth moves.


    Some hoped to see Velda thrash Adide, reducing her to her knees begging for mercy, and then imingmand of the Ironthorn Army.


    Ulrik, too, felt his nerves tighten.


    He recalled Adide¡¯s fighting skills from their battle in the Bloodmoon Pack and her duel with Ellen, both showing she was a strong fighter.


    Ulrik knew Velda mustn¡¯t lose.


    Defeat would mean no rewards for her bravery on the southern border and a flogging.


    ¡°Velda, stay calm!¡± Ulrik shouted.


    Paisley¡¯s ears red crimson with fiery red fur, her pupils narrowing tova¨Clike slits.


    She extended her wolf ws, grabbed a rock, and hurled it.


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones surged. He caught the rock mid¨Cair with his ws and shattered it.


    The fiery madwolf!¡± Ulrik¡¯s fangs bit into his lip, his warning growl mixing with a howl


    <b>3:32 </b>PM


    e


    Ulrik was irritated but had no time to deal with it now. He had to focus back on the duel.


    At Abbot¡¯s ¡°Begin!¡°, all eyes turned to thebatants.


    The crowd chanted, ¡°Velda, defeat her! Show no mercy!¡±


    ¡°Go, Velda!¡±


    +8 Pearls


    Velda leaped, unleashing a wave of blood¨Cred pheromones, revealing the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s thorned totem on her neck.


    With both hands on her sword, she swung at Adide.


    Herbat style was purely pragmatic, all brute force, no finesse.


    Velda swung her sword at Adide with incredible speed. Adide couldn¡¯t dodge it no matter what.


    She might save her left or right hand, or her chest or back would get hit.


    The speed was so fast that none of the watching wolf soldiers could have dodged it.


    But Adide didn¡¯t dodge. She gripped the wooden stick with both hands and blocked.


    The sword struck the wooden stick.


    The sword swung down at the stick with blinding speed and immense force. The stick should¡¯ve snapped in two<i>. </i>


    But in that instant, it was as solid as iron, showing no damage at all. There was a loud ¡°ng,¡± and Velda felt a jolt in her tiger mouth and wrist, almost making her drop the sword.


    The collision of pheromones left the lower¨Crank wolves gasping.


    Velda¡¯s fangs began receding¨Ca rare ¡°bloodline submission¡± in werewolf ns.


    Velda¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She looked into Adide¡¯s deep eyes and saw the stick in her hand was unscratched. She was shocked.


    Adide¡¯s staff was not ordinary.


    Alpha Lance was determined to protect her. He wouldn¡¯t give her an ordinary wooden stick.


    It must be special.


    ¡°So, this stick isn¡¯t ordinary,¡± Velda said coldly. ¡°Alpha Lance must have given you the toughest weapon.¡±


    The wooden stick<b>, </b><b>as </b>long as a spear, was just <b>a </b>camp¨Cbuilding pole.


    3:32 PM


    +8 Pearls


    But she was convinced that Alpha Lance favored Adide. He¡¯d never give her an ordinary stick in such a duel.


    Many wolf soldiers, watching from a distance, hadn¡¯t seen the stick clearly. Hearing Velda¡¯s words, they too thought it was a superior weapon.


    ¡°Unfair!¡± cries erupted. ¡°Amon sword vs. a superior weapon!¡±


    ¡°She should use the spear instead. So this is how she ¡®cheats.¡±


    ¡°This is so unfair!¡± theints erupted instantly..


    Seeing this, Adide acted swiftly. She split the stick, leaving a jagged edge.


    Then, with a flick of her foot, she sent the broken piece flying into the midst of theining warriors.


    Upon inspection, the warriors realized it was just an ordinary wooden stick.


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    70

 The Moon Goddess Pendant 65

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda paled, realizing it was just an ordinary wooden stick.


    Clenching her teeth, she swung her wolf ws at Adide.


    Her strikes remained swift and powerful.


    Blocking with the stick, Adide seized the moment when Velda turned.


    +8 Pearls


    Gripping the stick in one hand, she pushed its tip with the other, sending it flying into Velda¡¯s abdomen.


    As the stick fell, Adide¡¯s left hand formed a w¨Clike shape, and the stick, as if maized, shot back into her grasp.


    ¡°Wow!¡± the crowd gasped. ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°How did she pull the stick from the ground like that?¡±


    Paisley exined coldly, ¡°It¡¯s the sheer aura of a powerful Alpha¨Cit¡¯s not just any ability. You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    Staggering backward, Velda¡¯sbat boots scorched the ground.


    Uncontrolled, her scent nds released a storm of cedar and rust.


    Deep within her mind, her wolf howled in despair.


    ¡°Silence!¡± she roared inwardly, blood seeping from her lip where her fangs had bitten through.


    Her wolf¡¯s shadow, meant to be one with her, now trembled in its cage¡ªa sight that nearly made her vomit.


    She forced herself to calm, though panic had already consumed her.


    She had the aura of <b>a </b>werewolf, yes, but as an ordinary she¨Cwolf with no extraordinary bloodline, she¡¯d always thought it useless.


    She¡¯d focused on practicalbat skills since childhood, believing strength was the only currency on the battlefield.


    Adide twirled the stick effortlessly, a mocking smile ying on her lips. ¡°Velda,¡± she said, ¡°shall we continue<b>, </b>or do you concede?¡±


    To Velda, ¡°concede¡± was <b>a </b><b>p </b>in the face.


    and the lined foch han


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    3:32 P


    C


    The moves were simple but vicious, effective for ying enemies in war.


    +8 Pearls


    Adide danced out of reach, watching Velda¡¯s eyes redden with every strike. Then, with a leap, Adide struck Velda¡¯s wrist, sending the sword flying. A midair kick sent Velda hurtling backward.


    Adidended gracefully, three yards away from the blood¨Cspitting Velda. The stick spun rapidly in her hand, creating a vortex.


    Hundreds of wooden shards peeled off, swirling like snowkes before hurtling toward Velda.


    Though d in armor, Velda was left with scores of scratches.


    One shard grazed her neck, drawing blood.


    The wound was superficial, quickly healing under her werewolf regenerative abilities, but everyone knew how easily it could have been a fatal sh.


    But how did Adide control her attack so precisely?


    The crowd erupted in shock.


    They¡¯d expected a hard¨Cfought battlesting at least thirty minutes, not this swift, one¨Csided victory.


    Velda hadn¡¯t even touched Adide¡¯s clothes. She was utterly defeated.


    Velda coughed up blood. That kick had nearly rearranged her internal organs. The pain left her voiceless for a moment.


    Her face drained of color as she instinctively touched her neck, her fingersing away bloody.


    She trembled uncontrobly¨Cnot from fear, but from disbelief.


    This oue was uneptable. She¡¯d never seen such power before.


    How could Adide have be so strong?


    She recalled when she and Ulrik had left, Ulrik had joked that Adide could hurt him with a mere leaf. At the time<b>, </b>she¡¯dughed.


    Now, experiencing this humiliation firsthand, jealousy and resentment gnawed at her like a


    swarm of ants.


    Her quick defeat was <b>a </b><b>p </b>in the face.


    She¡¯d told the supporting warriors that Adide¡¯s status <b>was </b>because she¡¯s Alpha Bentley daughter, leading to several officers being punished.


    Even before the duel began<b>, </b><b>she¡¯d </b>publicly insulted Adide, sparking public outrage.


    +8 Pearls


    Throughout the duel, Adide had spoken only once, ¡°Continue or concede?¡± Not a word of defense.


    Ulrik rushed to her side. ¡°Are you badly hurt?¡± he asked anxiously.


    Grabbing his wrist, Velda slowly rose, her chest still aching.


    Though she held back her tears, her eyes betrayed her pain.


    She felt utterly humiliated. Worse than that, she realized that despite her valiant efforts on the southern border, there would be no rewards.


    No, it was even worse than that.


    She could no longer im the title of the first female werewolf general in the Kingdom.


    That title now belonged to Adide.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 66

    <b>Chapter </b><b>66 </b>


    Jul


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The air buzzed with deafening cheers, but all Velda heard was a persistent droning in her head.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b>won¡¯t ept it! I won¡¯t ept it!¡±


    She was well aware that she didn¡¯t have Adide¡¯s noble birth or ster mentors.


    Adide¡¯s prowess stemmed from being the daughter of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, which naturally <b>drew </b>the guidance of powerful werewolves.


    Velda¡¯s defeat wasn¡¯t just at Adide¡¯s hands¨Cit was at the mercy of their disparate backgrounds.


    ¡°Velda,¡± Ulrik said, grasping her hand. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t lose,¡± Velda insisted, her voice trembling as tears streamed down. ¡°If I had her advantages, I¡¯d never be defeated.¡±


    Ulrik fell silent for a moment, then murmured in acknowledgment.


    1


    Lance had already risen to his feet, tossing Adide¡¯s silver spear back to her. His voice, mingled with <i>a </i>wolf howl, boomed across the scene, ¡°The Ironthorn Army remains under Gamma Adide¡¯smand. As for Velda¡¯s insubordination, she¡¯ll be punished after the southern border conflict concludes.¡±


    With those words, the oue was sealed.


    Velda spat out another mouthful of blood, her mind in turmoil.


    2


    Yet, she stood firm, her eyes zing with unyielding defiance.


    She wouldn¡¯t give Adide the satisfaction of seeing her broken. Even in defeat, she¡¯d maintain her dignity.


    Adide, however, paid her no mind. Instead, she locked eyes with Lance, her grip on the silver spear trembling ever so slightly.


    For a fleeting moment during the duel, she¡¯d considered killing Velda.


    When she¡¯d shattered the stick into fragments, the sharpest piece had been aimed at Velda¡¯s neck.


    It was only under the weight of Lance¡¯s piercing gaze that she¡¯d restrained herself.


    Had that shard struck with the same force as the ones that merely scratched Velda¡¯s armor, it would have slit her throat and ended her life swiftly.


    Meeting Lance¡¯s gaze now, Adide¡¯s emotions were a tangled mess<b>. </b>


    Paisley was the first to rush over, pping Adide on the shoulder. ¡°What¡¯re you thinking<b>? </b><b>You </b><b>won</b>!


    Chapter <b>66 </b>


    <b>Adide </b>managed a <b>faint </b>smile. ¡°Of course I did.


    She¡¯d never doubted her victory for a second.


    <b>Paisley</b><b>, </b>still holding her shoulder, pointed to the jubnt lupine warriors. ¡°See those folks<b>? </b><b>They </b><b>used </b>to badmouth you, but now they¡¯re cheering you on. Though I inust say,


    ay, I didn¡¯t expect Velda <b>to </b><b>be </b>such <b>a </b>pushover.¡±


    The Ironthorn Army had now fully acknowledged Adide¡¯s strength, especially Ellen.


    His gaze, fixed on the battlefield, was filled with awe as the events reyed in his mind.


    Adide¡¯s ability to split the stick into perfectly uniform shards was nothing short of extraordinary.


    It wasn¡¯t mere brute strength¨Cit was a masterful disy of technique, a testament to her refinedbat skills.


    What chilled Ellen to the bone, though<b>, </b>was how those flying shards, though fierce, had miraculously eased off as they grazed Velda¡¯s neck. The control over force was simply mind¨Cblowing..


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, the camp¡¯s bonfires cast a warm glow over the wolf warriors<b>, </b>who dispersed in small groups, excitedly rehashing the duel.


    ¡°That stick shattered way too easily! This wasn¡¯t a fight¨Cit was pure magic!¡±


    ¡°The Davidson bloodline¡¯s no joke. She¡¯s one tough cookie.¡±


    ¡°I told you the Silver w Gamma title wasn¡¯t handed to her for nothing!¡±


    ¡°Save it! You were the one egging Velda on. If I hadn¡¯t held you back, you¡¯d be sporting a sore rear end right now!¡±


    ¡°You fell for Velda¡¯s lies? She imed Adide <b>was </b>out for revenge, wanting Ulrik to regret leaving her.¡±


    ¡°Looks like Velda was just stirring up trouble, ying the righteous card before the battle.¡±


    ¡°Shut it! Want a piece of me?¡±


    These barbs, like thorny vines, coiled around Velda¡¯s ears.


    Her cheeks burned with shame and fury as she roughly wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯m weak, Velda. I need rest,¡± her wolf whimpered.


    ¡°Silence!¡± Velda barked back.


    She red at Adide, her eyes brimming with jealousy and rage, ming her wolf for not being strong enough.


    Gritting her teeth against the churning pain in her body, she strode up to Adide.


    ¡°You knew I was watching from the battlements during Ellen¡¯s challenge. You <b>staged </b>that <b>fight </b><b>to </b><b>provoke </b>me, didn¡¯t you?¡± she used.


    17:06 <b>Sat</b>, <b>5 </b><b>Jul </b>


    Paisley sneered. ¡°Staged for you? Who do you think you are?¡±


    *5 Fres <b>Coins </b>


    ¡°Shut your mouth! Who¡¯re you to talk? Were you even asked?¡± Velda¡¯s face contorted as she bellowed <b>at </b>Paisley.


    Taken aback, Paisley¡¯s eyes red with indignation. She raised her whip, ready to strike.


    ¡°Paisley!¡± Adide caught her whip mid- swing. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±


    Jesse, Adide


    How dare you?¡± Paisley


    go of me, No one, aside from Adide, would dare speak to


    her like this.


    To Paisley, Velda was just amon she¨Cwolf, once a rogue without a pack.


    How dare she challenge her? Her wolf growled in disconten

 Novel Male 67

    Adide¡¯s POV


    s


    Ang hurriedly rushed over, grabbing Paisley¡¯s waist from behind and tugging her back. Her wolf cars, pressed tightly against her scalp, betrayed her anxiety.


    ¡°She¡¯s a general. As Iron w warriors, we can¡¯t attack our superior. Alpha Lance is strict, and we still have to fight alongside Adide.¡±


    Paisley was fuming, her wolf fur bristling like steel wires.


    Her ws nearly shredded the crimson me Pack emblem on her belt. ¡°Let me go! What kind of lousy officer is she? I don¡¯t care about Alpha Lance. I¡¯ll defecate on her face!¡±


    Velda¡¯s pheromones surged, her voice trembling with a wolf howl. ¡°How dare you!¡±


    I was both amused and irritated. Snatching the sulfur¨Creeking whip from Paisley¡¯s hand¨Ca signature weapon of the Crimson me Pack that could produce sonic booms when swung¨CI casually tossed it at her feet.


    ¡°Go back. I need to talk to her.¡±


    Paisleyshed out at the icy ground with her whip.


    Her strength split the frozen soil, creating a blue¨Cglowing crack that stretched all the way to the bonfire stand, sending pine logs ttering noisily.


    ¡°You better scold her to death. Otherwise, I¡¯ll be back to finish the job.¡±


    She stormed off.


    When the curious werewolf warriors had mostly dispersed, leaving only a few stragglers in the distance, Ulrik approached Velda. The frost¨Cwolf insignia on his pauldron glimmered coldly in the bonfire¡¯s glow as he fixed his gaze on me.


    ¡°So, Ellen¡¯s challenge was a setup, just as Velda said. You staged it for us, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    I stared into the leaping mes, my tone icy. ¡°Are you ttering yourselves? A performance for you? You¡¯re not even worth it.¡±


    Velda stepped forward, her silver¨Cwolf shoulder badge brushing against Ulrik¡¯s armor.


    With a sneer, she challenged, ¡°Ellen stood there motionless as you stabbed him. He didn¡¯t flinch, just conceded. Tell me that wasn¡¯t an act.¡±


    I pointed to the battleground, the moonstone pendant on my spear tip tracing a silver arc. ¡°If your eyes work, look why Ellen gave up.¡±


    Seven or eight meters away, five cracks snaked toward where Ellen had stood.


    They shallowed at the footprints¨Cspots where I¡¯d pulled back my wolf¨Cw¨Cenhanced strength, nearly crippling him.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>67 </b>


    <b>Velda </b><b>stared </b>at the <b>cracks</b>, ¨¤ reluctant growl rising <b>in </b>her <b>throat</b><b>. </b>


    <b>She </b><b>quickly </b>straightened, her pheromones shifting to a cloying <b>pine </b>scent as she linked <b>arms </b>with <b>Ciri </b>


    <b>Smugly</b>, <b>she </b>dered, ¡°True, I lost to you in the challenge. But I was the <b>top </b>contributor <b>at </b><b>Bloodscar </b>Border. Ulrik and I have Lycan Erasmus¡¯s blessing to be mates.¡±


    ¡°Know what? Ulrik adores me. Even if your rank surpasses mine, <b>I¡¯ll </b>forever be the Kingdom¡¯s <b>first </b><b>female </b>Gamma, Ulrik¡¯s mate<b>. </b>You can¡¯t rece that.¡±


    I burst into mockingughter, thenposed myself.


    Coolness seeped into my voice. ¡°I don¡¯t crave the title of ¡®Alpha Ulrik¡¯s Luna¡® or that <b>¡®</b><b>first </b><b>female </b><b>Gamma </b>shit. Why would I rece you? Since you belittle she¨Cwolves, I¡¯ve looked down on you. All the merits <b>in </b><b>the </b>world can¡¯t save a despicable person.¡±


    1


    Velda¡¯s smile froze. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re attacking my character now. You care more than you let on, hence the bitterness. Admit it¨Cyou¡¯re just bitter about our rivalry on the battlefield.¡±


    I spun my spear, the wolf¨Chead carvings on the shaft leaving silvery afterimages.


    With a casual grin, I said, ¡°You tter yourself. Maybe you should see a pack physician¨Cthey <b>specialize </b><b>in </b>treating wolf delusions.¡±


    She shouted behind me as I leaped toward the bonfire, unleashing my wolf to bolster my <b>leg </b>muscles.


    My legs tensed like silver bowstrings under the moonlight.


    In a few bounds, I reached the battlements, grabbed a poisoned bolt from a guard, and hurled it at the crack.


    The bolt embedded itself squarely in the center.


    My voice,ced with Alpha authority, echoed through the night: ¡°From here, the cracks are crystal¨Cclear. Are you all blind?¡±


    Ulrik and Velda froze.


    Ulrik¡¯s hand instinctively gripped his sword hilt while Velda¡¯s ws dug into his pauldron.


    During Ellen¡¯s challenge, they¡¯d stood exactly where I was now, thinking I was unaware.


    My wolf had sensed their presence, but I¡¯d ignored it.


    They hadn¡¯t noticed the cracks at all.


    As werewolves, if they¡¯d missed such a clue, they were inferior in more ways than one.


    I inwardly scoffed, recalling how I¡¯d once thought Ulrik could be my mate.


    His gaze now irritated me¡ªhe used to be the center of my desires, someone I¡¯d hoped to <b>build </b><b>a </b><b>life </b><b>with </b>despite not being true mates.


    We¡¯d nned to manage a pack together.


    23


    <b>Chapter </b><b>67 </b>


    <b>But </b><b>now</b><b>, </b><b>his </b><bplicated </b><b>gaze </b>was grating.


    I <b>turned </b>and left.

 Novel Male 68

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Alpha Lance summoned me to his tent.


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    On the pine¨Cwood table sat a weathered mug; a steaming cup of coffee was pushed toward me, the rising vapor blurring my vision.


    I caught the scent of moonflower.


    Taking a sip, the bitter coffee slid down my throat. Here, on the southern border, such a hot drink was a rare luxury.


    ¡°You considered killing her just now,¡± Lance said suddenly.


    His voice was deep, roughened by battle.


    ¡°Yeah, I did,¡± I replied without flinching, meeting his gaze.


    He nodded and continued, ¡°Our scouts report that the Western Tribes have covered up the vige massacre, iming it was a fire that killed everyone. You know what that means?¡±


    I subconsciously gripped my coffee mug tighter. The warmth from the cup seeped into my palm, but a cold dread filled my heart.


    After a tense pause, I said, ¡°They¡¯re hiding the fact that their future Lycan King was humiliated.¡±


    I understood their motive¨Cthe Western Tribes would go to any lengths to shield their future monarch from disgrace.


    ¡°So even if Lycan Erasmus uncovers the truth, he can¡¯t act against Velda publicly. At least your grandfather, Alpha Zander, is safe from involvement.¡±


    I knew that if the Western Tribes denied the massacre, Lycan Erasmus couldn¡¯t force them to admit it and then send apologies.


    If the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King demanded justice, Velda would shift from hero to criminal, and my grandfather, Alpha Zander, would be dragged into the mess.


    But now, with the Western Tribes pretending nothing happened and even signing a treaty, Velda¡¯s actions have earned her credit instead.


    I suddenly connected the dots and looked up at Alpha Lance. ¡°So Snke is helping Dragon Ash hold us back on the southern border, hoping Lycan Erasmus sends reinforcements? Velda¡¯s a credited warrior. She¡¯d be selected for sure. Snke¡¯s real target is her and her troops?¡±


    Everything suddenly made sense.


    Alpha Lance nodded. ¡°We¡¯re technically at peace with the Western Tribes, but we¡¯ve made an enemy. The Battle of Darkw Town will be their chance for revenge. If you¡¯d killed Velda today, Snke couldn¡¯t avenge his nephew, and might take it out on the innocent wolves of Darkw Town.¡±


    C


    45 <b>Free </b>Colle


    ¡°The Western Tribes would massacre the town?<b>¡± </b>


    I felt a chill. A massacre would mean countless innocent lives lost, a terrible disaster.


    ¡°Not yet, but if Velda dies, all bets are off. Snke is the uncle of the Lycan King¡¯s son in the Western Tribes.¡±


    Alpha Lance¡¯s words hit me like a hammer.


    My wolf whined a warning in my mind.


    I realized how close I¡¯de to causing a disaster and broke out in a cold sweat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Focus on training the wolf warriors. Snke¡¯s after Velda. When the real fight starts, the Western Tribes¡® main force will go after her. Even if Erasmus doesn¡¯t dere her guilty, she¡¯ll struggle to survive Snke¡¯s hunt,¡± Lance said in a rare gentle tone, soothing me.


    I acknowledged his words with a nod. Following werewolf etiquette, I knelt on one knee and bowed my head slightly before taking my leave.


    Back in my tent, Paisley and Halbert were joking around.


    Seeing me, Paisley immediately bounded over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. ¡°Now let¡¯s see how Velda keeps her nose in the air! She thinks she¡¯s so high¨Cand¨Cmighty.¡±


    I sat down to clean my silver spear, its surface still bearing the marks of battle. As I wiped it, I warned, ¡°Leave her be. Focus on preparing for the siege.¡±


    ¡°Why would I bother with her? She¡¯s more disgusting than a rotting wolf carcass,¡± Paisley scoffed, her tail swishing impatiently. The crimson me Pack emblem on her clothes flickered in the candlelight.


    Listening to their chatter about the battle, I pretended to follow the conversation but was lost in thought about Lance¡¯s strategy.


    He¡¯d allowed Velda to challenge me, and now that she¡¯d lost, she¡¯d lost the chance to gain from the war.


    Moreover, she¡¯d be flogged with a whip dipped in wolfsbane poison.


    The poison would seep into her wounds, disabling her regenerative abilities and leaving her impaired.


    Proud as she was, Velda would likely be passive on the battlefield.


    This way, she¡¯d either die at Snke¡¯s hands or be captured.


    Should Velda perish on the southern border, no one would investigate the Bloodscar Border incident.


    Lance¡¯s n protected both the kingdom¡¯s dignity and the Western Tribes¡® secret¨Ca brilliant two¨Cpronged


    strategy.


    I shuddered.


    Had Lance deliberately named Velda in the reinforcement request?


    The thought sent chills down my spine.


    JO


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, he¡¯s terrifyingly clever,¡± I muttered to my wolf.


    45 Free Calna


    ¡°Humph! I¡¯d rather snap that wretched she¨Cwolf¡¯s neck myself,¡± my wolf growled, then curled up in my mind, ignoring me.

 Novel Male 69

    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    Adide turned and left without a second nce. She hadn¡¯t looked at me once.


    I felt a strange heaviness in my chest. (D


    Before I could ponder why, Velda trembled and clung to me.


    ¡°Ulrik, you won¡¯t reject me, will you?¡± Her voice shook.


    My gaze remained fixed on the spot where Adide had vanished.


    I tightened my hold on Velda and forced out a word, ¡°No.¡±


    She burst into tears against my shoulder, ¡°She only has a better background than me.¡±


    I let go of her. A chill filled my heart.


    She¡¯d lost, yet she refused to ept it.


    Her honesty, her frankness, her boldness¨Call of it now seemed like an act.


    After the failed challenge, Velda became the talk of the army.


    The wolves who¡¯d suffered because of her gave her cold looks.


    s


    Fortunately, her own troops still respected her, especially the three hundred who¡¯d shared her glory. They stayed loyal, thanks to the rewards in their pockets.


    Two dayster, Velda suddenly brightened.


    The the


    She approached me eagerly and said, ¡°When the battle starts, I¡¯ll lead the troops with you. Every enemy you take down is a victory for me too. You can put in a good word for me with Lycan Erasmus. Lance can¡¯t control everything.¡±


    I stayed silent for a long time before nodding.


    ¡°Ulrik,¡± she raised an eyebrow, ¡°are you regretting it?¡±


    ¡°Regretting what?¡±


    ¡°Regretting our mate bond.¡±


    I averted my gaze. ¡°No.¡±


    She gripped my shoulders, her eyes reddening. ¡°I can¡¯t match Adide¡¯s background. She had the best mentors, the support of her pack and father. Adide, giving up her ce as heir to fight on the battlefield, just to make you regret. Don¡¯t fall for it.¡±


    ¡°I know. Time for training,¡± I cut her off.


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    She clutched my waist, her cheek pressed to my shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve been so distanttely. Do you <b>really </b>regret it?¡±


    Her wolf let out a weak whine. Mine hung its tail.


    It didn¡¯t want to respond to Velda¡¯s wolf.


    I recalled when Adide and her Omegas left the Bloodmoon Pack. I¡¯d told those Omegas to pass on a message, ¡°Don¡¯t regret.¡±


    Now, all that remained was irony.


    She didn¡¯t regret it. What about me? No!


    I spoke evenly, ¡°How could I regret? Stop overthinking.¡±


    My wolf¡¯s tailshed my spine. The sting made my pheromones waver.


    Sensing my shift, Velda panicked. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll never leave me.¡±


    ¡°I promise,¡± my voice sounded hollow, as if from someone else¡¯s mouth.


    2


    ¡°Remember your promise,¡± she suddenly smiled, her tone coquettish, ¡°If you dare to reject me, I¡¯ll carve out your heart.¡±


    When Velda mentioned the word ¡°promise,¡± my heart felt a heavy blow.


    I remembered the first time I saw Adide¨Cher beauty took my breath away.


    Her grace, every movement exuding nobility.


    I thought then, if she were my mate, I¡¯d have no regrets. My wolf had whined with excitement, craving Adide so fiercely.


    Later, my wish came true. Adide agreed to be my mate.


    After the bond¨Csealing ceremony, I received an urgent order from Lycan Erasmus.


    I had to leave the Bloodmoon Pack to fight. Though reluctant, I told myself as an Alpha, duty came first.


    She was my Luna. I¡¯d be back to be with her.


    But then I met Velda.


    The moment her ws tore into an enemy¡¯s throat, her pheromones and blood¨Csoaked armor hit me.


    My vertical pupils shrank uncontrobly. My scent nds burned strangely in the blizzard.


    Her bravery captivated me.


    Soon, my feelings changed. I thought there were many she¨Cwolves like Adide.


    Chapter 69.


    But Velda, fierce and fearless¨Cshe was one of a kind.


    Unwittingly, I fell for her, forgetting my vow to Luna Aire never to break the mate bond.


    33 Free Coins


    I naively thought since Adide was already my Luna, having Velda as my lover wouldn¡¯t matter. She¡¯d throw a tantrum but eventually yield.


    Though werewolves have one mate, most Alphas have multiple she¨Cwolves.


    3


    Many have several breeders. So I assumed Adide would ept it.


    Lost in passion with Velda, I saw only her virtues. Adide seemed stiff and dull, her ce in my heart shrinking.


    I even convinced myself that I¡¯d been blinded by Adide¡¯s beauty, and my love for Velda was true.


    It wasn¡¯t until Adide left resolutely that I realized a part of me was missing.


    To this day, recalling her departure still stirs panic in my chest.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 70

    <b>Chapter </b>70


    Ulrik¡¯s <b>POV </b>


    The final battle was approaching, and everyone was preparing.


    I <b>knew </b>Adide was training the 15,000 Ironthorn soldiers every day.


    After days of training, the warriors were cooperating seamlessly, and all the weapons were ready.


    Lance announced the attack would happen within two days. The Ironthorn Army, <b>as </b>the vanguard, needed to finalize every detail.


    <b>I </b>would lead 10,000 warriors to assist, responsible for setting updders and operating catapults. I had to discuss the cooperation n with Adide these days.


    The general strategy was set by Lance. Adide and I were just going through possible problems on the sandbox<b>. </b>


    I had thought she was just better in fighting skills than others. But during the simtion, I found her knowledge of tactics was surprising.


    1


    She could quicklye up with solutions for any minor w.


    Watching her exin with focus, I was several times entranced¨Cshe was more beautiful than when I first saw her, her eyes bright as if holding stars and fire.


    The word ¡°regret¡± kept turning over in my mind.


    .1


    After the simtion, Adide stood up, her tone returnin


    g to its usual calm, ¡°That¡¯s about it. If you think of any problemster, you cane to me anytime.¡±


    I sat there, looking up and happened to see the line of her jaw.


    My throat tightened, ¡°I have a question now.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± she said.


    I slowly stood, facing her and looking straight into her eyes. ¡°Why did you hide from me that you could fight?¡±


    Adide raised an eyebrow and replied, ¡°Does it matter?¡±


    I was taken aback, my voice a bit muffled, ¡°No, but I only found out about your fighting skills on the day our mate bond was nullified. I don¡¯t understand. You know tactics and have excellent fighting skills. Why didn¡¯t you continue the glory of the Davidson family and be my mate instead?¡± 2


    She fell silent, her expression cold.


    Her cedar pheromones seemed to wrap around me with ice.


    I gave a self¨Cmocking smile and said, ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not qualified to ask. But may I know why you and your


    111


    C


    <b>Chapter </b><b>70 </b>


    <b>mother </b><b>chose </b>me? There are so <b>many </b>powerful packs out there.


    <b>I </b>shouldn¡¯t <b>say </b><b>this</b><b>. </b>I¡¯ve chosen Velda. She¡¯s great. I can¡¯t keep dwelling on the past¡­. I muttered, <b>but </b>she <b>cut </b><b>me </b>off.


    ¡°You¡¯re right<b>, </b>you shouldn¡¯t,¡± she said bluntly.


    <b>My </b>throat tightened, suppressing the sourness in my heart. ¡°I was out of line.¡±


    She spoke rapidly, ¡°I¡¯ll answer your question. My father and brothers all died in battle. I wanted to go to the southern border to take revenge, but my mother feared I¡¯d be hurt and forced me into a mate bond. Naturally, after our bond was nullified, I chose to go to the battlefield¨Cit has nothing to do with Velda.¡±


    I finally understood that Velda had always misunderstood her intentions.


    ¡°Did you agree to be my mate out of love, or because of your mother¡¯s arrangement?¡± I blurted out.


    ¡°This question is meaningless.¡±


    ¡°I want to know.¡±


    She frowned and said, ¡°Ulrik, you¡¯ve never understood your ce. You didn¡¯t then, and now, as Velda¡¯s mate, you still don¡¯t.¡±


    My tone turned cold, ¡°So you never liked me. You only agreed to the mate bond because of your mother. When I took Velda as my lover, you immediately asked to end the bond. You had no feelings for me, yet made me seem the viin.¡±


    She suddenlyughed, her voice tinged with anger, ¡°After joining Bloodmoon, I took care of your parents and kept my promise to wait for your return. But you? The vows you made to my mother when asking for me as your mate¨Cyou came back and used your merits to make Velda your second mate.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve fulfilled all my duties as a Luna and a mate. I have a clear conscience. And you? Have you ever kept your promises to me?¡±


    I opened my mouth but couldn¡¯t utter a word.


    She nced at me and left.


    I watched her retreating back, filled with regret¨CI had no right to question her.


    Now that I was Velda¡¯s mate, I shouldn¡¯t dwell on the past.


    Despite Velda¡¯s ws, as a righteous werewolf warrior, I ought to be tolerant.


    As I was about to leave, I heard Velda¡¯s sharp voice, ¡°Adide, what are you doing with my mate in there?¡±


    I rushed out and saw her blocking Adide, her face full of hostility.


    Adide turned to me. ¡°Your mate, you exin.¡±


    With that, she left without looking back.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    17:07 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>5 </b><b>Jul </b>


    15 Free Boing


    I turned to go back into the tent but was met with Velda¡¯s usations, ¡°What were you doing in there with her? No wonder I couldn¡¯t find you. If my soldier hadn¡¯t told me you were alone with Adide, I wouldn¡¯t have known.¡±


    Adide walked away quickly, seemingly not wanting to hear our argument.


    I vaguely exined, ¡°We were just discussing the final battle.¡±


    ¡°Really? Did you talk about anything else?¡± Velda stared at me.


    I suddenly felt impatient and said, ¡°What else could we have talked about?¡±


    With that, I turned and left.


    A few dayster, Alpha Lance gave the order to attack.


    The weather was freezing, and there weren¡¯t enough warm clothes. We couldn¡¯t dy any longer. If we did, food would be scarce, and the Western Tribes and Dragon Ash¡¯s supplies would soon reach Darkw Town.

 Novel Male 71

    <b>Chapter </b>71


    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    <b>On </b><b>the </b>southern border battlefield, a fierce battle was about to break out.


    Alpha Lance stood before everyone, his voice strong and powerful, carrying the unique dominance <b>of </b><b>an </b>Alpha. It traveled far in the biting cold wind.


    ¡°Warriors! Our homnd has been trampled by invaders from Dragon Ash. They¡¯ve stolen ournd and killed our people. We must avenge them! Today, we reim ournd for our people and our glory. Charge!¡±


    His words ignited the wrath of all the werewolf warriors. Their pheromones surged, forming a storm of


    emotion.


    The attack on the city gate was set to begin at noon. Adide led the Ironthorn Army as the vanguard, with Ulrik assisting nearby.


    As the horn sounded, a sharp howl split the air.


    The Ironthorn werewolves rapidly shifted their legs, the cracking of bones echoing around them.


    They sprinted forward like arrows loosed from a bow.


    Ulrik and his team pushed the catapults, crossbows, anddders forward, the heavy machinery leaving deep grooves in the snow.


    Alpha Lance, atop a ck steed,manded the battle with a determined gaze.


    7


    In this decisive fight, he discarded the decoy and took the lead, ready to charge the moment the gate broke.


    The siege was brutal.


    The warriors of the Dragon Ash Kingdom stood on Darkw Town¡¯s walls, their crossbows aimed at the werewolf warriors below.


    So, they still had some werewolf warriors climb up the walls.


    However, this time, Darkw Town¡¯s walls had been reinforced and heightened.


    In just ten days, the warriors of the Dragon Ash Kingdom had made the walls much higher.


    Only a few, like Lance, Adide, and Paisley, could scale them.


    Abbot, despite his efforts, struggled to stand firm after climbing.


    An enemy¡¯s spear struck him, and he fell. Paisley kicked the enemy away andshed out with her whip to save Abbot.


    Ang covered her, blocking an enemy spear.


    <b>173 </b>


    <b>Adide </b><b>and </b><b>Lance </b>destroyed two crossbows before Adide yelled <b>to </b><b>the </b><b>Ironthorn </b><b>Army</b>, Ready the <b>catapults</b>!¡±


    <b>Ellen </b><b>swiftly </b>echoed Adide¡¯smand, <b>¡°</b>Catapults, prepare!¡±


    The catapults Ulrik had brought up were now in ce.


    <b>As </b>the Ironthorn Army coordinated with Ulrik¡¯s team, Ellen spotted a familiar figure¨CVelda.


    She should have been at the rear.


    The siege didn¡¯t require her up front.


    Adide had specified cooperation only with Ulrik¡¯s group, who were handling heavy weaponry.


    Ellen didn¡¯t dwell on it and ordered the catapultsunched. Rocksunched from catapults smashed into the towers, dust flying everywhere.


    The Ironthorn Army quickly set up thedders. As rehearsed, the first shield squad climbed up. They used their shields to block the enemy¡¯s spears and climbed upward with difficulty.


    Once they reached a certain height, they stabbed with short knives¨Ckilling enemies if possible, or at <b>least </b>blocking them.


    The second spear squad followed, protected by the shields, picking off enemies with their spears.


    Meanwhile, Lance and Adide fought fiercely on the walls.


    More and more werewolves joined the fray, filling the battlements.


    Archers on all four walls aimed their bows, creating a deadly barrage.


    The massive logs pounded the gates, anddders allowed more Ironthorn warriors to climb.


    The warriors below cheered, adding to the enemy¡¯s pressure and nerves.


    Lance and Adide quickly scanned the walls.


    If the archers fired together, it would be a death trap.


    Especially since opening the inner gate would take time, leaving them exposed to arrows.


    Darkw Town¡¯s walls were different from Frostfang Town¡¯s. They were tall and thick on both sides and had four faces.


    After the first gate, there was a second one.


    Even if the first gate fell, the archers would ughter the iing werewolves.


    Thus, they had to neutralize the archers first.


    ¡°Adide, take out the archers!¡± Lance ordered sharply, leaping toward the left wall.


    Adide and Paisley understood and raced toward different walls, their speed immense <b>as </b>they blocked/3


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    arrows with their ws.


    Abbot, injured and moving with difficulty, couldn¡¯t perform the task. He stayed on the wall to disable crossbows.


    Fortunately, Ironthorn warriors joined him, fighting side by side.


    Adide and Paisley, like meteors, reached the south wall.


    The archers, unable to shoot from a distance, charged.


    Other archers quickly filled the gap, aiming at the gate, nning to ughter the werewolves the moment it opened.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Everyone braced for the tough battle.


    Adide¡¯s wolf roared in her mind, urging her to unleash more power.


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    She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and relied on her Warscar Training Camp skills to fight the enemy.


    Ulrik, assisting in the siege, noticed Velda following with a group


    ¡°What are you doing here? Alpha Lance ordered you to stay in the rear,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to help you gain merit,¡± Velda dered with fierce determination. ¡°Taking this city is a top achievement. I won¡¯t let Adide and her team take all the credit. And if you put in a good word for me with Lycan Erasmus, he¡¯ll see I have the courage to charge forward.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t disobey orders,¡± Ulrik said, his face dark with anger.


    He feared her impulsiveness would disrupt the entire battle.


    3


    ¡°So what? As long as I have you,¡± Velda said nonchntly, her eyes showing a desperate edge.


    She knew she¡¯d be punished for disobeying Alpha Lance¡¯s order. But she was certain Lance wouldn¡¯t really kill her, given her standing as a female Gamma praised by Lycan Luna rissa.


    The thought of Ulrik spending so much time alone with Adide before the battle made her uneasy.


    She felt she had to do something to prove herself. She believed that by helping Ulrik gain merit, she could ensure his loyalty.


    way she could.


    Though annoyed, Ulrik had no time to argue during this critical moment of the siege.


    In her mind, no matter how capable Adide was, she couldn¡¯t assist Ulrik the


    He ordered his werewolves to cooperate with the Ironthorn Army.


    However, Velda independentlymanded her team to join the attack.


    She brought a thousand warriors, including her original three hundred subordinates.


    Ulrik was furious seeing her lead the werewolves forward.


    His cedar pheromones burst into an icy fog, his Alpha pupils contracting sharply as he roared, ¡°Are you insane? Our siege has a detailed n. Your recklessness will get them killed!¡±


    ¡°No time for that. I can¡¯t let Adide take all the credit,¡± Velda said, breaking free from his grip. Her fangs pierced her lip as she shouted, ¡°Brock, lead the charge with me!¡±


    2


    Brock, her cousin, obeyed instantly, leading the thousand warriors to scramble up thedders.


    Ellen was stunned, bewildered by the situation.


    Their chaotic climb would disrupt the entire n.


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    He quickly grabbed Brock and barked, ¡°Get your people down! Our attack strategy was pre¨Crehearsed. <b>Your </b>weren¡¯t part of it. This will ruin everything!¡±


    Brock ignored him, roaring, ¡°Charge! All of you, charge!¡±


    Chaos ensued.


    Ellen¡¯s silver sage pheromones spiked, but their calming effect was useless amid the bloodshed.


    He turned to Ulrik and roared, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Stop them now!¡±


    Velda stepped forward coldly. ¡°Ellen, sieges are deadly. My werewolves embrace sacrifice. They¡¯re willing to risk their lives to reim the southern border. Ordering them down would crush morale.¡±


    ¡°Do you even understand war?¡± Ellen shouted, shoving her aside and yelling at the climbing werewolves, ¡°Get down!¡±


    But they ignored him, continuing their ascent.


    Thedders were in chaos, with warriors pulling down Ironthorn soldiers who¡¯d climbed without shield


    cover.


    Many were impaled by enemy spears and fell screaming.


    The battlefield echoed with agonized cries. Ellen and Ulrik, livid with rage, found their shouts drowned out by the chaos.


    Velda¡¯s voice, however, cut through clearly, ¡°Charge! Reach the top, and you¡¯ll earn military merit and generous rewards!¡± D


    While heavy rewards might inspire bravery, this blind charge only increased casualties. Warriors fell from thedders, bleeding and screaming.


    Ulrik was beside himself with anger. His cedar pheromones crystallized into ice spears.


    In a fit of rage, his right hand partially wolf¨Cshifted¨Chardened keratinyers pierced his leather gloves, revealing luminescent wolf¨Cws.


    The p, fueled by Alpha¨Crage energy, left three bloody w marks on Velda¡¯s face.


    ¡°Have you lost your mind? You¡¯re getting them killed!¡± Ulrik¡¯s wolf¨Cshifted hand hadn¡¯t fully returned to normal, his elongated nails still gleaming silver.


    His pupils had turned into a snowstorm¨Clike silver¨Cwhite.


    Velda clutched her face in disbelief. Ulrik had actually struck her

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Tears streamed down her face as she said. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for you On the battlefield, we must be prepared for sacrifices. Their deaths will bepensated for by the royal family. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s heart turned cold at her words. ¡°They didn¡¯t need to die like this. The Ironthorn Army is the main force. Our role is to support them. Even by my side, you could have had them load stones instead of sending them to their deaths.¡±


    Ignoring the chaos, Ellen barked, ¡°Ironthorn troops only on thedders! Knock off anyone else!¡±


    The Ironthorn soldiers, initially stunned, regained their senses and began climbing again.


    They pushed down any non¨CIronthorn warriors, reducing casualties and giving others a chance to survive. Though some still fell, at least they weren¡¯t pierced through the heart and had a chance to survive. Seeing the situation somewhat under control, Ulrik shoved Velda aside. ¡°Go cry somewhere else.


    He rushed to the catapults. ¡°Keep loading andunching stones!¡±


    Velda wiped her tears, a gleam of ferocity in her eyes.


    She ordered her troops to retreat, nning to charge after the city gate was breached.


    She was determined to steal Adide¡¯s glory and make Ulrik regret his actions.


    Unaware of thedder¨Crted chaos, Lance and Adide focused on eliminating the archers.


    However, Snke had ample reinforcements and arrows.


    Although they couldn¡¯t stop the arrowspletely, they reduced their density.


    Lance needed to open the gate but required cover¨Ca task not feasible for one person.


    Only he and Adide possessed the strength to open the heavy, double¨Creinforced iron gate. Paisley and others couldn¡¯t do it alone.


    Darkw Town¡¯s gate was thick and reinforced with twoyers of heavy iron, making it extremely difficult


    to open.


    Lance wouldn¡¯t risk Adide¡¯s safety.


    After taking out several archers and waiting for the shift change, Lance approached Adide and whispered, ¡°Cover me. I¡¯m going to open the gate.¡±


    Adide nced at Lance, his face covered in enemy blood. ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    On the cruel battlefield, Lange sprinted to the gate like a meteor.


    Adide shielded him with her silver spear as Paisley and others eliminated nearby archers.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b>73


    <b>Ironthorn </b>soldiers on the battlements formed a protective barrier around Lance and Adide <b>with </b>their shields<b>, </b>while spearmen provided cover from behind.


    Their well¨Cdrilled coordination created a protective shield.


    They were well¨Ctrained, and such offense and defense had already formed muscle mentory.


    Soon, they swarmed around Lance and Adide, surrounding them like a iron barrel.


    Catapults continuedunching stones, keeping the enemy at bay.


    Even Ulrik was surprised by the seamless cooperation between him and Adide.


    He ordered a halt to the log¨Cbased gate¨Cbreaching efforts and had everyone prepare to charge once the gate was open.


    Veldaposed herself, eagerly awaiting the city¡¯s fall.


    When the gate finally opened, werewolf warriors flooded in.


    Snke, from the Western Tribes, whomanded the battle from the highest point, did not order his forces to continue defending.


    He stared at one spot, but the battlefield was <b>so </b>crowded that he couldn¡¯t spot Velda.


    However, he wasn¡¯t anxious at all because he knew that he wasn¡¯t the only one watching Velda<b>¨C</b>it was <b>all </b>the werewolves from the Western Tribes that he had brought with him.


    They had devoted a great deal of manpower and resources, and their primary goal was Velda.


    No matter where she hid, she would definitely be found.


    The city gates flew open, and werewolf warriors poured in like a flood.


    Ever since the siege began, every household had locked their doors and hidden.


    The warriors of the Dragon Ash Kingdom had oppressed the local wolves for years.


    Despite knowing that breaking the city would mean more battles, the locals hoped for victory and the expulsion of the invaders.


    Velda entered with other warriors and soon charged to the front.


    She wasn¡¯t the only female fighter but was the sole wolf in a Gamma cloak, which was custom¨Cmade and highly visible.


    Snke and his Western Tribes¡® wolves spotted her immediately.


    Their n targeting her was set in motion¨Ca squad she was chasing was deliberately retreating.


    Keen to exploit this, Velda pursued them.


    Ulrik saw this and shouted, ¡°Velda, don¡¯t chase them!¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    He sensed something was wrong.


    The entire city was a battleground, the oue uncertain, and the enemy hadn¡¯t signaled retreat.


    The


    retreat had


    to be


    a trap.


    et

 Novel Male 74

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The soldiers were werewolves from the Western Tribes.


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    Ulrik had this gut feeling that the Western Tribes¡® wolves were out to get Velda. It probably had something to do with the shady treaty¨Csigning at Bloodscar Border.


    He said he believed it, but deep down, he still had doubts.


    ¡°Velda,e back!¡± Ulrik shouted, trying to chase after her.


    But he was stuck in the heat of battle, hacking and shing, with no chance to even nce at Velda again.


    Velda heard Ulrik¡¯s call but kept pushing forward.


    She trusted her instincts. 2


    If these wolves were running, there had to be a reason. Maybe they were noble werewolves from the Western Tribes out for some rite of passage.


    If she caught them, she could use the same tactic that had forced Snke to sign the treaty before.


    To get ahead in this war, Velda knew brute force alone wouldn¡¯t cut it.


    Even if she ughtered a thousand enemies, her name wouldn¡¯t make it into Lance¡¯s report.


    She needed a smarter y.


    ¡°Keep chasing them. Something¡¯s off,¡± Velda growled as she ran.


    Among the Western Tribes¡® wolves, a few in golden armor caught her eye.


    They looked just like the wolf she¡¯d captured at Bloodscar Border.


    That wolf wasn¡¯t ordinary¨Cit had to be royalty from the Western Tribes. And it was because of him that Snke had signed the treaty.


    With such a prize within reach, there was no way Velda was letting <i>go</i>.


    Lance and Adide spotted Velda¡¯s chase.


    They locked eyes in the fray.


    Adide saw a sh of relief in Lance¡¯s gaze before he bolted through the crowded battlefield toward the


    rear.


    As the highest¨Cranking wolf in the army, Lance should¡¯ve been at the rear strategizing.


    But Adide thought it was odd that Lance had been fighting so bravely just now, yet went back so soon after Velda was lured away.


    Adide didn¡¯t dwell on it. She was too busy fighting.


    Half an hourter, Adide and her team were drenched in enemy blood.


    The waves of enemies were relentless, and she¡¯d picked up a few injuries.


    The Ironthorn soldiers formed a protective ring around her, but she waved them off¨Cshe needed no shield.


    Seeing her fight so hard, the other wolves fought with renewed vigor.


    Everyone knew this was the final battle. They had to give it their all.


    Victory meant reiming the southern border.


    On the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s side, fear crept onto the warriors¡® faces.


    They¡¯d been exiled from their homnd for years, and Lycan Erasmus had never given up on the southern border.


    After so many exhausting battles, their spirits were worn thin.


    Snke and Victor still hadn¡¯t joined the fight. They stood high above the battlefield, watching the carnage below.


    Corpses littered the ground, and blood stained the city almost red.


    Most of the fallen were from the Western Tribes and Dragon Ash.


    Victor knew it was only a matter of time before they abandoned the southern border.


    When he¡¯d entered Darkw Town, he¡¯d seen through the Western Tribes¡® so¨Ccalled ¡°reinforce.¡± They weren¡¯t here to fight¨Cthey were here to kill Velda.


    They had no will to win and no intention of sharing the southern border with Dragon Ash Kingdom. They were here to vent their rage.


    Victor was furious.


    If not for the Western Tribes¡® interference, they might have withdrawn earlier, sparing more lives.


    He said coldly to Snke, ¡°If you¡¯re here to vent anger, why not massacre the city?¡±


    He likely knew why Snke was angry.


    He¡¯d learned that a vige within the Western Tribes¡® territory had been massacred during the Bloodscar Border battle.


    Snke¡¯s eyes zed with fury. ¡°War has already brought ruin and discement to innocent wolves. If I were to massacre the city, even enemy civilians, what would separate me from a beast?¡±


    Victor looked at the soldiers falling one by one and shuddered.


    There was nothing he could do to alter their tactics now.


    45 <b>Free </b>Coins


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to hear that from you.¡± Victor¡¯s face was red from the cold, his speech slightly slurred. ¡°Your people were ughtered, yet you show mercy to the enemy¡¯s citizens. How pathetic.


    ¡°A truemander despises war,¡± Snke said.


    Snowkes began to fall. ¡°The battle¡¯s oue is decided. If you don¡¯t want more losses, retreat,¡± Snke said.


    Victor asked, ¡°Have you achieved your goal?¡±


    A cruel smile tugged at Snke¡¯s lips. He looked at the panting messenger rushing toward them.


    ¡°Kill her? No.¡± Snke said.


    Death was too easy for Velda.


    The wolf, covered in dark red blood but grinning triumphantly, reported, ¡°We¡¯ve captured eighteen and killed the rest.¡±


    Snke slowly reached out and caught a snowke.


    It melted in his palm.


    Then, as if performing a ritual, he closed his eyes for a moment, opened them sharply, and dered, ¡°All Western Tribes¡® werewolves, withdraw from Darkw Town.¡±


    Chapter <b><i>75 </i></b>

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    <b>Chapter </b><b>75 </b>


    <b>Third </b><b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    <b>Snke </b>patted Victor¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Retreat, Victor. You¡¯ve lost too much on the southern border. <b>You </b><b>can¡¯t </b><b>beat </b>Alpha Lance<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Victor </b>sneered, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t havee.¡±


    His pheromones exploded.


    His fangs bit into his lip as he hissed, ¡°You offered hope but didn¡¯t fight alongside us.¡±


    Snke coldly replied, ¡°After years of fighting for the southern border, your kingdom is already weakened. We provided our own supplies for support. You haven¡¯t suffered <b>losses</b>.¡±


    Victor¡¯s ws still pointed at Snke. His body radiated Dragon Ash¡¯s icy aura.


    He demanded, ¡°How many viges did they raze? Is this the revenge you seek? Your Western Tribes have killed thousands in Frostfang Town and today, maybe ten thousand in total. I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯d pay such a heavy price.¡±


    In his view, the Western Tribes had killed ten thousand enemies but lost tens of thousands themselves.


    Such deep¨Cseated hatred and high¨Ccost revenge could have directly targeted the Bloodscar Border.


    He couldn¡¯tprehend their motives.


    Snke didn¡¯t answer. He stepped back and said gravely, ¡°Farewell.¡±


    The Western Tribes¡® wolves began to retreat.


    Seeing the situation was irreversible, Victor slowly lowered his ws.


    He looked up to see Dragon Ash warriors falling to the enemy.


    Several of Lance¡¯s most fierce warriors fought tirelessly, each strike targeting vital points.


    Victor finally ordered, ¡°Withdraw from Darkw Town.¡±


    The Dragon Ash and Western Tribes¡® wolves began arge<b>¨C</b>scale retreat. The sudden development stunned the fighting wolves.


    They wondered if it was a tactic like drawing them in.


    But upon reflection, with the enemy leaving Darkw Town, there was nothing to pursue their goal was to drive them out.


    Lance¡¯s legion could only watch as the enemy fled in disarray.


    Victory came easier than expected.


    They¡¯d braced for death, especially with the Western Tribes¡® grand support.


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>75 </b>


    <b>Even </b><b>Lance </b><b>had </b><b>personally </bmanded the <b>battle</b><b>, </b><b>showing </b><b>its </b><b>brutality</b><b>. </b>


    <b>Corpses </b><b>littered </b>the <b>battlefield</b><b>, </b>and the city reeked of blood. <b>Snowfall </b>couldn¡¯t <b>mask </b><b>the </b><b>overwhelming </b><b>stench</b>.


    <b>Darkw </b><b>Town </b><b>was </b><b>vast</b><b>, </b>with many viges surrounding the town center.


    Abbot <b>hastily </b>asked Lance, ¡°Should we pursue them to prevent vige <b>massacres</b>?¡±


    <b>After </b>pondering, Lance said, ¡°Snke won¡¯t do that, but Victor¡­ Have Gamma Adide <b>lead </b>a <b>team </b><b>to </b><b>chase </b>them.¡±


    Lance knew Snke wasn¡¯t a warmonger in the Western Tribes. He wouldn¡¯t resort to <b>vige </b>massacres.


    But Victor, after years on the southern border, might vent his fury on innocent wolves.


    If someone pursued him, he¡¯d be too upied to cause trouble.


    ¡°Yes<b>, </b>sir!¡± Abbot immediately ryed the order to Adide.


    Adide raised her arm and shouted, ¡°Ironthorn Army, follow me! Prevent the Dragon Ash soldiers from escaping!¡±


    The Ironth?rn Army sprang into action, and other soldiers joined the pursuit.


    They¡¯d fought fiercely and wanted to see the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s forces expelled from Darkw


    Town.


    Ulrik searched for Velda in the chaos during the enemy¡¯s retreat.


    He anxiously called out, ¡°Velda! Velda!¡±


    But his voice was drowned out by the noisy footsteps.


    Without time to think, he followed Adide.


    Unbeknownst to him, Velda had already been captured by the Western Tribes.


    After the city fell, she¡¯d chased a Western Tribes¡® squad, aiming <i>to </i>capture these special werewolves to force Snke¡¯s retreat.


    She believed that if the Western Tribes withdrew, Dragon Ash would pose no threat.


    Despite others doubting her ability to gain credit, she was determined to prove them wrong.


    As she chased them, Velda became more certain of her judgment. The enemy squad was heading out of


    town.


    <b>1 </b>


    She¡¯d gained advantages in simr situations before and wasn¡¯t about to miss this chance.


    After a half¨Chour pursuit, the enemy grew exhausted and stopped to catch their breath.


    Velda¡¯s team was also worn out.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    When Velda yelled ¡°Attack!¡°, Western Tribes¡® wolves suddenly emerged from the alleys, smirking triumphantly.


    She realized it was an ambush.


    A wolf roared, ¡°Kill all but the female!¡±


    The Western Tribes¡® wolves lunged at them like demons.


    45 Fre

 Novel Male 76

    <b>Chapter </b>76


    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    <b>The </b><b>Western </b>Tribes¡® werewolves were overwhelming, but Velda fought fiercely.


    Her arms underwent wolf¨Cshift, wolf hair¨Ccovered ws tore through leather wrist guards and <b>elongated</b>. Ten glinting nails left <b>frosty </b>trails in the air.


    <b>Her </b>vertical pupils shrank to arctic¨Ccrevice slits. A horizontal sh of her left w shattered three <b>warriors </b>shields.


    ncing around, she saw more Western Tribes¡® wolves surging like a tide.


    These wolves hadn¡¯t joined the earlier battle but hadin in wait for her.


    It was then that she realized she¡¯d fallen into a trap, the same kind she¡¯d used before to gain the upper hand,


    Her wolf snarled wearily in her mind.


    Velda and Brock were strong fighters, but her team couldn¡¯t hold out against the Western Tribes¡® relentless assault.


    Each of her warriors fell, one by one, in a pool of blood.


    The enemies were elite fighters. They wielded their wolf ws with deadly precision, striking at throats without hesitation. Their ruthlessness revealed them as <b>a </b>crack force.


    Fear gripped Velda.


    She wanted to flee, but her path was blocked by the Western Tribe¡¯s soldiers.


    The enemy formed a semicircle around her, some armed, others with bare ws.


    Though they didn¡¯t attack immediately, they cut off her retreat.


    Velda¡¯s strikes grew feeble with fear.


    A Western Tribes¡® warrior swung a long knife at her arm.


    In panic, she grabbed a nearby teammate and used him as a shield.


    4


    He couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was struck in the head and face by the de, with blood gushing out instantly.


    He turned to her, eyes wide with betrayal.


    They had fought side by side at Bloodscar Border and shared the glory. Velda had once vowed to stand with them through thick and thin, but now¡­


    Velda shoved him toward the enemy and ran.


    |||


    O


    <b>She </b><b>tried </b>to <b>fully </b>shift <b>to </b>escape.


    But <b>the </b><b>Western </b>Tribes¡® wolves anticipated this, raising their <b>ws</b>.


    <b>Velda¡¯s </b><b>legs </b>had only partially shifted when she leaped, only to step on <b>an </b>enemy¡¯s w.


    Agonizing pain shot through her.


    She copsed, her legs snapping back to human form, blood pouring out.


    The Western Tribes¡® wolves didn¡¯t attack her. Instead, they formed a wall <i>to </i>block her <b>escape</b><b>. </b>


    Velda knew they wanted her alive.


    She resisted with all her strength, hoping Ulrik woulde for her.


    He had shouted a warning when she chased the enemies<b>¨C</b>maybe he knew it <b>was </b>a trap.


    Surely, he¡¯d save her if she held on.


    But against the Western <i>Tribes</i>¡® ferus


    assault, despite her healing ability, her numerous wounds slowed


    her.


    In no time, she was covered in scratches.


    Though just superficial wounds and she had a strong self¨Chealing ability, the pain was <b>so </b>intense that she almost lost the will to fight back.


    In the blink of an eye, two long knives were held to her neck, and the weapon in her hand was knocked to the ground.


    She watched helplessly as her teammates fell, their blood reddening the ground.


    ¡°Brock, save me!¡± she cried.


    But Brock was soon also cornered.


    Along with over ten others, he was captured; the rest were ughtered.


    After securing them, a Western Tribes¡® warrior strolled over and removed his golden mask.


    Velda trembled in terror.


    This face was simr to the one she¡¯d captured at Bloodscar Border, but this man¡¯s gaze was colder, more vicious.


    ¡°Velda!¡± he hissed, hatred oozing from every word. ¡°Did you really think you, a mere werewolf, could defeat me, a Lycan?¡±


    Velda¡¯s legs buckled. A Lycan?


    So the one she¡¯d captured before was also a Lycan.


    It made sense.


    Only royal Lycans could force Snke to cease fire and sign a treaty.


    Velda¡¯s voice shook. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°What do I want?¡± The Lycan¡¯s stare was a tidal wave of hatred. ¡°To repay you in kind.¡±

 Novel Male 77

    <b>Chapter </b><b>77 </b>


    <b>Third </b><b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Velda¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°What? Repay you in kind?<b>¡± </b>


    She <b>was </b>all too aware of her past actions.


    The Western Tribes¡® werewolf general led over a hundred warriors into battle, fighting fiercely.


    After shing with Velda¡¯s forces, they killed several of her men before the general seized an opportunity


    to escape.


    To find him, she¡¯d ordered the massacre of several towns near the Bloodscar Border, suspecting he was hiding among regr wolves.


    She felt she had to find this man. On one hand, she wanted to avenge her fallenrades. On the <b>other</b><b>, </b>she aimed to boost her own reputation.


    She thought killing ten ordinary wolves was nothingpared to capturing a general.


    But after capturing him, he arrogantly used her of viting the pact between the kingdoms, ughtering innocents.


    He cursed her viciously, condemning the massacre as unforgivable and iming it would anger the Moon Goddess. He cursed Velda and her pack, saying they¡¯d face her divine punishment.


    Because of these vile curses, she decided to punish him severely.


    He had cursed her, saying she¡¯d be punished by the Moon Goddess and sent to hell, hadn¡¯t he?


    So she decided to make him suffer first. She ordered his castration.


    2


    Her men further humiliated him by urinating on him, trying to silence his venomous words.


    But the general was resilient and continued to curse despite the torture.


    This enraged her, and she had him taught a lesson.


    1


    Velda had him stabbed with a wolfsbane¨Cdipped dagger, causing wounds that wouldn¡¯t heal.


    The subordinate didn¡¯t hold back,but she felt the wolf general deserved it.


    After all, his curses were so vicious that anyone would want to retaliate.


    2


    But she never expected Snke to rush to the Bloodscar Border with over ten thousand Western Tribes¡® soldiers and surround her.


    After seeing the tortured general, Snke offered peace, demanding only the general¡¯s release.


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    <b>Chapter </b>77


    <b>The </b><b>Western </b><b>Tribes </b><b>promised </b>not to <b>cross </b>the border and <b>only </b><b>asked </b><b>for </b><b>the </b><b>release </b><b>of </b><b>their </b><b>captured </b><b>general </b><b>in </b>return.


    <b>For </b><b>Velda</b><b>, </b><b>this </b><b>was </b><b>a </b>golden opportunity.


    Typically, border negotiations required discussions between the <b>highest</b>¨Cranking werewolf <b>officers </b>or even the Lycan King¡¯s intervention.)


    But the Western Tribes made concessions, not mentioning the vige massacres and guaranteeing <b>never </b>to report them to Lycan Erasmus or Alpha Zander.


    All they asked was the release of their tortured general. Velda could easily take credit <b>for </b>the peace <b>treaty</b><b>, </b>with the Western Tribes backing down and even covering up her war crimes.


    It <b>was </b>a huge benefit for her¨Ca done deal.


    She¡¯d thought the Western Tribes were easy to deal with.


    When they appeared on the southern border<b>, </b>she¡¯d sensed the general¡¯s unusual <b>status</b>. Snke <b>was </b>honorable; the Western Tribes hadn¡¯t crossed the Bloodscar Border.


    But they sought revenge on the southern border, where the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s presence <b>was </b>still contested.


    Now, with a cold de at her throat, Velda trembled.


    She was force¨Cfed wolfsbane juice.


    The burning taste overwhelmed her.


    1


    She was terrified to find her wolf weakening and unresponsive to her mental pleas.


    She pricked her ears, listening for approaching wolves, but heard nothing. The sounds of battle were far off, barely audible.


    She realized Ulrik wouldn¡¯t reach her in time and might even be captured himself.


    Snke wouldn¡¯t have mobilized just to capture her.


    Panic set in. She blurted out, ¡°Capturing me won¡¯t help. It wasn¡¯t me who defeated you on the southern border. It was Alpha Lance and Adide.¡±


    She continued, ¡°Adide, Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter. Alpha Bentley once guarded the Bloodscar Border. His arrival on the southern front led to your defeat.¡±


    ¡°She killed many of your wolves. You should target her¨Cshe¡¯s your real enemy!¡±


    Velda screamed, then panted.


    2


    Lycan Dominic of the Western Tribes, his icy gaze like cold wind, waved off the de.


    As Velda thought her words had worked, Dominic suddenly pped her hard.


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    <b>Chapter </b><b>78 </b>


    <b>Third </b><b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Dominic roared. ¡°I might have let you off, but now, I¡¯d y you alive and it¡¯d still not quench <b>my </b><b>ragel </b>


    Some werewolves from the Western Tribes left their original pack and became rogues.


    They lived in Adide and Velda¡¯s wolf kingdom, gathering and sending information back to the <b>Western </b>Tribes.


    These spies were managed by Dominic¡¯s brother.


    After Velda tortured Dominic¡¯s brother at Bloodscar Border, these spies breached the Frostfang Pack¡¯s defenses, ughtered them.


    This not only damaged Dominic¡¯s brother¡¯s reputation but also destroyed their entire intelligencework, causing severe losses.


    Alpha Bentley, a revered werewolf general, saw all his male kin die heroically on the southern border.


    His pack suffered worse¨Chis sons¡® mates, pups, and even Omegas


    all killed by the Western Tribes.


    These atrocities, kept secret due to Velda¡¯s massacres, made the Western Tribes¡® royal family ashamed. Velda, the cause of these tragedies, and the Western Tribes¡® spies were both guilty of heinous crimes.


    The Frostfang Pack were the sole victims.


    Now, only Adide, the female Gamma Velda mentioned, remains of the Davidson family.


    Ironically, Velda reced Adide as Ulrik¡¯s mate.


    While the Western Tribes weren¡¯t directly linked to these events, they were connected to the Bentley pack¡¯s massacre and Adide¡¯s abandonment.


    This was why Dominic was so furious.


    The Western Tribes weren¡¯t mindless beasts; battlefield deaths were war¡¯s nature.


    However, the massacre of Alpha Bentley¡¯s pack, including pups, was a shameful stain on their royalty.


    Yet Velda had the audacity to suggest they target Adide?


    It was like rubbing coarse salt into a barely healing wound, mercilessly reminding them of their past atrocities.


    The resounding p left Velda dazed and disoriented.


    Her hair was brutally yanked, and a heavy, forceful kick to her stomach sent her flying three meters away,nding with a thud.


    1/3 Before she could even begin to recover, she was roughly dragged up by her hair and subjected to repeated,


    111


    <b>vicious </b>ps, each <b>blow </b>like a steel board smashing across her face, until she saw stars and nearly part


    out


    ¡°<b>Take </b>her away!¡± Dominic ordered coldly.


    The <b>Western </b>Tribes¡® wolves left Darkw Town with Velda and the captives.


    South of towny a desert, then endless mountains.


    <b>A </b><b>passage </b>through the mountains led to a grasnd¨Cmountainous area.


    Beyond that <b>was </b>the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s border.


    They took the captives through the grasnd, up a mountain where a wooden hut awaited<b>¨C</b><b>a </b>prison <b>for </b>Velda.


    Here, she would endure the same humiliation the Lycan King¡¯s son suffered.


    In total, neen captives, including Velda, were taken<b>. </b>


    All were her subordinates and participants in the original massacre.


    Among them was Velda¡¯s cousin.


    Loyal and admiring of Velda once, they were now shocked and terrified by her actions<b>¨C</b>using them as shields and betraying Alpha Lance and Adide.


    Velda used to be seen as just in their hearts, but now she looked so strange and even frightening.


    Especially when she was captured, she actually incited the enemy to seize Alpha Lance and Gamma Adide.


    Her behavior was uneptable to them.


    Previously, they¡¯d misunderstood Adide, but after her duel and today¡¯s sessful siege, they recognized her strength.


    Velda¡¯s orders to capture her were inexcusable.


    Velda¡¯s actions were once driven by suspicion of Adide benefiting from her rtionship with Alpha


    Lance.


    But now, her behavior clearly stemed from personal grudges and even cowardice.


    Ironically, it was Adide who should harbor resentment, as Velda stole Ulrik from her.


    Velda¡¯s actions utterly shattered their faith in her, leaving them feeling betrayed and disillusioned.


    The wolves of the Western Tribes, with their stern and unyielding demeanor, imprisoned them in a dpidated hut, binding their limbs so tightly that cirction was nearly cut off.


    Escape seemed utterly impossible, with the formidable guards stationed outside, their eyes ever¨Cvignt and their presence an imprable barrier.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    17.08 Sat, 5 Jul


    Brock, eyes zing with anger, was the first to snap.


    He stared at Velda.

 Novel Male 79

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    10 Free Going


    ¡°Velda, how could you use Jason as a shield? He just became a father! His pup hasn¡¯t even opened its eyes. yet. and his mate is waiting for him back in the pack!¡± Brock snarled.


    Velda¡¯s insides were in turmoil, but her eyes darted nervously at Brock, revealing her guilt.


    Yet, she forced herself to stayposed and tried to justify her actions. ¡°In the heat of battle, I thought he was one of the Western Tribes¡® wolves. It was too chaotic, and I genuinely didn¡¯t recognize him.


    ¡°Save your excuses!¡± Brock retorted, his voice trembling with anger. ¡°The Western Tribes¡® wolves wouldn¡¯t just stand idly by next to you. And what a poor excuse that is! You can¡¯t just brush off your mistakes so easily!¡±


    Struck a nerve, Velda snapped. ¡°Enough! We¡¯re all captives now. We¡¯ve ughtered innocents; they won¡¯t let us go easily. Instead of endlessly criticizing me, let¡¯s figure out how to escape!¡±


    Brock refused to back down. ¡°It was your order! You insisted the enemy general was hiding in those houses and imed some wolves were disguised as civilians. That¡¯s why we carried out the massacre. It was all your idea!¡±


    Aware that the Western Tribes¡® soldiers outside could hear, Velda raised her voice.


    ¡°I only told you to kill a few to flush out the general, not to ughter everyone. Don¡¯t pin all the me on me!¡±


    The other captured wolves erupted in anger.


    ¡°It was yourmand, and you cut off their ears to im credit for defeating enemies. You turned civilian deaths into false merits. Don¡¯t <i>try </i>to deny it!¡±


    ¡°Velda, without your order, we¡¯d never harm civilians. As our superior, we followed your lead, yet this is how you act?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! You said we were avenging our dead civilians, but weter found out the Western Tribes never massacred ours. You lied to us!¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re so at peace with what you¡¯ve done, why demand secrecy? You¡¯re clearly aware of your wrongdoing!¡±


    ¡°Now you try to deny it? Youck the courage to own up to your deeds. Despicable! You¡¯re not even worthy of beingpared to Adide. She¡¯s honorable and fights bravely on the battlefield, unlike you!¡±


    Velda¡¯s face turned pale with rage at their united opposition.


    She ignored the Western Tribes¡®/wolves outside and shouted furiously, ¡°What are you saying? Battlefields are brutal! Have none of our wolves died in war? Are the wolves at Bloodscar Border any more innocent? They¡¯re from the Western Tribes, and the decades¨Clong border disputes have sparked countless wars. The treaty I signed ended it all. Sacrificing a few forsting peace between our nations¨Cit¡¯s a worthy cause!¡±


    Her face, swollen from ps, contorted as she screamed hysterically, her features twisted.


    #09 <b>Sat</b>, 5 <b>Jul </b>


    Her once¨Cneat hair was now disheveled, making her look deranged.


    The crowd, stunned by her madness, fell silent.


    Even the hot¨Ctempered Brock held his tongue.


    Brock had once been wholly loyal to Velda because she had treated her subordinates well.


    She¡¯d invited him to her mating ceremony with Ulrik.


    But today¡¯s battle and her words made him realize he never truly knew his cousin.


    Her actions shattered his perception of her.


    Alone, Velda shuffled to a corner, bound hand and foot. The restraints made her uneasy.


    Her ears rang from the p, and the cold wind from outside made her shiver.


    She called to her wolf, but it barely responded, its voice weak.


    She was furious yet helpless.


    Bound and unable to shift, she leaned against the cold wooden wall, hoping Ulrik would rescue her before the Western Tribes¡® wolves retaliated.


    Disappointment crept in.


    If Ulrik had truly cared, he would have pursued her, not just called out in vain.


    Velda wondered, ¡°To Ulrik, which mattered more¨Chis achievements or her, his mate?¡±


    If he had stopped her, she wouldn¡¯t be in Dominic¡¯s clutches.


    The hut, drafty and cold, had the captives shivering.


    Neen bodies crowded in, teeth chattering.


    Velda, barely holding on, felt dizzy<i>. </i>


    She tried to steady herself, fear and hope warring in her heart.

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    <b>Chapter </b><b>80 </b>


    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Velda knew the Western Tribes had no history of abusing prisoners.


    If they wanted to torture her, they would have done it already.


    But soon, her glimmer of hope was extinguished like a burst bubble.


    Outside, a roaring bonfire cast a warm, orange glow on the snow, but the cabin remained cold..


    The door burst open with a loud crash, and a towering figure, radiating powerful Alpha aura<b>, </b>slowly entered.


    Even though he had his back to the bonfire outside, Velda instantly recognized Snke, the Western Tribes¡®mander who¡¯d signed the Bloodscar Border treaty with her.


    Velda trembled like a leaf, pressing against the wall, her eyes wide with terror.


    She recalled Snke¡¯s imposing presence during the treaty¨Csigning, how he¡¯d agreed to her <b>terms </b>without hesitation, only demanding the immediate release of his men.


    The process of negotiating and signing the treaty with him was surprisingly smooth and quick. Some uses were agreed to by him without hesitation, and he only set one condition: the captured personnel must be released immediately upon signing.


    He¡¯d seemed reasonable then, making her think the Moon Goddess favored her.


    But now, Snke was grim, his eyes filled with a murderous rage she¡¯d never seen before.


    His mere gaze sent a chill through her soul.


    Snke slowly removed his gloves and tossed them aside.


    ¡°Take them down and use any means necessary. These are the wolves who harmed your brother. I memorized their faces on the day of the treaty,¡± he said to Dominic.


    Dominic, eyes zing with hatred, growled, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll avenge him.¡±


    Turning to Velda, he coldly asked, ¡°And what of her?¡±


    Snke¡¯s lips curved into a cruel, heartless smile. ¡°I¡¯ll handle her personally.¡±


    Dominic nodded and ordered, ¡°Drag them out and castrate them. I want to hear them beg.¡±


    Hearing this, everyone¡¯s faces drained of color, their bodies limp with fear.


    Yet, as werewolf warriors, their pride kept them from begging.


    Except for Velda, who trembled and pleaded tearfully, ¡°Snke, we have a treaty! We¡¯re in a peace period. You can¡¯t hurt me! Let me go, and we can renegotiate the border agreement.¡±


    ¡±


    O


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Chapter <b>80 </b>


    <b>Veldal </b><b>Brock</b><b>, </b><b>being </b><b>dragged </b>out, roared in anger.


    <b>You </b><b>shameless </b>coward! <b>You¡¯re </b>unworthy of being a Gamma.¡±


    <b>Snke </b>nced at Brock indifferently. ¡°We Western Tribes keep our word. The border is settled, <b>no </b>need <b>for </b><b>changes</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The Western Tribes had already suffered greatly and wouldn¡¯t risk their reputation by attacking the Bloodscar Border again.


    As Brock was dragged away, his look of contempt told Velda he¡¯d likely never return.


    He shouted, ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace to our kingdom and the Freeman family!¡±


    Dominic, seeing this, stamped hard on Brock¡¯s hand.


    Dominic sneered, ¡°What Freeman pride? Where was your shame during the Bloodscar Border <b>massacres</b><b>? </b>Where was your shame when you humiliated a prisoner?<b>¡± </b>


    To Dominic, these wolves were unforgivable and deserved death.


    Brock, enduring the pain, clenched his teeth and didn¡¯t utter a sound.


    He turned pale and trembled uncontrobly.


    When the door mmed shut, only Velda and Snke remained.


    Velda curled in the corner, attempting to plead once more.


    But Snke silenced her with, ¡°Your begging will only make your death uglier. Since Alpha Bentley¡¯s demise, you¡¯ve left Alpha Lance as the sole option. How blind your Lycan King must be to rely on you. What have you done? You¡¯re nothing but a beast obsessed with ughter and glory.¡±


    The phrase ¡°beast obsessed with ughter and glory¡± shattered Velda¡¯s pride.


    Outside, screams of agony echoed, terrifying Velda to the brink of fainting.


    She knew what horrors were unfolding¨Cthe same horrors she¡¯d once inflicted on Dominic, the Western Tribes¡® prince.


    Once, this memory had filled her with satisfaction; now, it only filled her with dread.


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 81

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +10 Free Coins


    Snke¡¯s ws dug into the mark on Velda¡¯s nape, his pheromonesced with cold wind as they invaded her torn nds.


    Velda screamed, a whine like a cub¡¯s escaping her throat, ¡°No, stay back! Don¡¯t touch my mark!¡±


    Snke crouched and sliced through her bonds.


    Seeing her shrink in fear, his rage intensified.


    The heir of the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King had been humiliated by this cowardly wretch.


    ¡°Do you even deserve a mark?¡± Snke¡¯s pupils slit blood¨Cred in the moonlight. His wolf ws tore her leather armor embroidered with the Bloodmoon totem. ¡°You had his nds ripped out when he was captured!¡±


    He dragged the trembling she¨Cwolf outside by her hair.


    The cold and scalp pain brought tears to her eyes.


    Once outside, Snke spun her by her hair and threw her onto a snow¨Ccovered clearing where eighteen naked wolvesy, their bodies steaming.


    They screamed and writhed in agony¨Cjust like the man Velda had targeted.


    But unlike him, they all screamed in agony.


    He bit back every cry until the pain became unbearable.


    When the man finally screamed, everyone had cheered.


    Destroying someone¡¯s dignity was exhrating.


    Velda crawled backward in terror, but was dragged back by her hair. A cold voice ordered, ¡°Watch closely. See the pain you inflicted.¡±


    Her jaw was pinched painfully, forcing her to witness the carnage.


    Her sodiers were in agony, their bodies wracked by pain and cold. Their suffering was so intense that it made life feel unbearable, and their screams echoed across the entire hillside.


    Velda felt limp and weak.


    The scene, once a source of twisted pleasure, now filled her with unspeakable pain.


    Her fangs bit into her lip, blood staining the snow crimson.


    ¡°Scared now? This is just the beginning,¡± Snke¡¯s voice was <b>as </b>cold as snow and ice, making Velda¡¯s heart


    173


    12:56 am DDDD


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    sink with fear.


    Then, he shifted his hands. His sharp ws dug into the eighteen defenseless werewolves.


    The werewolf totems of the eighteen wolves were brutally torn off, blood gushed out, but quickly froze in the cold.


    The pain in the cold didn¡¯t numb them; instead, it felt more intense.


    Velda was forced to watch, unable to look away.


    She trembled violently, knowing she was next.


    Sure enough, she was pinned down, lying on her back.


    More men stepped forward, unfastened her battle robe, tore open her underclothes, and pulled down her


    trousers.


    Panicked, she thought she¡¯d be raped, but instead, a sword shed her upper leg.


    Warm blood flowed, then froze.


    A dagger then carved words into her face.


    She was pinned down, her eyes brimming with terror, as she felt her blood flow with pain and shame.


    The dagger, coated in wolfsbane sap, seared her face.


    Just as she thought the torture would continue, she was dragged back into the hut, as were all the others.


    A heater provided little warmth against the howling wind.


    The meager warmth from the heater was no match for the howling cold wind.


    The captives, bruised and weakened, crawled toward it, hoping to ease their deep¨Cseated cold and pain.


    Velda¡¯s pants had been taken. The wound at the top of her leg throbbed like a sharp knife, preventing her from closing her legs. The slight warmth in the hut caused her wound to bleed slowly, pooling blood beneath her.


    Everyone was immersed in their agony, with only the sound of Velda echoing in the cold, cramped space.


    A man entered and forced a foul¨Csmelling potion down her throat.


    The medicine reeked, nearly making her vomit.


    She swallowed hard, knowing she was probably doomed.


    If this was poison, she thought, at least it would be a quick escape from the pain.


    Dominic then entered and beat her mercilessly.


    12:56 am DD DD


    Her face and body covered in bruises, shey weakly, not caring what was carved into her face.


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    Shey weakly on the ground. Even the slightest movement felt like her organs were being twisted, the pain almost making her pass out.


    She despaired, sure Ulrik wouldn¡¯t save her.


    Once the first female Gamma, she now faced a miserable end.


    Jealousy and hatred filled her thoughts of Adide¡¯s future glory.


    If only she had Adide¡¯s background, she¡¯d be the one in the spotlight.


    3

 Novel Male 82

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I followed Alpha Lance¡¯s orders, talling the retreating, Wedern Trikes and tropa kda uddies from distance with my team.


    Suddenly, my wolf spoke in my mind, ¡°Someone¡¯s following on


    Surprised, I sniffed the air bant detected nexting


    Turning my head, I saw Ulrik trailing, ne with his group, his gaze toed on me.


    Paisley and the others were with me.


    Our mission was simples monitor the retreat to ensure they didn¡¯t harm innare in offer torets


    But Ulrik¡¯s team was restless. He kept scaring the surroundings, a warching for something


    Without asking, he followed us until nightfall.


    We continued until we were sure they were heading toward Dragon hah, then I signaled a wy


    Paisley voiced her concern, ¡°What if they attack at


    I shook my head. ¡°They won¡¯t¡±


    If they were going to, Lance wouldn¡¯t have let us handle this


    ¡°Why? They outnumber us, she persisted.


    I didn¡¯t borate.


    The Dragon Ash Kingdom had already lost morale, and the Western Tribes were jer using them for


    revenge.


    Snke had disguised his involvement to avoid responsibility. Now that his goal was achieved, why would he take another risk?


    As night fell, Lance¡¯s subordinate brought a newmand wait on the grasnda


    The temperature dropped sharply, and the warriors gathered around campfires


    The sound of crackling, mes filled the air when Ulrik suddenly appeared His horse wopped abgdy is front of me, hooves kicking up sparks,


    ¡°Velda¡¯s missing, We need to keep chasing he said homrely.


    I added a log to the fire, the mes leaping up to illuminate his tense fow


    ¡°What makes you think she¡¯s with Dragon Aats forces?¡± I asked.


    12:56 am DDDD


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    ¡°She chased after some Western Tribes¡® wolves at the start of the battle and hasn¡¯t been seen since,¡± he said, his knuckles whitening.


    Paisley sneered. ¡°Maybe you should check the battlefield for her body.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s voice rose. ¡°She¡¯s not dead. How dare you speak of yourrades like that?¡±


    Paisley flipped her hand dismissively. ¡°I don¡¯t n on being a warrior forever. Don¡¯t make me call her myrade¨Cshe¡¯s not worthy.¡±


    Ulrik, speechless with anger, turned to me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what happened between us, but this isn¡¯t about Velda. Would you leave any other werewolf warrior captured?¡±


    I countered, ¡°Would you risk twenty thousand lives to chase the enemy?<i>¡± </i>


    He hesitated. ¡°I¡­¡±


    I continued, ¡°You know their lives are invaluable. Without proof of Velda¡¯s capture, even if we had it, we can¡¯t confirm she¡¯s with the retreating forces. We can¡¯t pursue.¡±


    Avery backed me up. ¡°Plus, there are many werewolf packs in this area. Charging in blindly could spark a new war.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Can we just stand by? It¡¯s not just Velda¨Cher subordinates are missing too!¡±


    ¡°How do you know she was captured?¡± I asked.


    ¡°She chased <i>a </i>group of enemies at the start of the battle. A retreat so soon after the battle began¨Cit¡¯s clearly a trap!¡±


    I replied coolly, ¡°To fall for such an obvious ruse? Would you have thousands of livespensate for her mistake? Besides, if you spotted the trap, why didn¡¯t you stop her?¡±


    Ulrik fell silent for a moment, then admitted, ¡°I shouted, but she didn¡¯t listen. I wasmanding my troops. If I¡¯d left, my subordinates would have followed. I couldn¡¯t let her disrupt the entire operation.¡±


    I knew he was telling the truth.


    After Velda was lured away, Lance had anticipated the enemy¡¯s retreat and issued new orders.


    The Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s dyed retreat was just for appearances¨CVictor had known Snke¡¯s intentions all along. This war was never going to be united from the start.


    I sighed. ¡°Ulrik, even if Velda was captured, we can¡¯t recklessly rescue her. We have to wait for orders.¡±


    Ulrik suddenly lunged at me like a rabid beast, his sinewy hand grabbing my wrist and yanking me aside.


    His pheromones,ced with Alpha aura, filled the air as he roared, his voice tinged with a lupine howl, ¡°Adide, you must know she¡¯s been captured and you¡¯re not helping? Do you know where she is?¡±


    ¡°Snap!¡± A whip cracked between us.


    <b>12:56 </b>am


    410 Free Cele


    Paisley, like a streak of red lightning, shielded me. The whip¡¯s tip whistled past Ulrik¡¯s cloak.


    She red at him and barked. ¡°If you have nothing to say, back off! Don¡¯t lose control here!¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes bulged with rage, his temples throbbing with veins like twisted earthworms. But he gritted his teeth and withdrew his hand.


    Turning back to me, his eyes brimming with desperation and doubt, he hissed. ¡°You know where she is, don¡¯t you? Stop pretending


    1 yanked my hand free and said coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t. She could be in the desert, on the grasnds, or hiding in the mountains. But no matter where she is, I can¡¯t risk everyone¡¯s lives to search for her. It¡¯s too dangerous. and I won¡¯t gamble with their lives.¡±

 Novel Male 83

    12:56 am DDDD


    Adide¡¯s POV


    ¡°Are we just going to wait here? Wait for them to mercifully return the captives?¡±


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    Ulrik¡¯s impatience was palpable. His wolf cars perked up in anger, and his cedar¨Cscented pheromones signaled his rage.


    ¡°Yes, we wait for them to send them back,¡± I said steadily, meeting his gaze without flinching,


    He looked at me as if I¡¯d lost my mind. ¡°You¡¯re insane! Why would they just let them go? Do you think they¡¯re phnthropists?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in this worldes easily,¡± I said, pausing as if lost in thought. ¡°Just like the Bloodscar Border treaty didn¡¯t materialize out of thin air.¡±


    Ulrik froze, stunned and confused.


    ¡°What are you implying?¡±


    I asked calmly, ¡°Do you really believe Snke withdrew to the Western Tribes¡® border just because Velda spread rumors of Alpha Lance¡¯s impending support? If you do, you¡¯re not fit to be an Alpha or even a werewolf warrior¨Cit¡¯s imusible.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s lips tightened. I knew he¡¯d had doubts.


    He sighed, ¡°Before the final battle, I asked Velda, but since it was over, I didn¡¯t press further.¡±


    His voice trembled, ¡°So why did Snke do this? Please tell me.¡±


    ¡°Wait here, and you¡¯ll find out,¡± I said, leading Paisley back to the fire.


    Everyone continued to warm themselves.


    Piles of firewood, brought by the Western Tribes, were stacked on the prairie outside the town.


    They were ced there for easy ess when needed, as delivering them into town might lead to looting.


    They were well¨Cprepared for the Southern Border campaign.


    Though hungry, we couldn¡¯t return to Darkw Town yet.


    We didn¡¯t know how many of Snke¡¯s wolves remained or where they were¨Chidden in mountains or grasnds.


    Ulrik was on edge, pacing restlessly.


    Despite trying not to focus on him, I noticed his frequent nces my way.


    With Paisley and others beside me and Ellen nearby, he retreated to his subordinates.


    12:56 am DDDD


    Velda¡¯s disappearance made him uneasy.


    Soon, he gathered his team and ventured into the desert with torches.


    I watched him leave without a word.


    +10 Free Coins


    The Western Tribes wouldn¡¯t venture into the prairie. They¡¯de too far to risk a conflict with the local wolf packs there.


    As for the mountains bordering the prairie, that was the direction the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom forces had taken. Snke wouldn¡¯t bring Velda there.


    So, the desert was the only possibility.


    If they were in the desert, they wouldn¡¯t have gone far.


    In the freezing winter nights, the desert¡¯s cold was brutal.


    I didn¡¯t stop him.


    He wouldn¡¯t take his warriors deep into the desert; he¡¯d likely just search the perimeter.


    Paisley asked, ¡°Is Velda really captured by the Western Tribes?¡±


    I nodded, ¡°Almost certain.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of waiting here then? Let the Western Tribes kill her,¡± Paisley said.


    She would be d to see Velda suffer a miserable death.


    Putting aside what Velda¡¯s done, Paisley had never liked her. She always looked so smug, and that was enough to rub Paisley the wrong way.


    Watching the fire dwindle, I added wood, remembering the gruesome scene upon my return to the Frostfang Pack¨Ccorpses and blood everywhere.


    The pain surged again.


    Who wouldn¡¯t want Velda dead? But death might not be the best revenge.


    Snke likely thought the same.


    He probably wouldn¡¯t kill Velda.


    Lance¡¯s order to wait here suggested Snke hadmunicated with him.


    Lance had mentioned having contacts in Frostbite Town, and likely Darkw Town too.


    This wait was by Lance¡¯s and Snke¡¯s design.


    By midnight, we were exhausted but not cold, thanks to the abundant firewood.


    Chapter SS


    Lance sent provisionspressed biscuits, enough to fill our bellies


    Abbot ryed Lance¡¯s <bmand</b>. <b>Continue </b>waiting here and take <b>turns </b>sleeping


    ¡°Must so many of us stay? I asked.


    Abbot replied. ¡°Lance insists. He says we can¡¯t easily trust someone¡¯s promises¡±


    This confirmed Lance and Snke had a secret <b>agreement</b><b>. </b>


    Abbor lett.


    The Southern Border was reimed, <b>but </b>the battlefield still needed cleaning.


    Victory brought joy, <b>but </b>also sSOTTOW.


    Somerades who fought <b>with </b>us <b>would </b>never see victory¨Cthey¡¯d closed their eyes forever.


    Before dawn. Ulrik returned.


    +77 Rave Cors

 Novel Male 84

    Ulrik¡¯s POV


    Ellen handed outpressed biscuits to my team.


    Exhausted, they copsed and began devouring them hungrily.


    I, however, had no appetite and just held mine, watching the sun slowly rise over the horizon.


    +10 Free Coins


    The golden rays bathed the sandy desert, creating a beautiful scene that did little to warm my heavy heart.


    After hours of fruitless searching in the desert, I returned empty¨Chanded, knowing further pursuit would be futile.


    I sat down, mechanically holding the biscuit, and nced at Adide.


    Shey with her head on Paisley¡¯s shoulder, appearing unusually listless.


    I¡¯d heard she¡¯d been injured and treated, but I had no idea how severe her injuries truly were.


    After much hesitation, I stood up and approached her, softly asking, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Adide didn¡¯t move, as if fast asleep, offering no response.


    Paisley, however, scowled and mouthed, ¡°None of your business. Fuck off.¡±


    My wolf growled in fury, desperate to take control.


    Yet, worn out from the desert search, it reluctantly retreated.


    My elongated nails shortened back to normal.


    I turned and walked back to my seat.


    Time crept by until dusk fell.


    As the sky darkened, I could contain myself no longer.


    Seeing Adide rise, I hurried over and said, ¡°I n to head to the grasnds before nightfall.¡±


    Adide nced at the setting sun, her expression unreadable.


    Coldly, she said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to inform me. Imand the Ironthorn Army; you¡¯re not part of it.¡± She nodded toward my team.


    I stood there stunned, my words cut short.


    She was the Ironthorn Army¡¯smander now, and every word carried weight.


    Clenching my teeth, I said in a low voice, ¡°I want to take the Ironthorn Army with me. Consider it a plea/3


    12:56 am


    +10 Free Coins


    Adide, I¡¯ve wronged you before, and I¡¯ll ept any punishment you demand. But we¡¯ve waited nearly two days. Velda can¡¯t hold on much longer. I know you despise her, but once we find her, I¡¯ll make amends to you.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about personal grudges. The Ironthorn Army won¡¯t go any further,¡± Adide replied, her face an emotionless mask.


    I couldn¡¯t help but clench my fists. ¡°Adide, I¡¯m begging you here. What more do you want?¡±


    Paisley sneered, ¡°Oh, how humble of you! Your pleading act is so convincing¨Cit¡¯s making us want to beat you up. Taking the Ironthorn Army with you¨Cif the Western Tribes attack, will you fight or make them?¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± I snapped at Paisley, my anger ring. ¡°Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?¡±


    ¡°Please, like I need any reason to speak to you? Do you have the nerve to act like this?¡±


    I was pushed over the edge and turned to Adide. ¡°Adide, control your people! Stop them from growling at me like mad dogs.¡±


    No sooner had the words left my mouth than Halbert leaped up like a lit match, swinging his massive fist


    at me.


    Avery joined in the fray.


    d with punches and kicks, unable to defend myself.


    up, shielding my head with my hands.


    wanting <i>to </i>do this since I firstid eyes on you two,¡± Halbert growled.


    A werewolf¡¯s promise is a bond unto death¨Cyou¡¯re a disgrace.¡±


    ¡°You say Adide can punish you? Fine, let the punishment begin.¡±


    1


    The surrounding wolves¡® gazes honed in on us.


    My team stirred, hesitant to intervene. Faced with Halbert and Avery¡¯s menacing advances, they froze.


    Beaten and bloodied, Iy sprawled on the ground.


    Finally, Adide spoke, ¡°Halbert, Avery, enough.¡±


    The two stopped mid¨Cstrike and swaggered away.


    I spat out a mouthful of blood, shook off their grip, and staggered toward Adide. ¡°Can we go to the grasnds now?¡± <b>I </b>asked weakly.


    Adide¡¯s icy stare pierced me. ¡°Wait,¡± she said tly. ¡°The Western Tribes¡® wolves are in the mountains now. They¡¯re seeking justice. We wait.¡±


    12:56 am DDDD


    +10 Free Coins


    My heart dropped. ¡°How do you know they¡¯re in the mountains? What justice are they after?¡± She walked on without a word, forcing me to followmely behind.


    When she finally stopped, I stared at her, desperation etched in my eyes.


    The wind howled around us. Suddenly, she said, ¡°If you listen closely, you¡¯ll hear sounds beyond the wind.¡±


    I focused, but all I heard was the wind¡¯s roar.


    My frustration boiled over. ¡°What kind of justice are they after?¡± I demanded.


    2

 Novel Male 85

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +10 Free Coins


    Adide coldly remarked, ¡°Use your brain. Why are they on the mountain instead of retreating? Why capture Velda? And whye to the southern border after signing the treaty?¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, she walked away, leaving Ulrik standing alone.


    The setting sun bathed his face in light, yet he stood motionless, deep in thought.


    These hints from Adide suggested something horrifying, but he refused <i>to </i>believe it.


    He returned to Adide and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You¡¯re just creating rumors out of hatred for Velda because of me. You¡¯re a malicious and venomous woman.¡±


    2


    Paisley, enraged, attempted to strike him with her whip, but Adide stopped her.


    ¡°Ignore him. He clearly disdains us; keeping our distance is fine.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s provocation fell on deaf ears, leaving him further humiliated.


    Now, he had no choice but to wait.


    Meanwhile, in a mountain cabin, Velda wasn¡¯t physically tortured but subjected to verbal and emotional


    abuse.


    Shey disheveled amidst the groans of wounded werewolves.


    As Snke¡¯s wolf ws pierced the mark on her nape, the nd, imprinted with Ulrik¡¯s hasty mating mark, erupted in ice¨Ccrystals.


    Snke¡¯s white¨Csage pheromones flooded her torn nd, forcing her elongated nails back to human form.


    Velda bit her lip, her fangs drawing blood.


    Squatting beside her, Snke observed her face, scarred by carved words. ¡°You thought I¡¯d kill you?¡±


    Velda trembled, sensing the killing intent in his eyes.


    ¡°Yes, I will kill you,¡± he said, his hand tightening around her throat.


    The choking grip brought unbearable pain and dizziness.


    Visions of her bright future as the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna shed before her eyes.


    She couldn¡¯t ept this.


    She didn¡¯t want to die, but if they were determined to kill her, she wished they¡¯d do it now and spare her further suffering.


    12:57 am


    As darkness threatened to consume her, Snke released her.


    Gasping for air, Velda fought the overwhelming dizziness.


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    Snke¡¯s cold voice pierced the silence, ¡°This is just the beginning, What¡¯s the point of killing you? Death I would be too merciful.¡±


    Velda clutched her throat, panic in her voice, ¡°What¡­ what do you want?¡±


    Snke replied, ¡°This is enough.¡±


    He stood, left the cabin, and ordered his men to withdraw.


    He sent word to Alpha Lance, expecting a meeting on the grasnds below.


    And themander of that troop was the one he wanted to meet.


    As night fell, Snke and his men descended the mountain.


    Adide and her team immediately sensed the movement.


    Adide stood and announced, ¡°Stay alert, weapons at the ready.¡±


    All the werewolf warriors rose to their feet instantly, shields and weapons in hand.


    The Western Tribes¡® warriors moved swiftly down the mountain, forming three rows.


    The front row carried torches, with one every ten steps.


    Despite the icy conditions, they walked steadily, their specially¨Cmade boots preventing slips.


    Their disciplined march served as a warning to Adide: arge¨Cscale war with the Western Tribes would not end well for her.


    Soon, the Western Tribes¡® warriors stood on the grasnds.


    No one made a move.


    Ulrik rushed forward and roared, ¡°Where have you taken Velda?¡±


    Snke emerged from the crowd. Ulrik hesitated but didn¡¯t approach.


    Snke nced at him but didn¡¯t reply.


    His gaze shifted to Adide, aplex emotion flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Gamma Adide, may I speak with you privately?¡± he asked.


    Adide, holding her silver spear, agreed. ¡°Very well.¡±


    Snke noticed her spear and sighed. ¡°Unarmed. But if it reassures you, bring one more. I¡¯lle alone.¡±


    12:57 am DDDD


    Paisley immediately volunteered, but Adide chose Ulrik instead. ¡°You apany me.¡±


    Ulrik was surprised but quickly agreed.


    He wanted to know where Velda was and whether she was dead or alive.


    He was puzzled why Adide had chosen him instead of her friend.


    Snke was unarmed, and Adide handed her silver spear to Paisley.


    As for Ulrik, he was reluctant to put down his weapon and hesitated for a while.


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    Adide said indifferently, ¡°If they wanted to fight, they would have done it directly. Our 20,000 men are definitely no match for their 100,000.¡±


    Only then did Ulrik go with Adide.

 Novel Male 86

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    They walked until they were twenty¨Cfive meters away from each side¡¯s warriors.


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    The wind was so loud that only someone like Paisley could overhear their conversation at this distance.


    Snke looked at Adide, who stood confidently despite her slight frame andck of weapons. She seemed far more poised than her youthful appearance suggested.


    Her face was a mask of confidence and calm as she stood before him, unhesitating andposed.


    In contrast, Snke scanned his surroundings with sharp, wary eyes.


    Snke was aware of Ulrik, but their acquaintance stemmed from a distant encounter at the Bloodscar Border.


    ¡°I¡¯m Snke,¡± he said to Adide. ¡°You carry Alpha Bentley¡¯s spirit, a true Davidson heir.¡±


    His tone was admiring, but his gaze wasplicated.


    Adide stood silently, her expression cold.


    Ulrik, without bowing, demanded, ¡°Where¡¯s Velda? Is she dead or alive?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re Ulrik, once Adide¡¯s mate, now Velda¡¯s,¡± Snke said with a disdainful nce.


    Ulrik, sensing the contempt, clenched his fists. ¡°Tell me if Velda¡¯s dead or alive. You have no right to harm prisoners.¡±


    ¡°Our wolves were ughtered by yours,¡± Snke said icily. ¡°You have no standing to lecture us.¡±


    Ulrik felt a chill under Snke¡¯s hawk¨Clike stare and instinctively stepped back.


    Snke, uninterested in further debate, turned to Adide. His expression wasplex before he spoke.


    ¡°I apologize for the Western Tribes¡® actions against your pack. The orders were given by our wolves after learning of Velda¡¯s massacres and torture of prisoners in Snowdeer Town. Our Lycan King strictly forbids civilian massacres. Though Velda vited the agreement first, I apologize and ask for your forgiveness.¡±


    Ulrik, shocked, shouted, ¡°What are you talking about? This isn¡¯t possible!¡±


    Ignoring Ulrik, Snke continued. ¡°We respected Alpha Bentley and Alpha Lance. Alpha Bentley always honored our treaties, attacking up to your border and then retreating. We deeply regret what happened to the Frostfang Pack. It¡¯s a debt we owe the Davidsons.¡±


    He paused, then added resolutely, ¡°A debt owed only to you.¡±


    He made no mention of the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King¡¯s son, who had been humiliated and driven to suicide, instead using Velda¡¯s vige massacre <b>as </b><b>a </b>pretext for confrontation.


    12:57 am DDDD


    As a werewolf warrior, Velda hadmitted unforgivable sins against civilians.


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    Snke could not condone the cruel torture of the Lycan King¡¯s son by Velda, nor could he ept the massacring of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s she¨Cwolves and pups.


    He apologized to Adide, but the Lycan King¡¯s son would never receive Velda¡¯s apology.


    However, issues needed resolution. The two nations couldn¡¯t remain in perpetual enmity.


    As neighboring powers, they required trade and cultural exchange for mutual development.


    This was Snke¡¯s vision and Lance¡¯s hope¨C<i>a </i>meeting like this would not have urred otherwise.


    Adide fell silent, visibly struggling to contain her grief.


    After a long moment, she raised her head, her eyes red and brimming with tears.


    Her voice trembled as she said, ¡°I believe most of Velda¡¯s wolves are either dead or broken. Your revenge is done. But I know the wolves involved in my family¡¯s massacre returned to your tribe. My revenge isn¡¯t finished. Their lives must pay for what they¡¯ve done.¡±


    Snke looked at her with sorrow andplexity. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then our debts are settled. I¡¯ve already executed the wolves who returned. You may mourn in peace. But the pain inflicted on the Western Tribes is irreparable¨Casting shame and agony. Even killing Velda and her wolves won¡¯t erase it.¡±


    Adide nodded silently, understanding Snke¡¯s words.


    ¡°I can¡¯t speak for others, but this tragedy is a shared pain and shame for all who know of it.¡±

 Novel Male 87

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Snke¡¯s eyes flickered with red as if touched by a cold wind.


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    His shoulders shook slightly before rxing, as if shedding a heavy burden. ¡°Your words hold great significance for me and the Western Tribes¡® royal family, Adide,¡± he said.


    A young wolf nearby, who had been holding back his emotions, suddenly covered his face and wept.


    Though he had stood with hatred and anger in his eyes, Adide¡¯s words struck a chord, offering sce to his wounded heart and triggering an emotional outburst.


    Snke, Dominic, and Adide each bore their own irreconcble pain.


    Yet, for the greater good, they opted for a pragmatic reconciliation.


    Snke turned to Ulrik, whose face was pale as paper, and said coldly, ¡°Want to know what your mate has done? Go to the mountain. The sights up there are the karma for their sins.¡±


    With that, Snke and Dominic led their wolves away.


    Adide looked at Ulrik and said calmly, ¡°If you want to save Velda, take only your most trusted subordinates.¡±


    Her suggestion aimed to preserve Ulrik and Velda¡¯s dignity.


    After all, if the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King had suffered humiliation, and the same fate befell them, it would be unspeakable.


    But Ulrik, worried that Western Tribes¡® wolves might still linger on the mountain, asked Adide if he could take her team along.


    After a moment of deep¨Cgaz¨Cing at him, Adide asked, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Ulrik felt a strange tremor in his heart as he met her gaze, as if she¡¯d touched the most hidden corner of


    his soul.


    He countered, ¡°Can you tell me if Velda¡¯s vige massacre is true?¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve asked Snke just now,¡± Adide said coolly. ¡°Or ask Velda yourself when you see her. Snke won¡¯t kill her.¡±


    Ulrik couldn¡¯t bear the thought of Veldamitting such cruelty.


    He recalled Snke¡¯s vague words¨Cdownying the massacre but emphasizing his apology to Adide.


    If the massacre was real, then the Frostfang Pack¡¯s ughter was indirectly Velda¡¯s doing.


    She had killed Adide¡¯s family, yet he had abandoned Adide for Velda.


    12:57 am


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    The realization hit Ulrik like a tidal wave ofplex emotions, pressing down on his chest like a rock.


    His wolf howled mournfully in his mind.


    Though their mate bond had shattered, his wolf still yearned for Adide¡¯s scent.


    He refused to believe it. Velda wouldn¡¯t do such a thing. He had to hear it from her himself.


    Suddenly, Ulrik looked up, his eyes zing with urgency and turmoil. ¡°Snke¡¯s words aren¡¯t wholly trustworthy. Gamma Adide, I want to go up the mountain with you. Let¡¯s get to the bottom of this. If Velda admits-¡±


    His face contorted in horror.


    What would he do if Velda confessed?


    What could he do?


    The dead couldn¡¯t be revived; the damage was irreversible.


    Adide fell silent, then agreed to apany him.


    Ulrik distrusted Snke and feared ambushes.


    He couldn¡¯t fathom the extent of the prisoners¡® suffering. In his mind, it was just torture.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine what horrors awaited them on the mountain.


    Adide, however, was all too aware. This was exactly Snke¡¯s intention.


    Though Velda hadn¡¯t directly killed the Western Tribes¡® Lycan King¡¯s son, the prince, after being released, had been so humiliated and physically broken that he took his own life.


    Snke wouldn¡¯t kill Velda easily.


    He¡¯d mirror her cruelty, crushing her dignity and reputation.


    Whether Velda would choose suicide or endure was to be seen.


    Snke knew rescuers woulde.


    Thousands of wolves had left, but who knew how many more hid in the shadows<b>? </b>


    At least Snke was sure Ulrik would think so¨Che never truly understood the Western Tribes¡® style.


    Ellen, on orders, had torches lit and led the wolves forward.


    Paisley and the others followed without hesitation; they could guess what awaited them.


    After a half¨Chour trek up the winding mountain path, the group reached a t clearing.

 Novel Male 88

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +10 Free Coins


    The clearing, a temporary spot for many werewolves, held a wooden hut from which screams echoed.


    Ulrik, hearing the screams, rushed forward like a mad beast.


    His cedar pheromones exploded as he kicked the door in, his Alpha aura shaking the hut¡¯s beams.


    His ws, hardened into des, tore the curtain aside. His pupils, over¨Cwolfed, turned blood¨Cmoon- shaped.


    The hut was pitch¨Cck. He urgently called for torch¨Cbearers:


    As soldiers stepped forward, the firelight revealed neen people inside.


    Ulrik¡¯s face drained of color, shock and terror filling his eyes.


    His fangs elongated instinctively.


    The scenes were horrifying: everyone was naked, covered in wounds and scars, their nds brutally gouged out.


    The air reeked of filth; they¡¯d been doused in dirty water.


    Dirt covered their bodies and faces, even their mouths. Velda, too, was filthy.


    Only one person still wore a shirt, but her legs were bare, blood seeping from between her thighs¡ª it was Velda.


    Her private area was exposed, and blue¨Cglowing wolfsbane marked the edges of her wounds.


    Ulrik¡¯s temporary marking pheromones mixed with Snke¡¯s royal white¨Csage scent.


    Ulrik snapped back to reality and roared, ¡°Get out! All of you, get out!¡±


    ¡°Close your eyes!¡±


    His Alpha voice triggered an instinctive response.


    The torch¨Cbearing wolves bowed their heads in unison, their neck hairs bristling¨Can instinctive reaction to the pheromone¨Cinduced dominance.


    Snatching a torch, he rushed inside.


    Velda had long fainted.


    Snke had repeatedly throttled her, pushing her to the brink of death.


    Knives had been dragged across her body and <b>face</b>, and one ear had been severed.


    12:57 am


    When Ulrik lifted her, she remained unconscious, oblivious to rescue.


    Ulrik¡¯s touch on Velda¡¯s wounded nd caused his cedar pheromones to re.


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    The temporary mating mark should have connected him to her wolf spirit, but he felt only void- Velda¡¯s wolf had regressed to a pup¨Clike state due to trauma.


    ¡°Wake up!¡± Ulrik bit his tongue, mixing blood and pheromones on her ear.


    She only twitched.


    The hut had no clothes; theirs had been burned.


    In a panic, Ulrik removed his battle robe and shirt, carefully wrapping Velda¡¯s legs before dressing her and carrying her out.


    Everyone saw that Velda was pantsless.


    Many also noticed the bloodstain beneath her legs.


    It was clear she¡¯d endured unspeakable torture.


    Ulrik¡¯s face turned ashen with rage.


    He finally understood why Adide had told him to bring only trusted subordinates.


    ed at her, his eyes brimming with resentment.


    to believe Snke¡¯s words about Velda until she confessed.


    was even more unwilling to ept that Velda had indirectly caused Adide¡¯s family¡¯s death.


    Adide, unfazed, ordered her team to rescue the others.


    Wolves entered the hut and carried out the remaining captives.


    The hut, equipped with a heater that the Western Tribes had extinguished before descending the mountain, still held enough residual warmth to keep the captives alive, though they shivered and screamed in agony.


    Some wolves voluntarily gave their cotton linings to the injured, who were then carried down the mountain.


    Upon returning to Darkw Town, wolf doctors were summoned immediately.


    Ulrik personally tended to Velda¡¯s wounds, cleaning her and applying medicine despite the overwhelming stench.


    He couldn¡¯t bear to look at her groin injuries and hastily sprinkled powder on them.


    He tended to her wounds with <b>care</b><b>, </b>but the word carved into her face had turned ck from wolfsbane.


    12:57 am


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    Knowing it might never heal, he steeled himself and used his ws to remove it, even if it scarred her.


    As he treated her, Velda gradually regained consciousness and began cursing the Western Tribes.


    When Ulrik wed her face, she screamed and shuddered, momentarily halting her curses.


    C

 Novel Male 89

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Ulrik,¡± her voice raspy and pained, her breath still foul, ¡°why did you scar my face?¡±


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    ¡°The word ¡®Bitch¡® was carved into your cheek with wolfsbane. I had to cut it out or you¡¯d wear it forever,¡± Ulrik¡¯s tone was icy, masking the turmoil within.


    Scarring his mate brought immense inner pain.


    His wolf curled up, whimpering, but he had no choice.


    ¡°Those bastards,¡± Velda cursed. ¡°Snke, I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    Ulrik gripped her chin, leaned in, and demanded, ¡°Tell me, did you butcher viges at Bloodscar Border? Did you kill innocents?¡±


    Velda, consumed by anguish, screamed hysterically at his question, ¡°I regret it! I should have wiped out everyone, not just those three viges!¡±


    Ulrik reeled, his gaze turning terrifying.


    He continued, ¡°What about torturing prisoners?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Velda¡¯s eyes zed with madness. ¡°I had his face sliced, his nds torn out¨Call to make him reveal his identity. I only regret not doing worse!¡±


    ¡°So Snke was desperate to sign the treaty because of him,¡± Ulrik realized.


    Ulrik felt a cold, icy chill grip his heart, squeezing it with an almost palpable dread.


    No matter how slow¨Cwitted he might have been in the past, he now grasped the identity of that person with a rity that was both blinding and terrifying.


    It was clear to Ulrik now. Snke¡¯s frantic desperation to sign the treaty with Velda, bypassing negotiations with Alpha Zander, must have been to save this person¨Cthe son of the Western Tribes¡® current Lycan King.


    No wonder the Western Tribes¡® wolves had shown up at the southern border with such urgency and determination.


    It all made sense now.


    After years of bitter and contentious border disputes, Snke had hastily signed a treaty with Velda, as if driven by some unseen force.


    Ulrik should have noticed something was wrong back when he burned the food warehouse in Snowdeer Town.


    By the time he arrived, the treaty was already signed, and it seemed as if the pieces of a puzzle he had long


    <b>12:57 </b><b>am </b>


    1


    +10 Free Coins


    overlooked were now fitting together in a way that was both inevitable and horrifying.


    Now it was clear¨CSnke had been desperate to rescue that person.


    Ulrik stared at Velda as if at a stranger.


    The woman before him was a cruel, heartless monster¨Cnot the Velda he¡¯d loved.


    He¡¯d traded his honors and betrayed Adide for this? 2


    He was a fool.


    She¡¯d once spoken of justice, of how sheathewolves could have careers beyond caring for pups.


    Her eyes had then burned with idealism.


    Now, Ulrik¡¯s legs buckled, and he copsed to the floor,ughing hysterically¨Caughced with madness.


    2


    Velda, terrified, struggled to sit up.


    ¡°Ulrik¡­ what¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t scare me.¡±


    Ulrikughed until tears streamed down his face. He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with sobs as tears trickled through his fingers.


    Suddenly, he stopped and red at her.


    ¡°Your wolf lies!¡± Ulrik¡¯s eyes zed crimson, his voice trembling with pheromone¨Ccharged authority.


    His eyes zed with fury and anguish. ¡°You did this! Your torture and massacres led to Adide¡¯s family ughter and the Frostfang Pack¡¯s destruction!¡±


    Velda, terrified by his stare, shook her head in denial.


    ¡°No, it was the Western Tribes. I had nothing to do with it.¡±


    The robe she wore was suddenly soaked in blood, and the wounds on her waist and abdomen emitted a white sage odor.


    This was the pheromone brand left by the Western Tribes¡® royal family during interrogation, now shing intensely with the residual cedar mark within her.


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes zed with pain and despair as he questioned, ¡°Why have you be such a person? Why are your methods so cruel? How could you do this?¡±


    Velda, unrepentant, retorted, ¡°They were harboring a Western Tribes¡® general. I just wanted to flush him out¡­ Ulrik, I don¡¯t know why you think me cruel.¡±


    ¡°I killed innocents, but they were Western Tribes. You can¡¯t be soft on the battlefield.¡±

 Novel Male 90

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +10 Free Coms


    ¡°In wartime, we don¡¯t harm civilians or kill prisoners,¡± Ulrik¡¯s silver¨Cmoss green pupils suddenly glowed red, his wolf tail trembling violently beneath his armor.


    ¡°This is the pact we signed with the Western Tribes. Before Bloodscar Border, I told you countless times, and you swore you¡¯d remember.¡±


    He roared in fury, veins bulging on his forehead like twisted worms.


    ¡°Now you tell me what have you actually remembered? You¡¯ve not only tortured prisoners but also massacred civilians. Do you even deserve to call yourself a werewolf warrior?¡±


    Velda was terrified by his ferocious expression, tears streaming down.


    She sobbed, ¡°But I did sign the treaty and establish the border. Lycan Erasmus is pleased. Only a thousand or so Western Tribes¡® wolves died. Am I really that evil<b>?</b>¡±


    D


    She wiped her tears, her voice rising in self¨Crighteousness. ¡°Go to Bloodscar Border and ask if they¡¯d sacrifice themselves for peace. I bet many would.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws burst forth, leaving deep marks in the bedside.


    His cedar pheromones, mixed with blood, erupted. ¡°Would you? Would you sacrifice yourself for so¨Ccalled peace?¡±


    ¡°If you would, why were you cursing earlier? Isn¡¯t that the price you should pay? Those you¡¯ve killed are dead. Are you unwilling to atone with your life? Then go!¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Velda was speechless, at a loss to retort.


    Ulrik pressed on, his eyes zing with anger and despair. ¡°Did you ask the ughtered wolves if <i>they </i>agreed with you?¡±


    He leaned on the bed, utterly drained and broken.


    Velda cried, whimpering, ¡°Even if I¡¯m at fault, I did establish the border.¡±


    ¡°Established the border?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s throat emitted a howl, his cedar pheromones tinged with sulfur. ¡°You think bathing your war robe in civilian blood is an achievement? The tortured prisoners¡® spirits use you before the Moon Goddess!¡±


    His ws pierced the bed, splitting the edge. ¡°In the Bloodscar Battle, my uncle covered your retreat and lost his arm. Yet you stayed behind, brewing wolfsbane soup to torment surrendered prisoners!¡±


    ¡°Ulrik, what are you doing? You¡¯re scaring me. I¡¯ve suffered so much, and you berate me instead offorting me.¡±


    ?


    12:57 am D DDD.


    Ulrik watched her tears mix with blood, creating a pitiful sight.


    But he felt no pity, only disgust.


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    ¡°Do you know all the wolves under yourmand, except the dozen captured, are dead? The survivors had their nds torn out. And you¡­¡±


    He trailed off, his face a mix of shame and indescribable pain.


    Velda stopped crying, stunned for a moment, then realized what he implied.


    She hastily exined, ¡°They didn¡¯t touch me, Ulrik. I swear.¡±


    When Ulrik stayed silent, Velda grew frantic.


    Her pupils shrank to dangerous slits in the moonlight, and her temporary mark erupted with sulfur- scented pheromones.


    Her palm mmed on the table, wolf ws carving five grooves. ¡°They hurt me, but they didn¡¯t vite me! Can¡¯t you smell no strange wolves in my pheromones?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones,ced with a blizzard¨Clike dominance, swept over her.


    His expression was grim. ¡°What¡¯s there to exin? Aren¡¯t you ashamed enough?¡±


    ¡°Do you not trust me?¡± Velda¡¯s wolf ears pierced her hair.


    A wolf growl rumbled in her throat.


    She ripped open her bloodied leather cor, revealing her vicle scarred by enemy ws. ¡°See this scar? If they¡¯d truly vited me, my wolf would¡¯ve gone insane!¡±


    Ulrik let out a mirthlessugh, his eyes brimming with sarcasm. ¡°Trust you? When have you ever told me the truth? Every time I asked about Bloodscar Border, you dodged, saying Snke withdrew because Lance wasing. You hid even this from me. How can I trust you now?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you because I knew you wouldn¡¯t like it,¡± Velda said, clearly agitated and almost unhinged.


    ¡°You kept telling me not to harm civilians, but I saw them hiding in houses. We had to gain something. I only killed some vigers. The Western Tribes have killed how many of our wolves?¡±


    Ulrik took several deep breaths, striving to calm himself. ¡°What was our purpose in Snowdeer Town?¡±


    ¡°To destroy the food warehouse,¡± Velda replied without hesitation.

 Novel Male 91

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°I went to burn the food warehouse and left you in charge of support. But you chased others on your own. Did it ever ur to you that if Western Tribes¡® wolves arrived while I was burning it and you failed to warn me in time, we¡¯d all be doomed?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s voice growled with lupine intensity, his chest seething with barely contained fury.


    ¡°But I seeded,¡± Velda said, wincing as her wound throbbed.


    ¡°Forget it. We¡¯ll never see eye to eye. If you don¡¯t value me, and I don¡¯t value you, arguing further will only hurt our bond. Let¡¯s just drop it,¡± Velda said, trying to end the fight.


    Ulrik felt nothing but disappointment.


    She treated Western Tribes¡® civilians as ants.


    To her, their lives were mere stepping stones to her goals.


    He was unwilling to waste any more words.


    He turned to leave, forcing a bitter smile. ¡°How ironic. I gave up Adide for you, and now I¡¯m filled with regret.¡±


    Velda gasped, her ears twitching in shock.


    ¡°What did you say? You regret it?¡±


    Ulrik walked away without a word.


    Outside, the bonfire zed, casting a crimson glow on the snow. It began to snow again.


    The biting cold mirrored the chill in his heart.


    At that moment, Adide sat by a campfire.


    Someone handed her a bottle of water and a in sandwich with just a fried egg and lettuce.


    It was the most delicious thing she¡¯d eaten since arriving at the southern border.


    Back then, as the Alpha¡¯s daughter of the Frostfang Pack, she had Omegas cooking for her every day. She never knew a simple sandwich could taste so good.


    Lance watched her devour it and raised an eyebrow, ¡°One sandwich enough?¡±


    ¡°No, more?¡± Adide mumbled with a mouth full of bread.


    ¡°None left.¡±


    12:57 am <b>D </b>


    Adide nearly choked.


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    Lance chuckled at her expression, his amber eyes reflecting the flickering firelight.


    Watching the usually elegantdy lose her dignity, she didn¡¯t even notice the bread crumbs on her lips.


    After Adide finished eating, Lance revealed, ¡°I¡¯ve been in contact with Snke before the battle.¡±


    His fingers toyed with a wolf¨Cbone dagger. ¡°His target was always Velda and the wolves involved in the massacre. I wanted her at the rear, but she insisted on charging forward.¡±


    Adide wiped her mouth and said, ¡°So Alpha Lance, you did try to protect her.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t stop her from courting death.¡±


    Lance snorted, his expression darkening. ¡°Velda¡¯s actions know no bounds. Snke didn¡¯t kill her outright -he¡¯s waiting for her to break and take her own life. Do you think she will?¡±


    Adide studied a napkin with wolf¨Cshaped creases.


    ¡°Hard to say. The shame she¡¯s endured this time¡­¡±


    She decided to skip the details. ¡°Many wolves have seen her humiliated. The news will reach the capital sooner orter. Whether her pride can survive is another matter.¡±


    ¡°Snke brought Dominic not just because he¡¯s thete prince¡¯s brother, but also because he hopes Dominic will be the next Lycan King. The current one¡¯s in a bad state.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°So the Western Tribes took revenge and left immediately. They¡¯ve concealed the prince¡¯s death, but if the truthes out, they can im to have avenged him.¡±


    ¡°This is just one reason. The real reasons are far moreplex.¡±


    Adide agreed. ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Lance looked at her gravely. ¡°Adide, your role in reiming the southern border was crucial. It would make your father and brothers proud.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°Yes!¡±


    Lance¡¯s gaze deepened. ¡°You achieved what your father couldn¡¯t. You led the charge at Frostfang and Darkw Towns, always at the forefront of battle.¡±


    Adide realized Lance had orchestrated this opportunity for her.


    She stood and thanked him. ¡°Thank you. I don¡¯t know how to repay you.¡±


    Lance raised his head. ¡°No need to repay now. But there might be times when I need your help in the


    future.¡±


    Adide paused. She¡¯d only been polite.


    12:57 am


    Now she asked. Do you have my specify req


    Lance smiled. Not now But I might in the future¡±

 Novel Male 92

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide thought Lance was joking. Alpha Lance was rted to Lycan Erasmus and held a high status in their kingdom.


    Why would he need her help?


    She politely said, ¡°I¡¯ll be there when you need me.¡±,


    Lance¡¯s gaze was profound. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that. Rest now.¡±


    Back in her tent, Adide found Ang and Paisley fast asleep.


    Too exhausted to undress, shey down directly.


    As soon as shey down, a wave of tiredness spread through her body, and sleepiness washed over her.


    She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.


    When she woke the next evening, she felt refreshed and energized.


    For werewolves with strong self¨Chealing abilities, sleep is the best way to recover.


    When Adide woke up, she felt refreshed and full of energy.


    Others woke up and, without a word, began helping to clean the battlefield.


    News of their victory reached the capital¨CAlpha Lance had stabilized the southern border and reimed the lost towns.


    Lycan Erasmus and the Royal Council were delighted.


    The news spread like wildfire, igniting celebrations across the kingdom.


    The capital¡¯s powerful wolf packs learned first, and soon the entire capital was in an uproar.


    The entire werewolf kingdom was soon abuzz with the news, a wave of jubtion sweeping across thend. Wolves howled in celebration of the hard¨Cwon victory.


    1


    On the streets of the capital, a new story began to circte.


    While Alpha Lance was hailed as the greatest contributor to the reiming of the southern border, the continuous breaching of Frostfang and Darkw Towns was attributed to a female Gamma.


    She was said to lead her werewolf warriors with such ferocity and speed that the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s forces were left in disarray, defeated and routed.


    Rumormongers added their own twists to the tale.


    12:57 <b>am </b>DDDD


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    This female Gamma was depicted as a divine being sent by the Moon Goddess, and the stories grew increasingly bizarre and sensational.


    Themon folk, unaware of her true identity, nheless concluded that she must be Velda.


    After all, Velda had previously distinguished herself at Bloodscar Border and had led reinforcements with Ulrik in this campaign.


    In the public¡¯s mind, there could be no other.


    This rumor frenzy was nothing more than a public spectacle.


    Yet, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s members took it as gospel, firmly convinced that Velda was the one who had achieved great merits.


    Ever since they left, Rosemary had been praying to the Moon Goddess every night at the altar, asking for their triumphant return.


    Upon hearing these rumors, she felt her illness ease with excitement.


    She immediately ordered preparations for a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess.


    Her actions fueled the rumors, convincing many that the female Gamma was indeed Velda.


    She nced at the wolves pping and cheering on the street. Under their envious stares, her vanity was thoroughly satisfied.


    Rosemary envisioned Lycan Erasmus rewarding Velda and Ulrik with royal positions and gifts.


    By then, the Alphas and Lunas of major wolf packs, along with royal werewolves, will surely seek her


    alliance.


    She spentvishly on an afternoon tea party, inviting numerous guests to showcase the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s prestige.


    Tamara looked at the money being spent and grew worried.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was already struggling financially, and now they had to host such a luxurious tea party. Where would they find the funds?


    With no other choice, she had to pawn valuable items.


    But if this continued, the Bloodmoon Pack would soon go bankrupt.


    Rosemary meticulously sent gilded invitations to the mates of two members of the Royal Council, and even extended them to the mate of the Lycan Luna.


    She was well aware, though, that the distinguisheddy would most likely not honor her invitation.


    She nned to use the gathering to uncover thetruth behind the recent military campaign.


    12:57 am DDD


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    However, on the day of the event, none of the high¨Crankingdies made an appearance.


    The attendees were limited to Lunas from neighboring packs and a few wolves who hadn¡¯t even received invitations.


    Both annoyed and heartbroken, Rosemary was painfully aware of the substantial funds she had poured into the tea party. She had hoped to use the event to elevate the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation and rally support for Ulrik and Velda.


    She envisioned that upon their return, when Lycan Erasmus rewarded those who had contributed to the sess of the campaign, Velda¡¯s praises would be sung.


    The rumors about the mysterious female Gamma were now well¨Cknown throughout the city, with waves of praise surging in her direction.


    Rosemary had initially regretted Adide¡¯s rise to Alpha of the Frostfang Pack.


    But now, with Velda and Ulrik¡¯s achievements, she believes the Bloodmoon Pack will emerge as a more powerful pack.


    A pack propped up solely by Adide couldn¡¯tpare to the Bloodmoon Pack in her eyes.


    It was obvious to her which pack was more deserving of support.


    Frustrated and unwilling to continue hosting, she excused herself due to feeling unwell, leaving Tamara to tend to the guests.


    She was baffled¨Cwhy wouldn¡¯t those high¨Crankingdiese? The rumors were everywhere, yet they still wouldn¡¯t grace her event with their presence.

 Novel Male 93

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Vanya found the whole farce at the Bloodmoon Pack hrious.


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    In her view, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s current status was nowhere near worthy of attracting the Royal Council elders¡® mates.


    Even if Ulrik and Velda had contributed to the war efforts, there were many others who had done the same, and it was unlikely that they would be prioritized for recognition.


    However, if the rumors were true and the female Gamma who had consecutively captured two cities had indeed performed a great deed, then it was clear that thesedies¡® dismissive attitudes towards Velda indicated that the achievement had nothing to do with her.


    By midnight, Rosemary was suffering from severe chest pain and hastily sent for a physician.


    Witch Shaman Digby, although still selling her medicines, refused to visit the pack for treatment, forcing her to seek alternative healers¨Cthe Bloodmoon Pack could no longer afford a dedicated pack physician.


    Tamara, barely keeping her eyes open, attended to Rosemary until the early hours of the morning.


    Exhausted, she instructed the pack¡¯s Omegas to continue caring for Rosemary before retreating to rest.


    The next morning, upon not finding Tamara, Rosemary flew into a rage.


    Her wolf eyes ring with menace, she immediately dispatched someone to summon Tamara.


    The Omega in charge of Rosemary¡¯s care, terrified, exined that Tamara was unwell and had returned to


    rest.


    As themotion escted, Vanya entered the scene.


    Seeing Rosemary trembling with fury, Vanya drawled, ¡°What¡¯s the point of throwing such a tantrum? If your illness worsens, it¡¯s not as if someone else can feel the pain for you. Back when Adide was here, even the slightest ufortable would have Shaman Digby rushing to your side. You took her kindness for granted and instead doted on that scheming Velda. Now you¡¯re reaping what you¡¯ve sown.¡±


    These words struck Rosemary like a barb. Her face drained of color, and her wolf fur bristled with anger.


    Memories of Adide¡¯s devoted care contrasted sharply with Velda¡¯s hollow ttery and absence in critical moments, warring within her mind.


    Yet, since Vanya was the former Luna, Rosemary sneered, ¡°You¡¯re so fond of Adide. I hear your son stillcks a mate. Perhaps he should join the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    ¡°I know my son isn¡¯t worthy of Adide. As the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, she can nominate a member to the Royal Council. Her future mate will undoubtedly be exceptional¨Cfar superior to Ulrik,¡± Vanya retorted.


    Enraged, Rosemary attempted to exert her dominance, but her enfeebled wolf spirit failed to respond.


    12:57 am DDDD


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    ¡°You!¡± she stammered, her chest heaving and fingers trembling with fury. ¡°You¡¯re here just to aggravate me!¡±


    Vanya shook off the grass<b>¨C</b>stained dust from her cloak, sneered, and said, ¡°Bitter medicine is good for the illness. Take it or leave it.¡±


    With that, she stepped over the scattered tea cup shards and left with an air of indifference.


    Initially, the werewolves in the capital believed the female Gamma in question was Velda.


    However, Rosemary¡¯s antics at the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s gathering raised suspicions.


    As gossip swirled, a new revtion emerged¨CUlrik¡¯s ex¨Cmate, the former Bloodmoon Luna had also ventured to the southern border.


    0


    Curiosity piqued, people delved into Adide¡¯s past.


    They discovered she had been sent to the notorious Warscar Training Camp in the Shadow Peaks at the age of seven or eight, where she had honed herbat skills through blood and fire. No wonder she had carved a path of glory on the battlefield.


    Rumors spread that her mate had been stolen by Velda.


    Some imed that if Adide were truly formidable, she would have long since charged into battle alone ¨Cboth to avenge her father and to prove her superiority over Velda.


    These ims quickly gained traction and reached the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Rosemary, upon hearing this, sneered in disbelief, ¡°Adide, capable of battlefield achievements? If she had such prowess, she¡¯d have bolted into battle like a lone wolf instead of sticking around as our Luna, tending to me day in and day out.¡±


    This statement circted swiftly.


    Some, without a second thought, took it at face value, spreading the tale that Adide had been inseparable from Luna Rosemary, even sleeping outside her quarters.


    Yet discerning individuals interpreted this differently¨Cwasn¡¯t this a testament to her loyalty and sense of duty?


    Previously, when Velda and Ulrik had returned from the Bloodscar Border triumph, their union, forged through shared merits, had been celebrated as a fine romance.


    But with the recovery of the southern border, the joy from the Bloodscar Border victory paled inparison, as the southern border¡¯s remation was of utmost concern.


    Without the luster of martial achievements, Ulrik was cast as a heartless mate deserter, and Velda as the ruthless home¨Cwrecker.


    What was there left to praise about such a pair?


    12:57 am


    The rumors outside grew wilder and more varied with each passing day.


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    Regardless of the chaos, the Bloodmoon Pack remained convinced of Velda and Ulrik¡¯s contributions to the war effort.


    This belief held firm until the following month when Lycan Erasmus announced the list of those who had distinguished themselves in the campaign.


    Three female Gammas were recognized for their contributions, with Adide topping the list for her crucial role in capturing two cities.


    The other two were Paisley and Ang.


    While Ulrik¡¯s name appeared on the list of meritorious generals, it was relegated to the very end, with most of the top names being former subordinates of Alpha Bentley.


    Shocking to many, Velda¡¯s name was conspicuously absent from the list.


    3/

 Novel Male 94

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The announcement left the Bloodmoon Pack stunned, as if struck by lightning.


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    They couldn¡¯t believe that Velda, who had led reinforcements into battle in the harsh cold, wasn¡¯t even mentioned in the list¨Cno merit, no constion prize.


    Rosemary fainted on the spot.


    Luna Skye finally understood why she¡¯d been confined.


    At Melinda¡¯s bonding ceremony, Adide had sent gifts, but she¡¯d refused them, evenining, ¡°Adide¡¯s being thoughtless. How dare a banished wolf send gifts? What if it brings misfortune to Melinda?<b>¡± </b>


    Alpha Howell, upon learning of this, stormed to the Packhouse.


    His usually timid demeanor vanished; his wolf pheromones triggered a dominance disy that shook the crystal chandeliers.


    His palm sprouted three¨Cinch ws, leaving w marks on Luna Skye¡¯s cheek. ¡°That¡¯s your own sister¡¯s bloodline! Can¡¯t you feel the family totem on your neck?¡±


    Alpha Howell held no position in the royal court. His pack relied on royal subsidies.


    Normally<i>, </i>he was respectful to everyone¨Chis survival tactic.


    He didn¡¯t darement on Adide and Ulrik¡¯s former bond; it was Lycan Erasmus¡¯s order.


    Had he known Adide would send gifts, he¡¯d have epted them respectfully, even hid them, but never


    refused.


    Luna Skye<i>, </i>covering her face, was a mix of anxiety and shame. ¡°I was trying to protect you! What if Melinda¡¯s mate minds¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even know she went to war¨Cyou clearly don¡¯t care!¡± Alpha Howell¡¯s fur bristled with rage. ¡°Your sister once faced a rogue to protect <i>you</i>! Now you disdain even her daughter. When Adide returns, will she acknowledge you as her aunt?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t thinking of just family ties.


    With Adide¡¯s military honors and the Frostfang Pack¡¯s backing, he couldn¡¯t afford to cross any powerful wolves.


    Luna Skye realized her mistake.


    She¡¯d thought Lycan Erasmus¡¯s actions were just for show. Little did she know Adide had earned renown on the battlefield.


    12:57 am


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    She scrambled to fix things. ¡°Melinda doesn¡¯t know yet. When Adide returns, have Melinda apologize¡­ They grew up together!¡±


    ¡°Do you think rtionships are so easily mended?¡± Alpha Howell sneered. ¡°Because of this, we¡¯re confined and can¡¯t leave the pack. Just wait and see!¡±


    With that, he strode out, crushing ss fragments underfoot.


    Luna Skye copsed to the floor, weeping.


    She didn¡¯t truly despise Adide.


    She¡¯d just been trying to avoid trouble.


    ¡°Was I really wrong?¡± she asked an Omega, her voice trembling.


    The Omega sighed, stroking the palm print on her face. ¡°Remember when Luna Aire sacrificed herself to protect you? When Ulrik wanted to bond with Velda, I advised you to go to the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    ¡°It was Lycan Erasmus¡¯smand! What difference would my going make?¡±


    ¡°No difference, but your presence alone would ease Adide¡¯s burden.¡±


    Luna Skye rose abruptly. ¡°I¡¯m going to the Frostfang Pack now. Even if it¡¯s an act, they must know I haven¡¯t forgotten our kinship!¡±


    The Omega hesitated.


    A visit now would be seen as opportunistic.


    But Luna Skye was resolute.


    Meanwhile, Adide, unaware of the capital¡¯s turmoil, remained at the southern border.


    The war had ended, but withdrawal wasn¡¯t immediate.


    Harsh weather and the region¡¯s devastation from years of conflict slowed their departure.


    The werewolves assisted in rebuilding the war¨Ctornnd.


    News of Velda¡¯s capture and humiliation spread like wildfire.


    Despite her denials, many had witnessed the scene.


    The truth was undeniable.


    Velda tried to get Brock and others to vouch for her, but they¡¯d been brutally tortured¨Cbeaten, nd- torn, and left in agony.


    They¡¯d lost their wolves and couldn¡¯t heal themselves, struggling in agony daily. They had no energy left to <b>care </b>whether Velda had been dishonored.


    12:57 am DDDD


    Once loyal to Velda, they now harbored deep resentment.


    They detested her and refused to speak with her, let alone testify on her behalf.


    Yet Velda, resilient as desert scrub, carried on.


    After recovering, she resumed training and missions as if nothing had happened.


    Her psychological fortitude amazed and impressed many.


    Snke had thought she¡¯d take her own life after such trauma.


    He¡¯d underestimated her. 1

 Novel Male 95

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    If Snke knew Velda was still alive and well, he¡¯d likely be furious.


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    Spections about her within Alpha Lance¡¯s pack never ceased, sometimes even in her presence.


    At first, Velda wouldsh out, insisting she hadn¡¯t been dishonored¨Cthat she¡¯d merely been beaten and scarred.


    But gradually, she stopped exining; it was futile.


    Adding to her woes was Ulrik¡¯s cold¨Cshoulder treatment, which left her exhausted from trying to justify herself.


    However, she confronted Adide with a mocking tone, ¡°I hear you reached the mountain but didn¡¯t rescue me. You relish my suffering, don¡¯t you? I won¡¯t die easily. I¡¯ll live better than any of you.¡±


    Adide responded with a faint smirk, ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I could easily kill you. I could drag you up the mountain at night and throw you off a cliff. Wild dogs would devour you, leaving no trace.¡±


    Velda¡¯s face twitched.


    ¡°Or perhaps poison your water, leaving you in agony,¡± Adide continued.


    Velda swung at her. ¡°You dare?¡±


    Adide caught her wrist and shoved her to the ground.


    ¡°Remember your pride when we first met? Show it now,¡± she said coldly.


    Velda was furious. She called out to her wolf, but it had grown weak from the torture and now refused to respond.


    She was powerless against Adide.


    ¡°Enjoy your stay. Your whipping¡¯s still toe,¡± Adide sneered.


    Velda rose slowly, her gaze defiant and icy. ¡°Think I¡¯ll cower before you? I¡¯ve won where it matters. Ulrik¡¯s mate is me, not you.¡±


    She regained her pride, thinking that mentioning Ulrik would cause Adide pain.


    Adide merely sneered. ¡°Well, congrattions.¡±


    Her indifference infuriated Velda, who shouted, ¡°You¡¯re just jealous!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m jealous,¡± Adide admitted. ¡°Of your role as Ulrik¡¯s mate, as the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna, and of your future duty to care for Rosemary day and night.¡±


    12:58 am DDD


    Adide left with augh.


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    Having spent recent days helping rebuild the southern border with Paisley and others, she¡¯d learned to fold her pain away.


    asionally, she¡¯d discuss the southern border¡¯s future with Lance and the others.


    Lance, now well¨Cgroomed, was quite handsome¨Cno wonder he was hailed as the kingdom¡¯s most handsome Alpha.


    As spring¡¯s warmth melted the southern border¡¯s ice, the pack prepared to return to the capital, leaving some wolves for border patrol.


    Paisley and the others sat by a bonfire, debating whether to join the main group back to the capital or return to the Shadow Peaks.


    Avery stood up excitedly. ¡°The Shadow Peaks can wait, but a triumph like this might nevere again! We should go back and soak in the adoration!¡±


    Though trained in the Warscar Camp with formidable skills, they¡¯d never aspired to greatness.


    Now, as heroes of the southern border¡¯s remation, they were somewhat at a loss.


    Meanwhile, Velda¡¯s injuries had healed enough for her punishment.


    Her rtionship with Ulrik during this time was like a frozenke¨Ccalm on the surface but turbulent beneath.


    Ulrik often avoided her, yet when she was in trouble, he¡¯d quietly help.


    When she was to be flogged, Ulrik first shamelessly pleaded with Lance, only to be outright rejected.


    Then he turned to Adide, his eyes filled with pleading. ¡°I know it¡¯s presumptuous, but if she¡¯s flogged now, she won¡¯t survive the journey. All the me rests with me. I¡¯ve wronged you¡­¡±


    Adide coldly cut him off. ¡°If you know it¡¯s presumptuous and you¡¯ve wronged me, why are you begging me? You¡¯re aware she¡¯s linked to the Davidson family¡¯s tragedy. I want her dead more than anyone. How dare you ask for my mercy?¡±


    Ulrik stood there, struck dumb by her words, staring at the icy woman before him.


    His mind involuntarily recalled the bonding ceremony¨Cher eyes then had held such tenderness.


    He swallowed hard, bitterness rising in his throat. ¡°I know I was wrong. I¡¯ve betrayed you once, but I can¡¯t betray her too.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why not take her punishment for her?¡± Adide sneered, unwilling to endure his show of devotion any longer, and turned to leave.


    2

 Novel Male 96

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    At the camp on the southern border, Adide was anxious as she strode toward Alpha Lance¡¯s tent.


    Lance was intently sculpting something, his focus so intense it was as if he and that creation were the only things in the world.


    Upon hearing Adide¡¯s arrival, he paused briefly before covering his work with a silk cloth and instructing his adjutant, Tommy, ¡°Let her in.¡±


    Tommy hesitated, his ears twitching.


    ¡°I just saw Ulrik head to Adide¡¯s tent. She¡¯s likely here to plead for Velda,¡± he said.


    Lance¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Do you think Adide would plead for Velda?¡±


    Tommy scratched his head, confusion etched on his face. ¡°Maybe she wants to win Ulrik back?¡±


    Lance chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice, and beckoned Tommy closer. ¡°Come here.¡±


    Tommy stepped forward, then squatted as Lance instructed.


    Lance¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Come closer and squat down. I think there¡¯s something on your face,¡± he said.


    Tommy instinctively touched his face but found nothing. However, obeying Lance¡¯smand, he squatted down.


    Suddenly, Lance¡¯s expression changed drastically. He pped Tommy across the face and roared, ¡°Filthy!¡±


    Tommy clutched his face, wide¨Ceyed and bewildered. ¡°What did I do?¡±


    Lance tapped Tommy¡¯s head with his carving knife, his tone icy. ¡°Adide seek Ulrik¡¯s favor? Ridiculous! Fetch her now.¡±


    Tommy stood up in frustration, and Lance narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°Should a word of this reach others, I¡¯ll y you alive.¡±


    Tommy shuddered, nodding hastily.


    He knew Lance hadn¡¯t forgotten his pre¨Cexpedition words.


    But now Adide¡¯s bond with Ulrik was broken. She was exiled.


    If Ulrik still harbored feelings for her, and his mother found out¨Cchaos would ensue.


    Tommy had seen Adide and Ulrik talk at length; she must be here to plead. Why wouldn¡¯t Lance believe


    it?


    12:58 am


    Adide entered, noticing Tommy¡¯s odd nce and feeling a sense of unease.


    Lance¡¯s gaze swept over Tommy¡¯s face coldly. Tommy, embarrassed, forced augh and said, ¡°I¡¯ll


    He stepped outside, but stayed close<i>, </i>eavesdropping intently,


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    then.¡±


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± Lance said to Adide<i>, </i>casting a faint nce at the door. He thought to himself how obvious Tommy¡¯s eavesdropping was¨Canyone could smell the tension.


    Adide noticed Tommy¡¯s presence outside the door.


    After sitting down, she used her eyes to ask Lance about it and pointed at the door to show him that she knew Tommy was listening.


    Lance waved it off. ¡°Ignore him. What can I do for you?¡±


    Adide straightened, her expression grave. ¡°Alpha Lance, as we prepare to return to the capital, may I visit the ce where my father and brothers fell? I want to call upon their spirits to join us<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Though their bodies had been returned to the capital, Adide believed their souls lingered here, awaiting the southern border¡¯s remation.


    Lance nodded understandingly. ¡°You should. But there¡¯s no need. I¡¯ve already paid my respects and retrieved arge tree from the site to carve memorial ques for them. We¡¯ll bring these back.


    Lance reached out and lifted the cloth to reveal several unfinished memorial ques.


    thepleted que of her father, Alpha Bentley.


    nbled, and tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of it.


    nr ques existed in the Frostfang Pack¡¯s shrine, but she dared not look, as if avoiding pt her father and brothers alive.


    Tears streamed down her face as she fumbled for the handkerchief Lance had given her earlier. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.


    Lance, his gaze lingering on the handkerchief, finally took it back after a moment of silence.


    With a hint of nostalgia in his voice, he said, ¡°It was the least I could do. Your father took me to my first battle,¡±


    Adide nodded silently, then said after a pause, ¡°If you¡¯ve arranged it, Alpha Lance, I won¡¯t go.¡±


    She wanted to go, but fear held her back.


    12:58 <b>am </b>

 Novel Male 97

    Since returning to the Frostfang Pack and learning of her father and brothers¡® deaths, Adide had buried her grief deep within.


    Lance picked up his carving knife again and began working on a memorial que for Adide¡¯s eldest brother. Seemingly casual, he asked, ¡°What are your ns after we return to the capital? Or are you considering taking another mate?¡±


    Adide was taken aback. ¡°My mother doesn¡¯t want me to follow in my father¡¯s footsteps,¡± she replied.


    Lance looked up, his eyes briefly flickering with some hidden emotion. ¡°Your mother hopes you¡¯ll find a


    mate.¡±


    Adide sighed softly. ¡°I¡¯ve already tried that.¡±


    Aplex glint crossed Lance¡¯s eyes. ¡°Your bond with Ulrik is broken. Perhaps you¡¯ll find a second chance.¡±


    Adide forced a smile, her eyes red. ¡°A broken bond is still a bond. As for a second chance, I¡¯m not sure. Finding a mate is like gambling. I¡¯ve lost once, so I¡¯m not ready to gamble again.¡±


    Lance¡¯s face lit up with a warm smile. ¡°That¡¯s a solid mindset.¡±


    Adide felt there was more to Lance¡¯s words. He seemed to suggest he wanted her to continue her military career.


    She sensed an underlying message but didn¡¯t dare to probe further.


    The kingdom indeedcked capable werewolf generals, a dilemma that troubled Lycan Erasmus.


    Despite reiming the southern border, their feud with the Western Tribes remained intricate and unresolved.


    The next day, news of Ulrik taking Velda¡¯s punishment spread like wildfire.


    Since Velda¡¯s capture, rumors about their rtionship had swept through the camp, reaching every corner of the southern border.


    Initially, Velda had feignedposure, pretending not to care.


    After recovering from her injuries, she resumed her duties, hoping to quell the gossip with a show of strength.


    But as the voices grew louder and stranger, she crumbled under the weight of judgment. Citing iplete recovery, she withdrew from sight.


    Ulrik, meanwhile, silently endured the bacsh.


    12:58 am


    The criticism and gossip about them hadn¡¯t escaped Ulrik¡¯s notice.


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    But he knew the issue was tied to sensitive matters at Bloodscar Border, including the massacre of Western Tribes¡® civilians by Velda.


    These were not things to be easily exined; attempting to rify would only worsen the situation.


    The werewolf warriors, unaware of the full story, saw only that Velda had disobeyed orders, abandoned the main force, and been captured.


    During the final battle, she¡¯d recklessly charged with her men, disrupting the formation and nearly foiling Adide¡¯s assault on the city.


    To the wolves, her actions were dishonorable, and her current plight was well¨Cdeserved.


    Meanwhile, Ulrik¡¯s act of taking her punishment somewhat steadied his troops.


    Yet, none of the werewolf warriors under Alpha Lance¡¯smand held him in high regard.


    For these warriors who had shed blood on the battlefield, though they imed to fight for their homnd, their primary concern was always their own families.


    After Ulrik earned his military merits, he used them to request a new mate from the Lycan King.


    He abandoned his mate, who managed the wolf pack and cared for their family, which led to universal disdain from the warriors.


    Moreover, most of the werewolves on the southern border were former subordinates of Alpha Bentley, and they naturally favored Adide.


    In early May, Lance, after meticulous nning, left several Gammas to guard Darkw Town and led the main force toward the capital.


    The Bloodscar Border troops returned to their post.


    The memorial ques were all carved andpleted. Lance had specifically arranged for reliable personnel to carefully escort these ques back.


    He nned to enter the capital solemnly with Adide, holding the ques as they entered the city.


    The journey back was long, but they were weed warmly along the way.


    Reiming the southern border had long been a wish of the werewolf kingdom¡¯s people, and Lance was hailed as a hero.


    All southern border wolves were heroes<b>¨C</b>except Velda.


    Her greed had cost hundreds of lives and led to the capture and humiliation of neen, including


    herself.


    These details<b>, </b>spread by Snke¡¯s men, painted her in a harsh light.


    12:58 am <b>D </b>


    By mid¨CJune, they finally reached the capital.


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    Lycan <b>Erasmus </b>and the Royal Council elders greeted them <b>warmly</b>, and enthusiastic residents lined the


    streets.


    Lance dismounted gracefully, holding <b>Alpha </b>Bentley¡¯s que <b>with </b>reverence.


    Adide followed <b>suit</b><b>, </b><b>holding </b>her eldest brother¡¯s que with a <b>solemn </b>expresion Abbot and other Gammas held their brothers ques as they stood, solemnly awaiting their return to the capital

 Novel Male 98

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As the memorial ques came into view, every werewolf present was moved to tears<b>. </b>


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    The werewolf collective consciousness was linked, and when the pack¡¯s glory materialized as Alpha Bentley¡¯s memorial que shimmered in the snow, every wolf¡¯s nape nd resonated¨Ca primal summons etched in their blood, the highest tribute to the fallen.


    Lycan Erasmus stepped down from his carriage, his pine¨Cand¨Camber pheromones parting the snow like an invisible force.


    With a sweep of his hand, his bronze war bracelet shed with his wolf¨Chead emblem, producing a resonant chime. The sound, carrying blessings for the victorious,pelled lower¨Crank wolves to kneel.


    As musicians struck their guitars in unison, drummers raised their mallets to a thunderous rhythm.


    Then, the guitar music started, the drummers raised their drumsticks and struck hard to the rhythm of the music. The trumpets yed a brief prelude, then the guitars and drums began to y together. The sound was as mighty as a charging army.


    Everyone present was filled with excitement and passion, their eyes shining with emotion.


    Each note seemed to tell the story of the hardships and glory on the battlefield.


    When the final drumbeat fell, everything fell silent.


    olding Alpha Bentley¡¯s memorial que, lifted it high as he was about to enter the city, as if Alpha Bentley¡¯s wolf soul into the city first.


    walked into the city with steady steps, and others followed closely behind.


    Everyone holding the memorial ques was silent, with solemn and respectful expressions on their faces.


    ¡°I return victorious with Alpha Bentley, having reimed the southern border!¡±


    Lance¡¯s voice,ced with a wolf howl, shook the snow from the battlements.


    As Bloodscar Border¡¯s former lieutenant, the marking on his neck¨Ca legacy from Alpha Bentley¡¯s final moments¨Cglowed faintly, casting a silvery¨Cblue radiance in the victory light.


    His promation echoed through the city gates.


    The crowd erupted in deafening cheers.


    Lycan Erasmus approached Lance<b>, </b>gently helping him up and gazing at Alpha Bentley¡¯s que,


    His voice choked with emotion as he dered, ¡°Rise, you are all heroes!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus turned and slowly approached Adide.


    12:58 am DDDD


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    She stood ramrod straight, clutching her brother¡¯s memorial que to her chest, her gaze lowered to avoid meeting Lycan Erasmus¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Gamma Adide,¡± Lycan Erasmus called softly.


    ¡°Present!¡± Adide responded, her voice strong.


    Despite the dust and weariness from the journey, her striking beauty was evident.


    Her bright eyes, like luminous pearls, caught the light.


    Lycan Erasmus felt a pang of guilt.


    He¡¯d once doubted her, thinking her envious of Velda.


    Yet she¡¯d proven herself with action and unmatched skill.


    She was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, with the Davidson family¡¯s resilience and pride flowing through her veins.


    ¡°The Davidson family and you have done well!¡± he praised.


    ¡°Circle the city with Alpha Lance and the other Gamma que¨Cbearers. ept the people¡¯s apuse. You are heroes of the southern border remation, and your deeds will be forever remembered.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyshes fluttered. ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t join the victory parade but returned to the pce to prepare a grand banquet.


    The pce was ready to celebrate the hard¨Cwon triumph.


    Ulrik and Velda trailed the procession. 2


    Ulrik had spent half the journey on horseback, his temporary marking faded like snow, a reminder of the wolfsbane¨Cinduced agony he¡¯d endured for Velda¡¯s sins.


    His hand trembled as he supported Velda, not from the cold, but from the stench of white¨Csage and decay emanating from her¡ªa permanent reminder of the Western Tribes¡® interrogation.


    This eternally reminded him of the price he paid for this rtionship.


    Velda¡¯s wolf ears were tucked beneath her disheveled hair. Her once¨Cproud battle tattoos were now grotesque under her whip wounds, yet she stared defiantly at Adide¡¯s back. Her wolf spirit howled with


    regret.


    A Bloodmoon Pack guard in the crowd noticed Ulrik¡¯s injuries and voiced concern.


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik, are you hurt? <b>Is </b>it serious<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Ulrik replied, casting aplicated nce at Simon nearby. ¡°You all head back first.¡±


    12:58 am


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    Simon nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll return to the pack. You two still need to attend the pce banquet. Turning, Simon caught sight of Velda.


    His face contorted with disgust. He recalled the rumors swirling these past days.


    If true, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation was in tatters.


    Fortunately, Luna Rosemary was unaware; otherwise, her temper would surely trigger a rpse of her illness.

 Novel Male 99

    Third person¡¯s POV


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    The scene at the Frostfang Pack was a stark contrast to the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s. Beta Valentine of the Frostfang Pack led Beata and others in pursuit of the returning troops.


    Their faces were etched with joy and excitement, so much so that tears streamed down their cheeks.


    Alpha Adide returned with honors, bringing back memorial ques for Alpha Bentley and her brothers from the southern border.


    Though the Frostfang Pack¡¯s altar already housed ques for the fallen, these battle¨Cretrieved ones carried profound significance.


    The pack believed the spirits of the departed would cling to these ques, returning triumphantly to the capital.


    Beata was the most ted, yet also the most tearful.


    She ran swiftly alongside the procession, shouting, ¡°Alpha Adide<i>¡­¡± </i>


    Adide nced at her with a mix of amusement and pity.


    Lance and Adide sat side by side in the carriage. Lance<i>, </i>observing Beata, mused, ¡°Her name¡¯s Beata, right?¡±


    ¡°You remember her?¡± Adide asked, surprised.


    ¡°Of course. I recall a year at the Warscar Training Camp when she was picking apples from a tree. She fell off in a fright upon seeing Craig and me,¡± Lance said with a faint smile.


    Adide was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯ve been to the Warscar Training Camp?¡±


    ¡°Every year before heading to the southern border,¡± Lance replied softly. The June sunlight flickered in his eyes before dimming. ¡°But no more after that.¡± 1


    ¡°I never knew. Never saw you there either,¡± Adide said, puzzled.


    She looked at him in surprise and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Why do you go to the Warscar Training Camp every year?¡±


    ¡°I travel around and learn from your teachers while I¡¯m at it. It¡¯s not strange that you¡¯ve never seen me. I alwayse and go in a hurry, so naturally we miss each other,¡± Lance exined.


    Adide was amazed inwardly. So Lance used to go to the Warscar Training Camp every year.


    They had known each other since childhood. Why didn¡¯t hee to chat with her?


    After the victory parade, royal staff guided the invited guests to the pce banquet.


    <b>12:58 </b>am


    The guest list was strict; not everyone was included.


    Ulrik was on it, but Velda wasn¡¯t.


    In the past, Velda would have demanded an exnation.


    Now, after the southern border ordeal, her spirit was broken.


    When she realized she wasn¡¯t on the list, she quietly turned and left.


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    At the banquet, royalty and council members mingled. The former Lycan Luna rissa sent rare wine to celebrate.


    She also asked Adide to see her after the banquet.


    Ever since Adide became the Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack, she hadn¡¯t seen Lycan Luna rissa.


    First, she was trapped within the Bloodmoon Pack, needing to care for the ailing Rosemary. Second, she understood the mindset of the Bloodmoon members¨Cthey all coveted royal positions.


    Thus, to avoid unnecessaryplications, she avoided meeting Lycan Luna rissa.


    The banquet was filled with ttery and empty words, which was rather tedious.


    Most of the praise was directed at Alpha Lance, who hadmanded the southern border battlefield and earned merits.


    Amidst thepliments, Adide also became a focal point.


    Everyone praised her for having Alpha Bentley¡¯s spirit and for performing as valiantly as seasoned generals on the battlefield.


    A council member, tipsy, jestingly asked Ulrik, ¡°Seeing Adide¡¯s glory, do you regret your choices?¡±


    The lighthearted remark froze Ulrik.


    He slowly turned to Adide, his eyesplex and inscrutable. He wanted to speak but held back.


    He deeply regretted his choices, yet he dared not voice it.


    After all, he¡¯d asked Lycan Erasmus himself to bond with Velda. No matter his regrets, he had to keep them buried.


    His hesitant expression didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    The guests grew curious¨Ccould he truly regret his decision?


    The once¨Clively atmosphere turned awkward.


    Adide remainedposed, but inside, she disapproved of the inappropriate question.


    <b>12:58 </b>am


    She felt that person was truly intoxicated. How could he ask such a question in this setting?


    No matter the asion, it is inappropriate to ask such a question.


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    Lance quickly shifted the focus, thanking everyone for the supplies, his gaze coldly sweeping over Lycan Gamma Elias.


    Elias, now nervous, forced a smile and stood up. ¡°It was our duty,¡± he said.


    Elias was inwardly furious. ¡°He was usually quite normal, but after a few drinks, he started talking nonsense. I¡¯ll give him a good scolding tomorrow.¡±

 Novel Male 100

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coint


    At the Bloodmoon Pack, Rosemary fumed upon hearing the rumors about Ulrik, Velda, and Adide.


    When informed that Velda had returned to the capital without paying her respects, she erupted in fury. ¡°Go, bring her to me now!¡± shemanded.


    Velda¡¯s return journey had left her dispirited.


    Ulrik¡¯s deliberate distance from her, despite his own injuries, had made the trip a torment.


    She¡¯d tried to assist him, but he¡¯d rebuffed her advances as if she were repulsive. 1


    The wolves captured alongside her red at her with undisguised hatred.


    They were all too aware that their brutal treatment stemmed from Velda¡¯s torture of a Western werewolf general.


    Now, facing simr retribution from the Western Tribes¡® wolves, they felt a mix of anguish and helplessness.


    Their fear and resentment ran so deep that it fueled an intense hatred toward Velda.


    Throughout the journey, they refused to engage with her. Even a fleeting glimpse of her would prompt them to flee.


    Velda remembered how she¡¯d left, full of confidence and dreams of battlefield glory, believing she¡¯d return a hero.


    But reality shattered her illusions.


    Now, with half her face scarred and her skin roughened, she¡¯d lost her once¨Cvibrant confidence.


    She could tolerate the physical changes and others¡® disdain, but what truly stuck in her craw was Adide¡¯s current standing.


    Adide was now highly revered among the werewolf warriors. The Gammas showed her great care, and even Alpha Lance praised her.


    After returning to the capital, Adide was in the spotlight, riding in a carriage to cheers from the masses and attending a victory banquet where she was the center of admiration.


    Velda, on the other hand, had to slink back to the Bloodmoon Pack, ignored by all, as if the world had forgotten her.


    This stark contrast left her in a terrible mood.


    Back at the Bloodmoon Pack, Velda¡¯s overgrown ws left five deep scratches on the pine doorframe.


    12:58 am DDDD


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    She hastily covered her face with a cedar¨Cscented battle g and stormed into the room, her vertical pupils shrinking to dark crimson lines in the dim light.


    The moonstone mirror revealed the grotesque wound on her left cheek.


    Her trembling fingers found the temporary mark behind her ear, now decaying and reeking of sulfur¨Ca sign of her Alpha nd¡¯s deterioration due to enemy pheromones.


    She stared into the mirror, her eyes brimming with despair and defiance.


    The reflection showed her wolf form: a once¨Cproud silver¨Cgray war wolf, now with hellfire¨Cckened fur on its left side.


    Velda had always known she couldn¡¯t match Adide¡¯s beauty, but now the difference was staggering.


    She stared at her scarred face, her skin rough as sandpaper, bitterness filling her heart.


    With a loud crash, she overturned the Bloodmoon¨Cemzoned dressing table.


    Moonstone shards sliced into her silver¨Cblue palms.


    The cedar and mint pheromones that once enthralled Ulrik now reeked of decay and rust.


    Her thoughts raced.


    She was still Ulrik¡¯s mate; he¡¯d once cared for her.


    His coldness now must stem from misunderstanding¨Cthinking she¡¯d been dishonored in captivity.


    But she was innocent. Those injuries were just from enemy torture.


    She remembered that the burn on her face was treated by Ulrik himself, which proved that he wasn¡¯t repulsed by her scars.


    If Ulrik truly valued appearance above all, why would he have bonded with her, especially when Adide was far more beautiful?


    She firmly believed that their bond, forged in the crucible of battle at Bloodscar Border, was unbreakable,


    She was convinced that once they weathered this storm, their future would be happier than Adide¡¯s.


    1


    Comparing herself <i>to </i>Adide, who was now a celebrated female Gamma but had faced rejection in the past, Velda felt a twisted sense of sce.


    Those prestigious werewolves and royal Lycans would never choose her as their mate.


    Only the despicable ones, driven by greed and unscrupulous means, would settle for her.


    And with Adide¡¯s prideful nature, she¡¯d look down on such individuals¨Cdooming her to a life of solitude.


    12:58 am DDDD


    At this thought, Velda felt a strange sense of relief. 1


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    Just then, a knock sounded at the door. ¡°Luna Velda, Luna Rosemary requests your presence,¡± came the


    summons.


    Velda winced at the thought of Rosemary¡¯s frail yet demanding demeanor.


    She hastily grabbed a silk cloth, covered her face, and headed toward Rosemary¡¯s quarters.

 Novel Male 101

    Third Persons POV


    Velda entered the room and saw Alpha Isaiah present.


    Despite her reluctance, she bowed.


    Isaiah merely nodded faintly and said in a nd tone. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯ve returned safely¡±


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    Isaiah had always been indecisive. As the former Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, he¡¯d failed to steer the pack toward prosperity, leading to its decline.


    Even in the capital, held garnered no attention from Lycan Erasmus and held no royal position.


    Hearing this. Rosemary¡¯s brows furrowed in displeasure


    She retorted. ¡°How can merely returning safely be considered good? Neither you nor Ulrik achieved any merits. Our Bloodmoon Pack has been utterly humiliated!¡±


    Turning to Velda, she added. The capital¡¯s abuse with rumors that you were marked by the Western Tribes wolves. Is there any truth to this?¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s ws burst forth, scratching the obsidian armrest


    Her decaying pheromones filled the hall


    ¡°The whole city¡¯s talking about it!¡±


    Velda¡¯s cedar pheromones sharpened. Her neck nd glowed unnaturally under the moonlight.


    Her muscles tensed beneath her clothes, and her eyes shed with anger. She demanded. ¡°Who said that? Who said I was marked by other wolves¡±


    Answer the question? Rosemary¡¯s eyes narrowed to blood red slits, her yellowed fangs piercing her lower Tigh


    ¡°Rumors im you were marked by Western Tribes¡® wolves in their prisoner camp. The whole city¡¯s abuse with it!


    Velda¡¯s pupils shrank to pinpoints, and her left check instantly bristled with silver gray wolf hair


    She was stunned that the Southern Border incidents had spread to the capital so quickly


    Her mind buzzed as she vehemently denied, ¡°It¡¯s not true! I was captured, yes, but t only suffered physical injuries. I was never marked by anyone!


    Isaiah pressed a calming hand on his wife¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Calm down, Rosemary Velda, if you¡¯re innocent. why not have others vouch for you? Weren¡¯t there others captured alongside vou


    At the mention of Brock and fellow captives, Velda¡¯s heart filled with bitterness


    Ulrik had questioned them before, but they¡¯d all feigned ignorance.


    Despite being imprisoned in the same cell, they imed ignorance.


    Because of their ¡°ignorance,¡± everyone assumed she¡¯d been vited.


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    To Isaiah¡¯s suggestion, she coldly replied, ¡°The innocent need no defense. Let others say what they will. I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°How can you not care? Our pack¡¯s reputation is at stake!¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s wolfish howl,ced with decay, shook the room. She¡¯d always prioritized pack and family honor above all else.


    ¡°When I made you the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna, it was with the expectation that you¡¯d bring us glory, not


    shame!¡±


    Regret flooded Rosemary.


    She¡¯d believed Velda¡¯s achievements at Bloodscar Border would lead the pack to greatness.


    Instead, the Southern Border battle had dragged them into disgrace.


    She had also got a young son, Wilmot, and a daughter, Sabrina, who hadn¡¯t found mates yet. They were of marriageable age but had been waiting.


    She¡¯d hoped Velda and Ulrik¡¯s merits would secure better alliances.


    But now, with these scandals, who would ally with them?


    This, coupled with the absence of Ulrik¡¯s name on the list of those who achieved military merits, had left her seething with anger.


    Velda had endured nder on the battlefield, but she hadn¡¯t expected to face such scrutiny from her own pack.


    Her pent¨Cup fury erupted.


    Her cedar pheromones exploded into a sulfurous storm. The moonstone floor cracked under her partial shift.


    Steel¨Cgray wolf fur covered half her face, and her fangs pierced her lower lip. ¡°When Ulrik and I bonded, you were delighted. You even rushed to drive Adide away.¡±


    ¡°Now, after my Southern Border setback and capture, is that my fault? You don¡¯t inquire about my suffering or injuries, only to berate me. I dere my innocence, yet you refuse to believe me. Is this how family treats each other? If I¡¯d known you were so shallow, I¡¯d never have joined the Bloodmoon Pack!¡±


    2


    With that, she stormed out, mming the door.


    <b>12:58 </b><b>am </b>


    Rosemary, left speechless and gasping, could only stammer, ¡°How dare she?¡±


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 Novel Male 102

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Watching Velda storm out, Isaiah sighed helplessly.


    ¡°It is what it is. Let¡¯s wait for Ulrik to return before discussing further,¡± he said slowly.


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    After a pause, he added, ¡°Though Ulrik¡¯s name isn¡¯t on the merit list, he¡¯s invited to the banquet. He must have contributed something, perhaps not significant enough for the list.¡±


    Rosemary felt slightly relieved.


    But recalling Velda¡¯s insolence, her anger red again. She muttered, ¡°Frankly,pared to Adide, she¡¯s utterly inferior.¡±


    Isaiah cast her a nce. ¡°And who used to criticize Adide? I always thought highly of her. As the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna for a year, she worked tirelessly for you. When she subsidized the pack from the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets, she didn¡¯t hesitate.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, she often gifted Tamara and Sabrina jewelry. Your gorgeous dresses¨Cweren¡¯t they gifts from her?¡±


    Rosemary shot him a disdainful look. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say this before? What good does it do now?¡±


    Isaiah sat beside her, patting her back gently. ¡°You¡¯re just too shortsighted. Lycan Erasmus permitted Ulrik and Velda¡¯s mate bond but never dered her the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna.¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s eyebrows shot up as she turned to him.


    Isaiah continued, ¡°Ulrik and Adide¡¯s bond is broken, but Adide once agreed to be Ulrik¡¯s mate, which shows her feelings for him. And Ulrik was chosen her yourte mother, the former Frostfang Pack¡¯s Luna. If we appeal to her filial duty and talk things through, they might reconcile.¡±


    Rosemary mulled over his words, her resolve wavering.


    If Adide returned as the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, Ulrik could inherit its resources.


    A union between the Frostfang and Bloodmoon Packs would strengthen thetter.


    Actually, this wasn¡¯t the first time Rosemary had considered the possibility.


    However, back then, seeing Velda and Ulrik¡¯s bravery on the battlefield, she was certain they¡¯d forge a glorious future. She didn¡¯t want to involve Ulrik with Adide again, fearing it would invite gossip and criticism.


    But now, Velda¡¯s scandal had erupted, with rumors spreading like wildfire.


    A Luna supposedly marked by another kingdom¡¯s wolves had tarnished the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation and jeopardized Wilmot and Sabrina¡¯s futures.


    <b>12:58 </b><b>am </b>


    <b>+10 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    Rosemary believed that if Ulrik could im the Frostfang Pack¡¯s inheritance and leverage its influence, their future prospects would vastly improve.


    1


    Moreover, if Adide returned to the Bloodmoon Pack, the assets she brought from the Frostfang Pack would follow, alleviating the financial strain on the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Currently, the pack¡¯s finances were so tight that they could barely afford Rosemary¡¯s medications.


    Adide¡¯s filial piety would likely see her manage the pack efficiently, sparing Rosemary the daily burdens.


    Moreover, Rosemary hadn¡¯t realized Lycan Erasmus held Adide in such high regard.


    Had she known, Isaiah and Simon might have secured royal positions, avoiding their current idleness.


    Weighing the benefits of Adide¡¯s return, Rosemary¡¯s mind teemed with possibilities.


    Yet, she voiced her doubt, ¡°We¡¯ve shed so bitterly. Will she even consider returning?¡±


    Isaiah reassured her, ¡°She¡¯s filial and likely still harbors feelings for Ulrik.¡±


    3


    Rosemary nodded, still anxious. ¡°Even so, her recent achievements have elevated her status. She might not deign to serve the pack as before, let alone care for me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯d attend to you out of filial duty. Besides, with her resources and influence, she could easily arrange for care without personally attending to you.¡±


    Rosemary sneered, ¡°True, but she used to do so much for us.¡±


    ¡°When Velda became Luna, she didn¡¯t do those things either, and you didn¡¯tin.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Rosemary insisted, recalling Adide¡¯s former meekness versus Velda¡¯s arrogance. She felt Adide¡¯s service was natural, while Velda¡¯s neglect seemed forgivable.


    ¡°Their personalities are poles apart. I never made things hard for Adide. If she returns this time, I¡¯ll treat her ten times better.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Who could Velda find better than Ulrik?¡± Rosemary sneered.


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    ¡°Even if the Frostfang Pack gains glory, in our kingdom, there are no she¨Cwolves serving as Gamma. Her carefully crafted image is now in tatters. The royal offspring and Alpha wolves of powerful packs would never choose her as their Luma. Any random mate pales inparison to Ulrik.¡±


    Isaiah recalled how harmonious the pack was when Adide was part of it.


    He found Rosemary¡¯s point logical: now that Adide had been rejected by her mate, she might attract those seeking to climb the socialdder through her status. Such individuals couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Ulrik.


    ¡°But who should approach her?¡± Isaiah asked.


    After a moment of thought, Rosemary said, ¡°Send Vanya. She and Adide have some rapport. When Tamara visited the Frostfang Pack, only Vanya secured an audience.¡±


    Isaiah shook his head. ¡°She might refuse. I think you should personally visit Adide in the Frostfang Pack. It shows sincerity. If she won¡¯t even receive you, her reputation would truly suffer.¡±


    Rosemary frowned. ¡°Have me go? Won¡¯t that show weakness?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re already at a disadvantage. Do you think Adide is easy to manipte?¡±


    Despite Isaiah¡¯s reasoning, Rosemary resisted.


    Visiting a former Luna nearly expelled would make the Bloodmoon Pack seem inferior.


    Worse, if Adide refused to reconcile with Ulrik, Rosemary¡¯s pride would be bruised.


    After weighing options, she insisted, ¡°Send Vanya first. If she fails, we¡¯ll try other means.¡±


    Rosemary was determined not to humble herself.


    If she went and Adide agreed to reconcile, she¡¯d lose face before Adide forever.


    The Bloodmoon Pack already had the embarrassing Velda; they couldn¡¯t afford another unruly member.


    Meanwhile, Adide had gone to see Lycan Luna rissa as ordered.


    Though rissa was under fifty, her well¨Cpreserved appearance showed only faint crow¡¯s¨Cfeet.


    Her silver¨Cgray wolf hair shimmered like moonstone. Seated on her obsidian throne, her brown hair streaked with silver caught the light.


    Her eyes, crinkling with warmth, radiated intelligence and kindness.


    12:58 am


    Upon seeing Adide, her face lit up with approval andpassion.


    As Adide bowed, rissa¡¯s violet pheromones spread like melting snow in early spring.


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    ¡°Why did you rush off to battle without a word? If anything had happened to you on the battlefield, how could I face your mother?¡±


    Tears welled in rissa¡¯s eyes as she regarded Adide, her gaze brimming with admiration andpassion.


    Seeing Adide conjured images of Aire, stirring a bittersweet ache in her heart.


    ¡°I¡¯ve caused you worry¨Cthis is all my fault,¡± Adide said meekly, bowing her head in quiet apology.


    ¡°Come here and let me have a good look at you.¡± rissa cast her a reproachful nce, yet her eyes brimmed with solicitude.


    As Adide stood to kneel, rissa grasped her hand and guided her to a seat beside her. ¡°Sit here.¡±


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones subtly curled, her Frostfang Pack¡¯s silver¨Cblue wolf hair barely visible.


    Seated, she maintained a poised smile.


    rissa took her hand and studied her face, sighing, ¡°You¡¯re all dirt again. Each time you return from the Shadow Peaks, you¡¯re like a mischievous monkey. Now you¡¯re moreposed, less yful, though your skin¡¯s darkened.¡±


    She pinched Adide¡¯s cheek, ¡°Your skin used to be so soft after a year in the capital, but now it¡¯s rough.¡±


    Adide chuckled sheepishly, ¡°I came straight here after rushing back to the capital, no time to bathe or change. I¡¯m filthy; I should sit further away.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, this is your honor,¡± rissa said, her tone softening.


    ¡°Your bravery on the battlefield has impressed Lycan Erasmus, who¡¯s spoken of it to me several times. I¡¯m proud of you. Velda had my praise too, butpared to you, she falls short. I won¡¯t borate on her matters, but I was clearly mistaken in her case.¡±


    A flicker of annoyance crossed rissa¡¯s face at Velda¡¯s mention.


    Having oncemended Velda and aware of the Adide¨CVelda conflict, she chose brevity to avoid entanglement.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide responded modestly, her gaze lowered, and unconsciously rubbed the shadow wolf emblem on her armor. ¡°You tter me. This isn¡¯t just my doing. Alpha Lance nned andmanded the mission wlessly. I merely followed his lead and benefited from his expertise. Compared to the seasoned warriors who¡¯ve shed blood on the battlefield for years, my contributions are insignificant.¡±


    Gazing at the faint scar above Adide¡¯s brow, a relic of her mother¡¯s touch now dusted with battlefield grime, rissa¡¯s throat tightened.


    ¡°Female werewolves face far more challenges on the battlefield than male ones,¡± she said softly, smoothing Adide¡¯s wind¨Ctousled hair and brushing against the new downy hairs at her ear.


    ¡°Now that the war has ended, what are your ns? If you¡¯re open to it, I could introduce you to promising young Alphas. Or perhaps I could arrange a strategic alliance for you.¡±


    Adide stood hastily, her armor¡¯s metal tes softly clinking. ¡°Thank you for your concern, but right now, I just want to bathe and get some rest. We can talk about the restter,¡± she said, her eyes drifting to the falling snow outside. Her voice softened as she recalled her mother¡¯s final moments.


    rissa sighed. ¡°I know. A she¨Cwolf shouldn¡¯t be confined to the path of bing a mate. But your mother once told me she wished for you to live a peaceful life.¡±


    ¡°From a personal standpoint, I¡¯d like to see you be the wolf kingdom¡¯s first female Gamma. Yet, I don¡¯t want to disregard your mother¡¯s wishes. She¡­ she truly feared the battlefield. It took almost everything from her,¡± rissa¡¯s voice trembled.


    Adide¡¯s eyes fell on the streaks of white in rissa¡¯s hair.


    As a child, she¡¯d often visited the pce with her mother.


    Back then, rissa, the wolf kingdom¡¯s royal Luna, would teach her to read star maps under the moonlight, saying, ¡°A she¨Cwolf¡¯s vision should reach for the vast sky.¡±


    Aire had agreed, saying a she¨Cwolf could venture into the world.


    At seven or eight, Adide left home for the Shadow Peaks¡® Warscar Training Camp to learnbat.


    She wanted to carve her own path in the world, at least one where she could protect herself.


    When her father and brothers¡® bodies returned to the Frostfang Pack, Aire wept and held her, repeating, ¡°I feared you¡¯d follow the same path as them.¡±


    Adide didn¡¯t know how to respond to rissa¡¯s words and fell silent.


    In the training camp, she¡¯d been full of vitality and hope for the future.


    But after the pack and family endured sessive tragedies, her heart had grown cold, and she¡¯d lived merely to meet the world¡¯s expectations of a she¨Cwolf.


    After a long while, she spoke calmly, ¡°We¡¯ll discuss that another day.¡±


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    rissa gazed at her tenderly. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s speak of itter. Go now and bathe. The stench of sweat is overwhelming; I can hardly bear it.¡±


    rissa¡¯s eyes had indeed grown red.


    Though she was usually strong and seldom cried, mentioning the Davidsons stirred deep sorrow.


    Once certain pains surfaced, they were hard to suppress.


    Adide took her leave.


    The victory banquet had concluded, and Lycan Erasmus had kept Lance in his study for a private conversation.


    Lance had submitted a detailed report on the southern border campaign, but the war, spanning over twenty cities and years of fighting, couldn¡¯t be encapsted in a single document.


    Erasmus sought not only the oues but also insights into which werewolf generals were worth promoting.


    Most crucially, he needed rity on Velda and the Western Tribes.


    Though he¡¯d uncovered some clues, the matter was so shocking that he needed to verify it from multiple


    sources.


    d disclosed everything, aligning with Erasmus¡¯s findings.


    as furious. His pheromones condensed into an ice storm, and the starlight gems in the council


    frosted over instantly.


    elongated fangs pierced his lower lip, silver¨Cblue blood droplets sttering on the documents, freezing the ink into crystalline runes. ¡°These blood¨Cstained reports are practically hymns to that wretched woman!¡±


    ¡°So, I can¡¯t hold Velda ountable?¡± Lance asked.


    ¡°The Western Tribes have taken their revenge in secret, but they¡¯re not publicizing it. We can¡¯t acknowledge it either. Snke might¡¯ve thought Velda would cave to the gossip and kill herself, but that woman has no such intentions.¡±


    ¡°Not a word about the vige massacres? Not even within their kingdom?¡±


    Lance shook his head. ¡°No mention at all. Everyone knows the truth. Their Lycan King is ill, and the princes are fighting for the throne. They¡¯re obsessed with preserving the royal image. They haven¡¯t announced the prince¡¯s death and are likely crafting a cover¨Cup.¡±


    Erasmus sighed deeply, his eyes as heavy as the snow¨Cdraped twilight. ¡°If exposed, the Western Tribes would have every reason to attack the Bloodscar Border. We¡¯d be spread too thin. Alpha Zander of Bloodscar is still recovering, and most of our wolves are in the south. If they invade now, it¡¯s sheer


    12:59 am D


    opportunism. In their ce, I¡¯d do the same.¡±

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    Lance said, ¡°If we wage war in the name of the prince and the ughtered civilians, the Western Tribes¡® werewolves might massacre the civilians at Bloodscar Border. But the southern border is different. Thend we reimed didn¡¯t belong to us and was war¨Ctorn. Snke has adhered to the principle of not harming civilians¨Che¡¯s a truemander.¡±


    Snke¡¯s restraint was indeed admirable.


    But Lance knew that if the Western Tribes¡® second prince became the new Lycan King, he¡¯d likely act on the truth. Given his belligerent nature, Bloodscar Border would be in peril, and even Snke couldn¡¯t stop him.


    .


    Turning to Adide, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s tone softened. ¡°I¡¯ve discussed with Lycan Luna the possibility of Adide serving as a royal priestess.¡±


    Lance, preupied with the Western Tribes¡® internal strife, absent¨Cmindedly agreed.


    Then, realizing what was said, he shot upright, his inebriation gone. ¡°You want Adide to enter the royal pce as a priestess?¡±


    The royal court had priestess positions, but they were essentially for breeding purposes.


    Lycans valued tradition¨Cone mate per werewolf¨Cbut the royal family sought more heirs.


    Thus, they appointed priestesses, selecting strong, noble¨Cblooded she¨Cwolves.


    This was why Erasmus hadn¡¯t outright rejected Ulrik¡¯s request to take Velda as his second mate.


    ¡°What¡¯s the excitement for?¡± Erasmus nced at Lance. ¡°She¡¯s earned merits and is the sole heir of the Frostfang Pack. Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates will inevitably rally behind her. Women¡¯s hearts are fickle; if exploited, she might tarnish her father¡¯s legacy. Bing a priestess is the safest path.¡±


    Lance¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°She¡¯s only been to war once. Why such precaution?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better to prepare than to remediate,¡± Erasmus said sternly. ¡°Your reaction¡¯s excessive. She¡¯s your subordinate, but her future isn¡¯t yours to dictate. My decision to make her a priestess is final.¡±


    3


    ¡°Have you asked her? Does she want this? Why confine such a she¨Cwolf? If you fear her amassing power, arrange a mate for her.¡±


    Impatiently pacing, Lance added, ¡°Moreover, her amassing power is a baseless concern. Why such severity?¡±


    ¡°A mate? Who¡¯s worthy? Ordinary wolves won¡¯t do. If a powerful pack allies with her Frostfang Pack, isn¡¯t that forming a power base? I couldn¡¯t take the risk earlier.¡±


    ¡°But now, with no outstanding young generals, isn¡¯t keeping her in the pce a waste of talent?¡± Lance¡¯s fingers subconsciously tapped his sword hilt, the wolf¡¯s¨Chead emblem gleaming in the candlelight.


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    ¡°A priestess can still wage war,¡± Erasmus remarked, ying with his wolf¨Cbone seal. ¡°I want her Frostfang Pack aligned with the royal family, not imprisoned in a gilded cage.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t agree,¡± Lance insisted, stepping forward as his armor tes clinked. ¡°And I deem it improper.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s improper? Who in the capital better suits her lineage than the pce?¡± Erasmus sneered. ¡°You just suggested she take a mate. Now you object?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus pressed his hand down. ¡°Sit. I know you value talent, but with no wars now, I believe you can train fine generals. As for Adide¡¯s consent, once my decree is issued, she mustply, regardless of her feelings.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this imposing on someone?¡± Lance was momentarily flustered. ¡°I think we should ask Adide first.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus stared at him for a long moment. ¡°Lance, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve taken a liking to her?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Lance hesitated, recalling his earlier words. If he and Adide were to be mates, Lycan Erasmus would be even more apprehensive.


    ¡°If you have no intention of mating with her, there¡¯s no need for objection. Inquire her feelings, but know this¨Cmy decision stands. Mymand will follow,¡± Erasmus said, his tone brooking no dissent. O


    Lanceughed bitterly. ¡°Lycan Luna rissa won¡¯t agree to this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll persuade her. Don¡¯t you worry about that. Tomorrow, go to the Frostfang Pack and speak with her,¡± Lycan Erasmus said with finality.


    His gaze locked onto Lance¡¯s, and he delivered the crushing blow, ¡°Consider this an order.¡±


    The immense aura of the Lycan King pressed down on Lance, making Lance hard to breathe.


    His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but one thing stood out clearly: he couldn¡¯t let Lycan Erasmus bring Adide into the pce as a priestess.


    A spirit like hers shouldn¡¯t <i>be </i>confined to the pce, even if she wasn¡¯t on the battlefield.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, she can¡¯t be a priestess. I disagree. She¡¯s my subordinate; you can¡¯t take her by force without her consent.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a valid reason,¡± Erasmus retorted. 7


    ¡°She¡¯s just emerged from a terrible marriage. At least grant her time to heal and rebuild trust in men. Respect her feelings instead of forcing her into submission.¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Do you apply such leniency in war? Do you consider the enemy¡¯s feelings?¡±


    2


    Lance stood firm. ¡°She¡¯s not the enemy.¡± D

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lance stared at the cold¨Cgleaming moon¨Ccrown emblem on the throne. His wolf¡¯s¨Chead mark burned with agitation.


    The Lycan King before him was no longer the brother who¡¯d given him frosted cakes in childhood but a sovereign wielding authority.


    He realized from the start this argument was unwinnable.


    If Lycan Erasmus issued a decree, Adide would have no choice but toply.


    Yet, he refused to back down.


    0


    His fingers brushed the wolf¨Cbone dagger at his waist. ¡°Adide has just returned from battle, her nds still searing from prolonged shifting. You¡¯d have her be a priestess in such a state?¡± he said.


    His battlefield edge seemed to return. Standing before Lycan Erasmus, he made no effort to hide his protective stance regarding Adide.


    ¡°Besides, after the Davidson family was ughtered, and with Adide now having earned merits for our kingdom, can you bear to force her into priesthood? All for such a ridiculous concern?¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s vertical pupils narrowed to silver lines in the candlelight, his white musk pheromones rolling in like ciers.


    After a silence, Erasmus sighed, ¡± Honestly, I¡¯m not really worried about her building her own power base -that¡¯s just an excuse. I genuinely like and admire her. Making her a priestess is about protection, and also¡­¡±


    ¡°Also possessiveness?¡± Lance shed his cloak, revealing his smoke¨Cstained armor. ¡°The Davidsons sacrificed their lives to guard the southern border for the kingdom. Would you chain her with ¡®protection¡°?¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s palm clenched, and high¨Crank pheromones shattered the starlight gems on the ceiling. ¡°Watch your tone, Lance. A priestess is the highest honor for a she¨Cwolf in the pce.¡±


    ¡°You have no shortage of beautiful she¨Cwolves. To bind her life with mere fondness and admiration is unjust.¡±


    Erasmus mmed the table. ¡°Who I appoint as priestess <b>is </b>my prerogative. Don¡¯t meddle in my private affairs just because you¡¯ve earned some merits.¡±


    ¡°I will meddle. To the end,¡± Lance roared, his face flushed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll issue the order tomorrow!¡± Erasmus dered.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll stay here. Whoever drafts that document will answer to me,¡± Lance shouted.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll draft it myself. Do you dare stop me?¡± Erasmus sneered.


    12:59 am D


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    Lance bellowed, ¡°Beta Fabian, send word to my pack. Let my Beta prepare clothes. I¡¯ll be staying in the pce these next few days. If Erasmus writes that priestess¨Cappointment document, I¡¯ll snap his quill.¡±


    Erasmus red. ¡°How childish can you be?¡±


    ¡°Adide is my subordinate. If I don¡¯t protect her, who will?¡± Lance retorted.


    ¡°How do you know she won¡¯t consent to being a priestess?¡±


    ¡°How do you know she will?<b>¡± </b>


    They were brothers, locked in a face¨Coff, while Fabian outside seemed used to such scenes.


    He just smiled slightly, gesturing to keep others away.


    ¡°I promise,¡± Erasmus turned, his voice softer, ¡°I¡¯ll have my Luna speak with her. If she chooses to stay in the pce, the priestess crown awaits. If she wishes to return to the Frostfang Pack¡­¡±


    He paused, gazing at the darkening sky. ¡°The southern border¡¯s defense is vacant. It needs a general so formidable that the Western Tribes quiver at the mention of her name.¡±


    Lance sat down, stretching his legs. ¡°Not returning today. Staying here, drunk.¡±


    Outside the pce, Beta Fabian listened to the banter from the hall and shook his head helplessly.


    Erasmus ordered Lance sent to Prisci Daniz¡¯s residence.


    Prisci, Lance¡¯s birth mother and rissa¡¯s sister, was the former Lycan King¡¯s priestess.


    Erasmus had nned for Prisci to live with Lance¡¯s pack, but Lance, mate¨Cless, hadn¡¯t made room.


    After seeing Lance off, Erasmus chuckled wryly.


    This younger brother of his was incredibly brave in battle, yet when it came to rtionships, he was as indecisive as theye, totally unlike a werewolf general.


    ¡°Keep the cedar incense burning for two more hours in the corridor,¡± Erasmus instructed Beta Fabian, the wolf¨Chead ring on his finger gleaming under the wallmp. ¡°Lance¡¯s battlefield stench could wake the moon goddess statue.¡±


    Fabian acknowledged. Once the attendants left, he asked quietly, ¡°Shall we head to Lycan Luna now?¡±


    ¡°First, the moon goddess altar,¡± Erasmus said, sinking into the carved throne. The moon¨Ccrown emblem on his forehead faintly glowed. ¡°The wolf¨Chead banner flies again over Darkw Town¡¯s battlements. The moon goddess should hear our howls.¡±


    Closing his eyes, Erasmus still saw Adide¡¯s signature on the war report¨Celegant silver¨Csage script, smudged with blood.


    Fabian offered warm moon goddess tea. The broth reflected the crimson in Erasmus¡¯s eyes¨Cthree days of reviewing military reports without rest<b>. </b>


    12:59 am


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    ¡°Have you truly set your sights on making Adide a priestess?¡± Fabian¡¯s pheromones trembled with caution. ¡°I recall Lycan Luna rissa always said Adide¡¯s wolf spirit belongs on the battlefield, not at the altar.¡±

 Novel Male 107

    Thin Peran POW


    MB Free Come


    Tyr Pramen Braced showapa him. Would I reallypete with my own brother for a girlfriend? Born of Had auch intentions riss would never agree. She and Aire were close friends; she¡¯d oppose Edesade Bing a prevede 2


    Jam Sucked, Thnew you jue wanted to push them a hit. You¡¯d never truly confine Adide to the patare


    As he spoke headle a dance a Lyem Bramue


    He wore a smile, but it canned a hint of worry


    Bramus lighet ¡°When Alpha Bentley diet. Lance was ordered to bante. Before leaving, he visited the Brating Park, asking fire to war for him until he reimed the southern border and could bond with


    ¡°Yes freils ageed to Adide and Ulriks mating. I dared not inform Lance for fear of distracting him. Bor his Beta eventually wrote to him. He must¡¯ve been heartbroken back then. Erasmus said. massaging his foretical


    Things took an unexpected turn. Ulrik after achieving merits. requested to mate Velda. And Adide showed no attachment to him. Ar first. I doubted her feelings, thinking she acted an impulse. But I realized I underestimated her I wondered if Lance will had a chance but worried he¡¯d reject her.¡±


    Faven gunned. <b>Your </b>probing just now showed Lance still cares for Adide.¡±


    Bramus morted. So what? Even after our heated argument, he only insisted she was his subordinate and couldn¡¯t admit his lingering feelings. I¡¯ll push him further and have Lycan Luna talk to Adide


    ¡°Of course <i>he </i>wouldn¡¯t dare admit it. If he said he liked her after you proposed making her a priestess, it¡¯d Be like challenging you Naturally he¡¯d show respect.¡± Fabian said.


    Respect When he red at me, <i>he </i>looked ready to strike. Erasmus muttered. Help me up. That argument¡¯s left me lightheaded


    Nonsense. You¡¯re just apsy from happiness. Fabian retorted, supporting Erasmus as they headed to the moon goddess altar nked by royal guards and Omega torch¨Cbearers.


    Ar the Frufing Pack¡¯s hall, Adide heard the familiarvender scent of Beata¡¯s Omegas as the bronze wolf¨Cfeat door opened.


    ¡°Alpha Adide<i>!</i>¡± Beata shrieked darting forward. Her moonstone earrings g¨¹nted in the moonlight. You¡¯re back. If you¡¯d been gone three more days, Beta Valentine would¡¯ve led the pack guards to the wather harder


    Adnde les Beara nuzzle her bloodstained cloak, dicking the Omega¡¯s heated ear tip. ¡°Battlefield howls are tea times louder than your voice. What¡¯s there to worry about?


    11/2


    1:00 am DDD


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    Beta Valentine stood on the steps, his temples¡® silver hair gleaming under the porch light.


    The wolf¨Chead emblem on his chest faintly shimmered. ¡°Alpha Adide, Alpha Bentley would¡¯ve been proud of your achievements,¡± he said.


    ¡°Valentine, you make me sound like a veteran wolf returning triumphantly,¡± Adide remarked, epting a cup of wolfsbane tea from him. The cup featured the Frostfang Pack¡¯s emblem. ¡°No new battlefronts for the Frostfang Pack?¡±


    2


    ¡°If rogue wolves saw our new war g, they¡¯d flee,¡± Valentine joked. ¡°Paisley¡¯s crew came back moring for meat¨Cthey emptied half the deer jerky stash.¡±


    Passing through the silver¨Cmoon¨Cgrass¨Ccarpeted corridor, two Omegas approached with cedar¨Ccarved gift


    boxes.


    Adide noticed the wolf¨Chead silver hairpins in their ears¨Ctrophies she¡¯d brought back from the battlefield, now gleaming under the wallmps.


    ¡°Hot water¡¯s ready,¡± Beata whispered in her ear. ¡°Scented with your favorite Bloodmoon roses. A gift from Lycan Luna rissa, with a note saying, ¡®Even battle¨Cscarred ws deserve a floral soak.¡°¡±


    In the hall¡¯s center, the wolf¨Cshaped candle holder flickered.


    Adide gazed at the wolf¨Chead¨Ccarved dome and recalled herst night at the southern border, vowing to rebuild the Frostfang Pack¡¯s altar.


    Though the calluses on her palms hadn¡¯t faded, pce rituals awaited.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Paisley and the others?¡± she asked, unfastening her armor, the stench of blood and gunpowder filling the air.


    ¡°Snoring in the guest rooms,¡± Valentine said, offering a silver¨Cwolf¨Cembroidered robe. ¡°Avery threw his armor into the hallway; Ang¡¯s rose¨Cgold dagger is lodged in the doorframe¨Cthey n to sleep for three days, challenging anyone who dares wake them.¡±


    Beatabed through Adide¡¯s tangled hair, her fingers skimming the remnants of silver¨Cmoon grass in her hair. ¡°A messenger from the pce arrived- says they¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    Adide arched a brow at the copper mirror, her reflection revealing the fading scar of her temporary mark. ¡°Tell them to wait. I need to soak off the Dragon Ash Wolf Kingdom¡¯s blood first, lest I stain the


    carpets.¡±


    The bathwater rose to her shoulders, blending with the scent of Bloodmoon roses.


    Adide gazed at her reflection, recalling Lance¡¯s words on the battlements of Darkw Town, ¡°The Frostfang Pack¡¯s starlight awaits your reignition.¡±

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    Next day at noon, sunlight streamed through the window. A knock car


    Valomin¡¯s voice mes steady like a Beta¡¯s ¡°The pce guard wolves are waiting at the bonder?


    Adide could have slept longer but she got ups


    While putting on makeups, she yawned and asked. ¡°Beata, are Mister and the others up


    Not yet There still sleeping Last night. Resta slept on a couch in Adide¡¯s room, feeling safe by her


    ¡°Don¡¯t wake them Let them sleep as long as they need Adide know they were beat She wished she could sleeps till tomorrow.


    Beata felt a pang of heartache. I know. Valentin said the same. He told me that when Alpha Bentler came back from the battlefield yours ages, he was the same test as hell, slept or days¡±


    ¡°Mmmm Adide nodded, changing the subject. ¡°Are the visitors from the pce rissas people or Lycan Brass


    Beata shook her head. ¡°Neither. They re from tycan Lama Cami


    Adide was taken alsack Lycan Lanna Camille Lyon Mrasmus Lake¡±


    She¡¯d only met Cami once when she dropped by to greet rissa after returning from the Shadow Mountains


    That visit was quick, and she didn¡¯t really get a good look at Cami


    Cami¡¯s father was the financial director of the royal council. She was from the Cente Pick, which had a century¨Clong history


    The Cente Pack had produced many werewolves who worked for the royal council. Lycan Lama had been a renowned elite even before her shift.


    But since she had bonded with Lycan Erasmus carly on. Adide had never met her


    Adide had left for the Shadow Peaks early and hadn¡¯t attended many balls upon her return, so she was quite unfamiliar with Lycan Luna Cami.


    Why would Lycan Luna Cami want to see her?


    Without overthinking it, she had some breakfast and headed to the pce with Beata


    The bronze wolf¨Chead pce door shut behind Adide. Her boot heel crushed thest patch of snow Lycan Luna¡¯s Omega Medici was already waiting at the Moonlight Hall porch. The moon goddes emblem on her silver ne matched her wolf¨Chead earrings


    18


    1:01 am


    +10 Free Coins


    Seeing Adide, Omega Medici smiled and congratted her on the Southern Border victory.


    Before Adide could utter a humble word, Omega Medici turned and led Adide and Beata toward the Moonlight Hall, where Lycan Luna Cami lived.


    Adide¡¯s wolf¨Chead emblem cloak fluttered with each step, revealing the shadow fang totem beneath.


    Beata, an Omega, trailed behind with droopy ears¨Cthis was her first time deep in the pce. Her reflection on the marble floor showed her nervousness.


    It was a long walk.


    Omega Medici remained silent the entire time, walking ahead with a somewhat lonely demeanor.


    Adide and Beata exchanged nces. They couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Lycan Luna¡¯s meeting might not be friendly.


    But Adide stayed calm, not overly worried. Lycan Luna Cami had been nice during their previous encounter. And as a general who had just returned victorious, she shouldn¡¯t be messed with.


    Instead of taking them to the conference hall, Omega Medici led them to a smaller, more secluded room.


    Only then did Omega Medici speak. ¡°Gamma Adide, please wait a moment. Lycan Luna Cami will be here shortly.¡±


    de nodded slightly.


    xited.


    etly observed the room¡¯s decor and remarked to Adide in a hushed tone, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Lycan alives a very simple life. Seems like it¡¯s true.¡±


    Adide whispered back, ¡°Don¡¯t gossip about royalty behind their backs.¡±


    ¡°Right away, Alpha Adide!¡± Beata straightened up.


    After about half an hour of waiting with no sign of Lycan Luna, coffee was served.


    But the coffee was far from good, with a distinct sour taste.


    Fifteen minutester, the sound of a wolf¨Chead scepter striking the ground echoed from outside the hall.


    Beata immediately stood at attention, but Adide recognized the approaching woman the moment she caught the white musk pheromones. Lycan Luna Cami¡¯s moon goddess totem cloak swept across the threshold, and her silk shoes embroidered with star wolf patterns gleamed with a pearly luster under the fluorescence.


    ¡°Adide Davidson,¡± Cami¡¯s voice was like melted silver honey, yet carried the inherent pressure of a high¨Cranking Alpha. ¡°I¡¯ve read the Southern Border battle report seventeen times. Your father must be so proud.¡±


    1:01


    +10 Free Coins


    1


    Adide dropped to one knee, the scar of her temporary mark on the back of her neck growing warm under the pheromone impact. ¡°The glory of the Frostfang Pack is forged by the ws and teeth of its warriors.¡±


    She kept her head down and noticed the shoes of Lycan Luna¨Cdelicate shoe surfaces iid with rubies.


    Previously, Beata had mentioned that Lycan Luna preferred simplicity. However, reality told a different story.


    Adide had once visited the conference hall of the Moonlight Hall. Though notvishly adorned, every item there was of premium quality. Even the tea cup trays were made of silver.


    Just like her current attire, which was elegant and understated, yet entuated with exquisite essories.


    Lifting her hand to gesture for Adide to rise, the shadow fang wolf¨Chead bracelet on Lycan Luna¡¯s wrist flickered with a faint light.


    ¡°Thank you, Lycan Luna Cami,¡± Adide and Beata stood up but remained standing.


    Lycan Luna scrutinized Adide.


    She had encountered this she¨Cwolf of the Davidson family once before, whose beauty was nothing short of stunning.


    Now, returning from the battlefield, her skin had lost some of its former fairness. Yet, whether a fleeting nce or a thorough examination, she stood up to any gaze, a peerless beauty.


    Recalling that Lycan Erasmus had asked her to inquire whether Adide would be willing to be a royal priestess, a tinge of sourness emerged in Lycan Luna¡¯s heart.


    A she¨Cwolf like Adide, who was both capable and beautiful, would likely be extremely favored by Lycan Erasmus should she be a priestess.

 Novel Male 109

    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Lycan Luna Cami understood well that even if Adide became a royal priestess, her status wouldn¡¯t surpass <b>her </b>own.


    But no, she<b>¨C</b>wolf relishes seeing her mate dote on another. As the Lycan King¡¯s mate, she had to ept such a destiny.


    She couldn¡¯t show a hint of jealousy.


    So, she smiled andplimented Adide on her contributions at the Southern Border. Then, with a meaningful tone, she said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity Alpha Ulrik doesn¡¯t recognize your worth. It¡¯s like a beautiful gem has been dulled by dust.¡±


    Adide heard it in as day. The remark was anything but subtle. It implied she was used goods, less precious than before.


    But she was puzzled.


    Why was Lycan Luna saying this?


    Cami lifted her mug and sipped the coffee, as if steeling herself.


    She looked up at Adide and said, ¡°Fortunately, a gem remains a gem. A mere wipe can rid it of dust. Miss Davidson, don¡¯t undervalue yourself. Sooner orter,someone will see your true shine.¡±


    Adide caught the implication. Lycan Luna Cami wanted to set her up with a mate.


    She was annoyed but kept a straight face. With a smile, she said, ¡°Thank you for your kind words. The past <b>is </b>the past. I¡¯m not one to look back. I¡¯ve spent my life in the Shadow Mountains learning to fight, so I¡¯ve got a bit of a wild streak. Even after two years back in the capital, I still feel constrained. But now that I¡¯ve severed ties with the Bloodmoon Pack, I¡¯m finally free.¡±


    In other words, she wanted nothing to do with finding a mate. Freedom was too precious.


    She hoped this would dissuade Lycan Luna Cami.


    But Cami just smiled. She didn¡¯t take Adide¡¯s words seriously.


    Remembering Lycan Erasmus¡¯s instructions, she decided to cut to the chase.


    She¡¯d already dropped enough hints. If Adide was smart, she¡¯d take the hint and decline.


    With a warm smile, she said, ¡°I like your honesty and grace, Miss Davidson. If you were a royal <b>priestess</b>, <b>you </b>could stay by my side. Lycan Erasmus would be thrilled.¡±


    Adide¡¯s lips parted, and she stared at Cami.


    Be a royal priestess so Lycan Erasmus would be happy?


    She¡¯d just earned military honors. <b>As </b><b>a </b>Gamma, Lycan Luna had no right to interfere. And Lycan Luna Cami wouldn¡¯t want her <b>as </b>a priestess, not after hurling ¡°dull gem¡± insults.


    So this <b>was </b>Lycan Erasmus¡¯s doing<b>? </b>


    Why?


    With <b>a </b>quick nce, Adide smiled and said, ¡°If you like me, I¡¯d be happy to be your sister. I¡¯m all alone now. I¡¯d love to have a sister to care for me.¡±


    Hearing this, Cami¡¯s face lit up. ¡°If I had a sister as brave and poised as Adide, I¡¯d grin even in my dreams<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide stood and bowed. ¡°I¡¯ll call you sister in my heart. Maybe one day, when I find my Second Chance, you¡¯ll preside over my bonding ceremony.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯d be delighted.¡±


    The conversation lightened. Cami became much warmer.


    But Adide was still confused.


    If Lycan Erasmus had no feelings for her, why did he want her as a priestess? What was his game?


    On her way out, she ran into Lance.


    He looked terrible, clearly still hungover.


    His face was unnaturally pale, and he was in yesterday¡¯s bloodstained battle¨Crobe.


    The dried blood reeked of gore and sweat, jarring in the pce¡¯s calm.


    His hair was neat, shing with his rusty, bloody robe and looking odd.


    Sunlight streamed through a wall crack onto his eyes, but couldn¡¯t dispel the exhaustion and gloom there.


    Adide approached. ¡°Alpha Lance, did you stay in the pcest night?¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡± He nodded, checking her out. ¡°You look nice, like a nobledy.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°I am a nobledy.¡±


    He froze, then nodded absently. ¡°What did Lycan Luna Cami want with you?¡±


    Adide raised an eyebrow. ¡°How did you know it was Lycan Luna Cami?¡±


    He knew<b>? </b>


    Lance rubbed his temple, seeming distracted. ¡°Oh, just a guess. You saw former Lycan Luna rissa <bst </b>night, so I figured you¡¯d meet Lycan Luna Cami next.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ¡°Clever guess. You must know something.¡±


    Adide thought for a second, then blurted, ¡°Has Lycan Erasmus mentioned wanting me as a royal priestess<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Better to ask outright.


    Lance nodded, eyes locked on hers. ¡°Are you in?¡±


    Adide was exasperated. ¡°Why would I agree? I see Lycan Erasmus as an older brother. How could I be his priestess<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Lance¡¯s eyes lit up. He started to speak, but she went on, ¡°When I was little, you and Lycan Erasmus would visit my brothers. I¡¯ve always seen you as family. Our statuses may differ now, but that bond hasn¡¯t changed.¡±


    Lance froze. ¡°Family?¡± 2

 Novel Male 110

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide looked at his dazed expression and decided to be direct, ¡°If it¡¯s convenient for you, Alpha Lance, <b>please </b>pass on this message to Lycan Erasmus¨CI have no interest in the royal priesthood.¡±


    Lance stared at the silver moon grass earrings on her ears, and a hoarse howl rumbled in his throat, ¡°You regard both of us <b>as </b>family?¡±


    His tailbone, under the armor, twitched uneasily¨Ca instinctive reaction when a werewolf¡¯s sore spot was touched.


    1


    ¡°Yes,¡± Adide straightened the wolf totem on her cloak.


    She thought she had made her stance clear to both Lycan Luna and Lance, so Lycan Erasmus should understand her intentions by now.


    She said, ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you anymore, Alpha Lance. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±


    Lance watched the silver¨Cblue cape flutter as she turned around. His wolf ears under the golden crown shuddered fiercely: family?


    He cursed inwardly, his nails subconsciously digging into his palm¨Chis inner wolf was restlessly digging in his consciousness.


    To hell with that. Who wants to be her brother?


    He has a half¨Csister from the same mother. He doesn¡¯t need another.


    After pondering Adide¡¯s words, Lance turned back to the pce.


    Perhaps she wanted to use him to send a firm rejection to Lycan Erasmus.


    When Lycan Erasmus finished dealing with important matters, Lance sneaked into the study again.


    Seeing Lance still in yesterday¡¯s clothes, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s irritation red. The stench instantly overpowered the ambergris in the hall. He snapped, ¡°Did you not change at Prisci¡¯s? If you have no clean clothes, go back to the pack this instant.¡±


    Lance slumped into <b>a </b>seat like a hoodlum. ¡°I was leaving, but I ran into Adide at the door. She said Lycan Luna Cami summoned her. Want to hear what she said?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus, intrigued by Lance¡¯s smugness, asked, ¡°And what did she say?¡±


    Lance grinned, revealing his teeth. ¡°She said she regards both you and me as older brothers<b>, </b><b>as </b>family.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s quill snapped. Ink sttered across the parchment in a wolf¨Cshaped blot. ¡°Both <b>of </b><b>us</b>?¡±


    He burst intoughter, fixing Lance with a mocking <b>gaze</b><b>. </b>¡°Seems the Frostfang whelp confuses camaraderie with kinship.¡±


    But Lance<b>, </b>trying <b>to </b><b>stay </bposed, said, ¡°At <b>least </b>she refused the royal priesthood.¡±


    He could <b>slowly </b>build a rtionship with her. <b>He </b>stood up and left the study directly.


    Lycan Erasmus watched Lance leave, his knuckles tapping the wolf¨Ccarved table edge. Suddenly, he called out, ¡°Beta Fabian!¡±


    ¡°Here!¡± Beta Fabian swiftly entered and bowed.


    ¡°Ry my order,¡± Lycan Erasmus said, ¡°If Adide hasn¡¯t found a mate in three months, appoint her as the New Moon Priestess<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Beta Fabian lowered his eyes and responded, ¡°Yes, Lycan Erasmus!¡±


    ¡°Also, inform Alpha Lance of mymand. But keep it concise.¡± Lycan Erasmus added.


    Fabian said, ¡°Yes, understood. I¡¯ll get to it right away.¡±


    ¡°Go.¡± Lycan Erasmus lowered his lids, speaking indifferently.


    Shortly after Beta Fabian left, word came that Lycan Luna Cami had arrived.


    Lycan Erasmus, of course, knew why his mate hade. He said, ¡°I see.¡±


    Cami entered with Omega Medici, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup.


    Her voice, like melted silver honey, rang out as the shadow fang wolf¨Chead bracelet on her wrist clicked, ¡°I¡¯ve prepared this deer bone silver moon grass soup specially.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus nodded slightly, ¡°Put it down.¡±


    He picked up the bowl and drained it in one gulp. The blood moon rose scent exploded on his tongue.


    Setting down the porcin bowl, he asked, ¡°What did Adide say?¡±


    Cami<b>, </b>seated nearby, replied gently, ¡°I spoke with her. She was surprised, then declined. Said she¡¯d be happy to take me as her sister.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus nodded, ¡°Hmm, noted.¡±


    Cami scrutinized Lycan Erasmus cautiously.


    <b>He </b>showed no displeasure, but his gaze was strange. Clearly, he cared.


    She paused, then said, ¡°I think Adide¡¯s proposal is splendid. I have no <b>sister</b>; perhaps I could¡­¡­¡±


    Lycan Erasmus looked up, his eyes cold, ¡°What? No <b>sister</b>, so you want one? So many she¨Cwolves in the world. Why her?<b>¡± </b>


    Hearing this, Cami knew he hadn¡¯t given up. She smiled, ¡°<b>I </b>simply like her. <b>If </b>you disapprove<b>, </b><b>consider </b>


    it unsaid.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Lycan Erasmus <b>fell </b>silent, returning to <b>his </b>documents. 1


    <b>After </b>sitting for a while and seeing he had nothing more to say, Cami rose. ¡°I won¡¯t keep you then<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Mmm, go ahead,¡± Lycan Erasmus said without looking up.


    Cami couldn¡¯t hide her dejection.


    In public, they maintained mutual respect.


    In private, Lycan Erasmus was perpetually impatient with her, often not even lifting his head to speak.


    Even when priestly disputes arose, no matter who was at fault, he stayed out of it.


    The only task he¡¯d assigned her since they bonded was to ask Adide about the priesthood¨Ca clear sign of Adide¡¯s special ce in his heart.


    He truly cared for Adide.


    But why did he value her so much?


    Cami felt despondent. Her status was secure, but without Lycan Erasmus¡¯s affection, what good was it?


    Would he only look at her differently if she helped make Adide a priestess<b>? </b>

 Novel Male 111

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I had just returned to the Frostfang Pack when <b>I </b>saw Beta Fabian waiting for me in the Packhouse conference hall.


    Beata told me that Fabian had been waiting for a while.


    He <b>was </b>dressed neatly, carrying the air of royalty¨Cauthoritative and proper.


    ¡°This is a new order from Lycan Erasmus,¡± Beta Fabian said, handing me a sealed scroll bearing the royal wolf¨Chead stamp.


    I opened it and was stunned. It said that if I couldn¡¯t find a suitable mate in three months, I¡¯d be summoned to the pce as the New Moon Priestess.


    My cedar pheromones froze instantly. The silver¨Cblue wolf hair behind my ears bristled like steel needles.


    My nails shot out three inches, scratching the parchment and leaving five scorched marks with a sulfurous smell.


    ¡°Three months¡­ New Moon Priestess?¡± The howl that rumbled in my throat shattered the hall¡¯s crystal chandelier. The shards hovered in the air, sharpened into ice spikes by my chaotic pheromones.


    In my mind¡¯s eye, my wolf was tearing at the bonding chains.


    Its golden¨Cred pupils reflected the moon goddess blood oath on the scroll. ¡°They want to pull out your fangs and turn you into a breeding bitch!¡±


    Beta Fabian¡¯s pheromones struggled to calm my cedar aura. ¡°Calm down, Alpha Adide¡­¡­.¡±


    I quickly had everyone leave, except Beta Fabian.


    ¡°Beta Fabian, tell me honestly, what is Lycan Erasmus really up to?¡±


    Beta Fabian lowered his head slightly, his gaze cautious.


    ¡°Alpha Adide, don¡¯t panic,¡± he tried to soothe me. ¡°From the Lycan King¡¯s perspective, maybe he thinks three months is enough time for the right person to emerge.¡±


    I disagreed, my voice edged with anger, ¡°If he genuinely wanted me as New Moon Priestess, why the pretense? This three¨Cmonth thing is just to embarrass me publicly.¡±


    Beta Fabian shook his head gently.¡°Alpha Adide, consider this: he might be testing if anyone would defy this order to be with you. It¡¯s a way to measure your future mate¡¯s loyalty.¡±


    ¡°A <b>test</b>?<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>sneered. ¡°What kind of test is this? Who would dare be with me once this order¡¯s out?¡±


    Beta <b>Fabian </b>sighed helplessly.¡°You see Lycan Erasmus <b>as </b>an older brother. He worries about your Second Chance<b>; </b>it makes <b>sense</b><b>.¡± </b>


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>I </b>clenched my fists, furious.¡°What¡¯s the difference between this and forcing me into the priesthood?¡±


    In my mind, my wolf was biting at the golden cor in the void.


    <b>Its </b>silver¨Cblue fur stood on end, and in my mental realm, it kicked up a hurricaneden with <b>ice </b><b>des</b>.


    ¡°Bullshit! Damn it!¡±


    It roared in my head.


    Beta Fabian was speechless.


    Seeing him sigh, I grew more restless.


    I knew this wasn¡¯t simple.


    I¡¯d known Lycan Erasmus since childhood, but I didn¡¯t understand how he operated.


    When I studied at the Shadow Peaks, we barely contacted each other.


    After I returned, my father and brothers had already died. I was too busy dealing with changes to think about him.


    Now, this strange order left me puzzled.


    Why issue this after I dissolved my mate bond and went to war?


    He had Lycan Luna gauge my stance first, then set this three¨Cmonth deadline.


    What did it all mean?


    Was it really, as Beta Fabian said, to test my future mate?


    But that was too harsh.


    After Beta Fabian left, Beata told me Paisley and the others had finally woken from their long sleep.


    They washed up, still sleepy, and devoured the food on the table like ravenous wolves.


    When I arrived, the table was clean.


    Halbert sat slumped in his chair, hair messy, clearly unkempt.


    Rubbing his round belly, he said weakly,¡°Slept so long, even my dreams <b>were </b>busy. One moment I was fighting on the battlefield, next I was marching back to the capital. Tiring stuff.¡±


    <b>Paisley </b>frowned and said,¡°Same here. My dreams were full of des and blood, Killing felt nothing on the battlefield, but now it haunts me. I never want to go to war again.¡±


    <b>Avery </b>and Ang exchanged nces and nodded, sharing the sentiment.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Looking <b>at </b>them, I said seriously, ¡°Think about it: if you don¡¯t kill them<b>, </b>they¡¯ll kill our warriors. <b>Better </b>them dead than our people <b>sacrificed</b>. They invaded the Southern Border, killing our warriors and tormenting locals for years. Mercy to them <b>is </b>cruelty to our people.¡±


    ¡°<b>Makes </b><b>sense</b><b>,</b>¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Adide, <b>we </b>n to return to the Shadow Peaks,¡± Ang said.


    Though they didn¡¯t borate, I understood.


    The war and killings had left them conflicted and restless.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 112

    <b>Adide¡¯s </b>POV


    I didn¡¯t tell them about Lycan Erasmus¡¯s strange order. Since <b>I </b>didn¡¯t get his aim, telling them would just spread the worry.


    My wolf purred in my mind, its silver¨Cblue spiritual form tapping my nerves with its tail.


    I pulled my thoughts back and said sincerely, ¡°The Dragon Ash werewolves killed my father and brothers. I went to the Southern Border mainly to revenge.¡±


    Ripples spread in my cedar pheromones, and the silver¨Cblue wolf hair behind my ears trembled slightly with my emotion.


    When I mentioned ¡°hatred¡°, the golden w medallion on my chest suddenly burst intova patterns, and wolf totems flowed on the dark red ribbon.


    After my exnation, the atmosphere visibly rxed.


    That¡¯s right, my father and brothers were killed by the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom.


    By werewolf rules, blood debts are paid in blood.


    They helped me revenge, so there¡¯s no need to think further.


    I brushed off my worries and suggested, ¡°We¡¯re all rested and fed. Let¡¯s go out, shop, and buy some gifts for the teachers<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Good idea, but we¡¯re broke. Lycan Erasmus hasn¡¯t rewarded us yet.¡± Avery looked at me pleadingly. ¡°You don¡¯t think he forgot, did you?¡±


    ¡°This kid¡¯s starved,¡± my wolf sneered in my mind,va patterns crawling from the medallion up my corbone.


    Iforted him with a smile, ¡°He won¡¯t forget. Lycan Erasmus promised a reward, and it¡¯ll be generous.¡±


    ¡°If I got ten million, our Ancient Moon Pack¡¯s ten¨Cyear operating costs would be covered,¡± Avery said with a grin.


    The totem of his Ancient Moon Pack flickered on his neck.


    I knew Avery¡¯s pack had few male wolves, with only him in the Alpha family,


    The Ancient Moon Pack lived in the Shadow Peaks onnd bought by the Warscar Training Camp, so they paid annual rent to the camp.


    Plus, with no external businesses, the pack struggled financially.


    His nails scraped the <b>basalt </b>table, sparking. ¡°My mother won¡¯t have to steal leftovers from the camp at midnight anymore!¡±


    +10 Free Coins


    ¡°After getting the reward, I¡¯ll buy more <b>cosmetics</b><b>. </b>The teacher probably won¡¯t scold <b>me </b>for going to <b>war</b>¡­¡­ Wait, <b>I </b><b>also </b>need to buy some jewelry¡­..¡±


    <b>Paisley </b>cut him off mercilessly, ¡°The teacher would scold you for fighting, and if you bought those things<b>, </b><b>a </b>beating would be the lightest punishment. She might even chop off your wolf tail!¡±


    Everyone roared withughter. Come to think of it, it was likely.


    Avery¡¯s pheromones exploded, carrying the damp grass scent of a new moon.


    Paisley¡¯s crimson pheromones erupted like a volcano, sulfur over powering Avery¡¯s grassy smell.


    Her wolf¨Chead belt spat sparks as herva wolf tail cracked the ground tiles with a snap. ¡°Mentor Irene¡¯s whip is a hundred times worse than tail¨Cchopping pain!¡±


    Everyone smiled.


    Before leaving the Frostfang territory, Tommy from Alpha Lance¡¯s group hurried to tell them to collect their rewards.


    Sure enough, Paisley and the three others each received five million.


    I got twenty million for my role in the city¨Cbreaking battle and was titled ¡°Golden w¡± Werewolf General.


    Though no specific post yet, it was a great honor.


    Avery clutched his five¨Cmillion card, as excited as a protective pup.


    Paisley, seeing his look, shoved her card into his hand too. ¡°Take mine. I don¡¯t care for it.¡±


    ¡°A bank card? You¡¯re giving up such a good thing?¡± Avery¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got enough. Why care?¡± Paisley shrugged indifferently.


    I smiled nearby. True, for Paisley, money was never an issue. What shecked was genuine care.


    Avery took both cards eagerly.


    He asked curiously, ¡°Who doesn¡¯t love money? How rich are you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not much. Just enough to support the whole pack and all family businesses,¡± Paisley said lightly, as if it were nothing.


    Avery¡¯s eyes bulged again. ¡°No wonder your life¡¯s <b>so </bfortable without much business. Now I know why!¡±


    We trained together in the Shadow Mountains, learningbat skills, but we didn¡¯t know much about <b>each </b>other¡¯s backgrounds.


    <b>Paisley </b>obviously wanted to drop the topic. ¡°Let¡¯s <b>go </b>shopping <b>as </b>nned<b>.¡± </b>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    So, I left with everyone in high spirits.


    They first withdrew cash from the bank, then hit the busiest street.


    Along the way, they browsed every shop that caught their eye and bought anything they liked, spending generously.


    C

 Novel Male 113

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik received five million.


    As the general who led the werewolf warriors to the Southern Border, he certainly put in effort on the battlefield with a respectable kill count.


    He also yed a role in assisting Adide¡¯s city¨Cbreaking assault, not a ster contribution, but enough to im some credit.


    However, his failure to manage Velda nearly caused the mission to fail.


    The team Velda led was not only annihted but also suffered over ten captured members¨Ca critical oversight on Ulrik¡¯s part.


    Having endured the whip punishment and other penalties on Velda¡¯s behalf, he didn¡¯t get a promotion this time, just the five million.


    Rosemary was beside herself with rage when she heard the news.


    While five million wasn¡¯t pocket change, they had risked their lives on the battlefield, not for such a measly bonus.


    She knew Ulrik had been a strong candidate for promotion, but due to Velda, he ended up with just this bonus<b>. </b>


    The injustice of it all was almost too much to bear.


    Already in poor health, the repeated blows and overwhelming anger caused her to faint one night.


    The family urgently called a doctor, who managed to stabilize her.


    Now, it was time to buy medicine from Shaman Digby, but the family coffers were empty. The money for the afternoon tea party had been borrowed.


    The five million they now had, after debt repayment, left barely enough for medicine.


    Rosemary was disgusted. She had exerted herself for the war only to end up like this. The more she once adored Velda, the more she now despised her.


    Upon waking from her faint, she was livid to find Velda not by her bedside. ¡°What a curse has our pack weed home? She not only prevents her mate from receiving credit but alsocks basic filial piety!¡±


    ¡°Mother, the doctor said you mustn¡¯t get agitated. Your health is paramount,¡± Ulrik said gently, his brow lowered as he stayed by her side.


    Rosemary¡¯s decaying violet pheromones, mixed with the musty pine scent, exploded in the sickroom.


    Her rapidly growing wolf <b>ws </b>shredded the velvet bed canopy, moonstone dust falling from her <b>nails</b>.


    ¡°Just look at what you¡¯ve marked!¡± Rosemary eximed indignantly.


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik, has Velda truly been defiled?¡±


    Sabrina, also sleepless, kept her motherpany.


    Lately, she had heard numerous rumors about Velda. Whenever she socialized with other noble youngdies, people often gossiped about the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna, which infuriated her.


    Now at the age to seek a mate, her pack¡¯s Luna had be aughingstock.


    Ulrik frowned. ¡°She is my mate and our pack¡¯s Luna. You shall not address her by name.¡±


    Ulrik asserted his Alpha aura, but whether due to his sour mood or exhaustion, it didn¡¯t strongly threaten Sabrina.


    She retorted with a twist of her neck, ¡°A she¨Cwolf marked by countless others is unworthy of being our Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?!¡± Ulrik¡¯s fangs extended.


    This time, Sabrina didn¡¯t push further. Provoking an Alpha when already in the wrong wasn¡¯t wise.


    She pouted and, seeing her mother was out of danger, plunked down on the bed. ¡°Mother, Alpha Ulrik has his bonus. It¡¯s high time he bought me summer clothes. It¡¯s already June, and I¡¯m still inst year¡¯s outfits from Adide. Everyone¡¯s mocking me.¡±


    ¡°There you go again with buying thing<b></b>


    s!¡±


    Simon frowned, his tone full of helplessness. ¡°Tamara¡¯s in charge of the pack¡¯s finances now. We¡¯re already in the red. My bonus has to cover mother¡¯s medicine and keep the pack running.¡±


    As the youngest, Sabrina was always spoiled rotten.


    Her parents and elder brother doted on her, with Simon never uttering a harsh word.


    Now, hearing Simon scold her over this, tears instantly streamed down her face. ¡°It was Alpha Ulrik¡¯s foolishness to make this woman our Luna. Adide was so much better. When she was around, everything was perfectly arranged. The clothes and jewelry she provided were high¨Cend, thetest trends.¡±


    ¡°Now, how long has it been since I got new jewelry? Has our Bloodmoon Pack really fallen on such hard times?<b>¡± </b>


    She wiped her tears, crying even harder. ¡°We spent so much on the bonding ceremony and gave Velda¡¯s parents a fortune. What has she ever contributed to the pack?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Where does she evene from? She¡¯s a werewolf raised by rogues, only here because of the Lycan King¡¯s orders. She demands like a queen, without a clue about her own worth. Ugly and dark¨Cskinned, I can¡¯t fathom what our Alpha ever saw in her. He actually cast aside Adide for her.¡±


    Tamara couldn¡¯t endure it any longer and interjected, ¡°You weren¡¯t always <b>so </b>critical. You once eagerly


    <b>2/3 </b>


    wanted Velda in the pack and said many


    or do you just miss the clothes and jewelry she provided?¡±


    C

 Novel Male 114

    <b>3/3 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    At Tamara¡¯s words, Sabrina¡¯s heart filled with guilt. The light golden wolf hair on her ears bristled slightly from the emotional shock, and a reluctant whine rolled in her throat.


    As a member of the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Alpha family, her werewolf blood coursing with rage, she unconsciously extended half¨Cinch wolf ws from her fingertips, snagging the hem of her skirt.


    She soon became indignant with shame and leaped to her feet.


    She bellowed, ¡°We were all duped by Velda! We thought she¡¯d help Alpha Ulrik earn merits, but she not only failed to aid him but also dragged him down. She got captured herself, and who knows which werewolf marked her¡­¡­¡±


    Her words carried a sharp tang of sulfuric pheromones.


    Before she could finish, the sound of boot heels crushing moonstone tiles echoed from the doorway.


    Velda stormed in, her entire being enveloped in a minty pheromone blizzard. Her knuckles, mid¨Cshift from rage, revealed partial transformation.


    Five cold¨Cgleaming wolf ws tore through the air, leaving five bone¨Cdeep gashes on the doorframe.


    In three strides, she was inside, her wolf ws seizing Sabrina¡¯s cor with precision. The leather wrist guard snapped under the force, exposing scars of old battle wounds on her forearm.


    Two resounding ps,ced with werewolf aura, left Sabrina¡¯s ears ringing. Her nape nds stung under the minty pheromone suppression.


    Werewolves instinctively submit to their Luna and Alpha.


    Sabrina copsed onto the bed, her neck fur bristling with fear. She whimpered like a pup whose tail had been stepped on.


    Velda¡¯s face was terrifyingly stern, the cold light on her wolf ws reflecting the blood¨Cred vertical pupils in her eyes. ¡°One more word, and I¡¯ll tear your mouth apart!¡±


    Her low growl,ced with the smoke of battlefields, became a tangible pressure that knocked the wolf¨Chead tapestry askew.


    Sabrina, terrified by Velda¡¯s ferocity, tears streaming down her face, cried, ¡°Mother, she hit me.¡±


    Rosemary, seeing her daughter struck, her withered wolf ws scraped crescent¨Cshaped dents into the sofa


    armrest.


    As the retired Luna, her weakened wolf spirit barely mustered pale golden pheromones, flickering like an old oilmp. ¡°Ulrik, control your mate!¡±


    The aura in her voice couldn¡¯t even steady the flickering candle on the table.


    Ulrik <b>stepped </b>in front of Velda, <b>cedar </b>pheromones spreading like melting snow, attempting to <b>ease </b>the


    tension.


    But the pheromones carried evident exhaustion. The wounds on his body still showed red marks from the whip soaked in wolfsbane sap.


    ¡°How could you hit her?¡± <b>His </b>palm hovered over Velda¡¯s shoulder, trying to soothe her rage with Alpha pheromones<b>. </b>¡°She spoke out of turn. A reprimand would suffice.¡±


    Yet beneath his touch, her muscles<b>, </b>taut as bowstrings beneath her pauldron, still bore scars from wolf fangs on the Southern Border.


    Velda¡¯s eyes brimmed with disappointment and fury. Her minty pheromones intensified. ¡°And what if <b>I</b><b>, </b>as the pack¡¯s Luna, struck her? She nders me here¨Cwhy don¡¯t you reprimand her?¡±


    Her wolf w, still stained with splinters from the doorframe, sliced through the air. ¡°I can¡¯t stop the outside gossip, but in the Bloodmoon Pack, does a mere pup get to dictate terms?¡±


    Sabrina shrunk in the bed¡¯s corner, her wolf ears trembling with fear and grievance.


    Though she dared not meet Velda¡¯s cold¨Cgleaming wolf w, she retorted with a choke, ¡°It¡¯s not like I made it up¨Cit¡¯s what they say outside¡­¡­ You¡¯re just bullying me!¡±


    Her voice cracked with sobs but died in her throat as Velda¡¯s pheromones suddenly descended.


    Velda red coldly, the cold light on her wolf w flickering with each breath. ¡°I can¡¯t control what outsiders say, but I¡¯m in charge of you! I am your Luna!¡±


    As she turned, the Bloodmoon sigil on her skirt brushed Sabrina¡¯s bowed forehead. ¡°In this pack, Alpha Isaiah no longer manages affairs. Simon¡¯s idle, Tamara¡¯s weak-¡±


    Her voice dropped abruptly, her wolf w unconsciously stroking the empty medal clip on her waist, meant for the Bloodscar Border merit medal. ¡°Rosemary¡¯s always ill, can¡¯t even afford medicine, yet you have the gall to demand jewelry and clothes?¡±


    Her final words, forged in the battlefield¡¯s frost, mirrored her tone when addressing captives during the Snow Deer Vige massacre.


    Sabrina¡¯s nape nd contracted sharply, and atst, she silenced beneath this visceral killing intent.


    Velda¡¯s words struck each Tenar family member like a silver moon grass dagger.


    She had offended everyone present.


    Simon and Tamara¡¯s faces darkened instantly, both turning to Ulrik in unison.


    The usually low¨Ckey couple could no longer hide their shock.


    Rosemary<b>, </b>enraged almost to fainting, her wolf roaring weakly in her mind, her trembling finger pointed at Velda. ¡°You<b>¡­¡­ </b>how dare you¡­¡­¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    She struggled to speak, her

 Novel Male 115

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones exploded suddenly, his wolf¨Ctransformed knuckles gleaming silver.


    He stared at Velda¡¯s blood¨Cstained battle armor, recalling how she had recklessly charged for glory on the Southern Border, luring werewolf warriors into an ambush.


    Now, here she was, humiliating his family in a sickroom. Old and new grievances surged in his heart.


    ¡°Enough!¡± His palm, carrying the Alpha¡¯s aura, struck Velda¡¯s right cheek.


    The wolf¨Cw nails left three shallow red marks. ¡°Do you have any respect for your elders?¡±


    Velda stumbled back in shock, clutching her stinging check, disbelief etched on her face as she looked at the man who had once taken a knife for her in battle. ¡°You struck me?¡±


    Another p followed, this oneced with sulfur¨Ctinged, chaotic pheromones. ¡°Get out! Don¡¯t let me catch you causing a scene in mother¡¯s sickroom again.¡±


    Velda was furious. Her wolf¨Chead sword at her waist hummed with bestial transformation.


    But instead of grasping her weapon, she seized the oak¨Cwood round stool¨Ccustom¨Cmade by Adide for Rosemary¡¯sfort¨Cand swung it at Ulrik¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯ll take you down with me!¡±


    Ulrik dodged instinctively to the side. The stool smashed straight into Isaiah¡¯s head behind him.


    ¡°Father!¡±


    Ulrik and Tamara eximed in unison. Isaiah¡¯s head gushed blood, and he copsed with a thud. 2


    Everyone stood stunned for a moment before rushing to lift him up.


    Ulrik¡¯s fully transformed right palm pressed against his father¡¯s bleeding temple. His elongated fangs bit through a moonstone vial of blood¨Cstopping powder.


    ¡°Get the doctor now!¡± he roared.


    Ulrik red at Velda like a furious lion. ¡°Out! Get out this instant!¡±


    Velda was paralyzed with fear and shock.


    In her blind rage, she hadn¡¯t intended to hit Isaiah.


    Seeing Ulrik¡¯s ferocious expression, she was filled with a mix of fear and wronged, and she turned and fled.


    Rosemary clutched her chest. ¡°Go, bring Vanya here. Have her fetch Adide.¡±


    Any previous reservations about reaching out to Adide were gone.


    She would pay any price to have her back now.


    After themotion, the doctor entered with his medical case.


    The bleeding was staunched, but the wound was severe, and Isaiah had lost a lot of blood. He remained unconscious<b>. </b>


    The doctor administered nutrient injections, but Isaiah didn¡¯t regain consciousness.


    He informed Ulrik that the situation was grave¨Cthe injury might have affected the brain. He suggested calling Shaman Digby to ensure safety.


    The Tenar paled at the mention of Digby.


    How could they possibly afford him now?


    It had taken Tamara a day and night of pleading to convince Digby to sell them medicine.


    And Digby had made it clear he would no longer make house calls.


    ¡°Absurd!¡±


    Vanya mmed her fist on the table, the dim yard lights casting shadows on her angry face..


    Simon and Tamara, scolded by her, kept their heads down.


    ¡°Do you still have the nerve to mention the Frostfang Pack?¡± Vanya¡¯s wolf ws struck the oak table, five deep grooves oozing silver¨Cblue blood beads¨Cthe Frostfang Pack¡¯s signature battle mark. ¡°Have you forgotten how you schemed over her dowry during the marriage negotiations? If it weren¡¯t for the Lycan King¡¯s Moon Crown Order, you would have added her Frostwolf Manor to the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s ledger long ago, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Simon and Tamara pressed their lips tightly together, not daring to meet Vanya¡¯s furious gaze.


    ¡°When you drove her out of the pack, did you show her an ounce of mercy? You even schemed to seize her Frostfang assets. If it weren¡¯t for Lycan Erasmus¡¯smand, wouldn¡¯t you have swallowed all her shops and manors whole?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be your stepping stone, no matter how shameless you are.¡±


    Tamara couldn¡¯t help but speak up, ¡°But Father is still in aa¡­¡­¡®


    ¡°Coma?¡± Vanya snorted coldly. ¡°Isaiah¡¯s fading wolf soul¨Cisn¡¯t it because you¡¯ve drained the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s resources to keep Rosemary alive? Now you remember Adide¡¯s goodness? How did you treat her when she was here?<b>¡± </b>


    Simon unconsciously rubbed the sleeve of his only military merit medal, which now felt like a searing


    brand. ¡°We know <b>we </b>were wrong<b>¡­¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Since you¡¯re <b>set </b>on doing this<b>, </b>go to Sidney. When you wanted to drive Adide away, you didn¡¯t <b>dare </b>approach Sidney. Now, to reconcile, shouldn¡¯t you seek her out? Why the hesitation? <b>Are </b>you afraid Sidney


    <b>2/3 </b>


    will have you thrown out?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Or do you think Sidney¡¯s too frail to make decisions<b>, </b><b>so </b>you can bully her? Let me tell you, your underhanded deeds have already ruined the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation.¡±


    After her outburst, Vanya had Omega usher them out.


    She wouldn¡¯t listen to their excuses. The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s finances were in shambles, and she couldn¡¯t afford the expensive medicine.


    Simon and Tamara left Vanya¡¯s in high dudgeon, exchanging a nce with sour expressions. 2


    Tamara hesitated for a long moment, then said, ¡°Actually, Rosemary¡¯s just being wishful. Adide would nevere back. Why should we subject ourselves to humiliation for them?¡±


    C


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 116

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Tamara didn¡¯t expect Simon to disagree with her.


    Simon¡¯s pupils turned vertical with anger. He said, ¡°Stop this pack¨Csplitting talk! Bloodmoon¡¯s glory is one and all. Didn¡¯t we bask in some respect from Ulrik¡¯s military honors? Even if Adide doesn¡¯t n to rejoin the Bloodmoon Pack, don¡¯t speak like that.¡±


    Tamara¡¯s wolf cowered deep in her mind. She dared not meet her husband¡¯s red¨Ctinged vertical pupils. ¡°But Adide¡¯s a Golden w general now. Why should we expect her to overlook past grievances?¡±


    Simon¡¯s fingers unconsciously caressed the frosted¨Cwolf engraving on his ring, the only item salvaged from Adide¡¯s Frostfang silverware.


    0


    He said, ¡°Mother¡¯s right. This isn¡¯t about pride. Father¡¯s still in aa. We need help.¡±


    Tamara, timid by nature, remained silent after Simon¡¯s rebuke, though inwardly she seethed.


    It was said Alpha Ulrik, as a general, would restore the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s glory.


    Yet after earning his merits, he traded them for amand¨Cmaking Velda the pack¡¯s Luna and abandoning Adide.


    Since Velda became Luna, the pack¡¯s assets dwindled.


    Rosemary couldn¡¯t even afford medicine.


    When she begged Shaman Digby for help, she gained a reputation for filial piety but also faced gossip.


    Moreover, during Velda¡¯s tantrums, she was called ipetent and weak, tasked with solving problems.


    She did act, but by resorting to violence, nearly killing Isaiah.


    Oddly, instead of addressing this, everyone focused on bringing Adide back, as if her return would magically resolve all the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s issues.


    Tamara knew she shouldn¡¯t think it, but she agreed with Vania.


    Why should Adide be at their beck and call, treated as a tool?


    Simon went to consult Rosemary.


    Her moon grass bracelet glowed faintly on her wrist.


    Staring at her eldest son, her wolf eyes clouded with illness, she said, ¡°Vanya¡¯s always favored outsiders. She¡¯s no help. But she¡¯s the only one with any influence over Adide now.¡±


    After a pensive moment, she added, ¡°Sidney¡¯s out of the question. I heard Alpha Howell and his wife are under house arrest. No idea what they did to cross Lycan Erasmus<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    Pausing, she suggested, ¡°Adide¡¯s riding high after her triumph. And since Luna Skye is Airelle¡¯s sister- Airelle doted on her¨Cperhaps we could sound her out. If she¡¯d intercede, we¡¯ve got a good shot.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s approach Luna Skye,¡± Simon said.


    Ulrik entered, hands behind his back, a stern look on his face. ¡°No one is to contact Adide.¡±


    Despite everyone¡¯s persuasion, Ulrik remained unyielding. ¡°No one from the Bloodmoon Pack is to seek out Adide.¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s decaying violet pheromones burst forth, causing the bronze bedpost to screech.


    She sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to her, but the Bloodmoon Pack needs a way out. Look at what Velda¡¯s done. Not only has she shamed us, but after assaulting your father, she hid with her parents. Let her stay there; she¡¯s not wee back.¡±


    ¡°You could reject her, but you¡¯re the one who begged Lycan Erasmus to bond with her.¡±


    Rosemary suddenly paused, then sharply turned to Ulrik, ¡°Since she assaulted Alpha Isaiah and disrespected me, as the former Luna, can¡¯t we report her to Lycan Erasmus and have her expelled?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s face was etched with frustration, ¡°Stop this. I just want Lycan Erasmus to forget about me for three to five years.¡±


    Rosemary was aghast, ¡°Three to five years? How can you afford to wait that long? As a werewolf general, youth is your advantage¡­¡±


    ¡°How could it be so severe? It¡¯s just that you failed to control Velda. Lycan Erasmus still released your bonus, and you were invited to the victory banquet. That shows he still wants to use you.¡±


    Ulrik slumped into the high¨Cbacked chair with the wolf¨Chead emblem, too exhausted to speak.


    His wolf ears drooped listlessly, and his tailbone curled in his mind like a wounded pup.


    Since returning from the battlefield, he hadn¡¯t slept a night through or eaten a proper meal.


    He couldn¡¯t tell his family about the atrocities in the Bloodscar Border¨Cthe civilian massacre in the vige and the humiliation inflicted on the Western Tribe Lycan King¡¯s prince.


    He had to keep it all buried, not a word to outsiders.


    Rosemary¡¯s moon grass bracelet glowed softly in the candlelight. Watching the dark circles under her son¡¯s eyes, her wolf pupils swirled with regret and anger. ¡°Why won¡¯t you speak? In what way is Velda better than Adide? She¡¯s not even worthy to be with you.¡±


    Rosemary was filled with panic and fury. It was all Velda¡¯s fault¨Cthe shame at the bonding ceremony and now Ulrik¡¯s reduced military honors.


    She sighed deeply, ¡°Why on earth did you fall for her?¡±

 Novel Male 117

    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Ulrik¡¯s Adams¡® apple moved, a metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.


    ¡°Mother,¡± he finally spoke, his voice rough like sandpaper, ¡°stop it.¡±


    <b>+10 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    He deeply regretted using his two battle honors<b>¨C</b>enough to secure his promotion to a royal general¨Cfor Velda, only to be dragged down by her.


    He feared no such opportunities woulde again, and if they did, they¡¯d be trivial, like culling rogues.


    His future was ruined by a moment of infatuation.


    Now, he just wanted the Bloodmoon Pack to stay quiet, vanish from everyone¡¯s sight for three to five years until they were forgotten.


    Hence his strict order¨Cno one was to contact Adide.


    Their mate bond was severed. No contact was best.


    Rosemary, however, couldn¡¯t ept that her exceptional son chose Velda over Adide.


    Adide¡¯s POV


    I spent the entire day shopping with Paisley and the others. We returned to the Frostfang Packden with shopping bags.


    Avery insisted on buying cosmetics despite our warnings.


    ¡°I want to see if your teacher praises you for your merits or punishes you by whipping your wolf tail!¡±


    Paisley leaned against a wolf¨Chead pir, spinning a moonstone¨Ciid dagger on her finger. ¡°Thirtyshes or detention? Those who bet onshes go left; those on detention, right. Where do you put your money, Adide?¡±


    I removed my silver moon grass wristguard and smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll take detention for ten grand.¡±


    ncing at Avery¡¯s red face, I added, ¡°After all, our brave warrior returns with the Lycan King¡¯s reward. His teacher wouldn¡¯t dare raise a wolf tooth baton to him.¡±


    Everyoneughed.


    The next day, after breakfast at the Frostfang Packhouse and a quick visit to the army, we parted ways.


    Once alone, Iposed myself and summoned Beta Valentin and two omegas to the conference hall.


    The moon grass oilmp <b>cast </b>the Frostwolf totem¡¯s shadow on the wall like a lurking beast<b>. </b>


    I ced the parchment on the table and said, ¡°Three months¨Cfind a Second Chance or wear the New


    Moon Priestess¡¯s shackles.¡± My wolf ws dug into the table unconsciously.


    This baffling decree left me clueless.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    Beta Valentin, ever¨Cknowledgeable, mused, ¡°At least it¡¯s clear Lycan Erasmus doesn¡¯t truly want you in the pce. He could¡¯ve directly dered you a priestess, and you¡¯d have no choice but to obey.¡±


    ¡°I know, but this three¨Cmonth deadline feels like he¡¯s pressuring me to find a mate.¡±


    I sighed, ¡°What¡¯s the harm in being single? The key is, if I find a mate, he inherits the right to join the Royal Council. Is Erasmus aiming to grant this right to someone else? Or have him inherit the Frostfang Pack?¡±


    Beta Valentin recalled, ¡°The decree did mention you could recruit suitable Davidson werewolves from other packs. Perhaps Lycan Erasmus doesn¡¯t want the Davidsons in the Royal Council. Or maybe he already has a mate in mind for you.¡±


    1 pondered, twirling my mother¡¯s bracelet.


    ¡°If your guess is right, Lycan Erasmus is pre¨Cselecting someone.¡±


    The idea of bonding with a stranger and reliving my past marriage filled me with weariness.


    Omega Ivy suddenly knocked over her teacup. Moon grass tea spilled across the wolf¨Chead emblem like blood. Her wolf ears trembled with fear. ¡°If it¡¯s a pre¨Cselected mate, will he join the Frostfang Pack?¡± she asked. ¡°A man¡¯s vows melt like snow in battle. Didn¡¯t Ulrik swear blood oaths before the moon goddess


    statue?¡±


    Traditionally, female wolves join their mates¡® packs.


    Few male wolves do the reverse.


    If Lycan Erasmus¡¯s chosen mate was a lone wolf, it was manageable, But if he had arge family, they wouldn¡¯t migrate.


    My mother wanted me to find a mate, have pups, and live peacefully.


    That was why I answered Alpha Lance as I did.


    Now, I felt neither anticipation nor aversion to marriage.


    My former ambitions were shattered; life felt stagnant.


    After reiming the Southern Border, I became a hero, yet my joy was unshared.


    Without this decree, I¡¯d have groomed someone from the Davidsons to inherit the Frostfang Pack.


    But now,plications arose,


    ¡°Enough,¡± I said, rising abruptly. My cloak swept the parchment off the table. ¡°Sooner orter, they¡¯ll reveal


    their ws<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>I¡¯ll </b>confront him with my silver <b>spear</b>.¡±


    Subsequently<b>, </b>visitors flocked to the Frostfang borders.


    Many Lunas arrived with moonstone¨Cencrusted gift boxes, their smiles <b>as </b>inscrutable as battlefield fog.


    The verydies who once mocked me as the ¡°banished rose¡± at tea parties now vied topliment my silver <b>spear</b>, iming it was ¡°sharper than the Moon Goddess Temple¡¯s sacred de.¡±


    Leaning against a wolf¨Chead pir, watching the constant stream of guests<b>, </b>I was reminded of the Southern Border battlefield.


    At least there, enemies bared their fangs openly.


    Thesedies<b>, </b>with theirce¨Cgloved hands, might possess nails sharper than wolf ws.

 Novel Male 118

    <b>3/3 </b>


    Adide¡¯s POV


    Schmoozing with guests was just a masked ball for me.


    Before joining the Bloodmoon Pack, my mother had the Moon Goddess Temple¡¯s etiquette priestess train me with a rod to have the standard noble smile¨Clips up 15 degrees, eyes with a third of warmth, and a voice like silvergrass.


    After all, she groomed me to be the pack¡¯s Luna.


    In socializing, we chatted andughed cheerfully, parting with a touch of reluctance.


    Once the door closes, we dropped the smiles, rubbed our sore jaws, hydrated, and prepared for the next


    batch.


    That evening, Luna Skye and Melinda visited.


    Recalling the returned gifts, I still greeted them with a warm smile. ¡°Luna Skey, Melinda, pleasee in.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s fingers, cool as snow despite the dragon¡¯s breath scent, held my hand as she apologized, ¡°Adide, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t ept your gift because I thought you might be short on funds after parting with Ulrik and returning to the Frostfang Pack.¡± Her voice had the perfect catch.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t want me to be at a disadvantage, so you protected my assets on my behalf,¡± I said, retracting my hand and subtly brushing it against my skirt¡¯s embroidery.


    I instructed Beata, ¡°Bring Luna Skye the coffee beans I bought from the Southern Border.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m relieved you understand,¡± Luna Skye said sincerely.


    Suddenly, Melinda threw herself into my arms, her tears wetting my cloak¡¯s medals.


    ¡°Adide, I had no idea. When you left the Bloodmoon Pack, I wanted to visit, but I was busy preparing for my bonding ceremony. Don¡¯t be angry with me.¡±


    Compared to Luna Skye¡¯s insincerity, Melinda¡¯s tears seemed genuine.


    We grew up together, and she always looked up to me.


    Even after I went to the Shadow Peaks, I¡¯d receive gifts from her whenever I returned.


    We had endless conversations and a strong bond.


    Wiping her tears, I said with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re still such a crybaby even after finding your mate. I¡¯m not angry with you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Melinda looked at me with tearful eyes.


    ¡°Of course,¡± <b>I </b>replied. Noticing her paleplexion, I asked, ¡°How is your mate treating you?¡±


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    Melinda wiped her tears, but they fell again as she said in a nasal voice, ¡°He doesn¡¯t dare to treat me badly.¡±


    I knew Melinda¡¯s mate was Dwight Santos, the future Alpha of the Soulrend Pack.


    Dwight was handsome and popr among female wolves during his time at the werewolf school.


    Melinda had fallen for him at first sight back then.


    Although Alpha Howell was aid¨Cback Alpha, he was of royal lineage.


    Melinda¡¯s bonding with Dwight from the Soulrend¡¯Pack was seen as a step down.


    The Soulrend Pack wasn¡¯t particrly powerful or historic, but its members seemed to have decent jobs.


    Dwight worked for the royal family, with a promising future.


    Observing Melinda¡¯s expression, it seemed Dwight wasn¡¯t treating her well. Her eyes had lost their shine.


    So why do we seek mates? Why did my mother think that finding one ensures a stable life?


    After a short while, Luna Skye and Melinda left. I saw them off to the pack border, maintaining a cordial demeanor.


    Only when their car disappeared around the corner did the smile fade from my face like a receding tide.


    The wolf¨Chead door knocker reflected the cold gleam in my eyes, reminiscent of the Southern Border battlefield when my silver spear brought down the dragon¨Cextinguishing werewolves¡® g.


    Beatamented, ¡°You¡¯re too amodating. You sent Melinda gifts, but they were returned. Clearly, Luna Skye looked down on us back then. Why be so kind to them today?¡±


    Back in my room, sitting before the dressing table, I said, ¡°Schmoozing is schmoozing. It¡¯s just putting on a smile and making polite conversation. She was nice to me before.¡±


    ¡°I just think it¡¯s unfair. Your breakup with Ulrik was ordered by Lycan Erasmus. How dare she look down on us?¡±


    ¡°Beata, let it go. Life¡¯s too short for all this pettiness.¡± Looking into the bronze mirror at my tired face, I realized I hadn¡¯t rested these past few days with endless visitors. 1


    I never knew there were so many packs and Lunas in the capital.


    ¡°You have a kind heart,¡± Beata said.


    Looking into the mirror, I smiled slightly, thinking, ¡°If I weren¡¯t so forgiving, I wouldn¡¯t have survived this long.¡±


    1


    I treated Luna Skye the same as any other visiting Luna, without genuine warmth.


    Humans are inherently selfish. When I dissolved my mate bond, even with the Frostfang Pack¡¯s backing,


    its decline was inevitable.


    At that time, Ulrik and Velda were rising stars. Luna Skye kept her distance to avoid offending the Bloodmoon Pack.


    After all, Alpha Howell¡¯s principle was to offend as few <b>as </b>possible.


    Now, with my achievements and Velda¡¯sck of merits¨Cand hearing she¡¯s been punished¨Cthe Bloodmoon Pack seemed unlikely to regain its former glory.


    So Luna Skye came to cozy up, given our familial ties. She probably thought I harbored resentment but could only forgive and reconcile.


    I was about to rest when an Omega rushed in and said, ¡°Luna Rosemary from Bloodmoon Pack has arrived. She copsed at our pack border.¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 119

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Hearing the pack guard¡¯s words, Beata¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°She dare show up here? And copses at our Frostfang Pack border¨Cwhat¡¯s her y?¡±


    The pack guard exined, ¡°She came with a few others. There¡¯s someone iming to be Alpha Ulrik¡¯s <b>sister</b>, wailing about Rosemary¡¯s illness, begging you to lift the ban and let Shaman Digby treat her.¡±


    Beata indignantly retorted, ¡°How absurd! Doctor Digby¡¯s refusal to treat her stems from her own misconduct. How could this be attributed to Alpha Adide¡¯s order?¡±


    I asked the guard, ¡°Where¡¯s Valentin? Has he taken charge?¡±


    ¡°Beta Valentin¡¯s stepped out. He sent me to inform you not to intervene,¡± the guard replied, clearly annoyed. She paused to steady her breath. ¡°They¡¯re weeping outside, drawing a crowd from other packs.¡±


    I inquired further, ¡°Has Ulrik arrived?¡±


    ¡°No sign of him or Velda,¡± the guard answered.


    I tied my hair into a ponytail and said, ¡°Let¡¯s take a distant look and see what they¡¯re up to.¡±


    Beata advised against it, ¡°We better not go. Their rhetoric is bound to be unreasonable. Let¡¯s avoid unnecessary upset.¡±


    I responded, ¡°It¡¯s fine. When they tried to exile me, they threw all sorts of nder at me. This is nothing inparison.¡±


    With that, I strode out, Beata following closely.


    Approaching the pack border, I spotted Rosemary with Simon and Tamara.


    Sabrina trailed behind them.


    Rosemary, iming a twisted ankle, sat at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border entrance and wailed.


    Her emaciated hand clutched the border pir, her knuckles whitening from strain. ¡°Adide, I treated you like my own daughter. Did you ever suffer a grievance in the Bloodmoon Pack? You sought Lycan Erasmus¡¯s help to dissolve your mate bond with Ulrik. Why harbor resentment against me? Knowing my reliance on Shaman Digby¡¯s medicine, you forbid him entry into the Bloodmoon Pack. Is this not a death sentence for me?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smirk.


    Lingering in the shadows, I flicked my ears slightly to catch every detail of their disy.


    Sabrina knelt beside Rosemary, also sobbing dramatically. ¡°Adide, how can you be so ungrateful? When


    173


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    the Frostfang Pack faced disaster, my mother¨Cfearing you¡¯d sumb to despair¨Cspent nightsforting you, lest you harm yourself. Moreover, I expended considerable Bloodmoon Pack funds to support you. Now, with your achievements and status, you show such cruelty?¡±


    Clutching her chest and trembling<i>, </i>she pointed usingly at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s entrance.


    Her throat emitted a choked whine intermingled with a howl. ¡°When you dissolved the mate bond, you vowed to always regard me as your family. Yet now you¡­¡±


    Her coughing fit intensified, her moon grass bracelet casting chaotic glimmers on her wrist.


    Onlookers from other packs murmured and cast reproachful nces toward the Frostfang Pack.


    They recalled seeing me lead Frostfang members away from the Bloodmoon Pack, our vehiclesden with boxes and disassembled furniture.


    In light of Rosemary¡¯s usations, their gaze turned critical.


    ¡°Parting ways amicably is one thing, but why block someone¡¯s means of survival?¡±


    ¡°Luna Rosemary treated her so kindly, standing by her during the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre. Now look at this.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik and Velda¡¯s bonding was sanctioned by Lycan Erasmus. It doesn¡¯t affect her. Why can¡¯t she let it be?¡±


    I absorbed every word.


    Lowering my gaze to Rosemary, I noted the frost wolf crest on her wrist¨Ca token I¡¯d personally ced on this ¡°family¡± when I joined the Bloodmoon Pack.


    The crest endured, but our bond was shattered.


    ¡°Alpha Bentley lived with integrity, and his sons were valiant warriors. Why isn¡¯t his daughter cut from the same cloth? She¡¯s too ruthless. She¡¯ll incur the Moon Goddess¡¯s wrath.¡±


    Beta Valentin and two omegas stood calmly at the Frostfang Pack border. They listened without haste or defense.


    Only when Rosemary¡¯s sobs faded into hups, and the crowd¡¯s chatter grew, did Valentin step forward.


    His tone was even and unprovocative. ¡°Rosemary, I am Beta Valentin of the Frostfang Pack. Please, rise from the ground and return to your carriage. Allow me to address everyone.¡±


    Valentin stood ramrod straight, his voice steady and non¨Cconfrontational.


    Rosemary looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot. ¡°You¡¯re merely a Beta. How dare you speak for her? She is the Frostfang Alpha. Let here forth. I demand to know if she intends to annihte the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    Valentin smiled faintly and replied, ¡°I manage the pack¡¯s affairs. If every matter required Alpha Adide¡¯s


    direct involvement, what purpose would I serve as Beta?¡±


    He took a roster from Omega Ivy. The lengthy document unrolled to the ground as he spoke.


    ¡°This lists the personal assets Alpha Adide brought to the Bloodmoon Pack when she and Alpha Ulrik bonded.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°These assets alle from the Frostfang Pack, including bank funds, real estate, shops, furniture, and daily items, all registered with the central bank.¡±


    ¡°When Alpha Adide dissolved the mate bond, she took only Frostfang assets. Rosemary ims to have funded Alpha Adide. What exactly did you provide?¡±


    Naturally, Rosemary couldn¡¯t answer. She had neverpensated with even the smallest item.


    All she could do was wail, ¡°Adide knows the truth. Call her here and ask.¡±


    Beta Valentin continued, ¡°Luna Rosemary, you need not weep further. If you truly provided financial support to Alpha Adide, simply present a list of items and cash amounts. The Royal Council¡¯s officers were present during the mate bond dissolution, and all asset transfers are on record. The truth is but a query away.¡±


    Beta Valentin¡¯s pheromones spread steadily, his wolf ears lightly trembling in his silver hair. ¡°Furthermore, you im to have treated our Alpha like a daughter. When the Frostfang Pack faced massacre, you did stay by her side daily. However, it was Alpha Adide who stood by you during your deep sleep caused by moon grass tincture, guarding your nds and emitting soothing pheromones throughout the nights.¡±


    He abruptly unfurled the totem¨Cstained animal¨Cskin roster, pressing down with his wolf¨Cwed fingers, the sulfur¨Csealed wax shimmering with a bloody luster in the candlelight.


    He went on, ¡°Secondly, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s finances have long been in deficit. For instance, the clothing, jewelry, and transportation for all members of the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Alpha family throughout the year were subsidized by Alpha Adide¡¯s personal assets.¡±


    ¡°Lastly, the im that our Alpha barred Shaman Digby from treating you is preposterous. When she joined the Bloodmoon Pack, your health was already deteriorating, and it was she who invited Shaman Digby to treat you.¡±


    He suddenly unleashed a portion of his Beta aura. ¡°Your treatment requires special medicine crafted by Digby, costing tens of thousands per dose. Along with other medications, how much have you consumed this year? If you¡¯re unaware, Shaman Digby keeps detailed records. Shall we invite him here?¡±


    ¡°By all means, invite him,¡± Valentin added. ¡°Let¡¯s rify whether Alpha Adide prohibited him from treating you, or if he refused due to your family¡¯s questionable morals, even denying you special medicine. It was Tamara who pleaded with him, and only her sincerity persuaded Doctor Digby to sell you the medicine. But he¡¯s adamant: due to your disrespectful conduct, he won¡¯t treat you again.¡±


    Beta Valentin surveyed the crowd and said, ¡°Every im made by youcks evidence. In contrast, my assertions can be verified. Please stay while I summon witnesses and Shaman Digby to hear their


    ounts.¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s wolf pelt bristled with shock, her voiceced with sulfur as she snarled, ¡°Now that she¡¯s a Golden w general, she naturally hasckeys to shield her¡­¡±


    ¡°Lackeys?¡± <b>Beta </b>Valentin¡¯s cloak swept the ground. ¡°The Frostfang Pack harbors nockeys. We protect Alphas worthy of loyalty. It¡¯s you-¡± He suddenly closed in, his wolf eyes reflecting the trembling Rosemary. ¡°You attempted to dissolve the mate bond on grounds <b>of </b>¡®failure to produce pure¨Cblooded pups,¡® exploiting the opportunity to seize Frostfang assets. If the Royal Council learns of this, would you be charged with ¡®greed¡® or ¡®pact desecration¡®?<b>¡± </b>


    Rosemary¡¯s nds emitted a grayish glow behind her neck. She strained to exert Luna authority, yet Beta¡¯s cold¨Cspruce pheromones crushed it. ¡°How dare you threaten me¡­¡±


    Rosemary trembled. ¡°I¡¯ve never sought to seize Frostfang assets.¡±


    ¡°No need to deny it so hastily,¡± Beta Valentin turned andmanded, ¡°Summon Beta Fabian and the others. Also, invite the surrounding packs who witnessed your attempt to exile Alpha Adide. Let them speak their minds.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Rosemary rose unsteadily, forcing a bitter smile. ¡°Let¡¯s put the past behind us. I did care for Adide deeply, and I don¡¯t me her for not reciprocating. Though it was Lycan Erasmus¡¯s order, Ulrik did wrong her first. She refused to ept Velda¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Omega Ivy interrupted, her pheromones surging, wolf ears rigid with fury.


    She stepped forward. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®though it was Lycan Erasmus¡¯s order¡®? Wasn¡¯t the order requested by Ulrik using his battle merits? Don¡¯t act as if Velda merely wished to join the Bloodmoon Pack. She sought to be Luna.¡±


    ¡°After Lycan Erasmus¡¯smand was issued, Ulrik and Velda confronted Alpha Adide with heartless words. Shall I repeat them?¡±


    ¡°Ulrik dered that once Velda joined the Bloodmoon Pack, he would never set foot in Alpha Adide¡¯s chambers again. She was to manage pack affairs and continue subsidizing the Bloodmoon Pack with Frostfang assets. The children he and Velda would bear were to be raised by Alpha Adide as a form of sce.¡± 1

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Velda demanded a heftypensation that the Bloodmoon Pack couldn¡¯t afford. When you turned to Alpha Adide for a loan and she refused to give the funds outright, youbeled her heartless.¡±


    ¡°In desperation, you used her of mismanaging the pack and not producing an heir, plotting to exile her. Your scheme was to prevent her from reiming Frostfang assets<b>¨C</b><b>a </b>cruel and ruthless n.¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>Is </b>our Alpha unfilial? Since joining the Bloodmoon Pack, she¡¯s tended to your illness daily. Unable to bear heirs? Ridiculous! After the bonding ceremony, Ulrik left for war and immediately sought to bond with Velda upon return. He never really marked Alpha Adide. How could she have produced pack pups?¡±


    At Beta Valentin and Omega Ivy¡¯s revtions, the crowd erupted.


    ¡°So Alpha Adide never fullypleted the bonding ritual?¡±


    ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack is outrageous. Ulrik sought a new mate and then schemed to seize Adide¡¯s Frostfang assets.¡±


    ¡°Having such a mate is sheer bad luck.¡±


    ¡°Elder Halsey¡¯s family is upright, and Gamma Adide has earned military honors at the Southern Border. She¡¯s not heartless<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°I recall Elder Halsey was furious during the mate contact, using the Bloodmoon Pack of outrageous behavior.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of Doctor Digby, I remember seeing Tamara from the Bloodmoon Pack kneeling before his doorst year, begging for medicine. Digby¡¯s subordinate told me he refused because Luna Rosemary¡¯s conduct was wed.¡±


    ¡°They cast Adide out like trash, yet Lycan Erasmus restored her Alpha status and allowed her to nominate representatives to the Royal Elder Council. The Bloodmoon Pack must regret it now.¡±


    ¡°Of course they do. If I were them, I¡¯d be so filled with regret. How dare they try to reconcile?¡±


    ¡°The Frostfang Beta and Omega refute logically. Meanwhile, Luna Rosemary wails as if deeply wronged. But isn¡¯t this all because Ulrik wanted Velda as his mate?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Speaking of Velda, have you heard? She was reckless on the battlefield, captured by the enemy, and found half¨Cnaked with a pool of blood beneath her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that, too! It¡¯s said those captured with her had their nds severed. They can¡¯t <b>be </b>warriors now.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Silence, all of you!¡±


    Rosemary, furious and dizzy, waved a trembling finger at the crowd. ¡°This <b>is </b>all nder! Stop <b>at </b>once<b>!</b>¡±


    Her hysterical outburst only confirmed the rumors, prompting <b>even </b>more <b>chatter</b>.


    Some openly retorted, questioning her audacity to cause a scene at the Frostfang Pack.


    Rosemary¡¯s frosted wolf howls,ced with sulfur pheromones, shed with the crowd¡¯s roars.


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    Sabrina¡¯s moonstone earrings fell in the chaos <b>as </b>she noticed the surrounding werewolves¡® disdain. Panicking at her unmarked state, she clutched her neck nd¨Cdetermined not to be another Velda.


    Tamara cowered behind a stone pir, her nails digging into her wolf¨Cbranded palm, grateful as Simon¡¯s mate to stay above the fray.


    Simon, unable toment, finally persuaded his mother to leave as the situation spiraled, ¡°Let¡¯s go, mother. Truth will out.¡±


    Beta Valentin dered, ¡°Truth prevails. Evil cannot withstand the light. Leave now. Alpha Adide seeks no further ties with the Bloodmoon Pack, and past grievances are forgiven.¡±


    He bowed to the crowd, ¡°Thank you for your justice. Everyone here is fair¨Cminded. Right and wrong are clear. Alpha Adide¡¯s mistaken mate choice was fate, and we ept it. But we want nothing more to do with the Bloodmoon Pack. If they cause trouble again, we¡¯re ready. They can¡¯t distort the truth.¡±


    ttered by Valentin¡¯s words, the crowd¡¯s sense of justice was ignited, and they joined in denouncing the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Seeing her attempt at moral coercion fail and Alpha Adide not appearing, Luna Rosemary knew she wouldn¡¯t achieve her goal today and left dejectedly.


    She had hoped to reconcile with Adide, but Ulrik refused.


    With too many rumors about Velda circting, she aimed to shift public outrage and rehabilitate the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s image.


    She thought her outburst would force Adide into a confrontation, dragging her into scandal.


    If the Frostfang Pack acted against her, they¡¯d lose public support.


    But the Frostfang Pack¡¯s logical rebuttal and threat of witnesses left her ims baseless.


    With no choice, she left.

 Novel Male 122

    apter 122


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide had already returned to the Packhouse and was sitting in the living room having coffee.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    She took in every sound from outside. She had long seen through the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s true colors, so she wasn¡¯t surprised <i>by </i>their antics today.


    She was well aware of their purpose¨Cto shift the spotlight from Velda.


    They wanted the public to focus on Adide, sparing Velda and the Bloodmoon Pack from scrutiny, and even garnering sympathy to offset the criticism of Velda¡¯s recklessness.


    But Adide knew better than to let every provocation upset her. There were too many unsightly people in the world.


    Outside, the weather was as hot as fire. Beata prepared some cold drinks for her to cool off and soothe her


    anger.


    After a few days of rest, Adide¡¯s skin had be noticeably fairer and finer.


    Adide said with a smile, ¡°Have some cold drinks ready for Beta Valentin and the two Om¨¦gas too. They¡¯re the ones who really need to cool down.¡±


    Beata replied, ¡°Already taken care of. We stored plenty of ice in the cerst year. There¡¯s more than enough.¡±


    Beta Valentin and the two Omegas returned, their faces showing displeasure. But upon entering the house and seeing Adide, they immediately put on smiles.


    Beta Valentin¡¯s cedar pheromones spread a calming aura, his wolf ears trembling slightly in his silver hair. ¡°Alpha Adide, don¡¯t take it to heart. Arguing with jackals would only dirty our hands.¡±


    Adide invited them to sit. ¡°No hard feelings. Consider it a show.¡±


    Valentin said, ¡°I¡¯ve already sent someone to fetch Shaman Digby to clear things up for you. Unlike mere gossip, the issue of medical treatment must be rified for everyone to see the truth.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°I trust your thoroughness.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s rose pheromones suddenly surged as her wolf ws scraped the armrest. ¡°Ever since the mate bond was dissolved, I¡¯ve wanted to settle the ¡®debts¡® with them, with interest. Today, for the sake of Alpha¡¯s dignity, I held back¨Cbut I really should have let the old Luna taste the bitterness of moon grass tincture.¡±


    Adide gazed at the ice crystals falling outside, her fingers brushing the knight medallion. ¡°Patience.¡±


    Two dayster, the reason for Shaman Digby¡¯s refusal to treat Rosemary spread throughout the city.


    It wasn¡¯t from his subordinates but from Digby himself during a house call to an official.


    1:04 am <b>DD </b>


    He simply stated, ¡°I hold no regard for those who are unkind and ungrateful.¡±


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    By waiving the official¡¯s consultation and medicine fees, Digby ensured his words would reach the public.


    Ulrik only learned of his mother and brother¡¯s disturbance at the Frostfang Packter and was furious.


    For two days, he didn¡¯t return to the Bloodmoon Pack, choosing to stay at a hotel.


    Yet even there, the chaos of the Bloodmoon Pack followed him, making peace impossible.


    Velda¡¯s days at the Bloodmoon Pack were tough. Pack members avoided her as if she carried a gue.


    Ulrik ignored her too, forcing her to n a stay at her parents¡® home.


    But upon returning, she found her parents had sold the house and vanished.


    When she asked neighbors, they impatiently replied through her ck¨Cveiled face, ¡°Your parents left because of the scandals your family caused! Look at the mess you¡¯ve made¨Cno wonder they wanted nothing more to do with you!¡±


    Velda never expected such heartlessness from her parents, selling even their home.


    She knew they¡¯d taken the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯spensation to seek a peaceful life, but the feeling of abandonment cutting her like a knife.


    Lance had been in seclusion for days. His pack¡¯s waiting list grew longer daily, but no one entered.


    He closed the borders, putting away the yful expressions he¡¯d worn around Lycan Erasmus.


    He understood the weight of themand.


    It stated clearly that Adide must find a new mate within three months or be the New Moon Priestess in the pce.


    Lycan Erasmus was pressuring Lance to make a decision.


    Every word in the study that day held deeper implications.


    Whether Adide entered the pce mattered little to Erasmus.


    He could ce her there or leave her in the pack with a single word.


    Years ago, Erasmus had learned of Lance¡¯s feelings for Adide.


    Before Lance left for the Southern Border, he¡¯d approached Airelle, asking her to dy Adide¡¯s marriage arrangements. He¡¯d promised the victory from the Southern Border as a gift.


    Erasmus was aware of this, and now that the Southern Border campaign had ended, he expected Lance to bond with Adide.


    On the surface, the brothers maintained harmony.


    <b>1:04 </b>am


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    But the critical remark in the study that day was this¨CIf Adide were to marry the descendant of any royal member, it could threaten the establishment of her own power <b>base</b>.


    This <b>was </b>directed at Lance.


    Erasmus <b>was </b>open to a bond between Lance and Adide, but on one condition: Lance must relinquish his power, surrender his werewolf army, and step down asmander.


    In truth, Erasmus had always been wary of Lance<b>. </b>

 Novel Male 123

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    During the Southern Border conflict, Lycan Erasmus was reluctant to dispatch Lance and his army.


    He harbored hope that Alpha Bentley might replicate his past sess in reiming the Southern Border and repel the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s invasion.


    However, as the war dragged on, national resources were severely strained, with food and weapons in short supply.


    Alpha Bentley and his men fought desperately without reinforcement until their sacrifice.


    Only then did Lycan Erasmus send Lance to takemand of the Southern Border werewolf warriors.


    2


    Could Lycan Erasmus not feel apprehensive?


    The army wasrgely built by Lance.


    When the former Lycan King was alive, he granted Lance fullmand, dering it irrevocable.


    Today¡¯s Ironthorn soldiers were a mix of handpicked members from his original army and subordinates of Alpha Bentley.


    Though Lance was nominally the Ironthornmander, Lycan Erasmus retained mobilization authority -apromise Lance made.


    Lycan Erasmus doted on Lance from a young age.


    With the Lycan King¡¯s position secure, Erasmus disyed remarkable talent.


    However, after Lycan Erasmus ascended to power, things slowly began to change.


    Despite maintaining a facade of closeness, the underlying wariness had started to surface three or four years prior.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, would you like some coffee?¡±


    Lance nodded slightly and said, ¡°Put it down. Where¡¯s Caldwell?¡±


    Beta Ralph replied, ¡°Caldwell¡¯s at the barracks. Lycan Erasmus assigned them to handle reward distribution and manage pensions for fallen soldiers.¡±


    Lance, in white attire with an air of dominance, still carried battle¨Choned killing intent.


    His cedar pheromones filled the conference hall.


    Frowning slightly, he seemed troubled.


    1:04 am


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    Lance never hid his feelings from his close pack members, so Beta Ralph knew about his interest in Adide and his <b>past </b>request to bond with her.


    Ralph¡¯s cypress pheromones cautiously circled the main seat, emitting Beta soothing waves.


    ¡°Any decision yet?¡± Ralph asked softly.


    Lance replied indifferently, ¡°Nothing to decide. The war¡¯s over; it¡¯s time to returnmand. But Erasmus¡¯s approach unsettles me.¡±


    Lance harbored no ambitions for the Lycan King¡¯s position.


    Surrenderingmand was as simple as a word from him.


    Yet Erasmus¡¯s actions left him feeling stifled and concerned for Adide¡¯s fairness.


    Lance felt their childhood rtionship was better.


    They used to talk freely, with Erasmus giving straightforward advice, unlike now with his indirectness.


    Beta Ralph recalled something. ¡°Lycan Erasmus informed us that your mother, Prisci, will stay at the pack for a few days. We¡¯ve cleaned her vi and bought new furniture, costing around three hundred thousand dors.¡±


    ¡°So much?¡± Lance said in surprise.


    He went to the vi and saw neatly arranged oak and marble furniture.


    The real costsy in antiques and paintings.


    The bedroom¡¯s walnut¨Ccarved dressing table, four¨Cposter bed, sofa, and armchair were exquisite, resembling castle decor.


    Even after Ralph¡¯s aggressive bargaining, the expense was steep.


    Lance advocated reasonable spending and deemed three hundred thousand for two rooms extravagant.


    He didn¡¯t want to live with Prisci, but before deployment, Erasmus had promised to move Prisci out of the pce upon Lance¡¯s Southern Border victory.


    This was less <b>a </b>favor than Lycan Erasmus¡¯s acknowledgment of Prisci¡¯s financial excesses and interference in pce affairs.


    Prisci, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s aunt and the former new moon priestess of the former Lycan King, left Lance with little room forment. He had no choice but to turn a blind eye.


    Now that Lance had returned victorious, Lycan Erasmus was surely eager to have Prisci move out to avoid further trouble.


    Pampered from a young age by her grandparents and extended family, Prisci¡¯s appointment as new moon priestess only amplified her arrogance.


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    With her <b>sister </b>Lycan Luna rissa¡¯s additional support<b>, </b><b>she </b>grew ustomed to a life of privilege and rivalry<b>, </b>demanding only the finest in all aspects.


    ¡°Zelda will likely apany Prisci to the vi. Should we assign more Omegas to attend to them?¡± Ralph asked.


    ¡°No need. They¡¯re unustomed to it. The omegas currently serving them will relocate. Those who had served Prisci for years were carefully selected.


    ¡°Is Zelda¡¯s house ready?¡± Lance inquired.


    ¡°Yes, next door. It cost a hundred thousand to renovate.<b>¡± </b>


    Anotherrge expense made Lance sigh. He waved Ralph off. ¡°Let¡¯s head back. Have Caldwelle to the study when he returns.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you resting? You¡¯ve barely slept since returning from the battlefield,¡± Ralph pressed.


    ¡°I can¡¯t sleep,¡± Lance rubbed his temples¨Ctoo agitated to rest.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Two dayster, Caldwell and Tommy returned.


    After a downpour, Caldwell changed into dry clothes and hurried to the study to see Lance.


    Caldwell said bluntly, ¡°Lycan Erasmus just wants to takemand of the army. Since you n to relinquish it anyway, do so, but never use your marriage as a bargaining chip.¡±


    ¡°He knows you once sought a bond with Miss Davidson¡¯s mother. He wants to offer Miss Davidson to you to clear his conscience. But I see no need for that.¡±


    ¡°After you hand overmand, make him rescind the order. Whether you and Miss Davidson be mates is between you two.¡±


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus¡¯s interferenceplicates things, making any potential bond awkward.¡±


    A mate bond should be clear and honest. A marriage of convenience would dishonor Lance¡¯s integrity.


    Lance frowned and said, ¡°I agree. The appointment as armymander came from the former Lycan King, who stated the army is mine to defend our kingdom.¡±


    ¡°The Royal Council is aware. When I relinquishmand, Lycan Erasmus must reward me to honor the former king and the Council.¡±


    ¡°For appearance¡¯s sake, he¡¯ll have to. I fear he¡¯ll directly make Adide my mate, even announcing my pre- war bond request with her to frame it as a reward.¡±


    Caldwell also frowned. ¡°Then people will specte that Airelle preferred Ulrik over you, or that she doubted your victory. There¡¯ll be endless rumors.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my main concern,¡± Lance said, flipping a paperweight off the table.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus¡¯s actions have caused me great distress<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Caldwell pondered and suddenly had a thought. ¡°Is it possible Erasmus doesn¡¯t insist on you relinquishingmand? Perhaps he¡¯s open to either option?¡±


    Lance felt a weight drop. ¡°Are you saying Lycan Erasmus truly wants Adide in the pce as a priestess?¡±


    Caldwell exined, ¡°Eithermand or Miss Davidson. If you force him to rescind the order, he might try to have both. As for rewards, he could offer wealth or even return the Ironthorn Army.¡±


    This was new to Lance.


    He¡¯d never heard of Erasmus¡¯s interest in Adide.


    If Erasmus had intended to <i>stop </i>Airelle from marrying Adide to Ulrik back then, he would have.


    1:05 am


    But perhaps his interest arose post¨Cwar.


    His pce had many priestesses, but none like Adide.


    Moreover, she was the most capable candidate to lead the army.


    As Lycan Erasmus¡¯s priestess and lover, she¡¯d secure his future.


    Also, having proven herself to Alpha Bentley¡¯s subordinates, they¡¯d obey her.


    So Lycan Erasmus¡¯s words held ulterior motives.


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    Lance¡¯s gaze grew colder. ¡°Thus, I must relinquishmand and formally propose <i>to </i>Adide. No other options left.¡±


    Caldwell sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll need a reason¨Cstrategic or heartfelt¨Cto secure the bond. The three¨Cmonth deadline burdens Miss Davidson too. Without Erasmus¡¯s approval, no one dares propose. Those eligible for the Royal Council aren¡¯t chosen lightly.¡±


    Lance said gravely, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Caldwell added, ¡°Prisci might not approve of Miss Davidson.¡±


    In Prisci¡¯s eyes, Lance was the ideal werewolf.


    Given Prisci¡¯s temperament, it was foreseeable that Miss Davidson would not have a peaceful life as Lance¡¯s mate.


    Lance, decisive as ever, moved swiftly once resolved.


    He ordered, ¡°Call the Frostfang Beta. I¡¯ll visit tomorrow.¡±


    Caldwell had Tommy visit the Frostfang Pack.


    Confused, Tommy questioned Caldwell, ¡°Alpha Lance could be Adide¡¯s mate without relinquishingmand.¡±


    Caldwell knocked his head, ¡°Without relinquishingmand, Erasmus would have Prisci intervene immediately.¡±


    Tommy thought about the word ¡°intervene¡± but remained confused.


    ¡°Prisci will still object now.¡± Everyone knew Prisci¡¯s personality.


    Caldwell exined, ¡°Now, it¡¯s Prisci acting alone, not on orders. There¡¯s a difference.¡±


    Caldwell stopped there. ¡°Just visit the Frostfang Pack. Say nothing more.¡±

 Novel Male 125

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Watching Tommy drive away, Caldwell sighed.


    Alt hough Alpha Lance adhered to tradition, he¡¯d still bond with Miss Davidson despite Prisci¡¯s opposition, even without Lycan Erasmus¡¯s backing.


    Over at the Frostfang Pack, Adide received word that Alpha Lance would visit.


    If it were military business, he¡¯d summon her directly. So why the personal visit?


    Clearly, it wasn¡¯t about military affairs.


    She suspected it was about his offer of a royal position.


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    She instructed Valentin to prepare for the visit but nned to consult Shaman Digby about Sidney¡¯s health.


    Sidney was the one who presided over the bonding ceremony between Ulrik and her.


    But after she dissolved the mate bond, Sidney never inquired about it, so she assumed Sidney was


    unaware<i>. </i>


    Sidney¡¯s illness was likely known to Doctor Digby.


    Adide worried that Sidney¡¯s illness might have worsened, especially since Digby probably informed Sidney¡¯s Omega, who didn¡¯t ry the information to her.


    She sent Beata instead of going herself, as her current role as a meritorious hero left her constantly swarmed and unable to move freely.


    The whole situation had be a subject of gossip, especially with the added drama from the Bloodmoon Pack


    Beata returned hourster with medicines and skincare items from Digby.


    ¡°He said your previous medicine must be gone. Injuries need proper care. These pills and herbs are for a month to prevent future pain,¡± Beata exined.


    Adide nced at the items and spotted various herbs¡­ along with topical whitening and skincare products.


    ¡°This must have cost a fortune,¡± Adide said with a smile, shaking her head. ¡°Doctor Digby is more than happy to give me the best medicine. Beata, send some of these herb to Elder Halsey.¡±


    ¡°When we arrived, Beta Valentin took some and had them delivered,¡± Beata said with a grin.


    Adide nodded slightly. Valentin was so thorough in his work that she didn¡¯t need to worry about a thing.


    That night, after brushing her teeth and drinking milk, Adidey in bed.


    For the first two days after returning from the battlefield, she slept like the dead.


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    But as her exhaustion faded, sleep evaded her. Even when she dozed off, nightmares gued her.


    Her father, brothers, and other family members¨Conce vibrant and full of life¨Cnow stood before her in dreams, drenched in blood. After such nightmares, she would wake and lie awake for the rest of the night.


    Adide also recalled that when the Frostfang Pack was massacred, she had to rely on sleeping pills to sleep after returning to the Bloodmoon Pack to handle the aftermath.


    Digby had been mindful of her struggles.


    Bitterness and sourness filled her mouth, mirroring the emotions that welled up inside her unexpectedly.


    But she¡¯d learned to mask them, to keep her face devoid of any hint of these feelings.


    Those around her were perceptive. Even the slightest sign of sadness or a momentarypse in focus drew immediate concern and pity from them.


    The next morning, Lance arrived with Tommy.


    Adide had just finished breakfast, thinking he woulde in the afternoon at the earliest, and had prepared drinks.


    She hurried out with Beata to greet him, only to find Lance already seated in the Packhouse conference hall.


    Having seen his battle¨Chardened peers in casual attire so often, Adide was momentarily stunned by Lance¡¯s formal appearance.


    Dressed in a dignified blue suit with cloud patterns and ck shoes, he exuded an air of refined authority andposure.


    His noble demeanor entuated his sharp features, making him look handsome and charismatic.


    Adide felt underdressed in her thin smoke¨Ccolored top and pleated skirt.


    Lance rarely saw her like this.


    Previously in the Shadow Peaks, she was always in red, ponytailed with a red ribbon, vibrant and eye- catching.


    ¡°Alpha Lance!¡±


    Lance nodded and requested privacy.


    If others sought private talks, Beta Valentin would insist on attendants.


    But given Lance¡¯s Alpha status and Adide¡¯s Gamma rank, Valentin assumed their discussion was


    military¨Cgrade confidential.


    He cleared the room, shut the door, and barred entry.


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    Lance, holding his teacup, lightly pressed the patterns on its rim with his slender fingers, his expression rather grave.


    After a short wait, Adide looked up at him, her eyes tinged with confusion. ¡°Alpha Lance, is this about the Southern Border¡­¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Lance cut her off, drained his coffee, and set the cup down. ¡°I¡¯m here for personal matters, not military business.¡±


    Adide made a sound of understanding. Personal matters?


    What personal matters could there be between her and Alpha Lance?

 Novel Male 126

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lance looked at her and said, ¡°Lycan Erasmus has given you three months to find a mate, or you¡¯ll be a priestess in the pce, right?¡±


    Adide wasn¡¯t surprised he knew and simply nodded.


    Lance asked bluntly, ¡°Do you want to be a priestess?¡±


    His pupils gleamed amber in the candlelight.


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones, mixed with the scent of pine needles, washed over her. Adide¡¯s wolf suddenly pricked its ears deep in her consciousness.


    The temporary mark on her nape tingled.


    She looked at him and asked, ¡°Did Lycan Erasmus send you?¡±


    She clenched the wolf¨Chead bone token in her fingertips, trying to suppress the abnormal heat in her nds.


    ¡°No, I wanted toe,¡± Lance replied.


    His pheromones suddenly turned scorching, enveloping her wolf spirit like a winter bonfire.


    Adide met his gaze and suppressed a low howl in her throat, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Do you have an Alpha in mind?¡± His nose twitched slightly, catching the subtle fluctuations in her pheromones.


    At the same time, he watched her closely, not missing a single change in her expression.


    She replied, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What about someone you have a liking for?¡± Lance pressed on.


    ¡°Nor that,¡± Adide answered.


    Lance knew he held no ce in her heart, but hearing her say she had no affection for anyone still stung a little, like a bee¡¯s prick.


    Yet it was better¨Cshe felt nothing for anyone.


    Noticing his momentarily pale face return to normal, Adide set down her water cup and pondered, ¡°Alpha Lance, are you here to help me with this?¡±


    After a silence, Lance gazed into her eyes and said, ¡°I like you and want you as my mate. Will you ept?¡±


    With a tter, Adide¡¯s cup hit the floor, shattering. She stared at Lance<b>, </b>stunned.


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    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones intensified, engulfing her like a snow¨Csealed mountain. ¡°Do you feel even a little for me?¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf wagged its tail uncontrobly. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the table edge. ¡°Alpha Lance, you must be joking¡­¡­¡±


    Adide hurriedly stood, shaking water stains from her skirt. The usuallyposed woman was momentarily incoherent.


    ¡°It sounds¡­¡­ Though we¡¯ve known each other since childhood, I¡¯ve been in the Shadow Peaks since I was seven or eight. Even if you visited annually, we never met¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough teasing,¡± Lance smiled at her flustered state.


    He gently pressed his fingers to the cup. ¡°Saying I like you was a joke, but asking you to be my mate is serious. After reiming the Southern Border, Lycan Erasmus sought a mate for me, but none appealed.¡±


    ¡°I heard Lycan Erasmus gave you three months to find a mate or be a priestess¡­..¡±


    He lifted his cup to drink, only to find it empty and gulp dryly.


    Continuing, he said, ¡°You don¡¯t want to be a priestess, and I don¡¯t want a arranged mate. Perfect, right? We bond, solving our problems. If youter find someone you love, I¡¯ll grant you an annulment,¡±


    2


    It made sense, yet Adide hesitated and said, ¡°If those arranged she¨Cwolves don¡¯t suit you, why doesn¡¯t Prisci keep looking? Surely a fit will turn up.¡±


    ¡°No fit exists. The one I want has already bonded with another.¡±


    From his wry smile, Adide sensed his helplessness. She didn¡¯t expect someone as exceptional as him to also be parted from his true mate.


    Lance said softly, ¡°So why seek others and waste their lives?¡±


    Adide was touched. Alpha Lance was more devoted than she¡¯d imagined.


    Her wolf pawed restlessly in her mind, tail wagging at his cedar pheromones, but she restrained it.


    She said, ¡°Lycan Erasmus ordered me to find a mate in three months. He likely aims to nominate someone to the Royal Elder Council. If I bond with you, Lycan Erasmus might object.¡±


    Lance hadn¡¯t anticipated this line of thought. She clearly didn¡¯t grasp Erasmus¡¯s intentions.


    He pondered briefly, then appeased her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle Lycan Erasmus. His concern is probably that you¡¯ll pick another heartless man like Ulrik.¡±


    Though a somewhat underhanded dig at her ex, it sounded usible.


    Hearing ¡°Ulrik¡± left Adide unfazed, yet Lance¡¯s words held a grain of truth.


    When Lycan Erasmus had mentioned her future mate gaining a council seat, he hadn¡¯t anticipated she¡¯d


    earn respect from Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates on the battlefield.


    Now that he knew, he wouldn¡¯t easily ept her choice.


    His priority was the royal family, not her happiness.


    This could easily leave both parties unsatisfied.


    Following her logic, Lance easily gauged her thoughts.


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    He said, ¡°I¡¯d given up on finding a mate. But since Lycan Erasmus insists<b>, </b>I¡¯llply. Better you than a stranger.¡±

 Novel Male 127

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide looked into Lance¡¯s brown eyes, deep as a starless night.


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    Amid the crackling pine fire, she sensed his cedar pheromones, sharp with cier cold and bitter with gunpowder from his battle¨Cstained armor.


    Her nape nd prickled, releasing the Frostfang Alpha¡¯s soothing silvergrass scent.


    After a pause, she said, ¡°Alpha Lance, if we bond and youter find your Second Chance, she¡¯d be your mistress. I¡¯ve already severed one mate bond. Another would shame my parents and weaken my wolf.¡±


    Lance¡¯s wolf paced restlessly in his mind, eyes locked on the moon sigil at Adide¡¯s corbone.


    He suppressed the urge to leap up and pressed down on his hat.


    When she mentioned severing a mate bond, his wolf wed at his consciousness, ¡°Her cedar carries silvergrass¨Cshe¡¯s our true mate from the Moon Goddess!¡±


    He feigned indifference, but his lips curled upward involuntarily.


    He said, ¡°I won¡¯t love another she¨Cwolf but her. We can spend our lives like this, mutual respect and courtesy.¡±


    Hearing this, Adide became curious.


    She asked, ¡°I wonder who she is. If you two are true mates and you hold her in such high regard, why isn¡¯t she with you?¡±


    Lance¡¯s eyes zed as he spoke of her.


    He swallowed hard, curbing his growing fangs.


    His wolf taunted, ¡°Idiot! She¡¯s our long¨Clost destined mate!¡±


    He said, ¡°She doesn¡¯t even know me. It¡¯s all one¨Csided. Before heading to the Southern Border, I asked her mother for a bond, but was rejected.¡±


    ¡°After I left<b>, </b>she found her daughter a suitable mate. I can¡¯t name her, as she¡¯s already mated, and I don¡¯t want to cause her


    any trouble.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°Right. If she¡¯s bonded, you shouldn¡¯t mention her.¡±


    She respected Lance even more now.


    He was a brave and strategic warrior, yet also remarkably perceptive.


    Though deeply in love with that woman, he held his tongue to protect her reputation.


    Life would be easier for women if there were more men like Lance.


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    Lance, mirroring his barracks bluntness, urged, ¡°Adide, answer me. Straight up. <b>I¡¯ll </b>handle any issues.¡±


    Almost instinctively, Adide replied, ¡°Yes!¡±


    Lance¡¯s tension eased, his smile breaking free. ¡°Straightforward as ever. Let¡¯s divide duties: you manage the pack, I¡¯ll earn. My mom and sister will live here.¡±


    ¡°After our bonding, my sister will find her own mate and leave soon.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡¯s the tough one. She¡¯s used to a life of luxury and likes to boss people around,¡± Lance said. ¡°But I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t push you around.¡±


    Adide was the type to stand firm against strength and soften at weakness.


    It was high time Mom experienced some push¨Cback.


    Adide smiled. ¡°Your mom¡¯s in for a taste of defiance.¡±


    Lance¡¯s filial piety carried a tinge of sarcasm.


    ¡°Adide, you¡¯ve nailed it!¡± His eyes glowed with fiery resolve.


    After Lance left, Beta Valentin and two omegas entered. Adide, candidly, shared Lance¡¯s marriage proposal and her eptance.


    Beta Valentin and the two omegas froze for a moment, their expressions heavy with unspoken thoughts.


    ¡°This is the best option,¡± Adide said lightly.


    She smiled lightly and said, ¡°Although Alpha Lance and I are not true mates, we have fought side by side and trust each other. By mating with him, we can keep both packs intact and independent, without needing to bring in outsiders.¡±


    The omegas, holding back words, forced smiles.


    They said, ¡°Alpha Adide, brace yourself. As a Lycan royal, Lance can have many lovers and breeders in the pack.¡±


    They recalled Lance¡¯s prior visit. He¡¯d sought to bond with Adide, only to be fobbed off by Luna Aire.


    Aire, unwilling to see Adide as a Lycan mate, cited royal Lycans¡® frequent affairs<b>, </b>warning Adide¡¯s wolf would suffer.


    Moreover, this was technically infidelity. For Lycans, they could remain unaffected, yet their mate¡¯s wolf would suffer and weaken.


    The omegas, bound by Adide¡¯s decision, kept these concerns to themselves.


    1:05 am

 Novel Male 128

    ¡°Whether lovers or Breeders, it makes no difference,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°No difference?¡± Omega Ivy was surprised. ¡°But Alpha Ulrik¡­¡­¡±


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    Adide shook her head, calm. ¡°It¡¯s different. Ulrik promised my mother he¡¯d never take a lover. So I devoted myself to his pack, awaiting his return from victory.¡±


    ¡°But upon his return, he first sought to bond Velda into the pack, breaching his promise. I upheld the Luna¡¯s duty, but he failed as a mate yet doted on another, even uttering heartless words to me. I see no reason to endure it.¡±


    Beta Valentin and the omegas¡® eyes zed with anger.


    Alpha Adide¡¯s loyalty was trampled thus¨Coutrageous!


    Adide continued, ¡°As for Lance and me, we¡¯ve an understanding. Our union is a pragmatic solution to our problems. We harbor no affection, seeking not emotional connection but mutual respect and harmony.¡±


    ¡°Bing the partner of Lycan King¡¯s son isn¡¯t easy. His mother, Prisci, will leave the pce for Lance¡¯s pack. She¡¯s a formidable person,¡± Beta Valentin noted.


    Beta Valentin said, ¡°Prisci is Lycan rissa¡¯s sister, and it¡¯s said that rissa indulges her. Even the royal priestesses fear her. Your life with them will likely be tough.¡±


    Beta Valentin saw both sides. He thought bing Lance¡¯s mate wasn¡¯t ideal, but feared Adide might encounter a fickle man.


    If such a man entered the Royal Elder Council and became the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, he might disregard Adide, which would be worse.


    There were benefits to bonding with Lance¨Che was upright and royal.


    Marrying him would also silence those who once looked down on Adide.


    Many now respected her, but some Alphas still doubted she could find a better mate.


    If she refused to lower her standards, she might end up alone.


    Valentin said, ¡°Marrying Alpha Lance is better than a match chosen by Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    They believed Lycan Erasmus sought to ce Adide in the Royal Elder Council. Valentin worried a poorly¨Cchosen mate might abuse power post¨Csession.


    Adide¡¯s wolf recalled Lance¡¯s cedar scent, her nape mark tingling.


    She touched her father¡¯s wolf¨Chead bone token.


    1:05 am DDDD


    Lance emerged from the Frostfang Pack, triumphant.


    He ordered Tommy, ¡°Drive to the pce. See Lycan Erasmus<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    In the study, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s white musk pheromones pressed like ice. Lance knelt, the royal totem on his neck resonating with the floor¡¯s wolf¨Chead carving.


    He presented the armymand appointment and said, ¡°Two purposes today. First, peacetime requires me to returnmand. So here¡¯s the appointment.¡±


    ¡°Second, I seek to mate with Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, Adide. She¡¯s agreed. I¡¯ll formally propose soon.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s gaze was inscrutable.


    He took the appointment from Beta Fabian, then paired it with Alpha Bentley¡¯s.


    Themand was nowplete.


    The former Lycan King had given Lance the armymander¡¯s appointment, allowing him to keep it to protect the kingdom indefinitely.


    Lycan Erasmus caressed the unfamiliar document, its etchings strange beneath his fingers.


    ¡°Adide agreed?¡± he asked, as if in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes, Lycan Erasmus,¡± Lance replied joyfully, like a naive prince.


    ¡°Before my deployment, I proposed. Luna Airelle refused, choosing Ulrik instead. Yet fatefully, she returns


    to me.¡±


    He smiled sweetly, ¡°Naturally, I thank you. Your three¨Cmonth decree gave me this chance.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s hidden smile faded. ¡°Without pressure, you¡¯d have relinquished her again. I know you- hesitant to propose after past rejection, nning to court her slowly. Yet she inherits and manages a pack.¡±


    Lance admitted, ¡°I was cowardly.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus, after a pause, asked, ¡°Is she truly so important to you?¡±


    ¡°You know full well,¡± Lance said, sitting beside Erasmus.


    ¡°I intended to wait until the rewards business was concluded, then slowly spend time with her and build our rtionship. But your order made me fear she¡¯d be taken from me.¡±


    <b>1:05 </b>

 Novel Male 129

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s white musk pheromones carried a hint of sulfur.


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    He nced at the fresh battle¨Cscar on Lance¡¯s nape and forced a smile. ¡°This was also the intention of the former Lycan Luna and me¨Cwe wouldn¡¯t have to use the New Moon Priestess matter to prod you into proposing; otherwise, you might have waited until she found a Second Chance.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in high demand now, not only as a Golden w Gamma but also inheriting Alpha Bentley¡¯sbat prowess. She¡¯s bold and strategic, breaking through city gates on her first battle and seeding twice.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, she trained at the Warscar Training Camp, where many powerful werewolves are her ssmates. My dear brother, you¡¯re truly fortunate.¡±


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones carried a sweet pine note.


    He smiled warmly and happily, ¡°I¡¯m naturally very fortunate. I¡¯ve liked her since her days in the Shadow Peaks.¡±


    ¡°When I fell for her, she was just a little she¨Cwolf bold enough to bite mybat boot,¡± his wolf ears trembled slightly at the memory, ¡°It had nothing to do with her ability to lead werewolf warriors into battle or her bloodline.¡±


    A trace of white musk dispersed from Lycan Erasmus.


    Of course, he was aware of his younger brother¡¯s feelings¨Cever since that little she¨Cwolf left tooth marks on Lance¡¯s boot, Lance¡¯s wolf had been captivated by her.


    He nodded, ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Indeed, Lance had cherished feelings for Adide long before any pragmatic calctions entered the picture.


    It was Erasmus who oveplicated things.


    Though Erasmus¡¯s face wore a smile, a tinge of mncholy lingered in his heart.


    He gazed at the Eternal Night Altar outside the window, the moonstone spire reflecting theplexity in his eyes.


    Initially, he believed that no matter Lance¡¯s choice, he could secure some benefit for himself, indifferent to Lance¡¯s decision.


    Yet now, with Lance resolutely choosing Adide and immediately relinquishingmand of the army, a subtle, unspoken regret surfaced.


    As for whether Lance would have willingly surrenderedmand without Adide¡¯s involvement remained uncertain.


    1:05 <b>am </b>DDDD


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    He suddenly recalled twenty years ago, a little she¨Cwolf ying under the throne with war chess pieces dering, ¡°I will be a wolf king like my royal brother.¡±


    His younger brother was ambitious¨Crecapturing the Southern Border was his ambition.


    Whether other ambitions would emerge with time was anyone¡¯s guess<b>. </b>


    Now<b>, </b>withmand surrendered and no lingering concerns, the royal family could maintain harmony.


    As for Adide¡­¡­


    Erasmus¡¯s mind conjured her appearance when she sought an audience to dissolve a mate bond¨Cserene and unruffled.


    The second time she entered the pce, her pheromones carried the tang of gunpowder, her wolf eyes zing with a wildfire that even ciers couldn¡¯t extinguish. ¡°Werewolves from the Western Tribe, disguised as Dragon Ash soldiers, are marching toward the Southern Border!¡±


    At the time, he took it as a spurned she¨Cwolf¡¯s revenge, failing to detect the pure anxiety of a battle¨Cworn wolf in her pheromones.


    Now, recalling her calm during the contract dissolution and the fiery passion she revealed only when discussing military matters, he realized that while other noble she¨Cwolves chased after jewelry, she was always preupied with the stability of the entire werewolf kingdom.


    A tinge of mncholy filled Erasmus¡¯s heart. Such a she¨Cwolf, even if once mated to another, was unforgettable.


    For <i>a </i>fleeting moment, he had wished Lance would cling to armymand and forsake Adide.


    But now¡­.. it was eptable.


    ¡°Shall I officiate your bonding at the next full moon meeting with the Royal Elder Council¡¯s blessings?¡± he tapped the wolf¨Ccarved armrest of his throne.


    Lance leaned back in his chair, seeming to shed a great burden, appearing carefree and dashing, ¡°Thank you for your kind offer, Lycan Erasmus, but it¡¯s too grand. Adide has been mated before; I don¡¯t want her in the spotlight.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus nodded slightly, ¡°But you must consider how to break the news to your mother.¡±


    ¡°Tell her straightforwardly.¡± As Lance rose, the frost wolf totem on his armor gleamed coldly.


    Within the pce, furious and shrill voices erupted.


    High Priestess Prisci¡¯s howls carried bloodmoon curses, ¡°She wants to be Lance¡¯s mate? Only over my dead body! Tell her to abandon such fantasies, or I¡¯ll show her no mercy.¡±


    Lance¡¯s pheromones rippled under the iron¨Crust oppression as he calmly regarded the distraught Prisci.


    He¡¯d grown up amidst such bellowing and was desensitized to it.


    But Adide might not adapt so easily.


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    Prisci¡¯s rose pheromones suddenly condensed into blood¨Cred ice crystals. Her wolf¨Ctransformed ws nearly pierced Lance¡¯s throat, ¡°I¡¯ll be residing in the pack in a few days. Should she dare to set a paw in my territory, I¡¯ll sever her legs with these ws.¡±


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones turned icy<b>, </b>carrying the chill of a northern blizzard. As he dodged her ws, the frost wolf emblem on his armor shed with martial coldness<b>. </b>


    He nodded slightly, ¡°Maiming her legs sounds good. I¡¯ve seen her disable enemies in battle¨Cswift as lightning, crack, and they¡¯re in three pieces. A sight most satisfying.¡±


    Prisci pped the air, her voice sharp, ¡°No matter her lineage as a Davidson or her training at Warscar, to me, she¡¯s but a she¨Cwolf exiled by the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±

 Novel Male 130

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°You¡¯re a Lycan, Alpha of the ckthorn Pack. If you sought a mate, countless Alpha daughters would vie for your attention. Yet you choose a she¨Cwolf abandoned by her mate. Are you mad?¡±


    Lance¡¯s pheromones solidified, slicing through Prisci¡¯s priestess robes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear such words again. If you dislike her, you needn¡¯t live in the ckthorn Pack. It¡¯sfortable here in the pce.¡±


    A hint of hurt flickered in Prisci¡¯s eyes before she unleashed her authority. ¡°What did you say? You¡¯d disown me for that¡­ that former bondmate? Lance, you¡¯re such a bastard!¡±


    Once, Prisci¡¯s overwhelming pressure would have suffocated Lance.


    But like the boy who cried wolf, while it once overwhelmed him, Lance had grown stronger.


    Now, her fury merely signified her discontent.


    Their fragile maternal harmony was remarkable.


    After Prisci used him, Lance coolly replied, ¡°I will mate with Adide for sure. Whether you ept her is your choice.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s rose pheromones twisted into thorny vines, forming a blood¨Cred cor around Lance¡¯s throat.


    She raged, ¡°The mate bond is a lunar goddess tradition. As your mother, I forbid it. Would you defy the Moon Goddess? Are you mad to choose a cast¨Coff she¨Cwolf reeking of Ulrik¡¯s pheromones?¡±


    As Lance rose, the frost wolf emblem on his armor glinted.


    His cedar pheromones, icy as ciers, dispelled the blood¨Cred vines. ¡°Thanks for the reminder. Royal bonds are hosted by the former Lycan Luna, so my ceremony will be presided over by Lycan rissa.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s ws pierced her palm, rose¨Ctinted blood sizzling on the lunar grass sigil. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Watching Lance stride away, Prisci¡¯s tears fell in anger and helplessness.


    She could never truly control her son.


    No matter her appeals, he paid mere lip service, indulging her while harboring his own intentions.


    She wondered where she¡¯d failed.


    She¡¯d nurtured and strategized for him, earning the old Lycan King¡¯s praise.


    Yet despite her devotion, Lance remained emotionally distant.


    That night, after the victory banquet, Lance was brought to her pce.


    <b>1:05 </b>am DDD


    She was happy. She prepared a soothing drink and a bath with wolf grass essential oil.


    But he slept on the guest room lounge chair.


    The next day, he left without a word. She awoke to an empty table and his absence.


    Prisciy on her moon grass¨Ciid couch, her rose sigil ring with fury.


    Her wolf whimpered in frustration.


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    Omega Susan¡¯s mintced pheromones, carrying moon grass tincture, failed to suppress the sulfurced jealousy surging in Prisci¡¯s nds.


    She seethed with resentment toward Adide.


    0


    Omega Susan soothed, ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. Alpha Lance is strong¨Cwilled. Perhaps he¡¯s bewitched by her pheromones. Estrous she¨Cwolves do attract mighty Alphas.¡±


    ¡°True. When Airelle sought a mate for Adide, many powerful Alphas pursued her. Why she chose Ulrik remains a mystery.¡±


    Susan dabbed Prisci¡¯s tears and continued, ¡°She¡¯s just a nobody. You needn¡¯t rage so. If Lance insists, let him be.¡±


    ¡°Adide¡¯s fair to look at, but constantpany breeds contempt. Even the most beautiful woman grows wearisome if she¡¯s always jealous and temperamental. No man would tolerate that.¡±


    ¡°The ckthorn Pack won¡¯t revolve around her. As Lycan royalty, Lance can have lovers and Breeders. If she shows her true colors, Lance might grow disgusted too.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s wolf growled a warning. ¡°Still, as Lycan royalty choosing a former bondmate from a declining pack like the Bloodmoon, how can I hold my head high in the pce?¡±


    Always prideful, Prisci disdained all in the royal pce except her sister, Lycan rissa.


    Her daughter, Princess Zelda, was also mate¨Chunting.


    Wilmot Greenwood of the Styxwarden Pack was on her list, but he was a wastrel, unlike Lance.


    Prisci hoped Zelda¡¯s mate would be learned and upright.


    Yet Lycan Erasmus seemed pleased with Wilmot, and Zelda favored him too.


    Now, with both children¡¯s marriages unsatisfactory, Prisci¡¯s pride was deeply wounded.

 Novel Male 131

    <b>1:05 </b><b>am </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci¡¯s wolf growled discontentedly.


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    She resented Adide and snapped at Omega Susan, ¡°Summon Adide to the pce tomorrow. I want to see what she looks like¨Cabandoned and still aiming to be a Lycan¡¯s mate.¡±


    Unable to sway Lance, she sought to intimidate Adide.


    Don¡¯t let military merits inte her ego.


    Earlier, she agreed; back then, Alpha Bentley was alive, and the Davis n in the Frostfang Pack hadn¡¯t been massacred.


    Alpha Bentley¡¯s subordinates were pirs of the army, and he had supported Lance.


    But times have changed. Adide, already marked and family¨Cless, was deemed by Prisci as just a pretty face.


    Moreover, rumors of Adide¡¯s brutal training at the Shadow Peaks¡® Warscar Camp painted her as too savage for the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna role.


    Prisci¡¯s disdain deepened. ¡°Also, check if she still interacts with the Bloodmoon Pack. Any lingering ties mean she¡¯s messing with her ex¨Cmate, unfit to be Lance¡¯s mate.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Susan replied, dispatching scouts.


    They soon learned of Rosemary¡¯s chaotic visit to the Frostfang Pack.


    The incident was widely discussed, with onlookers condemning the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s bullying.


    Susan¡¯s sources confirmed the werewolves¡® sentiment.


    However, upon reporting to Prisci, she frowned.


    ¡°If Adide hadn¡¯t botched things, why would the Tenar family cause a scene? Did that Shaman Digby really refuse treatment?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and Shaman Digby rified it was due to Rosemary¡¯s misconduct.¡±


    Prisci sneered, ¡°Since when do doctors judge patients¡® character? As an outsider, how could he know the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s internal affairs? Clearly, Adideined to him, and Digby, siding with her, denied the former Luna treatment.¡±


    Susan suggested, ¡°Maybe Shaman Digby resented Ulrik using his battle merits to bond with Velda, supported by the former Luna. Given his close ties to the Davidson family, this isn¡¯t surprising.¡±


    Prisci, disgusted, insisted, ¡°Regardless, one shouldn¡¯t block others¡® paths.¡±


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    ¡°If the Luna Rosemary from Bloodmoon hadn¡¯t been desperate, she wouldn¡¯t have caused a disturbance. Isn¡¯t the Tenar family already dishonored enough?<b>¡± </b>


    Prisci <b>grew </b>up sheltered and never engaged in court politics, thanks to rissa¡¯s protection.


    Her worldview was simplistic¨Cshe assumed that anyone causing a disturbance must be in the wrong, questioning why someone would kick up a fuss if they weren¡¯t at fault.


    Of course, her prejudice against Adide was the main issue. She was convinced that everything Adide does is wrong.


    She simply couldn¡¯t stand Adide.


    She even once told Susan, ¡°Even if Lance chose a rogue, it¡¯d be better than Adide.¡±


    Susan, though agreeing Adide was unworthy of Lance, refrained from inming the situation.


    She simply said, ¡°Perhaps Adide will back down tomorrow.¡±


    The Frostfang Pack reported Prisci¡¯s invitation for Adide to the pce.


    Beta Valentin and the omegas were anxious.


    Known for her arrogance and limited tolerance, Prisci was a formidable figure.


    Valentin¡¯s wolf ears pricked with anxiety. ¡°This invitation carries Prisci¡¯s rose¨Cthorn pheromones¨Ca deliberate ¡®mother wolf aura¡® y to suppress your Alpha aura.¡±


    He disyed the letter, its rose sigil still oozing sulfurced dominance.


    Valentin suggested, ¡°Have Alpha Lance apany you. With him, she can¡¯t harass you too much.¡±


    Adideughed, ¡°No need. Prisci¡¯s still in the pce; she¡¯ll behave. Her insults won¡¯t faze us.¡±


    Omega Ivy, protective of Adide, argued, ¡°We¡¯ve done nothing wrong. Why should we endure her insults<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide winked, ¡°Valid point. Let¡¯s shift and brawl with Prisci, destroy her pce¨Chow about that?¡±


    Ivy, startled, quickly refused, ¡°Absolutely not! That¡¯s courting disaster.¡±


    Beata chuckled, linking arms with Ivy, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Alpha Adide¡¯s not reckless. If Prisci¡¯s unreasonable, there¡¯s always Lycan Luna rissa.¡±


    Omega Ivy nodded but then shook her head, ¡°Lycan rissa does favor Alpha Adide, but Prisci is her sister. rissa¡¯s notorious for spoiling her; we can¡¯t count on her for help.¡±


    Beata chimed in worriedly, ¡°That¡¯s true, but what can we do then?¡±


    Her anxiety was evident.

 Novel Male 132

    After leaving Prisci¡¯s pce, Lance went to greet Lycan rissa and told her of his intention to bond with Adide.


    rissa was delighted. ¡°You¡¯ve aplished great things quietly. Two months ago, your mother was still worrying about your marriage. I didn¡¯t expect you and Adide to hit it off on the battlefield. She¡¯s a good girl and deserves your care.¡±


    Lance said, ¡°Lycan rissa, I will treat her well. However, Prisci seems to dislike Adide and might intimidate her at the pce in the next few days.¡±


    rissa immediately sensed Lance¡¯s indirect plea for help.


    With a gentle smile, she reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here, and Adide won¡¯t be wronged.¡±


    Lance expressed his gratitude sincerely, ¡°I leave it all in your hands. Thanks, Lycan rissa.¡±


    rissa¡¯s eyes flickered withplexity but quickly regainedposure.


    She inquired about his experiences on the battlefield, his injuries, and their recovery.


    Lance answered each question, and rissa insisted on having the royal healers examine him.


    The royal healers were experienced, and Lance left the pce with a bounty of nutritional supplements.


    Sometimes Lance wondered, ¡°whose son am I really?¡±


    His mother Prisci never asked about such things.


    After the victory banquet, he was sent to Prisci¡¯s pce drunk.


    Prisci excitedly shook him, praising the Southern Border triumph and their rising fame.


    She never asked if he¡¯d suffered, focusing only on the glory.


    But Lance held no grudges. Prisci had always been self¨Ccentered, expecting the world to revolve around


    her.


    Her love was just enough for a calm mother¨Cson rtionship¨Cneither arousing resentment nor inviting high expectations.


    After Lance left, rissa rested on the sofa, eyes closed.


    An Omega, thinking her asleep, quietly draped a nket over her.


    The weather was sultry, yet the hally in shade. Sleeping there could easily give one a chill.


    rissa opened her eyes and said, ¡°I¡¯m not asleep, just deep in thought.¡±


    1:06 am


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    Omega Tracy asked, ¡°Is it about Alpha Lance and Miss Davidson¡¯s bond? You¡¯ve known about it for a while. There¡¯s no need to worry. Alpha Lance will treat her well.¡±


    rissa shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s not what concerns me.¡±


    ¡°Worried Prisci will be unkind to Miss Davidson?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on her,¡± rissa sighed. ¡°But I fear friction between Lance and Erasmus. Erasmus¡¯s n to strip Lance ofmand is clear. Lance must see through it. How could he not feel upset?¡±


    Omega Tracy reassured, ¡°Alpha Lance will understand. Lycan Erasmus aims to prevent future conflicts. Withoutmand, Alpha Lance poses no threat.¡±


    ¡°Erasmus knows his brothercks ambition.¡±


    ¡°Better safe than sorry. Besides, Lycan Erasmus, feeling guilty, willpensate Alpha Lance.¡±


    rissa nodded slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t oppose it. When Erasmus told me, I stayed silent but agreed inwardly.¡±


    ¡°Adide has Alpha Bentley¡¯s subordinates¡® support, and Lance has the army. Even if Lycan Erasmus isn¡¯t suspicious, the Royal Council sees their power as a threat.¡±


    ¡°True. But understanding this, we have nothing to fear.¡±


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus and Alpha Lance¡¯s bond runs deep. Any discord is temporary.¡±


    rissa sighed gently. ¡°Yes, withoutmand, Lance can still serve as an Elder in the Royal Council.¡±


    rissa¡¯s brow remained furrowed, her mind on Erasmus.


    She knew his thoughts better than anyone.


    Life¡¯sirony never ceased to amaze her.


    She hoped he¡¯d prioritize the kingdom as his father had.


    The next day, Adide and Beata arrived at the pce.


    She visited Lycan rissa first, who eagerly grasped her hands, inquiring about her and Lance.


    Adide had prepared her story: mutual attraction on the battlefield, followed by Alpha Lance¡¯s proposal upon returning to the capital.


    Since Lance didn¡¯t reject her, she epted.


    rissa, aware of the truth, spared Adide further embarrassment. She didn¡¯t mention Lycan Erasmus¡¯s three¨Cmonth ultimatum, instead attributing their bond to fate and the Moon Goddess¡¯s will.


    After their chat, rissa announced she¡¯d send for Prisci.

 Novel Male 133

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide appreciated rissa¡¯s kindness but shook her head. ¡°If I rely on your favor to defy Prisci, she¡¯ll only resent me more once Lance and I are truly mated. And while you can protect me today, you can¡¯t shield me in the ckthorn Pack tomorrow.¡±


    rissa looked at her and said, ¡°You¡¯re always so sensible. It breaks my heart.¡±


    rissa¡¯s white musk pheromones suddenly formed aurel branch shape, gently wrapping around her


    wrist.


    ¡°It¡¯s just Prisci¨Cspoiled by my family and me, with a willful personality. When she moves to the ckthorn Pack to live with you, you might have to endure some sufferings,¡± rissa said.


    ¡°Today, let¡¯s see what she says. If she¡¯s too outrageous, I¡¯ll reprimand her,¡± rissa added.


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°Thank you for your concern, Lycan rissa. With you watching over me, I won¡¯t be wronged.¡±


    rissa smiled gently. ¡°Go on, I¡¯ll send someone to check inter.¡±


    Adide nodded and took her leave.


    At noon, the sun was scorching as Adide and Beata followed a royal guard through the pce gardens.


    The guard, under Prisci¡¯s management, had been waiting outside.


    Though there were shaded walkways avable, he deliberately led them through the strongest sunlight, even looping around in some areas for <i>a </i>long time, to the point of retracing their steps twice.


    Adide, as a powerful Alpha, was unaffected, but Beata was struggling¨Csweating, dizzy, headache- ridden, and on the verge of nausea, showing signs of heatstroke.


    Adide had anticipated the visit wouldn¡¯t be simple and had brought medicine from Shaman Digby.


    Seeing Beata¡¯s difort, she administered the potion and fanned her to cool down.


    Noticing the guard also seemed faint, Adide offered, ¡°Would you like a pill too?¡±


    The guard, indeed following Prisci¡¯s orders to make things difficult, had been wilting under the sun for half an hour, his lips turning white.


    Grateful for Adide¡¯s offer and seeing no one around, he whispered, ¡°Thank you, Alpha Adide.¡±


    As a low¨Cranking guard in Prisci¡¯s night patrol, he was used to being overlooked.


    But Adide¡¯spassion moved him.


    Swallowing the bitter¨Ctasting yet cooling medicine, he felt a rare warmth.


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    The lower¨Cranking wolf guards and omegas in the pce were the most looked¨Cdown¨Cupon and insignificant beings. No one respected them, and no one cared about them.


    But now, feeling someone¡¯s concern for once, a flicker of warmth stirred in his heart. He nced swiftly at Adide and said, ¡°Follow me, Alpha Adide.¡±


    This time, he guided them to a shaded colonnade, bypassing the sun¡¯s re, and headed for Prisci¡¯s pce.


    Upon arrival, the guard announced their presence.


    Soon, an older Omega emerged, nced at Adide, and asked, ¡°Miss Davidson?¡±


    Adide affirmed.


    The omega¡¯s gray ear¨Ctip fur trembled in the silver grass incense. Her knobby hand brushed the wolf¨Chead copper badge at her waist.


    ¡°Follow me, Prisci awaits.¡±


    Her pine pheromones, mixed with the musty smell of old parchment, curled into a ball under Adide¡¯s cedarwood pressure.


    She left Beata outside and entered. The hall¡¯s white jade bricks gleamed, and luxury surrounded her.


    At the hall¡¯s center sat ady in purple, resembling Lance in features.


    She knew that this was Prisci.


    Adide knelt gracefully, her posture impable, a testament to her year of etiquette training post- Shadow Peaks. ¡°Adide greets Prisci,¡± she said, her voice steady.


    Prisci¡¯s cold voicemanded, ¡°Raise your head.¡±


    Adide slowly lifted her head as instructed and faced Prisci, though she avoided eye contact. Yet, she could still sense the coldness in Prisci¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Humph, so you do have a captivating face. No wonder my son¡¯s smitten,¡± Prisci sneered, her nails digging into the armrest.


    A high¨Cranking omega assisted her as she approached Adide, hand raised to strike.


    ¡°How dare you seduce my son, you tramp?¡±


    Before the pnded, Adide grasped Prisci¡¯s wrist.


    Prisci, a mix of shock and fury, was preempted by Adide¡¯s warning, ¡°A priestess should beware retaliation. Should you harm me, my wolf will shift and retaliate. You¡¯ll be wed.¡±


    ¡°If you insist on striking me yourself, then I must warn you again,¡± Adide added.


    Whether true or not<b>, </b>she couldn¡¯t risk injury.

 Novel Male 134

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    She quickly withdrew her wrist, her silver¨Cblue pupils scanning the gray¨Ctemples Omega Susan beside her.


    The elder Omega¡¯s wolf was in poor shape, its pheromones were intermittent, so she wouldn¡¯t target it. Instead, she nced up and ordered a burly wolf¨Cman guard to enter.


    Prisci¡¯s fingers caressed the wolf¨Chead crest ring¨Ca symbol of her status <b>as </b>a royal priestess.


    pping someone upon meeting was a grave insult.


    Prisci wanted to see how much backbone this she¨Cwolf, abandoned by Ulrik, truly had.


    She aimed to intimidate Adide into backing down, making it clear this p was just the beginning.


    A bear¨Clike wolf¨Cman guard marched in, frost¨Cwolf totems on his pauldrons still dusted with unmelted


    snow.


    Upon receiving the order, he growled and swung his massive palm, reeking of sulfur pheromones, toward Adide¡¯s face.


    Had the pnded, it could fracture an ordinary she¨Cwolf¡¯s cheekbone.


    Yet before his palm even touched her skin, a overwhelming giant wolf aura erupted from Adide.


    She didn¡¯t lift a finger; her still¨Chealing silver moon sigil on her nape emitted a cold glow.


    The guard was thrown back by an invisible force, crashing into an ornate chair and breaking it.


    Blood gushed from his throat, staining the moonstone floor a dark red. He nearly fainted from the pain.


    Prisci¡¯s goosebumps stood on end, a chill running through her tailbone.


    She watched in shock as Adide remained motionless, her skirt not even fluttering. Only the Moon Goddess ne at her corbone gleamed faintly.


    The wolf guards hurriedly removed the injured guard, but his blood spilled onto Prisci¡¯s chair. Despite the Omegas vigorously wiping it, a bloody stench lingered.


    Prisci<b>, </b>averse to filth, would never sit there again.


    Fortunately, recement chairs were readily avable.


    But Adide¡¯s disy stunned everyone in the hall. Omega Susan, speechless and trembling, supported Prisci<b>. </b>


    As Prisci sat back down, she felt an overwhelming suffocation from Adide¡¯s stunning presence¨Ca feeling she¡¯d once sensed from her son.


    Adide exuded the dignity of a wolf general.


    Fresh from the battlefield, Prisci imagined hearing the sounds ofbat.


    This only fueled her resentment.


    Taking a deep breath, Prisci coldly dered, ¡°You know your ce. You¡¯re unworthy of my son. I¡¯ll overlook your insolence today for your Southern Border merits.¡± She paused, expecting gratitude.


    Adide raised her head, chin slightly lifted, her expression grave. ¡°Thank you. As for whether I match Alpha Lance, that¡¯s his call.¡±


    Infuriated, Prisci retorted, ¡°He¡¯s blinded now, but he¡¯lle to his senses. You¡¯re abandoned goods. Once his infatuation fades, he¡¯ll discard you. You¡¯ll lose everything. I¡¯m warning you for your own good.¡±


    Adide rified, ¡°My mate bond with Ulrik was dissolved, not rejected or broken. I initiated it. If anyone abandoned, it was me leaving him, not the Bloodmoon Pack abandoning me. Still, I appreciate your


    concern.¡±


    Prisci sneered, ¡°No matter who abandoned whom, you¡¯ve had a mate.¡±


    Adide countered, ¡°The Moon Goddess allows Second Chances, proving she doesn¡¯t limit each wolf to one mate. Even royal Lycans have multiple lovers.¡±


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus himself said at the victory banquet that all she¨Cwolves should emte me.¡±


    Prisci scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re quite the smooth talker. If all she¨Cwolves were like you, the world would be in chaos.¡±


    ¡°You think you¡¯re a role model because of a few military merits?¡± Prisci sneered, ¡°What about she¨Cwolves who can¡¯t <i>go </i>to war? Does that mean they can¡¯t live?¡±


    This sounded familiar to Adide. She had once asked Velda simrly.


    Adide calmly shot back, ¡°A role model doesn¡¯t mean every she¨Cwolf must fight. Lycan Erasmus praised my indomitable will, not just my battlefield achievements.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Prisci mmed the armrest.


    ¡°This is Erasmus¡¯s view. If you disagree, take it up with him,¡± Adide said evenly.


    Prisci sneered, ¡°So you¡¯ve charmed Lance with your beauty and wit? Your high¨Cminded words mask a scheming heart. I know your game¨Cyou¡¯re from a declining pack, alone, abandoned by the Bloodmoon Pack. You¡¯re angling to attach yourself to royalty, to make those who once mocked you jealous and envious. You want to use your status to get back at them.¡±


    Adide smiled faintly, her eyes cold. ¡°You overthink, Prisci. If I wanted revenge, I wouldn¡¯t need to rely on anyone.¡±

 Novel Male 135

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci froze, realizing she was outmatched.


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    Her initial n to p Adide and assert dominance had backfired¨Cher own guard was injured before Adide even flinched.


    In all her years, Prisci had never suffered such humiliation.


    ¡°The Frostfang blood runs wild,¡± she sneered.


    Her sulfurced pheromones faltered under Adide¡¯s cold gaze.


    The she¨Cwolf knelt on moonstone tiles, her fresh scar from the mate bond dissolution gleaming faintly¨Ca mark of her resilience.


    Prisci, suppressing her dread, fidgeted with her wolf¨Chead bone token. Meant to suppress Adide, it now burned under her Alpha aura.


    ¡°Forget being the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna,¡± Prisci dered, shaking her snow¨Cwolf¨Chaired cloak. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange a reliable mate for you to inherit your father¡¯s pack.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ve already agreed to bond with Alpha Lance. Integrity is fundamental; I won¡¯t renege.¡±


    Prisci stared, struck by Adide¡¯s aura of ancient wolf¨Cking majesty. Even in a kneel, she exuded the Frostfang¡¯s pride.


    What enraged her most was that Adide, dering her marriage to Lance, emitted no ingratiating pheromones.


    To her, the union seemed a casual pick, not a royal climb.


    Unwilling to let Adide leave so easily, Prisci resolved to deter her from Lance.


    Yet Adide remained unruffled, understanding that Prisci¡¯s bluntness, while formidable,cked guile¡ª easier to handle than deceitful types.


    She wouldn¡¯t appease Prisci, nor tolerate being bullied.


    This marriage to Alpha Lance was a mutual arrangement, requiring no ttery from her side.


    Dealing with Prisci¡¯s forthright nature was, in fact, easier than managing those with hidden agendas. While Prisci was domineering, shecked subtlety¨Ca refreshing contrast to the duplicitous.


    Adide wouldn¡¯t allow herself to be bullied by Prisci, just as she wouldn¡¯t bully her back.


    Recalling Luna Rosemary of the Bloodmoon Pack, Adide was always treated kindly before Ulrik¡¯s return, and she dutifully respected Rosemary in return.


    1:06 am


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    However, after Ulrik¡¯s victorious return altered Rosemary¡¯s attitude, Adide no longer felt obliged to tolerate such treatment.


    ¡°Stubborn!¡± Prisci mmed the table, her wolf ws leaving deep grooves.


    She was about to press further when light footsteps approached, a yful youthful voice calling out, ¡°Mommy¨C¡±


    Princess Zelda burst in like a me of apricot fire. Freshly fifteen and posting¨Cof¨Cage, she still wore her silver wolf-car studs from the lunar ceremony.


    Her pure cedar pheromones, mark of royal lineage, softened on Adide¡¯s approach, her eyes brimming with curiosity.


    Having heard omega¡¯s chatter about Adide¡¯s presence, Zelda rushed to meet her.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to find her mother and Adide at odds.


    Adide looked up and met Princess Zelda¡¯s gaze. ¡°Princess Zelda, hello.¡±


    ¡°Gamma Adide? Is it really you, Gamma Adide?¡±


    Zelda, delighted to find Adide in person, helped her up. ¡°You¡¯re the Southern Border hero!¡±


    ¡°Zelda, why are you here?¡± Prisci¡¯s roar, half¨Cwolfish, dissolved into sighs under her daughter¡¯s innocent


    stare.


    She watched Zelda assist Adide, noting the battle scar on her sleeve¨Ca sucking wound, now golden- crusted in the morning light, resembling a medal¡¯s gilt.


    ¡°Mom, I heard Gamma Adide was here,¡± Zelda chided gently, ¡°How could you make her kneel? She¡¯s just back from war, still healing.¡±


    Prisci rolled her eyes. ¡°Wolf generals¡® injuries are no rarity. Lycan Erasmus often fights and gets hurt


    too.¡±


    ¡°If Lycan Erasmus is hurt, wouldn¡¯t you be worried, Mom? Gamma Adide¡¯s family would worry about her too,¡± Zelda said.


    Prisci snorted, ¡°She has no family left. They¡¯re all dead.¡±


    ¡°Prisci, watch your words,¡± Adide interjected coldly, her wolf hackles rising.


    Her pheromones materialized into a spectral wolf head¨Cthe Frostfang banner¡¯s totem. ¡°My father and brothers died defending the Southern Border. My family was ughtered by the Western Tribe. This is a great misfortune for our kingdom. Your remark pains not only me but also Lycan Erasmus, the Royal Council, and all werewolves.¡±


    Mentioning this, Prisci felt a headacheing on.


    She never involved herself in politics or warfare.

 Novel Male 136

    Such grave topics suffocated her.


    Annoyed and at a loss for words, she waved them away.


    ¡°Leave. I¡¯m resting.¡±


    With Omega Susan¡¯s support, Prisci left.


    Adide bowed and called out loudly, ¡°Farewell, Prisci.¡±


    Startled by the sudden volume, Prisci stumbled, nearly falling.


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Omega Susan, with her strength, steadied Prisci.


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    She acutely sensed the sudden surge of Adide¡¯s pheromones upon uttering those words, so potent that even Prisci¡¯s neck nds throbbed.


    Mortified at her perceived loss of dignity, Prisci neverthelessposed herself, straightened her hair, and strode out arrogantly, supported by Susan.


    Adide exhaled slightly, relieved.


    Prisci was assertive but not insidious, a refreshing contrast to the duplicitous.


    She turned to Princess Zelda, who regarded her with evident admiration, and smiled. ¡°Princess Zelda, it¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Zelda¡¯s eyes widened with curiosity. ¡°Have we met before?¡±


    ¡°Yes, when you were but a child. You don¡¯t recall?¡±


    Adide remembered Lycan Erasmus visiting the Frostfang Pack with a little girl on his back¨CPrincess Zelda.


    Zelda tilted her head, the silver moon¨Cbeam earrings at her ears swaying, her vertical pupils reflecting the frost wolf totem on Adide¡¯s pauldron. ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡±


    Her fingers absent¨Cminded ly caressed the royal crest at her waist. ¡°But I know of Gamma Adide!¡±


    She suddenly grasped Adide¡¯s wrist, her palm¡¯s warmth transmitted through the leather guard. ¡°I heard you¡¯re to bond with my brother. You¡¯ll be my family! How wonderful!¡±


    Adide smiled gently, her snow¨Ccedar pheromones blending with a hint ofurel softness.


    She recalled Zelda¡¯s childhood visits to the Frostfang Pack, her plump paws tugging at her battle¨Cboots, her voice high and sweet as she begged for candy.


    Now the girl had lost her baby fat, her jawline hinting at royal elegance, yet her eyes still held the rity of a young wolf.


    ¡°Barring ident, we will be family,¡± Adide said.


    Princess Zelda shook her arm, her rose¨Coil hair and sweet, youthful scent filling the air. ¡°I admire you so much! Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus both say you¡¯re our kingdom¡¯s finest female general.¡±


    She suddenly lowered her voice, her nose scrunching adorably. ¡°It used to be Velda getting all the praise<b>. </b><b>I </b>wasn¡¯t a big fan of her. I met her once<b>¨C</b>haughty and ill¨Cmannered, unlike you, who are both dignified and charming.¡±


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    ¡°But Lycan rissa says women shouldn¡¯t gossip, as misunderstandings can damage reputations. I¡¯ll more<b>, </b>except that I don¡¯t like her.¡±


    Her tone ended with a joyful howl, like a yful wolf pup in the snow.


    Adide smiled at the bubbly princess.


    This girl, <b>as </b>sweet as candy, always lifted spirits.


    As Zelda lingered to chat, a wolf¨Cman guard called out, ¡°Princess, Prisci requests your return.¡±


    say no


    Zelda responded and turned to Adide. ¡°Prisci¡¯s calling. Don¡¯t mind her¨Cshe¡¯s not the least bit fierce.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Prisci¡¯s very kind and amusing,¡± Adide said with a smile.


    ¡°The kind that ps first and asks questionster, and amusing in her stumbling retreat,¡± she added to herself.


    Zelda nodded eagerly. ¡°Right, right! Kind and amusing! You¡¯re spot¨Con, Adide.¡±


    ¡°Princess!¡± the guard called again.


    ¡°Coming!¡± Zelda reluctantly released Adide¡¯s wrist. ¡°Adide, visit the pce again soon. I want to hear about the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Soon,¡± Adide said. ¡°I¡¯m sure Prisci will invite me again.¡±


    Every word fell into Omega Susan¡¯s ears. Her neck fur bristled with shock.


    How had Adide known?


    Prisci¡¯s earlier departure had been marked by her wolf¨Cheaded cane drumming the moonstone floor in frustration, sulfurous pheromones still hanging in the air, ¡°Summon her again to persuade her!¡±


    Zelda skipped away.


    Adide nced at the main hall¨Ctruly dazzling in its opulence.


    Outside, Beata waited anxiously in the shade.


    Seeing Adide emerge, she rushed forward. ¡°Alpha Adide, did Prisci cause you any trouble?¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all. Prisci was very kind,¡± Adide smiled.


    Beata doubted it. ¡°Really? I saw her storm out, fuming.¡±


    Beata hid in the shade of a tree. Though she was some distance away, she could still clearly see Prisci¡¯s every move as she left the hall. Prisci seemed to be brimming with rage, her posture rigid and her steps faltering, like a duck puffed up in frustration.


    ¡°<b>Yes</b>? I didn¡¯t notice her anger. I found her rather¡­ um, talkative.¡±


    <b>1:06 </b><b>am </b>DD


    Adide shielded her eyes from the sun. ¡°Let¡¯s visit Lycan rissa¡¯s pce.<b>¡± </b>


    Back at rissa¡¯s, Adide recounted the encounter. rissaughed heartily, tears streaming.


    +10 Free Coins


    Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief from Omega Tracy, she said, ¡°You¡¯re her match. My sister finally meets her equal. I wish I¡¯d been there. She¡¯s usually so domineering, thinking everyone¡¯s at her mercy. Now she¡¯s met her match.¡±

 Novel Male 137

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I knew rissa<b>, </b><b>as </b>the former Lycan Luna, wouldn¡¯t wait for me to report everything.


    <b>+10 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    Since she intended to look out for me, she must have someone monitoring Prisci¡¯s actions. So, she¡¯d surely aware of what happened.


    Beata and I guzzled honey¨Corange cold drinks, ignoring rissa¡¯s uncontrobleughter.


    We¡¯d been so thirsty on our detour that we just wanted to soothe our throats.


    After finishing, I said, ¡°Actually, Prisci¡¯s not that hard to deal with.¡± At least she¡¯s more straightforward than some.


    ¡°Hard to deal with? You must be talking about my sister,¡± rissa¡¯s arctic wolf pheromones spread with amusement, shaking frost from the crystal chandelier.


    Her fingers brushed the gilded wolf¨Chead teacup, and I caught a glimpse of my silver¨Ctipped ears in the cup¡¯s reflection.


    ¡°Prisci¡¯s struck fear into the entire pce. Even Luna Cami avoids her,¡± she said.


    I thought to myself, Who wouldn¡¯t steer clear of Prisci¡¯s domineering attitude?


    But if I had to choose, I¡¯d rather deal with Prisci than Luna Cami, whose words areced with hidden barbs.


    I picked up my cup for another drink.


    The beverage, infused with honey¨Corange and wolfsbane, was refreshingly cool.


    I added, ¡°Having weathered the battlefield¡¯s storms, I¡¯vee to value Prisci¡¯s blunt nature.¡±


    This was partly true and made rissaugh even harder.


    Beata suddenly grasped my wrist, her wolf ears ttened with worry. ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much. Shaman Digby said your wolf needs rest; overusing wolfsbane might hinder your self¨Chealing.¡±


    rissa, upon hearing this, had water brought over. ¡°I¡¯m well¨Caware of Digby¡¯s expertise. Heed his advice and cut down on wolfsbane¨Cinfused drinks. Battle¨Cscarred wolves are already weakened from overusing their abilities. You must recover soon. Once the bonding ceremony is done, you¡¯ll be ready to bear pups.¡±


    2


    My face flushed, and I quickly drank some water.


    rissa teased, ¡°Shy now, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s inevitable.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s inevitable?<b>¡± </b>came Lycan Erasmus¡¯s hearty voice from the door.


    1:06 am


    His white musk pheromones surged in like a cial st<b>, </b>forcing the candles to lean.


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    Dressed in a bright¨Cyellow dragon¨Cpatterned war¨Cmail with frost<b>¨C</b>wolf badges still dusted with snow, he¡¯d evidently just left the conference hall.


    I stood up promptly. ¡°Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    2


    As I bowed, my silver¨Cblue eyes caught the tooth patterns on his golden war¨Cboots.


    ¡°Oh? Gamma Adide¡¯s here too?¡± His voice carried the royal detachment, yet his gaze lingered briefly on the silver moon fang emblem at my cuff¨Ca flicker of intensity in his eyes.


    ¡°Yes, Prisci summoned me for a chat,¡± I replied.


    Once seated, Erasmus nced at me and said with a smile, ¡°rissa¡¯s quite fond of you. Do visit the pce often to keep herpany.¡±


    I acknowledged his words, but rissa interjected, ¡°You¡¯d better leave now. Lycan Erasmus must have business with me.¡±


    When Erasmus sat down, his armor shed with the throne in a sharp ring. ¡°No need. I¡¯m just resting. Adide¡¯s presence is a bonus. I¡¯d like to ask about the Southern Border.¡±


    I stiffened slightly, clutching my skirt.


    Beata stood nearby. I knew she sensed my unease¨Cthe Frostfang¨Cborn pride in me rebels at submission.


    rissa chuckled softly. ¡°Tired just now, yet eager for war talk? Why not ask Lance for details?¡±


    Her arctic wolf pheromones formed a shield, easing the room¡¯s tension.


    ¡°Adide¡¯s here, so I¡¯ll ask her,¡± Erasmus said, turning to me. His vertical pupils, etched with aurora patterns, shimmered. ¡°I hear you led the Ironthorn Army as vanguard in the Darkw Town siege, with Ulrik supporting you. So the victory was a joint effort?¡±


    My wolf growled a warning in my mind¨CI sensed danger.


    The battle reports clearly outlined the roles.


    But Lycan Erasmus deliberately blurred the lines, likely for a reason.


    I kept my voice steady. ¡°Battlefield sess hinges on teamwork. Alpha Lance had Ulrik back me and the Ironthorn Army.¡±


    Erasmus tapped the throne¡¯s armrest. The wolf¨Ccarved eyes caught my whitening knuckles. ¡°I¡¯ve been to war too. I understand. But didn¡¯t Alpha Lance take a risk by partnering you two? Given your past disputes.¡±


    His words were like a poisoned dagger, reopening old wounds.


    I looked up in surprise. ¡°Alpha Lance¡¯s decision wasn¡¯t wrong. We did take Darkw Town. As for any past issues with Alpha Ulrik, they were set aside in the face of amon enemy.¡±


    +10 Fres Coins


    Erasmus¡¯s expression turned grave. ¡°You could set them aside, but Velda couldn¡¯t. She disrupted your mission, nearly derailing the siege. Asmander, should Alpha Lance have anticipated Velda¡¯s jealousy- driven interference? The Southern Border¡¯s recapture was decisive. Every risk should have been averted, yet he failed.¡±

 Novel Male 138

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s heart pounded, her wolf ws silently lengthening beneath her sleeves.


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    She finally grasped Lycan Erasmus¡¯s intent ¡ª he was using Velda to undermine Alpha Lance¡¯s military prestige.


    And she was a key piece in this chess game.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I don¡¯t follow your implication,¡± she said, straightening her spine, ¡°but perfection in battle is impossible. Resources are limited. Alpha Lance left Velda at the rear; she vited orders. How is that Alpha Lance¡¯s fault?¡±


    Her cedar pheromones surged, striking the gilded wolf¨Chead emblem in the hall like a hammer.


    Erasmus locked eyes with her, his gaze inscrutable yet slowly curving into a smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t even started, and you¡¯re already defending him.¡±


    Adide was baffled but sensed an odd hostility, or something like it.


    His final words, tinged with mockery, sent a chill down her spine what did ¡°already defending him¡±


    even mean?


    As the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, she was attuned to royal nuances.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The veiled motives in his words were more terrifying than battlefield des.


    She paused. ¡°Lycan Erasmus, war allows no absolute certainty.¡±


    Her cedar pheromones sharpened, her wolf hair on end. ¡°Especially in decisive battles, it¡¯s often a gamble.¡±


    ¡°Our tactics for Darkw Town were sound. Minor errors were forgivable¨Cwe reimed the Southern


    Border and won.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus suddenly burst intoughter, his white musk pheromones spreading like a spring thaw, yet unable to mask the sharp glint in his eyes. ¡°I merely asked a question or two, and look at you, all nervous. No need to be on edge. I was just making small talk.¡±


    He tapped the armrest of his throne, the pupils of the gilded wolf head reflecting Adide¡¯s tensed shoulders, ¡°After all, the great victory at the Southern Border is the most celebratory event in the werewolf kingdom in a century.¡±


    Adide¡¯s back was drenched in cold sweat. This was no casual inquiry.


    His words had beenced with hidden des, deadlier than the Western Tribe¡¯s poisoned arrows.


    Her gaze fell on the royal scepter at Lycan Erasmus¡¯s waist. The moonstone embedded in it, from the same source as the shard in her ne, now gleamed at her like a heavy icicle, pressing painfully on her nds.


    His earlier sternness had suggested ountability for Lance post¨Cvictory.


    But Adide couldn¡¯t fathom Erasmus¡¯s intentions.


    Better to leave, she decided, bowing. ¡°I won¡¯t interrupt further.¡±


    rissa¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Alright.¡±


    At the door, Adide took Beata¡¯s sweaty hand¨CBeata was <b>as </b>terrified as she was.


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s sudden visit, brief and usatory; had unnerved them both.


    Watching Adide leave, Erasmus retracted his gaze.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    Meeting rissa¡¯s stern look, he felt uncharacteristic apprehension and forced a smile. ¡°Did I frighten her<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    rissa sighed. ¡°Why unsettle her?¡±


    ¡°Just amusing myself. She¡¯s usually soposed; I wanted to ruffle her feathers, like in the old days¡­ but she¡¯s changed.¡±


    few years,


    rissa¡¯s expression turned solemn. ¡°People do change. She¡¯s been through a lot these past facing tough times. Do you take pleasure in teasing her, watching her worry and stress? Does that make you feel good?¡±


    Erasmus conceded, ¡°Are you angry? Alright, I¡¯ll stop.¡±


    Summoning Beta Fabian, he ordered, ¡°Bring the gift list for Lance¡¯s bonding ceremony.¡±


    Upon hearing this, rissa¡¯s expression eased somewhat.


    Beta Fabian brought over the gift list, and Omega Tracy unfurled it for rissa¡¯s review.


    As rissa scanned the items, her satisfaction grew.


    <b>It </b>seemed Erasmus still held his brother in regard. A third of the gifts were from the pce, including a moonstone cor bearing the royal crest and silver tableware engraved with the emblems of generations of Lycans¨Citems stamped with royal authority, naturally not to be sold.


    The rest included fine jewelry, premium ready¨Cmade clothes, and household goods, all costly.


    A dressing table and women¡¯s clothing were also listed.


    rissa looked up. ¡°Why gifts for Adide too?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Some are for her. Percy and I were close. His sister¡¯s bonding ceremony would have been his joy. In his <b>absence</b><b>, </b>I¡¯ll gift her in his stead.¡±


    Percy Davidson, Adide¡¯s elder brother, had been Erasmus¡¯s confidant among Alpha Bentley¡¯s <b>sons</b>, though Erasmus most admired the eldest, Sam.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m d you remember and honor him,¡± rissa said, dismissing everyone to speak privately with Erasmus.

 Novel Male 139

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    After the door closed, rissa rested her hands on her knees, still somewhat uneasy. ¡°What did you hope to achieve by probing Adide just now?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus smiled. ¡°I merely wanted to see if she would defend Lance and to tease her a bit.¡±


    ¡°And now that you¡¯ve seen she will defend him, how does that make you feel?<b>¡± </b>


    Erasmus¡¯s smile turned somewhat wistful. ¡°I¡¯m happy for him, of course. At least I know Adide¡¯s feelings for him are genuine.¡±


    rissa gazed at him for a long moment before saying, ¡°The former Lycan King also had feelings for another she¨Cwolf. But regarding Alpha Bentley as a brother, he would always avoid any asion where Airelle was present or when she visited the pce. It was his greatest respect for his brother.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, Airelle never knew of the former Lycan King¡¯s feelings.¡±


    Erasmus¡¯s face momentarily froze, his smile fading and reced with gravity. ¡°Thank you for the reminder. I understand.¡±


    After a moment of silence, he asked, ¡°Does it not bother you? The way you still treat Adide so kindly.¡±


    rissa smiled gently, her expression serene. ¡°What is there to be bothered about? Are there not enough priestesses in this pce? Moreover, I became his mate to serve as Lycan Luna. As the partner of the royal Lycan, I have my duties and cannot indulge in petty jealousy.¡±


    ¡°As for your father, he is well aware of his identity. As Lycan King, his role is to govern the entire werewolf kingdom, protect thend, and reim lost territories.¡±


    ¡°He never forgets his responsibilities. While some of his actions may not be perfect, he does his best. The power of the Lycan King is supreme, yet he has but one pair of eyes and hands. Many tasks must be delegated to subordinates.¡±


    ¡°Subordinates have their own agendas; some harbor selfishness and deceive those above. Your father cannot control all of this, which has led to the challenges you face after ascending to the position of Lycan King.¡±


    rissa spoke earnestly, ¡°You have a daunting path ahead. You need assistance, ideally from your brother. Now that the armymand has been revoked, if there is any task for Lance, assign it to him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve watched Lance grow up and know his character better than anyone. Among all your brothers, he is the most capable and loyal to you.¡±


    ¡°As Lycan King, one must ept both losses and gains.¡±


    rissa¡¯s earnest words left Erasmus in deep contemtion for a long while.


    Finally, he looked up, his gaze resolute. ¡°Rest assured, I know what I must do.¡±


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    rissa gazed at the scenery outside the pce and said, ¡°The heat today is truly oppressive. You should attend to your matters.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have a few things to handle,¡± Erasmus replied as he stood and turned to leave.


    As Adide left the pce, dusk had begun to paint the walls.


    Lance¡¯s car was parked under a sycamore tree, its body adorned with the frost wolf totem.


    He wore a dark cloak, his shoulders as straight as a silver spear on the battlefield, no trace of the Southern Border¡¯s weariness.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, I need to speak with you,¡± she said, striding forward. Her boot heels crushed the cicada molt on the cobblestones, the silver moon sigil at her nape glowing faintly in the twilight.


    Lance opened the car door, his wolf eyes reflecting her sunset¨Cgilded temples. ¡°Get in.¡±


    She hesitated for a moment, then turned to Beata and said, ¡°Return to the Frostfang Pack first. Alpha


    Lance will see me home.¡±


    Omega Beata wanted to say more but held her tongue, her gaze lingering on the frost wolf totem of Lance¡¯s car¨Cit oddly harmonized with the Frostfang battle standard.


    She nodded and left.


    Lance¡¯s car was a spacious super¨Csaloon, luxurious enough for two without crowding.


    Adide recounted Lycan Erasmus¡¯s earlier questions. Expecting Lance to look grave, she was surprised to see a smile ying on his lips. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s how you responded?¡±


    ¡°Yes, is there an issue with my reply?¡± Adide didn¡¯t understand his amusement.


    His pheromones carried the warmth of sun¨Ckissed pine needles. ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing wrong with it. Lycan Erasmus has been to war; he should understand-¡±


    He suddenly leaned closer, cedar and white musk intertwining in the confined space. ¡°There are no foolproof strategies on the battlefield. Those who go to war are werewolves, not wood. Werewolves think, fear, and seek glory.¡±


    His wolf eyes, with their aurora¨Clike patterns, shimmered. ¡°It¡¯s impossible to fully grasp everyone¡¯s thoughts to ensure all decisions are executed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Adide agreed.


    Lance propped his elbow on the window, the twilight outlining his profile in gold. ¡°Hmm¡­ you shouldn¡¯t call me Alpha Lance anymore. We¡¯ll soon be bonded; you can call me¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, I should address you as Alpha,¡± her smile as bright as the reflection of a silver spear on the battlefield, yet it froze when she caught the faint shadow in his eyes<b>. </b>


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    He fell silent for a moment, his voice deep as melting ciers<b>. </b>¡°What¡¯s the difference between Alpha Lance and Alpha?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Why are you waiting here?¡± Adide asked.


    Lance¡¯s <b>reverie </b>snapped. He looked at her. ¡°Oh, I came to check if Prisci gave you a hard time.¡±


    ¡°She is hard to get along with, isn¡¯t she? But don¡¯t worry. Once you¡¯re in the ckthorn Pack, she won¡¯t act so outrageously.¡± 2

 Novel Male 140

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°After all, in the ckthorn Pack, people obey both my orders and yours; they won¡¯t necessarily follow hers,¡± Lance said.


    Adide replied with a smile, ¡°Actually, she¡¯s not that hard to deal with. Although she did make things difficult for me, her methods were rather crude, which paradoxically made it easier to handle her.¡±


    Lance nodded slightly and said in a low voice, ¡°Crude? That¡¯s the perfect word for it. Prisci never mastered any real tactics. Spoiled from childhood, she resorted to tantrums and coaxing, always relying on others to fight her battles.¡±


    He shared a memory. ¡°I remember when we lived in the pce, the tricks she yed on other priestesses. Once, a priestess was pregnant, and the old Lycan King would often apany her. My mother wanted to summon her, so she feigned illness.¡±


    ¡°Prisci sat in cold water to pretend she was sick, but she couldn¡¯t stand the cold and immediately got up, grumbling that if they didn¡¯te, they shouldn¡¯t abuse her like that.¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Prisci¡¯s truly interesting.¡±


    Lance gazed deeply at her smiling face and said in a low voice, ¡°Interesting? I think that word suits you more.¡±


    His mother was far from interesting.


    In his memory, she was willful and unreasonable, always making a fuss without cause.


    Despite their grandfather being a renowned schr, he failed to raise a granddaughter who was anything but a headache.


    On his deathbed, he left but one plea¨Cto keep her out of trouble and preserve the family¡¯s reputation.


    The car finally came to a stop. Tommy turned around and said, ¡°Alpha Lance, we¡¯re at the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Lance shot him a cold nce, thinking, Can¡¯t you even take a proper detour? Driving around themercial district a few times would save so much gas?


    Tommy, confused by the re, wondered what he had done wrong.


    Adide then said, ¡°I¡¯ll head back now. Take care on your way.¡±


    She nimbly opened the door and stepped out, waved at Lance, and walked into the Frostfang Pack without looking back.


    ¡°Shall we return to the ckthorn Pack or continue driving around?¡± Tommy asked, noticing Lance seemed reluctant to leave.


    ¡°Back to the ckthorn Pack!¡±


    <b>1:07 </b>am D DDD


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    Lancemanded coldly, ¡°If you can¡¯t even figure out which roads to take, you¡¯re dumber than I thought.¡±


    Lance felt the trip had ended too abruptly, with most of the time spent rying Adide¡¯s conversation with Lycan Erasmus.


    He was frustrated that despite the rare opportunity to be alone with her in the car, they hadn¡¯t had a chance to talk more.


    He mentally scolded himself for not being a more astute Alpha for bringing such an ipetent person along.


    Tommy, sensing Lance¡¯s irritation, drove back without dy.


    Soon, the car pulled up at the ckthorn Pack¡¯s border.


    After Lance got out and returned to the Packhouse, Beta Ralph approached and asked, ¡°Alpha Lance, shall we set the betrothal ceremony for the day after tomorrow? We need to inform Elder Halsey.¡±


    Lance, resolute and unwavering, replied, ¡°The sooner, the better.¡±


    Beta Ralph continued, ¡°By the way, tomorrow is Madison¡¯s birthday. She¡¯s invited many guests to her birthday banquet and sent us an invitation as well. We¡¯ve prepared several gifts. Which one would you like to send? They¡¯re all in the study.¡±


    Lance replied sinctly, ¡°Send the gifts. I won¡¯t attend.¡±


    Beta Ralph added, ¡°Madison also sent an invitation to the Frostfang Pack for Miss Davidson. She¡¯s expected to attend.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Lance frowned. He knew his aunt¡¯s character all too well.


    Madison Pool, the old Lycan King¡¯s sister, was a woman of deceit and cunning.


    Fond of pretense, she loved hosting tea parties and dinners, mingling with rtives of the royal family and powerful werewolf packs.


    She was adept at maniption and hadmitted numerous treacherous acts.


    After having a daughter, she ceased to bear more children and instead provided her mate with many Breeders.


    Once the Breeders gave birth, she would take the children and ughter the Breeders with extreme cruelty.


    On one asion, after a Breeder dared to talk back to her, Madison threw the child to the ground in front of the Breeder, killing it instantly. She then proceeded to chop off the Breeder¡¯s fingers and toes one by one, letting her die in agony.


    Such atrocities were, of course, kept under wraps.


    Lance¡¯s knowledge of these acts stemmed from a time when Madison¡¯s mate, intoxicated and distraught,


    <b>1:07 </b><b>am </b>DDDD


    hid and wept. Lance<b>, </b>while searching for him, uncovered the truth.


    Since then, he had harbored nothing but disdain for his aunt, avoiding her whenever possible.


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    When the old Lycan King was alive, he had managed to keep Madison somewhat in check. But with his passing, she had grown even more unrestrained.


    Her daughter, Wanda, was a carbon copy of her, often beating Omegas and once pelting Prisci with stones, drawing blood.


    Prisci, being a junior, had no choice but to swallow her pride, well aware of Madison¡¯s tactics.


    Moreover, there was a longstanding feud between Madison and Adide¡¯s father, Alpha Bentley.


    In his youth, Alpha Bentley was handsome and valiant. At neen, he fought against the Western Tribe¡¯s twenty thousand¨Cstrong force with just a thousand men at the Bloodscar Border, outwitting them and rendering their efforts fruitless.


    Who could resist being smitten by such a hero?


    Madison was no exception, falling for him at first sight.


    Despite her grandfather¡¯s strong objections¨CAlpha Bentley had already found his mate, Airelle¨Cshe persevered.


    Madison¡¯s relentless efforts only served to deepen Alpha Bentley¡¯s disdain for her.


    Eventually, she harbored a deep resentment against the couple.

 Novel Male 141

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lance learned from Caldwell that after Adide dissolved her mate bond, the rumors spread werergely Madison¡¯s doing.


    Though it was a dissolved bond, Madison framed it as Adide being abandoned, leading many powerful packs¡® Lunas to disdain her.


    Otherwise, Rosemary couldn¡¯t have caused such a stir.


    Now, Madison¡¯s birthday invite to Adide likely harbored ill intent.


    While Adide shouldn¡¯t attend, Lance respects her choice if she decides to go.


    After pondering, Lance said, ¡°Visit the Frostfang Pack and ask Miss Davidson if she¡¯ll attend.¡±


    Beta Ralph replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    With that, he left.


    Adide¡¯s POV


    When Madison¡¯s invitation arrived at the Frostfang Pack, I was polishing my father¡¯s wolf¨Chead dagger.


    I just knew her birthday was tomorrow. The invite arrived today, clearly not giving me time to prep a gift. I had to pick something from the pack¡¯s storeroom.


    The gold¨Cembossed wolf w sigil on the parchment gleamed coldly, contrasting sharply with the frost wolf totem on the de.


    Omega Ivy looked worried. ¡°Madison has always been hostile to the Frostfang Pack. When Luna Airelle was alive, Madison never invited her to her parties. This sudden invitation must be a setup.¡±


    I set the invite aside. ¡°Probably.¡±


    I was well¨Caware of the tensions between my family and Madison.


    After my father and brothers died in battle, when I returned from the Shadow Peaks training the following year, Madison sent a silver wolf¨Chead statue.


    The base was inscribed with the ancient wolf¨Cscript words ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf¨Ca veiled jibe at the Davidson family¡¯s womenfolk as wolves trapped in eternal night.


    Unable to pursue glory like male warriors, they would ultimately perish alone with their pack¡¯s decline.


    She likely sent this invite because I¡¯d returned with merits and am the Frostfang Alpha, aiming to disrupt my Second Chance.


    She hoped I¡¯d embarrass myself at her party, ruining my engagement to Lance. In her eyes, the Frostfang


    z


    Alpha lineage should¡¯ve perished with my brothers.


    Beata advised, ¡°Alpha Adide, let¡¯s not go.¡±


    I sat down firmly. ¡°We¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°Why court humiliation?¡± Beata stamped her foot in frustration. ¡°Haven¡¯t you suffered enough?¡±


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    Newer Omegas, unaware of my feud with Madison, joined in persuading me. ¡°Alpha Adide, don¡¯t go. The gifts are too expensive.¡±


    I waved them off. ¡°We must face it eventually. Can¡¯t hide in the pack forever. Many Lunas visited recently. If they target me at Madison¡¯s party, I¡¯ll see their true colors and avoid them in the future¨Cit¡¯s a mirror held up to their hypocrisy.¡±


    Beata¡¯s wolf ears rxed slightly, anxiety casing from her pheromones. ¡°If you insist, don¡¯t take their words to heart. They¡¯re like pups¡® idle chatter.¡±


    ¡°Their barks can¡¯t hurt me,¡± I said, viewing their gossip as fleeting.


    Beta Valentin and the other Omegas didn¡¯t try to dissuade me.


    Valentin, his silver¨Ctipped ears trembling in the shadows, sighed, ¡°You¡¯re right. The ckthorn Pack alliance requires you to assert authority in these powerful packs.¡±


    Omega Ivy volunteered to prepare gifts. The vault¡¯s treasures glinted under moonstone lights.


    I hesitated over my mother¡¯s wolf¨Chead ne and my sister¨Cinw¡¯s moonstone earrings¨Ctoo precious.


    None seemed right.


    Then I remembered Craig¡¯s ¡°waste.¡±


    Craig loved oil painting, discarding works he deemed imperfect. I¡¯d secretly stored some unique- brushstroke pieces in the storeroom.


    I selected <Bouquet of Mountain Ash>.


    The study housed many of Craig¡¯s masterpieces, which I wouldn¡¯t dare give away.


    This discarded still¨Clife would suit Madison.


    Opening the frame, the vibrant mountain ash leaped out¨Cdelicate gradients in the pale yellow petals, even the calyx fuzz was clear.


    Craigbeled it ¡°waste¡± because a petal in the left bouquet, meant to droop, curved upward.


    He always said unrealistic strokes robbed a painting of its soul.


    But I loved that ¡°mistaken¡± petal. It added life to the piece.


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    <b>Omega </b>Ivy frowned at the canvas. ¡°Such fine brushwork, petals like they¡¯ll bloom¨Cwhat a waste to give


    Madison.¡±


    ¡°The study¡¯s floral collection overflows,¡± <b>I </b>said, flipping through the casel. ¡°Craig adores mountain ash. I¡¯ll send a painting to Lycan Erasmus too.¡±


    Erasmus admired Craig¡¯s realism. Though he owned many portraits, hecked florals<b>¨C</b>a gap I could fill with these <b>¡°</b><b>waste</b>¡± paintings.


    Using Craig¡¯s art as an olive branch to the royal family also eased my lingering unease from past conversations.

 Novel Male 142

    Chapter <b>142 </b>


    <b>Adide¡¯s </b>POV


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    While packing, a new Omega rummaged through the box and found a stack of hand¨Cknitted items. Unfolding one, sheughed. ¡°This knitting¡¯s all over the ce<b>. </b>Why¡¯s it here?¡±


    Ivy lunged, snatched the fabric, and stuffed it back, hissing, ¡°Put it back!¡±


    Intrigued, I pulled out a scarf¨Ca ¡°checkerboard¡± with wavy horizontal stripes and inconsistently thick vertical ones. A ¡°striped hat¡± was worse, with garish colors and loose stitches revealing the scalp.


    The rest were even worse, riddled with holes and frayed edges.


    ¡°Whose ¡®masterpiece¡® is this?<b>¡± </b>I chuckled.


    Ivy shot me a meaningful nce.


    My fingers froze mid¨Cair as I dropped the scarf. ¡°Did I¡­ knit these?¡±


    Ivy snorted, ¡°As a kid, you pestered Luna Aire to teach you knitting. After a month of lessons, you made these. She kept them all in a box.¡±


    I stared at the misshapen fabrics, suddenly recognizing the frayed scarf Alpha Lance used to wipe his sweat in his camp tent.


    I wheeled on Ivy, ¡°Did I¡­ give these to anyone?¡±


    ¡°Everyone got one¨Cthe old Alpha, old Luna, your brothers, even the guests.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s eyes sparkled with humor. ¡°You used to boast about your ¡®unique talent¡® and show them off to everyone.¡±


    ¡°What about Alpha Lance? The one from ckthorn Pack?¡±


    <b>Ivy </b>tilted her head. ¡°I think you did. He and Lycan Erasmus often visited Frostfang. You forced a few scarves on them.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m sure Erasmus got one¨Che and Sam onceughed so hard they nearly spilled their whisky. You thought they <b>were </b>praising your craftsmanship.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s words made me want to hide in a cer.


    How embarrassing! I¡¯d treated those ¡°disasters¡± as treasures and gifted them to everyone. Now, recalling this, I <b>felt </b>my <b>face </b>burn.


    Why did Alpha Lance still keep that <b>scarf</b>?


    Did he forget to throw <b>it </b><b>away</b>, or <b>is </b>he deliberately keeping it to <b>tease </b>me?


    How could I <b>have </bcked <b>self</b><b>¨C</b>awareness <b>back </b>then?


    <b>1/3 </b>


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    I knit such monstrosities and still gifted them with pride!


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    I clenched my teeth and said to Omega Ivy, ¡°Starting tonight, teach me to knit a scarf. I¡¯m going to make a perfect one.¡±


    I must clean up the mess from my past.


    I could ept my imperfections, but I was too ashamed to remember those absurd moments when I gifted subpar items as treasures.


    But a question lingered¨Cmy mother kept these out of maternal love, but why did Alpha Lance still have that ugly scarf? 2


    I felt like there was some thought that just flew by, but I couldn¡¯t grasp it.


    Could it be¡­ he actually liked ugly things?


    That was quite a unique preference.


    As the Omega sorted the vault, Beta Valentin brought a carved wooden chest. ¡°All set, for your review.¡±


    ¡°Put it in the study. I¡¯ll check it tonight.¡± I gazed at the silver¨Cblue stitches on the knitting needles, cedar pheromones subtly saturating the wool. ¡°Are the ounts of our shops in order?¡±


    ¡°The finances are well¨Corganized, totals and details all.¡±


    At that moment, the pack guard announced the arrival of Beta Ralph from the ckthorn Pack.


    He stepped into the Frostfang Pack under moonlight. I met his anxious gaze. ¡°Alpha Lance wants to know what gift you¡¯re sending.¡±


    ¡°A painting, by Craig,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Ralph¡¯s round nose scrunched like a pinecone. ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Seeing his distressed expression, Iughed. ¡°Craig¡¯s paintings fall into two categories¨Cmasterpieces and discards. I¡¯m the scavenger, collecting his discards and treasuring them. If you like, I¡¯ll gift you one.¡±


    Ralph¡¯s eyes lit up, wolf ears pricked. ¡°I¡¯d never dare ask for a masterpiece! One of your scavenged pieces would be cherished!¡±


    I watched him leave with a smile.


    Beata and other Omegas rushed into the cloakroom. A silvery¨Cwhite wolf¨Chair cloak billowed behind them. ¡°We¡¯re here to help you pick an outfit. You¡¯ll outshine everyone tomorrow.¡±


    Her finger glided over a gilt hanger, and she pulled out a smoke¨Ccolored evening gown. ¡°This colorplements your silver¨Cblue eyes, likeurel flowers in the snow.¡±


    The dress was hand¨Cwoven by my mother, with silver thread embroidered Frostfang Frostwolf totems. I¡¯d never worn it during my time in the Bloodmoon Pack.


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    I brushed the pearl fringe and chose a moonlit¨Cwhite knit top and pleated skirt. ¡°For Madison¡¯s banquet, this color better conveys authority.¡±


    2


    Beata hung the moonlit¨Cwhite ensemble on a carved hanger, pointing to the silver wolf embroidery on the cor. ¡°The stitching mirrors your ferocity in battle at Darkw Town.¡±


    I ran my fingers over the increasingly neat patterns, recalling Lance directing battle in the snow, wrapped in that old scarf. Perhaps some things¡® value transcends beauty.

 Novel Male 143

    Adide¡¯s POV


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    ¡°Alpha Adide, I think moon¨Cwhite is quite nice. The faint blue really brings out your skin tone. What about an essory? Would a string of red coral beads suit you?¡± Beata rummaged through my jewelry box.


    ¡°No red. Keep it simple, nothing too grand,¡± I said, selecting a pearl hairpin and a moon¨Cwhite ribbon for myself.


    ¡°This <b>is </b>too simple,¡± Beata remarked.


    ¡°Whether it¡¯s neat or not will be seen once it¡¯s worn,¡± I replied, taking the clothes to the dressing room. I changed into them, tied my hair into a simple ponytail with the ribbon, and secured it with the pearl hairpin.


    I twirled around and asked them, ¡°What do you think?<b>¡± </b>


    The Omegas were mesmerized. Beata promptly instructed Omega Urvva, ¡°Quick, get the lipstick, earrings, perfume, and ne!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± They sprang into action, searching for various essories.


    Beata seated me at the vanity, applied lipstick, redefined my brows, hung a string of pearls around my neck, and tied a silver butterfly pendant at my waist.


    After draping me in a sheer, gauzy ovey, I looked even more delicate.


    Beata rolled up my sleeves, adding a touch of yfulness and youthful vigor.


    The light¨Cred lipstick made my skin appear even fairer and finer. Without blush, my skin naturally radiated a rosy hue.


    It seemed my recent rest had paid off.


    Beata nodded in satisfaction and said, ¡°This outfit is made of fine materials. The pleated skirt is of soft silk, flowing like water when you move. Paired with the airy gauze and ribbon, you look as if you¡¯ve stepped out of a painting, fresh and ethereal.¡±


    I gazed at my reflection and wondered, ¡°Am I really beautiful?¡±


    Back in the Shadow Peaks, no oneplimented me on my looks. Everyone used to tease me for being a wild wolf.


    Later<b>, </b>when I returned from the Shadow Peaks to seek a mate and undergo the bonding ceremony, my mother had me meticulously groomed and had me rest in the pack for a while.


    My skin became smooth and fair, and everyone who saw me couldn¡¯t help but praise me.


    I remembered when Ulrik first came to the Frostfang Pack. His <b>eyes </b><b>were </b>glued to me, his <b>speech </b>stammering, and he was flustered during the bow.


    I still <b>recall </b>his awkwardness to this <b>day</b><b>. </b>


    At the time, I thought, ¡°What¡¯s with this dumb guy?¡±


    1


    Now I realize he wasn¡¯t dumb at all. He was just fickle.


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    I twirled again, studying my reflection. I asked <b>Beata</b>, ¡°Am I really beautiful?<b>¡± </b>


    Beata leaned in beside me, looking into the mirror as well. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Beata was quite beautiful too. Though her features weren¡¯t perfect, theyplemented each other pleasingly.


    Inparison, I was surprised to find, ¡°I¡¯m actually quite good¨Clooking.¡±


    Feigning annoyance, Beata said, ¡°Alpha Adide, don¡¯t say that out there. Being unaware of your own beauty is ¡®provocative¡® to others. I might just feel the urge to punch you!¡±


    I poked her forehead with my finger. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful too. We all have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth.¡±


    Beata sighed and said to the snickering Omegas behind her, ¡°Isn¡¯t it frustrating? We live in luxury in the pack, never doing a stitch of work. Alpha Adide went to the Southern Border, enduring cold winds and sandstorms. After just half a month of recovery, her skin¡¯s better than us.¡±


    Omega Urvvaughed and said, ¡°Alpha Adide is naturally gorgeous.¡±


    Another omega chimed in, ¡°It¡¯s okay if we¡¯re ordinary. As long as Alpha Adide is beautiful, that¡¯s what matters!¡±


    I closely observed the omegas around me. In truth, they were all delicately featured and charming in their own ways¨Cfar from the in appearances one might find on the average street.


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The next day<i>, </i>Madison¡¯s birthday banquet proceeded as scheduled.


    From dawn, luxury cars lined up at the manor¡¯s entrance, with a long red carpet stretching to the district¡¯s


    corner.


    About fifty meters outside the manor, arge banquet tent was erected on an open space, equipped with thirty dining tables. Localmoners could dine there once a table was filled.


    Madison arranged such activities at her annual birthday banquet, ostensibly to share joy with the public.


    In reality, it was a bid to cultivate a reputation for amiability.


    This year¡¯s guest list was extensive, including members of the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Neither Ulrik nor Velda attended.


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    Since learning of Rosemary¡¯smotion at the Frostfang Pack with Simon and Tamara, Ulrik had been avoiding the pack.


    <b>As </b>for Velda, she naturally had no intention of attending. With half her face disfigured and such a tarnished reputation, she didn¡¯t wish to be ridiculed.


    However, Rosemary attended with Tamara, her son Wilmot, and daughter Sabrina.


    Madison¡¯s invitation left her no choice but to attend.


    Fortunately, the bonus Ulrik had received was sufficient to purchase a decent gift.


    Of course, Rosemary had her own agenda for the banquet, aiming to showcase her son and daughter<b>, </b>both still unpaired, in hopes of securing matches under the gaze of numerous Alphas and Lunas.


    The guests at Madison¡¯s banquet were wealthy or influential werewolves.


    Though aware that her family was under scrutiny due to Velda¡¯s scandals, Rosemary attended with her children.


    Among the elegantly dressed and high¨Cstatusdies, Rosemary appeared rather humble.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 144

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Rosemary gazed at the splendidly dressed <b>guests </b>and reminisced about the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s former glory.


    Back when she¡¯d bonded with Alpha Isaiah, their splendor had been as fleeting as fireworks.


    Yet that lost grandeur was etched deeply in her heart. She yearned to restore the Bloodmoon Pack to its peak.


    s, her matecked the ability, and Simon was mediocre at best.


    Only Ulrik rose to be the pack¡¯s Alpha and bonded with the Frostfang Alpha¡¯s daughter.


    But fate dealt a cruel blow when Adide became the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Luna and the pack suffered a


    massacre<b>. </b>


    The Frostfang Pack had never had a male Alpha to rely on, and now Airelle was gone too.


    All Adide could offer the Bloodmoon Pack was wealth.


    So when Ulrik returned with honors and proposed bonding with Velda, Rosemary and her family saw a path to restoration. They believed Adide was expendable.


    But things never went as nned.


    2


    Alpha Bentley was posthumously honored as a Royal Council Elder, and Adide, as the Frostfang Alpha, gained acim for her battlefield achievements.


    Meanwhile, Velda, Rosemary¡¯s favored, not only failed to earn merits but was punished, dragging Ulrik down with her.


    Rosemary¡¯s pain and grievances could fill a river.


    2


    At the banquet, Rosemary, with Tamara and her children, greeted Madison.


    She¡¯d assumed Madison invited them out of respect for Ulrik.


    She nned to present a gift, extend her congrattions, and mingle in the garden with various Lunas.


    But the cold stares from the Lunas made her feel despised.


    <b>As </b>she awkwardly prepared to leave, Madison spoke up in a gentle tone, ¡°Rosemary, I heard you¡¯ve been unwell. Are you feeling better?¡±


    Rosemary was surprised yet delighted that Madison knew of her condition.


    Bute to think of it, it was not <b>so </b>strange. Tamara once pleaded outside Shaman Digby¡¯s hospital gates,


    <b>1:08 </b>am D


    and that <b>was </b>likely be public knowledge.


    She replied, ¡°Thank you for your concern. I¡¯m much improved.¡±


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    Madison, lounging in her seat, smiled warmly. ¡°You¡¯re about my age, yet your health is so poor. I heard Adide stayed by your side day and night. That¡¯s quite devoted.¡±


    At the mention of Adide, Rosemary¡¯s heart raced.


    She knew little of Madison and Aire¡¯s history.


    She thought Adide¡¯s recent merits and royal favor might prompt Madison to champion her.


    But Madison¡¯s soft gaze seemed to suggest otherwise.


    Before Rosemary could settle, Mrs. Ryann of the Scourge Pack interjected, ¡°Madison, this ¡®devotion¡® is but a show. Since Adide dissolved her bond with Ulrik, she¡¯s ignored youpletely. Where¡¯s the devotion there? Everyone can put on a front.¡±


    Mrs. Ryann¡¯s mate, Stanley Ryann, held significant influence in the royal court as a senior official.


    Others quickly echoed her sentiments, ¡°She¡¯s grown arrogant with her minor military merits. Such ingratitude deserves public condemnation.¡±


    ¡°Rosemary, I heard during the Frostfang Massacre, you cared for her day and night, even keeping vigil by her bedside. Your kindness was unmatched, yet she repays you with disdain.¡±


    Rosemary initially froze but soon grasped the situation.


    These remarks, though disguised as objections to Madison¡¯s kind words, aligned perfectly with Madison¡¯s unspoken thoughts.


    It was clear they were voicing what Madison felt but couldn¡¯t utter.


    She finally realized that Adide would definitely attend the banquet tonight, and there were personal grudges between Madison and Adide.


    Madison didn¡¯t invite her for Ulrik¡¯s battle merits but to embarrass Adide through her.


    When she found out that Madison, like her, detested Adide, Rosemary became as excited as a shark smelling blood.


    A master of pretense<b>, </b>she swiftly yed her part.


    With a sigh, her eyes welled with tears, ¡°Forgive mypse, but sometimes even the purest intentions go unrewarded. I¡¯ve done my best, and that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    Madison sighed in tandem, feigning sympathy as she dabbed at her eyes, ¡°You¡¯ve suffered enough. She was born into privilege¨Cnone here canpare. Your mates have breeders, and while you may feel wronged, you¡¯d never escte things to the Royal Council, demanding Erasmus annul the bond. In the end, she¡¯s just a haughty aristocrat who scorns everyone here and the Bloodmoon Pack.¡± 2

 Novel Male 145

    This barbed remark,ced with contempt for Adide, solidified Madison¡¯s stance.


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Some Lunas present had previously visited the Frostfang Pack with the intention of arranging a bond between their sons and Adide.


    After all, a union with her could secure a seat on the Royal Elder Council¨Cwhy wouldn¡¯t they leap at such an opportunity?


    But after hearing Madison¡¯s remarks, they quickly abandoned the idea.


    Who among the Lunas genuinely approved of a mate¡¯s concubine?


    More importantly, none wanted their sons deprived of breeders in the future.


    If Adide couldn¡¯t bear pups, the pack would face a session crisis.


    Seizing the moment, Rosemary began to air her grievances, painting Adide as arrogant, disrespectful, and envious.


    Rumors, like wildfire, spread through the gathering.


    Within half an hour, Adide was vilified by most of thedies present.


    Though some knew the truth, they stayed silent¨Cno one dared defend Adide against the tide of nder.


    Before Adide even arrived, priestesses from the former Lycan King¡¯s court, including Prisci, had already taken their seats.


    Madison, as the former Lycan King¡¯s sister, naturally drew their attendance for her birthday banquet.


    As the royal members entered, thedies present rose one after another to curtsy.


    Prisci had no desire to be there. She and Madison had long been at odds, with Prisci suffering many indignities at Madison¡¯s hands.


    But a declined invitation would only give Madison more ammunition for gossip..


    So, despite her reluctance and bristling wolf¨Chair, Prisci attended.


    The sulfurous pheromones and sharp gossip floating through the hall stabbed at Prisci¡¯s nds like needles.


    She was livid but took a seat in the corner, hoping to avoid the spotlight.


    So far, no one knew Adide was about to bond with Lance.


    If the news got out, especially with Madison leading the smear campaign, Prisci would be too embarrassed to be here.


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    She deliberately chose <b>a </b>seat in the corner. But Madison¡¯s daughter, Wanda, approached in stilettos.


    As her moon¨Cwhite dress brushed the floor, she released a provocative mint pheromone.


    ¡°Well, look who it is¨CPrisci,¡± Wanda drawled, her wolf¨Cpupils gleaming coldly under the chandelier.


    ¡°What birthday gift did you bring for my mother?¡±


    Wanda¡¯s deliberate choice to target Prisci was clearly intentional.


    Prepared for the confrontation, Prisci replied stiffly, ¡°I heard Madison often prays to the Moon Goddess at the altar. So, I brought a star¨Ciron Moon Goddess statue as a gift.¡±


    She signaled an omega to present the gift.


    .


    Madison nced at it, her fingers tracing the ancient wolf¨Cscript on the base, and curled her lips in a mocking smile. ¡°I already have a dozen star¨Ciron pieces, but since it¡¯s from Prisci, I¡¯ll ept it.¡±


    The words sliced Prisci¡¯s pride like a dull knife. Her neck¡¯s temporary mark red with pain.


    She seethed inwardly, ¡°If you don¡¯t value it, don¡¯t take it,¡± but only a muffled growl escaped her throat.


    In verbal sparring, she was no match for Madison.


    In status, since the former Lycan King¡¯s death, her former position as new moon priestess had faded.


    Her son Lance¡¯s triumphs were a brief source of pride, but outside the pce, she dared not mention him -she knew Lance had emotionally distanced himself from her.


    If not for Lycan Erasmus¡¯s intervention, allowing her to move to the ckthorn Pack with Lance, he might have refused her altogether.


    This estrangement was her deepest ache.


    Despite Lance¡¯s recent victories and des, he hadn¡¯t sought to elevate her standing.


    Though still a new moon priestess with rissa¡¯s support, Prisci remained below the full moon priestess in the royal hierarchy¨Ca bitter pill to swallow.


    She could only swallow this grievance silently.


    Madison¡¯snguid voice cut through the tension, her wolf¨Chead ring glinting in the candlelight. ¡°I heard Lycan Erasmus permitted you to leave the pce and live with Alpha Lance in the ckthorn Pack. How delightful for mother and son to reunite. Congrattions are in order.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s ear¨Ctip silver fur twitched with smugness- even Madison had to acknowledge Lance¡¯s achievements.


    ¡°Lance insisted I move in. I n to assist him in managing the pack. With his recent honors and numerous estates andpanies under his name, someone needs to help.¡±


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    Madison burst intoughter, her finger gliding over the dragon¨Cscale embroidery on her gown, her eyes narrowing with scorn. ¡°How ¡®filial. But if he¡¯s so devoted, why not petition Lycan Erasmus and rissa to promote you to full moon priestess?¡±


    Prisci¡¯s smile froze- Madison¡¯s words struck a nerve.


    ¡°Your own son distances himself from you. What a failure as a mother.¡±


    Madison¡¯s follow¨Cup <b>was </b>a honeyed dagger.


    The surrounding guests, though silent, radiated disdain through their pheromones, flushing Prisci¡¯s ears with humiliation.


    She seethed with rage, her wolf¨Cws clenching under the table, when the hall announcer dered-¡°The Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha, Golden w Gamma Adide, has arrived!¡±

 Novel Male 146

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    At the sound of Adide¡¯s name, the pheromones of those present suddenly grew chaotic.


    A mix of mockery, gloom, hostility, and covert delight flickered across their faces.


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    There was Melinda, who had been seething at the insults hurled at Adide but had held her tongue out of deference to her junior status<b>. </b>


    Upon hearing of Adide¡¯s arrival, she rose hastily, only to be held back by Luna Skye.


    Luna Skye, also in attendance, had maintained silence amid the gossip.


    Now, she released calming pheromones from beneath her sleeve, advising, ¡°Don¡¯t act rashly. Let¡¯s observe first.¡±


    Prisci felt a wave of dizziness¨CAdide had actuallye?


    If word got out that Adide was to bond with Lance, Prisci would be utterly humiliated today!


    The moment Adide stepped into the banquet hall, her wolf¨Chead earrings shimmered under the chandelier like a silver moon slicing through the night.


    Many Lunas present had visited her before.


    But tonight, her elegant attire made her stand out even more. Her soft¨Cpink lip gloss added a gentle sheen to her skin, and a light dusting of bronzer on her already fair cheeks enhanced her natural beauty.


    Her in yet battle¨Choned demeanor outshone the meticulously dressed youngdies, exuding an intimidating elegance.


    Wanda had dressed extravagantly for the asion.


    In her gold¨Cembroidered pleated gown, knee¨Clength cloud¨Csatin peony¨Cpatterned crimson jacket, and gold¨Cand¨Csilver¨Cthreaded red short coat, with her curly hair piled high and adorned with Swarovski crystals and emerald diamonds, she was the picture of opulence.


    Yet even her grandeur paled before Adide¡¯s understated grace, looking garish inparison.


    The usually willful Wanda sneered, ¡°Today¡¯s my mother¡¯s birthday banquet. You¡¯re dressed so inly- clearly you don¡¯t care about her.¡±


    Adide nced at her coolly and smiled, ¡°How I dress isn¡¯t important. This is Madison¡¯s banquet, after all. If we all dressed like neon signs, it would steal your thunder as the Christmas tree.¡± 3


    ¡°You¡­¡± Wanda instinctively looked down at her outfit¨Cthis season¡¯s hottest color palette straight from Mn Fashion Week¨Cnow likened to a neon sign and a Christmas tree.


    How could she swallow this insult? ¡°How dare you call my outfit gaudy?¡±


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    Adide inspected her again, her tone even, ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I just thought you probably see your mother¡¯s birthday <b>as </b>a festival, hence the borate attire.¡±


    ¡°But color coordination requiresyers and rhythm, much like wolf pack tactics need bnce. Your outfit¡­¡±


    Her finger lightly traced Wanda¡¯s sleeve, ¡°looks like you¡¯ve dumped a jewelry box on your head.


    Turning to the other female guests, she smiled and asked, ¡°Ladies, what¡¯s your take?¡±


    The crowd fell silent, though a few couldn¡¯t help but stifle giggles.


    Was Adide courting disaster by embarrassing Wanda in front of Madison?


    Adide noticed the Full Moon Priestess of the old Lycan King and two New Moon Priestesses, including


    Prisci.


    When her gaze fell on Prisci, a sh of brightness crossed her eyes before she turned away, huffing angrily.


    This nuanced shift in expression puzzled Adide¨CWhy did Prisci first glow with strange light, then instantly look annoyed?


    Was she upset over something here, or was she offended by Adide?


    As Adide moved to greet Madison, she caught sight of Rosemary out of the corner of her eye.


    Inviting Rosemary had likely fueled the earlier conversation.


    But why was Prisci acting so oddly?


    Seeing no one elsee to her aid, Wanda turned on Rosemary, ¡°We were just talking about you! You¡¯ve made Luna Rosemary so ill with your antics. You won¡¯t even let Digby treat her. Even with your merits for the royal house, you can¡¯t hide your malicious nature. No wonder the Bloodmoon Pack cast you out.¡±


    Her words struck the gossip bull¡¯s¨Ceye of the banquet hall.


    Madison promptly ¡°feigned¡± indignation, ¡°Wanda, that¡¯s enough! How can you be so rude?¡±


    Yet her fidgeting with the wolf¨Chead ring betrayed her tacit approval.


    Adide remained unruffled, her smile faint. ¡°Rest assured, I don¡¯t take umbrage at¡­ the ill¨Cmannered. Shaman Digby has publicly rified that he refused treatment due to Luna Rosemary¡¯s own misconduct.¡±


    ¡°Are you questioning Digby¡¯s words? From what I know, Digby is a man of his word and rather aloof. Challenge him, and you won¡¯t get a single pill from his clinic.¡±


    Wanda was left speechless. She then snarled, ¡°When did I ever question Doctor Digby? Don¡¯t spout lies! Who do you think you are, using me of being uncultured?¡±


    Wanda was struck speechless.


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    She relied on Digby for fertility treatments. Offending a medical authority could leave her childless <b>forever</b>.


    <b>¡°</b>Who do I think I am?¡±


    The hall¡¯s atmosphere froze, candles flickering under the weight <b>of </b>the pheromones.


    Adide¡¯s wolf ws suddenly elongated three inches, her silver¨Cblue nails glinting lethally in the candlelight.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 147

    V


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide nced around the room, her lips curving into a faint smile as she retracted her ws.


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    She exuded calming pheromones and said, ¡°Seems like you have ¡®double standards. Why¡¯s it okay for you to spread rumors but not for me to speak the truth<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I heard Madison invited Shaman Digby too. Should we have him here for a face¨Cto¨Cface<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Turning to Rosemary, she added meaningfully, ¡°If you feel wronged, you can ask Digby yourself.¡±


    Rosemary red at Adide, her old wound throbbing with rage.


    The she¨Cwolf, once meek by her bedside, now radiated an Alpha¡¯s pressure, leaving Rosemary too intimidated to retort.


    She bit her nails into her palm, mint pheromones crystallizing at her fingertips.


    Should Digby truly arrive, she¡¯d likely lose ess to his clinic¡¯s medicine forever.


    Wanda, cornered, snarled, ¡°You¡¯re just a she¨Cwolf kicked out of your pack. What¡¯s there to be proud of?¡±


    Adide¡¯s pupils slit, her wolf growling inwardly.


    An overwhelming aura surged, her aggressive pheromones trembling the guests.


    Many shuddered.


    Her voice, edged with a wolf¡¯s growl, carried clearly, ¡°I wasn¡¯t kicked out. I ended my bond with Ulrik on my own terms.¡±


    Her w grazed her wolf¨Chead dagger, reflecting Wanda¡¯s sudden pallor. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you say behind my back, but in my presence, watch your tongue.¡±


    ¡°Though the Davidson family stands alone now, it¡¯s not to be trifled with.¡±


    The hall fell silent.


    Many Lunas, attending Madison¡¯s bash only out of obligation, felt a quiet triumph.


    They¡¯d attended too many such banquets to not recognize Madison¡¯s habit of forming cliques and suppressing others, all while avoiding direct confrontation.


    Madison typically used her daughter Wanda and other followers as front¨Cline troops, often leaving opponents speechless.


    But they¡¯d picked the wrong target this time. Adide, the seemingly friendless female Alpha, was a true


    Gamma.


    Prisci felt a flicker of satisfaction.


    Though no fan of Adide, she admired her bold stand against Madison and Wanda.


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    ¡°Adide, you¡¯re amazing,¡± Melinda said, hurrying to Adide¡¯s side, her eyes alight with admiration.


    Madison finally spoke, her eyes cold. ¡°Luna Skye, how are youtely?¡±


    Luna Skye, already nervous over her daughter¡¯s praise of Adide, trembled at Madison¡¯s address.


    She forced a smile. ¡°Thank you for your concern. I¡¯ve been managing well.¡±


    After her quick reply, she urgently signaled her daughter. ¡°Melinda, sit with me now!¡±


    Ignoring her mother, Melinda stayed with Adide,ughing, ¡°Mom, I want to chat with Adide more.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s face turned ashen, her wolf ears ttened with anxiety. ¡°Come here first! We¡¯ll talkter!¡±


    Adide patted Melinda¡¯s hand gently. ¡°Go back to your mother. I still need to give Madison her gift.¡±


    She took a scroll from Beata, whose face was flushed with anger, and walked toward the guest of honor¡¯s


    seat.


    Her dress swayed gracefully with each step, her posture elegant and devoid of battlefield sternness.


    Paired with her stunning looks and the ribbon in her hair, the crowd murmured in awe¨Cshe truly inherited her mother¡¯s beauty, even surpassing Aire with an ethereal charm.


    Madison, watching Adide approach, seethed with hatred.


    Adide¡¯s resemnce <i>to </i>Aire reminded her of past humiliations.


    She suppressed her anger and masked her aggressive pheromones, forcing a falsely kind tone.


    ¡°Miss Davidson, how thoughtful. Hand your gift to the Omega.¡±


    Adide¡¯s voice softened, her earlier severity gone. ¡°Happy birthday, Princess Madison. May you stay healthy.¡±


    An omega stepped forward to take the scroll, but Wanda sneered, ¡°Looks like an oil painting. Wonder if it¡¯s by a master or just a street vendor.¡±


    Adide replied coolly, ¡°Even if it¡¯s from the street, it¡¯s my heart that counts.¡±


    Pausing, she continued, ¡°Just like the silver wolf¨Chead statue Princess Madison gifted my mother when my father and brothers fell in battle, inscribed with ¡®Eternal Night Lone Wolf. It was your gesture too, right?¡±


    The room erupted in whispers.


    No one had known about this.


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    Alpha Bentley had died in battle for the kingdom, yet a royal princess had gifted a silver wolf¨Chead statue with <b>a </b>curse? How malicious!


    <b>Prisci </b><b>gasped</b>, blurt ing out, ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf? <b>Isn¡¯t </b>that a curse on the Frostfang Pack¡¯s she- wolves to forever have no mate?<b>¡± </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Others might not know, but Prisci was well aware that Lance nned to bond with Adide.


    ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf?¡±


    Isn¡¯t this indirectly cursing Lance to an early death?


    Though intimidated by Madison, Prisci couldn¡¯t help but question indignantly.


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    Madison¡¯s gaze turned cold, her wolf¨Chead ring striking the table with a grating sound, ¡°Prisci, you don¡¯t even know the truth. What are you bbering about? Did you see me give Aire the silver wolf¨Chead


    statue?¡±


    Prisci¡¯s neck nd sweated coldly from panic. She instinctively nced at Adide.


    The silver¨Cblue gleam in her wolf eyes, like the fangs of an ice¨Cin wolf, choked back her retort.


    Madison shifted her re to Adide, her pheromones erupting in sulfur¨Ctinged fury. ¡°I have no beef with the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Davis family. Why are you ndering me in front of everyone?¡±


    ¡°If you can produce that silver wolf¨Chead statue, so be it. If not, it¡¯s a malicious defamation, and I¡¯ll have you cklisted in royal circles!¡±


    Surrounded by Lycan aura, she attempted to suppress Adide with royal blood.


    But Adide merely chuckled, her cedar pheromones bursting like a blizzard. ¡°Princess Madison¡¯s ¡®gift¡® was long received by my mother. If guests wish to see it, they can visit the Frostfang territory. I¡¯ll disy it on the Frostfang altar.¡±


    Her finger brushed the wolf¨Chead dagger at her waist. ¡°As for whether Madison gifted it, the carver from the Northern Peaks is still mining there. Verification is simple. After all, only you would bestow such a morally bankrupt blessing.¡±


    ¡°Outrageous!¡± Madison mmed the table and stood, her pheromones nearly tangible with rage. ¡°Are you forcing me to admit this? What about Eternal Night Lone Wolf? What about morality? I say your Frostfang Pack is the one that¡¯s¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    Adide stepped forward, her wolf ws extending three inches beneath her sleeve. ¡°Are we heartless? Or immoral? Countless enemy wolves have fallen to my family¡¯s des, but every kill was to protect the kingdom.¡±


    Her voice dropped to a lupine growl, ¡°Princess Madison, you enjoy peace in the capital, hostingvish birthday parties annually. My parents¡® blood and sweat are part of that peace. As royalty, you show no gratitude to fallen warriors yet spew curses. If this gets out, how can wolf warriors dare fight for the kingdom again?<b>¡± </b>


    This usation of ¡°disregarding sacrifices¡± hit hard. Madison¡¯s face purpled with fury, but she stayed


    silent.


    She roared instead: ¡°Nonsense! Stop using this to oppress me. Unroll that scroll! Let¡¯s see if she¡¯s cursed me in the painting!¡±


    To Madison, Adide¡¯s mention of the silver wolf¨Chead statue meant the birthday gift likely held deeper humiliation.


    Most guests shared this suspicion.


    Those disliking Madison sighed inwardly¨CAdide¡¯s retaliation was justified but tactless.


    Wanda could no longer contain herself. She snatched the scroll and wed three white stripes down the silk. ¡°I¡¯ll unroll it! Adide, if there¡¯s a curse in this birthday gift, I¡¯ll make sure you pay with your life.¡±


    As the scroll unfurled, gasps filled the hall.


    On the half¨Cmeter¨Csquare canvas, a cluster of mountain ash bloomed quietly. The butter¨Cyellow petals¡® gradient was exquisitely detailed, even the calyx fuzz was visible.


    A realistic butterfly in the top¨Cleft corner seemed about to take flight.


    The painting, with its soft colors and lively brushwork, blended realism and tension, clearly the work of a


    master.


    Art¨Csavvy guests eximed, ¡°Is this Craig¡¯s work? I¡¯ve seen his Aster series at exhibitions. The technique for depicting petal gradients matches perfectly! And the signature¡­ yes, it¡¯s Craig¡¯s!¡±


    Rosemary¡¯s heart ached. She recognized the painting from the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Packhouse study.


    Seeing Madison¡¯s stunned expression, she regretted her actions.


    Initially, they¡¯d driven Adide away for Velda, losing a fortune in the process.


    ¡°No, this isn¡¯t a genuine Craig masterpiece,¡± Veronica Francis said, rising and shaking her head.


    Her white musk pheromones radiated connoisseur confidence. ¡°The brushwork resembles his, but it¡¯s a forgery. Craig never used impasto for insects. He preferred zing to highlight organic luster.¡±


    As Lycan Luna Cami¡¯s cousin and Silverfeather Pack¡¯s Luna, known for her talent and discernment, the guests trusted her judgment.


    Veronica¡¯s words settled the matter.


    The crowd erupted in chatter.


    ¡°Using a forgery for a birthday gift? How shameless!¡±


    ¡°Better <b>to </b>send nothing than a forgery¨Cit¡¯s an insult!¡±


    Chapter


    apter 148


    ¡°But the painting¡¯s <b>so </b>exquisite¡­ seems unlikely to be fake.¡±


    ¡°A forgery¡¯s a forgery! How could Veronica be wrong?¡±

 Novel Male 149

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, this is an authentic piece!¡± the young woman who recognized the painting spoke up.


    She was Abigail Watson, granddaughter of the renowned royal schr Doug Watson.


    Veronica nced at her indifferently and said with certainty, ¡°Miss Watson, our Silverfeather Pack¡¯s collection includes Craig¡¯s ¡°Wild Rose.¡± I can tell clearly. This painting is a well¨Cdone imitation, but still a forgery.¡±


    ¡°Look at the signature¨CMaster Craig uses outlined script, while this one has no outline.¡±


    Everyone leaned in for a closer look and spotted the fluent signature in the bottom¨Cright corner without an outline or in script.


    However, few present had seen Craig¡¯s original works. Given Veronica¡¯s reasoning and aware the Silverfeather Pack owned a masterpiece, they epted the ¡°forgery¡± conclusion.


    Rosemary finally breathed a sigh of relief¨Cit was a fake!


    Prisci couldn¡¯t bear to watch¨CAdide would likely be drowned in usations.


    Wanda stormed forward, tore the painting in half, and threw it to the ground. ¡°Adide, why did you bring <i>a </i>forgery to my mother¡¯s birthday banquet?¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Abigail winced, picking up the damaged painting, ¡°This is a genuine work! What a pity¡­¡±


    Veronica sneered, ¡°Miss Watson, didn¡¯t you hear? The signature¡¯s font is clearly off. Should I fetch our Silverfeather Pack¡¯s authentic piece forparison?¡±


    Abigail, however, said seriously, ¡°We own two of Craig¡¯s ¡®Wild Rose¡® paintings, created live in our backyard. My grandfather was present. One depicts a rosebush with outlined script; the other, a gift from Craig, uses no script- in fact, Craig employed more than two signature fonts.¡±


    Pointing to the painting¡¯s signature, she said, ¡°This signature matches ours exactly. My grandfather is here tonight. If you doubt it, he can authenticate it.¡±


    Veronica paused but shook her head, ¡°Impossible! Craig¡¯s publicly sold works all bear outlined script¨Cit¡¯smon knowledge in the art world.¡±


    Abigail exined, ¡°True. The one we purchased uses outlined script; the gifted one doesn¡¯t.¡±


    Veronica<b>, </b>embarrassed, insisted, ¡°Craig¡¯s public works all have outlined script.¡±


    Wanda seized the chance to sneer, ¡°See? Adide¡¯s painting must be purchased. Why would Craig create something specially for her? If bought, yet signed in seal¨Cscript, it¡¯s definitely a forgery!¡±


    Others nodded¨Cwhy would Craig gift Adide a painting?


    Even if it <b>were </b>a family heirloom, she wouldn¡¯t part with it at a birthday banquet.


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    Prisci¡¯s brief admiration for Adide vanished¨Cusing a forgery to deceive others, she¡¯d embarrass


    Lance as a mate.


    Adide, however, smiled faintly and said, ¡°Craig¡¯s my schoolmate. I know his works are precious. I brought this specially for Princess Madison¡¯s birthday, but unfortunately, his months¨Clong masterpiece has


    been torn.¡±


    The crowd gasped¨Cschoolmate?


    Craig was her schoolmate?


    Veronica eximed, ¡°You¡¯re saying Craig and you are from the same school?¡±


    Adide calmly replied, ¡°Yes. I trained at Warscar Training Camp. Craig was one year older than me. Didn¡¯t you know?¡±


    ¡°Heavens<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    All eyes turned to the torn painting in Abigail¡¯s hands. Someonemented, ¡°This is actually an authentic piece? Torn like this, what a waste!¡±


    Madison still refused to believe it and barked, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it! Fetch Mr. Doug!¡±


    Doug was engaged in conversation with other guests at the time.


    Hunt, as part of the hosting party, was entertaining guests¨CLance had also arrived early, worried about Adide being harassed among thedies but bound by etiquette to wait outside.


    When the omega requested Doug to authenticate the painting, guests rose in anticipation¨CCraig was an artist they admired. Witnessing the authentication of a potential masterpiece was an honor, and even Shaman Digby followed with interest.


    Lance eagerly followed the crowd inside. Upon seeing the torn painting, Doug gasped, ¡°Torn?!¡±


    Other Alphas crowded around, voicing their dismay.


    Veteran art enthusiasts, disregarding decorum, mourned on the spot, ¡°If it¡¯s authentic, this is a tragedy!¡±


    Doug¡¯s face turned ashen, trembling with rage. ¡°What ¡®if¡®? This is an authentic piece! Who tore it? This is outrageous<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    Doug¡¯s voice quivered, heart¨Cwrenched¨Cthough he owned two ¡°Wild Rose¡± paintings, Craig¡¯s authentic work should never be treated so callously.


    This was not just an insult to the artist but a sheer waste of art.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Hearing it was a genuine Craig piece, Lance immediately grasped what had transpired.


    Silent, he scanned the crowd with a cold gaze.


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    Doug¡¯s eyes were red¨Crimmed, his lips quivering as he demanded, ¡°Why tear it? Who did this? Huh?¡±


    Guests nced at Madison, none daring to speak.


    Prisci, about to talk, was silenced by Madison¡¯s icy stare¨Cbetter to keep a low profile and let things settle.


    Adide dered loudly, ¡°I¡¯m Adide Davidson. This painting was my gift to Princess Madison. Veronica doubted its authenticity, and in her fury, Wanda tore it. Miss Watson insisted it¡¯s genuine, prompting Madison to summon Mr. Watson for authentication.¡±


    Lance inwardly sighed, his suspicions confirmed.


    Prisci stared at Adide in shock¨Cshe¡¯d offended Veronica in a single sentence!


    This woman was mad, taking on Madison and her daughter, now even provoking the Silverfeather Pack¡¯s


    Luna.


    Doug and the Alphas present looked stunned.


    Someone had torn the painting based solely on suspicion? What if it was real? The truth now clear, their recklessness was evident.


    Doug growled low in his throat, his wolf¨Cws clenched on the table out of sheer discipline¨Che was heartbroken over the potential masterpiece¡¯s destruction.


    Alpha Ansley, realizing his Luna Veronica had misjudged the painting¡¯s authenticity, his pheromones darkened.


    Madison¡¯s face was a mask of sternposure, though her re at Adide was venomous.


    She hadn¡¯t anticipated Adide gifting a Craig original after the ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf¡± statue incident.


    Nor had she expected Adide¡¯s schoolmate to be the elusive master whose works the royal family coveted.


    Suppressing her rage<b>, </b>she tapped the wolf¨Chead armrest rhythmically. ¡°Hunt, escort our guests to the banquet hall. The feast begins shortly.¡±


    Hunt immediately released calming pheromones and guided thementing crowd out.


    Doug gently returned the ruined painting to the Omega¡¯s hands, sighing, ¡°If Craig knew his work was so mistreated, he¡¯d be devastated.¡±


    Citing difort, he left early, untouched even by the banquet¡¯s deer¨Cmeat appetizers.


    After Doug¡¯s departure, Abigail also took her leave.


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    Her mother had long sensed Madison¡¯s hostility toward Adide and wished to keep the family out of the


    conflict.


    Adide spoke up, ¡°It seems I¡¯ve upset Princess Madison today. Consider this birthday gift withdrawn. I¡¯ll take the painting¡¯s remains back.¡±


    She retrieved the painting from the Omega and scanned the full¨Cmoon priestess and Veronica¨Ctheir awkwardness palpable.


    Madison¡¯s fingers dug into the wolf¨Ccarved armrest, her knuckles whitening with frost.


    She¡¯d always guarded the royal family¡¯s dignity, yet today she¡¯d been publicly humiliated during an art authentication, losing all face.


    As Adide rolled up the painting, Madison suddenly spoke, her voiceced with ice, ¡°Rosemary, Shaman Digby was here earlier. Why not ask him why he refused your treatment?¡±


    The focus abruptly shifted to Rosemary, the old Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Rosemary¡¯s heart sank as her wolf¨Cws clenched in her skirt¨Cthis was bad! If Digby was summoned and, with his notorious sharp tongue, revealed more embarrassing details, her social standing would be irreparably damaged.


    Once Madison decided to target someone, she¡¯d mp down like a wolf with its prey, never letting go.


    She immediately ordered an omega to fetch Shaman Digby from the garden.


    Digby¡¯s voice, aged and stern, carried a medicinal tang, ¡°Rosemary¡¯s wolf spirit is weakened by age, incurable. My special medicine is her only support now.¡±


    ¡°I aided the Bloodmoon Pack out of respect for Miss Davidson. For a year, Adide cared for her day and night, funding monthly medicine costing a million. The source of these funds is obvious.¡±


    His pheromones carried a spicy herbal note. ¡°But Rosemary was uncooperative, oftenining about the medicine¡¯s cost while ignoring its ingredients. Had it not been for Adide¡¯s pleas, I¡¯d have ceased treatment long ago.¡±


    ¡°As for continued supply, it¡¯s merely due to Tamara¡¯s unexpected snow¨Ckneel. I value her filial piety. Otherwise, given the rarity of my medicine, why provide it to the ungrateful?¡±


    ¡°Also, I have to say¨CUlrik and Adide¡¯s bonding was temporary. He never marked her. Her future bonds will not be affected.¡±


    With that, Digby left without a word to Madison.


    The spotlight shifted to Rosemary.


    More shockingly, Ulrik had never marked Adide?

 Novel Male 151

    Many didn¡¯t like Adide, but they couldn¡¯t deny her beauty.


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    In contrast, Velda¡¯s appearance, which many had witnessed, was now marred by rumors of disfigurement, making the irony all the more pronounced.


    Several guests cast meaningful nces at Rosemary.


    The Bloodmoon Pack had abandoned Adide after the Frostfang Pack¡¯s misfortune, unaware that she could earn military merits on her own.


    ¡°She must deeply regret her actions now. How can Veldapare to Adide?¡±


    ¡°If I were her, I¡¯d be too ashamed to show my face.¡±


    ¡°What a missed opportunity! A family with such character truly cannot be trusted. I initially thought her son Wilmore seemed strong and wanted to inquire about a potential bond, but forget it now.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, I once thought her daughter appeared gentle, but now it seems it was all an act.¡±


    The whispers continued, fueling Rosemary¡¯s rage to the point of almost shifting.


    Sabrina, though feigning a tearful and pitiful expression, faced wary nces from the crowd as they recalled the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s actions.


    Adide, on the other hand, had impressed the guests with her dignified and unyielding demeanor at the banquet. She had not only stood her ground against Madison but had also courageously exposed Madison¡¯s past act of gifting the ¡°Silver Wolf Head Statue.¡±


    Far from being reckless, each of her moves was strategically calcted¨Cshe remained morally upright, leaving Madison no room to criticize.


    No one knew what other secrets she might hold, so Madison dared not act rashly.


    More crucially, her senior turned out to be Craig Neil!


    This meant Adide had a formidable background.


    The Warscar Training Camp had produced many elites besides Craig, indicating that Adide was far fromunsupported and had deep¨Cseated connections.


    Realizing this, the guests¡® regard for Adide grew.


    She was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, with strong Alpha bloodlines and exceptional abilities in bothbat and leadership¨Ctruly an ideal Luna.


    Prisci, witnessing this shift in sentiment, was suddenly gripped by a sense of crisis.


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    Oveing her initial dislike of Adide, she impulsively dered, ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack has gone too far! In the future, Adide will be Lance¡¯s mate, and I will treat her well.¡±


    The room fell into shock at her words.


    Even the scandal involving Rosemary and Shaman Digby was swiftly forgotten as all eyes turned to Prisci.


    What did this mean?


    Was Lance truly to mated with Adide?


    Could Lycan Erasmus¡¯s half¨Cbrother be taking a Second Chance with a she¨Cwolf?


    The guests and Madison alike were taken aback.


    Madison nced between Prisci and Adide, her brow furrowing in confusion.


    Adide, too, shot Prisci a cool look.


    The bond with Lance was far from finalized, with not even an engagement announced. How had Prisci suddenly dered it?


    Moreover, Prisci had previously looked down on her. Now, without anyone consulting her or hinting at it, she announced it publicly by herself.


    Had she truly epted Adide?


    But this eptance seemed uncharacteristically hasty, leaving no time for reaction.


    Moreover, such an announcement should not have been made in this setting.


    Adide had just begun to recover her reputation after Digby publicly rified why he¡¯d refused to treat Rosemary. Now, Prisci¡¯s outburst threatened to undo that progress.


    Truly, Prisci¡¯s timing was impable for causing trouble.


    Madison sneered, forcing a sarcastic smile. ¡°Oh? Lance is to be mated with Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter? What poor judgment.¡±


    Prisci instantly regretted her words.


    Still seething with resentment toward Adide, she had not epted her in the slightest. She had opposed the match fervently and couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d announced it so publicly.


    Frustrated with herself for speaking without thinking, she felt an urge to p herself.


    Rosalie was so shocked. She couldn¡¯t believe that Velda, a she¨Cwolf who had nearly been driven out by the Bloodmoon Pack, was now set to be the mate of a royal Lycan. 1


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    Alpha Lance wasn¡¯t <b>just </b>any wolf¨Che held real <b>power </b>within the royal family, unlike the powerless nobles who <b>were </b>Sidney and Skye¡¯s partners<b>. </b>


    Many she<b>¨C</b>wolves at the <b>scene</b><b>, </b>still unpaired, were heartbroken.


    How could Adide deserve this? What made her worthy?


    Envious res focused on Adide¡¯s face, disbelief evident in their <b>eyes </b><b>as </b>if witnessing something earth- shattering.


    At this moment, Adide wished she could pull Prisci aside and berate her fiercely for her recklessness<b>. </b>


    Jealousy contorted Sabrina¡¯s expression.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ever since Sabrinaid eyes on Alpha Lance, her gaze became transfixed, her heart racing.


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    She had fantasized about bing his lover or even a breeder in the ckthorn Pack¡ªa humble position she¡¯d dly ept, given her family¡¯s decline in the Bloodmoon Pack.


    But now, hearing that Adide, the former Luna nearly expelled from their pack, was to be Lance¡¯s mate, jealousy gripped her like a vice.


    Her agitation was palpable, her mint pheromonesced with envy.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but Alpha Ulrik¡¯s discarded mate! How dare you aspire to be Alpha Lance¡¯s Luna?¡± she spat.


    ¡°Silence!¡± Rosemary¡¯s wolf ws shattered the ornate armrest, moonstone shards scattering as her pheromones red with sulfuric fury.


    As the former Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna, she knew what Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones with silvergrass undertones signified¨Cpure Alpha lineage.


    Moreover, today¡¯s guests were all connected to the royal family. Any scandal here would tarnish Sabrina¡¯s reputation irreparably.


    Realizing her improper behaviors, Sabrina paled and retreated behind her mother, her eyes still venomously locked on Adide.


    Yet Sabrina had vocalized what many unpaired she¨Cwolves felt but wouldn¡¯t voice.


    No matter how envious or downhearted they were, their breeding forced them to keep those feelings hidden.


    Wanda sneered, ¡°Prisci, you¡¯ve always been so proud, insisting your son¡¯s exceptional. Now you want him to bond with a former mate? This¡¯ll be the talk of the town in half a day, turning you into a joke.¡±


    Turning to Adide, she mocked, ¡°You think you¡¯re good enough to be Alpha Lance¡¯s Luna? Know your ce and stop embarrassing yourself.¡±


    The remarks drew uneasyughter from the crowd.


    Prisci, trembling with rage, could only re helplessly at Wanda and then at Adide.


    Adide, however, remainedposed. ¡°I¡¯m a battle¨Chardened wolf who¡¯s also graced the royal court. It¡¯s an honor many envy. If Wanda¡¯s so envious, perhaps she should reflect on her own shorings.¡±


    With a cool smile, Adide continued, ¡°I see no shame in my actions. Can the same be said for you?¡±


    ¡°As the daughter of a royal Lycan princess<b>, </b>educated in the pce, you resort to vicious words and tear up paintings without understanding them. Your impulsiveness and rudeness are the real embarrassments.¡±


    ¡°Your talk of me leaving implies a dismissal. But I¡¯ve been invited by Madison and brought a gift. Now you want to drive me out?¡±


    ¡°Is this how you treat guests? Or did you invite me just to humiliate me in public? Do you think I¡¯d be shamed after parting ways with Ulrik and endure your taunts?¡±


    ¡°Shame me?¡± Adide¡¯s wolf bared its fangs in her mind. She deliberately unleashed her Alpha aura, causing lower¨Cranking wolf¨Cservants¡® neck nds to bristle.


    Absently stroking the wolf¨Chead dagger at her waist<b>, </b>she added, ¡°You¡¯re in for a disappointment. I¡¯ve done nothing wrong. The one who should be ashamed isn¡¯t me. My parents¡® blood is fused with the Southern Border¡¯s frozen soil. As for you, Wanda¡ª¡ª¡±


    Her gaze swept over Wanda¡¯s ear, where wolf hair hadn¡¯t fully receded. ¡°Disrespecting elders and speaking insolently to the new moon priestess of the royal Lycan King¡ªyourck of respect and filial piety reflect poorly on your upbringing. I wonder what your parents must think¡­¡­¡±


    Turning to Madison, she continues, ¡°No wonder you¡¯re Madision¡¯s daughter. Your mother Madison once gifted our family a silver wolf statue inscribed with ¡®Eternal Night Lone Wolf¡® after my parents sacrificed their lives for the kingdom¨Ca evil curse if ever there was one. Naturally, you¡¯d been taught ill¨Cmanners. I need no expulsion. I¡¯d rather not associate with your kind. Farewell!¡±


    ¡°Beata,¡± Adide called to her omegapanion, her wolf ears ttening with anger. ¡°Pack up. The stench of corruption here is overwhelming, and the air reeks of restless wolf spirits.¡±


    Suddenly, she looked up, her nostrils ring. ¡°Can¡¯t you smell it? At least three omega corpses, nds gouged out, lie buried three floors down¨Ctheir rot,ced with wolfsbane, outstinks the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s brine pits.¡±


    Madison¡¯s ws tore through her silk skirt with a screech. ¡°Adide, how dare you¡ª¡ª¡±


    ¡°You may seek atonement at the lunar altar,¡± Adide said, her cape sweeping over the debris as the Frostfang Wolf emblem on her waist glimmered in the candlelight. ¡°Wolves stripped of their nds don¡¯t reach the Moon Goddess¡¯s realm. Their spirits linger forever.¡±

 Novel Male 153

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide deliberately released pheromones that enhanced the sense of smell, causing the guests to catch a faint whiff of decay.


    Wasn¡¯t everyone here to be gossip fodder?


    She¡¯d give them a juicy story¨Cone that Madison knew all too well.


    Madison wouldn¡¯t dare investigate. The truth would surface otherwise.


    Royal regtions prohibit wolf packs from harming or striking breeders or omegas.


    Adide had been unaware of these rules until Valentine subtly alerted her as she was leaving today.


    With those words left hanging, she walked away, ignoring Madison¡¯s furious roars. The confrontation was


    over.


    Rosemary was dumbstruck. She¡¯d never seen such a sharp¨Ctongued Adide.


    Or perhaps she¡¯d never seen the real Adide¨Cthe one who¡¯d cared for her was a different person altogether.


    How could someone so proud and capable be willing to tend to her?


    She didn¡¯t understand, but somehow she did.


    And the realization made her feel worse byparison.


    Prisci was even more shocked.


    Her horrified gaze followed Adide¡¯s retreating figure until it vanished.


    Her heart felt like a drum in her chest, with every bone in her body banging on it, creating a roaring sound that left her ears ringing.


    But this sense of utter catharsis was like nothing she¡¯d ever felt before!


    The enemy she¡¯d never been able to defeat was now forever at a disadvantage before Madison and her daughter¨Call thanks to Adide¡¯s sharp tongue.


    Madison¡¯sposure had shattered in a way she¡¯d never seen. Oh, how satisfying this was!


    While she hadn¡¯t initially approved of Adide bing Lance¡¯s mate, she now had to admit that it might not be so bad after all, right?


    No, she couldn¡¯t let herself think further. Adide still wasn¡¯t good enough for Lance<b>. </b>


    Adide left, and Lance followed soon after.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    News of their partnership spread quickly through the courtyard. Royal family members and Royal Elder Council members learned of Lance and Adide¡¯s uing bond.


    Men and women think differently.


    They focus on practical benefits.


    Who was Adide?


    Adide was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, backed by the Frostfang Pack. She trained at the Warscar Training Camp, where Craig, her schoolmate, was a renowned figure.


    The camp¡¯s founder was once the mightiest werewolf general, and its current principal was his descendant.


    All wolf packs in the Shadow Peaks and surrounding kingdoms hold the camp in high regard.


    The family¡¯s umted wealth over generations was immense.


    But wealth wasn¡¯t the main draw¨Cit was the camp¡¯s influence.


    Such an elite group was sought after for alliances, let alone marriages.


    Moreover, Adide was a hero of the Southern Border remation and the first female Gamma in the werewolf kingdom.


    With all this, her past rtionships were irrelevant.


    Adide and Lance met at the door. Lance¡¯s amber eyes, glowing in the sunset, noted her silver¨Ctipped ears trembling with residual anger, yet she still held herself upright as the Frostfang Alpha.


    Sensing her pheromones were steady, devoid of panic, Lance rxed¨Cproof the confrontation hadn¡¯t truly shaken her.


    Now that their rtionship was public, he suggested, ¡°I heard the ¡®Gathering Square¡® restaurant got a new Southeast Asian chef, skilled in spicy dishes. Want to try it?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Adide touched the wolf¨Chead dagger at her waist.


    Her adrenaline rush had left her hungry.


    Adide and Lance got into the same car.


    In the car, Beata¡¯s gray ears twitched nervously. ¡°You¡¯re dining out with Alpha Lance like this¡­¡­¡±


    Instinctively mindful of public disys of affection, she instinctively reached for her neck.


    Adide chuckled, her finger tracing the frost wolf emblem on the car window. ¡°Shall we invite him to the Frostfang Pack instead?¡±


    Beata, ncing at the royal guards outside, recalled the half¨Cbarrel of pine resin honey in the manor¡¯s


    cer.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to <b>¡®</b>Gathering Square. Their Bloodmoon cer has thirty¨Cyear¨Cold wolfsbane berry wine¨Cperfect with spicy food.¡±


    At the restaurant, Tom had booked the top¨Cfloor Lunar Tide private room.


    The circr arched window faced the capital¡¯s central Silver Moon Goddess statue, adorned with wolf- skull carvings.


    Adide took charge of ordering.


    Scanning the menu<b>, </b>she asked Lance, ¡°Can you handle spicy?¡±


    ¡°Ever tried chilli sauce onbat boots<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones carried a smile as he tapped the menu¡¯s ¡°Triple Hot¡±bel. ¡°At the Southern Border, I ate military rations with chili powder.¡±


    ¡°Three dishes are enough,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Three? Not enough,¡± Lance insisted.


    Adideughed. ¡°Will we finish it? Waste is shameful.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. I skipped breakfast, and I didn¡¯t eat at Madison¡¯s. Can¡¯t let my stomach down.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°Wasting food invites the moon goddess¡¯s wrath.¡±


    She ultimately ordered four spicy main courses and two royal specialties¨Csilver moon dew¨Cmarinated pan¨Cfried goose liver and ck truffle risotto.

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    <b>3/3 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After ordering, Adide handed the menu to Lance for review.


    Lance scanned it and said cheerfully, ¡°These are all my favorite dishes. Order them as listed.¡±


    Tommy promptly took the menu and left.


    +10 Free Coins


    ¡°What happened in the garden? They doubted your gift was genuine and tried to bully you, didn¡¯t they?¡±


    Lance had a pretty good idea but wanted to hear it from her.


    Adide sipped some water and said, ¡°No one could bully me, but some did target me. I didn¡¯t take them seriously.¡±


    Beata interjected, ¡°Yourst few remarks terrified me. What if Madison seeks revenge?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Whether I speak out or not, she¡¯ll oppose me. I might as well say it to her face. After all these years with you, from the Frostfang Pack to the Shadow Peaks and back, when have you ever seen me fear anyone?¡±


    ¡°You were indeed fearless in the Bloodmoon Pack. But that¡¯s not the point,¡± Beata said.


    Beata recalled her time with the Bloodmoon Pack. Adide hadn¡¯t changed, but she couldn¡¯t say as much in front of Lance. ¡°We¡¯ve already made our stand, so there¡¯s no use in being afraid now,¡± she thought.


    Lance asked curiously, ¡°What did you say before leaving?¡±


    Adide recounted everything that happened in the garden, including her heated exchange with Wanda and the sharp words she left hanging.


    Lance wasn¡¯t surprised; he knew her well.


    After all, who could tame the ¡°little devil¡± from the Warscar Training Camp?


    The Bloodmoon Pack thought they could control her, unaware that she¡¯d joined them out of respect for herte parents¡® wishes.


    She¡¯d intended to care for the pack while Ulrik was away at war.


    She was never one to be easily intimidated.


    Lance remembered seeing her pin Prune to the ground during his visit to the Shadow Peaks. Prune hadn¡¯t yielded¨Cshe¡¯d simply been outmatched.


    The training camp principal often spoke of Adide with pride, calling her a genius unmatched inbat


    skills.


    Lance was intrigued by his mother¡¯s public announcement of his uing bond with Adide.


    Given Prisci¡¯s <b>character</b><b>, </b>she would have opposed it fiercely and denied it outright.


    Her unsolicited deration was out of character.


    ¡°Prisci will regret announcing it publicly tonight,¡± Lance mused.


    +10 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Adide found it amusing. ¡°Your mother was arrogant with me but cowered before Madison and Wanda. <b>It </b><b>was </b>quite a sight to see her seething but powerless to act.¡±


    ¡°Madison is my aunt. She grew up pampered and learned underhanded tactics from her mother, who lived in the pce. Even my father, the old Lycan King, treated her gently. No wonder my mother fears her,¡± Lance exined.


    Lance¡¯s long fingers gripped the water ss as he continued, ¡°My grandfather practically gave her everything she wanted back then. But when she set her sights on your father, he drew the line. Ever since, she¡¯s held a grudge against the Davidson family of the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°Anyone with a shred of sense knows Father was a formidable general in his prime. The Lycan King wouldn¡¯t let him be a royal princess¡¯s mate. It¡¯s clear she¡¯s just bitter and looking for an outlet.¡±


    Lance¡¯s fingers tightened around his water ss. ¡°True. She¡¯s just venting her frustrations. Oh, how did you know about the deceased wolves, in her home?¡±


    Dinner arrived, and Adide paused her story to admire the dishes.


    Her favorite, French red¨Cwine¨Cbraised beef with pasta, looked especially appetizing. The rich red sauce coated the noodles beneath, making her mouth water.


    The table filled with a spread of dishes: American¨Cstyle grilled ribs, Italian spicy sausage pasta, seafood risotto, pan¨Cfried chicken with rosemary, Mexican chili beef, and garlic¨Csaut¨¦ed vegetables. 1


    The aroma filled the room.


    Adide was indeed hungry. She picked up her knife and fork and first replied to his question, ¡°When I left the pack, Valentine mentioned that Madison¡¯s mate has had many breeders over the years, most of whom died after giving birth. I figure one breeder¡¯s death could be an ident, but so many? That¡¯s bound to make one suspicious.¡±


    With that, she took her te and scooped up the pasta from under the beef bourguignon¡ªit was soaked in spicy sauce and particrly vorful.


    She served Lance some too. ¡°Try this pasta; it¡¯s the highlight of the dish.¡±


    She also added a spoonful of red pepper kes to his te and drizzled some sauce over it.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Lance stared at the <b>pasta</b>, looking serious but not yet using his cutlery. ¡°You¡¯ve got reason to suspect. Those Breeders of Hunt¡¯s were all killed brutally.¡±


    Adide said, ¡°Then the kids the breeders had didn¡¯t make it either, I suppose<b>.¡± </b>


    ¡°Not exactly. But the kids<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    He finally picked up his knife and fork, twirled some pasta onto them, and took a bite. After two chews, he swallowed hard, his eyes reddening instantly. He grabbed a ss of ice water and drank it down while


    coughing. ¡°I inhaled it, I inhaled it.¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 155

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    He coughed, and the scarf around his neck bounced. Adide turned her head, not wanting to look directly at it. The knitting was really bad. The pattern wasn¡¯t a bird or a bee¨Cit was all wrinkled.


    ¡°Does he even remember who gave him that scarf?¡±


    No way. She had to find a chance to steal it back and get rid of it.


    She slurped her pasta. The spicy and smooth vor was satisfying, but she still kept her eyes on his scarf.


    She asked casually, ¡°Alpha Lance, the knitting on your scarf is pretty bad. Did someone you know make it? You didn¡¯t buy it, did you?¡±


    Lance¡¯s cheeks turned red from coughing. He drank a few sips of water to calm the spice. ¡°This? I¡¯ve had this scarf for a long time. I think it was a wolf pup who was just learning to knit. It was the first hand¨Cmade gift I ever got, so I couldn¡¯t bear to throw it away. It¡¯s just a shame I can¡¯t remember who gave it to me.¡±


    He sounded serious, his eyes full of regret. Clearly, he had forgotten.


    Adide rxed. If he had¡¯t remembered by now, he never would.


    She made up her mind to practice knitting a lot in theing days.


    ¡°Before this, no one ever gave you a hand¨Cmade gift?¡± Adide asked. She split some beef onto his te. ¡°Eat up.¡±


    He began to eat the steak slowly.


    When he ate, he was graceful¨Cnothing like the battle field. Back in the capital, everyone started caring about their image.


    ¡°My mom doesn¡¯t make stuff by hand. I just buy what I need,¡± Lance said. He coughed again, like the spice got to him again. He drank a lot of water, but coughed even harder.


    Tommy, sitting nearby, watched Lance cough like he was going to cough up his lungs. He couldn¡¯t help but worry, ¡°Alpha Lance has never been good with spice. Why¡¯s he acting like he loves it today?¡±


    Adide noticed too. The wolf hair on Lance¡¯s ears curled a bit from the spice. The pheromones from the back of his neck had a hint of sulfur.


    He clearly can¡¯t handle spice. Why did he pick this restaurant?


    ¡°No need to push yourself,¡± she said. She slid a te of non¨Cspicy dishes in front of him. ¡°Goddess above, I can smell your nds rebelling.¡±


    ¡°My throat¡¯s not feeling great,¡± Lance said. He cleared his throat, but the spice still burned. It was really ufortable.


    He deliberately released a wisp of cedar pheromones, trying to cover the burning in his throat. But Adide raised an eyebrow.


    Her wolf nose could pick up the smell of blood thirty miles away. How could she not see through his act?


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a ss of milk,¡± Adide said. She got up, opened the private room door, and asked the waiter for a bowl of milk. ¡°Milk helps with spice.¡±


    She smiled, like she was coaxing a kid. ¡°Drink it up.¡±


    Lance picked up the milk. It had a slight fishy taste; but it was cool and eptable.


    Most importantly, it was her thoughtfulness<b>¨C</b>she saw through his act and his deliberate caring, but didn¡¯t expose him.


    She¡¯s really grown up a lot since the Shadow Peaks.


    But he felt a bit heartbroken, because the way she coaxed him to drink milk was probably how she used to help Rosemary take medicine.


    She once truly considered the Bloodmoon Pack as family, and genuinely wanted to spend her life with Ulrik.


    Those people didn¡¯t deserve her loyalty.


    A sh of fierceness crossed Lance¡¯s eyes¨CSnke¡¯s revenge on Velda was too mild.


    He thought humiliating Velda would make hermit suicide like the son of the Western Tribe Lycan King. But she was still alive and well.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Adide asked when she noticed his sudden cold gaze.


    Lance¡¯s expression darkened. He shook his head. ¡°Nothing. We¡¯ll talk about itter.¡±


    At that moment, Tommy tactfully invited Beata and the others. ¡°Let¡¯s eat next door.¡±


    Beata understood they might have something serious to discuss. She asked the waiter to move the dishes to the neighboring room.


    Now, it was just the two of them in the private room.


    ¡°Is there something bothering you?¡± Adide asked.


    Lance looked at her. ¡°I was thinking about how patient you must have been with Rosemary when you were taking care of her in the Bloodmoon Pack. You treated the Tenar family as your own, yet they all betrayed you. It makes me angry.¡±


    ¡°And Velda¨Cshe seems to have gotten off too lightly. Even the whip was taken by Ulrik for her.¡±


    Adide thought for a moment. ¡°Maybe. But I believe Lycan Erasmus will handle it carefully. He might discharge her from the army. Then she¡¯ll just be an ordinary Luna, taking care of her mate.¡±


    She remembered how Velda once proudly said she <b>disdained </b>fighting with ordinary she<b>¨C</b>wolves.


    But now it seems she will end up living the life she despised. It <b>was </b>foreseeable.


    Lance asked, ¡°The tragedy that befell your family was indirectly rted to her. Don¡¯t you want to kill her?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide had thought about this question many times<b>. </b>


    She frowned. ¡°Killing her would be easy, but would that be revenge? The Western Tribe doesn¡¯t publicly expose her misdeeds at the Bloodscar Border. If I kill her, it won¡¯t truly be revenge. Exposing the truth would be revenge, but the Western Tribe chooses to cover it up, and Lycan Erasmus won¡¯t make it public either.¡±


    ¡°This would be detrimental to our kingdom and wouldbel our werewolf warriors as ¡®cruel and heartless. So, this grudge is hard to avenge, and the cost is too high.¡±


    In fact, both of them were well aware of the situation, yet they couldn¡¯t let go.


    Velda¡¯s existence was like a thorn in their hearts.


    <b>3/3 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Eat up,¡± Adide said, shaking off her thoughts and smiling at him.


    It wasforting that someone felt injustice for her and her family.


    He smiled warmly back. ¡°I know you like spicy food. Have some more.¡±


    Adide raised an eyebrow. ¡°When did you find out I like spicy food?¡±


    Lance said, ¡°I heard about it when I went to the Shadow Peaks.¡±


    ¡°Odd,¡± Adide said. ¡°Why never meet me when you¡¯re there? We know each other. Why not say hello?¡±


    Lance kept pouring her water but didn¡¯t answer.


    Adide pushed the thought aside. It wasn¡¯t that important.


    He changed the subject with a smile. ¡°After today¡¯s Madison¡¯s birthday party, the capital will buzz with gossip.¡±


    Adide nced at him. ¡°Yeah, lots of young she¨Cwolves are heartbroken. When Prisci announced our engagement, I got plenty of hostile looks.¡±


    ¡°Plenty will envy and hate me too,¡± Lance said meaningfully. At least Ulrik now regretted it, and Lycan Erasmus was <i>re</i>¨Cexamining his feelings for Adide.


    ¡°Hardly. Who¡¯d want a she¨Cwolf who¡¯s had a partner before?¡±


    He tapped her forehead with his fork. ¡°You¡¯re about to be Alpha Lance¡¯s mate. Why put yourself down?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just how the world sees it,¡± she said, yfully batting his hand away and dodging his reach with a grin. ¡°But I don¡¯t put myself down. I know exactly how great I am.¡±


    Seeing her bright, fearless smile, he felt a stir in his heart.


    Even if her smile hid some pretense, her willingness to change was a good start.


    When she first came to the southern border, her eyes always held a lingering gloom, which had lifted now.


    Looking at his shifting expressions, Adide realized everyone had their own pains.


    He had to bond with a she¨Cwolf he didn¡¯t love to deal with Lycan Erasmus, all while his beloved had be someone else¡¯s mate.


    She wondered who that woman was.


    Would she regret losing someone so exceptional if she knew?


    After dinner, they went their separate ways. Adide felt their rtionship had grown closer.


    It seemed even as future mates, they could respect each other.


    The next day, Lance approached Elder Halsey about his wish to bond with Adide.


    Elder Halsey, also invited to the Frostfang Pack, began the engagement process.


    +10 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Doug Watson was the master of ceremonies. Elder Halsey was convinced Alpha Lance was truly Adide¡¯s Second Chance.


    With the royal astrologer¡¯s help, they set the date for the bonding ceremony.


    Lance wanted to finish the ceremony soon to make Adide his true mate, but he didn¡¯t want to rush and have it seem careless<b>. </b>


    After consulting Halsey and Adide, they settled on a date half a yearter.


    Lance turned to Adide and said, ¡°I need to go to the Shadow Peaks again. Will youe with me?¡±


    Adide shook her head, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t go.¡±


    On the Shadow Peaks, there had been a carefree girl named Adide.


    She had left her true self there. When she severed the mate bond, she stayed away, only writing letters to her teacher and friends.


    She didn¡¯t want them to see her without a genuine smile.


    Lance knew why she didn¡¯t want to return. He sighed inwardly but simply nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go with others then.¡±


    Elder Halsey was very satisfied. Lance¡¯s thoughtfulness showed how much he valued Adide.


    The Bloodmoon Pack used to be so arrogant. Let¡¯s see how they stand now.


    After Madison¡¯s birthday party, Rosemary¡¯s wolf spirit suddenly weakened. Her pheromones became thin.


    She ran a high fever at midnight, her wolf eyes cloudy as she mumbled in ancient wolfnguage.


    Tamara, temporarily in charge of the pack, her ears¡® gray fur bristling with anxiety, released calming pheromones and sent wolf guards to find Alpha Ulrik.


    At that time, Ulrik was drowning his sorrows in alcohol.


    His wolf whined in discontent, still holding the scent of Adide¡¯s departure in its nostrils.


    When the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s guard burst into the bar, his cedar pheromones tinged with sulfur from irritation. ¡°What now?¡± he snapped. But catching the wolfsbane scent on the guard¨Cthe medicine Rosemary used¨Chis vertical pupils narrowed sharply.


    realized she was truly gravely ill.


    Velda, surprisingly<b>, </b>came <b>to </b>care for her<b>¨C</b>she hadn¡¯t seen Ulrik for days.


    Proud <b>as </b>she <b>was</b><b>, </b>she wouldn¡¯t seek him out, thinking he¡¯d return to his own pack eventually.


    Ignoring Velda, Ulrik asked anxiously, ¡°Why did she get so sick

 Novel Male 157

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda stood by the bedside, the healing mark on the back of her neck swollen and red. Her mint pheromones were tinged with sour anxiety.


    She straightened the Bloodmoon medal on her cloak and said, ¡°She kept muttering ¡®wrong. No one knows what she¡¯s talking about.¡±


    Sabrina cried and said, ¡°Why else? It¡¯s because of Adide! She went to Madison¡¯s birthday party too. She cursed at Madison and her mom, calling them ¡®nds maggots¡°!¡±


    On hearing this, both Ulrik and Velda were shocked and turned to Sabrina.


    Unconsciously, Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws scratched the door frame, making a harsh noise.


    He whispered in disbelief, ¡°What did you say? She¡¯s going to form a mate bond with Alpha Lance?¡±


    Tamara quickly interrupted, ¡°Stop talking nonsense! Madison was the one who used Rosemary to make rude remarks about Adide to cover up her own scandals. That¡¯s what made Rosemary ill.¡±


    Ulrik was overwhelmed with bitterness, sorrow, and endless regret.


    He forced a bitter smile, wanting to speak but feeling something choking his throat, leaving him speechless.


    His gaze fell on the faint moon¨Cmark on his mother¡¯s neck, a mark left by his father in his youth, now faded to a pale trace.


    He suddenly remembered how Adide had spent the whole night by his mother¡¯s bedside, using silvermoon herb juice to wipe his mother¡¯s nds.


    ¡°Ulrik, wrong, wrong¡­¡± Rosemary muttered on the bed, her nails piercing his skin, ¡°Wrong, it¡¯s really wrong¡­¡±


    Velda said coldly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Regret choosing me and abandoning Adide?¡±


    Sabrina sat by the bed, wiping her tears and said indignantly, ¡°Who is Adide? A she¨Cwolf who¡¯s already formed a bond, and yet she¡¯s going to be the Luna of the ckthorn Pack! And Alpha Lance, of all she- wolves, why does he have to choose someone rejected by our Bloodmoon Pack? How could Mother not be angry?¡±


    Tamara, annoyed by her constant nonsenses, suddenly lost her temper,¡°Shut up! Her illness has nothing to do with this. Stop your baseless talk and disrupting the peace!¡±


    Sabrina, reprimanded sharply by Tamara, wanted to retort but was intimidated by Tamara¡¯s unusually cold stare and swallowed her words, instead crying pitiably.


    Tamara had had enough.


    Now that the Bloodmoon Pack was temporarily under her management, Simon was useless. It was all thanks to Alpha Ulrik¡¯s achievements and the one million bonus he brought in that the pack could function. They still relied on him.


    After being absent¨Cminded for several days, Ulrik finally returned, only to bring up Adide again.


    Adide owed the Bloodmoon Pack nothing and didn¡¯t deserve the constant curse.


    More importantly, mentioning Adide would only create a rift between Ulrik and Velda, his mate.


    Though Veldacked management skills, her destructive potential was rming.


    The royal family hadn¡¯t assigned any position to Ulrik yet. If their discord became public, it would be disastrous.


    ?


    Rosemary¡¯s delirium was bad enough, but Sabrina¡¯s meddling was intolerable.


    As expected, Velda was provoked by Sabrina¡¯s words.


    The mint in Velda¡¯s pheromones sharpened to icy mint, and the wolf hair on the back of her neck bristled with anger.


    She sneered at Ulrik, her face contorted, ¡°Your ex¡¯s found her Second Chance, and you regret it, don¡¯t you? You were wrong! You shouldn¡¯t have formed a bond with me. I shouldn¡¯t have joined the Bloodmoon Pack and endured the Tenar family¡¯s disdain!¡±


    Ulrik remained silent.


    Suddenly, Velda smashed the bedside table with her wolf ws. As wood splintered, she noticed a flicker of doubt in Ulrik¡¯s eyes.


    That doubt was like a knife, stabbing her nds, ¡°So you do regret it! You regret abandoning that she¨Cwolf who could connect you to royal resources for me!¡±


    Bitterness filled Ulrik. He snapped, ¡°What are you saying? Who said that?¡±


    His voice trembled like a wolf¡¯s howl, ¡°You know it¡¯s not like that¡­¡±


    Velda hadn¡¯t seen him for days. As soon as he returned, his impatient tone ignited her suppressed grievances. ¡°You don¡¯t disdain me? Admit it! You think I¡¯m tainted by those Western Tribe wolves¡® marks, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Late at night, family conflicts erupted,


    Tamara, exhausted, turned and left the room.


    She heard the sh of Velda¡¯s mint and Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones, like battle wolves¡® growls, mixed with Sabrina¡¯s screams.


    Rosemary¡¯s weakening wolf spirit made the moonstone chandeliers in the hallway flicker.


    Tamara <b>slowly </b>walked to the Packhouse conference room, her wolf <b>ears </b>instinctively avoiding the screaming behind her.


    In the past, Adide would applyurel calming agents on the pirs. Now, only the wolf head totem paint remained.


    She sat on the oak chair carved with the Bloodmoon Pack emblem. Her fingers touched the residual silver- blue blood beads in the chair¡¯s seams.


    They were from a dispute Adide had mediated. An Alpha¡¯s blood left a permanent mark on wood.


    Despite theplicated pack affairs, Adide was always patient and kind to everyone<b>, </b><b>as </b>if she never tired..


    But no one could truly avoid exhaustion..


    She was just enduring it.


    Tamara used to not understand, but now sheprehended everything.


    <b>3/3 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Tamara sat exhausted in the chair, staring at the empty conference room.


    Dim light streamed in, illuminating lonely tables and chairs, making the entire Bloodmoon Pack feel like a tomb.


    She was happy for Adide¨Cnot for any grand reason, but for the care Adide had shown her during her time with the Bloodmoon Pack.


    It was not just material support. Now that Tamara managed the pack, she realized how much trouble Adide had shielded her from.


    At this moment, she was truly exhausted. If her mate were just a regr guard in the pack, she wouldn¡¯t have to pursue those unrealistic things, draining her energy in a futile chase.


    She fell asleep in the chair and didn¡¯t know how much time passed until an omega rushed in.


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik and Luna Velda nearly shifted just now. Alpha Ulrik scratched Luna Velda, and she pped him back. Then Alpha Ulrik left the pack, and Luna Rosemary woke up and fainted again.¡±


    Tamara simply nodded, the scent of wolfsbane from the hallway still lingering in her nose.


    ¡°Go about your business,¡± she said.


    She knew this was just the beginning of endless unrest.


    As Lance set off for the Shadow Peaks, the royal appointment for Ulrik arrived¨Che was transferred to the Capital Werewolf Guard as amander.


    The position was shared by two individuals, one of whom was Ellen from the Ironthorn Army.


    The Capital Werewolf Guard fell under the Ironthorn Army, with Lance serving as itsmander and Adide as the deputymander.


    In reality, Adide¡¯s role wasrgely ceremonial¨Cthe kingdom allowed she¨Cwolves on the battlefield but wouldn¡¯t grant them actual authority.


    Moreover, although Lance relinquishedmand of the entire army, he retained the title of Ironthorn Armymander.


    If Adide were to hold real power, the Ironthorn Army and the Capital Werewolf Guard would effectively be under their control, inevitably arousing suspicion.


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s move was preemptive¨Che trusted Lance had no ambitions for now but didn¡¯t want to give him the chance to develop any, lest it harm their brotherly bond.


    Ulrik was far from pleased with the appointment. He had no desire to serve under Lance and Adide,


    +10 Free Coins


    Even knowing Adide wouldn¡¯t take an active role in the Capital Werewolf Guard, as long as she held the deputymander title, he would technically be her subordinate,


    Still, it was better than being entirely overlooked.


    Joining the Capital Werewolf Guard at least granted him tangible power.


    His immediate superior, Rex Lyons, had never seen battle but was close friends with Ellen. Consequently, he was well¨Cinformed about battlefield events and held prejudices against Ulrik and Velda.


    On Ulrik¡¯s first day, Rex deliberately snubbed and mocked him.


    Ulrik swallowed his pride, treating his colleagues to a meal out of his own pocket, with Ellen stepping in to mediate.


    When Ellen stated, ¡°Alpha Ulrik has indeed carned his battle honors, and Lycan Erasmus has recognized them,¡± Rex finally cased his hostility.


    Ellen wasn¡¯t championing Ulrik but simply acknowledged that since Lycan Erasmus and the Royal Elder Council had affirmed Ulrik¡¯s contributions, he saw no need to stir up trouble¨Cafter all, Alpha Lance dislikedplications.


    After Ulrik assumed his post, Velda hoped for a position of her own, even if it meant serving as a Capital Werewolf Guard or a junior captain in the Ironthorn Army.


    She was aware of her past mistakes and didn¡¯t expect a high¨Cranking role, but she had been instrumental in the Bloodscar Border victory.


    Even disregarding the southern border battlefield, securing a position shouldn¡¯t <i>be </i>difficult.


    With a title, she could hold her head high.


    But she had underestimated the situation¨Ceven Adide held only a ceremonial deputymander title and wasn¡¯t required to participate in Ironthorn Army training.


    Adide was ¡°exempt,¡± while Velda was ¡°prohibited.¡±


    After waiting for days, Velda received not a position but a dismissal notice from the Royal Elder Council, along with a deration that her contributions to the Bloodscar Border triumph were erased.


    She was no longer a werewolf warrior, and her Bloodscar Border achievements were nullified as if she had never set foot on the battlefield.


    She was ordered to return her Gamma armor, badges, and weapons.


    This shattered her psychological defenses.


    She had always seen herself as superior because she was <b>a </b>werewolf warrior and a Gamma, having worked hard to be the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna.


    She thought this was just the beginning, with promotions sure to follow, but joining the Bloodmoon Pack


    turned out to be the end of her aspirations.


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    In a frenzy, Velda smashed items in the courtyard. Her wolf ws elongated by three inches, tearing bronze flowerpots to shreds.


    The mint in her pheromones mixed with sulfur, a sign her wolf spirit was on the brink of losing control.


    The trophies she once cherished¨Cher fang ne, Bloodmoon medal, and invitation to the Werewolf Council¨Cwere smashed against the walls.


    Moonstone shards scattered across her face, carving bloodstains that ovepped with the humiliating marks left by Snke.


    Omegas dared not approach and instead sought Tamara,


    0


    But Tamara dered, ¡°Let her rave in her own yard¨CI won¡¯t interfere,¡± without even ncing outside.


    Rosemary was still ill, and no one dared inform her.


    Others, upon hearing the news, chose to stay clear, but Sabrina went to take a look, her eyes brimming with venom.


    It was all this wretched woman¡¯s fault. If not for her stealing Alpha Ulrik, Adide would still be the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna and wouldn¡¯t have be Alpha Lance¡¯s mate.


    This woman was nothing but trouble.

 Novel Male 159

    After Lance left for the Warscar Training Camp, Prisci had Adide summoned to the pce.


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    Following the Madison birthday party incident, Prisci¡¯s view of Adide had changed somewhat, but not enough for her to ept Adide as her son¡¯s mate.


    After much thought, she realized she had few options¨CAdide, who had publicly defied Madison, wouldn¡¯t respond to heavy¨Chanded tactics.


    So, she decided to appeal to reason an


    d emotion, hoping to persuade Adide to give up on her own.


    When the omega announced Adide¡¯s arrival, Prisci deliberately lit the resin incense from the Moon Goddess altar in the parlor.


    It was a royal specialty for calming restless wolf spirits, but upon catching a whiff of Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones, her wolf ws curled involuntarily.


    ¡°The youngest Alpha of the Frostfang Pack,¡± Prisci¡¯s smile was as stiff as an ice sculpture. She eyed the silver moon badge faintly visible on Adide¡¯s cloak. ¡°Try this berry tart. It¡¯s made with cream.¡±


    Adide noticed the forced smile on Prisci¡¯s face¨Cit was clearly an act.


    After greeting Prisci, she detected a trace of valerian in the water.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t summon me here just for dessert, did you?¡± Her pheromones were as steady as frozen tundra, a blend ofurel and the faint smoke of a battle¨Cwolf.


    Prisci dismissed the Omegas and began, ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good. Lance has someone else he loves. His heart will never be yours, not even a little. What kind of happiness can you have with a mate who doesn¡¯t love you? Why let yourself be deceived again?¡±


    She expected to see heartbreak on Adide¡¯s face but was met with calmness instead.


    Adide simply said, ¡°Lance never hid this from me. I¡¯ve known all along.¡±


    Prisci was taken aback. ¡°If you knew, why agree to it? What do you hope to gain by bing his mate? Is it just for the title of Alpha Lance¡¯s Luna? As the Alpha of the Frostfang Pack, you¡¯re already remarkable. There¡¯s no need to trade your lifelong happiness for it.¡±


    ¡°Why not consider why he chose me out of so many others?¡± Adide asked with a smile.


    Prisci pondered for a moment. ¡°For him, anyone who isn¡¯t his beloved would do.¡±


    ¡°True, anyone would do. But why me?¡±


    This question left Prisci speechless.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom why Lance insisted on Adide as his mate.


    If he merely needed a Luna to manage the pack, there were many eligible Alpha daughters from powerful <b>packs </b>in the capital.


    <b>Why </b>Adide<b>? </b>


    Staring at Adide<b>, </b>she asked confusedly, ¡°<b>Yes</b><b>, </b>why indeed?¡±


    ¡°There are two reasons. First<b>, </b>the one he loves is me¡­¡±


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    ¡°Ha!<b>¡± </b>Prisci burst intoughter. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s impossible to be you! You¡¯ve spent most of your time away from the capital. How many times have you even met him? How could you be the one he loves?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide, of course, knew she wasn¡¯t. She was simply leading into the second reason, prompting Prisci to reflect: ¡°The second reason <b>is </b>that he believes I¡¯m a suitable and¡­ safe choice as his Luna.¡±


    She deliberately slowed down the word ¡°safe.¡±


    For Prisci, this term clearly fell outside herprehension¨Csafe? Why would that matter?


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 Novel Male 160

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci frowned, not grasping the implications, but instinctively sensing this might involve power struggles¨Ca realm not her specialty.


    She recalled rumors she¡¯d heard: Lycan Luna had supposedly invited Adide to discuss making her the New Moon Priestess<b>, </b>a role desired by Lycan Erasmus.


    The idea seemed absurd. Adide had a decent family background and striking looks, but she¡¯d already had a partner.


    Yet if the rumors held truth and Lycan Erasmus favored Adide, Lance¡¯s n to mate with her would be akin to openly challenging Lycan Erasmus¨Ca move fraught with danger, not safety.


    Prisci studied Adide, entertaining the first possibility.


    She remembered advising Lance to find a mate. He¡¯d mentioned a beloved, promising to propose upon his return.


    Later, when Prisci inquired, Lance imed his beloved had bonded with someone else.


    But no- if his beloved were Adide, he¡¯d have confessed before leaving, and Aire would have known.


    And Aire would never have allowed Adide to be Ulrik¡¯s mate.


    This was puzzling.


    Admiring Adide¡¯s exquisite features and graceful figure, Prisci struggled to reconcile them with Lance¡¯s description of a she¨Cwolf who¡¯d savagely split someone in two.


    Adide¡¯s pheromones, carrying the pure Alpha blood of the Frostfang Pack, seemed more potent than even royal pheromones.


    Prisci¡¯s own neck mark grew warm with unease.


    Recalling Adide¡¯s conduct at Madison¡¯s party, Prisci asked, ¡°After the way you insulted Madison, aren¡¯t you afraid of her retaliation?¡±


    Adide remainedposed. ¡°Why fear someone who¡¯s no longer a threat?¡±


    Prisci snorted. ¡°You¡¯re too young to know her schemes. She wields unseen influence, manipting from the shadows. You¡¯ll regret crossing her.¡±


    ¡°If she plots in secret, we¡¯ll confront her openly. Our actions are just. Whether she attacks openly or covertly, we have nothing to fear. It¡¯s she who¡¯s vulnerable¨Conce we uncover her secrets and weaknesses, she¡¯ll be the one to fall.¡±


    As she spoke, Adide crushed a ss in her hand, scattering shards onto the coffee table with a nonchnt flick of her wrist.


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    Prisci started, her wolf ears ttening instinctively, her body leaning forward in a subconscious show of submission.


    Catching herself, she straightened and released a wave of strong musk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t disy battle¨Cwolf aura here. This is the pce.¡±


    Adide acknowledged this with a nce, brushing a shard from her pleated skirt. ¡°At the Warscar Training Camp, we have a rule¨Cwe don¡¯t attack unless attacked. But if provoked, we retaliate fully<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Prisci stiffened, but Adide¡¯s tone softened as she continued, ¡°Of course, in the capital, we value reason over force. Just as you invited me here to reason, not to punish¨Clike making me stand in the sun or p me. I might tolerate it once, but never twice.¡±


    A cold glint entered Adide¡¯s wolf eyes, her ws leaving faint marks on the armrest.


    Prisci felt a vague unease, yet was speechless.


    Every word hinted at thest summons¨Cthe subtle threats beneath Adide¡¯s calm demeanor.


    Prisci¡¯s ws bit into her palms.


    How dare she? The urge to strike her, pull her hair, and stomp on her fingers was overwhelming.


    A low growl escaped her throat, her neck mark burning with fury.


    Adide, observing Prisci¡¯s flickering emotions, turned to the window, a smile ying on her lips.


    She needed to intimidated this woman, to prevent any tricks.


    ¡°By the way, you had me summoned. What for?¡± she asked, turning back after a moment.


    Prisci rolled her eyes internally. What a pretender¨Cof course it was to change her mate.


    But with the conversation derailed, she simply said, ¡°I was bored and thought you could keep mepany.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°I¡¯m happy to. Are you still bored? If not, join me at Madison¡¯s?¡±


    Prisci¡¯s face fell. ¡°Why on earth would I go there?¡±


    ¡°To visit her. Since I¡¯ll be calling her aunt soon.¡±


    Prisci looked at her as if she were mad. ¡°You¡¯d dare? There are no guests today to witnesses.¡±


    Adide <b>sat </b>straight, her voice gentle. ¡°That¡¯s why today¡¯s perfect. Too many peoplest time¨Cno chance for a real talk. Today, just the two of us. We¡¯ll clear the air, stop her from harassing meter. I hate trouble.¡±


    Prisci felt the words directed at her, yet Adide¡¯s earnestness made her doubt it.


    Once Adide left the pce, Prisci immediately sent someone to tail her¨Cto confirm whether she¡¯d


    truly head to Madison¡¯s.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci believed that Adide had offended Madison deeply at her birthday party.


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    Should she dare to show up, it would prove either of two things: first, she was reckless; second, she didn¡¯t take Madison seriously at all.


    Either way, it was clear that Adide, the future Luna of the ckthorn Pack, was not someone to be trifled with.


    Adide¡¯s POV


    After leaving the pce, I got into the car. I was indeed heading to Madison¡¯s ce.


    Madison, formerly the sister of the old Lycan King, left the pce after finding her mate and settled in the capital.


    Though she didn¡¯t belong to any pack, she remained a royal.


    Her mate, Hunt Shuman, also left his original pack to be a royal.


    Together, they owned a luxurious mansion in the capital,plete with omega staff to maintain the estate and attend to their needs.


    Despitecking a pack territory, no Alpha or Luna would dare underestimate them.


    What Prisci didn¡¯t know was that I had nned to visit Madison¡¯s mansion today. The summons to the pce had merely dyed me.


    No matter, the afternoon was still young. Madison would have finished her nap by now and would be in full spirits¨Cready for whatever awaited her.


    These past few days, I¡¯d been organizing the Frostfang Pack¡¯s warehouse, sorting through the items we¡¯d moved from the Bloodmoon Pack.


    I sold what could be sold and piled the rest in the corners.


    Once I be Lance¡¯s mate and the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna, I¡¯ll no longer have <b>ess </b>to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s <b>assets</b><b>. </b>


    After finalizing the inventory, I needed to create a shopping list for Valentine to handle the procurement.


    While sorting through the clutter, I discovered the silver wolf¨Chead statue Madison had sent.


    The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the materials <b>were </b>extremely valuable.


    The wolf¡¯s head was pure silver<b>, </b>and the rest was made of expensive jade. Such a precious ¡°gift¡± had to be returned to Madison.


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    When Madison sent the silver wolf¨Chead statue, I was still at the Warscar Training Camp and hadn¡¯t returned to the capital after hearing about my father¡¯s and brothers¡® sacrifices. So, I never actually saw the


    statue.


    I assumed Aire would have discarded it, but it turned out to be hidden in the warehouse.


    Perhaps Aire, in her grief, had left it to the omega staff, who didn¡¯t dare to throw it away.


    I examined the statue, the size of a jewelry box. The base was inscribed with the ancient wolf script ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf.¡±


    I could imagine Aire¡¯s mix of fury and helplessness upon receiving it.


    Back then, with the Alpha bloodline males gone, she had no choice but to protect the remaining she- wolves and pups. How could she have confronted Madison?


    I¡¯d thought the statue was long gone, but now that I¡¯d found it, it had to be returned.


    When I¡¯d mentioned at the party that people could visit the Frostfang Pack to see the statue, I didn¡¯t know it was still in our possession. But I was certain no one would actually make the trip.


    Even if everyone present found Madison detestable, none would dare to provoke her by visiting the Frostfang Pack to see such a cursed object.


    The car arrived at the entrance to Madison¡¯s mansion. I asked Beata and the others to wait inside while I stepped out, carrying the silver wolf¨Chead statue.


    The werewolf guard at the gate, catching whiff of my cedar pheromones, bristled with caution and quickly barred my way.


    His sulfurous pheromones filled the air as he spread his arms to block me. ¡°Miss Davidson, this is a royal restricted area¨C¡±


    Before he could finish, my wolf¡¯s w had seized the temporary mark on the back of his neck. My aura like an icy fog spread out, and his knees buckled, forcing him to his knees.


    I pushed him aside and strode forward.


    The mansion¡¯s guards were no mere decoration. They immediately surrounded us upon our intrusion.


    Having learned from the previous birthday party incident that I was Madison¡¯s adversary, they were prepared.


    The captain of the guard addressed me with a semnce of courtesy. ¡°Miss Davidson, Madison has made it clear that you are not to set foot in the vi. Leave now, or we¡¯ll have no choice but to act<b>.¡± </b>


    I stood before the captain and said calmly, ¡°Feel free to try.¡±


    The mansion¡¯s guard instantly formed a fan¨Cshaped encirclement. Over a dozen werewolf warriors¡® pheromones¨Cmingled with the scents of crimson me and pine needles¨Cfilled the air.


    As I crouched to gather strength, my wolf let out an excited whimper in my mind.


    <b>*</b>Rx and use my power,¡± it urged, its tailbone flicking at the base of my spine.


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    Before the captain¡¯s sulfurous pheromones could even reach me, I leaped onto the nearest wolf¡¯s shoulder, using it as a springboard. The frost¨Ctoothed tattoo on my boot scraped past his ear.


    The wolf¡¯s strength surged through my nds into my limbs. With my second leap, Inded on the moonstone roof tiles.


    Ceramic shards sounded under my ws, scattering and startling the crows perched on the eaves.


    Then, I stepped down into the vi¡¯s garden.


    They were a step toote. I already burst into Madison¡¯s living room and stood before her.


    The guard captain panicked. ¡°Protect Madison at once!¡±


    Madison was enjoying her afternoon <i>tea</i>.


    She just lifted her coffee cup when I jumped in through the window andnded right in front of her. The cup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.


    When she recognized me, she spluttered, ¡°Adide! How dare you break into my home?¡±

 Novel Male 162

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide looked coldly at Madison¡¯s angry face, her silver¨Cgray wolf hair on her ears bristling slightly with disgust<b>. </b>


    She caught the scent of sage pheromones from the omega¨Cthe nd inhibitor Madison used to control them.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an omega rush to shield Madison, shouting, ¡°Help! Somebody help!¡±


    ¡°No need to call the guards,¡± Adide said, her aura spreading. Lower¨Cranking wolves instinctively stepped back. ¡°I¡¯vee to return your ¡®gift.¡±


    Madison¡¯s vertical pupils narrowed sharply, locking onto the silver wolf¨Chead statue in Adide¡¯s hand.


    She actually kept it?


    The usual response to such a gift would be anger and destruction.


    Madison had assumed Adide¡¯s earlier words were just talk, never expecting her to have kept the statue.


    As the guard captain rushed in, Madison snapped, ¡°Leave! Wait outside the door.¡±


    This statue was known only to her inner circle. Its existence must be concealed¨Cexnations couldeter, but it must not be seen.


    Especially by the guards, whose loose lips could spread the secret far and wide after a few drinks.


    The omega remained by Madison¡¯s side.


    Once the door closed, Madison¡¯s gaze turned venomous. She attempted to exert her Lycan aura, but years of luxury had made her wolfzy.


    Her efforts had no effect on Adide.


    Madison snarled, ¡°Do you think bing Lance¡¯s mate will shield you? Your intrusion here is the height of disrespect, and I can make you pay.¡±


    Adide met her stare with disdain. ¡°Empty threats. If you can make me pay, I can do the same to you. I¡¯ve met many viins in my life, but few as malicious and petty as you.¡±


    ¡°My father and brother sacrificed themselves for the kingdom and all werewolves. As a royal, you show no respect for their memory. Instead, you send cursed gifts and bully my mother and sister¨Cinws, rubbing salt into their wounds<b>.¡± </b>


    ¡°You¡¯re worse than an animal.¡±


    Madison trembled with rage. ¡°How dare you! You¡¯re outrageous<b>!</b>¡±


    The omega <b>cowered </b>behind Madison, only to be pushed away by her wed hand.


    Madison¡¯s wolf ws dug into the sofa armrest.


    ¡°I am outrageous. What are you going to do about it?¡±


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    Adide¡¯s voice rang with a wolf¡¯s sharpness. Her silver¨Cgray wolf hair fanned out in anger, and her cedar pheromones swept through the room like an arctic storm.


    She fixed her gaze on the decaying mark on Madison¡¯s neck. ¡°What gives you the right to be a princess? To demand the people¡¯s respect? A monster like you will one day face the Moon Goddess¡¯s judgment.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t juste to return this cursed object. I¡¯m here to warn you¨CI¡¯ll watch you like a cheetah stalking its prey. The moment you slip up, I¡¯ll seize it. Every harm you¡¯ve inflicted on my mother, I¡¯ll return to you, blow for blow.¡±


    She spread her hand, her ws elongating. With a fierce grip, the statue shattered.


    Among the jade fragmentsy the base, inscribed with the words ¡°Eternal Night Lone Wolf.¡±


    Adide sneered, turned, and kicked open the door, striding out.


    At the doorway, she turned back. ¡°Remember my words. I¡¯m ready for whatever you throw at me- underhanded tricks, venomous schemes. Cross me, and I¡¯ll make you pay tenfold.¡±


    She unleashed her Alpha aura. The lower¨Cranking guards dropped to one knee.


    With that, she walked to the entrance, got into the car, and ordered, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Madison clutched her chest, her face twisted in fury. She stared at the fragments on the floor, the word ¡°lonely¡± still visible among the debris.


    She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ¡°Prepare the carriage. I¡¯m paying the pce a visit.¡±


    Was there any need for underhanded tactics against Adide when a simpleint to Lycan Erasmus would suffice?


    As his aunt, while she had no say in state affairs, she could certainly persuade him to discipline a mere Adide.


    Madison trembled with indignation.


    Only once in her life had she suffered such humiliation¨Cwhen she¡¯d been rejected by Alpha Bentley.


    Now, after all these years, Adide had dared to challenge her at the birthday party, and now this.


    If she didn¡¯t teach Adide a lesson, she¡¯d grow even more insolent.


    In the pce study, Beta Fabian entered and announced, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, Madison is here to see you.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus looked up from his mountain of documents, set down his pen, and rubbed his brow. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    Beta Fabian replied cautiously, ¡°She didn¡¯t specify, but she¡¯s clearly furious.¡°Lycan Erasmus sneered. ¡°My aunt has always been domineering. She acts condescending even during family gatherings at the pce. But she rarely seeks me out directly¨Cafter all, what problem can Madison not solve? Likely still sulking over the birthday party incident.¡±


    Lycan sneered, ¡°My aunt Eirasmus has always been strong¨Cwilled. Even during the New Year¡¯s reunion at the pce, she always treats me like a senior. She rarelyes to me alone, after all, what can¡¯t be solved by her Madison? Probably because of what happened at the birthday party.¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 163

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lycan Erasmus had heard about the birthday party incident, but he wasn¡¯t sure if he knew the full story.


    Had it really been that many days already? Was today¡¯s pce visit still about that?


    ¡°Show her in,¡± Lycan Erasmus said.


    Beta Fabian hesitated and said, ¡°Madison is with Lycan rissa. She asked for you toe over and also summoned Prisci.¡±


    ¡°Me, go to her?¡±


    He offered a faint smile, though his eyes remained cold. ¡°Well, as a junior, I ought to pay respects to my senior.¡±


    Beta Fabian bowed and ushered him out of the study, then instructed the guards, ¡°Prepare the carriage.¡±


    The distance from the study to the harem was considerable, and walking in this heat was far from ideal.


    Beta Fabian invited him into the carriage and quietly said, ¡°I hear that at the birthday party, Miss Davidson mentioned Madison once gifted Aire a silver wolf¨Chead statue with the ancient werewolf script ¡®Eternal Night Lone Wolf engraved on the base. It does sound rather unsettling.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it,¡± Lycan Erasmus¡¯s expression darkened, even the sunlight couldn¡¯t lighten his mood. ¡°If it¡¯s true, she¡¯s unworthy of being a Lycan princess and doesn¡¯t deserve the favor my grandfather showed her.¡±


    Beta Fabian said, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s due to old grudges.¡±


    ¡°Old grudges?¡± Lycan Erasmus recalled some rumors. ¡°You mean her failed attempt to be Alpha Bentley¡¯s mate?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. That incident caused quite a stir back then. Madison has harbored resentment ever since. Even after mating Hunt, while they appeared amicable, their rtionship has been anything but harmonious behind the scenes.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus stared at Beta Fabian¡¯s neck mark. Beta Fabian quickly lowered his head. ¡°I¡¯ve overstepped,¡± he said.


    ¡°The Davidson family¡¯s affairs seem to be quite familiar to you,¡± Lycan Erasmus¡¯s pheromones carried the royal musk, pressing against Fabian¡¯s wolf ears.


    Beta Fabian, still anxious, said, ¡°I was just thinking about Alpha Bentley¡¯s descendants¡­ Now only Miss Davidson remains. It¡¯s rather sorrowful. After all, Alpha Bentley and his sons sacrificed themselves for the kingdom.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s wolf eyes reddened. He let out a soft sigh, his eyes filled with grief. <b>¡°</b><b>It¡¯s </b>a loss for our kingdom. The thought pains me every time.¡±


    Beta Fabian sighed regretfully but dared not say more.


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    Lycan Erasmus had special feelings for the Davidson family, but such sentiments could only be offered by him, not demanded.


    When Miss Davidson first entered the pce to request the dissolution of her mate bond, he was patient. But the second time, he grew impatient, even feeling annoyed before she could even exin.


    Now, those feelings had be moreplicated.


    However, if Alpha Bentley¡¯s matters weren¡¯t brought up, he might prefer to simplify or settle things<b>, </b>even if it meant slighting Miss Davidson.


    Yet mentioning them too much could also be problematic. Beta Fabian knew he had to tread carefully.


    Upon arriving at rissa¡¯s pce, he found rissa seated on the central sofa, her brow slightly furrowed.


    Madison sat on the left sofa, her expression arrogant and icy.


    Prisci sat on the right, appearing somewhat restrained and cautious.


    Lycan Erasmus entered, greeted rissa and Prisci first. rissa nodded slightly, while Prisci stood to curtsy before sitting again.


    Lycan Erasmus turned to Madison. Seeing her stern expression, he jested, ¡°You seldom visit us without reason. What brings you here today?¡±


    Madison, noting Lycan Erasmus¡¯sck of customary deference, was displeased.


    But as the Lycan King, he was beyond her reproach.


    With a cold demeanor, she dered, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I¡¯m here to demand you punish someone.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Lycan Erasmus watched as Beta Fabian brought over a chair. He sat down, epted a cup of coffee from an omega, took a sip, and then asked, ¡°I wonder who is so bold as to anger you so deeply that you¡¯vee to the pce seeking my retribution.¡±


    Madison spat out a name through gritted teeth, ¡°Adide!¡±


    At the sound of this name, Prisci¡¯s head drooped, her gaze wandering.


    She had sent someone to tail Adide, curious whether she¡¯d visited Madison¡¯s estate. But before her informant could report back, Madison had stormed into the pce, summoning Prisci as well.


    Judging by Madison¡¯s fury, Prisci needed no confirmation¨CAdide had indeed visited Madison¡¯s estate and likely said things that were insulting yet satisfying.


    What exactly had been said?


    That Adide could provoke such a venomous she¨Cwolf into seeking the Lycan King¡¯s intervention was something Prisci had never witnessed before.


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    rissa frowned. ¡°Adide? What has she done to warrant your anger and a royal decree of punishment?¡±


    Madison retorted indignantly, ¡°She broke into my <b>estate </b>and insulted me!<b>¡± </b>


    rissa, always protective of Adide and no friend of Madison¡¯s, said, ¡°If she trespassed, your guards could have expelled her. As for insults¨Cwhat exactly did she say? Do tell.¡±


    Madison, unable to repeat the exact words, clutched her chest and lied, ¡°She caused a scene at my birthday party<b>, </b>and I let it slide, attributing it to her youth. But today she came to my door, heaped insults upon me, and vowed not to let me off the hook in the future!¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes lit up. She was dying to hear what Adide had allegedly said.

 Novel Male 164

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    rissa¡¯s brow furrowed even more upon hearing this. ¡°Your wordsck context and substance. Why would she provocatively confront you? As the sister of the former Lycan King, who doesn¡¯t know of your standing? How dare she act in such a manner?¡±


    Madison<b>, </b>catching the clear bias in rissa¡¯s tone in favor of Adide, was reminded of rissa¡¯s long- standing friendship with Aire.


    This only fueled her anger further. Her pupils, tinged with gold from her rage, began to dte ever so slightly.


    A low level of Lycan aura emanated from her, but before the Lycan King and the former Lycan Luna, her wolf dared not unleash its full might.


    Madison¡¯s voice took on a wolfish growl. ¡°Isn¡¯t it because Adide, leveraging her military merits and uing bond with Lance, fancies herself risen to grandeur and no longer acknowledges my authority? Regardless<b>, </b>I demand satisfaction!¡±


    Her words wereced with fury and malice, sending a shiver down Prisci¡¯s spine.


    However, Lycan Erasmus inquired, ¡°You seek ountability from Adide? Why not approach the Frostfang Pack directly? Why involve Lycan rissa? How can she possibly intercede in your personal disputes?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a personal matter! By defying a royal family member, she defiles us Lycans as a whole!¡± Madison was beside herself with rage.


    rissa¡¯s expression soured. ¡°How exactly was the royal family defiled? You¡¯ve yet to rify. What insults were hurled? Why did she trespass onto your estate? What truly transpired at the birthday party? And the matter of the silver wolf¨Chead statue¨Cis it true or not?¡±


    At rissa¡¯s words, Madison¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto Prisci.


    Prisci quickly interjected, ¡°I¡¯ve said nothing of that day¡¯s events.¡±


    rissa, witnessing her sister¡¯s ferocity toward Madison, grew increasingly disenchanted.


    This sister of hers, who feared no one while orchestrating pce intrigue, was oddly intimidated by Madison.


    ¡°No need for her testimony. The entire capital is abuzz with the story,¡± rissa remarked.


    She fixed Madison with a stern look. ¡°Let me ask you this¨CAfter Alpha Bentley and his sons sacrificed themselves at the Southern Border, did you send the silver wolf¨Chead statue to the Frostfang Pack? If not, then Adide is indeed disrespectful to the royal family. But if you did, you¡¯re undeserving of your princessly luxuries!¡±


    Madison sneered, ¡°I almost forgot how close you and Aire are. I should have known better than to seek


    justice from you.¡±


    +10 Free <b>Coins </b>


    She turned to Lycan Erasmus and demanded, ¡°Adide, merely a royal appointee and not yet a royal family member, dared to trespass onto my estate and insult me. What punishment does she deserve?¡±


    As Lycan Erasmus was about to speak, she added coldly, ¡°As for the silver wolf¨Chead statue, regardless of its existence, it¡¯s irrelevant to her trespassing and verbal assault! Moreover, it¡¯s all a fabrication to defame me!¡±


    The statue was shattered, and with her denial, no one could touch her.


    After listening to Madison, Lycan Erasmus waved his hand and said, ¡°Please calm down first. It is indeed inappropriate for Adide to have trespassed onto your property and spoken to you disrespectfully. However, what exactly did she say? Are there any witnesses? Please provide a detailed ount, and I will handle the matter ordingly.¡±


    ¡°As for her usation regarding the silver wolf¨Chead statue, I will assign the relevant departments to investigate. Should it be proven a false charge, I will hold her ountable as well.¡±


    ¡°Witnesses? There are plenty. Every omega and werewolf guard in the mansion can testify.¡±


    ¡°She barged in uninvited, and my guards couldn¡¯t stop her. As for her insults, everyone in the mansion heard them.¡±


    Madison paused for a moment, ¡°However, the matter of the silver wolf¨Chead statue need not be investigated with great fanfare to avoid causing a bigger sensation. The public is easily swayed. Should the authorities investigate, they would assume the allegations to be true. Even if I were exonerated in the end, the damage to my reputation would be irreparable.¡±


    rissa pressed impatiently, ¡°What exactly did she say to you? Do tell!¡±


    Madison replied with a displeased expression, ¡°What she said is of no consequence. The fact remains that she insulted me! As a royal princess, even if she is to be Lance¡¯s mate, she is still nothing. Her insolence towards her elder should be punished! Moreover, since she has not yet bonded with Lance, her actions have already offended the royal family!¡±


    rissa waved her hand and said, ¡°Stop leveling usations so freely. I need to know the specifics of her insults to determine if they were indeed offensive. If she merelymented on your stern appearance, is that to be considered an insult? That would be a matter of truth.¡±


    Madison¡¯s face turned pale with fury, ¡°You are taking her side! Lycan Erasmus, what is your opinion? Even if an elder from the Royal Elder Council were to insult a royal family member, they would still be guilty of a crime, would they not?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus realized she wouldn¡¯t specify the insults.


    He said, ¡°Evidence is necessary for punishment.¡±


    ¡°You should state what she allegedly said, or bring witnesses from your estate¨Cguards or omegas¨Cto testify before the royal family. Alternatively, we could summon Adide for a direct confrontation to rify the facts. Without concrete evidence, convicting her solely based on your word would dishearten those who have contributed to the royal cause.¡±


    +10 <b>Free </b><b>Coins </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Summon her <b>here </b><b>to </b>confront me<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Madison suddenly stood up, her face contorted with displeasure. ¡°Lycan Erasmus, do you realize what you <b>are </b>implying? What is her status that she should be deemed worthy to confront me?¡±


    She quicklyposed herself and stared at Lycan Erasmus, ¡°Wait, are you doubting me? Do you think I am fabricating these allegations against her?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 165

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Madison¡¯s confrontational tone sent the conference room into a brief silence.


    Her pheromones, reeking of wolfsbane, disrupted the musk¨Cfilled air.


    In Lycan Erasmus¡¯s mind, his wolf growled, ¡°How dare she.¡±


    Madison¡¯s wolf ws dug into the sofa armrest¨Cshe hadn¡¯t anticipated the Lycan King¡¯s overwhelming


    aura.


    All lower¨Cranking wolves in the hall dropped to one knee, their throats emitting involuntary whimpers. Even Prisci¡¯s musk pheromones were suppressed into thin lines.


    Soon, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s anger subsided, and the room returned to normal.


    ¡°Why would you use her without evidence? You im she insulted you but can¡¯t specify what was said. You refuse to confront her directly. How am I to judge her guilty?¡± Lycan Erasmus asked.


    Madison snapped, ¡°Trespassing on my estate and insulting a princess is disrespect enough!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus smiled enigmatically. ¡°Are you certain you want me to rule this way?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­¡± Madison trailed off mid¨Csentence.


    The silver wolf¨Chead statue incident from the birthday party had juste to light. If she pushed for punishment based on ¡°trespassing and insults,¡± the public would link it to the statue.


    This would effectively admit to gifting the statue, sparking public outrage and affecting morale.


    What would the Royal Elder Council and Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates think?


    Madison finally understood why Adide had dared to break into her estate and shatter the statue.


    The statue¡¯s secret couldn¡¯t be exposed.


    Even if it were, she could deny it. But if she punished Adide for disrespect, public opinion would assume the statue¡¯s existence, ruining her reputation.


    Watching Madison¡¯s expressions shift from anger to embarrassment to pallor, Prisci felt a twisted satisfaction.


    Madison, too, had hereuppance!


    Though Prisci didn¡¯t grasp all the implications, Madison¡¯s sudden silence indicated she realized her approach was wed.


    Prisci wouldter ask rissa but for now relished Madison¡¯s frustration.


    Madison stormed out, finally realizing Adide¡¯s audacity stemmed not just from Lance¡¯s support but also from Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus¡¯s backing.


    No wonder she was so brazen!


    After Madison left, Lycan Erasmus sighed, massaging his forehead. ¡°It seems the rumors are true. Madison went too far.¡±


    rissa¡¯s face contorted with anger. ¡°I could p her! Her arrogance, malice, and selfishness have disgraced the royal family.¡±


    ¡°How furious Aire must have been,¡± Lycan Erasmus mused.


    rissa¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°Yes, yet she never uttered a word of grievance to me. I could have stood up for her.¡±


    ¡°rissa, don¡¯t be disheartened. She¡¯s gone now; let¡¯s hope she rests in peace,¡± Lycan Erasmus said somberly.


    He recalled Velda¡¯s role in the Frostfang Pack Alpha family¡¯s massacre¨Ca truth that couldn¡¯t be revealed. With Aire gone, how could she find peace?


    But the truth could never surface.


    It would remain a muddled secret. The Western Tribe wouldn¡¯t mention it, and neither would they.


    Beta Fabian was right¨CAlpha Bentley¡¯s family had endured immense injustice.


    With state affairs to attend to, Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t linger. rissa and Prisci remained in the conference room.


    Prisci pondered¨CMadison hade to the pce determined to punish Adide. Prisci had assumed Adide¡¯s fate was sealed¨Carrogance always had a price.


    But Madison left in a huff, neither punishing nor scolding Adide, as if swallowing a bitter defeat.


    Prisci mulled it over. Some pieces fell into ce, others remained elusive.


    Observing rissa, she asked, ¡°rissa, why did Madison let Adide off so easily? Given her temper, she shouldn¡¯t just let insults slide. I think Adide must have done those things; otherwise, Madison wouldn¡¯t have been so furious.¡±


    rissa nced at her sharply. ¡°Not getting it, huh? Use your brain¨Cit¡¯ll rust otherwise.¡±


    Prisci pouted. ¡°You know I hate thinking. Even if I guess part of it, I can¡¯t figure out the whole.¡±


    ¡°Drop the act. No more coyness,¡± rissa retorted. ¡°Adide did trespass and insult her, as you guessed. Madison, in her initial rage, thought Adide had backing. But when Lycan Erasmus asked if she should rule based on that, Madison realized the connection to the birthday party scandal. Could she publicly use Adide of trespassing and insults now?¡±


    ¡°Because of the silver wolf¨Chead statue scandal!¡± Prisci said.


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    rissa continued, ¡°That¡¯s one reason. The other is that <b>even </b>if Adide were punished, as a first¨Ctime offender with military merits, she¡¯d likely just receive a verbal reprimand. Madison¡¯s authority would be shattered¨Cno one would fear her then. So, understand now? Adide didn¡¯t act recklessly. She knew exactly how to exploit Madison¡¯s psychology.¡±

 Novel Male 166

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci let out an ¡°Oh,¡± pressing her fingers against her nasbial folds.


    Her tone wasplex, ¡°Adide is not easy to deal with.¡±


    rissa, of course, understood her thoughts.


    She immediately cautioned, ¡°You¡¯ll be living in Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack soon. If you don¡¯t understand pack affairs, don¡¯t force yourself into management. Adide will naturally take charge¡­


    ¡°rissa, that¡¯s not right,¡± Prisci interrupted, uncharacteristically serious.


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust her. Let me be clear¨CI don¡¯t like her, I don¡¯t want her as Lance¡¯s mate, and I won¡¯t allow her to manage the ckthorn Pack.¡±


    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯ll take over?¡±


    rissa arched an eyebrow. ¡°Fine. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have Cami hand over the pce management to you. Let her rest, and you try managing for a few days.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve managed pce affairs before. And when you were in charge, did I not help you often?¡± Prisci retorted.


    ¡°You did help, but mostly in ways thatplicated things,¡± rissa said bluntly.


    ¡°Our parents spoiled you. After you entered the pce, I had to watch over and protect you at every turn. You were able to safely give birth to a son and a daughter only because I smoothed things over behind the scenes. How many times did I clean up after your messes?¡±


    ¡°But in Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack, if you want peace, don¡¯t provoke Adide. Whether you like or oppose her, it¡¯s a done deal that she¡¯s Lance¡¯s mate. Your opposition won¡¯t change that.¡±


    ¡°However, if you cause trouble in the ckthorn Pack, I won¡¯t let you off the hook.¡±


    rissa rarely spoke to her so sternly. Prisci knew that because of Adide, her sister seemed to care for her less, which deepened her resentment toward Adide.


    Yet she understood the reality¨Cno matter her dissatisfaction, Adide would be Lance¡¯s mate, and she couldn¡¯t stop it.


    She thought, ¡°it¡¯s true that at Madison¡¯s birthday party, the announcement had already been made publicly.¡±


    Now, if she imed to forbid their bond, Adide¡¯s reputation would be ruined.


    After much deliberation, she decided to take things one step at a time.


    Soon, the news that Alpha Lance, with Lycan blood, was to bond with Adide spread throughout the city,


    173


    Opinions varied<b>¨C</b>some said Adide was unworthy, while others called them a perfect match.


    But another narrative quickly emerged¨Cwhen Adide had mated Ulrik years ago, it was mere months after Alpha Bentley¡¯s death.


    Now, less than a year after her mother¡¯s passing, she was set to mate again.


    Clearly, she had no regard for her parents.


    How could a unfilial person have cared for Rosemary in the Bloodmoon Pack?


    This narrative spread like wildfire.


    Within days, the situation escted, with some even heckling near the Frostfang Pack¡¯s territory.


    Beata was nearly in tears. ¡°Your mating with Ulrik was three years after Alpha Bentley¡¯s death. Why is this being distorted now? No matter how we exin, they won¡¯t listen.¡±


    Adide, adjusting her clothes, smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let them rant for a few more days. Madison has plenty of money; let her spend a little more.¡±


    It was obvious that Madison was the mastermind behind the public outcry. While some were swayed, others were paid to join the chorus.


    Let them shout¨Cit wouldn¡¯t be hard to expose the rumors, as they were baseless.


    Madison was indeed behind this.


    Since she couldn¡¯t have Lycan Erasmus punish Adide for disrespect, she resorted to her own methods to teach her <i>a </i>lesson.


    If the public praised Adide¡¯s filial piety, then let¡¯s see how she fares under public scorn.


    An omega entered the mansion¡¯s living room, reporting joyfully, ¡°The news is spreading everywhere. Almost everyone is talking about it, and almost all are cursing her.¡±


    ¡°Almost? Not everyone?¡± Wanda asked coldly. ¡°Is there anyone defending her?¡±


    The omega replied, ¡°A few are speaking up for her, saying that her mating ceremony was over two years after her father¡¯s death.¡±


    Wanda said, ¡°Who would remember the exact date? It¡¯s probably the Frostfang Pack trying to spreading fake information.¡±


    She turned <i>to </i>Madison and asked, ¡°Mother, is what we¡¯ve spread true?¡±


    Madison replied indifferently, ¡°Who knows? Themon folk won¡¯t bother with such details. They¡¯ll curse her, feel satisfied, and not think twice.¡±


    ¡°But if she rifies, people might believe her. Wouldn¡¯t our efforts be in vain? You¡¯ve spent a fortune on this, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Madison acknowledged this, though her expression soured. ¡°I¡¯ve spent a fortune, but if it ruins Adide¡¯s reputation and leaves her humiliated, it¡¯s worth every coin.¡±


    While she felt a twisted satisfaction, the expenditure weighed heavily on her.


    Over the years, her estate¡¯s funds had flowed out like water. Despite appearances, her finances were depleted.


    This always fueled her resentment toward her father for not endowing her with more wealth.


    She continued, ¡°Even if she does rify, who would believe her? The Bloodmoon Pack is in decline, and there¡¯s no one of standing left to vouch for her. Ordinary people¡¯s rifications are meaningless. Do you think I¡¯ve wasted all this money for nothing?¡±


    Only then did Wanda smile in satisfaction. ¡°Let¡¯s sit back and watch her reputation crumble. Maybe Lance will think twice about choosing her.¡±

 Novel Male 167

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Madison shook her head slowly. ¡°No, Lance will definitely go through with the mating ceremony with her. From Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus¡¯s attitude that day, it¡¯s clear they¡¯re backing this. Lance might not be doing this willingly.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡±


    Wanda was puzzled. ¡°Why would Lycan Erasmus approve of Lance and Adide bing mates?¡±


    Madison was equally confused. ¡°Logically, Lycan Erasmus should oppose this. Lancemands the army, and Adide upholds the Frostfang Pack¡¯s fierce reputation. Doesn¡¯t he fear Lance might grow ambitious?¡±


    Wanda¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Would he dare?¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    Madison sneered coldly. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t aspire to be Lycan King? Lance has no ambitions now, but who knows about the future? Ambition can grow over time.¡±


    ¡°It seems Lycan Erasmus, though wise, overly trusts so¨Ccalled brotherhood. I need to remind him of this.¡±


    ¡°Mother, does Lycan Erasmus still respect you?¡± Wanda asked.


    Madison¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°On the surface, yes. But who knows what he truly thinks? I¡¯ll pay him a visit


    tomorrow.¡±


    Wanda pouted as she approached. ¡°Take me with you. I need to talk to Prisci.¡±


    ¡°What about?¡±


    A glint of calction shed in Wanda¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m a bit short on cash and want to ask Prisci for some money.¡±


    Madison¡¯s pheromones suddenly carried a cloying pine scent, and her neck mark glowed eerily in the candlelight.


    She slowly smiled¨Cyes, it was time to tap into this ¡°pagoda tree¡± again.


    Prisci sat in her pce, her moonstone ring growing warm.


    ¡°Madison and Wanda have arrived,¡± an omega announced.


    Prisci frowned. Whenever Madison and her daughter visited, it was always about money.


    A few years back, Wanda had partnered with a Full Moon Priestess to open a cosmetics shop, making a decent profit.


    Prisci, never one to be outdone, decided to open her own store.


    Initially, she nned to partner with rtives, but Wanda approached her first, touting her experience and connections. She persuaded Prisci to invest thirty million dors in a gold jewelry store.


    Prisci, already wary of Wanda, hesitated until Madison intervened with veiled insults, implying Prisci was too fearful and distrustful.


    Prisci, intimidated by Madison¡¯s stern expression, reluctantly handed over the money.


    But over the years, the gold store brought no returns, only annual losses and constant requests for more funds.


    Prisci, bitter and resentful, had no choice but to keep investing to avoid appearing cheap or cash- strapped in Madison¡¯s eyes.


    Over the years, Wanda had drained tens of millions from her. Yet Prisci had never seen a hint of profit from the store.


    The omega, who had long cared for Prisci, felt her pain. ¡°They¡¯re here to ask for more money. That gold store isn¡¯t profitable. Why not sell it and cut your losses?¡±


    Prisci agreed the store was a failure.


    But shutting it down would be admitting defeat.


    Wanda¡¯s cosmetics shop was thriving, while hers floundered. Prisci refused to back down¨Cit was a matter of pride.


    Despite her misgivings, she invited Madison and Wanda in.


    Predictably, they were there for the gold store.


    Prisci couldn¡¯t helpining, ¡°My gold store isrger than your cosmetics shop. Why is it always in the red?<b>¡± </b>


    Wanda had her rehearsed response ready¨Cnew stores need time to build a reputation. The promotions were to boost fame, and once established, profits would follow.


    Prisci, never expecting massive returns, just wanted to save face.


    Then Madison coolly remarked, ¡°Having second thoughts, Prisci? If you can¡¯t spare the funds, sell your shares to the Full Moon Priestess¨Cshe¡¯s been eager to buy them.¡±


    At Madison¡¯s words, Prisci ordered three million dors in checks to be prepared.


    Madison and Wanda left, satisfied.


    Once they were gone, the omegamented, ¡°This can¡¯t continue! That store¡¯s a ck hole. Sell it before it drains you dry.¡±


    Prisci, glum¨Cfaced, insisted, ¡°No reason my store can¡¯t seed. It¡¯s twice the size of hers, with more gold varieties and higher costs. It¡¯ll turn a profit soon.¡±


    ¡°It might already be profitable¨Cthey could be hiding the earnings from you,¡± the omega suggested.


    Prisci countered, ¡°How? I have the books¨Cyou review them for me.¡±


    ¡°Books can be falsified!¡± the Omega retorted. ¡°Next time they ask for money, refuse. Consider past investments a loss<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Prisci agreed in theory, but Madison¡¯s silent pressure always unnerved her, coupled with her pride, forcing her to repeatedly fork over cash.


    She suddenly wondered, ¡°If it were Adide in her shoes, would she cave and pay?¡±

 Novel Male 168

    Third Person¡¯s <i>POV </i>


    Madison used the money she¡¯d extorted from Prisci to further fuel the gossip in bars and coffeehouses, paying bartenders and baristas to sensationalize Adide¡¯s past mating with Ulrik.


    Seeing no response from the Frostfang Pack¨Cand noting they¡¯d sealed their borders and withdrawn from public life¨CMadison assumed Adide was cowering in fear of the public bacsh.


    The thought filled her with schadenfreude,


    Emboldened, she approached Lycan Erasmus at the pce, arguing that Lance¡¯s choice of Adide as his mate could undermine his judgment and nt seeds of trouble for kingdom management.


    For the royal family¡¯s stability, she insisted Adide must be stopped from bing Alpha Lance¡¯s Luna.


    To her surprise, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s expression darkened. His musk pheromones turned icy<i>, </i>pressing down on Madison<b>. </b>


    <b>His </b>wolf eyes narrowed to vertical slits in the candlelight, ¡°What are you implying?¡± he demanded,


    ¡°Lance and Adide are both warriors who¡¯ve reimed the Southern Border and protected our werewolves. They¡¯ve been loyal to me and the royal family. Moreover, Lance and I are brothers with a deep bond. He harbors no ill intentions. Don¡¯t entertain groundless suspicions,¡± he said.


    Madison, taken aback, quickly resumed her condescending tone. ¡°Foolish! How can one fully trust others¡® hearts?


    Before she could <b>finish</b>, a surge of Lycan Erasmus¡¯s musk forced her to step back,


    Her neck mark oozed ck blood as her wolf¡¯s power shattered like ice against his overwhelming


    presence.


    Lycan <b>Erasmus¡¯s </b>face was a mask of displeasure. He removed his family ring and mmed it on the table.


    When the wolf¨Chead si hit the moonstone surface, mes in all themps flickered wildly. His silver- gray wolf hair red, and <b>his </b>gaze turned as cold and dark as the Arctic night.


    Beta Fabian¡¯s eyebrows shot up. He hastily interjected, ¡°Madison, choose your words carefully! If such talk. reaches the Royal Elder Council, they might use you of disrupting the brotherly bond between Lycan Erasmus and Alpha Lance. It would harm you and damage their rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, Fabian continued, ¡°the royal family¡¯s harmony is well¨Cknown. Alpha Lance and Miss Davidson are already engaged. If Lycan Erasmus were to break their bond, how would the public view him?¡±


    Madison nced at the ring on the table and frowned.


    Fabian¡¯s words meant little to her, but she couldn¡¯t ignore Lycan Erasmus¡¯s clear displeasure.


    The <b>ring </b>was a gift from the former Lycan King¨Ca sign of authority. When the old king was angry, he too


    would ce his ring on the table. It was a gesture of <b>grave </b>discontent.


    She took a deep breath and stepped back. ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I only speak for your own good.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s tone was faintly chilly. ¡°If you truly cared for the younger generation, you¡¯d offer Lance and Adide gifts like estates or jewels for their bonding ceremony. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d appreciate it.¡±


    Madison stood there, stunned. After a moment, she sighed, ¡°Honest advice is hard to hear. Let¡¯s pretend this conversation never happened.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s fingers traced the wolf¨Chead carving on the throne¡¯s armrest. His musk pheromones carried a cial chill. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t frequent the pce, especially the council chamber. As Lycan King, I may not be wless, but I have the Royal Elder Council to assist me. Your concern is unnecessary.¡±


    Madison¡¯s neck mark burned, her silver¨Cgray wolf ears bristling with anger.


    Her wolf growled a warning in her mind, but she swallowed the howl.


    As her nails bit into her palms, her royal Lycan pheromones surged¨Cfor a moment¨Cbefore dissipating under Lycan Erasmus¡¯s pressure.


    Madison stared at the frost on Erasmus¡¯s shoulder armor, her throat bobbing with rage.


    After a long silence, she turned and left without another word, her entire being radiating fury.


    Beta Fabian whispered, ¡°Madison has always been spoiled and domineering. She likely didn¡¯t mean to offend.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus replied indifferently, ¡°If my aunt thinks me foolish, it¡¯s no great matter. I have no cause for anger.¡±


    But Fabian knew better.


    As Lycan King, Erasmus would never tolerate being called foolish to his face¨Cnot even by family.


    Not even rissa would dare such insolence.


    Madison¡¯s arrogance knew no bounds.


    The rumors about Adide had raged for days.


    One day, at the ¡°Sunshine Caf¨¦,¡± a bartender brought up the topic again, ndering Adide for not caring about her parents and pursuing personal gain. Several customers joined in the chorus of abuse.


    Suddenly, a voice piped up. ¡°Absurd! Miss Davidson¡¯s mating ceremony took ce over three years after Alpha Bentley¡¯s sacrifice. The date was personally selected by the royal astrologer. Are you using the royal astrologer of ipetence? I¡¯ll call the guards!¡±


    The customers recognized the speaker¨Cit was none other than the royal astrologer himself.


    The caf¨¦ erupted into an uproar. The royal astrologer¡¯s personally calcted dates <b>were </b>beyond question.


    How could there be any mistake in the month or


    day?

 Novel Male 169

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The astrologer pointed at the bewildered bartender and scolded, ¡°Who sent you to nder the Frostfang Pack? Alpha Bentley and his six sons sacrificed their lives. Adide was made a Golden w Gamma and earned honors on the battlefield.


    ¡°She assisted Alpha Lance in reiming the Southern Border. Any decent citizen of the kingdom would respect Gamma Adide. Why are you spreading rumors and defaming her? What is your motive?¡±


    Someone loudly spected, ¡°They¡¯re likely spies from the Western Tribe, deliberately undermining Gamma Adide!¡±


    Another person chimed in, ¡°Right! Have you all forgotten that the she¨Cwolves and pups of the Frostfang Pack were murdered by Western Tribe spies? He might be a spy the Western Tribe nted in the capital! Call the guards!¡±


    The bartender panicked, waving his hands frantically. ¡°N¨Cno, I¡¯m not a Western Tribe spy, I¡­¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not a spy, why would you defame Gamma Adide?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s your real intention?¡±


    ¡°Surround him and stop him from escaping!¡±


    With the cries, customers swarmed forward to block the bartender¡¯s escape. Cornered, he faced a barrage of usations.


    Beta Valentine stood at the second¨Cfloor restaurant entrance, coldly observing the scene. Only after the bartender was surrounded did he slowly descend the stairs and leave.


    The astrologer¡¯s personal intervention and call to the authorities meant Madison would have to spend fortune to silence all the bartenders involved¨Cif she even managed to pin the incident on her.


    But the rumors had already spread like wildfire through the city, reaching every bar, caf¨¦, street corner, and storyteller under the trees, all of whom had been paid off.


    If the royal family got involved in a full investigation, it would be a spectacle.


    When Valentine returned to the Frostfang Pack to report to Adide, she was knitting with Omega Ivy.


    Upon hearing the news, she merely offered a faint smile. ¡°It¡¯s good that the truth hase out.¡±


    In reality, Valentine had deliberately arranged for people to confront the bartender at the caf¨¦¨Cthe hecklers were his men.


    As for the astrologer, Adide had no part in it.


    With rumors escting, the royal astrologer knew something was amiss.


    While he usually avoided trouble, this time was different.


    <b>+20 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    Adide and Ulrik¡¯s bonding date had been his choosing. If the rumors persisted, it would cast doubt on his selection.


    So he rified the facts at the caf¨¦ where the rumors originated, even alerting the Frostfang Pack in advance. That was why Valentine had rushed there with backup.


    Reporting the incident to the authorities was also crucial¨Cif they didn¡¯t send a strong message, everyone would treat him as a punching bag, plunging the kingdom into chaos.


    The capital¡¯s mayor, Mallory Pahari, was the brother of one of Adide¡¯s sisters¨Cinw and the Alpha of the Thunder Wolf Pack.


    Since the Frostfang Pack¡¯s incident, ties between the Thunder Wolf Pack and the Frostfang Pack had grown sparse. When the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha family was massacred, it was the capital¡¯s government and the royal guard that responded.


    Mallory had mourned over his sister¡¯s mutted body, while his nephew¡¯s decapitated head had been a sight of unspeakable horror.


    Theck of contact now wasn¡¯t out of indifference but a desire to avoid reopening old wounds.


    But this incident involved the Frostfang Pack and the astrologer¡¯s report, so Mallory took it very seriously, demanding a thorough investigation.


    Coincidentally, Emerson Turner of the Bloodmoon Pack was also involved in the case.


    Emerson and his mate Vanya had always been close to Adide and were on poor terms with Isaiah and his group.


    Eager to uncover the truth and clear Adide¡¯s name, Emerson threw himself into the investigation.


    He felt the Bloodmoon Pack owed Adide a debt, and this was a chance to repay it.


    Tracing the matter back to Madison was surprisingly straightforward.


    Having bribed so many people, it was only a matter of time before some, intimidated by repeated municipal interrogations, cracked and confessed.


    Once Madison was implicated, Mallory halted the investigation and personally visited the Frostfang Pack to speak with Adide.


    Adide and Ulrik¡¯s mating ceremony had been kept low¨Ckey.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack sent gifts but didn¡¯t attend.


    Adide had met Mallory only a few times¨Cshe¡¯d left the pack at a young age and rarely visited the capital.


    After her return from the Shadow Peaks, he¡¯d visited once or twice.


    Thest time she saw Mallory was on the day of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s tragedy.


    <b>+20 </b><b>Free </b><b>Coins </b>


    Returning to the Frostfang Pack from the Bloodmoon Pack, she found him sitting on blood¨Cstained stone <b>steps</b>, cradling his nephew¡¯s severed head, his eyes <b>as </b>heavy with sorrow as a sky about to unleash a storm.


    Hearing that Mallory wasing in person, Adide¡¯s fingers trembled <b>as </b>she knitted.


    Her nails began to elongate involuntarily, and the memory surfaced like a demon from the night¨Ca scene of crimson and despair.


    She hadn¡¯t expected him toe himself, thinking at most he¡¯d send a subordinate to inquire.


    Adide collected herself and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll change and be right out.¡±


    She sat quietly for a long moment before rising to change.


    Since the Frostfang Pack¡¯s incident, she¡¯d severed ties with all her brothers¡® mates¡® families. Even at social events<b>, </b>she deliberately avoided them.


    For both sides, it was a powder keg buried deep in the heart¨Cwhen apart, they could maintain their facades; when together, a tidal wave of pain would crash over them, impossible to suppress.


    Adide changed into a light gray dress, her hands trembling slightly beneath the wide sleeves.


    She couldn¡¯t forget the image of Mallory holding his sister¡¯s son¡¯s lifeless body. That memory was too painful.


    Walking into the main hall, she took several deep breaths, but her eyes had already welled with tears.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 170

    hapter 170


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Two more steps and she could cross the threshold, but the mark on the back of her neck suddenly red with pain.


    Her nail¨Chardened ws dug deep into the doorframe, instantly leaving five silver¨Cblue bloodstreaks on the ironwood panel.


    From the living room wafted Mallory¡¯s pheromones¨Ca mix of chicory and ambergris, the oppressive aura of a high¨Cranking Alpha that made her wolf ears tten involuntarily.


    She heard Valentine entertaining Mallory, whose deep and authoritative voice gave only curt replies.


    As Adide adjusted her breathing, a faint wolfish whine escaped her throat.


    After several attempts toposed herself, she finally appeared at the entrance to the living room.


    Upon entering, she kept her eyes downcast and greeted him, ¡°Mr. Pahari.¡±


    Mallory rose, nodded in acknowledgment, and replied, ¡°Miss Davidson, how have you been?¡±


    The deliberately formal address hung between them,den with awkwardness.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been managing,¡± Adide said, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡±


    Mallory gestured for her to sit as well.


    Once they were both seated, Beta Valentine retreated to the doorway, where the ring sunlight suddenly stabbed <i>at </i>his eyes.


    Omega servants dared not appro


    ach, leaving the two of them alone in the living room, engulfed in an uneasy silence.


    Both struggled to quell the surging emotions and dispel the visions of bloodshed- a pain that would likely haunt their families forever.


    Mallory broke the silence first, ¡°I spotted you at the royal banquet after the victory parade the other day. Hardly recognized you at first.¡±


    Adide recalled that day¨Cshe¡¯d gone straight from the parade to the pce celebration without changing her dirt¨Cstreaked clothes.


    She smiled, but tears dropped onto her hand as she cast her eyes down, her voice strained. ¡°I must have been a sight to behold.¡±


    ¡°Your father and brothers¡­¡± Mallory inhaled sharply, his throat clogged as if with cotton, his voice deep and muffled, ¡°Everyone in the Davidson family would be proud of you.¡±


    Adide¡¯s hands, resting on her knees, clenched into fists. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and


    turned her <b>face </b>away, her voice choked as she acknowledged his words.


    Mallory, witnessing her distress, instantly regretted his visit. Perhaps neither family was ready to face each


    other so soon.


    Even a grown man like him struggled to hold back tears, let alone an eighteen or neen¨Cyear¨Cold girl.


    Though she had tasted battle and in enemies with her own hands, she remained the most vulnerable in front of her kin.


    Once the cherished jewel of her family, she now stood alone.


    Though she had grown wings strong enough to shield herself from external foes, deep within, she still felt the ache and the hurt.


    Mallory rarely allowed himself to revisit that day, too afraid of the memories.


    But perhaps it was time to confront the past; otherwise, the pain would forever linger, as if his heart were perpetually soaked in blood.


    His voice, when he spoke again, had lost its usual intonation, ¡°The past is the past. One must look forward. I heard you¡¯re engaged to Alpha Lance. Congrattions are in order, though I haven¡¯t had the chance to extend them yet.¡±


    Adide lowered her eyes and whispered, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He coughed a few times, clearing his throat, and continued, ¡°We only learnedter that you and Ulrik had dissolved your mate bond. Our former Luna wished to send regards but feared upsetting you¡­¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Adide said, her voice muffled as if stuffed with cotton.


    Theypsed into silence once more until Mallory broached the main topic, ¡°Rumors have been circting these past few days, using you of forming a mate bond with Ulrik during your mourning period. The public outcry against you has been fierce. However, the police have since rified matters and made several arrests. The detainees have implicated an omega from Madison¡¯s estate as the mastermind behind the smear campaign.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to ask whether you wish to address this publicly or resolve it privately.¡±


    He paused and added, ¡°Given your impending mate bond with Alpha Lance, you¡¯ll soon have to refer to Madison as a maternal figure. It¡¯s up to you whether to strain that rtionship. Rest assured, our police force will not shy away from confronting Madison¡¯s influence if you¡¯re amenable.¡±


    Adide raised her eyes to meet Mallory¡¯s gaze, sighed gently, and said, ¡°May I still address you by your name as before? Thank you foring in person¨Cit means a great deal to me, Mallory. As for the case, I leave it in your hands. I trust this isn¡¯t Madison¡¯s doing. Perhaps it was Wanda¨CI did have a sharp exchange with her at the birthday party. I suspect she might hold a grudge and seek to tarnish my reputation.¡±


    Mallory acknowledged, ¡°Understood. Publicly exposing this won¡¯t harm Madison in the least. They¡¯ll likely sacrifice a lowly omega as a scapegoat. I¡¯ll have someone look into Wanda¡¯s involvement.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your efforts,¡± Adide said, rising and nodding in gratitude.


    ¡°It¡¯s my duty,¡± Mallory replied, also standing. ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡±


    ¡°Valentine, see Mallory out,¡± Adide instructed.


    Valentine stepped forward with aposed smile and bowed slightly. ¡°Mr. Pahari, allow me to escort you


    out.¡±


    At the doorway, Mallory nced back at Adide, wanting to say so much but settling on a simple, ¡°Take


    care.¡±


    Adide inclined her head slightly and watched him depart.


    She sat in the living room for a long time, lost in silence.


    Outside the living room, on the steps where Mallory had once cradled that severed head, it seemed the old bloodstains still lingered.

 Novel Male 171

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After seeing off the guests, Valentine returned and noticed Adide¡¯s sorrowful expression. He stepped forward to break her trance of painful memories, ¡°Mr. Pahari said he¡¯ll personally take men to the Glenveil


    Pack.¡±


    Wanda¡¯s mate was Alpha Winslow Potter of the Glenveil Pack.


    They¡¯d been mated for years without producing any pups for the pack. Later, a breeder from the Glenveil Pack bore Winslow¡¯s child.


    The Glenveil Pack, with a century¨Clong history, had always valued tradition and decorum, maintaining a strict family ethos.


    When Wanda and Winslow first mated, he hadn¡¯t yet be the Alpha of the Glenveil Pack.


    After the old Alpha¡¯s death, Winslow inherited the position.


    But upon bing Alpha, Wanda became the Luna.


    Had the former Luna, Rowena, not still been alive, the Glenveil Pack¡¯s century¨Cold reputation might have been ruined.


    The old Alpha of the Glenveil Pack had three brothers, but Wanda¡¯s rtionship with the other three Potter families was strained.


    Early in her mating bond with Winslow, Wanda, leveraging her status as Madison¡¯s daughter and a royal, had run amok in the Glenveil Pack.


    Even before bing Luna, she meddled in the decisions of other Potter family members working in the royal court or government.


    She mishandled everything, threw the pack into chaos, and spent extravagantly, earning universal disdain.


    Luna Rowena, already ill, was so enraged she fainted.


    Sheter sought treatment from Shaman Digby and, despite her frailty, took charge of the pack¡¯s daily affairs<b>. </b>


    The Glenveil Pack, a centuries¨Cold pack, would never air its dirtyundry.


    But Wanda¡¯s antics were too much to hide.


    In her fury, Rowena dered she¡¯d rather die than hand over management to Wanda.


    Winslow¡¯s current breeder was once a member of Rowena¡¯s former pack. Though she joined the Glenveil Pack in a lower capacity as a breeder, she wasn¡¯t an omega.


    With Rowena¡¯s favor and her subsequent pregnancies¨Cone son, one daughter, and another on the way


    her status <b>was </b>now secure.


    The Glenveil Pack adhered to ancient traditions and worshipped the Moon Goddess.


    It forbade cruelty to omegas and breeder oppression, enforcing strict rules.


    To gain higher status in the Glenveil Pack, Wanda would need Rowena¡¯s death or a child bearing the Alpha bloodline.


    This was why she repeatedly sought her mother¡¯s shelter at Madison¡¯s estate¨Cshe had no standing in the Glenveil Pack.


    Everyone despised her.


    When city officials visited to question Wanda about the recent scandal, Rowena quickly learned of Wanda¡¯s alleged role in smearing Adide.


    Rowena, who had little prior interaction with Adide and only a nodding acquaintance with Aire from pack gatherings, knew of only one prior intersection¨Ca peaceful resolution over a ruby ne.


    But the Glenveil Pack, having endured centuries in the capital, followed clear principles¨Cno bullying the weak, no fearing the powerful.


    They respected heroes, especially werewolf warriors and generals who protected the kingdom, and never <b>crossed </b>them.


    Even conflicts with irritable werewolf generals were swiftly resolved.


    Because everyone in the Glenveil Pack knew that those irritable werewolf warriors, though sometimes crude in speech, would fight with all their might, even at the cost of their lives, on the battlefield.


    The Glenveil Pack, whose ancestors were Gamma¨Cborn, retained an inherent respect for werewolf generals.


    Thus, upon learning that Wanda had bribed bartenders to defame Adide, a national hero, Rowena was both furious and ashamed.


    After the city officials left, despite Wanda¡¯s protests, Rowena refused to believe her innocent.


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Rowena snapped. ¡°I¡¯d sooner believe a pig can climb a tree than think you haven¡¯t schemed against Miss Davidson! I was ill and didn¡¯t attend your mother¡¯s birthday party, but I know what you¡¯re capable of¡­ It¡¯s disgraceful! As the Luna of the Glenveil Pack, you couldn¡¯t even recognize Mr. Neil¡¯s painting, let alone tear it apart in public.¡±


    Wanda, enraged by Rowena¡¯s disbelief, retorted, ¡°Fine, I did it! You never believe me anyway. You¡¯d love to cast me out, but dare you? If you do, my mother will destroy the Glenveil Pack!¡±


    With that<b>, </b>she stormed out of the packhouse, packed her things, and returned to Madison¡¯s estate.


    Rowena nearly fainted with anger but retained herposure.


    She ordered gifts prepared and decided to personally apologize to Adide at the Frostfang Pack the next day, also aiming to resolve an old matter to case her troubled heart.


    Meanwhile, city officials visited Madison¡¯s estate, as the implicated witnesses were Madison¡¯s omegas. Following protocol, they conducted inquiries.


    Given Madison¡¯s social standing, Mallory handled the matter diplomatically.


    Madison readily sacrificed a subordinate to take the fall, and Mallory, without further ado, brought the individual back to the police station.

 Novel Male 172

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As for the bartenders, the police temporarily released them all but ordered them to rify the facts within three days and to publicly apologize to andpensate Miss Davidson of the Frostfang Pack.


    After all, the city hall had conspicuously gone to the Glenveil Pack to investigate Wanda. Even if Madison found a scapegoat, it would be hard to clear Wanda¡¯s doing.


    Giving the bartenders three days to rify was ostensibly procedure but effectively granted Madison operational space.


    However, intimidation no longer worked. Only bribery remained.


    0


    Indeed, Wanda spent a fortune, not only the three million dors she received from Prisci but also an additional sum.


    With the money, the bartenders sessively apologized at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border, offeringpensation.


    Though they didn¡¯t meet Adide, the scale of the apology drew many onlookers.


    Some heckled, ¡°Did Wanda pay you?¡±


    ¡°Or was it Madison?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be absurd! Do you want to die for offending Madison?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just stating facts! At Madison¡¯s birthday party, Miss Davidson gifted a painting by Craig, only to be falsely used of presenting a forgery and have it torn apart on the spot!¡±


    ¡°Tore up a Craig oil painting? Goodness, Madison adores art collections. Craig¡¯s paintings aren¡¯t for sale.¡±


    ¡°Where was the torn painting thrown? Tell me, and I¡¯ll go pick it up!¡±


    ¡°I heard Wanda did it. As Alpha Winslow¡¯s mate, she can¡¯t even recognize an authentic Craig?¡±


    ¡°The Glenveil Pack probably only allied with her for her family background. What a blow to their century- old reputation.¡±


    When the old luna of the Glenveil Pack arrived by car, she witnessed themotion


    Listening from her vehicle, she grew so angry she saw ck.


    Back then, Winslow hadn¡¯t intended to bond with Wanda. It was Wanda who set her sights on him.


    Madison approached the old Lycan King, begging him incessantly, though he never publicly agreed.


    Only at a private werewolf gathering did the old Lycan King mention it to the then Alpha of the Glenveil


    Pack.


    After multiple refusals, the old Alpha eventually relented and permitted Wanda to be Winslow¡¯s


    mate.


    Rowena took a pill to calm her nerves before sending an omega to announce her arrival.


    Beta Valentine, spotting the car, was surprised but promptly had Omega Ivy wee Rowena.


    Rowena¡¯s personal visit only solidified Wanda¡¯s doing.


    Some citizens spected that the Glenveil Pack¡¯s forthrightness wasmendable, yet having such a Luna was a misfortune.


    For a time, public discourse shifted to the Glenveil Pack¡¯s internal affairs, and despite Rowena¡¯sposure, her frustration with Wanda was palpable.


    Omega Ivy greeted Rowena with proper decorum, escorting her to the packhouse living room.


    Adide soon joined the guests. Facing Rowena, she was nothing but courteous, offering the finest refreshments.


    Her tone was gentle and humble, always deferential as a junior.


    Regarding Wanda¡¯s smear campaign, Adide smiled and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t take it to heart. You shouldn¡¯t either. This matter has nothing to do with the Glenveil Pack. I¡¯m truly grateful you went out of your way to visit.¡±


    Rowena, looking into Adide¡¯s clear eyes, knew her words were sincere¨Cshe held no grudge against the Glenveil Pack.


    At ease now, Rowena acknowledged that the Glenveil Pack wished to avoid unnecessary enemies, especially with Alpha Lance and Alpha Adide, both formidable figures.


    Their military merits alonemanded respect, making them valuable allies.


    Rowena sighed, ¡°Alpha Adide, your understanding is trulymendable. But I feel deeply guilty. Had the police not intervened to rify, you might have carried the burden of infamy for life¡ªa devastating blow by any measure.¡±


    Adide shook her head gently, ¡°To me, it¡¯s hardly a serious blow. Merely idle gossip.¡±


    Hardly a serious blow?


    Rowena stared, initially thinking Adide feigned magnanimity.


    But her calm demeanor suggested genuine indifference.


    Reflecting on Adide¡¯s trials¨Cthe battlefield loss of her father and brothers, her family¡¯s annihtion- Rowena understood why she dismissed the gossip as insignificant.


    Rowena, though unrted to Adide, felt a pang of tenderness thinking of her and seeing her resilience.


    Those must have been extremely tough times for Adide, yet she hadn¡¯t sumbed to despair. Instead, she chose to follow in her father¡¯s and brothers¡® footsteps and went to the battlefield.


    The spirit of Alpha Bentley truly stood unyielding.


    Rowena regretted not connecting with Adide sooner. The Glenveil Pack¡¯s members could learn much


    from her.


    Today, she had brought a gift¨Ca ruby ne.


    She let an omega open the box, offer it to Adide; and even rose to help her put it on.

 Novel Male 173

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The ruby ne had six rubies in the pendant, with the middle one shaped like a wolf¡¯s head.


    It was fancy, not the type you¡¯d find in a regr store¨Cmore like something a top jewelry brand would make.


    Adide quickly stood and waved her hands. ¡°Nope, this is way too nice. I can¡¯t take this.¡±


    ¡°Miss Davidson!¡± Rowena grabbed her hand, looking serious. ¡°You gotta take this. This ne was never really mine. It always belonged to your Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Adide was stunned. ¡°Belonged to our pack? What do you


    mean?¡±


    Rowena let out a soft sigh. ¡°It goes back three years to the only private chat I ever had with your mom.¡±


    Hearing it was about her mom, Adide urged her to sit down and exin.


    Rowena began to recount how she¡¯d ordered the ne at a high¨Cend jewelry workshop.


    She said, ¡°I had this ruby ne reserved at a high¨Cend jewelry workshop. I gave it a down payment and agreed to pick it up three monthster. But when I went to collect it, I found your mother in the store, and she was holding the very same ne.¡±


    ¡°The clerk said your mom had already paid in full. I was mad¨Cmostly at the workshop. I¡¯d ordered it, and they shouldn¡¯t have sold it to someone else. Plus, I was within the pickup timeframe.¡±


    Adide was puzzled. The Jewelry Workshop was the biggest in the capital. How could they do such a thing? And Rowena was the old Luna of the Glenveil Pack¨Cwhy would they sell her reserved jewelry to


    another customer?


    She said, ¡°That ruby ne was reserved by you. The workshop shouldn¡¯t have sold it to my mom.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right about that. Your mom was reluctant to part with the ne that day, but after I made my case, she gave it to me. The workshop refunded her. It seemed like a fair resolution.¡±


    Adide knew there was more to the story and waited for Rowena to continue.


    Blushing slightly, Rowena said, <i>¡°</i>Once I got the ne home, I realized my custom ne had five rubies, not six like this one.¡±


    ¡°I sent someone to the workshop and found out the craftsman working on my ne had messed up and fled, taking my ne with him.¡±


    ¡°As for this ne, it turned out it was custom¨Cmade by your mother for the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Full Moon Ceremony. The workshop didn¡¯t exin because other customers were present, and it wasn¡¯t the right time to mention an employee stealing jewelry and running away.¡±


    ¡°They nned toe to the pack the next day to exin, but I realized something was off and sent


    people to ask questions first<b>, </b>which is how I found out the truth.¡±


    Adide was a little surprised. Her mother valued this ne so much?


    Rowena continued, ¡°I immediately returned the ne to the workshop and asked them to give it back to your mother. But they said your mother had bought other jewelry, and she sent word that since I liked it, she¡¯d give it to me.¡±


    ¡°I guess she figured a ne I¡¯d worn couldn¡¯t be used for the ceremony anymore, <i>so </i>she let it go.¡±


    After finishing her story, Rowena still looked a bit guilty. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, but it¡¯s always bothered me. As for your Davidson family¡­ Well, I hope you don¡¯t mind that I¡¯ve worn it. Please ept this ne. It was custom¨Cmade for you by your mother.¡±


    She suddenly remembered something and added, ¡°Ever since I knew the whole story, I¡¯ve kept this ne in my private vault. It¡¯s brand¨Cnew and hasn¡¯t been worn a single day. You can ask anyone around me if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±


    An omega stepped forward and said, ¡°Miss Davidson, Luna Rowena¡¯s telling the truth. This ne is brand¨Cnew and has never been worn.¡±


    Adide held the ne in her hand, her thumb tracing the patterns and the six embedded rubies.


    She suddenly recalled her mother mentioning a special ruby ne she¡¯d had made as a mating gift.


    She¡¯d asked with a smile how special it was, and her mother, rubbing her blurry eyes with tears welling up, had whispered, ¡°It has special meaning. Your six brothers will apany you as you marry. They¡¯ll protect you and keep your life smooth.¡±


    Later, when she was going through the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets, she¡¯de across many ruby nes but never that special one.


    She didn¡¯t ask her mother at the time, fearing it would sadden her to think of her brothers.


    Luna Rowena said, ¡°I heard you¡¯re going to mated with Alpha Lance. This ne was custom¨Cmade by your mother for you. Though it¡¯ste¡­¡±


    She gazed deeply at Adide. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not toote. Everything happens for a reason.¡±


    Adide stood up and gave Rowena a formal bow.


    Her eyes were rimmed with red. ¡°Thank you for passing this gift to me, Luna Rowena. Whether you¡¯ve worn it or not, it means the world to me. I¡¯m truly grateful. I¡¯ll reimburse you for the ne¡¯s value.¡±

 Novel Male 174

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Rowena noticed Adide¡¯s red¨Crimmed eyes and understood her emotions.


    +20 Free Coins


    The ne, a gift from herte mother, had finally returned to her, and with her mating ceremony approaching, the timing was oddly perfect.


    ¡°This ne was always meant for you. Take it as a symbol of your mother¡¯s love,¡± Rowena said softly.


    Adide felt a lump in her throat. The gift from her mother, after all these turns, was back in her hands.


    Rowena insisted, ¡°Give me one dor for the ne¨Ca token of its return.¡±


    Adide quickly objected, ¡°That¡¯s not enough. I¡¯ll pay its full value.¡±


    ¡°One dor is more than enough,¡± Rowena said meaningfully. ¡°Your mother showed me great respect that day. She could have argued, as it was her custom¨Cmade piece, but she chose to yield. This dor symbolizes the ne¡¯s return, and its true worth is covered by her grace and magnanimity.¡±


    Despite Adide¡¯s protests, Rowena stood firm. Adide epted the gesture.


    As Rowena left, she invited Adide to visit the Glenveil Pack. ¡°Consider us friends. Feel free to drop by or invite me to the Frostfang Pack for a chat.¡±


    This clearly signaled that the two packs should keep in touch going forward.


    Adide naturally understood this wasn¡¯t about ttering her.


    She was somewhat familiar with how the Glenveil Pack operated.


    As an ancient pack with a century¨Clong heritage, many of its members held prominent positions in the royal family or government. They never had to ingratiate themselves with others.


    That being said, it¡¯s always better to have more friends than enemies. And with the connection through this ruby ne, it seemed even more fitting.


    Adide smiled and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to have you as a friend.¡±


    After Rowena¡¯s departure, Adide visited the room where Aire once lived. She sat on the crescent- shaped sofa, her favorite spot, and put on the ne.


    Tears fell as she closed her eyes.


    Beata stood outside, wiping away her own tears.


    She knew Adide¡¯s pain<b>, </b>silent and hidden.


    At dinner, Ivy and Jessica recalled the ne¡¯s history.


    conflict.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s why the ruby ne was given up. We thought about getting the workshop to make another one. But on the one hand, time was tight, and on the other hand, Luna Rowena already had one. Luna Aire thought it would be pointless to make another, so she let it go.¡±


    Jessica wiped her tears and said in a choked voice, ¡°I never thought the ruby ne woulde back to you after all that. It was supposed to be a mating gift from Luna Aire to you. And now, right before you¡¯re gonna mate with Alpha Lance, it¡¯s back. Maybe it¡¯s not a coincidence. Maybe Luna Aire¡¯s looking out for it from beyond.¡±


    Adide, too, felt her mother¡¯s presence in the ne.


    The six gems represented her six brothers, their protection with her always.


    Putting on the ruby ne, she felt a flicker of anticipation regarding Lance.


    It wasn¡¯t about craving Lance¡¯s love.


    She knew he might have someone else in his heart, and even if he didn¡¯t, she was savvy enough to know that love can¡¯t be forced¨Cgiving often yields little return.


    She simply hoped that as his mate, her life might align with her mother¡¯s words, bing peaceful and stable.


    Lance had been gone to the Shadow Peaks for days. Adide wondered when he¡¯d be back and if he¡¯d bring a letter from her mentor.


    Thinking of her mentor filled her with guilt.


    After returning to the city, she hadn¡¯t visited her mentor or schoolmates once.


    She didn¡¯t even invite them to her mating ceremony with Ulrik years ago.


    The ceremony was simple back then. Aire didn¡¯t want to be extravagant.


    Aire had nned to visit the mentor with Ulrik after his victory in battle.


    Little did they know that opportunity would nevere.


    When she learned Ulrik was going to war, Aire had been very worried. Maybe she even regretted it back then.


    A couple of dayster, Lance still hadn¡¯t returned.


    The gossip didn¡¯t stop, but the focus shifted from Adide to Wanda, and even to Madison¡¯s estate.


    In the past, Madison¡¯s estate was super secretive, but now rumors were leaking out.


    Rumors spread about Madison¡¯s breeder, iming she¡¯d had at least twenty over the years. Now, only a few


    were left, and they almost never showed up in public.


    Royal family secrets always piqued people¡¯s curiosity. Everyone loved to specte and make up stories to pass the time and satisfy their need for drama.


    Some said Madison killed those breeders; others said that was impossible.


    Wanda returned to live at Madison¡¯s estate, and the two of them were really feeling the pressure from all the gossip.


    The more the public had criticized Adide before, the angrier they were now.


    Especially after the rumors about the breeder at Madison¡¯s ce came out, Madison was beside herself. She was so mad she started suspecting her own close aides of spilling the beans.


    The whole estate was thrown into chaos as she checked everyone one by one. And with Wanda in a foul mood, she took out her frustration on the omegas in the estate every day.

 Novel Male 175

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Wanda had expected that after a few days at Madison¡¯s estate, Winslow woulde to fetch her.


    But not only did Winslow not show up, but no one from the Glenveil Pack did either.


    Instead, she heard that Rowena had personally apologized to Adide at Frostfang¡¯s residence.


    Bitterness welled up in Wanda¡¯s heart- it seemed as long as Rowena was alive, she would never wield power in the Glenveil Pack, let alone attain any status.


    But her repeated malicious thoughts came to naught¨CRowena¡¯s meals and daily routines were closely monitored.


    As Winslow¡¯s mate, Wanda, leaning on her royal heritage, never took the initiative to greet Rowena and had no chance to get close to her.


    Both mother and daughter, each burdened by their own troubles, temporarily left Adide in peace.


    By mid¨CAugust, Lance still hadn¡¯t returned.


    A month had passed since he left, and Adide began to worry.


    Initially, he had said he would just file a report and return. The journey from here to the Shadow Peaks was but two or three days by car. Even with a stay, ten days should have sufficed for a round trip.


    Could something have happened at the Shadow Peaks?


    Adide happened to receive a letter from Paisley, filled with stories from the Shadow Peaks¨CAvery bought cosmetics and was grounded by the mentor, though fortunately not punished.


    The letter also congratted Adide on her uing mating bond, with friends at the training camp moring to send a grand gift for her ceremony.


    Adide felt somewhat reassured.


    It seemed Lance had indeed visited the Warscar Training Camp. The mentor must have approved of her mate bond with Lance, spreading the news throughout the camp.


    However, the letter made no mention of whether Lance remained at the Shadow Peaks.


    Adide sent someone to inquire at the ckthorn Pack. They found them busy preparing for the mating ceremony and arranging amodations for Prisci.


    Letting it go, Adide penned a letter to the mentor at the Shadow Peaks. Whether Lance was still there or not, the messenger would return with news.


    On second thought, perhaps Lance was dyed by business. She chose not to dwell on it.


    A few dayster, the Full Moon Festival arrived. The Frostfang Pack¡¯s Packhouse was adorned with statues of the Moon Goddess, finally donning a festive air.


    Ivy personally made desserts. After tasting them, Adide had some sent to Melinda and Luna Rowena of the Glenveil Pack.


    As for Luna Skye, Adide made no special preparations.


    Rtionships should be reciprocal. She would respond in kind to how others treated her.


    The pce, naturally, was out of the question. Without rissa¡¯s orders, she couldn¡¯t enter freely, let alone with external food that required security checks for royal entry.


    The Full Moon Festival typically saw wolf packs hosting rituals for the Moon Goddess together. But this year, Adide was alone.


    She tried to put on a brave face but couldn¡¯t hide the sorrow in her


    eyes.


    Beata, noticing her distress<b>, </b>teasingly suggested in Adide¡¯s car, ¡°I heard there¡¯s a wolf gathering today. Want to join?¡±


    As Beata spoke, her eyes welled up too¨Cshe missed her family, long gone.


    Adide gently stroked her hair and said, ¡°Tonight, you all go out and enjoy yourselves. Leave all your worries behind.¡±


    She harbored a quiet guilt toward Beata¨Cborn into the wolf pack, Beata had grown up with her, trained at the Shadow Peaks, joined the Bloodmoon Pack, and now, like Adide, was an orphan.


    Once lively and mischievous, Beata had be unusually reserved after the tragedy.


    Especially since returning to the Frostfang Pack, she managed Adide¡¯s personal affairs and trained the omegas under her charge with a poise beyond her eighteen years.


    ¡°Should I find you a fine mate?¡± Adide quickly shifted the topic as pain surged in her heart.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay by your side forever,¡± Beata pouted, masking her tears. ¡°You said you¡¯d never drive me away.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± Adide smiled and tapped her nose. ¡°When you meet your true mate, I¡¯ll preside over your bonding ceremony.¡±


    Lunch was light. Adide only had a bowl of oatmeal. Afterward, she headed to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Moonlight Altar.


    The altar, paved with a single b of moonstone, bore wolf¨Chead carvings on the dome, casting an ethereal blue glow.


    As Adide lit the wolf¨Cfat candles, the moonmark on the back of her neck suddenly red hot.


    Kneeling on the cushion, her wolf cars drooped with sorrow.


    ¡°Father, Mother,¡± her wolf whimpered in her mind, ¡°Elder Halsey and I have discussed adopting a child to train as the Frostfang Pack¡¯s future Alpha, but no candidate has been chosen yet.¡±


    ¡°All the children on the shortlist have parents to care for them¡­ How am I to choose?¡± Adide¡¯s nails dug into the wolfskin cushion, her knuckles scoring five bloody grooves.


    She recalled her nephews nailed to the moon altar, those young wolves who should have inherited the Frostfang Pack. None remained.


    They were exceptionally promising pups, irreceable in Adide¡¯s heart.


    No one answered Adide¡¯s questions, but here, it felt as though her parents and brothers were still by her side. This small sce cased her grief.


    After a while, she rose, rested in her room, and saw Beata leading Beta Valentine in.

 Novel Male 176

    Adide¡¯s POV


    ¡°Alpha Adide, Alpha Lance has sent a messenger with a letter for you,¡± Beta Valentine announced, handing me the letter.


    ¡°The messenger said it¡¯s urgent.¡±


    I quickly opened it. Inside were just a few words, ¡°Adide,e to Redwood City immediately.¡±


    It was signed by Lance.


    I recognized his handwriting instantly.


    The letter was brief¨Cno details, just an urgent summons to Redwood City, with no mention of what to bring.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the messenger now?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the dining room. After shifting, he ran all the way here without rest for three days. He¡¯s exhausted and hungry,¡± Beta Valentine exined.


    1


    I immediately instructed, ¡°Beata, pack a few sets of clothes and some travel essentials. Bring him over after the messenger finishes his meal. I need to speak with him.¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡± Beata hurried into the house to pack.


    A whileter, the messenger was brought to the conference room after his meal.


    I was already dressed and ready. Looking up, I recognized Tommy.


    His head was covered in dust, and his skin was peeling from sunburn, leaving him red and ck.


    It was already the Full Moon Festival, yet his appearance suggested he¡¯d been traveling for a long time.


    ¡°Tommy, didn¡¯t you go to the Shadow Peaks with Alpha Lance? Why are you in Redwood City? Why does he want me there?¡± I asked.


    After burping from his full meal, Tommy stood a bit awkwardly, likely due to running too long in his shifted form.


    1 gestured for him to sit and take his time.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Tommy said, sitting down.


    ¡°Alpha Lance did take us to the Shadow Peaks. We stayed there for three or four days and were on our way back. But in Cypress Valley, my wallet was stolen by a pickpocket.¡±


    ¡°I caught the thief on the spot and was about to take him to the police station when I noticed a few ragged wolf


    pups nearby. Judging by their scent, they were rogues. They bolted at themotion.¡±


    As the rogue pups <b>scattered</b>, Lance happened to look up and saw one of the younger rogues who bore a striking resemnce to my second brother, Randall¡¯s son, Cedric Davidson.


    The young rogue had a limp and was running slowly.


    Lance was about to chase after him when someone pushed a cart into the crowd, toppling several people.


    Lance stopped to help.


    When he looked up again, the young rogue was being picked up by a burly man and stuffed into a car.


    Instinctively, Lance shouted ¡°Cedric,¡± and the young rogue looked up with an expression of disbelief.


    Lance immediately took off after the car, which weaved through traffic and knocked over a few more pedestrians.


    By the time Lance caught up to the vehicle, both the man and the young rogue had vanished.


    Cypress Valley¡¯s streets were crowded with narrow alleys crisscrossing everywhere. There was no telling which direction they¡¯d taken.


    Lance had only brought Tommy with him. Tommy, preupied with catching the thief, had no idea who Lance was chasing and could only wait on the spot.


    When Lance returned empty¨Chanded, he interrogated the thief.


    The thief was dressed simrly to the young rogue, and the fact that the others fled upon his capture suggested they were part of the same group.


    However, the thief turned out to be mute and unable to write, making it impossible to extract any information.


    Lance handed him over to the police station. Upon hearing that Lance was there, the sheriff promptly weed him personally.


    Lance inquired about the young rogues in the area, and the sheriff sighed, ¡°These young rogues have been roaming Cypress Valley for a while. Some beg, others steal¨Cthere¡¯s definitely someone masterminding them. We¡¯ve arrested them several times but can¡¯t pinpoint the mastermind. It¡¯s not just here; several other ces are experiencing the same issue.¡±


    ¡°Many of them are rendered mute or have broken legs. We can¡¯t get any information out of them, nor can we return them to their original packs. We¡¯ve had to temporarily house them in relief stations. But they escape as soon as they¡¯re ced there. Take the thief Lance caught¨Che¡¯s been arrested multiple times for theft.¡±


    Lance was furious and questioned why the sheriff couldn¡¯t catch the mastermind.


    The sheriff had no choice but to admit that a powerful rogue gang was behind it. Their members were exceptionally strong and dangerous, making arrests difficult.


    Eventually, they just stopped trying.


    Lance dealt with the sheriff for dereliction of duty and stayed in Cypress Valley to investigate the young rogues¡® whereabouts while sending a letter to the Shadow Peaks.


    He asked Instructor Irene to contact the gang¡¯s leader.


    It turned out that these individuals weren¡¯t part of the powerful rogue gang but were exploiting its reputation. They captured young werewolves and forced them to beg or steal, collecting the proceeds.


    ¡°Alpha Lance tracked them all the way to Redwood City and finally found the boy,¡± Tommy concluded.


    ¡°But the boy has been made mute and has a limp. When asked if his name is Cedric, he neither confirms nor denies it. He¡¯s extremely wary of Alpha Lance and has tried to escape several times.


    ¡°Alpha Lance wants to take him back, but the boy either hits himself or bites Lance. The journey back to the capital is long, and Lance fears something might happen to him along the way, which is why he¡¯s called for you.¡±


    After hearing Tommy¡¯s ount, I was stunned.


    Instinctively, I shook my head. ¡°No, it¡¯s impossible.¡±


    Tommy¡¯s chicory pheromones seemed to carry the scent of Redwood City. This smell caused my wolf ears to bristle uncontrobly, their silver tips gleaming in the candlelight.


    The moonmark on the back of my neck red with pain, and silver¨Cblue blood seeped from beneath my hardened nails.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± I whispered.

 Novel Male 177

    Adide¡¯s POV


    My wolf let out a mournful howl in my mind, its low growl shaking the candlestick into a shower of sparks.


    The image of Cedric nailed to the moon altar exploded in my mind.


    I remembered how he used to grab my wrist as a child. ¡®


    The scenes shifted in my memory, and suddenly I saw Mallory holding his shattered skull.


    My hardened nails dug fiercely into my palm.


    My wolf eyes contracted into vertical slits in the darkness, and my moon goddess ne suddenly grew


    hot.


    ¡°Cedric is dead,¡± I growled, my voiceced with a wolf¡¯s howl, my cedar pheromones tinged with the stench of blood.


    Tommy¡¯s wolf hair on his neck bristled under the aura.


    The cruel images shed through my mind, the pain making it hard to breathe.


    I didn¡¯t want to believe this false hope¡­


    But I immediately had my horse brought out. The road to Redwood City was too rugged for a car. I had to ride.


    I had to leave for Redwood City at once.


    As I took the bundle from Beata, I could feel her ears trembling violently.


    Her neck mark oozed faintforting pheromones, but she shuddered uncontrobly.


    All the wolves staying at the Frostfang Pack gripped their ws tightly around the pine table.


    The bloody smell of the massacre had long faded, but the sulfur bite marks on the back of every corpse¡¯s neck still lingered in memory.


    When we counted the bodies back then, no one was missing, especially among the children.


    I said I didn¡¯t believe it, but a spark of hope ignited in my heart.


    I shook the dew off my fur cloak, my fingers absentmindedly caressing the moon goddess ne at my corbone. The moonstone glowed coolly with each heartbeat.


    But then I remembered that scene. Besides the skull, there was the bloodstained clothing on the corpse¨C1 recognized it as Cedric¡¯s.


    I had made those clothes for him when I returned to the Frostfang Pack, preparing new outfits for all my/3


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    nieces and nephews.


    When I took the bundle, I wasn¡¯t fully awake. I just muttered, ¡°Beata, I¡¯m just going to check. I know it can¡¯t be him. I wasn¡¯t holding out hope. But¡­ bring me Cedric¡¯s favorite sling. The one I made for him, with his name carved on it and the wooden fork painted¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it, right away!¡± Beata rushed off, tripped on the stone steps, but ignored the pain and limped on.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be Cedric,¡± I whispered to myself, my voice trailing off into a wolfish howl.


    Before long, she brought me the sling.


    I traced the name ¡°Cedric¡± engraved on it. As my fingertips touched the rough wooden handle, my wolf suddenly wailed in my mind.


    0


    The pine sling still bore bite marks from a pup, and each carved letter held cedar pheromones from that


    year.


    After a long while, I looked up to see blood seeping from Beata¡¯s knee.


    ¡°Beata, your knee¡­¡± I pressed on her bleeding wound.


    ¡°An Alpha¡¯s order is an omega¡¯s duty,¡± she insisted, shaking her head defiantly. Her temporary neck mark suddenly glowed faintly.


    I nced at Valentine, Ivy, and Jessica¨Ctheir eyes glistened with tears and cautious hope.


    No one dared to hope too much, fearing another letdown.


    As I left, Ivy called out, ¡°Wait!¡±


    She ripped open her wolf leather pouch, wrapped a piece of apple pie in oil paper, and hurried over. ¡°If that child is Cedric¡­ well, have something to eat on the road.¡±


    As the Frostfang Pack¡¯s best baker, she always mixed herbs into her pies, iming they sped up healing for injured wolves.


    Her voice caught, her wolf ears drooping, ¡°Tell him the Frostfang Pack has plenty of candied fruits.¡±


    I knew what she meant¨Cif it really was Cedric, give him the pie.


    I packed the pie into my bundle and led my horse out.


    As I mounted, I looked back¨Ceveryone stood at the pack¡¯s border.


    Tears finally streamed down my face.


    With a sting of emotion, I raised my whip, dug my heels into the horse, and it neighed, galloping wildly


    <b>away</b>.


    My horse could cover a thousand miles in a day, but that required full exertion.


    the third day, and back to five hundred on the fourth¨Cso five or six days to Redwood City.


    But the horse would be utterly exhausted, needing several days of rest upon arrival.


    The cool August weather was perfect for traveling.


    Anxious and impatient, I wished I could fly to Redwood City, to Lance¡¯s side, to see that child¡­


    If Cedric was alive, he¡¯d be nearly seven now.


    Unconsciously, it¡¯s been almost two years since the Frostfang Massacre.


    My wolf nuzzled my spine in the depths of my mind, its pheromones like silk wrapping around my trembling nerves, ¡°Maybe it really is your brother¡¯s pup.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me,¡± I tightened my grip on the wolf¨Chead carved saddle, my knuckles whitening.


    The horse suddenly sped up, its hooves shattering the water¡¯s surface. In the crisp sound of its gallop, I heard my heartbeat pounding against my ribs.


    I kept telling myself, ¡°don¡¯t think too much, just take a walk, don¡¯t hold any hope.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t bear another disappointment.


    ¡°What if it¡¯s another false hope¡­¡± My voice shattered in my throat, but my wolf suddenly roared deafeningly.


    Its silver image appeared in my mind, its fur still damp with water mist. ¡°So what if you¡¯re disappointed again? Frostfang wolves aren¡¯t tripped by the same scar twice.¡±


    Five dayster, just past noon, I finally arrived in Redwood City.

 Novel Male 178

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I rested at motels along the way, but barely ate or drank, fearing bathroom breaks would dy me.


    My wolf¡¯s constant growls in my mind urged me to hurry, its restlessness fraying my already taut nerves.


    ¡°Hold on a little longer,¡± I mentally pleaded. ¡°If Cedric is alive, I need to keep someposure as his aunt.¡±


    But my wolf wed at my consciousness, its silver fur crackling with silver¨Cblue lightning. ¡°Can dignity bring back a pup¡¯s life?¡±


    In five days, I grew visibly thinner.


    Following Tommy¡¯s address, I found No. 13 Pear Street, the residence of the Beech Pack, thergest in Redwood City, where Lance was staying with the child.


    Standing outside, my lips chapped and throat raw, I felt something lodged between my throat and chest.


    The house sat in a fairly wide alley, guarded by a uniformed wolf¨Ca borrow from Lance, no doubt.


    ¡°Miss Davidson?¡± The wolf¡¯s ears trembled with nervousness, his ws scraping his uniform.


    I tasted iron in my throat¨Cfrom biting my tongue while traveling.


    I nodded, unable to speak.


    The guard knocked and announced, ¡°Alpha Lance, Miss Davidson is here.¡±


    1


    The door opened, releasing Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones mingled with gunpowder.


    Dressed in a dark shirt, he looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes.


    Seeing me, he breathed a small sigh of relief but quickly frowned. ¡°Why are you so thin?¡±


    I made a nomittal sound, my throat tight as I scanned the interior.


    Lance instructed the guard, ¡°Take the horse to be fed.¡±


    ¡°As you wish!¡± The guard reached for the reins, but I instinctively tightened my grip.


    Lance covered my cold hand with his and said gently, ¡°Come in. Whether it¡¯s him or not, we need to confirm it face to face.¡±


    I released the reins and pulled out the sling from my bundle. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°In the room. This child¡­¡± Lance sighed, ¡°He¡¯s strong and has a fiery temper.¡±


    He led me inside, locking the door behind us.


    Seeing me staring at him nkly, he gave a wry smile and said, ¡°He¡¯s tried to escape several times. Though his leg¡¯s injured, he¡¯s surprisingly nimble and always desperate to cause trouble. I didn¡¯t want to hurt him, so I had to lock him up for now.¡±


    ¡°Does he resemble him?¡± My voice wavered. My feet felt like they were on cotton as I followed Lance, barely aware that he still held my hand.


    ¡°He does, but I¡¯m not certain,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t seen him for months before I left for the Southern Border, and he always took after Randall a bit.¡±


    Like a puppet, I followed him to a door where sounds of smashing echoed.


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones thickened. ¡°He¡¯s always like this¨Csmashing things day and night, sometimes even headbutting. The pack¡¯s doctor said he was fed a addictive wolfsbane. Withdrawal makes him rage.¡±


    No wonder Lance looked so exhausted.


    The door was locked with a chain and padlock, the windows boarded up.


    Lance took out the key and unlocked the door. As the lock clicked open, Lance suddenly unleashed his wolfish shadow.


    A small figure lunged out.


    Lance caught the boy, but he still fought back wildly, shaking his head and biting at Lance, making low growls.


    I couldn¡¯t see the boy¡¯s face, just his constant writhing and biting.


    Like an onlooker, I held up the slingshot and called out woodenly, ¡°Cedric!¡±


    I came here to prove this was fake, so my ¡°Cedric¡± had a whimper but no warmth.


    I just wanted to see this ¡°imposter.¡±


    The child in Lance¡¯s arms gradually stilled.


    Slowly, he raised his head, eyes still wild, his dirty, thin face covered in small wounds.


    He stared at me, mouth agape.


    His silver¨Cgray eyes, identical to my brothers¡®, gradually cleared of frenzy.


    I pped a hand over my mouth as tears burst forth.


    I took the child from Lance and held him tightly.


    He was skin and bones, reeking of foul odors, his hair matted with blood, grease, and other filth.


    But I held him closer, as if cradling the most precious treasure, tears streaming uncontrobly.


    The boy stopped struggling and let me hold him close<b>. </b>


    Tears streamed down his dirty cheeks, leaving two yellow streaks.


    All his prior resistance was gone, and he hung limp in my arms like a ragdoll, motionless and with a stunned look in his eyes<b>. </b>


    Seeing this, Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones eased.


    My wolf roared in my mind¨Che was Cedric, my brother Randall¡¯s son.


    But how had he escaped back then? How was he captured? Those answers still eluded me.

 Novel Male 179

    Adide¡¯s POV


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    ¡°These past days, I¡¯ve stayed by his side, but he won¡¯t respond to anything. He¡¯s been poisoned to the point of muteness and won¡¯t let anyone near,¡± Lance sighed.


    ¡°He goes crazy when I approach. At first, when I called him ¡®Cedric,¡® he reacted a bit, but then he became indifferent again, either continuing his fits or just spacing out. I¡¯ve had people investigating, but we haven¡¯t found those who took him yet.¡±


    Hearing Lance¡¯s words deepened my sorrow.


    After a long while, I slowly released Cedric, but he clutched my wrist tightly, his long nails embedding into my skin, nearly drawing blood.


    The nds at the back of my neck warmed, and the scar behind Cedric¡¯s ear suddenly glowed with a silver¨Cblue light. Two streams of cedar pheromones from the same lineage swirled in the air.


    His nails, embedded in my skin, revealed faint golden wolf hairs¨Cthe distinctive mark of the Frostfang bloodline.


    Just as my brothers had taught him to hold a sling with his not¨Cyet¨Chardened ws.


    His gaze remained fixed on my face, then fell on the sling in my hand, and his tears fell more heavily.


    His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but only whimpers escaped.


    My eyes, red and swollen from crying, gently caressed the wounds on his face.


    My wolf whimpered in my mind, its tail drooping.


    Choking back sobs, I said to Lance, ¡°Alpha Lance, could you please buy some clothes and shoes? Are there any omegas here? Have them boil some water for a bath.¡±


    ¡°Clothes were bought already, but he refused to change. I¡¯ll have someone boil water. You two stay here alone for a while,¡± Lance¡¯s voice wavered, his eyes reddening as he turned to leave.


    Cedric kept holding my hand. I carried him into the house, sat in a chair, and gently wiped his face with a silk handkerchief.


    Despite my own flowing tears, I soothed him softly, ¡°Cedric, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here. You¡¯re safe now, no need to fear anymore.¡±


    Hearing this, Cedric opened his mouth and cried silently, his breaths ragged and tears streaking his face.


    Two years of suffering and grievances finally erupted, and once he started crying, he couldn¡¯t stop.


    He cried until he passed out in my arms.


    Fortunately, Lance had a pack doctor on standby.


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    The doctor attempted an examination, but Cedric was uncooperative. The doctor had to use his wolf spirit to probe him<b>, </b>confirming he¡¯d been poisoned to muteness and had been fed addictive wolfsbane.


    As the doctor¡¯s silver probe touched his nd scar, my wolf caught the ambergris scent at the probe¡¯s tip.


    ¡°His nds are rejecting foreign pheromones,¡± the doctor exined, his wolf cars twitching with focus as he applied unguent to Cedric¡¯s protruding veins.


    My wolf paced restlessly in my mind.


    I watched as the doctor treated Cedric, recalling how my mother used simr detoxifying salve on my brothers¡® wounds.


    After the treatment, Cedric didn¡¯t wake up but began to snore, his curled body twitching under the covers.


    He was exhausted¨CLance, formidable as he was, couldn¡¯t have endured the fragmented sleep Cedric had been getting.


    Relieved to hear the doctor say Cedric was merely asleep, I stayed by his side.


    Lance quietly suggested I eat something, but I shook my head, wiping away tears.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay with him. I¡¯m afraid he¡¯ll wake up scared if I¡¯m not here.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll have food brought to you,¡± Lance said, stepping out and arranging for the doctor to wait in the


    side hall.


    He instructed that once Cedric woke, bathed, and dressed, a thorough examination could be done.


    Poor boy, he¡¯s endured so much, but at least he¡¯s alive.


    Cedric didn¡¯t fully wake until midnight.


    He¡¯d stirred a few times in between but drifted back to sleep upon seeing me.


    By midnight, the room was brightly lit.


    I¡¯d already washed his face with warm water while he slept.


    His small features bore a striking resemnce to Randall, though gauntness made his cheekbones protrude.


    When he woke, he cried but smiled through his tears. His thinness entuated the dimples on his face.


    I took him to bathe. As the boy soaked in the tub, I washed his hair carefully, using conditioning shampoo to untangle the matted strands.


    After the bath, he put on the newly bought clothes.


    They were a bit big for a seven¨Cyear¨Cold but made him look clean and presentable.


    In the kitchen, food was ready.


    His eyes lit up, and instinctively, he grabbed a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth. After swallowing, he quickly hid under the table¨Ca reflex from his past.


    Once he calmed down, he slowly pushed his chair out and sat up, tears welling in his eyes as he looked at <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    I turned away to wipe my sudden tears, then smiled at him. ¡°Eat slowly. I¡¯m here with you.¡±


    Lance wanted to join us but stepped back when Cedric visibly tensed, his eyes filled with fear.


    Seeing the boy¡¯s terror of men, Lance retreated. ¡°Take your time. I¡¯ll eat outside.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha Lance,¡± I said, rising to face him, my voice filled with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll never forget your kindness.¡±

 Novel Male 180

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Lance said, ¡°We¡¯re going to be mates. No need for formalities. Go be with him. I¡¯ve had paper and ink prepared. I know Cedric started learning to read at three. He must remember how to write.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s eat first. I¡¯ll ask him afterward.¡±


    After Lance left, Cedric rxed and ate greedily, sticking close to me.


    His gaunt face and thin frame made it clear how much he¡¯d suffered.


    ¡°Eat slowly,¡± I whispered.


    His wolf eyes narrowed as he ate¨Ca stray pup¡¯s instinct.


    Only when my pheromones signaled safety did he case his grip on the bowl.


    He ate quickly, finishing almost all the meat and sandwiches.


    While clearing the table, my nails brushed against old scars on his wrists¨Cteeth marks from chains.


    After cleaning up, I set out paper and ink.


    Holding his frail wrist, I said, ¡°I know you can write. Even if it¡¯s been a while, the characters you learned are still there. Tell me¨Chow did you escape? What happened after?¡±


    As I opened the inkwell, tears dropped onto the table.


    Bathing him earlier, I¡¯d seen the countless scars on his body, old and new.


    He¡¯d never fully shifted,cking a werewolf¡¯s healing abilities.


    Now, his left leg wasme¨Cthe bone had broken and healed crooked. The doctor said it would need to be rebroken and reset.


    Cedric wiped my tears with his hands, shook his head, and gave a look of pity.


    His sunken eyes and hollow cheeks made him seem frail as paper.


    My heart ached¨Chad I known he was alive, I¡¯d have searched everywhere for him.


    The ink was ready. Cedric began to write.


    His fingers, deformed from malnutrition and abuse, struggled to hold the pen.


    I guided his hand to steady it.


    After a few minutes, he began to write slowly, each strokeborious.


    Writing seemed like a real struggle for him. He just couldn¡¯t seem to apply enough strength.


    It took nearly a minute for him to scrawl out a word, ¡°lollipop.¡±


    It took me a moment to decipher them.


    I looked up at him with my swollen eyes, tears streaming down again.


    That word was like a knife stabbing into my heart, making me flinch with pain.


    My wolf whimpered in my mind.


    Days before the Frostfang Massacre, I¡¯d visited my mother to discuss border conflicts.


    She worried about Alpha Zander, fearing he¡¯d meet the same fate as my father and brothers.


    Iforted her, but she remained sorrowful.


    I was worried too¨Cabout my grandfather, about my mother.


    In her courtyard, I saw Cedric.


    He looked up with concern and asked if I was unhappy.


    I ruffled his hair and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m a little sad, but I¡¯ll be fine. Don¡¯t worry, Cedric.¡±


    I¡¯d forgotten about it, but Cedric remembered.


    He wanted to buy lollipops to cheer me up.


    After returning from the Shadow Peaks and waiting for my mating ceremony, I spent over a year ying with the kids, easing their fears of losing their fathers.


    My nieces and nephews adored me.


    Cedric was only five but already very mature.


    He saw our moms crying every day and knew Randall was dead.


    As a smart and sensitive kid, I spent the most time with him, and he relied on me and was close to me.


    Cedric kept writing, his wrist trembling with weakness.


    ¡°Rest,¡± I said, trying to soothe him with my pheromones.


    But he persisted, his ear scar oozing silver¨Cblue blood.


    Slowly, painfully, he wrote out what happened.


    On the day of the massacre, he slipped out of the pack at noon. To avoid being found, he had a young omega, around his age and new to the pack, wear his clothes and hide in his room.


    Then he went to buy lollipops.


    That young omega, a former rogue who¡¯d just joined the pack, was someone I didn¡¯t even know about.


    Cedric bought the lollipops and was about to give them to me when someone crept up behind him and swung a bat at him.


    When he came to, he found himself locked in a pitch¨Cck room with a few other kids. They were captured.

 Novel Male 181

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Cedric said he was scared when they were captured, and the other kids were too frightened to resist.


    But Cedric fought back and got beaten badly.


    The kids had three fates¨Cbe street kids and beg, be trained as thieves, or, for girls, be call girls.


    Cedric¡¯s leg was broken that day, so he was made to beg.


    The gang fed them a drug that made them mute, except for the girls.


    Some older kids who could read had their fingers broken because the more pitiful the beggars, the more money they made.


    Since Cedric was dressed in omega¡¯s clothes and was only four or five, the kidnappers didn¡¯t think he could read, so his fingers were spared.


    After over half a year of being kidnapped, Cedric learned about the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre.


    Many said the Davidson family was wiped out.


    He thought his aunt was dead too.


    Life for him these past two years had been miserable. He tried to escape countless times but was always caught.


    Every time he begged, someone watched him. Most of them had mobility issues and couldn¡¯t run far. When caught, he was severely beaten.


    Over time, he stopped trying to escape, growing desperate and numb.


    The kidnappers also gave them a drug they had to take every few days. Without it, they¡¯d feel awful and became dependent.


    Lately, Cedric had been experiencing withdrawal, but his symptoms were easing up.


    Seeing his aunt now, he was so emotional that the difort lessened.


    After writing all this, Cedric was exhausted.


    Adide told him to rest and stayed by him until he fell asleep.


    She didn¡¯t want to leave, fearing that everything would vanish like a dream if she did, and he¡¯d be gone again.


    Her heart ached.


    Cedric had suffered so much. Watching him limp made her feel like her heart was being pierced by


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    needles.


    Lance was already arranging their return to the capital.


    Cedric needed urgent treatment from Doctor Digby.


    The seven¨Cyear¨Cold was as tall as a five¨Cyear¨Cold. He hadn¡¯t grown in two years.


    They had to check what type of wolfsbane he¡¯d been poisoned with.


    Lance also sent an urgent letter to Lycan Erasmus in his name, detailing the situation.


    The Davidson family¡¯s surviving bloodline would surely please Lycan Erasmus and the Royal Elder Council. For the Pahari family of the Thunder Pack, the child was a form of redemption.


    The Frostfang Massacre wasn¡¯t just about everyone dying¨Cit was about the gruesome deaths, with countless w marks on each body.


    Especially Cedric, who was believed to have been decapitated, his head mutted beyond recognition.


    Thunder Pack¡¯s former Luna fainted upon hearing the news.


    Cedric¡¯s mother, Tabitha, had grown up alongside her and was closer than the other children.


    Thunder Pack¡¯s former Alpha was inconsble, suffering a head injury from a fall and passing away the next day.


    Under this cloud of tragedy, the Thunder Wolf Pack had attended almost no gatherings in two years.


    Two dayster, they departed for the capital by carriage.


    Lance drove, while Adide¡¯s horse pulled the carriage.


    Adide stayed with Cedric inside, sharing Apple pie made by Ivy.


    Cedric ate and cried, then gestured that it was delicious.


    Adide, touched, promised him ess to the kitchen for any food he desired.


    Cedric¡¯s eyes brightened but quickly dimmed again.


    The Frostfang Pack remained, but his family was gone.


    Adide had already mated with Lance and was to join Alpha Lance¡¯s Pack, so she couldn¡¯t stay with him indefinitely.


    Thus, Cedric clung to Adide throughout the journey.


    At night in hotels, he insisted on sharing a room with her.


    Adide carried some medicines from Doctor Digby but only gave Cedric nutritional supplements,


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    fearing other medications might worsen his condition.


    She <b>was </b>unsure of his <b>exact </b>health status or the type of wolfsbane he¡¯d ingested.


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    <b>She </b>remembered Cedric¡¯s voice was still childishly high when she first returned from the Shadow Peaks.


    By the time of her mating ceremony with Ulrik, he sounded mature.


    Because back then, Luna Aire told Cedric that he¡¯d grow up to be a Frostfang Pack male like his brothers<b>, </b>protecting Adide and his younger siblings. So he started acting like a grown¨Cup.


    His attempts to speak like an adult wereical.


    Adide thought of how he tried to act like an adult and almostughed, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.


    During the trip, Lance seldom spoke to Adide.


    Cedric, distrustful of everyone, wouldn¡¯t let Lance near her. Despite knowing Lance had saved him, Cedric remained fearful and vignt.


    Adide tried exining Lance was a good person, but Cedric refused to listen.

 l Male 182

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    At the inn that night, Cedric wrote down why he was wary of Lance¨Ctall and fierce werewolves like him would whip people, kick them, lift them like chicks, then throw them into a tub and hold their heads under water until they couldn¡¯t breathe, before pulling them out.


    Adide read every word, gaining a clearer picture of what Cedric had endured. Her heart ached.


    After Cedric fell asleep, she showed the note to Lance.


    Lance felt a mix of emotions.


    Did he resemble those who hurt Cedric?


    Perhaps. Years on the battlefield had inevitably hardened him.


    ¡°In the battlefield¡­¡± Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones suddenly carried a sulfurous tang, and the hardened scales under his shoulder tes grew sharp with guilt.


    Adide¡¯s wolf howled mournfully in her mind, recalling how her father had clutched battle reports, silver¨Cblue blood seeping from his fingers onto the map.


    He sighed slowly and said, ¡°We¡¯ll take it slow. I¡¯ll try to be gentle and smile more.¡±


    Both Cedric¡¯s physical wounds and emotional scars would heal in time.


    ¡°This journey must have been tough for you,¡± Adide said, her gratitude for Lance far beyond a simple ¡°thank you.¡±


    There was something she had to rify with him.


    Adide¡¯s wolf shook off in her mind, cedar pheromones beginning to disperse.


    The bronze candlestick¡¯s me crackled, brightening the room and illuminating her gaunt cheeks and pale lips.


    Adide spoke softly, ¡°Given Cedric¡¯s state, he won¡¯t be able to leave my side for at least two or three years. If we¡¯re still proceeding with our mating bond, I¡¯ll have to bring him with me to the ckthorn Pack. I can¡¯t leave him alone at the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Lance¡¯s handsome face remainedposed, his deep eyes reflecting themplight.


    ¡°Our ns are still on. I agree we can¡¯t leave him at the Frostfang Pack. He muste with us and stay close.¡±


    ¡°We need to help him detox, treat his leg, and let him recover gradually. Then he can continue his studies, find his wolf, watch his first shift, or simply stay with us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll treat him like my own child.¡±


    His words eased Adide¡¯s long¨Cheld concerns.


    Reflecting on everything, she knew Lance¡¯s intentions were genuine.


    It seemed that even without love, they could respect each other as future mates.


    However, they needed to find a way for Cedric to ept Lance, at least to lower his guard.


    Otherwise, living under the same roof would be difficult.


    Lance, a Lycan of high status, would surely grow disheartened if Cedric¡¯s hostility persisted, especially with Prisci also residing in the ckthorn Pack.


    In truth, postponing the mating ceremony would be better, but Lycan Erasmus¡¯smand left no room for that.


    Entering the pce was out of the question.


    Once inside, not only would she struggle to care for Cedric, but even seeing him would be a challenge.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s worry, Lance said, ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself with anything else. Prioritize Cedric. And don¡¯t fret over how the ckthorn Pack will treat him. With me here, no one will dare bully him.¡±


    Adide looked at him, touched. ¡°Thank you, Alpha Lance,¡± she said.


    Lance smiled. ¡°You¡¯re always thanking me. If it bothers you, it bothers me too. Rest now. We have an early start tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head back. If Cedric wakes up and can¡¯t find me, he¡¯ll panic,¡± Adide said, rising and bowing before leaving.


    Lance stayed up, sitting cross¨Clegged on the bed as he contemted how to ease Cedric¡¯s distrust.


    Cedric had been visibly afraid of him these past few days.


    Whenever they stepped down from the carriage, Cedric would hide behind Adide, avoiding eye


    contact.


    If Lance took a step closer, Cedric would tense up.


    ncing at the note on the table, Lance¡¯s eyes briefly hardened.


    If those viins tried to flee, he¡¯d pursue them to the ends of the earth to avenge Cedric and the other harmed children.


    The next day, he made an effort <i>to </i>be kind to Cedric, even forcing a smile now and then.


    But for some reason, his smiles only frightened Cedric more.


    After two <b>days </b>of this, Lance realized his approach wasn¡¯t working.


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    He shifted strategies, focusing his attention on Adide instead¨Cchecking on her, showing concern, being considerate.


    Adide <b>was </b>initially puzzled by his sudden tenderness but soon caught on.


    She began to reciprocate his kindness.


    Since Cedric relied on Adide the most, he might feel safer if Lance treated her well.


    However, after two days of this dynamic, not only did Cedric¡¯s wariness toward Lance remain, but a hint of hostility emerged.


    This was perplexing!

 Novel Male 183

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Finally, at the inn that night, after Lance helped Adide down from the carriage, Cedric mustered the courage to climb down.


    He stood trembling between them, spreading his arms to shield Adide, ring at Lance with hostility.


    He was terrified, his thin legs shaking, lips quivering, and emitting low growls as if to ward off something.


    Lance and Adide exchanged a puzzled nce.


    Had their efforts backfired?


    ¡°Ah!¡± Adide pped her forehead, realizing the issue.


    Cedric didn¡¯t know she¡¯d dissolved her mating bond with Ulrik and was now to be Lance¡¯s mate.


    That night, Adide and Cedric sat close and talked at length.


    Adide knew she couldn¡¯t treat him like a child anymore.


    After two years of wandering and begging, he was mature enough to understandplex matters.


    Moreover, he¡¯d learned of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre through rumors, but not the full details.


    At seven, it was time he knew the truth.


    ¡°The perpetrators of the Frostfang Massacre were moles from the Western Tribe. I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d escaped, so I thought you perished in the disaster too,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Now, you¡¯re thest male of the Frostfang Alpha family. You carry the hopes and legacy of our grandfathers, uncles, and father. You must be brave, strong, and fearless, just like them,¡± she added.


    ¡°As for me¡­¡± She grasped Cedric¡¯s shoulders, looking into his tearful eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve dissolved my mating bond with Ulrik. We¡¯re no longer mates, just strangers.¡±


    Cedric wiped his tears fiercely, eyes wide with shock.


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin the detailster. What you need to know is that Lance will be my future mate. Our mating ceremony is set for the end of the year,¡± Adide continued.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably wondering why I chose him. It starts with the Southern Border conflict¡­¡±


    She revealed a third of the truth: the Western Tribe wolves were behind the Frostfang Massacre¨Ca fact Cedric would eventually learn.


    She concealed another third: the Bloodscar Border¡¯s secrets, which he wasn¡¯t ready to know.


    And she fabricated the final third: iming she and Lance had fallen for each other on the battlefield,


    <b>1:16 </b>am D


    hence their decision to mate.


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    Her eyes softened as she spoke of Lance, as if describing a hero, ¡°He¡¯s a hero like your grandfather and father¨Cfighting enemies and defending ournd. He¡¯s incredible, achieving what our grandfather did. He truly reimed the Southern Border. He¡¯s a hero. And he helped find you. I¡¯m grateful to him, and I¡­ like him.¡±


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones surged uncontrobly.


    As the words ¡°like him¡± left her lips, her wolf let out an excited, almost puppy¨Clike howl in her mind.


    Lance¡¯s stern and noble face shed before her eyes, her heart racing and breath quickening.


    She¡¯d meant to deceive Cedric, to reassure him that she¡¯d find happiness with a true mate.


    But as the words escaped, she realized she might harbor genuine, albeit undefined, feelings for Lance- something she¡¯d never felt for anyone before.


    Her heartbeat thudded painfully against her ribs, and her nds released a sudden sweetness.


    Unbeknownst to her, this was the instinctive reaction of a werewolf encountering a potential mate¡ªthe same way Aire¡¯s moonmark would glow softly when speaking of Bentley.


    Adide¡¯s wolf nuzzled her spine, conveying its emotions.


    Cedric, watching her, pointed outside then at Adide, asking if Lance liked her too.


    Adide¡¯s cheeks flushed. Since she¡¯d fabricated the story, shemitted fully, whispering, ¡°He likes me too.¡±


    Cedric, though still teary¨Ceyed, began to smile.


    In the next room, Lance sat on his bed. Despite the muted voices, he heard every word.


    His cedar pheromones flooded out like a tidal wave.


    He listened intently, especially when Adide confessed her liking for him.


    He knew it was a lie tofort Cedric.


    Yet, deep in his consciousness, his wolf howled with excitement, its ears trembling violently as if to capture every sound, even Adide¡¯s faint whimpers.


    This was a beautiful lie.


    ¡°The sweetness of moonstone in her pheromones,¡± his wolf¡¯s silver fur sparked with fragmented light in his mind, its paws frantically scratching.


    He slowly pulled the covers over his head.


    His stern expression softened, and in the darkness, a brilliant smile bloomed repeatedly.


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    The cedar scent under the covers grew thick, his wolf nuzzling his spine, tail sweeping over every battle.


    scar.


    She said she liked him.


    Though it was a kind lie for Cedric, to Lance, it still meant a lot.

 Novel Male 184

    apter 184


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The next day, Lance appeared energetic, though his eyes were a bit bloodshot.


    Adide was puzzled¨Chow could he look so lively despite poor sleep?


    Beyond the dark circles, his face and eyes seemed radiant.


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    After talking with Cedricst night, Cedric wasn¡¯t as scared and wary of Lance anymore. Now and then, he¡¯d peek at Lance through the curtain.


    In his mind, Lance was like Alpha Bentley¨Cpowerful yet just.


    He only harmed enemies, not civilians, so there was no need to fear him.


    Cedric kept telling himself this and gradually began to see Lance as a figure of authority, much like his grandfather or father.


    And since Lance would be family, Cedric gradually began to trust him.


    By the time they reached Cypress Valley, Cedric had approached Lance, even letting him hold his hand while buying snacks.


    Adide was relieved to see this progress.


    And that was not all.


    Cedric now trusted Lance as much as he trusted Adide.


    During meals, he¡¯d sit beside Lance and try to serve him food despite his weak grip.


    In his nightly notes to Adide, he pledged to be kinder to her future mate, and thus her future mate would be kinder to her.


    He¡¯d always been a thoughtful child.


    His face gradually lit up with smiles, the shadows in his eyes fading away.


    But whenever he saw beggars on the road, he still cast sympathetic nces their way.


    He gave food to those kids beggar.


    Adide wanted to give them some spare change too, but he waved her off. He motioned that sandwiches would fill his stomach, but money might be taken by the people behind him.


    If he didn¡¯t bring back money next time, he¡¯d get beaten.


    Though these beggars weren¡¯t like those he¡¯d encountered before, he always thought this way.


    Adide felt a pang in her heart but still smiled and ruffled his hair, ¡°Alright, Cedric.¡±


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    In the capital¡¯s pce, members of the Royal Elder Council came across a document from Redwood City while going through paperwork. It was stamped with the ckthorn Pack¡¯s seal¨Cclearly from Alpha


    Lance.


    The council member handed it to Cyrus, who, after a quick read, dered, ¡°<b>I¡¯ll </b>take this <i>to </i>Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    In the study, after scanning the document, Lycan Erasmus mmed it on the table and burst out, ¡°Perfect!¡±


    Cyrus, curious, asked, ¡°What¡¯s got you so excited?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus passed the document to Cyrus.


    After reading it, Cyrus¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°This is wonderful! The Davidson family still has an heir. The Moon Goddess must be watching over them.¡±


    He was so excited that he could hardly catch his breath. Having recently recovered from an illness, the excitement nearly unsteady him.


    Lycan Erasmus quickly had someone help him sit down. ¡°Sit, please!¡± he urged.


    Cyrus sat down, unable to contain his emotions, tears streaming down his face.


    The moon¨Ccrown mark on his neck glowed faintly, and his pheromones carried a hint of ambergris.


    ¡°The Frostfang Pack has suffered in silence for so long, and it¡¯s always weighed on me. I feel a deep sense of regret for Alpha Bentley,¡± he choked out, his ws digging into the armrest.


    He spoke with his hardened wolf ws unconsciously digging into the armrest, ¡°I believe you feel the same. The fact that there are still male wolves alive in the Frostfang Pack is also a blessing for Your Majesty.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus nodded, equally moved. Cyrus¡¯s words stirred memories of his own visits to the Frostfang Pack and the friendships he¡¯d forged with Adide¡¯s brothers.


    Back in the day, when he was the son of the Lycan King and learning to manage the kingdom¡¯s affairs, he often relied on Alpha Bentley¡¯s guidance to avoid mistakes.


    Ever since the Frostfang Pack¡¯s tragedy, he¡¯s been haunted by memories.


    The past may be gone, but the bonds remain.


    And now, hearing this news, he was happier than anyone else.


    ¡°I remember Cedric as a baby. Aire brought him for his first full moon. He was so lively and charming, <b>just </b>like his father. He had these adorable dimples when he smiled.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus sighed, recalling the letter¡¯s details. ¡°That poor child has endured so much.¡±


    Cyrus wiped his tears and kept muttering, ¡°He¡¯s alive, and that¡¯s all what matters.¡±


    He <b>stood </b>up, bowed slightly, and apologized, ¡°I just lost myposure there, Lycan Erasmus<b>.¡± </b>


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    ¡°I almost did too. Can¡¯t me you¨C<b>this </b>news would <b>please </b>anyone,¡± Lycan Erasmus said with a broad smile.


    Then, remembering something, he quickly instructed, ¡°Beta Fabian, go to the Thunder Wolf Pack yourself or find Mallory and share this news with them. Let them share in the joy.¡±


    Beta Fabian, wiping his eyes, eagerly replied, ¡°Yes, right away!¡±


    Beta Fabian left in high spirits, genuinely delighted.


    Aire had once helped him, and he wanted nothing more than happiness for the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Davidson family.


    Watching Beta Fabian leave, Cyrus felt a surge of emotions.


    Despite the pile of duties awaiting him, he wasn¡¯t keen on returning to work just yet.


    There <b>was </b>something important he feltpelled to say.

 Novel Male 185

    pter 185


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, the Bloodscar Border incident remains <b>a </b>stain on our kingdom. Though it¡¯s been covered up, the Western Tribe wolves are unwilling to speak of it. Yet the son of the Western Tribe Lycan King is indeed gone,¡± Cyrus paused, then continued, ¡°Now, the Western Tribe Lycan King¡¯s position is up for grabs. In such contests, anything goes. I fear some Western Tribe princes might expose this to rally public support. Should we prepare a response?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus pondered for a moment. ¡°This matter is like a sword hanging over our heads. We know little of the Western Tribe¡¯s situation and cannot control the oue. As for our response, haven¡¯t we already nned it?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve left Velda untouched for now, sparing her life as if the royal family is unaware. Should the truthe out, we¡¯ll hand Velda over to the Western Tribe, letting them deal with her. It¡¯s the least we can do.¡±


    Otherwise, why keep Velda alive?


    He¡¯d wished to dissect her a thousand times over.


    As Lycan King, he couldn¡¯t always act on his desires.


    At this thought, he felt a surge of irritation.


    The rich white musk in the conference room swirled, kicking up dust from the floor.


    Cyrus thought for a while and admitted, ¡°True, there¡¯s no better solution. After all, Snke has already taken revenge. At the Southern Border battlefield, among the werewolf warriors led by Velda, some were involved in the Bloodscar Border vige massacre and the torture of the Western Tribe Lycan King¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°As for those who returned alive, their nds were removed. If Snke¡¯s revenge stops here, things would be manageable.¡±


    ¡°But what if Snke loses control and exposes the Snowdeer Town incident? Then we¡¯ll have no choice but to send Velda over,¡± Lycan Erasmus recalled his past decision to allow Ulrik and Velda to be mated.


    He said indignantly, ¡°Ulrik nowmands the Capital Werewolf Guard. We can use him. Our investigations show he was unaware of the Snowdeer Town incident. He made a poor choice in mating with Velda. Let him serve in the guard for a few more years.¡±


    ¡°If he can endure it, I¡¯ll transfer him back to the royal armyter. If not for the current scarcity of talented young werewolf generals, I would have dismissed him long ago.¡±


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, you truly think far ahead,¡± Cyrus remarked, also feeling regretful.


    ¡°If Ulrik hadn¡¯t sought to mate with Velda through merits and instead stayed with Adide, his future would have been boundless. At least Alpha Bentley¡¯s former subordinates would have followed him. The current oue is his own doing, and he has no one to me but himself.¡±


    ¡°True, but I authorized his mating bond with Velda. I recall he requested a bond without a mark¨Cit wasn¡¯t


    a true Luna. I¡¯ve heard the former Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack is restless<b>, </b>osciting between resentment towards Adide and wanting to reconcile.¡±


    ¡°I fear Ulrik harbors simr thoughts. Since Velda isn¡¯t a true Luna, the Bloodmoon Pack still needs apetent Luna. I still see potential in Ulrik. I don¡¯t want these matters to ruin my efforts,¡± Lycan Erasmus exined.


    Cyrus couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, though young werewolf generals are in short supply, Ulrik isn¡¯t the only option. Why are you set on cultivating him?¡±


    ¡°Ulrik¡¯s mistake lies in his callousness. Apart from his private morals, he¡¯s only achieved merits on the battlefield. I seek capable werewolf generals. If he learns from his mistakes and hones his skills, he¡¯ll have his day; and I¡¯ll gain a valuable general,¡± Lycan Erasmus replied.


    Cyrus knew Lycan Erasmus¡¯s desperation, for young generals was keeping him sleepless.


    He understood the reason¨Cfear that Alpha Lance, with his power, might grow ambitious, damaging brotherly ties and the kingdom¡¯s peace.


    He didn¡¯t dare suggest Lycan Erasmus was overthinking it.


    Some beliefs, once firmly held, only grow stronger with others¡® words.


    Especially as the head of the Royal Elder Council, he couldn¡¯t speak a word more for Alpha Lance.


    Finally, Lycan Erasmus said, ¡°Have your mate find a she¨Cwolf who can control Ulrik and manage the Bloodmoon Pack to be his mate.¡±


    Cyrus¡¯s mate epted the task, but he felt aplex mix of emotions.


    He recalled Ulrik and Velda¡¯s former glory and the high hopes the royal family andmoners alike had for them.


    The public once celebrated their love, sympathizing with Velda, a decorated female Gamma who became Ulrik¡¯s lover.


    The victory at the Bloodscar Border had sent everyone into a euphoric frenzy, clouding their judgment.


    After the celebrations faded, people gradually realized the ugly truths behind the morous stories.


    They discovered that Ulrik¡¯s original Luna was far more exceptional than Velda.


    They began to remember the Davidsons¡® contributions to the kingdom and their tragic ordeal.


    Yet Miss Davidson never received fair treatment in public discourse. Instead, she was constantly surrounded by rumors and gossip.

 Novel Male 186

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    It seemed everyone had forgotten her heroic feats at the Southern Border.


    Gossip swarmed around her like flies until the royal family issued a rification.


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    Velda could have stayed in the army, but now Adide held a nominal position as the Ironthorn Army¡¯s deputymander, without actual duty.


    Lycan Erasmus clearly didn¡¯t want her in a real role.


    Cyrus knew Lycan Erasmus had many considerations, but his genuine care for Adide was enough.


    Once alone, Adide had now found Randall¡¯s son, securing a future Alpha for the Frostfang Pack.


    Yet the pack remained small, and Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t want to risk the Davidson family further.


    With this intent, other matters could be overlooked.


    Beta Fabian went to the Thunder Wolf Pack but waited for Mallory¡¯s return before announcing anything.


    The Thunder Wolf members grew anxious.


    Beta Fabian smiled and said, ¡°No need to worry. It¡¯s good news, but we¡¯ll wait for Mallory to share it. Oh, is the pack doctor avable?¡±


    Mallory¡¯s mate, Beatrice, replied, ¡°Yes, the old Luna¡¯s illness requires constant medical attention.¡±


    Beta Fabian told Beatrice, ¡°Please prepare the old Luna mentally.¡±


    This rmed both the old Luna and Beatrice.


    The old Luna, Tabitha¡¯s mother, had been frail since her daughter¡¯s death.


    Beta Fabian¡¯s words sent chills down her spine.


    Beatrice first summoned the pack doctor, then sent for Mallory.


    Beta Fabian, <b>a </b>confidant of Lycan Erasmus, rarely visited the Thunder Wolf Pack.


    Beatrice, assuming the news was positive yet requiring a doctor, felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation.


    Beta Fabian had nned to go to the city hall but decided the Thunder Wolf Pack was a better ce for this announcement, especially since Cedric hadn¡¯t returned yet.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack could decide whether to make it public. It was their business<b>. </b>


    Soon, Thunder Wolf members hurried back, with Mallory arriving <bst</b>.


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    The pack¡¯s Alpha, Mallory¡¯s father, usually the mostposed, now showed impatience. ¡°Beta Fabian, please tell us. What message does Lycan Erasmus have?¡±


    Beta Fabian, seeing all key members present, began, ¡°Lycan Erasmus received a report from Alpha Lance in Redwood City. He has good news to share.¡±


    The crowd was puzzled. What good news could Alpha Lance bring the Thunder Wolf Pack?


    Beta Fabian, noting their confusion, continued, ¡°Alpha Lance found a young rogue in Cypress Valley who bears a striking resemnce to Randall. Lance called out ¡®Cedric, and the rogue reacted¡­¡±


    Mallory found this absurd.


    He interrupted, ¡°Alpha Lance saw someone who looks like Cedric and immediately reported it to Lycan Erasmus? A mere resemnce isn¡¯t news. This isn¡¯t a joyous asion. You¡¯ve made everyone rush back for nothing.¡±


    Beneath his frustrationy anger.


    The deaths of Tabitha and Cedric were a deep wound for the Pahari family.


    Tabitha, born into the Thunder Wolf Pack and the old Luna¡¯s daughter, had Cedric, who carried half the Pahari blood.


    The old Luna had been in low spirits since their loss.


    Now, a baseless report of someone resembling Cedric was hailed as good news?


    Mallory was skeptical and annoyed.


    Beta Fabian gestured for calm. ¡°If it were just a resemnce, Alpha Lance wouldn¡¯t have chased the rogue all the way from Cypress Valley to Redwood City.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, Adide went to Redwood City days ago. It¡¯s confirmed¨Cthe rogue is Randall and Tabitha¡¯s son, Cedric. They should return to the capital in a few days.¡±


    The room fell into an icy silence.


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Mallory¡¯s wolf ears ttened with fear, his hardened ws slicing the air.


    He shook his head. ¡°Absolutely impossible! Cedric is dead. I held his body and sewed it together myself. Beta Fabian, this isn¡¯t something to joke about. We can¡¯t believe it. Adide¡¯s desperation to find someone from the Davidson family is understandable, but this is just wishful thinking.¡±


    The old Luna began to weep.


    Her daughter and grandson were gone¨Chow could this farce continue two yearster?


    Had Adide lost her mind?


    Beta Fabian said, ¡°I¡¯m here to ry Lycan Erasmus¡¯s message. Believe it or not, you¡¯ll know when Alpha


    Lance and Adide return to the capital.¡±


    With that, he left.

 Novel Male 187

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    The Thunder Wolf Pack members exchanged nces, all finding the situation too absurd for words.


    A mix of emotions weighed heavily on everyone¡¯s heart.


    Mallory¡¯s father, the current Alpha of the Thunder Wolf Pack, let out a heavy sigh. He sat in his chair, staring nkly at the yard outside.


    Memories of Tabitha, gentle and understanding, and Cedric, lively and sharp, flooded his mind, causing him immense pain.


    Who wouldn¡¯t hope for this to be true? But how could it be?


    He had seen his daughter¡¯s and grandson¡¯s bodies with his own eyes.


    His grandson had suffered a gruesome death. Though his face was unrecognizable, the golden bracelet on his wrist remained¨Ca gift from his mother on his fourth birthday. There was no mistake.


    Beta Fabian¡¯s visit had shattered everyone¡¯s hopes, reopening old wounds as if the tragedy had just unfolded. The gloom from that day seemed to linger, and no one knew how to escape it.


    Mallory considered sending an omega to the Frostfang Pack to check if Adide had left.


    The omega returned, reporting that Adide had indeed left alone on the Full Moon Festival.


    ¡°She must have been in a hurry if she left on the Full Moon Festival,¡± said Beatrice, Mallory¡¯s mate.


    Mallory wanted toin about Adide but recalled her unwavering determination that day and the sorrow she¡¯d hidden.


    He sighed, ¡°She¡¯s not reckless. She probably thought it unlikely but couldn¡¯t rest without checking.¡±


    Beatrice nodded. ¡°Yes, one must see for oneself to be at peace.¡±


    Though they spoke these words, everyone secretly hoped it was true.


    But how could it be? It was likely just another disappointment.


    The


    group fell into a heavy silence, sympathizing with Adide.


    If she had gone with hope, she would surely return disappointed.


    Wait, Beta Fabian said they¡¯d be back in the capital soon. Could she really have brought the rogue back as Cedric?


    This was perplexing.


    They had just praised her prudence, yet here she was, acting impulsively.


    Adide had left on the Full Moon Festival and returned in the fall.


    The weather was clear and cool that day.


    The werewolf guards on patrol were surprised to see Alpha Lance driving a carriage.


    The king¡¯s brother acting as a driver was unusual. Whom could he be apanying?


    His entry into the capital required no inspection, and he was quickly waved through.


    The carriage proceeded directly to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border.


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    Upon arrival, Lance said to Adide and Cedric, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you here. Settle in first. I¡¯ll visit again in a couple of days.¡±


    He figured they¡¯d head to the Thunder Wolf Pack tomorrow, so he wouldn¡¯te again.


    Adide was about to thank him but remembered his aversion to hearing it, so she said, ¡°You¡¯ve gone to a lot of trouble. Rest well.¡±


    ¡°See you,¡± Lance replied.


    Turning to Cedric, he smiled and waved. ¡°I¡¯ll send you some snacks tomorrow.¡±


    Cedric, though still shy, smiled back.


    Lance watched the boy¡¯s smile and thought, ¡°This kid has been through a lot.¡±


    After Lance left, Adide led Cedric into the Frostfang Pack¡¯s territory.


    Ivy and Jessica burst into tears upon seeing Cedric.


    Beta Valentine wiped his eyes and ran over, choking out, ¡°You¡¯re back, you¡¯re really back.¡±


    He looked at Cedric again, tears streaming down his face.


    The boy was pitifully thin. What had he endured?


    He turned and instructed other omegas to prepare food, drinks, and hot water in the kitchen.


    Ivy and Jessica had stayed with Adide, so Cedric recognized them and Beata.


    ¡°Cedric,¡± everyone called, their voices thick with tears.


    Cedric looked around at the pack members and the empty steps of the living room, realizing no one else would emerge,


    He knew what had befallen the Frostfang Pack¨Chis grandmother and mother were gone, everyone was


    gone.


    But knowing it and seeing the emptiness of the estate were two different things.


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    <b>He </b>let Adide lead him into the living room, his eyes darting fearfully around as tears streamed down his <b>face</b>.


    He hoped someone would rush out from a corner and embrace him, just like in the little house in Redwood City.


    He was seven now. When he¡¯d sneaked out of the pack to buy lollipops for Adide, he¡¯d been innocent. But in the past two years, as a rogue in the clutches of those evil people, he¡¯d witnessed horrors beyond his


    years.


    He knew no one woulde to hold him anymore.


    That day, he¡¯d left without telling Tabitha, buying lollipops for Adide.


    That departure meant he¡¯d never see them again.


    He sobbed silently, trying not to upset Adide, but the tears wouldn¡¯t stop.


    His crying <b>set </b>off a wave of tears among


    the


    omegas.


    Beata wept the most bitterly. Had it not been for propriety, she would have hugged Cedric.


    Adide, seeing everyone cry, felt her eyes redden too.


    She¡¯d cried for days, and now all that remained was relief and gratitude.


    Let everyone cry and release their emotions¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t stop them.

 Novel Male 188

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide was worried about Cedric, knowing it might take him a while to ept that there were no family members left at home.


    Valentine didn¡¯t arrange for Cedric to stay in the original house, which had been renovated, as it might trigger painful memories.


    So, he had Cedric stay in the same house as Adide.


    The house wasrge enough to provide ample space for both of them.


    Valentine considered that after all the suffering Cedric had endured, he would need Adide¡¯s care and


    support.


    Since Cedric was not yet seven and hadn¡¯t found his wolf or undergone his first shift, there was no issue with him living with Adide.


    At the very least, arrangements could be made after Adide and Lance¡¯s mating ceremony.


    Once Cedric was settled in, Adide gathered everyone in the conference room.


    ¡°Inform the Thunder Wolf Pack and let Mallory know that once Cedric is more stable, I¡¯ll bring him to visit,¡± Adide said.


    Valentine nodded and turned to leave, but Adide added, ¡°Wait. If Mallory or others wish to see Cedric first, they¡¯re wee toe here. Cedric was close to his grandparents and wouldn¡¯t mind seeing them.¡±


    Adide had no idea that Mallory didn¡¯t believe a word of it.


    In fact, the Alpha, Luna, and everyone in the Thunder Wolf Pack were all skeptical.


    After Valentine sent a patrol member to inform them, not only did no one from the Thunder Wolf Pack show up, but Mallory also stated that if the Frostfang Pack was going to use a fake to im the Alpha position, they shouldn¡¯t use Cedric¡¯s name.


    Mallory¡¯s point was clear¨Cthey didn¡¯t believe Cedric was alive and wouldn¡¯t tolerate someone impersonating him.


    Beta Valentine didn¡¯t go himself. He sent a patrol member from the pack, who was new to the Frostfang Pack and hadn¡¯t met Cedric.


    After being scolded by Malory, the patrol member left awkwardly.


    Upon hearing the report, Adide was initially surprised but soon understood.


    Mallory wouldn¡¯t easily believe it since he had personally handled Cedric¡¯s funeral arrangements.


    In that case, she would wait until Doctor Digby examined Cedric before bringing him to visit the Thunder


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    Wolf Pack.


    After Cedric bathed and changed, Doctor Digby arrived.


    He was familiar with every member of the Frostfang Pack, from Alpha Bentley to the children.


    For years, he¡¯d been close with the Davidson family.


    He had treated Alpha Bentley and Adide¡¯s brothers whenever they returned injured and had conducted check¨Cups during their mates¡® pregnancies.


    He¡¯d invested a lot in the Davidson¡¯s over the years.


    Despite Cedric¡¯s emaciated frame and stunted growth, Digby recognized him instantly.


    Cedric also remembered Digby well.


    Every time Cedric got sick, Doctor Digby would prescribe medicine. His potions were the bitterest, so Cedric dreaded seeing him.


    But Digby¡¯s needles were merciful¨Che didn¡¯t make it hurt like the pack doctor did.


    Seeing Digby, Cedric bowed deeply.


    Digby felt a pang of sorrow, helped him up, and began a thorough examination.


    Digby checked Cedric¡¯s poisoning, leg injuries, and other wounds.


    Although most of the wounds had healed, he was concerned about residual toxins.


    After finishing, he asked to speak with Adide privately.


    Adide nced at Cedric, wanting tofort him, but he gave her a reassuring look instead.


    This kid was way too mature for his age¨Cit broke her heart.


    In the conference room, Digby sighed and shook his head. ¡°Cedric has endured too much. The surface wounds aren¡¯t a major concern. Even without shifting, a werewolf pup¡¯s healing abilities are remarkable.¡±


    Adide remained vignt, her worry etched on her face.


    Digby continued, ¡°The leg injury and internal poisoning are more serious. The reason he can¡¯t speak is due to the Silencing Leaf¨Ca deep green nt whose sap contains a special toxin. Once in a werewolf¡¯s system, it quickly affects the vocal cords, causing temporary muteness. Normally, the effects don¡¯tst long, but he¡¯s been exposed for nearly two years. Detoxification will be a gradual process.¡±


    ¡°Can it be reversed?¡± Adide asked anxiously.


    ¡°Yes, but it will be painful. Additionally, the bone in his leg has healed improperly. To correct it, we¡¯ll need to rebreak and reset it. Such pain is hard for a child his age to endure.¡±


    Adide knew all too <b>well </b>the agony of bone¨Cbreaking procedures. She had experienced <b>it </b><b>as </b>a child.


    While pain¨Crelieving potions and werewolf healing techniques could help, the intense pain remained unavoidable.


    But there <b>was </b>no other choice.


    Cedric <b>was </b>still young, and the crooked leg would prevent him from shifting once he found his wolf.


    Heartbroken, Adide asked Digby another question, ¡°What about the addictive drugs he was given? Are they still affecting him?¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 189

    Adide¡¯s POV


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    ¡°The drug is called Soulvine,¡± the witch doctor exined. ¡°It¡¯s a creeping vine that, once ingested by a werewolf, rapidly creates a powerful addiction. This addiction alters werewolf behavior, making them irritable and aggressive as they constantly seek more Soulvine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Prolonged use can cause the wolf spirit to deteriorate.¡±


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve observed, he should be fine. Did he show any difort during your journey back?¡±


    I recalled our trip and noticed he¡¯d had a few episodes but had gritted his teeth through them.


    Lately, there¡¯d been no signs of distress.


    ¡°Not really. Last time he had an episode, he toughed it out,¡± I said.


    ¡°Ah, Alpha Lance mentioned his severe withdrawal in Redwood City¨Che was banging his head and self- harming. But I haven¡¯t seen that since I arrived,¡± I added.


    Digby sighed. ¡°The initial phase of withdrawal is the toughest, but the symptoms will gradually subside until it¡¯s fully out of his system. This drug is harmful, and recovery will take time.¡±


    ¡°His stunted growth is due to malnutrition and the impact of the addictive substances on his young body,¡± he said, his tone heavy with empathy.


    ¡°Most people detoxing from Soulvine require werewolf healing techniques and medicinal support. That this child has endured it alone speaks to his remarkable willpower. With proper care and teaching once he recovers, he¡¯ll surely achieve great things,¡± Digby assured me.


    Hearing this, I could vividly imagine the agony Cedric must have endured during his withdrawal in Redwood City.


    Lance¡¯s haggard appearance at the time spoke volumes about Cedric¡¯s turbulent state.


    Cedric was still very thin, butpared to when I first met him, he¡¯d improved significantly.


    His once¨Cpale face regained some color, and his body, no longer rail¨Cthin, had a bit more flesh on his cheeks.


    He hadn¡¯t stopped growing entirely over the past two years. His limp and habitual slouch made him seem shorter than he was.


    When he stood straight, he didn¡¯t appear as small as before, though he was still shorter than the average seven¨Cyear¨Cold.


    Digby¡¯s treatment n prioritized restoring Cedric¡¯s health before considering surgery to realign his leg bones.


    Detoxification and recovery could proceed concurrently, and there was hope he¡¯d regain his voice once the toxins were flushed out.


    Digby left some nourishing tablets and prescribed a daily detoxifying potion.


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    Additionally, every other day, a specialist would visit to treat Cedric, particrly addressing the swollen areas in his throat¨Ca side effect of the Silencing Leaf he was forced to ingest.


    I asked, ¡°How soon can he speak again?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s already making low whimpering sounds, indicating the Silencing Leaf dosage wasn¡¯t excessive,¡± Digby replied, his voice tinged with disdain for the malicious acts.


    ¡°They likely feared killing him with an overdose. Since they¡¯d already addicted him to Soulvine, ensuring he wouldn¡¯t escape, they opted for a lighter dose.¡±


    I seethed with anger toward those responsible.


    0


    But ording to Alpha Lance, several wolf packs near Redwood City, along with powerful rogue groups, were uniting to hunt down those who harm werewolf pups.


    They rescued all captured children and severely punished those involved.


    In reality, these powerful rogues might not be unaware that some lone wolves were using their names tomit crimes. They simply chose to ignore it.


    They possessed formidablebat strength but avoided joining any pack or forming their own.


    While they imed to value freedom, the truth was they aimed to evade the kingdom¡¯s oversight.


    As I saw Digby off, he sighed, ¡°Being kidnapped is tragic, but escaping the Frostfang Massacre is a silver lining.¡±


    I disagreed. If Cedric had delivered the lollipops to the Bloodmoon Pack, I would have personally escorted him back. I might have even stayed overnight.


    If I had been there during the Western Tribe¡¯s attack, though I might not have saved everyone, the massacre could have been averted.


    Thus, my hatred for the wolves who took Cedric remained intense.


    I hope they were all eradicated, everyst one.


    After Digby left, I arranged for a carriage. I nned to take Cedric to the pce first to meet Lycan Erasmus and Lycan Luna rissa.


    Afterward, I¡¯d bring him to the Thunder Pack.


    I had ordered new clothes for him, but his old ones still fit, though there weren¡¯t many left.


    Some were burned at the funeral as keepsakes. The remaining clothes fit Cedric well, just a touch short.


    His facial scars had healed, leaving faint traces.


    Dressed in his old, elegant attire, it felt as if two years hadn¡¯t passed, <b>as </b>if nothing had changed.


    But of course, this was just an illusion.

 Novel Male 190

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide held Cedric¡¯s small hand as they slowly walked out of the Frostfang Pack.


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    Cedric¡¯s leg injury made it hard for him to walk fast. Rushing would cause him to limp and risk falling.


    Valentine turned away, tears streaming down his face. He¡¯d endured leg¨Cbreaking pain himself¡ªhis leg, crushed by a giant bear years ago, still caused him difort. Compared to Cedric, though, he was fortunate.


    At the royal conference room, Lycan Erasmus and rissa waited.


    Erasmus¡¯s icy pheromones filled the air. As Cedric stepped inside, the scar on the back of his neck glowed -a reaction to the Lycan King¡¯s aura.


    Every step he took was cautious, as if fearing to disrupt the fragile peace.


    His silver¨Cblue eyes betrayed his fear, an instinctive response to Erasmus¡¯s power. Yet he strove to maintai his dignity.


    rissa wiped away tears and beckoned Cedric over, her rose¨Cscented pheromones soothing.


    Cedric limped toward her, his leg aching from the journey.


    Seeing his pain, rissa¡¯s tears fell again.


    She took his hand and had him sit beside her, gently stroking his cheek. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so thin. It breaks my heart,¡± she said. Cedric shook his head and waved his hand, as if tofort her, signaling he hadn¡¯t suffered too much.


    Erasmus felt a pang of sympathy. He inhaled deeply and released a faint musk pheromone to ease the


    tension.


    This pheromone had a calming effect among werewolves, reassuring lower¨Cranking wolves and easing


    tension.


    His voice was deep yet gentle, ¡°Child, you¡¯re very brave. Remember, a werewolf¡¯s glory lies not in a perfect body, but in a resilient spirit.¡±


    He encouraged Cedric and gave him gifts, his gaze shifting to Adide with a mix of relief and sorrow.


    ¡°No matter what, the Davidson family¡¯s lineage continues. Once you¡¯re recovered, teach him well. He can grow up to be as upright and strong as his father,¡± Erasmus said.


    ¡°Yes, thank you, Lycan Erasmus,¡± Adide said with a bow.


    Her voice was a bit tired but still strong.


    Lycan Erasmus looked at her and said with concern, ¡°You¡¯ve lost weight. Take care of yourself.¡±


    Adide avoided his gaze and replied, ¡°Yes, Lycan Erasmus.¡±


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    Lycan Erasmus nced away and asked, ¡°Fabian told me the Thunder Wolf Pack doesn¡¯t believe this. Have you been there?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Not yet. I¡¯ll take himter. Once they see Cedric, they¡¯ll believe.¡±


    But Lycan Erasmus was annoyed. ¡°Mallory should at least send someone to check. How can he just dismiss it without proof?¡±


    Adide suppressed her sorrow and exined, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I get why they¡¯re skeptical. They saw the body and think I found a look¨Calike to im the Frostfang Pack¡¯s legacy.¡±


    rissa added, ¡°It¡¯s understandable. After the Frostfang tragedy, the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s old Alpha passed away, and their old Luna has been bedridden and critically ill. They can¡¯t handle any more shocks. If this hope is false, the old Luna might not cope.¡±


    She held Cedric¡¯s hand, memories of Aire flooding back, and tears streamed down her face.


    Even rissa couldn¡¯t hold back her tears thinking of the massacre.


    After leaving the pce, Adide¡¯s fingers brushed the faint scars on Cedric¡¯s neck¨Cold bites from his old days<b>, </b>still faintly pink.


    She released a cedar pheromone tofort him. As their SUV crossed the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s border, ice crystals formed on the windows.


    Inside the vehicle, Cedric wrote on Adide¡¯s palm, ¡°Going to see my grandfather?¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re heading to the Thunder Pack to see your grandfather. Don¡¯t you miss them?¡±


    Cedric nodded and wrote, ¡°Yes!¡± but his face showed worry.


    He sensed the Thunder Pack doubted his return and feared rejection.


    In werewolf society, his disabilities could lead to ostracism.


    Adide noticed his anxiety. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your grandfather and uncles miss you terribly. They just can¡¯t believe you¡¯re alive. Once they see you, they¡¯ll be overjoyed,¡± she reassured him.


    Cedric leaned against Adide, trying to make a sound but failing, looking somewhat dejected.


    He worried they might reject him for being mute andme.


    He wrote on Adide¡¯s palm, ¡°Will they reject me?¡±


    Adide¡¯s heart ached. She stroked his hair. ¡°Silly child, they¡¯ll be thrilled to see you. How could they reject you? Don¡¯t think like that. They¡¯ll be super excited.¡±

 Novel Male 191

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Cedric had been through a lot as a rogue¨Cchased, rejected, and beaten. Deep down, he stillcked confidence.


    When he heard the Thunder Wolf Pack didn¡¯t believe he was back, he thought they looked down on him for his past as a rogue.


    So when the car reached the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s border, he didn¡¯t want to get out and shook his head at Adide from behind the window. Adide patiently said, ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯ve met your uncle before. He really misses you, and so do the others. It¡¯s true.¡±


    Cedric still shook his head, pointed to his throat, then to his foot, his eyes filled with sadness.


    Adide took a deep breath, her cedar pheromones suddenly strong, making the wolf¨Chead emblem on the car door tremble.


    She could tell Cedric was feeling inferior.


    Turning to the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s guard, she noticed the faint electric patterns on his shoulder armor.


    ¡°Please announce that I, Adide of the Frostfang Pack, have brought Cedric to visit them all,¡± she said, her voice carrying the aura of an Alpha. The guard instinctively lowered his gaze.


    The guard nced into the car but saw no one. Yet, since Alpha Adide was here, he couldn¡¯t turn her away.


    ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll inform them,¡± he said.


    The guard quietly approached Mallory, who had just returned from work.


    Upon hearing the news, Mallory frowned. ¡°She¡¯s brought someone?¡±


    ¡°The child won¡¯t get out of the car. I didn¡¯t see his face, but Alpha Adide is waiting outside,¡± the guard reported.


    Mallory was annoyed.


    He knew Adide¡¯s n¨Cif the Thunder Wolf Pack acknowledged this child as Cedric, he could inherit the Frostfang Pack¡¯s legacy.


    But Mallory didn¡¯t want to¨Cno one could rece the real Cedric.


    ¡°Don¡¯t alert the others. I¡¯ll handle this,¡± Mallory said, wanting to settle the matter at the border without involving the pack.


    He strode out with the pack¡¯s Beta and saw Adide talking to someone in the car at the border.


    His pheromones were icy.


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    The Thunder Wolf Pack Alpha¡¯s eldest son stood with electric patterns on his shoulder armor glowing faintly.


    His vertical pupils locked onto a huddled figure in the car¡¯s backseat, emitting chaotic, weak pheromones tinged with rust and dust.


    Adide turned and saw Mallory behind her. ¡°Mallory,¡± she said.


    Mallory nodded, nced at the car, and saw a small hand quickly pull down the curtain.


    ¡°I know your intentions,¡± he said.


    Mallory¡¯s pheromones surged so intensely that Adide¡¯s Moon Goddess ne at the back of her neck grew hot. ¡°But the Thunder Wolf Pack won¡¯t cooperate. There¡¯s only one Cedric, and no one can rece him.¡±


    His gaze swept over a¨Chalf¨Cvisible ear through the car curtain. ¡°The Davidson family has many children. If you want one, just adopt someone who looks like him to inherit the Frostfang Pack. I hear you even found a young rogue.¡±


    Adide had anticipated such usations, yet anger red as her wolf ws extended halfway.


    She thought she¡¯d understood their situation, but clearly, she couldn¡¯t.


    Just as she¡¯d rushed to Redwood City upon Lance¡¯s letter¨Ctelling herself not to hope, yet driven by an irresistible urge to confirm the truth.


    So when Mallory used her again, her temper red.


    She ripped open the car curtain, her cedar pheromones bursting out.


    She picked up Cedric and stood before Mallory, coldly saying, ¡°At least take a look. On the way here, Cedric was worried you¡¯d reject him. I evenforted him, saying you wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Though Mallory instinctively nced at the child in Adide¡¯s arms, what he saw made his vertical pupils contract into a crescent shape.


    He realized his prior assumptions had been way off.


    Despite Cedric¡¯s gaunt frame and sunken cheeks, his wolf eyes were unmistakably like the Thunder family¡¯s.


    His lips trembled, his eyes instantly bloodshot, and he tested the name, ¡°Cedric?¡±


    Tears streamed down Cedric¡¯s face as he struggled to be put down.


    Adide obliged, and Cedric gestured three ps and drew a bottle in the air.


    After Cedric finishing the gesture, Mallory lowered his hands, his shoulders trembling from sobbing.


    His heart ached.


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    Only he and Cedric knew this <b>gesture</b><b>. </b>


    A month before the <b>ident</b>, when Mallory and his mate Beatrice visited Tabitha and Cedric, Cedric showed him his homework<i>. </i>


    Mallory <b>praised </b>his <b>neat </b>writing and promised him a bottle of ink if he kept doing well.


    But with city affairs piling up, he forgot.


    Every time he thought of it, he was filled with regret.

 Novel Male 192

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    After the Frostfang Pack was massacred by the Western Tribe, Mallory bought several ink bottles to ease his guilt, but they remained unsent.


    His wolf whimpered in his mind¨Ca sound of grief and uncertainty.


    Mallory squatted down, lifted Cedric into his arms, and choked out, ¡°I didn¡¯t break my promise. I bought new ink long ago, waiting to give it to you.¡±


    His pheromones carried a hint of pine resin, a soothing scent meant to calm his emotions.


    Cedric¡¯s small hand wiped the tears from Mallory¡¯s face. His ears twitched slightly, sensing the emotional fluctuations around him.


    He struggled to get down, wanting to walk in himself.


    Seeing this, Adide¡¯s anger melted away.


    ¡°Let him down. He prefers to walk on his own,¡± she said gently, though her voice betrayed her fatigue.


    But Mallory held tight, not releasing Cedric.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s Beta, witnessing this, couldn¡¯t hold back his tears. Convinced now that this was Cedric, he hurried to inform Alpha Hancock and Luna.


    The entire Thunder Wolf Pack erupted inmotion.


    Beatrice wept as she told the old Luna, ¡°Cedric¡¯s not dead. He¡¯s back.¡±


    The old Luna, ill and confused, didn¡¯t quite grasp the words, thinking they spoke of Cedric¡¯s death.


    She sighed sorrowfully, ¡°Tabitha and Cedric, my darlings, gone.¡±


    ¡°No, grandmother! Cedric¡¯s returned. He¡¯s alive anding to see you!¡± Beatrice insisted.


    The old Luna¡¯s eyes brightened, and with unexpected strength, she grasped Beatrice¡¯s wrist. ¡°What? What did you say?¡±


    Outside, the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s current Luna held Cedric, crying hysterically¨Cher grandson was alive.


    When she first learned of her daughter and grandson¡¯s deaths, her grandson¡¯s body was so disfigured that it had to be sewn together for burial. The news nearly shattered her; she wept for an entire month.


    Now, Cedric was back.


    She was so overwhelmed that she nearly fainted. She held the child and cried for a while. Then, listening to Adide¡¯s ount of his ordeal, she was ovee with heartache and eventually sumbed to a faint.


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    After emergency care revived her, she continued to cry.


    ¡°Moon Goddess above, why let such a little pup suffer so much? The Bentleys are heroes¨Cwhy this fate?¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t bear the heart¨Cwrenchingment and stepped outside. Her tears flowed freely now, all the repressed sorrow pouring out.


    Her wolf purred soothingly in her mind, but it did little to ease her pain.


    Cedric was presented to each rtive before being taken to the old Luna¡¯s chamber.


    Seeing him as a mute andme child, her heart broke anew.


    She¡¯d raised Tabitha, and Cedric bore a striking resemnce to her as a pup.


    The old Luna adored him deeply. Seeing him like this felt like a knife to her heart.


    After half an hour, the pack managed topose themselves enough to sit in the conference room.


    The old Luna joined them, and Adide recounted the entire story.


    They learned that Cedric had escaped the massacre by buying lollipops for Adide, intending to cheer her up.


    Though he¡¯d endured two years of hardship, he¡¯d survived.


    As a result, their gaze toward Adide was filled with more gratitude. They were less consumed by hatred for those who had taken Cedric.


    However, they were unaware that Adide did not share this sentiment, and she chose not to disclose it.


    Mallory regained hisposure and inquired about the poisoning and leg injury.


    Adide ryed Digby¡¯s exnation, ¡°The poisoning is manageable but time¨Cconsuming. Daily detox potions and biweekly treatments are needed. The Soulvine addiction seems less severe. Digby¡¯s n can also counteract the Silencing Leaf toxin. If effective, Cedric might speak again within a year.¡±


    ¡°As for his leg, the bone¡¯s misaligned. It needs to be rebroken and reset¨Ca painful process. But with Digby¡¯s skills and medicine, Cedric¡¯s suffering will be minimized.¡±


    At the mention of rebreaking his leg, the pack¡¯s sympathy for Cedric intensified.


    Alpha Hancock asked, ¡°When will the leg surgery be done? We can help care for him then, or you could leave him here while you prepare for the mating ceremony.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Hancock, Digby said Cedric¡¯s body is weak from malnutrition and severe gastrointestinal damage. He needs time to recover before the surgery,¡± Adide replied, scanning the room filled with concerned faces.


    She continued, ¡°It¡¯s better for Cedric to stay with me. Despite my mating ceremony preparations, the Second Chance doesn¡¯t require much. The Frostfang Pack is quieter, ideal for recovery. Also<b>¡­</b>¡±


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 Novel Male 193

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide fingered her Moon Goddess ne, its moonstone in the wolf¨Chead emblem suddenly warm.


    Her cedar pheromones,ced with silver fern, rippled through the Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s conference room. ¡°Alpha ance and I have decided that after our mating ceremony, Cedric will live with us in the ckthorn Pack,¡± she announced.


    She nced at Cedric and noticed him instinctively shrinking his neck. A fresh, pale¨Cpink scar from a past rogue attack marred his nape.


    Softening her tone, she continued, ¡°Cedric trusts Alpha Lance implicitly. It was Alpha Lance who rescued him from that nightmare. Once he recovers, Alpha Lance will hire the finest tutors for him.¡±


    ¡°A decent person with some education, passing the Frostfang Pack¡¯s test and bearing its Alpha status ensures a life of luxury,¡± she exined.


    Initially, the idea of Cedric living in the ckthorn Pack seemed odd to the Thunder Pack members.


    But given Lance¡¯s approval and the broader horizons the ckthorn Pack could offer, they reluctantly agreed. Even inheriting the Frostfang Pack as a leisurely noble required vision.


    However, Old Luna Audrey of the Thunder Wolf Pack voiced her concerns. Clutching her chest as she gazed at her grandson, she said worriedly, ¡°If he lives with you in the ckthorn Pack, visits will be rare. And with Prisci residing there too, I can¡¯t help but worry¡­¡±


    Her words hung in the air, unspoken but clear¨Ceveryone feared Prisci might mistreat Cedric.


    Though the Thunder Wolf Pack had withdrawn from many pack gatherings and royal events over the past two years, they were not entirely isted.


    They had always quietly tracked Adide¡¯s life, respecting her space while staying informed.


    They were well aware that Prisci harbored some discontent toward Adide. Should Cedric reside in the ckthorn Pack, this might intensify Prisci¡¯s disapproval.


    Adide reassured them, ¡°I¡¯ll always prioritize Cedric¡¯s well¨Cbeing. If Prisci can¡¯t ept him, I¡¯ll return to the Frostfang Pack with him. I promise he won¡¯t suffer a moment¡¯s hardship.¡±


    Yet her assurance didn¡¯t fully ease their concerns.


    Even a just Lance might grow weary over time, torn between his mate and mother.


    Alpha Hancock interjected, ¡°Cedric should stay here in the Thunder Wolf Pack. With so many elders to care for him, he¡¯ll be shielded from harm. As for tutors, we can arrange them too.¡±


    His words drew nods of agreement.


    Luna Audrey, after calming from her earlier excitement, gazed at Cedric with renewed rity.


    She really wished Cedric could stay close<b>, </b>but she had enough life experience to know better than to let emotions cloud her judgment.


    She hugged Cedric tightly beneath her ck cloak, her fingers brushing the faint silver¨Cblue scar on his neck¨Ca rpse from his earlier trauma.


    Her amber eyes, glowing softly in the candlelight, swept over the downy fuzz behind his ears. ¡°Cedric is destined to inherit the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha position. The Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s protection alone isn¡¯t enough,¡± she said firmly.


    Her pheromones sharpened abruptly. ¡°By Alpha Lance¡¯s side, Cedric can asionally attend key events and meet influential figures. This outreach far exceeds what the Thunder Wolf Pack can offer.¡±


    She turned to Adide. ¡°I disagree with your earlier suggestion of Cedric bing a leisurely noble. With his exceptional grandfather and father, and uncles who are heroes, Cedric must strive for excellence. He must honor the Frostfang Pack¡¯s legacy.¡±


    With that, Audrey removed her wolf¨Chead pendant and pressed it into Cedric¡¯s palm.


    The moment it touched his skin, the Thunder family¡¯s cedar pheromones warmed him through, and his injured leg glowed faintly gold.


    ¡°Whether you seed or not, always do your utmost. No one will fault you for trying, but to give less than your best would dishonor your grandfather, father, and uncles,¡± she said.


    Cedric looked up and nodded vigorously, forming a silent ¡°I understand¡± with his lips.


    Tears welled in Audrey¡¯s eyes as she hugged him again. ¡°The Thunder Wolf Pack will always support you.¡±


    Cuddled in Audrey¡¯s arms like a kitten, Cedric felt a rare sense of peace.


    Adide realized Audrey¡¯s foresight and wisdom.


    If Cedrks ability and merely holds the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha position in name, he¡¯ll invite jealousy.


    No one could shield him forever. Only his own strength and self¨Creliance would let him truly stand on his


    own.


    This was the true message behind Audrey¡¯s stern encouragement.


    She used such harsh encouragement because she knew Cedric would look up to his grandfather and father as role models.

 Novel Male 194

    Everyone nodded in agreement.


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    Beatrice suddenly stood up and said, ¡°Adide and Cedric should have dinner here before they leave. I¡¯ll have the kitchen prepare some extra dishes right away.¡±


    Adide hadn¡¯t mentioned dining in, but the Thunder Wolf Pack was eager to host Cedric for dinner.


    She dly epted their kind offer.


    Beatrice quickly arranged for omega servants to bring out a sumptuous meal.


    Even Luna Audrey joined them, her spirits visibly lifted.


    After dinner and a bit more conversation, Adide and Cedric took their leave.


    Luna Audrey promptly gathered everyone in the conference room.


    Her eyes, no longer dull, sparkled with determination as she addressed the Pahari family members. ¡°When Adide¡¯s mating ceremony takes ce, the Thunder Wolf Pack must help organize it and prepare a generous gift. We need to maintain close ties with her.¡±


    ¡°You should socialize more. Attend banquets and gatherings¨Cno more hiding at home. Build connections. Cedric will inherit the Alpha position and join the Royal Elder Council. He¡¯ll need a strongwork of support,¡± she instructed.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± everyone chorused.


    The next day, the Thunder Wolf Pack sent over Cedric¡¯s favorite foods and informed Adide that their omega crafters were busy making clothes, shoes, and socks for him.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack demonstrated their care for Cedric through actions.


    Relieved and at ease, Cedric realized his grandparents¡® home not only epted him but cherished him.


    That same day, Doctor Digby visited again, insisting on rechecking Cedric for any missed details.


    His meticulousness reflected his high regard for the Frostfang Pack¡¯s legacy.


    After Doctor Digby left, Lance arrived with Tommy.


    He told Adide he came to visit Cedric and hoped to get closer to him.


    Cedric was delighted and showed Lance the ink bottle Mallory had given him, generously offering to gift


    one to Lance.


    Lance yfully epted it, spent some time teaching Cedric handwriting, then joined Adide outside.


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    Lance strolled over to Adide, a tall figure with an ink bottle in hand, teasing, ¡°He actually gave me a bottle of ink¨Chow generous!¡±


    Adide chuckled and waved an omega over for coffee. ¡°He¡¯s just being generous with someone else¡¯s things. That ink is from Mallory,¡± she said.


    ¡°The Thunder Wolf Pack must be thrilled,¡± Lance remarked as he sat down.


    Adide shared how the Thunder Wolf Pack had initially doubted Cedric¡¯s return but became overjoyed upon seeing him.


    Lance exined, ¡°They¡¯re deeply emotional but also stubborn. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Adide nodded with a smile, recalling her time at the Shadow Peaks.


    During the journey while caring for Cedric, she didn¡¯t get to ask clearly, so she inquired, ¡°You went to the Shadow Peaks. What did my mentor say?¡±


    Lance said, ¡°She was a bit hesitant at first, but my teacher convinced her.¡±


    Adide curiously asked, ¡°Your teacher has influence over my mentor? Who is your teacher?¡±


    A hint of mystery crossed Lance¡¯s face as he said, ¡°Take a guess.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t possibly guess¡­¡±


    As she spoke, Adide recalled that her mentor, Irene, had a teacher named Klein. It was said that Klein had another student who didn¡¯t live at the Warscar Training Camp but visited asionally.


    She looked up sharply and said, ¡°Is your teacher Klein, my mentor¡¯s teacher?¡±


    Lance was taken aback. He¡¯d intended to tease her but didn¡¯t expect her to guess so quickly.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile and said, ¡°Everyone says you¡¯re smart, and you sure proved it. You¡¯re right. Although we¡¯re both from the Warscar Training Camp, our teachers are different.¡±


    Adide was genuinely surprised. ¡°No wonder you visit the camp once a year and know it so well.¡±


    Lance shook his head and said, ¡°Not exactly familiar. I don¡¯t interact much with Irene¡¯s students or Craig and the others.¡±


    Adide asked curiously, ¡°Why not? Since you¡¯re Klein¡¯s student, why not engage more with us?¡±


    With a broad grin, Lance said, ¡°Klein forbade it. His exact words were¡­¡±


    He stood up, imitating Klein¡¯s mannerisms¨Chands behind his back, a cold expression, and furrowed brows. <b>¡°</b>Steer clear of that bunch. They¡¯re good for nothing. Minimize contact with them to avoid catching


    their bad habits.¡±


    Adide burst intoughter. ¡°So true! Klein always looked down on us like that.¡±


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    She <b>was </b>amazed. ¡°You¡¯re from the Warscar Training Camp too? We¡¯re schoolmates<b>! </b><b>I </b><b>never </b>would <b>have </b>guessed. Did you enroll before me, or <b>was </b>I first<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Lance, holding an ink bottle, met her eyes with a smile and asked, ¡°Have you taken Cedric <b>to </b><b>see </b>Elder Halsey yet?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide tilted her head but didn¡¯t answer, wondering if he was implying she was a junior student.


    ¡°Junior student?<b>¡± </b>She blinked innocently.

 Novel Male 195

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lance¡¯s face stiffened slightly as he turned away, insisting, ¡°I¡¯m not officially part of the Warscar Training Camp. My teacher said I¡¯m just his student, not a camp member.¡±


    Adide smiled brightly. ¡°That¡¯s a bit of denial. Since Klein is part of the Warscar Training Camp and you¡¯re his student, you¡¯re definitely associated with it. When did you join?¡±


    Lance forced a smile, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. ¡°We were talking about Cedric meeting Elder Halsey. When do you n to go?¡±


    Adide rested her chin on her hand, staring at him without blinking. ¡°Tomorrow, after I take Cedric to see him, Junior Lance.¡±


    For some reason, knowing Lance was from the Warscar Training Camp eased her tension, making her bolder around him.


    Lance rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m older than you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re older than me, a senior student,¡± Adide teased,ughing heartily.


    She now understood why he¡¯d always avoided the topic, mentioning only his annual visits to the Shadow Peaks¨Che was actually Klein¡¯s student.


    Indeed, at the Southern Border, she couldn¡¯t very well refer to him as a junior in front of everyone.


    On the battlefield, there were only generals and soldiers.


    Lance felt a twinge ofpetitiveness. Hisbat skills were superior, and he was older.


    But seeing her radiant, yful smile¨Cstill that fiery girl from the Shadow Peaks¨Che decided not to argue further.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that in public,¡± he said, his pride slightly wounded.


    Adide¡¯s eyes crinkled withughter, her beauty mark vivid against her flushed cheeks. Lance couldn¡¯t look away<b>. </b>


    Adide was too caught up in her happiness to notice the turmoil in Lance¡¯s eyes.


    Lance continued, ¡°Most of the Warscar Training Camp will attend our mating ceremony. It should draw arge crowd.¡±


    ¡°Then the Frostfang Pack must host a grand dinner,¡± Adide said with a nod.


    Initially, it was just <b>a </b>statement¨Csince Lance¡¯s teacher and others would be there, a dinner was expected.


    But saying it in front of him made her cheeks flush.


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    Previously, the thought of the ceremony left her indifferent, viewing it as a pragmatic alliance.


    But after everything with Cedric, her regard for Lance had grown.


    Sometimes, catching his gaze, she felt a flicker of anticipation at the thought of him bing her mate- a far cry from her feelings when mating with Ulrik.


    Yet, her feelings for Ulrik had been genuine.


    Noticing her blush, Lance recalled overhearing her confession to Cedric.


    Had there been truth in her words?


    Of course there had been!


    Why else would she say it?


    Feelings rarely need reasons; those with too many are often impure.


    Both lost in thought, the air grew awkward.


    Lance broke the silence. ¡°Lycan Erasmus appointed me as the Royal Court Chief Justice and Commander of the Ironthorn Army.¡±


    This was odd. Lance had been the kingdom¡¯s general. How could he now lead the Royal Court, a role typically administrative?


    And why retainmand of the Ironthorn Army?


    How would he manage both?


    Nonchntly, he exined, ¡°I¡¯ve relinquished control of the kingdom¡¯s army. Tad Olson temporarilymands it now.¡±


    Tad?


    Adide recognized the name¡ªa once¨Crenowned royal general whose career stalled after a battle injury left him unable to fight.


    His family had been in decline until Lycan Erasmus suddenly elevated him.


    But why appoint a disabled general as the kingdom¡¯smander now?


    And why rece Lance <b>so </b>soon after his triumph?


    Adide quickly pieced it together. ¡°Lycan Erasmus fears your influence?¡±


    Lance¡¯s <b>gaze </b>deepened. ¡°Not fear. He just prefers to avoid rumors that might strain our brotherhood.¡±


    Adide was stunned but curious. ¡°Then why mate with me? If Lycan Erasmus fears your power, aligning with me shouldn¡¯t <b>ease </b>his concerns. In fact, it might inme them.¡±


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    <b>As </b>the Frostfang Alpha¡¯s daughter, a decorated female Gamma respected by wolf warriors and Lycan Erasmus¡¯s subordinates<b>, </b>she knew <b>her </b>status.


    But mating with her wouldn¡¯t eliminate Lycan Erasmus¡¯s suspicions.


    What did she miss<b>? </b>


    ¤³


    !&

 Novel Male 196

    Adide¡¯s mind raced. Was this connected to Lycan Erasmus¡¯s demand that she find a mate within three


    months?


    Lance, knowing her sharpness, figured she¡¯d found some truth.


    He said, ¡°No matter who I choose, Lycan Erasmus will think what he thinks. Given my status, could I really pick an ordinary she¨Cwolf?¡±


    It made sense, but Adide sensed something off.


    She could lead werewolf warriors into battle. Mating with her was a risk for Alpha Lance.


    ¡°Did you propose because you knew I didn¡¯t want to be a priestess? Are you helping me?¡±


    Adide first considered this possibility. ¡°Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t actually pressure you to find a mate, did he? You¡¯re helping me.¡±


    Lance smiled helplessly. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. Even without Lycan Erasmus¡¯s push, many she¨Cwolves would vie to be my mate after my triumph. Refusing them risks offense. The sooner I finalize the bond, the better.¡±


    ¡°As for why I chose you,¡± Lance continued with a wry smile, ¡°we¡¯ve both been through the Warscar Training Camp. You were forced to find a mate, I was on a pyre¨Cit seemed logical to pair up.¡±


    Lies were tough. He couldn¡¯t tell her he¡¯d relinquishmand to bond with her¨Cthat was unspeakable.


    If Adide knew, she¡¯d never agree to be his mate.


    He had to wait until after the ceremony, until he¡¯d fully marked her.


    With some things left unsaid, Lance took his leave.


    Adide pondered for a long while, grasping parts of the truth but still missing pieces.


    Ivy, seeing her distress, hesitated tofort her but was stopped by Beta Valentine.


    He shook his head and said, ¡°Bring Cedric some food. He¡¯s been practicing hand strength all day. He must be exhausted.¡±


    Ivy sighed softly. ¡°Alright.¡±


    As she headed to the kitchen, Beta Valentine limped after her and whispered, ¡°I know you want to talk to Alpha Adide, but wait until after the mating ceremony.¡±


    Ivy nodded. ¡°I understand. I just feel impulsive seeing him troubled. I know impulsiveness is unwise<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>She </b>sighed again. ¡°I only found out today that Alpha Lance relinquishedmand of the legion.


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    Connecting the dots, I assume he did it for Alpha Adide. Clearly, Lycan Erasmus used Alpha Adide as bait to test Alpha Lance¡¯s loyalty.¡±


    Beta Valentine said, ¡°Keep such thoughts to yourself.¡±


    Ivy replied, ¡°I know better than to speak out of turn. It¡¯s just that Lance¡¯s feelings for Alpha Adide are unknown to her. Even Luna Aire withheld the truth about Alpha Lance¡¯s proposal.¡±


    Beta Valentine frowned. ¡°Luna Aire was frightened back then. Had Alpha Lance not gone to the Southern Border, she might have agreed. Little did she know the person chosen in the end wasn¡¯t a suitable mate.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°Luna Aire didn¡¯t select a royal heir because she knew Alpha Adide¡¯s strong personality. Royal heirs or century¨Cold packs have numerous demands. Only Ulrik dared promise to treat Alpha Adide well before Luna Aire, who was deceived by him.¡±


    Beta Valentine cut her off. ¡°Enough. Bring Cedric his food. His diligent practice is heart¨Cwrenching. He takes medicine daily yet still practices hand strength.¡±


    Beta Valentine, of course, felt for Cedric¨CAdide¡¯s only kin, who¡¯d endured so much.


    The next day, Adide and Cedric visited Elder Halsey.


    Halsey had gathered other members of the Davidson family, who¡¯d long since left the Frostfang Pack to join other packs following their ancestors.


    Now, they would witness Elder Halsey formally reinstate Cedric¡¯s name in the Davidson family records of the Frostfang Pack.


    Many still doubted Cedric¡¯s return, as some hoped their own children might join the Frostfang Pack.


    After all, joining promised a future Alpha role and a chance at the Royal Elder Council.


    Beta Valentine was tasked with exining the full story.


    He didn¡¯t mention the rogue who¡¯d kidnapped Cedric, only noting the case was reported to Lycan Erasmus.


    Cedric had already visited the pce, met Lycan Erasmus and rissa, and was recognized by his Thunder Wolf Pack rtives.


    With this evidence, most believed Cedric was alive. A few remained skeptical, but the majority epted the truth.


    Yet, there were still those who refused to believe.

 Novel Male 197

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    At the Moon Goddess altar, Elder Halsey prepared to reinstate Cedric¡¯s name in the n records.


    Yet, skepticism lingered among some wolves.


    They saw Cedric as frail, struggling to link him to the legendary Frostfang lineage.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe he¡¯s Randall¡¯s son,¡± a wolf dered loudly, disdain evident in his voice. ¡°Adide found some little fraud and expects us to swallow it.¡±


    ¡°Randall¡¯s son should bear the Frostfang Pack¡¯s silver fern nd mark. This pup¡¯s got nothing but a scar¡ª clearly a rogue.¡±


    The speaker tugged his cor, the wolf¨Chead bracelet on his wrist glinting coldly in the moonlight. ¡°Adide¡¯s parading a rogue around, thinking we won¡¯t smell thendfill on him?¡±


    Elder Halsey¡¯s wolf w suddenly crushed his pen, splinters scattering at the doubter¡¯s feet.


    His cedar pheromones,ced with pine, erupted¡ªa roar of authority that ignited the altar¡¯s candle holders. ¡°The Davidson family¡¯s records are written in wolf¡¯s blood. Your filthy words won¡¯t stain them,¡± he thundered.


    Adide¡¯s face darkened. Her wolf ears ttened, and her pine¨Cscented pheromones turned icy¡ªa prelude to her fury.


    Her aura surged like a tidal wave, thickening the air in the room with tension.


    Her fingers trembled slightly, her ws already beginning to harden.


    She pulled out a yellowed photo from her pocket¨Ca childhood picture of Adide, Cedric, and Randall. All three of them beamed with joy.


    She thrust the photo at the skeptic, her voice trembling with restrained rage. ¡°You say he doesn¡¯t resemble Randall? I¡¯m here. I¡¯m Randall¡¯s sister, raised with Cedric. I¡¯d know my own nephew.¡±


    The wolf took the photo but suspicion lingered. ¡°Photos can be faked, Alpha Adide!¡±


    Her fury erupted. ws fully extended, she raked them across the table, leaving deep grooves.


    Her oppressive pheromones pressed down on him. ¡°Think I relish your doubts?¡±


    Other wolves intervened. ¡°We¡¯re all descendants of the Davidsons. Must you resort to force?¡±


    At that moment, Cedric¡¯s patience snapped.


    Gentle by nature<b>, </b>the usations ignited his wolf spirit.


    He unleashed a surge <b>of </b>pheromones¨Cfaint yet undeniable.


    The disy startled even Elder Halsey, who turned to regard Cedric with newfound respect.


    ¡°This <b>is </b>our family¡¯s pheromone. Cedric is a true Frostfang. No doubts allowed.¡±


    The room fell silent. No one dared challenge further.


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    Cedric¡¯s return meant there was no need to recruit new members from the family for the Frostfang Pack.


    The previous candidates had not met Adide¡¯s approval.


    Elder Halsey was relieved that no selection had been madest time; otherwise, the mixed reactions might have caused trouble.


    Halsey quizzed Cedric extensively, but the boy, unable to speak,municated through writing.


    Beta Valentine reassured the gathered that Doctor Digby ensured Cedric¡¯s recovery, albeit in time.


    Halsey reminded the assembly that safeguarding Cedric¡¯s interests was paramount to preserving the Davidson legacy.


    The Davidsons, a n of traders andndowners, understood the stakes.


    Their fortunes were intertwined.


    Adide, backed by the formidable Frostfang Pack, deterred any would¨Cbe bullies.


    Halsey¡¯s words resonated deeply.


    The Davison family¡¯s unity was evident, and Adide, having endured the tragedy of losing loved ones, found no real malice in their hearts.


    Cedric absorbed every detail.


    Once a mere child with no say in Frostfang affairs, he now sat in awe of the family¡¯s resolve and purpose.


    A sense of familial duty began to take root within him.


    Though unclear on his exact role, he grasped the importance of integrity¨Cof honoring histe father and brothers.


    As October approached and the air turned crisp, the Pahari family showered Cedric with clothes and fine furs.


    They prioritized his needs and offered assistance for Adide¡¯s uing mating ceremony.


    Ivy approached Adide, saying that regardless of whether their help was needed, their willingness to <b>assist </b>was precious and should be acknowledged to put them at ease.


    Adide, touched by their kindness, allowed the Paharis to contribute modestly, preserving their dignity.

 Novel Male 198

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Word of Cedric¡¯s return to the Frostfang Pack spread fast<b>, </b>and gifts for Cedric poured in.


    Even Luna Skye, Melinda¡¯s mother, sent fine fabrics for his clothes.


    Beata was still sulking over the gifts I¡¯d sent Melinda that were refused.


    ¡°Why ept their fabrics? We¡¯re not short of anything,¡± she said.


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    Iughed. ¡°If I¡¯m not upset, why should you be? Besides, I still interact with Melinda. Let¡¯s not make things difficult for her.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯ll be troubled,¡± Beata retorted.


    I kept my tone light. ¡°She¡¯s my mother¡¯s sister. There¡¯s no grudge to settle.¡±


    Beata pouted but dropped the subject.


    ¡°Fine, family is family. No big feud in the past. What¡¯s there to hold a grudge over?¡±


    With that, she brightened and went to store the fabrics.


    I watched her go, rubbed my temples, and smiled.


    Beata could be so touchy.


    ¡°Alpha Adide,¡± Omega Jasmine hurried over. ¡°Doctor Digby requests your presence in the side hall.¡±


    ¡°Is Doctor Digby here today? Not his assistant, Galvin?¡± I asked.


    Lately, Galvin had been handling Cedric¡¯s treatments, with Digby only stopping by asionally to check progress.


    ¡°Yep, Doctor Digby came himself today. He just examined Cedric and asked for you in the side hall,¡± Omega Jasmine reported. As Cedric¡¯s caretaker, her level¨Cheadedness put me at ease.


    ¡°On my way,¡± I said, thinking this might be about Cedric¡¯s leg.


    Yesterday, Galvin mentioned the detox was going well, and Cedric was improving daily.


    In the side hall, Digby and Galvin were already waiting.


    I greeted them. ¡°What brings you here today, Doctor Digby?¡±


    Digby sat in a chair, wearing a ck jacket today.


    Temperatures dropped since the rain a few days ago.


    He looked me over with <b>a </b>smile. ¡°You seem much better than thest time <b>I </b>saw you.¡±


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    ¡°Good food will do that,¡± I replied with a grin, nodding at Galvin. ¡°Thanks for all your help, Galvin.¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all,¡± Galvin replied. The young man, in his twenties, had a round, amiable face.


    <b>I </b>sat down. ¡°Are we discussing Cedric¡¯s leg today?¡±


    Digby nodded. ¡°First, let¡¯s talk about the detox. Today¡¯sprehensive check¨Cup shows significant progress<b>, </b>especially the reduction in his throat swelling.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± <b>I </b>asked, relief washing over me.


    I¡¯d heard from Galvin yesterday that things were improving, but hearing Digby confirm it himself made me even happier.


    ¡°That¡¯s great news. Thanks for all your patience,¡± I said.


    Galvin smiled faintly.


    Digby continued, ¡°Second, as you mentioned, it¡¯s time to address his leg injury. As we discussed, this will require a bone¨Cresetting surgery.¡±


    My stomach tightened. ¡°I know it¡¯ll be painful.¡±


    ¡°Very painful,¡± Digby said.


    ¡°I need to prepare Cedric mentally. While I have some painkillers, they may not be sufficient for the bone- resetting pain. I suggest using nerve blockade for pain relief.¡±


    ¡°Nerve blockade? Is that safe?¡± I asked, unsure why he hadn¡¯t mentioned this before.


    Digby exined, ¡°This method demands precision and perfect timing. If the blockadests too long, it could cause vascr blockage, leading to footplications¡ªeven after sessful surgery, walking might still be an issue.¡±


    I quickly asked, ¡°I know some healing techniques, but what exactly do you mean by ¡®precision¡®?¡±


    Digby shook his head. ¡°Your healing techniques share a simr principle, but you won¡¯t be performing this. The critical part is timing. A child¡¯s body isn¡¯t like an adult¡¯s. The margin for error is tiny, and the consequences of mistakes are irreversible.¡±


    Though I didn¡¯t fully understand, Digby¡¯s caution made it clear this was risky.


    The goal was for Cedric to walk normally. If he still limped after surgery, it would all be for nothing.


    I was torn. Should Cedric endure the searing pain of bone¨Cresetting, or try the nerve blockade?


    ¡°What¡¯s your rmendation?¡± <b>I </b>asked.

 Novel Male 199

    Adide¡¯s POV


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    After some thought, Doctor Digby said, ¡°For adults, I¡¯d rmend painkillers¨Cthey can handle more. I brought up nerve blockade because I¡¯m worried Cedric might thrash in agony post¨Csurgery, disrupting the process<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Galvin added, ¡°Miss Davidson, Doctor Digby¡¯s point is that both methods have pros and cons. It all hinges on whether you¡¯re willing to let Cedric endure more pain.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want Cedric to suffer, but I was even more concerned about his future mobility.


    I asked, ¡°Doctor Digby, how confident are you in performing the surgery within the precise time frame using nerve blockade?¡±


    Digby sighed. ¡°The leg injury¡¯s been dyed too long. If pressed, I¡¯d say fifty¨Cfifty. The procedure might take longer, but nerve blockade shouldn¡¯t exceed fifteen minutes.¡±


    Completing the bone reset within fifteen minutes was incredibly tight.


    Galvin added, ¡°Also, even after nerve blockade wears off, pain will persist for days.¡±


    I frowned.


    Digby suggested, ¡°Discuss this with Mallory and the others from the Thunder Wolf Pack. Cedric¡¯s part of the Frostfang Pack, but the Thunder Wolf Pack cares deeply about him. Involving them ensures no future resentment.¡±


    I knew as a soon¨Cto¨Cbe bonded female, Cedric¡¯s affairs weren¡¯t just my responsibility.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack was arriving the next day. Failing to inform them about the treatment would invite their wrath.


    Digby added, ¡°Consult them. Schedule it for the day after tomorrow. The surgery itself isn¡¯t difficult or dangerous, just painful.¡±


    After Digby left, I talked <i>to </i>Cedric about the treatment.


    Though the final call wasn¡¯t his, I wanted his input for better discussions with the Thunder Wolf Pack.


    Cedric wrote in my palm, ¡°Galvin told me the pain is unbearable. When my leg was broken, I thought I¡¯d die from the agony.¡±


    I had him rewrite it for rity.


    I asked, ¡°So you want nerve blockade?<b>¡± </b>


    Cedric shook his head and wrote, ¡°If there¡¯s a risk I might still limp post¨Csurgery, that¡¯s no good. As future Alpha of the Frostfang Pack, I can¡¯t be a cripple.¡±


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    He continued, ¡°Dad¡¯s been injured in battles¨Cflesh wounds, bone injuries. He¡¯s no stranger to pain.¡±


    <b>I </b>said gently, ¡°Everyone fears pain, including your father. He endures it as an adult.¡±


    Cedric wrote, ¡°I know. A true Alpha must tolerate what others can¡¯t.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Though Cedric epted the pain, I still thought it was essential to confer with the Thunder Wolf Pack.


    So, in the evening, I visited the Thunder Wolf Pack.


    They took the matter very seriously, gathering members and even informing Luna Audrey.


    They couldn¡¯t easily decide¨Cunwilling to see Cedric suffer, yet anxious about the risks of nerve blockade.


    Hearing Cedric would endure the pain, they felt both heartbroken and relieved.


    But relief was tinged with doubt¨Ccould a seven¨Cyear¨Cold really withstand such agony?


    After lengthy discussions, the Thunder Wolf Pack remained undecided, leaving the choice to me.


    I¡¯d onlye to inform and consult them, not expecting them to decide.


    With their stance clear, I returned to the Frostfang Pack.


    On the treatment day, Mallory arrived with Cedric¡¯s grandparents and the best nutrition supplements they could gather.


    Though confident in Digby¡¯s skills, Luna Audrey insisted on bringing the supplements.


    Digby nced <i>at </i>them and reassured, ¡°These can still be used post¨Ctreatment¨Cthey¡¯re nourishing.¡±


    The Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s Luna added, ¡°Good to hear. Even for recovery.¡±


    Digby nodded. Turning to me, he asked, ¡°Ready? Proceed with nerve blockade?¡±


    I guided him to the treatment room as others followed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you,¡± I said. ¡°Cedric says he can endure the pain. Since the Thunder Wolf Pack and I are uncertain, I¡¯ll leave the decision to you.¡±

 Novel Male 200

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Doctor¡¯s advice was always in the patient¡¯s best interest.


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    Doctor Digby, who had treated Cedric before, said, ¡°In my view, if he can handle the pain, let him. He likely yearns to walk normally. Losing his voice is one disability; a limp would be another. His desire to recover is strong, and his experiences have made him no stranger to pain.¡±


    Though true, this was hard for everyone to hear.


    In Cedric¡¯s room, Jasmine greeted them.


    Cedricy in bed, resolved to avoid any risks¨Che wanted to heal on his own.


    He saw everyone hade, worry etched in their eyes. They all wanted to offer himfort, but Cedric met their gazes with a look of courage and strength.


    Everyone felt heavier at heart. He was just seven, an age deserving only love and care.


    As Digby prepared to begin, Lance arrived.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack, knowing he¡¯d saved Cedric, approached gratefully.


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones warmed the room. His golden wolf head on the shoulder te glowed faintly.


    The Alpha¡¯s soothing pheromones kicked in, and the Thunder Wolf Pack members felt their wolf hairs on the back of their necks tten one by one.


    He said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m here to support him through the procedure. Let¡¯s focus on that.¡±


    His pine¨Cscented pheromones swept over Cedric¡¯s nd scar on the back of his neck.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack had worried Lance might grow tired of Cedric after he joined the ckthorn Pack, but seeing Lance¡¯s dedication now, that fear seemed unfounded.


    Lance added, ¡°I¡¯ll stay with Cedric. This is a man¡¯s affair. Ladies, please wait outside.¡±


    Turning to Cedric, he said, ¡°Cedric agrees, right?¡±


    Cedric nodded firmly.


    He didn¡¯t want Adide and his grandparents or uncles here either. He¡¯d have to put on a brave face and reassure them not to worry.


    He preferred Lance¡¯spany.


    Lance was a werewolf general, strong and reliable, much like Alpha Bentley.


    His presence gave Cedric strength.


    Adide knew Lance¡¯s intentions were good. Seeing Cedric agree, she said, ¡°Alright then.¡±


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    She brushed Cedric¡¯s hair, her moon goddess ne suddenly warm. Cedar pheromones and Lance¡¯s scent intertwined, forming a silver fern pattern. ¡°We¡¯re right outside. Be brave,¡± she said.


    Cedric traced ¡°Not afraid¡± in the air, his wolf eyes reflecting Lance¡¯s shoulder te.


    Everyone smiled at him, hearts heavy with care.


    Digby approached with painkillers, his ws dusted with wolfsbane. ¡°Clear out!¡± he ordered.


    His sulfur pheromones mixed with the medicine¡¯s scent, prompting the Thunder Wolf Pack to cover their noses as they left.


    Everyone nced at Cedric with reluctance and slowly filed out.


    Galvin brought the pain relief potion. Cedric drank it swiftly.


    Lance sat beside him, holding his hand firmly. ¡°I¡¯m here. Nothing to fear,¡± he said.


    Cedric¡¯s hand trembled slightly.


    Digby jested, ¡°Since you¡¯re here, Alpha Lance, how about you handle the bone¨Csetting?¡±


    Lance, no stranger to battle, knew how to apply just the right pressure to snap a bone back into ce.


    It was a piece of cake for him, so he agreed.


    He palpated Cedric¡¯s leg, assessing the misaligned break.


    Cedric tensed up, and Lance shed a smile. ¡°I have a secret to share with you, Cedric¨Cjust between us. It¡¯s about Adide.¡±


    Cedric¡¯s eyes


    lit


    up with curiosity.


    ¡°Back when Adide was still green, there was this massive oak tree in the Shadow Peaks. Every evening, birds would perch on it. She climbed up to catch them.¡±


    Cedric¡¯s eyes widened. So mischievous of Adide!


    She¡¯d been put through etiquette training by Luna Aire upon returning from the Shadow Peaks and had to follow all sorts of rules.


    He¡¯d never seen this side of her.


    ¡°She actually managed to climb up, but the birds flew off. She¡¯d just learned jumping techniques and thought she could chase after them mid¨Cair. But she jumped and fell, breaking a leg¡­¡±


    Lance¡¯s fingers tightened with precision, snapping the misaligned bone back into ce.


    As Lance spoke, he applied just the right pressure to reset the bone. Cedric wasn¡¯t prepared for the sudden


    pain, crying out and trembling.


    23


    Lance immediately hugged him and called to Digby, ¡°Your turn now.¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 201

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Digby was mulling over Cedric¡¯s earlier cry of pain.


    Seemed the agony had done some good for his vocal cords.


    Werewolves heal fast, but vocal cords take time. Intense¡¯pain can kickstart the healing process by stimting nerves.


    Digby was pleased with Cedric¡¯s shout.


    Galvin could set bones, but Digby wanted to do it himself.


    It was like a natural skill for him. He ran his fingers along Cedric¡¯s leg bone, carefully bending it back into ce.


    Cedric was sweating and shaking, clutching Lance¡¯s wrist so hard his nails drew blood.


    The pain was severe despite the pain¨Crelief potion.


    He felt it all over his body.


    After resetting the bone, Digby applied medicine, fixed it with two wooden boards, and bandaged it.


    Cedric had to rest in bed until the bone healed.


    Digby¡¯s ointment worked great. It was his own recipe, not avable elsewhere. So it could heal fast and speed up Cedric¡¯s bone repair.


    He estimated Cedric would walk again in about ten days with thebined treatment.


    After bandaging, Cedric took more pain medicine, which also helped him sleep.


    When he woke up, the pain would be less.


    Outside, people waiting heard Cedric¡¯s screams and felt anxious.


    Adide paced the hallway anxiously, her wolf growling restlessly, mirroring her worry for Cedric.


    The Thunder Wolf Pack¡¯s Luna prayed with trembling hands, her worry releasing a bitter almond scent.


    That was the unique scent werewolves emitted when extremely worried.


    Finally, Lance came out.


    His wolf ears twitched, sensing the tension.


    Adide rushed in and saw Cedric in bed. Galvin <b>was </b>needling him to <b>ease </b>the pain.


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    Digby shushed them, saying Cedric needed to sleep and was a strong kid. Adide <b>was </b>pushed out again. and everyone stayed away to not disturb Cedric,


    If he couldn¡¯t sleep, he¡¯d just have to endure the pain.


    Adide noticed Lance¡¯s bleeding hands from Cedric¡¯s nails.


    ¡°Is your hand okay? You¡¯ve been through a lot,¡± she said worriedly.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Lance smiled, his scent carrying a calming pine aroma.


    ¡°Cedric was amazing. He endured it without nerve blocks<b>, </b>so the blood flow to his leg wasn¡¯t affected. He¡¯s really healed.¡±


    Adide pressed her hand to her chest. ¡°His scream scared me to death¡­ Come with me, let me treat your hand.¡±


    Seeing the blood on his wrists and the back of his hands, she felt guilty and grateful.


    Mallory also said, ¡°Alpha Lance, please go treat your wounds. Thank you so much.¡±


    His voice carried a hint of apology.


    Lance slightly shook his head. His wolf purred lowly, trying tofort himself and those around him.


    Before he finished speaking, Adide had already grabbed his other hand, insisting, ¡°It must be treated. At least rinse it off.¡±


    Her long, calloused fingers, with silver¨Cblue¨Ctipped nails from frequent use of her wolf ws, gripped his wrist firmly.


    The warmth from her fingertips and palm seeped through his thin skin.


    Lance¡¯s heart raced as his wolf growled in the back of his mind, ¡°This is the scent of a true mate!¡±


    He instantly swallowed his rejection, recing it with a low, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s clean it up so it doesn¡¯t look so bloody and rming.¡±


    The injuries weren¡¯t severe¨Cjust scratches from nails.


    Cedric had raked his ws several times, leaving bleeding marks that appeared more daunting than they


    <b>were</b><b>. </b>


    Lance¡¯s wolf panted excitedly in his consciousness<b>, </b>celebrating the contact with his mate.


    This momentarily distracted Lance, his gaze involuntarily drifting to Adide¡¯s focused profile.


    Adide led him to an adjacent room, instructed Jasmine to fetch some ointment and clean water, and asked Beata to request bandages from Galvin.


    Her voice carried an undeniable aura, yet beneath ity a barely perceptible tenderness.


    Once everything was ready, Adide gently washed away the blood with a cloth.


    Her touch was <b>as </b>delicate <b>as </b><b>if </b>she were polishing a fragile moonstone, her fingers trembling ever so slightly but not affecting the meticulousness of her cleaning.


    She gently applied the ointment and wrapped twoyers of gauze around his hand, from wrist to the back, avoiding the thumb¡¯s crotch<b>, </b>and finished with a secure knot.


    When the gauze touched his skin, Lance¡¯s wolf growled again in his mind¨Ca low, almost chuckled sound.


    Treating such wounds was second nature to Adide. She had plenty of experience tending to her own injuries in the Shadow Peaks.


    Lance watched her skilled yet quick movements. As she lowered her head, he noticed her thickshes fluttering like petals in a breeze.

 Novel Male 202

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance felt a stir in his heart. It was rare to see her so gentle.


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    Looking at the twoyers of gauze on his hand, he chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch, no need for all this fuss.¡± His voice carried a hint of indulgence, an subconscious effort to ease the charged atmosphere.


    ¡°Why not?¡± She looked up, her amber eyes wide and shimmering like flickering mes in the candlelight.


    ¡°This kind of wound can get infected and pus¨Cfilled if not treated properly. I¡¯ve been through it. Let me show you my scar,¡± she said, extending her hand to reveal a half¨Cfinger¨Clong scar on her wrist, now faintly pink.


    ¡°It was infected once. My wolf healing kicked in, but it left this mark. Your hands are so nice. It¡¯d be a pity if you got a scar¡­ Well, you¡¯d still look good,¡± she added, trailing off as if catching herself.


    Lance¡¯s wolf let out a cheerful whine at her concern.


    With a teasing smile, he said, ¡°What¡¯s the use of a man having nice hands?¡±


    Adide replied earnestly, ¡°It¡¯s better than ugly,¡± her tone brooking no argument, as if stating a survivalw of the werewolf world.


    He chuckled, his voice softening, ¡°Then you might be disappointed. I¡¯ve got plenty of scars.¡± His tone carried the resignation of a werewolf warrior, where honor and scars are eternalpanions.


    Adide sighed softly, her fingers gently brushing the edge of the gauze as if sensing his warmth. ¡°I believe every scar on you has a story,¡± she said.


    ¡°And they¡¯re your glory,¡± she added after washing her hands, shing a bright smile. ¡°I¡¯ve got my own glory too.¡±


    ¡°Are your wounds all healed?¡± he asked, recalling her battlefield injuries.


    ¡°Long ago. I take pride in them,¡± she said, dismissing the servants and ordering refreshments and coffee. ¡°Ask Mallory and the others to join us for coffee.¡±


    Jasmine reported, ¡°Beta Valentin has already invited them to the front hall for coffee. They¡¯ll head back soon. Doctor Digby told them Cedric needs to sleep and they needn¡¯t wait. They said they¡¯d return


    tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Adide nodded, visibly relieved.


    ¡°It¡¯s better they leave. I have little to say to them and can¡¯t just leave with guests around.¡±


    Lance asked, ¡°Does having me here make you ufortable?¡±


    ¡°How could it?<b>¡± </b>she replied in surprise.


    K


    ¡°We¡¯rerades¨Cin¨Carms and soon to be mates. We¡¯ll be spending our lives together.¡±


    She smiled again, ¡°Besides, we were schoolmates. There¡¯s no awkwardness between us.¡±


    Lance rolled his eyes, now a little uneasy.


    The refreshments and coffee were ready. Adide poured him a cup. ¡°I know you always say thanks aren¡¯t. needed, but I must thank you. Without you, Cedric might still be with those people, a rogue suffering abuse, scorn, and hunger.¡±


    Her eyes welled up. ¡°Mallory told me most disabled young rogues don¡¯t live past ten. Weakened by daily maltreatment and cold hunger, they often die from minor illnesses or freeze to death in harsh winters. Every year, we collect the bodies of many young rogues, most died of starvation or freezing.¡±


    Her voice choked. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine Cedric dying silently and being thrown into the wilderness for stray dogs. I¡¯ve had that nightmare several times.¡±


    Lance, unable to bear her tears, said gently, ¡°Don¡¯t think like that. Your family must have been watching over him, leading me to him. Otherwise, among so many rogues, how would I have noticed and recognized him?¡±


    She looked up, tears still on hershes. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll always remember your kindness. No matter what you ask of me in the future, as long as it doesn¡¯t vite my conscience, I¡¯ll do it for you.¡±


    Lance said seriously, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to do anything for me. If anything, I want you to live well, happily and joyfully. That¡¯s what your family would want.¡±


    She was touched, tears sliding down her cheeks. ¡°Why are you so kind to me?¡±


    Lance couldn¡¯t stand to see her like this, his heart aching.


    Reminded of her battlefield resilience and seeing her current vulnerability, the tenderness in his eyes was undeniable. He turned away, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be kind? You¡¯re my fianc¨¦e. We¡¯re to spend our lives together.¡±


    Adide should have been moved, but she¡¯d heard simr words before.


    This triggered an unwee memory, one she couldn¡¯t suppress despite her efforts.

 Novel Male 203

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s voice carried a rare, lingering resentment, ¡°I¡¯ve heard those exact words once before. We all know how that ended.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t sure why she said it¨Cit was such a downer.


    She wasn¡¯t one to be <b>so </b>sentimental, yettely, around him, she felt unusually fragile, like a tearful little girl.


    Lance looked at her steadily. ¡°Don¡¯tpare me to him. For me, there¡¯s death, but no rejection¨Cnot ever. And abandonment? Impossible. My promises weigh more than gold. If you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯ll spend my whole life proving it.¡±


    Her eyes widened at his mention of ¡°death.¡±


    He met her gaze, unflinching. ¡°I could die first, you know. Then you won¡¯t have to take care of an old, injured man in yourter years.¡±


    Adide snorted augh. She couldn¡¯t picture him old.


    Probably like the old Lycan King? Though even he wasn¡¯t that ancient when he passed.


    She sniffed, feeling uncharacteristically emotional. ¡°I¡¯ll remember every word you said. If you break today¡¯s promises, I won¡¯t let you off the hook.¡±


    He mock¨Cgasped. ¡°So you do want me to die first and return to the Moon Goddess¡¯s arms before you?¡±


    Adide pondered. ¡°How about we go together?¡±


    He thought for a moment. ¡°Deal.¡±


    Beata, eavesdropping, was initially touched but gradually unnerved <i>by </i>their conversation¡¯s turn.


    She blurted out, ¡°Why are you two talking so weirdly? Life and death stuff¨Cnning to follow each other to the grave?¡±


    At her words, the pair exchanged a nce. Adide¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she shot Beata a re. ¡°Don¡¯t be. ridiculous.¡±


    Lance lifted his coffee cup to hide his rising smirk.


    The idea of following each other to the grave was exactly his wish¨Cthey were mates, after all, inseparable in life and death.


    This was the same wish he¡¯d cherished when he proposed to Aire before heading to the southern border.


    He¡¯d nned to swiftly resolve the conflict and return to mate with the girl he loved.


    He fought fiercely on the battlefield, securing victory after victory<b>, </b>eager to expel the enemy from the south.


    After capturing thirteen cities, news from the capital shattered him¨CAdide had mated with Ulrik.


    It felt like a bucket of ice water doused from head to toe, chilling his heart.


    He couldn¡¯t fathom why Aire had reneged on her promise.


    Was she unaware of his triumphs?


    He had regarded Alpha Bentley as a father figure, determined to fulfill his unfinished legacy.


    But why?


    The thought of that bright girl bing another wolf¡¯s mate caused him agonizing heartache.


    Yet war pressed on, allowing little time for sorrow.


    Daily, he persuaded himself to let go, to wish her happiness now that she was another¡¯s.


    It was difficult, but he knew her joy mattered above all.


    When they met again on the southern border, his emotions were a tangled mess.


    He¡¯d drop subtle hints about her mate, and her evasions spoke volumes.


    His fists clenched repeatedly at the implication that Ulrik might mistreat her.


    Later, he discovered she¡¯d dissolved the mating bond- the man didn¡¯t deserve her. Absurd.


    Ulrik¡¯s name burned in his memory¨Cthe man wasn¡¯t fit to have her.


    Fury consumed him at the thought of her suffering such indignity.


    Yet after his anger subsided, an selfish joy crept in. Of course, he hid it well, ensuring no one detected his secret delight.


    During their days fighting side by side on the border, he had to constantly mask his feelings, reminding himself not to let a hint of personal emotion slip into his gaze.


    After three years on the southern border, he experienced huge ups and downs and ups again.


    Despite being seen through by Lycan Erasmus upon returning to the capital, it didn¡¯t matter.


    He wanted no part inmanding the army in peacetime¨Conly her.


    He was aware of Erasmus¡¯s suspicions, but royal brotherhood was never pure. With its mix of barriers and camaraderie, maintaining a surface harmony sufficed.


    Should suspicions and barriers dominate, he¡¯d take Adide and Cedric far from the capital¨Cthey¡¯d carve


    out a good life <b>together</b>.


    Lost in these thoughts, he nced at <b>her</b><b>. </b>Their <b>eyes </b>met. His heart skipped.


    Adide¡¯s <b>face </b>burned, yet her spirits sank. She was falling for him, yet his heart belonged elsewhere.


    <b>How </b>could this mismatch happen to her?


    She¡¯d contemted a mating bond with him solely forpanionship.


    Never had she imagined, after a failed mating bond, she¡¯d develop feelings for Alpha Lance <b>so </b>swiftly.


    Beata, noticing Adide¡¯s suddenly flushed face, asked curiously, ¡°Why are you so red?¡±


    Adide quickly grabbed her coffee cup, hiding her heated cheeks behind it.


    Beata, oblivious to social cues, pressed on.


    Lance sipped his coffee, but his telltale smirk gave him away.

 Novel Male 204

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Lance considered Cedric his lucky star. The idea of treating Cedric poorly wasughable; if anything, Lance was more likely to spoil him rotten.


    Perhaps it was fate.


    A fleeting nce had drawn him to Cedric, though, initially he¡¯d only sensed a resemnce, nothing more.


    After all, following the massacre of the Frostfang Pack, Adide had been the sole survivor.


    Yet Lance had been inexplicably certain it was Cedric and had pursued him without hesitation.


    Despite losing him in the chaos, Lance had eventually brought him back.


    He liked to think Aire might have regretted her past decision, choosing to bless his rtionship with


    Adide instead.


    That was aforting thought. There was still a knot in his heart over Aire choosing Ulrik over him.


    He believed he was in no way inferior to Ulrik. Setting aside status, hisbat skills and character were superior.


    As for looks and physique, Alpha Lance simply didn¡¯t care.


    ncing at Adide again, he put down his coffee cup and said, ¡°I should head back to the Royal Court. Just started, so plenty of handover tasks. I¡¯ll visit Cedric after work tomorrow.¡±


    Adide stood. ¡°Alright, let me see you out.¡±


    Lance¡¯s lips curled into a smile, his eyes bright as he softly agreed, ¡°Alright!¡±


    As they strolled out, she noticed his light attire and reminded him, ¡°It¡¯s getting chilly. Put on more clothes.¡±


    ¡°Will do. You too, take care,¡± he responded, her concern warming him. It turned out having someone who cared about his well¨Cbeing felt this good.


    After she¡¯d mated with someone else, he¡¯d felt like a lone wolf.


    But now his heart was always filled with sweetness. The loneliness was gone, and in his free time, all he wanted was to be with the Frostfang Pack.


    He wished to give her the best the world had to offer, to make up for the hurt she¡¯d endured.


    The next day, when Cedric woke up, the pain was still there but had lessened considerably from the bone- resetting agony.


    While enduring the pain, he forced smiles to reassure Adide and the Thunder Pack members.


    His strong front was heart¨Crending.


    Despite this, throat treatment continued. Galvin said it couldn¡¯t stop.


    No throat treatment had been done during yesterday¡¯s bone¨Csetting, but it was carried out today.


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    Especially since yesterday¡¯s painful cry had a significant effect. Both Digby and Galvin believed the toxins in his body were dissipating faster than expected.


    Moreover, the addiction to soul grass hadn¡¯t rpsed, surprising Digby.


    After all, even adult werewolves needed over six months to quit soul grass. Yet here was a seven¨Cyear¨Cold child disying such strong willpower.


    Privately, Digby said to Galvin, ¡°The Frostfang Pack indeed has no weaklings. Admirable.¡±


    Galvin wholeheartedly agreed.


    During Cedric¡¯s treatment, he¡¯d developed deep affection for the boy, treating him like his own son.


    He felt both heartache and admiration for him and naturally wished for his swift recovery.


    While Cedric recuperated, Adide went nowhere.


    She had Beta Valentine turn away numerous visitors, except for her cousin Melinda and her mate, Dwight Santos.


    Dwight was handsome and carried an air of arrogance.


    After all, as the son of the Alpha of the Soulrend Pack and a young elite, he had every right to be arrogant.


    His status became even more prestigious after mating with Melinda.


    At twenty¨Cthree, Dwight had reached heights many never achieve in their lifetime.


    Thus, he could afford to be arrogant.


    He even looked down on Adide.


    His evaluation of Adide was somewhat fair¨Cgood family background, striking appearance, strongbat skills, and decorated with battle merits. Such she¨Cwolves were rare.


    However, she was also one of the few who dissolved a mating bond only to form a new one shortly after.


    He believed a she¨Cwolf should be loyal to one partner for life.


    Dissolving the bond once was a mistake; doing so again waspounding it.


    His gaze toward Adide openly conveyed his disapproval.


    Had it not been for Melinda, Adide would have paid no heed to his attitude or his discontent.


    <b>However</b><b>, </b>Dwight made no effort to mask his disapproval of Adide.


    After Adide and Melinda discussed Cedric¡¯s situation, he actually said, ¡°Miss Davidson, aren¡¯t you concerned that Cedric will struggle to stand on his own in the future? It might be better to have the Thunder Wolf Pack raise him.¡±


    Adide was taken aback, thinking he referred to Cedric staying with the ckthorn Pack.


    She patiently exined, ¡°Since Alpha Lance rescued him and dotes on him, nning to personally raise him, Cedric is happy to stay. As his aunt, having him live with me in the ckthorn Pack isn¡¯t being <b>a </b>burden. How could he struggle?¡±


    Dwight cast a faint nce at her and said, ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m referring to. <b>It¡¯s </b>a blessing for him to be raised by Alpha Lance. I¡¯m talking about how your dissolved mating bond and new one affect your family¡¯s reputation. Even if Cedric inherits the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Alpha position, he¡¯ll bear a stigma. People¡¯s perceptions will look down on him.¡±


    Melinda gently admonished, ¡°Dwight, don¡¯t be disrespectful.¡±


    Dwight retorted, ¡°If you still consider her your family, then the truth must be spoken. Truth is often harsh. I wonder if Miss Davidson can stomach it.¡±


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°If it¡¯s the truth, of course I can take it. But may I ask, what exactly are ¡®people¡¯s perceptions<b>¡°</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>

 Novel Male 205

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Dwight spoke with a cold arrogance, ¡°Other people¡¯s opinions are based on moral principles and mainstream ideas that everyone generally follows.¡±


    I nodded and asked, ¡°So, may I ask which of his actions doesn¡¯t align with these morals<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s your new mating bond that¡¯s holding him back.¡±


    ¡°How is my new mating bond rted to him? That¡¯s my business,¡± I said calmly, showing none of the shame Dwight expected.


    I asked further, ¡°Is remating legally forbidden, or against social customs? Are there no examples of it today? If the Moon Goddess grants werewolves a second chance, can¡¯t a she¨Cwolf remate? If a she¨Cwolf is rejected or cast out, must she live alone forever to meet others¡® expectations?¡±


    Dwight sneered contemptuously. ¡°You¡¯re just making excuses!¡±


    Unable to counter my logic, he resorted to scorn.


    I smiled more broadly. ¡°Dwight, the real worry is for someone who doesn¡¯t cultivate virtue, doesn¡¯t study, doesn¡¯t do what¡¯s right, and doesn¡¯t correct mistakes.¡±


    Dwight¡¯s face flushed with indignation. He snapped, ¡°You¡­ I meant well, and you use me of not studying? I¡¯d rather not associate with a rtive like you!¡±


    With that, he stood up abruptly. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Melinda hurriedly stood up too, tearfully saying, ¡°Adide, we¡¯ll head back now and visit again in a few days.¡±


    I sighed gently. ¡°Alright, just go ahead.¡±


    Ivy watched them leave and sighed, ¡°Melinda might note back.¡±


    I responded, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Dwight to be so old¨Cfashioned at his age.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    I frowned as I sipped my coffee. ¡°Whether I take it to heart or not isn¡¯t the point. The key is Melinda has to live with him forever. I don¡¯t get why she¡¯s so timid and indecisive around him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s loving too much,¡± Ivy seemed to understand the ways of love.


    ¡°To many she¨Cwolves, a werewolf like Dwight shines like a star. Melinda thinks mating with him is <b>a </b>dreame true for many, <b>so </b>she values this mate highly.¡±


    I fell silent, my brow furrowing.


    Could love truly make one <b>so </b>submissive?


    I thought of Lance, who was also favored by many she¨Cwolves.


    Would he be as proud as Dwight after mating?


    And I seemed to have feelings for him. Could I remain indifferent?


    ¡°Shortly after Dwight and Melinda mated, they had two breeders,¡± Ivy casually mentioned.


    ¡°How could Melinda tolerate that?¡± I asked in surprise.


    ¡°Apparently, these breeders were gifts from a superior, hard to refuse.¡±


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    Ivy had uncovered more details. ¡°Melinda can¡¯t just drive them away. Besides, they¡¯re just breeders, who can be sold or cast out.¡±


    ¡°Do you think so too?¡± I looked up and asked.


    Ivy gave a wry smile. ¡°Does my opinion matter? What matters is what they think and do. Survival for she- wolves in this world is tough. Back when Luna Aire had you bond with Ulrik instead of the Olsons¡­ I mean, she chose him because he promised no mistresses or breeders.¡±


    I sensed Ivy had misspoken.


    ¡°Did you just say my mother didn¡¯t choose who I¡¯d mate with?¡± I probed.


    Ivy tried to cover up. ¡°No one specific. I meant many Alphas visited Aire. She chose Ulrik for his promises.¡±


    I felt she was hiding something, but I wasn¡¯t interested in the suitors¡® identities.


    Regardless of the ¡°Olsons,¡± it was all in the past.


    I had my mating ceremony with Lance in two months. The past was over; the future was a fresh start.


    I¡¯d leave the past behind and embrace rebirth.


    Cedric could walk a little now, but only a few steps before returning to bed.


    The Frostfang Pack was busy preparing for the mating ceremony. The wedding dress had been in produce since the engagement day.


    Most capital citizens would choose the Etainil Dress Shop for their fine work, speed, and fame. Even wealthy outsiders would spend fortunes to order wedding dresses or formal wear there.


    Today, Ivy went to check on the progress and returned with a strange look, <b>as </b>if she wanted to say something but thought better of it.


    <b>I </b>asked, <b>¡°</b>Is there a problem with the wedding dress<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    I was wearing a stand¨Ccor cloak, having helped Cedric view flowers and then carried him back.


    He wanted to walk, but following Digby¡¯s advice, I limited him to two or three daily strolls.


    +20 Free Coins


    After Ivy saw Cedric take his medicine and tidied up, she said, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, really. I just ran into someone from the Olsons<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°The Olsons?¡± Their name immediately reminded me of what I¡¯d overheard before.


    I replied, ¡°Yes. I recall the Olsons visited my mother. But since that¡¯s in the past, let¡¯s not dwell on

 Novel Male 206

    Adide¡¯s POV


    After settling Cedric in, Ivy and I headed out.


    The sky was overcast<b>, </b>and the wind was biting. I wrapped my cloak tightly around myself. Ivy handed her water cup to Jasmine and we made our way to the warehouse.


    I intended to sort out the new assets acquired by the Frostfang Pack.


    The wind carried Ivy¡¯s voice in fits and starts, ¡°It¡¯s not about the past. I was at Etainil Dress Shop for our wedding dress when I overheard that Gloria from the Olsons was ordering a dress there. Turns <b>out </b>she¡¯s mating with Ulrik.¡±


    My cedar pheromones rippled slightly, and I absentmindedly rubbed the silver fox fur trim on my cloak.


    My wolf whimpered softly in my mind.


    We¡¯d dissolved our bond, yet my wolf still remembered our former mate.


    I asked, puzzled, ¡°Ulrik¡¯s mating again? What about Velda? Did they dissolve their mating bond, or did he cast her out?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Velda was never a true Luna, more like a breeder. Now Ulrik¡¯s mating with his rightful Luna.¡±


    ¡°Gloria Olson? The same Olson as Tad Olson?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Exactly!¡±


    I recalled Gloria, who¡¯d also dissolved a mating bond before.


    She¡¯d been bonded to General Abbot¡¯s son, a rising wolf general.


    But after <b>a </b>year, he died in battle.


    The Abbots, kind¨Chearted, didn¡¯t want to trap Gloria.


    General Abbot agreed <i>to </i>dissolve the mating bond and let her leave the pack, even escorting her back to her birth <b>pack</b>.


    Rumor had it she initially resisted leaving butter returned.


    Being three years older than Ulrik, her mating bond with him was unexpected.


    ¡°How did thise about? Would Velda agree? Did Ulrik consent?¡±


    <b>Despite </b>knowing I shouldn¡¯t pry, curiosityced my cedar pheromones.


    Ivy replied, ¡°Details are <b>scarce</b><b>, </b>but it¡¯s said that Elder Cyrus¡¯s mate yed matchmaker<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    My wolf cars twitched under my hood.


    Cyrus, the Royal Elder Council President, whose mate usually minded her own business, was an unlikely matchmaker.


    Given Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s current state, many she¨Cwolves avoided Velda.


    Who wanted to deal with overbearing Velda?


    And with such aplicated family situation, any sane she¨Cwolf would back away.


    Yet the prospect of allying with Ironw Pack must have pleased Rosemary.


    Still, I wondered if there was more to it.


    But I brushed it aside¨Cit was none of my concern, merely gossip.


    Two dayster, Ironw Pack¡¯s Luna sent word that she and Gloria would visit tomorrow to ¡°congratte Cedric on his return.¡±


    When Ivy came to report, her voice carried a cautionary sulfurous tone, ¡°Maybe you shouldn¡¯t meet them. It¡¯s unclear what they want. If they were here to scout the Bloodmoon Pack, they should havee earlier, not when the bonding and wedding dress are already in preparation.¡±


    The silver¨Cmoon patterned cufflinks on my sleeves gleamed coldly in the dim light as I tapped my fingertips on the desk. ¡°What did the message say?¡±


    Ivy said, ¡°They im to celebrate Cedric¡¯s return, but it¡¯s a weak excuse. If they¡¯d truly cared, they¡¯d have visited sooner.¡±


    I recalled Ulrik¡¯s new mate¡¯s identity and suddenlyprehended.


    Realizing their likely intent was to assess the benefits and drawbacks of Gloria bing Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna through Frostfang Pack¡¯s royal connections, I replied calmly, ¡°Tell them Cedric¡¯s still recovering and can¡¯t receive visitors. Once he¡¯s better, I¡¯ll bring him to Ironw Pack.¡±


    Ivy respectfully nodded in acknowledgment. As she turned to leave, the air from her cloak caused the candlelight to flicker.


    I knew they¡¯d reallye to discuss Bloodmoon Pack matters.


    Since I had no say in those affairs, avoiding them was wise.


    Two days after responding, the first snow of winter fell¡ªa light dusting that quickly ceased.


    Despite the cold, I took Cedric to the garden.


    Some wax¨Cplum blossoms had opened, their yellow flowers sweetly fragrant and strikingly beautiful.


    Cedric was delighted, his face flushed but beaming.


    He tried to speak, cing his hand on his throat, but couldn¡¯t make a sound, growing more flustered.


    I squatted down and said gently, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Take your time. We¡¯re not in a rush.¡±


    Cedric nodded, disappointment briefly crossing his face.


    He¡¯d been able to make some sounds before, but now he waspletely voiceless.


    However, his smile quickly returned.


    He touched my cheek with his cold hand,ughed heartily, and shook his head, signaling he wasn¡¯t upset.


    0

 Novel Male 207

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I held Cedric¡¯s hands, my cedar pheromones releasing a calming aura.


    ¡°Digby says you¡¯ll be fine. The potent medicine is just purging the Silencing Leaf toxins trapped in your neck. Once you spit them out, you¡¯ll speak again. No need to worry,¡± I reassured him.


    Cedric nodded vigorously.


    I knew he was anxious, closely following the preparations for my mating ceremony with Lance.


    I suspected he wanted to offer his blessings in person.


    Plus, with many wolf guests at the ceremony, he likely didn¡¯t want to be mocked as a voiceless wolf.


    After admiring the wax¨Cplum blossoms and ice crystals for a while, we returned to the room.


    Galvin arrived just then with wolfsbane ointment for a dressing change.


    My moon goddess ne glimmered in the candlelight as I asked, ¡°How¡¯s his leg now?¡±


    ¡°The bone¡¯s set well. Even after shifting, there¡¯ll be no deformities. Once the silvermoon ointment fully activates the healing factors, he¡¯ll run like any healthy pup,¡± Galvin exined while applying the wolfsbane ointment and wrapping the wound with bandages that carried a faint sulfurous scent¨Ca secret medicine to elerate werewolf bone healing.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said gratefully.


    Galvinughed and replied, ¡°No need. We¡¯d feel guilty epting payment for such services.¡±


    I responded with a wry smile, ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. Doctor Digby¡¯s medicine is expensive, and with him visiting frequently and youing every other day, I¡¯d feel terrible not paying.¡±


    After finishing the dressing, Galvin stood up and said, ¡°I was joking. Digby insists on a one¨Cdor charge¡ª no more. He was <i>so </i>pleased Cedric returned that he couldn¡¯t sleep for three days.¡±


    I was naturally unable to pay just one dor, but I was deeply moved by Digby¡¯s care.


    In the evening, Lance came to visit Cedric. Hisfort proved more effective than that from Galvin and <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    With a single sentence-¡°As a powerful werewolf, you must learn patience¡°-he eased Cedric¡¯s anxiety.


    Lance also spent half an hour practicing writing with Cedric, whose handwriting and finger dexterity improved noticeably.


    Clearly, Cedric was a sociable child.


    While Lance was there, he asked numerous trivial questions on paper, just for casual chat.


    Lance patiently replied to each one.


    After apanying them for a while, I arranged for dinner and invited Lance to stay.


    As he asionally dined with the Frostfang Pack, Ivy had learned his dietary preferences.


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    He wasn¡¯t fond of sweets but would tolerate them, and though he couldn¡¯t handle spicy food well, he always tried to apany me in eating it.


    With arge appetite, he ate arge amount, epting both meat and vegetables.


    Tommy had once mentioned that Lance fully shifted morning and evening, running in the forest for an hour each time, in addition to his court duties during the day, leaving him with hardly any free time.


    This exined why a busy day would lead to a hearty appetite.


    After dinner, I watched Cedric take his medicine¡ªa ck liquid darker than ink.


    Under my supervision, he drank it in one go.


    I gave him a candy and said with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re being such a good boy.¡±


    Cedricy down obediently.


    Dr. Digby had said that the best medicine was sleep. Sufficient rest allowed the medicine to work effectively.


    I didn¡¯t disturb him and went out to chat with Lance.


    Lance had just finished talking with Beta Valentine and learned about the message from the Ironw Pack.


    He brought up Ulrik and Gloria¡¯s situation.


    ¡°Finding a Luna for Ulrik was Lycan Erasmus¡¯s idea,¡± Lance said, standing before a tree with his hands behind his back.


    The sky had darkened, and the Frostfang Pack¡¯snterns illuminated the square, casting half in brightness and half in dimness, making his face appear in shadows.


    ¡°Was it Lycan Erasmus who authorized the Royal Elder Council President?¡± I asked, somewhat surprised.


    ¡°Why would he do that? He agreed to Ulrik and Velda¡¯s mating bond. Now he¡¯s seeking a Luna? I recall Velda¡¯s mating ceremony was conducted as the pack¡¯s Luna.¡±


    ¡°Regardless of the ceremony¡¯s basis, the royal family now considers Velda Ulrik¡¯s breeder. Lycan Erasmus wants to make her life difficult,¡± he replied.


    I acknowledged this, knowing Lycan Erasmus had been holding a grudge over the Bloodscar Border


    incident.


    Such suppressed resentment was understandable.


    ¡°Why choose Gloria Olson?¡± <b>I </b>questioned.


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    ¡°When Cyrus presented the list, Lycan Erasmus specifically designated her. The reason will be clear if you think it through,¡± he said.


    I paused<b>, </b>considering his words.


    He continued, ¡°Lycan Erasmus is helping you get revenge, though that¡¯s not his main goal. He¡¯s primarily using Ulrik. Tad now leads the Royal Army. Though his abilities are limited, his reputation holds weight. A union between the two packs benefits Ulrik.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°I understand why Lycan Erasmus would use Ulrik, but he doesn¡¯t need to do this for me. Gloria had no choice but to agree.¡±

 Novel Male 208

    <b>3/3 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide thought that Lycan Erasmus wanted to get revenge for her by pairing Ulrik with a she¨Cwolf who dissolved her mating bond after a year¨Cjust <b>as </b>she and Ulrik had.


    But Gloria might not have agreed to mate with Ulrik if not for Lycan Erasmus¡¯s designation.


    When Gloria visited the Frostfang Pack, Adide assumed she wanted to assess Ulrik¡¯s character.


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s actions made Adide feel she might have dragged Gloria into trouble.


    This wasn¡¯t about revenge but making enemies.


    It seemed Adide needed to meet Gloria to clear the air and prevent Frostfang from gaining foes.


    While she didn¡¯t care about herself, she didn¡¯t want Cedric, the future Alpha, to suffer from any grudges.


    Noticing Adide¡¯s furrowed brow and swirling cedar pheromones, Lance said, ¡°Ironw Pack¡¯s Luna Cynthia ising to visit. She likely wants to ask about your dissolved mating bond with Ulrik. The story was all over town, but they¡¯re reasonable enough to know not to believe everything they hear. They want to hear the truth from you.¡±


    Lance always knew what was happening in the Frostfang Pack.


    Every time he visited, he¡¯d first check in with Beta Valentine, who treated Lance as one of their own.


    Valentine knew Adide was rational, but with the pack¡¯s small size and limited manpower, many tasks still required Lance¡¯s attention.


    New members couldn¡¯t be fully trusted yet, so Valentine often informed Lance, who¡¯d send people to investigate or handle matters.


    This was one reason Lance visited frequently.


    After chatting with Adide for a while, Lance was ready to leave. He had a pile of cases to review. As the newly appointed head of the Royal Court, he was buried in paperwork, which strained his eyes daily.


    Moreover, he needed to mastermercialw. Memorizing legal statutes was crucial; otherwise, his position as the Royal Court¡¯s president would be a mere figurehead.


    Adide saw him off as usual.


    They had a tacit understanding, but now Adide was more guarded.


    She subconsciously kept her distance during their goodbye, trying to manage her feelings.


    She reminded herself that they were to spend their lives together and couldn¡¯t afford to fall helplessly in


    love.


    <b>1:21 </b>am


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    Although Lance had promised no breeders or mistresses, such matters weren¡¯t entirely within his control.


    Even Dwight, despite his pride, had breeders sent by superiors.


    And Lycan Erasmus and Prisci might do the same for Lance, given the royal Lycan¡¯s emphasis on


    progeny.


    While Adide appreciated Lance¡¯s promise, she knew better than to let her heart rule her mind.


    But the heart is hard to control, especially when it¡¯s so far from the rational brain.


    The next day, Adide sent an invitation to Ironw Pack, requesting Luna Cynthia and Gloria¡¯s visit.


    They arrived within the hour.


    Adide was dressed casually today. Upon hearing they wereing, she quickly asked Beata to help her change.


    She switched into a moon¨Cwhite dress, draped ake¨Cblue cloak over her shoulders, and fastened the ruby ne returned by Glenveil Pack¡¯s Rowena around her neck. The outfit was simple yet elegant.


    Ivy had already offered them coffee. The two visitors, apanied by two omegas, rose and greeted Adide upon her entrance.


    ¡°Miss Davidson!¡± they said in unison.


    ¡°Please, sit down, Luna Cynthia, Gloria,¡± Adide said with a smile.


    Luna Cynthia, in a dark blue coat, appeared authoritative with her neatlybed gray¨Cstreaked hair.


    Gloria, in a simple white fox¨Cfur stole over a pale yellow dress, was beautiful butcked vitality.


    Her demeanor seemed older than her mother¡¯s.


    Adide exined, ¡°I received your message a few days ago, but Cedric was under treatment, and I couldn¡¯t entertain guests. I declined to avoid rudeness.¡±


    ¡°Now that he¡¯s better, I wanted to invite you both to thank you for your concern for Cedric,¡± she added.


    Since they imed to be visiting to greet and check on Cedric, Adide naturally responded in kind.


    Luna Cynthia inquired, ¡°How is Cedric now?¡±


    ¡°Much better<b>, </b>thank you for your care,¡± Adide replied.


    Luna Cynthia smiled and said, ¡°I know your pack is well¨Cprovided, but please ept these gifts for Cedric,¡±


    An presented a beautifully wrapped box.


    Adide protested, ¡°This <b>is </b>too much! We¡¯re grateful for your visit<b>, </b>but such expensive gifts¡­¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ¡°ept them as our pack¡¯s token of goodwill,¡±


    <b>una </b>


    seldom interacted before, we¡¯re delighted Cedric is alive.¡±


    Adide ceased her refusal, thanked them, and had Ivy take the gift.

 Novel Male 209

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Luna Cynthia clearly wanted to make small talk, but Gloria was growing impatient.


    She directly asked me, ¡°Miss Davidson, could you tell me why you dissolved your matting bond with Alpha Ulrik? Was there any problem with his character or behavior?¡±


    Luna Cynthia frowned and said, ¡°Gloria, be polite.¡±,


    Gloria¡¯s tone remained stubborn as she replied, ¡°I know it¡¯s forward, but I hope you can tell me the truth, Miss Davidson.¡±


    ¡°Gloria reminds me of someone,¡± I said with a smile.


    ¡°And who might that be?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Oh, Tabitha, my brother¡¯s mate,¡± I replied.


    Mentioning my deceased rtive, Gloria¡¯s attitude softened, and she quietly said, ¡°I see.¡±


    She sighed and leaned back in her seat.


    Seeing her less restless, I exined, ¡°You asked why I dissolved the mating bond with Ulrik. Simply put, he wanted to mate with Velda, and I couldn¡¯t tolerate it.¡±


    ¡°Is that truly the reason?¡± Gloria asked doubtfully.


    I affirmed, ¡°Yes, it is.¡±


    Gloria looked puzzled and said, ¡°Why? She was just a breeder. How could that affect your position as Luna?¡±


    My wolf sneered inwardly. I wanted to say that Ulrik had imed his heart belonged only to Velda, but I couldn¡¯t reveal that to Gloria.


    Instead, I said, ¡°When he and my mother asked for our mating bond, he promised no breeders or mistresses. Later, he broke that promise to my mother.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Gloria said thoughtfully. ¡°Breaking a promise is wrong, but dissolving a mating bond seems hasty. Enduring a mistress would have been easier.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fortunate you dissolved the mating bond. Now you¡¯ll mate with Alpha Lance. Being a royal Luna is better than being Bloodmoon¡¯s Luna,¡± Gloria said with a hint of a smile.


    I didn¡¯t like the implication in her tone.


    I replied coolly, ¡°Destiny is beyond our control. It¡¯s all the Moon Goddess¡¯s n. When I dissolved the mating bond, I never expected to be Alpha Lance¡¯s mate.¡±


    ¡°Gloria, how can you speak so impertinently?¡± Luna Cynthia chided.


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    ¡°I apologize. I¡¯m in¨Cspoken. I hope you don¡¯t take offense, Miss Davidson,¡± Gloria said, her smile fading.


    She then asked, ¡°What¡¯s your true opinion of Alpha Ulrik? Since you parted ways, he must be despicable in your eyes.¡±


    I found this amusing and countered, ¡°If I already think so poorly of him, why ask my opinion?¡±


    Luna Cynthia red at Gloria, then turned to me apologetically. ¡°Miss Davidson, please don¡¯t mind her. She¡¯s been solitary and doesn¡¯t know how to measure her words. We came not only to visit Cedric but also to learn about Ulrik from you.¡±


    ¡°To truly know a man, you shouldn¡¯t ask me,¡± I said.


    ¡°As Gloria pointed out, I dissolved our mating bond, so naturally I couldn¡¯t bear him. How could I think well of him?<b>¡± </b>


    I saw the two women¡¯s faces change and took a sip of coffee before continuing, ¡°But my grievances with him are personal. From the moment we dissolved the mating bond, I regarded him as a stranger, and those personal feelings no longer exist.¡±


    I paused and added, ¡°I hardly knew him. We had just bonded when he went to war. When he returned to mate with Velda, we dissolved ours. Until the end, we were still strangers.¡±


    Luna Cynthia nodded. ¡°That does make you strangers.¡±


    ¡°I got to know him on the southern border battlefield,¡± I added.


    Gloria¡¯s attitude shifted to one of respect. ¡°Right, you¡¯re a decorated gamma from the southern border.¡±


    ¡°Speaking as a fellow wolf general,¡± I said, ¡°he¡¯s a goodmander¨Cwilling to follow orders, not seeking credit, and brave with strategy. As for his personal morals, I can¡¯t give you a definite answer since I didn¡¯t know him well. You might want to ask others.¡±


    Gloria seemed satisfied, but Luna Cynthia asked another question, ¡°We heard that before dissolving the mating bond, he wanted to drive you out of the Bloodmoon Pack, and the old Luna even schemed to seize the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets. Is that true?¡±


    I felt relieved and thought, ¡°Right, this is something I can confirm.¡±


    I nodded and said, ¡°Yes, the Bloodmoon Pack did want to expel me, and the asset scheme is also true.¡±


    The two women exchanged nces and fell silent.


    While other matters could be discussed, scheming against the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets was inexcusable.


    Gloria asked unwillingly, ¡°Was it Ulrik¡¯s scheme or his mother¡¯s?<b>¡± </b>


    I sensed Gloria¡¯s fondness for Ulrik.


    <b>2/3 </b>


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    Perhaps she admired wolf generals because her previous mate had been one.


    Or maybe their mating bond was already set in stone, and she simply wanted Ulrik to be a good person.

 Novel Male 210

    r 210


    Adide¡¯s POV


    I thought for a moment and shared the truth as I knew, ¡°I¡¯m not sure whose idea it was specifically. Ulrik said he didn¡¯t want the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets, but I genuinely don¡¯t know if that was his true feeling.¡±


    Hearing this, the tension in their expressions eased slightly.


    Luna Cynthia was a sensible person. She couldn¡¯t have been unaware of the old Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s follies.


    I sipped my coffee slowly and told them the truth.


    Regardless of how the alliance between Gloria and Ulrik came about, as long as they were clear in their hearts, that was all that mattered.


    They had no more questions to ask and chatted idly for a while longer.


    Luna Cynthia rose to take her leave, casting a deep nce at me as she said, ¡°Many things are indeed beyond our control, but your frankness today has been greatly appreciated by both of us. Originally¡­


    She paused, waved her hand, and continued, ¡°Never mind, Miss Davidson, take care.¡±


    Her words were charged with meaning, and I caught their significance.


    They couldn¡¯t make decisions about the alliance, which was why they had harbored some resentment toward me earlier.


    But now that I had met with them and been open, they seemed to have let go of their grievances.


    After seeing Luna Cynthia and Gloria off, I sat in the conference hall for a long while, somewhat dazed.


    What was Ulrik¡¯s stance on the alliance? Didn¡¯t he only have eyes for Velda?


    Recalling how Velda hade before me with such arrogance to show off, I didn¡¯t expect that Ulrik would soon have a new Luna.


    I wondered what Velda thought of this and whether she found her past haughtiness ridiculous.


    Although Gloria wasn¡¯t the easiest person to get along with, as the daughter of the Alpha of the Ironw Pack, she was the most suitable candidate to manage the pack.


    Rosemary would likely take a liking to her.


    There was no other reason. Although Gloria was also on her second chance, she brought with her a fair amount of personal assets.


    The Alpha of the Ironw Pack was now also favored by the royal family.


    Velda had said she wouldn¡¯tpete with other she¨Cwolves for attention, but it remained to be seen


    whether she would hold to that this time.


    <b>Was </b>she fated to be the very person she despised and looked down upon?


    Though curious, I had no intention of sending someone to inquire.


    However, before I could do anything, someone from the Bloodmoon Pack came to visit¨CVanya.


    Vanya hade once before when Cedric returned but had avoided the topic of the Bloodmoon Pack altogether, <b>as </b>she didn¡¯t want to spoil the happy asion with unpleasant matters.


    This time, Vanya brought me a betrothal gift. It wasn¡¯t much or particrly valuable, but it was heartfelt.


    I knew that Vanya and her family, due to their involvement with Isaiah and Rosemary, hadn¡¯t been faring well, which was why they didn¡¯t have many valuable items to offer.


    I immediately tried to decline, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll ept the clothes, but I can¡¯t take these jewels¨Cthey¡¯re too expensive.¡±


    Vanya gave me a stern look and said, ¡°If you won¡¯t ept them, it means you look down on me. I know these things may seem insignificant to you, but they¡¯re my way of showing my sincerity. You have to take them.¡±


    Given her insistence, I had no choice but to ept.


    I expressed my gratitude sincerely, ¡°Thank you so much. And to have you sew clothes for Cedric and me personally¨Cthese gifts are precious, and I truly cherish them.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like them, I have nothing else to give. Otherwise, all the money would have to go toward Ulrik¡¯s mating ceremony,¡± she said with a sigh, immediately realizing she had misspoken and apologizing, ¡°Oh, why am I talking nonsense like this?¡±


    She knew she had said too much and shouldn¡¯t have brought up the matter.


    I smiled gently, ¡°It¡¯s quite alright. I don¡¯t take offense. Consider it as listening to an amusing anecdote about others.¡±


    Relieved that I wasn¡¯t upset, Vanya couldn¡¯t help butin, ¡°Every time it¡¯s the same¨Corganizing a mating ceremony and draining the pack¡¯s funds. What¡¯s most frustrating is that their ceremony is scheduled for the same day as yours.¡±


    I was taken aback, as I hadn¡¯t known this. ¡°On the same day? Are they in such a hurry?¡±


    My mating ceremony with Lance had been in preparation for several months.


    How long had they been nning theirs? Likely, they hadn¡¯t even had time to make the wedding dress.


    Vanya said with a hint of bitterness, ¡°It¡¯s Rosemary who¡¯s in a rush, insisting on the same date. Perhaps she wants to send a message that just as you can mate with Alpha Lance after dissolving your previous mating bond, Ulrik can also form an alliance with the Ironw Pack.¡±


    I knew Rosemary <b>had </b>always beenpetitive, but what was the point of such rivalry?


    <b>It </b>would only provide more gossip for others.


    Yet, I had no right to criticize.


    The choice of date was theirs, and I had no control over it.


    Ivy came in with a bowl of chocte pudding that Vanya loved, joking, ¡°You¡¯re in for a <b>treat</b><b>, </b>Vanya. It¡¯s been ages since <b>we </b>made chocte pudding, and today, just when you arrive, there it is.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s words weren¡¯t entirely true. We now made desserts daily to apany Cedric¡¯s medicine.


    Vanya looked at Ivy and smiled, ¡°I have a sweet tooth. Word of good food reaches me quickly. I had a bit of


    a cough, but after enjoying this delicious pudding, I¡¯ll surely be fine when I get home.¡±


    I asked with concern, ¡°Your cough hasn¡¯t improved? I remember hearing you cough when you visited Cedric <bst </b>time.¡±


    ¡°The constant noise and chaos in that ce¨Cit¡¯s a miracle if anyone gets better,¡± Vanya said, stirring the pudding gently with a spoon, her face a mix of worry and disgust.


    ¡°Ulrik either doesn¡¯t return to the pack or, when he does, Velda argues and evenys hands on him. And he just endures it¡ªno retaliation, no defense. She acts like a shrew all day, and he lets her, knowing it¡¯s his own fault.¡±


    ¡°And another thing,¡± Vanya suddenly looked up at me, ¡°if Veldaes to see you, don¡¯t meet her. She¡¯spletely unhinged now.¡±

 Novel Male 211

    Adide¡¯s POV


    Hearing Vanya¡¯s words, I felt surprised.


    Shaking my head, I said, ¡°How could shee to find me? Impossible.¡±


    ¡°Why impossible? When they were arguing in the meeting hall, she said she¡¯d find you,¡± Vanya said, shrugging helplessly.


    ¡°What would she want with me?¡± I said, feeling incredulous. ¡°I have nothing to do with them anymore.¡±


    ¡°Who knows what she¡¯s thinking? Her mind¡¯s half¨Ceaten by bugs,¡± I coughed twice and finished the chocte pudding on my te.


    Putting down her spoon, she said, ¡°Their arguing¡¯s disturbing the whole pack. I¡¯ve heard her say twice that she¡¯s going to drag Ulrik to you to clear things up.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s left to clear up?¡± I said, puzzled. When we dissolved the mating bond, everything was said. Further arguments would only lead to me, which was pointless.


    Vanya snorted, ¡°When Ulrik wanted to dissolve the bond with you, he said he wouldn¡¯t keep any assets you brought from the Frostfang Pack. But Velda insisted he should keep part of it. Ulrik refused, and Velda said if they had kept that money you brought, the Bloodmoon Pack wouldn¡¯t be struggling now and wouldn¡¯t have to ally with a she¨Cwolf who lost her mate.¡±


    I was totally shocked.


    Sometimes I really can¡¯t understand what Velda¡¯s thinking.


    ¡°So, the idea to withhold my funds wasn¡¯t just Rosemary¡¯s? Velda was in on it too?¡±


    ¡°It seems Ulrik didn¡¯tmunicate her intentions clearly. From their arguments, it sounds like Ulrik misunderstood her. She wanted to withhold the assets, but Ulrik thought he had persuaded her not to touch your assets. Anyway, it¡¯s all a mess,¡± Vanya said with disdain. ¡°If they keep fighting like this, it¡¯s bound to get out. Tamara can¡¯t control everyone¡¯s tongue. Probably in a few days, the whole city will know.¡±


    I still couldn¡¯t grasp it. ¡°So Velda wants to find me to get more property from the Frostfang Pack?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. You left when the bond dissolved. You couldn¡¯t leave assets behind. Who knows why she¡¯s dragging Ulrik to find you? With her crazy personality, she might actually do it. If shees, just don¡¯t see her,¡± Vanya advised before adding irritably, ¡°But with her current temperament, if you refuse to meet her, she might cause <b>a </b>scene at the pack¡¯s border, which would be a hassle.¡±


    I didn¡¯t expect their quarrel to involve me. I had nothing to do with them now.


    If it was not about assets, what else could it be?


    To demand an exnation? But I should be the one seeking it.


    When Vanya <b>left</b>, I had Ivy give her a box of gift.


    Vanya had a cough that acted up when it was cold. I¡¯d given her a lot before.


    Vanya refused at first, so I used her own words against her, ¡°If you don¡¯t take it, I feel you¡¯re rejecting me, and I won¡¯t ept your gifts either.¡±


    I motioned for Ivy to return the jewelry she had given.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take it,¡± Vanya quickly took the box and sighed, ¡°Always taking your things, I feel bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you who stood by me during my toughest times,¡± I said, linking my arm with hers as I escorted her out of the Frostfang Pack.


    After the Frostfang massacre, while Rosemary and Isaiah offeredfort, only Vanya truly stayed with <ol><li>me<b>. </b></li></ol>


    Knowing I couldn¡¯t eat or sleep, Vanya cooked milk for me to help me rest.


    Hearing this, Vanya nearly teared up, quickly wiping her nose and turning away. ¡°I consider you family.¡±


    I smiled and said, ¡°I consider you family too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± Vanya said with a smile, though her joy was tinged with sorrow.


    After seeing Vanya off, I returned to my room and helped Ivy put things away in the Frostfang storage.


    I folded the clothes and put them in the wardrobe, which would be movedter.


    As for Cedric¡¯s clothes, I¡¯d take them to him.


    Running my hand over the fabric, it was clear Vanya had put a lot of thought into it. The clothes were wless.


    ¡°Ivy, sometimes genuine kindness can earn genuine returns,¡± I said with a touch of emotion.


    ¡°Absolutely. In this world, not everyone is ungrateful. Such people are actually rare,¡± Ivy said, likely recalling Vanya¡¯s words, she frowned.


    ¡°If Velda dares toe, we¡¯ll have her escorted out. How can she have the nerve to face you? I¡¯ve never seen anyone so shameless.¡±


    I said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell Alpha Lance about this.¡±


    ¡°Got it. We definitely can¡¯t let him know. Alpha Lance dislikes people from the Bloodmoon Pack the most,¡± Ivy replied.


    Holding the clothes, <b>I </b>said, ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about them. Let¡¯s find Cedric and have him try on the clothes<b>.¡± </b>


    ¡°His new clothes <b>are </b>piling up. The Thunder Wolf Pack has also sent many custom children¡¯s outfits,<b>¡± </b>Ivy said.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>+20 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    ¡°We¡¯ll have him wear something new every day to make up for the two years he couldn¡¯t have new clothes


    before.¡±


    Everyone was trying their best to make up for Cedric¡¯s past, hoping he could forget those tragic memories.


    At the mention of new clothes, Cedric was delighted. Kids always love new clothes.


    C

 Novel Male 212

    <b>3/3 </b>


    Adide¡¯s POV


    The clothes fit Cedric perfectly.


    The cyan¨Cgreen satin fabric, lined with thin cotton, was suitable for spring and autumn.


    But with winter approaching, he¡¯d need a leather jacket or a thick woolen coat over it.


    He spun on his tiptoes, his eyes sparkling with silver¨Cblue¨Ca color unique to the Frostfang Pack, emerging when excited.


    Staring at his reflection, he nodded vigorously.


    ¡°Looks great, doesn¡¯t it?¡± I praised.


    Kneeling down, my cedar pheromones wrapped around him warmly as my fingers grazed his now¨Crosy cheek, restored by moonstone medicine.


    Over time, his once¨Cpale face had gained a healthy pink glow, and the silver¨Cblue in his eyes was more vivid than ever.


    Cedric nodded again, spun on his toes, and to our surprise, uttered ¡°Yes¡­¡± His voice was hoarse but clear.


    My cedar pheromones burst into a storm as I gripped his shoulders, feeling his excited shivers.


    ¡°Cedric, is that¡­?<b>¡± </b>


    Cedric froze in disbelief. Had he really spoken? The realization hit him, and joy spread across his face.


    He opened his mouth wide, emitting ¡°Ah¡­ Ah¡­¡± sounds, his happiness evident.


    His silver¨Cblue eyes widened as he tried another word, ¡°Aunt¡­!¡±


    His cheeks flushed red, the excitement making the silver¨Cblue in his eyes flicker like mes.


    Tears streamed down my face.


    I was hearing him call me ¡°aunt¡± again.


    Doctor Digby¡¯s musk pheromones preceded him as he entered, leaning on his wolf¨Chead cane. His obsidian eyes scanned Cedric¡¯s slightly red throat.


    After inspecting, he affirmed Galvin¡¯s efforts and praised Cedric¡¯s resilience.


    Tapping Cedric¡¯s nose, he said, ¡°Good boy. I thought it would take at least <b>a </b>year and a half.¡±


    ¡°But you said he had to spit out toxins to speak,¡± I quickly asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a hard rule. Looks like most toxins are gone. The voice¨Crted treatments did some damage, byt/3


    <b>+20 </b>Free Coins


    with time, he¡¯ll <b>recover</b>.¡±


    Digby applied sulfur¨Cscented ointment to Cedric¡¯s throat. ¡°Two years of silence made his vocal cords like rusty fangs. Some howling will fix that.¡±


    We exchanged relieved smiles.


    The daily wait for toxin expulsion was over.


    Digby¡¯s medical skills were truly unpredictable.


    I bowed deeply. ¡°Cedric should thank you, but his leg¡¯s still healing. Once he¡¯s better, I¡¯ll take him to express our gratitude properly.¡±


    Digby smiled. ¡°Get up. Your thanks waive the medical fee.¡±


    Galvin always mentioned fees, which annoyed Digby.


    Before I could object, Digby red. ¡°What? Not listening to me?¡±


    ¡°Of course I am!¡± I quickly said. ¡°Then I owe you a favor?¡±


    ¡°Get up. Not worth the trouble,¡± Digby rolled his eyes. ¡°We need to change his medication.¡±


    Valentin waited nearby. I considered not fetching medicine from Digby¡¯s hospital since he never charged, but Digby handed Valentin the list and saw through my thoughts.


    ¡°Keep getting medicine from me. The Frostfang Pack¡¯s in a tough spot and has offended the Madisons. Other ces might tamper with the medicine. Need to be cautious.¡±


    His words sent a shiver down Valentin¡¯s spine and a sigh from me¨CI¡¯d forgotten about the Madisons.


    Cedric¡¯s situation required utmost caution. Any ill¨Cintentioned sabotage could cause huge trouble.


    After seeing off Digby, his pheromones lingered.


    I immediately sent Valentin to the Thunder Wolf Pack to inform Mallory and Luna Audrey.


    Soon, the Thunder Wolf Pack arrived, flooding into the conference hall. Cedric was practicing standing with <b>a </b>wolf¨Chead cane.


    Audrey¡¯s pheromones surged as she rushed in, her approach making the wolf¨Cshaped wind chimes outside tinkle.


    Cedric¡¯s silver¨Cblue eyes widened with excitement as he clearly called ¡°Luna Audrey,¡± prompting another round of emotional tears from her.


    Once the Thunder Wolf Pack left, I took Cedric to the moonlight altar.


    This time, I wanted everyone to <b>see </b>a recovering Cedric.


    Afterying flowers, I had Valentin take Cedric away and stayed alone at the altar.


    I had so much to <b>say </b>but choked up.


    <b>I </b>wanted to tell them how once I felt the world was against me, and I was as lonely as a living dead person. But now things were different¨CI had Cedric, my uing mating ceremony, and a future full of hope.


    I promised to protect Cedric and help him inherit the Frostfang Pack.


    I realized I didn¡¯t need grand achievements. Cedric¡¯s well¨Cbeing was enough.


    My heart swelled with unspoken words.


    Once the youngest and most troublesome daughter, I now upheld the Frostfang Pack and became Cedric¡¯s


    support.


    I couldn¡¯t retreat to my mother¡¯s arms anymore.


    But life was filled with new hope, wasn¡¯t it?


    Yet, just as hope bloomed, Velda arrived.

 Novel Male 213

    Adide¡¯s POV


    I went to bedte, so I was surprised when Beata came to report early in the morning.


    +20 Free Coins


    She said Velda was causing amotion outside the pack¡¯s borders, demanding to see me. They couldn¡¯t drive her away, so they had no choice but to wake me.


    I sat up in bed, groggy and dazed for a moment¨Cshe had actuallye.


    I became more alert. Imunicated with my wolf and had it enhance my hearing. Sure enough, the distant noise from the pack¡¯s borders was intense¨Cit was Velda¡¯s voice.


    The back of my neck suddenly felt hot, and cedar pheromones escaped my control.


    Velda¡¯s pine needle scent mixed with wolfsbane lingered like an ice pick piercing the Frostfang Pack¡¯s barrier.


    Cedric made a weak whimpering sound in the next room. His silver¨Cblue pupils narrowed into slits through the door crack, apanied by loud shouting.


    I worried that if Velda kept this up, Cedric would be upset.


    Though he was much better, he was still frightened by fierce noises.


    My first instinct was to grab my silver spear and drive Velda out.


    But the Frostfang Pack is surrounded by powerful packs. Regardless of Velda¡¯s antics, as the current Alpha, I must maintain dignity.


    I was curious what she wanted now that she hade to my door.


    Beata¡¯s gray ears bristled with anger as she started to rush out but was stopped by my hand on her shoulder. ¡°Bring her to the conference hall. I¡¯ll change into a cloak with silver fox fur,¡± I said.


    There were few strong wolf guards in the Frostfang Pack. They could handle ordinary visitors, but Velda was skilled.


    If our guards were defeated by her, it would be embarrassing.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go bring her in,¡± Beata said, turning to leave. She told Jasmine to help me change and muttered something about bad luck.


    The pine¨Cwood table in the side hall gleamed coldly. Velda¡¯s purple¨Cred satin skirt brushed the floor. Under her ck crane cloak, her partially shifted wrist revealed an unhealed w mark, glowing with silver¨Cblue blood. The red coral earrings on her ears, carved with blood¨Cmoon totems, emitted a sulfurous pheromone with her emotional fluctuations.


    I was still in my semi¨Cold uniform but had thrown on a fox¨Cfur cloak.


    <b>It </b>was getting cold. It looked like snow wasing.


    Good, with another snow, Cedric could have a snowball fight.


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    The sky was very gloomy, the wind was biting, but it was nothingpared to the southern border.


    The wind there pierced to the core, as if scraping every limb.


    Outside the conference hall, I saw Velda.


    The pine¨Cwood table in the conference hall gleamed coldly. Velda¡¯s purple¨Cred satin skirt brushed the floor. Under her ck crane cloak, her partially shifted wrist revealed an unhealed w mark, glowing with silver¨Cblue blood.


    The red coral earrings on her ears, carved with blood¨Cmoon totems, emitted a sulfurous pheromone with her emotional fluctuations.


    She was dressed well, indeed exuding an air of nobility<i>, </i>but her eyes were cold, fixed on me as I slowly entered.


    She didn¡¯t stand or greet me. Her cold gaze followed my steps.


    I didn¡¯t beat around the bush. I sat down and asked, ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Velda¡¯s voice was eerily cold. ¡°Did you know Ulrik is nning to mate with that she¨Cwolf from Ironw Pack whose mate died?¡±


    Her voice was like an ice pick scraping over stone, her pupils beneath the veil slit vertically.


    My cedar pheromones turned sharp, and my wolf sneered inwardly. ¡°Does she think mentioning Ulrik will hurt me?¡±


    I unconsciously stroked the wolf¨Chead emblem on my silver spear, still carrying the blood rust from the southern border battlefield.


    ¡°What does this have <i>to </i>do with me?¡± I raised an eyebrow, my silverleaf scent escaping from the back of my neck. ¡°Whether I know or not, it¡¯s none of my business.¡±


    ¡°None of your business?¡±


    Velda sneered coldly. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re about to mate with Alpha Lance. How could you still care about him? But Adide, I ask you this: without Lance, would you still love Ulrik? Even after dissolving your bond, do you secretly hope he¡¯lle back to you? After leaving the Bloodmoon Pack, have you ever regretted it? Have you ever been envious of me? Have you ever hated me?¡±


    My wolf suddenly roared in my mind, my tailbone nearly piercing through my skin.


    My voice <b>was </b>cold. ¡°Did youe here just to say this? What answer do you want from me?¡±


    Velda spoke rapidly and impolitely. ¡°I want the truth. Without Alpha Lance, would you still love Ulrik? Do you hope he¡¯lle back to you? Have you regretted leaving? Have you been envious? Have you hated


    <b>2/3 </b>


    me


    1 recalled Vanya¡¯s words¨CVelda <b>was </b>nearly unhinged, and now she did seem a bit mad.


    What was the point of this?


    We¡¯d dissolved the bond long ago. Ulrik was about to bond again. Instead of approaching Gloria, she came to me, a person with no connection to her, and fired off these questions. What was the meaning?


    <b>I </b>answered her directly. ¡°First<b>, </b>since the day Ulrik told me he was bonding with you, I¡¯ve had no feelings left for him. I couldn¡¯t wait to leave the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    After hearing this, Velda let out a maniacalugh. ¡°You can¡¯t even tell the truth, Adide. Where¡¯s your courage? How hypocritical!¡±

 Novel Male 214

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide ignored her and continued, ¡°Second, I clearly remember your arrogant words that day. You demeaned women to worthlessness. I don¡¯t envy you. I only look down on you. As a woman, you show nopassion for other women. Your character is truly worrying.¡±


    Velda snorted coldly, ¡°Is that so? With your superiorbat skills back then, if you took offense at me, why not challenge me physically?¡±


    ¡°Because you meant nothing to me.¡±


    Adide¡¯s gaze was as deep as ink. ¡°In my eyes back then, you were a clown. I disdained physical confrontation. You only offended me verbally, and I responded in kind. Ulrik was the one who kept breaking promises. He was my sole target.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you keep saying you disdained it. I don¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t think of killing me back then,¡± Velda continued to sneer.


    ¡°I know your powerful wolf packs¡® nobility¨Chypocritical and pseudo¨Cnoble, yet small¨Cminded. You didn¡¯t cause me trouble just to maintain your fake virtuous image, thinking the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s family would support you. But they plotted to drive you out instead.¡±


    She raised her head, the ck veil on her face swaying. ¡°At that moment, you must have felt desperate, right? Humiliated and enraged?¡±


    Adide actuallyughed. ¡°What¡¯s desperate about that ce? Being trapped there is the real desperation.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still pretending. You¡¯re a master of disguise,¡± Velda, in a fit of anger, swept a vase off the nearby table to the floor and roared, ¡°Ask yourself, have you never hated me?¡±


    The vase crashed with a ¡°ng,¡± shattering into countless pieces.


    The flowers in the vase also fell, some petals soaked in water, turning pale.


    Adide nced at the vase and said indifferently, ¡°Beata, ask Valentin how much this vase cost. Have Veldapensate for itter.¡±


    <b>Beata </b>replied loudly, ¡°I know about the price. The vase isn¡¯t expensive, costing about fifty thousand dors, It¡¯s a new model this year, with only a dozen in the city.¡±


    ¡°Do you <b>dare </b>to make me pay?¡±


    Velda¡¯s voice instantly rose <b>several </b>decibels as she angrily shouted, ¡°Adide, letting you take all the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets was already exceptional generosity. Since you and Ulrik rejected each other, the assets naturally belong to the Bloodmoon Pack. What qualifies you to take them all?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide sneered, ¡°Ignorant of thew¨Cno wonder you were dismissed. I left via mate¨Cbond dissolution, so I have the right to take all the Frostfang <b>assets</b>. I could even demand the Bloodmoon Pack refund what they¡¯ve spent, but I didn¡¯t pursue it.¡±


    ¡°Oh So you want me to recover that money today? <b>I </b>can grant your wish. But I heard the Bloodmoon Pack is fundraising for a mating ceremony again. Just like when they borrowed money for your ceremony, they also asked me<b>. </b><b>Since </b>you took so much back then, shouldn¡¯t you now contribute to upholding your virtuous reputation and help Ulrik have a proper ceremony?¡±


    Dismissal, loss of military status, and Ulrik seeking a new mate¨Cthese were all Velda¡¯s sore spots.


    Adide¡¯s words twisted the knife in her heart.


    The wolfsbane scar on Velda¡¯s wrist suddenly emitted a blue glow¨Cthe Snke brand was resonating.


    The unhealed temporary mark on her neck seeped pine¨Cneedle pheromones. Enraged, her wolf¨Clike nails tore the satin. ¡°What¡¯s there to be proud of as a dissolved she¨Cwolf?¡±


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones froze into ice spikes, her Moon Goddess ne burning against her corbone.


    Yet she spoke calmly, ¡°And you, a breeder, what¡¯s there to be arrogant about?¡±


    Velda roared, ¡°I¡¯m Ulrik¡¯s mate. He mated with me in Luna¡¯s ceremony.¡±


    Her pheromones surged as she tore open her clothes, revealing the faint cedar mark on her neck, ¡°He marked me with the wolf bone knife from the Moon Goddess altar. I¡¯d die before giving up this Luna position!¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf growled deeply in her mind, her tailbone nearly piercing through her skin.


    ¡°Then go to the Ironw Pack to plead your case. Whye to me? Are you trying to salvage your pride from me? Velda, you say I hate you. Yes, I do¨Cdown to the bone.¡±


    Adide lifted her head, her eyes piercing with coldness, her voice drifting coldly into Velda¡¯s ears, ¡°I know exactly what you did at the Bloodscar Border. The massacre of my Davidson family is directly linked to your actions there.¡±


    Her pheromones suddenly wrapped around an Alpha¡¯s authority, shaking the wolf¨Cshaped windowpanes in the side hall and sending snow cascading down.


    <b>Velda¡¯s </b>pupils shrank to bloodlines, her pine¨Cneedle pheromones exploding with sulfur¨Ca sign of disrupted pheromones.


    She froze, clearly shocked that Adide had uncovered the truth.

 Novel Male 215

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide stood up and stepped through the water on the floor, approaching Velda one step at a time.


    She bent down and whispered into Velda¡¯s ear, ¡°Hasn¡¯t Snke¡¯s revenge woken you up yet? Do you still think you¡¯re the kingdom¡¯s top female Gamma? Velda, you¡¯re nothing. Ulrik mated with you out of novelty. If he truly valued you, he¡¯d give you the Luna position, not make you a breeder.¡±


    Velda¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°He¡¯s keeping some face for you, but I don¡¯t care about status.¡±


    Adide grabbed her cor, then let go and smoothed it out.


    Her voice was icy cold. ¡°Do you think I need his face? And what have you gained by not caring about status? You came here to show off, thinking I¡¯d hold back for my reputation?¡±


    Her fingers gripped Velda¡¯s chin, applying so much pressure that Velda¡¯s tears welled up.


    ¡°Killing you would be too easy. But I want you to live and see the day you be the very woman you despise¨Cone who understands the bitterness of a woman¡¯s role in a family.¡±


    Velda struggled and shouted, ¡°Let me go!¡±


    Adide didn¡¯t release her, forcing her to look up. ¡°Why do you think it¡¯s safe to provoke me? Is it because I dissolved the bond quickly, making me seem weak? Or do you think every woman is still pining for Ulrik, so youe to vent your frustrations on me? You¡¯re afraid to trouble the Ironw Pack but dare toe here? Luna Cynthia and Gloria are always polite to me.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Velda saw ruthlessness in her eyes.


    Had she misjudged Adide, who truly didn¡¯t want Ulrik back?


    ¡°The Bloodscar Border and your family¡¯s massacre are unrted,¡± she said weakly.


    ¡°Whether they¡¯re rted or not, you know the truth,¡± Adide said, releasing her.


    ¡°Leave five hundred thousand dors and get out of the Frostfang Pack. Bother me again, and I¡¯ll break your legs.¡±


    Velda¡¯s jaw ached, but Adide looked terrifying.


    She sat there for a moment, then coldly said, ¡°At the southern border, you could have sent troops to save me but didn¡¯t. You left me to suffer. I always thought it was because you resented Ulrik and me.¡±


    Adide straightened up, her voice frosty. ¡°That heartless man isn¡¯t worth my time. To me, he¡¯s worse than a dog, yet you still treasure him.¡±


    ¡°No! How could you not care? After all you did for the Bloodmoon Pack, how could you not love him?¡±


    Velda grabbed Adide¡¯s arm, her demeanor turning humble. ¡°Love once had its ce. You wouldn¡¯t want


    him <b>to </b>betray his feelings and bond with <b>a </b><b>she</b><b>¨C</b>wolf <b>he </b>has no affection for. Go to him. If you tell him not to mate with Gloria, he won¡¯t.¡±


    Adideughed coldly. ¡°Look at yourself, Velda. You¡¯ve be the very person you despised.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s different,¡± Velda said, breathing hard and staring nkly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t ept him mating with Gloria. She¡¯s a tramp.¡±


    Adide sneered. ¡°Believe me, she¡¯s not as low as you. At least she¡¯s polite. You, however, let Ulrik mark you on the battlefield. You¡¯re the real tramp. In terms of morals, you and Ulrik are equally despicable.¡±


    The insult enraged Velda.


    She kicked at Adide¡¯s stomach.


    Without dodging, Adide struck her shin with her elbow.


    Velda screamed in pain as Adide pinned her to a chair.


    ¡°Think carefully. What are you trying to achieve here?¡±


    Velda struggled but only slipped her veil, revealing her scarred face.


    Seeing Adide staring at her, Velda roared, ¡°This is your fault! I¡¯m here to confront you! You could have saved me but didn¡¯t! You even stopped Ulrik from helping me!¡±


    ¡°Adide, you hate me for taking him, so you let Snke humiliate me! You¡¯re just jealous and hateful! Admit it! You¡¯re a hypocrite!¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+20 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s you! You¡¯ve caused the discord between us! He won¡¯t even touch me now! If it weren¡¯t for you stopping the rescue mission, I wouldn¡¯t have suffered like this! Did you collude with Snke? Are you framing me together? They never touched me! You tell Ulrik the truth!¡± Velda¡¯s voice trembled with panic and fury, her pheromones reeking of sulfur¨Ca telltale sign of extreme agitation.


    ¡°Adide, they say you¡¯re a hero, but you stood by and did nothing! You¡¯re unfit to be a werewolf general! You let us fall into Snke¡¯s hands as prisoners! You let us endure torture and humiliation!¡±


    Velda¡¯s usations quivered as she tried to mask her fear with defiance.


    Adide¡¯s gaze sharpened, her cedar pheromones hinting at her forced calm.


    Still gripping Velda¡¯s cor, she turned to Beata and said, ¡°Watch Cedric and ensure he doesn¡¯t leave the house.¡±


    Her voice carried an undeniable aura.


    Beata, who had been ring at Velda, immediatelyplied. ¡°Yes, right away.¡±


    She sprinted off toward Cedric¡¯s yard.


    Her wolf growled approvingly in Adide¡¯s mind.


    Velda, unnerved by Adide¡¯s intense stare, snapped, ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    Adide hauled her up and dragged her outside despite the howling wind.


    Velda¡¯s hair flew wildly as Adide¡¯s grip remained unshakable.


    Adide¡¯s wolf rumbled deep in her mind. ¡°Let her feel our fury.¡±


    ¡°Where are you taking me? Are you going to kill me?¡± Velda screeched, her voice swallowed by the north wind.


    Snowkes finally began to swirl downward, settling on Adide¡¯s shoulders.


    The gloomy sky promised a heavy snowfall.


    Adide dragged her toward the altar.


    Beta Valentin instantly grasped her intent and hurried to clear the area around the altar.


    Once there<b>, </b>Adide tossed Velda inside and followed.


    Valentin swiftly exited, leaving Velda on the altar¡¯s floor. She panicked, looking around at the moonstonemps illuminating rows of wolf¨Chead statues on the walls.


    C

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    hapter 217


    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Velda was in a panic. Her pheromones fluctuated wildly, and a rotten scent emanated from the nds in the back of her neck.


    Her pupils rapidly shifted between wolf and human, showing her unstable state.


    Her fingers elongated into sharp nails that tore her clothes, yet she felt nothing.


    She muttered, ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. Those werewolves hid Western Tribe warriors. They weren¡¯t ordinary civilians. I was right to eliminate them. Your family was killed by Western Tribe warriors, and it has nothing to do with me.¡±


    ¡°Right, it¡¯s unrted. I¡¯m not wrong,¡± she said, swallowing hard and trying to crawl away.


    Adide¡¯s voice came from behind. ¡°Just like that, crawling on the ground. My brother¡¯s mate tried to protect the children. She was badly hurt but forced herself to crawl toward her children, leaving a trail of blood. She finally copsed beside them.¡±


    Velda froze, the scene shing in her mind, making her shudder even more.


    ¡°You say I hate you because you took Ulrik?¡±


    ¡°Compared to my family, Ulrik is nothing. I don¡¯t value him at all,¡± Adide¡¯s voice seemed distant, almost surreal.


    Yet the aura she radiated made Velda¡¯s wolf howl frantically.


    Adide looked down at her, her eyes void ofpassion.


    ¡°My hatred for you is beyond words¨Cit¡¯s the hatred of the entire Frostfang Pack. But I can¡¯t kill you revenge. If this were exposed, it would bring shame to our kingdom.¡±


    for


    ¡°I have to endure, to swallow this humiliation. My father and brothers sacrificed their lives on the southern border battlefield to protect the kingdom. So I must endure,¡± Adide¡¯s wolf whined painfully in her mind.


    She spun around and red at Velda.


    ¡°How dare you say the Davidson family isn¡¯t loyal to the kingdom? Who do you think you are to make such usations? You asked why I didn¡¯t save you. Let me tell you: I couldn¡¯t save you because you brought this upon yourself.¡±


    ¡°Snke led troops to the southern border, targeting you. They¡¯d already seized the area and held back forces during the attack on Darkw Town, waiting in the mountains for you to walk into their trap.¡±


    ¡°Should I have led thousands of werewolf warriors to sh with their army, sacrificing them to save you who vited the treaty? No one would do that.¡±


    Adide crouched down, her eyes cold. ¡°Your self¨Cdestruction isn¡¯t just about the Bloodscar Border. On


    Chapter


    pter 217


    the southern battlefield, Alpha Lance wanted you in a <b>reserve </b>position for protection. But you<b>, </b>seeking glory<b>, </b>charged <b>ahead</b><b>, </b>disrupting our <b>tactics </b>and triggering Snke¡¯s <b>trap</b>.¡±


    ¡°You <b>caused </b><b>all </b>this. No one has to risk their life for someone greedy, reckless<b>, </b>and self¨Cdestructive<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Velda recalled the battlefield details. She¡¯d reviewed everything and knew she¡¯d fallen into a trap.


    She had her suspicions about many things and was <b>well </b>aware of the truth, but she just refused to ept it, clinging to excuses and rationalizations.


    Her biggest <b>excuse </b>was that Alpha Lance was trying to advance Adide¡¯s position, so he¡¯d dered beforehand that her contributions in this campaign wouldn¡¯t be officially recognized.


    But now<b>, </b>with Adide breaking it all down, Velda had nowhere to hide.


    She could only shuffle to the door, curl up, and mutter, ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡±


    Adide stood before the moonlight altar. The wolf¨Chead statues behind her cast a soft glow, blurring her features.


    ¡°Velda, you¡¯re still alive. You should be grateful,¡± her voice echoed.


    ¡°My family can nevere back. All because of you. Of course I hate you. I endured all this<b>, </b>nning to leave you be, but why did youe here? Before the truth reached me, even when you and Ulrik sought to mate, I respected you as a she¨Cwolf willing to fight for the kingdom.¡±


    She stepped closer, her shadow enveloping Velda. ¡°But the truth is ugly. Your glory cost my family¡¯s lives. <b>Yet </b>here you are, boasting before me. You preach capability and pride, but when you schemed against the Frostfang Pack¡¯s assets, your greed was tant. Your hunger for glory was grotesque¨Cfar uglier than the <b>scars </b>on your face<b>.¡± </b>


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda braced her hands against the ground. Her mint¨Cgreen pheromones turned sour, and the healing mark on the back of her neck itched sharply.


    Her wolf cowered in her mind, ears drooping and tail curled nervously between her legs.


    She shouted, ¡°Stop! Please stop!¡±


    As Adide bent down, silver¨Cblue blood seeped from her knuckles. Her cedar pheromones,ced with the chill of fir, pressed against the floor.


    Her pupils slit into dark gold, and the wolf¨Chead pendant on her corbone grew hot. ¡°Can¡¯t take it anymore? You once sneered at she¨Cwolves who fought over Alphas. So why are you here today? To have me persuade Gloria not to mate with Ulrik?¡± Adide¡¯s voice was sharp. ¡°Remember this, Velda. Your past arrogance is now matched by your humiliation.¡±


    A broken howl escaped Velda¡¯s throat, her mint¨Cgreen pheromones thrown into chaos.


    She trembled, wanting to retort but reminded of her recent fights with Ulrik over his n to bond with Gloria<i>. </i>


    Her nails elongated instinctively, scraping sparks against the stone floor. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf eyes zed, her moon goddess ne ring with silver light.


    ¡°1


    The Frostfang Pack Alpha¡¯s aura pierced Velda¡¯s neck like an ice pick. ¡°Remember well¨Cthose deaths are on you. Be grateful I¡¯ve left the Frostfang Pack. Without my family¡¯s rules, I¡¯d tear you to pieces.¡±


    Opening the door, Adide found the snow had turned into a heavy downfall. Snowkes like salt grains nketed the ground, the sky dark and the snow falling faster.


    Adide¡¯s voice was colder than the blizzard outside, ¡°Compensate the fifty thousand for the vase, then leave and never return. Or I will kill you.¡±


    Velda shuddered with fear.


    She knew Adide¡¯s threat was genuine.


    Rising unsteadily, she checked her pockets and said helplessly, ¡°I don¡¯t have the money here.¡±


    ¡°Valentin,¡± Adide ordered coolly, ¡°have the treasurer draft a fifty¨Cthousand¨Cdor IOU. Let her sign it. We¡¯ll collect tomorrow.¡±


    Valentin¡¯s eyes dark with authority, acknowledged and left to handle the task.


    As the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Beta, his pheromones radiated uncontestable dominance.


    Velda stumbled out of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s square, leaning against a pir, gasping for air.


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    The cold wind whipped her tattered cloak, exposing the wolfsbane<b>¨C</b>scarred mark on her neck.


    She shook with cold, yet her forehead glistened with cold <b>sweat</b>.


    She was a mess¨Cmoments of utter despair alternating with futile attempts to regain her former dignity before Adide, which she couldn¡¯t even stand straight to attempt.


    The ghosts of civilians ughtered in Snowdeer Town flickered before her eyes, their screams merging with the curses of the Western Tribe¡¯s royal heir¨Cthe one whose nds were ripped out while he still screamed the Moon Goddess¡¯s name.


    How had she been so cold back then, even finding twisted pleasure in it?


    She retched against the pir, bile rising in her throat.


    Blood seeped through her fingers, dyeing the snow crimson.


    She dared not meet Adide¡¯s gaze again¨Cthose icy eyes like a drawn de.


    Every word Adide spoke was a truth she didn¡¯t want to hear but couldn¡¯t deny.


    She had desperately sought glory at the Bloodscar Border.


    Convinced she¡¯d earned top honors, she transformed from an ordinary warrior¡¯s daughter into Gamma Velda<i>. </i>


    She grew arrogant, viewing others as inferior, yet knew her birth was still lowly.


    Otherwise, with her merits at that time, if she had be Ulrik¡¯s mistress, others might not have agreed.


    She had agreed for two reasons: First, she truly admired Ulrik, and second, she knew that without her merits in battle, she would never have been able to join the Bloodmoon Pack.


    She¡¯d told Ulrik she disdained family politics, preferring the battlefield¨Ca performance for his benefit.


    He¡¯d believed her, his eyes filled with admiration.


    She wanted him to see she was different from other she¨Cwolves.


    And she seeded¨Cin securing their rtionship before returning to the capital, obtaining his temporary mark to ensure her ce in the Bloodmoon Pack.


    As for Ulrik¡¯s true Luna, Adide, she hadn¡¯t taken her seriously at all.


    She thought that she¨Cwolves from strong packs were always rule¨Cfollowers, boringly proper and weak- minded.


    But Adide had the Frostfang Pack¡¯s wealth. If she managed the pack¡¯s finances, money would be no


    issue<b>. </b>


    She nned to advance her career. Even as Ulrik¡¯s mistress, her status would surpass the ¡°Luna¡± once she


    <b>2/3 </b>


    held real power.


    But Adide turned out to be not a docile cat, but a hidden tiger, patient and strategic.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lost in thought, Valentin approached with the IOU and a pen, his tone cold. ¡°Sign here.¡±


    The $50,000 debt humiliated her.


    She red at Adide, but fear washed over her when their eyes met.


    She signed hastily and stumbled away.


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    Valentin filed the IOU and noticed Adide leaning against the corridor wall, her earlier coldness reced by visible heartbreak.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so upset,¡± Valentin consoled. ¡°Indifference is the best armor.¡±


    Adide shook her head, her voice soft. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just remembering how lively the pack used to be.¡±


    Valentin, too, fell into a mncholic silence.


    The Frostfang Pack endured, its status elevated, but few original members remained.


    Adide quickly regained herposure and headed back to her vi to be with Cedric.


    She worried he might have been frightened by the earliermotion, especially since Velda had been screaming as she was dragged away.


    To her surprise, she found Cedric calmly writing in his study, nked by Beata and Rachel.


    At the sound of her footsteps, Cedric looked up and greeted her eagerly, ¡°Auntie.¡±


    His voice was still a bit hoarse, and he struggled with longer sentences, but he was clearly improving.


    He¡¯d been practicing diligently, and Adide was confident he¡¯d soon speak normally again.


    ¡°What are you writing?¡±


    Adide asked with a smile, ruffling his hair as she peered at his progress. ¡°This character¡¯s got more strength to it.¡±


    Cedric¡¯s writing wasn¡¯t just about penmanship¨Cit was about rebuilding wrist strength after his hand injury.


    Lance had been insisting on this exercise for months.


    Cedric put down his pen, ced his hand on his throat, and said with determination, ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ protect you from now on!¡±


    Adide¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she smiled through her tears.


    Cedric might not grasp the full situation, but he clearly sensed the disturbance and wanted to shield her/3


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    Two dayster, Valentin, apanied by two pack guards, entered the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s territory. The frostfang emblem on his shoulder glimmered as they crunched through the snow.


    Meanwhile, Velday curled under a fur nket, her mint¨Cgreen pheromones mixed with the coppery stench of wolfsbane.


    The scab on the back of her neck oozed blood from her fever. Her wolf whined pitifully in the depths of her mind.


    The moonflower remedy the pack doctor had left was spilled on the bedside table, its shards stained with dark blue blood.


    Nightmares of ughtered civilians gnawed at her.


    But she shrugged off the $50,000 debt as mere humiliation from Adide.


    What was $50,000 to Adide?


    Surely she wouldn¡¯t send collectors to the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Yet the collectors did arrive.


    When informed by a Bloodmoon omega that the Frostfang Pack was demanding payment, Velda¡¯s nails dug into her palm.


    Her mint¨Cgreen pheromones surged, shattering the bedside moon goddess statue. ¡°$50,000? Adide¡¯s got the nerve to send dogs after me?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face burned with shame.


    Ulrik, unaware of Velda¡¯s visit to the Frostfang Pack, stayed in the pack today.


    They¡¯d been arguing frequently, and he¡¯d been sleeping in the study.


    This time, he returned to the pack only to renovate their vi for his new mate.


    Initially thinking the Frostfang Pack was settling old debts, he had Valentin brought to his study to spare Rosmary the trouble.


    Valentine held out a note that read, ¡°Velda of the Bloodmoon Pack smashed a vase at the Frostfang Pack. Unable to pay on the spot, she promises to repay the fifty¨Cthousand¨Cdor debt by tomorrow.¡± It was signed by Velda.


    Reading the IOU,Ulrik¡¯s face turned ashen. ¡°What is this? When did Velda go to the Frostfang Pack? And why break a vase?¡±


    Valentine said coldly, ¡°She went to the Frostfang Pack to see Adide the day before yesterday. They had a dispute, and she started smashing things. Impolite behavior aside, damages must bepensated. The vase cost fifty thousand dors. She promised to repay it the next day but failed. So, we¡¯vee to collect.¡±


    ¡°Velda went to the Frostfang Pack to see Adide and caused damage?¡± Ulrik was livid with disbelief.


    Ulrik¡¯s pupils narrowed, and his cedar pheromones erupted.


    He recalled Adide on their mating day, her silver¨Ctipped ears glowing in the candlelight.


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    ¡°Adide didn¡¯t want to meet her, but Velda was causing a scene at the border. To avoid disturbing Cedric, Adide let her in.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws tore through his gloves<b>, </b>scoring five deep marks on the desk. ¡°Who gave her the guts?¡±

 Novel Male 220

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Valentin waved his hand and said, ¡°None of that matters now. What matters is that Adide doesn¡¯t want any unresolved ounts with the Bloodmoon Pack. We all need to move on, so, Alpha Ulrik, will you pay the fifty thousand or not? If not, I¡¯ll take this IOU to court.¡±


    Ulrik had someone fetch a fifty¨Cthousand¨Cdor check and handed it to Valentin on the spot.


    Suppressing his fury, he said, ¡°Please extend my apologies to Adide. I hope she can be gracious and forget this incident.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know why he was so angry.


    Technically, since Velda was the one who caused trouble at the Frostfang Pack, he should apologize to Adide, and he did feel sorry.


    But Adide¡¯s words-¡°she doesn¡¯t want any unresolved ounts with the Bloodmoon Pack¡°-sounded so cold, as if she was avoiding him like a venomous snake.


    When Valentin took the check, he detected remorse in Ulrik¡¯s pheromones.


    The Alpha¡¯s cedar scent, usuallymanding, now resembled damp firewood, acrid and smoke¨Cfilled.


    Valentin sneered, ¡°With the money paid, Adide won¡¯t dwell on it. It¡¯s just a rabid dog barking. She¡¯s no stranger to such things. Some people, the farther they stay away, the clearer the Moon Goddess¡¯s light shines.¡±


    Ignoring Ulrik¡¯s ashen face, Valentin left with two pack guards.


    Technically, they weren¡¯t formal wolf guards but rogues who joined the Frostfang Pack and were assigned to patrols due to their physique.


    Ulrik stared at the empty doorway. He recalled Adide¡¯s words¨Cevery cent of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s money was stained with fallen wolves¡® blood.


    The check in his hand could buy a vase but couldn¡¯t retrieve the ¡°one and only¡± promise scattered by the wind and snow.


    His rage simmered, wanting to confront Velda immediately.


    But recent quarrels had exhausted him, leaving him too tired to even speak with her.


    However, an omega reported the Frostfang Pack¡¯s visit to Rosmary. She summoned Ulrik at once.


    Knowing the truth couldn¡¯t be hidden, Ulrik recounted everything.


    Rosmary¡¯s wolf ws were digging into the oak desk, cracking the moonstone¨Ciid wolf¨Chead emblem.


    Her silver¨Ctipped neck hairs bristled with aged authority. ¡°A menace! You¡¯ve chosen a real menace!¡±


    She cursed, ¡°Why on earth did you pick her? She¡¯s not only smashing things at home but now at the Frostfang Pack too. Do you realize who we¡¯re dealing with? Can¡¯t she see how she disgraces us?¡±


    Clutching her chest, her Moon Goddess ne faintly glowed.


    Her aged pheromones weakened but still carried undeniable authority. ¡°Velda must have gone to Adide to sabotage your mating with Gloria.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s pupils narrowed to slits, sulfur bursting in his ce?ar pheromones.


    He remembered Velda¡¯s delirious mutteringst night, ¡°Don¡¯t mate with Gloria.¡±


    Ulrik suddenly realized¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t provoke Adide for nothing. Could it be about his uing mating bond with Gloria, as Rosemary suggested?


    This realization unsettled him.


    He had reluctantly epted the arrangement.


    Juggling work, family, and pack duties, he constantly shed with Velda.


    After learning the truth about the Bloodscar Border, he found Velda terrifying and deeply disappointing.


    Tamara¡¯s timid nature made her unfit for pack leadership. Just caring for Rosmary¡¯s illness drained her.


    The pack needed a Luna to manage affairs, and the Royal Elder Council President¡¯s mate had proposed Gloria<i>. </i>


    This implied royal favor.


    Ulrikter learned Gloria was from the Ironw Pack and a widowed she¨Cwolf.


    This upset him.


    Yet her brother Tadmanded the Royal Army.


    Oddly, Lance had relinquished control of it.


    Ulrik couldn¡¯tprehend Lance¡¯s actions. Why relinquishmand? Why mate with Adide? With his status, he could choose any she¨Cwolf.


    Adide, despite her battlefield heroism, prestigious family, and striking beauty, had dissolved a previous bond.


    ¡°Ulrik, Velda¡¯s up to no good. You must ask her what she said to Adide. If she coerced Adide into interfering with your bond to Gloria, we¡¯re in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Adide despises us. She¡¯ll certainly try to sabotage us.¡±

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    45 Free Colos


    As Rosmary thought more, she became more convinced. ¡°Velda must have threatened Adide. Otherwise, with Adide¡¯s wealth, why would she bother to send someone <i>to </i>collect fifty thousand? <b>She </b>wouldn¡¯t care about fifty thousand, or even five hundred thousand.¡±


    Ulrik snapped back to reality. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Velda can¡¯t threaten Adide,¡± he said.


    Rosmary fretted, ¡°Even if she can¡¯t threaten Adide, what if she purposely says something to upset <b>her </b>and badmouths you to the Ironw Pack? That could ruin everything.¡±


    Ulrik shook his head, but inside, he was bitterly amused. He thought, ¡°If Adide did intervene, <b>it </b>would mean she still had feelings for him.¡±


    He even hoped she would.


    Then he jolted himself back to reality. What was he thinking?


    Adide and Lance¡¯s wedding was set. Even if she still had feelings for him, they <b>were </b>likely filled with


    resentment.


    After the messy dissolution of their mating bond, how could she not hate him?


    But what if she did still care¡­


    Ulrik¡¯s thoughts swirled, his heart pounding.


    He¡¯d always refused to admit his regret, but he knew deep down he was very regretful. He¡¯d once gone to great lengths to court Adide, only to discard her like a worn¨Cout cloth.


    Now he realized her worth, but it was toote¨Cshe was about to be someone else¡¯s mate.


    And he, it seemed, was getting hiseuppance, marrying someone who¡¯d lost their mate before. He used to think his love for Velda was steadfast. Now he wondered what that had truly been.


    Ulrik eventually went to see Velda. He was tired of the constant arguing. They needed to talk things through.


    His cedar pheromones frosted the hallway as he walked.


    Pushing open the door, his wolf ears caught the mint and wolfsbane stench¨Ca sign of Velda¡¯s lingering fever.


    In the room, Velday on the sofa, wrapped in a beast skin nket with blood¨Cmoon totems. Silver¨Cblue blood seeped from the scars beneath her ck veil.


    Since her cheek was shed by Snke¡¯s men at the southern border, her wolf soul often <b>whimpered </b><b>like </b><b>a </b>pup on full¨Cmoon nights.


    13


    <b>13:51 </b><b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>6 </b><b>Jul </b>


    She curled up, her wolf tail restlessly sweeping under the nket and knocking over a Moon Goddess


    statue<b>. </b>


    She had custom¨Cmade e veils in various colors and refused to leave home without one <i>or </i>a wide¨C<b>brimmed </b>


    hat.


    Previously, she was alwaysbative, ready to argue with him.


    Today, though, she se listless. She barely nced at him before looking away.


    The omega beside her spoke up, ¡°Alpha, you¡¯re finally here. She¡¯s been sick for two days.¡±


    He focused on the scars visible beneath her veil, the wolfsbane¨Cburned gashes mirroring the wounds in his heart. ¡°Are you feeling any better?¡± he asked.


    Velda turned away, ignoring him.


    Today, neither had the energy to argue.


    After sitting in the chair for a long time, Ulrik finally spoke in a deep voice. <b>¡°</b>Valentin came to collect <b>a </b>debt today.¡±


    Velda¡¯s eyes instantly turned cold. The omega had already briefed her.


    She spun around abruptly. The silver thread on her veil hissed through the air.


    Her pupils slit into bloodlines beneath the shadow, and her mint pheromones exploded with sulfur. ¡°What are you implying? using me of causing a scene at the Frostfang Pack?¡±


    ¡°What exactly did you do at the Frostfang Pack?¡± Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws burst from his sleeves, his knuckles pressing against the old wound in his palm.


    Beneath the ck veil, a mocking smile tugged at her lips. ¡°What else? I went to confront them, to demand why Adide didn¡¯t save me that day, driving a wedge between us and leading you to bond with someone else.¡±


    Ulrik became anxious. ¡°Haven¡¯t I already exined? It had nothing to do with her. The Western Tribe¡¯s werewolves were all massed on the mountain. Charging in blindly would have been suicide.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones suddenly turned chaotic as he recalled Adide standing at the mountain¡¯s foot, her silver spear gleaming coldly in the moonlight.


    Velda sneered. ¡°You certainly defend her well. The way you look at her¨Cdo you still har feelings for her?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s face darkened. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf released his Alpha aura.


    Though Velda was defiant, after swearing allegiance to the Bloodmoon Pack, her wolf couldn¡¯t <b>resist </b><b>her </b>Alpha aura.


    She bowed her head under the pressure but bit her lip tightly.


    After a while, Ulrik eased the aura.


    23


    13:51 <b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>Jui </b>


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    ¡°What a pity,¡± she said, turning away and clutching her nket tighter. ¡°You have feelings for her, but she doesn¡¯t give you a second thought. She even told me, ¡®What is Ulrik to me? In my eyes, he¡¯s nothing¡±


    Ulrik felt a dull ache in his heart as if struck by a heavy weight.


    He looked at the swan pattern on the carpet¨Cswans ying in the water, their postures intimately entwined. The sight stung his eyes.


    What was he to her now?


    Indeed, what was Ulrik to her heart?

 Novel Male 222

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide was Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter of the Frostfang Pack, a decorated figure on the southern border, and Alpha Lance¡¯s future mate.


    Her position towered over Ulrik¡¯s.


    ¡°Ulrik, if you hadn¡¯t used your merits to ask Lycan Erasmus for our mating bond, where would you and Adide be now?¡± Velda¡¯s voice turned soft yet madly self¨Cdestructive.


    The question struck Ulrik¡¯s core.


    His facade crumbled, his face drained of color.


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws dug fiercely into his palm, and blood mixed with cedar pheromones dripped onto the


    carpet.


    He¡¯d thought about this but never dared to deeply.


    He¡¯d convinced himself that dwelling on it was pointless<b>. </b>


    Yet deep down, he knew that without Velda, he¡¯d be living happily with Adide now, and his career would be smooth sailing.


    They¡¯d have achieved merits together on the southern border battlefield, and he might <i>have </i>be the Ironw Army¡¯s deputymander. Alpha Lance was always ready to promote young talents.


    Lycan Erasmus held him in high regard too.If he hadn¡¯t used his merits to ask for Velda back then, Lycan Erasmus would definitely have given him important responsibilities.


    But it was toote for regrets.


    So he never dared to look back, never dared to reflect, for fear of being consumed by overwhelming


    regret.


    Veldaughed, her scars bleeding as she smiled. ¡°Even though I hate that she didn¡¯t save me, I have to admit, every Alpha who¡¯s seen her rip enemy gs to shreds on the battlefield wants her as their mate.¡±


    She added, ¡°And she was once your Luna.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones froze.


    Shocked and soul¨Ccrushed, he left the room.


    Velda smirked in triumph. She wanted Ulrik to know what he¡¯d lost¨Ca radiant gem. In this way, even if Gloria could mate with him, she could never enter his heart.


    She couldn¡¯t have it, and neither could anyone else.


    But her words were a double¨Cedged sword. They branded Adide¡¯s name on Ulrik¡¯s heart and wounded


    her own.


    C


    13:52 <b>Sun</b>, 6 Jul


    Her tears fell as she realized how skilled she¡¯d be at such perry jealousy.


    Outside, Ulrik felt an urge to go to the Frostfang Pack and ask Adide if they could reim what was ba


    Even though Velda said that Adide didn¡¯t care about him, even though Adide¡¯s attitude <b>on </b>the battlefield had been clear, and even though he had ended their mating bond so decisively, he <b>still </b>felt dat Adide couldn¡¯t have erased him from her heart so quickly.


    She was just angry with him for his heartlessness and resented him for not keeping his promises,


    As long as she still hated and was angry with him, it meant she still cared.


    But the cold wind brought him back to reality. Perhaps he had never truly been unaware; he had jon been temporarily swayed by his emotions.


    It was toote.


    Adide was mating with Lance, and he with Gloria. Their paths had diverged.


    Ulrik silently returned to his study, his cedar pheromones crystallizing into frost in the air.


    Ulrik stared at the Moon Goddess statue, his fingers absentmindedly caressing it.


    His mind kept revisiting the moment from his mating ceremony with Adide when he¡¯d seen her poised and beautiful face.


    Her cedar pheromones had carried the freshness of new snow.


    He¡¯d pushed her away, and the thought still pained him.


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik! Alpha Ulrik!¡± Sabrina¡¯s knocks shook the wolf¨Cbone bookshelf. Her sweet pheromones and rose¨Cscented hair gel irritated Ulrik¡¯s wolf senses.


    He suppressed his anger. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Give me money for a moonstone hairpin I like.¡±


    ¡°The funds are all for the mating ceremony.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s knuckles rapped the desk.


    ¡°Why spend money mating with a she¨Cwolf who¡¯s lost her mate?¡±


    Sabrina stamped her foot. ¡°I need something decent for Wanda¡¯s Moon Goddess party next <b>week</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Ulrik opened the door, visibly annoyed. ¡°Stop speaking ill of Gloria. She¡¯ll be your Luna soon. Associating with Wanda will harm your reputation.¡±

 Novel Male 223

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Sabrina snorted coldly, her face darkening. ¡°What kind of Luna? She¡¯s just a she¨Cwolf who¡¯s lost <b>her </b>mate Even if she¡¯s from the Ironthorn Pack, so what? When I¡¯m with Alpha Lance and be his breeder, <b>she¡¯ll </b>have to bow to me.¡±


    Ulrik was stunned. ¡°What are you saying? Be Lance¡¯s breeder? Are you mad? Lance is bonding <b>with </b>Adide. When has he ever wanted a breeder?¡±


    Sabrina replied proudly, ¡°If Prisci agrees, I can be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder. Wanda <b>said </b>Prisci <b>is </b>afraid of Madison and does whatever Madison says. If I get Madison to like me, she¡¯ll rmend me <b>to </b>Prisci.¡±


    Ulrik snapped, ¡°You¡¯re crazy! Why would Madison like you? And how can you be Lance¡¯s breeder<b>? </b>People like them will just use you. Don¡¯t be fooled.¡±


    But Sabrina was stubborn. ¡°I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m going to be his breeder. Even if <b>I </b>get used, <b>it¡¯s </b>okay as long as Wanda helps me.¡±


    ¡°You stop this nonsense. Do you know what Wanda is like?¡± Ulrik red <i>at </i>his usually willful <b>sister</b>. ¡°And Lance is not someone to trifle with. If he doesn¡¯t like you, you¡¯ll only get hurt.¡±


    ¡°How could he not like me? He just doesn¡¯t know me yet. Once we spend time together, he will. Besides, if Lwin Prisci¡¯s favor, she¡¯ll protect me. Who would dare to bully me then? Adide? A defiled she<b>¨C</b>wolf? Bah!¡±


    She spat, filled with both hatred and jealousy for Adide.


    Ulrik¡¯s hand flew up, and he pped her across the face. His face was livid. ¡°Who did you call a defiled she- wolf? Say it again!¡±


    The p stunned Sabrina.


    She covered her cheek, stood there for a moment, and then burst into tears. ¡°You hit me? For that woman Adide? I¡¯ll tell Mother!¡±


    With that, she ran off, covering her face.


    Ulrik punched the study door, his


    Contorted with pain¨CAdide, defiled?


    The irony was that she had never been marked by him.


    How tragic that he realized his feelings only after losing her.


    Had hepleted the mark before going to war, perhaps he wouldn¡¯t have been <b>so </b>easily swayed by Velda¡¯s pheromones.


    Maybe their mating bond wouldn¡¯t have been so easily severed.


    Before long, Rosmary summoned him.


    <b>13:52 </b><b>Sun</b>, <b>6 </b><b>Jul </b>


    Before he could speak, Rosmary said, ¡°I think it¡¯s wonderful that Sabrina has these ambitions, and I fully support her. If Madison rmends her to Prisci, and she can enter the ckthorn <b>Pack</b><b>, </b><b>Alpha </b>Lance would be the perfect mate. I¡¯ll support her all the way.¡±


    Sabrina, having stopped crying, looked at him provocatively.


    Ulrik shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s impossible. Alpha Lance won¡¯t be interested in her.¡±


    Rosmary had clearly given this a lot of thought. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate our own. If Alpha Lance can <b>mate </b>with a woman who¡¯s dissolved a mating bond, why can¡¯t he be interested in our Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s <b>own </b>daughter? Your sister was raised by me. Besides being a bit spoiled at home, everyone <b>says </b>she¡¯s generous and proper in public. Moreover, if she wins Prisci¡¯s favor, Alpha Lance will listen to her.¡±


    Seeing the almost fanatical look on their faces, Ulrik stopped arguing.


    At most, Sabrina would be deceived by Wanda once<b>, </b>learn her <b>lesson</b><b>, </b>and wise up.


    He was far too busy to deal with such trivial matters.


    A few dayster, Prisci moved into Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack with Zelda.


    She brought all the omegas and wolf guards from the pce, turning the once¨Cquiet pack into a bustling, even noisy, ce.


    The first thing Prisci did after settling in was send out numerous invitations for a winter snow¨Cviewing party.


    She¡¯d always loved to show off. Now living with Lance in the ckthorn Pack, she couldn¡¯t miss this chance to disy her new status.


    What was the point of living in the pce?


    Though she was once the Lycan King¡¯s New Moon Priestess, her status was overshadowed by her sister rissa and the Full Moon Priestess.


    But now, with a powerful son, she was determined to show everyone how fortunate she was.


    Inviting Lunas from other packs, as well as royal officials and their families, served her purposes<b>. </b>She wasn¡¯t just breaking free from royal constraints but also intent on enjoying life¨Cher way of enjoying life -being endless showing off.


    She also nned to embarrass Adide by inviting everyone except her.


    She specifically exined to Lance why Adide shouldn¡¯t be invited. ¡°Your mating approaching. As the future Luna, it¡¯s inappropriate for her to attend as a guest.¡±


    Lance agreed.


    emony is


    He knew his mother all too well/Her <b>so</b>¨Ccalled snow¨Cviewing party was merely an excuse to show off her expensive jewelry and fancy clothes.


    Inviting Adide to such an event would only make her ufortable.


    Adide had no desire to attend Prisci¡¯s party. After Cedric started speaking, she <b>rxed </b>and <b>began </b>


    13.02


    organizing the books and materials her father and brothers had written before their <b>deaths</b>. During peaceful times, they¡¯d sent people to investigate various ces, marking <i>them </i><b>clearly</b>. However, their notes were messy and hasty. Adide was now transcribing them from <b>their </b>drafts

 Novel Male 224

    Adide¡¯s POV


    This task demanded heaps of time and energy¨Cno quick fix.


    Eyeing the stack of drafts on my desk, I knew it would take two or three months solo.


    A soft sigh escaped me¨Csure wish Craig were here.


    s


    Craig had this razor¨Csharp observation and thinking. nce at a doc, it was seared into his memory. When he wrote, it was like he had a muse whispering in his ear¨Cquick and smooth.


    I¡¯d been at this for days, eyes raw and burning, yet the n was still not shaping up.


    Lance only popped by once after Cedric started talking, then vanished.


    Seems being a ¡°Supreme Court chief judge¡± really shackled him. Must be tough learning the ropes from scratch.


    When he visited, he was spouting legal jargonmunity service sentences, prison terms¨Clike he was hexed.


    It broke my heart a little.


    I told him he didn¡¯t need to memorize everyw. There werew books for reference<b>, </b>and his staff were well¨Cversed.


    But he insisted, ¡°How can I lead a court without knowing thew? Either do it right or not at all.¡±


    I joked, ¡°Lycan Erasmus must be steaming. Why stick you with the court? It¡¯s a thankless job vetting cases and trying officials.¡±


    Lance¡¯s eyes momentarily clouded, but he quicklyughed it off. ¡°You don¡¯t get it. For sheer presence, who better than me to keep the riffraff in line?¡±


    He added proudly, ¡°Judiciary¡¯s crucial. He trusts me with this role.¡±


    Big talk, but when he left, he was mutteringws under his breath, head down.


    Just thinking about it makes me chuckle. My pen slips, ink streaks the page¨Canother sheet ruined.


    Typical. Never mix work with men.


    As <b>I </b>sat lost in thought, Beta Valentin burst in, panting like a sprinter.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a visitor¨Cyour old ssmate, Craig Neil,¡± he blurted, pupils quivering, hands scrubbing his uniform in nervous excitement.


    I snapped to attention. ¡°Really? I¡¯ll be right there!¡±


    Talk about perfect timing¨CCraig¡¯s arrival felt like a answer to my prayers.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    I bolted out like a gust of wind, with Valentin hollering, ¡°Take a cloak¨Cit¡¯s freezing out!¡±


    Ignoring him, I rushed outside, only to have him toss me a wolfsbane¨Cembroidered cloak.


    5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    In the conference hall, a man in a ck cloak sat calmly. Half his hair was tied with a blue ribbon, <b>the </b><b>rest </b>cascading down. His striking face held a gentle smile, as if the journey hadn¡¯t fazed him.


    He exuded an ethereal, schrly charm.


    I whirled into the hall and cry, ¡°Craig!¡±


    He rose, eyes fond with amusement. ¡°You¡¯ve grown taller and more beautiful,¡± he <b>teases</b>.


    I grasped his arm, cedar pheromones ring.


    My wolf ears trembled with excitement, pupils shimmering like diamonds in the candlelight. ¡°Where¡¯ve you been? Shadow Peaks? Did youe alone? What about Irene and the others<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Craig¡¯s Moon Goddess ring tapped my forehead, cold fir pheromones calming me.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t go to Shadow Peaks. I came from Bloodscar Border. Your other ssmates will arrive soon. Prune¡¯s homeward journey from Dragon Ash detected unusual pheromone trails.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Prune¡¯sing too?¡± My wolf pendant suddenly scorched my chest<b>, </b>silver light erupting from my ne.


    Beta Valentin, clutching a wolf¨Ctooth cloak, stepped forward. His juniper pheromones were wild with agitation.


    Staring at Craig¡¯s battle¨Cscarred pauldron, his wolf ears quiverred like autumn leaves.


    I didn¡¯t notice Valentin¡¯s excited gaze and said excitedly, ¡°How many people know you¡¯re here? Let me tell


    you,


    the royalty in New York City, many powerful pack Alphas, and officials¨Call of them admire you. Even Lycan Erasmus does. If word gets out you¡¯re in the capital, I bet lots of people will try to sneak into the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Craig replied, ¡°I showed my travel papers upon arrival, so the guard¡¯s likely don¡¯t recognize me. For now, we¡¯re in the clear.¡±


    He led me to a seat and looked me over, a flicker of tenderness crossing his eyes.


    ¡°Since many admire me,¡± he said, ¡°spread the word for me. If they wish to meet, let theme to Frostfang Pack. I¡¯ve collected quite a few paintings from the Bloodscar Border¨CI¡¯d be delighted to share them with everyone.¡±

 Novel Male 225

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    s


    Adide froze. She knew Craig despised noise and socializing. He never sold his paintings and only gifted them to kindred spirits.


    Sometimes Klein would handle his artworks, not out of financial need, as Warscar Training Camp was well¨Cfunded, but because Craig¡¯s paintings were too numerous.


    Klein never appreciated art, iming one¡¯s eyes were meant to witness the world¡¯s wonders, especially the flowers of the Shadow Peaks.


    Craig¡¯s indifference to art baffled Adide. She couldn¡¯t understand why Lance had chosen him <b>as </b><b>a </b>teacher. Had she chosen Irene like her mentor, it would have made more sense.


    ¡°Why?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°A party means you have to socialize with many people, chat with them. Most of them you can¡¯t rte to. You¡¯ve always hated that-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We all have to interact with various people in life. I¡¯ve chatted with many at the Bloodscar Border. Sometimes I¡¯d talk with hotel owners until dawn. I¡¯m not mute. I can make polite conversation.¡±


    Adide fell silent. ¡°Craig, you¡¯re doing this for me, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s unnecessary. I can hold my own in the city. No one dares to truly offend me.¡±


    ¡°In New York¡¯s aristocratic circles, violence won¡¯t resolve issues. Don¡¯t always resort to force. Remember what Irene taught you about fighting?¡±


    ¡°Of course, to be the strongest werewolf warrior, unbeatable by anyone!¡±


    Another light knock on the forehead. ¡°It was to protect yourself from bullying.¡±


    He smiled helplessly. ¡°The day after tomorrow it is. The Frostfang Pack will host a party then.¡±


    Valentin, eavesdropping at the door, couldn¡¯t help but interject. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s the same day Prisci is hosting her party. Quite the coincidence.¡±


    Adide knew Prisci hadn¡¯t invited her but wasn¡¯t sure of the exact date.


    She looked at Craig. ¡°When did you arrive in New York? This can¡¯t be a coincidence.¡±


    Craig smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a few days, exploring the city. I wanted some peace and quiet, not wanting to hear your nagging voice <b>so </b>soon!


    ¡°What? You arrived and didn¡¯te to find me immediately? That¡¯s outrageous!¡±


    Craig leisurely sipped his coffee. Halfway through the cup, he looked up to see Adide¡¯s eyes glistening. He sighed resignedly. ¡°You never tell us anything. I had toe <b>see </b>for myself. Whether you need our help or not, I at least needed to know you¡¯re doing well.¡±


    ¡°Craig, I¡¯m doing just fine, now,¡± Adide said.


    |||


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    s


    Sitting beside him, she wanted to act coquettish. Though she could still feign cheerfulness after <b>their </b>initial excitement, she couldn¡¯t maintain it. ¡°Cedric is back. I have family again. And I¡¯m about to bond. Alpha Lance treats me well.¡±


    ¡°Lance wouldn¡¯t dare treat you poorly,¡± Craig said naturally. ¡°He¡¯s Klein¡¯s student, training at the camp for just one month a year. Klein rarely lets him out. You probably haven¡¯t met him before.¡±


    ¡°I had no idea he was our schoolmate. <b>This </b><b>is </b>such a mix¨Cup.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile, her lips curving involuntarily at the mention of Lance.


    ¡°What? nning to lord it over him as a senior? Let me tell you, Klein holds this student in high regard. Don¡¯t bully him. Besides, the strongest fighter at the Warscar Training Camp is him, not you. You have talent but arezy. He has both talent and diligence. Even with just one month of training a year, he surpasses you.¡±


    Adide felt no disappointment, only pride. ¡°I know he¡¯s amazing. I¡¯m not jealous¨CI¡¯m proud of him.¡±


    ¡°Unchanged thick¨Cskinned as ever.¡±


    Craig nced at her and turned to Valentin, who was excitedly standing at the door. ¡°You¡¯re the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Beta, right? Please spread the word that I¡¯ll be hosting a painting exhibition at the Frostfang Pack the day after tomorrow. No need for formal invitations¨Cjust let the news circte.¡±


    ¡°You got it!¡± Valentin hurriedly agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll pass the message right away. Oh, should I prepare coffee and pastries?¡±


    ¡°No need for pastries. Just coffee,¡± Craig said.


    ¡°Right, with masterpieces to admire, pastries are just an afterthought,¡± Valentin said cheerfully as he ran off.


    Word of Craig¡¯s arrival spread among the pack members, who peeked from the doorway. Only Beata dared toe in and greet him: ¡°Mr. Neil, hello!¡±


    Beata wasn¡¯t from the Warscar Training Camp but followed Adide¡¯s lead in addressing him<b>, </b>as no one at the camp treated her as a servant.


    ¡°Beata¡¯s grown taller and more beautiful,¡± Craig said, eyeing her with emotion.


    It warmed his heart that she was still here, apanying Adide in joining the ckthorn Pack.


    Beata blushed. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Craig sipped his coffee, his gaze briefly meeting Adide¡¯s, and sighed softly.


    Back in the Shadow Peaks, she¡¯d make a fuss over the smallest slight, wanting the entire camp and mountains to know.


    But when faced with real hardships, she¡¯d keep everything inside, swallowing her pain.


    How could Craig not worry about her?


    Everyone at the Warscar Training Camp did, yet none dared approach. She chose to endure alone, and


    <b>2/3 </b>


    O


    11:09 Mon, 7 Jul


    who would dare intrude?

 Novel Male 226

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    12%


    s


    On the day of Prisci¡¯s party, the capital¡¯s nobility, royal officials, and their families flocked to Alpha Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack.


    Despite no snow, she¡¯d invited everyone under the pretense of snow viewing, relocating the plum blossoms to an obscure corner.


    After transntation, not a single bloom opened this year.


    Even with the chief gardener¡¯s care following Lance¡¯s victorious return, only a few flowers dotted the garden.


    But the truth was clear to everyone¨CPrisci was showing off.


    She wore a plum¨Ccolored velvet gown with tulip patterns, a pure white fox¨Cfur coat, and a ruby¨Cstudded golden crown.


    Her few gray hairs were styled into a high bun, and she looked incredibly luxurious.


    Madison, though dressed up, paled inparison to Prisci¡¯s opulence.


    Prisci had lived a life of luxury in the pce for years. Her skin was fair and rosy, with not a single wrinkle around her eyes.


    In contrast, Madison¡¯s eyes were lined with wrinkles. Her skin, dry from the winter, looked even older despite the makeup.


    The two Full Moon Priestesses didn¡¯t attend, iming the cold affected their health. In reality, they just didn¡¯t want to see Prisci show off.


    But the other nobility and officials¡® families still came. They might not have respected Prisci enough to attend, but they respected Alpha Lance.


    Some fawned over her, praising her appearance.


    Wanda brought Sabrina today.


    Sabrina was dressed very prettily. Her clothes and jewelry were gifts from Wanda, thetest winter fashion.


    With her naturally fair skin, she looked fresher than the flowers.


    To meet Prisci today, Sabrina had researched her vanity. She knew Prisci loved to be told how young she looked.


    When greeting her, she feigned surprise and quickly apologized, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. Seeing your snow¨Cwhite skin and youthful beauty, I was momentarily stunned. It was disrespectful.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Who might you be? Such sweet words. I¡¯m over forty, nowhere near as lovely as a young girl.¡±


    O


    <b>11:09 </b>Mon, <b>7 </b>Jul


    5 Free <i>Coins </i>


    ¡°I¡¯m Sabrina, sister of Alpha Ulrik from the Bloodmoon Pack. I speak the truth. Your beauty and grace <b>are </b>unmatched. I¡¯ve never seen anyone so divine¨CI thought you were the Moon Goddess herself!¡±


    Sabrina¡¯s ttery struck just the right chord with Prisci.


    Prisci owned numerous exquisitely carved moon goddess statues, each depicting the Goddess with gentle features and dignified grace.


    She felt she had everything in life¨Cmaterial wealth and love. If only she could be revered like the moon goddess, she¡¯d be perfectly content.


    Beaming broadly, Prisci turned to Omega Susan beside her and said, ¡°What a clever youngdy. Bring me that coral bracelet of mine to give to her.¡±


    Susan hesitated, then fetched the precious coral bracelet and gave it to Sabrina.


    Sabrina was thrilled, but she kept her delight hidden.


    She responded with devout gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Prisci. I¡¯m honored to <b>receive </b>your gift. I¡¯ll pray daily for your happiness and good health.¡±


    ¡°Good child, rise,¡± Prisci said, taking a liking to Sabrina¡¯s sharp tongue.


    She instructed her to visit often.


    The noblewomen present disdainfully viewed Sabrina¡¯s overt ttery.


    The Moon Goddess<b>? </b>


    The Moon Goddess waspassionate, not showy like Prisci.


    Someone asked, ¡°Why isn¡¯t Miss Davidson from the Frostfang Pack here today?¡±


    When this question was raised, everyone realized Adide wasn¡¯t present.


    This was odd because<b>, </b>as Alpha Lance¡¯s future mate<b>, </b>she should have been the guest of honor at Prisci¡¯s party in the ckthorn Pack.


    As whispers spread about Adide¡¯s absence, Prisci coolly stated, ¡°Not everyone is invited to my snow- viewing party<i>.¡± </i>


    The guests understood¨CPrisci disapproved of Lance¡¯s future mate.


    It was true that although Adide hailed from the Frostfang Pack and had earned her merits in battle, she was still a she¨Cwolf who¡¯d dissolved a mating bond. And since Alpha Lance was of royal lineage, Prisci might feel that Adide was somewhat beneath him.


    Glenveil Pack¡¯s Rowena felt uneasy.


    Prisci¡¯s exclusion of Adide was excessive. Even if she disapproved, with the mating bond to Lance <b>set</b>, a show of harmony was expected.


    Rowena nced at her son¡¯s mate, Wanda, who was whispering with a Tenar family girl, and shook <b>her </b>head¨CWanda¡¯s schemes remained inscrutable.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>109 </b>MON<b>, </b>


    s


    Recalling the rumors they¡¯d spread to undermine Adide, Rowena knew they¡¯d only hurt themselves.

 Novel Male 227

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Given their track record, it was unlikely Prisci and Madison would let Adide slide..


    s


    With Adide¡¯s mating ceremony with Alpha Lance imminent, they¡¯d rmended Sabrina, <b>a </b>sweet- talking Bloodmoon Pack girl, to Prisci.


    Their motives were clear to those in the know.


    Rowena ignored the drama, focusing on the delicious pastries and coffee.


    Prisci was very particr about her diet, and her pastries were especially delicious. Rowena figured she might as welle to enjoy the tasty treats.


    Prisci¡¯s event had its fair share of sycophants. After Prisci¡¯sment, many began subtly bad- mouthing Adide.


    It was unclear whether Madison had orchestrated it or someone was deliberately catering to Prisci, but the remarks, though not openly derogatory, carried a clear tone of sarcasm.


    They superficially praised Adide for her war merits but implied that such a she¨Cwolf would be hard to tame, suggesting Prisci might struggle to control her and even risk a reversal of authority in their rtionship.


    These remarks visibly annoyed Prisci.


    It was clear that Madison was behind the attempt to sow discord between them.


    Once Madison felt she¡¯d made her point, she gave Wanda a meaningful look.


    Wanda promptly approached with a smile and said, ¡°Prisci, Alpha Lance is set to mate with Adide soon. As the Ironw Army¡¯s deputymander¨Cadmittedly an honorary role¨Cshe¡¯s likely too upied to care for Alpha Lance properly.¡±


    ¡°I think Sabrina would be perfect,¡± she continued. ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack once had its glory. Having Sabrina as a breeder for Alpha Lance seems quite fitting.¡±


    Wanda and her daughter often manipted Prisci, who usually heeded their advice.


    Seeing Prisci¡¯s dislike for Adide and fondness for Sabrina, the n seemed set to seed.


    Wanda, harboring deep resentment toward Adide, wanted to upset her by pushing Sabrina into Lance¡¯s life.


    But Wanda miscalcted.


    Prisci disliked Adide, but the idea of Sabrina, from the scheming Bloodmoon Pack, <b>as </b>a breeder <b>was </b>worse. Already facing ridicule for her son¡¯s bond to Adide, Prisci refused to be theughingstock.


    Moreover, she detested anyone with designs on her son.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>11:09 </b>Mon, 7 July


    Though ttered by outsiders¡® praise, Prisci despised schemers, especially those targeting her <b>son</b>.


    She believed neither Adide nor Sabrina matched her son¡¯s stature.


    After Wanda¡¯s proposal, Prisci¡¯s gaze toward Sabrina turned cold.


    Without addressing Wanda, she told Susan, ¡°You gave thisdy my coral bracelet? That was <b>a </b>birthday <b>gift </b>from Lance. Take one of your recent cups instead.¡±


    Sabrina¡¯s face drained of color as everyone¡¯s attention turned to her.


    Humiliated, she stood frozen while Susan reced the bracelet with a crystal cup.


    ¡°Show some gratitude,¡± Susan said coldly.


    Sabrina, mortified, thanked her and nced helplessly at Wanda.


    Wanda¡¯s face fell¨Cthis foolish woman had embarrassed her in public.


    The scene amused the guests.


    Prisci was easily charmed, but her pride in her son was non¨Cnegotiable.


    It was easy to make her happy with a few kind words, and even easier to hoodwink her out of her money. But Prisci took great pride in her son. Anyone scheming around Alpha Lance would face <b>her </b>wrath.


    Wanda, seething with anger, remained silent.


    Madison, however,ughed leisurely, sipping her coffee. ¡°Just a joke, no need to take it seriously. The Luna mating ceremony hasn¡¯t even happened yet. What¡¯s all this talk about a breeder?¡±


    ¡°Wanda, your kindness is misced. When that Tenar girl shed a few tears over her admiration for Lance, you sympathized and pleaded for her with Prisci. But how could Prisci make such decisions for Alpha Lance? Even for an omega servant, Alpha Lance¡¯s approval is necessary.¡±


    This remark triggeredughter among the she¨Cwolves, who cast mocking nces at Prisci.


    Her face flushed with anger, but Madison¡¯s words were irrefutable. Prisci, already struggling with her words, was left speechless.


    As Prisci fumed, Madison blew on the foam in her coffee cup and continued leisurely, ¡°I usually mind my own business<b>, </b>but Lance is my nephew. Why did he return from saving the kingdom and choose to mate with Adide?¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, you didn¡¯t invite her today. Had she been here, I wouldn¡¯t havee. Such a narrow¨Cminded person isn¡¯t worth my time.


    <b>2/</b>

 Novel Male 228

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Free Coms


    Madison nced around the room and said, ¡°Take my words to heart: some people are worth associating with, others are not. Keep your distance from those with narrow minds lest you catch their sour disposition.¡±


    Madison was openly dering her feud with Adide.


    Severaldies present were on good terms with Madison, partly due to her past hospitality and asional favors, and partly because she and Wanda co¨Cowned a perfume and jewelry shop where they got first dibs on trendy items.


    Over time, their rtionship had grown close.


    Additionally, many she¨Cwolves¡® partners were matched by Madison<b>, </b>so there was no shortage of supporters for her words.


    A sh of malice crossed Madison¡¯s eyes. With Adide absent, she felt free to disparage her.


    ¡°Prisci didn¡¯t invite her, and Alpha Lance didn¡¯t speak up either. Clearly, this future Luna of <b>the </b>ckthorn Pack isn¡¯t beloved. There must be more to the story.¡±


    Wanda snorted, ¡°What more could there be? It¡¯s like Ulrik and Velda¨Cplotting to get close to Lance on the battlefield and forcing him into a bond.¡±


    This remark stunned the crowd.


    ¡°Oh my, could it be true?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. Why else would Alpha Lance mate with her?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Whispers and malicious spection filled the air.


    Skye was present but remained silent, her head bowed.


    Rowena spoke up in a deep voice, ¡°Wanda, watch your words and back them with evidence. Don¡¯t spread unproven rumors and cause unnecessary gossip or misunderstanding for Adide.¡±


    As Wanda¡¯s mother¨Cinw, Rowena¡¯s rebuke silenced the crowd.


    Wanda, not daring to cross Rowena, turned to her mother Madison.


    Madison put down her coffee cup and said coldly, ¡°Truth remains truth; lies stay lies.¡±


    This nonchnt remark seemed to confirm Wanda¡¯s insinuations.


    ¡°Prisci¡¯s dislike of her makes sense now, using such despicable tactics<b>,</b>¡± someone muttered.


    ¡°As Frostfang Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, resorting to this is truly repulsive.¡±


    <b>1/3 </b>


    ¡°Luna Skye, now I understand why you keep your distance from her


    Luna Skye, holding her coffee cup and wanting to speak, caught Madison¡¯s icy gaze and merely smiled bitterly, taking a sip of coffee instead.


    (


    Prisci was thoroughly displeased. The gathering, meant to serve as a warning to Adide, had spiraled into public gossip.


    Though Adide was Lance¡¯s mate¨Ca fact she couldn¡¯t deny¨CPrisci was ufortable seeing her maligned.


    Yet Madison¡¯s words hung in the air, unverifiable but unsettling.


    She sulked, nursing her coffee in silence.


    Then a voice broke the tension, ¡°My, everyone¡¯s gathered so early.¡± All eyes turned to Mrs. Voss entering with an omega.


    Bundled in winter clothes and holding leather gloves<b>, </b>she moved slowly but with a cheerful expression.


    ¡°Prisci,¡± she greeted with a curtsy.


    Prisci, recognizing Mrs. Voss, smiled and said, ¡°No need for formalities. Why thete arrival, Mrs. Voss<b>?</b>¡±


    Mrs. Voss exined, ¡°I stopped by the Frostfang Pack first. It was packed, so I headed <b>here</b>.¡±


    Prisci frowned. ¡°The Frostfang Pack? Why the crowd? Are they hosting a party <i>too</i>?¡±


    ¡°A horde of men!¡± Mrs. Voss replied, then curtsied to Madison before sitting down.


    ¡°A horde of men?¡± Wanda¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°She invited men over? Why did you go, Mrs. Voss?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Because Cyrus was there,¡± Mrs. Voss said with a¡¯wry smile.


    ¡°I tried to refuse, but Cyrus insisted Ie along to ¡®broaden my horizons.¡±


    Wanda pressed, ¡°What horizons? Do tell.¡±


    Mrs. Voss sighed, ¡°What horizons, indeed? The ce was swarming with men¨Cgovernment officials and military generals, half of them already there, the other half likely on their way. I was <b>so </b>unnerved I left promptly.¡± She dabbed her nose with a handkerchief, still smiling.


    ¡°A horde of men surrounding her? What¡¯s she up to?¡±


    Wanda raised her voice again, ncing at Prisci and covering her mouth with a smirk. ¡°This future Luna¡¯s quite the charmer, isn¡¯t she? No wonder Cyrus went too. That face of hers¨Cit¡¯s captivating.¡±


    Prisci was fuming. What was Adide thinking?


    The Frostfang Pack had male members, but why invite government and military officials?


    Even Rowena of the Glenveil Pack was left speechless.


    Sabrina, the unmarried girl previously humiliated, chimed in, ¡°She¡¯s always like this¨Cfond of mingling2/3


    |||


    O


    <b>11:10 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>7 Jul


    with men.¡±


    Though it was unseemly for an unmarried girl to speak so, Adide¡¯s behavior had stunned <b>everyone</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>no one took offense.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Mrs. Voss nced at Wanda and Sabrina, her brow furrowing in confusion. ¡°What does this have <b>to </b>do with Miss Davidson? Craig¡¯s visited the Frostfang Pack, announced a showcase of his paintings <b>from </b>the Bloodscar Border. Everyone¡¯s scrambling to attend¨Ceven Lycan Erasmus was there when I left.¡±


    ¡°What? Craig¡¯s at the Frostfang Pack? Hosting an art exhibition?¡±


    Several art¨Csavvydies stood up, cager to rush over.


    Madison and Wanda¡¯s faces fell.


    Madison had always pretended to be a lover of art. She once nearly acquired one of Mr. Neil¡¯s paintings, but she dramatically tore it up in public, leading to widespread ridicule.


    This embarrassing incident left her with a deep¨Cseated resentment toward Craig.


    Her pretense of artistic love was just that¨Ca pretense. She neither understood nor truly appreciated art.


    Sabrina retreated to a corner, abashed and silent, simmering with envy, ¡°Why did Adide have such a prestigious friend?¡±


    Madison and Wanda were left speechless. Their earlier jeers at Adide now rang hollow.


    Even Lycan Erasmus and President Cyrus had graced the Frostfang Pack¡¯s event¨Cwhat a spectacle they¡¯d missed by gossiping here!


    They were hiding here and mocking Adide, which was really petty.


    Luna Skye¡¯s expression shifted from embarrassment to forced smiles to palpable anxiety.


    Especially since she¡¯d just echoed Madison and Wanda¡¯s derogatory remarks, many guests now felt like hypocrites.


    Prisci, too, was in a sour mood. She¡¯d been annoyed by the gossip and now by being upstaged.


    Her nned outfit changes for the event no longer tempted her.


    Thedies could hardly sit still, itching to witness the Frostfang Pack¡¯s gathering.


    With their mates there, crashing the party seemed harmless enough.


    Then Mrs. Voss gasped, pping her forehead.


    ¡°My memory! Almost forgot Adide¡¯s errand. She asked me to bring a painting to the New Priestess Prisci for appraisal.¡±


    n


    ¡°This oil painting,¡± she exined, ¡°is one of Mr. Neil¡¯s masterpieces, crafted with multi¨C<byer </b><b>zing</b><b>. </b>The snowy peaks are built with thick titanium white, textured with palette¨Cknife strokes. The sunlight piercing through clouds is painted with transparent golden yellow, creating an amber glow on the canvas<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    Signaling an omega, she mock¨Cscolded, ¡°You should¡¯ve reminded me! What if Adide mes <b>me</b><b>? </b>


    The crowd gathered as the painting passed from Susan to Prisci.


    She handed the oil painting to Omega Susic, who then passed it on to Prisci.


    Holding it, Prisci preened. The snow¨Ccapped mountains, painted with bold strokes andyered pigments, shimmered under warm light.


    The painting disyedyered textures¨Ccarthy rocks painted with thick coats of burnt umber and ivory ck, their rugged strokes outlining the steep mountain ridges.


    Above the snowline, zinc white mixed with cobalt blue created a heavy¨Csnow effect through short, vertical lines.


    A sunlight beam in the upper¨Cright corner, painted with gold powder and varnish, shimmered like liquid light under the gaze.


    ¡°Behold Mr. Neil¡¯s palette¨Cknife technique,¡± urged a voice.


    Prisci puffed out her chin, as proud as a peacock in full disy.


    As the oil painting was spread out on the carved disy rack, everyone held their breath.


    On the canvas, snow¨Ccapped mountains, upying two¨Cthirds of the frame diagonally, <b>were </b>painted in Prussian blue and titanium white. Theyered pigments, at least five millimeters thick<b>, </b>seemed to replicate the rough texture of ice crystals.


    The rock crevices, zed with burnt umber and ivory ck, contrasted starkly with the snow¨Ccapped areas painted in zinc white and cobalt blue. The sunlight piercing through clouds, rendered with cadmium yellow in radiating strokes and edged with gold, mesmerized viewers.


    ¡°Look at the impasto snow!¡±


    Rowena pointed to the reflective pigment. ¡°Mr. Neil mixed quartz sand into the paint¨Cno wonder the snow looks icy.¡±


    ¡°And the sunlight treatment-¡± someone peered through a magnifying ss.


    ¡°It¡¯s the ssic ¡®optical gray¡® technique: a transparent ochre base, ultra¨Cthin cadmium yellow ze, and gold powder on top. No wonder the light seems <i>to </i>shine through the canvas<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Amidst the murmurs of admiration for the oil painting techniques, Prisci¡¯s fingers traced the gilded frame.


    The painting disyed a magical visual effect under exhibition lighting¨CMr. Neil¡¯s signature ¡°light- shadow trap¡± technique, whereyered transparent and opaque pigments created dynamic light¨Cshadow shifts on a static canvas,


    ¡°Adide has such an eye,¡± someone finally whispered. ¡°This¨Clevel oil painting can¡¯t be found in Prisci¡¯s collection.¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Rowena¡¯s words sent Prisci¡¯s fir pheromones surging. She was proud yet tinged with guilt.


    She¡¯d snubbed Adide on purpose, but Adide didn¡¯t seem to mind, even sending her a fine oil painting.


    This made Prisci see Adide as tactful and magnanimous.


    In contrast, she felt petty.


    Spotting envy in the Full Moon Priestesses¡® eyes, she warmed to Adide¨Cjust a little.


    Madison and her daughter nced at the painting, also stunned. But since it wasn¡¯t theirs<b>, </b>they had to nitpick.


    Madison, disregarding decorum time and again, shed her usual pretense of refinement.


    Her rose pheromones,ced with acidity, red as she stood before the oil painting. Her vertically slit pupils narrowed to a thin line, and her wolf ws subconsciously scratched the gilded frame. She said, ¡°Craig excels at plum blossoms. If he truly wanted to impress you, he¡¯d gift a plum¨Cthemed painting. This snowy scene is just an afterthought,¡± she remarked.


    She released royal musk pheromones, but Prisci¡¯s fir scent shot back, ¡°I don¡¯t care for flowers<b>.¡± </b>


    Madison¡¯s words fell on deaf ears¨Clike a punch into a cushion. What did this woman know?


    Plum blossom paintings were the true masterpieces.


    As the guests admired the oil paintings, a wolf pack guard hurried in and reported, ¡°The Frostfang Pack has sent several oil paintings. They said they knew you were hosting a banquet and specially brought these paintings for you and thedies to appreciate. ¡®If any of you like them, you can keep them.¡±


    Prisci was overjoyed and said excitedly, ¡°Really? Bring them in quickly!¡±


    The hall erupted as guards carried in new paintings.


    The atmosphere ignited.


    Present were Lunas from powerful packs and spouses of royal officials.


    Oil painting appreciation was a rarefied social activity, and this chance excited them.


    Prisci thought she¡¯d finally shine, but discerning guests knew Adide, though uninvited, stole the spotlight.


    Her grace and generosity¨Csending gifts despite being spurned¨Cwere remarkable.


    Among the paintings were two plum¨Cthemed works and a war¨Caftermath scene.


    It depicted wolf soldiers at a city gate, their armor coated in wolfsbane frost. The battlefield aura made


    lower¨Crank wolves¡® neck hairs bristle.


    The soldiers, resolute¨Ceyed, stood in knee¨Cdeep snow, chapped¨Clipped and wind¨Ctousled, <b>gripping spears </b>with dirty hands.


    The scene in the painting was incredibly lifelike, almost as if one could witness firsthand how the <b>werewolf </b>soldiers stood firm in the bitter cold.


    Rowena, whose pack had wolf soldiers, was deeply moved. ¡°Peacees at the cost of their blood. Both soldiers and wolf generals risk their lives. Alpha Bentley and his children are true patriots.¡±


    She mentioned Alpha Bentley, not Adide, reminding all that Adide was Alpha Bentley¡¯s battle- seasoned daughter.


    The guests, now filled with respect, regretted their prior gossip.


    But Madison sneered, ¡°Danger apanies privilege. Their front¨Cline risks bought them status.<b>¡± </b>


    Rowena sharply retorted, ¡°Would you ept such status if it meant losing your family?¡°.


    She continued seriously, ¡°Anyone else could have said it, buting from you, <b>it¡¯s </b>truly disheartening for the werewolf warriors. You live in luxury and have no idea of the dangers of the battlefield.¡±


    Madison was left speechless with anger. After a moment, she rose abruptly and sneered, ¡°You don¡¯t understand oil painting art at all, yet you¡¯re making a fuss about it. Seems like we really have nothing inmon. I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    She cast a fierce re at Prisci.


    Prisci was stunned¨CRowena had offended Madison<b>, </b>so why the re at her?


    But recalling past humiliations under Madison¡¯s hand and their ongoing business ties, she didn¡¯t want aplete fallout. She politely urged Madison to stay and enjoy the paintings.


    Madison leaned in close and whispered with veiled menace, ¡°After everyone¡¯s done viewing, send these oil paintings to my estate. They must arrive today.¡±


    With that, she left with Wanda, and Sabrina hurried after them.


    Madison¡¯s friends hesitated for a moment and then also got up to leave one after another.


    However, quite a few people remained on the scene. Doug¡¯s granddaughter was particrly entranced, staring at each oil painting as if she wanted to etch every brushstroke into her memory.


    Some of the guests weren¡¯t well¨Cversed in oil painting appreciation but stayed to avoid offending Prisci.


    Witnessing the earlier confrontation, they quietly resolved to steer clear of Sabrina. They realized she <b>was </b>a trouble ma and vowed that their sons would not entangle with such a problematic <b>she</b><b>¨C</b>wolf. They would rather have no mate for their sons than let them choose someone like Sabrina.


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 231

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci gazed at the painting for a while, resting her chin on her hand, when suddenly she became anxious. Though she knew little about art, she understood these oil paintings were invaluable.


    If she sent them to Madison as demanded, they¡¯d likely never return.


    Yet refusing might provoke who¨Cknows¨Cwhat schemes from Madison and her daughter.


    Before long, a messenger arrived and said, ¡°A message from Alpha Adide: if thedies wish to continue viewing the paintings, they¡¯re invited to the Frostfang Pack. She and Mr. Neil await them graciously.


    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡±


    Doug¡¯s granddaughter Abigail blurted out without a second thought, decorum forgotten.


    The chance to meet Mr. Neil¨Cwhat did propriety matter?


    Lycan Erasmus was also there, and many genuinely wished to meet Mr. Neil. They all agreed to go.


    An omega asked Prisci, ¡°Shall I prepare the carriage?¡±


    Prisci was torn. As the host, she¡¯d lost the focus of the event to the Frostfang Pack.


    Now Lycan Erasmus and the Royal Council members were there. If she didn¡¯t go, <b>she¡¯d </b>seem petty.


    ¡°Prepare the carriage,¡± she gritted out.


    As she climbed in, she suddenly realized¨Chad she walked into Adide¡¯s trap?


    Today was her banquet, yet the spotlight had shifted to the Frostfang Pack.


    A few paintings had turned the tide, which enraged her further.


    But there was no turning back. She had to go. If Adide dared to offend Lycan Erasmus and the officials, Prisci would make her pay.


    To her surprise, Adide greeted her personally at the Packhouse door.


    As Prisci exited the carriage, Adide offered her arm, smiling warmly: ¡°Watch your step. I <i>you </i>in.¡±


    Prisci had braced for a cold reception but was caught off¨Cguard by this warmth.


    e help


    She quickly reminded herself of her seniority¨Cit was only proper to be treated this way<b>¨C</b><b>and </b><b>epted </b>the assistance<b>, </b>entering in her plum¨Cred velvet <b>gown </b>and fox¨Cfur cloak.


    In the conference hall, Lycan Erasmus, the Royal Council President, numerous <b>government </b><b>officials</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>even her son Lance, were present. Lance was conversing with a handsome <b>man </b><b>in blue </b>


    Everyone rose to greet <b>Prisci</b>, including Erasmus.


    <b>Her </b>spirits lifted¨Cwhile she often mingled with nobility, interactions with political <b>figures </b><b>were </b>rare


    Their respect swelled her pride, and she promptly dismissed her earlier annoyance, <b>returning </b><b>their </b>courtesies and taking her seat of honor.


    Never before had she received such joint acim from government officials and the legendary <b>painter </b>Mr. Neil.


    This distinction warmed her to Adide, though she¡¯d never admit it beyond a grudging fraction.


    After the Frostfang Pack¡¯s omega served Ennd¨Cstyle tea and retreated, Craig approached Adide <b>and </b>murmured, ¡°Excessive ttery can be the surest way to undermine someone.


    Adide suppressed augh¨Cwho said Craig was oblivious <i>to </i>social nuances?


    ¡°You¡¯ll coexist with her in the same pack eventually. She¡¯s the mother of your future mate. Confrontation won¡¯t serve you,¡± he cautioned.


    Craig continued in a low voice, ¡°As for the royalty here, you¡¯ll interact with them often. Today¡¯s exhibition<b>. </b>paves the way for you. I hope you don¡¯t disappoint my intentions. Try not to resort to force in future dealings.¡±


    Adide felt a mix of gratitude and helplessness¨Cdid Craig really see <b>her </b>as <b>so </bbative?


    Since returning from the Shadow Peaks, she¡¯d diligently studied etiquette.


    During her year in the Bloodmoon Pack, she¡¯d mastered capital¨Ccity diplomacy.


    It wasn¡¯t fear of offending others, but concern for Cedric, that made her restrain <b>her </b>sharp edges. Even Prisci now seemed somewhat more ptable.


    Lycan Erasmus was wholly absorbed in the paintings, his gaze locked on each oil painting as if in a trance. He red at anyone attempting toment.


    ¡°Comment? Who¡¯s qualified to critique Mr. <b>Neil¡¯s </b>work?¡±


    Even President Cyrus was driven away. ¡°Admire something else. I wish to savor these alone. So many gathered here for a single piece?¡±


    Cyrus retreated, having merely wanted to revisit the snow<b>¨C</b>scene painting.


    He turned to the plum¨Cblossom oil painting, acknowledging Neil¡¯s mastery with strokes so delicate they seemed lifelike.


    More intriguing were the border town¨Cthemed works: two inly dressed yet tidy we wooden buckets <i>to </i>a well, a newly dug vige well in a border town. Ordinary life dep underscored the peace¡¯s value tomon wolves.


    After a long gaze, Cyrus asked Craig, ¡°Mr. Neil, might I purchase one of your paintings<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡®n carrying


    there


    All eyes turned to Craig, even Erasmus showing <b>eager </b>


    tion.


    As Lycan Erasmus, he could ask for a gift, but in his role as Council President, <b>he </b><b>sought </b><b>to </b><b>buy</b>.


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    Craig smiled. ¡°Cyrus, I can¡¯t decide that. These paintings are gifted to Adide. If she¡¯s willing to sell, I have no objections.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s attention shifted to Adide, their eyes pleading.


    One after another approached her, each requesting just one painting, unable to afford more.


    Adide understood this was Craig boosting her prestige.

 Novel Male 232

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>84</b><b>% </b>


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    Adide smiled and said, ¡°Since everyone likes my friend¡¯s oil paintings so much, if I said no to selling, you¡¯d surelyin about me behind my back.¡±


    ¡°No, no,¡± Minister of Royal Military Affairs, Elias,ughed and then said seriously, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t sell, no one wouldin. I¡¯d be the first to speak up if anyone bad¨Cmouthed you.¡±


    Thedies exchanged nces.


    They knew Adide had military merits, but as a she¨Cwolf, they doubted if royal officials truly valued her.


    Yet Elias¡¯s tone was so earnest that those who had gossiped about Adide with Madison now regretted it.


    If their words got out and offended her, it could cause trouble for their mates.


    Lycan Erasmus looked at Adide meaningfully and pointed to a painting. ¡°Adide, I¡¯ll just take this one.¡± Adide curtseyed slightly. ¡°If you like it, take it. I can¡¯t ept money from you¨Cit¡¯s a gift.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus shook his head. ¡°No, I insist on buying it. If I take it as a gift, how can you not give one to Cyrus and the other Royal Council members?¡±


    Everyoneughed and said, ¡°We¡¯ll pay. You can ept it as a gift.¡±


    ¡°How can you afford it when I can¡¯t?¡± Lycan Erasmus asked Adide, ¡°How much for this one?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Then I¡¯ll set a friendly price¨Cten thousand dors each. Everyone here can take one if they like.¡±


    Everyone expected Adide to set a high price¨CMr. Neil¡¯s paintings were incredibly precious, likely starting at 100,000 dors.


    But when she announced the price as ten thousand dors, the atmosphere erupted. Some people were so excited that they let out involuntary gasps of delight.


    Suddenly, a hoarse voice broke through, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t take my paintings! I¡¯ll take these three! Don¡¯t push me -I¡¯ll fall! Quick, Abigail, help me get the paintings inside!¡±


    It was Doug Watson, arms wide to protect three paintings, one of which was the one Cyrus had admired.


    As they nudged each other, Doug called to his granddaughter outside.


    Abigail acted swiftly, rushing in to roll up the paintings Doug wanted.


    Cyrus could only watch helplessly as Doug secured his choices, casting envious nces at his mate for not helping.


    Guests swarmed to pick paintings. Seeing Lance hadn¡¯t chosen any, Elias asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t there any you like? Ten thousand¡¯s a bargain.¡±


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    Lance, arms crossed and smiling, said, ¡°You all go first. As Adide¡¯s future mate, I¡¯ll just ask Mr. Neil for a


    new one.¡±


    This remark drew numerous disapproving nces¨Cjust like his mother, he loved to show off as well!


    Thedies, though envious of Adide¡¯s sess today, understood Craig was using his reputation to protect her.


    With Craig¡¯s favor, officials valuing art would now court Adide¡¯s favor.


    Art lovers like Doug would seek herpany for future Neil paintings.


    The attitudes of Lycan Erasmus, Cyrus, and Elias were clear; their support for Adide extended beyond Neil¡¯s connection.


    She¡¯d risen from a disgraced she¨Cwolf to royal darling..


    After the buying frenzy, Cedric was introduced to Erasmus and officials.


    Adide deliberately presented Cedric as the future heir of the Frostfang Pack.


    Though small in stature, he stood ramrod straight, reminiscent of the former Alpha Bentley of the Frostfang Pack.


    Adide then guided Prisci and other she¨Cwolves to the side hall. Conversations became pleasant, withpliments aplenty.


    Adide skillfully navigated the exchanges.


    Prisci scrutinized Adide for a long while. After today, she found Adide less annoying.


    Had it not been for Adide¡¯s future role as Lance¡¯s mate, Prisci might have even liked her.


    But that identity sh was inevitable.


    In her eyes, her son was exceptional. Even princesses seemed inadequate, let alone Adide.


    Prisci snapped back¨CAdide was almost winning her over.


    She should be angry. Today was her banquet, yet Adide stole the spotlight.


    That innocent smile must be hiding smugness.


    Especially those upturned eyes, truly captivating¡­


    ¡°Prisci, do have some tea,¡± Adide¡¯s voice interrupted.


    Prisci forced a smile. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Adide sipped her tea, hiding her amusement.


    She found Prisci quite interesting¨Cher arrogance, willfulness, and love for showing off were all genuine, making her easier to deal with than someone hiding behind a mask.

 Novel Male 233

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Skye sat there stiffly, her fir pheromones crystallizing into frost in the air. She remained silent <b>throughout </b>


    the event.


    Yet, deep down, she was filled with anxiety. Being at the Frostfang Pack headquarters inevitably reminded her of Aire¡¯s past kindness toward her.


    The silver¨Cwolf¨Cpack totem mark on the back of her neck suddenly itched¨Cit was the Moon Goddess¡¯s blessing that Aire had branded her with years ago. Now, it burned like wolfsbane.


    After Aire¡¯s death, Skye had treated Adide so poorly.


    When Adide arrived with Cedric, Skye¡¯s wolf ears ttened sharply.


    The silver cedar pheromones released by Adide carried the Alpha¡¯s inherent aura, causing the unhealed temporary mark on Skye¡¯s.neck to break out in tiny red rashes.


    Though Adide¡¯s gaze was gentle, it was indifferent, as if she no longer considered Skye family.


    ¡°She¡¯s looking over here,¡± Luna Skye¡¯s wolf tail curled into a ball under her skirt, her fir pheromones turning chaotic.


    ¡°Back when Ulrik and Velda were so favored by the royal family, the Silverlight Pack¡¯s pheromones <b>were </b><b>as </b>weak as a pup¡¯s whimper. What could I do?¡±


    She wasn¡¯t unwilling to help Adide. It was just that the Silverlight Pack had always been insignificant, and she was powerless.


    Besides, she wasn¡¯t the only one who hadn¡¯t helped.


    As for the gifts she sent to Melinda being returned, she still felt justified.


    On the day of Melinda¡¯s mating ceremony, she, a rejected she¨Cwolf, brought gifts and was met with hostility, as if she were a harbinger of misfortune.


    Who could have predicted that Adide would end up mating with Alpha Lance?


    ¡°I brought Melinda to apologize,¡± Skye bit her palm, her fir pheromones tinged with self¨Cjustification.


    ¡°Why is she still holding a grudge?¡±


    After the exhibition concluded, Lycan Erasmus and the Royal Council members left the tfang Pack in high spirits.


    Other guests also bid farewell. After today, the Frostfang Pack¡¯s status was unshakable.


    Even Lycan Erasmus had personally attended, showing great respect.


    As Skye left, she felt a twinge of dissatisfaction.


    Adide had <b>sent </b>paintings to Prisci but hadn¡¯t <b>given </b>her a single <b>one</b>.


    Since the buyers were Lycan Erasmus or Council members, and Alpha Howell wasn¡¯t present<b>, </b><b>she</b><b>, </b>as a <b>she </b>wolf, couldn¡¯t very wellpete with the men.


    But receiving a painting was one thing; Adide should have gifted her one to <b>signal </b>reconciliation.


    Yet, until departure, Adide only nodded and said, ¡°Farewell.¡±


    Skye forced a smile. ¡°Take care.¡±


    Mrs. Voss apanied her as they descended the stone steps.


    Mrs. Voss, known for her bluntness, noticed Skye left empty¨Chanded and asked, ¡°Luna Skye<b>, </b>why <b>didn¡¯t </b>Adide give you a painting? You¡¯re her aunt.¡±


    Skye¡¯s fir pheromones turned sour. The temporary mark on her neck broke out in red rashes.


    Her wolf ws dug into her palm, tearing the velvet skirt.


    Mrs. Voss realized her mistake and hurriedly left.


    In the carriage, Skye¡¯s wolf ws bit into her palm. She was seething with discontent.


    She should have attended Prisci¡¯s banquet with Melinda and thene to the Frostfang Pack.


    If Melinda were there, Adide would surely have gifted her a painting.


    Her wolf ears drooped under her veil, her pheromones carrying a whine like a pup¡¯s. ¡°Her Moon Goddess. ne could blind these jackals¡­¡± As the carriage rolled over the snow, she noticed the blood <b>wells </b>on her palms healing at the werewolf¡¯s speed.


    Now, reduced to aughingstock, Mrs. Voss had merely voiced the doubts others hid.


    Though unspoken, many likely judged her for being an unfit aunt, for not aiding Adide during <b>her </b>mating bond dissolution.


    How could they know her dilemma?


    Everyone assumed, as Alpha Howell¡¯s Luna, her life was morous.


    But Alpha Howell¡¯s timidity meant they both endured humiliations.


    In truth, she¡¯d always envied her sister Aire.


    Aire¡¯s sons were all brave and capable. Though they died in battle, their heroism liv.


    Their legacy ensured that the Frostfang Pack¡¯s descendants would have <b>a </b>secure future.


    But Aire¡¯s family massacre was unexpected. <ol><li>on. </li></ol>


    The Western Tribe wolves were med, yet Skye feared lingering threats. If <b>she </b>helped <b>Adide</b><b>, </b><b>would </b>the Silverlight Pack be a target?


    86


    Selfishly, she¡¯d stood by, just as others would have.


    Back home, she summoned Melinda and wept.


    245 Free Cone


    ¡°How could she snub me so? I¡¯m her aunt! Does she think I want her paintings? She didn¡¯t even <b>mention </b>them. It¡¯s heartbreaking. I used to care for her, hold her as a child. She¡¯s forgotten my kindness.


    ¡°Today, in your absence, their gazes mocked me. I feel like a lifelong joke. As <b>a </b>Luna, I¡¯m overshadowed <b>by </b>the spouse of a mere government official. In every aspect of life, I must be discreet. My husband¡¯s cowardice embarrasses me. No wonder Adide disdains me.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Before entering the house, Melinda had learned the ins and outs from an omega and thus understood <b>the </b>situation. Consequently, she didn¡¯t empathize with her mother¡¯s dramaticment.


    She spoke gravely, ¡°Mother, when the Frostfang Pack was in trouble and you chose to stand aside, you shouldn¡¯t expect to reap any benefits now that they¡¯re regaining their glory.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, Adide never med you for not helping her back then. It was merely when she sent me gifts that you worried they might bring misfortune.¡±


    ¡°Besides, with Luna Aire gone, your bond with Adide is tenuous at best. She left early for the Shadow Peaks training and, upon returning, preferred to spend time with me. You never even offered her <i>a </i>meal. How can you now invoke past connections?¡±


    Skye felt a choke in her throat, her fir pheromones turning sour.


    After a while, she shifted the me to a distant rtive, Sidney.


    ¡°Sidney is also her aunt. She was the one who facilitated Adide¡¯s and Ulrik¡¯s mating bond. Why hasn¡¯t she returned to the Frostfang Pack? It shows that it¡¯s not just me who¡¯s cold¨Chearted but everyone else <b>as </b>well.¡±


    Melinda sighed, her moon grass pheromones releasing a soothing aura.


    ¡°You know full well what Sidney¡¯s situation is. She suffers from chronic wolfsbane syndrome, making even shifting difficult. Her mate¡¯s Blue Abyss Pack is managed by Alpha Germain¡¯s lover, restricting her to the pack¡¯s territory and limiting her freedom.¡±


    Skye said resentfully, ¡°Forget it. From now on, I won¡¯t take the initiative to contact your cousin. You can maintain the rtionship. After all, she will be Alpha Lance¡¯s mate. Don¡¯t think our positions as Lunas are the same¨Cyour father has no say in the Royal Council, while Alpha Lance holds real power as the head of the Ironw Army and the judiciary.¡±


    Melinda didn¡¯t respond.


    She knew her father, Alpha Howell, all too well. Back when the old Lycan King was alive, it was only due to the Silverlight Pack¡¯s former Alpha¡¯s merits that they stayed in the capital. If not for his deliberate restraint, he might have been sent to the border long ago.


    Her mother wasn¡¯t unaware of these facts but constantlyined about their marital and pack status.


    Skye continued to rant about Prisci¡¯s winter party. ¡°Everyone was discussing Adi defend her, but you know your father¡¯s temperament. I was afraid that speaking up w


    In the end, it all came down to ming Alpha Howell.


    Melinda grew increasingly uneasy and questioned the apanying omega.


    wanted to


    cause trouble¡­¡±


    She discovered that her mother not only failed to defend Adide but also joined in the <b>gossip</b>.


    <b>15 </b>Free Come


    At the Frostfang Pack¡¯s art exhibition, her mother¡¯s discontent over not receiving <b>a </b>painting <b>was </b><b>evident </b><b>to </b>


    all.


    Knowing her mother¡¯s inability to hide her feelings, Melinda realized Adide must have noticed the


    resentment.


    Melinda sighed in resignation¨Cif even she, newly mated and part of the Soulrend Pack, understood the ways of the world, how could her mother not? Especially considering how Luna Aire had once looked after her mother.


    The next day, Melinda took it upon herself to visit the Frostfang Pack and apologize on her mother¡¯s behalf.


    She couldn¡¯t bear to lose this cousin¨Cwithout family in the Soulrend Pack, only at Adide¡¯s could she find a moment¡¯s peace.


    At that moment, Adide was conversing with Craig. Upon hearing Melinda¡¯s arrival<b>, </b>she said to Craig<b>. </b>¡°You go wander around. I¡¯ll chat with Melinda.¡±


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Craig said with a grin as he packed up his art supplies.


    ¡°I promised to paint Cedric¡¯s portrait. Don¡¯t you dare cause amotion likest time<b>¨C</b>remember that sketch of you kicking the plum tree? The Crimson me Pack stillughs about it.¡±


    Recalling how her impulsive Shadow Peaks training days were immortalized in a realistic sketch, Adide rolled her eyes. ¡°Got it. Off you go to paint your model.¡±


    Watching her leave, Craig reminisced about her carefree days in the Shadow Peaks.


    Now burdened with the Frostfang Pack¡¯s responsibilities, her former sharpness had dulled, prompting a quiet sigh from him.


    When Melinda arrived, Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones softened, but upon noticing a fresh bite mark on her wrist¨Ca telltale sign of a recent temporary bond marked with unfamiliar musk¨Cshe hesitated.


    Seeing Melinda¡¯s furrowed brow and worried expression, Adide couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Does your mate treat you poorly?¡±


    Adide¡¯s vertical pupils glinted with a golden hue in the candlelight.


    Melinda¡¯s moon grass pheromones suddenly wavered, her wolf ears subconsciously ttening. ¡°He treats me well. Don¡¯t about me, Adide.¡±


    worry


    Her fingers brushed the silver wolf¨Chead amulet at her waist, filled with Alpha Howell¡¯s secretly given healing powder.


    ¡°You¡¯ve lost weight,¡± Adide observed.


    ¡°Just not hungry in the cold,¡± Melinda forced a smile.


    The new mark on her neck oozed tiny red bumps. ¡°He says I look more delicate like this, my waist <b>so </b>slender it¡¯s captivating.¡±


    Adide frowned¨Cthis sounded all too familiar to the breeders who relied on powerful <b>werewolves</b>.


    84%0


    But seeing Melinda¡¯s reluctance to borate, she dropped the subject.


    After a brief chat, Melinda hurried to take her leave, citing ¡°Dwight¡¯s mother¡¯s poor health requiring, <i>care- </i>


    Seeing Melinda off at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border, Adide couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Don¡¯t always suppress yourself. You can¡¯t please everyone by constantly trying to amodate them.¡±


    Melinda looked at Adide for a moment, then shook her head firmly and said, ¡°You¡¯re wrong, People¡¯s hearts are tender. I can warm them over time.¡±

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    After Melinda spoke, she was assisted by an omega i


    the car.


    Adide watched her leave, a strange chill creeping up from the back of her neck, <b>as </b>if sensing something ominous.


    Back at the Packhouse, she still felt the cold and asked Jasmine to bring a hand warmer.


    Ivy, worried, asked, ¡°Adel


    are you feeling


    unwell?¡±


    ¡°No, I just suddenly feel cold,¡± Adide replied, wrapping herself tighter in her fox¨Cfur cape.


    The underfloor heating was on, and the air was filled with cedar pheromones.


    Ivy felt Adide¡¯s forehead. It was cold, prompting her to immediately contact Galvin at Cedric¡¯s residence.


    Adide wanted to refuse but couldn¡¯t withstand Ivy¡¯s insistence.


    Galvin arrived with a medical kit. After a quick check with a stethoscope, he said with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Adide¡¯s vital signs are stable. The old wounds from the battlefield are mostly healed. Just continue with the medicinal treatment.¡±


    ¡°But she keeps saying she¡¯s cold,¡± Ivy remained concerned.


    ¡°Maybe she caught a draft outside,¡± Galvin said as he packed up his medical pillow. ¡°She¡¯s from the Warscar Training Camp. Her constitution is stronger than most werewolves.¡±


    Ivy nodded but was still doubtful. The indoor temperature was fine, yet Adide clutched a hand warmer. This abnormal cold sensitivity was worrisome./


    ¡°Galvin,¡± Adide called him back. ¡°I heard Digby sent


    meone to treat Sidney. How is she now?¡±


    Earlier inquiries to Digby had only yielded vague reassurances<b>, </b>with no response to her two letters.


    Galvin paused. ¡°I don¡¯t have the full details. It was Arnold who attended to her. ording to Digby, Sidney¡¯s wolfsbane aftereffects require long¨Cterm care. It won¡¯t heal in a month or two. Arnold said she¡¯s moved to the convalescent center.¡±


    ¡°Convalescent center? Isn¡¯t the medical care of the Blue Abyss Pack sufficient?¡± Adide frowned.


    ¡°It was her own request,¡± Galvin exined.


    Galvin sighed. ¡°She says the convalescent center is quiet and has a Moon Goddess statue. Ever since your father and brothers fell at Silvermoon Canyon, she¡¯s been praying to the Moon Goddess<b>. </b>After the Frostfang Pack¡¯s misfortune, she felt her prayers weren¡¯t devout enough and insisted on moving there.


    Adide recalled Sidney¡¯s past. She had rushed back to the capital from the Blue Abyss Pack to witness Adide and Ulrik¡¯s mating.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Knowing Ulrik¡¯s Bloodmoon Pack was declining but had simple rtions, she rmended him.


    s, Sidney¡¯s innocence made her a marginalized Luna under Alpha Germain¡¯s lover.


    Adide didn¡¯t expect Sidney to retreat to a convalescent center far from the Blue Abyss Pack¡¯s territory.


    ¡°The convalescent center is too distant from the Blue Abyss Pack¡¯snds. How can they be informed in emergencies?¡±


    Adide decided to visit the Greenwood Convalescent Center once the southern border stabilized.


    Some things only reassure the heart when seen with one¡¯s own eyes.


    After returning, Galvin ryed Adide¡¯s inquiry about Sidney to Digby.


    ¡°Did you speak out of turn?¡± Digby nced at him sharply.


    Galvin quickly shook his head. ¡°Of course not. I only mentioned Sidney is recuperating at the Greenwood Convalescent Center.¡±


    Digby sighed deeply. ¡°This matter must be kept under wraps for now. We¡¯ll <b>tell </b>her <b>after </b>the mating ceremony. If she finds out now, she¡¯ll rush over immediately.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Galvin concurred.


    ¡°The mating is nine days away. Yesterday¡¯s exhibition hosted by Mr. Neil even drew Lycan Erasmus. No one in the capital dares nder her now. Should conflicts arise with the Blue Abyss Pack <i>at </i>this critical juncture, the troubles would be endless.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Exactly. She¡¯s remating after dissolving a previous bond, and her new mate is Alpha Lance. It¡¯s natural to invite envy. Fortunately, the exhibition has silenced the gossips. As long as the ceremony proceeds smoothly, blessings will pour in, ensuring a better future.¡±


    Galvin chuckled, ¡°Sir, when did you be a believer in such things?¡±


    Digby shot him a nce. ¡°What do you know? We don¡¯t just practice medicine. We must understand lunar prophecies and natural divination. Besides, fate is intangible¨Cthe Frostfang Pack¡¯s trials these years¡­ It¡¯s as if the Moon Goddess is testing them. Let her hear more blessings and fewer disputes. Once the ceremony is done, I¡¯ll rest easier.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Galvin, clueless about these matters, was far less adept than Arnold.


    1


    Digby sat in the clinic, staring nkly at the coffee the apprentice handed him.


    Unbonded and childless, he had few close ties beyond thete Alpha Bentley.


    He regarded the Frostfang Pack¡¯s younger generation as his own children.


    The pack¡¯s misfortunes had pained him deeply.


    Now, with Adide orphaned, he was determined to look out for her.


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    Digby acknowledged that Sidney doted on Adide.


    Yet, struggling to protect herself within the Blue Abyss Pack, how could she safeguard Adide?


    Alpha Zander¡¯s family guarded the frontier. Regtions barred them from casually returning to <b>the </b>capital.


    Even if Alpha Zander wished to shield his granddaughter, he was powerless.


    His sons had also suffered severe casualties: his eldest died early, the third lost his left arm<b>, </b>and the seventh fell in battle. The family had endured immense suffering.


    Digby knew Alpha Zander had pleaded with Lycan Erasmus to watch over Adide.


    Lycan Erasmus indeed favored Adide now, but¡­


    Digby sighed heavily. Many worries weighed on his mind. He hoped all fears <b>were </b>unfounded and that Adide and Alpha Lance could live a peaceful life.


    The next day, heavy snow nketed the capital.


    Adide had anticipated the snowfall, hoping to y in it with Cedric.


    But with the mating ceremony only nine days away, she expected Irene and ssmates to arrive soon.


    Though the journey wasn¡¯t far, the snow impeded/travel, forcing them to stay in hotels along the way.


    Adide was a mix of excitement and anxiety, fearing emotional outbursts upon seeing Irene and ssmates.


    The long separation had made her miss them terribly.


    In the past, she felt her future was pitch¨Cck, as if blocked by an invisible wall.


    Meeting Alpha Lance had brought light to that darkness.


    Knowing he once had feelings for someone else, she believed they could achieve mutual respect.


    This life was far better than her time/in the Bloodmoon Pack.


    The snow fell for two days, not continuously but intermittently, nketing the Frostfang Pack¡¯s courtyard.


    The wolves cleared paths, making movement manageable.


    The plum blossoms flourished under the snow, their branches bent with umted white. Adide kicked a tree trunk, sending snow and petals cascading down in a red¨Cand¨Cwhite shower.


    She and Cedric built a snowman. He enthusiastically searched for two pebbles for <b>eyes</b><b>, </b><b>creating </b>aically ugly yet adorable figure.


    Adide draped a red cloak over the snowman and ced a velvet <b>hat </b>on it. From afar<b>, </b><b>it </b><b>almost </b>seemed lifelike.


    Nearby, Craig had set up his casel, capturing this precious moment.


    This vibrant Adide, once full of energy during Shadow Peaks training, should be documented <b>and </b>sent back to the Warscar Training Camp for her teachers to sec.


    As the mating ceremony drew near, Adide grew busy.


    The custom¨Cmade wedding gown arrived at the Frostfang Pack¡ªa masterpiece of months of work. The outer robe, though appearing heavy, was surprisingly light and smooth. Embroidered with golden Moon Goddess totems and star tracks, it represented the high¨CLuna status.


    The matching shawl, woven in azure and gold, featured flowing clouds and wolf <b>crests</b>.


    The headpiece, studded with over ten blue and red moonstones, had delicate cyan bone¨Clike extensions <b>at </b>the back, slightly upturned like wolf ears.


    Considering the winter ceremony, a special cloak apanied the gown. Lined with <b>rare </b>beast fur, <b>it </b>was embroidered with blooming Moon Goddess flowers before being sewn together, symbolizing n prosperity.


    Following werewolf tradition, the only asion transcending norms, the cloak¡¯s edges also bore simplified silver wolf patterns<b>. </b>


    When Adide donned the gown, the omegas present were momentarily stunned.


    Jasmine first recovered, helping her sit at the vanity for makeup..


    However, the heavy powder made her appear older.


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Jessica brushed Jasmine¡¯s hand¡¯s aside. ¡°Who¡¯s ever seen a bride look like <i>that</i>? Pale as a frost wolf.¡±


    Jasmine smiled awkwardly. ¡°Alpha Adide never wears makeup; she always does her own. How could Ipare?¡±


    Jessica dampened a cotton pad with water and gently removed the makeup.


    Adide had booked the capital¡¯s top makeup artist from a renowned studio for the ceremony day.


    Ivy stroked the gown¡¯s embroidery. ¡°This dress <b>is </b>costly for a reason. I could never replicate such work in a lifetime.¡±


    Adide gazed at her reflection in the copper mirror, a sense of unreality washing over her.


    When she had mated with Ulrik, Aire had repeatedly advised in the bedroom: how to interact with one¡¯s mate, how to respect the old Alpha and Luna, and how to treat the Alpha¡¯s siblings.


    During her year in the Bloodmoon Pack, she strictly followed her mother¡¯s teachings<b>, </b>even when she <b>knew </b>some concessions were excessive, adhering to them as her mother¡¯sst wish.


    After the Frostfang Pack¡¯s¡® attack left her without a n, she regarded the Bloodmoon <b>Pack </b><b>as </b><b>her </b>home


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    and followed her mother¡¯s guidance even more rigorously, as if doing so would honor her mother¡¯s


    memory.


    Now, having dissolved the mating bond and on the verge of a new one, Adide looked at her reflection in the gown.


    Time seemed to stand still, as if her mother would walk in any moment, escorted by an omega, taking her hand and offering gentle counsel.


    Her eyes welled with tears. She quickly stood and retreated to the inner room to change back into her usual clothes.

 Novel Male 237

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    With only four days left until Adide and Lance¡¯s mating ceremony, Adide grew increasingly <b>anxious </b>as Irene¡¯s group failed to arrive.


    She approached Craig, who was working, and asked, ¡°Has Irene messaged you? When will they get <b>here</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Graig, carving a moonstone with a bone¨Cpatterned knife, looked up and said, ¡°Oh, I almost forgot<b>¨C</b>Irene said they won¡¯t make it. She wants you to visit the Shadow Peaks with Lance after the ceremony.¡±


    ¡°Noting?¡±


    Adide¡¯s disappointment was evident. ¡°But they promised.¡±


    Craig put down his tool and said with a wry smile, ¡°You know howzy Irene has be. She¡¯d <b>rather </b>lie down than sit, especially in this snow. She¡¯ll stay by the training camp¡¯s firece. You can visit after the ceremony as per tradition.¡±


    ¡°What about Prune and the others? Surely they cane?¡±


    ¡°If the teacher isn¡¯ting, the students won¡¯t either,¡± Craig said, polishing the moonstone.


    ¡°Since you left the Shadow Peaks at fifteen and rarely returned or wrote, they naturally assumed you no longer needed us.¡±


    ¡°Feelings have grown distant?¡± Adide felt a chill. ¡°Do they really think that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only natural,¡± Craig said, beginning to shape the stone for the wolf¨Cpack emblem he¡¯d promised Lance. ¡°You¡¯ve faced difficulties without seeking the teacher¡¯s advice and endured grievances without returning to the camp. They naturally assumed you no longer needed them.¡±


    Adide slumped into a seat, acknowledging the truth in Craig¡¯s words.


    Over the years, she¡¯d been too preupied with her struggles in the Bloodmoon Pack to maintain contact with her teachers. It was only after the Frostfang Pack¡¯s attack that she¡¯d sought help, sending Craig and Prune to gather intelligence.


    ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re here<b>; </b>otherwise, I¡¯d have no one to apany me,¡± Adide said, her cedar pheromones tinged with a whine.


    Her Moon Goddess ne suddenly dimmed.


    Craig nced at her, his fir pheromones blending with a hint of humor. ¡°Not necessarily. Irene just messaged me about an urgent mission. She might leave in a couple of days.¡±


    Craig absentmindedly stroked the wolf¨Chead amulet on his finger. It was the symbol for <b>urgent </b>missions from the Warscar Training Camp.


    ¡°Ah?¡± Adide stood abruptly, silver¨Cblue blood beads crystallizing on her fingertips.


    Her vertical pupils gleamed


    dark gold under the candlelight, and her cedar <b>pheromones </b><b>intensified </b>¨C


    ¡°Can¡¯t it wait until after the ceremony?¡±


    The Frostfang Pack¡¯s Moon Goddess incense burner trembled at her outburst, scattering <b>cypress </b><b>ash </b><b>onto </b>the table,


    The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Her long¨Canticipated reunion was <b>dashed</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>now Craig was leaving too.


    The Frostfang Pack¡¯s Beta Valentin had talked about hosting a grand mating ceremony, but <b>it </b><b>seemed </b><b>it </b>would only amount to a few casual family meals.


    She¡¯d once believed the bond between teachers and students was eternal, but she¡¯d overlooked that rtionships required nurturing.


    But then again, when she¡¯d asked the students for help, Craig and Prune had set off immediately. <b>This </b>time, Craig had even brought numerous paintings to help her build connections with the Royal Council and pack leaders.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been selfish,¡± Adide murmured, her eyes reddening,


    3


    ¡°After the ceremony, I¡¯ll take Alpha Lance to the Shadow Peaks and personally apologize to the <b>teacher </b>and students.¡±


    Craig, seeing her on the verge of tears, softened his fir pheromones.


    His wolf ws gently patted her shoulder, a trace of care hidden within.


    He knew this was Irene¡¯s deliberate ¡°punishment.¡±


    Imagining her distressed expression, he thought the teacher would never resort to such measures.


    On December 22nd, Craig indeed left.


    Adide pulled his suitcase to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border. The wind howled, and the sky was overcast- snow was imminent.


    ¡°s, Craig is gone too. I just hope it doesn¡¯t snow on the day of the ceremony <b>so </b>the car can drive smoothly. That¡¯s all I ask,¡± she thought wistfully.


    Craig smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ve ordered jewelry for you at the Starlight Jewelry Store. Go collect it. It¡¯s paid for. The receipt is with Valentin.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Valentin pick it up,¡± Adide replied, watching the car start. The wind stung her eyes, and she <b>felt </b>a pang of sadness. ¡°In such a hurry? Can¡¯t you stay two more days<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°No can do. There¡¯s an urgent


    mission.¡±


    He ruffled her forehead. ¡°We¡¯ll meet again soon¡­ You¡¯re going back to the Shadow Peaks, right?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Adide could only remind him, ¡°Be careful.¡±


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    ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t see me off. Go back,¡± Craig said as he got in the car, fastened his seatbelt, and waved to her. ¡°Go back inside.¡±


    Adide shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m seeing you off.¡±


    Craig didn¡¯t argue further and signaled the driver to leave.


    She stood at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s border, watching Craig¡¯s departure until the car vanished from sight. An indescribable sense of loss welled up inside her.


    Why did everyone bail on her now?


    Her spirits hit rock bottom.


    After returning home and sitting for a while, she collected the Starlight Jewelry Store receipt from Valentin and, with Jasmine, set out to fetch the jewelry Craig had ordered.


    The Starlight Jewelry Store was a sizable two¨Cstory shop named literally ¡°Starlight Jewelry.¡±


    It offered not only gold jewelry but also various other gemstone essories. While its designs were decent, it paled inparison <i>to </i>Golden Crown Jewelry.


    Having opened just a few years prior, the store seemed to take inspiration from Golden Crown, yet its robust backing ensured brisk business.


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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide handed the receipt to the manager on the first floor. The manager promptly had someone bring over coffee, invited her to sit down, and personally retrieved the item.


    The manager was tall and thin, moving with agility. In no time, he returned with a box and presented it to Adide. ¡°Please check it.¡±


    She opened the box to find arge gold bracelet¨Ca gaudy, oversized piece.


    Craig usually had impable taste, so Adide had high expectations for this gift. The bracelet, however, was a letdown.


    Its only merit was its weight and shy golden luster, exuding an air of exaggerated luxury.


    The manager¡¯s grand reception was likely due to the bracelet¡¯s eye¨Ccatching nature.


    Though disappointed, Adide appreciated Craig¡¯s thoughtfulness.


    She tried it on briefly before quickly removing it and cing it back in the box¨CStarlight Jewelry Store was busy, and she didn¡¯t want to draw attention.


    After handing the box to Jasmine, Adide turned to find Luna Cynthia approaching.


    ¡°Greetings, Luna Cynthia,¡± Adide nodded politely.


    ¡°Adide,¡± Luna Cynthia smiled faintly. ¡°With your mating ceremony approaching, why are you out?¡±


    ¡°Just picking something up,¡± Adide replied.


    Luna Cynthia took a step forward and softly said, ¡°Adide, may we speak privately?¡±


    Noticing her gentle expression and the plea in her eyes, Adide agreed, ¡°Of course. There¡¯s a caf¨¦ next door; let¡¯s sit there.¡±


    They secured a private booth, with Jasmine and Luna Cynthia¡¯s omega waiting outside.


    Once seated, Luna Cynthia began, ¡°I haven¡¯t congratted you yet. Wishing you and Lance a long and happy life together.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Adide epted graciously, reciprocating, ¡°And congrattions to Gloria and Alpha Ulrik on their union.¡±


    A wry smile crossed Luna Cynthia¡¯s face. ¡°That day when I brought Gloria to the Frostfang Pack was unavoidable.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality, Luna Cynthia,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I know you withheld some details that day. We¡¯re all aware¨Cyou left the Bloodmoon Pack before they schemed to seize half your personal assets.¡±


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    Adide hadn¡¯t been specific that day, primarily observing Gloria¡¯s evident satisfaction with Ulrik.


    Had she disclosed Ulrik¡¯s interest in her assets, it would have only bred Gloria¡¯s resentment and suspicion, making Adide seem deliberately nderous.


    ¡°Gloria¡¯s quite naive,¡± she continued. ¡°When Mrs. Voss inquired, Gloria agreed without hesitation. We couldn¡¯t refuse this matter. I¡¯m sure you understand the reasons.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°I have a general idea.¡±


    It was clear: with Tad at the helm of the Royal Army, Lycan Erasmus intended for Ulrik to mate with the Olsons¡® she¨Cwolf. The union between the two packs would secure Tad¡¯s promotion of Ulrik.


    If the Ironw Pack refused, the Royal Army might rece itsmander.


    The Ironw Pack, already in decline, couldn¡¯t afford to miss such an opportunity.


    ¡°So that day, Adide said not a word against Ulrik. Gloria, thinking Adide hadn¡¯t maligned Ulrik, didn¡¯t hold a grudge.¡±


    Adide nodded again. ¡°I understand.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t overthought things that day. Upon meeting Gloria and hearing her words, Adide realized Gloria was smitten with Ulrik. Regardless of whether Ulrik had schemed to take her assets, Gloria was determined to mate with him.


    Thus, their visit wasn¡¯t to assess Ulrik¡¯s character but to gauge Adide¡¯s feelings toward him¨Cwhether hatred or affection.


    Without either. Gloria felt relieved.


    Seeing through Gloria¡¯s intentions that day, Adide had been deliberately vague.


    Luna Cynthia continued, ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack once plotted to expel you and seize half your assets. Ulrik disagreed, refusing even a dor. But when Velda wrote to him, urging him to withhold half your assets, he changed his stance. You didn¡¯t finish that part of the story, leaving Gloria much more at ease.¡±


    Adide understood. It seemed Tamara truly couldn¡¯t control the Bloodmoon Pack.


    The pack¡¯s omegas spread these private matters so effortlessly, and every detail was leaked.


    Adide simply smiled and nodded.


    She had little to say to Luna Cynthia and was unsure why she¡¯d chosen this moment to reveal these truths.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s silence, Luna Cynthia fell quiet for a moment before softly saying, ¡°If Gloria ever offends you in the future, I hope you¡¯ll forgive her.¡±


    This was the crux of the matter.


    Adide asked, ¡°I don¡¯t follow. Please rify, Luna Cynthia.¡±


    Luna Cynthia looked embarrassed. ¡°It¡¯s about Ulrik¡¯s sister from the Bloodmoon Pack. She visited our pack a few days ago and said some¡­ well, hard¨Cto¨Chear things to Gloria. Something along the lines of you


    12.14


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    still being infatuated with Ulrik, dissolving the bond reluctantly in an attempt to make him chase after you, only for him not to. It¡¯s rather embarrassing to repeat, but¡­¡±


    Adide sipped her coffee, her expression unreadable. ¡°Sabrina, right? And Gloria believed her?¡±


    ¡°I told her not to, but she did. She thinks¡­¡±


    Luna Cynthia hesitated, struggling to voice the rest.


    2


    apter 289


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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide put down her cup and raised her eyebrows, finishing Cynthia¡¯s sentence for her, ¡°She thinks that a handsome and mighty werewolf general like Ulrik could never fail to win any she¨Cwolf¡¯s heart, especially since I was once his mate. As his Luna, deeply in love with her Alpha, of course, I couldn¡¯t have moved on so quickly.¡±


    ¡°And since we¡¯ve been to battle together, it¡¯s only natural that I¡¯d choose Alpha Lance over him. With Lance¡¯s higher status, I could hold my head high and make Ulrik regret his decision, right?¡±


    Cynthia was left speechless. After a while, she murmured, ¡°Did you eavesdrop on our conversation? How <b>is </b>it almost word for word?¡±


    Adide looked at her and said, ¡°Luna Cynthia, please tell Gloria this: if she never loved, she need not worry about forgetting. Goodbye.¡±


    Leaving the caf¨¦, Adide was both amused and angry.


    What on earth was Gloria thinking, believing Sabrina¡¯s words?


    Sabrina¡¯s motives were clear to Adide.


    She¡¯d heard about the incident at Prisci¡¯s winter party.


    Sabrina, evidently smitten with Alpha Lance and wanting to be his breeder, had deliberately spread rumors to provoke Gloria.


    If Lance heard these lies, he might distance himself from or even disdain Adide.


    Sabrina had likely schemed this way.


    Gloria¡¯s personality was forthright¨Csome might say rash and easily swayed.


    It seemed the Bloodmoon Pack would struggle to find a Luna capable of managing pack affairs.


    Conflicts between Gloria and Velda were inevitable.


    That day, Adide had intended to clear the air but realized Gloria¡¯s true intentions and held back.


    If Gloria chose to believe Sabrina, <i>so </i>be it¡ªAdide wouldn¡¯t engage.


    On the drive back, Jasmine, who had overheard the conversation, was furious. ¡°Are the Bloodmoon Pack trying to pick a fight? After dissolving the mating bond for so long, they still cling on. Do they think we¡¯ve severed all ties? Sabrina¡¯s malicious schemes are in to see! She wants to be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder!¡±


    Adide yfully tapped her nose. ¡°If I¡¯m not upset, why should you be? It¡¯s not worth getting angry <b>over</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°How can I not be angry?¡± Jasmine¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°Back in the Shadow Peaks, anyone who crossed you would face your wrath, even for a whisper of gossip.¡±


    Mentioning the Shadow Peaks saddened Adide. ¡°The past is the past. Then, I was carefree<b>, </b>with teachers


    Chapter <b>239 </b>


    <b>and </b><b>ssmates </b><b>to </b>protect me. Now, even my teacher won¡¯t attend the <b>ceremony</b><b>. </b><b>If </b>I <b>keep </b><b>acting </b><b>on </b><b>impulse</b><b>, </b><b>how </b>can I <b>coexist </b>with Alpha <b>Lance </b>in the future?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>Jasmine</b><b>, </b>noticing Adide¡¯s downcast mood, quickly changed the subject by opening <b>a </b><b>jewelry </b><b>box</b>. <b>Look </b><b>at </b>this gift from Craig¡­ It¡¯s expensive, but the sentiment is what matters most.¡°.


    She sighed and closed the box. ¡°This bracelet <b>is </b>heavy but old¨Cfashioned. Couldn¡¯t <b>Craig </b>pick <b>something </b>more stylish? At least then you¡¯d know he put thought into it. Even though he can¡¯t attend <b>the </b><b>ceremony</b>, you¡¯d feel better knowing he cared.¡±


    Adide almostughed. ¡°Forget it. Craig gave me all those paintings, and the money from <b>selling </b><b>them</b>. That¡¯s part of the gift too. Money is the most practical.¡±


    Jasmine nodded eagerly. ¡°You¡¯re right! Gems and gold are nothingpared to <b>cash</b>.¡±


    She checked her wallet. ¡°I¡¯ve saved my sry for months. I¡¯ll deposit it soon and get a high¨Cyield <b>certificate </b>next year.¡±


    Adide smiled helplessly.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a saver.¡±


    The Frostfang Pack¡¯s mating ceremony preparations were in full swing.


    Per werewolf tradition, high¨Cranking pack bonds held a she¨Cwolf¡¯s evening banquet the day before and a three¨Cday buffet afterward.


    Since this was Adide¡¯s second mating, she skipped the traditional rituals and hired the capital¡¯s top stylist for her hair and makeup.


    Perhaps because Irene wasn¡¯t present, Adide seemed somewhat distracted. 2


    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t value her bond with Alpha Lance. She was determined to fulfill her duties as a mate after the ceremony, taking charge of pack affairs to let Lance focus on his role.


    But without her original family there, she felt a tinge of regret, unlike her first bond with Ulrik, which had left her tearful with reluctance.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s low spirits, Jasmine discussed with Ivy, ¡°Should we invite an opera troupe? Maybe a performance could distract her.¡±


    Ivy pondered. ¡°Time is tight. I don¡¯t know if top troupes are avable. Have Beta Valentin check.¡±


    Jasmine found Valentin and mentioned the opera troupe idea.


    ¡°I contacted them today,¡± Valentin flipped through his schedule. ¡°But they¡¯re booked by the Ironw Pack.¡±


    ¡°Any other troupe will do,¡± Jasmine urged. ¡°It would be nice for everyone to have some entertainment during breaks.¡±


    ¡°I recall a new troupe,¡± Valentin scrolled his screen. ¡°Reviews say their ys are¡­ viewers noting the unique themes<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    innovative, with many


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>239 </b>


    ¡°Innovative <b>is </b>fine.¡± Jasmine said. ¡°Hurry up and <b>reach </b>out. Let Adide choose the <b>y </b><b>herself</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Yes</b>, <b>we </b>need to cheer her up today. She shouldn¡¯t dwell on Irene¡¯s absence,¡± Valentin <b>agreed</b>.


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    Adide apanied the Davidson family to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s wolf pack square to watch the theater troupe¡¯s performance.


    Cedric also attended, having once sneaked into a troupe to beg as a rogue and been driven out.


    Today, he sat legitimately, free from the fear of ejection.


    The tough times in the past made him appreciate everything he has now even more.


    As the orchestra¡¯s instruments began to y, the atmosphere lightened, and Adide¡¯s mood lifted.


    Life must go on step by step, and she was grateful for Cedric¡¯s presence.


    Adide rarely attended operas.


    The performance, selected by a Davidson family member¡¯s mate familiar with such asions, was titled ¡°The Moon Goddess Pact.¡±


    This opera told the story of a werewolf warrior and the chieftain¡¯s daughter. Introduced by the council, the two mated in a ceremony. Soon after marriage, the warrior departed for the border war, leaving his mate to manage the pack alone for three years. She faced challenges in resource allocation andforting worried pack members, while he encountered life¨Cand¨Cdeath situations on the front lines, earning honors through courage and wisdom.


    Upon his victorious returned with medals, he publicly thanked his mate at the award ceremony, holding her hand and emotionally stating, ¡°Mating with her is my greatest fortune. Her resilience upheld the pack, allowing me to fight without worry.¡±


    Midway through, thedy realized the plot mirrored Adide¡¯s life and regretted the choice.


    The show must go on, so she anxiously observed Adide¡¯s reaction.


    During the show, the audience was quiet. Only after the lead actors bowed did Adide p, and others followed.


    Thedy whispered to Adide, ¡°I didn¡¯t know the story was like this. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°The y¡¯s quite good, and the ending¡¯s happy.¡±


    Seeing Adide genuinely unperturbed, thedy eased up. ¡°Yes, a happy ending was only right. Anyone with a conscience would acknowledge the Luna¡¯s struggles. But some heartless people¡­ Well, if they¡¯re heartless, don¡¯t give them a second thought. Better days are ahead.¡±


    Everyone then offered their blessings.


    The mood shifted from the opera, and people began looking at the gifts.


    The Davidson family had indeed brought many gifts¨Cmostly luxurious clothes and furniture. Yet the variety was impressive, creating a vibrant disy.


    Even the jewelry was exquisite, far surpassing Craig¡¯s gaudy golden bracelet.


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    Adide, however, was no longer annoyed. She acknowledged her own initial mistakes and recognized the substantial help Craig and others had provided. To harbor resentment would be petnt and ungrateful.


    Her earlier discontent stemmed from the indulgence of the Shadow Peaks. She had naively assumed that everyone at the Warscar Training Camp, except Klein, would dote on her forever.


    She hadn¡¯t nurtured rtionships with her teachers and ssmates¨Cthere was no one <i>to </i>me but herself.


    The ckthorn Pack under Alpha Lance was bustling with activity, all centered around grandeur.


    Lance¡¯s impatience was palpable.


    Each moment stretched interminably.


    He hadn¡¯t seen Adide for days.


    On the surface, he was calm, but inside, he was desperate to find a reason to visit the Frostfang Pack.


    As dusk fell, he stepped beyond the pack¡¯s borders but was immediately intercepted by Caldwell.


    ¡°Escort Alpha Lance back <i>to </i>entertain guests until tomorrow evening,¡± Caldwell instructed the guards without a hint of emotion.


    The guards, fierce and vignt, surrounded Lance, forcing him to retreat step by step.


    Lance rolled his eyes and protested, ¡°What are you doing? I just had too much to drink while hosting guests. I need some fresh air.¡±


    Caldwell, unmoved, ordered, ¡°Bring a bucket of ice water for Alpha.¡±


    A bucket¡­?


    Lance red at Caldwell, but Caldwell remained unmoved. Even if Lance¡¯s eyes could kill, Caldwell wouldn¡¯t care.


    Beta Ralph, busy as a <i>bee</i><i>, </i>rushed over, wiping his sweaty brow.


    ¡°Could you not cause trouble? It¡¯s improper to visit another pack the day before the mating ceremony.¡± ¡°Enough nagging,¡± Lance waved him off irritably. ¡°I¡¯ll go chat with Elias. He¡¯s been lingering here for days.¡±


    Ralph wished Lance would keep his mouth shut. Lance, usually steady, had been speaking out of turntely, offending people.


    Lance nced down at Ralph and stormed off to mingle with the guests.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci had to meet numerous guests daily at the ckthorn Pack.


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    As Lance¡¯s mother, she was the center of attention, changing clothes five or six times a day<b>, </b>cach outfit matched with multiple sets of jewelry.


    Previously, in the pce, no one paid attention to her attire.


    Now it was different¨Cover the past two days, she¡¯d hosted countless guests, many of whom she hadn¡¯t. recognized.


    Seeing the guests¡® humility before her, Prisci¡¯s vanity was thoroughly satisfied.


    Adide wasn¡¯t yet the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna.


    Prisci nned to throw more parties and flex her authority once Adide officially became the Luna.


    If Madison could entertain guests<b>, </b><b>so </b>could she.


    After the mating ceremony, Prisci intended to visit the jewelry store to investigate its performance.


    poor


    business


    Madison and Wanda hadn¡¯t arrived yet, likely nning toe tomorrow for the ceremony.


    Having changed several times, Prisci concluded her day¡¯s showing off and strolled through the yard of the future vi shared by Lance and Adide.


    The yard was filled with plum blossoms, which Prisci didn¡¯t particrly like.


    She¡¯d suggested recing them with roses, but/Lance insisted on keeping them,


    Fortunately, after two or three transnts, the plum trees hadn¡¯t bloomed, offering somefort.


    However, Prisci was far from pleased with the vi yard.


    Theplex connected tworge courtyards, each with a main building on the east and west sides.


    Additional rooms were built on the north side for their


    omega


    caretakers<b>. </b>


    The idea of omegas sharing a yard with the Alpha and Luna was preposterous to Prisci.


    Lance had never treated pack omegas this way before. Could this be in preparation for Adide?


    The special treatment for Adide made Prisci wonder if Lance had forgotten his past love.


    Men sure were fickle. Before, Alpha Lance said he¡¯d never take a mate. Now he was all set to mate with Adide.


    Prisci felt conflicted.


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    <b>When </b>Alpha Lance went to war, he always refused to think about finding a mate.


    His letters were so firm about it. Prisci even thought he¡¯d stay single forever.


    Yet upon his triumphant return, he announced his n to mate with Adide,


    Though Adide had broken her previous mating bond, at least she could end Alpha Lance¡¯s bachelor <b>days</b>.


    Plus, after checking, Prisci found out Adide and Ulrik never finished the full marking. <b>That </b>was <b>why </b>she reluctantly epted it.


    Prisci and Susan entered the east vi, where the foyer disyed a silver¨Cgray moon goddess totem


    frame.


    New furniture was draped in ivory satin dust covers, cach adorned with champagne¨Ccolored satin bows- even the Baroque¨Cstyled metal partition bore a gand of white roses and silver ribbons.


    ¡°How quaint,¡± Prisci muttered, ¡°so many ribbons. Did I raise a son or a daughter? Why the obsession <b>with </b>French court style?¡±


    The inner chamber was bathed in ivory and champagne gold.


    A custom¨Cmade four¨Cposter bed boasted ivory velvet sheets and hollowce ivory canopies.


    The room, though unupied, was climate¨Ccontrolled and filled with cedar and white peach fragrances.


    Italian minimalist furniture dominated¨Ccream leather sofas paired with obsidian coffee tables, a crystal floormp in the corner, yet notably absent was Prisci¡¯s beloved Rococo¨Cstyled carved cab.


    Recalling Lance¡¯s past jibe about her Baroque¨Cstyled dressing table being overly borate, Prisci <b>saw </b>this ¡°minimalism¡± for what it was¨Ca budget splurge on custom closets and smart climate systems.


    Rubbing her temples, Prisci said to Susan, ¡°I don¡¯t like Adide.¡±


    Susan chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s hardly a secret.¡±


    But Prisci was unsettled.


    ¡°She¡¯s been overly attentive, sending several of Craig¡¯s paintings.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing,¡± Susan said, puzzled. ¡°Why are you upset?¡±


    Prisci rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not pleased! epting gifts makes it hard to be strict. She¡¯s trying to win me over with presents<b>, </b>making it difficult to assert my authority.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Susan reasoned. ¡°As the new addition to the ckthorn Pack and future Luna, she should heed your guidance.¡±


    Prisci nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right. I should guide her. Gifts shouldn¡¯t undermine that.¡± She nced around the room and huffed, ¡°In a few days<b>, </b>I¡¯ll pick out new furniture. That lounge chair in my room is ufortable¨CI¡¯ll rece it with an oak one.¡±


    ¡°Right away,¡± Susan replied.


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    Susanughed as she left with her Prisci could have whatever she wanted. If she had no <b>money </b>of <b>her </b><b>own</b>, well, using her son¡¯s was only natural.


    Susan had grown up with Prisci and considered her family.


    Unable to return to her original pack, she resolved to care for Prisci for life, finally finding peace<b>, </b>


    39

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    ¡°Susan,¡± Prisci suddenly stopped and asked, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible that Alpha Lance truly favors Adide?¡±


    She¡¯d long harbored suspicions, especially given the ceremony¡¯s grandeur¨Chardly the casual affair he¡¯d described.


    He talked like it was all just talk. But every process was handled with top¨Cnotch care. The vi was being decked out in pure luxury.


    ¡°If it¡¯s true, that¡¯s wonderful,¡± Susan replied. ¡°At least Alpha Lance has found someone he loves.¡±


    Prisci shook her head, her brows creasing with worry. ¡°No, thatplicates things. <b>If </b><b>she¡¯s </b>the one he loves, he¡¯d shield her in everything. How am I to assert my authority then?¡±


    Susan cated her, ¡°We¡¯re just specting. Don¡¯t overthink it. If Adide were his true love, how could he have stood by and watched her mate with Ulrik?¡±


    Prisci saw her point.


    Lance was far away on the battlefield back then. Even if he¡¯d wanted to prevent Adide and Ulrik¡¯s mating bond, it was impossible.


    The distance between the front and the capital was vast. Even if Adide had given birth, Lance might not have known in time.


    Moreover, focused on winning the war and believing Aire had consented to his and Adide¡¯s mating bond, he was determined to return victorious.


    Unaware of these details, Prisci still viewed Adide as a blemish on her ns.


    This conflicting mix of relief for her son¡¯s impending marriage and dissatisfaction with his choice tormented her.


    Meanwhile, both the Bloodmoon and Ironw Packs were busy preparing for the next day¡¯s mating ceremony.


    This was Ulrik¡¯s third such ceremony, yet his feelings were entirely different from the previous two.


    When he mated with Adide, he was overjoyed, considering her a moonstone¨Clike treasure and the greatest fortune of his life.


    Even when he received orders to deploy on the wedding day, seeing Adide in her gown filled him with happiness.


    His vows were sincere then, but he ultimately missed his chance.


    His mating bond with Velda was different. He believed he¡¯d found a soulmate.


    Though Velda¡¯s suggestion to withhold half of Adide¡¯s assets made him uneasy, it didn¡¯t shake his


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    optimism for the future.


    Now, mating with Gloria was arranged by Lycan Erasmus.


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    Ulrik had met Gloria only once. She was more beautiful than Velda butcked Adide¡¯s brilliance.


    Most importantly, he felt nothing for Gloria. Her presence left him indifferent.


    Worse still, the previous mating ceremony had drained the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s resources. Even the million dors from Lycan Erasmus were spent, and he still couldn¡¯t afford a decent ceremony for Gloria.


    Fortunately, the Ironw Pack was wealthy, and with Gloria¡¯s brother Tad as the Royal Armymander, the ceremony wouldn¡¯t be shabby.


    But the fact that this ceremony was on the same day as Lance and Adide¡¯s was a headache. Guests trying to please both sides would have to rush between locations.


    This was all due to Tad¡¯s influence, not Ulrik¡¯s standing, which filled him with frustration and thoughts of withdrawal.


    Now, he had to deal with Velda¡¯s mood. If she caused a scene on the ceremony day, it would be disastrous and humiliating.


    Pushing open the door, Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones swirled into fog on the porch.


    Velda sat quietly in a wolf¨Chead¨Ccrested armchair, her mint pheromones tinged with the coppery stench of blood. It mirrored the night he¡¯d told Adide he¡¯d mate with someone else¡ªexcept now, the unhealed mark on her neck oozed silver¨Cblue blood, a sign of pheromone disruption.


    ¡°I know you feel wronged,¡± his cedar pheromones carried an apologetic tone, his wolf ears drooping.


    ¡°Mrs. Voss indicated that Lycan Erasmus personally approved this.¡±


    Recalling the emperor¡¯s overwhelming pressure, the temporary mark on his neck red.


    Velda lifted her head, her mint pheromones intensifying, her pupils slitting into bloodlines under the candlelight. ¡°Did you say the same to Adide before mating with me?¡±


    Her scarred cheek seeped silver¨Cblue blood, a sh of Snke¡¯s wolfsbane and Ulrik¡¯s cedar.


    ¡°No, I told you outright that my heart was yours.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s wolf ws dug into his palms, silver¨Cblue droplets staining the blood¨Cmoon carpet.


    He remembered that night¨CAdjde¡¯s ear tips gleaming in the moonlight, his cedar pheromones untainted by today¡¯s regret.


    She suddenlyughed, her unveiled scar twisting in the candlelight, her mint pheromonesced with twisted delight. ¡°And now? Who holds your heart?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones spiraled into chaos, sulfurced with the stench of burning.


    Staring at the wolfsbane<b>¨C</b>scarred mark on Velda¡¯s neck, he recalled Adide on the battlefield, her wolf ws tearing enemy gs, the moonlight cascading over her armor¡ªhis wolf soul had whimpered


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    ¡°<b>Was </b>your deration of love for me back then just a momentary impulse?¡±


    Velda¡¯s wolf tail flicked beneath her skirt, knocking the Moon Goddess statue from the armrest.


    The mint pheromones were thick with acidity, raising the hackles on Ulrik¡¯s neck.


    He remained silent, unable to answer.


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    His initial affection for Velda had been genuine, but whether it was a fleeting impulse, he couldn¡¯t say for


    sure.


    He recalled the snowy night at the Bloodscar Border when Velda, with silver¨Cblue blood spattering <b>her </b>battle armor as she slit an enemy¡¯s throat, had seemed the epitome of passionate love.


    But true Alphapanionship, he now knew, should mirror Adide¡¯s poise.


    Ever since mating with Velda and Adide¡¯s subsequent departure, a nagging regret had gnawed at him.


    He remembered telling Elder Halsey, ¡°I hope Adide doesn¡¯t regret it,¡± all the while aware that the truly remorseful one was himself.


    But had he loved Velda then? Undoubtedly.


    Yet couldn¡¯t a werewolf have multiple mates?


    Many Alphas did, with breeders in tow. Adide, however, couldn¡¯t ept it.


    Perhaps his indignation stemmed from a broken promise¨Cnow that Adide¡¯s mother, Luna Aire, was gone, he no longer owed allegiance to her.


    He¡¯d thought he could manipte Adide, an orphan with remarkablebat skills and strength surpassing both him and Velda.


    Little did he know she¡¯d step onto the battlefield alone, where he witnessed hermanding presence amidst a hail of arrows. Herposure, even if feigned, was enough to intimidate foes and left him feeling inadequate.


    Seeing his silence, Velda gave a mirthless smile. ¡°Karma¡¯s a bitch, isn¡¯t it? We both wronged Adide, yet why do I bear the consequences alone? You can still mate with Ironw¡¯s she¨Cwolf, climb the royaldder, and sail through your career.¡±


    Ulrik frowned impatiently. ¡°Love isn¡¯t about karma. I¡¯ve wronged Adide, but I¡¯ve never hurt her. If you¡¯re talking consequences, you should reflect on the Bloodscar Border incident¨Cthe connection between the civilians you ughtered and the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre. Who do you are to speak of consequences? Aren¡¯t you afraid real punishment will follow?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve paid my dues!¡±


    Velda snapped, her eyes shing with cold light. ¡°My warriors are dead or injured, I¡¯ve been <b>discharged </b>


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    from the military, confined to this cramped space, and forced to obey your future Luna<b>. </b><b>But </b><b>let </b><b>me </b>tell you <b>this</b><b>¨C</b>I hate internal family conflicts. I don¡¯t start trouble, but if she dares to provoke <b>me</b>, <b>I¡¯ll </b>make <b>her </b><b>pay</b>.¡±


    Ulrik listened to her threats and had a feeling that family life wouldn¡¯t be peaceful. ¡°<b>If </b>everyone behaves themselves<b>, </b>there won¡¯t be any trouble,¡± he said.


    ¡°Let me make this clear,¡± she warned. ¡°Our mating bond was approved by Lycan Erasmus himself. <b>We¡¯re </b>tied together for life. If you can¡¯t control her, don¡¯t me me for getting tough.¡±


    Ulrik rose, leaving irritably.


    Velda stared at his retreating back, tears welling up¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t cry, wouldn¡¯t let anyone <b>see </b><b>her </b>vulnerable, especially not Adide.


    She¡¯d visited the west¨Cwing suite and saw the new furniture.


    Naturally, everything would be reced since Adide had taken most of the old items when she left.


    But the expense was staggering¨Cwhere was the poverty they¡¯d always imed?


    Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her triumph in provoking Adide now tasted bitter.


    She¡¯d lost.


    The Ironw Pack was bustling too, thanks to Tad¡¯smand of the Royal Army.


    The mating ceremony was tomorrow, but guests were already arriving to offer congrattions.


    After Gloria¡¯s previous mate passed away, the Hutchinson family had felt guilty,


    They¡¯d given her their child¡¯s <b>assets </b>and an additional substantial sum from Mrs. Hutchinson.


    The Hutchinsons believed Gloria shouldn¡¯t spend her life alone, but she had refused to seek another mate.


    So the Hutchinsons had given her arge amount of money.


    Gloria had chosen a dress shop that usually required a six¨Cmonth advance booking, but she paid extra to secure a custom¨Cmade wedding gown.


    Her luggage and items for the trip filled sixty¨Ceight boxes.


    She¡¯d heard Adide wouldn¡¯t bring nearly as much. She was determined to outdo Adide in this <b>aspect</b>.


    Adide had left the Bloodmoon Pack. Even if she became Alpha Lance¡¯s mate, her future glory was <b>just </b>that¨Cfuture.


    On the day of the mating ceremony, she would overshadow Adide. How else could she keep <b>face </b><b>after </b>joining the Bloodmoon Pack?


    She heard Craig had left the capital. The Frostfang Pack only had the Davidson family attending the


    ceremony.


    Whether they weren¡¯t invited or guests chose not toe, it made the Frostfang Pack¡¯s <b>event </b><b>seem </b>


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    shabby.


    Gloria was set on stealing the spotlight tomorrow.


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    Alpha Lance was royalty, and he wouldn¡¯t personally attend the Frostfang Pack. But Ulrik woulde to the Ironw Pack to escort her¨Ca detail that put her above Adide.


    She wasn¡¯t trying to one¨Cup Adide. It was more about not being overshadowed by her, especially as a second¨Cchance. She couldn¡¯t afford to be upstaged by Adide..

 Novel Male 244

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+10 </b>Free Coins


    The stylist chuckled, ¡°Cedric is quite handsome. He¡¯ll surely grow up to be a brave and strong werewolf


    Cedric, always delighted to be praised as a future strong werewolf, promptly took a sugar from his stash and offered it to the stylist. ¡°Here¡¯s a candy for you. Thank you so much.¡±


    The stylist bit into the candy and smiled, ¡°Thank you, Cedric. This is sweet.¡±


    Beata took Cedric¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s y outside. We¡¯lle back after Adide is dressed in her wedding gown.¡±


    Around 3 p.m., the future Luna¡¯s luggage began to be loaded onto the vehicles. It would take forty¨Cfive minutes to depart, so now was the perfect time for Adide to put on her wedding dress and have her makeup done.


    The wedding was scheduled for dusk, around 5 p.m.


    Given the winter season, they needed to arrive at the ckthorn Pack by 5:30 p.m. to begin the ceremony.


    The timeline wasn¡¯t overly tight, but preparations had to start early due to the ongoing snow.


    As if Ivy¡¯s earlier prayers had worked, the snow stopped around noon.


    The sky cleared, and the bright sunshine reflecting off the snow created a dazzling glow.


    By 12:30 p.m., Adide had donned her wedding gown and adorned herself with an exquisite diamond headpiece.


    The stylist¡¯s craftsmanship was truly remarkable. Adide¡¯s naturally fair skin had taken on a healthy blush from her recent rest. This healthyplexion required minimal makeup.


    The stylist had entuated her beauty mark below the eye, adding a touch of red, and ced a diamond flower sticker at the center of her brow.


    These details enhanced her already stunning and pure features with a hint of allure.


    Adide¡¯s eyes naturally nted upwards, giving her a distinct charm that needed little embellishment.


    As the Frostfang Pack members gathered to watch the transformation, they were left in awe. The stylists¡® artistry had crafted an image of Adide that was both aloof and captivating. ¡°Calling her the city¡¯s hottest woman isn¡¯t an exaggeration at all,¡± one remarked. ¡°Adide is stunning. Tonight, she¡¯ll surely captivate Alpha Lance¡¯s heart,¡± another said.


    ¡°Indeed. To mate with such a beautiful she¨Cwolf is a blessing from the Moon Goddess,¡± someone else chimed in.


    ¡°Absolutely. They¡¯re bound to be happy together.¡±


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    Adide gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She knew she was beautiful but had never been one to take pride in it.


    Beauty, after all, was a gift from her parents, not her own achievement.


    Yet today, seeing herself in the white wedding dress and diamond headpiece, she felt a touch of unfamiliarity.


    The stylists had transformed her into someone who appeared both cool and enchanting.


    Adide took a gentle breath and remarked, ¡°Your studio¡¯s high fees are well justified.¡±


    The stylistsughed. ¡°Your words are the highestpliment to us.¡±


    The makeup artists invited by Ivy were scheduled for lunch, a pre¨Carranged meal since the bride would depart after 3 p.m.


    After lunch, the studio¡¯s team wouldn¡¯t leave immediately. One would apany them to the ckthorn Pack.


    Post¨Cceremony, they¡¯d attend the party. Given therge number of guests, the bride would need to move about frequently, and her makeup might smudge<i>, </i>so someone had to be on hand for touch¨Cups.


    At exactly 3 p.m., Adide¡¯s luggage began <i>to </i>be loaded onto the vehicles.


    The Frostfang Pack used custom¨Cmade freight trucks to transport Adide¡¯s belongings.


    The cargo area was filled with luxuries¨CCraig¡¯s oil paintings were protected in climate¨Ccontrolled boxes, alongside limited¨Cedition LV luggage sets.


    The Ironw Pack¡¯s territory was just two blocks away. At 3 p.m. sharp, their motorcade set off.


    Gloria, dressed in a custom wedding gown, instructed her omega, ¡°Check if the Frostfang Pack¡¯s convoy has departed and count the number of vehicles.¡±


    Her omega quickly returned and reported, ¡°Only eight trucks! For the daughter of Alpha Bentley of the Frostfang Pack, the scale is even smaller than ours.¡±


    Unaware that each truck was equipped with st¨Cresistant ss and security systems¨Chalf the cargo being Craig¡¯s authentic paintings¨CGloria smirked triumphantly.


    Just as she did, a loudmotion erupted around the street corner.


    ¡°The Crimson me Pack has gifted Adide with fifty Chanel haute couture dresses, three Tiffany yellow diamond suites, a pair of Cartier diamond brooches, and eighteen tinum diamond bracelets!¡± someone announced.


    ¡°Goodness, what a generous gift!¡± gasped the crowd.


    Before Gloria could react, another voice added, ¡°And it doesn¡¯t stop there! The Jade Collection Association has also sent wedding gifts to General Adide: two limited-edition Swiss Army knife sets from the Swiss Army Knife Museum, a custom¨Cmade gold hunting rifle, an obsidian dagger, and a box of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry!¡±


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    This time, even the wealthy from across the street leaned out to watch¨Cporters carried jewelry boxes that cast rainbow halos in the sunlight, followed by weapon art pieces in bulletproof ss cases, escorted by security in ck suits with private militarypany arm patches.


    ¡°The Ancient Moon Pack¡¯s wedding gift to Adide includes a Carrara marble angel sculpture, two sets of rosewood art partitions, and ten haute couture dresses from Herm¨¨s¡­¡±

 Novel Male 245

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide abruptly stood up inside the room. ¡°Quick! See if it¡¯s Pasley and others arriving¡­ Where¡¯s <b>Beata</b>?<b>¡± </b>


    Beata had already rushed to the street corner. Spotting the extended Lincoln motorcade following closely behind, she felt a mix of heartache and warmth. Those who had promised to stay away had appeared in


    such a manner.


    Upon hearing the list of gifts from the Ancient Moon Pack, tears finally fell from Adide¡¯s


    <b>eyes</b><b>. </b>


    Avery, who always imed the Ancient Moon Pack was impoverished, had gifted something so extravagant¨Cit must have drained the pack¡¯s annual budget.


    The most astonishing was the Crimson me Pack¡¯s gift list. ¡°One kilogram of Tasmanian ck pearls, three Colombian emerald disy pieces, a Stradivarius violin replica, eighteen carats of pigeon¡¯s blood rubies, eighteen carats of blue sapphires, and ten sets of Frette custom bedding¡­¡±.


    As onlookers used Google to estimate the jewelry¡¯s value, the entire street erupted upon discovering the Crimson me Pack¡¯s gifts totaled over ten million dors.


    Gloria clenched her wedding gown¡¯s hem, finally realizing those eight trucks weren¡¯t ordinary¡ªthey carried symbols of wealth capable of upending the city¡¯s social hierarchy.


    After the Crimson me Pack came the Digby Medical Center, which sent various precious herbs.


    Following them, other packs also gifted rare treasures.


    Gloria grew increasingly despondent with each announcement.


    Adide, too, trembled with emotion, barely registering the gift lists and focusing only on the names of the packs.


    Many she had no prior dealings with¨Cclearly, Irene had alerted them.


    Finally, after six or seven more pack names, Adide heard Leonard¡¯s voice, ¡°The Warscar Training Camp, in celebration of Adide¡¯s mating ceremony, presents ten buildings in the Chain Shopping Malls and two estates beneath the Shadow Peaks.¡±


    This deration echoed down the long street, likely audible for miles.


    The Warscar Training Camp sending a gift? Adide was indeed from the camp, but as a mere student.


    The magnitude of this gift stunned all who heard it.


    Gloria, with her makeup slightly heavy to cover a few freckles, suddenly turned pale.


    ¡°What? The Warscar Training Camp¡¯s gift?¡±


    ¡°Ten shopping mall buildings and two estates<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Impossible, it must be a hoax.¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>245 </b>


    ¡°<b>What </b><b>happened</b>?<b>¡± </b><b>she </b>shouted hoarsely.


    <b>Back </b><b>at </b>the Frostfang Pack, Adide covered her mouth with one hand, tears streaming <b>uncontrobly </b>


    Irene, ying such a trick!


    After days of suspense, they announced the gift at thest minute¨Cdid they want her to ruin <b>her </b><b>makeup </b>with tears<b>? </b>


    Beata, who had been following the motorcade, turned at themotion.


    Recognizing the Warscar Training Camp¡¯s members, she sprinted back, eximing, ¡°Alpha Adide<b>, </b><b>so </b>many people are here! Your mentor Irene and Klein are here too¨Cso many guests!¡±


    Adide ran out in her wedding gown. Seeing Irene, her tears fell like broken beads. She stamped her feet in agitation, spinning in ce, her diamond headpiece askew. She wiped her tears repeatedly, her vision blurred by the endless stream.


    A tall figure stopped before her, his tone brimming with fondness yet tinged with helplessness, ¡°You used to fight till you were bruised and bloody without shedding a tear. Why are you so tearful now? Don¡¯t embarrass me by iming to be my student when you go out.¡±


    Calloused hands gently wiped her cheeks, removing the tears. Irene smiled, though sorrow lurked in her eyes. ¡°Stop crying. Your makeup is so beautiful today. Now look what you¡¯ve done, smudging <i>it </i>all. Is your beauty mark fake? Why is it smudging too?¡±


    Adide, a sobbing mess, choked out, ¡°Irene, you lied to me! You said you wereing and then you weren¡¯t. Now you show up at thest minute. You¡¯ve kept me sleepless for nights on end. I¡¯m about to leave, and you finally arrive.¡±


    She wiped her eyes again and again until she could finally see clearly¨Cthe people filing in were Irene, Klein, Craig, Prune, Leonard¡­ even representatives from the Crimson me Pack with a group of members<b>. </b>


    1


    Paisley pulled funny faces, though her eyes reddened as she did so.


    Representatives from the Ancient Moon Pack and many other packs she¡¯d never met stood behind Irene, smiling at her with tears glistening in their eyes.


    The motorcade had already departed. In half an hour, she would undergo the mating ceremony.


    Lance had said he woulde to escort her personally, and now her smeared makeup would require the stylists to touch it up again.


    But Adide couldn¡¯t stop her tears. She yfully punched Irene, then Craig, but when it came to Prune, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to hit her. Instead, she embraced her. ¡°Prune, I thought you weren¡¯ting. I¡¯ve been so heartbroken, thinking you all didn¡¯t want me anymore.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prune wiped Adide¡¯s tears with a smile, though her eyes glistened. ¡°No more <b>tears </b>today. It¡¯s <b>a </b><b>joyous </b>asion. You must look your best<b>.</b>¡±


    Prune was tall and pretty, but folks didn¡¯t know she was a total badass in battle.


    As a werewolf, her hiding and acting skills were top¨Cnotch.


    She was the Alpha of the Cloudwing


    But she was always on the move and left the Cloudwing Pack to the Beta.


    Today, she came with her Cloudwing Pack members and gave a gift in the pack¡¯s name.


    The makeup artist at the styling studio had seen lots of big stuff, but Alpha wolves dressed like nobles in fancy clothes? That was new.


    She wanted to fix Adide¡¯s makeup, but with Adide still crying, she just stood by waiting.


    After Adide finished chatting and crying, she got to work.


    As Adide dried her tears, she saw Klein standing next to Craig.


    A fresh wave of sadness hit her. ¡°Klein, I¡¯m not really crying¨CI¡¯m just so happy, tears are just¡­ falling. Please don¡¯t punish me,¡± she said.


    Klein nced at her, all nonchnt. ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide this time. Next time, though? You¡¯ll get punished for


    sure.¡±


    Klein was in charge of rewards and punishments at Warscar Training Camp. Everyone feared him¨Ceven Irene had to watch her words around him.


    After getting punished once, Irene regretted ever bringing him in to manage the camp.


    His first rule? Nobody leaves without his say¨Cso, him included. Even suggesting it got you in trouble.


    Adide covered her eyes like she was scared of Klein¡¯s punishment. But when she peeked through her fingers, she noticed Klein was wearing a high¨Cend suit.


    Her urge to wail died instantly. ¡°Klein, why are you in a high¨Cend suit? I thought you didn¡¯t like that stuff.¡±


    Klein treated money like trash. Usually, he wore flip¨Cflops he just threw on an extra jacket.


    His wolf was super strong, so the cold didn¡¯t bother him


    casual clothes. Even in the coldest winters,


    much


    He also didn¡¯t care for noble werewolves, which was why Adide never connected him to Lance <b>before</b>, Klein snorted. ¡°Feels like I¡¯m covered in thorns. I¡¯d never wear this if it weren¡¯t for <b>your </b>mating <b>ceremony </b>


    <b>1:09 </b><b>THU </b>10 JE


    Chapter <b>246 </b>


    Klein was proud but also cared about appearances.


    So he red at Adide, warning her not to push the topic. If she did, he¡¯d stitch her mouth shut, ceremony or not.


    Adide wisely kept quiet. She looked around but didn¡¯t see Avery, Choking back a sob, she asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Avery? Didn¡¯t hee?¡±


    Paisley giggled. ¡°He sent the gift from the Ancient Moon Pack. He¡¯s already with the convoy, heading <b>to </b><b>the </b>ckthorn Pack.¡±


    Adide turned to the Alpha of the Ancient Moon Pack. The Alpha was usually strict but looked kind today.


    Beta Valentin, wiping his tears, said, ¡°We¡¯re about to leave. Hurry up and fix your makeup.¡±


    Adide had to leave quickly after seeing Irene and the others. She was reluctant to <i>go</i>.


    ¡°Can we wait a little longer?¡± she asked, acting shy.


    ¡°No can do,¡± they said. ¡°The mating has to happen on schedule.¡±


    Prune took her hand. ¡°Come on, fix your makeup. We¡¯re here for your ceremony. We¡¯ve got seats at the ckthorn Pack¡¯s square for the mating ceremony feast.¡± Adide¡¯s eyes were misty as she blinked. ¡°So Lance knew you guys wereing?¡±


    ¡°He knew, but he didn¡¯t know you didn¡¯t,¡± they said.


    Okay, so he wasn¡¯t really keeping it a secret.


    She gathered herself, stood up, and thanked the guests who came to bless her. ¡°No need,¡± Irene said, waving her off. ¡°Just go get ready¨Cit¡¯s the least I can do.¡± Adide said ¡°oh¡± and turned to leave, thinking Irene was way too casual.


    While she was fixing her makeup, amotion came from outside the packhouse.


    We¡¯ll go with


    A pack guard rushed in. ¡°Alpha Lance is here to pick her up himself,¡± he announced. Klein hated all the fuss. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? If he doesn¡¯te, I¡¯ll cut his ears off,¡± he snapped. The pack guard, shrunk back, cowed by Klein¡¯s sharp re, and slunk away.


    you.


    Gloria, meanwhile, thought her only advantage was that Ulrik would personally escort her to the Bloodmoon Pack for the mating ceremony¨Csomething Lance<b><i>, </i></b>a royal descendant, wasn¡¯t expected to do.


    But when she heard from the Ironw Pack that Lance was picking up Adide himself, she was stunned. Did she really deserve such kindness from Alpha Lance?


    She¡¯d nearly been kicked out of her pack and couldn¡¯t forget her ex¨Cmate. Did she really deserve this?


    <b>273 </b>


    <b>Thu</b>, TU <b>Jul </b>


    But she was good at hiding her feelings, and Lance was none the wiser.


    That thoughtforted her.


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 Novel Male 247

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria was lost in thought when a pack member told her Ulrik had arrived.


    She shook off her thoughts, let an omega adjust her dress¡¯s veil, and left the house with them.


    At the same time, Adide left the Frostfang Pack¡¯s territory.


    Both brides set out at nearly the same moment, but the scenes around them and their feelings werepletely different.


    Adide, her face hidden by a veil, couldn¡¯t see clearly and focused on her dress¡¯s hem and heels.


    Prune held her hand¨Cher long, slender fingers gave a reassuring grip.


    Adide could sense they were beyond the pack¡¯s border and felt the pressure of a crowd.


    ¡°Adide, it¡¯s time to get in the car. Be good from now on,¡± Irene said softly beside her.


    Her words carried a mother¡¯s bittersweet feelings.


    Adide was a strong and lovely she¨Cwolf about to mate again.


    Irene hadn¡¯t attended her first mating ceremony.


    She¡¯d written to Aire, criticizing the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation and Ulrik¡¯s mediocrity.


    She was unhappy he was mating with his student.


    But Aire¡¯s reply was that the mating was final.,


    Irene, as an instructor and not family, couldn¡¯t stop it.


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    After discussing with Klein, he coldly said, ¡°Not attending is the biggest protest. If the Bloodmoon Pack is trustworthy, send fundster. If not, keep your resources. There¡¯s always a second chance.¡±


    Klein¡¯s words were harsh but prophetic¨Cthere was indeed a second chance now.


    This time, Adide¡¯s parents were present.


    But she needed some punishment for handling things alone instead of seeking help from the Warscar Training Camp.


    If she could bear things alone, why had she sought help when Klein punished her in the past?


    Adide instinctively reached f?r Irene¡¯s hand, but another hand appeared.


    It was broad and long, with a palm full of calluses, slender fingers, and neatly trimmed nails. The suit it wore had a golden wolf¡¯s head emblem¨Creserved for royal Lycan descendants¡® mating


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    ceremonies<b>. </b>


    It <b>was </b>Lance, her mate.


    Adide took a breath. The cedar pheromones intensified.


    She ced her hand in his. Lance, inexperienced in holding hands, clumsily adjusted until their fingers interlocked.


    Deep down, Adide¡¯s wolf perked up at the pure joy in Lance¡¯s pheromones, like moon grass blooming in the snow.


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones suddenly wavered, and his wolf cars twitched.


    Adide¡¯s heartbeat raced.


    If not for its loudness, she might have noticed Lance¡¯s quickening pulse and the slight tremor in his fingers.


    Lance guided her toward the waiting car, ignoring murmurs about protocol. He wanted to walk beside her, supporting her as they faced their future together.


    Though his height made true side¨Cby¨Cside walking difficult, it didn¡¯t matter.


    Each step felt like walking on clouds. The scene was more real than


    any


    dream.


    He once thought he¡¯d be trapped by past pain forever but didn¡¯t expect fate to bless him with this happiness.


    Adide¡¯s wolf eyes gleamed in the shadows. She sensed the thaw in Lance¡¯s pheromones¨Cthe sound of years of ice finally melting. She instinctively squeezed his hand, her wolf ws briefly extending and retracting.


    Lance¡¯s gaze stayed on Adide¡¯s moon ne. The pendant glowed with her heartbeat, weaving joy pheromones into a silver light around their linked hands.


    ¡°Your nds are glowing,¡± Lance said, his voice carrying a wolf¨Clike growl and a hint of tremor in his pheromones.


    Adide¡¯s wolf suddenly nuzzled against her mate¡¯s image in her mind, sensing the slight tremor in his fingers.


    Earlier, Irene had red at him, clearly annoyed that he hadn¡¯t greeted the elders or followed traditional etiquette.


    But Lance didn¡¯t care¨Che¡¯d face any punishment dly.


    The pain of a fewshes was nothingpared to this joy.


    His eyes were only on Adide, his mate, his Luna.


    He adjusted his breathing, fearing he might faint from emotion.


    Walking toward the car, he wanted to lift her into his arms but couldn¡¯t. He felt weak, as if walking


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>11:09 </b>Thu<b>, </b><b>10 </b><b>J?i </b>


    unsteadily.


    Where was his self¨Ccontrol? Gone!


    Adide wanted to lift her veil to see Lance in his suit.


    Her hand almost did it before Prune stopped her.


    Right, with Irene and schoolmates around, she couldn¡¯t act impulsively.


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 Novel Male 248

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide settled into the car, but jumped as it started.


    She was flustered, though luckily no one noticed.


    s


    Her heart was pounding¨Cbut hey, Irene and Cedric were right behind in another car. They were her family!


    She couldn¡¯t see Lance nearly tripping.


    The crowd burst intoughter, and Lance¡¯s face turned as red as a beet.


    He took a deep breath and sat in the car with a suave posture.


    The royal family members who came for the mating ceremony were allughing their heads off.


    Klein was furious, thinking of expelling Lance, but decided to give him one more chance.


    Only Tommy understood Lance was just too excited and walked on air, hence the clumsiness.


    The car started moving toward the ckthorn Pack.


    Beata, Jasmine, Ivy, and Cedric apanied Adide into the ckthorn Pack this time.


    Jessica and Valentin stayed behind to manage the Frostfang Pack¡¯s affairs, the manor, and shops. Someone had to keep Cedric¡¯s estate intact.


    Jessica was also training people, preparing for Cedric¡¯s future return to inherit the Alpha position, ensuring the pack was filled with reliable individuals.


    Soon, the two motorcades met head¨Con.


    Ulrik looked at Lance, and Lance looked back.


    Their eyes met, and Lance felt nothing but gratitude¨Che was thankful Ulrik had abandoned Adide.


    Of course, gratitude was one thing; Ulrik had hurt Adide, which was another.


    Ulrik¡¯s gaze wasplicated. He once felt the same youthful vigor when he brought Adide to his Bloodmoon Pack.


    Back then, he thought he was the happiest man alive.


    But life was unpredictable. Now, Adide was Alpha Lance¡¯s mate. He had more than one mate, yet he still felt something was missing.


    So, when he looked at Lance, his eyes held envy, jealousy, resentment, reluctance, pain, and bitterness.


    At that moment, he realized he and Adide truly had no future together; their ties werepletely


    severed.


    <b>11:09 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>10 </b>Jul


    This realization made him mutter as they passed, ¡°Congrattions on marrying the she wolf the Bloodmoon Pack discarded.¡±


    He knew he was being irrational. He knew what his words implied. He knew he might face Alpha Lance¡¯s wrath.


    But Lance just smiled and said, ¡°Thanks for being blind. It let me win my true love.¡±


    Ulrik was stunned, watching Alpha Lance drive away triumphantly.


    What did he mean? His true love?


    Wasn¡¯t his mating with Adide out of necessity?


    Once Lance was out of sight, his smile faded. Fuck, was Ulrik courting death?


    Tommy, who overheard, asked in a low voice, ¡°Should we teach him a lesson?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Lance¡¯s lips uttered two words. Today shouldn¡¯t be tainted with bloodshed, especially <b>with </b>Irene around.


    He didn¡¯t want to spend his wedding night dodging her stick.


    Lance paused and added, ¡°Bring more people.¡±


    As Tommy was about to nod, Klein¡¯s eerie voice cut in, ¡°Keep it down. You don¡¯t need to involve yourself.¡±


    Lance straightened his back, focused straight ahead.


    Sometimes Klein¡¯s voice was genuinely terrifying.


    Tommy thought, could Klein not speak in such a tone?


    Soon, the car stopped near the ckthorn Pack¡¯s territory.


    The powerful wolf packs in the capital were already close to each other.


    The sun was still in the sky, slowly setting, painting the clouds like a magnificent tapestry.


    It had snowed in the morning but cleared up by noon.


    Now the setting sun seemed to coat the world in gold, not feeling like twilight but rather a grand and majestic beauty.


    Adide was led into the ckthorn Pack.


    As she entered their territory, she heard a cacophony of voices, some familiar, some strange, interspersed with blessings.


    There was Madison¡¯s annoying voice, oh, and Wanda too¨Cher mating ceremony had been ruined. Craig was the center of attention, overshadowing her as the bride.


    But it didn¡¯t matter because Paisley quietly slipped up, held her hand, and asked, ¡°Guess who?¡±


    ¡°Come on!¡± Adideughed and said, ¡°You¡¯re Avery¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re Avery.¡±


    Paisley snorted, ¡°Avery is probably in the side hall now¨Che¡¯s the gift.¡±


    Adide alsoughed, feeling less nervous.


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    She didn¡¯t know what procedures they were following. She just stood there, hearing something about raising the totem pole and igniting the wolf smoke. She thought to herself, totem pole?


    Haha, so funny.


    Well, actually, it wasn¡¯t funny, but her mind just kept wandering.


    Because she couldn¡¯t see clearly, all she could sense was the strong smell of pine resin and the oppressive aura unique to the surrounding wolf n.


    Then came a shout from the crowd, ¡°Please escort Prisci to the ¡®Bloodline¡¯s Origin¡® stone seat in preparation for the ¡®Moon Goddess Witnessed¡® mating ceremony.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    127341


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    After amotion filled with low growls and the rustling of fur, it seemed Prisci had taken her seat.


    Then, the Warscar Training Camp requested another stone throne be brought in for Irene and Klein to sit and receive Adide and Lance¡¯s ¡°tributes.¡±


    Traditionally, Adide should have bid farewell to her ancestral spirits under the moonlight in her birth pack before joining her mate¡¯s territory.


    How could Lance show reverence to her mentor in his own ckthorn Pack?


    This defied werewolf tradition.


    Klein¡¯s deep, authoritative voice boomed like a wolf king¡¯s growl, ¡°In the name of the Moon Goddess and bloodline, I am Lance¡¯s mentor, guiding him to harness power. Why shouldn¡¯t Lept his tribute?¡±


    Who cared about archaic traditions?


    In the wild, power wasw, and the strong made the rules.


    Klein¡¯s logic was unassable. As Lance¡¯s mentor, he sat on the stone throne symbolizing power, representing the source of Lance¡¯s strength¨Ca rightful and legitimate ce.


    Side by side, they stood before the zing wolf smoke and towering totem pole.


    A sense of familiarity washed over Adide. Almost instinctively, she turned toward the silver moon, quietly prompting Lance, ¡°We need to face the moonlight.¡±


    Lance smoothly turned, his voice calm yet undeniablymanding: ¡°Follow the Moon Goddess¡¯s lead.¡±


    Adide immediately fell silent, realizing her¡¯slip.


    He was a formidable Alpha warrior, favored by royalty, and his mating partner was a she¨Cwolf who¡¯d once had a mate¨Cundoubtedly a sacrifice.


    Better not to dwell on past rituals.


    Adide was guided toward the chamber reserved for mating pairs.


    The journey in darkness felt interminably long, the ground uneven, her senses filled with the scents of soil, moss, and the ckthorn Pack¡¯s intense pheromones.


    Inside the room, Lance would help her remove her veil.


    The Royal Elder chanted ancient blessings, and the ckthorn Pack¡¯s square erupted in a deafening chorus of howls, the pack¡¯s collective blessing and celebration.


    She would wait in the warm room, while he ventured out to face challenges and receive well¨Cwishes. When the bonfire feast reached its peak, they would reappear together to ept the pack¡¯s


    <


    <b>ut </b>


    congrattions.


    This process felt oddly familiar.


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    Sure enough, after the Royal Elder finished his chant, Ivy reminded Lance to remove Adide¡¯s veil.


    Lance noticed his fingers were trembling ever so slightly.


    Eye contact was immediate, both struck by mutual fascination.


    Time seemed to freeze, even the crackling of pine torches fading away.


    They gazed into each other¡¯s eyes, seeing the other¡¯s image clearly¨Ca primal, overwhelming beauty beyond expectations.


    Breath instinctively held, only the wolf¨Clike heartbeat throbbed loudly, drowning out the external winds.


    Lance¡¯s heart pounded like a war drum, quickening and deepening.


    His gaze, like a wolf locking onto prey, was ardent and unwavering, fixed upon her face.


    She today was unlike any he¡¯d seen before.


    Moonlight seemed to drape her in silver, softening her usual sharpness, making her appear otherworldly, like a spirit from the depths of the Moon Goddess¡¯s forest.


    She radiated an icy glow and fatal allure, akin to a white wolf baskingzily yet dangerously in the full moon¡¯s light.


    Adide was equally captivated.


    Before her stood Lance, more dazzling than ever.


    He¡¯d shed his usual battle¨Cworn armor for the mating ceremony attire.


    Far from diminishing his handsomeness, it entuated his towering, pine¨Cstraight figure, brimming with raw, potent vitality.


    His aristocratic elegance remained, yet any trace of cold aloofness was gone. His once¨Chawk¨Clike eyes now held nothing but naked, tender warmth.


    He stood there, firelight dancing on his chiseled features, embodying the mortal form of the god of strength.


    They locked eyes, cheeks flushed from the intense emotional collision and surging blood, neither willin to look away first.


    A strange, powerful resonance flowed between them in that silent exchange¨Cwas it soul¨Cto¨Csoul attraction?


    Bloodline resonance?


    Or the Moon Goddess¡¯s blessing?


    (


    <b>nu </b>


    They all truly felt the tremor of a deep connection.


    45 Free Cons


    Their moment was interrupted by a voice from outside, ¡°Alpha Lance, Luna Adide, the guests <i>are </i>eager to offer their blessings and share in your mated glory.¡±


    Before she could react, the door swung open, and a wave of heat carrying a cacophony of growls, excited howls, and footsteps surged in.


    What warmed Adide¡¯s heart was the sight of Pasley, Ang, and Evie<i>¨C</i>always with that blood¨Cstained leather cord around his neck¨Cstanding shoulder¨Cto¨Cshoulder at the front, forming a solid human shield.


    The guests behind could only offer their blessings from beyond this four¨Cperson barrier.


    ¡°By the Moon Goddess! May your bloodline endure!¡±


    ¡°Never seen a morepatible pair! Your union shall bear the strongest pups!¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 250

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Free Coins


    Praise and amazement flooded in like waves, mingled with women¡¯s uncontroble gasps at their stunning


    appearances.


    Adide disyed a keener instinct for managing the scene than Lance.


    With a smile, a slight lean forward, and a concise, forceful gesture of eptance, she dered, ¡°Thank you for your blessings! Your voices have caught the Moon Goddess¡¯s attention! Today¡¯s bonfire will never die!¡±


    Ivy approached with a massive bag crafted from a whole animal hide.


    Inside were polished crescent¨Cshaped bone chips, imbued with faint energy and symbolizing the Moon Goddess¡¯s blessings, or small pieces of rare minerals blessed for strength andnd fertility.


    This was no mere luxury but a mark of honor at a royal¨Clevel mating ceremony.


    They¡¯d already seen Adide¡¯s ¡°luggage¡°-the wealth stacked in a private warehouse.


    Even the worldly Prisci had widened her eyes in shock and gasped.


    Lance couldn¡¯t stay in the room long. He had to greet the guests.


    He left the room with great reluctance, looking back again and again.


    After Lance left the room, Ivy sat down, massaging her aching legs. The day had been joyful but exhausting


    Avery and the others also went out, leaving only she¨Cwolves in the room.


    Paisley and Ang stayed to apany Adjde.


    Seeing the way Irene and Klein had acted today, it seemed they were trying to take over Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack.


    ¡°Adide, you look stunning today,¡± Paisley said, cupping Adide¡¯s face in her hands.


    Her eyes sparkled with admiration. ¡°How could you be <i>so </i>beautiful? If someone else had a face like yours, I¡¯d scratch it for sure.¡±


    Ang teased from the side, ¡°There are plenty of people more beautiful than you. Why haven¡¯t you scratched them?¡±


    ¡°You just be quiet,¡± Paisley retorted. ¡°Your pack¡¯s disy today wasn¡¯t as grand as ours. I¡¯m talking to Adide first.¡±


    Ang wouldn¡¯t back down.


    She sat on Adide¡¯s right, turned Adide¡¯s face toward her, and whined, ¡°When I attend my mating ceremony one day, I want to look just as beautiful as this.¡±


    |||


    5 Free Coins


    Paisley turned Adide¡¯s face back and huffed, ¡°No matter how you dress up, you¡¯ll never look as beautiful <b>as </b>Adide.¡±


    ¡°Who said that?¡± Ang turned Adide¡¯s face back again.


    Adide ced her hands on both their shoulders. ¡°Stop it. Tell me, did Irene order you not to appear until my mating ceremony?¡±


    Adide had no qualms speaking ill of Irene.


    She waved her hand, signaling for the omegas to guard the door.


    Paisley, never one to hold back, exined, ¡°We¡¯ve been here for two days, but Irene ordered us not to enter the capital. We had to stay at a hotel outside the city. It was crowded, but we arranged enough people to ensure the gifts were safe.¡±


    So they¡¯d arrived two days prior¨Caround when Craig left. Likely to meet with Irene.


    ¡°Irene took Prune into the city daily from morning till evening. We don¡¯t know what she was investigating. Today, we waited at the hotel, and as soon as we thought it was time for you to leave the pack, we rushed over.¡±


    Paisleyined, ¡°I¡¯ve never been <i>so </i>embarrassed, but it¡¯s such an honor. The whole city must be watching us.¡±


    Ang was equally excited. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a scene before. Wow, it¡¯s so lively. I bet the entire city is here.¡±


    Adide smiled warmly. ¡°That¡¯s for sure.¡±


    The capital was vast, so the im was exaggerated.


    ¡°The hotel was small and cold,¡± Paisley grumbled.


    ¡°I¡¯m such a delicate person, enduring this hardship¨Conly you, Adide, deserve such treatment.¡± Paisley often imed to be delicate andined of hardship, yet on the battlefield, she never flinched. Ang added, ¡°It wasn¡¯t too bad, except the food was terrible. The cook must have been ipetent.¡± Adide felt a lump in her throat. ¡°I owe you all a debt of gratitude for putting up with that small hotel for <i>so </i>many days.¡±


    Paisley said, ¡°You don¡¯t need <i>to </i>repay us. Irene does. She said if invited packs don¡¯t attend, they¡¯ll sever ties with the Warscar Training Camp.¡±


    After her rant, Paisley eagerly asked, ¡°How do you feel mating with Alpha Lance? He looks so handsome today. You must be thrilled.¡±


    Adide propped her chin up and said, ¡°We¡¯re just partnering up. He had a past love, but she¡¯s already mated. Wait, I suspect that person was me. The way he looked at me today was different from before.¡±


    Paisley rolled her eyes. ¡°How can you even think that? You¡¯ve been in the Shadow Peaks and barely seen him.¡±

 Novel Male 251

    Chapter <b>251 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°He¡¯s Klein¡¯s student, but I¡¯ve never actually met him. He¡¯s seen me, though,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°If he¡¯s met you in the Shadow Peaks, I can confidently say he wouldn¡¯t like you. There were so <b>many </b><b>male </b>students there¨Cdid any of them like you? They were all scared of you, avoiding you like the gue. <b>Only </b>Avery and his crowd were close to you, and that was just because Avery was poor and wanted to get some benefits,¡± the other person replied.


    Adide retorted, ¡°I am good¨Clooking.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of being good¨Clooking when you¡¯re always rolling around in the dirt? You looked like a mud pie most of the year,¡± they said.


    Adide thought back to her days in the Shadow Peaks, and herst shred of doubt vanished..


    No one would like her when she was like that.


    She used to never think Lance would like her, but after developing a bit of a crush, she¡¯d allowed herself some wild fantasies.


    She¡¯d hoped against hope that Lance¡¯s secret ideal mate, who he¡¯d mated with another wolf for, might be her.


    Today, the ckthorn Pack was bustling with activity.


    Many Alphas from powerful packs hade, with only <i>a </i>few absent¨Ceither they¡¯d gone to the Ironw Pack or attended Ulrik¡¯s mating ceremony.


    Surprisingly, the hottest topic wasn¡¯t the new Luna, Adide, but Irene and her students from the Warscar Training Camp.


    Irene alone was enough to spark curiosity.


    Who was she?


    Her former pack had been one of the top in the capital before she left to start the Warscar Training Camp.


    Many strong werewolf warriors were trained there, including some from powerful packs in other regions and royal or noble werewolf heirs like Adide.


    Though not in royal service, Irene¡¯s influence was unmatched.


    Herbat skills were top¨Cnotch,/her family¡¯s wealth was immeasurable, and hernd acquisitions were staggering.


    The hundreds of miles of the Shadow Peaks alone were extraordinary, with countless estates and properties, and she had investments in many other areas<b>, </b>even owning numerous shops in the capital.


    The wolves Irene brought to the ceremony shattered stereotypes about the Warscar Training Camp.


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>251 </b>


    <b>They </b><b>weren¡¯t </b><b>rough</b>; instead<b>, they </b>were polite<b>. </b><b>They </b>weren¡¯t exactly <b>gentle</b><b>, </b><b>but </b><b>they </b>were <b>well</b><b>¨C</b><b>mannered </b>


    <b>The </b><b>second </b>hot topic was the gifts they brought..


    <b>They </b>were neatly disyed: boxes filled with gems and luxury items. Even for wolves used <b>to </b><b>fine </b><b>things</b>, the sheer quantity was mind¨Cblowing.


    There were rare treasures too, like pink diamonds¨Cone of the rarest types of colored diamonds.


    Each was as big as a pea and looked like they were from Australia¡¯s Argyle mine.


    Four boxes of them¨Cthis wasn¡¯t just a gift; it was securing Luna Adide¡¯sfortable future<b>. </b>


    Even if Alpha Lance had many breeders and lots of pups, her status wouldn¡¯t be shaken.


    Prisci, tallying the gifts, trembled at the value of these treasures.


    When Alpha Lance took Adide¡¯s hand to receive blessings, she became the center of attention.


    She was stunning, like a brilliant diamond, capturing everyone¡¯s gaze.


    Her blush and smiles made people¡¯s eyes stick to her face.


    Many royals had seen Adide before at a military wee banquet after the royal army returned to the capital.


    Back then, she was straight from the battlefield, no time to dress up.


    She looked more distant than unkempt, with skin issues from the battlefield that were hard to look <i>at</i>.


    No one could believe how breathtakingly beautiful she was now.


    People whispered¡ªVelda was good¨Clooking too, so why would Ulrik leave such a gorgeous mate for her? It didn¡¯t make sense.


    Adide¡¯s blush wasn¡¯t just from makeup; it was more from Lance holding her hand tightly.


    The feel of a mate¡¯s hand was special. The cedar pheromones mixed with cedar from his palm made her wolf purr with satisfaction- uniquely Alpha, like the sweet scent of moon grass blooming in the snow.


    During the mating ceremony, their hand¨Cholding was restrained, but now Lance inteced his fingers with hers and didn¡¯t let go.


    He¡¯d had a lot of champagne, his cheeks flushed, his pheromones growing stronger with each breath.


    Adide nced at his jawline and the subtle shiver when his Adam¡¯s apple moved. She forced her gaze away¨Cotherwise, her wolf might lose control, drawn by his pheromones.


    Lance seemed to notice her looking and suddenly turned to meet her eyes.

 Novel Male 252

    Chapter <b>252 </b>


    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    The amber glow in Lance¡¯s wolf eyes reflected the candlelight as cedar pheromones suddenly enveloped Adide, carrying a hint of drunken richness.


    The temporary mark on the back of Adide¡¯s neck suddenly grew warm¨Cthe irresistible attraction between werewolf mates made her subconsciously grip his hand. Her fingertips touched the pulsing nd in his palm, transmitting the same frequency of joyous tremors.


    Adide looked at Lance¡¯s profile and his defined jawline from the side, forcing herself to avert her gaze; otherwise, her heartbeat would be uncontroble.


    When the banquet reached the dessert course, Irene led the Warscar Training Carp students toward the main table.


    Craig, holding a champagne ss, was enough to make Cyrus rise in greeting voluntarily.


    Since Lance and Adide¡¯s mating ceremony was presided over by Doug, Irene specially prepared three sses of ice champagne.


    She herself lifted the heavy beast horn cup, drained it in one gulp, and let out a satisfied growl from her throat.


    Facing the elderly and frail Doug, she merely gestured for him to lightly touch the rim of the cup with his lips, preserving the elder¡¯s dignity while considering his weakened bloodline that couldn¡¯t handle such strong alcohol.


    Adide, watching everyone approach one by one, felt her eyes well up.


    They hade to dere their power and support for her. Even within Alpha Lance¡¯s ckthorn Pack, they used the wolfish ¡°clinking of blood cups¡± ritual to announce to all ckthorn Pack members present ¨Cthis territory would now also echo with the roar of the Warscar Training Camp, extending her influence.


    No one would raise objections to Irene¡¯s background or Craig¡¯s artistic fame at this moment.


    In the shadows nearby, Madison and Wanda maintained stern expressions and malevolent gazes.


    Seizing the moment when Irene and others left their seats, they pounced toward Prisci like hyenas scenting carrion.


    Madison agitatedly stirred the murky fruit wine in her stone cup with a thick bone skewer, deliberately drawing out her words in a tone of false concern, ¡°Oh, Prisci, my dear sister, watching this grand spectacle, I¡¯m truly worried for you. Look at Adide¡¯s backing¡­ Tsk, tsk. As Lance¡¯s mother, not only will you not see her bow to you, but in the future, every word and nce with her will need careful deliberation. Should you identally offend this Luna and displease the ws and fangs behind her, who knows what kind of ¡®reply¡® you might receive?¡±


    She emphasized the word ¡°reply,¡± hinting at bloody retribution.


    Prisci¡¯s mood was asplex as a torn prey animal, indescribably painful.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>252 </b>


    <b>On </b><b>one </b>hand, as the Alpha of the ckthorn Pack, Lance¡¯s grand mating ceremony, <b>drawing </b>representatives from numerous powerful tribes, filled her with pride as a blood rtive<b>. </b>


    a fuel the cont


    <b>The </b><b>¡°</b>gifts¡± Adide received filled the entire exhibition hall, and herwork spanned all circles, <b>bringing </b>glory to Prisci


    But this supreme honor shone upon the newly mated pair, ¡°Lance & Adide,¡± not directly illuminating Prisci herself.


    Madison¡¯s venomous words stung her, amplifying and distorting the subtle sense of loss and discontent within her.


    Was she truly to live at Adide¡¯s mercy from now on?


    There was no reason for an Alpha¡¯s mother to suffer such humiliation!


    Should Adide openly vite the ancient ts of ¡°bloodline hierarchy¡± and ¡°respect for elders,¡± that alone would invite severe criticism from the royal elder council.


    But seeing today¡¯s disy, with the Warscar Training Camp¡¯s strong support, it was abnormal in itself.


    What frightened Prisci most was the thought of Adide appearing respectful to her face while using powers and schemes she didn¡¯t understand to trip her up behind her back¨Ctruly leaving her helpless.


    Prisci knew herself to be naively raised, sheltered by the former Lycan Luna.


    If Adide was adept at political maneuvering, Prisci would be no match.


    At this thought, she lost all interest in dessert and even began doubting the wisdom of moving to the ckthorn Pack.


    At the wee banquet two days prior, she had noticed many guests didn¡¯t take her seriously.


    She had thought it was due to her pastck ofworking, but now she realized that with Adide¡¯s splendid entry into the ckthorn Pack, where was her ce within it?


    The more she thought, the more disheartened she became.


    Madison, seeing her few words pierce Prisci¡¯s most vulnerable nerve like a venomous sting, inwardly sneered at the she¨Cwolf¡¯s foolishness<b>. </b>


    At the same time, she exchanged a knowing nce with Wanda.


    Wanda immediately chimed in, raising her voice with a deliberately ¡°righteous¡± tone, ¡°I cannot agree with you, Mother. No matter how influential Adide¡¯s background or how powerful she is, what is thew of our wolf bloodline after millions of years? It is to revere the source of blood and to honor the elders<b>! </b>Wolves who defy this will be forsaken by the Moon Goddess. Even I, a royal descendant, after my mating, dutifully learned how to manage a pack.¡± She deliberately highlighted her past ¡°hardships¡± to contrast with Prisci¡¯s potential ¡°misery.¡±


    These words acted like a shot of adrenaline, instantly straightening Prisci¡¯s slumped posture and brightening her dimmed eyes. Yes! Bloodline hierarchy! Honor the elders!


    These were the irondws in our blood.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>Tu </b><b>nu</b><b>, </b><b>10 </b><b>Ju </b>


    Even with the favor of Lycan Erasmus, what could Adide do?


    s

 Novel Male 253

    Chapter <b>253 </b>


    Chapter <b>253 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci believed that if Adide showed the slightest disrespect, the royal council would strip her of her status and exile her.


    This thought revived Prisci¡¯s suppressed vanity and desire for control, and a smug look appeared on <b>her </b>face.


    Madison sneered, ¡°That¡¯s not certain. How about this: tomorrow, ask her for a box of pink diamonds. If she refuses, you¡¯ll know she¡¯s not truly filial.¡±


    The pink diamonds in the disy case had long made Madison envious.


    Prisci, who valued face above all, dered, ¡°Of course she¡¯ll give it! It¡¯s just pink diamonds¨CI¡¯ll take them from her treasury myself.¡±


    Madisonughed, ¡°Really? Then go fetch some now and hand them to me. If she doesn¡¯t demand them back, I¡¯ll admit defeat¨Creturn your diamonds and pay you $300,000. But if I win, those diamonds are mine.


    Wanda chimed in with false concern, ¡°Prisci, this isn¡¯t right. If Adide finds out and mes you, it would be terrible¡­ You shouldn¡¯t do this. I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±


    Prisci waspletely manipted by the two.


    Naively prideful and easily provoked, she asserted, ¡°It¡¯s just a few pink diamonds. What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡±


    Moments ago, she¡¯d worried about Adide¡¯s powerful connections and her own diminishing authority. Now, she felt in control.


    She left the banquet, chin held high, with Susan heading to the side hall.


    The banquet hall was lively with guests toasting. Only a few wolf pack guards watched over the gifts.


    Since the ckthorn Pack¡¯s banquet only invited dignitaries, no one would risk sneaking around.


    Caldwell had assigned them, and they let Prisci enter without suspicion after she nodded.


    Prisci walked through the gift¨Cfilled room with her hands behind her back, barely able to find a path.


    Gifts covered every surface, leaving only a narrow walkway.


    Fourrge boxes of pink diamonds sat open, each stone round and radiant. The unique luster of these pink diamonds far outshone ordinary gems.


    ¡°Nearly a hundred carats in total- I¡¯ve never seen so many,¡± Prisci whispered in awe.


    Susan, wary of Madison¡¯s scheme, whispered, ¡°Prisci, this isn¡¯t fitting for you. Taking the Luna¡¯s gifts could ruin your reputation.¡±


    O


    <b>Chapter </b>258


    <b>Prisci </b>nced at her like she was naive<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Do you really think I¡¯d do that?¡±


    Susan sighed in relief, thinking Prisci had sense.


    But then Prisci said, ¡°I won¡¯t take them¨Cbut you will.¡±


    Susan¡¯s <b>eyes </b>widened. ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Fear not. If trouble arises, I¡¯ll protect you,¡± Prisci urged, hiding her true intentions.


    Prisci nced back outside and urged in a hushed tone, ¡°Hurry, just grab a few. No one will notice. With so many pink diamonds, ten fewer won¡¯t make a difference.¡±.


    Susan was incredulous. Was Prisci really asking her to steal at her age?


    She thought Prisci had lost her mind. But what could she do?


    It was her first time doing anything like this. She was on edge.


    Though Prisci shielded her from view, Susan¡¯s hand trembled as she reached out.


    Her heart raced as she stuffed a handful of pink diamonds into her pocket, not even sure how many she¡¯d taken. Then she turned around, feigning nonchnce.


    Luckily, no one outside nced in¨Cwho would suspect Prisci of orchestrating a theft?


    Prisci and Susan walked around the room. Prisci said in a showy way, ¡°These gifts are amazing¨C<b>so </b>many precious jewels!¡±


    Susan wiped her sweaty forehead¨Cnervous in the cold.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We need to entertain guests,¡± Prisci said, leaving the room with Susan close behind.


    Guilt¨Cridden, Susan could only pray inside¨Cshe had no choice.


    Once they left, the guards exchanged a nce. One slipped away to find Caldwell.


    ¡°Is this true?¡± Caldwell frowned.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare lie or stop her¨CI feared causing a scene,¡± the guard reported.


    ¡°See to your post. Not a word of this to anyone,¡± Caldwell ordered.


    After the guard left, Caldwell poured a whiskey and circted the hall.


    Through a screen¡¯s gap, he spotted Prisci handing Madison something.


    He saw it clearly¨Cpink diamonds, at least five or six.


    111

 Novel Male 254

    <b>Chapter </b>254


    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    He kept quiet. Today was Lance¡¯s mating ceremony¨Ceverything else had to wait.


    But Caldwell sighed. What was Prisci thinking, giving her son¡¯s mate¡¯s gifts to others?


    Would a normal person do that?


    He just couldn¡¯t see how such a ¡°simple¡± Prisci could have a son as wise as Lance.


    After chatting with guests, Adide returned to their future home with Lance.


    As the groom, he couldn¡¯t leave yet and had to socialize more.


    Adide watched him leave, the warmth of his hand seemingly still lingering on hers.


    The room was warm, and so was her heart.


    Falling for someone was involuntary. No matter how she tried to restrain her feelings, she could only watch helplessly as her heart sank into Lance¡¯s gentle eyes.


    Ivy came in and told Beata and the others to join the banquet.


    Omegas could enjoy a full meal too, just not at the wolf pack¡¯s square.


    Beata and the others, who had followed Adide through the mating ceremony without eating, were hungry.


    But Beata was more worried about Adide¡¯s hunger. ¡°Ivy, is there any food here for Alpha Adide?¡± she asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s small¨Cte pasta ready for her. Once Alpha Lance finishes entertaining guests, they can eat together. Alpha Lance hasn¡¯t eaten either,¡± Ivy replied.


    Adide looked up. ¡°How can he just drink and not eat? Can¡¯t anyone help him have some food?¡±


    Ivy smiled. ¡°Oh, Alpha Adide¡¯s already learning to care for her mate.¡±


    Adide¡¯s face turned scarlet. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. It¡¯s just not good to drink on an empty stomach.¡±


    After sending the others off, Ivy shut the door. It was time to share some news with Adide.


    Now mated to Lance, Adide needed to know.


    Ivy had nned to wait until Lance marked her, but seeing Adide¡¯s growing affection for Lance, she couldn¡¯t dy anymore.


    She brought a chair and sat facing Adide, looking at her with relief,


    Today, Adide was radiant, more so than during her mating with Ulrik.


    =


    O


    ¤¯


    <b>Chapter </b><b><i>254 </i></b>


    It <b>wasn¡¯t </b>just the makeup<b>¡ª</b>it was the love <b>in </b>her heart that made her glow. The <b>sweet </b><b>feeling </b><b>was </b><b>evident </b>in her <b>every </b>expression.


    Are you happy, Alpha Adide?¡±


    <b>Ivy </b>asked, holding Adide¡¯s hand and gently rubbing the calluses with some Digby¡¯s salve<b>¨C</b><b>a </b>gift to soften the skin and add a pleasant scent.


    Adide rubbed her neck. ¡°It¡¯s just a mating ceremony. I¡¯ve been through it before,¡± she said, though happiness mixed with a touch of sadness filled her heart.


    She was falling for Lance, who had his own reasons for mating with her.


    He was just putting up with her¨Chow could she show too much joy?


    She reminded herself not to get carried away, lest she give him her whole heart and risk future pain if <b>he </b>grew distant.


    Ivy, of course, saw through Adide¡¯s act.


    She had watched her grow up, even after Adide went to the Shadow Peaks and returned.


    She knew Adide¡¯s thoughts too well.


    ¡°Today, I need to tell you something. After I¡¯m done, you can decide whether to be happy or not,¡± Ivy said, giving Adide¡¯s hand a gentle squeeze.


    Adide¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°What is it?¡±


    As Ivy rubbed salve onto Adide¡¯s other hand, she lowered her eyes, hiding the sorrow that surfaced when mentioning Luna Aire. ¡°After you returned, Luna Aire decided to find you a mate. Many Alphas from powerful packs came to the Frostfang Pack.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°I know that much.¡±


    ¡°But what you don¡¯t know is that this was before you returned from the Shadow Peaks,¡± Ivy continued, gently massaging the salve.in.


    Adide sighed. ¡°I know about Alpha Bentley and my brothers¡® sacrifice, and Lance bing the new mander. Ivy, there¡¯s no need to bring it up.¡±


    Today, mentioning her father and brothers upset her more than usual.


    ¡°Please, hear me out,¡± Ivy insisted, pushing back her tears.


    She wouldn¡¯t cry today. ¡°The night before Alpha Lance left the city, around nine in the evening, Luna Aire was already in bed. But when she heard he¡¯de to see her, she got dressed again and went out to meet him.¡±


    Adide froze, her heart skipping a beat as a thought struck her. Her voice trembled. ¡°Why would hee sote?¡±


    Her pheromones fluctuated wildly, revealing her inner excitement.


    Èý


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    <b>2/3 </b>


    111 <i>THU</i>, <b>IN </b>


    HO


    It was as if a long¨Cheld secret was about to be revealed.


    45 Free <b>Coins </b>

 Novel Male 255

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    es


    s


    Ivy recalled the event as if it were a dream. ¡°He brought a dagger and a promise, saying he¡¯d personally eliminate the enemies who killed Alpha Bentley and your brothers at the southern border. He wanted to mate with you, using the dagger as a token.¡±


    Adide was stunned¨CLance had asked to mate with her?


    ¡°Mom didn¡¯t agree, did she?¡± Hershes trembled.


    Ivy shook her head and said, ¡°No, Luna Aire agreed.¡±


    Adide was puzzled. ¡°Then why did sheter agree to Ulrik¡¯s request?<b>¡± </b>


    Ivy sighed and said, ¡°Luna Aire agreed to give him peace, but she feared Alpha Bentley couldn¡¯t drive the Dragon Ash Kingdom¡¯s wolves from the southern border, and Alpha Lance might not return¡­¡±


    ¡°She was scared, Alpha Adide. Don¡¯t me her. She thought Ulrik could give you a stable life.¡±


    Ivy reassured her. ¡°Since taking over the Frostfang Pack, Luna Aire has never made a wrong decision- except regarding your mating.¡±


    ¡°She valued your happiness but misjudged Ulrik.¡±


    Adide felt a lump in her throat.


    Lance had sought to mate with her before heading to the southern border¨Cand he¡¯d seeded where her


    father hadn¡¯t.


    He did it¨Che defeated the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom, reimed the southern border, and finished what her father had started.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    Ivy continued, ¡°Luna Aire actually liked Alpha Lance. She spoke all night with me when you mated with Ulrik. She was proudest of Alpha Lance but worried the southern border was too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°She also thought if Alpha Lance returned victorious, as a royal descendant, he¡¯d have many breeders in the ckthorn Pack¨Can environment unsuitable for your free¨Cspirited nature,¡±


    Adide understood her mother¡¯s fear,


    In her <b>eyes</b><b>, </b>Alpha Bentley was almighty and invincible. She loved and worshipped him, so she thought the southern border battlefield, where her father couldn¡¯t survive, was hell.


    An omega from the ckthorn Pack entered with a bowl of thick meat stew.


    Adide had been feeling famished, but at the sight of the rising steam, her appetite vanished, and her throat tightened.


    Ivy picked up on the slight hitch in her pheromones¨Cthe usually cool, moonlit scent <b>now </b><b>carried </b><b>a </b>trace


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    of bitterness.


    She softly coaxed, ¡°Eat something. Luna Aire would be really d to see you mate with <b>Alpha </b>Lance today, I promise.¡±


    Adide picked up the bowl, tears falling into the soup.


    Her voice quavered with a werewolf¡¯s distinct low growl, ¡°This heavy headpiece and veil are <b>suffocating </b>They weigh on my neck and bring tears to my eyes.¡±


    Her golden eyes, glistening with tears, revealed her vulnerability.


    Ivy wiped her tears, her own emotions in check.


    ¡°After eating, I¡¯ll help you shed this burden. Take a bath and rest. The pack¡¯s bonfire burns bright tonight Lance will returnte.¡±


    Adide forced down a few bites, the food tasteless.


    She choked out, releasing a sorrowful pheromone, ¡°What of the dagger he gave? Did Mom not return a token?¡±


    ¡°The powerful dagger was stored in Alpha Bentley¡¯s treasury. I brought it here. I¡¯ll show it to you tomorrow. Luna Aire did return a token¨C<b>a </b>scarf,¡± Ivy said with forced cheer.


    Adide¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°That scarf was the token?¡±


    She remembered it as a clumsy childhood craft.


    ¡°Right,¡± Ivy confirmed.


    ¡°Among so many gifts, why choose to send a scarf?¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t eat another bite¨Chow could her mother pick such an ugly scarf as a token?


    She still remembered the crooked stitches and how she¡¯d inwardly mocked them back then.


    Ivy¡¯s eyes moistened, but she smiled. ¡°It was your firstpleted handmade gift. Luna Aire cherished it.¡±


    Adide cried andughed through her tears.


    Her pheromones finally carried a hint of sweetness as she ate the stew, her hunger oveing her


    emotions.


    ¡°Why eat this in stew when there¡¯s roasted meat and fresh berries on the table?¡± she asked <b>between </b>sobs.


    Ivy exined the ritual¡¯s importance, ¡°Tonight, you and Alpha Lance will share blood¨Coath wine. This meal follows your mating ceremony. Alpha¨Clevel ceremonies require your presence, but Alpha Lance understood your exhaustion from the blood link impact and ritual strain. Finish eating, then bathe. <b>The </b>stylist will remove your makeup afterward.¡±


    The totem veil, adorned with symbols and bone fragments, was indeed heavy. Ivy winced just <b>looking </b><b>at </b><b>it</b>.


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    The design of Adide and Lance¡¯s future vi blended intelligence and wilderness¡ªoutside the <b>master </b>bedroom was a bath fed by geothermal hot springs. Hot water gurgled through stone channels into <b>an </b>indoor pool, keeping it warm even in the coldest seasons, and it was especially abundant tonight.


    The stylist removed Adide¡¯s makeup, and even without it, her beauty was striking.


    She changed into a purple¨Cred silk nightdress with butterfly embroidery, a plum blossom pattern <b>at </b>the waist, and a matching lightweight robe.


    After removing her veil, she tied her hair into a high ponytail with a purple ribbon, looking both charming and radiant.


    For the mating ceremony, she had prepared many new clothes.


    With gifts from the ckthorn Pack, her closet was filled with Italian silk and French satin.


    Clothes were categorized by season, with over ten shades of red alone, and embroidery as fine <b>as </b>haute


    couture.


    Fur coats hung in a temperature¨Ccontrolled closet, five of them in silver fox and purple mink.


    Looking at these gifts, Adide felt she had enough fabric for a lifetime.


    The nightdress she wore was made of deep purple Italian silk with 3D butterfly embroidery, and a matching robe that shimmered like pearls under the light.


    Though it was loungewear, the tailoring was exquisite, highlighting her porcin skin and the beauty mark above her eyebrow.


    However, it was a bit thin, but the room¡¯s constant temperature kept her warm even in just silk.


    After a hot bath, Adide¡¯s stuffy nose from crying cleared up, and she rxed.


    An omega messenger reported that Lance had drunk too much and would return to the vi soon.


    It was only nine¨Cthirty, earlier than the time Ivy had anticipated.


    Tonight¡¯s guests were exceptionally enthusiastic. Adide had never seen a mating ceremonyst this long -it was clearly in honor of Alpha Lance.


    Ivy quickly ordered the cold dishes to be reced with freshly cooked hot ones.


    All dishes were pre¨Cprepared and re¨Ccooked before serving.


    Everything <b>except </b>the champagne was reced.


    Adide suddenly remembered something, ¡°Ivy, are there more mating rituals<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    She recalled the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s deliberate humiliation during her mating with Ulrik, <b>with </b><b>vulgar </b><b>jokes </b>


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    making her feel embarrassed.


    ¡°That was intentional,¡± Ivyforted her. ¡°It was Ulrik¡¯s brother who hired those thugs¨Cnot <b>real </b><b>guests </b>


    As they spoke, Tommy helped Lance to the vi door.


    Adide hurried to support him. Lance nearly leaned half his weight on her, but herbat <b>training </b><b>kept </b>her from falling.


    He smelled of champagne and cigars, having clearly drunk a lot.


    ording to Tommy, Lance had enjoyed conversations with the Warscar Training Camp members, drinking champagne from the Ancient Moon Pack. After resting briefly in the outer yard, he <b>returned</b>.


    Beata worriedly asked Tommy, ¡°Is the drink ready?¡±


    ¡°The kitchen is boiling honey lemon water,¡± Tommy whispered, ¡°He just mumbled, ¡®Is the scarf <b>still </b><b>there</b><b>? </b>Must be drunk.¡±


    Beata was taken aback, recalling the token Ivy had mentioned, and noticed Adide¡¯s blushing ears.


    She nodded and hurried back to prepare hot water for Lance¡¯s bath.


    Adide helped Lance sit on a stone couch covered with thick furs. Just as she settled him, Beata rushed in, sounding urgent, ¡°He was plied with champagne by Irene and Craig. Tommy said he drank out of politeness<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide frowned, a flicker of confusion and anger in her golden eyes, her pheromones carrying a hint of irritation. ¡°Irene actually let them get him so drunk?¡±


    Wasn¡¯t that just bullying?


    With so many ssmates present, they could drink him to the point of bloodline rupture.


    ¡°Yeah, he drank a lot,¡± Beata said worriedly. ¡°The Ancient Moon Pack¡¯s champagne is usually mild. Why was this batch so strong?¡±


    ¡°Probably Irene spiked it- not the kind the Ancient Moon Pack gifted me.¡±


    Adide watched Lance, his cheeks and ears flushed from drinking. His usually well¨Ccontained aura was in chaos, reeking of alcohol and hot pine pheromones.


    She figured they wouldn¡¯t share the blood¨Coath wine tonight and that she¡¯d have to eat the roasted meat. and berries alone.


    She had so many questions for him<b>, </b>especially about what Ivy had told her earlier.


    But now, he was fast asleep.


    Jasmine entered with a basin of hot water. Adide said, ¡°You all rest<b>. </b>I¡¯ll take care of him.¡±


    ¡°But tonight¡­¡±


    Jasmine hesitated. Ivy had assigned her to wait outside in <b>case </b>she was needed.


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    But Lance was so drunk, he¡¯d likely just sleep it off.


    ¡°What should we do now?¡± Jasmine asked Ivy.


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    Ivy sighed, ¡°How could they get him so drunk? Didn¡¯t they care that he hadn¡¯t eaten? How thoughtless of them to force him to drink like that!¡±


    Ivy med Irene. Tonight was so important for Adide, and Lance was a rare good mate. How could they bear to treat him so carelessly?

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    Lance had been injured countless times on the battlefield. After returning, he was always busy and never properly recovered. How could he endure such binge drinking?


    Not only Adide, but even Ivy felt heartbroken.


    Adide covered his face with a warm towel, wiped his hands, and pressed on his nds to help him sober <ol><li>up. </li></ol>


    Lance opened his eyes, feeling dizzy and disoriented.


    He saw multiple images of Adide before him, raised his hand, and let out a muffled sound.


    His voice was hoarse from the strong liquor, ¡°Don¡¯t move, don¡¯t move. Let me look carefully. Am I dreaming or am I drunk? Why does it feel like I¡¯m mating Adide?¡±


    He was extremely dizzy. When he reached out to touch the face before him, opening his eyes made him dizzy, but closing them made it worse. ¡°Ah, it must be a dream. Adide¡¯s skin wouldn¡¯t be this rough with wrinkles. Definitely a dream.¡±


    Ivy moved his hand away. ¡°My face is naturally rough and wrinkled¨CI¡¯m not young anymore. Come on, drink some water.¡±


    She held the cup to his lips, and he drank it down without thinking.


    Adide rewet the warm towel and used it to wipe his face, couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°You¡¯re so stered! You even mistook Ivy for me.¡±


    Listening to his drunken ramblings made her heart feel warm. Let him stay drunk. He wouldn¡¯t say such things when sober.


    After drinking the water, Lance suddenly felt his stomach churn. He bolted upright and rushed out, vomiting in the hallway.


    After vomiting out most of the alcohol in his stomach, he felt much better.


    Though still dizzy, he could walk by leaning against the wall.


    Ivy called for someone to clean up. Adide helped him back in and wiped his face vigorously v towel.


    She was a little angry. Couldn¡¯t he refuse when they tried to get him drunk?


    Ivy, seeing this, decided to leave them be.


    fresh


    Let the two work things out themselves, whether through fighting or talking¨Cit was none of their business.


    Trying to mediate Adide¡¯s anger might only fuel it further.


    Adide¡¯s anger wasn¡¯t really at Lance but at Irene.


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    Left alone, she felt sympathy for Lance.


    $5 Free Coins


    After he washed his face, hands, and rinsed his mouth with water from the table, he became much more lucid.


    Now sober, he noticed Adide¡¯s anger.


    He knew it wasn¡¯t directed at him. Her pretty face, covered in frosty indignation, was especially captivating.


    The candlelight warmed the room, with pink ribbon decorations adorning every corner. They nestled in his heart.


    He coughed lightly and asked, ¡°These pink ribbons¨Cmost were made by me. Do you like them?¡±


    Adide,dling soup for him, looked around¨Cthe decorations were everywhere, but she hadn¡¯t noticed earlier, too preupied with her nerves.


    She was genuinely surprised, looking at his slender hands and said, ¡°You made these? You can do such delicate crafts?¡±


    His hair was slightly disheveled, but his face was extremely handsome, his smile warm. ¡°I learned.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes glistened with indescribable emotion, feigning ignorance. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure. I just wanted to be part of our ceremony, to contribute personally.¡±


    He paused, ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯ve never told you.¡±


    He rubbed his forehead, trying to shake off the lingering dizziness. He wanted to be fully coherent, not to speak in vain from drunkenness.


    Adide slowly walked to the dining table, already sensing his topic: ¡°Hmm,e sit. Can you handle another small ss?¡±


    ¡°I can, I have to.¡±


    He stood, unsteady but managing a straight line, and sat beside Adide.


    Their eyes met, raw emotion unveiled.


    Adide blushed, lowered her gaze to pour


    wine.


    The small carved golden cup, with a slender red ribbon on its stem, was exquisite.


    The poured wine carried a rich peach aroma- a fitting peach¨Cvored fruit wine.


    ¡°Smells great,¡± he said, picking up two sses and handing one to her. For some reason, his heartbeat quickened.


    As their hands intertwined, cedar scents merged into silver mist under the red candlelight.


    Lance¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. The nd at the back of his neck released a sweet, soothing pheromone- an Alpha¡¯s unique response to his mate.


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    Adide¡¯s wolf ears twitched. She clearly sensed the tension in his pheromones- the ndr reaction of a wolf during courtship.


    When Lance¡¯s nose brushed her earlobe<i>, </i>his pupils suddenly shrank to dark gold slits in the candlelight¨C<b>a </b>primal disy of wolfish infatuation.


    ¡°Adide, drink this,¡± he said, his voice tinged with a wolfish tremor, his fingertips caressing the pulsing nd on her wrist.


    As the peach wine slid down, their pheromones woven by the red candle formed the shape of the Moon Goddess¡¯s emblem¨Cthe embryonic form of a werewolf mating covenant.

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    Their faces were so close, almost able to hear each other breathing.


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    ¡°You and I will be together forever,¡± he whispered, his mind now clear¨Cjust intoxicated by emotion.


    The mark on Adide¡¯s nape suddenly burned.


    As she tilted her head back to drink, her wolf eyes reflected Lance¡¯s erged pupils, the fine vertical lines quivering slightly with her swallowing motions.


    Setting down the ss, they gazed into each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I was going to tell you something¨C¡±


    Adide interrupted, ¡°Let me ask¨C before you went to the southern border, did you ask my mother to mate with me?¡±


    Her wolf ws subtly extended beneath her sleeves, yet retracted swiftly upon touching the calluses on his palm.


    Lance¡¯s pheromones intensified, the cedar scent mingled with a rust¨Clike aroma from the war.


    He was stunned. ¡°You know about that?¡±


    ¡°Ivy just told me,¡± she replied.


    She bit her red lip, then lifted her head, hershes trembling like cicada wings, ¡°So the special someone you mentioned before was already mated¨Cthe one you wanted was me?¡±


    He nodded slightly, ¡°It¡¯s you, always has been, and only you.¡±


    Everything clicked for Adide.


    Their pheromones suddenly fused explosively¨Cthe Alpha of the Frostfang Pack and the royal Lycan bloodline resonating under the moon, hotter than any mating ceremony.


    Her eyes glistened with tears, her nose a bit stuffy. ¡°To mate with me, you gave up yourmand. Lycan Erasmus knew your feelings, hence the three¨Cmonth order¨Cif I couldn¡¯t find a mate, I¡¯d enter the royal family as the New Moon Priestess. He was pressuring you to relinquishmand. You fool!¡±


    Lance wiped the tears from her eyes, gently saying, ¡°I¡¯m not foolish at all. What use is the army¡¯smandpared to you? It would only breed jealousy and trouble. Even without his pressure, I nned to give it up.¡±


    He even smiled smugly, ¡°If not for his ultimatum, I was worried about how to propose. With his order, I believed you¡¯d choose me over bing the New Moon Priestess¨Che did me a favor.¡±


    Adide cast him a reproachful nce. ¡°And you¡¯re happy about being used? You¡¯re a fool who counts money for those who exploit you.¡±


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    Her coquettish manner sweetened his heart, softer than cotton candy dusted with sugar.


    He said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ve achieved my goal.¡±


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Adide lowered her eyes, but her heart was filled with sweetness¨Cachieving his goal, wasn¡¯t that true for her too?


    So this was the joy of mutual understanding.


    He fetched her some dessert, a little of each kind. ¡°You must be hungry tonight.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°I did eat. Ivy, worried I¡¯d starve, had them prepare a meat soup for me. I heard you didn¡¯t eat a thing.¡±


    He said, ¡°No time to eat. Eager to get back, but Irene dragged me to chat with other packs¡® Alphas and drank too much before I knew it.¡±


    ¡°Dragged by Irene, right?¡± Adide took a bite of roasted broli. It was tender and vorful.


    She ate a few pieces, then forked some for him.


    The food he received from his lover tasted sweet.


    They ate quietly, many words left unsaid.


    This was their first meal post¨Cmating, and they hadn¡¯t found the right way to express themselves <i>yet</i>. Better to speak less and avoid mistakes.


    She ate gracefully, like a nobledy.


    Lance¡¯s eyes filled with amusement.


    Who would link the Adide before him with the battlefield warrior? They seemed like two different people.


    Adide, unaware of his gaze, was lost in thought.


    She had learned post¨Cmating protocols before her ceremony with Ulrik, but time had erased her memory.


    Was it about not being too forward for marks? Or not being too reserved?


    Was it about not seeming frivolous or dull?


    Oh dear, she¡¯d forgotten it all.


    Wait, she recalled something. It was about finding a bnce¨Cnot too eager, nor too passive.


    After finishing their meal, Lance stood first, took her hand gently, ¡°You¡¯re tired. Let¡¯s rest early tonight.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ and you¡­¡± Her cheeks flushed inexplicably, ¡°Do you want to take a bath?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I should rinse off this smell so I don¡¯t overwhelm you.¡±


    ¡°Shall I have someone assist you?¡± Adide asked.


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    He smiled, ¡°No need. No one else tonight. The bathroom is right next to the bedroom. You¡­ you change. into your nightgown first.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Adide lowered her eyes, withdrew her hand, and whispered, ¡°Hurry. After so much alcohol, a quick wash is enough.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡± A wave of warmth surged in him.


    The bathroom was stocked with Lance¡¯s pajamas, made offortable fabric matching Adide¡¯s in style


    and color.


    Lance, anticipating ate night, had bathed thoroughly the night before.


    Emerging from the bathroom in his pajamas, he looked clean and handsome.


    After his time in the capital, his skin had lightened.


    Adide recalled their first meeting on the battlefield¨C he was bearded and disheveled, <i>a </i>far cry from the man before her now.


    He took her hand and slowly guided her toward therge bed.

 Novel Male 259

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    Adide¡¯s heart pounded like a fleeing prey¡¯s, her palms sweating with a sweet yet bitter pheromone


    escape.


    She¡¯d never been this nervous around anyone.


    Her golden eyes dted in the dim light, shimmering with indescribable radiance.


    Unbeknownst to her, Lance was even more anxious.


    His usually contained pine and snow scent swirled like a storm, hot and oppressive, thickening the air.


    Lance wanted to shake every wolf and roar, ¡°Have you waited years for a woman? Watched her grow up, only for her to mate with another?¡±


    When he thought all was lost, she reappeared as a free mate, and tonight, they finally mated.


    No one couldprehend his racing blood and soul¨Cdeep euphoria.


    In his excitement, Lance stepped on her nightgown hem.


    Adide lunged forward, but his quick reflexes caught her in his strong arms.


    His deep voice wavered, ¡°Sorry!¡±


    Her warm body pressed against him, her unique scent enveloping him, and his world exploded.


    Dizziness and fiery passion overwhelmed him, his wolf heart pounding like never before, drowning out all reason in primal instinct.


    He couldn¡¯t recall what happened next.


    When awareness returned, they were on the velvet¨Ccovered bed, her fumbling hands at his nightshirt buttons.


    Shey half¨Cprone, cheeks and neck flushed, avoiding his gaze.


    His robe hung open, revealing his powerful chest.


    Her hands trembled, her pheromones now rich with shyness.


    Adide¡¯s heart raced. Then he pulled her onto the bed.


    Since he made the first move, she couldn¡¯t act too reserved. She should respond, right?


    Typically, he¡¯d embrace her and she¡¯d undress him, not wait passively.


    His nightshirt was half¨Copen, What came next?


    Her blood burned, skin flushed, ears hot.


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    She felt thrown into a hot spring, every hair steaming.


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    Hershes fluttered as she nced at him, neck exposed under his heated stare¨Ca silent question hung in¨C the air.


    This vulnerable yet irresistibly tempting sight blurred Lance¡¯s vision.


    His lips trembled, a low growl rising in his throat.


    When their lips met, his fangs instinctively emerged. The soft contact ignited a spark, shattering hisst shred of control.


    Dizziness and an primal urge to im and mark her swept over him.


    Adide was enveloped in his strong, hot body. His arms were steel, his chest a zing furnace.


    Her breath hitched¨Cnot just from his weight but his possessive, reverent kiss, his scorching breath like a soul¨Cstealing force.


    He wasn¡¯t kissing her carelessly.


    He knew how to guide this sacred union, how toplete the final mark.


    But his racing blood left him lightheaded and momentarily nk.


    Tonight was their first night of blood and soul fusion. He had to be perfect.


    This girl had been his focus since youth.


    He waited for her to grow up, to experience her first full moon.


    He never touched another female, treating this as the most sacred of wolf pack covenants, yearning for the deepest soul and blood connection with her.


    Thus, Lance¡¯s current clumsiness was understandable. Fortunately, the night was long.


    The moon hung high, time enough for instinct to lead them.


    Guided by instinct and love, they explored each other. From awkward fumbles <i>to </i>still slightly clumsy touches, every skin contact sparked electricity, igniting deeper craving.


    Lance¡¯s throat emitted a wolfish tremor, cedar pheromones bursting like a blizzard.


    The moon crown mark on his neck zed silver, intertwining with Adide¡¯s silv the air, forming the Moon Goddess emblem.


    blue blood beads in


    As he lowered himself, his pupils harrowed to blood moon¨Cshaped slits. His elongated fangs pierced his lower lip, the rust¨Cscented pheromones carrying the aura of battle scars, flooding into her heated nd.


    Adide¡¯s wolf ears quivered violently, her silver fur bristling from the mark¡¯s sting.


    She clearly sensed Lance¡¯s urgency in his pheromones.


    The moment his fang sank into her nd, their pheromones merged in the air, leaving a permanent


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    IL S <b>T</b>| Chapter 259


    imprint.


    **Free Coing


    Blood dripped from Lance¡¯s fang, his wolf tail uncontrobly swishing behind him. When the marking was done, the room¡¯s pheromones abruptly stilled, leaving only the sweet, lingering scent of mates:

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    The pine torches on the rock wall crackled and spat, casting interwoven shadows in the flickering firelight. The entire night was bathed in a warm, primal gold.


    And wasn¡¯t their life ahead long enough?


    The next morning, before 6. a. m., Ivy knocked outside.


    The bedroom had an inner and outer chamber, separated by a velvet curtain.


    At the knock, Lance and Adide sat up instantly¨Ctheir wolf instincts ever¨Cvignt.


    Adide, upon seeing Lance bare, froze before grabbing the velvet nket to cover herself.


    Her cheeks burned.


    Lance, recalling the previous night, felt a pang of inexperience and avoided her gaze.


    He slipped into his silk robe and cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯ll get up first. You¡­ put on your robe. I¡¯ll call an omega in to help you dress.¡±


    Why was there such awkwardness?


    He couldn¡¯t meet her eyes but nced sneakily.


    Her sleepy, dazed look was like morning dew¨Cstunning.


    He opened the door to Ivy and Susan. They bowed. ¡°Alpha Lance,¡± Susan greeted.


    Lance nodded. ¡°Help Luna Adide change.¡±


    But Susan wasn¡¯t there to dress Adide. On Prisci¡¯s orders, she was there to check for marks.


    When Adide rose in her robe, the moon crown mark on her neck oozed silver¨Cblue blood beads. The nd punctured by Lance¡¯s fang was visible beneath her cor.


    Adide, meeting Ivy¡¯s gaze and thinking of the unmistakable hickey, felt embarrassment surge but kept herposure. ¡°Since you¡¯re all here, let¡¯s get ready.¡±


    Lance, usually attended by omegas, had kept everyone out this time. He nned to let Adide choose her attendants.


    After years at the southern border he was used to Caldwell¡¯s temporary omega staff, but they hadn¡¯t gelled.


    He preferred no females close.


    He took his morning suit to the dressing area behind the screen. Just as he was about to enter, he saw Susan examining Adide¡¯s neck.


    He stopped her immediately. ¡°Susan, what are you doing?¡±


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    Susan, having seen the mark, grinned. ¡°I¡¯m just tidying up yesterday¡¯s clothes for washing


    Adide¡¯s cheeks flushed again. She started her morning routine, pretending not to notice Susan¡¯s actions


    Susan called in two servants to collect all bedding for washing and remake the bed.


    Ivy watched with bittersweet feelings¨Csad that Adide had given so much during her year in the Bloodmoon Pack with little substance, yet d that Lance was the first to mark her.


    With this proof, no one in the pack would dare question Adide¡¯s standing.


    Today required a formal gown for Adide.


    They were heading to the pce to pay respects to Lycan Luna rissa and Lycan Erasmus, necessitating a formal Luna dress.


    She donned a crimson velvet gown with symmetrical silver phoenix and rose embroidery, fastened with gold sps.


    Beneath it, a green round¨Cneck dressplemented the look.


    On her head sat a splendid headdress adorned with nine silver feathers and a crystal cloud at the peak.


    Due to the cold, Ivy added a hooded crimson velvet cloak. The hood rested behind her head, its sides and rim lined with white fox fur, adding an air of dignity with a touch of yfulness.


    Lance needed assistance with his formal attire.


    Unfamiliar with the cumbersome process, he summoned Ralph and a wolf guard to help him dress.


    He wore a sapphire¨Cencrusted hat, a deep blue coat embroidered with five sets of silver scrollwork, andurel leaves symbolizing power on the shoulders. A wine¨Cred leather belt with diamond pins secured his waist.


    The pins featured gold geometric patterns linked by pearl chains, with ribbons in red, white, light blue, and green hanging from the bottom.


    A wide sash in these four colors crossed his chest, enhancing his already imposing figure in the tailored


    suit.


    Adide applied light makeup¨Cher natural beauty notwithstanding, a bare face was inappropriate.


    Once ready, she left with Ivy and Beata.


    On their way, she inquired about Cedric, relieved to hear he was sleeping soundly under Jasmine¡¯s care.


    In the outer room, Adide and Lance met each other¡¯s eyes.


    Dressed formally, they momentarily forgotst night¡¯s intimacy and felt no awkwardness.


    Lance extended his hand naturally, Adide ced hers in his, and they smiled at each other before walking out together.


    Behind them, Ivy discreetly wiped away tears. Though she¡¯d promised not to cry, seeing Lance and


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    Adide so lovingly united brought tears to her eyes.


    Prisci was already seated in the Packhouse¡¯s council chamber, on a carved velvet armchair she¡¯d speciallymissioned.


    Despite rarely spending much time there, today she needed to project authority.


    As the couple prepared to leave, Caldwell intercepted them.


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 Novel Male 261

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Today, with gifts to be logged and stored, the missing pink diamonds had to be reported,


    s


    Caldwell knew these gifts came with registers and lists. Any shortage would be spotted at inventory.


    The diamonds arrived in boxes, somebeled with quantities. Regardless of the records, he had to inform Alpha Lance and Luna Adide¨CMadison mustn¡¯t benefit from this.


    On hearing this, Lance¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Are you sure? Did she really take them?¡±


    ¡°Crystal clear. She took them herself. When Susan stole them, the wolf guards witnessed it but couldn¡¯t expose her on the spot.¡±


    Lance believed it¨Cit matched his mother¡¯s style.


    It wasn¡¯t greed. She loved face and showing off, and she often associated with Madison and Wanda.


    Despite being at a disadvantage, she tried to please them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it myself after we return from the pce,¡± Lance said.


    Adide was exasperated¨Cwhat was Prisci thinking? Giving her gifts to Madison?


    Was it to save face or to show she could control the new Luna?


    Adide despised such unreasonable people.


    She understood Prisci¡¯s attitude toward Madison and her schemes.


    What puzzled her was why the usually dominant Prisci would fear Madison and her daughter. Were they truly formidable?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Adide responded firmly.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Lance had some misgivings. Madison was tough to deal with. If she denied everything, things could getplicated.


    ¡°If I can¡¯t even reim a few diamonds, how can I stand my ground? But first, I must gave the diamonds to her.¡±


    Prisci why she


    Prisci, who had meticulously arranged the scene, finally waited for her son and Adide to enter the council chamber hand in hand.


    The picture was harmonious¨Cher handsome son and beautiful Adide, both exuding authority and coldness, looked perfectly matched.


    ¤ó


    Susan had just reported that Adide spent the night with Lance and was fully marked.


    Prisci was satisfied but still hadn¡¯t fully epted Adide¡¯s second mating.


    III


    O


    10.00


    She sat upright, her manner haughty and her gazemanding respect.


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Lance, knowing about the pink diamonds, suppressed his anger, took Adide¡¯s hand, and knelt to greet Prisci.


    Adide offered Prisci a coffee cup.


    Prisci deliberately ignored them until Lance¡¯s eyes almost zed with fury. Only then did she slowly take the coffee and sip it before setting it down.


    ¡°Bring the gifts,¡± she ordered imperiously.


    Susan ced a tray with a pair of diamond¨Cembedded rose bracelets and smilingly offered them to Adide as a gift.


    Following protocol, Adide thanked her with a bow.


    Prisci was rubbing her neck and said, ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. It was such a restless night, and now I have a headache. Come and give me a head massage.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Lance interrupted in a cold voice.


    His cedar pheromones suddenly became intense, and his wolf ears pricked up.


    ¡°I need to ask you something. Did you take a few pink diamonds from Adide¡¯s wedding gifts and give them to Madisonst night?¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes darted away¨Ca telltale sign of guilt.


    The mark on the back of her neck suddenly burned, and a bitter taste surfaced in her mint pheromones.


    Her wolf tail curled defensively under her skirt, and her vertical pupils became jagged in the sunlight. ¡°Who¡¯s spreading rumors? I won¡¯t let this go.¡±


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones exploded like a blizzard, his aura so oppressive that the moon grass in the hall shed leaves.


    His nail¨Chardened fingers scraped the wolfbone table, leaving five silver¨Cblue blood streaks. ¡°Did you or not?¡±


    ¡°Answer me!¡±


    Prisci was intimidated by her son¡¯s stern expression¨Cit mirrored the former Lycan King¡¯s wrath.


    Lance¡¯s aura, unlike the former Lycan King¡¯s white musk, carried the rust scent of battlefields.


    While she could still act coquettish with Lycan King when he was angry, Lance¡¯s cold, de¨Clike gaze left her no room for such tactics.


    Under Lance¡¯s intense gaze, she signaled to Susan.


    Susan dropped to her knees with a thud. ¡°Alpha Lance, it¡¯s all my fault.¡±


    She spilled everything about Madison¡¯s bet with Prisci.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    C


    10:06 Fri, 11 Jul G


    Prisci red at Susan¨Cshe couldn¡¯t keep anything secret.


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    After hearing the whole story, Adide gave Lance a calming look, signaling him not to act impulsively.


    Then she spoke, ¡°It¡¯s just a few pink diamonds. I could gift them to you. Since Madison said she¡¯d return the diamonds and pay you $300,000 if you didn¡¯t chase after them, it¡¯s simple. Today, you go with me <i>to </i>Madison¡¯s house, and I¡¯ll rify things in person. Madison is reasonable. She¡¯ll honor the bet, return the diamonds, and pay you the money.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯re not pursuing it? Not angry? I took your wedding gifts, and you¡¯re not angry?¡±


    Was Adide truly so generous?

 Novel Male 262

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a few pink diamonds. I could gift them all to you. What¡¯s there to be angry about? But these diamonds are quite valuable. If they fall into someone else¡¯s hands, wouldn¡¯t that give her a bargain? We can¡¯t let her have that advantage.¡±


    Prisci pped her hands and said excitedly, ¡°Great! I¡¯ve won! I¡¯ll go with you to Madison¡¯s house right now to get back the pink diamonds and make her lose three hundred thousand dors! I spent a lot of money on that jewelry store investment before and haven¡¯t made a penny. Now, getting three hundred thousand US dors back from them is just making up for what I gave themst time.¡±


    ¡°Jewelry store?¡± Adide inquired meaningfully. ¡°The jewelry store you opened with Madison?¡±


    ¡°Of course! A gold jewelry store that¡¯s been open for several years. It¡¯s never made a profit, and I have to keep subsidizing the inventory costs¡­¡±


    Prisci suddenly stopped, realizing that her words exposed her poor investment sense and were damaging to her pride.


    She quickly changed her tune, ¡°But in business, there are losses and profits. It¡¯s normal. You wouldn¡¯t understand. Starting a business is hard, and maintaining it is even harder. It will make a profit eventually.¡±


    Adide smiled, her jaw clenching with frustration, yet she still responded mildly, ¡°You¡¯re right. In business, there are always gains and losses. Oh, by the way, is the jewelry store a fifty¨Cfifty partnership between you and them? Have you signed a contract? Have you ever seen the books since it opened?¡±


    Prisci said proudly, ¡°Of course we signed a contract. Do you take me for a fool? Actually, it¡¯s not <i>a </i>50-50 split. I hold a 70% stake. The ledgers are sent over quarterly, and I¡¯ve checked them. We¡¯ve indeed been in the red.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You have the majority stake? Then if there¡¯s a loss, you have to subsidize more, don¡¯t you? How much have you invested over the years? Have you kept track?¡± Prisci asked.


    ¡°Of course I¡¯ve kept track. Every expense is recorded,¡± Prisci replied.


    Adide thought to herself, ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± and said, ¡°Have you remembered the total amount invested?¡±


    Prisci responded impatiently, ¡°Who would memorize all the numbers? I can only chec roughly tens of millions of dors.¡±


    ledger. It¡¯s


    Adide nced at Lance, whose expression was darkening, and continued, ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve never been to the jewelry store?¡±


    Prisci said coldly, ¡°How could I go there? I was busy preparing for your mating ceremony with the ckthorn Pack. Besides, does my presence matter? The store is managed by Madison¡¯s people. Madison and I are of high status. We can¡¯t be seen in public. Anyway, I review the quarterly ounts, so I¡¯m not worried about being cheated.¡±


    Adide knew that many businesses of influential families were managed by professional managers, usually with trusted inspectors sent out.


    <


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    a


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a few pink diamonds. I could gift them all to you. What¡¯s there to be angry about? But these diamonds are quite valuable. If they fall into someone else¡¯s hands, wouldn¡¯t <b>that </b>give her a bargain? We can¡¯t let her have that advantage.¡±


    Prisci pped her hands and said excitedly, ¡°Great! I¡¯ve won! I¡¯ll go with you to Madison¡¯s house right now to get back the pink diamonds and make her lose three hundred thousand dors! I spent a lot of money on that jewelry store investment before and haven¡¯t made a penny. Now, getting three hundred thousand US dors back from them is just making up for what I gave themst time.¡±


    ¡°Jewelry store?¡± Adide inquired meaningfully. ¡°The jewelry store you opened with Madison?¡±


    ¡°Of course! A gold jewelry store that¡¯s been open for several years. It¡¯s never made a profit, and I have to keep subsidizing the inventory costs¡­¡±


    Prisci suddenly stopped, realizing that her words exposed her poor investment sense and were damaging to her pride.


    She quickly changed her tune, ¡°But in business, there are losses and profits. It¡¯s normal. You wouldn¡¯t understand. Starting a business is hard, and maintaining it is even harder. It will make a profit eventually.¡±


    Adide smiled, her jaw clenching with frustration, yet she still responded mildly, ¡°You¡¯re right. In business, there are always gains and losses. Oh, by the way, is the jewelry store a fifty¨Cfifty partnership between you and them? Have you signed a contract? Have you ever seen the books since it opened?¡±


    Prisci said proudly, ¡°Of course we signed a contract. Do you take me for a fool? Actually, it¡¯s not a 50-50 split. I hold a 70% stake. The ledgers are sent over quarterly, and I¡¯ve checked them. We¡¯ve indeed been in the red.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You have the majority stake? Then if there¡¯s a loss, you have to subsidize more, don¡¯t you? How much have you invested over the years? Have you kept track?¡± Prisci asked.


    ¡°Of course I¡¯ve kept track. Every expense is recorded,¡± Prisci replied.


    Adide thought to herself, ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± and said, ¡°Have you remembered the total amount investe¡­


    Prisci responded impatiently, ¡°Who would memorize all the numbers? I can only check the ledger. It¡¯s: roughly tens of millions of dors.¡±


    Adide nced at Lance, whose expression was darkening, and continued, ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve never been to the jewelry store?¡±


    Prisci said coldly, ¡°How could I go there? I was busy preparing for your mating ceremony with the ckthorn Pack. Besides, does my presence matter? The store is managed by Madison¡¯s <b>people</b>. Madison and I are of high status. We can¡¯t be seen in public. Anyway, I review the quarterly ounts, so I¡¯m <b>not </b>worried about being cheated.¡±


    Adide knew that many businesses of influential families were managed by professional <b>managers</b>, usually with trusted inspectors sent out.


    Prisci was right, but the word ¡°we¡± was inappropriate.


    5 Free Coins


    Lance was already furious¡ªtens of millions of dors invested with no return. When preparing for <b>the </b>mating ceremony, he and Caldwell had visited all the gold shops in the capital with Ralph. The most sessful was the ¡°Royal Gold Shop.¡± Madison¡¯s jewelry store always copied its designs and had a poor reputation.


    But due to the simr styles and lower prices, business was actually good. It was impossible to be losing money to the point of needing subsidies.


    Adide was also aware of this but didn¡¯t want to expose it now. The priority was to retrieve the pink diamonds.


    Lance ordered the carriage prepared. To prevent his mother from bragging at Madison¡¯s house first, he took her back to the pce with him.


    The convoy consisted of three carri one for Lance and Adide, one for Prisci and Susan, and


    one for Ivy, Beata, and Jasmine.


    Back at the pce, Lycan Luna rissa was delighted to see Adide. She held Adide¡¯s hand, asking numerous questions and earnestly warning Lance to treat her well.


    Lance promised repeatedly in front of h


    Prisci, however, was displeased. Why didn¡¯t rissa admonish Adide to take good care of her mate? Did Luna think herself more high and mighty than Alpha?


    rissa, of course, saw right through her sister¡¯s irritation.


    When Lance and Adide went to pay respects to Lycan Erasmus, she detained Prisci and Susan.


    She first addressed Susan, ¡°Now that you¡¯re in the ckthorn Pack, life differs from the pce. In social interactions, it¡¯s essential to mind your manners. Any missteps or offensive remarks could harm the ckthorn Pack. Your conduct must be impable. Prisci, whom you¡¯ve helped raise, adores you. But going forward, if you notice her doing something wrong, you must remind her immediately. If she intends to act inappropriately, you must dissuade her. Understood?¡±


    Susan responded respectfully, ¡°Yes, I understand.¡±


    ¨C Prisci sneered, ¡°rissa, what have I done wrong? Moreover, I¡¯ll be managing the pack¡¯s internal affairs


    and overseeing all matters. With Susan and Ralph¡¯s assistance, and Caldwell¡¯s guidance, what could possibly go wrong?¡±


    ¡°You managing the pack?¡±


    rissa waved her hand dismissively, ¡°No, you must simply enjoy life within the pack. Stay out <b>of </b>pack affairs. If you wish to manage something, focus on your own household, You have plenty <b>of </b>people in <b>your </b>household and numerous attendants under you¨Cmore than enough to keep you busy.¡±


    Prisci retorted, ¡°As Lance¡¯s mother, if I don¡¯t help him manage the pack, who will? <b>Surely </b><b>you </b><b>don¡¯t </b>expect Adide,to? What does she know?¡±

 Novel Male 263

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    rissa rebutted mercilessly, ¡°Even if she knows less than you, it¡¯s still more than you. She¡¯s Lance¡¯s partner and the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna. It¡¯s her role to assist Lance in managing the pack.¡±


    ¡°You refused to learn about financial statements during your youth when your mother taught you. After entering the royal family as the New Moon Priestess, you couldn¡¯t even outwit a breeder. If I hadn¡¯t always looked after you, do you think they would have let you have smooth sailing all these years? When Lance was six months old, I was unwell and rested for a few days, and he nearly died from poisoning. Have you forgotten that incident?¡±


    Prisci became embarrassed, ¡°That was such a long time ago. Why bring it up now? It was an ident. Someone spiked the wet nurse¡¯s food with drugs, causing Lance to vomit and diarrhea when he breastfed. That malicious person has been dealt with by you, hasn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°Would I have found out about the breeder¡¯s poisoning without my thorough investigation? And why did she poison in the first ce? Wasn¡¯t it because you kept punishing her and using her as a punching <b>bag</b>?¡±


    ¡°Because the former Lycan King favored her for her looks, you couldn¡¯t stand it and took it out on her. With your temper, you think you can manage the pack? You should quickly abandon that idea and stop causing trouble for Lance and Adide.¡±


    Having been scolded by her sister for something that happened years ago, Prisci was in a bad mood, thinking it was all because her sister now doted on Adide.


    ¡°You used to spoil me the most, but now you only care for Adide,¡± she said petntly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget that I am your own sister.¡±


    rissa regretted having spoiled Prisci over the years, especially in the years following the former Lycan King¡¯s death.


    Considering that Prisci had also been living a hollow life, she had been more lenient with her.


    She had hoped that once Lance mated and had a partner, Prisci would act her age, but it turned out she was now evenpeting for attention with her son¡¯s partner.


    rissa decided she could no longer indulge her and sternly said, ¡°Put away your histrionics. As an you¡¯re jealous of your son¡¯s partner. She will be family to you, and you should protect her instead of bickering. Can¡¯t you see how ridiculous that sounds? Aren¡¯t you ashamed of being theughing stock of other packs?¡±


    Although Prisci was not truly convinced, her sister rarely spoke to her in such a harsh tone. When she did, it meant she was genuinely angry.


    Prisci, though not the brightest, was not stupid enough to miss the cues<b>. </b>


    She put on a pitiful expression and nodded, ¡°Yes, I understand.¡±


    But inwardly, she thought, luckily Lycan rissa didn¡¯t know about her giving Adide¡¯s wedding <b>gifts </b><b>to </b>Madison; otherwise, she would have surely been reprimanded.


    O


    <b>TUUQ </b>


    Lycan Erasmus and Lycan Cami received Lance and Adide in the pce parlor.


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    After the customary greetings and seating arrangements, Cami, observing Adide¡¯s understated makeup, felt a wave of relief.


    She was d everything had settled.


    Had Adide truly be a royal priestess, the pce might well have been under her control.


    With her striking and coldly beautiful appearance, none of the royal priestesses couldpare.


    Subconsciously, she nced at Lycan Erasmus, who was also looking at Adide, and her heart tightened.


    She recognized that look in his eyes¨Ca certain enigmatic gleam that appeared whenever he encountered <b>a </b>woman who captivated him.


    She was once again thankful that Adide had married Lance.


    Themand Lycan Erasmus had issued back then had kept her awake in worry for several nights.


    For an ordinary woman, it would have been nothing, but Adide was special¨Cher fallen father and brothers held significant weight in Lycan Erasmus¡¯s heart, and her beauty was simply stunning.


    Fortunately, her fears never materialized, and instead, Adide became family.


    Thus, Cami¡¯s smile towards Adide today was genuinely warm.


    Even if Lycan Erasmus had any feelings for Adide, he would never steal his brother¡¯s mate.


    Moreover, Cami was not naive. Reflecting on Lycan Erasmus¡¯s previous arrangements, it was clear he had aimed to push Lance and Adide together and have Lance relinquish part of his militarymand.


    From the start, Lycan Erasmus had no intention of truly making Adide a royal priestess. Whether heter regretted it was beyond Lycan Luna¡¯s concern¨Cthere was no turning back now. She knew that even if Adide entered the royal family, her position as queen remained unshaken. However, the royal family would never be the same. Favors and schemes would inevitably follow. Too many schemes would paint her as an ipetent Lycan Luna who couldn¡¯t control the royal household.


    As a wife, she feared Lycan Erasmus would fall in love with another woman¨Cwhile he could have mistresses, true love from him was another matter.


    Yet, she feared more for her reputation as a wise and capable queen.


    After sparing a few nces at Adide, Lycan Erasmus turned his attention elsewhere.


    He was well¨Caware of his own heart. Perhaps he harbored some romantic interest in Adide, but the stability of the kingdom was/paramount, as was the unblemished peace between brothers.


    Since ancient times, one cannot have both fish and bear¡¯s paws. He understood this <b>well</b>.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    10:06


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    Ascending the throne meant sacrificing certain things and scheming¨Cagainst anyone, even his own brother.

 Novel Male 264

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    The brothers were initially discussing daily life, but the conversation gradually shifted to official business. Lycan Erasmus inquired about some cases Lance was handling at the Ministry of Justice.


    With the year¨Cend closure approaching, carly decisions on certain cases were necessary.


    As these kingdom¨Crted topics were unsuitable for Cami and Adide to overhear, Cami invited Adide to explore the pce gardens.


    They strolled ahead, trailed by a string of attendants.


    Cami said with a smile, ¡°I know you grew up in the Shadow Peaks. It¡¯s said that the most beautiful plum blossoms in the werewolf kingdom are there. But please, make do with the pce¡¯s offerings.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°That¡¯s a misconception. Plum blossoms from different regions each have their own beauty.¡±


    Cami chuckled, ¡°Yes, each has its own charm. Life is full of wonders. I initially thought I would co- manage Lycan Erasmus with you, but instead, we¡¯ve be family. Regardless, our bond is truly fated.¡±


    Adide agreed, ¡°We do have a fated connection.¡± There was no awkwardness in her voice when recalling the past.


    They were both discerning individuals, no need for pretense.


    Since everything was settled, being too guarded would only breed suspicion and cause friction.


    Once they reached the green plum blossoms, Cami remarked, ¡°Zelda will be mating next year. I hear she shares a rapport with my cousin Alger, but Prisci has set her sights on another brother of mine. Adide, mutual affection is ideal. Too much scheming can make life miserable, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Adide pondered for a moment and grasped Cami¡¯s implication..


    She smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re right. But as Zelda¡¯s brother¡¯s mate, her mating is not my decision to make. I can, however, understand the girl¡¯s feelings.¡±


    Cami gained a deeper appreciation for Adide¨Cconversing with her was effortless, as they both grasped the deeper meanings.


    Cami had no other recourse. Prisci, having seen Ansley Francis wed a daughter from the Wall family, wished for Zelda to marry into the same.


    rissa acquiesced, and Lycan Erasmus, being filial, would heed rissa.


    Yet, among the Wall sons, only Alger, who disliked reading and preferred a leisurely life of dog¨Cwalking and cat¨Cteasing, stood out.


    The rest were diligent, aspiring to secure positions within the Royal Council of Elders.


    Especially Emlyn, who had studied hard since childhood with the goal of bing a top¨Ctier talent.


    III


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    10:06 Fri, <b>11 Jul </b>GO.


    <b>11 </b><b>Jul </b>G


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    If he were to mate with Zelda, his future in the royal core would be jeopardized. What then would be <b>the </b>point of his efforts<b>? </b>


    Knowing she couldn¡¯t meddle in Zelda¡¯s mating matters, Cami sought Adide¡¯s assistance.


    She had anticipated Adide¡¯s reluctance to help, but herst remark indicated willingness.


    Cami expressed her gratitude and said, ¡°Should Zelda mate with Alger, I shall send you a grand gift. I already owe you a favor.¡±


    Adide smiled but remained silent.


    She had no need for grand gifts or favors from Lycan Luna. Yet, adhering to the principle that it¡¯s better to have friends than foes, she knew how to act.


    She understood Alger and knew Zelda¡¯s feelings, but the opposition came from the critical Prisci.


    She was willing to facilitate a good match, treating Zelda like her own sister.


    With that, they left the pce.


    Lance returned to the ckthorn Pack first, while Adide took Prisci in the same carriage to Madison¡¯s house.


    Prisci felt ufortable being alone with Adide and invited Susan to join them.


    For some reason, Prisci found Adide¡¯s face irritating¨Cshe expected lectures, especially from juniors.


    But the journey was rtively peaceful.


    As they neared Madison¡¯s house, Adide asked, ¡°Have you considered that Madison might not return the pink diamonds or the three hundred thousand dors?<b>¡± </b>


    Prisci nced at her sideways, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? How can you doubt Madison so? She¡¯s a woman of her word. If she loses a bet, she¡¯ll own up to it. She¡¯s prideful and wouldn¡¯t deceive me.¡±


    Naive much? Who would advise a senior to steal their son¡¯s partner¡¯s wedding gifts and give them to her?


    Adide nced at Susan, noting her unease, and asked, ¡°Susan, what¡¯s your take?¡±


    Susan forced a smile, ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s unlikely she wouldn¡¯t give them back. Prisci is right. Besides, why Madison covet your pink diamonds?¡±


    Thest few words were barely audible.


    Susan knew everything but chose to stay silent.


    Perhaps she had advised Prisci before, to no avail. Now, she opted to turn a blind eye and deaf ear.


    Adide wanted to sneer.


    Looking at Prisci¡¯s smug face, she couldn¡¯t contain herself and said, ¡°She won¡¯t return them. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here to take them by force. You stay silent, don¡¯t speak for them, don¡¯t mediate, and most importantly<b>, </b>don¡¯t use my wedding gifts as a bargaining chip.¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>


    O

 Novel Male 265

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci snapped, ¡°What are you implying? Would Madison stoop to coveting your pink diamonds? They¡¯re valuable, but her family has plenty. Besides, her familycks for nothing.¡±


    Adide gave a dry chuckle, ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll see.¡±


    Prisci seized the chance to rebuke her, saying sharply, ¡°How dare you nder Madison like this? When we return to the ckthorn Pack, I¡¯ll punish you severely.¡±


    Adide rolled her eyes and ignored her, waiting to see who would end up embarrassed.


    The carriage pulled up to Madison¡¯s manor. After the werewolf guard announced their arrival<b>, </b>he returned with an apologetic look. ¡°Prisci, Luna Adide, I apologize. I forgot that Madison has gone out today.¡±


    Prisci said to Adide, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s head back. We¡¯ll send a visit request first and return tomorrow.¡±


    Adide asked the guard, ¡°Do you know where Madison went and when she¡¯ll be back?¡±


    The guard replied, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. She might be backte.¡±


    Adide said, ¡°No problem. We¡¯ll just wait.¡±


    With that, she took Prisci¡¯s hand and headed inside.


    The guard shouted, ¡°Prisci, Luna Adide, this is Madison¡¯s home. You can¡¯t just barge in like this.¡±


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°We¡¯re here for a visit. Waiting in her home for her return isn¡¯t barging in. Does your living room not entertain guests?<b>¡± </b>


    The guard, aware of Adide¡¯s strong personality, didn¡¯t find her smile reassuring in the least.


    While he was at a loss, Adide had already pulled Prisci inside.


    Prisci struggled all the way, ¡°Have you no manners? She¡¯s not here. What are you waiting for inside? Till nightfall?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait till tomorrow if needed,¡± Adide shot back with a sharp nce.


    A sharp nce from Adide silenced them. ¡°Prisci, Susan, I¡¯m not leaving today without those diamonds,¡± she dered.


    Prisci huffed, ¡°You said I could have the diamonds. Once they¡¯re mine, I¡¯ll decide when to retrieve them.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Adide replied,/releasing Prisci¡¯s wrist.


    But Prisci couldn¡¯t possibly leave her alone here.


    Adide wasn¡¯t an <b>easy </b>person to deal with. If she offended Madison on <b>Prisci¡¯s </b><b>behalf</b>, it would <b>be </b>problematic.


    Madison wasn¡¯t someone to cross casily.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait here with you. Are you satisfied now?¡±


    Prisci said curtly, striding inside while grumbling about how Madison wouldn¡¯t appreciate being offended.


    Adide truly didn¡¯t understand what Prisci was thinking¨Cwas her brain made of oatmeal<b>? </b>


    rissa must have had her hands full with her over the years. Adide felt exhausted just thinking about it on rissa¡¯s behalf.


    Once in the living room, they sat down. The omega servants didn¡¯t dare to ck off.


    Everyone in Madison¡¯s family knew Prisci was easy to handle, but Adide, the new Alpha Lance¡¯s mate<b>, </b>was a different story. She was the type who might actuallye to settle scores.


    The omega served afternoon tea and sweets, with attendants on standby.


    Adide nced around Madison¡¯s living room. Marble floors,vish decor, exquisite chairs lined the walls, their delicate carvings gleaming.


    A massivendscape painting dominated the wall opposite the entrance.


    To the right of the living room was a pearl¨Ccurtained doorway leading to a side hall¨Ca touch of opulence.


    Everything showcased the Madison family¡¯s wealth.


    Indeed, such luxury must cost a fortune.


    Just maintaining the staff would be expensive.


    As a royal Lycan descendant, she could have five hundred wolf pack warriors. Her manor was built to match this scale.


    Originally, this wasn¡¯t permitted, but the former Lycan King never objected, and now Lycan Erasmus wouldn¡¯t either.


    Five hundred werewolf warriors meant expenses for their food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.


    Moreover, she was the city¡¯s most enthusiastic host<b>, </b>often holding banquets to solidify her connectic there.


    Her guests were all wealthy and influential. Whether tea or meals, everything had to be exquisite.


    If guests brought children, she would give them gifts. Over time, could her manor truly maintain such genuine wealth?


    If she were truly so wealthy, she wouldn¡¯t keep taking advantage of the naive Prisci.


    After sitting for a while without touching the coffee or sweets, Adide suddenly stood up <b>and </b><b>said </b>she wanted to tour the manor.


    Madison¡¯s mansion frequently hosted balls, but only guests arranged in advance <b>could </b><b>freely </b><b>explore </b>


    Such unannounced intrusions, especially venturing deeper into the house, were against the rules.


    Certain areas of the mansion hid secrets that must not be uncovered.


    As Alpha Lance¡¯s mate, the werewolf guards didn¡¯t dare stop her. If used of improper conduct, no one could bear the responsibility.


    Ordinary servants couldn¡¯t stop her either. She swiftly evaded their attempts to block her and strode toward the inner courtyard.


    After several failed intercepts, as Adide approached a certain courtyard in the inner yard, someone shouted loudly, ¡°Madison is back!¡±


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 266

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s lips curled slightly¨Cfinally showing up, huh?


    She smoothed her hair, nced at the courtyard, and said indifferently, ¡°Now that Madison¡¯s back<b>, </b><b>I¡¯ll </b><b>wait </b>in the living room.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Luna Adide, just wait in the living room. Madison wille after changing,¡± the omega said hastily.


    Back in the living room, Adide saw Prisci had finished her snacks and was ordering a fresh cup of coffee, deeming the previous one cold.


    Prisci, usually bossy with servants, was being uncharacteristically polite in Madison¡¯s manor, treating <b>the </b>staff with respect.


    Seeing Adide return, Prisci snapped, ¡°Madison¡¯s back, making you wait.¡±


    Adide sat down calmly, ¡°Really came from outside, or just emerged from inside? We¡¯re in the living room. Unless she used a side or back door, we¡¯d have seen her enter.¡±


    Prisci rebuked, ¡°As the manor¡¯s owner, she wouldn¡¯t use those doors. Do you know proper conduct?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait and see her walk in,¡± Adide sipped the cold coffee.


    Prisci had Susan wait outside.


    Susan shivered in the cold for a long while, seeing no one enter, and sneezed uncontrobly.


    Wanting to prove Madison came from outside, she endured the cold, shivering outside.


    After nearly half an hour, Susan couldn¡¯t bear it and headed back.


    As she entered the living room, she saw Madison escorted by servants from the backyard corridor¨Ceven the dim¨Cwitted realized Madison never left.


    Madison smiled, ¡°Just got back and heard you¡¯ve been waiting. Busy day, how¡¯d you find time to visit?¡±


    Adide rose and bowed, smiling, ¡°As Lance¡¯s mate, I should pay my respects and wish you well!¡±


    Madison ignored Adide first, exchanging a t bow with Prisci.


    Once everyone was seated, Madison told Adide, ¡°No need for formalities among family.¡±


    After sitting down, Adide cut to the chase, ¡°We¡¯re family, no need for formalities. Today¡¯s <b>visit </b>is about your bet with Priscist night at the mating ceremony. You wagered on my wedding pink diamonds. Prisci said if I don¡¯t pursue the matter, you lose and owe her three hundred thousand dors.¡±


    She smiled at Prisci, ¡°Prisci, we¡¯re here for the bet. Since we won, take as many diamonds <b>as </b>you like¡ª what¡¯s mine is yours.¡±


    <b>10:29 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>12 </b><b>Jul </b>UD


    AS FINE CONT


    Madison¡¯s face fell¨Cthis woman was utterly tactless, diving straight into the issue without leaving <b>room </b><b>for </b>


    maneuver.


    iming to be the daughter of the Shadow Fang Pack¡¯s Alpha, she acted like a boor.


    Hum, forget the three hundred thousand dors¨Cshe¡¯d never hand over the diamonds.


    Once in her possession, treasures didn¡¯t leave casily.


    Poor Prisci, clueless she was being used.


    Madison looked at Prisci, feigning confusion, ¡°What¡¯s this about? What bet and diamonds? Last night was just the mating ceremony. When did you take her wedding gifts? That¡¯s uneptable. <b>A </b>son¡¯s <b>mate¡¯s </b>wedding gifts are her private property. You can¡¯t just take them<b>, </b>even in jest.¡±


    Prisci was stunned.


    Over the years of dealing with Madison and her daughter, Prisci wasn¡¯t naive enough to expect the thirty thousand dors without some doubt. Yet she¡¯d always clung to a sliver of hope.


    But Madison denying everything¨Cthe pink diamonds, the bet¨Cit caught Priscipletely off <b>guard</b><b>. </b>


    She stared nkly, then looked at Susan, whose red, sneezing face was hidden behind her <b>sleeve</b>.


    Prisci shifted her gaze to Adide, whose calm demeanor suggested she¡¯d anticipated this.


    Unwilling to be seen through by Adide and furious at Madison¡¯s shamelessness, Prisci blurted, ¡°How could you? Last night, I gave you the diamonds. You said if she didn¡¯t chase me, you¡¯d return the diamonds and lose three hundred thousand dors. Why go back on your word?¡±


    ¡°Absurd. How would I incite you to take Lance¡¯s mate¡¯s wedding gifts? Go ask around¨Cdo I seem like someone who¡¯d do that?¡±


    Madison¡¯s face darkened as she snapped.


    Prisci, already intimidated by Madison, panicked and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s go back and check.¡±


    Adide almost rolled her eyes¨Cgo back?


    -They¡¯d never retrieve anything then.


    But as the ¡°dutiful¡± Luna, she yed along, smiling, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back.¡±


    Madison, lifting her coffee cup, nced at Adide sideways. Oh? So easily put off? That simplified things.


    Indeed, as long <b>as </b>she denied taking the diamonds, no one could touch her.


    As for Prisci, a few soothing words would suffice. She needed to control the narrative.


    Hearing Adide agree to leave, Prisci felt a strange mix of emotions<b>¨C</b><b>so </bpliant? <b>Then </b>the diamonds and money were as good as gone.


    Butpliance was better than a scene, which would be more embarrassing.


    <b>III </b>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    10:29 Sat, 12 Jul


    Yet Madison¡¯s denial still rankled.


    s


    As she stood up restlessly, Adide suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯m heading to the Shadow Peaks tomorrow. I¡¯ll mention the pink diamonds to Irene. Since the Warscar Training Camp folks are still around, I should tell them about Prisci¡¯s bet with Madison using my diamonds. If the numbers don¡¯t add up, it¡¯ll seem like they¡¯re trying to fool me.¡±

 Novel Male 267

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Madison snapped with fury, ¡°Don¡¯t fabricate stories! I said I didn¡¯t take them¨Care you trying to frame me?¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, if you say you didn¡¯t take them, then you didn¡¯t. But I still have to report the truth to Irene. After all, you say your piece, I¡¯ll say mine. And I have witnesses, don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Prisci, do you just stand by and let her use me like this?¡± Madison demanded.


    Prisci was at a loss for words but internally seething¨Chow dare Madison overstep like this?


    She raised her head and said, ¡°The bet did happen. How can you call it a frame¨Cup?¡±


    Madison, used to manipting her, didn¡¯t expect resistance. Her expression darkened.


    Adide gripped Prisci¡¯s flustered wrist and smiled warmly, ¡°Madison¡¯s just joking with you. She¡¯d never deny the bet¨Cshe¡¯s actually trying to help. She wants to see if I¡¯m filial, which is why she ced the bet with you.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s risking her reputation to test you- if word got out that she encouraged an elder to steal wedding gifts, the whole kingdom would know within a month. Gossip spreads like wildfire in the <b>streets</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    After speaking, Adide nodded slightly to Madison, ¡°I¡¯m touched that Madison cares so much about my mate¡¯s mother. Given my past reputation, your caution is understandable. I promise to treat Prisci well and prioritize her opinions.¡±


    ¡°As for the pink diamonds, I nned to give some to Prisci anyway. After I return to the Warscar Training Camp, I¡¯ll send a batch over. She can do as she pleases with them¨CI won¡¯t interfere.¡±


    Madison realized Adide was offering her an exit.


    She had to take it¨Cher hard¨Cearned reputation couldn¡¯t be ruined over a few diamonds.


    She also saw how others rallied around Adide, and Prisci¡¯s unexpected backbone made her realize future financial maniption would be harder.


    Deciding to cut her losses, Madison would return the diamonds and keep Priscicent for further gains<b>. </b>


    Despite burning with anger, Madison suddenly smiled, ¡°If you¡¯re filial, I¡¯m relieved. I¡¯d never covet your diamonds¨CI only wanted to test you.¡±


    She waved a hand, ¡°Bring the diamonds here.¡±


    Adide smiled and nodded, ¡°Thank you, Madison. Oh, and the three hundred thousand <b>dors </b>owed to Prisci.¡±


    Madison paused, then said roughly, ¡°Also bring a three¨Chundred¨Cthousand¨Cdor check.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes lit up as she excitedly dered, ¡°Madison is so kind to me, Adide. See? I told you she¡¯s <b>a </b>


    <b>1/3 </b>


    III


    O


    10.27


    good person.¡±


    ¡°Yes<b>, </b>you¡¯re right,¡± Adide responded, her eyes downcast..


    Internally, she noted, ¡°Very good¨CPrisci was still in the dark.¡±


    Seeing Prisci¡¯s excited state, Madison felt both reassured and contemptuous¨Cwhat a foolish woman.


    But as long as Prisci trusted her, it was enough. A few diamonds were <b>a </b>small price to pay for future opportunities.


    The diamonds were brought out¨Cfive in total.


    Prisci and Susan, who had feared being caught and hadn¡¯t dared to examine them earlier, now clutched them tightly.


    These diamonds were indeedrge. Holding five was no easy task.


    The three¨Chundred¨Cthousand¨Cdor check also arrived. Prisci grabbed everything and coldly humphed at Adide, ¡°See? Don¡¯t judge others with your narrow mind.¡±


    Madison sneered at Adide, ¡°Oh? So you did doubt me?¡±


    With the diamonds retrieved, Adide dispensed with pleasantries. ¡°Farewell!¡±


    She strode out first, ignoring Prisci and Susan.


    She was truly angry¨Cdespite everything, Prisci still praised Madison.


    If not for it being her second day of marriage, she would haveshed out.


    Behind her, Prisci and Madison exchanged farewells, with Prisci inviting herself over for tea in a few days.


    Madison smiled and had someone escort them out.


    Adide quickly exited and boarded the carriage first, seething with anger and nning to confront Prisci once she got in,


    ¨C However, when Susan helped Prisci into the carriage, Prisci was trembling with rage, cursing loudly,


    ¡°Bitch! How dare she deceive me? She just wanted my diamonds! Bitch, bitch!¡±


    Adide raised an eyebrow¨Coh? Was this an act<b>? </b>


    She hadn¡¯t detected the reverse y on Madison.


    After Susan entered the carriage and sneezed several times¨Cclearly chilled from earlier and now worsened by the cold¨CPrisci thrust the diamonds back at Adide, ¡°Here, take them. You can have two hundred thousand of the three hundred thousand dors. If you hadn¡¯te, she¡¯d never have returned my diamonds or given me the money.¡±


    She counted out the check and pushed it towards Adide, ¡°Take it! Why are you


    Adide blinked¨Chad she heard right?


    hesitating<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ?


    10:29 Sat, 12 Jul


    Looking at the check being shoved at her, she was genuinely surprised.


    Wow, she really loved giving benefits to others. She was so easy to share money.


    She had the potential to be a real soft target.


    No, she already was one.


    ¡°Have you seen Madison for who she is?¡± Adide asked with a smile, her tone much warmer now. Prisci¡¯s face darkened, ¡°Do I look blind? After all this, I still can¡¯t see her true colors?¡±


    s

 Novel Male 268

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d quarrel with her, but you talked calmly, Prisci said with a hint of disdain.


    * Des Going


    ¡°Calmness solves problems. We need one hardliner and one peacemaker. We can¡¯t break tiespletely With her good rtions with royalty and Lunas, if she nders me, my reputation will be ruined. You don¡¯t mind conflict like I do.¡±


    Adide said nothing.


    She looked at the check, then took out some cash from her wallet and handed it to Susan. ¡°This is for you -a bonus.¡±


    Susan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Luna Adide, this is two thousand dors!¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve cared for Prisci for years. You deserve a share, Adide smiled.


    Prisci nced at her. ¡°Why give her money? She¡¯s well¨Cprovided for. I take care of her. At her age, extra money might just get her scammed.¡±


    Susan gratefully epted the money.


    From Susan¡¯s reaction and Prisci¡¯s words, Adide inferred that while Prisci treated Susan decently, she rarely gave her extra rewards beyond her regr stipend.


    It wasn¡¯t that Prisci was mean¨Cspirited¨Cshe considered Susan family.


    But some people are generous to outsiders yet casual, even stingy, with their own.


    Adide pocketed the check¨Csince Prisci still saw her as an outsider, she¡¯d keep it that way.


    Prisci sneered at Susan¡¯s delight. ¡°What¡¯s with you? Have I ever shortchanged you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been generous,¡± Susan replied, beaming.


    But at her age, who wouldn¡¯t want savings?


    She cast a grateful look at Adide, vowing to speak well of her to Prisci in the future.


    Prisci leaned against the carriage window, avoiding Adide¡¯s gaze and maintaining her aloof demeanor.


    But her opinion of Adide had shifted.


    Adide hadn¡¯t scolded her for stealing wedding gifts. Instead, she¡¯d promptly retrieve the pink diamonds and the three hundred thousand dors.


    The money for Adide were partly out of guilt¨Cshe knew having Susan stole diamonds for Madison was wrong.


    Madison had ckmailed her, threatening to expose her actions.


    |||


    O


    10.27


    ½¡Äî:92%Ô\


    s


    Reflecting on this, Prisci realized two risks¡ªfirst, Madison might keep the diamonds and use the stolen wedding gifts to ckmail her; second, if Adide caused a scandal, Prisci¡¯s reputation would be


    shattered.


    This made her see Madison¡¯s insidiousness.


    Yet after this ordeal, her animosity toward Adide faded, even regretting her harsh words.


    Adide was no pushover¨Cwitnessing her skill in outmaneuvering Madison and reiming what was theirs proved that.


    A direct confrontation with Adide would likely end in Prisci¡¯s defeat.


    Stealing a nce at Adide, she noticed her rxed expression and faint smile.


    Her beauty was striking, with the radiance of a rose and the coolness of a lily.


    Prisci asked curiously, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the least bit afraid of Madison?¡±


    Adide countered, ¡°Why should I be?¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s Madison, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s aunt, respected even by the former Lycan King. Her influence in the capital¡¯s social circles is immense. A single word from her could destroy your reputation.¡±


    Adide nonchntly replied, ¡°You said I don¡¯t care about such things. Reputation means little to me. But if she nders heroes who¡¯ve contributed to the kingdom, even her status won¡¯t shield her from public bacsh and media pressure.¡±


    Prisci doubted that offending someone as powerful as Madison was wise.


    Yet today¡¯s events¨Cretrieving the diamonds and money¨Cseemed impossible to her, but Adide had done it effortlessly.


    Unaware of Prisci¡¯s thoughts, Adide wouldn¡¯t have agreed it was easy.


    Her sess hinged on her mate with Lance and the influential guests at their wedding.


    Madison might sway the city¡¯s elites and socialites but feared independent¨Cminded individuals and the risk to her own reputation.


    Orchestrating the theft of Alpha Lance¡¯s mate¡¯s wedding gifts was, after all, a despicable act.


    Adide suddenly rolled down the carriage window and instructed the driver, ¡°Head to the ¡®Golden Jewelry Store.¡°¡±


    Prisci had long wanted to visit the store but avoided going with Adide, feari business state.


    e¡¯d see its


    poor


    Despite knowing this, Adide insisted.


    Before Prisci could object, Adide said, ¡°I need to buy gifts for my mentors tomorrow. Jewelry is perfect. Spending money in your store supports you and avoids the embarrassment of unpaid wages and


    rent.¡±


    Prisci couldn¡¯t argue¨Cspending money in one¡¯s own store made sense.


    1


    <b>91</b>%


    s

 Novel Male 269

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    SFI Coins


    During the holiday season, many people bought jewelry as gifts, so the jewelry business was booming.


    When the carriage stopped outside the Golden Jewelry Store, Prisci was surprised to see the store crowded.


    The year¨Cend promotion with discounted jewelry on the first floor had drawnrge crowds.


    Prisci wondered why business was so good when she¡¯d been told otherwise.


    Before she could get out to check, Adide said, ¡°Susan, go ask if they have gem¨Cembedded gold bracelets. I¡¯ll buy a few if they do.¡±


    ¡°Why not go in yourself?¡± Prisci asked.


    Adide, in formal wear, didn¡¯t want to draw attention. She replied, ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>too crowded. I don¡¯t want to ruin my new dress.¡±


    Prisci agreed it was too risky for her to go in with all those people.


    So she sent Susan.


    Susan got off the carriage at the store. Prisci watched her squeeze through the crowd, struggling to reach the disy cases <i>to </i>ask the staff.


    After some difficulty, Susan managed <i>to </i>ask, ¡°Do you have gold bracelets with gemstones?¡±


    The young clerk nced up and loudly replied, ¡°They¡¯re sold out on the first floor. They¡¯re being sold on the second floor, but they¡¯re out of stock now. We¡¯ve restocked several times this year, but they¡¯re all sold out. If you want to buy, you can ce an order on the second floor. They¡¯re expected to arrive in February next year.¡±


    ¡°ce an order? And wait until next February?¡±


    Susan slowly backed out and headed upstairs.


    The second floor was elegantly decorated, with eight or nine disy cases. Each had cushioned chairs, and every customer was attended to by a dedicated staff member.


    On the other side, over ten people waited, sitting on chairs, enjoying snacks and coffee, warmed by the firece.


    The customers were dressed in finery, but their jewelry was understated. They appe wealthy merchant families rather than noble ones.


    to be from


    Susan spotted a customer wearing several golden bracelets and asked the clerk to pack them up for <b>her</b>.


    Although the design was trendy, it still paled inparison to the Royal Jewelry Store¡¯s offerings.


    A clerk approached and Susan inquired, ¡°Do you have any gemstone¨Cembedded bracelets<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Wow, what a coincidence! They¡¯re all sold out! Would you like to ce an order<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>the clerk replied.


    ¡°Your business is booming, isn¡¯t it?¡± Susan asked.


    After Susan parted ways with Prisci, her thoughts became clear. ¡°When I came the other day<b>, </b><b>there </b>were also many customers. Could it be that the popr styles are all out of stock now?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right! As for our business, apart from the Royal Jewelry Store, none in the city can match us<b>, </b><b>the </b>clerk said proudly.


    He sized up Susan¡¯s attire and demeanor, then added, ¡°You see, besides the gemstone¨Cembedded bracelet, our other styles are quite good too. We have a wide variety, but many are currently out of stock and <b>will </b>have to wait for restocking next year.¡±


    Susan nced at the items in the disy cab, her face showing dissatisfaction. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll have thedye and pick them out herself tomorrow,¡± she said before leaving.


    Back at the carriage, she reported to Adide, ¡°Luna Adide, the gemstone¨Cembedded bracelet is sold out.¡±


    Adide acknowledged, ¡°This type of gemstone¨Cembedded bracelet is a design from the Royal Jewelry Store. The Golden Jewelry Store copied their style but still managed to sell it well.¡±


    ¡°Sold well? Then the financial statements sent at the end of the year must look good,¡± Prisci remarked with evident delight.


    However, Susan was worried¨Cthe clerk had said their business had been thriving, second only to the Royal Jewelry Store in the entire city.


    Seeing Prisci¡¯s pleased expression, she decided to keep quiet for the time being and wait until Wanda delivered the financial statements- which were due to arrive in the next couple of days.


    Having witnessed Madison¡¯s despicable behavior today, Susan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Madison and her daughter had been deceiving Prisci all along. Surely they weren¡¯t that despicable?


    She nced at Adide, who appeared confident, as if she already knew something.


    Perhaps Adide had deliberately brought Prisci here to see the store¡¯s operations?


    Usually, when Prisci went out, she was apanied by arge retinue and werewolf guards.


    If Wanda wanted to deceive her, she would likely inform the store manager in advance. Whenever someone with such a grand entourage arrived, or anyone iming to be Prisci, the manager would have a prepared exnation.


    After all, among the customers at the jewelry store earlier, the first floor was filled while the second floor was mostly/wives of wealthy merchants or officials.


    h regr patrons,


    The designs copied from the Royal Jewelry Store likely didn¡¯t attract many true nobles.


    Coincidentally, the day after Lance and Adide nned to return to the Shadowfang Pack<b>, </b>Wanda sent the financial reports. Manager Johnson delivered them in person.


    Since Prisci was now residing in the ckthorn Pack, Manager Johnson came to her directly.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    If she were still in the pce, Wanda would have delivered the reports herself.


    Susan suspected that Manager Johnson was there to familiarize himself with Prisci, ensuring <b>that </b><b>the </b>staff would recognize her on future visits.


    ¤Á¤ç

 Novel Male 270

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci flipped through the report with enthusiasm, only to find that the few pages recorded only the sales data of low¨Cpriced jewelry, with no precious metal jewelry sold.


    Looking at the final revenue summary, it was in a loss state.


    The store had lost over ten thousand dors in just one quarter, more than before.


    Prisci was so angry that she trembled and threw the report on the ground, ¡°Why such a huge loss? You need to exin this to me!¡±


    Johnson knelt down and said with a wailing face, ¡°Prisci, you don¡¯t know how hard business is now! We tried to stock up at the end of the year to make a fortune, but many of the goods we bought were defective and couldn¡¯t be sold. While other jewelry stores are booming, ours is cold and quiet. It¡¯s really heartbreaking!¡±


    He crawled forward on his knees, picked up the report, and flipped to a page, ¡°Look, it was only with the money you and Wanda provided that the loss didn¡¯t exceed two million dors. Without <i>that</i>, the loss would have doubled!¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    Prisci mmed the table, her face pale with anger, ¡°You say the Golden Jewelry Store is cold and quiet? But when I passed by, I saw the store full of customers, many of whom were carrying shopping bags out.¡±


    Manager Johnson¡¯s heart sank¨Chad Prisci visited? When?


    He suddenly remembered that a store clerk mentioned a wealthy¨Clooking butler buying their popr items yesterday. Could it have been yesterday?


    He decided to take a gamble, ¡°Was it yesterday that you visited? We only had decent business yesterday. With so much inventory piling up, Wanda said we had to clear it out even at a loss. Otherwise, we couldn¡¯t justify it to you. We did sell a lot yesterday, but it was all at a loss! We¡¯re still having a discount promotion today. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check the store yourself.¡±


    Prisci, hearing his confident tone, actually believed him somewhat. <ul><li>Adide, seeing Prisci¡¯s expression from outside, knew she had been deceived again. </li></ul>


    She walked in immediately, ¡°Is that so? But I heard your staff say that the gem¨Cembedded bracelets sold batch after batch. That design is clearly copied from the Royal Jewelry Store. Could it be that you¡¯re selling them at a loss? Let me check if this transaction is recorded in the report.¡±


    With that, she snatched the report from Manager Johnson¡¯s hand.


    Johnson instinctively tried to hide it, but Adide was quicker.


    She flipped through a few pages and sneered, ¡°Quite a trick! This transaction isn¡¯t recorded at <b>all</b>, and even the custom¨Cmade items for Craig aren¡¯t listed. What exactly is recorded in this report? Johnson, financial fraud is a serious offense.¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>10:30 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>12 </b><b>Jul </b>


    Johnson took a good look at Adide and was terrified.


    Wasn¡¯t this thedy who came to collect the golden bracelet the other day?


    She was Alpha Lance¡¯s mate?


    Adide calmly ordered, ¡°Have someone take the report and Johnson to the police station. Let Mallory thoroughly investigate how much he has defrauded Prisci and Wanda.¡±


    Beta Ralph immediately instructed two wolf pack guards to take Johnson to the police station.


    Terrified, Manager Johnson shouted hoarsely, ¡°Luna Adide, please spare me! It wasn¡¯t my idea¨Cit <b>was </b>Wanda¡¯s. She ordered me to falsify the report to deceive Prisci!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Prisci mmed her coffee cup in anger, ¡°Wanda actually used fake financial statements to deceive me?¡±


    Adide signaled Prisci to calm down, ¡°If the previous reports were fake, there must be genuine financial records.¡±


    Johnson, held by the wolf pack guards with arms aching as if about to break, dared not lie anymore and nodded frantically, ¡°Yes, yes, there are.¡±


    Adide, nning to return to the Frostfang Pack that day and not wanting to get further entangled, called Beta Ralph, ¡°Please take some men and apany him back to the Golden Jewelry Store. Retrieve all financial records from past years and hand them over to the finance department for verification. Check on the spot if they are genuine. If he dares to falsify again, don¡¯t report back¨Csend him directly to the police station.¡±


    Beta Ralph replied, ¡°Yes, Luna Adide!¡±


    With a wave of his hand, he had Johnson taken out swiftly.


    The carriage was ready and headed straight for the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Johnson had never experienced such a scene and was trembling with fear, inwardly cursing, ¡°Wanda said Prisci was easy to handle. We¡¯ve fooled her like this in previous years, why isn¡¯t it working now? And to be caught by Alpha Lance¡¯s mate.¡±


    He knew Luna Adide was a decisive battle¨Chardenedmander, with the police chief being her nephew¡¯s uncle. If sent to the police station, he would either die or be severely punished.


    Prisci was in a towering rage. ¡°Wanda deceived me? How dare she?¡±


    <i>ho </i>else would she deceive if Adide had someone clean up the shattered coffee cup and thought to herself, ¡°How dare she? You¡¯ve check things for yourself. always been so afraid of them, afraid of the Madison mother and daughte not you? Plus, you¡¯ve been in the pce all year round and can¡¯t just go out How easy it is to deceive you.¡±


    ¡°Calm down, this is manageable. You had a cooperation contract. Once I¡¯m back at the Frostfang Pack, I¡¯ll go through it with you in detail. Getting angry won¡¯t solve anything.¡±


    Prisci was on the verge of tears. She had been in business with Wanda, and while others <b>saw </b>profits, <b>she </b>had been subsidizing losses annually, never realizing she was being deceived by Wanda.

 Novel Male 271

    <b>272 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci felt tears welling up¨CWanda had scammed her.


    She was upset but also grateful that Adide had helped her get the pink diamonds back yesterday and was still supporting her now.


    But she knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy to get the money back. Wanda had scammed a lot, after <b>all</b>.


    There was a good chance the real financial reports wouldn¡¯t even be essible. She might be running <b>in </b>circles for nothing.


    Adide offered a brief word offort and then left after a bow.


    Lance wasn¡¯t involved in this. He had more important matters today¨Che was heading back to the Frostfang Pack.


    Usually, packing gifts was an omega¡¯s job, but Lance insisted on doing it himself. He carefully loaded each gift intended for the Frostfang Pack onto the carriage.


    There was a reason for his caution¨Camong Irene¡¯s students was a mysterious one named Prune, who might be lurking near the ckthorn Pack, keeping an eye on things.


    Lance knew the Warscar Training Camp doted on Adide. If it weren¡¯t for Klein¡¯s strictness<b>, </b>Adide would never face consequences for her mistakes there.


    Sometimes when Adide messed up and returned, Irene would ¡°discipline¡± her before Klein even had the chance. But it was all for show, to avoid Klein¡¯s harsher punishments.


    After Irene¡¯s token ¡°punishment,¡± Craig and others would plead for leniency, and the burden on Adide would be light.


    However, if Klein took action, Adide would truly suffer¨Ca fact she¡¯d learned the hard way, making her avoid Klein like the gue.


    As Lance packed gifts, he thought about the camp.


    He was d Adide had friends backing her up, but he also wanted Irene and the others to know that Adide now had his support. They needn¡¯t worry anymore.


    Most importantly, he needed to tell Irene something today: going forward, he¡¯d require Adide to send at least two letters to the Warscar Training Camp each month, sharing both good and bad news. The camp wouldn¡¯t need to send people to gather information.


    Once three car trunks were filled with gifts, Adide arrived with Cedric and B


    She looked calm and poised in a light purple dress that highlighted her fair skin. Two orchids pinned <b>to </b>her hair added to her elegance


    Lance, recalling the previous night, felt a rush of desire. His gaze was deep and meaningful.


    C


    178


    <b>10:30 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>12 Jul </b>0


    Adide noticed and recognized that look¨Cthe same one Lance had worn the <b>past </b>two nights <b>as </b><b>he¡¯d </b><b>been </b>insatiable with her.


    She blushed and looked away, her heart racing.


    Lance approached and took her hand. ¡°The gifts are all packed. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Adide agreed meekly, herposure reced by shyness.


    Though they were mated and had been intimate, his public gesture still filled her with <b>joy </b>and embarrassment.


    Cedric asked Beata, ¡°Why does Adide blush when Lance holds her hand?¡±


    Beata, ncing at Adide¡¯s rosy cheeks, replied nonchntly, ¡°Men holding women¡¯s hands naturally make them blush.¡±


    Cedric pressed, ¡°What if I hold your hand? Why don¡¯t you blush?¡±


    Beata chuckled, ¡°My skin¡¯s too thick. Even if I blush, you wouldn¡¯t notice.¡±


    Cedric seemed to understand with a newfound wisdom.


    The group boarded the carriage, followed by a fleet of giftden vehicles, as they headed back to the Frostfang Pack.


    In a twist of fate, they encountered Ulrik and Gloria returning to the Ironw Pack.


    Ulrik was on horseback. Lance caught sight of him through the curtain, noting his swollen face¨Ca clear sign that Tommy and his men hadn¡¯t held back.


    Ulrik nced over and locked eyes with Lance, his gaze ring with anger.


    Lance lowered the curtain, a smirk ying on his lips. He hoped Ulrik resented him for the beating.


    Adide, following Lance¡¯s gaze, spotted Ulrik and guessed what had happened, ¡°Did his two mates beat him up?¡±


    Lance shook his head. ¡°Not sure. Maybe. Their mates aren¡¯t pushovers.¡±


    Adide remarked, ¡°That was a brutal beating. His face¡¯s almost unrecognizable.¡±


    Lance agreed. ¡°Yeah, way overboard. Since we¡¯re all back from the battlefield, I¡¯ll have Tommy send him some swelling medicine tomorrow.¡±


    Adide gaped at him. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡±


    Lance insisted, ¡°We wererades¨Cin¨Carms.¡±


    After a moment of silence, Adide whispered, ¡°You ordered the beating, didn¡¯t you<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    No need to ask


    Lance neither confirmed nor denied.


    C


    10:30 <b>Sat</b>, 12 Jul


    Adide frowned. ¡°That was reckless!¡±


    Thinking Lance might be defending Ulrik, his tone turned sour. ¡°He deserved it. Do you know <b>what </b><b>he </b>said to me on the mating day?¡±


    Still frowning, Adide felt Lance was naive and would suffer for <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    ¡°Klein¡¯s still in the capital. If you wanted to beat someone up, wait till he¡¯s gone. Do you want to <b>get </b>punished?¡±

 Novel Male 272

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy. ¡°You¡¯re worried about me getting punished by Klein? You do care?¡±


    ¡°Of course I care. Have you never been punched <i>by </i>Klein?¡± Adide¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly.


    ¡°Not often,¡± Lance recalled his time at the Warscar Training Camp.


    Truth be told, he hadn¡¯t spent much time there¨Cless than a month in a year. He had been disciplined, but pride wouldn¡¯t let him admit it.


    ¡°Always been a good boy?¡± Adide asked curiously.


    Even Craig got punished. Was Lance more obedient than Craig?


    ¡°Mostly. When I first joined the camp, none of you came to y. So I trained hard. Klein was satisfied with me,¡± Lance said after a pause.


    Adide regarded him with admiration. While their ssmates had all been punished by Klein, Lance had somehow escaped it.


    No wonder he was so capable.


    In her eyes, those who hadn¡¯t been beaten by Klein at the camp were truly exceptional.


    Lance, seeing her look of admiration, tilted his chin up slightly, pride evident on his face. Those rare instances of discipline were negligible and best left unmentioned.


    As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the border of the Frostfang Pack.


    Valentin, Jessica, and the pack guards were there to greet them. Paisley also came out with Ang and Avery.


    Paisley yfully linked arms with Adide. ¡°We¡¯ve missed you! You have to talk to Avery¨Che dared toe back with us that night as a ¡®gift¡°.¡±


    Avery red at Paisley for bringing it up.


    Adide smiled at Avery. ¡°That was all in good fun. You can¡¯t be my gift.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Irene doesn¡¯t want him,¡± Paisley teased.


    She then whispered to Adide, ¡°He¡¯s here as a ¡®gift¡® but actually hopes to find a j With an ie, he can send money back to the Shadow Peaks.¡±


    the royal family.


    Adide had suspected as much. The Ancient Moon Pack had struggled for years.


    With Avery as their only Alpha, the current Alpha refused to let the she¨Cwolves leave <b>to </b><b>work</b>. They barely made ends meet from fruit and vegetable sales, sometimes even going hungry.


    O


    <b>13 </b>


    When they had to borrow money, it took years to repay.


    Adide knew that Klein had organized aid for the pack¡¯s founding, even lending them construction funds.


    Avery, overhearing Paisley, stole a nce at Adide but didn¡¯t dare ask outright..


    Adide asked, ¡°What about your bonuses?¡±


    Avery shuffled his fingers and said sheepishly, ¡°I spent some in the city shopping with you. The <b>rest </b><b>went </b>to repay debts and buy essentials for the pack. Not much left.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Stay in the city for now. I¡¯ll look for a suitable job for you.¡±


    Avery breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, ¡°Thanks!¡±


    Lance, following behind, asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stay in the military?¡±


    ¡°Commander, the military has rules. I value my freedom. I still need to visit the Shadow Peaks a few <b>times </b>a year,¡± Avery said, still addressing Lance as ¡°Commander.¡±


    Lance, aware of Avery¡¯sbat skills, sized him up and made a mental note but didn¡¯t speak yet.


    In the main hall, Klein and the others were waiting.


    Other guests had left the day after the mating ceremony, leaving only those from the Warscar Training Camp.


    Adide had threatened Madison yesterday¨Cshe could expose her wrongdoings anytime, even after <i>they </i>left.


    Since they were now sworn enemies, there would be plenty of future confrontations.


    She asked Beata to take Cedric to y and toe backter.


    Lance followed Adide as she greeted Irene, Klein, Craig, and the others one by one.


    Klein¡¯s eyes were half¨Cclosed, making it hard to tell if he was actually watching.


    But Adide knew this was when Klein was most observant¨Cwatching for any mistakes.


    So, her manners were impable, her movements graceful and measured.


    Adide noticed Lance merely nodding at Klein, without even a bow.


    Damn¡­


    But Klein wasn¡¯t angry.


    Surprisingly, he smiled at Lance, a smile tinged with relief. ¡°You¡¯ve established your career and family. I


    can rest easy now.¡±


    Wait, Klein smiled?


    O


    <b>2/8 </b>


    10:30 Sat, <b>12 </b>Jul 2 Jul


    u


    u


    9150


    Lance stood before Klein, adopting a deferential posture as if ready to heed his advice.


    Klein was well¨Cpleased and said, ¡°Take a seat, all of you.¡±


    Prune immediately pulled Adide over. She knew Adide had endured Klein¡¯s etiquette lessons and suffered.


    ¡°Your Luna has such a temper. Life in the ckthorn Pack won¡¯t be smooth. You must keep her in check and prevent her from causing trouble.¡±


    Klein¡¯s voice carried a note of warning, addressed to Lance.


    In his eyes, Adide would always be the most mischievous student.


    ¡°Adide won¡¯t cause any trouble, sir. Rest assured,¡± Lance replied respectfully, yet staunchly defending his partner.


    Klein¡¯s eyes narrowed again, his expression souring.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    But Klein soon broke into a smile again when Lance brought coffee over, first to Irene and <b>then </b><b>to </b><b>him</b><b>. </b>


    It was strange to see Klein smile twice in one day.


    So, he could smile!


    Lance said, ¡°Sir, I need to speak with you privately.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Klein stood up and lightly flicked his sleeve as he left with Lance.


    Lance winked at Adide with a mischievous grin.


    Everyone realized he¡¯d deliberately asked Klein to leave.


    Prune gently massaged Adide¡¯s arm and hugged her.


    When Adide first arrived at the Warscar Training Camp, Prune used to carry her around.


    Adide had been terribly homesick, and it was Prune whoforted her to sleep.


    ¡°Don¡¯t spoil her too much,¡± Irene said, though her eyes held more affection for Adide than anyone else¡¯s.


    ¡°As a Luna of the same pack, you must grow stronger. If you¡¯re wronged, don¡¯t suffer in silence. Tell the Warscar Training Camp¨Cwe¡¯ll stand up for you.¡±


    Adide leaned into Prune¡¯s embrace and softly replied, ¡°I understand, teacher.¡±


    Irene heard her reply meekly, then gestured for her to approach, ¡°Come here.¡±


    Adide walked over docilely, and Irene flicked her nose.


    ¡°Ouch, that hurts,¡± Adideined.


    ¡°It¡¯s a punishment,¡± Irene said sternly. ¡°For not speaking up. Consider yourself lucky it¡¯s light.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes flickered with pain, but she quickly masked it. ¡°I understand. I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    Irene noticed and sighed inwardly. This child¡¯s past was too painful to dwell on.


    She took Adide¡¯s hand and said, /Lance¡¯s character surpasses Ulrik¡¯s. I believe he won¡¯t forsake you. But people and circumstances change/Once he yearned for you, now that you¡¯re mated, he might grow tired. So, if you love him, don¡¯t give your heart entirely. Understand?¡±


    Alistair agreed, ¡°Right. Men are/despicable. We can¡¯t trust them fully, lest we <b>face </b>another heartbreak.¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    Craig pped Alistair¡¯s forehead. He had wanted to object when Irene spoke but didn¡¯t dare with her


    O


    <b>173 </b>


    present.


    Now Alistair echoed her words, and Craig seized the chance.


    Paisley chuckled, ¡°Alistair, you¡¯re a man too. Why do you despise men?¡±


    Alistair, from the Tudor family and skilled in music, replied coldly, ¡°I do despise them. That¡¯s why <b>I </b><b>avoid </b>men and befriend women.¡±


    ¡°You just made an excuse for yourself,¡± Paisley teased.


    Paisley sneered. Everyone knew Alistair loved to hang out in pubs and ballrooms.


    He yed the piano and sang, and the dance hall girls swayed to his tunes¨CPaisley had seen it <b>with </b>her own eyes.


    Alistair nced out the window, tense, ¡°Don¡¯t speak recklessly. If Klein hears¡­¡±


    Paisley shrugged, ¡°He might find out someday.¡±


    Alistair turned away expressionlessly, ¡°Seeing you has made me lose interest in women too.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Irene interrupted, ¡°We¡¯re leaving tomorrow. Say your goodbyes without nonsense<b>.¡± </b>


    Craig was ushered out¨Che had stayed at the Frostfang Pack before the mating ceremony and shouldn¡¯t take time from Adide now.


    Adide was surrounded by ssmates, each speaking one by one.


    Whatever they said, the message was clear: remember your friends in times of need.


    Prune held Adide, the usually strong she¨Cwolf shedding tears.


    Adide, once a little girl in a red dress at the training camp, had grown up.


    Prune had carried her from the training ground to their room in the early days.


    She remembered Adide¡¯s coquettish requests for cherries and her radiant, carefree smile.


    Her eyes back then were full of brilliance and freedom.


    Now, seeing Adide all grown up and mated, Prune felt bittersweet.


    Tears streamed down her face as she thought of Adide¡¯s experiences over the years.


    Wiping her tears, Prune said, ¡°I won¡¯t leave. I¡¯ll stay in the city with you, at the Frostfang Pack. Come back anytime you miss me.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll stay


    too!¡± others chimed in.


    Adide hid in Prune¡¯s embrace, feeling a long¨Clost sense <b>of </b>safety.


    ¦Ê¦Á¦É


    She wanted to cry. She would miss them terribly.


    W

 Novel Male 274

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Irene spoke sternly, ¡°You can¡¯t stay by her side forever. Everyone must live their own life. Besides, is the city really a ce to stay? Even if it were, it¡¯s not a ce for us from the Warscar Training Camp


    Irene had no fondness for the capital or its royal werewolves.


    Yet, Lance¡¯s character was beyond reproach, and his remation of the southern border had preserved <b>the </b>nation¡¯s territory, earning her reluctant eptance.


    But whether hearts remain unchanged still required time¡¯s proof.


    Initially, Lance had intended to be her student, but Irene had hesitated to take in a royal Lycan¡¯s descendant.


    It was Klein who inexplicably took a liking to him and epted him.


    Irene had once thought such a privileged prince would never endure the training¡¯s hardships and looked down on him.


    Little did she know, Lance spent a month each year on the mountain under Klein¡¯s guidance and trained diligently in the capital the rest of the time, achieving remarkably highbat skills.


    Irene sighed, letting the others chat while she went to find Klein and Lance.


    Lance, now mated with Adide, was family, and she couldn¡¯t maintain her teacher¡¯s authority anymore.


    After a long chat, Adide took Lance and Cedric to the Moonlight Altar. After praying to the Moon Goddess, Adide knelt, and Lance followed suit.


    Seeing his promptness, Adide¡¯s eyes welled up.


    In a hushed voice, she said, ¡°Father, Mother, Brothers, I have found my mate. From now on, I will live well with Cedric.¡±


    Cedric, also tearful, added, ¡°Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, I will obey Auntie Adide and stay out of trouble.¡±


    Lance simply stated, ¡°I vow never to let you suffer and will never allow the pack to have a breeder. Adide is my only mate for life.¡±


    Adide¡¯s tears fell. She understood why Lance said this.


    Her mother had chosen Ulrik for the same promise.


    She thought Lance, as royalty, would have multiple breeders.


    So, she admired Lance but wouldn¡¯t entrust her daughter to him.


    Little did she know, she had mistaken fish eyes for pearls and vice versa.


    111


    C


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Fortunately, the truth was now clear. Though the future might not be smooth<b>, </b><b>having </b>a <b>devoted </bpanion was better than her lonely days in the Bloodmoon Pack.


    After the Moonlight Altar ritual, Adide introduced Cedric to Irene and Klein, then joined everyone for a meal.


    At the Warscar Training Camp, meals were silent, especially with Klein present. The dining etiquette rivaled that of noble families.


    Adide cherished these meals, stealing nces at Irene, Craig, and Prune, her heart warm.


    Yet, thinking of their imminent departure from the capital, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of sadness.


    Post¨Cmeal, servants cleared the leftovers as the group lingered in the meeting hall, chatting.


    Irene called Cedric over, ¡°Cedric,e here.¡±


    Cedric approached promptly, ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to be as skilled as your aunt, one of the top fighters in the camp?¡± Irene <b>asked</b>.


    Adide¡¯sbat skills weren¡¯t unmatched, but within the Warscar Training Camp, they <b>were </b>exceptional.


    Cedric nodded vigorously, ¡°Yes!¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes welled up¨Cwas Irene nning to take Cedric to the Shadow Peaks?


    ¡°Why do you want to learnbat?¡± Irene pressed.


    ¡°To protect my auntie,¡± Cedric replied, then paused, feeling his answer was too narrow, ¡°And to be like my grandfather and father, fighting on the battlefield to defend our territory.¡±


    Irene smiled, ¡°Such aspirations at your age aremendable. But being a hero requires hardship and toil. Can you endure that?¡±


    ¡°I can!¡± Cedric puffed out his chest.


    Unfazed by Irene¡¯s probing, he dered loudly, ¡°I¡¯ve endured worse!¡±


    ¡°And if it means separating from Adide? Would you agree to that?¡± Irene continued.


    Cedric instinctively stepped back, shaking his head, ¡°No, I won¡¯t leave my auntie.¡±


    Adide also couldn¡¯t bear to part with Cedric¨Che was now the sole heir to the Frostfang Pack.


    ¡°If he wishes to learn, I¡¯ll teach him,¡± she said.


    Irene nodded, ¡°Naturally, you¡¯ll teach him first. With his currentck of knowledge, would I need to teach basics myself? Once his leg heals, train him in the ckthorn Pack for two years. Solidify the fundamentals, then let him learn advanced skills in the Shadow Peaks with Craig and the others.¡±


    Cedric would inherit the Frostfang Pack someday. Learning was essential.


    Adide understood Irene¡¯s intentions and tearfully agreed, ¡°Yes, I know what to do.¡±


    <b>273 </b>


    III


    10:31 Sat, 12 Jun


    Joining the Warscar Training Camp was a dream for many.


    There, one learnedbat and more¡ªlike Craig, a rare schr who excelled in painting, music, literature, and chess, with vast knowledge.


    20

 Novel Male 275

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lycan Erasmus was Craig¡¯s No. 1 fan.


    When Craig first came to the Frostfang Pack, Lycan Erasmus had visited in person¨Ca testament to Craigs


    stature.


    Lycan Erasmus had even tried to recruit him for the Royal Council, as someone like Craig deserved nothing less than reverence.


    Schrs and officials across the werewolf kingdom held Craig in the highest regard.


    ¡°When are you leaving?¡± Adide asked tearfully.


    ¡°No exact date yet. We¡¯ll let you know,¡± Irene replied.


    ¡°Promise not to leave without telling me,¡± Adide said, her eyes glistening.


    Irene agreed, ¡°We won¡¯t leave in secret.¡±


    But Adide wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. Irene had a habit of avoiding farewells. She remembered how Irene would hide, iming to be busy, whenever Adide went home.


    After lunch, Craig and the others pulled Lance into the side room.


    They spoke cautiously, their words filled with requests for him to take care of Adide. Though there was no outright threat, the pressure was palpable between the lines.


    Lance handled it well, his serious demeanor earning nods of approval.


    They may not live in the capital, but they understood noble etiquette.


    While Adide¡¯s second mating as a royal mate might seem less dignified to outsiders, Lance¡¯s willingness to make her his sole Luna was truly rare.


    As they left, Prune privately told Lance, ¡°If you ever stop loving her, don¡¯t hurt her. Send her back to <b>us</b><b>. </b>The word ¡°us¡± made Lance¡¯s back stiffen. ¡°That day will nevere,¡± he dered.


    On the way back to the ckthorn Pack, Lance and Adide reflected on Prune¡¯s words<b>. </b>Adide rested her head on Lance¡¯s shoulder, tears welling up and eventually spilling <b>over</b><b>. </b>


    Lance held her tightly, his chin resting on her forehead. ¡°Prune truly cares for you like <b>a </b>sister


    <b>¡°</b>Yes, when I first joined the Warscar Training Camp, Prune was always with me. She <b>spoiled </b><b>me </b><b>rottens </b>


    Lance knew Adide was adored by everyone at the camp.


    Even Irene had reminded him to treat Adide <b>well </b><b>in </b>the side room, calling <b>her </b>a <b>little </b>troublemaker with a rare look of tenderness.


    When Irene mentioned the Bentleys, her eyes brimmed with sorrow and regret


    The world mourned the sacrifices made by the Frostfang Pack for their country.


    Wiping away her tears, Adide asked, ¡°Avery wants to stay in the capital. What do you n to do for him?¡±


    Lance replied, ¡°Simple. The ckthorn Pack hasn¡¯t established a werewolf warrior unit yet. Have him lead the recruitment.¡±


    Previously, under Lance¡¯smand in the Royal Army, the ckthorn Pack only had werewolf guards. not a dedicated warrior unit.


    Adide wiped her eyes and said earnestly, ¡°Agreed. Avery is capable and good at leading teams. <b>His </b>performance on the Southern Border battlefield was exceptional.¡±


    She nced at Lance and softly asked, ¡°What¡¯s the usual monthly sry for a werewolf warrior unit head?¡±


    Werewolf warriors fell under Alpha¡¯s jurisdiction, and she wasn¡¯t privy to their pay scales..


    ¡°I¡¯ll give him more. It¡¯s tough for him to support the whole pack on his own,¡± Lance said generously.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Adide agreed, nning to secretly add more herself.


    She had known the Ancient Moon Pack¡¯s struggles since the Warscar Training Camp but had been naive about the extent of their difficulties.


    ¡°Will he join after Irene and the others leave?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Paisley wille too. Ang and the others are heading back with them.¡±


    Compared to Paisley, Ang and the others had less freedom.


    Paisley, as the daughter of the Crimson me Pack¡¯s Alpha, could stay as long as she liked¨Ceven the Alpha had to humor her. Without Paisley, the Crimson me Pack would struggle.


    Adide brightened. ¡°Once we¡¯re back, we need to audit the Golden Jewelry Store¡¯s ounts.¡±


    It was time to confront Wanda.


    Lance said, ¡°This can also teach Prisci a lesson¨Cto not trust so easily in the future.¡±


    Adide¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°A lesson is one thing, but Madison and Wanda won¡¯t get a single cent. What¡¯s ours must be returned.¡±


    Lance squeezed her hand. ¡°Whatever you want to do, I¡¯ve got your back.¡±


    Adide looked at their intertwined hands. His strong, well¨Cdefined fingers always made her heart race whenced with hers¨Ca feeling of intimacy distinct from the thrill of being held in his arms.


    She couldn¡¯t exin why, but she loved it.


    Back at the ckthorn Pack, the gifts from the Frostfang Pack were returned untouched.


    10.31


    In the main courtyard, Jasmine whispered, ¡°Prisci threw a huge tantrum, smashing quite a <b>few </b><b>things</b>. You should check on her.¡±


    Adide nced at Lance, seeing his furrowed brow. She knew mother¨Cson talks were <b>never </b><b>easy </b>and <b>said</b>, ¡°I¡¯ll go. You head back to your study. You¡¯ve got work to do.¡±


    Although they were set to temporarily suspend court, the Ministry of Justice had closed its <b>cases</b>, <b>Lance </b>had been busytely¨Cnot just memorizing legal texts but also studying past cases.


    ¡°Alright, then. If you can¡¯t calm her, have someone fetch me,¡± Lance said, understanding Prisci <b>well</b>.


    ¡°No worries, I can handle it,¡± Adide assured him with aforting look.


    It was just Prisci throwing a tantrum over the discovery of Wanda¡¯s financial mismanagement and the fraud.

 Novel Male 276

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide first checked in with Beta Ralph to get they of thend, particrly regarding the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Ralph assured her that Johnson was under control and the store was under surveince¨Cno one would leak information.


    Relieved, Adide headed to the pack¡¯s finance room.


    Prisci was still reviewing the books, but the room was filled with anxious werewolves who stood <b>up </b><b>as </b>she entered.


    The air was thick with Prisci¡¯s bitter almond¨Cscented pheromones,ced with grievance, creating <b>an </b>oppressive atmosphere that forced everyone to bow their heads.


    The office was in disarray. Everything on the desk except the ledgers had been thrown about, and several cupsy smashed.


    Prisci¡¯s hair was disheveled, her face ashen. Upon seeing Adide, her emotions erupted, and she burst


    into tears<b>. </b>


    ¡°They deceived me!¡± Her pupils contracted with emotion, and an unnatural redness crept into the corners of her eyes.


    Adide¡¯s Alpha presence, marked by a cedar scent, instantly calmed the chaotic pheromones.


    She addressed the room, ¡°Leave. Everyone except the finance staff¨CSusan too.¡±


    Hermanding tone left no room for argument.


    The ckthorn Pack had several financial officers and a chief ountant, all of whom now stood up in trepidation. They had never seen Prisci in such a fury.


    The omega servants who hade in to attend to them let out a collective sigh of relief. They stood up, curtseyed, and exited the room.


    Even Johnson, still on his knees, was ushered out.


    Adide approached Prisci with a handkerchief to wipe her tears. ¡°Done reviewing the ledgers?¡± she asked, her soothing pheromones aiming to steady Prisci.


    ¡°Only through this year¡¯s,¡± Prisci replied, blotting her tears and snot with the ha


    rchief.


    Adide returned. Though Prisci¡¯s heart was steadier, the sense of humiliation still clung to her. ¡°Even without this year¡¯s ounts, the store made thirteen million dors. Yet shees to the pce every <b>few </b>days to ask me for money, iming it¡¯s always in the red and needs subsidies for rent and wages<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Her voice carried the distinctive catch of a she¨Cwolf, and her pheromones still lingered with a hint <b>of </b>bitterness<b>. </b>


    10.31 Sal<b>, </b>12 <b>JUI </b>


    <b>91</b>%0


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Adide helped her up. ¡°Let¡¯s get some coffee and food. Leave the rest to the finance team. I¡¯ll check their work and then review your contract. We¡¯ll confront Wanda at Madison¡¯s ce.¡±


    A cold gleam flickered in Adide¡¯s eyes at the mention of Wanda, her Alpha aura briefly surfacing.


    Wanda had been residing at Madison¡¯s estatetely and hadn¡¯t shown her face yesterday during the diamond incident.


    But as the Golden Jewelry Store¡¯s manager, she had no choice but to face the music.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this walking into the lion¡¯s den? Can we really get anything back?¡±


    Prisci asked bitterly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.


    ¡°Ours is ours¨CI¡¯ll bring it back,¡± Adide asserted firmly, her cedar scent intensifying like a protective shield.


    Prisci wiped her nose. ¡°If you can get it back, I¡¯ll split it with you,¡± she said, her pheromonesced with skepticism.


    Adide replied, ¡°I don¡¯t want your share. What¡¯s yours is yours. The Golden Jewelry Store is more profitable than a cosmetics shop. You hold the majority stake, and from now on, you¡¯ll send your people to manage it. Those two won¡¯t squeeze another cent out of you.¡±


    Her pupils contracted slightly in the light.


    In the lounge, after a slice of Basque cake, Prisci was still fuming. ¡°How dare they deceive and bully me like this? They¡¯ve gone too far. All these years, I trusted and respected them, thinking if we made a profit, they could take arger share. But they have such ck hearts¨Cdon¡¯t they fear exposure?¡±


    Her pheromones turned sour again, her fingers trembling with rage.


    ¡°They never expected you to live outside the pce. Otherwise, with such a lucrative business, why <i>let </i>you hold seventy percent? Because you invested seventy percent, and when losses ur, you¡¯re to cover seventy percent of the deficit,¡± Adide said calmly, her eyes glinting with calction.


    ¡°This is outrageous!¡± Prisci eximed.


    Despite her fury, Prisci was at a loss. She turned to Adide, ¡°What should I do? Besides the initial two -million, I¡¯ve added several more. I don¡¯t even expect dividends. Just getting my money back would satisfy <ol><li>me. I¡¯ll just sever ties with them from now on,¡± she said, her voice tinged with tears. </li></ol>


    Adide frowned. She had mentioned retrieving everything earlier. Why was Prisci now willing to forgo dividends?


    This Prisci, all bark and no bite, was truly contemptible¡­


    Yet her tearful look tugged at the heartstrings.


    Adide now understood why the old Lycan King and Lycan rissa doted on her.


    When she cried, she looked pitiful, her soft features and wide eyes exuding innocence, making one¡¯s heart ache.

 Novel Male 277

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci¡¯s emotions were all over her face.


    But now, she¡¯d learned to put on a show in front of Madison.


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Her pheromones quivered with emotional fluctuations, finally sighing helplessly as cedar notes gently brushed Prisci¡¯s hair.


    Adide said no more, first ordering food for her.


    After Prisci ate, Adide spoke, ¡°Fetch the partnership contract for me. We need to check for loopholes and prepare ordingly.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°What if there are loopholes?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s always a way. Hand it over first.¡±


    Adide turned to Susan, knowing where the contract was kept.


    Soon, Susan returned with it.


    Adide read the contract three times from start to finish, finding no issues¨Cit was fair.


    As for the shareholders, Prisci used Susan¡¯s name, while Wanda used Johnson¡¯s¨Che was her servant.


    Noblewomen in business often didn¡¯t use their own names.


    Official procedures were a hassle, and there was the issue of avoiding public exposure.


    They¡¯d use a husband, son, trusted omega, or s¨¦rvant as a front.


    Prisci and Wanda naturally didn¡¯t use their own names¨Cmoney was tempting, but they were nobility. As long as they held the contract, who the shares were registered under didn¡¯t matter.


    ¡°Any problems?¡± Prisci asked anxiously after Adide¡¯s thorough review.


    ¡°None whatsoever,¡± Adide replied, her gazeplicated.


    Prisci bristled at Adide¡¯s look.


    ¡°If there are no problems, why are you staring at me like that?¡±


    Adide wanted to say that if Madison and Wanda hadn¡¯t even bothered to hi showed how easy they thought Prisci was to manipte.


    ps in the contract, it


    But she held her tongue to avoid another tearful outburst.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing,¡± Adide said firmly, pocketing the contract.


    ¡°We¡¯ll visit Madison tonight. Keep Johnson in custody tonight to prevent him from warning them. Ralph¡¯s


    (


    1031 Sat 17 IN


    already on it no one from the Golden Jewelry Stone can leak informenton


    ¡°So soon?¡± Prisci was still findsted by Madison and Wande


    ¡°We need to act how


    Adide¡¯s tone softened as the noticed Prisci¡¯s red eyes ¡°Don¡¯t ere Ells with you I ke responsibility


    Prisci¡¯s voice was hoarse and vulnerable. Im counting on you. Tell Lance not to be angry with me


    She no longer referred to herself as a priestess, her usual arrogance gone reced by a touch of coyner


    Adide shuddered at this sudden disy of vulnerability from someone who usually carried herself with such pride.


    In the evening, the finance room delivered all ounts to Adide for review


    This year¡¯s profit <b>was </b>impressive¨Cover seven million three hundred thousand dors before rounding


    Combined with previous years, it totaled over twenty million


    The store had made a fortune by copying the Royal Jewelry Store¡¯s designs.


    Also, imitation had low costs. The purity of materials couldn¡¯t match the originals, which allowed for lower prices while still securing healthy profit margins.


    The store had leveraged budget¨Cfriendly jewelry to drive sales volume and enhance brand recognition had etched itself into the minds of merchants and everyday shoppers as a ce that offered both affordability and fashion. And that had been enough.


    Adide checked the expenditure and found the costs for materials and finished products suspiciously low.


    The ¡°pure gold jewelry might not be as pure as advertised, possibly just gold¨Cted.


    In a few years, when the gold tarnished andints poured in, Susan, holding a 70% stake, would be first in the line of fire.


    This jewelry store was no longer viable.


    After some thought, Adide ordered Johnson brought to the side hall for questioning.


    The side hall had a firece with a poker heating up, its tip glowing red.


    At the sight, Johnson nearly wet himself, kneeling down instantly. ¡°Luna Ade me!¡±


    spare me! Please spare


    Adide sat calmly. ¡°Who¡¯s talking about taking your life? Just answer my questions truthfully.¡± Johnson nodded frantically. ¡°Vil tell you everything.¡±


    Adide scanned the purchase ledger. ¡°Did Wanda know about these cheap, low¨Cquality goods


    23


    ¡°Yes, she instructed it personally.¡±


    ¡°Did you warn her that impure gold could cause issues?¡±


    Johnson shifted his gaze. ¡°I did warn her, but she said it didn¡¯t matter. By the time problems arose, the store would be closed.¡±


    Adide sneered. ¡°Close the store or shift the me to Prisci?¡±


    Johnson was speechless.


    Adide didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Since the store opened years ago, how have you handled customerints about impure gold?¡±


    Beta Ralph swung the red¨Chot poker threateningly.


    Johnson trembled. ¡°We¡¯ve been silencing them with cheap gifts. With this year¡¯s booming business, Wanda ns to close the store after next August¡¯s peak season.¡±

 Novel Male 278

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Adide sneered. ¡°I asked for the truth. If you hide anything, you¡¯ll taste this poker.


    The red¨Chot poker was thrust right before Manager Johnson, who screamed and fell to the floor. Ill talk! I¡¯ll talk!¡±


    Adide coldly warned, ¡°Tell the truth. One lic, and you¡¯ll swallow this poker.


    Staring at the glowing poker, Johnson prostrated himself and confessed, ¡°Luna Adide, Wanda said to pin the me on Prisci when trouble hit. Since Prisci is Alpha Lance¡¯s mother, she can take the heat. Then Madison would step in to arrangepensation using the store¡¯s cheap inventory¡­


    He hesitated mid¨Cspeech.


    Adide cut in, ¡°So Madison feigns virtue to win public favor, while Prisci and the ckthorn Pack arebeled as viins. Thepensation is all subpar goods¨Cnearly costless. They make a profit and gain a good reputation.¡±


    Johnson¡¯s face drained of color, his silence confirming Adide¡¯s deduction.


    Adide had Johnson taken away and sneered, ¡°Climbing up by trampling on Prisci and the ckthorn Pack¨Cseeking public support while courting nobility. Ralph, what do you think she¡¯s after?¡±


    Ralph pondered, ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    She was a princess, with Lycan Erasmus as her nephew¨Cher status was secure. <i>What </i>more could she want?


    Adide was also puzzled. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t just about Wanda consolidating power in the capital?


    Regardless, since they targeted Prisci and the ckthorn Pack, they wouldn¡¯t <i>let </i>things go their way.


    Adide had the ounts calcte the total investment, Prisci¡¯s historical contributions, and profits at a


    70% stake.


    Then Adide changed into ake¨Cblue embroidered dress, donned a ck cloak, tucked her whip into her waist, and pulled the hood over her face.


    The ledger was handed to her after verification.


    She reviewed it and passed it to Prisci, ¡°Check the figures.¡±


    Prisci took it aggressively, ready for confrontation.


    But upon seeing the numbers, she froze. ¡°I¡¯ve invested so much over the years?¡±


    Including the initial investment, she had poured in $13.66 million. While she tracked expenses, she never realized the cumtive total was so staggering.


    Principal of $13.66 million, plus profits over the years, amounted to $28 million in total earnings.


    C


    At 70%, Prisci was due $26 million.


    Her resolve wavered. ¡°This is a huge sum¨Chardly recoverable.¡±


    <b>91</b><b>% </b>


    s


    ¡°Your words undermine yourself and underestimate Madison¡¯s resources, Adide said coolly.


    Prisci wanted to retort but met Adide¡¯s calm gaze and held her tongue.


    Ralph asked, ¡°Prisci, Luna Adide, shall we bring wolf pack guards?¡±


    Prisci nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, bring dozens to intimidate them.¡±


    Adide disagreed, ¡°No guards. We¡¯re not there to fight, just to reconcile ounts.¡±


    Prisci insisted, ¡°We must bring them for protection¨Cwho knows what tricks they¡¯ll y?¡±


    Adide, holding the ledger, stated firmly, ¡°No tricks can stand against this ledger.¡±


    Prisci insisted, ¡°We have to bring them!¡±


    Ralph nced at Prisci, then at Adide, and cautiously asked, ¡°So¡­ are we bringing them or not?¡±


    Adide straightened up and spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone, ¡°We¡¯re not bringing anyone.¡±


    Prisci rolled her eyes and said, ¡°Why look at me? If she says we¡¯re not bringing them, then we¡¯re not.¡± At that moment, Ralph realized that there would be no conflicts in the ckthorn Pack¨CLuna Adide¡¯s word was final.


    Previously, he and Caldwell had worried about bncing the rtionship between Prisci and Adide. Now, <i>it </i>seemed their concerns were unfounded.


    Adide had only been part of the ckthorn Pack for three days, yet she had already brought Prisci to heel.


    Moreover, Zelda was only concerned with buying snacks and stayed out of other matters, avoiding any trouble.


    At Madison¡¯s residence-


    ¡°Again?¡± Madison frowned at the visitor¡¯s card.


    It was dinnertime, and she was eating with Wanda.


    ¡°Mother, let theme. What do we fear?¡± Wanda saidzily. She had bee. time, growing restless as her mate hadn¡¯te for her.


    Madison¡¯s estate for some


    Madison, annoyed, instructed, ¡°Bring them to the side hall. I¡¯ll meet them after dinner.¡±


    The butler greeted them and noticed they had items carried in.


    They didn¡¯t look like gifts. He asked, ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of these items?¡±


    Prisci was about to say ¡°ledgers¡± when Adide interjected, ¡°Some old manuscripts for Madison¡¯s


    10:31 Sat, <b>12 </b>Jul


    3


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    review.¡±


    The butler¡¯s eyes brightened¨Cmanuscripts? Perhaps Craig¡¯s?


    He offered coffee and sweets, then reported to Madison and Wanda.


    ¡°Manuscripts? Craig¡¯s?¡± Madison asked indifferently.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. She didn¡¯t specify, and I didn¡¯t dare ask,¡± the butler replied.


    Regarding the pink diamonds and the three hundred thousand dors, Wanda had learned <i>of </i>itter and was furious.


    Seeing them arrive with manuscripts, she sneered, ¡°Prisci must feel guilty about upsetting her mother over the diamonds, so she brings Adide along and sends Craig¡¯s manuscripts as an apology. At least she knows how to behave.¡±

 Novel Male 279

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    s


    Madison nced at her and said, ¡°If you keep using that brain of yours, within three years, your <b>mate¡¯s </b>mother will have you kicked out of the pack.¡±


    Hearing this, Wanda¡¯s face fell. ¡°That hateful she¨Cwolf, I¡¯ll poison her sooner orter.¡±


    Madison coldly replied, ¡°Do me a favor and stay out of trouble. If you cause a mess and expect me to clean it up, do you think she is someone to trifle with? You might as well try getting close <i>to </i>her before you talk big.¡±


    Wanda was feeling downcast. ¡°Forget her. What do you think Prisci and that wretched Adide are here for, Mother?¡±


    Madison put down her cutlery. An omega handed her water, which she sipped before taking a napkin to wipe her lips.


    After tossing the napkin aside and standing up, an omega draped her cloak over her. She strode out, saying, ¡°Shall we go take a look?¡±


    Seeing this, Wanda also put on a cloak and followed.


    Upon reaching the side hall, Madison first noticed several boxes on the ground. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    These boxes were all too familiar to her. The Golden Jewelry Store¡¯s ledgers were sent to her for review every year, each annual set contained in a single box.


    These were the same kind of boxes.


    Now, six boxes sat on the floor, presumably holding all the financial records from past years.


    Although the Golden Jewelry Store was technically Wanda¡¯s, it was actually Madison¡¯s.


    Naturally, she would never admit to owning the copycat Golden Jewelry Store.


    Wanda recognized the boxes too and gasped, ¡°Aren¡¯t these the Golden Jewelry Store¡¯s ledgers?¡±


    Adide rose with a beaming smile, ¡°Madison, Wanda, it¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Wanda¡¯s face darkened, ¡°Cut the sweetness. Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Mind your manners, Wanda.¡± Madison slowly sat down and mildly reprimanded her.


    Wanda plopped into a seat, her gaze flickering over the ledgers. Her expression shifted momentarily but quickly returned to normal.


    ¡°Prisci, what does this mean?¡±


    She pointed at the boxes on the floor, addressing Prisci¨Cnot Adide. She wasn¡¯t foolish enough <b>to </b>engage Adide directly and preferred to target the seemingly softer Prisci,


    13


    +5 Free Cons


    Co


    Adide, of course, wouldn¡¯t let Prisci take the lead. She smiled and said, ¡°Here¡¯s the thing. Yesterday<b>, </b>Prisci mentioned that she and you co¨Cown a jewelry store. Upon inquiry, it turned out to be the <b>Golden </b>Jewelry Store. What a coincidence! Before my wedding, Craig bought me a golden bracelet from there.


    Her face was all smiles, with no sharpness in her eyes, as if she weren¡¯t there to audit ounts.


    Having crossed swords with Adide a couple of times, Madison wasn¡¯t about to let her guard down. She looked at Wanda and said, ¡°This Golden Jewelry Store is the one you told me you opened with Prisci, right?¡±


    Wanda replied, ¡°Yes, Mother.¡±


    Adide nodded and said, ¡°I recall you mentioning that the store had been struggling.¡±


    Wanda immediately began toin, ¡°Exactly! We¡¯ve been in business for years, not only failing to make a profit but also running at a loss. It wasn¡¯t until we did a year¨Cend promotion that we barely covered the rent and sries. I feel terrible about it, Prisci trusted me to open the store with her, and instead of making money, I¡¯ve been draining her funds.¡±


    Adide picked up the conversation, ¡°These days, every industry is tough. You don¡¯t need to feel guilty. I¡¯m sure Prisci understands, right?¡±


    She turned to Prisci.


    Prisci, caught off guard by the sudden attention, remembered their prior agreement to keep quiet<i>. </i>But under Adide¡¯s prompting nce, she stiffly nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Adide continued, ¡°No need to me Wanda. Business is tough for everyone.¡±


    Wanda quickly agreed, ¡°Right, business is really tough.¡±


    Adide produced the contract, ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed this contract. Mother holds a 70% <i>stake </i>in <i>the </i>¡®Golden Jewelry Store. Besides the initial investment, she¡¯s subsidized the store for years, with every expense documented. Cousin holds a 30% stake; I assume you¡¯ve also contributed ording to the ratio?¡±


    Wanda felt something was amiss but couldn¡¯t pinpoint it. She nodded, ¡°Of course, whenever there was a need to top up funds, I contributed 30% as agreed.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Adide said, ¡°Prisci covers 70% of the costs and holds 70% <b>of </b>the shes; you cover 30% and hold 30%. Seems reasonable.¡±.


    Wanda watched Adide closely¨Cwhat was she up to?


    Had she not seen the ledgers, or did she already know?


    What about Johnson?


    The ckthorn Pack had retrieved the ledgers¨Chow could no one have reported this? She¡¯d have to deal with himter.


    Madison, reading the situation, knew Adide must have reviewed the ledgers and discovered the profits.


    They must have been taken directly from the jewelry store. Johnson was likely caught off guard <b>and </b><b>might </b>already be under interrogation at the ckthorn Pack.


    <b>23 </b>


    10:32 Sat, 12 Jul


    That man was a weak link¨Che¡¯d probably confess everything under questioning


    Adide continued, ¡°I¡¯m d you think it¡¯s reasonable. Since funds were contributed ording to the share ratio, profits should be distributed the same <i>way</i>.


    She opened a box and took out the top ledger, ¡°The ckthorn Pack¡¯s financial team spent all day on <b>this</b>. nearly wearing out a dozen calctors to straighten out the ounts. Take a look¨Cit¡¯s been a tough year for everyone, but our ¡®Golden Jewelry Store¡® has made a decent profit.¡±


    Wanda¡¯s face drained of color, ¡°What? Profit? How is that possible? We were still subsidizing it two months ago!¡±


    She snatched the ledger and, upon seeing the final figures, her pupils shrank in disbelief, ¡°Impossible! This ledger must be fake!¡±


    Madison frowned, ¡°The ledger seems genuine.¡±


    <b>3</b>

 Novel Male 280

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    #5 Free Coins


    ¡°Mom!¡± Wanda looked up, puzzled why her mother would undermine them¨Cof course they should deny <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    Madison, seeing her daughter¡¯s nk stare, sighed inwardly, ¡°Fool! The ledger was taken from the jewelry store¨Cthere must be witnesses. A handwritingparison with Johnson would reveal the truth. How could she im it¡¯s fake?¡±


    She snapped, ¡°Wanda, how do you manage your staff? Never visit the store? Not even aware of being deceived? How can you face Prisci?¡±


    Wanda finally caught on, anger ring, ¡°Johnson dare cheat me? How dare he! I¡¯ll summon him right now!¡±


    She signaled to the steward, who started to leave, but Adide coolly said, ¡°No need. I¡¯ve detained that deceitful Johnson at the ckthorn Pack. Once you confirm you were also duped, I¡¯ll have him bound and sent to the judiciary.¡±


    Adide sipped her coffee, smiling faintly, ¡°I¡¯m a decisive person. The ledger is here. Call your ountants now, as many as you like. If you¡¯re short on staff, I¡¯ll send for some from the Glenveil Pack. We¡¯ll work through the night and have results by morning.¡±


    ¡°No ountants from the Glenveil Pack!¡±


    Wanda shot up, her face pale.


    Rowena and Winslow already held grudges against her. If they learned of this, who knew how they¡¯d belittle her¨Cshe was sick of Rowena¡¯s disdain.


    Madison¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°So you keep addressing me but don¡¯t trust me?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide chuckled lightly, ¡°On the contrary, it¡¯s because I trust you that I¡¯ve brought the ledger for reconciliation. If I didn¡¯t, the ledger and Johnson would already be at the judiciary.¡±


    Madison mmed her coffee cup down, ¡°Years of ounts can¡¯t be verified in a day.¡±


    Adide¡¯s ey es curved into a smile, ¡°Your financial teams at the manor and the Golden Jewelry Store aren¡¯t small. If that¡¯s not enough, ountants from the Frostfang and ckthorn Packs can <b>assist</b>.¡±


    ¡°In the end, you just don¡¯t trust me!¡± Madison sneered, her eyes zing with anger.


    ie ckthorn


    Adide replied calmly, ¡°Why don¡¯t you review the total ounts we¡¯ve prepared fro Pack first? If you and Wanda trust me, there¡¯s no need for verification¨Cjust split the profits as I¡¯ve calcted.¡±


    She leisurely stroked the embroidery on her skirt, her smile reaching her eyes, ¡°Or is it that you don¡¯t trust me, Madison?¡±


    Madison¡¯s expression darkened¨Cthis wasn¡¯t about trust.


    She knew the jewelry store¡¯s profits matched the ledger¡¯s figures<b>. </b>


    111


    C


    13


    They weren¡¯t here to reconcile ounts but to demand money.


    ¡°It¡¯ste. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow. Leave the ledger here, Madison dered, waving for the boxes to be moved to storage.


    Guards moved to lift the boxes.


    Prisci, forgetting Adide¡¯s caution, shrilly protested, ¡°You can¡¯t take them!¡±


    Once the boxes were moved, they might never be returned¨CMadison was clearly trying to dodge


    payment.


    But the guards had already begun lifting them.


    Suddenly, a red whipshed out, striking the box with a sharp crack. The guard jerked his hand back in fright.


    Adide¡¯s expression hardened, ¡°Fine. If you won¡¯t verify the ounts, we¡¯ll take the boxes back to the ckthorn Pack for an audit. If they refuse, they¡¯ll go straight to the judiciary.¡±


    Her omega servants moved to lift the boxes but were shoved to the ground by Madison¡¯s guards.


    Ordinary omegas were no match for wolf guards.


    Prisci, panicked, turned to Madison, who was sipping coffee with a smug smile.


    Wanting to cause a scene in her manor?


    Madison had five hundred wolf guards at her beck and call.


    Once the ledger was brought in, it wasn¡¯t leaving.


    In an instant, over ten men charged in, seizing the boxes under Madison¡¯smand.


    Prisci, frantic, shouted, ¡°Madison, what are you doing? The ledger is correct! Why hide it?¡±


    Madison, examining her nails, nced at Prisci indifferently, ¡°How do I know you haven¡¯t tampered with it?¡±


    ¡°Then verify the ounts together! That would prove if there¡¯s tampering,¡± Prisci reasoned.


    ¡°Humph!¡± Madison sneered, ¡°No need Since you¡¯ve already checked it, it¡¯s our turn now.¡±


    Wanda barked, ¡°What are you waiting for? Move those boxes<b>!</b>¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf ws extended three inches on her whip handle, silver¨Cblue blood beads dripping from her hardened nails- the Alpha¡¯s battle mark of the Frostfang Pack.


    The coffee cup she hurled, carrying cedar pheromones, struck a wolf guard¡¯s forehead. His neck nd suddenly reeked of sour sulfur¨Ca low¨Cranking wolf¡¯s instinctive response to bloodline suppression.


    The whip sliced through the air, its cold cedar pressure sweeping <b>over </b>a dozen warriors.


    Their wolf fur bristled beneath armor, pupils shrinking in terror.


    C


    The whip¡¯s trail carried a rust¨Clike scent.


    ¡°Adide! How dare you attack in my manor?¡±


    +5 Free Come


    Madison¡¯s white musk pheromones exploded like ice shards. Her Moon Goddess mark scorched hot at the nape of her neck.


    Wanda¡¯s mint pheromones spiraled into chaos. Her wolf ears drooped in panic, hardened nails scratching five white lines into her skirt.


    Adide deliberately unleashed Alpha aura. ¡°I brought Prisci to reconcile ounts, without <i>a </i>single wolf guard.¡±


    Her pupils slit into dark gold in the moonlight, the battle scars on her shoulder tes flickering with each breath. ¡°You summon wolf warriors¨Cdo you want the nobility <i>to </i>scent bloodshed?¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 281

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s whip snapped to the side, rulling the wolf warriors¡® fur.


    They caught the dual scent in her pheromones¨Cthe cedar of the Frostfang Pack and the fir of the Ironthorn soldiers, resonating in her blood.


    When Wanda snarled, the fresh rash on her neck red up.


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    ¡°Odd,¡± Adide mused, tapping the ledger with her wolf ws, ¡°We¡¯re just here to reconcile ounts. Why all the fuss?¡±


    ¡°Did you embezzle the dividends, Wanda?¡± she asked.


    Her pheromones pressed down, souring Wanda¡¯s instantly.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± Wanda snapped, all bluster but reeking of guil


    As servants lifted the boxes, Adide caught the distant howl.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope you¡¯re not lying. Since you won¡¯t check, Prisci and I will visit the Glenveil Pack.¡±


    She barred the wolf warriors with her whip and ordered the omegas, ¡°Load the ledgers¨Cwe¡¯re heading to Glenveil.¡±


    The warriors didn¡¯t dare stop them. Shielded by Adide, the omegas carried the chests out.


    Ignoring Madison¡¯s livid face, Adide waved Prisci over. ¡°No justice here. Let¡¯s find a ce that speaks reason.¡±


    Prisci trotted to her side, and Adide took her hand, whip in the other, ready to leave.


    ¡°Stop!¡± Madison¡¯s musk surged as her ws dug into the seat.


    Adideughed lightly. ¡°nning to attack us with five hundred warriors? If you win, it¡¯s assaulting royalty. If you lose¡­ tsk, embarrassing.¡±


    Adide¡¯s presence was undeniable.


    The warriors¡® tails curled in their armor, their hackles rising under dual pressure.


    Madison loathed Adide¡¯s grin¨Cit mirrored her mother¡¯s,


    Both were schemers.


    Adide¡¯s smile never wavered. We came to reconcile ounts. Why the drama? Madison, is there something to hide? Once we¡¯re at Glenveil, Prisci should throw a party and invite everyone to discuss this.<b>¡± </b>


    Wanda snarled, ¡°You¡¯re the one lying! What hidden agenda? Didn¡¯t I send Prisci the ledgers?¡±


    ???? ?


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    ¡°Odd.¡± Adide mused, tapping the ledger with her wolf ws, the ounts you sent to the pce don¡¯t match those I found at the store¡±


    ¡°The ledgers you sent show losses. The ones I found at the store show profits. Care to exin the discrepancy?¡± Adide¡¯s voice sharpened.


    Wanda fumed. ¡°Why raise your voice? This is my mother¡¯s estate, not yours or the ckthorn Pack¡¯s.¡±


    Adide¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°Madison¡¯s estate or not, we¡¯re here for ountability. If not, let¡¯s leave.<i>¡± </i>With that, she began to lead Prisci away.


    Madison smashed a cup to the floor, her voice cutting through the silence. ¡°Reconcile ounts? Fine, let¡¯s!¡±


    Wanda turned to her mother, voice urgent.


    Madison¡¯s eyes shed. ¡°Bring all financial staff here. I want to see how Johnson embezzled.¡±


    Adide smiled faintly. ¡°Clever move, Madison. If Johnson¡¯s guilty, he¡¯ll face the judiciary.¡±


    Madison red at her, icy resolve in her eyes..


    She knew once Johnson reached the judiciary, he¡¯d confess everything.


    It was no use trying to pin the me on him.


    Johnson was Wanda¡¯s servant from the Glenveil Pack. After a misconduct, the Luna of Glenveil transferred him to the manor.


    Wanda had spotted his cunning and promoted him to manager of the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Essentially, Johnson was still tied to Glenveil. If Adide dragged this to Glenveil, it would harm both their reputations.


    The scandal of Wanda gifting the wolf¨Chead statue to the Frostfang Pack¡¯s Air had already tarnished Madison¡¯s name. She¡¯d hoped to lie low for a couple of years, letting people forget before making new ns<b>. </b>


    That¡¯s why even when Adide and Prisci came for diamonds and money, she¡¯d given in to avoid a


    scene.


    Now, this wasn¡¯t just about money. If exposed, it would be fraud against the New Moon Priestess.


    Wanda, as Madison¡¯s daughter, might avoid court but would face public bacsh.


    Glenveil Pack would jump at the chance to expel her, and being a thief would give them the perfect


    excuse.


    But she wouldn¡¯t return the money. The store was near its end anyway. She¡¯d just hand it over. After all, it had always been part of the n.


    Though profitable, the store¡¯s reputation was terrible¨Conly good for quick cash, not long¨Cterm business.


    With this n in mind, the ount verification sped up. She¡¯d reviewed the records; the total profit the years was roughly this amount.


    over


    14414


    <b>00</b>%


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Seven or eight financial staff worked furiously, their calctors cking away. They imed they could finish within two hours.


    To make the two hours feel longer, they withheld meals and turned off the heating. The bone¨Cchilling cold crept up from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads.


    Madison and Wanda huddled with hot water bottles, but Adide and Prisci had none.


    Adide was fine, but Prisci shivered uncontrobly in the freezing cold.


    O


    1814 Sun, 10 ORD

 Novel Male 282

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci wasn¡¯t a fool and knew Adide was deliberately freezing her out, so she huddled closer to Adide for warmth.


    Adide spread her cloak and wrapped her in it.


    Prisci gratefully leaned on Adide, Lance¡¯s mate, and even dozed off.


    Two hours passed, the sky had darkened, and the cold had intensified.


    The finance manager reported, ¡°Madison, the ounts are verified¨Cthey match Luna Adide¡¯s records.¡±


    ¡°How dare he!¡±


    Madison smashed another cup, the loud ng jolting Prisci awake.


    She blinked owlishly at Madison¡¯s rage.


    Madison seethed, ¡°That bastard, falsifying ounts to embezzle Prisci and Wanda¡¯s money? I¡¯ll punish him severely.¡±


    Adide released Prisci and said, ¡°The ledgers check out. Since Johnson embezzled, I¡¯ll hand him over to the judiciary. He¡¯ll repay every cent.¡±


    ¡°Adide!¡±


    Madison¡¯s tone softened. She sighed, ¡°Wanda was negligent, allowing such fraud. Johnson¡¯s from the Glenveil Pack. If this goes public, it¡¯ll harm both Glenveil and Wanda. Here¡¯s my offer: hand Johnson to me. I¡¯ll make him repay the money. If he can¡¯t, Wanda forfeits her thirty percent stake. The entire Golden Jewelry Store is yours. You know the store¡¯s profits¨Cit¡¯ll keep making money. You won¡¯t lose out.¡±


    ¡°Actually, we¡¯d gain,¡± Adide smiled.


    ¡°But familyes first. I can¡¯t let Wanda lose out. Since she managed the store and all the staff are her people, we¡¯re not equipped to take over. But cooperation is impossible now. After such a betrayal, there¡¯s too much bitterness. Rtives should avoid business partnerships to prevent future conflicts. So, we¡¯re withdrawing our shares.¡±


    She slid the contract across the table. ¡°If there¡¯s a loss, we¡¯ll calcte based on our investment. But the store¡¯s profitable now, so our share should increase.¡±


    ¡°As I said, family shouldn¡¯t be so calcting. We¡¯ll take back our investment and profits, and leave the rest,¡± she continued.


    Wanda nched¨Cshe¡¯d rather die than agree.


    ¡°No way! I won¡¯t agree!¡±


    She turned livid. ¡°In a partnership, decisions aren¡¯t unteral.¡±


    |||


    O


    14:17 Sun, 13 Jul


    ¡°Easy solution.¡±


    +5 <b>Free </b>Coins


    Adide pushed the ledger forward and said, ¡°Let¡¯s sell the store. Starting tomorrow, we¡¯ll post a transfer notice. Before it sells, we¡¯ll settle our ounts. After the sale, we¡¯ll split the proceeds thirty¨Cseventy.¡±


    Sell the store? Wanda was all for it. The Golden Jewelry Store had a tarnished reputation and wouldn¡¯t fetch much anyway.


    ¡°SELL IT THEN!¡± Wanda snapped.


    Adide smiled. ¡°d you agree. So, about the dividend¨Cshall we send Johnson to the judiciary first, or will you cover the payment?¡±


    Prisci was confused.


    They were supposed to get the store, not sell it.


    Madison¡¯s expression was grim. Johnson couldn¡¯t be sent to the judiciary, so she had to foot the bill.


    Gritting her teeth, she ordered, ¡°Butler, fetch the check.¡±


    In the brightly lit room, Adide examined the check¨Cthe store¡¯s profits over the years, not a penny less.


    Wanda, watching Adide¡¯s serious inspection, was seething with rage.


    But relief followed the payment. At least the matter was settled.


    Then Adide added, ¡°Tomorrow, when we post the transfer notice, I¡¯ll spread the word that the store is run by you and Madison. With your reputation, many wille for the store. Let¡¯s set a minimum price of two and a half million dors. What do you say?¡±


    Wanda paled. ¡°What? You can¡¯t say the store is run by us! That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    The Golden Jewelry Store had poor service and low¨Cquality materials.


    Publicizing it would ruin their reputations.


    She only wanted money, not to admit ownership of the store.


    Adide said, ¡°True, it¡¯s not exactly managed by Wanda. Johnson is from Glenveil Pack. We could say it¡¯s a Glenveil Pack store. Glenveil is a century¨Cold pack. With a profitable store¨Cit¡¯ll still attract many buyers.¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Wanda stamped her foot in anger. ¡°Adide, what¡¯s your game?¡±


    Adide feigned innocence. ¡°A higher price means more for your share. Why are you so upset?¡±


    |||

 Novel Male 283

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Wanda was furious.


    She didn¡¯t believe Adide was ying dumb.


    45 Free Coins


    And Prisci, acting the fool, hadn¡¯t made things difficult for Adide after she joined the ckthorn Pack. Instead, she¡¯d teamed up with her to demand money.


    Previously, Prisci had imed to despise Adide, but there was no sign of it now.


    Just now, the two of them were cuddling together¨Canyone unaware would have thought they were mother and daughter.


    As Madison spoke, ¡°Prisci,e with me. I need to talk to you privately,¡± she realized Madison was trying to create a rift between them.


    Adide was a relentless hound, fixated on Wanda over the wolf¨Chead statue incident. There was no way she¡¯d negotiate peacefully.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Prisci started to rise but was held back by Adide.


    She froze, meeting the cold gaze of her son¡¯s mate, and sat back down.


    Adide tightened her grip on Prisci and said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s talk here. We have no secrets.¡±


    Madison sneered, ¡°Who¡¯s in charge of the ckthorn Pack now? Prisci, you told me it was under your control. Why are you deferring to Adide now? If the full moon priestess finds out, she¡¯ll mock you endlessly.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s face contorted¨CMadison had struck a nerve.


    Madison knew exactly how to manipte her: Prisci detested the full moon priestess and couldn¡¯t bear to be ridiculed by her.


    Adide stayed silent, observing Prisci to see if she had a mind of her own.


    If Madison could sway her with a few words, Adide wouldn¡¯t bother¨Cafter all, it wasn¡¯t her money on the line.


    ¡°Let those who can lead take charge,¡± Prisci forced a smile, ¡°Let the full moon priestessugh. At least I can leave the pce and live in my son¡¯s pack. She¡¯s still suffering in the pce.¡±


    Adide approved¨CPrisci hadn¡¯t disappointed her.


    Though her words were reluctant, she hadn¡¯t fallen for the provocation.


    Madison, seeing her ploy fail, warned, ¡°Power to the capable is fine, but I recall you criticizing Adide for her second mating, saying she wasn¡¯t worthy of Lance. Yet here you are, bowing to her after just a few days. Prisci, I worry you¡¯ll be manipted by her in the ckthorn Pack.¡±


    <b>14:14 </b>Sun, 13 Jul 0


    Adide finally spoke coldly, ¡°Enough. We¡¯ll proceed as nned. Excuse us.¡±


    ¡°Hold it!¡± Madison barked. ¡°Adide, don¡¯t push your luck.¡±


    s


    Adide had had enough. ¡°What face do I want? I just want our money! I¡¯ve been polite, but since you¡¯re forcing the issue, I¡¯ll y dirty too!¡±


    ¡°The Golden Jewelry Store wasn¡¯t embezzled by Johnson¨Cit¡¯s been a front for your family to exploit Prisci! You¡¯ve treated her like a cash cow and a fool! Johnson¡¯s confessed everything.¡±


    ¡°All these years, Prisci couldn¡¯t leave the pce, so you acted with impunity. Once she left, you even showed her portraits to the store staff, using her image to attract customers!¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± Madison scoffed, ¡°You¡¯d believe a thief over us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather trust him than you two. I came here civilly to settle ounts, return shares, and keep things quiet. But if you¡¯re hell¨Cbent on a fight, I won¡¯t back down!¡±


    ¡°Let me tell you, from the moment you gifted the ¡®Eternal Night Lone Wolf¡® silver wolf statue to my mother, I¡¯ve had it in for you! Don¡¯t think your seniority intimidates me. We have a score to settle, and for that, I¡¯ll never forgive you!¡±


    Madison¡¯s face drained of color. She trembled with rage, her eyes zing with fury.


    Wanda screeched, ¡°How dare you insult my mother? She¡¯s a princess! I¡¯ll take you to the Royal Court!¡±


    Adide mmed the table and snapped, ¡°Go ahead! Expose everything, including Madison Manor¡¯s dirty little secrets!¡±


    Madison paled. ¡°What are you implying? There are no secrets at Madison Manor!¡±


    Adide retorted, ¡°Oh? Then why not visit the west tower?¡±


    ¡°sphemy!¡± Madison was terrified and furious.


    How did she know about the west tower?


    Adide swung her whip, splitting the oak table in two.


    Her roar was deafening: ¡°Did you cooperate when I was polite? Return every cent now! Whoever wants the store can have it, but don¡¯t tarnish Prisci¡¯s reputation with it!¡±


    Madison Manor¡¯s wolf guards rushed in to shield Madison.


    ¡°You dare!¡± Madison shrilled, staring at the shattered table. ¡°Adide, do you think I can¡¯t touch you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Adide said coldly, ¡°You can¡¯t touch me, but I can touch you! Your hands are dirty, and I hold all the cards! Think those secrets are hidden? If you don¡¯t return the money tonight, the judiciary will search you, and I¡¯ll use you of harming¡­¡±


    Madison screamed, ¡°Give her the check!¡±


    Prisci gasped¨Cgoodness, Adide had such nerve!


    =


    O


    <b>14:14 </b>Sun, 13 Jul


    She actually stood up to Madison and won!


    What secrets could the west tower hold, to unnerve the usually poised Madison¡­


    III


    ½¡<b>Æø</b><b>:</b><b>60</b>%̨


    s

 Novel Male 284

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Madison had to cough up the cash since the check couldn¡¯t cover the amount.


    +5 Free Coug


    Her family¡¯s wealth was evident as she produced over twenty million dors without much trouble, though her pained expression suggested it hurt her deeply.


    The facade of harmony was shattered, but at least they got back what was rightfully theirs and the stolen money¨Cno loss there.


    This hypocritical peace was never worth maintaining.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Madison and her daughter watched Adide walk away¨Cher posture, no longer polite, radiated an unassable strength.


    ¡°Adide!¡± Madison gritted her teeth, powerless to act.


    Wanda¡¯s mint pheromones turned sour, her wolf ears drooping in anger. ¡°Years of effort down the drain, all because of that woman Adide. I won¡¯t let her off the hook.¡±


    Her hardened nails dug into her palm, and the temporary mark on her neck oozed tiny red bumps.


    Though Madison also despised Adide, hearing her daughter¡¯s words, she swiftly warned, ¡°Don¡¯t provoke her. You¡¯re no match. The Golden Jewelry Store fiasco was your carelessness. How could you leave the ledgers in the store?¡±


    Madison¡¯s white musk pheromones exploded like ice shards, her pupils slitting into blood¨Cred lines in the shadows.


    Her Moon Goddess emblem at the nape of her neck scorched hot¨Ca typical ndr reaction for a noble werewolf in rage.


    Wanda¡¯s wolf tail curled defensively under her skirt, her mint pheromones chaotic with regrets. ¡°I was afraid of Rowena finding out about the store if I took the ledgers home.¡±


    ¡°You should have sent them elsewhere,¡± Madison said, her wolf ws subconsciously elongating and scratching the wolfhide chair, ¡°or better yet, shredded them after annual reconciliation-


    ¡°Johnson said not to burn them. The Golden Jewelry Store was the only one fullypliant with taxes. He insisted on keeping the ledgers just in case,¡± Wanda growled, her mint pheromones sharp with frustration.


    Madison reined in her pheromones, her white musk now tinged with sulfur.


    She frowned, ¡°Forget it. Who would have thought Prisci would actually leave the pce to live elsewhere, or that Lance would marry Adide¨Ca she¨Cwolf abandoned by Ulrik? With no family left and rejected by Ulrik, she has nothing to lose. There¡¯s no point in shing with her. Keep your other businesses clean¨Cdon¡¯t give her a chance to expose you.¡±


    ¡°The other businesses haye nothing to do with her or Prisci,¡± Wanda said.


    THE


    O


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear her? She¡¯s determined to watch our every move.¡±


    s


    Madison, annoyed and pained by the loss of money, said, ¡°Just be careful. Don¡¯t provoke her. Understand?¡°.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Wanda replied, though her heart seethed with hatred for Adide¨Cthis grudge would be settled.


    Adide and Prisci exited Madison¡¯s manor to find Lance waiting with Tommy at the crossroads.


    Seeing them emerge, Lance approached and asked Adide, ¡°Is everything settled?¡±


    He exhaled a visible breath. It was freezing, and the wind howled¨Cno telling how long he and Tommy had waited..


    ¡°It¡¯s done. You didn¡¯t need toe,¡± Adide said, stepping forward and stopping Lance from removing his coat.


    His hands were ice¨Ccold. ¡°Go back now, we¡¯ll talk in the car.¡±


    Prisci waved and grinned, unfazed by the cold, her heart warm. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go back.¡±


    Lance nced at his mother¡¯s beaming face¨Ca rare sight¨Cand said, ¡°Alright, get in the car, don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±


    ¡°dly,¡± Prisci said, feeling a rare surge of maternal care from her son.


    The dim light hid Lance¡¯s gaze, but the words were clear.


    Both the speaker and listener understood.


    In the ck sedan, with Lance and Tommy up front and Adide and Prisci in the back, the car pulled


    away.


    Prisci clutched Adide¡¯s hand, her excitement barely contained. ¡°I never thought you could get all the money back. You don¡¯t know Madison¨Cshe¡¯s friendly to everyone¡¯s face but extremely domineering underneath.¡±


    Adide slowly withdrew her hand and said, ¡°If you know what she¡¯s like, just keep your distance from


    now on.¡±


    Prisci agreed but fretted, ¡°I¡¯m worried that after a fallout with her, she¡¯ll spread rumors about us and ruin our reputation.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about?¡± Adide¡¯s tone was calm.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t worry, your reputation¡¯s already¡­¡±


    Prisci caught herself mid¨Csentence, flustered, and quickly backtracked, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. Zelda is searching for a mate. Madison has connections with many nobles and prestigious packs. I¡¯m afraid her gossip could harm Zelda¡¯s standing.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Zelda is a royal princess, protected by Lycan Erasmus and Lycan rissa, with the ckthorn Pack backing her. Who would dare nder her? Only those courting death.¡±


    |||


    Recalling Lycan Luna Cami¡¯s words, it seemed someone had hoped Alger would mate with Zelda.

 Novel Male 285

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Adide decided she needed to first understand Alger¡¯s character. If he was reliable, she would then. discuss it with Zelda and of course, seek the man¡¯s consent as well.


    After her failed marriage to Ulrik, Adide believed marriage shouldn¡¯t be solely parent¨Carranged; mutual attraction was essential.


    ¡°Are you mad?¡± Prisci asked, noticing her silence.


    ¡°No,¡± Adide replied, snapping back to reality. ¡°Just thinking.¡±


    Prisci generously pulled out some money, ¡°Here, as promised, half of what I recovered. I won¡¯t go back on my word.¡±


    Adide chuckled, ¡°Keep your money. I can¡¯t ept it.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± Prisci was puzzled. ¡°Then why go to such lengths to help me confront Madison?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re Lance¡¯s mother now. I had to stand up for you against those who swindled you,¡± Adide said.


    Prisci looked at Adide¡¯s cool profile and recalled the scene at Madison¡¯s manor when she was shivering with cold, and Adide instinctively wrapped her in her cloak.


    Her heart warmed. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your kindness. I¡¯m not ungrateful like some others.¡±


    This was clearly a dig at the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Adide smiled but said nothing.


    Prisci studied her and realized she was different from what others had said.


    Previously, Madison had always spoken ill of her and belittled the Frostfang Pack¨Cit was all malicious nder.


    She regretted believing the rumors and even uttering that Adide was unworthy to be her son¡¯s mate.


    Upon reflection, she realized she couldn¡¯t entirely me others. After all, she too had looked down on Adide for being in her second mating.


    Recalling how Adide had helped her twice, Prisci felt a mix of shame and fear. If Adide had acted like others and caused a scene upon discovering the stolen wedding gifts, would her reputation still be intact?


    Worse, how could she face Adide again¨Cthere¡¯s no shame worse than having your misdeeds exposed.


    The more she thought about it the more she loathed Madison¡¯s malice and her own foolishness for being swayed by a few words and acting so recklessly.


    Thinking it over, coupled with the chill she¡¯d caught, her head felt heavy, and her body ached.


    III


    O


    14:14 Sun, 13 Jul 0


    60%


    s


    Back at the ckthorn Pack, Adide helped her out of the carriage and immediately instructed an omega, ¡°Boil some Moon Goddess herb soup. Everyone should have a bowl to warm up.¡±


    Prisci felt even more ashamed¨CAdide was truly considerate, remembering how she¡¯d been chilled at Madison¡¯s.


    No one could match such attentiveness and care.


    She had thought Adide was acting for her own sake, butter realized Adide¡¯s actions were driven by concern for her partner, Lance, who might have caught a cold..


    The kitchen brought out the herb soup, one bowl for each person.


    Adide made sure Lance drank his before rxing. Seeing Prisci sip hers, she said, ¡°Finish a bowl first. Have something to eatter.¡±


    They hadn¡¯t been offered even water at Madison¡¯s, let alone food.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Prisci replied, her voice nasal with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ll finish it.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll head back to take a warm bath. You should have the omegas prepare some hot water for you too,¡± Adide said, leading Lance back to their room despite his displeasure.


    Lance was frustrated¨Cwhat Prisci had done was shocking enough to make waves.


    She had handed her money to Wanda and never checked on it, even adding more funds over time.


    Adide had been here for mere days and had already dealt with her affairs twice.


    He hadn¡¯t waited outside Madison¡¯s manor tonight because he doubted Adide¡¯s capability. He was upset seeing her toil for her mother while he could only wait at home.


    After all, it was a family matter, and he didn¡¯t want to interfere unless asked.


    Moreover, given Adide¡¯s personal grievances with Madison, she preferred to handle it herself.


    On the way back to the courtyard, Lance¡¯s hand, which had been holding Adide¡¯s, was no longer cold- after warming up with the moon goddess herb soup.


    ¡°Stop being angry,¡± Adide said softly.


    ¡°Everyone has weaknesses. Prisci¡¯s is her gullibility and instinctive fear of Madison.¡±


    ¡°As her son, I can¡¯t say much, but this is something even a moderately smart person would avoid,¡± Lance said, still sounding irritated, though his anger gradually subsided after Adide¡¯s reassurance.


    Adide wanted to agree but felt it would be like mocking her in her vulnerability, so she simply smiled and said, ¡°Well, the money is back. Let¡¯s not dwell on it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about you,¡± Lance admitted. ¡°Arguing with Madison in the cold over her money must have been tough. You must have felt wronged.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. And after these two times, Prisci won¡¯t be as harsh with me as before,¡± Adide said.


    |||


    O


    14:14 Sun, 13 JUL


    ¡°Does she dare?¡± Lance¡¯s eyes narrowed in anger.


    <b>60</b><b>% </b>


    s


    ¡°She asked me to observe etiquette and attend to her daily needs. I can¡¯t refuse. She¡¯s trying to assert her authority,¡± Adide exined.


    Lance squeezed her hand tightly. ¡°The ckthorn Pack doesn¡¯t have such rules.¡±


    Adide smiled faintly and said no more, walking hand in hand with him into the courtyard.


    The courtyard had a great feature¨Cit had a climate¨Ccontrolled bathtub that could <i>be </i>used at any time.


    Adide, suggested he soak first.


    Lance, with one arm around her waist, proposed, ¡°That tub¡¯s big enough for two. Let¡¯s save time and trouble. What do you say?¡±


    III


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 286

    <b>Chapter </b>286


    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    His dark eyes hid a forthright mirth, and his closeness sent warmth surging through her.


    Her checks and ears flushed scarlet. Noticing an Omega snickering nearby, she lightly punched his <b>chest</b><b>, </b>¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡±


    Despite her shyness, they ended up sharing the bath.


    Post¨Cbath, the bedroom still buzzed with passion. Fortunately, both were well¨Cexercised and could manage on just a couple of hours¡® sleep.


    The next morning, two unfamiliar female omegas entered to assist Lance.


    Ralph had arranged this. These two had previously worked at packhouse. With no one to care for Lance<b>, </b><b>it </b>wouldn¡¯t do to have male omegas help him change.


    As for Luna Adide¡¯s omegas, some attended to Cedric, while Beata and the <b>others </b>stayed with her.


    Ivy, busy with the plum garden, couldn¡¯t be spared.


    Young omegas might harbor ulterior motives, so it was safer to have the two seasoned omegas from packhouse, aged forty¨Cplus and reliable, attend to Lance.


    They were originally sent by rissa to care for her and were trustworthy.


    Lance had no court duties today. Year¨Cend meant the judiciary was on holiday, with business resuming early next year.


    Adide nned to return to the Frostfang Pack. After breakfast, they sent for Cedric, intending to take him back<i>. </i>


    Unexpectedly, Paisley and Avery arrived as they were leaving.


    Paisley announced, ¡°They left yesterday evening, saying they were in a hurry and wouldn¡¯t say goodbye.¡± Adide¡¯s eyes welled up, ¡°This again. I can¡¯t trust Irene. She promised to inform me before leaving.¡± Paisley consoled, ¡°Irene feared your tears. Don¡¯t fret. I¡¯ll take you to the Shadow Peaks when it warms up.¡±


    ¡°Are you staying here until then?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t want to stay. Prune said some things might need a go¨Cbetween, so I stayed,¡± Paisley confided, ¡°She even left a few people to keep me informed.¡±


    Adide felt a mix of heartache and gratitude. Prune¡¯s people weren¡¯t easily lent to others.


    ¡°Capital life must be hard for you,¡± she said, hugging Paisley.


    for ¡°Not for me. My mentor advised a stay in the capital. If I spot a suitable werewolf, I¡¯ll feign <b>interest</b>. He¡¯ll


    <b>1/3 </b>kidnap me in secret, and then I¡¯ll ¡®rescue¡® myself, creating an opportunity for intimacy<b>¨C</b>a <b>perfect </b><b>setup </b>


    O


    <b>08:03 </b>Mon: 4 JUL 17 HM


    marriage,¡± Prune exined nonchntly.


    Adide, on the verge of tears, stopped crying upon hearing this.


    ¡°If you like someone, I¡¯ll help you¨Cno need for kidnappings,¡± she offered.


    For a Stephens girl seeking a mate, it wasn¡¯t too difficult, provided she lowered her standards.


    But for Paisley, who aimed high, this wasn¡¯t an option.


    She could learn to fight but wouldn¡¯t mate with a low¨Cstatus werewolf.


    Lance had summoned Avery to the study, where Caldwell and Ralph were present.


    Learning that Lance wanted him to lead the werewolf warrior squad, Avery¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You want me to head the ckthorn Pack¡¯s warrior guard? How much will I get paid monthly?¡±


    Avery was blunt; he was in the capital


    to


    earn money.


    Caldwell chuckled, ¡°With Luna Adide¡¯s backing, your sry won¡¯t be poor. Focus on your duties, and once the ckthorn warrior guard arrives, you¡¯ll be in charge of training and management. Such a demanding role deserves a bonus.¡±


    Avery grew impatient. ¡°Just tell me the exact number.¡±


    Caldwell held up a finger and said, ¡°This number.¡±


    A


    Avery was getting angry inside. He really wanted to hit Caldwell¡¯s head with a stick. Why couldn¡¯t he just say the amount directly? Why did he have to make people guess<b>? </b>


    Lance asked, ¡°Will you take the job?¡±


    A


    ¡°Yes!¡± Avery agreed instantly, nning to ask Adide about the specificster.


    After all, the job had to be epted; returning to the pack without earnings meant a beating.


    ¡°No need to worry about recruitment. Just focus on coaching and teaching thembat skills,¡± Caldwell instructed.


    Avery inquired, ¡°But can the ckthorn Pack amodate so many people?¡±


    Ralph assured him, ¡°Don¡¯t concern yourself with that. There¡¯s vacantnd behind the ckthorn Pack. After the New Year, we¡¯ll hire a construction team. With funding secured, the barracks will be up in no time.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll still get paid during this period, right?¡± Avery pressed.


    Caldwell, though annoyed by Avery¡¯s focus on money, respected his rity.


    ¡°Rest assured, you¡¯ll get paid,¡± Caldwell said. He wasn¡¯t stingy, especially since Avery was an old acquaintance of Luna Adide¡¯s. His pay would be generous.


    Relieved, Avery grinned, ¡°Alright.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>08:03 </b><b>Mon</b>, <b>14 </b><b>Jul </b><i>W </i>


    <b>94</b><b>% </b>


    s


    Although the judiciary had closed its cases, as the Ironthorn Army¡¯smander, Lance was busier than


    ever.


    He informed Adide he had a meeting to attend regarding shift schedules and patrol arrangements for the holiday season.


    Adide said, ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll visit Sidney with Paisley and Avery.¡±

 Novel Male 287

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    ¡°Are you going to see Sidney? How about waiting for me? I can go with you once I¡¯m free,¡± Lance said. ¡°No need. The three of us will go. You¡¯re busy with the holiday¡¯s defense patrols,¡± Adide replied.


    Though nominally the deputymander, Adide knew the patrols were Lance¡¯s top priority and prone to issues.


    Lance had wanted to apany them but needed to stay andmand. Plus, with heavy snow and Sidney¡¯s frail health, the visit couldn¡¯t wait.


    ¡°Be careful on the road,¡± Lance said after a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll join you once I¡¯m done.¡±


    Lance hoped to meet Sidney, as he was now Adide¡¯s mate.


    Adide noticed the longing in his eyes and quickly looked away, not wanting Paisley and Avery to tease her. ¡°You go ahead with your duties,¡± she said.


    Lance felt a twinge of disappointment¨CAdide seemed to keep her distance, always averting her gaze when their eyes met.


    Yet he couldn¡¯t help but seek her out.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, the carriage is ready,¡± Ralph announced.


    ¡°Right,¡± Lance stepped forward and took Adide¡¯s hand. ¡°Drive carefully and bundle up. It¡¯s snowing today.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Adide smiled and pulled her hand back. ¡°We¡¯re taking the car. You focus on your work.¡±


    Lance felt a pang of wistfulness as his hand was withdrawn.


    Paisley noticed but stayed silent.


    Adide went to bid Prisci farewell, informing her of the visit to the Greenwood Convalescent Center to see Sidney, possibly staying for two or three days, but promising to return for Christmas Eve¡¯s.


    Prisci, after a moment of surprise, said, ¡°Go quickly ande back soon.¡±


    Zelda, present, asked curiously, ¡°Why is she at the Greenwood Convalescent Center? Isn¡¯t she from the Blue Abyss Pack?¡±


    Adide exined, ¡°She¡¯s unwell and moved there for quiet recovery. Also, therge altar there facilitates prayers to the Moon Goddess.¡±


    Zelda was puzzled: ¡°If she¡¯s sick, shouldn¡¯t she stay in the Blue Abyss Pack? At least family could keep track of her there.¡±


    Even Zelda understood this logic. How could Germain not?


    O


    <b>U8</b><b>:</b><b>04 </b><b>Mon</b>, 14 <b>Jul </b>WM


    <b>94</b><b>% </b>


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    Adide was deeply worried. Germain¡¯s territory in the Blue Ridge State wasn¡¯t far from the Greenwood Center or the capital.


    If Sidney was sent to recover, wouldn¡¯t the capital be a better choice?


    There were vis there, along with royal werewolf doctors and Doctor Digby.


    Now, at Greenwood, though Doctor Digby had sent staff to care for her, being without family seemed too lonely.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go see her and return soon. Could you watch Cedric for me these next few days?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Prisci agreed readily, happy to help Adide.


    This surprised Zelda.


    Prisci had previously been at odds with Luna Adide.


    When Adide turned to leave, Zelda quietly asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you two on bad terms? Howe you¡¯re so close now?¡±


    Prisci sighed, ¡°Adide¡¯s a pitiable soul. She only has Cedric in her family. I can¡¯t be hard on her. I should treat her like my own daughter.¡±


    Zelda found it odd. ¡°You didn¡¯t say this back in the pce. I tried to persuade you, but you didn¡¯t listen.¡±


    ¡°I did listen. It¡¯s because I listened that I treated her well,¡± Prisci replied.


    Zelda, sensing Prisci¡¯s unease, dropped the subject, deciding it was enough that Adide was being treated well.


    After leaving the ckthorn Pack, Adide headed straight for Greenwood.


    This time, she traveled with only Avery as the driver and Prune aspany, without even Beata.


    Prune ryed information gathered by the Cloudwing Pack, ¡°Sidney¡¯s move to Greenwood wasn¡¯t her choice. It was arranged by a breeder named Maya Dewdney from the Blue Abyss Pack. Sidney¡¯s two daughters are indifferent to her, treating Maya as their own mother. Such heartless people deserve our scorn. If Sidney loses faith in them this time, I¡¯ll make sure to teach them a lesson.¡±


    Adide, though braced for the news, felt a chill at the callousness of her cousins. She asked, ¡°What about Germain?¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Paisley sneered, ¡°What can you expect from a man? Germain¡¯s no different. Sidney bore him no heirs, and the pack¡¯s male wolves are actually the offspring of his previous breeder. After her death, Sidney raised his son as her own, hiring the finest tutors in Blue Ridge State.¡±


    ¡°But once Sidney fell ill, Maya took control. She wouldn¡¯t let a son born to another woman overshadow h own. So she dismissed the tutors and secured him a position in the Blue Ridge State office as a constable.


    Adide frowned, ¡°Withoutbat experience, how can he be a constable?¡±


    health.


    2/3 ¡°Who knows? The Dewdney family is influential in Blue Ridge State. Sidney¡¯s pack has long lost its power, In the end, she¡¯s aging, her looks faded, without family support, no sons of her own, and in poor


    E


    With such a cold¨Chearted mate, she¡¯s left to the mercy of others.¡±


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    Germain¡¯s neglect of his partner and preference for his breeder were well¨Cknown in Blue Ridge State and- likely in the capital too.


    Adide recalled Sidney¡¯s hospital stay in the capital when she returned from the Shadow Peaks.


    Doctor Digby had treated her, and when she returned to Blue Ridge State, a doctor apanied her.


    Sidney had often seemed preupied then, brushing off concerns by saying all was well in Blue Ridge State except for her health.

 Novel Male 288

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide mused with a tinge of sorrow, ¡°I¡¯m afraid her sudden illness is also linked to me.


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Paisley, who had intended to keep it secret, now spoke honestly since Adide had guessed, ¡°Yes, we didn¡¯t know at first. It was Maya who deliberately told her. After hearing it, Sidney spat blood and her condition worsened. Galvin told me and asked if I should tell you.¡±


    ¡°I had a hunch,¡± Adide sighed.


    ¡°I rmended mating with Ulrik, though it was at her suggestion. My mother investigated and confirmed the Bloodmoon Pack had been low¨Ckey those years, causing no trouble.¡±


    ¡°Plus, Tamara was ipetent and weak. After I arrived, I wasn¡¯t bullied by Tamara, and the Alpha family maintained a facade of civility,¡± Adide added.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Once we reach Greenwood and see Sidney, we¡¯ll decide what to do next,¡± Paisley said.


    She wasn¡¯t adept atfort, believing things could only be resolved if one became stronger themselves.


    Sidney, as a Luna, shouldn¡¯t be bullied by a breeder, no matter how influential or child¨Cbearing the breeder was.


    How could a breeder bully a Luna?


    Adide nodded, ¡°I know that.¡±


    ¡°Now that I¡¯ve mated with Lance, Sidney should feel reassured,¡± Adide said.


    Paisley leaned back against the soft cushion, her fur¨Clined cloak trimmed with white fox fur, giving her an air of both masculinity and charm.


    Adide nced at her, ¡°Anything else you¡¯re hiding?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just my own worries,¡± Paisley frowned, ¡°Let¡¯s drop it.¡±


    ¡°Family issues?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°My aunt came for a visit with her rogue mate,¡± Paisley said gloomily.


    ¡°I used to despise her for tarnishing the Stephens family name, including mine. But beforeing to the capital this time, I went home to see her and the rogue. Now, I don¡¯t hate her as much,¡± Paisley exined.


    ¡°Oh? Why¡¯s that?¡± Adide asked.


    Adide knew about her aunt¡¯s situation; Paisley had been angry when mentioning it before.


    ¡°Not sure, maybe because the rogue treats her decently,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Did the Stephens family let her into the pack?¡± Adide inquired.


    O


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    ¡°No, they rented a house outside. The rogue is poor. After mating with my aunt without the pack¡¯s blessing, he couldn¡¯t secure a government job. Now he sells artwork to get by. My aunt makes handcrafts too; they¡¯re managing somehow,¡± Paisley shared.


    ¡°What about children? How old are they?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°My aunt can¡¯t have children. She¡¯s in poor health and infertile, but the rogue has stayed loyal through thick and thin,¡± Paisley said.


    Adide nodded, ¡°That¡¯s rare.¡±


    ¡°I visited her. She wore in clothes but didn¡¯t look her age¨Cno gray hairs, and herplexion was good. Whether they¡¯re happy or not is evident,¡± Paisley observed.


    Peering at Adide, Paisley continued, ¡°I was thinking there are too many heartless men in this world, like Ulrik and Germain. She found a mate who¡¯s willing to stay with her regardless of wealth or poverty¨Cit¡¯s truly rare.¡±


    ¡°Though I¡¯m upset she¡¯s caused gossip in the pack, upon reflection, what¡¯s wrong with that? She simply loved someone, and that someone wasn¡¯t approved by my grandfather. They had to mate in secret to be together. Thinking of this, I suddenly stopped hating her,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°If my grandfather had agreed to their union back then, they wouldn¡¯t have had to mate in secret,¡± Adide noted.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying the fault lies in the rules, in the prejudice of powerful packs against rogues?¡± Adide asked.


    Paisley said dispiritedly. ¡°Yes, but my grandfather treated me well. I can¡¯t hate him, so I¡¯m really conflicted,¡± Paisley exined.


    Adide acknowledged with a simple, ¡°Hmm. In this world, it¡¯s hard to say right or wrong when such things don¡¯t happen to us. But your aunt was willing to give up wealth, and that rogue knew he had no future yet still insisted¨Cthis shows their love is true,¡± Adide said.


    Tears welled in Paisley¡¯s eyes as she leaned on Adide¡¯s shoulder and softly cried, ¡°I used to wish that mate would treat her badly, that she¡¯d deeply regret it, that he¡¯d also regret it after experiencing life¡¯s hardships, and that they¡¯d end up as resentful spouses, bickering endlessly.¡±


    Adide gently patted her shoulder and soothed, ¡°You¡¯re not a malicious person.¡±


    ¡°But I did think that way,¡± Paisley said hollowly, ¡°I was malicious, you just didn¡¯t know it before.¡±


    Now, aside from Paisley, her family refused to ept them.


    ¡°Why did theye back then?¡± Adide asked.


    Paisley exined, ¡°My grandmother is ill. My aunt wanted to see her. Perhaps missing the family, she rented a nearby house, hoping that over time, my grandmother would consent to see her. But my grandparents would never agree.¡±


    Adide felt a wave of sorrow too. She wanted tofort Paisley but then she straightened up and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Thinking of Sidney and my aunt, I¡¯m just a bit conflicted.¡±


    ¡°Thinking of your past m¨¢ting with Ulrik and the oue,¡± Adide added.


    U0.04 IVION, 14


    WWM


    After a long silence, Adide slowly said, ¡°Everyone has their own destiny¡±


    +5 <b>Free </b>Coins


    Adide hadn¡¯t fully grasped Paisley¡¯s feelings until she arrived at Greenwood and saw Sidney. At that moment, everything became clear.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 289

    Chapter <b>289 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Five Cons


    In just two or three years, Sidney had be gaunt and emaciated, her entire being devoid of <b>vitality</b>.


    Her sunken cheeks and lifeless eyes nkets.


    de her appear weightless as shey in bed, wrapped in thick


    Despite the room¡¯s warmth, she shivered faintly.


    2


    She seemed not to recognize Adide, staring nkly without a flicker of emotion.


    Arnold whispered in her ear, ¡°This is Adide, Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter. Don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    Sidney continued to stare, her voice slurred and barely audible, but Adide heard her clearly¨Cshe was saying ¡°cold.¡±


    Tears streamed down Adide¡¯s face. ¡°How could this happen? What illness does she have to be so wasted away?¡±


    Arnold softly exined, ¡°Ever since the Blue Abyss Pack sent the mating dissolution certificate a few days ago, she¡¯s been like this.¡±


    ¡°Mating dissolution certificate?¡± Adide was horrified. ¡°Why would they dissolve their mating bond?¡±


    Arnold sighed, ¡°The reason given is her severe illness<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide trembled with anger. ¡°She¡¯s this ill, and Germain still dissolves their bond? Does he think that makes him happy? Has the royal family been informed?¡±


    ¡°Probably kept under wraps until after the New Year,¡± Arnold replied.


    Arnold turned to Paisley, ¡°Paisley, I recognize you. Germain¡¯s mate dissolution involves the Stephens family too.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s face paled. ¡°What does this have to do with us? Why are we implicated?¡±


    Arnold looked surprised, ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Germain approached the Stephens family about mating with you.¡±


    ¡°What nonsense!¡± Adide seethed, her body shaking with rage. ¡°When did this happen? Why was I never told?<b>¡± </b>


    Upon learning this, Paisley smashed a table in fury.


    At Greenwood, the staff served a light meal. Arnold had it brought in, though the food was nd.


    From Arnold, Adide learned that Greenwood¡¯s director was kind and sympathetic to Sidney.


    The staff wouldn¡¯t disturb her much, and her dietary needs were met.


    Adide worried, ¡°How can she manage in such a weak state?¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    08:04 <b>Mon </b>14301 M


    Chapter <b>289 </b>


    ¡°<b>Even </b><b>if </b>she¡¯s fed well, she can¡¯t eat much,¡± Arnold shook her head. ¡°In the Blue <b>Abyss </b><b>Pack</b>, <b>she </b><b>could </b>barely eat, andter couldn¡¯t stand the smell of meat.¡±


    The information from Arnold matched what Paisley had shared.


    Sidney had a son and two daughters. Though the son wasn¡¯t hers by blood, she had raised him. Unfortunately, he was rather worthless.


    Her two biological daughters, however, were turned to her for support.


    grateful. Because their father favored Maya, they had


    Than Sitney¡¯s


    Maya¡¯s family, wealthier and more influential than Sidney¡¯s declining pack in Blue Ridge State, provided them with luxury.


    Sidney, known for her kindness, appeared weak to others, even her own daughters who disdained her<b>. </b>Arnold added, ¡°Liz rarely cared for Sidney. Even in the Blue Abyss Pack, she seldom visited. Only Ca asionally showed filial duty, but even she wouldin bitterly if medicinal herbs soiled her clothes<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>¡°Moreover, all the omegas caring for Sidney were reassigned by Maya, reced with her people. Even <b>here </b>at Greenwood, the omegas are Maya¡¯s. That¡¯s why I¡¯m speaking with you here.¡±


    Adide observed the staff earlier¨Cthough their actions were meticulous, their faces betrayed no concern, clearly just going through the motions.


    ¡°What about Germain?¡± A cold glint shed in Adide¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    Arnold snorted, ¡°Since I¡¯ve been here, he¡¯s rarely visited Sidney¡¯s room. When he dide, his words were cold and filled with disgust, as if wishing her dead. How heartless<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide was puzzled, ¡°If Sidney¡¯s in such a state, why dissolve the mating bond now? As royalty with Lycan blood, Germain would need Lycan Erasmus¡¯s approval for a mating dissolution, which Lycan Erasmus would never grant.¡±


    Arnold shook her head, ¡°We¡¯re not sure.¡±


    Adide suspected Germain wasn¡¯t truly dissolving the bond but using it as a lethal tactic.


    He wanted Sidney dead to make way for a new Luna.


    Adide asked Arnold, ¡°Is there no other way for Sidney? Can we call Doctor Digby?¡±


    Arnold replied, ¡°Doctor Digby has already been here. He said she¡¯s just biding her time, unsure how long she¡¯llst. Without medication, she might only have a day or two.¡±


    Adide looked up sharply, ¡°We can¡¯t stop her medication.¡±


    Arnold sighed helplessly, ¡°Even with medication, she


    on¡¯tst long.¡±


    Tears streamed down Adide¡¯s face. She had no idea Sidney was so critically ill. Doctor Digby <b>had </b><b>kept </b>it from her, and Galvin had always been evasive. She should have realized sooner.

 Novel Male 290

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    s


    Arnold tried to console Adide, ¡°The medication and injections are easing her difort. At least until the end, she won¡¯t suffer as much.¡±


    As a doctor, she¡¯d witnessed many patients pass away. Sidney¡¯s case filled her with regret and a sense of injustice.


    How unfortunate could one be¨Cto be abandoned by her mate and daughters?


    Her birth pack couldn¡¯t help either, stationed far away and unable to visit her even in winter.


    Usually, when someone with ill intent meets a bad end, people might say they deserved it. But Sidney, kind¨Chearted and full of good deeds, shouldn¡¯t have ended up like this.


    ¡°Paisley, you head back to the capital tomorrow. I¡¯ll stay here with Sidney,¡± Adide said, wiping her tears.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let her be without family by her side.¡±


    Paisley, a loyal friend, replied, ¡°I¡¯ll stay with you. As for Avery, Greenwood has guest rooms for male visitors. He can stay there.¡±


    ¡°Christmas ising. The center will be cold and lonely. You¡¯ll suffer here,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I endured the battlefield¡¯s hardships. What¡¯s a little more suffering?¡± Paisley responded.


    Adide, fidgeting with her handkerchief, suddenly paused at Paisley¡¯s words.


    Germain¡¯s interest in Paisley¨Cwas it because she had been to war?


    No, that couldn¡¯t be it, Adide shook her head.


    If a royal with militarymand had such thoughts, it might be possible.


    But Germain only had five hundred wolf pack warriors. Even as the Alpha of a pack in Blue Ridge State without militarymand, Lycan Erasmus likely had many spies watching him.


    Moreover, he wasn¡¯t particrly talented. How could he dare to harbor thoughts of rebellion?


    Too far¨Cfetched. Adide couldn¡¯t believe it, thinking he was likely just trying to consolidate power in Blue Ridge State.


    Adide dismissed the idea but remained cautious<b>¨C</b>some things, though absurd, could be driven by human desire.


    Who knew if Germain was feigning ignorance?


    He might be deeply cunning.


    His pack was the closest to the capital.


    <b>194</b><b>% </b>


    s


    Strangely, despite simr personalities with Alpha Howell, Howell stayed in the capital, while Germain left to build the ckthorn Pack territory.


    Perhaps the old Lycan King also found him hard to read, so he ced him in Blue Ridge State to keep an eye on things.


    The old Lycan King had foresight, stationing most of his brothers far from the capital, stripping them of militarymand. Even with ambitions, theycked the means to act.


    But the old Lycan King wasn¡¯t omniscient. On their own territory, they could secretly recruit werewolf warriors, bypassing the kingdom¡¯s watch.


    Such incidents had urred before.


    What puzzled Adide was why Germain, with little influence, dared to propose to a Stephens family daughter, especially Paisley, who had distinguished herself on the battlefield.


    That night, Adide and Paisley stayed in the small courtyard. With only one bed, they shared it.


    Neither could sleep.


    Paisley had picked at her dinner, eating little.


    Adide hadn¡¯t eaten at all. Seeing Sidney like that weighed heavily on her heart.


    ¡°Adide, I want to infiltrate the Blue Abyss Pack and kill Germain,¡± Paisley blurted after tossing and turning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Do you want to drag your whole family into ruin?¡± Adide chided.


    Adide nced sideways at her and said, ¡°Are you worried your family will agree to this?¡±


    Paisley, hands behind her head, said, ¡°I don¡¯t know if my family would agree. My father certainly wouldn¡¯t. My grandfather dotes on me, but he might not approve either. But the Stephens family desperately needs a female werewolf to be a royal mate and restore our reputation. I fear the pack pressure will force my grandfather and father toply.¡±


    ¡°Even if they agree, you won¡¯t be Germain¡¯s Luna,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t mate with him,¡± Paisley asserted.


    Her voice faltered, ¡°But if they proceed, another female from the pack will have to bear the consequences. How can I bear others sacrificing for me?¡±


    She was anxious to return to the Stephens Pack immediately.


    ¡°Are you going back?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°I want to, but I can¡¯t. Didn¡¯t you say Prune left people for me?¡± Paisley replied.


    Adide hummed in acknowledgment, pulled the covers over her head, and silent tears slid down her


    cheeks.


    Neither slept much. At dawn, they rose.


    Mon, 14


    <i>WANIME </i>


    <b>+5 </b><b>Free </b>Coins


    Adide prepared oatmeal and fed Sidney. Perhaps touched by a family member¡¯s care, Sidney ate half a bowl.


    ¡°Quite an improvement. Usually, she only manages a few bites. Without nutritional supplements, she might not have made it this far,¡± Arnold remarked.


    She added, ¡°If only her children would visit, there might still be hope.¡±


    Adide felt a heavy ache in her chest. As she left the room, she saw Paisley returning and asked, ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    Paisley tightened her cloak, her white fox¨Ctrimmed cor hiding her jawline, her eyes bloodshot from fatigue. ¡°I sent a message, asking her to investigate.¡±


    Adide quietly acknowledged with a ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Paisley offered a bitter smile. ¡°I fear the Stephens family will agree¨Cthen we¡¯d be aplices<b>, </b>aiding Germain in harming Sidney.¡±


    Adide remained silent, her heart heavy with unease.

 Novel Male 291

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The next day, Lance and Tommy braved the snow to arrive.


    Though male visitors were usually restricted, the manager made an exception for Lance to see Sidney.


    Seeing Lance¡¯s snow¨Ccovered journey, AdeChapter 290


    Th


    Arnold tried to console Adide, ¡°The medication and injections are easing her difort. At least until the end, she won¡¯t suffer as much.¡±


    As a doctor, she¡¯d witnessed many patients pass away. Sidney¡¯s case filled her with regret and a sense of injustice.


    How unfortunate could one be¨Cto be abandoned by her mate and daughters?


    Her birth pack couldn¡¯t help either, stationed far away and unable to visit her even in winter.


    Usually, when someone with ill intent meets a bad end, people might say they deserved it. But Sidney, kind¨Chearted and full of good deeds, shouldn¡¯t have ended up like this.


    ¡°Paisley, you head back to the capital tomorrow. I¡¯ll stay here with Sidney,¡± Adide said, wiping her tears.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let her be without family by her side.¡±


    Paisley, a loyal friend, replied, ¡°I¡¯ll stay with you. As for Avery, Greenwood has guest rooms for male visitors. He can stay there.¡±


    ¡°Christmas ising. The center will be cold and lonely. You¡¯ll suffer here,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I endured the battlefield¡¯s hardships. What¡¯s a little more suffering?¡± Paisley responded.


    Adide, fidgeting with her handkerchief, suddenly paused at Paisley¡¯s words.


    Germain¡¯s interest in Paisley¨Cwas it because she had been to war?


    No, that couldn¡¯t be it, Adide shook her head.


    If a royal with militarymand had such thoughts, it might be possible.


    But Germain only had five hundred wolf pack warriors. Even as the Alpha of a pack in Blue Ridge State without militarymand, Lycan Erasmus likely had many spies watching him.


    Moreover, he wasn¡¯t particrly talented. How could he dare to harbor thoughts of rebellion?


    Too far¨Cfetched. Adide couldn¡¯t believe it, thinking he was likely just trying to consolidate power in Blue Ridge State.


    Adide dismissed the idea but remained cautious<b>¨C</b>some things, though absurd, could be driven by human desire.


    Who knew if Germain was feigning ignorance?


    He might be deeply cunning.


    His pack was the closest to the capital.


    Strangely, despite simr personalities with Alpha Howell, Howell stayed in the capital, while Germain left to build the ckthorn Pack territory.


    Perhaps the old Lycan King also found him hard to read, so he ced him in Blue Ridge State to keep an eye on things.


    The old Lycan King had foresight, stationing most of his brothers far from the capital, stripping them of militarymand. Even with ambitions, theycked the means to act.


    But the old Lycan King wasn¡¯t omniscient. On their own territory, they could secretly recruit werewolf warriors, bypassing the kingdom¡¯s watch.


    Such incidents had urred before.


    What puzzled Adide was why Germain, with little influence, dared to propose to a Stephens family daughter, especially Paisley, who had distinguished herself on the battlefield.


    That night, Adide and Paisley stayed in the small courtyard. With only one bed, they shared it.


    Neither could sleep.


    Paisley had picked at her dinner, eating little.


    Adide hadn¡¯t eaten at all. Seeing Sidney like that weighed heavily on her heart.


    ¡°Adide, I want to infiltrate the Blue Abyss Pack and kill Germain,¡± Paisley blurted after tossing and turning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Do you want to drag your whole family into ruin?¡± Adide chided.


    Adide nced sideways at her and said, ¡°Are you worried your family will agree to this?¡±


    Paisley, hands behind her head, said, ¡°I don¡¯t know if my family would agree. My father certainly wouldn¡¯t. My grandfather dotes on me, but he might not approve either. But the Stephens family desperately needs a female werewolf to be a royal mate and restore our reputation. I fear the pack pressure will force my grandfather and father toply.¡±


    ¡°Even if they agree, you won¡¯t be Germain¡¯s Luna,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t mate with him,¡± Paisley asserted.


    Her voice faltered, ¡°But if they proceed, another female from the pack will have to bear the consequences. How can I bear others sacrificing for me?¡±


    She was anxious to return to the Stephens Pack immediately.


    ¡°Are you going back?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°I want to, but I can¡¯t. Didn¡¯t you say Prune left people for me?¡± Paisley replied.


    Adide hummed in acknowledgment, pulled the covers over her head, and silent tears slid down her


    cheeks.


    Neither slept much. At dawn, they rose.


    Adide prepared oatmeal and fed Sidney. Perhaps touched by a family member¡¯s care, Sidney ate half a bowl.


    ¡°Quite an improvement. Usually, she only manages a few bites. Without nutritional supplements, she might not have made it this far,¡± Arnold remarked.


    She added, ¡°If only her children would visit, there might still be hope.¡±


    Adide felt a heavy ache in her chest. As she left the room, she saw Paisley returning and asked, ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    Paisley tightened her cloak, her white fox¨Ctrimmed cor hiding her jawline, her eyes bloodshot from fatigue. ¡°I sent a message, asking her to investigate.¡±


    Adide quietly acknowledged with a ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Paisley offered a bitter smile. ¡°I fear the Stephens family will agree¨Cthen we¡¯d be aplices<b>, </b>aiding Germain in harming Sidney.¡±


    Adide remained silent, her heart heavy with unease.


    Lance gently wiped her tears, cupping her face in his hands. ¡°Let¡¯s <i>go </i>see her,¡± he said softly.


    As Lance led Adide in, Sidney¡¯s tears of joy showed she hadn¡¯t mistaken the genuine affection in Lance¡¯s


    eyes.


    She had feared he¡¯d reject Adide for her second mating, but seeing his tender gaze, she finally felt relieved.


    Lance spoke softly, ¡°Sidney, rest easy. I¡¯ll always treat Adide well.¡±


    Overwhelmed with joy, Sidney couldn¡¯t stop crying.


    Lance¡¯s visit was like a ray of light. She had felt she owed Air¡¯s spirit an apology, but now, seeing Adide thriving in her second mating bond, she could face Air in peace.


    Her improved mood even boosted her appetite. That day, she finished an entire bowl of oatmeal, giving everyone hope.


    But Lance could only stay half a day before returning to the capital. The holiday season, spanning fifteen days withnterns and decorations, required his presence.


    During this time, Lycan Erasmus would attend the Moon Goddess Altar and join citizens at the city square to watch fireworks.


    The royal guards and patrol teams had to prepare in advance, ensuring the square¡¯s grandstand was ready for Lycan Erasmus and government officials.


    After visiting Sidney, Adide and Lance talked in a small cabin outside the Greenwood Convalescent Center.


    Avery had stayed there once. Though simple, the ce was neat, with tidy bedding and clean, if old, furniture.


    Adide updated Lance on the Blue Abyss Pack¡¯s situation. Lance was shocked.


    ¡°This is utterly absurd. No legitimate heir? How can these reasons hold any weight?¡± he asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s always a rationale people can ept, like serious illness,¡± Adide said, her heart heavy.


    ¡°Actually, he wants to mate with Paisley? What on earth is Germain thinking?¡±


    Lance frowned, his sharp,mind quickly grasping theplexity.


    <b>08:04 </b><b>Mon</b>, 14 <b>Jul </b><i>WWM </i>


    Like Adide, he sensed danger if Germain persisted.


    s<b>. </b>


    The Stephens family, though not in royal service, held significant influence in the eastern regions with officials in local governments and substantial family businesses.


    While not the wealthiest in the kingdom, theirmercial reach made them formidable.


    Meanwhile, Germain¡¯s breeder, Maya, hailed from a affluent family in the Blue Ridge State.


    His motives for targeting Paisley, a Stephens daughter with battlefield honors, were far from simple.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on it,¡± Lance said after a moment.


    Thinking of how he was now wary of Lycan Erasmus, Lance said softly, ¡°We¡¯ll have to investigate in secret.¡±


    Adide understood. She recalled the tough battle at the southern border. Since returning, Lance had been seemingly honored but was actually distrusted by Lycan Erasmus. He¡¯d lostmand of the Royal Army.


    If their investigation into royalty was discovered, Erasmus¡¯s distrust could worsen.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s best to let it go,¡± she suggested.


    Lance smiled warmly, brushing her cheek. ¡°How could I? If war erupts, it¡¯s our soldiers and civilians who¡¯ll suffer.¡±


    ¡°I know. I was just venting,¡± Adide sighed.


    Only a truemander understood the cost of war.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll tread carefully,¡± Lance reassured her, his fingers gently caressing her face.


    ¡°Given Sidney¡¯s condition, I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t leave yet. I¡¯lle back for you before the Christmas¡¯s Eve royal ball.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± Adide agreed, though with reluctance.


    Lance lingered, cing a light kiss on her forehead before departing with Tommy.


    Back in the courtyard, Adide found Arnold helping Sidney take her medicine.


    The potion, once half¨Cvomited, was now kept down.


    Seeing Adide enter, Sidney¡¯s gaunt face brightened. ¡°Adide, you¡¯re here,¡± she said.


    Adide sat by the <i>bed</i>, taking the medicine bowl from Arnold. ¡°Let me feed you,¡± she said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Arnold stepped back.


    As Adide prepared to feed her, Sidney stopped her. ¡°Adide, remember this: if anything happe. 0 me, don¡¯t seek me. Just live your life to the fullest.¡±


    ¡°Sidney, don¡¯t talk like that. Your condition is improving. There¡¯s no need for such talk,¡± Adide interrupted sternly.


    <b>08:04 </b>Mon, 14 Jul <i>W </i><i>W </i><b>M </b>


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    ¡°Everyone must face death eventually,¡± Sidney smiled bitterly. ¡°Sometimes, living is a torment, and death <b>a </b>relief.¡±


    ¡°Sidney!¡± Adide¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear this.¡±


    ¥·©`¥ë

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Sidney gripped Adide¡¯s wrist tightly, ncing outside, her breathingbored.


    +5 Fr¨¦e Colns


    The ashen wolf fur at the back of her neck brushed against the silver bracelet on Adide¡¯s wrist. Cedar pheromones mixed with a shuddering tone, ¡°Listen to me, Germain¡¯s no good. He and Madison have been scheming secretly for years.¡±


    Adide¡¯s moon mark zed hot at the nape of her neck. Silver¨Cblue blood beads welled from her elongated ws<b>. </b>


    ¡°What?¡± she gasped.


    Her pupils slit like ice in the candlelight. The Alpha presence of the Shadowfang Pack surged, frost spreading across the carpet. The hot cocoa Paisley brought in trembled and rippled.


    Adide swiftly dismissed everyone and posted Paisley on guard.


    Paisley stood at the door, her ears ttened from the Alpha aura.


    ¡°Sidney, what do you mean?¡± Adide pressed.


    Sidney¡¯s head sagged. Her sulfur pheromones reeked of fear. ¡°For years, he¡¯s been secretly recruiting private forces in Blue Ridge State, funded by Madison and Maya. Those werewolves are hidden on Madison¡¯s privatend.¡±


    Adide¡¯s ws dug into the sandalwood table, silver¨Cblue blood freezing the five deep grooves.


    She knew Madison¡¯s territory¨Cthend granted by the old Lycan King, still marked with the Moon Goddess¡¯s totem at the borders.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cross him. Don¡¯t oppose him,¡± Sidney r¨¢sped, her voice trembling with fear and cold.


    The temporary mark on Sidney¡¯s nape cracked with ice crystals, a sign of a werewolf¡¯s impending copse. ¡°He¡¯s far moreplex than outsiders think,¡± Sidney noted.


    Adide caught the suffocating fear in Sidney¡¯s pheromones, overshadowing any faint reassurance.


    ¡°For years, he¡¯s yed the ¡®doting breeder¡® card, but it was all for show¨Cto mislead Lycan Erasmus,¡± Sidney added.


    As Sidney revealed the truth about the ¡°doting breeder,¡± Adide¡¯s wolf roared deafeningly in her mind, making her temples throb.


    Everyone thought Germain was ipetent andzy. Even Adide had believed it.


    Likely, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s spies in Blue Ridge State overlooked the recruitment happening on Madisnd.


    Madison didn¡¯t even reside there¨Chow would Erasmus know about Fairfax County?


    <b>08:04 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>14 </b><b>Jul </b>NW M


    No wonder Madison had been so brazen in her corruption.


    After speaking, Sidney grew weak and dozed off.


    s


    On December twenty¨Csecond, her spirits unexpectedly rallied. She ate lunch and dinner, even asking for more and eating half of it.


    Adide thought her condition was improving and was overjoyed, encouraging Sidney to rest and promising spring would bring recovery.


    Sidney smiled and agreed, ¡°Okay!¡±


    Adide, too caught up in her relief, missed the silent sigh from Arnold.


    By midnight on Christmas¡¯s Eve, Adide and Paisley were roused by Arnold¡¯s knock and her choked voice, ¡°Sidney has passed away!¡±


    Adide bolted upright, gasping as if surfacing from a deep dive. ¡°No!¡±


    Sidney had passed peacefully in her sleep.


    Arnold, who had kept vigil, discovered her lifeless in the early hours when checking on her.


    She didn¡¯t make it through the year and passed away in the silence of the Greenwood Sanatorium.


    Lance arrived early on Christmas¡¯s Eve morning. Upon hearing the news, he held Adide close, expecting tears.


    Instead, she was eerily calm, her eyes dry.


    Adide¡¯s wolf curled inward, a silver¨Cblue droplet sliding from her bitten lip.


    Amid Greenwood¡¯s wood scent, she sensed Sidney¡¯s final pheromones¨Cmoon grass and resignation.


    Nestled in his embrace, she whispered, ¡°She¡¯s gone. Perhaps it¡¯s a relief.¡±


    Lance gazed at the bare trees around the sanatorium, their deste aura echoing Sidney¡¯s lonely passing.


    She passed away alone here, with neither mate nor children by her side.


    Fortunately, Adide came. Otherwise, she would have had no kinfolk apanying her at death.


    Her identity was so noble. She was the spouse of a royal family member.


    Those few omega were from the Blue Abyss Pack. They would send people to report it. And for Sidney¡¯s funeral, Adide needed not take the lead.


    Adide personally bathed and dressed Sidney.


    When Blue Abyss Pack members arrived to take her home for burial, Adide remainedposed.


    The journey back to the capital was silent. Lance sat with Adide in the carriage, Paisley on his horse, and Avery driving.


    08:04 Mon, 14 <b>Jul </b>W


    All were steeped in sorrow.


    Lance held Adide throughout, not letting her out of his arms.


    Shey still as a hurt kitten, silent and motionless.


    s

 Novel Male 293

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +5 Free Colos


    As they neared the capital, Adide murmured, ¡°Sidney told me Madison and Germain are in cahoots. Germain¡¯s been recruiting many werewolf warriors in Fairfax County, funded by Madison and Maya.


    ¡°Never expected that,¡± Lance frowned.


    Who would have thought that someone who seemed ipetent and couldn¡¯t manage his own household would harbor such grand ambitions?


    By the time they returned to the capital, it was already on Christmas¡® Eve.


    The streets were brimming with festive cheer, every household adorned with decorations and fireworks, celebrating the holiday season.


    Yet Sidney had passed away quietly, her death causing not a ripple in the Blue Abyss Pack.


    For the Germain family had arrived in the capital, and Germain was likely still unaware.


    Upon returning to the ckthorn Pack, Adide learned the Germain family was visiting and Prisci was receiving them in the parlor.


    Paisley, upon hearing this, her crimson emblem beneath her leather coat zed furiously, her wolf ws piercing through her gloves and searing five smoking trenches into the door. ¡°I¡¯ll y his wolf sinews for <i>a </i>whipcord.¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Paisley,¡± Adide said gently.


    Lance frowned, ¡°They hadn¡¯t reached the capital when I left. They must have just arrived. Why wouldn¡¯t they first pay respects to Lycan rissa at the pce and instead visit me here at the ckthorn Pack? I¡¯ve clearly underestimated Germain.¡±


    Adide¡¯s voice carried a faint menace, ¡°He visited the ckthorn Pack first to send a message to Lycan Erasmus. It¡¯s a deration to the world that now, only Alpha Lance exists, not Lycan Erasmus. Even when Germain returns to the capital from his pack, he must first call on the ckthorn Pack.¡±


    Lance, sensing her distress, said, ¡°Adide, don¡¯t confront them. Go rest. I¡¯ll see what they¡¯re up to.¡±


    A glint of coldness flickered in Adide¡¯s eyes. ¡°Why avoid them? Christmas is the perfect time to deliver the news of Sidney¡¯s death and ruin their celebration.¡±


    Lance grasped her arm, his eyes filled with concern. ¡°Don¡¯t do this. If you¡¯re upset, let it out in tears.¡± Since Sidney¡¯s death, she hadn¡¯t shed a single tear.


    On their journey back, Lance had expected her to weep in his arms. Instead, she¡¯d quietly rest him, silent and still.


    rainst


    Even when discussing Germain and Madison¡¯s collusions, she remained unnervinglyposed. Adide shook her head slowly. No tears woulde. What good would they do?


    173


    This was but another gash on her already scarred heart.


    Tears couldn¡¯t case her pain.


    <b>+5 </b>Free <b>Coins </b>


    She didn¡¯t even change her clothes before apanying Lance to the packhouse council chamber.


    Paisley followed without hesitation.


    Inside the council chamber,ughter and chatter filled the air.


    ¡°Prisci, you¡¯re truly blessed. Living in the ckthorn Pack with Lance by your side must be enviable. None of the royal priests in the pce canpare to your fortune,¡± a voice remarked.


    ¡°Maya has such a way with words¨Cwhat a clever tongue. I like that,¡± Prisci beamed.


    ¡°Alpha Lance and Luna Adide have returned,¡± Susan alerted from afar.


    As they spoke, Lance, Adide, and Paisley arrived at the packhouse council hall.


    Seated to the left of the door was a middle¨Caged man in a velvet suit. He was handsome, with a shy and introverted demeanor, and was looking toward the entrance.


    Beside him sat Maya. She was dressed in a wine¨Cred satin gown embroidered with gold and silver patterns. In her early thirties, she was well¨Cpreserved, with fair skin.


    Her hair was elegantly coiled into a bun, secured by two pearl hairpins, and she exuded an air of grace and luxury.


    To the right sat Crispin. He strongly resembled Germain but was slender and sat upright, radiating refinement.


    There were also two young men, aged fifteen to seventeen. Their clothes were more exquisite than Crispin¡¯s, yet their expressions were more arrogant.


    Liz and Ca, the two youngdies, were dressed inke¨Cblue dresses of the same shade. Due to the roaring firece in the hall, they had removed their capes.


    Upon entering the hall, Lance and Adide scanned the room but remained silent for the time being.


    Maya, not in a mate role, rose and curtsied slightly. ¡°Alpha Lance, Luna Adide, greetings.¡±


    The others followed suit.


    Lance coolly said, ¡°Be seated.¡±


    Germain remained seated, evidently waiting for Lance and Adide to approach.


    Seeing them stand firm, he forced a smile. ¡°Where have you two been?¡±


    Lance¡¯s gaze turned icy, his tone colder still, ¡°From Greenwood.¡±


    At the mention of Greenwood, the Germain family¡¯s seven members¡® expressions shifted dramatically. Crispin, about to sit, shot to his feet at the words, pressing Germain for details. ¡°Greenwood? Do you know


    how my mother is doing?¡±


    1


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 Novel Male 294

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide felt her moon mark re with silver¨Cblue sparks. Her cedar pheromones, icy and sharp, targeted Crispin. ¡°Nothing! If you truly cared, why not visit her yourself?¡±


    Her pupils slit like ice under candlelight, her Alpha aura from the Shadowfang Pack causing the crystal chandelier to tremble and shed dust.


    Crispin¡¯s wolf ears trembled in fear as he nced at Germain for help¨Conly to see his father¡¯s indifferent, bristling gray fur and his dragon musk pheromonesced with suppressed decay.


    ¡°I¡­ couldn¡¯t get away from the academy,¡± Crispin stammered, embarrassed.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Adide¡¯s ws dug unconsciously into the armrest. ¡°Was the entire Blue Abyss Pack too busy to send more than two omegas to care for her?¡±


    Her aura made Liz¡¯s hot cocoa bubble. ¡°Without Doctor Digby¡¯s help, how long could she live on wolf blood at the convalescent center?¡±


    Liz¡¯s pheromones swirled under her skirt. She stood up, brushing against Ca¡¯s shoulder. Her mint pheromones carried anger. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Luna Adide to meddle so much.¡±


    The Moon Goddess totem on her earlobe suddenly dimmed, a sign of her guilt.


    Adide¡¯s gaze cut like a de. ¡°I never knew there were such unfilial daughters in this world.¡±


    The Shadowfang Pack¡¯s aura swept over Liz, forcing her recently grown wolf fur to tten.


    ¡°You!¡± Liz¡¯s pupils narrowed to bloodshot slits, her wolf tooth pendant burning hot. ¡°How dare you p such a grave usation on me? Unless you¡¯ve seen my unfilial acts.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen it with my own eyes,¡± Adide¡¯s ws shattered the sandalwood table beside her. ¡°But I witnessed you all absent at your mother¡¯s death.¡±


    Her moon mark zed with silver light¨Ca sign of an Alpha¡¯s rage.


    Crispin staggered back. ¡°Is¡­ she¡­ gone?¡±


    His eyes welled with tears.


    Adide observed silently, unsure if they were genuine.


    Liz and Ca¡¯s eyes reddened, but ho tears fell.


    Germain lunged to his feet, his wolf ws shredding the armrest. His dragon musk and decay pheromones exploded. ¡°She long suffered from illness and chose Greenwood for peace.¡±


    His so¨Ccalled soothing pheromones reeked of lies. ¡°She once wished to pray to the Moon Goddess daily for Air¡¯s descendants¡® happiness.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s crimson emblem zed under her leather coat, her wolf ws piercing the floor. ¡°How


    Chapter <b>294 </b>


    convenient <b>to </b><b>shift </b>the me for ¡®doting on the breeder and neglecting <b>the </b><b>mate </b><b>onto </b><b>the </b>deceased


    <b>Her </b>tail¡¯s me sigil ignited¨Ca mark of the Crimson me Pack¡¯s fury.


    ¡°Outrageous!<b>¡± </b>Germain¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Who are you to meddle in the Blue Abyss <b>Pack¡¯s </b><b>affairs</b><b>? </b>She <b>went </b>willingly, and the pack can testify.¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Paisley sneered.


    ¡°After death, you im it¡¯s voluntary. Hope you meet the same end¨Cdying alone, children nowhere to <b>be </b>found. Then see if your lies hold.¡±


    Maya scrutinized Paisley, sensing her noble lineage. She demanded, ¡°What pack do you hail from<b>? </b><b>Why </b>such insolence? Cursing royal family members is treason. <b>I¡¯ll </b>spare <i>you </i>today for your ignorance, but <b>next </b>time, mercy will be gone.¡±


    ¡°How formidable, Luna Maya!¡±


    Paisley retorted with biting sarcasm. ¡°Cursing royalty is treason, but forcing a mate to her death <b>isn¡¯t</b><b>? </b>She was gravely ill, yet you served her a mating dissolution certificate. What proof is that? It¡¯s clear you <b>wished </b>her dead.¡±


    ¡°What mating dissolution certificate?¡±


    Crispin stared disbelievingly at Germain. ¡°Father, did you truly give Mother a mating dissolution certificate? What crime did shemit to deserve this<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Germain¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Sit down! Stop your prattle. There is no mating dissolution certificate<i>¨C</i>just rumors.¡±


    He had ordered the certificate burned immediately after Sidney¡¯s eyes had scanned it.


    Even if they went to Greenwood, they wouldn¡¯t find the physical document. At most, they might hear of it from Doctor Digby¡¯s subordinates.


    Since there was no evidence, who would believe them?


    Yet Adide produced the mating dissolution certificate from her sleeve and threw it at Crispin, her tone icy, ¡°Look¨Cthis is your father¡¯s handwriting, isn¡¯t <i>it</i>?¡±


    Germain¡¯s face drained of color. How could the certificate still exist?


    His staff were utterly unreliable.


    Crispin took the certificate with trembling hands.


    The handwriting was unmistakably his father¡¯s¨Cundeniable.


    He looked up at Germain, fists clenched. ¡°Father, how do you exin this?¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Germain¡¯s lips tightened, his


    ace a mask of displeasure.


    His usual guise of affability was gone, reced by a sullen expression.


    Maya quickly tried to smooth things over, ¡°This isn¡¯t your father¡¯s handwriting! Someone must have forged it. Why would he dissolve his mating bond with your mother?¡±


    Her eyes darted usingly


    at


    What grudge do you hold ag as she spoke. ¡°You¡¯re the one who produced the proof, aren¡¯t you<b>? </b>


    illness.¡±


    Paisley shot back coldly, ¡°You do


    the Blue Abyss Pack? Forging a document to upset her and drive her to


    In know


    who I am. When the Blue Abyss pack approached ours for <i>a </i>


    mating bond, Germain and I had i


    met. How could I forge his handwriting?¡±


    ¡°Speaking of forging, Maya, you¡¯re always by Germain¡¯s side. You¡¯re more likely to have written this under his name, hoping Sidney would die sooner,¡± Adide added.


    Germain and Maya¡¯s gazes snapped toward Paisley.


    Germain¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise¨Cthis was Paisley?


    Maya¡¯s eyes narrowed instantly, dark with suspicion¨Cthis was Paisley?


    Adide scanned the Blue Abyss Pack members. Except for Crispin, the others showed no trace of grief.


    In their eyes, Sidney had been as good as dead since she was sent to Greenwood.


    Crispin¡¯s tears, whether genuine or feigned, at least fell.


    Adide¡¯s heart grew cold¡ªhow could a kind person like Sidney meet such a miserable end?


    The fate of a woman with a heartless partner was indeed tragic.


    She turned to the two youngdies without merc can¡¯t you shed a single tear?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s your biological mother. Now that she¡¯s dead,


    Ca forced a sorrowful expression, rising gracefully grieved, crying now might invite ridicule.¡±


    to curtsey. ¡°Today is Christmas¡¯s Eve, Though I¡¯m


    ¡°How preposterous! When parents pass away, it¡¯s the most important matter. Even royal elders must follow traditional mourning. How can celebrating Christmas take precedence over filial duty?¡± Adide¡¯s tone was sharp.


    ¡°Your words are harsh, but I have my reasons. Mourning in another pack¡¯s territory isn¡¯t seemly. I the absence of tears doesn¡¯t equate to the absence of sorrow. How can you know the pain in my heart?¡± Ca retorted.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite articte, but you¡¯re all ungrateful sorts,¡± Adide


    palpable.


    es<b>, </b>


    said, her disappointment and anger


    <b>08:05 </b><b>Mon</b>, 14 Jul 17AM


    ¡°<b>Since </b>you¡¯ve just returned to the capital, you should first pay respects to Lycan rissa <b>and </b><b>Lycan </b>Erasmus, note directly to the ckthorn Pack. I bid you farewell,¡± Adide dered,


    It <b>was </b>highly discourteous for Adide to dismiss elders like Germain.


    Yet Germain, seething with rage, kept hisposure and turned to Lance. ¡°Are you too dismissive of me, your uncle, now that you¡¯ve returned with honors?<b>¡± </b>


    Lance replied, ¡°Luna Adide is right. You should have visited Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus first<b>, </b>note straight to the ckthorn Pack. And with Luna Sidney gone, you should prioritize the deceased. <b>You </b>should have immediately informed Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus, then returned to the Blue Ridge State.¡±


    Germain¡¯s face turned livid. He stood up, red at Lance, and coldly challenged, ¡°So you¡¯ve grown arrogant after your triumph and disrespect me? Not afraid of being used ofcency?¡±


    Lance stood firm, his chin slightly lifted, his gaze icy. ¡°If my words hold merit, let others say what they will.¡±


    ¡°Very well!¡± Germain, trembling with fury, roared, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Crispin wiped his tears and approached Lance<b>, </b>seemingly wanting to speak, but Germain barked <i>at </i>him, ¡°Are you deaf? They consider us ill omens. Hurry up and leave!


    Crispin¡¯s tears fell again. He nodded briefly at Lance and Adide, his tall frame swaying as he followed Germain out, his steps unsteady.


    The others let out cold snorts and left ;.


    session.


    Only Maya maintained her politeness, nodding slightly at Prisci as she left.


    As they left, Maya cast a few thoughtful nces at Paisley, who unabashedly rolled her eyes in response.


    Prisci, the entire time, was somewhat dazed. These people, just moments ago chatting amiably and seeming courteous and eloquent, had now revealed their cold and selfish true colors.


    Sidney had passed away, yet only Crispin shed tears; the others wore no trace of sorrow¨Cespecially the two youngdies, who, as Sidney¡¯s biological daughters, appeared indifferent to their mother¡¯s lonely death at Greenwood.


    At this thought, Prisci felt a chill in her heart.


    Now that she had left the pce and relied on Lance and Adide for care, they adhered to propriety out of duty, but what if something went wrong?


    Lance was her sole reliance now.


    She quickly rose and joined Adide in denouncing the Germain family, using them of hear and predicting they¡¯d face retribution.


    <b>ess </b>


    After her tirade, she patted Adide¡¯s back tofort her, ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath on those ungrateful sorts. Sidney¡¯s spirit won¡¯t let them off the hook. They¡¯ll meet theireuppance sooner or <bter</b>. Don¡¯t grieve anymore.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Adide, brimming with anger and sorrow, found Prisci¡¯s well¨Cintentioned, almost coaxing,fort somewhat amusing despite her tears. The sight of Prisci trying not to cry yet holding back her tears was undeniably touching, and it did case Adide¡¯s agitation.


    ¡°Go take a bath. We need to head to the pce shortly,¡± Prisci said.


    3

 Novel Male 296

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>94</b>%


    s


    Prisci coaxed Lance in a tone one might use with a child, then turned to see him still standing there and promptly asserted her maternal authority. ¡°What are you waiting for? Take Adide back. Look at her icy hands¨Cshow some concern!¡±


    Lance was taken aback by his mother¡¯s unusually sharp tone.


    Though asionally scolded as a child, since he¡¯d joined the military, his mother had treated him with increasing reverence, and their rtionship had grown distant.


    Especially after he left the pce and became the Alpha of the ckthorn Pack, their rtionship grew even more distant.


    Their interactions were either polite or dismissive, and this direct rebuke was unprecedented.


    ncing at his mother, Lance took Adide¡¯s hand and led her to their room.


    Prisci sat back in her chair, reflecting on how rare it was for her to reprimand him so sternly. Marriage, it seemed, had softened him.


    Noticing Paisley still sulking, Prisci thought of Sidney¡¯s lonely death.


    Though not close to Sidney, she¡¯d encountered her several times over the years. Sidney had always been gentle and dignified, kind to everyone in the pce.


    As Germain¡¯s mate, she¡¯d died alone in a sanatorium, with even her own daughters shedding no tears for her. Her life had been unbearably tragic.


    Prisci¡¯s eyes welled with tears as she choked out, ¡°Was Sidney peaceful when she passed?¡±


    Paisley replied, ¡°With Doctor Digby¡¯s team there, she suffered little at the end, but ¡®peaceful¡® wouldn¡¯t quite describe it.¡±


    Prisci sighed, ¡°Indeed, dying alone without family or spouse must have been terrifying.¡±


    She dreaded death above all else.


    For a werewolf, the most critical moment was the end¨Cone should never face it alone. Ideally, someone would hold your hand, soothing your fears.


    She deeply empathized with Sidney¡¯s plight, as the thought of departing this world alone was too distressing to bear.


    After her bath, Adide donned an evening gown that exuded elegance and grandeur.


    She subtly enhanced her features with makeup, hiding her pallor and the dark circles under hers¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t let her sorrow show.


    The royal court¡¯s Christmas Eve banquet was a formal gathering where etiquette was paramount.


    <b>08:05 </b>Mon, <b>14 </b>Jul WW <b>M </b>


    Standing before the dressing mirror, she took deep breaths to suppress her grief.


    She reminded herself that time would dull the pain.


    45 Free Cous


    She stood before the mirror, adorned in an elegant gown with an exquisite updo hairstyle, her head sparkling with jewels. A pink diamond ne rested on her chest, shimmering brightly¨Ca gift from Irene. The pink diamond pieces were stored separately in a box.


    The pink diamond earrings she wore nearly hid her entire lobe, exuding luxury and nobility.


    The beauty mark at the corner of her eye was as red as a ruby<i>, </i>yet it hinted at a subtle sharpness.


    She lowered her head, concealing the anger in her eyes


    Lance entered and took her hand, quietly saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go<i>.</i>¡±


    Dressed in a sharp suit, he looked tall and handsome.


    Adide nced at him and forced a smile, ¡°Alright, we shouldn¡¯t keep Prisci waiting


    Prisci had dressed modestly today.


    She¡¯d removed the ruby ne she¡¯d nned to wear, recalling Sidney, and also took off her favorite gemstone bracelets.


    Zelda and Cedric emerged next.


    Cedric looked especially adorable.


    Zelda, in a burgundy dress that highlighted her delicate features, smiled warmly as she adjusted Cedric¡¯s cor and held his hand as they approached.


    ¡°Mom, Alpha Lance, Luna Adide,¡± Cedric announced.


    ¡°Prisci, Alpha Lance, Luna Adide,¡± Zelda echoed, and the two bounded over.


    Cedric¡¯s innocent grin brought a faint smile to Adide¡¯s lips.


    Prisci quietly reminded Cedric, ¡°Your leg¡¯s still healing¨Cdon¡¯t run too fast.¡±


    These days, everyone doted on Cedric¨Che was well¨Cbehaved and considerate, never causing trouble. Prisci adored such children.


    ¡°Understood, Prisci,¡± Cedric replied.


    He¡¯d wanted to exin that hopping could ease his leg¡¯s stiffness, but he didn¡¯t want to worry Prisci.


    Valentine had warned him before the mating ceremony to be obedient in the ckthorn Pack, study diligently, and not to cause Prisci any distress.


    Since Prisci¡¯s displeasure would upset his aunt, he resolved to be as good as gold, hoping she¡¯d grow fonder of his aunt.


    Lance had the carriage ready, and the four of them climbed aboard.


    UDUS MOT<b>, </b>


    The ckthorn Pack¡¯s carriage was spacious andfortable, with soft cushions and several carved copper stoves burning hot coals, radiating warmth.


    Adide was quiet on the ride, feeling no hint of the festive atmosphere, only the cold wind seeping through the carriage curtains chilling her to the bone.


    A hand gently took hers.


    She looked up to see Prisci signaling encouragement andfort, ¡°Adide, we¡¯re all here for you.¡±


    Zelda, noticing their exchange, asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    She¡¯d been ying with Cedric in the backyard when Germain arrived and had no idea about Sidney¡¯s passing.

 Novel Male 297

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Prisci wasn¡¯t adept atforting others and didn¡¯t want to upset Adide by mentioning Sidney.


    She casually remarked, ¡°With the New Year upon us, who doesn¡¯t miss their loved ones? Adide¡¯s just feeling homesick.¡±


    Hearing this, Cedric¡¯s smile faded.


    Adide lifted her spirits¨Cshe couldn¡¯t afford to loseposure at the royal banquet.


    She buried her sorrow deep within, as always, hiding it so well that no one could detect her pain.


    She couldn¡¯t let Prisci¡¯s attempts atfort continue; they were like salt on a wound.


    Adide squeezed Cedric¡¯s hand and said cheerfully, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just a bit down, but the thought of all the delicious food at tonight¡¯s royal court banquet cheers me up right away.¡±


    Her lighthearted tone sessfully deceived Zelda and Cedric, and even Prisci was convinced.


    Though burdened by Sidney¡¯s death, Prisci couldn¡¯t help but look forward to the royal court banquet. Such grand gatherings were always delightful.


    The pce was indeed brimming with festive cheer. Colorful lights adorned every corner, and strings ofnterns lined the corridors, illuminating the pce as if it were daytime.


    Germain was presenting his family to Lycan rissa, Lycan Erasmus, and Folsom.


    rissa had never held much regard for this brother of the old Lycan King, known for his reputation of ¡°doting on the breeder and neglecting his mate.¡±


    Noticing Sidney¡¯s absence, rissa surmised she must be unwell¨Cher condition had been unstable over the past two years, relying on Doctor Digby¡¯s team for care.


    If left to Germain and Maya, Sidney might not have made it.


    Following protocol, rissa inquired about Sidney¡¯s health, not expecting an honest answer. She anticipated excuses like needing to recuperate or being too frail to travel.


    But Germain hesitated.


    Before Adide revealed Sidney¡¯s death, he could have imed she was too ill to endure the cold. However, with the ckthorn Pack now aware of her passing, Adide might well bring it up at the banquet. If not tonight, then sooner orter the truth would surface.


    Germain felt no sorrow for Sidney¡¯s death and could only feign grief, ¡°Lycan rissa, I received of Sidney passing shortly after arriving in the capital.¡±


    news


    rissa¡¯s coffee cup ttered to the floor, ¡°What?¡±


    173


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    Lycan Erasmus and Cami also looked over in surprise. How could someone suddenly pass away during the holidays?


    Moreover, if Sidney had died, why was Germain still in the capital with his family?


    Surely attending a mate¡¯s funeral should take precedence over a court banquet.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you returned to Blue Ridge State immediately?¡± Lycan Erasmus urged.


    Lycan Erasmus said quickly, sadness welling up as he thought of Sidney¡¯s kindness in his youth.


    Germain exined fearfully, ¡°She was fine beforeing to the capital. I don¡¯t know why the news came as soon as we arrived. I nned to greet you and rissa first and leave right after the dinner.¡±


    ¡°Yes, since we¡¯re already here,¡± Maya agreed. ¡°We¡¯ll just stay a day and leave early tomorrow.¡±


    Though reasonable, the family had braved the cold for a reunion dinner.


    Yet, with his mate deceased, Germain still attended the feast.


    Wouldn¡¯t the joyous scene pain him?


    Lycan Erasmus soon realized Germain, long attached to Maya and indifferent to Sidney, likely deemed Sidney¡¯s death insignificant.


    Despite his misgivings, all guests had arrived. Making them leave immediately was unwise.


    Lycan Erasmus, though upset by the news, didn¡¯t want to dwell on it. He said, ¡°You haven¡¯t seen your mother in two or three years. Go greet her.¡±


    Germain¡¯s mother was Pandora Winteringham, one of the old Lycan King¡¯s high priestesses. Like the other high priestesses from the old Lycan King¡¯s era, she now resided in a pce set aside for them.


    Their numbers were few, and they were content to keep each otherpany.


    Pandora was also Madison¡¯s foster mother¨CMadison¡¯s birth mother had been the royal full moon priestess during the old Lycan King¡¯s reign. When she fell ill, she ced Madison in Pandora¡¯s care. After her death, Madison remained with Pandora.


    The old Lycan King had doted on Madison¡¯s birth mother, and by extension, Madison as well.


    Especially when Madison stayed in the royal pce, it was filled with precious gifts.


    Now,pared to other high priestesses from the old Lycan King¡¯s time, Pandora had little influence. Simply being alive was an achievement.


    In terms of seniority, Pandora was a respected elder in the pce. However, the royal family ced little value on seniority.


    The old Lycan King had deliberately left Germain in the capital to establish his wolf pack while keeping Pandora in the pce to keep him in check.


    Over the years, Germain seemed ipetent, stupid, and lecherous. The wolf pack was constantly scandalized by his ¡°doting on lovers while neglecting spouses.<b>¡± </b>


    3


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    Initially, Lycan Erasmus intended to grant Germain and his family a favor. He would allow Germain to bring Pandora to the Blue Abyss Pack to live out her days. He also nned to issue an edict after the holiday.


    But upon learning of Sidney¡¯s death, Lycan Erasmus was displeased and put the matter on hold.


    Since Madison was also Pandora¡¯s foster daughter, he decided to have Madison take care of her instead.


    Germain left with his family to visit his mother in the pce, where he happened to meet Madison.


    Pandora, with her silver hair, was delighted to see her son return.


    *¡­

 Novel Male 298

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Pandora hurriedly inquired about everyone¡¯stest news.


    Germain approached Madison and greeted her, ¡°Madison, long time no see.¡±


    Though they were siblings, they shared the same birth year and month, only two days apart.


    Madison responded, ¡°You haven¡¯t returned to the capital for two or three years, have you?¡±


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    ¡°Yeah, myst visit was to help Sidney with the mating ceremony for Adide from the Frostfang Pack,¡± Germain said, his eyes cold and devoid of his former simplicity.


    At the mention of Adide, Madison tightly gripped her cloak and stepped aside in silence.


    Germain followed and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Do you also harbor resentment towards this Adide?¡± Madison replied coldly, ¡°Resentment? I¡¯d sooner strike back at her with all my might.¡±


    Germain mused, ¡°She is the daughter of Alpha Bentley.¡±


    At the mention of Alpha Bentley, Madison¡¯s eyes brimmed with hatred, her body trembling with it.


    In a frigid tone, she said, ¡°I can never forget how Alpha Bentley rejected me.¡±


    Germain softlyforted her, ¡°It¡¯s in the past. Remember it, but don¡¯t dwell. Don¡¯t hurt yourself over it.¡±


    Madison snorted, ¡°Hurt for him? Not worth it. It¡¯s just that seeing the Frostfang Pack, once extinct, rise again, with Adide marrying Lance and basking in glory, fills me with disgust.¡±


    Germain stood by, his eyes gleaming with ambition, ¡°Glory is fleeting. Once our grand n seeds, life and death will be but a word from you.¡±


    Madisonposed herself and asked, ¡°How¡¯s the situation in the South?¡±


    Germain replied, ¡°Short of manpower and weapons.¡±


    Madison frowned. The royalty enforced strict control over weapons; even with money, they were hard to obtain.


    Germain added, ¡°First, let¡¯s see the Stephens family¡¯s stance.¡±


    The Stephens family in the South contracted part of the arms production from the armory, of course, under the supervision of the Royal Military Affairs.


    ¡°Recruit more manpower and purchase arms. Have Maya allocate more funds. I was swindlec losing over twenty million. My liquid assets are now scarce,¡± she recounted the incident to Germain.


    dide,


    Enraged, Germain listened and cursed, ¡°Her again! Today, upon arriving in the capital, I first went to the ckthorn Pack. I learned she went to the Greenwood Center and announced Sidney¡¯s death within the ckthorn Pack. I had to report this to rissa and Lycan Erasmus just now. Tomorrow morning, I must


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    rush back to the Blue Ridge State.¡±


    Madison was unsurprised by Sidney¡¯s death, merely remarking coldly, ¡°Useless in life, and even in death, choosing such a time to cause trouble. Truly a harbinger of misfortune. I had specially arranged a banquet, inviting numerous government officials and military generals, hoping to showcase you before them. Now it¡¯s all ruined.¡±


    Germain also wore a face of annoyance, ¡°Whe


    she died is of no consequence. I would have concealed the news until after the holidays. But now that Adide has meddled, even rissa and Lycan Erasmus are aware. How can I possibly stay in the c


    Madison, seething with resentment, had to advise him to endure, ¡°Forget it. Don¡¯t provoke them for now. They¡¯ve just returned with merits, enjoying high prestige in both government and public circles. Let¡¯s lie low, recruit quietly, and speed up the process. As for the mating with the Stephens family, see to it promptly.¡±


    ¡°That Paisley once served on the southern border battlefield. If we could have her in our service, recruiting would be much smoother.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, with the Stephens family¡¯s support and the Crimson me Pack¡¯s aid, our grand n will eventually seed.¡±


    Germain frowned and shook his head, ¡°But I believe Alpha of the Crimson me Pack is mostly just paying lip service. Paisley is highly favored. It¡¯s difficult to have her bind with me and be my second chance. Besides, she knows about Sidney being at Greenwood. She likely won¡¯t agree.¡±


    ¡°If we can¡¯t have Paisley, then choose another she¨Cwolf from the Stephens family.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe they are unwilling to erase the shame brought upon their family by the private mating incident.¡±


    Madison said, ¡°Remember, our goal is to secure weapons. Also, the Stephens family has a horse ranch on the northern ins.¡±


    ¡°For now, you¡¯ll have to make do without attracting Lycan Erasmus¡¯s attention. Even if you mate with <i>a </i>she¨Cwolf from the Stephens family, let Lycan Erasmus believe it¡¯s merely for wealth. A good¨Cfor¨Cnothing pack Alpha must indulg in wine, women, and wealth.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll first incite Lycan Erasmus¡¯s suspicion towards Lance. As for the Olsons now controlling the Royal Army¡­¡±


    60


    Madison paused, ¡°Lycan Erasmus intends to promote the Olsons, seemingly aiming to support Ulrik. We can approach Ulrik¡¯s mate to court the Olsons.¡±


    In the Central Hall, Lance brought his family to pay respects to rissa, Erasmus, and Cami.


    rissa, upon seeing Adide and Cedric, couldn¡¯t help but call them over for a chat.


    She even held Cedric¡¯s hand, asking if he had any trouble writing now.


    In a clear voice, Cedric replied, ¡°Alpha Lance teaches me daily, and I practice diligently day and night. My wrist has grown much stronger. Writing poses no problem.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good,¡± rissa said cheerfully, patting his shoulder.


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    ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint Alpha Lance. Study hard. Once your writing improves, you can attend the academy<b>.</b>¡°¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Cedric responded appropriately.

 Novel Male 299

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    rissa pulled Cedric close and whispered with a smile, ¡°Tell me, has Prisci given you any side¨Ceye? Any nasty looks?<b>¡± </b>


    She knew her sister better than anyone¨Cif Prisci disliked someone, her eyes would practically roll to the back of her head.


    ¡°Lycan rissa!¡± Prisci protested, overhearing. ¡°Why would I treat Cedric poorly? He¡¯s such a sweet child; I adore him.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± rissa said with a grin, looking at Prisci. Her eyes held a hint of relief. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. But if I find out you¡¯re being unkind to him, I won¡¯t let it slide.¡±


    Prisci rolled her eyes. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, ask Zelda.¡±


    Zelda chimed in brightly, ¡°Prisci really does like Cedric, and so do I.¡±


    rissaughed. ¡°I was just teasing Prisci. I missed seeing her signature eye¨Crolls while she was away from the pce. Now that I¡¯ve seen it, I feel better.¡±


    rissa¡¯s words set off a round ofughter from Lycan Erasmus and Cami.


    Only Prisci remained sulky, thinking how she could never be the type to neglect a child.


    Royals from the capital began arriving one after another at the pce.


    Alpha Howell arrived with Luna Skye, along with several princesses.


    All brought their mate and children, filling the hall with a bustling crowd.


    Later, the two married princesses, Margot and Yvette, arrived.


    They were Lycan Erasmus¡¯s sisters.


    Margot was born to rissa, making her Lycan Erasmus¡¯s elder sister. Yvette was the daughter of the former high priestess and thus Lycan Erasmus¡¯s younger sister.


    Margot¡¯s mate was Curtis Guerrero, the second son of the deputy minister of justice.


    Curtis had a cheerful personality and held a nominal position in the Ministry of Culture. The Guerrero family, known for its academic traditions, was rted to Cyrus¡¯s mate.


    Curtis¡¯s father was strong¨Cwilled, even daring to speak out against Lycan Erasmus.


    Though the princess had her own estate, as Curtis¡¯s mate, she wasn¡¯t treated specially by his father just because she was royalty.


    Fortunately, Margot and Curtis had a great rtionship. Thanks to rissa¡¯s upbringing, the princess never acted superior, and the Guerrero family praised her highly.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Yvette had married Forrest<b>, </b>the nephew of Lycan Gamma Elias.


    Forrest managed the family¡¯s estates and shops and was a business whiz.


    Adide looked around and noticed Melinda was absent.


    Melinda¡¯s mate was Dwight Santos, a person Adide couldn¡¯t stand with his old¨Cfashioned ideas. Melinda must have suffered a great deal.


    As Adide pondered this, she heard rissa say to Luna Skye, ¡°Melinda hasn¡¯t visited me for ages.¡±


    Luna Skye replied with a smile, ¡°Lycan rissa, Melinda is pregnant and is on bed rest.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±


    rissa beamed. ¡°I was nning to send the royal physician to check on her. I didn¡¯t expect you to bring such good news.¡±


    Luna Skye breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Yes, now that she¡¯s pregnant, I¡¯m relieved. And the Soulrend Pack, upon learning of her pregnancy, has provided her with many things and additional staff. They¡¯ve been quite thoughtful.¡±


    Yvette remarked coolly, ¡°They¡¯ve been quite thoughtful, indeed. Not only have they provided things and staff, but they¡¯ve also added two breeders.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s expression froze, then she forced a smile. ¡°breeders are just for entertainment, not worth mentioning.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t those gifts and omegas worth mentioning? Why is Dwight¡¯s breeder not?¡± Yvette retorted sarcastically.


    Margot¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Having a breeder right after one¡¯s mate bes pregnant¨Cwhat pack would do such a thing? Don¡¯t they fear the mate might be hurt, affecting the fetus?¡±


    Melinda had been Dwight¡¯s mate for a short time and was now pregnant. This was no time for <i>a </i>breeder.


    The timing seemed designed to embarrass someone.


    Margot continued, ¡°Dwight¡¯s actions are inappropriate and hurtful to Melinda. Luna Skye, as Melinda¡¯s mother, instead of grieving for your daughter, you defend Dwight. That¡¯s truly disheartening.¡±


    As Lycan Erasmus¡¯s sister and rissa¡¯s biological daughter, Margot was known for her seriousness.


    Her words left Luna Skye speechless, forcing her to retreat awkwardly.


    Alpha Howell, uninterested in the drama, believed having a breeder was no big deal.


    Adide, observing the Howells¡® reaction, felt disheartened and even more sympathetic toward M. How would Melinda get through this cold season? <ol><li>da. </li></ol>


    Before the banquet began, thedies gathered to chat.


    Meanwhile, Lycan Erasmus conversed with his uncles and brothers.


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    Margot sat beside Adide and said, ¡°When you married Lance, I was unwell and couldn¡¯t <b>attend </b>in person. I only sent a gift. I apologize here.¡±


    Adide, aware of the princess¡¯s temperament and herck of arrogance, smiled and replied, ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m grateful for your gift. How is your health now?¡±


    ¡°I still cough asionally,¡± Margot said, followed by a few more coughs.


    A maid promptly brought a cup of hot orange juice. After a few sips, Margot¡¯s coughing subsided slightly, though her face had turned red from the effort.


    ¡°Take care of yourself,¡± Adide said.


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i>will!¡± Margot nodded.

 Novel Male 300

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Yvette, who had attended the mating ceremony, suddenly chuckled from the side. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe. how nervous Lance was that night. He wouldn¡¯t even let people near the vi. Such a considerate and enviable mate.¡±


    Margot rolled her eyes at her. ¡°Is your own husband not good to you? I heard he makes you breakfast every morning.¡±


    Yvette¡¯s face turned red in an instant. ¡°Margot!¡±


    Adide smiled faintly, lifted her water cup, and took a sip.


    This harmonious atmosphere was truly pleasing.


    She tried her best not to dwell on unpleasant matters.


    Celebrating Christmas at the pce, even a hint of sorrow was inappropriate, and she had long grown ustomed to suppressing her emotions.


    They were discussing Melinda¡¯s mate, Dwight¨Ca prideful werewolf who had taken in two breeders.


    One was a call girl from the red¨Clight district, exceptionally beautiful, for whom Dwight had paid a $300,000 breach of contract fee.


    The other was the daughter of a businessman. It was said she became Dwight¡¯s breeder due to her substantial personal wealth, and it was this breeder who had covered the $300,000 fee.


    There was a flurry of discussions.


    None of these powerful packs had ever taken in a call girl from a nightclub as a breeder.


    Even if someone truly fancied such a woman, they would at most purchase a property outside the pack to keep her as a mistress.


    Yet, Dwight had added a new breeder for the sake of a nightclub call girl, and the purpose was specifically for that call girl.


    Someone suddenly sneered, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this young werewolf to be so lovesick. Using a breeder¡¯s personal funds to cover the breach fee for another breeder¨Cwhat a clever move. No one else coulde up with such a perfect solution. But what about Melinda? She¡¯s just a poor soul who can¡¯t even count on her own parents or mate.¡±


    Prisci was the one who spoke.


    She had never opposed Skye before.


    Alpha Howell, a minor royal branch, was ipetent and cowardly. Both he and his wife were difficult to support, and there was no satisfaction in besting them.


    However, ever since she heard that Skye had refused Adide¡¯s offer to gift Melinda, she regarded Skyc <b>as </b>


    her primary rival.


    Her words mercilessly humiliated Skye.


    Skye¡¯s face flushed red with embarrassment and then paled with shame.


    She dared not offend Prisci¨Cnot only because Prisci was rissa¡¯s sister and had a battle¨Cworthy son, but also because Prisci¡¯s sharp¨Ctongued nature made her a formidable adversary.


    Engaging in a debate could lead to even more hurtful remarks.


    Skye knew she was in the wrong but felt helpless.


    Yet, as Melinda¡¯s mother, could she interfere in her daughter¡¯s family matters<b>? </b>


    Moreover, her daughter¡¯s mate had mentioned that such things were ordinary and that Melinda should tolerate them.


    Prisci cast a nce at Adide, as if to say, ¡°I¡¯ll speak what you can¡¯t. I back you.¡±


    Adide dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, hiding her wry smile.


    She was indeed upset, but Prisci had voiced exactly what she¡¯d been thinking.


    Prisci¡¯s remark caused everyone present to cast disdainful nces at Skye.


    Skye felt both wronged and ashamed, hardly able to hold her head up.


    She looked at Adide, hoping for a word in her defense. But Adide merely maintained a cold. expression, her eyes devoid of any emotion.


    Skye had no choice but to swallow her pride, silently resenting Adide¨Chow could she, the sister of her own mother, refuse to help? How could she face her mother?


    After a while, Madison returned.


    After exchanging greetings, everyone resumed their seats.


    Adide, as if there had never been any discord between them, nodded at Madison.


    Madison, a master of pretense, even bestowed a concerned nce upon her.


    ¤¯


    rissa inquired about Pandora, and Madison replied, ¡°She¡¯s much better, but she won¡¯t join us tonight. The weather is too cold, and we fear she might catch a chill and worsen her condition.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the royal physician keep a closer eye on her. Don¡¯t worry too much,¡± rissa said.


    ¡°Thank you, Lycan rissa,¡± Madison responded.


    As the time for the royal dinner approached, an omega came to guide everyone. They rose one by one and escorted rissa to the dining hall.


    Lycan Erasmus and Camill¨¢ disyed great affection in front of everyone.


    Although it wasmon knowledge that Lycan Erasmus currently favored the Full Moon Priestess, Tracy Herburt, tonight Tracy could only watch from the sidelines as Lycan Erasmus and Lycan Luna showcased


    their love.


    Because of this, Tracy often caught Lycan Erasmus¡¯s gaze drifting toward Lance and Adide.


    Lance and Adide were indeed devoted to each other. When seated together, the omega serving them would select the better dishes for Adide and remove those Lance didn¡¯t favor.


    Tracy noticed theplex look in Lycan Erasmus¡¯s eyes when he observed them, but he quicklyposed himself.


    Tracy recalled hearing that Lycan Erasmus had initially intended for Adide <i>to </i>enter the pce as a priestess.


    She cast a nce at Adide filled with icy resentment.


    However, Adide was now Alpha Lance¡¯s mate. Even if Lycan Erasmus harbored feelings for her, he wouldn¡¯t steal his brother¡¯s mate.


    Adide¡¯s beauty was truly exceptional, <i>so </i>much so that even Tracy couldn¡¯t help but steal <i>a </i>few looks. But she never expected Lance <i>to </i>be so smitten with beauty either¨Che could have any mate he wanted. Yet he chose a she¨Cwolf who had dissolved a previous binding and re¨Cmate with him, causing quite the stir. Tracy looked down on Adide, and consequently, Lance as well.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 301

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Germain stayed silent throughout, scanning everyone and pondering their hidden thoughts.


    Madison was observing too, and she didn¡¯t miss Tracy¡¯s expressions.


    She realized something. It seems some words only working from Lycan Erasmus¡¯s mate.


    After the dinner, people said their goodbyes and left.


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    Adide held Cedric¡¯s hand and thanked rissa, Erasmus, and Cami, ¡°Thank you for the dinner.


    Erasmus¡¯s gaze lingered on her face, his smile unchanged, ¡°Adide, visit the pce more <i>to </i>keep rissapany; she always mentions you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will,¡± Adide replied.


    Erasmus nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed. Adide didn¡¯t dare look


    Cami reminded, ¡°Go back early. Cedric looks tired.¡± <ol><li>up. </li></ol>


    ¡°We¡¯ll head back then,¡± Adide said, turning to leave with Cedric.


    Tracy sneered, looking at Lycan Erasmus¨Che was staring at Adide¡¯s back, his eyes holding an emotion Tracy had never seen before, the same warmth that Alpha Lance had when looking at Adide.


    Tracy was shocked. ¡°Could it be that Lycan Erasmus truly has feelings for her, beyond just her looks?<b>¡± </b>


    Lance was pulled aside by Aldrich, the old Lycan King¡¯s brother and Lance¡¯s uncle.


    Now aged and back in the capital for retirement, he seldom went out.


    His son had be a pack Alpha with his own territory.


    Livingfortably in his pack, he didn¡¯t want to spend his days alone in the capital.


    Partly, he stayed to show Lycan Erasmus that his descendants wouldn¡¯t cause trouble.


    Also, noticing the ambitions of some restless individuals, he returned early to avoid being courted.


    Tonight, with a hint of drunkenness,/Lance dragged Aldrich to the pce banquet.


    Under the influence of alcohol, he spoke frankly, both as a warning and a hint.


    Aldrich patted Lance¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Your Luna is wonderful, Bring her to see me sometime.¡±


    Lance smiled and agreed, ¡°I will.¡±


    Aldrich stroked his chin,ughed heartily, and left with steady steps, clearly not drunk.


    Lance saw Adide approaching with Cedric and went to meet her. Habitually, he held her hand and


    asked, ¡°Cold<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide replied, ¡°Not at all. The wine warmed me up.¡±


    She also mentioned Prisci drank too much and would stay at the pce with rissa, with Zelda keeping herpany.


    Lance indifferently said, ¡°Let her be.¡±


    Then, Lance held Adide¡¯s hand, she held Cedric¡¯s, and they left the pce for the ckthorn Pack.


    Tonight, the ckthorn Pack was lively with guests Paisley and Avery.


    With the New Year approaching, they prepared a feast.


    Cowdell ced several baskets of coins on the oak table. Each silver coin bore the Moon Goddess¡¯s emblem and carried his cedar¨Cscented pheromones¨Ca unique blessing ritual of the ckthorn Pack. Only werewolf warriors¡® blood could warm the coins.


    Servants lined up, their boots brushing the floor and kicking up fine silver hairs.


    The lead omega¡¯s nape bristled with gray fur. With a w on the table edge, they delivered the sage- scented blessing in a hushed voice: ¡°May the Moon Goddess bless the pack, and may the New Year bring invincibility.¡±


    Cowdell stirred the hickory wood in the firece with his wolf w. Sparks flew onto the coins, emitting a moon¨Cwhite glow.


    Adide¡¯s silver¨Cblue blood dripped onto a coin, and the emblem seemed to twist to life.


    She pressed the warm coin into Cedric¡¯s paw. The young wolf¡¯s furry ears shivered with ice crystals. ¡°Luna Adide, I can¡¯t hold so many!¡±


    The surrounding wolvesughed. Their nape marks glowed¨Ca instinctive response to shared joy.


    Paisley suddenly dumped a basket of wold fang coins onto the table. The Crimson me emblem under her leather jacket glowed, ¡°Those who take more than once get their ears pulled!¡±


    Her wolf w precisely grabbed a servant¡¯s earlobe but released it when silver light burst from the servant¡¯s ear tip.


    Avery¡¯s wolf ears under his cowboy hat twitched impatiently. He stuffed a handful of Wolf Fang coins into his leather jacket. The moon mark at the base of his tail suddenly warmed. ¡°Simple blessings are the most sincere!¡±


    Before he finished, the temporary mark on his nape brightened under Adide¡¯s pressure.


    Paisleyughed,shing her whip. The air current from the whip pushed Avery to Adide but secretly slipped a silver coin into his palm.


    Cowdell tossed a handful of Moon Goddess Herbs into the fire. The burning scent mixed <b>with </b><b>the </b><b>wolves </b>pheromones rose into the night sky.


    The festivitiessted until the early morning when guests finally retired.


    Cedric, too tired to keep his eyes open, was carried to bed by Avery.


    Lance held Adide close in the warm bed, hoping its heat would reach her heart.


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    He expected her to speak, but she stayed quiet, breathing steadily, perhaps asleep.


    But Adide was awake.


    She had no intention of moving or speaking.


    Some past pains had to be endured¨Cgritting her teeth through the night, time would heal all wounds.


    But things were different now. She had someone who truly cared for her.

 Novel Male 302

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance¡¯s heart ached.


    She smiled when happy, but hid her tears when sad, showing him only a calm facade.


    Adide had never dered her love. The only time she mentioned it to Cedric, it sounded like a child¡¯s luby.


    Yet he chose to believe it, clinging to it forfort.


    Lance harbored some resentment toward Erasmus.


    Returning from the southern border, he¡¯d hoped to court Adide properly before proposing. But Erasmus¡¯s words turned his ns into a rushed wedding.


    Fortunately, Adide knew his proposal had been sincere.


    Adide slept fitfully until dawn.


    With Prisci staying at the pce, she wasn¡¯t expected to pay morning calls.


    But soon, New Year fireworks woke her.


    After staring at the ceiling for a while, she got up and dressed.


    Beata entered to help with her hair, mentioning, ¡°Alpha Lance left early for the packhouse to <i>receive </i>military officials.¡±


    ¡°Did their matese too?¡± Adide asked.


    As the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna, she needed to entertain guests¡® mates.


    ¡°No mates. They¡¯re all military personnel,¡± Beata replied.


    ¡°Is Paisley up yet?¡±


    Adide touched her pale face. ¡°Put some blush on. I don¡¯t want to scare the guests.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to see them, just decline,¡± Paisley said, walking in unannounced.


    ¡°Tsk, which Luna sleeps sote? Only Alpha Lance would pamper you so.¡±


    Adide tossed the blush box at her. ¡°Stop teasing!¡±


    Paisley caught it with her toe, kicked it back, and said, ¡°So rude on New Year¡¯s Day.¡±


    Adide caught the box and handed it to Beata with a smile.


    After finishing her hair, Paisley pouted, ¡°Beata, leave us for a moment. I need a private chat with <b>Adide </b>


    Beataughed. ¡°Just say it, Paisley. No need to be shy


    She left, chuckling.


    Paisley sat beside Adide, examining her own reflection. She knew she couldn¡¯t match Adide¡¯s <b>beauty </b>and felt a twinge of jealousy.


    In a t tone, she said, ¡°Wendy sent word. Grandfather refused my mating with Germain. Instead, <b>my </b>cousin Mona agreed to it. She begged outside his door all night, frozen stiff, before he relented.


    Adide frowned. ¡°Does Mona know what Germain¡¯s really like?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Wendy told her everything,¡± Paisley said indignantly.


    ¡°If she knows, why agree?¡± Adide picked up an elegant hair


    Paisley despised foolishness.


    She¡¯d thought Mona ambitious, but now saw her


    ¡°Mona told Wendy herself,¡± she added.


    essory.


    as a fool clinging to men for status.


    Adide nodded. ¡°I can understand other women thinking that way. But the Stephens family is a prominent southern n, centuries¨Cold and ever prosperous. Why should your she¨Cwolves attach themselves to other powerful packs? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to choose a smaller pack and be its Luna?¡±


    ¡°Exactly why I call her stupid,¡± Paisley said, fastening Adide¡¯s pink diamond earrings.


    ¡°Germain¡¯s after the Stephens family for more than just wealth. He left the capital this morning. Who knows what kind of funeral he¡¯ll stage for Sidney.¡±


    ¡°Are we surveilling him?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Paisley pinched Adide¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°Smile! You haven¡¯tughed these past few days. If I had descendants, I¡¯d want them tough every day after I¡¯m gone.¡±


    Adide swatted her hand away. ¡°You don¡¯t even have a mate, how can you have descendants?¡±


    ¡°Three¨Clegged frogs are hard to find, but two¨Clegged men aren¡¯t,¡± Paisley quipped, though her mood darkened.


    anyone.


    She had no desire to mate with any


    Adide had chosen well in her mate, but royal affairs were enough to trouble her.


    As for Paisley¡­ she deemed no man worthy of her.


    The New Year flew by in a blur of hosting and attending feasts.


    By midwinter, celebrations were in full swing.


    Lance promised to take Adide to see fireworks that evening.


    23


    But by noon, freezing rain began to fall¨Ca disasterpared to mere snow.


    The fireworks were canceled, and efforts shifted to disaster relief.


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    As Minister of Justice andmander of the Ironthorn soldiers, Lance was overwhelmed. He even sent word for the women to stay indoors.


    The cold was bone¨Cchilling, turning water to ice instantly.


    In the backyard, several plum trees, transnted by Prisci, were crushed by the weight of the freezing rain.


    A locust tree in the southeast corner was partially uprooted, damaging a section of the wall.


    The ckthorn Pack was a hive of activity.


    Fortunately, Cowdell directed the cleanup of branches and debris efficiently, awaiting better weather for repairs.


    The ruined fireworks and freezing rain disaster sparked widespreadints.


    Where there¡¯s disaster, there are plunderers.


    Amid the chaos, many households reported thefts.


    Cedric¡¯s uncle, Mallory, was frantically coordinating with the Ministry of Justice and police to investigate each case.


    However, some took advantage of the situation to file false reports, iming losses where none existed. Separating truth from falsehood made the investigations extremely challenging.

 Novel Male 303

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After two days of freezing rain, it took over a month for various departments to settle matters,


    +5 Free Cons


    The disaster affected not just the capital but also the Blue Ridge State, leaving many people homeless. In royal and powerful werewolf circles, a revered olddy known as the ¡°Incarnation of the Moon¡± resided.


    She was Penelope Carpenter, the former Luna of the Stormridge Pack. At ny¨Cthree, she was still healthy but seldom went out.


    However, the severity of the freezing rain disasterpelled her to send her grandchildren and great- grandchildren to assess the damage.


    Their reports left her unable to rest.


    The next day, apanied by several younger rtives, Penelope personally visited major packs to raise funds.


    Despite her high standing and the harsh cold, she walked from door to door. Officials¡® families, moved by her efforts, donated generously, each contributing varying amounts.


    These acts of kindness offered somefort.


    When Penelope arrived at the ckthorn Pack, Adide greeted her and invited her in, offering hot cocoa and freshly baked chocte chip cookies.


    Exhausted, Penelope drank two cups of cocoa and asked for a third.


    Adide ced a check for one hundred thousand dors on the table alongside the cocoa.


    Penelope¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Adide, her fingers and lips trembling.


    After two days of fundraising, she had only collected seven thousand dors and was left speechless.


    As Penelope struggled with emotion, Prisci spoke up, ¡°Bring the check folder and give Penelope a twenty¨Cthousand¨Cdor check.¡±


    Naturally, she supported her son¡¯s mate and did so generously.


    Penelope rose abruptly, tears nearly falling.


    ¡°Calm down, please sit,¡± Adide urged, worried about her emotional state.


    Penelope¡¯s younger rtives were also moved to tears.


    One, with red eyes, said, ¡°Today at the Bloodmoon Pack, we didn¡¯t expect them to donate. Knowing their financial strain from recent m¨¢ting ceremonies, we only wanted coffee for our exhausted grandmother. But upon knocking, Velda insulted her, calling her a beggar at her age¡ªit was humiliating! Our grandmother has never kept a penny for herself; she¡¯s donated most of her personal savings.¡±


    ¡°Hush!¡± Penelope sharply interrupted.


    Aware of the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s history with Adide, she didn¡¯t want to dwell on it.


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    The rtive, realizing her mistake, apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to. Seeing Prisci and Luna Adide donate so selflessly, I lost myposure. Please forgive me.¡±


    She was so flustered that she rambled incoherently, fearing Adide might misunderstand, for she felt her grandmother was truly wronged.


    Prisci knew Velda was Adide¡¯s old adversary and immediately red up, eximing, ¡°How dare she¡­¡­¡±


    Adide quickly diffused the tension, ¡°Penelope¡¯s cause is just. Doing good always invites criticism. She endures such hardships to be called the ¡®Incarnation of the Moon. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Prisci echoed, ¡°Not everyone will understand Penelope¡¯s kindness. Ignore the ill¨Cintentioned and focus on our own actions.¡±


    Nowadays, she was quite adept at thinking on her feet.


    Penelope smiled contentedly and said, ¡°Prisci, Luna Adide, you are right, and I truly believe that. If you¡¯re afraid of criticism, you shouldn¡¯t have done it in the first ce. I used my private savings to make <i>a </i>batch of cotton coats before, but it was a small help. Now with this money, I can do a lot more.¡±


    ¡°Blessings will follow your kindness,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°I seek no blessings, only a clear conscience,¡± Penelope replied with a wave of her hand.


    After receiving Prisci¡¯s check, she took her leave, promising to send the donation list to the royalty. ¡°I don¡¯t know if they¡¯ll publicize it, but I¡¯ll remember your generosity.¡±


    After Penelope left, Prisci expressed her confusion, ¡°How dare Velda insult Penelope, such a respected old Luna?¡±


    Paisley said, ¡°Maybe she just had a fight at home and was looking to vent. Seeing Penelopeing to collect donations, she took out her anger on her. She¡¯s always been a bit emotionally unstable. Let¡¯s not mind her. We should just focus on doing our own thing. I don¡¯t have much cash on me, or I would have donated something too.¡±


    Indeed, they hadn¡¯t paid attention to the Bloodmoon Pack in a while.


    With Ulrik¡¯s two mates now in charge, Rosmary was likely well cared for.


    Prisci added, ¡°When people argue, they oftensh out regardless of who¡¯s there, using the most hurtful words.¡±


    As she spoke, she shrunk her neck, clearly feeling guilty.


    Paisley teased, ¡°Your words hint at a story.¡±


    Prisci embarrassmentedughed, recalling an incident where she¡¯d insulted the old Lycan King after losing an argument with a full moon priestess. Fortunately, rissa had intervened, saving her from being expelled from the pce.


    Adide and Paisley exchanged amused nces¨CPrisci¡¯s tactlessness was well¨Cknown.


    77%


    s

 Novel Male 304

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    rissa doted on Prisci, and now that her son was mated, she offered more guidance.


    77%


    +5 <b>Free </b>Coins


    During Prisci¡¯s New Year stay at the pce, rissa likely imparted some wisdom on being an elder.


    Upon returning, Prisci treated Adide a bit better.


    Two dayster, Velda¡¯s insult to Penelope as an ¡°old beggar¡± shocked the capital.


    Though the city recovered quickly from the disaster, many had received Penelope¡¯s donated clothes and food.


    Her decades of charity earned her the old Lycan King¡¯s praise as a ¡°house of kindness.¡±


    Had an ordinary person insulted Penelope, the bacsh wouldn¡¯t have been as severe.


    But Velda, with her already tarnished reputation, ignited public outrage.


    For a time, all sorts of trash were thrown at the borders of the Bloodmoon Pack. Some people even poured dirty water over their boundaries in the dead of night, and it wasn¡¯t just a single bucket.


    Since the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s territory was close to two other packs, some of these night¨Ctime troublemakers couldn¡¯t tell them apart.


    Their actions affected the neighboring packs and sparked conflicts. Members of the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Velda shed directly with members of a neighboring pack.


    They were no match for Velda. Three of them suffered fractures, and one even had a broken leg.


    The incidents disrupted Ulrik¡¯s work, drawing criticism from Ellen, who reported him to Lance.


    The Ministry of Justice was thrown into chaos because of the Bloodmoon Pack incident. For several days in a row, during the meetings, criticised and impeached Ulrik, as well as his father, Isaiah, and his elder brother, Simon.


    Lycan Erasmus, who had intended to promote Ulrik, was disappointed.


    He told Beta Fabian, ¡°He¡¯s ipetent and can¡¯t handle important tasks.¡±


    Erasmus was frustrated because he had approved Ulrik and Velda¡¯s mating, and Ulrik couldn¡¯t reject Velda without dissolving their mating bond.


    He summoned Ellen to inquire about Ulrik¡¯s work performance.


    Ellen reported that while Ulrik had been diligent before, he¡¯d been error¨Cprone since the pack incident.


    Erasmus instructed Ellen to ry to Ulrik the need to apologize to Penelope with Velda to resolve the


    matter.


    He also issued a publicmendation of Penelope, listing her years of charitable acts, and posted


    173


    donation lists and usage details.


    The ckthorn Pack¡¯s donation of $120,000, previously undisclosed, highlighted their kindness.


    Adide and Velda became hot topics in the capital.


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    Adide¡¯s generous donation was widely praised, while Velda faced condemnation for her insults andck of contribution.


    But some people said, ¡°Adide, as Alpha Lance¡¯s mate and the daughter of Alpha Bentley of the Frostfang Pack, is very rich. Donating over one hundred thousand dors is nothing for her. The Bloodmoon Pack is poor, and Rosemary is always ill. They can¡¯t afford to donate. It is understandable.¡±


    But others refuted back.


    ¡°Are you misunderstanding ¡®poverty¡®? Ulrik and Velda¡¯s mating ceremony cost over one hundred thousand dors. And have you seen the long caravan of Luna Gloria of the Bloodmoon Pack transporting her personal belongings?¡±


    ¡°You say they¡¯re poor, yet they can casually take out enough money to live on for a year.¡±


    ¡°Even if they are poor, they could just not donate. Why did Velda call ny¨Cplus¨Cyear¨Cold Penelope an ¡®old beggar¡®? Penelope walked in the cold to raise funds for the disaster victims. What¡¯s wrong with her that she deserves such insults?¡±


    ¡°Also, the ckthorn Pack is rich, but how much do you have? Do you have ten dors? Would you donate one dor? Probably not.¡±


    ¡°So, they have the vision and generosity. Are the nobles in the capital poor? Why did they only donate thirty thousand dors?¡±


    Naturally, these discussions reached the ckthorn Pack.


    Adide sent someone to check the donation list and found that the ckthorn Pack¡¯s donation was indeed the highest.


    This made her feel a bit uneasy, as it seemed like the ckthorn Patk was deliberately trying to draw attention to itself.


    Penelope had mentioned that the donation list would be handed over to the royal authorities, and whether or not they would bemended was up to the royalty.


    Adide remembered that donations had never been publicized before and couldn¡¯t understand why it was being done this time.


    Her intention in donating was to help others out of kindness, not <i>to </i>gain fame.


    While Adide was feeling down, Prisci was delighted.


    She had someone look into <i>the </i>matter and found out that the Silverfeather Pack had only donated three hundred dors. Sheughed and said. ¡°Three hundred dors? How can they have the nerve to donate such a small amount? When I go to the pce in a few days, I¡¯ll <i>have </i>to mention this to the Full Moon Priestess.¡±


    Ansley, the son of the old Lycan King¡¯s Full Moon Priestess, had a wealthy family and his <b>mate </b>was Veronica.


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    Adide said helplessly. ¡°We do good deeds to help others. If we startparing ourselves to others, <b>it </b>goes against the original intention. Let¡¯s not talk about it anymore.¡±


    Prisci felt it was a pity to let go of the chance to mock others, but recalling her sister¡¯s advice to heed Adide¡¯s suggestions, she reluctantly agreed, ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t say anything else about it.¡±

 Novel Male 305

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide looked at her and thought she was now more well¨Cbehaved than Cedric,


    When she first joined the ckthorn Pack, she had thought Prisci would be difficult to get along with But within days, the two became close.


    Prisci no longer waited for Adide to grect her but instead took the initiative to have breakfast with her daily. She even moved to the neighboring yard and had plum trees nted there, clearly trying to get


    close.


    After themotion subsided, Adide approached Zelda to ask her opinion on Alger.


    At the mention of a mating, Zelda¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she shyly asked, ¡°Which Alger are you referring to?¡±


    Adideughed with her arms crossed, ¡°Alger from the Glenveil Pack.¡±


    Zelda was taken aback, ¡°Glenveil Pack? Isn¡¯t Alger from the Styxwarden Pack?¡±


    Adide found it amusing, ¡°Still trying to be clever?¡±


    Realizing she was being teased, Zelda¡¯s face turned as red as a sunset, and she ran away, calling out, ¡°You¡¯re so mean!¡±


    But soon she returned, her eyes sparkling, ¡°I do like Alger.¡±


    After admitting it shyly, she ran off again.


    Adide couldn¡¯t help butugh. Her cedar pheromones carried a yful hint.


    However, she still needed to rify things and asked Paisley to bring Zelda back.


    Adide¡¯s wolf lightly hummed in her mind, curious about Zelda¡¯s shyness.


    Once Paisley escorted Zelda back and seated her, the tips of Zelda¡¯s ears were slightly red, and her pheromones carried a nervous tang.


    Adide¡¯s gaze softened. She knew Zelda¡¯s feelings for Alger were genuine.


    ¡°Have you met him?¡±


    Adide gently asked, her voice soft as if not to startle Zelda.


    Zelda¡¯s eyes lit up like a moonlitke in a deep forest, reflecting hope for the future, ¡°Yes, I saw him when he came to the pce <i>to </i>greet Lycan Cami.¡±


    ¡°What do you like about him?¡± Adide continued, her wolf wagging its tail encouragingly in her mind.


    Zelda lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the chair¡¯s armrest. Her pheromones <b>carried </b><b>a </b>sweet scent of joy, ¡°I don¡¯t know, I just feel happy when I see him.¡±


    s


    Adide guessed Alger must be handsome, as most love at first sight was appearance¨Cbased.


    She smiled, a gleam in her eye like a hunter spotting prey, ¡°Shall I find out his thoughts?¡±


    Zelda looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation yet uncertainty, ¡°I can¡¯t decide this alone. It¡¯s up to Prisci and you.¡±


    Adide¡¯s wolf hummed contentedly in her mind.


    Zelda couldn¡¯t help but smile, her pheromones carrying a sweet anticipation, ¡°But sure, it¡¯s worth asking.¡±


    As a royal princess, Zelda¡¯s mating was usually a simple matter.


    Lycan Erasmus could issue a decree, and the chosen one would mate with her.


    But Adide wanted to know Alger¡¯s true feelings. If he agreed only out of royal pressure, Zelda¡¯s future might be bleak.


    Adide understood Cami¡¯s intentions.


    The male wolves of the Wall family each had their strengths. For an alliance, Alger, seemingly the most ordinary son, was the best choice.


    The royalty often kept princesses¡® consorts in minor positions to centralize power.


    Thus, choosing Alger wouldn¡¯t hinder the Wall family¡¯s more promising wolves.


    But Prisci disagreed.


    She wanted an alliance with the Wall family but preferred Emlyn.


    She thought Alger had no great prospects,cked exceptional talent, and tinkered with trivial gadgets. When Adide asked her opinion, Prisci hesitated before saying, ¡°Can it be Emlyn instead?¡±


    ¡°Zelda likes Alger.¡±


    ¡°So what? A passing fancy won¡¯t sustain a marriage. We need a respectable consort.¡±


    ¡°You know princesses¡® consorts usually hold minor roles. The key is emotional connection with Zelda.¡±


    Prisci insisted, ¡°But Ansley¡¯s consort is Veronica, an Alpha¡¯s daughter. Alger isn¡¯t even from an Alpha family.¡±


    Adide coolly countered, ¡°The Wall family¡¯s she¨Cwolves have fine bloodlines, but am I not good enough? Comparing Ansley to Lance, who in the royal priesthood can match you with Lance? Why lower yourself byparing with them?¡±


    Prisci suddenly realized she was right. She stood excitedly, ¡°You¡¯re right! Who canpare with my son? Among the old Lycan King¡¯s sons, who can match Lance except Lycan Erasmus? I¡¯m always a winner!¡±


    After Prisci calmed down, Adide said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll send someone to ask Alger.¡±


    ¡°No need. rissa can just order it,¡± Prisci said.


    09:54 <b>Tue</b>, 15 <b>Jul </b>GOO


    ¡°We have to,¡± Adide insisted.


    Prisci waved her hand, ¡°No need. Asking him is already showing him respect.¡±


    Seeing Adide¡¯s stern look, Prisci quickly agreed, ¡°Alright, alright.¡± <ul><li>371%0 </li></ul>

 Novel Male 306

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Free Cons


    Adide thought of Cyrus¡¯s mate, Mrs. Voss, who was always helpful. Given Zelda¡¯s cuteness and beauty, she made a call and arranged a visit.


    Mrs. Voss readily agreed and asked Adide to wait for good news.


    The next day, Mrs. Voss visited Adide and said with a smile, ¡°Alger is interested in princess Zelda too. As soon as his mother asked him, he agreed without hesitation.¡±


    Prisci was still doubtful. ¡°When did they take a liking to each other? They¡¯ve only met once or twice. How can they be in love already?¡±


    Mrs. Voss reassured her, ¡°Alger is a considerate young man with no bad habits, just a bit yful. As long <b>as </b>he doesn¡¯t go to nightclubs or casinos, it¡¯s not a big issue.¡±


    With Mrs. Voss¡¯s words, Prisci reluctantly agreed.


    The mating between Zelda and Alger was set. rissa issued the mating order, and after praying to the Moon Goddess, the ceremony date was fixed.


    When Lance returned to the ckthorn Pack after work, Adide told him about Zelda and Alger¡¯s mating.


    Lance took off his cloak and handed it to Beata, then sat down for a cup of coffee. After a moment of thought, he said, ¡°Alger is a typical rich kid who loves to y and eat. He and Zelda do have simr interests.¡±


    ¡°In a few days, the Wall family will likely send gifts. I n to follow the normal mating ceremony process. I¡¯ve asked Zelda, and she loves those ceremonies.¡±


    ¡°Let the ceremony be as she wishes. As her brother, I¡¯ve faced many dangers on the battlefield to ensure she and our mother can live freely.¡±


    He took Adide¡¯s hand and sat down, his gaze gentle. ¡°I wanted to say the same to you, but clearly, I have no right. With your father¡¯s, brothers¡®, and your own military honors, you can live a stable life.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°Hearing that from you makes me happy.¡±


    His eyes flickered. ¡°Really? Then let me say something true¨Cwhen I first went to the southern border, my only thought was toe back and mate with you after reiming it.¡±


    He gently pulled her to sit on hisp. Beata, seeing this, immediately left with the other omegas.


    Adide rested on his shoulder. ¡°You got your wish.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡± His voice was a little nervous. ¡°Did marrying me fulfill your wish?¡±


    Adide smiled, her chin lightly pressing on his shoulder. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m happy now<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    His arms tightened suddenly, almost making it hard for her to breathe<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>Adide</b>, <b>with </b><b>those </b><b>words</b>, I ask


    for nothing more.¡±


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    After a while, Adide pushed him away and asked, ¡°How¡¯s the progress on Avery forming the wolf warrior


    team?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s underway. Didn¡¯t Avery tell you? Of the hundred¨Cplus warriors who went to war with me, many are from the ckthorn Pack. I n to bring them back from the Royal Army. I need to inform Lycan Erasmus and Tad.¡±


    ¡°I saw the vacant lot under construction but haven¡¯t seen any warriors move in yet.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. If you want to manage pack affairs, go ahead. If not, Ralph is doing a fine job. Caldwell has been busy with me at the Ministry of Justice and hasn¡¯t had time for pack matters.¡±


    Adide said, ¡°I¡¯m just taking a temporary break. Which Luna doesn¡¯t manage her pack? I¡¯ll hand over work to Ralph in a few days.¡±


    ¡°Understood. The pack has many neers, some of whom have been with me since the pce. Though young, they¡¯re seasoned pack members. Ralph, who¡¯s been with me for years, is reliable. You can <i>manage </i>the others as you see fit.¡±


    ¡°As for Prisci, she loves to sleep in. Don¡¯t greet her too early. Get more rest yourself.¡±


    Adideughed. ¡°I took the initiative once, but now shees to have breakfast with me. You¡¯re out early and wouldn¡¯t know.¡±


    Lance was surprised. ¡°Really?¡±


    He knew Prisci and Adide had grown close, but he didn¡¯t expect Prisci to take the initiative.


    He smiled and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t anticipate you two getting along so well.¡±


    ¡°Neither did I.¡± Adide said with a smile.


    Since Lance came home early today, he wanted to dine with everyone.


    However, upon hearing this, Prisci imed to be unwell and had her meal served in her room.


    Lance, thinking she was truly ill, was about to check on her when Adide stopped him. ¡°She¡¯s not sick. You¡¯ve been busytely, rarely greeting or speaking with her. Suddenly mentioning a family dinner made her think you were going to reprimand her.¡±


    Lance was astonished. ¡°Why would she think that? Have I ever criticized her? As her son, I have no right to speak to her like that.¡±


    Adide pinched his cheeks. ¡°If you didn¡¯t wear such a stern expression around her, she wouldn¡¯t feel lectured.¡±


    Lance caught her hand, kissed her lips lightly, and said with a smile, ¡°Can¡¯t help it. I have natural authority.¡±


    ¡°You often smile at me. Smile at her more too.¡±


    Lance nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do as you say.¡±

 Novel Male 307

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    s


    Adide went out to tell an omega not to send meals to Prisci¡¯s room. She would personally invite Prisci to dine in the restaurant.


    Prisci, with affected shyness, asked several times about Lance¡¯s mood that day. Adide constantly reassured her, ¡°He¡¯s in a very good mood.¡±


    Only then did Prisci follow her to the dining hall with some relief.


    Lance was already sitting at the table. On seeing his mother enter, he rose and said, ¡°Mom,e and sit, won¡¯t you?¡±


    His tall and straight figure carried the steady presence unique to a werewolf general, and then he smiled gently at Prisci.


    Prisci was taken aback¨Cthis reminded her of how the old Lycan King would slowly smile before bursting into anger.


    Lance was bing more and more like his father.


    However, she nodded and said, ¡°Sit,¡± andposed herself.


    With Adide present, Lance surely wouldn¡¯t lose his temper like the old Lycan King.


    A little whileter, Zelda and Cedric also came to the dining hall and took their seats.


    During the meal, everyone was quiet. There was almost nomunication between Prisci and Lance, not even any eye contact.


    But Adide carefully ced some roast meat on Prisci¡¯s te, choosing the pieces she knew Prisci liked. This showed how well the she¨Cwolf remembered Prisci¡¯s preferences.


    Thinking of this, Prisci felt her mood improve and had an extra bowl of soup.


    While coffee was being served after the meal, as she watched the servants clear the tableware, Prisci was suddenly on the verge of tears¨Cit was unclear whether from heartache or happiness.


    Wasn¡¯t this what she had longed for?


    Her children dining quietly around her, noints from her son, no reproaches from him, no nagging or impatience.


    When they drank coffee, they spoke of Penelope.


    Ralph said, ¡°The rumors outside/haven¡¯t died down yet. The voices condemning Velda are growing louder. It¡¯s said that Alpha Ulrik took her <i>to </i>the Stormridge Pack to apologize, but Penelope¡¯s family turned them away. Velda, seeing this, ran off in a fit of anger.¡±


    The ckthorn Pack no longer avoided mentioning the Bloodmoon Pack, as everyone knew Luna Adide didn¡¯t care.


    45 <b>PAN </b>COM


    Ralph continued, ¡°It¡¯s heard that Penelope is also dissatisfied with her family¡¯s actions. She ims she didn¡¯t take Velda¡¯s words to heart. Since she¡¯s done good deeds, she lets others talk; she doesn¡¯t <b>care </b>about such things.¡±


    Adide was marveling at Penelope¡¯s high¨Cmindedness when Prisci frowned and said, ¡°How can she not care? If someone spoke like that to me, I¡¯d definitely teach them a lesson. Penelope is just too much of <b>a </b>pushover. If she keeps this up, her descendants will be bullied too.¡±


    Lance said, ¡°Penelope has lived this long. She¡¯s probably seen every kind of situation and heard every kind of insult. As a kind¨Chearted person, a few harsh words likely don¡¯t bother her at all.¡±


    ¡°How can that be? Penelope was doing charity work and was called a ¡®old beggar¡® She¡¯s a respected. phnthropist¨Cwhat is Veldapared to her?¡±


    Prisci realized she¡¯d used coarsenguage and awkwardly added, ¡°Velda is so rude. I wonder how Gloria manages the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    Ralphughed and said, ¡°Prisci, you don¡¯t know the half of it. The Bloodmoon Pack is in chaos now. Gloria wants to manage the pack, but Velda, considering herself a ¡®status¨Cequal mate, is more unmanageable than a regr breeder. What¡¯s more, Velda knows how to fight. Gloria can¡¯t do anything about her. It¡¯s said the two wolf guards Gloria brought were beaten by Velda. Alpha Ulrik has to deal with these internal conflicts every day when he returns to the pack. How can he focus on his work?¡±


    Prisci sighed, ¡°Then Gloria must be really pitiful.¡±


    Paisley sneered, ¡°What¡¯s there to pity? They¡¯re all the same kind. You probably don¡¯t know <i>that </i>when Adide and Alpha Lance became mates, Gloria and Ulrik were bound. But Gloria tried to overshadow Adide at every turn. She even told the omegas serving her that Adide¡¯s wedding gift was too simple.. Later, when many guests sent additional gifts, Gloria¡¯s face turned sour.¡±


    ¡°Is that true? How do you know?¡± Prisci pressed.


    ¡°Of course, I had someone investigate. The Olson family¡¯s pack management is average at best¨Cthey can¡¯t control the wolves¡® tongues. Anyway, Gloria has always been hostile toward Adide.¡±


    Paisley sounded somewhat proud¨Cshe found that the people Adide got from Prune were truly useful.


    Adide recalled her two meetings with Gloria¡ªthe first was uneventful, but the second time, she sensed her hostility obviously.


    She said indifferently, ¡°We don¡¯t associate anyway; let her hold a grudge.¡±


    Prisci snorted, ¡°How ungrateful.¡±


    Suddenly thinking of her son¡¯s lostmand of the Royal Army, she immediately said, ¡°I just said she¡¯s pitiful, but often the pitiful have annoying traits. None of them are good people. They even took away my son¡¯smand of the Royal Army¡­¡±


    ¡°Prisci!¡± Lance¡¯s face darkened instantly. ¡°Stop talking nonsense!¡±


    Prisci jumped and hurriedly clung to Adide¡¯s arm like a wronged child.


    She had only meant to express her love for her son, not understanding why he was angry with her.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ??


    45 Free Comm


    Adide advised, ¡°Prisci, you really mustn¡¯t say such things, not even within the pack. It was Lycan Erasmus¡¯s decision.¡±


    Prisci nodded, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Adide gently patted Lance and said, ¡°Don¡¯t raise your voice like that.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    s


    Lance realized he had been too harsh with Prisci and apologized, ¡°Sorry, mom, I raised my voice just now.¡±


    [$]


    Prisci replied, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have shouted at me. If others had seen it, they would have called you unfilial.¡±


    Lance nced at Adide and said after a pause, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Prisci stopped drinking coffee and returned to her room.


    The sky had darkenedpletely. The cold of the day had subsided, and a warm breeze blew.


    The couple strolled hand in hand in the yard.


    Lance told Adide, ¡°Sidney was buried on Spine Mountain in the Blue Ridge State, with a Luna¡¯s funeral ceremony. In death, she finally received the dignity she deserved as a Luna.¡±


    Due to the freezing rain disaster, neither Adide nor Lance attended Sidney¡¯s funeral; they sent Caldwell in their ce.


    Adide said with a heavy heart, ¡°It¡¯s all just a show for others.¡±


    Lance tightened his grip on her hand and said softly, ¡°Don¡¯t be sad. At least you were there for her <i>at </i><i>the </i>end.¡±


    Adide lowered her head and said nothing more.


    ¡°Caldwell mentioned that Crispin genuinely cared for Sidney and wept the most at the funeral. Liz and Ca only shed a few tears for show,¡± Lance added.


    Adide pictured the sisters¡® faces.


    When they had heard of Sidney¡¯s death at the pce, they had shown no reaction at first, as if Sidney had been dead to them for a long time..


    Adide changed the subject. ¡°I¡¯ve sent an invitation to the Soulrend Pack. I¡¯m visiting Melinda tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Shall I apany you?¡± Lance asked.


    Adide smiled and replied, ¡°We sisters need to talk privately. Besides, you have work tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°For you, I¡¯d dly be a ¡®negligent official¡® and skip the Ministry of Justice,¡± Lance said.


    Adide responded, ¡°No need. I¡¯ve asked Paisley toe with me and brought along Galvin for a health check¨Cup. Dwight¡¯s two breeders have hurt Melinda deeply.¡±


    C


    Lance frowned, harboring no affection for Dwight.


    Adide suddenly said softly, ¡°Melinda loves Dwight deeply, but her love is unrequited


    + Free Coine


    Lance embraced her and said bravely, ¡°I love you too, and I know I haven¡¯t loved in vain.¡±


    Adide rested against his chest. Her body stiffened for a moment, then warmth slowly spread through her heart¨Cwhy was his chest so warm and solid?


    Lance waited for a while, but Adide didn¡¯t speak.


    He wasn¡¯t disappointed, though. He knew that one day she would truly love him and say those three words.


    They had a long life ahead, and he was willing to wait.


    The next day, Adide, apanied by Paisley and Galvin, visited the Soulrend Pack with rich gifts.


    The pack¡¯s Luna, Chloe, along with members of the Alpha family, greeted them at the door.


    As the heir of the Soulrend Pack, Dwight, with his prestigious background and handsome appearance, was indeed the object of many she¨Cwolves¡® admiration.


    ?


    Adide, as the Luna of the ckthorn Pack, was received with the highest honors.


    It was said that Alpha Manfred had several breeders, but he did not make an appearance today.


    Only the mates of the Santos family members and their children came out to receive the guests.


    Luna Chloe, around forty years old and somewhat plump, exuded the shrewdness and tact of <i>a </i>pack Luna in her movements.


    The younger members of the Soulrend Pack came out one by one to pay their respects. Adide personally presented gifts and chatted with them warmly before Chloe dismissed the children.


    At that moment, Adide¡¯s gaze fell on Melinda.


    In the early stages of her pregnancy, her figure had not yet changed significantly, but she sat on the side with red eyes, looking noticeably thinner.


    Adide felt a pang of heartache.


    Chloe, noticing this, smiled and said, ¡°Since Melinda became pregnant, she¡¯s had a poor appetite, vomiting after everything she ate. It¡¯s only improved a little these past few days.¡±


    Adide knew that Melinda, in her pregnancy, required extra care, both physically and emotionally.


    Chloe appeared shrewd, but her gaze on Melinda was somewhat gentle. However, it was unclear whether this kindness was genuine.


    At this moment, a apanyingdyughed and said, ¡°Because Melinda is pregnant, the pack has forbidden the consumption of mutton. The smell makes her nauseous.¡±


    This was meant to show that the entire pack was amodating Melinda and would not neglect her.


    09:55 Tue, <b>15 </b>Jul Ge


    +5 Free Cous


    ¡°Yes, everyone avoids the gamey smell. But breeder Willow loves roasted mutton. Dwight dines with her daily. Afterward, citing the gamey odor on him, he avoids Melinda,¡± another added.


    Chloe shot her a harsh nce, and she realized her indiscretion, quickly falling silent.


    Adide nced at Melinda, noticing her tears on the verge of falling.


    She sighed inwardly but feigned ignorance of thement.


    Adide announced, ¡°I¡¯ve brought a physician today, a subordinate of Doctor Digby, to examine Melinda and check on the fetus.¡±


    Hearing she was associated with Digby, Chloe immediately rose, bowed, and said earnestly, ¡°Thank you, Doctor.¡±


    Galvin returned the courtesy, sat beside Melinda, and opened her medical kit to take out a stethoscope.


    She disinfected the stethoscope¡¯s chest piece with an alcohol swab, then gently pressed it against Melinda¡¯s abdomen to listen to the fetal heartbeat.


    She then took Melinda¡¯s blood pressure and reviewed her recent diet and sleep patterns in her medical records.


    ¡°The fetal heartbeat is slightly rapid, and her blood pressure is a bit low,¡± Galvin said, removing the stethoscope and tapping her fingers on the records.


    ¡°She¡¯s clearly anxious, and these mood swings are causing an unstable pregnancy. Is she currently taking prenatal vitamins?¡±

 Novel Male 309

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    * Free Com


    Chloe hesitated, then took out a pill bottle from her handbag. ¡°She¡¯s been taking progesterone tablets prescribed by a doctor since her pregnancy was confirmed.¡±


    ¡°Blood tests show her progesterone levels are still inadequate, Galvin said, quickly writing on a prescription pad.


    I¡¯m prescribing aplex vitamin supplement with sufficient folic acid and minerals. She should also take a natural herbal sedative¨Cit cases nervous tension without harming the fetus.


    She handed the prescription to the omega beside Chloe and added, ¡°Both medications are avable at the downtown pharmacy.¡±


    Chloe signaled for the omega to offer payment. Galvin then took a thermometer from her medical kit and said, ¡°Finally, let¡¯s check her basal body temperature.¡±


    When the mercury column stabilized at a right number, she nodded, packed up her tools, and said. ¡°Ensure good indoor venttion. She can take a half¨Chour walk in the garden every afternoon, but avoid strenuous activities.¡±


    Throughout the examination, Melinda kept her head down, twisting her skirt until her knuckles turned white.


    As Galvin finished packing her medical kit, Melinda suddenly grabbed her wrist, her eyes welling up with tears before she quickly let go.


    Chloe coughed lightly, and an omega immediately draped a cashmere shawl over Melinda¡¯s shoulders, steering the conversation toward the newly trimmed rose bushes outside.


    The atmosphere in the packhouse hall was as heavy as if it were about to congeal.


    The European¨Cstyle wall clock ticked away, its gilded hands moving with each tick like a hammer blow to everyone¡¯s taut nerves.


    Adide stirred her hot cocoa gently with a silver spoon. The porcin spoon struck the cup¡¯s edge, making a crisp sound that cut through the oppressive silence.


    Everyone understood why Melinda was anxious, but such matters couldn¡¯t be openly discussed.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s expression darken, Chloe was about to speak when a clear voice came from outside, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Dwight said I could move freely in the pack. Why can¡¯t I go to the packhouse hall now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that, Willow. Luna Chloe is entertaining distinguished guests,¡± came the reply.


    The voice was arrogant, ¡°What kind of guests am I not allowed to see?¡±


    Chloe¡¯s face changed abruptly/and she quickly signaled to the omega.


    But it was toote. Before the omega could exit, the woman in question strode in wearing a cherry¨Credce fitted dress, draped in an expensive mink shawl.


    Adide nced at her she had shiny hair, delicate eyebrows, fale den, and t


    meticulously carved artwork.


    Her borate updo was adorned with a pearl and diamond hair dig, her temples sated with ch <b>hair </b>essories, and her ears gleamed with pigeon¨CMood ny earrings


    Her waist was slender and supple, her movements graceful¡ªthe was charming yet alluring, with a hot coldness beneath the allure.


    Upon seeing her, Luna Chloe¡¯s brow furrowed instantly


    This impudent woman should have stayed in her room instead of barging in and offending the pores.


    After entering the living room, she scanned the room with disdain, barely nodded her head in a disme bow, and said, ¡°Luna Chloe, I heard distinguished guests have arrived in the pack and <b>I¡¯m </b>no Breed Sea the living room. I¡¯vee specially to meet them?


    Melinda, who had been silent all along, now trembled with anger and shouted, ¡°Why did youe in? Get out!¡±


    ¡°Oh, so this distinguished guest is not to be seen? Melinda, don¡¯t get angry or you¡¯ll <b>harm </b>the fets, and be my fault again,¡± she sneered.


    Chloe¡¯s face turned pale, but with Adide present, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose her temper. ¡°What are you talking about? Bow to Luna Adide at once!¡±


    Willow¡¯s gaze shifted to Adide and Paisley, lingering finally on Adide.


    A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes¨Cshe hadn¡¯t expected Adide to be so beautiful She wondered how shepared to herself.


    In a indifferent tone, she said, ¡°There are so many Luna¡¯s in the capital¡¯s wolf packs. I wonder which pack¡¯s Luna hase?¡±


    After this, under the furious stares of severaldies, she offered a perfunctory bow. ¡°Whoever you are, nice to meet you here.¡±


    Paisley didn¡¯t deign to look at her, instead addressing Chloe, ¡°In our Crimson me <i>Pack</i>, such <i>a </i>disrespectful breeder would be dragged out and disciplined. I wonder if the Soulrend Pack has simrly strict rules?¡±


    Paisley was itching to p her.


    Adide wasn¡¯t much better, but years had tempered her, making her moreposed.


    This was an internal matter of the Soulrend Pack. Since Luna Chloe pretended not to see, Adide wouldn¡¯t intervene,


    She simply took a sip of coffee, not sparing Willow a nce.


    Seeing this, Chloe knew Adide was giving her face. Her expression immediately turned stern. ¡°Take her away,¡± she ordered.


    2/3 Two omegas stepped forward to drag her out. Willow sneered at them, ¡°What dirty hands dare touch me?


    09:55 Tue, 15 <b>Jul </b>


    With a cold snort, she turned and left. The mixed pine and cedar pheromones exploded in the room. creating two opposing auras.


    Outside, Willow¡¯s mocking voice,ced with the sour stench of cheap perfume, rang out, ¡°Hah, what Luna Adide? Even 1, a call girl from the nightclubs, am better than her.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s wolf cars instantly red, sulfuric pheromones carrying rage through the room.


    She politely bowed, her rose¨Cgold earrings glinting coldly in the candlelight. ¡°Excuse me, I need to step our for a moment.¡±


    Striding out the door, her thumb and index finger had already partially shifted into wolf ws, the nails curving like crescent moons.


    At the corridor¡¯s end, Willow¡¯s pheromones assailed her.


    Paisley¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, a howl mixed with a roar churning in her chest.


    ¡°You bitch, here!¡±

 Novel Male 310

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley¡¯s wolf ws suddenly elongated by three inches. The hard keratinyer pierced through her silk gloves, emitting an cerie blue glow.


    ¡°What are you doing¡­¡±


    Willow instinctively backed away but was seized by Paisley¡¯s iron¨Clike wolf ws on her shoulders<b>. </b>


    Paisley¡¯s vertical pupils abruptly contracted into blood¨Cmoon¨Clike slits. A low growl rumbled in her throat, and her aura crushed down.


    Willow¡¯s legs buckled, and she fell to her knees. Fear pheromones from her nape mixed with cheap perfume, creating a pungent, sour stench.


    ¡°Remember this¡ªI am Paisley of the Crimson me Pack and the Stephens family,¡± Paisley said, her wolf ws tightening.


    The aura of her dominance cascaded over Willow like a tidal wave, unrelenting in its crushing force. ¡°Every time I hear you nder Luna Adide¨Cevery single time¨CI¡¯ll make you kneel again,¡± Paisley growled low in her throat. Her voice carried the weight of her threat, resounding within the <i>hall</i>. Willow trembled, her body trembling under the weight of Paisley¡¯s domineering presence.


    Thedies of the Soulrend Pack turned pale with embarrassment and fury. Their pheromones,ced with shame and indignation, filled the room.


    This day had brought nothing but disgrace, and they were doubly angered¨Cboth by Willow¡¯s insolence and by an outsider¡¯s interference in their pack¡¯s internal affairs.


    Melinda¡¯s cedar pheromones suddenly wavered, Her once bright eyes welled with


    Clinging to Chloe¡¯s sleeve, she whispered, ¡°Luna Chloe, she¡­ Willow has gone too far.¡±


    Adide slowly ced her coffee cup on the table. The gentle clink echoed crisply in the silence.


    Her amber eyes scanned the room before settling on each person present. In a calm, measured tone, she said, ¡°Melinda, apany me in touring the Soulrend Pack.¡±


    Then, turning <i>to </i>Chloe, her moonstone pendant casting a cool glow on her corbone, she asked, ¡°Would you mind if I take a look around?¡±


    Chloe forced a smile, her pheromones now tinged with noticeable relief. She recognized Adide¡¯s intent. ¡°Luna Adide, please feel free. Melinda, see to our guests,¡± she replied softly.


    Melinda rose and guided Adide outside. Just then, they caught sight of Willow being dragged by her hair by Paisley.


    All traces of Willow¡¯s former arrogance were gone.


    Paisley¡¯s hand left distinct marks on Willow¡¯s cheeks, the skin swollen from the force of her strikes.


    Seeing them approach, Paisley shoved Willow away with disdain. ¡°Scram!¡± she spat.


    Willow staggered to her feet, chin still defiantly raised as she addressed Melinda. ¡°Your guest is quite the savage. But I must thank her¨CDwight will only dote on me more<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    With that, she clutched her abdomen and, supported by an omega, shuffled away.


    Melinda¡¯s face drained of color, and tears streamed down her cheeks.


    Adide led her to the side hall of the vi where she stayed and gently dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.


    She sighed, ¡°How can she lord over you like this? You¡¯re Dwight¡¯s mate.¡±


    Melinda sobbed, ¡°What good is my status as his mate? Dwight doesn¡¯t need to rely on my parents. Besides, even they can¡¯t help advance his career. They¡¯re already stretched thin.¡±


    As a pack leader with no real position within the royalty, he wielded no actual power. Nor was he adept at managing pack affairs. With limited savings, his family relied on ie from their inherited businesses to get by.


    He maintained several breeders, each requiring sustenance and provisions. He and Luna Skye were simply unable to offer Melinda any real support.


    Adide inquired, ¡°Has she always been so insolent?¡±


    ¡°Once, when she served me coffee, she deliberately spilled it on my shoes. I said a few words inint, and Dwight berated me,¡± Melinda said, tears streaming as she wiped her eyes, her gaze filled with profound despair.


    ¡°Adide, what am I to do? I love him so much, yet how can he break my heart like this? I¡¯m carrying his child, and he chooses a nightclub call girl as his breeder. Have you ever heard of a prestigious wolf pack taking in a nightclub call girl?¡±


    Paisley interjected, ¡°Please. What¡¯s there to brag about with the Soulrend Pack? If it weren¡¯t for that one standout talent, it would have declined long ago.¡±


    Melinda sniffled, ¡°I used to think I was so lucky. Among all the she¨Cwolves who adored him, he chose me. I know I¡¯m not as beautiful as Willow, but I¡¯m from a royal family. How could he treat me so indifferently? ¨C Ever since Willow joined the pack, he¡¯s refused toe near me. Even when I¡¯m pregnant and feeling


    miserable, he just sends someone to ask after me briefly.¡±


    ¡°What about breeder Hayden?¡± Adide asked, dabbing at Melinda¡¯s tears.


    ¡°Hayden is only interested in using her family¡¯s wealth to elevate her status. A portion of her personal assets even helped Dwight pay Willow¡¯s breach of contract fee, and she did it willingly.¡±


    ¡°Breaking the mating bond!¡± Although Paisley knew it wasn¡¯t a simple matter, Dwight, being such a heartless and fickle person, wasn¡¯t worth entrusting one¡¯s future to.


    Melinda gave a mirthless smile. ¡°Breaking the mating bond? If I do, my parents won¡¯t allow me back into the pack. Adide, do you remember when you broke your bond? She didn¡¯t even ept the gifts you sent


    me.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:55 Tue, 15 Jul


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    s


    ¡°Are your parents unaware of the life you¡¯re leading? Haven¡¯t they confronted Dwight about it?¡± Adide


    asked.


    ¡°My father knows, but he says it¡¯s normal for an Alpha to have several breeders and tells me not to be jealous. My mother, though she pitics me, also advises me to endure it. She says that in a couple of years, Dwight will grow tired of Willow ande back to me. I¡¯m supposed to just wait it out.¡±


    Paisley couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°The Howells are such cowards.¡±


    ¡°But how can I bear this life? If she just stayed in her room, it would be one thing. But Dwight dotes on her, and shees to me every day to embarrass me. She always talks about how she and Dwight¡­¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Melinda burst into tears, covering her face.


    Even though she didn¡¯t finish speaking, everyone knew what she was implying.


    Willow woulde to her and brag about sleeping with Dwight.


    ¡°Focus on your pregnancy for now. Once the baby¡¯s born, you can deal with her, Adide advised. She couldn¡¯t suggest specifics yet, as Melinda¡¯s pregnancy was still fragile.


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible. I can¡¯t even say a word. Dwight protects her in every way. Hayden paid her breach of contract fee, but she pped Hayden just for a single remark, Melinda exined.


    Both Paisley and Adide were furious. How could Dwight be so heartless?


    He used Hayden¡¯s money to pay off Willow and then had Hayden pped over ament.


    Adide demanded, ¡°Has he hit you?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Melinda replied.


    Adide warned, ¡°He might start. Who knows what Willow might do next? She¡¯s from <b>a </b>nightclub and knows how to scheme.¡±


    She ced aforting hand on Melinda¡¯s shoulder. ¡°How many people did you bring from the pack Enough to protect you?¡±


    ¡°Four omegas and a wolf guard,¡± Melinda answered.


    Adide nned to ask Avery to contact the Warscar Training Camp for two guards.


    She was not sure if Irene would agree. She originally didn¡¯t allow she¨Cwolves to leave the camp to make <i>a </i>living.


    They¡¯d only be gone for a few months. Once the baby was born and the month¨Clong celebrations were over, they¡¯d return. Hopefully, Irene would say yes.


    She kept this n to herself for now.


    After leaving the Soulrend Pack, Galyin spoke up in the car, ¡°Luna Adide, Melinda¡¯s situation isn¡¯t good. Her excessive worrying, likely from daily sadness and crying, is affecting the pregnancy. No medicine can help if this continues. The baby¡¯s at risk, and she might end up with health issues. Also, she¡¯s been coughing for a while. This is dangerous for the first three months. She really needs to stay positive.¡±


    Galvin¡¯s words deepened Adide¡¯s worry. Staying positive was easier said than done for Melinda, who had always been sensitive and prone to tears.


    As the daughter of Alpha Howell, her personality leaned toward weakness due to her parents¡® timid nature.


    Her love for Dwight only made things worse.


    s


    She had joined the Soulrend Pack with high hopes, only to find her partner already had a breeder whom he openly favored.


    Paisley remarked coldly, ¡°If you ask me, beating Willow wasn¡¯t enough. Dwight deserved a beating too.¡±


    Adide responded, ¡°If we hit him, he¡¯ll likely demand an exnation.¡±


    Paisley was eager, ¡°So what? We¡¯ll beat him every time he shows up.¡±


    Galvin hesitated, ¡°But if we hurt them, Melinda¡¯s life might get harder. Dwight could resent her more. If he speaks harshly to her, it¡¯ll break her heart again.¡±


    One more heartbreak could endanger the baby.


    Paisley argued, ¡°He¡¯s not treating her well now. Why not teach him a lesson?¡±


    Adide thought for a moment. ¡°If you hit him, it¡¯s assaulting nobility. As a civil servant, losing face to a she¨Cwolf will make him take it out on Melinda. I have another idea.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Paisley asked, keen to take action against the scoundrel.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need Princess Margot¡¯s help. Let¡¯s head to her manor.¡±


    Princess Margot, married to Curtis Guerrero, son of Benjamin Guerrero, was known for her integrity.


    Her father¨Cinw, an incorruptible inspector, would expose any wrongdoing within the royalty or packs.


    Dwight¡¯s bright future could be his downfall.


    Rumors of his misconduct within the pack would give Benjamin ammunition.


    The Wolf Royal Official Supervision Department, currently underused, would have a new mission.


    Princess Margot didn¡¯t mind Adide and Paisley¡¯s sudden visit and weed them warmly.


    Adide apologized, ¡°I should¡¯ve sent an invitation first, but things happened abruptly. Sorry for the surprise visit.¡±


    ¡°No need for formalities between us,¡± Princess Margot said.


    ¡°Today¡¯s a good day. Princess Yvette is also here. She¡¯s been indulging her sweet tooth a bit <i>too </i>much and had a stomachache. She¡¯ll be back shortly.¡±


    Yvette entered, clutching her stomach but speaking firmly.


    ¡°Who¡¯s been overeating? I haven¡¯t,¡± she countered Margot¡¯s teasing.


    Princess Margotughed. ¡°Adide¡¯s here. You can keep up appearances if you like, but your fondness for food shows in Zelda.¡±


    Adide and Paisley greeted Princess Yvette with a bow, ¡°Greetings, Princess Yvette.¡±


    Yvette returned the greeting with a curtsey. ¡°Sit down, won¡¯t you? Why stand? Adide<i>, </i>you look quite pale today. Has someone been troubling you?¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After Adide sat down, she recounted the entire Soulrend Pack incident.


    She didn¡¯t embellish anything, including how Paisley struck Willow.


    Princess Yvette nodded at Paisley approvingly. ¡°Good for you!¡± she said, then mmed the table.


    s


    ¡°What a tramp! She doesn¡¯t even respect you, a Luna. Can you imagine what Melinda¡¯s life is like there? Now she¡¯s pregnant and still gets no love from her mate. How¡¯s she supposed to live?¡±


    Princess Margot immediately grasped Adide¡¯s intent.


    She sipped her coffee slowly, a flicker of anger in her eyes¨Cher father¨Cinw headed the Royal Inspection Bureau, and she usually spoke carefully.


    She set her cup down. ¡°Yvette, why the rage? Calm down.¡±


    ¡°Calm down? I can¡¯t!¡±


    Princess Yvette retorted. Though not usually reckless, she empathized deeply with women¡¯s struggles.


    As a princess, she was free¨Cspirited, but she wasn¡¯t unaware of her people¡¯s lives.


    ¡°While we do allow Alphas to have breeders,¡± Princess Margot said slowly, ¡°there are clearws. But even with legal protection for mates, few obey.¡±


    Thew permitted Alphas to have breeders if their mate was over forty and childless, for the pack¡¯s inheritance.


    Yet no officials or nobles followed it.


    Thisw was a dead letter and couldn¡¯t restrain any Alpha.


    So, if they report Dwight for this, no royal official would be exonerated.


    But Dwight was different. His breeder, Willow, was from a nightclub.


    Officials were banned from red¨Clight districts, a rule the old Lycan King stressed.


    Lycan Erasmus had rxed it somewhat, but Dwight, full of self¨Cproimed talent, loved the limelight there, attracting she¨Cwolves.


    He took Willow as his breeder on a whim.


    Visiting red¨Clight districts, bringing a call girl into the pack as a breeder while his mate¡¯s pregnant¨Cthere


    was more<b>. </b>


    He used one breeder¡¯s money to pay another¡¯s breach fee.


    He got his girl for free.


    It was shameful.


    5 Free Coine


    ¡°Benjamin heads the Royal Inspection Bureau,¡± Princess Margot added. ¡°He mentioned wanting to restore the former Lycan King¡¯s strict official discipline. He¡¯s been discussing this with bureau officials. Dwight¡¯s casees at the wrong time.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°Perfect timing. Let¡¯s wait a day or two. Willow got beaten today. Dwight¡¯s probably heartbroken. I met him once. He was disdainful. He might cause trouble. I wonder if ¡®offending a royal Luna¡® is a crime.¡±


    Princess Margot said, ¡°Dwight thinks he¡¯s a genius. As a top university graduate picked by Lycan Erasmus. he should set an example.¡±


    ¡°His family chaos, visiting red¨Clight districts openly, bringing Willow in as a breeder, neglecting his pregnant mate¨Call because Willow insulted a royal Luna. The Royal Inspection Bureau will dig deep.


    Adide felt relieved.


    Directly confronting Dwight would only make him resentful and hurt Melinda more.


    But with the bureau watching him, would he dare to act out?


    If he did, his future would be ruined.


    After her anger subsided, Princess Yvette criticized Melinda, ¡°She¡¯s <i>too </i>weak. As a royal, she shouldn¡¯t let the Soulrend Pack bully her like this.¡±


    ¡°Her personality has always been timid,¡± Adide said. ¡°You know what her father, Alpha Howell, is like. Raised in that environment, how could she be strong? Other royals wouldn¡¯t be treated this <i>way</i>.¡±


    Paisley said gloomily, ¡°She loves Dwight too much. What¡¯s so great about him? All show and no substance. If it were me, I¡¯d discipline him daily until he behaves.¡±


    Princess Margot sighed, ¡°That¡¯s why, even if your husband treats you well now, always keep some distance. Never give your whole heart. Otherwise, being hurt could be devastating.


    Turning to Adide, she asked, ¡°When Ulrik hurt you, you dissolved the mating bond without a word. Seems you didn¡¯t have deep feelings for him.¡±


    ¡°At the time, I did want to make it work,¡± Adide replied. ¡°But we barely spent time together. We never really got to know each other, so there was no liking.¡±


    ¡°Consider yourself lucky,¡± Yvette said, disdain filling her eyes.


    ¡°That Velda, what makes her think she can insult Penelope? I want to send someone to teach her a lesson.¡±

 Novel Male 313

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Princess Margot said, ¡°She was once highly praised after a victorious return, but now she¡¯s <b>fallen </b>just <b>as </b>far. Those with ill intentions always get theireuppance. I hear folks dump trash at the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s entrance daily.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Ulrik under investigation by the Royal Inspection Bureau?¡± Princess Yvette asked.


    ¡°Yes, and Lycan Erasmus even had him apologize with Velda, but it failed. The matter¡¯s at an impasse now. The Bloodmoon and Stormridge Packs are sworn enemies,¡± Margot added.


    Adide stayed silent, merely listening. No need to voice an opinion.


    She felt bad for Vanya, who shared quarters with them. ¡°Their daily life must be awful,¡± she thought. ¡°The omega servants probably despise Velda too, having to clean up trash constantly¨Cit¡¯s disgusting The public was fickle. They could lift you up, praising endlessly, or drag you down, trampling you daily.


    Back at the ckthorn Pack, Adide asked Avery about the guards. Avery first asked, ¡°What¡¯s the pay?¡±


    Adide knew this wouldn¡¯t be easy. Only with a generous offer might Irene agree.


    ¡°Just a few months. Two people would get a total of one hundred thousand dors. How¡¯s that sound?¡±


    Avery grabbed his hair. ¡°Not great, but I¡¯ll write the letter right away¨Cdoes the pack have messengers? <i>Get </i>this to Irene ASAP.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°Write it now.¡±


    One hundred thousand was arge sum.


    Irene wouldn¡¯t let students work ordinary jobs¨Cfemale wolves guarding nobles earn up to a thousand a month, with attitude.


    But protecting Melinda meant no attitude, just safety and medication monitoring. A few months for one hundred thousand¨Cno way Irene would refuse.


    The next day, Dwight arrived with two wolf guards at the ckthorn Pack¡¯s border, demanding to see Adide.


    He chose a time when Lance was out, thinking a mated female would be easy to bully,


    But upon learning his identity, the ckthorn guards reported to Caldwell immediately.


    Caldwell stood at the entrance, his demeanor refined yet his tone icy, ¡°Leave now or face a beating<b>. </b>


    The wolf warriors behind him/raised their weapons. Before Dwight could even <b>see </b>Adide, <b>he </b><b>slunk </b>away in humiliation.


    After hearing Caldwell¡¯s report, Paisley said regretfully, ¡°I wanted to p him. No chance <b>now</b><b>. </b>


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Dwight never returned, but Adide worried he¡¯d take it out on Melinda.


    A weekter, two of Avery¡¯s peers arrived on motorcycles.


    ¡°On motorcycles?¡± Avery said in surprise.


    ¡°Rented,¡± the girls replied. Dressed in matching denim jackets and khaki cargo pants, they looked around twenty, with slightly rough skin from hard work and a no¨Cnonsense style.


    Avery introduced them to Adide, who recognized them at once. ¡°Hi, Paige and Georgina¡±


    Paisley greeted them too.


    These two were adopted by Irene.


    Paige, found in aundry basket as a child and nicknamed ¡°Little Basket,¡±ter became ¡°Paige.<i>¡± </i>Her original name was Paige Fitzgerald.


    Georgina, discovered with just an old pocket watch, kept the name Georgina En.


    ¡°Hello, Adide and Paisley,¡± the girls said calmly, showing no nerves despite being in a royal wolf pack.


    Paige immediately asked, ¡°Has the ¡®troublemaker¡® caused any issues? Let us know, and I¡¯ll sort him out.¡±


    Avery quickly covered her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m the wolf warrior coach now. Don¡¯t call me ¡®troublemaker, or the warriors won¡¯t listen to me, and my sry¡¯s gone.¡±


    At the mention of money, Paige relented. ¡°Got it.¡±


    Adide and Paisley were puzzled. When had Avery be the ¡°troublemaker¡°?


    It turned out that after cashing in his bounty, Avery bought a bunch of men¡¯s beauty products and <b>was </b>dubbed ¡°disrupter¡± by Irene. The nickname stuck.


    In front of the girls, Avery insisted, ¡°In the ckthorn Pack, call me by my full name¨CAvery. Thanks.¡±


    Paisley shrugged. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Adide asked an omega to show the girls to refresh and buy clothes. They nned to leave for the Soulrend Pack early next morning.


    Galvin had tasked Paisley with delivering a prescription to Rowena, which required passing through the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s territory.


    Upon passing the Bloodmoon Pack Paisley rolled down the window for a look. Seeing nothing abnormal, she paid it no mind.


    After dropping off the prescription to the Glenveil Pack guards, they headed straight to the Soulrend Pack.


    In the car, Adide briefed Paige and Georgina on the precautions once inside the pack, ¡°We don¡¯t start trouble, but we won¡¯t let Willow near Melinda. If Dwight goes to Melinda¡¯s room to vent and makes her cry, you drag him out.¡±

 Novel Male 314

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Check her daily meds and meals with detectors. I know Georgina knows pharmacology. Remind the kitchen, but no need to cook yourself,¡± Adide instructed.


    ¡°And the most important¡ªIn emergencies, one protects Melinda, the other alerts me right away,¡± <b>she </b>added, advising them to minimize contact with other pack members.


    She didn¡¯t think Luna Chloe would harm Melinda, but the family might look down on physically strong types¨Cno need for the girls to be slighted.


    The main concerns were Dwight and Willow.


    Georgina nodded. ¡°Got it. Adide, don¡¯t worry. Willow¡¯s like a rootless person¨Clooks fancy, but will scatter in the wind. Not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Still, better safe than sorry. Oh, the Soulrend Pack has many rules. Let me tell you more¡­ Adide said.


    Suddenly, a stench and curses floated in from outside.


    Adide saw Paisley had rolled down the window to look.


    Following her gaze, Adide spotted garbage dumped at the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s border.


    The dumper, caught red¨Chanded, was being dragged in while still cursing Velda for bullying Penelope.


    Paisleymented, ¡°This has gone on for days. Wonder if Ulrik¡¯s face is ck or gray now.¡±


    Adide agreed it had dragged on, likely because Penelope¡¯s side refused the apology.


    She asked Paisley why she rolled down the window.


    ¡°Just wanted to see themotion,¡± Paisley said with a grin. ¡°Can¡¯t miss a chance to gawk at irresponsible men.¡±


    Georginamented, ¡°What a waste of garbage. It could bepost for vegetables.¡±


    Paige nodded. ¡°Capital folks are so wasteful.¡±


    Then, a car approached from the main street. Adide¡¯s window was down, and the oing car¡¯s window was too.


    Their eyes met, and Gloria immediately ordered, ¡°Stop the car!¡±


    The car stopped in front of the ckthorn Pack¡¯s vehicle, and Gloria stepped out.


    She was dressed in a dark red coat and a ck pleated skirt with gold trim, her hair neatlybed with a tassel hairpin.


    Gloria looked terrible, with dark circles from poor sleep¨Cprobably from the garbage dumping incident, forcing her to hide in the Ironw Pack for days.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    She managed a curtsey and said coldly. ¡°Luna Adide.¡±


    Adide recalled Paisley¡¯s words about Gloria trying topete over wedding gifts at the <b>mating </b>ceremony.


    Coupled with their previous unpleasant meeting, Adide simply nodded coolly. ¡°Luna Gloria.


    ¡°Luna Adide, do you have the leisure to watch the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s drama so early in the morning<b>? </b>


    Gloria sneered. ¡°Or have you forgotten the way back to the ckthorn Pack and think this is home?¡±


    Paisley was about to get out but was held back by Adide.


    Adide smiled faintly. ¡°I sometimes revisit the past and check on the despicable people in the Bloodmoon Pack. It¡¯s reassuring.¡±


    Gloria paled. ¡°Who¡¯s despicable? Are you mocking the Bloodmoon Pack? Get out and take a whiff if you like. Enjoy it and you can clean up too.¡±


    Adideughed. ¡°I¡¯m no longer part of the Bloodmoon Pack. You should do the cleaning yourself. <b>Luna </b>Gloria.¡±


    Gloria snapped, ¡°As a royal Luna, publicly ndering the Bloodmoon Pack as filthy¨Caren¡¯t you worried about being aughing stock?¡±


    Adide waved a tissue. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid. Are you, Luna Gloria? If not, should I tell outsiders about your wedding giftparison?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face changed abruptly¨Chow did she know?


    She sneered, ¡°Ridiculous. What¡¯s there topare in wedding gifts? Material wealth is vulgar. I have nothing topare with you, Luna Adide. What you have, I may not. What I have<i>, </i>you may not either.¡±


    Adide pointed to the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s border. ¡°True. You have things the ckthorn Packcks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Seizing Gloria¡¯s cold expression, Adide continued, ¡°Material wealth may be vulgar, but it¡¯s what the Bloodmoon Pack values most. Luna Gloria, you often use your personal fortune to cover the pack¡¯s expenses, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Gloria lifted her chin. ¡°I do. My mate loves and respects me. It¡¯s a mate¡¯s duty to sacrifice for him.¡±


    Adide stared at her for a long moment. ¡°I know Doctor Digby. Want his card to check


    your brain?¡±


    ¡°Did I say something wrong? Luna Adide, since Alpha Ulrik abandoned you, you should reflect on yourself.¡±


    Adideughed bitterly. ¡°Abandoned? Don¡¯t you forget¨CI was the one who applied to dissolve the mating bond. Gloria, listen clearly¨Cit was me who discarded him like trash. Got it?¡±


    Arguing further was pointless. Adide rolled up the window. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

 Novel Male 315

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The driver started the car, kicking up dust. Gloria jumped back, furious and buzzing with anger.


    Why could Adide speak of Ulrik like that?


    75 Free Cons


    Inside the car, Georgina asked, ¡°Are the capital¡¯s rules so strange? She talks like that and we don¡¯t even hit her?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide put away her tissue. ¡°Public quarrels are rare here. Most are polite on the surface but scheming behind the back. Gloria dared to provoke me publicly; it wouldn¡¯t be wrong to have her pped. But <b>I </b>didn¡¯t bring wolf guards. I can¡¯t act myself, nor can I let you two do it.¡±


    Paisley, with the powerful Crimson me Pack backing her, couldn¡¯t afford to offend Tad.


    The two girls were there to protect Melinda and should avoid trouble.


    Paisley said, ¡°We¡¯ve already won the argument. No need for violence. Didn¡¯t you see her face turn blue with rage? Beating women isn¡¯t satisfying. We¡¯ve been to war and don¡¯t resort to violence easily. Even hitting Willow that day felt pointless. Gloria¡¯s no fighter; hitting her would mean even less.¡±


    Georgina thought for a moment. ¡°I do want to hit her¡­ but I won¡¯ty a finger on her <i>at </i>the Soulrend Pack.¡±


    Adide felt relieved. When Georgina mentioned wanting to hit Gloria, Adide feared they might act impulsively over grievances at the Soulrend Pack.


    But she trusted their judgment.


    Adide found Gloria¡¯s hostility puzzling.


    She hadn¡¯t wronged her.


    Then she realized Rosemary must have badmouthed her to Gloria.


    Clearly, Rosemary was jealous of Adide bing the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna.


    But why hadn¡¯t Gloria learned from her former mate¡¯s broad¨Cmindedness?


    Upon arriving at the Soulrend Pack, Luna Chloe hurriedly weed them into the living room.


    She was anxious, recalling Dwight¡¯s recent troublemaking at the ckthorn Pack. She feared they¡¯de for ountability.


    She had waited for several days without seeing anyone. Today, hearing that Luna Adide had arrived, her heart leaped with anxiety.


    She was concerned that her son¡¯s once¨Cpromising future might be jeopardized by reports from the Royal Inspection Bureau.


    If the ckthorn Pack joined the bureau¡¯s probe, the reports to Lycan Erasmus would multiply.


    <b>09:56 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b>15 <b>JUI </b>GLO


    The bureau usually wrote reports at the slightest rumor, but this time, after days of silence<b>, </b>she became


    anxious.


    With a nervous heart, Luna Chloe apologized first, ¡°My son acted foolishly the other day, disturbing you, Luna Adide, and Alpha Lance. I apologize to you here. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Adide¡¯s response wasn¡¯t as friendly as before, ¡°Dwight is well¨Ceducated, from a strong pack, and a top university graduate handpicked by Lycan Erasmus. But youthful sess often breeds arrogance, leading to trouble and ruining one¡¯s future.¡±


    Luna Chloe¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°You¡¯re right, Luna Adide.¡±


    ¡°Harsh truths are hard to hear, but I¡¯ll stop there. That Dwight dared to provoke us shows he doesn¡¯t value Melinda. Now that she¡¯s pregnant with your grandchild, I hope you¡¯ll care for her more.¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course,¡± Luna Chloe quickly agreed.


    ¡°Today, I¡¯ve brought two people with medical knowledge to manage Melinda¡¯s diet. I¡¯ll take them back once Melinda safely delivers. They¡¯re my gesture to Melinda, and I¡¯ll pay them, not the Soulrend Pack. I trust you won¡¯t refuse.¡±


    Luna Chloe knew Adide meant well.


    Having medical experts could prevent underhanded tactics.


    With Dwight now prominent, she, as his mother, couldn¡¯t restrain him. He was too proud.


    Adide¡¯s people could protect Melinda.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you pay their wages, Luna Adide. Since they¡¯re serving Melinda, we should cover their sries,¡± Luna Chloe said.


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No need. They¡¯re not ordinary servants. I¡¯ve specially arranged them, so I¡¯ll handle their pay.¡±


    This implied they weren¡¯t to be treated as regr servants.


    Not on the Soulrend Pack¡¯s payroll, they needn¡¯t follow its orders.


    -Luna Chloe caught the implication. ¡°As you wish, Luna Adide. I¡¯m truly grateful.¡±


    After some talk, Adide noticed Melinda hadn¡¯t appeared. She asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Melinda?¡±


    Luna Chloe hurriedly ordered, ¡°Go urge Melinda again.¡±


    Adide declined. ¡°No need. She¡¯s pregnant. Stop tiring her. Take me to her instead.¡±


    Understanding the cousins needed private time, Luna Chloe had an omega guide them to Melinda.


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 316

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide looked at Melinda¡¯s red¨Cswollen eyes. She tried to hide her face with a folding fan.


    Adide sighed, ¡°So you knew I came, but still didn¡¯t want to see me?¡±


    Melinda spoke nasally, ¡°My eyes are such a mess. I can¡¯t let you see me now.¡±


    Adide nced at them, ¡°True, they¡¯re swollen like balloons.¡±


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    ¡°Adide¡­¡± Melind


    a¡¯s voice choked up again, ¡°Because of that day¡¯s affair, hees to scold me every day. How can he be so heartless<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide frowned, ¡°He scolds you, and you won¡¯t retort?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Tears streamed down Melinda¡¯s face again, ¡°I don¡¯t know how to do that.¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t help but shake her head. She turned to Georgiana and asked, ¡°Can you curse?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m great at that,¡± Georgiana said.


    ¡°Good. If Dwightes to curse Melinda in the future, you curse him back. Remember one thing¡ªif he curses, you curse back. If heys a hand on her, you do the same.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just perfect,¡± Georgiana replied.


    ¡°Adide, who are these two?¡± Melinda stopped crying and asked doubtfully.


    ¡°They are friends I made in the Shadow Peaks. They are trained from the Warscar Training Camp. They know some fighting skills and medical knowledge. They can supervise your diet and help you deal with people you can¡¯t handle,¡± Adide exined. /


    ¡°Thank you, Adide,¡± Melinda¡¯s tears started flowing uncontrobly again.


    ¡°Enough! No more crying! How does constant weeping benefit the baby?¡±


    Adide¡¯s temper red. ¡°As a member of the royal family, you chose to mate with Dwight, who is from a weaker pack and family, and you still suffer humiliation. You¡¯re really too submissive. I wish you could learn from Wanda. Though she annoyed her mate, she didn¡¯t lose out. But you just endure grievances silently.¡±


    Then Adide realized it was inappropriate topare her to the scheming Wanda, so she added, ¡°Can¡¯t you cheer up? You are the future Alpha¡¯s mate. In this pack, no one can truly bully you. Don¡¯t be so weak anymore.¡±


    ¡°I just can¡¯t bear how he treats me. How can he repeatedly argue with me for that woman?¡± Melinda said.


    ¡°Forget about him. Can you do that for yourself and the baby? If you keep crying, I won¡¯t visit you anymore,¡± Adide said sternly.


    Melinda wiped her tears and nodded, ¡°I understand.¡±


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Adide knew Melinda might not keep her promise, but she had to send someone to help <b>her</b>.


    Afterforting her, she bid farewell and returned to the ckthorn Pack..


    The Bloodmoon Pack caught a trash¨Cdumper today and beat him up.


    Gloria, having been humiliated by Adide, saw the pack guard kicking a civilian upon returning. She learned he was the trash¨Cdumper and ordered his hand broken before being thrown out.


    Hearing the man¡¯s curses against the Bloodmoon Pack and Penelope, Gloria was enraged and headed straight for Velda¡¯s room.


    Velda, with a gauzy veil over her face, was practicingbat skills in the yard.


    Her wolf w caressed the sword hilt as silver moonlight gleamed on the Frostfang Pack emblem of <b>her </b>cloak, casting an eerie glow.


    She toyed with the sword, savoring the dignity and pride of a werewolf warrior.


    Gloria stormed in with a group of pack guards, her aura as if to devour the entire yard.


    Her rapid breathing and sulfurous pheromones betrayed her rage and anxiety. Her wolf ws slightly spread behind her, ready forbat.


    ¡°Velda, you fool!¡±


    Gloria roared, her voice trembling with a wolf¡¯s howl and sulfurous pheromones. ¡°Do you think covering your face hides your shame? The Bloodmoon Pack has be the capital¡¯sughing stock, no, worse¨Ca universally despised target, all thanks to you!¡±


    Velda halted her practice and pressed the longsword to Gloria¡¯s throat.


    The quivering de, cold and gleaming, mirrored her frigid eyes.


    Her eyes, slit¨Clike in the moonlight, exuded cedar authority, forcing the surrounding guards to retreat.


    ¡°Get out.¡± Her deep voice was like a cial crevice, her vertical pupils contracting slightly as the sword shed menacingly.


    Gloria¡¯s wolf ws trembled at her sides, nails digging into her palms until blood seeped from the cracks.


    She stared at Velda, her eyes brimming with injustice, on the verge of tears.


    ¡°You have the guts to kill everyone who insults you! Trash is dumped at our door daily¨Cthe Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s a joke in the capital, no, worse than a joke, a target of universal disdain, and it¡¯s all your doing!¡±


    Her voice shook with fury, sulfurous pheromones intensifying.


    Velda sheathed her sword with a faint hum.


    A scornful smile yed on her lips as she turned back to her practice, treating Gloria¡¯s rage as <b>mere </b>trivial


    noise.


    ¡°Is this not your fault? If you hadn¡¯t provoked me that day, would I have flown into <b>such </b><b>a </b><b>rage</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>she


    <b>2/3 </b>


    O


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    retorted, her voice icy and minty.


    ¡°Do you think these werewolf warriors in the yard are for show? Do you think I can be so easily enraged by your words?<b>¡± </b>


    Her minty pheromones sliced through the air like ice des, searing Gloria¡¯s throat.

 Novel Male 317

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who messed up!¡±


    Gloria lunged forward, her pheromones turning violent, her ws almost bursting through her fingertips. ¡°The pack¡¯s in trouble, and you¡¯re rich but refuse to help. I¡¯ve covered so many expenses¨Cit¡¯s all documented. You took so much money from Alpha Ulrik but give nothing back. You demand fancy meals and a crowd of servants. Why should I, who supports the entire pack, also support you? It¡¯s not fair!¡±


    With each sentence, her pheromones fluctuated wildly, as if trying to shatter Velda¡¯s indifference.


    Her wolf ws opened involuntarily, her nails piercing her gloves, and a wolf¨Clike whine escaped her throat.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re stupid!¡± Velda snorted. Her pheromones shot at Gloria like arrows, forcing her back.


    you think


    ¡°Do you think the Bloodmoon Pack will turn against me because of your tears and rage? Do can remove the pack guards here? I¡¯ll turn the Bloodmoon Pack upside down if you don¡¯t leave.¡±


    She turned and left, her steps steady, as if everything was under her control.


    Gloria stood there, her pheromones in chaos, her ws trembling at her sides, nails digging into her palms.


    ¡°You¡¯re really pushing me too far!¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°Did you know Adide came to the Bloodmoon Pack today to gloat?¡±


    Velda¡¯s eyes narrowed, her muscles tensing, a fierce look shing in her eyes.


    But she quickly feigned indifference. ¡°So what? Let her gloat if she wants.¡±


    you


    Gloria was speechless for a moment. ¡°You¡­ Velda, I¡¯m begging you. Can¡¯t you apologize to the Stormridge Pack again? You¡¯re not just hurting the Bloodmoon Pack, but also my mate¡¯s future.¡±


    ¡°Your mate? That sounds so convenient,¡± Velda sneered.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the way I refer to him? Isn¡¯t he my mate?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. He¡¯s your mate, then you handle his future. You apologize, you pay the money.¡±


    ¡°What attitude is this?¡± Gloria demanded.


    Velda swung her longsword. ¡°My attitude is¡ªget out and don¡¯t bother me.¡±


    Gloria trembled with rage.


    She couldn¡¯t understand how Velda dared to be so disrespectful, especially since they were from the same pack and she had Ulrik¡¯s full mark.


    She had offered to use her personal funds to support the Bloodmoon. Pack but felt deeply wronged inside


    ¡°Velda, my brother is the Royal Army¡¯smander, and I¡¯m from the Ironw Pack. How dare you treat me like this?¡± Gloria dered.


    Velda sneered. ¡°Oh? Are you threatening to have your brother and the Royal Army kill me? Or trying to bully me with your Ironw Pack connections?<b>¡± </b>


    Gloria felt helpless. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a hooligan! How could Alpha Ulrik ever choose you? You must have seduced him on the battlefield. You and Adide are both shameless<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Veldaughed. ¡°Disappointed? On the battlefield, he approached me first. He said he liked me. As forparing me to Adide¨Cwhat is she? A mated she¨Cwolf with no shame.¡±


    When Velda said ¡°a mated she¨Cwolf with no shame,¡± she stared at Gloria, her implication clear.


    Gloria was so angry she almost cried. ¡°I¡¯ll tell Ulrik about this tonight. Just you wait!¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait!¡± Velda turned and walked into the house, leaving Gloria in the yard.


    She added over her shoulder, ¡°A mated she¨Cwolf with no shame.¡±


    Gloria left the yard in tears and went straight to Rosemary¡¯s room.


    She wiped her tears¨CRosemary needed her medicine, and as Luna, she had to care for the ill.


    Though she couldn¡¯t bring Doctor Digby, she used the Ironw Pack¡¯s connections to hire another famous physician from the capital. But Rosemary insisted on a special medicine, which Gloria had to pay for monthly, with the Ironw Pack delivering it.


    Ulrik¡¯s Rosemary was satisfied with the current Luna, seeing her as filial and sensible.


    But with Velda around, Ulrik¡¯s future wasn¡¯t as bright as it could have been with Gloria¡¯s Ironw Pack backing.


    Gloria wasn¡¯t as attentive as Adide used to be.


    Adide would stay in the same room during Rosemary¡¯s illness, ready to care for her at any time of the night.


    Gloria, however, always clung to Ulrik at night, fearing he¡¯d be called away by Velda.


    Rosemary both hated and missed Adide.


    In the old days, money was never an issue.


    Clothes, jewelry, meals, and snacks were always plentiful.


    Adide neverined. Sometimes, when Vanya felt sorry for her, Adide would say Ulrik was fighting on the battlefield and shouldn¡¯t be distracted by pack matters.


    As a Luna from the Frostfang Pack, she understood the importance of prioritizing warfare over pack affairs and managed everything efficiently.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


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    Gloria used her personal funds to cover pack expenses, yet she constantly talked about cutting costs and reducing meals. While three meals a day were still provided, desserts disappeared, and the meals were far less sumptuous than before.


    Combined with Velda¡¯s insults, the Bloodmoon Pack was now daily targeted with garbage dumps, leaving the area reeking.


    Gloria¡¯s leadership was also ineffective. She couldn¡¯t even discipline theckadaisical pack guards. With garbage pileups bing a daily urrence, she couldn¡¯t devise a single solution.


    If Adide were in charge¡­


    Sigh. If Adide were here, the Bloodmoon Pack would definitely be on donation lists. They wouldn¡¯t be reduced to having garbage thrown at them.


    The next morning at the parliamentary session, Benjamin and the deputy head of the Inspection Bureau, along with several senior members, submitted an impeachment report.


    The charges were as follows:


    Firstly, Dwight was used of having a rtionship with Willow during his mate¡¯s pregnancy, doting on the mistress while neglecting and treating his mate harshly.


    Secondly, members of the Bloodmoon Pack were used of disrespect towards Penelope, causing public outrage. Someone expressed their anger by dumping garbage, only to be dragged into the pack¡¯s territory and have their limbs broken. This individual had reported the incident to the Capital Police Department, admitting to dumping garbage but also demandingpensation.


    Ulrik, not part of the royal parliamentary core, could only stand outside with a group of low¨Cranking officials during meetings.


    He originally couldn¡¯t hear the discussions inside.


    However, the Inspection Bureau members spoke so loudly that their voices carried outside. When Ulrik heard the renewed usations against him, his heart sank.


    He regretted abandoning Adide for Velda, now facing family discord and an uncertain future.


    Inside the parliamentary hall, Dwight was still disputing the charges.


    Confident in his erudition, he believed he could debate the Inspection Bureau.


    But the bureau members were no pushovers, specializing in fierce arguments.


    Despite Dwight¡¯s ims that the nightclub she¨Cwolves were pitiful yet talented, the bureau zeroed in on his legal vitions and disregard for the old Lycan King¡¯s teachings.


    Benjamin sternly stated, ¡°Even if the she¨Cwolf matched Dwight in talent, his actions during his mate¡¯s pregnancy show utter contempt for thew. The old Lycan King repeatedly emphasized that <b>officials </b><b>must </b>


    12


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    not visit red¨Clight districts. How did you meet Willow? Not only did you frequent such ces, but <b>you </b><b>also </b>brought her into the pack as a breeder. No official has ever dared to do this so tantly. You¡¯re openly defying thew, and your guilt ispounded.¡±


    ¡°The public now equates officials with red¨Clight district visitors, thinking us ipetent and indulgent. You¡¯ve tarnished our reputation, and your crimes are unforgivable.¡±


    ¡°I urge Lycan Erasmus to severely punish Dwight to restore integrity among officials.¡±


    The Inspection Bureau¡¯s voices rang out again, ¡°We also ask all officials present who have never visited a red¨Clight district to join us in requesting Lycan Erasmus to punish Dwight


    This statement was highly provocative.


    Who would dare not join in?


    To disagree would admit to visiting such districts.


    Thus, everyone was coerced into supporting the punishment of Dwight.


    Among them, Minister of Justice Lance¡¯s voice was the loudest.


    Lycan Erasmus had been unaware of the matter until today. Already enraged upon hearing the charges, seeing everyone demand punishment while Dwight stood unrepentant, he erupted in fury.


    His throne sat atop a wolf¨Chead totem pedestal. His iron armor gleamed coldly under the moonlight.


    His pheromones, oppressive as a cier¡¯s crevice andced with musk¡¯s dignity, filled the hall.


    The wolves held their breath, awaiting the Lycan King¡¯s judgment.


    ¡°Dwight, do you know your crimes?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s deep voice echoed like an ancient wolf¡¯s howl.


    His pheromones surged, musk mingling with sulfur¡¯s bitterness, pressing so heavily that Dwight¡¯s knees trembled uncontrobly.


    Dwight stood rooted, his pheromones a mix of defiance and fear. His ears twitched back, tail restless -beneath his robe, ws piercing his gloves.


    ¡°I¡­ I acknowledge my faults,¡± he finally bowed, voice hoarse<b>, </b>pheromones carrying a wolf¡¯sment.


    He could feel the werewolf warriors¡® gazes pierce his back like arrows. His inner wolf growled lowly, seemingly trying to break free.


    ¡°There¡¯s no ¡®fault¡®¨Conly ¡®crime,¡± Lycan Erasmus¡¯s voice sliced like an ice de. His pheromones intensified, as if to crush Dwight,


    ¡°You still don¡¯t grasp your wrongdoings,¡± he roared, vertical pupils shrinking to silver slits, cedar pheromones storming through the hall, extinguishing candles and leaving deathly silence.


    ¡°Effective today, you¡¯re stripped of all positions. Return home for indefinite suspension and <b>reflection</b>.¡± His voice stabbed like a poisoned sword into Dwight¡¯s heart.

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    Dwight¡¯s face turned pale. His wolf ws dug into his palms, blood dripping onto the stone bricks beneath his feet.


    ¥ß¥ß


    He never expected things to escte this far. He¡¯d anticipated mere verbal reprimands.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus, I know I¡¯m wrong¡­ no, I¡¯m guilty. Please show mercy,¡± he pleaded in a panic, his voice cracking. The parliamentary hall echoed with his whiny wails.


    His wolf howled in agony, sensing the darkness of his future.


    His pheromones reeked of sulfur, and his once sharp wolf eyes were now dull.


    The authority of the wolf parliament was unshakable, and Dwight¡¯s fate was sealed by Lycan Erasmus¡¯s verdict¨Ca divine judgment from the wolf deity, irrevocable-


    ¡°Drag him out!¡± Lycan Erasmusmanded with a wave of his hand.


    Dwight, whom he had personally promoted, now disgusted him with his disgraceful conduct.


    Guards hauled Dwight away. He wailed all the way, begging for forgiveness, his former arrogance reced by utter humiliation.


    ¡°Summon Ulrik!¡± Lycan Erasmus barked in fury.


    Ulrik entered the hall. Lycan Erasmus, noting his pale face and dark circles, recalled his repeated attempts to trust and elevate him¨Conly to see him crumble like mud.


    The Lycan King roared across the hall, ¡°What kind of pack is your Bloodmoon? You run a private interrogation room and break civilians¡® limbs? If your pack is all we need, why bother with a royal judiciary?¡±


    Ulrik was clueless about the incident, but the royal inspector¡¯s charges suggested someone had indeed lodged aint.


    With no defense, he could only apologize repeatedly, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, please forgive my mistake. Lycan Erasmus<b>, </b>please calm down.¡±


    ¡°How am I to calm down? I sent you to apologize with Velda, but when Penelope refused you, you just turned and left. Is that how you apologize? Instead of seeking forgiveness, you take out your frustration on civilians? You deserve the garbage dumped on you¨CI¡¯m tempted to throw it in your face myself!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s anger was uncontained.


    Ulrik had sorely disappointed him.


    Had he not personally approved his mating with Velda and recognized his military merits, why bother promoting him?


    He¡¯d given him chances to save face, but Ulrik had proven ipetent.


    <b>07:46 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>16 </b><b>J¨²l </b>Jo


    No official present defended him¨Cnot even Gloria¡¯s cousin.


    Supporting him would invite the Stormridge Pack¡¯s wrath.


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    Ulrik realized he might lose even his capital guard position, a mix of despair and humiliation welling <b>up </b><b>in </b>him.


    ¡°I ept my fault. Please punish me, Lycan Erasmus. I¡¯ll apologize to Penelope again and seek her forgiveness,¡± he choked out.


    Lycan Erasmus, recalling Ulrik¡¯s former glory, now saw a pathetic figure.


    His chest heaved as he remembered the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s old general. What would he think of his descendants¡® inadequacy?


    Coldly, he dered, ¡°Ulrik has failed to manage his pack, breeding chaos and neglecting his duties. He¡¯s demoted to amon capital guard. One more mistake, and I¡¯ll strip Bloodmoon of its autonomy. This is your final chance.¡±


    Ulrik felt as if struck by thunder, his mind nk.


    Pale as a ghost, he prostrated himself. ¡°Thank you for your mercy, Lycan Erasmus!¡± he rasped, remaining motionless under the weight of everyone¡¯s gaze.


    The presence of Alpha Lance was especially mortifying.


    He dreaded seeing Alpha Lance, or rather, he dreaded being seen in such a miserable state by Alpha Lance<b>. </b>


    After the mating ceremony, intruders had assaulted Ulrik in the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s yard, hooding and beating him.


    He suspected Alpha Lance, given a prior altercation.


    Yet without proof, he kept silent.


    He didn¡¯t want to admit it. It would lose face, showing the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s security was a joke. Worse, it would reveal he, a werewolf general, was attacked in his own pack, with the culprit still unknown.


    With evidence, he would have used Lance of abusing his royal status and military honors.


    ¡°Leave now!¡± Lycan Erasmus¡¯s voice boomed overhead.


    Ulrik retreated, hunched and sensing/Lance¡¯s scornful gaze. Shame and fury burned within him.


    Back at the Bloodmoon Pack, he headed straight for Velda¡¯s ¡°Forget¨CMe¨CNottage.¡±


    Once named otherwise, Velda had renamed it post breakup to spite Ulrik.


    Seeing him, rarely in her yard, she froze. But noticing the darkness in his eyes, she stepped back. ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked.


    III


    <b>2/2 </b>


    07:46 Wed, 16 Jul

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    Ulrik¡¯s breath was heavy in the cold air, his pheromones sharp with cedar.


    His wolf ws curled inside his gloves, knuckles cracking.


    He strode toward Velda with steady, powerful steps, each one a heavy beat on the ground, radiating undeniable authority.


    ˊˊ


    ¡°Come with me to the Stormridge Pack,¡± he said in a deep, strong voice. His vertical pupils contracted, releasing Alpha aura to crush her resistance.


    Velda jerked her head up, her pheromones mingled with mint¡¯s coolness and a wolfish whine.


    Her eyes gleamed with stubbornness under the moonlight, her wolf ws slightly opening at her sides, nails piercing her gloves. Moonstone¨Clike shards glinted in her palm.


    ¡°No,¡± she said, her voice cool and resolute, mint pheromones slicing through the air.


    Her wolf roared silently in her mind, fighting to break free.


    Ulrik stood in the yard, his eyes as dark as night, pheromones surging like pre¨Cstorm waves.


    His wolf ws trembled at his sides, barely containing his rage.


    ¡°If you won¡¯te willingly, I¡¯ll take you by force,¡± he said, his voice low but resolute.


    ¡°Will you walk on your own, or shall I tie you up and make you apologize with a whip on your back?¡± His cedar pheromones pressed down on her.


    ¡°Dare you?¡± Velda¡¯s voice rose, mint pheromones sharp as des. Her ws fully opened, nails digging into her palms.


    She could no longer hide her feelings. Mint pheromones, carrying her anger, shot at Ulrik like arrows.


    ¡°What crime have Imitted for merely speaking, that I must apologize in person?¡± Her voice wavered, a wolfish whine carried by the night wind.


    Ulrik red at her, his pupils contracting to silver slits, pheromones slicing the air like ice.


    ¡°You know full well what you¡¯ve done,¡± he said, cedar pressure in his pheromones.


    ¡°For your actions, not just an apology, but death would be justified,¡± he added, exhaustioncing his voice


    He red at the omega nearby and roared, ¡°Get out!¡±


    His pheromones surged, scaring the omegas into fleeing the yard.


    Velda looked at him, tears in her eyes, mint pheromones sharp with emotion.


    ¡°Have you no shred of the past in you? You clearly despise me now,¡± she said.


    07:46 Wed, 16 Jul RD


    ?


    Chapter 320.


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    ¡°I thought you were the noble and brave person you imed to be, but you¡¯re not!¡± His voice carried exhaustion, showing utter disappointment.


    ¡°So why did you mate with me in the first ce?¡±


    Ulrik was nearly shattered, his pheromones stormy.


    ¡°I was a fool! I misjudged you!¡± he roared at Velda, pupils contracting to silver slits.


    ¡°I thought you were noble and brave, but you¡¯re not!¡±


    Velda covered her ears and shouted, ¡°Shut the fuck up! You were the one who misjudged¨Cyou thought Adide would ept me, which was why you mated with me.¡±


    ¡°But Adide couldn¡¯t stand your lover. Your so¨Ccalled love for me was nothing but fleeting infatuation.¡±


    ¡°Ulrik, you¡¯re heartless and ungrateful. I was totally wrong about you!¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s face drained of color, as if she¡¯d struck a hidden nerve.


    He stepped back, Adams¡® apple bobbing, but found himself speechless.


    The night wind swept snow into their faces, as if even the Moon Goddess mourned this tragedy.


    He straightened, his tone icy, ¡°I won¡¯t argue about the past, but today you¡¯reing with me to the Stormridge Pack. And you¡¯llpensate that person whose limbs were broken yesterday. Otherwise, prison awaits.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie! I didn¡¯t hurt anyone yesterday!¡±


    Velda suddenly remembered something. ¡°Was it Gloria who used me?¡±


    Ulrik snapped, ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb! You caught the trash¨Cdumper yesterday and broke his limbs. He¡¯s reported it to the Judiciary. At today¡¯s morning meeting, the Lycan King criticized our pack for poor management and condoning violence against civilians. In the entire Bloodmoon Pack, who else but you is so ruthless?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me! I didn¡¯t leave the yard yesterday! Ask your beta or my attendants if you don¡¯t believe me!¡±


    She suddenly calmed, coldly eyeing him. ¡°Why not ask Gloria if she¡¯s behind this.¡±


    Ulrik immediately waved it off. ¡°Impossible! Gloria is gentle and kind. She could never do such a cruel thing.¡±


    Velda¡¯s heart froze. ¡°So in your eyes, only I¡¯m capable of cruelty, while Gloria is as pure as the Moon Goddess. Ulrik, you¡¯re right¨Cyou¡¯ve misjudged me.¡±

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    Ulrik refused to believe Gloria could order such a thing and insisted it was Velda. ¡°You¡¯ve done this before. We both know your deeds. If you can¡¯t own up, don¡¯t me others for despising you.¡±


    Furious, Velda demanded, ¡°Bring Gloria here. Let her tell Ulrik exactly what happened yesterday!¡±


    An omega entered trembling, stammering, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, the trash¨Cdumper was indeed ordered by Luna Gloria to have his hand broken¡­¡±


    Another omega added, ¡°Alpha Ulrik, Luna Gloriamanded it. She only said to break his hand, not his leg. But he was cursing, so¡­¡±


    Ulrik gasped, disbelief flooding his eyes.


    Gloria?


    Seeing his shock, Velda felt no relief, only more upset.


    She sneered, ¡°So this is the virtuous Luna you speak of?¡±


    Ulrik was devastated, his former sharpness gone.


    He felt like a destitute stray dog.


    He had always seen Gloria as elegant and reasonable, kind to omegas.


    As a she¨Cwolf from the Ironw Pack, with a former mate who was a werewolf general, he thought she would be upright and brave like her ex¨Cmate.


    But now, she ordered a mere insult to result in a broken hand.


    Ulrik was angry at the trash¨Cdumpers too, but thought a beating and release sufficed.


    He didn¡¯t want to escte things.


    Now, with limbs broken, the situation might spiral out of control.


    Looking at Velda, he still said firmly, ¡°I¡¯ll speak to Glo. When I return, you must apologize with me.¡± Velda gave a mirthless smile. ¡°Glo? You haven¡¯t called me Velly in ages, always using my full name. Ulrik, I¡¯ve truly misced my feelings.¡± Ulrik turned and left. After a moment of silence, he said, ¡°Who hasn¡¯t?¡±


    Velda choked back a sob, determined to keep her pride intact.


    The wall built by Ulrik¡¯s past love/had begun crumbling when Adide and Lance¡¯s mating news spread.


    She never considered Gloria a threat.


    In her eyes, Gloria was no match for her, knowing full well that in Ulrik¡¯s heart, Gloria could neverpare to Adide.


    The best is always what¡¯s lost, and her real rival was always Adide.


    Ulrik strode away.


    Gloria, hearing the injured person had reported to the police, panicked.


    Hiding in her room, she had the Beta deal with the police.


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    As Ulrik arrived, he heard Beta exin to the police chief, ¡°We only meant to teach him a lesson, not break his limbs. The guards went too far.¡±


    Ulrik stepped forward and extended his hand to the chief. ¡°Can this matter be settled privately?¡±


    The chief, with a stern expression, replied, ¡°Alpha Ulrik! Whether it can be settled is up to you and the victim. We¡¯ve been instructed to encourage a private resolution. If not, both the mastermind and the perpetrator will face imprisonment.¡±


    Ulrik frowned. ¡°But he did provoke us by dumping trash at our pack¡¯s entrance. Usually,pensation and an apology would suffice.¡±


    The chief responded, ¡°Rest assured, Alpha Ulrik, we will pursue the matter of him dumping trash at the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s entrance. Once he recovers, he¡¯ll be detained. However, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s assault leading to his limb fractures is also a legal concern.¡±


    Ulrik lowered his voice. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate your help in resolving this. I¡¯ll certainly¡­<i>¡± </i>


    The chief stepped back, sneering. ¡°Are you attempting to bribe me? The police force is impartial and will not ept bribes.¡±


    Ulrik was left in awkward embarrassment. Seeing the chief¡¯s indifferent expression, he knew Mallory would not let the Bloodmoon Pack off easily.


    After all, Mallory¡¯s sister¡¯s mate was Adide¡¯s brother. Cedric was his niece.


    He would surely want to uphold justice for Adide.


    Ulrik had no choice but to let Beta take the wolf guards involved to the police station. Before leaving, he signaled <i>to </i>Beta with a nce.


    Beta¡¯s face turned pale, but after a long hesitation, he followed the police.


    In the Packhouse council hall, Ulrik and Gloria sat facing each other.


    Gloria wiped her tears with a tissue, avoiding Ulrik¡¯s disappointed gaze, and choked out her defense, ¡°I was so angry that day. I had just returned from the Ironw Pack and saw Luna Adide¡¯s car leaving the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s entrance. I was furious, suspecting she was behind the trash¨Cdumping but had no evidence. I only exchanged a few words with her, yet she insulted me. Back at the Bloodmoon Pack, seeing the trash¨Cdumper caught, in a fit of anger, I ordered his hand to be broken. I truly didn¡¯t know they would go so far as to break both his hand and leg.¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 322

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    Ulrik picked up on the key details. ¡°You said Adide was at the Bloodmoon Pack yesterday?¡±


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    ¡°She didn¡¯t enter the pack. Her car was just spotted in our alley. The trash¨Cdumper was caught right after. If I had evidence, I would¡¯ve confronted her on the spot. Unfortunately, I didn¡¯t,¡± Gloria said.


    ¡°Did you argue with her? What was said?¡± Ulrik gripped the chair arms so hard his nails dug into the wood.


    Gloria was taken aback. Didn¡¯t he hear her?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t start a fight. She insulted me first.¡±


    Ulrik stayed seated. ¡°She doesn¡¯t usually engage in conflicts, nor does she initiate conversations often.¡±


    Gloria looked at him as if she didn¡¯t recognize him. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°So, what was exchanged between you two? Did she mention why she was at the Bloodmoon Pack?¡± Ulrik¡¯s expression remained icy.


    ¡°She¡­¡±


    Gloria¡¯s heart sank as she met his gaze, her voice rising in frustration. ¡°She called me and you trash she discarded. I couldn¡¯t help but retort. Her people even tried toy hands on me!¡±


    ¡°Trash?¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes


    darkened. ¡°She called me that?¡±


    Gloria nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what she said. I was so angry I argued back. Her people almost attacked me.¡±


    She squatted in front of Ulrik, gripping his knees. ¡°Your reaction¨Cdoes this mean you had feelings for her?¡±


    From what she knew, Ulrik had been misled by Velda into dissolving his mating bond with Adide, who had even appealed to Lycan Erasmus.


    A she¨Cwolf who couldn¡¯t tolerate her mate keeping a lover was unfit to be a pack Luna.


    Gloria looked down on Adide.


    Since joining the Bloodmoon Pack, everyone, including Ulrik, had been kind to her, except Velda.


    Ulrik¡¯s attentions made Gloria believe he loved her.


    But his current expression filled her with doubt.


    Ulrik slowly took her hands, then slowly shook his head. ¡°She despises me. It¡¯s better to avoid her in the future.¡±


    He avoided a direct answer. Did he harbor feelings for Adide?


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    Gloria could tolerate Velda, but not the thought of Adide in Ulrik¡¯s heart, even though Adide was now Alpha Lance¡¯s mate.


    A wave of panic washed over her¡ªcould she tolerate Velda only because she knew Ulrik loathed her?


    If Ulrik didn¡¯t despise Velda, would Gloria be jealous too?


    She instantly pushed the thought aside¡ªNo, she wasn¡¯t like Adide. She wouldn¡¯t be petty like that.


    ¡°Ulrik, you have no feelings for her, do you?¡± Gloria stood up, her eyes brimming with tears as she faced


    him.


    Ulrik suppressed his chaotic thoughts. ¡°No.¡±


    He paused, his tone firm. ¡°None at all.¡±


    Gloria threw herself into his arms, sobbing, ¡°I was just angry that she called you trash. In my eyes, you¡¯re the best man in the world, unmatched in excellence. That trash¨Cdumper must have been sent by her. After she insulted you, I lost my temper when I saw him and had his hand broken.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s expression turnedplicated. The best man?


    He wanted to ask, ¡°What about your former mate? The werewolf general who died in battle?¡±


    ¡°Do you have no room for him in your heart?¡±


    But he didn¡¯t say anything. After hearing her heartfelt words, Ulrik felt no joy.


    He seemed to have never truly understood Gloria. When the Hutchinson family sent her back to the Ironw Pack, he thought it was likely due to her gentle and kind nature.


    But now she was bing more and more inscrutable.


    Beta hadn¡¯t returned, nor had the wolf guards./


    The injured man refused settlement, insisting on punishing the perpetrators.


    Beta took responsibility to protect Gloria.


    The Capital Police Station detained them all. The criminal case was temporarily closed, but since the man¡¯s limbs were broken and needed treatment, he still had the right to im medical expenses.


    Gloria wanted to settle the matter quickly to avoid further harassment, so she sent ten thousand dors.


    Rosemary, upon hearing this, scolded Gloria, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you have someone verify if his limbs were really broken? What if it¡¯s a ckmail scheme? Hees to cause trouble near our Bloodmoon Pack and expects sympathy? Besides, broken bones/can heal. It¡¯s not like his limbs were chopped off. A thousand dors would cover the treatment. You gave him ten thousand just like that? With such easy money, won¡¯t people keep ckmailing us?¡±


    Gloria replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. No more ckmail will happen. That man must have been sent by Adide. Once Velda apologizes, this matter will be resolved.¡±


    ¡°What? The man who¡¯s been dumping trash is sent by Adide?¡±


    07:46 Wed, 16 Jul ved, <b>16 </b><b>Jul </b>


    Rosemary¡¯s brows furrowed, her eyes zing with fury.


    Gloria recounted what she had seen at the pack¡¯s border that day.


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    Rosemary furiously used, ¡°She¡¯s already Lance¡¯s mate. Why can¡¯t she leave the Bloodmoon Pack alone? She acts as if she wants every single one of us dead!¡±

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    Gloria was both d and relieved to see Rosemary berate Adide. ¡°She¡¯s so malicious. She¡¯ll get what the deserves,¡± she said.


    But deep down, she was anxious. Ever since she took charge of the pack¡¯s internal affairs, Rosemary and Sabrina had been resentful toward her.


    Ulrik hadn¡¯t outright criticized her, but sometimes when lost in thought, he¡¯d disy a cold, distant attitude.


    Even the pack members, including Beta, never spoke ill of Adide.


    When Gloria tried to steer conversations, they seemed oblivious and continued to praise Adide¡¯s kindness and her qualities as a good Luna.


    Vanya even remarked that the pack had been well¨Cordered when Adide was around, and Tamara agreed.


    Before joining the Bloodmoon Pack, Gloria had assumed everyone in the pack would detest Adide.


    After all, someone as narrow¨Cminded and envious as Adide must be harsh to omegas<b>, </b>who in turn wouldin bitterly.


    But in reality, only Rosemary and Sabrina, who were dissatisfied with her, truly hated Adide.


    Her panic grew. She seemed to control everything, yet in reality, she controlled nothing.


    She vowed to outdo Adide in magnanimity and management skills, proving she could be a more considerate andpetent Luna, even with a second mating.


    She also nned to mend rtions with Velda/As Ulrik¡¯s lover and someone approved by Lycan Erasmus, being tolerant toward Velda might earn her gratitude.


    After all, Velda had been rejected by Adide. But she was wrong¨CYelda showed no appreciation for her kindness<b>, </b>even quarreling with her over trivial matters.


    Velda always believed she was right and Gloria wrong, which infuriated Gloria.


    Life was a mess, nothing like she¡¯d imagined.


    Only Ulrik treated her decently. Everything else was frustrating.


    Ulrik visited the Stormridge Pack again with Velda, bringing many gifts and even shouting at th border to request a meeting.


    ck¡¯s


    Fortunately, the Stormridge Alpha was absent, and Penelope invited them in.


    Velda¡¯s expression remained sullen, with no intention to apologize.


    Penelope, however, seemed unperturbed and even offered them coffee.


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    ?


    Penelope¡¯s grandchildren and their mates stood by, casting hostile res at Velda.


    Ulrik knelt on one knee. ¡°I¡¯vee to wish you good health and happiness,¡± he said.


    Velda reluctantly knelt too, but remained silent, her veiled mouth seemingly sealed.


    Penelope asked them to rise and sit down.


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    Ulrik nervously said, ¡°Penelope, my mate¡¯s words that day were harsh. I hope you can forgive her.


    ¡°Harsh? They were outright insults! one of Penelope¡¯s grandsons¡® mates retorted.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t seek donations from your pack. My grandmother was just tired and wanted a drink of water and a rest.¡±


    Another shewolf continued, ¡°But she called us beggars the moment she saw us. What did we beg for? What did you give?¡±


    The she¨Cwolves vented their anger. Penelope¡¯s charity shouldn¡¯t be insulted like this.


    Ulrik felt uneasy, doubting this visit would secure forgiveness.


    He nced at Velda, urging her to apologize, but she ignored the Stormridge Pack members<b>, </b>sitting <b>there </b>numbly.


    Her presence was already a huge concession.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Penelope said slowly. ¡°Be polite with guests here.¡±


    At her word, theints ceased.


    She looked at Velda, then at Ulrik. ¡°I haven¡¯t held a grudge. It¡¯s the children who¡¯re angry. I¡¯ve told them many times that charity invites all sorts ofments. If you can¡¯t silence everyone, just focus on your conscience.¡±


    Then Velda spoke up, her voice cold. ¡°You¡¯re so magnanimous, something we can¡¯t match. But if you¡¯re truly without resentment, why were we turned awayst time?¡±


    ¡°Velda!¡± Ulrik broke into a cold sweat, sharply warning her, ¡°Stop.¡±


    Penelope gave her a meaningful look. ¡°Velda, I wasn¡¯t informed of yourst visit. Had I known, I would¡¯ve told you there was no need <i>to </i>apologize. You didn¡¯t offend me; you only offended yourself


    She sipped her coffee and continued, ¡°I¡¯ve met all kinds of people in my life¨Ctalented and no humble and arrogant, wicked and kind, I¡¯ve encountered many contradictory individuals like you.¡±


    ¡°You say I¡¯m contradictory?¡±


    Velda sneered, her eyes zing with anger. ¡°How so?¡±

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    Chapter <b>324 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Refusing to ept failure, ming others, thinking luck¡¯s always bad, feeling unbnced and resentful. Wanting to outdo someone, scheming to regain an upper hand and win others¡® respect, Penelope said, shaking her head slowly.


    Her voice was calm, like a gentle breeze. ¡°But why obsess over this? Even if you surpass that person, <b>will </b>they suddenly be miserable? Will your victory bring you joy? No. Their happiness doesn¡¯t concern you, and yours isn¡¯t their business. You¡¯re not even a blip on their radar, yet they haunt your thoughts daily. Isn¡¯t that contradictory?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face turned ugly.


    Penelope¡¯s words hit home.


    They were staggeringly urate- she had been seeking every chance to outdo Adide, to prove her superiority.


    This obsession tormented her, kept her sleepless and irritable, her heart a furnace of <b>rage</b>.


    But could the person she hated so much truly not care a bit about her? She refused to believe it!


    Clenching her fists, she said, ¡°Have you met someone extremely hypocritical? Someone who climbed the ranks on others¡® military merits? Or someone who exploited their father¡¯s and brother¡¯s merits for <i>gain</i>, never satisfied? Or someone who abandonedrades to capture and torture, yet became a royal member? Does that seem fair to you?¡±


    Penelope smiled, wrinkles crinkling at the corners of her eyes, looking benevolent.


    ¡°Such people exist only in your imagination. How could I have met them?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face twisted in fury, even behind her light veil. ¡°You don¡¯t even believe me.¡±


    ¡°Whether I believe you is irrelevant. What matters is that you do, and it¡¯s eating you alive. You¡¯re unhappy, brimming with anger, and every thought is for others, not yourself. All you nurture is resentment and rage, which will only backfire on you.¡±


    Penelope waved her hand. ¡°I¡¯m tired. What you said the other day, I¡¯ve forgotten. So have the Stormridge Pack folks. Today, as you leave here, everyone¡¯s watching. They¡¯ll believe trouble from civilians will <b>cease</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Ulrik¡¯s tense nerves finally eased.


    He feared Velda¡¯s insolence would anger Penelope, but she rose above it.


    Yet Velda wouldn¡¯t listen to Penelope¡¯s kind words.


    Her heart was brimming with resentment and hatred, leaving no room for advice.


    Returning to the Bloodmoon/Pack, Velda silently entered the car. Her aura was like a biting north wind, cold and distant.


    12


    Chapter <b>324 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Refusing to ept failure, ming others, thinking luck¡¯s always bad, feeling unbnced and <b>resentful</b>. Wanting to outdo someone, scheming to regain an upper hand and win others¡® respect,¡± Penelope said, shaking her head slowly.


    Her voice was calm, like a gentle breeze. ¡°But why obsess over this? Even if you surpass that person, <b>will </b>they suddenly be miserable? Will your victory bring you joy? No. Their happiness doesn¡¯t concem you, and yours isn¡¯t their business. You¡¯re not even a blip on their radar, yet they haunt your thoughts daily. Isn¡¯t that contradictory?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face turned ugly.


    Penelope¡¯s words hit home.


    They were staggeringly urate- she had been seeking every chance to outdo Adide, to prove <b>her </b>superiority.


    This obsession tormented her, kept her sleepless and irritable, her heart a furnace of rage.


    But could the person she hated so much truly not care a bit about her? She refused to believe it!


    Clenching her fists, she said, ¡°Have you met someone extremely hypocritical? Someone who climbed the ranks on others¡® military merits? Or someone who exploited their father¡¯s and brother¡¯s merits for gain, never satisfied? Or someone who abandonedrades to capture and torture, yet became a royal member? Does that seem fair to you?¡±


    Penelope smiled, wrinkles crinkling at the corners of her eyes, looking benevolent.


    ¡°Such people exist only in your imagination. How could I have met them?¡±


    Velda¡¯s face twisted in fury, even behind her light veil. ¡°You don¡¯t even believe me.¡±


    event. ht


    ¡°Whether I believe you is irrelevant. What matters is that you do, and it¡¯s eating you alive. You¡¯re unhappy, brimming with anger, and every thought is for others, not yourself. All you nurture is resentment and rage, which will only backfire on you.¡±


    Penelope waved her hand. ¡°I¡¯m tired. What you said the other day, I¡¯ve forgotten. So have the Stormridge Pack folks. Today, as you leave here, everyone¡¯s watching. They¡¯ll believe trouble from civilians will cease<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Ulrik¡¯s tense nerves


    <i>lly </i>eased.


    He feared Velda¡¯s insolence would anger Penelope, but she rose above it.


    Yet Velda wouldn¡¯t listen to Penelope¡¯s kind words.


    Her heart was brimming with resentment and hatred, leaving no room for advice.


    Returning <i>to </i>the Bloodmoon/Pack, Velda silently entered the car. Her aura <b>was </b>like a biting north <b>wind</b>, cold and distant.


    <b>07:47</b>. <b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>16 </b><b>Jul </b>Boo


    Ulrik stared at the vehicle for a long while before getting in.


    As the car started, the sound crushed hisst hope.


    His pheromones mixed cedar and scorched sulfur¨Cguilt and pain intertwined.


    The suffocating silence in the cabin reigned. They sat close yet worlds apart.


    Once eternal mates, now consumed by mutual loathing.


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    Meanwhile, Penelope sat in the living room, cradling a steaming coffee cup, a drink she¡¯d loved since youth, now richer with time¡¯s vor.


    She sipped it, the bitterness spreading on her tongue, mirroring her current mood.


    Her grandson¡¯s mate stood by, her pheromonesced with worry. ¡°Grandmother, why bother with reason? She didn¡¯t listen.¡±


    Penelope set down her cup, its bronze surface gleaming in the firece¡¯s glow.


    Softly, she said, ¡°She once held high status. rissa praised her personally. She earned top merits and Lycan Erasmus approved her mating with Ulrik. Back then, she saw Adide as a worm beneath <b>her </b>heel, thinking a crumb of kindness would make Adide grateful.¡±


    Her voice deepened.


    Pausing, she continued, ¡°But she didn¡¯t realize Adide¡¯s submission wasn¡¯t defeat. When Adide stood tall, she towered over many, including her.¡±


    Penelope¡¯s pupils shrank, her pheromones warm yet fleeting.


    ¡°While she fell from grace into the mire, her heart grew unbnced, brimming with resentment.¡±


    Penelope¡¯s voice tinged with regret, warmth in her pheromones turning cold.


    ¡°She thinks every she¨Cwolf is better than her, except Adide. That¡¯s her mindset now.¡±


    Penelope shook her head, the fire¡¯s glow dancing in her eyes, her pheromon¨¨s gradually calming.


    In the council hall, realization dawned on everyone.


    Penelope¡¯s insight was a key unlocking their confusion over Velda¡¯s actions.


    ¡°What a madwoman. Greed, hatred, obsession, desire¨Cthese emotions are the most tormenting,¡± <b>a </b>she- wolf suddenly said.


    <b>2/2</b>

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    Penelope slowly stood up and said, ¡°She keeps an eye on Luna Adide, yet Adide has never truly noticed her.¡±


    After a pause, she advised the young she¨Cwolves, ¡°Learn from Luna Adide. When you achieve something, be generous, think long¨Cterm, and have a broad vision and high¨Cmindedness.¡±


    Everyone responded in unison, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Despite efforts to hide it, Ulrik¡¯s demotion reached Rosemary.


    She beat her chest and wept bitterly, cursing that taking in Velda, the troublemaker, had ruined Ulrik¡¯s


    career.


    She sent for Velda, but Velda ignored her and even drove away Rosemary¡¯s omega.)


    Enraged, Rosemary beat the bedboard andmented to Ulrik, ¡°Why did I ever take on such a burden? What bad luck!¡±


    She said through tears and snot, ¡°When she hadn¡¯t mated with you yet<b>, </b>she came to me and ttered me <b>so </b>much. She said your futures were secure and that the Bloodmoon Pack would rise with both of you. Look at you now, just a patrol officer. What future is there in that?¡±


    Officials had been demoted before, but never to such a low rank.


    In the capital, there were no officials of this caliber.


    Ulrik sat quietly, memories of the past feeling like a lifetime ago.


    He brought Velda back and the exact circumstances were a bit fuzzy in his mind.


    He only recalled telling Adide once that his mother doted on Velda. He¡¯d also mentioned that should he and Velda have children in the future, they¡¯d be ced in Adide¡¯s care. He assured her that even as Luna, Adide¡¯s authority wouldn¡¯t be undermined.


    At the time, he thought himself merciful.


    Now, it seemedughable¨Clike offering a rich man a dor and expecting gratitude.


    He never truly understood Adide. He knew she was trained inbat but dismissed her capabilities.


    Velda¡¯s views on she¨Cwolf independence surprised him.


    He¡¯d never imagined such self¨Creliant she¨Cwolves existed, with umon mental fortitude.


    He once thought Adide inferior to him but didn¡¯t want to hurt her, so he chose Velda as his <b>mate</b>.


    Later<b>, </b>conflicts arose, leading him to dissolve the mating bond.


    He was desperate for Velda then, believing a man¡¯s career paramount and that he needed to revitalize the


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    Bloodmoon Pack.


    He loved Velda and sought her support.


    But he never anticipated the current situation.


    Faced with his mother¡¯s fury and tears, he was speechless. All of this was his doing.


    He and Velda¡¯s love had soured into mutual loathing.


    His union with Gloria was also calcted, aiming to gain royal support.


    He knew Lycan Erasmus had given him chances, but now Velda¡¯s insult and Gloria¡¯s order to break someone¡¯s limbs had brought usations of illegal detention and private interrogation.


    His prospects were bleak.


    He felt despondent, unable to defend against his mother¡¯s usations.


    He once had a promising future. Why did Adide conceal her abilities?


    He had promised Aire no breeders in his life.


    But that promise was before meeting Velda on the battlefield.


    Campaign life was grueling. He simply met someone who shared his ideals and who oftenforted him.


    It was Adide¡¯s intolerance, he thought. He¡¯d see if she¡¯d cause a fuss when Lance had a breeder.


    If not, it proved her greed and disdain for him.


    Prisci now lived in the ckthorn Pack and would surely find him a breeder this year.


    ¡°Then, Adide, you¡¯d better go to seek a dissolution of your mating bond.¡±


    Rumors of Velda¡¯s capture and assault by the Western Tribe¡¯s wolves began circting.


    Simr tales had surfaced after returning from the Southern Border but were quickly quashed.


    But this time, ever since they returned from apologizing to Penelope, although no one dumped garbage at the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s entrance anymore, the rumors about Velda¡¯s capture and humiliation had spread like wildfire.


    The news traveled so fast that within days, it had swept through the entire capital and was bound to <b>read </b>to the surrounding areas.


    The ckthorn Pack buzzed with talk. Adide found it odd.


    Why would such old news resurface now with such intensity?


    Could there be a leak?


    The Ironw Army knew the truth, but discipline was strict; they shouldn¡¯t have leaked it.


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    When Lance returned from the Ministry of Justice, Adide asked him about it.


    Lance sat down, sipped his coffee, and frowned. ¡°This is a deliberate leak. I just found out yesterday. The Western Tribe¡¯s Prince Dominic has been designated the future Lycan King.¡±


    ¡°Prince Dominic of the Western Tribe?¡± Adide echoed.

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    Adide recalled how Dominic had avenged the Western Tribe¡¯s fallen prince at the Southern Border.


    Dominic harbored intense hatred for Velda and hadn¡¯t forgotten the massacre in Snowdeer Town.


    This secret, which both nations had tried to bury, might not stay buried with Dominic.


    ¡°Border tensions are gonna re up again. It¡¯s just a matter of time,¡± Lance said.


    Adide¡¯s heart sank. The border was guarded by her grandfather¡¯s sodier. Her grandfather was Alpha Zander, the Alpha of the Eternal Night Pack.


    Alpha Zander had already lost a son, another had lost an arm, and only Nelson, the adopted son of the Doyle family, remained to assist him.


    The Doyle family endured hardship at the border, and Adide hadn¡¯t seen them in ages.


    The thought of another war was too much to bear.


    The Western Tribe was formidable. Though they weren¡¯t weak, the Southern Border conflict had taken its toll.


    Now, the Royal Army and the Davidson Army, led by her father Alpha Bentley, were under Tad¡¯s control.


    While Tad was a capable general, arge¨Cscale war might exceed his grasp.


    Lance said, ¡°We thought the Western Tribe valued face and wouldn¡¯t expose the Snowdeer Town prince¡¯s humiliation. Plus, the border ceasefire agreement signed to free Velda was supposed to hold. They shouldn¡¯t break it easily for national reputation. But the problem is, their Lycan King¡¯s time is uncertain. If Dominic bes the new Lycan King, he might go public with everything.¡±


    The Snowdeer Town incident was a time bomb.


    A new Lycan King seeking to consolidate power might adopt hardline tactics.


    Border demarcation has long been a sore spot for the Western Tribe¡¯s people. Intelligence suggests they deeply resent Snke, deeming him unworthy of the Wolf General title.


    ¡°Why¡¯s Velda¡¯s story spreading so fast? Could the Western Tribe have spies in the capital?¡± Adide asked.


    Most Western Tribe spies had been eliminated during the Frostfang Pack attack.


    The Capital Ministry of Justice and Police Bureau stated any surviving spies would¡¯ve fled back.


    ¡°Lance pondered, ¡®Maybe Dominic¡¯s had deployments here for a while. He might¡¯ve built an intelligencework. The Velda affair might be suppressed by the Lycan King now.¡±


    Adide agreed.


    There was nock of shrewd folks in the general poption. From Velda¡¯s capture and humiliation, it was


    |||


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    easy to infer there¡¯s something underhanded about the Bloodstained Border Pact.


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    Lycan Erasmus had reigned for only a short time and hadn¡¯t solidified his power. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t fear his own brother like this.


    So if this matter could be suppressed, he would definitely prioritize shutting it down first.


    But Lance added, ¡°I¡¯m now worried this leak isn¡¯t from the Western Tribe.


    Adide looked up sharply. ¡°Germain? But how would he know Snowdeer Town¡¯s secrets?¡±


    They realized in unison, ¡°Germain has people at the Bloodscar Border!¡±


    Sure enough, dayster, Velda¡¯s rumors died down.


    Cafes and bars now imed that while soldiers were captured in the Southern Border conflict, both sides exchanged prisoners without torture or humiliation.


    To the uninformed, this was a minor incident. But those attuned to politics sensed something amiss.


    Few knew Western Tribe soldiers had aided the Southern Border¨Ca closely guarded military secret.


    Only a deliberate leak could spread such information so widely.


    The ckthorn Pack¡¯s werewolf warrior unit was officially established, with 200 from the Royal Army.


    Lance had advocated for their return. They were originally pack guards, not on the royal payroll.


    Lycan Erasmus agreed, as 200 soldiers meant little to him.


    Another 100 were from the Davidson Army, former subordinates of Adide¡¯s father, Alpha Bentley, also recalled.


    With additions from Caldwell and Avery, the pack now had a 500¨Cstrong werewolf warrior unit.


    Avery managed patrol and defense schedules. Training¨Creally,bat skills instruction¨Cfor all non¨Cduty guards was mandatory.


    Most had battlefield experience butcked refinedbat techniques.


    Though not arge number, these 500 could be an elite force to tide over current difficulties.


    Adide began to manage the pack¡¯s internal affairs. Ralph summoned farm owners and shop managers to meet the Luna at the ckthorn Pack. Going forward, they¡¯d report to Adide.


    She spoke with each one without any pretense.


    It had to be said, Caldwell and Ralph had chosen well¨Cthese people werepetent and showed great


    respect.


    After the talks, she gave each person a gift, urging them to manage their businesses well and promising extra rewards at year¡¯s end.


    The farmers and managers thanked her and left one by one.


    C

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    Adide spent several days meticulously examining the financial records, checking for any irregrities.


    She carefully reviewed every ie and expense and found that the ckthorn Pack was indeed well- funded. Previously, Lycan Erasmus had supported the pack, bestowing wealth andnd upon it.


    After the Southern Border War, the pack acquired several mountainous areas. Ralph had surveyed <b>them </b>and found that thesends, suitable only for farming or orchards, were remote and difficult to <b>manage</b>.


    101


    ¡°Madison once suggested swapping these mountains for fertilend. I reported it to Lance, and he said <b>no</b><b><i>, </i></b>Adide said.


    ¡°Swapping goodnd for barren mountains? What¡¯s Madison up to?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Lance thinks she¡¯s up to no good and is keeping an eye on her pack,¡± came the reply.


    Adide nodded. ¡°Got it. Next month was Prisci¡¯s birthday, her first since moving out of the pce. She¡¯d likely want a grand celebration.¡±


    Ralph said with a smile, ¡°Prisci said a small gathering would do.¡±


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No, we need to make it grand.¡±


    If it were just a small gathering, Prisci might be upset for years.


    Recently, she¡¯d been buying rare flowers to decorate the gardens, clearly preparing for her birthday.


    She wanted a big party, not just a small gathering.


    ¡°Have Ralph draft a guest list for me. I¡¯ll decide who to invite and who to leave off,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Ralph said, then left.


    This was the first birthday party Adide had organized since bing the ckthorn Pack¡¯s Luna.


    A failed party would be aughingstock, especially since Prisci cared so much about hers. Adide wanted everything perfect.


    She personally asked Prisci if there were any must¨Cinvite guests.


    Prisci pretended to think. ¡°Invite Hera and Iris if they cane and go freely from the pce. The st is up to you.¡±


    Adide knew Hera and Iris, former high priests of the old Lycan King, were must¨Cinvites, especially


    Hera.


    But she wondered why Prisci had such a rivalry with them.


    The old Lycan King had favored others more. Why did Prisci hold a grudge against Hera and Iris<b>? </b>


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    Chapter <b>327 </b>


    Now, due to the marriage alliance with the Wall family, her rtionship with Iris had eased<b>. </b>But she was still <b>at </b><b>odds </b>with Hera.


    ¡°<b>Has </b>Hera ever wronged you?¡± Adide asked.


    Prisci snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by her act. She¡¯s sly. Back when the old Lycan King was alive, she schemed against me, getting me scolded by him.¡±


    Adide believed her.


    Prisci was quick to anger and easy to manipte.


    ¡°What about Iris?¡± Adide asked.


    Prisci sneered. ¡°She just ys the victim. Before the old Lycan King died, she was <b>a </b>junior priestess. After he passed and Lycan Erasmus became king, her status rose because the Wall family¡¯s daughter became Lycan Luna. But it means nothing. In the pce, former high priests of the old king have no <b>say</b>.


    Prisci was jealous<b>. </b>


    Her son had returned victorious from the Southern Border War, yet Lycan Erasmus hadn¡¯t proposed elevating her status.


    She couldn¡¯t ask for it directly; that would show desperation.


    Days passed, and Caldwell presented a guest list. Adide scanned it and saw Madison and the Glenveil Pack on it. Hera and Iris<b>, </b>strongly requested by Prisci, were there too.


    So were several princesses, the Stormridge Pack, and noble families like the Hutchinsons, Walls, Soulrend Pack, and Ironw Pack.


    Most families of government officials at the department head level and above were invited, as were the Paharis.


    Adide said, ¡°Send out invitations based on this list as soon as possible.¡±


    Caldwell nodded. ¡°Right away.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Adide said.


    Caldwell added, ¡°Now that you¡¯re handling internal pack affairs, Luna Adide, be cautious with staffing. All servants underwent background checks, but Lance was away at war for years, and Ralph and I were busy with daily operations. Some might have had outside contacts over the years.¡±


    ¡°Lance already did a screening after he returned. But some could have slipped through. Also, <b>we </b>didn¡¯t know much about Prisci¡¯s people before.¡±


    Adide thought it over. The ckthorn Pack should be fine after Lance¡¯s screening.


    But Prisci¡¯s people were a different story.


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    ¡°I know what to do now. Thanks for the reminder,¡± Adide said with a smile.


    Caldwell nodded and left.


    Adide called Susan over and asked for a list of the omegas and servants around Prisci, instructing her to keep it a secret from Prisci and others.


    Susan, clear¨Cheaded and alert when away from Prisci, quickly grasped Adide¡¯s intention.


    Soon, Susan brought over the list, which detailed cach person¡¯s pce name, original name, hometown. age, year of entering the pce, and the priest they had served under.


    On the surface, the list seemed normal.


    Only three had served other priests¡ªEleanor, Sophia, and Morgana.


    Eleanor had served the old Lycan King¡¯s favorite priest. After the priest¡¯s death, rissa assigned Eleanor to Prisci.


    Sophia and Morgana had served another priest during the old Lycan King¡¯s reign.


    When that priest suddenly died of illness, the old Lycan King, in a rage, executed all his attendants except Sophia and Morgana, who had been assigned to care for the sick Prisci by rissa.


    Most others on the list were brought to the pce by Prisci from her own pack.


    Susan, Prisci¡¯s nanny who had raised her, was undoubtedly loyal.


    The rest from Prisci¡¯s pack were mostly trustworthy.


    Adide ordered extra surveince on the three. Any unusual activity was to be reported immediately.


    After the invitations were sent, some people began scheming.


    Wanda specially called Sabrina to Madison¡¯s manor, saying she would bring her to Prisci¡¯s birthday party.


    Sabrina was reluctant. She harbored resentment towards Adide, the former Luna.


    Why was Adide so lucky to be Lance¡¯s mate and shine at the birthday party?


    Sabrina didn¡¯t want to see her glory.


    But she didn¡¯t dare refuse Wanda outright and said, ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack hasn¡¯t received an invitation from the ckthorn Pack. Would it be inappropriate for me to go?¡±


    Wandaughed. ¡°Invitations have also been sent to Madison Manor and the Glenveil Pack. Since I¡¯m invited, I can bring anyone, I like.¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Sabrina forced a smile. ¡°That makes sense, but¡­¡±


    Wanda became impatient. ¡°Do you still want to be Lance¡¯s breeder? Tomorrow, I¡¯ll create <b>an </b>opportunity for you. Trip in front of him. If he holds you, he¡¯ll be responsible.¡±


    Sabrina¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. ¡°Really? If it works, I¡¯ll never forget Madison and your kindness.


    Wanda said, ¡°If he holds you, with so many people watching, he¡¯ll have to take responsibility, Lance is a responsible person and won¡¯t let you be ridiculed.¡±


    Sabrina grew excited, imagining Alpha Lance¡¯s handsome and imposing face. Her heart raced.


    She knew she wasn¡¯t as beautiful as Adide, but she was still very pretty. If she seeded, Lance would surely dote on her.


    Wanda said, ¡°I¡¯ll prepare your clothes and jewelry for that day. This must be kept secret. The Bloodmoon Pack is loosely managed. If others find out and ruin your chances, it would be terrible.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t tell a soul,¡± Sabrina said, trying to calm herself, but her face still flushed thinking of Lance.


    After Sabrina left, Wanda sneered, ¡°Fool.¡±


    A cold glint shed in Madison¡¯s eyes. ¡°She wants to be Lance¡¯s breeder? Her greed is <b>her </b>downfall.¡±


    ¡°Lance won¡¯t make her his breeder, but once he holds her, we can spread rumors and ruin his reputation,¡± Madison said.


    ¡°Mother, Sabrina¡¯s unreliable, but we should find someone to be Lance¡¯s breeder. Then we can monitor the ckthorn Pack,¡± Wanda said.


    Madison slowly sipped her coffee. ¡°No need to rush. Prisci must be the one to do it.¡±


    ¡°Prisci?¡±


    Wanda recalled theirst encounter with her and Adide, anger rising. ¡°Given how close she¡¯s grown to Adide, will she even listen to us?¡±


    Madison took another sip of coffee, now cold, and ordered a fresh cup. ¡°She won¡¯t listen to us, but provocation always works with her. There¡¯s someone who can do it.¡±


    Wanda¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Use provocation? Get Hera involved.¡±


    She pped. ¡°You think of everything. Alpha Ansley¡¯s mate Veronica already has a daughter. His <b>two </b>breeders each have a son and daughter, and she¡¯s pregnant again. Prisci probably doesn¡¯t know about the breeder¡¯s pregnancy. Once she does, she¡¯ll want to find a breeder for Lance. If they fight <b>over </b>entertaining.¡±


    ll be


    Madison leisurely drank her coffee. ¡°They won¡¯t agree. There¡¯s always friction between a son¡¯s mate and his mother. We just need to sow discord. Prisci¡¯s easy to manipte. If we drive a wedge between her and Adide, using her will be simple.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Mother,¡± Wanda agreed.


    <b>07:47 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>16 </b><b>Jul </b>@D

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    Madison said thoughtfully, ¡°In short, we¡¯ll do our best to keep the ckthorn Pack in turmoil. Ideally<b>, </b>we want Lance to be so preupied with internal pack matters that he has no time for anything else, just like Ulrik with the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    Wanda agreed, though she wondered why the focus was on the ckthorn Pack. But if her mother had her reasons, she¡¯d follow suit.


    Back home, Sabrina went to her room, sat in front of the dressing table, and gazed at her reflection.


    Her round checks made her look plump and likable.


    ¡°Miss, you¡¯ve been checking your appearance since you came back. Is your makeup too light? Shall I redo your hair and put on some jewelry for you?¡± the servant asked.


    ¡°Do I look good?¡± Sabrina asked, stroking her fair and stic skin.


    ¡°Of course, miss,¡± the servant replied.


    ¡°How aboutpared to Adide?¡± Sabrina pressed.


    The servant hesitated, then said with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re more lively and radiant.¡±


    Sabrina beamed. ¡°Find the jewelry Adide gave me from the box¡­ No, forget it.¡±


    Anyway, Wanda would provide her with everything. She couldn¡¯t show up at the party too shabbily. How else would she attract Alpha Lance?


    ¡°Miss, are you in a good mood?¡± the servant inquired.


    Sabrina was brimming with joy and anticipati¨®n but held back from telling the servant, remembering Wanda¡¯s warning.


    But keeping such exciting news bottled up for days was tough. She got up and headed to her mother¡¯s


    room.


    She sent the omega attendants away, leaving only the two of them.


    Rosemary was in low spirits, lying in bed listlessly for days.


    Though bathed daily, she still had a noticeable odor.


    Sabrina sat a bit away and forced down her excitement. ¡°Mother, the ckthorn Pack is throwing a birthday party for Prisci next month. Wanda said she¡¯ll take me.¡±


    Rosemary snapped, ¡°Her party is her business. Why should you attend? You didn¡¯t get an invitation. Haven¡¯t you seen what happened to Ulrik because of her? And you still want to support her?¡±


    ¡°Mother!¡± Sabrina¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Wanda is taking me. She promised to help me be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder at the birthday party.¡±


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    Rosemary¡¯s dull eyes suddenly lit up, and she struggled to sit up. ¡°Is this true?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. Wanda told me herself, with Madison right there.¡±


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    Rosemary felt a surge of energy. ¡°If this works, Madison and Wanda will be our greatest benefactors.¡±


    But then she frowned. ¡°Why would they help you? What¡¯s their angle? Don¡¯t get carried away. Let me think.¡±


    Sabrina stood up and stamped her foot. ¡°Mother, regardless of their motives, as long as I can be the ckthorn Pack Alpha¡¯s breeder, I¡¯m willing. Even if I¡¯m below Adide, I¡¯m younger and more vibrant than her.¡±


    She quickly sat down again. ¡°Besides, Madison might just dislike Adide and wants to cause her distress by getting me into the pack. Even if they have some scheme, once I¡¯m a breeder<b>, </b>I¡¯ll do whatever I can to help them¨Ca breeder can¡¯t really aplish much anyway.¡±


    Rosemary found this logic sound. Yet she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Madison¡¯s birthday party incident hinted at something moreplex.


    ¡°You see, with Ulrik stripped of his position, Father and Simon have no hope for advancement. Velda constantly opposes you. Gloria, though backed by the Ironw Pack, can only use her personal wealth to support the Bloodmoon Pack¡ªshe can¡¯t truly aid us.¡±


    Rosemary mulled it over and acknowledged the truth. Could they rely on Wilmot? He hadn¡¯t even obtained a university degree. How could they restore the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation like this?


    Though skeptical of Madison and Wanda¡¯s intentions, if Sabrina could be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder, they could secure her status first. Other costs could be addressedter.


    She exhaled. ¡°Have you rified the n with them?¡±


    Sabrina recounted Wanda¡¯s scheme to Rosemary.


    After careful consideration, Rosemary deemed the n simple yet effective. If Lance held Sabrina in front of guests, he¡¯d have to take responsibility to avoid damaging his reputation.


    The only concern was that even if Lance made Sabrina his breeder, she might feel manipted and thus unloved, rendering the breeder title meaningless.


    But then she thought, ¡°What¡¯s the harm in a meaningless title? Alpha Lance was highly influential, in charge of the Ironw Army and the Ministry of Justice. As his breeder, regardless of his affection, the alone would open doors. It would help her familywork and climb the socialdder.¡±


    Nodding slowly, she said, ¡°Adapt as circumstances require.¡±


    She suddenly remembered something. ¡°Adide and Vanya are close. I wonder if they¡¯ll invite her. You should check.¡±


    ¡°Wanda said it¡¯s a secret. She didn¡¯t even want me to tell you, fearing leaks from your attendants<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to tell her. I just want to know if Vanya is invited.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Shall I ask?<b>¡± </b>


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    07:48 Wed, 16 Jul


    ¡°Send Tamara to ask. Be tactful. Just say you¡¯re curious.¡±


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    <blockquote>


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    Rosemaryy back down. After a bit of talking, she grew breathless, clearly needing pain meds.


    Sabrina sought out Tamara, who indeed asked about the invitation.


    Vanya looked at Tamara and asked, ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    ¡°Sabrina,¡± Tamara replied honestly.


    Vanya smiled. ¡°It¡¯s Rosemary who wants to know. Tell her I¡¯m invited.¡±


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    Tamara was surprised. ¡°Really? Or are you just saying that? You¡¯re part of the Bloodmoon Pack. How could they invite you?¡±


    ¡°Why not? Not everyone in the Bloodmoon Pack is heartless,¡± Vanya said lightly.


    ¡°Tell Sabrina to let Rosemary know and give her a little difort.¡±


    Tamara gave a wry smile and said, ¡°Vanya, are you and Rosemary really that opposed to each other?¡±


    Vanya sneered, ¡°Who¡¯s opposed to her? I just can¡¯t stand her greed and callousness, her betrayal of kindness. Tamara, you¡¯re too naive. You can¡¯t tell who¡¯s good to you and who¡¯s not.¡±


    ¡°What can I do? My pack has no influence. Simon doesn¡¯t like me much, and Rosemary looks down on me,¡± Tamara replied.


    ¡°You have your reasons, but don¡¯t help them do wrong,¡± Vanya warned.


    Vanya added, ¡°Rosemary, Gloria, Velda, and Sabrina are all up to no good. They¡¯re trying to embarrass Adide. Just don¡¯t help them.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t,¡± Tamara quickly agreed.


    ¡°Tamara, sometimes it¡¯s better to turn a blind eye and deaf ear,¡± Vanya said meaningfully.


    Tamara, slow to catch on, finally understood after a while. ¡°Lately, I¡¯ve been feeling under the weather and need to rest for a while.¡±


    Vanya smiled and said, ¡°Go ahead. See a doctor. Let them stir things up. You just stay out of it.¡±


    Tamara thanked her and left.


    Vanya looked at the invitation but didn¡¯t n to attend.


    She knew Adide still valued their connection, but it wouldn¡¯t be proper for her to go.


    At Prisci¡¯s birthday party, her presence would represent the Bloodmoon Pack. She didn¡¯t want others to link Adide with the Bloodmoon Pack, not one bit.


    So, she decided to send a birthday gift through someone else and stay away.


    |||


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    Wed, 16 Jul


    Tamara, after getting the news, went to tell Sabrina that Vanya didn¡¯t say whether she received an


    invitation.


    While talking, Tamara suddenly felt faint and copsed against Sabrina.


    ¡°Tamara, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Sabrina instinctively supported her.


    ¡°I¡¯m dizzy¡­¡± Tamara weakly said.


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    A doctor was called to examine Tamara. Tamara had always been somewhat frail. With the changing seasons¨Ccold in the mornings and evenings, warm at noon¨Cit was casy to fall ill.


    After the examination, the doctor said, ¡°Tamara needs to take good care of her health. If she doesn¡¯t improve, she might struggle to conceive.¡±


    Once the doctor left, Tamara grasped Gloria¡¯s hand and tearfully said, ¡°Gloria, I¡¯m not well. I won¡¯t be able to help you in the future. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to manage both inside and outside the pack by yourself.¡±


    Gloria had never thought much of Tamara. She had been of some use in the past for certain matters, though a bit slow, she was still serviceable.


    Now, with Tamara falling ill and needing rest, another sum for medical expenses was inevitable.


    But as the Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack, Gloria couldn¡¯t very well say anything to a sick rtive. Instead, she offered a fewforting words.


    To appear virtuous, she also had some health supplements sent to Tamara¡¯s room.


    After leaving Tamara¡¯s room, Gloria went to tend to Rosemary. She overheard Rosemary and Sabrina discussing the birthday party for Prisci.


    ¡°Adide must not have invited Vanya,¡± Sabrina said.


    Rosemary replied, ¡°That woman thinks she¡¯s close to Adide, but she¡¯s not invited. How embarrassing.¡±


    Sabrina chimed in, ¡°Vanya¡¯s such a joke.¡±


    Gloria feltplicated. Adide was throwing Prisci¡¯s party and it¡¯d be grand. Adide would shine as the guest of honor.


    Gloria instinctivelypared herself to Adide.


    Adide had no strong backing now, while Gloria came from the Ironw Pack with a brother in Royal Army. Why was there such a gap between them?


    She was always busy inside and our, even using her own money for the pack. Exhausted daily, she felt her waist would break.


    Meanwhile, Adide lived carefree. Gloria was jealous.


    Lost in these thoughts, she heard Sabrina say, ¡°I heard Prisci once said she didn¡¯t like Adide. Maybe they don¡¯t get along. At the party, Prisci might put on airs. With Adide¡¯s temper, there could be a


    scene.¡±


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    Recalling Adide¡¯s arrogance that day, Gloria relished the idea of her being humiliated by Prisci.


    But the Bloodmoon Pack didn¡¯t get an invite. How could she attend?


    Then she remembered the Ironw Pack. Her brothermanded the Royal Army. The ckthorn Pack would surely send them an invite.


    After tending to Rosemary, she pleaded to visit the Ironw Pack.


    Upon returning and asking her mother, she confirmed they had received the invitation.


    Gloria immediately said, ¡°Mother, take me with you that day.¡±


    Luna Cynthia paused. ¡°You¡¯re part of the Bloodmoon Pack now. It¡¯s not proper for me to bring you.¡± </blockquote>

 Novel Male 331

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°What¡¯s all this about rules? It¡¯s just a birthday party. Say Christine isn¡¯t feeling well, and I¡¯ll apany you,¡± said Gloria.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Luna Cynthia looked at her daughter, sensing her growing restlessness since the mating.


    ¡°Nothing special, just want to chat with the other Lunas,¡± she said, shaking her mother¡¯s arm.


    ¡°You know, since I joined the Bloodmoon Pack, things have gone downhill. Now that Alpha Ulrik¡¯s been demoted, if it weren¡¯t for the Ironw Pack¡¯s influence, who would invite me to a party? I need to mingle with noblewomen for my husband¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°Also, I heard they invited Penelope. You know Velda offended her. They apologized, but who knows if Penelope still harbors resentment? As Ulrik¡¯s mate, I should¨Cextend an olive branch. The Stormnridge Pack will give me face,¡± she added.


    Luna Cynthia thought it made sense. Unaware of her daughter¡¯s past conflict with Adide, she agreed.


    ¡°You want to go, just say so. No need for Christine to skip. She should visit Luna Adide too. Your brother nowmands the army, but those soldiers fought alongside Alpha Lance. They¡¯re still part of the royal army,¡± Luna Cynthia said.


    Upon hearing her mother¡¯s agreement, Gloria breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, ¡°Yes, Christine shoulde too.¡±


    Luna Cynthia remarked, ¡°It¡¯s good for you to go. After all, I took you to Luna Adide privately before to inquire about your mate matters, and she told us a great deal. We should thank her in person.¡±


    Gloria responded absent¨Cmindedly, ¡°You¡¯re right, Mother.¡±


    ¡°Why do you look so pale?¡±


    Luna Cynthia noticed her daughter¡¯s sallowplexion and frowned. ¡°Are you unwell? How are things at the Bloodmoon Pack?¡±


    ¡°Everyone treats me well. Rosemary¡¯s kind, Alpha Ulrik respects me, others are tolerant. Only Sabrina¡¯s a bit haughty, but she doesn¡¯t bother me,¡± Gloria said, forcing cheerfulness.


    ¡°And Velda?¡± Luna Cynthia asked.


    ¡°We don¡¯t interfere with each other. We had a spat when Velda was med for Penelope¡¯s garbag incident, but we¡¯ve made peace,¡± Gloria said.


    Luna Cynthia sighed, ¡°There were rumors about Velda being captured and humiliated. No one knows if it¡¯s true. If true, it¡¯s embarrassing for the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    ¡°Rumors aren¡¯t baseless. Ulrik¡¯s no friend of hers. Since our mating, he rarely stays with her,¡± Gloria said.


    Luna Cynthia nodded, relieved. ¡°That¡¯s good. Ulrik¡¯s considerate. You should try to have a child for the


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    Bloodmoon Pack soon.¡±


    Gloria wished she could conceive, but there was something she couldn¡¯t voice.


    Her mate, Ulrik, seemed uninterested in intimacy. Even when they were close, he seemedcking.


    As an Alpha, he should be strong. Why was this happening?


    She personally supervised his meals, even considered a doctor, but feared hurting his pride.


    Gloria felt uneasy. Life seemed smooth, but she was stifled, not knowing why.


    At that moment, Tad¡¯s mate Christine arrived with afternoon tea for Luna Cynthia. Hearing Gloria was attending Prisci¡¯s birthday party, she was surprised.


    ¡°Let her go if she wants. She knows Adide from before. Even without an invite, she can tag along,¡± Luna Cynthia said.


    Christine frowned, ¡°But she¡¯s part of the Bloodmoon Pack now. Adide is Ulrik¡¯s ex¨Cmate. Her presence might embarrass everyone.¡±


    Gloria quickly said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Adide and I get along. We¡¯ve talked privately, and she¡¯s always kind to me.¡±


    Christine asked, ¡°You¡¯ve spoken since bing mates?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We met on the street a while back. She greeted me politely,¡± Gloria said, though she felt guilty.


    Christine thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, ¡°It¡¯s one thing that she was gentle with you during your private meeting, but with so many guests at the birthday party, your presence might embarrass Luna Adide.¡±


    Gloriaughed and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Christine. Luna Adide isn¡¯t petty. She even invited me to visit her pack¡¯s territory.¡±


    Christine looked at Gloria, sensing that her words were a mix of truth and falsehood.


    Given their rtionship, they would usually avoid each other in public to prevent gossip.


    Luna Cynthia said, ¡°If she wants to go, take her. Ulrik¡¯s been demoted. She needs to n for his future.¡±


    Christine, respecting Cynthia¡¯s wish, agreed. ¡°As you wish.¡±


    After Christine left, her brow furrowed.


    A servant asked, ¡°You don¡¯t want Gloria to go?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point? To make things awkward for everyone?¡± she muttered.


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    Christine shook her head and continued, ¡°Luna Cynthia is very attached to her daughter. She¡¯s never opposed anything she wanted to do over the years. If I tried to stop her, Luna Cynthia would only resent <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    ¡°Moreover,¡± Christine added thoughtfully, ¡°the Hutchinsons were once under Abbot¡¯smand and <bter </b>followed Alpha Lance. I heard General Abbot returned to the capital. The Hutchinsons must be on the guest list. Has Gloria not considered this? How will she face the Hutchinsons at the party?¡±


    ¡°But the Hutchinsons provided the proof of dissolution for Gloria¡¯s previous mating. They were hoping she would re¨Cmate. They¡¯repassionate and would wish to see Gloria find a new mate, someone argued.


    ¡°But she married Ulrik, who wronged Luna Adide. The entire Hutchinson family once followed Alpha Bentley. I doubt they¡¯ve forgotten that,¡± Christine countered. ¨C


    She recalled how Gloria, at her mating ceremony, hadpared her new wedding gifts with Adide¡¯s.


    Gloria had been smug, thinking her gifts superior.


    Little did she know, Adide received numerous gifts that day, which made Gloriain.


    Christine didn¡¯t believe Gloria and Adide could chat amicably. Even if Adide was kind, her polite words were likely for the sake of the Ironw Pack.


    ¡°On the day of the birthday party, you keep an eye on her,¡± Christine instructed an omega.


    ¡°Tad has just takenmand of the military. I can¡¯t let her actions invite criticism.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand. You can count on me,¡± the omega replied.


    Adide had indeed invited the Hutchinson family.


    Many of the Hutchinsons were royal wolf warriors or generals. Obadiah still served in the royal military.


    The elder Hutchinson female was Obadiah¡¯s wife, Genevieve. Other female Hutchinsons, having lost family in battle, rarely attended social events.


    Military families bore pains iprehensible to civilians.


    Genevieve frequently attended social gatherings because her husband was still active, and her children were yet unmated. She needed to pave the way for their futures.


    Her eldest son, injured in the Southern Border War, had a disabled leg and hadn¡¯t found a suitable mate. Her second son had passed the wolf warrior certification and was preparing for higher¨Clevel military exams. Her daughter Zea, though not in a rush to mate, had several families already setting mating agreements for her.


    Upon receiving the invitation, Genevieve nned to attend with her aunt, Sibyl.


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    Sibyl was the mother of Gloria¡¯ste mate. Genevieve had learned in advance that the ckthorn <b>Pack </b>hadn¡¯t invited members of the Bloodmoon Pack. So she felt reassured about inviting Sibyl.


    Sibyl, long depressed over her son¡¯s sacrifice, finally agreed to attend after much persuasion <b>for </b><b>the </b>sake <b>of </b>her other children¡¯s futures.


    After quite a bit of persuading, Sibyl finally agreed to go.


    Genevieve prepared gifts for Sibyl and nned to visit the ckthorn Pack¡¯s territory to celebrate Prisci¡¯s birthday. She wanted the children to experience a broader world.


    March slipped into April, and Prisci¡¯s birthday approached.


    Half a month prior, the ckthorn Pack had already been bustling with preparations. In the garden<b>, </b><b>along </b>with the flowers chosen by Prisci herself, Adide had additionally nted bougainvilleas. Now<b><i>, </i></b><b>they </b>were in full bloom, resembling magnificent clouds of purple and red.


    Three performance troupes were booked for non¨Cstop shows. The wolf pack¡¯s chefs <b>prepared </b>delicacies rivaling the capital¡¯s finest.


    The feast featured eighteen courses, including rare ingredients and home¨Cstyle dishes, with vegetarian options for Penelope, some Hutchinson members, and elder wolves.


    Adide wore a pink dress with a chiffon jacket, her makeup subtle and her hairstyle trendy, adorned with amethyst and pink diamond jewelry¨Ca picture of elegance.


    Lance was in a dark suit with a tie and a pocket watch chain, handsome and authoritative.


    Prisci, in a gold¨Cthreaded floral gown and lightweight shawl, looked youthful at forty¨Ctwo.


    She dyed her hair specially for the asion. She wore a red coral ne with plump, fiery beads. Her head jewels were mainly rubies, and her earrings matched. In her left hair bun, she had a hairpin with <i>a </i>big pink diamond. All the jewelry was custom¨Cmade by Adide as a birthday gift for her.


    Guests arrived one after another at the ckthorn Pack territory, and the party was about to begin.


    The weather today was exceptionally pleasant. The bright sunshine and the golden spots of light filtering through the branches created a warm atmosphere, uplifting everyone¡¯s mood.


    Prisci sat on the sofa in the main parlor, epting guests¡® congrattions with a smile.


    Ralph was in charge of supervising the gift¨Creceiving process. He carefully registered each notebook. He recorded in detail the gifts from each family. This was done to estimate the for future reference. When other families held events, gifts of equal value could be returned.


    of the gifts in his


    All the guests were important and had high¨Cstatus identities. Eachdy had dressed up. They <b>wore </b><b>bright </b>lipstick and dazzling jewelry, showing off their noble and elegant qualities.


    Prisci, seated on the sofa with a forced smile, felt her facial muscles ache.


    ncing at Adide, she saw her handling the crowd with grace, her warm smile seemingly <b>genuine</b>.


    Prisci silently admired Adide¡¯s poise and charm at such a grand event.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Male guests were attended to by Lance and Caldwell.


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    As today was Prisci¡¯s birthday, the main hall was naturally reserved for her and the female guests.


    Due to her special status, the event was specially held in the main hall of the central courtyard.


    When Princess Margot and Princess Yvette arrived, Mrs. Voss also made her appearance, apanied by Penelope and her daughter¨Cinw and granddaughter.


    Soon after, Madison arrived with Wanda and Sabrina.


    Adide scanned the crowd and was surprised to spot a familiar face¨CSabrina hade with Madison and Wanda.


    Interesting.


    Upon Penelope¡¯s arrival, Adide helped Prisci to her feet and greeted her.


    Penelope, though advanced in age and rarely social, hade especially for the asion.


    Prisci felt obliged to wee her personally.


    Surrounded by her family, Penelope entered. The Stormridge Pack¡¯s influence was questionable, but their numbers were impressive.


    At ny¨Cplus, everyone rose to greet her, even Princess Margot and the others bowed.


    ¡°How embarrassing,¡± Penelope said as she returned everyone¡¯s courtesies.


    ¡°Today is Prisci¡¯s birthday party. I¡¯m just a food lover here to enjoy a meal¡±


    Princess Margot responded, ¡°Penelope, during the freezing rain disasterst time, you stepped forward and raised a substantial amount of funds for the disaster area, supplying clothes and food. Your kindness and courage put us royal princesses to shame.¡±


    Penelope replied, ¡°It was but a small effort. Please don¡¯t exaggerate it into a grand merit. I can¡¯t bear such praise. Compared to Alpha Bentley, Alpha Zander, and Alpha Lance, who have made significant. contributions to the nation¡¯s defense and expansion, my actions pale in significance. So, let¡®


    it.¡±


    Penelope¡¯s humility earned her even greater respect from those present.


    Prisci was anxious<b>. </b>


    mention


    She wished Penelope had made such remarks when Hera arrived, so Hera could hear of her son and his family¡¯s achievements and be consumed by envy.


    However, it wasn¡¯t until after Penelope¡¯s speech that Hera and Veronica entered. Hera held a grandson in one hand and a granddaughter in the other.


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    The children were adorable, evoking a mix of warmth and¡­ jealousy in Prisci.


    Why had she brought her grandchildren? To show off?


    If her own son weren¡¯t at war, she¡¯d likely be a grandmother too.


    Given Hera¡¯s high status, the nobledies present also rose to greet her.


    Madison inquired, ¡°Why has only Luna Veronicae? Where are the two breeders?¡±


    Veronica smiled and said, ¡°One has a young child, and the other is pregnant again. It¡¯s inconvenient for them to venture out. Please excuse their absence.¡±


    The guests offered their congrattions, but Prisci¡¯s eyes zed with envy¨Canother pregnancy?


    How fertile was Alpha Ansley? In just a few years of mating, he already had four or five children.


    Madison remarked with a smile, ¡°Hera, you¡¯re truly blessed to have your grandchildren surrounding you <i>at </i>such a young age.¡±


    Hera took her seat and chuckled, ¡°Speaking of blessings, I can¡¯tpare to Penelope.¡±


    Penelope responded with a smile, ¡°Everyone here is blessed. But Hera, you¡¯re even more fortunate. Prisci too¨Cyour son¡¯s mate is so talented, and Alpha Lance has achieved remarkable military honors. These are true blessings.¡±


    Prisci¡¯s mood brightened upon hearing this.


    It was amon truth that those with more life experience often spoke words that resonated deeply.


    Her face lit up as she said, ¡°I wish Lance could be like Ansley, enjoying a leisurely life in the capital with <i>a </i>brood of children. Unlike my son, who¡¯s always busy. Sometimes I see him working from dawn till dusk, only returning homete at night. It breaks my heart.¡±


    Hera interjected with a smile, ¡°That¡¯s proof of Lance¡¯s capability and responsibility.¡±


    As she spoke, Hera cradled her grandson, giving him a gentle kiss,


    The plump little one wrapped his arms around her neck and called out, ¡°Granny,¡± in a childish voice that -warmed the heart.


    Prisci¡¯s moment of smugness quickly soured into envy.


    Madison, noticing Prisci¡¯s changing expression, remarked, ¡°Adide and Lance have bet¡­ated for months, yet there¡¯s no news of a pregnancy. How peculiar.¡±


    Sabrina nced at Adide upon hearing this, her eyes brimming with provocation.


    Adide noticed but merely offered a faint smile, indifferent to the barb.


    Madison, holding her coffee cup, slowly said, ¡°In my view, royal heirs should all mate early and <b>have </b>pups soon. Ensuring the continuation of the Lycan bloodline is paramount. As for government <b>work</b><b>, </b>there <b>are </b>plenty of officials who can handle it.¡±


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    Madison¡¯s words cast a shadow over Prisci¡¯s face.


    The guests understood that Madison was hinting at Luna Adide¡¯sck of pregnancy.


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    Everyone stayed silent, not wanting to offend either side.


    Rowena coolly interjected, ¡°Luna Adide has only been mated for a few months, while Wanda <b>has </b>been mated for years with no children. If Madison has any tips on having kids, maybe she should share them with Wanda first.¡±


    The two had always been at odds.


    Rowena disliked how Wanda often returned to Madison¡¯s ce whenever something happened. Madison, in turn, was annoyed by Rowena¡¯s stern and cold attitude.


    Madison sneered, ¡°Wanda hasn¡¯t had kids, but her mate has had no shortage of breeders. On the other hand, Lance doesn¡¯t even have a breeder.¡±


    Rowena shot back, ¡°Madison is so generous, finding so many lovers for your daughter¡¯s mate. But no one knows what these lovers look like. Has anyone actually seen them?¡±


    Wanda coldly replied, ¡°Breeders are just lowly omegas. They¡¯re not fit for formal asions, <i>so </i>naturally, they¡¯re not allowed at banquets.¡±


    Rowena immediately retorted, ¡°Not allowed at banquets is one thing, but not even greeting guests when they visit? That¡¯s just rude.¡±


    Seeing the two argue heatedly, Mrs. Voss stepped in to mediate. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a band performing today, and the garden flowers are in full bloom. Why not take a walk and enjoy the music and scenery instead of just sitting here chatting?¡±


    Prisci was about to suggest going out when the announcement came, ¡°The Ironw Pack¡¯s Cynthia and Christine have arrived.¡±


    Lady Cynthia entered with Christine and Gloria.


    Gloria¡¯s presence stunned everyone.


    Why was Gloria here? Did Adide invite her?


    Was she looking to cause trouble?


    Moreover, why would shee uninvited?


    As tensions <i>rose</i>, Adide approached with a smile.


    ncing at Gloria, she said, ¡°Luna Gloria is here too? I don¡¯t recall sending an invitation to the Bloodmoon Pack. Did youe with the Ironw Pack?¡±


    So she wasn¡¯t invited. How dare she show up?


    Given the rivalry between the two packs, some wondered if Gloria was careless, foolish<b>, </b>or <b>deliberately </b>provocative.,


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    Gloria looked at Adide and asked, ¡°Am I not weed to be here?¡±


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°Of course not. All guests are wee. Please, have a seat.*


    Gloria spotted Sabrina and was about to approach when the announcement came again, ¡°The Hutchinson family has arrived.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face froze.


    The Hutchinsons?


    She almost forgot about them.


    She hurriedly sat in a corner, anxious and wondering who from the Hutchinson family hade.


    She hoped it wasn¡¯t Sibyl, her ex¨Cmate¡¯s mother, who rarely attended social events.


    But fate had other ns. As she sat down, she saw Genevieve escorting Sibyl, her ex¨Cmate¡¯s mother, into the room, followed by several young women from the Hutchinson family.


    ¡°Genevieve,¡± Adide greeted, bowing to Abbot¡¯s mate and nodding to Sibyl, ¡°How have you been?¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s eyes welled up at the sight of Adide.


    Having endured simr emotional trials, she felt a kinship.


    Yet she knew the asion called forposure. She smiled faintly and said, ¡°Thank you for asking. I¡¯m well.¡±


    With that, Sibyl and Genevieve led the children forward to greet Prisci and curtseyed to the nobledies


    present.


    As Sibyl scanned the room, she spotted Gloria.


    She paused and walked straight up to her, saying, ¡°Gloria, long time no see. How have you been?¡±


    Sibyl had no idea Gloria had mated again.


    Though the news was all over the city, especially since Gloria and Adide had their mating ceremonies on the same day, sparking lots of omegas gossip, Genevieve¡¯s strict orders ensured no one mentioned Gloria and Ulrik¡¯s mating to Sibyl.


    Onlookers sensed Sibyl¡¯s innocence and the room fell into an awkward silence.


    Even the usually nosey officials¡® wives held their tongues.


    Everyone knew of Sibyl¡¯s tragic past¡ªshe had three sons, two of whom died young. Her only surviving son, Eugene, was brave in battle but fell on the field and never returned.


    Seeing Sibyl tearfully inquire about Gloria, mistaking her for her son¡¯s mate<b>, </b>tugged at everyone¡¯s heartstrings.


    Gloria rose<b>, </b>her voice gentle. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, avoiding Sibyl¡¯s <b>gaze</b>.


    <b>40 </b><b>YV </b>


    Her lips trembled, and she dared not meet Sibyl¡¯s eyes.


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    373

 Novel Male 335

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    10 Free Cons


    Sibyl was initially confused by the silence. Seeing everyone¡¯s quiet demeanor and the Penelope family¡¯s reserved tone, she sensed something amiss.


    Sabrina, unnoticed in the hall, finally seized her chance.


    She hurried to Gloria, linked arms with her, and introduced her to Sibyl as her brother¡¯s mate.


    Sibyl looked at Sabrina, unsure who she was.


    Genevieve whispered, ¡°She¡¯s from the Bloodmoon Pack and Alpha Ulrik¡¯s younger sister. Gloria is now mated to Ulrik.¡±


    Sibyl recalled Ulrik¡¯s proposal to Velda with his war merits. Genevieve hadn¡¯t hid this from her, as it didn¡¯t directly concern her.


    But Genevieve had kept Gloria and Ulrik¡¯s mating a secret.


    So when Sibyl heard that Gloria had married Ulrik, she froze in disbelief and asked, ¡°Alpha Ulrik? That Ulrik?¡±


    Gloria nodded gently and replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s face drained of color, and her wolf ears ttened sharply with shock.


    The Hutchinson family¡¯s signature fir pheromones grew chaotic, scattering like embers in a storm.


    When her son Eugene died in battle, she¡¯d used this scent tofort Gloria, allowing her to leave the pack in hopes of finding a suitable mate.


    But she never imagined Gloria would mate with Ulrik¨Ca man who sought breeders soon after his battlefield achievements.


    Sibyl despised Ulrik. The Hutchinsons, a military family, would never condone such behavior.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom Gloria¡¯s choice.


    Her wolf eyes glinted coldly, her fingers subtly shifting into ws<b>, </b>scratching her skirt.


    Her voice trembled, ¡°Does he treat you well?¡±


    After she asked, Sibyl felt like she was overstepping bounds. She realized Gloria and the Hutchinson family no longer had any connection.


    Gloria, eager to escape, simply nodded, ¡°Pretty good.¡±


    Gloria clearly didn¡¯t want to chat with Sibyl anymore and shrugged off Sabrina¡¯s arm.


    Gloria retracted her arm from Sabrina¡¯s grip, leaving three faint red marks.


    <b>1/2 </b>


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    She said, ¡°Let¡¯s not sit here. Let¡¯s take a walk in the garden and see the flowers¡±


    The temporary mark on her neck glowed an eerie red. It was Ulrik¡¯s doing, a forced bond with low¨Cgay pheromones. The wild rose scent turned sharp, overwhelming the strong fir smell from Sy


    The tense atmosphere made everyone uneasy. Even dim¨Cwitted Prisci sensed something wrong


    She stood and proposed, ¡°Adide recently added many rare flowers. Let¡¯s go to the garden. The bougainvillea on the wall is in full bloom¨Cdense and beautiful. If we don¡¯t see it soon, it¡¯ll wild


    Adide echoed, ¡°Those uninterested in flowers can follow me for the performance?


    Supporting Prisci down the steps, Adide then gently took Sibyl¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go <b>admire </b>the flowers. It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve seen you. I¡¯d love to catch up,¡± she said softly.


    As Adide guided Sibyl, the heat from her palm conveyed the other¡¯s suppressed rage.


    Sibyl¡¯s agitation was palpable; she couldn¡¯t fathom Gloria¡¯s union with Ulrik.


    Why had shee today, bearing the title of Ulrik¡¯s mate?


    The Hutchinsons had permitted her departure, hoping she¡¯d find a worthy partner. Yet Ulrik was no such person.


    Sibyl felt a rising difort.


    Her son Eugene had been exceptional. Any new mate should at least match his caliber, not someone of Ulrik¡¯s ilk.


    Madison was thoroughly annoyed by the sudden turn of events.


    She had nned to sit with others and mock Prisci, relishing her mix of anger, frustration, and jealousy.


    But with the Hutchinsons¡® arrival, her scheme to use Hera¡¯s grandchildren to torment Prisci seemed futile.


    However, Madison had noticed a flicker of jealousy in Prisci¡¯s eyes and decided to provoke her further, driving her to scheme for Lance to take a lover.


    Sabrina followed Madison to the garden, her gaze darting around anxiously.


    She longed to see Lance but feared her n¡¯s sess hinged on it.


    Last night, Paisley had lost a bet with Adide and disguised herself as a servant in the pds.


    Though she vowed not <i>to </i>serve others, she <i>stood </i>at a distance, watching Madison and her group.


    No anomalies were detected yet, but from their nces and Sabrina¡¯s restless demeanor, Paisley suspected mischief.


    <b>2/2 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 336

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley called Jasmine over and said. ¡°Tell Adide that everything¡¯s fine here for now,¡±


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    Jasmine took the message and headed to the performance area to find Adide. She ryed Paisley¡¯s words in a low voice.


    At <b>that </b>moment, Adide was apanying guests watching the show. On her left sat Penelope from the Stormridge Pack, and on her right was <b>Sibyl</b>.


    The stage was featuring a birthday¨Cthemed performance. Given that it was a birthday banquet, such acts were <b>nothing </b>out of the ordinary.


    Thedies present, though having witnessed simr shows multiple times before, had gathered not merely for the spectacle but for thepany¨Cto engage in conversation <b>and </b>to strengthen the bonds between them.


    Adide¡¯s attentiveness to Sibyl¡¯s feelings stemmed not from Gloria but from the fact that Sibyl was Eugene¡¯s mother.


    Eugene had initially served under Alpha Zander before being transferred to her father¡¯smand.


    Sibyl¡¯s three sons <b>had </b>all met tragic ends. Now, she had only a breeder son and two daughters left.


    Adide understood all too well the agony of losing loved ones.


    Sibyl, unable to emerge from her grief, had shown remarkable kindness in agreeing to let Gloria leave.


    It was often the gentle souls who were most vulnerable to suffering.


    In reality, no one was truly watching the performance. Instead, the guests were engrossed in hushed conversations.


    Sibyl clutched Adide¡¯s hand tightly, fighting back tears as she whispered, ¡°<b>Luna </b>Adide, what kind of person is that Ulrik? Is <b>he </b>wicked?¡±


    ¡°Rest easy,¡± Adide soothed her. ¡°Now that Gloria has left the pack, you needn¡¯t worry <b>about </b>her anymore. Take care of your health and your daughters.¡±


    Sibyl spoke sorrowfully, I know I shouldn¡¯t meddle, but my son Eugene was such a fine person. Ulrik, after earning military honors, abandoned his mate¨Che¡¯s not a suitable match. Before my son fell in battle, every letter he sent back was filled with thoughts of Gloria. I¡¯m certain he wouldn¡¯t want her second <b>chance </b>to be with someone like Ulrik.¡±


    ¡°The Olsons aren¡¯t pushovers, Adide said. ¡°Regardless of who Ulrik is, with the Ironw Pack <b>backing </b>Gloria, she won¡¯t be wronged.¡±


    She paused briefly before <b>adding</b>, ¡°Don¡¯t concern yourself with others. Living your own life well is what truly matters. After all, we¡¯re no longer family. Since she¡¯s been <b>given </b>the proof of the mating bond dissolution, her choice of whom to mate with is her own. The consequences of her future, <b>good </b>or bad. should be <b>hers </b>to bear,¡±


    09:11 Thu, 17 Jul Fa


    R


    Chapter <b>336 </b>


    s


    Sibyl sighed slowly, ¡°Adide, you¡¯re right. I was being nosy


    Truth be told, Sibyl <b>and </b>Adide <b>weren¡¯t </b>particrly close. They had only met a few times in Adide¡¯s youth.


    After Adide returned from the Shadow Peaks, the families had <b>some </b>interactions, but it was mainly Aire <b>who </b>dealt with them, <b>with </b>Adide merely stopping by to offer greetings.


    But after losing her son, Sibyl felt as if she had lost her anchor. Seeing Adide reminded her that her son had served under Alpha Zander andter under Alpha Bentley, which made her feel an inexplicable sense of connection.


    As they spoke, a servant approached. ¡°Sibyl, ourdy requests your presence.¡±


    This servant was <b>Thalia</b>, Christine¡¯s omega.


    Genevieve asked, ¡°What does she want with me?¡±


    Thalia replied, ¡°She wishes to chat with Sibyl and reminisce,


    Genevieve turned to Sibyl, ¡®Sibyl, would you like to see her?¡±


    <b>Aware </b>of Christine¡¯s kindness, Sibyl agreed, ¡°Let¡¯s go and visit.¡±


    She released Adide¡¯s <b>hand </b>and whispered, ¡°Luna Adide, I¡¯ve heard your words and taken them to heart. You needn¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    Adide stood to let her <b>leave</b>. The music from the stage was loud, drowning out their conversation from anyone beyond their immediate circle.


    Naturally, Adide had deliberately ced Genevieve and Penelope on either side of her to ensure their discussion remained private.


    Once Sibyl and Genevieve had left, Penelope similed at Adide and said, ¡°Luna Adide, yourpassion will surely bring you blessings in the future.¡±


    Adide humbly smiled in response, I merely seek peace of mind can¡¯tpare to your magnanimity, Penelope.


    Penelope shook her head, ¡°With your current standing, Luna Adide, <b>no </b>one would dare to wrong you. You could take a firm stance against those who have offended you. People would cheer for it, and there would be little criticism. Even if there were, you needn¡¯t concern yourself. Yet, you choose not to.¡±


    ¡°Penelope, I am but an ordinary person. Life is like a y, yet not quite a y¨Cthere¡¯s no need for constant conflict. However, if someone dares to bully <b>me</b>, I won¡¯t allow it.¡±


    Why would <b>an </b>ordinary person need so many battles?


    <b>Her </b>weapons were reserved for true enemies¨Cthose who threatened <b>their </bnd.


    If left in peace, she would dly live a quiet and stable life. Only those who had experienced war <b>could </b>truly appreciate the value of peace.

 Novel Male 337

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Sibyl was invited to a quiet corner of the yard, away from the crowd.


    The idea came from Christine herself. Neither Penelope nor Gloria knew about it.


    s


    The Ironw Pack and the Hutchinson family hadn¡¯t interacted for a long time. But <b>Christine </b>knew the Hutchinsons were <b>kind</b>¨Chearted.


    Seeing Sibyl¡¯s unease around Gloria today, she feltpelled to offerfort.


    She hoped to help Sibyl let go of Gloria, who <b>had </b>already left.


    Sibyl sighed deeply. ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t keep worrying, but the news <b>was </b>a shock. If it were anyone else, I might not care so much, but it¡¯s him¡­¡±


    ¡°This was introduced by Mrs. Voss, with Lycan Erasmus¡¯s approval. Most importantly, Gloria agreed to it herself. Christine exined


    Sibyl asked, ¡°Did she agree willingly, or was she forced?¡±


    Christine was honest. ¡°After Mrs. Voss made the suggestion, Gloria agreed. If she hadn¡¯t wanted to, we would have supported her. But she¡­


    Christine had intended to blurt out the entire story. However, noticing Sibyl¡¯s visibly <b>nervous </b>expression, she paused to collect herself before continuing. She had a crush on Ulrik and firmly believed the bad stories circting about him were all false. What¡¯s more, she was convinced that it was Luna Adele¡¯s jealousy¨Cher inability to tolerate other breeders¨Cthat led to the dissolution of Luna Adide. mating bond. So, she thought it was Luna Adide¡¯s fault.¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s face tell. ¡°How could she think that way?


    Jirik¡¯s


    Christine sighed. ¡°She insisted oning to the banquet, even though she wasn¡¯t invited. After mated with Eugene, and after his death, your family not only returned all her assets but also gave her Eugene¡¯s property <b>and </b>two tradingpanies. <b>Now </b>she¡¯s using everything to support the Bloodmoon Pack. At the mating ceremony, she was stillparing her gifts and assets with <b>Luna </b>Adide¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t tell you this, but I can¡¯t bear to see you worry. Please, don¡¯t involve yourself in her affairs. anymore. Take care of your health. If Eugene saw you so distressed, he wouldn¡¯t rest <b>easy</b>¡±


    Sibyl was shocked:


    Gloria <b>wasn¡¯t </b>the person she remembered.


    She was reasonable and respectful, so how had she changed?


    Was she pretending all along, or had she changed after Eugene¡¯s death?


    ristine wanted to say more but held back.


    [1


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    ¡°Thank you for telling me.¡± Sibyl said bitterly. ¡°I once treated her like my own daughter. These <b>past </b>years,, she never visited me. I should have known. Well, she¡¯s made her choice, and she must bear the consequences, good or bad


    Christine bowed. Please take care of yourself.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t continue; she might reveal secrets best kept hidden.


    Sibyl¡¯s situation was heartbreaking!


    Genevieve stayed with Sibyl but remained silent.


    She noticed Christine was holding back but didn¡¯t press the issue.


    It was <b>Gloria¡¯s </b>life, after all.


    Sibyl said to Genevieve, ¡°Go join the others. I¡¯ll stay here a while. Look at these bougainvilleas¨Cthey¡¯re stunning.¡±


    The vibrant red flowers contrasted sharply with her pale demeanor,


    She needed to calm down. Leaving the banquet early would be disrespectful to the royalty and Luna Adide, butposing herself wasn¡¯t easy.


    She understood Christine¡¯s intentions and appreciated Luna Adide¡¯s kindness.


    She also knew Gloria had no ties left to the Hutchinson <b>family</b>.


    With a new mate and pack, Gloria¡¯s interactions with Sibyl could cause trouble.


    After a long moment, as Sibyl prepared to return, she spotted Gloriaing alone, moving quickly and hiding behind a tree as if avoiding notice.


    Gloria whispered awkwardly. ¡°Mother.¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s tone was cold. ¡°You may call me ¡®Madam¡® or ¡®Sibyl.¡± ¡°Mother¡® is no longer appropriate.¡±


    Gloria, worried that Christine had said something harmful, hade to exin.


    -Seeing Sibyl¡¯s distant and cold attitude, she asked anxiously, ¡°What did Christine tell you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much,¡¯ Sibyl said, her heart aching as she looked at Gloria¡¯s face.


    She recalled Eugene¡¯s letters from the battlefield, always <b>asking </b>the family to care for Gloria.


    Knowing her son¡¯s deep affection, Sibyl had treated Gloria like a daughter.


    How could Gloria choose someone like Ulrik, who had abandoned his original mate?

 Novel Male 338

    1212


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Nothing else?¡± Gloria pressed, her gaze <b>intense</b>.


    ¡°Nothing¡± Sibyl replied, her heart heavy with disappointment.


    The faint cry of ¡®mother had been a mistake from the start, barely audible and forced.


    ¡°Actually. Alpha Ulrik isn¡¯t what they say. He¡¯s upright, like Eugene. They¡¯re both¡­¡±


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    ¡°Stop!¡± Sibyl¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°Don¡¯t you darepare Ulrik to my son! Eugene¡¯s letters from the front were filled with pleas for us to care for you. After mated with <b>you</b>, though <b>you </b>didn¡¯t bear children, he <b>never </b>sought another breeder and said he wouldn¡¯t. How dare <b>you </b>link him to Ulrik!¡±


    Gloria insisted, ¡°It¡¯s true! The rumors are false. The mark on her neck red red, her wild rose pheromones sharp with agitation. ¡°Luna Adide spreads lies about him. She even orchestrated the garbage dump at our Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    Her ws partially shifted, nails breaking <b>skin </b>and drawing blood tinged with gunpowder. ¡°And the garbage dumped on our territoryst month? Her doing too.¡±


    Sibyl turned on her heel, the Hutchinsons signature fir pheromones scattering like embers in a storm.


    Her wolf ears ttened, ws nearly tearing her skirt.


    She stumbled, pale as death.


    Gloria¡¯s words had struck deep..


    She¡¯d thought Gloria¡¯s supposed ¡®infatuation¡± with Ulrik was a farce.


    But now, hearing Gloria defend Ulrik,paring him to Eugene, Sibyl felt icy dread.


    How could shepared Eugene to Ulrik, <b>that </b>guy with a bad reputation!


    She sought out Genevieve, clinging to her hand to keep herposure at Prisci¡¯s birthday party.


    Genevieve guided her back to the performance area.


    Adide noticed and asked, ¡°Not feeling well? Want to rest early? You can leave whenever you like?


    ¡°Luna Adide, I¡¯m fine,¡± Sibyl said, her agitation masked by forced politeness.


    ¡°Let me walk you to the lounge, Adide offered.


    ¡°No trouble at all, Luna Adide, Sibyl <b>declined</b>.


    Genevieve chimed in. The guests need you here.¡±


    Adide agreed. ¡°<b>Just </b>watch the <b>show </b>and clear your mind.¡±


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    Her gaze flicked to Gloria, who quickly looked away upon meeting her eyes<b>, </b>her expression unreadable,


    Adide had seen them talking earlier but knew better than to interfere¨Cit was a family matter.


    She¡¯d invited the Hutchinsons sincerely but hadn¡¯t expected Gloria toe along.


    After a while, the male guests made their way to the garden one after another.


    Although everyone was there <b>to </b>admire the flowers, they still maintained a certain distance from each other and did not engage in close contact.


    Adide prepared to join them when she spotted omega Sophia approaching Lance, murmuring something.


    Lance nodded and strode toward Prisci, his presencemanding, pushing through the chatter. His brow furrowed, he seemed urgent.


    Prisci, deep in conversation with Madison, was <b>unaware</b>.


    But it was fine. Paisley was there, observing from not far away. Given where she stood, she wasn¡¯t <b>too </b>far from <b>them</b><b>. </b>


    Even with the noise, she could likely hear their entire conversation.


    Adide¡¯s gaze swept past the other guests and settled on Sabrina.


    She was like a pale wisp of a shadow clinging to Wanda¡¯s <b>back</b>, almost smothered by Wanda¡¯s overpowering Lycan aura


    Yet Adide¡¯s sharp sense of smell caught the sweet, anxious undertone beneath Sabrina¡¯s pheromones.


    She was terrified¨Cabsolutely terrified¨Cbut her greed raged all the more fiercely.


    Meanwhile, Lance marched toward Prisci, his determined steps parting the crowd.


    He radiated a steady, oppressive aura, like an invisible barrier that pushed back the noise around him. Guests instinctively moved out of his way.


    With a furrowed brow, <b>it </b>seemed Lance urgently needed to speak to Prisci.


    As he was just a few steps away from Prisci, something unexpected happened.


    Just <b>as </b>he was steps away, Wanda, Sabrina¡¯s ¡°shield,¡® smirked and slid aside with uncanny speed.


    Seizing Sabrina¡¯s arm, she shoved her forward.


    Instead of shrinking <b>back</b>, Sabrina <b>inhaled </b>sharply, raised her head, and cast off her timidity. Her face burned with desperation and fanaticism.


    She did something that was equivalent to suicide and extremely sphemous¡ªshe suddenly and fully released her mating pheromones without any warning


    These pheromones were intense, sharp, aggressive, and seductive.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:12 Thu, 17 July A


    99%


    They were like a public, malicious mental mark and a forced inducement, intending to establish a ¡°<b>link</b><b>¡± </b>with <b>Lance </b>in front of everyone and force him to lose control.

 Novel Male 339

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    At her scream, all eyes turned her way.


    As she <b>was </b>about to fall into Alpha Lance¡¯s arms, everyone gasped.


    The banquet hall air froze, and the music stopped


    All attention fixated on Sabrina and <b>Lance</b>.


    Should shend in Alpha Lance¡¯s arms, her <b>mating </b>pheromones would cling to him<b>. </b>


    With so many witnesses, her prospects for a mate would be ruined.


    Likely, only Alpha Lance would have to take responsibility.


    But which pack did she belong to? How could she be so reckless?


    Yet, this was clearly a conspiracy. Many guests discerned as much.


    Their elegant facades crumbled into cold fury and disdain.


    s


    Several elder Lunas¡® eyes zed with outrage. What was Sabrina trying to do? Force a mate with Lance!


    Pollute him with pheromones to make herself his breeder?


    The vilest, most despicable tactic imaginable!


    As Sabrina¡¯s pheromone wave neared Lance, his ice¨Cblue eyes suddenly narrowed, sil lightning seeming


    crack within his pupils


    A low, icy snort¨Ca sound brimming with rage and supreme authority¨Cerupted from his throat.


    An Alpha pheromone wave, a hundred times stronger and purer than Sabrina¡¯s, erupted like a tangible


    tsunami


    It shattered and erased Sabrina¡¯s pheromones instantly and struck Sabrina and Wanda like an invisible sledgehammer.


    With a ¡°smack,¡± Sabrina hit the ground.


    Her fanatical expression transformed into sheer terror. Before she could even scream, she fell clumsily and messily.


    Her hair was in disarray, her expensive dress stained with wine, and her carefully applied makeup couldn¡¯t mask her <b>ashen </b>face or the pain twisted features.


    People rubbed their eyes in surprise..


    Earlier, she seemed to throw herself into Alpha Lance¡¯s arms, but now Alpha Lance was several steps away.


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    Moreover, he turned and walked away, <b>his </b>expression of disgust as if he feared contamination.


    All eyes remained on Sabrina, whose fall almost brought tears to her eyes, her knees and forehead throbbing with pain.


    But the pain was secondary; she <b>had </b>almost touched Lance.


    She thought that although Lance was <b>a </b>werewolf general, male wolves had the instinct to care for weaker female wolves. Anyone would instinctively reach out to catch someone about to fall.


    But as she thought she was about to seed, she was suddenly pushed forward and fell to the ground, while Lance retreated several steps in <b>an </b>instant.


    The speed of his retreat was so fast that no one could <b>see </b>it clearly, as if he had never moved.


    She forced herself to look up through her pain, her eyes brimming with tears, only to meet a pair of eyes that radiated bone¨Cchilling coldness, which made her shudder with fear.


    A servant helped her up, but she could barely stand and had to lean on them.


    Instinctively, she looked toward Wanda, who was watching from a distance <b>with </b>indifference, showing not intention of offering assistance.


    Everyone was staring at her, their eyes filled with mockery or scrutiny.


    ¡°I know her. She¡¯s from the Bloodmoon Pack, named Sabrina.¡±


    ¡°Are y


    you sure? Why <b>would </b>someone from the Bloodmoon Pack be here<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°No idea. <b>Luna </b>Adide wouldn¡¯t invite the Bloodmoon Pack, would she?¡±


    ¡°Is she trying to climb the socialdder? It looked like she was throwing herself at 1 Bloodmoon Pack people have no <b>shame</b>?¡±


    Do the


    ¡°Humph, do the Bloodmoon Pack care about shame? They¡¯ve long been shameless and without limits.¡±


    Hearing thesements, Sabrina burst into tears.


    She never expected that Lance would not help her up.


    In a panic, she hurried toward Gloria, crying and exining. Luna Gloria, I didn¡¯t mean to. I was just pushed.¡±


    She wanted to exin, but Gloria¡¯s face turned pale and red with anger. She didn¡¯t believe a word.


    No matter who pushed her, it was a premeditated n.


    At that moment, it was clear that Sabrina <b>was </b>lunging toward Lance. She wasn¡¯t originally in that position.


    Hearing the gossip about the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s shamelessness, Gloria felt icy cold and wished to p Sabrina.


    <b>What </b>was this little wretch doing <b>here</b><b>? </b>


    09:12 Thu, 17 Jul r


    Originally, not many people had noticed them, but now everyone knew that the Bloodmoon Pack had? sent two unwee guests, which only confirmed the usation of ¡®shamelessness.¡±


    Her face burned with humiliation as she looked up at the crowd and met the gaze of Sibyl, who was supported by Genevieve.


    Sibyl¡¯s eyes were filled with disappointment and coldness, which made Gloria even more flustered. She pushed Sabrina <b>away </b><b>and </b>hissed, ¡°Get out!¡±


    Sabrina fell to the ground again from the push and looked at Gloria in disbelief.


    ¡°Gloria!¡±


    Penelope quickly stepped forward, grabbed her wrist forcefully, and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Aren¡¯t you embarrassed enough?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s chest heaved with rage. She hade today intending to see Adide¡¯s downfall but ended up as aughingstock due to Sabrina.


    She nced at Adide, who <b>stood </b>by the rose bushes watching them with a faint smile, which added to her humiliation.


    Suppressing her anger, she said, ¡°Mother, let¡¯s <b>go</b>.


    09:12. Thu, 17 Jul ??I


    Third Person¡¯s POV

 Novel Male 340

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +5 Frw Colma


    Luna Cynthia urged. ¡°You can¡¯t leave now! The birthday banquet hasn¡¯t even started. If you leave, the Bloodmoon Pack will lose all face.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face was pale with fury, her hatred for Sabrina intense.


    Now, the Bloodmoon Pack was theughing stock of <b>the </b>event, and not because of Velda, but because of her and Sabrina.


    What made it worse was that Sibyl had witnessed the entire incident.


    Sibyl already had misunderstandings about Alpha Ulrik, and now she¡¯d think even more poorly of the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Gloria endured the humiliation and stayed, but not before giving Sabrina¡¯s arm a hard pinch and warning her in a low voice, ¡°Behave yourself.¡±


    Sabrina, tears welling up, trembled with shame.


    She couldn¡¯t believe that in that situation, Alpha Lance hadn¡¯t helped her up.


    <b>Any </b>man would have offered assistance; after all, such a fall could ruin a girl¡¯s looks.


    Ivy approached Sabrina and said, ¡°Sabrina, you¡¯ve hurt your forehead. Come with me to tend to the


    wound.¡±


    Ivy had once been in charge of affairs in the Bloodmoon Pack and <b>was </b>well¨Cacquai


    with Sabrina.


    Sabrina<b>, </b>aware of the blood on her forehead, knew it would be improper to stay at the banquet with such an injury, <b>so </b>she left with Ivy.


    As Ivy treated her wound, she remarked coolly, ¡°Never covet what others possess.¡±


    Sabrina felt utterly humiliated and shook with emotion.


    Meanwhile, Paisley found Adide outside.


    t


    ¡°It was Wanda who pushed her. The way those two acted, it was clearly premeditated. They wanted Sabrina to throw herself into <b>Lance¡¯s </b>arms. If her pheromones had tainted Lance, they could¡¯ve forced him to mate her. But oddly, Wanda didn¡¯t seem <b>too </b>concerned about the n¡¯s sess.¡±


    Adide responded, ¡°From the moment Hera showed up with her grandchildren and steered the conversation toward breeders, I knew <b>what </b>they were up to. They wanted to make Prisci envious and drive her to find a breeder for Lance, thereby creating a rift between Prisci and <b>me</b>.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°And Sabrina? They <b>never </b>intended to help her be the ckthorn Pack¡¯s breeder. Both Wanda and Sabrina know the ckthorn Pack would never ept someone from the Bloodmoon Pack. Their real aim was to make Lance appear irresponsible.¡±


    15 Free Cons


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Sabrina out of her mind? Does she really think she can mate Alpha Lance? Is she daft?¡±


    Paisley <b>shook </b>his head. ¡°After today¡¯s fiasco, who would still want her?¡±


    Adide said coolly. ¡°She¡¯s foolish, but she¡¯s here in the ckthorn Pack with Wanda, which means her mother Rosemary must support this. With Ulrik demoted, knowing Rosemary, she must be desperate. Desperation makes people act without thinking.


    Paisley agreed wholeheartedly.


    ¡°By the way, you were near them earlier. Did you hear what Madison and Prisci were saying? Why did <b>they </b>send Sophia to fetch <b>Lance</b>?¡±


    Paisley exined, ¡°They were with Hera, discussing whose son was more filial. Madison said while Alpha Lance was capable, he wasn¡¯t as filial as <b>Ansley</b>. Prisci became defensive, insisting Lance was filial too. Madison didn¡¯t believe her. Then Sophia suggested she fetch Lance, iming Prisci was feeling unwell. If Lance rushed over, it would prove his filial piety. Prisci went for it.¡±


    Adide mused, ¡°Sophia? She was the one who suggested it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, an omega making such a suggestion? Interesting, Adide remarked.


    Paisley tapped Adide¡¯s forehead lightly. <b>This </b>one¡¯s <b>too </b>bold. She should be fired.¡±


    Adide agreed. ¡°The real issue is making Prisci see the traitor in her midst.¡±


    Firing Sophia wasn¡¯t the challenge. The problem was Prisci¡¯s blind confidence in her circle. She believed everyone around her was loyal. This single incident wouldn¡¯t convince her that Sophia had been bought off by Madison


    Adide nced at Prisci, who was chatting with Madison and Hera, her chin:


    d high in pride.


    Adide felt a strange sensation. After the gold jewelry store incident, Prisci and Madison had been at each other¡¯s throats.


    Now, here they were together again. Had Prisci not learned her lesson, or did she think she¡¯d be smarter?


    Finally, the banquet began. Adide sat beside Prisci<b>, </b>with Susan and Sophia attending to them.


    Cedric was introduced to the guests by Lance.


    The birthday banquet was wless. Even Madison, known for her high standards, found no faults


    <b>Aside </b>from Sabrina¡¯s little incident, everything went smoothly.


    <b>Dishes </b>were served one after another, each looking and tasting delightful. Well¨Ctrained servants attended to the guests with perfect etiquette and procedure.


    Many guests thought to themselves that it was no wonder Alpha Lance didn¡¯t mind Adide being in her second mate.


    <b>09:12 </b>Thu, 17 Jul


    Besides being a warrior, she was a excellent pack manager.


    The Bloodmoon Pack had truly lost a gem<b>. </b>Would Ulrik regret it?


    +5 Free Cons

 Novel Male 34`1

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Many people couldn¡¯t help but nce at Gloria and then at Adide.


    Theparison was stark,


    Gloria felt like a fool for even showing up


    +5 Free Con


    She hadn¡¯t seen what she¡¯d hoped to see and was still reluctant to give up, shamelessly staying to watch for <b>any </b>slip¨Cup from <b>Adide </b>during the grand banquet.


    The banquet progressed to the toast segment.


    It was traditional for guests to offer toasts during the meal. So when the male guests announced, ¡°Let¡¯s go offer our best wishes to Prisci,¡± the guests put down their utensils and turned their attention to Prisci


    Led by Alpha Lance, Alpha Howell, Cyrus, and Doug approached first.


    They walked straight up to Prisci, <b>raised </b>their sses a few feet away, and <b>said</b><b>. </b>¡°To Prisci¡¯s long life, good health, and abundant blessings.¡±


    Originally, Lance <b>had </b>nned to drink the toast on his mother¡¯s behalf. But Prisci, in high spirits, raised her own ss and smiled, saying. ¡°Here¡¯s to all of us¨Cto long life, good health, and many years of enjoying thepany of our children and grandchildren.


    Cyrus and Doug, being older, found the toast quite fitting, while Alpha Howell stood awkwardly aside.


    Cyrus and Doug downed their drinks in one gulp. Howell quickly followed suit and excused himself


    Groups of three <b>male </b>guests continued <b>to </b><b>approach</b>. After Prisci <b>had </b><b>drunk </b>several toasts, Adide stood up and said. ¡°On behalf of my mother¨Cinw, I thank you for taking the time offer your best wishes today. If there were any shorings in our hospitality, please kindly ove them.¡±


    The next group included Winslow and two family heads.


    <b>Winslow</b>, <b>Wanda¡¯s </b>mate, didn¡¯t so much as nce at her upon entering.


    Wanda, furious, thought to herself, ¡°He won¡¯t look at me? I don¡¯t need him to.¡±


    ¡°Luna Adide, you¡¯re truly straightforward!¡± Winslow smiled and raised his ss to Adide. ¡°I <b>admire </b><b>you </b>greatly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ttered,¡± Adide replied with a smile.


    The <b>two </b>family heads also drank their toasts and cast admiring nces at Adide.


    Gloria found the scene highly ironic. The guests hade to offer best wishes to Prisci. If a recement drinker was needed, it should have been Alpha Lance, not Adide.


    She expected Lance to be annoyed. But when she nced at him, she saw him looking at Adide with


    O


    Chapter <b>341 </b>


    tender affection.


    In that instant, Gloria felt as if struck by lightning¨Cher whole body froze.


    She recognized that look; it was one she hadn¡¯t seen in a long time.


    Eugene used to look <b>at </b><b>her </b><b>that </b>way.


    But Ulrik never had. His eyes were always cold.


    s


    Memories of Eugene flooded back, and for a moment, Alpha Lance¡¯s figure seemed to ovep with Eugene¡¯s in her mind.


    She quickly drained a ss of wine, forcing down the jumble of thoughts¨Cwhat good were memories when he was gone?


    Sabrina <b>cowered </b>in a cold, carved wooden chair, her fingers digging deeply into her palms.


    The utter failure of her first attempt coiled around her heart like a cold, venomous snake¨Cthe crushing pheromones of Lance, and the undisguised contempt and alienation in Wanda¡¯s eyes.


    Wanda didn¡¯t even nce at her again, as if she were a gue..


    The obsession with entering the ckthorn Pack burned more fiercely in her despair.


    She stared intently at Alpha Lance, who was as close as the sun yet as unattainable.


    She knew this was herst chance. <b>Wanda </b>would never allow her a third <b>approach</b>.


    A desperate resolution surged within her.


    She abruptly seized the half¨Cfull wine ss beside her. The liquid in the ss mirrored the twisted determination in her eyes.


    Amid the curious and mocking gazes of the crowd, she rose unsteadily to her feet. A stiff, fragile smile. tinged with the pathos of a desperate gamble, forced its way onto her face as she headed toward Prisci


    ¡°Prisci, please allow me to¡­ Her voice trembled exaggeratedly, seeking attention.


    -Before she could finish, just a few steps away from Lance, she ¡°tripped¡± <b>and </b>fell toward him at a


    meticulously calcted angle¨Ca motion that was both deliberate and forceful.


    <b>¡°</b><b>Carefull </b>someone instinctively eximed.


    This time, a strong arm finally caught her around the waist.


    A crazed gleam flickered in Sabrina¡¯s eyes.


    Not only did she not rein herself in, but she channeled all her remaining strength and focus into her pheromones.


    A thick, viscous mating pheromone,den with possessiveness and intent to bind, surged like a venomous vine from the point of contact, forcing its way rudely and violently into the person holding her.


    99%


    But when <b>Sabrina </b>looked up, her face drained of color¨Cthe person who caught her was Winslow.


    As soon as Sabrina steadied herself, Winslow released her. But the odd looks from the crowd had alreadynded on her.


    Winslow realized the situation and turned pale with embarrassment.


    ¡°<b>You </b>wretched woman!¡± Wanda roared, mmed her wine ss down, stormed over, grabbed Sabrina¡¯s shoulders, and pped her hard.


    Dazed from the blow, Sabrina fell to the floor.


    She cradled her <b>face</b>, tears welling up in her eyes, panic¨Cstricken as she looked around¨Cit was all like a nightmare.


    Everyone was staring at her, their eyes filled with mockery.


    This time, everyone was certain of her motive¡ª<b>she </b>had been trying to climb the socialdder by ensnaring Alpha Lance.


    <b>UZ </b>IZ

 Novel Male 342

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>Adide </b>continued entertaining guests while privately asking Paisley to monitor everyone, particrly scheming she¨Cwolves.


    Paisley noticed two youngdies frequently exchanging nces with Madison. She memorized their appearances and asked Ivy about their identities.


    Ivy, who was managing the party, identified <b>them </b>after checking and told Paisley, ¡°The one in buff is a rtive of the Winteringham family: I don¡¯t know her exact name. The one invender is Una Williamson, a talented and beautiful woman oftenpared to Lycan Luna¨CCami¡¯s capital¨Crecognized talent back in the day.


    Paisley jotted down the info andter informed Adide.


    Adide realized both the Winteringham family <b>and </b>Una had ties to Madison and Germain. They were trying to infiltrate the ckthorn Pack. Sabrina was their pawn to embarrass Lance. It seemed Germain couldn¡¯t stay in the Blue Ridge State anymore and should return to the capital for closer watch. It was also time to avenge Sidney.


    After the banquet, Lance <b>and </b>Adide stood hand in hand at the main courtyard entrance, bidding farewell to dignitaries.


    Together, they made a striking pair¨CLance, handsome and noble, Adide, stunning and beautiful. Onlookers couldn¡¯t help but admire them as the perfect match.


    Guests left orderly under security guidance without any jams.


    Madison and Wanda shared a car.


    Before departing, they opened their farewell gifts from Adide, which varied for car


    quest.


    Wanda found a Statue of Health in her gift box and tossed it aside. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    She then looked at Madison¡¯s gift¨Ca Statue of <b>Family </b>Harmony, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning here? Sending me a Statue of Health implies I¡¯m unhealthy and need its protection. Giving you a Statue of Family Harmony suggests your family¡¯s discordant.¡±


    Madison shot her a cold nce. ¡°Silence. Didn¡¯t you see Rowena¡¯s look? You¡¯ve overstayed at my manor.


    It¡¯s time to return.


    ¡°What for? He¡¯s <b>not </bing to get me.


    Wanda had been waiting for Winslow to fetch her. ¡°And after today¡¯s embarrassment, what should I do?¡±


    ¡°What choice do you <b>have</b>? <b>Make </b>her a breeder to at least share that bitch¡¯s favor.¡±


    Madison massaged her temples, growing impatient. ¡°Enough. Go home and stop causing me trouble. I¡¯ve things to handle. Manage the shop with Tera and the golden jewelry store. Is the store sold?¡±


    Wanda, full of resentiment at the idea of Sabrina <b>as </b>a breeder, replied, ¡°It¡¯s on the market, but no buyer


    <b>07.12 </b>


    yet.¡±


    What¡¯s your asking price?¡±


    <b>Wanda </b>hesitated. ¡°Forty million dors.¡±


    Madison¡¯s eyes <b>widened</b>. ¡°Are you mad? Forty million? Everyone knows the golden jewelry store has already turned a profit. Sell it cheaply to avoid future trouble that might implicate me.¡±


    ¡°I thought since we gave <b>Prisci </b><b>a </brge sum, we should fecoup it. Besides, with our thriving business, forty million is a <b>bargain</b>.¡±


    ¡°How many times must I tell you? Don¡¯t be greedy! The gold ornaments from the first year will start fading soon. When customersin, the Carter family won¡¯t ignore it. He¡¯s the uncle of the sole surviving member of the Frostfang Pack


    Seeing her mother¡¯s stern expression, Wanda replied reluctantly, ¡°Tll lower the price.¡±


    ¡°Return to the Glenveil Pack tomorrow,¡± Madison ordered, her tone frayed.


    Wanda¡¯s face fell. She dreaded going back to Rowena¡¯s good graces.


    Rowena had recovered from her illness and clung to power, refusing to relinquish control.


    Then there was <b>that </b>woman, Rowena¡¯s niece, marked by <b>Winslow </b><b>as </b>a breeder. She had two children and <b>another </b>on the way, due any day now,


    Wanda¡¯s return would only invite frustration.


    But with her mother¡¯smand, she had no choice.


    How humiliating to leave Madison¡¯s manor without fanfare, especially after arriving so arrogantly.


    That woman had a son and a daughter, and now she <b>was </b>on the verge of giving birth once more.


    Though Sabrina was naive, her youth and beauty made her a potential rival. Letting her battle that pregnant woman might yield some advantage.


    Yet Wanda despised Sabrina.


    All these women were whores, <b>causing </b>her endless misery.


    Madison, meantime, was lost in her own thoughts.


    Germain was set to take a second mate from the Stephens <b>family</b>, soon after Sidney¡¯s death.


    The Stephens were powerful, with arms and influence, but Madison wondered about the Stephens woman¡¯s standing in her family.


    Then there was Tad¡¯s daughter from the Ironw Pack, of mating age.


    If Germain¡¯s son Crispin could <b>mate </b>with her, the Olsons¡® support would be secured.


    Tad nowmanded the Royal Army.


    <b>013 </b>


    09:13 Thu, 17 Jul


    99%


    *5 Free Cons


    Madison also considered the marriages of Liz and Ca, aiming to ally them with influential capital nobility.


    But first, she needed an excuse to bring the family back to the capital.


    For now, she had to focus on strategy rather <b>than </b>Wanda¡¯s drama.

 Novel Male 343

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As guests departed from the ckthorn Pack territory, the lively atmosphere gradually faded.


    The omega servants promptly began cleaning up. Adide escorted Prisci back to her room.


    <b>Prisci</b>, in high spirits from the celebration, had indulged a bit too much in wine, leaving her gait unsteady. She called out to Morgana, ¡°Brew me a pot of coffee.


    Morgana responded, ¡°As you wish, Prisci


    Once Morgana left. Adide massaged Prisci¡¯s forehead. ¡°Still feeling dizzy?¡± she asked.


    Prisci, eyes closed, smiled and said. ¡°I¡¯m just too delighted. Today¡¯s banquet was wless. Adide, how did you manage everything so perfectly? Such a grand <b>affair</b><b>, </b>and you handled it all without any fuss


    Adide¡¯s lips twitched¨Chad Prisci sought her advice, the oue might have been chaotic


    Emboldened by the <b>wine</b>, Prisci opened her eyes and nced at Adide. I have no regrets now, except for one thing¡ªI long for you to give me a grandchild soon, so I can relish the joy of spending time with my descendants, just like Hera does.¡±


    Adide replied with a smile, ¡°Well, if I can¡¯t have children, how about finding two breeders <b>for </b>Lance?¡±


    Th¨Cthat <b>would </b>be per¡­..


    Prisci began excitedly, but upon seeing her son standing in the doorway¨Chis towering frame casting a beast¨Clike shadow on the <b>wall</b>¨Cshe froze mid¨Csentence.


    But then she reconsidered. There was nothing wrong with having breeders,


    So, with a beaming smile, she said, ¡°Your generosity suggests those rumors about your jealousy are baseless<b>.¡± </b>


    ¡°Find me breeders?¡±


    Lance strode in, his voice icy. I mated her because she wouldn¡¯t tolerate breeders. So, your reputation for jealousy is a sham?¡±


    ¡°Huh?


    Prisci was momentarily confused. ¡°You want her to be jealous? Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I detest having numerous women around me¨Cbreeders, mistresses, the lot,¡± he said, casting a <b>nce </b>at Adide before turning back to Prisci, his voice growing colder.


    ¡°Should she dare to find breeders for me, I¡¯ll confront her, <b>even </b>if it means opposing the entire Warscar Training Camp. I¡¯ll never <b>allow </b>another woman near me. Let her try, <b>and </b>she¡¯ll see.


    Prisci shuddered, sobering <b>instantly</b>.


    0913 Thu 7 Jul


    99%1


    She stood up and scolded, ¡°This is preposterous! What kind of talk is this? What¡¯s this about being minced into meat paste? <b>If </b>Adide wants to find breeders for you, it¡¯s an act of generosity. Why are you angry


    with her?¡±


    Lance retorted coldly, ¡°Let her try, and I¡¯ll raze the pce first, then the Warscar Training Camp¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insane! How could you possibly defeat all those experts at the Warscar Training Camp?¡±


    Prisci, terrified, rushed to cover his mouth. ¡°Stop this nonsense at once! Who said anything about finding breeders for you? Even if Adide wanted to, I wouldn¡¯t allow it¡±


    But Lance was stubborn. Gently pushing his mother aside, he grabbed Adide¡¯s wrist. ¡°I heard you mention finding breeders for me. Come with me, and let¡¯s see how I¡¯ll discipline you.¡±


    With that, he dragged Adide out.


    Prisci was stunned¨CWas it just a mention that had enraged him so? Her crazy¡± son was truly beside himself.


    ¡°Susan, quickly follow them!¡± she urged.


    Prisci said in a hurry. ¡°Don¡¯t let him really do something excessive. How can I exin to rissa? rissa dotes on Adide the most.¡±


    Susan sighed. ¡°How? After hearing Madison and Hera¡¯s talk, you too considered finding breeders for Lance. If I go now, it might <b>only </b>anger him more. From Luna Adide¡¯sposure, she seems quite capable of handling herself.


    ¡°Nonsense! If you don¡¯t go. I¡¯ll go myself¡±


    Susan stopped her. ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll fetch Caldwell Lance heeds Caldwell¡¯s words the most.¡±


    ¡°Hurry!¡±


    Prisci pped the table, frantic with worry, thinking to herself, ¡°If she gets hurt, that beautiful face of hers¡­ Oh, the beartache just thinking about it.¡±


    As Lance carried Adide out of Prisci¡¯s yard, he swept her into his arms.


    -Adide let out a scream. Prisci, feeling dizzy from the shock, wondered¨CGoodness, is he really going


    to hit her?


    She pushed Susan <b>again</b>. ¡°Why aren¡¯t <b>you </b>going? Why aren¡¯t you going?¡±


    Susan, with her aged legs, hurried qut. But once outside, she found no trace of them and had to search the courtyard.


    not Adide¡¯s. Little did she know, Lance was deliberately putting on a show¨Cnot to protect Adide, but to send a


    message to Prisci: the topic of breeders was off¨Climits in the pack, and it was his decrensend


    <b>Back </b>in the bedroom, Beata <b>and </b>the others grinned and left¨Cno need for their services tonight.


    <b>Lance </b>ced Adide on the table, hands circling her waist, and put on a conciliatory expression. ¡°How was my act tonight?¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:13 Thu 17 Jul u, 17 Jul


    ¡°Superficial¨Cit¡¯ll only fool Prisci,¡± Adide replied, resting her head on his chest.


    Recalling Prisci¡¯s anxious face, she thought, ¡°Clearly, she truly fears I¡¯ll be hurt. Though she¡¯s easily <b>swayed </b>and often manipted, her heart is genuinely simple and kind,¡±


    ¡°As long as it <b>fools </b>her, that¡¯s all that matters, <b>But </b>my mother¡­ don¡¯t expect her to be as shrewd as others She needs protection to avoid deception. Lance said.


    Adide turned her <b>head</b>, ¡°Well, it spares me from dealing with her schemes.¡±

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    <i>3/3 </i>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    He brushed a gentle kiss against her lips. I might be swayed by others, but tonight¡¯s little tantrum should keep her in check for a year or so.¡±


    Adide chuckled. ¡°She must be thoroughly frightened.¡±


    And frightened she <b>was</b>. Beata could hardly contain herself as she reported, ¡°Susan is still pacing the yard.¡±


    Adide burst intoughter, pushing Lance away as she hopped off the table. ¡°Alright, tell Susan that Lance has calmed down.¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡± Beata replied, then leaned back into the doorway with a twinkle in her eye. ¡°The hot water <b>is </b>ready. <b>Just </b>let us know if you need assistance¨Cwe¡¯re right outside.¡±


    Adide deliberately ignored the <b>hint </b>of teasing in Beata¡¯s eyes. ¡°No need for assistance. You may all retire <b>early</b>.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Beata withdrew, instructing the others to leave as well, even excusing <b>themselves </b>from helping with the night clothes.


    Everyone happilyplied¨Cthough they¡¯d eaten their fill, the kitchen still boasted plenty of pastries and dishes.


    Moreover, Caldwell, following Adide¡¯s orders, had distributed small gifts to the omega members of the pack. Though modest, the presents brought a <b>share </b>of joy.


    After a long day of busyness and with the weather warming up, not bathing was simply unbearable.


    Lance swept her up in <b>his </b>arms, his lips near her ear, his voice rough yet maic. ¡°Perfect timing, let¡¯s. bathe together.¡±


    Adide clutched his neck, a hint of puzzlement in her voice. ¡°Speaking of which, we <b>share </b>a night, yet I haven¡¯t conceived. Why?¡±


    <b>very </b>


    ¡°Do you want to <b>have </b><b>a </b><b>child </b>so soon<b>!</b>¡± Lance carried her into the bathroom, beginning to undress her. ¡°1 <b>think </b>it¡¯s better if we don¡¯t rush. I¡¯ve asked Doctor Digby for some medicine. Let¡¯s wait until you¡¯re fully recovered <b>from </b>your battlefield injuries before starting a family.


    Herr


    Her eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re on contraception?¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t men take contraceptives!¡±


    Lance smiled easily. ¡°Your constitution isn¡¯t the best. I can¡¯t let you take contraceptive pills just to prevent pregnancy. Doctor Digby said it¡¯s not easy for a woman to regain her


    ength. If you took those pills, all


    your previous recovery efforts would be in vain, and it would further harm your health.¡±


    Adide felt a warmth in her heart. She¡¯d never heard of a man <b>willing </b>to take contraceptives.


    Moreover, as the Luna of the pack, she was duty¨Cbound to bear children for the pack.


    O


    1773


    19:13 Thu 17 Jul af


    Her mother, for <b>instance</b>, had given birth to seven children.


    <b>+5 </b>Free Com


    Adide <b>used </b>to hear people say how fortunate her mother was to have six or seven children all survive Infancy.


    But was <b>that </b>truly fortunate¡­


    Shaking off the thoughts, Adide decided not to dwell on it.


    After their bath, theyy in bed together, sharing moments of tender affection.


    The Germain family should return to the capital, don¡¯t you think?¡± Adide¡¯s voice, muffled against Lance¡¯s arm, carried a <b>hint </b>of exhaustion.


    Lance stroked her <b>hair</b>, a contented warmth spreading across his face. ¡°They should. They will. Even without our intervention, they¡¯ll find an excuse to stay in the capital for a while. If they¡¯re determined, they¡¯ll definitely return to arrange Crispin, Lizzy, and Ca¡¯s marriages.¡±


    Adide agreed. These three children were valuable bargaining chips.


    They could be used to secure alliances through marriages with the children of high¨Cranking officials, thereby winning loyalty and support.


    It <b>was </b>a crucial step for them. No wonder the Germains had rushed back for the New Year, eager to showcase their children<b>. </b>


    Neither of them mentioned Sabrina.


    Lance found her repulsive. Of all the people in the capital, he despised the Bloodmoon Pack the most.


    For Sabrina to dare approach him was sheer recklessness.


    Adide fell asleep in Lance¡¯s embrace. Before drifting off, <b>she </b>thought that Rowena would likely pay a <b>visit </b>tomorrow.


    Prisci had muttered for a while tonight about how shameless Sabrina was.


    Susan didn¡¯t bother to exin, only urging Prisci to rest.


    <b>But </b><b>Prisci </b>couldn¡¯t sleep.


    Today, she had been the center of attention, basking in the envious nces of others. She clutched Susan¡¯s hand and said, ¡°I used to think Adide, being in her second mate, wasn¡¯t quite a match for Lance. You <b>must </b>have thought the same, right?¡±


    Susan shook her head. ¡°Never. I know Luna Adide <b>has </b>never been marked. Even if she had been, <b>as </b>long <b>as </b>Lance loves her, so do I.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of love, Lance¡¯s feelings for her <b>are </b>undoubted. Didn¡¯t you see how he looked at her? Just like how Lycan King used to look at me¨Chis eyes brimming with honey¨C<b>sweet </b>affection.


    Prisci missed her Lycan King. When he was alive, he remembered her birthday every year, preparest gifts<b>, </b>and celebrated her birthday in the royal pce


    <b>0913 </b>Thu, 17 JU


    Susan observed her. Prisci had a way offorting herself.


    In reality, the former Lycan King¡¯s gaze upon her was not quite like that. It was Prisci¡¯s perception of his look <b>that </b>was filled with <b>such </b>affection.


    Even when Lycan King faced <b>his </b><b>most </b>beloved women, his eyes never held the same tenderness that Lince reserved for Adide.


    Prisci fell asleep, dreaming that she rested her head on Lycan King¡¯s arm, feeling its warmth.


    Yet in her dream, she remained lucid. Lycan King was gone, never to return in this life.


    Two tears slid from the corners of her eyes. She was still young.


    N Nowork avable now Please chec

 Novel Male 345

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria and Sabrina returned to the Bloodmoon Pack territory, their nerves frayed.


    15 Free Cons


    The air, usually carrying the scent of pine and territorial marks, was now thick with their humiliation and


    <b>rage</b>.


    As they entered the packhouse, Gloria spun around and pped <b>Sabrina </b>viciously, her ws grazing Sabrina¡¯s cheek.


    The crack echoed through the stone <b>hall</b>.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Sabrina cried, clutching her <b>face </b>and stumbling back, her eyes wide with shock and shame.


    Gloria couldn¡¯t maintain her Luna¡¯s poise. Cedar pheromones burst out with fury, and her sharp howl shook the rafters, sending dust cascading down.


    ¡°How dare a Bloodmoon she<b>¨C</b>wolf bring such shame upon us? You disgraced our pack tonight! Come!¡±


    She seized Sabrina¡¯s wrist, her nails digging in. ¡°We¡¯ll see Rosemary now! She¡¯ll deal with you, you disgrace to our bloodline!¡±


    Sabrina <b>had </b>not only failed to achieve her goal at the ckthorn Pack but also identally sprayed her mating pheromones onto Winslow¡¯s nd identally, bing the most embarrassing spectacle at the banquet.


    Already feeling panic, shame, and anxiety, she was now pped in public by Glor upon returning to her territory.


    The stinging pain on her cheek and the indignity ignited her fury,


    Her golden eyes narrowed, and a threatening growl rumbled in her throat. ¡°Who are you calling shameless?


    She swung back and pped Gloria with all her might. ¡°<b>Aren¡¯t </b>you the shameless one?! If you weren¡¯t, would you be Alpha Ulrik¡¯s Luna? Would you have gone to the ckthorn birthday banquet to see others fall t on their faces, only to be the biggest joke yourself?¡±


    Gloria hadn¡¯t anticipated that Sabrina, who had caused such <b>a </b>disaster and should be cowering in guilt. would dare to resist and even strike back!


    The burning <b>pain </b>on her face <b>and </b>the fury of being publicly defied caused her to lose all reason.


    With a low growl, she lunged again, using her Luna aura to try and drag Sabrina away. ¡°Shut up! We¡¯re going to see Rosemary now!¡±


    But Sabrina wrenched her arm free, her young she¨Cwolf strength sending Gloria sprawling to the ground, Gloria fell gracelessly, <b>her </b>elegant skirt <b>covered </b>in dust.


    Sabrina loomed over Gloria, her golden wolf eyes cold and <b>derisive</b>. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d dare do this


    without Rosemary¡¯s approval?¡± she sneered, her voice Inced with mockery.


    +5 Free Cons


    Gloria fell back to the ground, her face pale with shock. ¡°You mean Rosemary knew? You¡¯re saying she <b>knew </b>you were nning to seduce Alpha Lance?


    Sabrina¡¯s eyes brimmed with resentiment. ¡°You were there and couldn¡¯t help at all. I tried to cling to the ckthorn Pack for <b>Alpha </b>Ulrik¡¯s <b>sake</b>. He was reprimanded and demoted for breaking that trash collector¡¯s <b>limbs </b>because of you. Rosemary, worried about his future, orchestrated tonight¡¯s whole thing¡±


    Her words grew more choked, as if her actions were truly self¨Csacrificial for Ulrik.


    Large tears fell. ¡°Do you think I wanted to do this? To be a breeding tool? Even if Lance agreed, I¡¯d still be mistress. As an unmarried she¨Cwolf and the Bloodmoon Alpha¡¯s sister, doesn¡¯t that humiliate me? But I did it for you all. And you, ungrateful wretch<b>, </b>dare to hit me.¡±


    Gloria, her world <b>shaken</b>, stood pale.


    She¡¯d thought Rosemary, though sharp¨Ctongued, was principled. The Bloodmoon Pack was traditional.


    But now¡­


    She met Sabrina¡¯s gaze. ¡°Does Alpha Ulrik know?¡±


    Sabrina snarled. ¡°Does it matter? He¡¯d agree. His career¡¯s everything, Remember how he spurned Adide for Velda, seeking glory? To him, ambition trumps all.¡±


    The pack gathered, and soon Ulrik and Rosemary arrived.


    After listening to Sabrina and Gloria¡¯s ounts and seeing the swollen marks on their faces from the p exchange, Rosemary felt a wave of dizziness and faintness.


    Ulrik looked at Sabrina and Gloria in disbelief, <b>a </b>surge of shame rising in his hot. He asked, ¡°You actually went to the ckthorn Pack to attend Prisci¡¯s birthday banquet?¡±


    C

 Novel Male 346

    hapter 346


    ¡°Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    He pointed at Sabrina, his finger trembling with rage. You actually wanted to be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder? Didn¡¯t <b>you </b><b>always </b>hate Adide? How could you sink so low?¡±


    His deep, rough voice roared with fury.


    Gloria¡¯s numb brain gradually awoke.


    Her mate knew nothing of this and would never approve.


    Thank goodness.


    Sabrina wailed at Ulrik, ¡°<b>Alpha </b>Ulrik, your usations are unjust! If you hadn¡¯t been demoted, I wouldn¡¯t be in this plight.¡±


    Her voice quivered, and her golden eyes misted.


    Ulrik snapped, ¡°My career is none of your concern. I¡¯ll fight for it myself. You¡¯re just being self¨Cserving. You fancy Lance, but what¡¯s so great about him? Why do <b>you </b><b>all </b>throw yourselves at him?¡±


    His bass voice brimmed with indignation.


    <b>Sabrina</b>, previously indignant, flushed with shame and rage upon being exposed and hearing her idol ndered.


    olve her mating with you She


    <i>ald </i>indignantly, ¡°Of course he is better <b>than </b>you. Adide would rather <b>than </b>be with you, and choose to be with Alpha Lance. That speaks volumes about his superiority. <b>Moreover</b><b>, </b>which she¨Cwolf wouldn¡¯t aspire to be like Adide?¡± Her <b>shrill </b>voice echoed through the room, her wolf eyes brimming with reluctance.


    Ulrik¡¯s face darkened. ¡°You want to be like Adide, but Lance already has a mate. Your dreams are doomed.¡±


    Sabrina <b>wept</b>. ¡°I knew it was futile. Yet I nned to join his pack as a breeder, win his affection, and rece Adide in time. Don¡¯t you resent her?¡±


    ¡°She petitioned Lycan Erasmus to dissolve your mating, disgracing the Bloodmoon <b>Pack</b>. I admit I¡¯m selfish, but I wanted revenge for our pack.¡±


    Tears slid down her fair cheeks, dampening her fur.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Rosemary bellowed, her hoarse voice brooking no argument.


    She inhaled deeply and fixed Sabrina with a pale¨Cgreen¨Ceyed <b>stare</b>.


    ¡°Sabrina,¡± she growled, ¡°you said Winslow touched you, that your pheromones marked his nd?¡±


    Sabrina sobbed, ¡°He caught my waist, but let go quickly. It was toote.¡±


    Rosemary said sternly. ¡°Since this happened in public, and the Glenveil Pack, a <b>family </b>ranked top five <b>in </b>


    the capital, was <b>involved</b>. As Wanda offered to help and the n failed, she must take responsibility¡±


    Tomorrow, despite my illness, I¡¯ll visit Glenveil. Winslow¡¯s only mate is Wanda, and he has one breeder. Adding you as another breeder is eptable.¡±


    Tve heard Winslow and Wanda¡¯s rtionship is strained, and his breeder, though fertile, can¡¯t rival your youth and beauty. You might win his favor.¡±


    Her voice was <b>cold </b>and <b>grave</b>, bearing undeniable authority


    Sabrina wept and shook her <b>head</b>. ¡°No, I won¡¯t marry Winslow Wanda despises me. She¡¯ll make my life miserable.


    Her wolf eyes brimmed with terror.


    ¡°What do you know?¡±


    Rosemary snarled, her eyes narrowing viciously. ¡°Wanda has no children. The breeder is favored. She resents her. She needs you <b>as </b>much as <b>you </b>need her. If <b>you </b>gain Winslow¡¯s favor, you can help your family Only then will <b>you </b>live well¡±


    Ulrik roared. ¡°I don¡¯t need her help! I¡¯ll strive for my own future. How can the Alpha¡¯s daughter be a breeder?¡±


    Rosemary retorted, ¡°Her reputation¡¯s ruined. Who¡¯ll mate with her?¡±


    Ulrik argued, ¡°Settle for amon official if necessary. Anything¡¯s better than being Winslow¡¯s breeder¡±


    ¡°No. I won¡¯t!


    Sabrina screamed, pale with defiance. ¡°I


    Won¡¯t marrymon officials or join weak packs.¡±¨C


    Gloria sneered, ¡°Who do <b>you </b>think will have you? Lance saw through you at the banquet. He restrained himself only because it was Prisci¡¯s birthday


    Sabrina whirled on her. ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m better <b>than </b>you, a twice¨Cmated woman! Just like that bitch Adide


    Ulrik pped Sabrina, his face livid.


    How dare you speak so of your <b>Luna</b>?*

 Novel Male 347

    +5 From <b>Colna </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Sabrina covered her face and whimpered like a hurt pup as she flung herself into Rosemary¡¯s


    arms.


    Her sweet pheromones,ced with a strong aura of grievance, filled the air.


    ¡°Mother, Ulrik hit me!¡± she wailed, her golden eyes flickering with tears..


    Rosemary¡¯s bony hand patted her back reassuringly. Calming pheromones, typical of a senior she¨Cwolf, <b>eased </b>Sabrina¡¯s agitation.


    She nced at Ulrik, her eyes clouded with disappointment.


    An elder¡¯s invisible aura silently suffused the room.


    ¡°You¡¯d strike your own sister over a few words? How can you not break her heart? Rosemary¡¯s voice was deep and weighty. ¡°Even if her intentions weren¡¯t for you, you stand to benefit in the end.¡±


    ¡°I hit her because she insulted our Luna!¡±


    Ulrik growled, cedar pheromones bursting with Alpha ferocity, making the candles flicker. His knuckles whitened, <b>and </b><b>silver</b>¨Cgrey fur pricked through his <b>skin</b>¨Ca sign of his barely contained rage.


    Gloria stood by, her heart racing at Ulrik¡¯s defense,


    Honeysuckle pheromones involuntarily swirled to meet his cedar scent.


    Even if this was the only way he <b>stood </b>up for her, it made every sacrifice wor ile.


    Her eyes brimmed with gratitude and reliance.


    Rosemary¡¯s sharp gaze swept over Gloria¡¯s unmasked emotion before returning to Sabrina in her arms. ¡°Enough. Leave now. I¡¯ll talk to her.¡±


    <b>The </b>aura in the room intensified, a clear dismissal.


    Ulrik felt suffocated by the thick pheromones and heavy atmosphere.


    His chest heaved with barely contained fury,


    He snorted coldly, cedar pheromones still simmering, and strode out, his heavy boots thudding on the floor.


    Gloria, sensing his rage, quickly reined in her pheromones and followed.


    She gently grasped his tense arm, her voice soft and tender. ¡°For defending me like this tonight, I¡¯ll find <b>a </b>way to secure your future.¡±


    Her honeysuckle <b>pheromones </b>swirled again, this time to soothe and appease,


    Ulrik¡¯s body stiffened.


    Bitterness welled up inside him, dampening his anger.


    The cedar scent¡¯s sharpness faded, reced by a deep bitterness.


    He hadn¡¯t struck. Sabrina for Gloria, but for Adide¡¯s sake.)


    The mere utterance of the word bitch <b>had </b>sent him into such a with a p.


    972


    that he lost control andshed out


    When he said, ¡°How dare you speak of your Lana like that, the ¡°Luna¡± he referred to was Adide.


    They say you only realize the value of something when it¡¯s gone, but by then it¡¯s always toote.


    He knew it was pointless, yet he couldn¡¯t define his feelings for Adide¨Cperhaps guilt, perhaps reluctance. The bitterness in his cedar pheromones grew more pronounced.


    The thought that Adide had never loved him stung. If she had, even a little, she wouldn¡¯t have coldly sought to dissolve their mating bond.


    This thorn pricked his heart.


    ¡°My future needs no one¡¯s protection. I¡¯ll fight for it myself.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s voice was low <b>and </b>icy, carrying the Alpha¡¯s undeniable resolve.


    He wrenched his arm free of Gloria¡¯s grasp, his movements tinged with impatience.


    A warning nce shed from his narrowed eyes. ¡°Speak like that again, and I¡¯ll be displeased.¡±


    The bitter cedar scent now carried a hint of offended <b>Alpha </b>aura..


    Gloria, shaken by the cold in his eyes instantly reined in her pheromones and clung to his arm tighter.


    lowering herself further. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry. I know you¡¯re ambitious. I was wrong to speak out of turn.¡±


    Ulrik let her cling, his heart heavy with sorrow.


    Once the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s great hope, he now felt utterly fallen<i>. </i>


    His Luna was a twice¨Cmated she¨Cwolf; his other breeder, a ruthless wolf warrior who ughtered captives.


    In contrast, before the Bloodscar Border battlefield, his Luna had been Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter, <i>the </i>Warscar Training Camp¡¯s golden girl, favored by Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus.


    He had once had a brilliant future. <b>But </b>after so much careful nning, he had lost so much¨Call because he had mated Velda?

 Novel Male 348

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    All pack Alphas could have breeders. Why had he paid such a steep price?


    He felt so resentful.


    Tonight¡¯s farce had reached Tamara, who was ¡°convalescing. though she asked no questions.


    +8 Free Cont


    Sabrina was an ungrateful wretch. Whoever she mated would forget her kindness and only recall her ws.


    So, after setting the mating bond, Tamara, the sickly sister¨Cinw, prepared a gift and took no further


    <b>action</b>.


    The next morning, Rosemary visited the Glenvil Pack.


    Two hourster, she emerged, shaky and assisted into her car.


    Once inside, she wept silently.


    Though she¡¯d achieved her goal, she¡¯d been humiliated¨Cthe Glenveil Pack was truly overbearing.


    As her car departed, Rowena changed clothes, prepared gifts, and headed for the ckthom Pack


    Last night¡¯s birthday banquet had been disrupted, nearly ruining Prisci¡¯s celebration. She aimed to apologize in person.


    Prisci, still asleep from drinking too much, left Adide to receive Rowena


    Noticing Rowena¡¯s paleplexion, Adide ordered chamomile agents to be brought out.


    Originally for herself, Lance had insisted she use them to recover from her battlefield injuries.


    Adide sensed Rowena¡¯sbored breathing and suppressed anger. ¡°Rowena, if you¡¯re unwell, you needn¡¯t havee. Last night¡¯s incident has nothing to do with you.¡±


    After drinking some chamomile agent and clutching her chest, Rowena spoke slowly. ¡°I wish Glenveil Pack had no part in this, but Wanda is our pack member. I saw everything yesterday. She aimed to ruin Lance¡¯s reputation but ended up ensnaring her own mate. Now our pack must ept Sabrina as a breeder


    Adide had anticipated this oue.


    The Glenveil Pack cherished its reputation, which Wanda had damaged over the years. Rowena had constantly cleaned up after her, while young pack members became more cautious,


    A century¨Cold <b>pack </b>couldn¡¯t afford <b>scandal</b>. To protect their name, they¡¯d swallow their pride.


    What¡¯s more, the trouble was caused by Wanda, his <b>son¡¯s </b>mate.


    ¡°Bloodmoon Pack visited us today, Rowena continued.


    Usually discreet, she couldn¡¯t contain herself now. The incident at the royal banquet had posted


    TH12 Thi Trau


    On top of that, the incident happened at the royal pce, at Prisci¡¯s birthday party. So she continued, ¡°She insisted <b>that </b>my son ruined her daughter¡¯s reputation, With so many witnesses, her daughter¡¯s marriage became a problem. They agreed to let Sabrina join our family as a breeder.¡±


    Adide offered no opinion, onlyfort. ¡°Things havee to this. Rowena, try to let it go.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for your kind words, Adide, Rowena said, quickly regaining herposure.


    But facing Bloodmoon¡¯s Rosemary today had shown her new depths of shamelessness.


    Adide smiled faintly. ¡°Rowena, decent people seldom stoop to fight scoundrels.¡±


    Rowena, touched, replied, ¡°<b>You </b>were¡­ put in a terrible position back then.¡±


    Adide said, ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, She¡¯s always been ill¨Cmannered, but she¡¯ll have to follow our pack rules


    <b>now</b>.


    Rowena exined, ¡°Everyone knows what happened yesterday. My son¡¯s not the one she fancies. I¡¯ve already reprimanded him. He¡¯s too careless with others, failing to avoid suspicion¨Ca grave mistake.¡±


    ¡°This time it¡¯s just about taking in a breeder. What if next time? It¡¯s a lesson for him to be more careful¡±


    Adide, knowing Rowena¡¯s rity, said, ¡°Especially in rtionships, or we¡¯ll gain another leech¨Clike family.¡±


    Recalling today¡¯s events, Rowena felt suffocated. ¡°This morning, I witnessed their shamelessness firsthand Their determination to cling to power, their brazenness¨Cit¡¯s rare. I¡¯ve learned my lesson.¡±


    Rosemary had arrived and directly addressed the issue. Sabrina¡¯s reputation was destroyed, with many witnesses. Finding a mate would be hard.


    If Glenveil Pack didn¡¯t take responsibility, Bloodmoon would escte things. Given Bloodmoon¡¯s tarnished name, they¡¯d drag Glenveil into the mud.


    The Bloodmoon family was like an octopus; <b>associating </b>with them meant getting dirty.


    Quietly epting the breeder was less nauseating than a public scandal, which would ruin Glenvil¡¯s century¨Cold reputation.


    -After all, if Wanda hadn¡¯t schemed against <b>Alpha </b>Lance, she wouldn¡¯t have ensnared herself. Now it was up to her to resolve the mess

 Novel Male 349

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After Rowena took her <b>leave</b>, Prisci hurried to the conference hall


    She found Adide there, sipping coffee slowly and looking pensive. Prisci asked, ¡°I heard Rowena was here. I came specially to chat with her.¡±


    Adide rose and greeted her with a bow. ¡°Rowena left just a short while ago.¡±


    ¡°Already gone?¡± Prisci panted as she sat down. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she here to see me?¡±


    She was rather disappointed, having thought that Rowena hade specially to see her.


    She had always envied Madison, as so many distinguished she¨Cwolves always came to visit her.


    ¡°She dide for you, but hearing you were still asleep fromst night¡¯s drinking, she didn¡¯t want to disturb and left, Adide exined.


    Prisci¡¯s disappointment was evident.


    She said, ¡°Your indulgence in drink has cost you an opportunity.¡±


    Prisci was reminded ofst night¡¯s incident where Lance had flown into a rage. She nced at Adide cautiously and asked, ¡°Did Lance do anything to youst night?¡±


    Adide coughed. ¡°No, he just scolded me a bit when we got back, and then it was over.¡±


    ¡°just a scolding?¡± Prisci noticed Adide¡¯s unease and knew she was lying.


    <b>She </b>was well¨Caware of her son¡¯s temperament.


    When his bottom line was crossed, a few <b>words </b>wouldn¡¯t cate him.


    She felt a pang of sympathy for Adide, who had likely borne the brunt of Lance¡¯s wrath and was now covering it up.


    Prisci felt a twinge of sympathy. ¡°Though you manage the pack¡¯s internal affairs and have the final say on epting breeders, if he disapproves, drop the matter. Better to avoid his ire. When a man¡¯s angry, be recognizes <b>no </b>one, not even his mother.¡±


    Adide¡¯s face flushed at the memory of Lance¡¯s parting words before he left for pack business¨CHad I <b>not </b>pack matters to handle, you wouldn¡¯t be getting out of bed today.¡±


    She quickly averted her gaze. ¡°Yes I understand.¡±


    Prisci sighed at Adide¡¯s evasiveness and instructed Susan, ¡°Ensure Adide is served her favorite dishes<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Susanplied and left.


    Prisci Inquired aboutst night¡¯s Bloodmoon Pack incident, and Adide recounted everything


    Prisci was taken aback. ¡°Just like that, Rowena agreed to let her join the pack? This is clearly <b>a </b>scheme. and not against her own son.<b>¡± </b>


    Though Prisci hadn¡¯t grasped everythingst night in her excitement, she had caught wind of the situation this morning from others¡® chatter.


    ¡°The Glenveil Pack, with its century¨Cold reputation, cannot afford any tarnish, Adide remarked.


    Prisci retorted, ¡°For the sake of reputation, must one yield? If it were me, I¡¯d let tongues wag <b>and </b><b>never </b>allow such a cunning young wolf <b>into </b>the pack. How <b>could </b>someone so scheming be permitted within our ranks?¡±


    Prisci dreaded cunning individuals. Knowing she couldn¡¯tpete, she simply wished to keep them at bay.


    Adide smiled and said, ¡°No matter how cunning she is, once in Glenveil Pack, she must abandon her schemes or perish.¡±


    Prisci reflected on Glenveil Pack¡¯s strict hierarchy and numerous rules. Even as Luna, life was challenging<b>, </b>as a breeder, it would be even harder.


    Losing interest in the matter, she shifted the conversation to the Wall family¡¯s preparations mating ceremony.


    <b>for </b>Zelda¡¯s


    Adide assured her, ¡°You need not worry. Zelda¡¯s personal assets are being inventoried and prepared. Lycan rissa will not shortchange Zelda. Her manor is under renovation. After the ceremony at <b>Wall </b>family, Zelda and Alger will reside there.¡±


    Prisci added, ¡°I¡¯ve set <b>aside </b>some personal assets for her. You may contribute as well. Lance has saved quite a sum over the <b>years</b>.¡±


    Adide smiled. ¡°Rest assured, it will be more than sufficient.¡±


    Prisci, propping her arm, looked at Adide and said, ¡°You are reliable in handling affairs. It puts me at <b>ease</b>. I find that I truly like you.¡±


    Adide was taken aback. How should one respond to such a directrexpression of affection from her mother¨Cinw?


    A few dayster, after the Royal Elder Council meeting, Lycan Erasmus detained Lance.


    With a pile of documents pending, he had Fabian set up the chessboard, mentioning he hadn¡¯t yed <b>chess </b>with Lance in ages.


    Lance sat down readily. ¡°Days of document¨Creading <b>have </b>left me dizzy. I¡¯m grateful for this respite, thanks <b>to </b><b>you</b>.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus frowned at his manner. ¡°Why cling to your wolf warrior habits? Aren¡¯t they too crude? As Minister of Justice and a senior official, you must mind your image<b>. </b>


    ¡°Between brothers, what <b>image </b>is there to mind?¡± Lanceughed heartily.


    ¡°Do you behave as <b>casually </b>in front of Adide?¡±


    15 Free Cons


    Lycan Erasmus, with his slender fingers holding a white king chess piece, ced it slowly on the board


    Lance, holding a ck queen piece, replied enigmatically. ¡°With one¡¯s own Luna, one can be even more at


    case.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus smiled and said. ¡°I heard at Prisci¡¯s birthday banquet, someone attempted to be your breeder.¡±

 Novel Male 350

    <b>¡°</b>Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Must you fill your ears with such trivialities?¡± he said, moving the ck knight chess piece.


    +5 Free Col


    ¡°I usually ignore gossip. But as your brother, and with Lycan rissa¡¯s <b>concern</b>, I¡¯m obliged to ask. Do you intend to seek a breeder?¡±


    ¡°No ns.¡±


    Lance looked up, grinned. ¡°After years of war, my health isn¡¯t the best. Digby¡¯s still helping me recover. One mate is handful enough; adding a breeder would be beyond my capacity.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus rolled his eyes, ¡°Nonsense. As a Lycan, you¡¯re robust. Are you implying I can¡¯t handle it?¡±


    ¡°How dare I critique you? Moreover, your role in royal Lycan reproduction justifies having more breeders. It¡¯smon for Alphas to have several.¡±


    ¡°Reproduction is your duty too, as royal family.¡±


    Lance chuckled, I nned to live <b>alone</b>, fearing too many ties. Now with <i>Luna </i>Adide and Mother moving out, too many attachments would cramp my style. So, children are not on my agenda.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus, deep in thought while holding a white bishop chess piece, abruptly stopped the game. ¡°Forget it. Tend to your official duties. A major case has been sent to the Ministry of Justice for review,¡±


    ¡°Yes, a woman ughtered her mate¡¯s family of twelve, including her own children. The Union County Judicial Department has passed judgment<b>, </b><b>and </b>the prosecution office has approved. Now it¡¯s with the Royal Judicial Department. I haven¡¯t finished reviewing the files.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus frowned, ¡°Such a vicious she¨Cwolf deserves hanging on the spot, not just execution at the lunar altar.¡±


    ¡°Once I finish the documents, I¡¯ll handle it fairly, Lance said.


    ¡°Go, go!¡± Lycan Erasmus waved him off irritably.


    After Lance left, Lycan Erasmus scattered white chess pieces on the board.


    After a while, he turned pale and said to Fabian, ¡°Have I been too <b>harsh</b>? He¡¯s not even willing to have children<b>.¡± </b>


    Fabian thought, ¡°You¡¯ve had Lance constantly monitored. How could he <b>not </b>sense your distrust?¡± But he only smiled, ¡°You overthink it. Alpha Lance might just not want children for now.¡±


    ¡°Who doesn¡¯t want children? I long for <b>many </b>pups. Given our age difference, he should be a father by


    §á§à§Ø


    Fabian whispered, ¡°Perhaps Lance, aware of your concerns, <b>doesn¡¯t </b><b>want </b>to create friction. Remember, he¡¯s always looked up to you with pride.¡±


    At this, Lycan Erasmus¡¯s gaze softened as he recalled their past.


    After a long sigh, he said, ¡°I have overthought it.


    <b>Fabian </b>silently poured him a cup of coffee.


    +50


    He knew Lycan Erasmus¡¯s sigh was a fleeting sentimental moment and wouldn¡¯t reduce his vignce.


    Lance¡¯s decision to dy having children was wise.


    At least for now, without offspring, Lycan Erasmus could rest easier.


    Having recently reimed the southern border, Lance¡¯s standing with the royal family and the public was at its peak¨Cenough to make any monarch wary of a brother whose achievements overshadowed their


    own.


    By surrenderingmand of the royal army after the southern border campaign and forming a bond, Lance demonstrated loyalty and posed no threat.


    This reassured Lycan Erasmus.


    Back at the Ministry of Justice, officers from the Royal Constabry inquired about the case.


    Lance, citing iplete documentation, dismissed them.


    That night, after dining with Adide, the Royal Constabry chief, Dudley, arrived in person.


    After a heated half¨Chour discussion in the study, they parted on bad terms<b>. </b>


    Returning to his vi, Lance¡¯s stern expression vanished, reced by ease an


    nderness.


    Adide knew nothing of the case but had heard Tommy mention Lance¡¯s distress over a massacre case.


    The Royal Constabry had sent officers to the Ministry of Justice that day, and tonight, the <i>chief </i>himself hade¨Cclearly, the case was urgent.


    ¡°So, what about this case has you so indecisive?¡±


    Adide broached the topic. Lance had clearly been troubled, yet he acted as if nothing was wrong upon returning


    She knew he shielded her from work¨Crted stress, but she wanted to share his burden.


    ¡°Well, my sources report public opinion is being manipted. But the core issue is that this she¨Cwolf brutally murdered <b>an </b>entire family, including her children¨Ca heinous <i>act</i><b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s manipting public opinion?¡± Adide asked sharply.


    ¡°Third Person¡¯s POV

 Novel Male 351

    ¡°Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance drank some ice water and said in a hoarse voice, It¡¯s Germain.


    ¡°No surprise there. If he wants to stir up <b>trouble</b>, he needs to create events that make people criticize the royal <b>family</b>. Is the evidence solid enough for <b>this </b><b>case</b>?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s already confessed. Lance sighed lightly. ¡°Her mate¡¯s father and he are well¨Cknown good people in the area. On the other <b>hand</b>, this she¨C<b>wolf </b>is usually quite petty. ording to neighbors, she didn¡¯t agree. <b>with </b>her mate using their money for <b>charity</b>.¡±


    Adide asked. ¡°You¡¯ve seen the evidence. It¡¯s solid, right<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Kind of.¡±


    Adide <b>was </b>puzzled.¡°Then why are you hesitating? Do you think Germain is using this <b>case</b>, so you can¡¯t make a decision?¡±


    But she quickly noticed a loophole in Lance¡¯s words. You said it¡¯s ¡®kind of solid.¡® So it¡¯s not entirely solid.¡±


    Lance nodded. His eyes always showed undisguised appreciation for Adide.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. The family, including her, had thirteen people in total, and she killed twelve of them. Among these twelve were her mate¡¯s strong parents, her mate, three sons, two unmarried daughters, and the rest were servants. The key point is that the case happened at dusk, not in the middle of the night when everyone was asleep. After dinner, <b>she </b>suddenly grabbed a kitchen knife and attacked everyone, killing them all. But this woman hasn¡¯t learned any fighting skills, and her wolf is weak. She can¡¯t shift and needs long¨Cterm medication.


    ¡°A person who¡¯s usually petty and has been sick for a long time, even if she could kill one person, the others should have stopped her immediately. Were everyone poisoned and unconscious at the time<b>?</b>¡± Adide asked doubtfully.


    ¡°No, everyone was conscious. And a neighbor actually saw it. The woman was acting like a mad person, with incredible strength, killing everyone she saw. If those neighbors hadn¡¯t run fast and locked their doors, they would have been killed too. The <b>local </b>police have also confirmed that the wounds on the victims match the murder weapon. Lance exined.


    Adide now understood why Lance <b>hadn¡¯t </b>approved the review of the judgment results.


    There were indeed quite a few doubts about <b>this </b>case.


    But it was no wonder it caused such a big sensation.


    After all, there were neighbors who witnessed the incident, and she admitted her guilt.


    Combined with the fact that the murder weapon matched the wounds, her <b>guilt </b>seemed certain.


    ¡°By


    the


    way,


    <b>since </b>the murder happened after dinner, have they checked the food?¡± Adehidrasked.


    ¡°No, they didn¡¯t check it. Because after examination, all the bodies showed no signs of pnding 1.


    replied.


    Lance continued, ¡°I suspect that the she¨Cwolf might have been drugged, causing her to <b>go </b>mad and Rave abnormal strength. I¡¯ve consulted several medical experts, but they all say they¡¯ve never heard of any <b>drug </b>that <b>can </b><b>cause </b>such an effect.¡±


    They looked at each other and said in unison. ¡°Let¡¯s ask Doctor Digby!¡±


    Lance immediately changed his clothes <b>and </b>prepared to go to Digby¡¯s hospital. He couldn¡¯t wait a moment longer.


    Because this <b>case </b><b>had </b>already aroused the anger of the public. Themon people were talking about it all demanding the death of the she¨C<b>wolf</b>. And the prosecution was also pressing.


    Most officials were not on his side.


    <b>Even </b>if there were doubts in this case, no one was willing to investigate further. After <b>all</b>, there were eyewitnesses, she had confessed, and the murder weapon matched the wounds. Together, these seemed enough to convict her.


    After visiting Digby¡¯s hospital, the next day, Lance invited Dudley and his two subordinates to the Ministry of Justice.


    Dudley seemed a bit restless. While waiting for Digby, he said, ¡°I really don¡¯t understand, Alpha Lance. What exactly <b>are </b>you doubting? This case has already caused public outrage. If the review results are dyed, the people might use us of being ipetent.


    Lance replied, ¡°Calm down. I¡¯ve asked Doctor Digby to exin <b>some </b>doubts. Namely, why the she¨Cwolf had such great strength to kill twelve people. After all, she¡¯s been taking medicine for a long time and is in poor health..¡±


    in dissatisfied with her mate Dudley interrupted <b>him</b>, ¡°She¡¯s just hiding her true condition. She¡¯s alway and his parents, saying they spent too much money on charity. The she¨Cwolf is a stingy and petty person. <b>And </b>she¡¯s already confessed. There are eyewitnesses, and the murder weapon matches the wounds. With all this evidence, she can¡¯t escape. If we let her go because of a minor doubt, where¡¯s the dignity of thew?¡±


    Lance countered, ¡°So what¡¯s her motive for murder? Even <b>if </b>she¡¯s petty and hates her mate and his parents, why would she kill her own sons and daughters? And not spare a single <b>servant</b>?¡±


    Dudley tapped the square table with his hand, extremely impatient. ¡°Didn¡¯t she say in her confession! She suddenly felt those people deserved to die and go to hell. Neighbors testified that her rtionship with <i>her </i>family was terrible, even her sons and daughters didn¡¯t like her. Maybe an argument happeried during dinner, and in <b>a </b>fit of emotion, shemitted the crime. You might not have seen many such <b>cases</b><b>, </b>but 1 have. Many people kill on impulse. In a state of extreme anger, strength can indeed be much greater than usual. So the doubts you think exist aren¡¯t really doubts at all.<b>¡± </b>

 Novel Male 352

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Meanwhile, in the Blue Ridge State, Germain was listening to his subordinate¡¯s report.


    ¡°Within half a month, the whole nation will be talking about <b>this </b>case and ming the Royal Judicial Department for inefficiency, the subordinate said.


    Germain remained calm, twirling his tinum ring. ¡°This isn¡¯t enough. Spread the news further. im that Alpha Lance is defending the female criminal to prove he¡¯s capable of being Minister of Justice. Say he¡¯s risking public outrage for personal glory. Also, emphasize that he¡¯s just a werewolf warrior with no knowledge of the judicial system.¡±


    ¡°Add that Lycan Erasmus is being misled by <b>him</b>. Since Alpha Lance has <b>great </b>achievements and high status, Lycan Erasmus <b>has </b>to be cautious around him and follow his lead.¡±


    The subordinate asked, ¡°Is Lance really sure he¡¯ll send the case back for retrial?¡°.


    ¡°Of course. If there are doubts, he¡¯ll do it,¡± Germain said with a cold smile.


    ¡°I know him well. He values human life <b>and </b>is extremely cautious when handling cases. With such significant doubts, he can¡¯t approve the death penalty. His conscience won¡¯t allow it.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± the subordinate nodded, turned, and left


    As he reached the door, he pulled his cloak tighter and vanished into the night<b>.. </b>


    our poprity so hard you¡¯re a threat to the


    Germain¡¯s lips curled into <b>a </b>sly smile. ¡°Lance,¡± he thought<b>, </b>¡°I¡¯m going to cras you¡¯ll nevermand the Royal Army again. And I¡¯ll let the whole nation k throne, that Lycan Erasmus fears you and is turning into a weak ruler- all while Lance remained clueless to the schemes unfolding in the shadows.¡±


    ¡°Raven!¡± he called.


    A middle¨Caged man in a dark coat emerged from behind a screen. <b>¡°</b>Alpha Germain,¡± he said.


    Germain asked, ¡°Is the poison in that shewolf undetectable?¡±


    Raven replied, ¡°Yes. A tiny worm is in her brain. Even if they behead her, they won¡¯t find it. And it only obeys me. Right now, she shows no abnormalities.¡±


    Germain nodded. ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Union County manager is <b>ours</b>. Even if the case is retried, he¡¯ll report the original verdict. This back¨Cand¨Cforth will waste <b>time </b>and make the public angrier, which benefits us, Raveri <b>added </b>


    Germain¡¯s eyes turned fierce. ¡°This n can¡¯t fail. Before the August Zelda¡¯s mating ceremony. I¡¯ll return to the capital. By then, Lance¡¯s poprity must hit rock bottom, and Lycan Erasmus must be seen as ipetent.¡±


    Raven remained expressionwork avable <i>now</i>. Please check yourwork.


    No


    Ath penale


    without retrial, we¡¯ll <b>expose </b>the shewolf¡¯s poisoning painting him <b>at </b>a murderer Also, the Western


    issue is brewing¡±


    Germain stirred his coffee. ¡°Velda can¡¯t live. Kill her to prevent Lycan Erasmus from sacrificing her to calm the public. I¡¯ll direct the anger of both Western Tribe and our kingdom¡¯s citizens toward Lycan Erasmus <b>and </b>Alpha Zander¡¯s family.¡±


    Raven nodded and said, ¡°Yep, they¡¯re definitely gonna kill <b>him</b><b>. </b>But there¡¯s no need to do it right now. At present, Snke is still holding back Dominic, who we should now refer to as the Lycan King of the Western Tribe. Once Snke is dead, then it¡¯ll be the right time to move against Velda.¡±


    Germain was surprised. ¡°Are you confident about killing Snke?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s challenging, but necessary,¡± Raven said.


    A sh of ruthlessness crossed Germain¡¯s eyes. Then kill <b>him</b>. Snke¡¯s too <b>much </b>of an obstacle. Use whatever force or funds needed. Just say the word.¡±


    Raven hesitated. ¡°Some underground forces could help, but after Alpha Lance and Adide¡¯s mating ceremony, many powerful werewolves arrived. Using them might leak information.¡±


    ¡°Use the assassins you trained,¡± Germain said.


    Raven shook his head. ¡°<b>Assassins </b>are hard to cultivate. If they fail against Snke, it¡¯s a waste.¡±


    ¡°Do it anyway,¡± Germain insisted.


    ¡°Once Snke is dead, the Western Tribe¡¯s crown prince will cooperate with me. He seeks revenge for his brother and border changes. Only Snke¡¯s death will secure his cooperation<b>.</b>¡±


    Raven wanted to say more, but Germain stopped him with a hand gesture. ¡°Just use the assassins,¡± he said.


    Raven reluctantly agreed. ¡°As you wish, Alpha Germain<b>.</b>¡±


    Germain warned, ¡°Keep the rumor¨Cspreading covert. Lance must not trace it back to us.¡±

 Novel Male 353

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 F. Colos


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the news will <b>spread </b>from Union County. With Blue Ridge State hundreds of miles away, no one will trace it back to us, Raven said.


    After a pause, he added, ¡°The women Madison trained have entered prestigious packs. We must stir chaos in these packs and families. When they¡¯re too busy dealing with their own issues, they won¡¯t support the royal family.¡±


    Germain sipped his coffee, masking his carlier ruthlessness and appearing as the mild gentleman he seemed to be, ¡°Good¡±


    Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Justice, Dudley was growing increasingly anxious. ¡°Alpha Lance, why did you bring Doctor Digby here? Even with his medical skills, he¡¯s not a forensic expert.


    Lance remained calm<b>. </b>¡°Dudley, patience. Such <b>a </b>high¨Cprofile case demands caution. If we¡¯re not careful and end up ming an innocent person, we¡¯ll face even more public criticism.¡±


    Dudley, with years of case¨Chandling experience, knew there were some doubts in this case.


    But with the criminal¡¯s confession and solid evidence, what was there to review?


    ¡°This is a waste of time! Every day that woman lives disrespects her victims, Dudley said discontentedly.


    Lance responded, ¡°The Union County head reported a death penalty. It¡¯s April now. Even with express delivery, the document round¨Ctrip would only take a month. Why the rush, Dudley?¡±


    ¡°When is Doctor Digby arriving? We¡¯ve been waiting for ages, Dudley fumed, sitting aside.


    Though he didn¡¯t openly sh with Alpha Lance, his irritation was evident.


    The two deputy ministers trembled in fear, ulike Dudley, whose daughter was a royal priestess favored by Lycan Erasmus,


    The otherscked such backing.


    Shortly after Dudley¡¯sint, Doctor Digby entered.


    Short but imposing, he cast <b>a </b>cold nce at Dudley, who immediately <b>stood </b>up, his earlier anger reced with meekness.


    ¡°Doctor Digby, sorry to trouble you,


    ¡°My apologies for the wait, Digby said indifferently.


    ¡°No, no, I wasn¡¯t angry at you,¡± Dudley exined, not daring to offend Digby, who had cured his mother¡¯s severe <b>illness </bst year.


    ¡°Was your anger not at me? Then was it at Alpha Lance?¡± Digby asked after sitting down.


    ¡°No, no, I wouldn¡¯t dare, Dudley said, trying to make a <b>good </b>impression.


    09:14 Thu 17 JL A


    ¡°It <b>was </b>at them,¡± Dudley said, pointing at the two deputy ministers, who froze.


    Despite not having spoken <b>a </b><b>word</b>, they took the me, as it was their duty.


    Lance knew Digby could <b>handle </b>Dudley.


    Dudley¡¯s mother fell seriously illst year. Even top doctors said to prepare for the <b>worst</b>. But Doctor Digby treated her daily for a month and literally brought her back from death¡¯s door.


    Without beating around the bush, Digby said. ¡°Alpha Lance briefed me on the casest night. Let me make this clear; even a weak, chronically ill person can gain exceptional strength in extreme anger, but it¡¯s only temporary and couldn¡¯t enable her to kill several strong men.


    Everyone became serious. <b>Lance</b><b>, </b>new to the justice system with limited case experience,cked credibility.


    But Digby, with years of medical expertise, carried weight.


    If he said it was impossible, it was impossible.


    Dudley argued, ¡°But there are eyewitnesses who saw hermit the murders. She confessed, and the murder weapon matches the wounds.¡±


    Digby asked. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen the case report, but I assume the victims¡® stab wounds <b>are </b>deep, even reaching the bone with a single strike?*


    ¡°Yes!¡± Dudley and the ministers nodded eagerly.


    Digby took out a paper listing several drugs or poisons, along with their effects and side¨Ceffects.


    After showing it to the group, he exined each one.


    ¡°The first <b>is </b>¡®<b>Inferno</b>, which induces hallucinations and amplifies one¡¯s deepest obs temporary superhuman strength.¡± <ol><li> granting </li></ol>


    ¡°But hallucinations require an antidote to reverse. After the murder, the woman chased neighbors and calmed down by the time the police arrived. So it¡¯s not ¡®Inferno,¡±


    ¡°The second is ¡®Mind Parasite,¡® an ancient parasite known as ¡®Control Worm. It enters the brain and allows another person to control the host¡¯s actions, with the host retaining full memory of the events.¡±

 Novel Male 354

    -Third Person¡¯s POV


    Digby continued. ¡°The Mind Parasite induces hallucinations and unleashes immense, insane strength. When controlled, she acts like a different person, her body fully manipted by the controller. If the controller is exceptionally strong, she gains that strength too.¡±


    After Digby¡¯s exnation, Dudley and his deputies exchanged nces and furrowed their brows


    ¡°But how does the Mind Parasite <b>enter </b>her brain?¡± Dudley asked.


    Digby replied. ¡°Through food or medication. It might have been in her system for months to <b>a </b>year, as it grows slowly before enabling control¡±


    Dudley said, ¡°Just having the parasite doesn¡¯t mean she <b>was </b>influenced by it.


    ¡°I¡¯m just here to clear up some doubts. This case still has <b>a </b>lot of unanswered questions, right? Like, how <b>did </b>she manage to have the strength to kill twelve people in a row, and they were all her family members. The Mind Parasite seems to be the most fitting exnation for this.¡± Digby said.


    Lance asked the critical question, ¡°If it¡¯s the Mind Parasite<b>, </b><b>can </b>you remove it from the <b>criminal</b>?*


    ¡°Arnold can do it. She¡¯s an expert in ancient biology and knows this parasite well,¡± Digby said.


    Lance <b>said</b>, ¡°Thank you, Dr. Digby. Someone, please escort him back to rest.¡±


    The Deputy Minister of Justice saw Digby out. Upon returning, everyone fell silent.


    One asked, <b>¡°</b><b>Alpha </b>Lance, should we send the case back for retrial?¡±


    Dudley replied first, ¡°The doubt has a reasonable exnation. It should be retried.¡±


    But Lance shook his <b>head</b>. ¡°No. This case is moreplex, Dudley, <b>I </b>suggest the Ministry of Justice and the Royal Constabry jointly report to Lycan Erasmus, requesting he appoint a special investigator.¡±


    Dudley <b>was </b>surprised. Normally, cases with doubts were sent back for retrial. Appointing a <b>special </b>investigator implied distrust in the local county <b>head¡¯s </b>findings.


    Could Lance have uncovered something even the Royal Constabry didn¡¯t know?


    Realizing this, Dudley immediately told his deputies, ¡°Keep <b>this </b>strictly confidential, especially the Mind <b>Parasite </b>part. We¡¯ll decide after Alpha Lance and I report to Lycan <b>Erasmus</b>.¡±


    Everyone understood¨Cthe case hall significant doubts, involving a well¨Cknown local <b>family¡¯s </b>brutal murder, causing a huge sensation, There might be someone manipting things behind the scenes.


    They couldn¡¯t afford any mistakes, or their positions would be at risk.


    Dudley, after much thought and a cold sweat<b>, </b>apologized to Lance for his earlier behavior,


    Lance exined, ¡°Your impatience stems from public outrage and public pressure to <b>convict </b>the suspect quickly. But <b>this </b><b>could </b>lead us into a trap.¡±


    Wiping his forehead, Dudley said, ¡°Your caution is admirable. Thank goodness you dyed things. If we¡¯d followed Union County¡¯s report <b>and </b>closed the case, there would have been serious consequences.


    ¡°High¨Cranking officials must tread carefully, especially with loved ones in the royal court. We can¡¯t afford any missteps, Lance warned.


    ¡°Yes, yes!¡± Dudley murmured, his earlier anxiety gone.


    After the case was presented to Lycan Erasmus, he appointed Dudley as the special investigator to lead a team to Union County, with Arnold apanying them


    This was a retrial ordered by Lycan Erasmus himself, which caused public doubt, especially since Dudley was the Royal Constabry chief.


    Craig alsomented on the case, highlighting its doubts.


    Schrs issued condemnations earlier, driven by public outrage.


    They were fueled by righteous indignation, determined to uphold justice for the victims and defend social order.


    Since Craig had spoken up about the <b>case </b>having real doubts, others were backtracking.


    They were no longer so sure and now just hoped the specialmissioner¡¯s investigation would reveal the truth and honor the victims.


    The Blue Abyss Pack hadn¡¯t anticipated this oue,


    They¡¯d expected either a death penalty approval or a retrial, both of which would damage Lance¡¯s reputation and cost him his position as Minister of Justice.


    Instead, <b>a </b>special investigator was dispatched.


    ¡°I underestimated Lance, Germain remarked coldly,


    ¡°Rest assured, Alpha Germain. No matter who investigates, they won¡¯t discover the woman was poisoned by the parasite,¡± his subordinate said.

 Novel Male 355

    -Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>+5 </b>Free Col


    Germain said. ¡°This way, Lance ispletely off the hook. No matter what happens to the criminal<b>, </b><b>it¡¯s </b>all under <b>the </b>specialmissioner¡¯s call.¡±


    ¡°You know who the specialmissioner is? It¡¯s Dudley from the Royal Constabry. Once he¡¯s done investigating and makes a call, there¡¯s no need to loop the Ministry of Justice back in.¡±


    ¡°Even if itteres out that she was poisoned, it won¡¯t touch Lance.¡±


    Plus, he didn¡¯t want to tangle with the Herburt family, who had a priestess, <b>Tracy</b>, in the royal court.


    Most of the Herburt family had backgrounds in the judicial system. If this case were thoroughly investigated, it could easily trace back to him.


    ¡°Rome wasn¡¯t built in a day. I¡¯ve waited years for this and can¡¯t afford to mess up now,¡± Germain said.


    ¡°As long as the parasite cover¨Cup holds, Union County¡¯s administration won¡¯t be implicated,¡± he added.


    He suppressed his frustration <b>and </b>slowly added, ¡°The Union County connection, <b>which </b>I¡¯d cultivated for a long time, couldn¡¯t be destroyed.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, no one will discover the parasite plot. I¡¯m in full control of it,¡± Raven said confidently.


    The specialmissioner rolled into Union County at the end of April.


    <b>Given </b>how high<b>¨C</b>profile the case <b>was</b>, Dudley jumped right into the investigation and threw the doors open for public involvement to give the folks some closure.


    The victims were a respected family known for their kindness.


    While not everyone could participate, a selection of local elders, students, and ordinary citizens- handpicked by Lance¨Cwere allowed to join.


    Lance insisted on transparency to reveal the <b>truth</b>.


    When Arnold burned an herb before the criminal, Taine, a tiny parasite, barely thicker than a hair, came crawling out of Taine¡¯s nose.


    The worm was nearly invisible, but those nearby got a good look at it.


    Since Taine had been dining with her family, the parasite must¡¯ve been slipped into her medication.


    Dudley immediately cored Dr. Aiken, <b>Taine¡¯s </b>physician.


    Without any coercion, Dr. Aiken knelt down in fear and spilled the beans.


    He imed a guy had approached him six months back<b>, </b>offering a stack of cash and some powder to slip into Taine¡¯s medicine. The guy imed it wasn¡¯t poison and even swallowed some to prove it.


    That guy imed he gave the medicine to Thine because she¡¯d been ill for <b>so </b>long. They, <b>being </b><b>a </b>kind


    family, couldn¡¯t bear to see her suffer.


    Dr. Aiken knew it was a lie, but seeing the person take the medicine unharmed and tempted by the money. he agreed.


    To show the parasite¡¯s power, Arnold used a chicken.


    After feeding it the parasite and fumigating it, the chicken went nuts, pecking at everything in sight.


    Another fumigation session calmed the chicken down, and it vomited out the parasite.


    ¡°This parasite, called a Mind Parasite, is controlled by humans. When Taine swallowed it, it was <b>just </b>an


    egg


    She continued, ¡°Even high <b>heat </b>can¡¯t kill these eggs. They travel through the blood to the brain, which takes about six months¨Cmatching Dr. Aiken¡¯s story.¡±


    ¡°Now that the parasite¡¯s all grown up, whoever it gets into <b>can </b>be controlled to act crazy when they smell something specific or through remote control,¡± Arnold exined.


    The crowd was blown away. Dudley then dered, ¡°This was a deliberate and premeditated crime. Taine was just a pawn, a victim herself.¡±


    Amidst the uproar, Arnold packed up and warned the terrified Dr. Aiken, ¡°You¡¯re lucky. The person who poisoned Taine didn¡¯t expect the parasite to be extracted. They probably thought no one would dig this deep. That money you took¨Cit might cost you your life.¡±


    Dr. Aiken broke into a cold sweat and copsed to the ground.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon and night fell, Arnold¡¯s message reached the ckthorn Pack, ¡°Phase one seeded; phase two is underway<b>.</b>¡±


    Long story short, Dudley wasn¡¯t heading back anytime soon.


    Arnold¡¯s mission was to subtly <b>hint </b>to Dudley that such a high¨Cprofile case w likely had hidden forces at y.


    idespread public impact


    Keen to prove himself and not just rely on Tracy¡¯s clout to keep his position, Dudley was determined to uncover the truth.


    If there was indeed a conspiracy fueling national outrage, he might crack a major case and earn serious recognition.


    3272

 Novel Male 356

    hapter 356


    ¡°Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide sat knitting a sweater and nced at the letter. ¡°You¡¯ve not only cleared yourself from this <b>case</b>, but you¡¯re also getting to the truth. It¡¯s a win¨Cwin situation,¡± she remarked.


    Lance watched her needles fly, gradually shaping a duck.


    After a moment, he said. ¡°It¡¯s more than a win¨Cwin. It¡¯s a triple gain. Now everyone knows I <b>insisted </b>on a retrial, and <b>not </b><b>just </b>any retrial¨Ca specialmissioner¡¯s retrial. Someone¡¯s trying to take me down, but I¡¯ll use their scheme to boost my public support and leave them seething¡±


    Adide smiled gently and returned to her knitting.


    Curious, Lance asked, ¡°Who¡¯s the duck for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for Melinda¡¯s baby¨Ca little sweater. As an aunt, I should show some affection, she replied.


    Lance frowned. ¡°The thought¡¯s sweet, but buying a gift would be simpler. The pack has professional weavers. Your <b>hands </b>are meant for weapons, not needles. It¡¯s a bit of a waste, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¦³


    Adide rolled her eyes. ¡°I know <b>you </b>think my knitting¡¯s <b>not </b>great, but <b>Ivy </b><b>says </b>I¡¯ve improved, and I actually <b>enjoy </b>it


    Lance thought to himself that she did like it as a child, <b>even </b>if shecked talent.


    He inquired about Melinda. ¡°How¡¯s she holding up? Dwight¡¯s been ousted¨Csurely he¡¯s cooled down?¡±


    Adide shook her head. ¡°He¡¯s all ¡®true love. How could be <b>cool </b>down? He¡¯s not only unrestrained but <b>now </b>won¡¯t even visit Melinda¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°True love?¡± Lance grimaced. ¡°<b>That¡¯s </b>an insult to that term. What about his breeder¨Cthe merchant¡¯s daughter?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s rarely seen him,¡± Adide said, her face flushing with anger.


    ¡°She¡¯s only twenty, from a family that¡¯s a far cry from the Soulrend Pack. She¡¯s trapped, a pawn in her father¡¯s and brother¡¯s deals. Did she willingly choose to be Dwight¡¯s breeder?¡±


    ¡°Outsiders say she volunteered, Ivy interjected as she brought in the soup.


    Adide retorted, ¡°They im she chose it. But who cares about her true feelings? Who bothers to see that she might just want a stable, ordinary life with a in mate?¡±


    <b>Lance </b>was touched by her words. You¡¯ve hardly interacted with her, yet you champion her¡­ You genuinely empathize with she¨Cwolves, unlike some who preach equality but secretly disdain them.


    Adide was taken <b>aback</b>, recalling Velda.


    Velda had posed <b>as </b>a role model for she¨Cwolves<b>, </b>iming to fight for their rights, yet beneath it all, she


    held them in contempt.


    DIE THU, 17 Du H


    At that moment, Beata announced, ¡°Luna Adide, Georgina has arrived.¡±


    ¡°Show her to the conference hall at <b>once</b>, Adide said, rising quickly, wondering if the evening visit signaled some urgency.


    Lately, Georgina and Paige had dropped by asionally, but always during the day, never in the


    evening.


    Although Lance and Georgina hadn¡¯t crossed paths often during his time in the <b>Shadow </b>Peaks, they¡¯d met a few times since she¡¯de to the capital and were aware of each other¡¯s affiliations.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. If she¡¯se thiste, it must be important, Lance offered.


    In the conference hall, Georgina sat with a cup of coffee. She didn¡¯t wait for it to cool and drank it straight away, clearly <b>parched</b>.


    Seeing Adide <b>and </b>Lance enter, she didn¡¯t stand but simply greeted them by name.


    ¡°Georgina!¡± the couple chorused.


    ¡°Take a seat. I¡¯ll make it quick,¡¯ she said, her tone calm as always.


    When she was <b>this </bposed, it usually meant something urgent.


    ¡°Is something wrong with Melinda?¡± Adide asked, pulling Lance into a chair.


    Georgina nodded gravely. ¡°Earlier, we said we wouldn¡¯t usually intervene, but tonight <i>I </i>lost my cool. I decked that son of a gun and knocked out two of his teeth.¡±


    ¡°I figured I should let you know, Adide. If he tries to use our <b>status </b>to cause trouble, just hit him again. I couldn¡¯t hold back <b>tonight</b>, I only got half my anger out.¡± she added.


    ¡°What did he do to make you hit him<b>?</b>¡± Adide asked.


    <b>rovoke </b>Melinda. At first,


    ¡°Willow, who was under house arrest, was released a few days ago. She <b>came </b>Paige and I didn¡¯t let her in, but today she deliberately tripped on the stone steps, grazed her scalp, and then <b>told </b>Dwight it was Melinda who pushed her. Dwight, of course, believed the obvious lie and stormmed over to confront Melinda, Georgina exined.


    She then asked, ¡°Another coffee? I¡¯ve finished this one.¡±


    145 Free Colta

 Novel Male 357

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Everyone waited for her to continue, but she suddenly asked for coffee, leaving everyone stunned.


    Beata quickly brewed a full pot and poured a cup for Georgina.


    Georgina drained it <b>and </b>said. ¡°<b>Melinda¡¯s </b>been waiting for him. So when he came, we didn¡¯t stop figured their problem should be sorted out between them.¡±


    him. We


    ¡°At least before <b>the </b>baby¡¯s born, we hoped Melinda could be in better spirits and not cry alone at night¡±


    Adide immediately tensed. ¡°Did he go in and yell at Melinda<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Yell? If it were just yelling, I wouldn¡¯t have acted. He pushed Melinda<b>, </b>mming her <b>stomach </b>into a table corner. She was in so much pain, drenched in cold sweat. That¡¯s when I stepped in and hit him,¡± Georgina said..


    ¡°Did he actually push Melinda? How is she now?¡± Adide pressed.


    ¡°The pack doctor checked her. The pregnancy¡¯s been disturbed; she needs to stay in bed for a month.¡± Georgina said after sipping more coffee.


    ¡°Since Melinda kept crying out for her ¡®mom, I went to the Silverlight Pack first, hoping her parents coulde see her,¡± Georgina <b>added</b>, pausing dramatically and causing everyone to grow anxious.


    Adide couldn¡¯t help but ask again, ¡°Did theye?¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Georgina downed another cup of water. ¡°I¡¯m so thirsty today, running around everywhere without a drop to drink. Luna Skye wanted to go, but Alpha Howell said if they went now, they¡¯d have to consider whether to hold Melinda¡¯s mate ountable. They¡¯re also waiting to see Alpha <b>Manfred¡¯s </b>stance.¡±


    ¡°They just kept deliberating. Finally, they decided that since the doctor said bed rest would be fine, they¡¯d


    unrted to <b>today¡¯s </b>visit another day, avoiding today¡¯s spotlight. They can go in a few days and  incident, Georgina exined.


    ¡°Ridiculous!¡± an angry <b>voice </b>blurted from outside.


    Prisci <b>and </b>Susan entered, Prisci fuming.


    ¡°Their own daughter is being bullied, and her parents won¡¯t stand up for her? Are they afraid of offending the Soulrend Pack? What kind of logic is that? Is Dwight made of gold?¡±


    Georgina rose and greeted Prisci


    Prisci demanded, ¡°Are they just letting it slide? What are they <b>so </b>afraid of?¡±


    Alpha Howell


    if they make a fuss <b>now</b>, Melinda¡¯s life will be harder, and the pregnancy might even


    be at risk. Georgina replied.


    ¡°Her life is already miserable. What about the future?¡±


    Prisci huffed, fully embracing her maternal instincts.


    If Alger <b>had </b>bullied her daughter like this, she¡¯d have Adide intervene immediately, no holds barred.


    ¡°They n to visit in a few days,¡± Georgina <b>said</b>.


    ¡°In a few days? When all <b>the </b>anger¡¯s died down? Are they expecting a happy family reunion then?¡± Prisci snapped. ¡°Adide, you should go!¡± she urged.


    Susan quickly objected. ¡°That¡¯s not right. Adide isn¡¯t Melinda¡¯s parent. Melinda has her own parents. If they don¡¯t act and Adide does, it¡¯ll look like the ckthorn Pack is bullying them.¡±


    ¡°If he can bully her this badly, why should we fear bullying him back?¡± Prisci retorted.


    Lance, seeing his mother¡¯s fiery determination, said, ¡°Speaking of bullying¡­ I think you¡¯re the best person for this, Mom.¡±


    Prisci was taken aback. ¡°Me? What¡¯s my excuse? I¡¯m not suitable to go.¡±


    Lance reminded her, ¡°Melinda¡¯s my cousin. You can visit her on rissa¡¯s behalf, check up on the pregnant Melinda, and conveniently ¡®discover¡¯ the situation. Then you can blow up. Who can doubt your authority?¡±


    ¡°And let¡¯s <b>not </b>forget your seniority,¡± he added.


    Prisci realized Alpha Howell and the old Lycan King were brothers. Alpha Howell used to address her as the ¡°New Moon Priestess.¡±


    That made her a senior to Melinda. If seniors don¡¯t step in at a time like this, who will?


    ¡®T¡¯ll <b>go</b>!¡± she dered.


    Without a moment¡¯s dy, she ordered the carriage prepared and brought Georgina and Paisley along- Paisley, of course, was all for the spectacle.


    Adide pulled Paisley aside and whispered a few instructions, urging her during the carriage ride.


    ep Prisci well¨Cinformed


    Sophia, always hovering around Prisci, tried to follow, but Adide stopped her.


    My quarters need help. You <b>can </b>assist me for now.¡±


    Sophia lowered her eyes and agreed, ¡°Of course,¡± though she hesitated, wondering if Adide had seen through her.


    Yet, seeing Adide¡¯s warm smile, she ventured, ¡°Luna Adide, I heard Beata usually does your hair. If L take over, would that unsettle Beata?


    Adide assured her. ¡°Beata¡¯s goy other tasks. There¡¯s no issue of overshadowing here. Don¡¯t worry


    Relieved, Sophia said. ¡°Alright, as long as Prisci agrees, I¡¯ll attend to you, Luna Adide.¡±


    She stole a nce at Lance, but his indifferent expression gave no hint of suspicion.


    U7E THU T?

 Novel Male 358

    ¡°Third Person¡¯s POV


    The Soulrend Pack was lit up like daylight.


    Alpha Manfred and his mate, along with the elders of the other wolf <b>packs </b>in the group, came out to wee Prisci.


    Prisci said in a friendly manner, ¡°No need for such a big fuss. I¡¯m just here to check on my <b>niece</b>, Melinda.¡±


    The people present had mixed expressions on their faces.


    They had been worried all day that the Howell couple woulde to demand an exnation.


    It wasn¡¯t until evening, when no one from the Silverlight <b>Pack </b>showed up, that they breathed a sigh of relief.


    But just as everyone was about to retire for the night, Prisci arrived.


    <b>Luna </b>Chloe knew Prisci¡¯s character well¨Cshe could be easy to deal with, but also difficult, depending on the situation.


    <b>all </b>stay for a <i>bi </i>Shortly after Prisci sat down, she said with a smile, ¡°Why don¡¯t <b>you </b>I¡¯ll go see Melinda first and chat with you all when Ie back.¡±


    Although Prisci spoke kindly, the Soulrend Pack members couldn¡¯t help but <i>feel </i>a chill.


    After Prisci left, Alpha Manfred burst out, ¡°What a bastard! He¡¯s disgraced our pack!¡±


    she just gave him a light


    Luna Chloe sighed and said, ¡°It¡¯s because your mother spoiled him rotten. She let him get away with anything, and now he¡¯s running wild. Even after causing such a huge mess to scolding


    She continued, ¡°That Willow was supposed to be expelled from the pack. But Dwight refused, even threatening suicide. Your mother restricted Willow¡¯s outings but relented after his pleas. No sooner was she released than she caused trouble again¨Cshe¡¯s a real troublemaker.¡±


    Alpha Manfred¡¯s face was pale with anger.


    Ever since Willow joined the pack, the Soulrend Pack¡¯s reputation had plummeted,rgely due to the old Luna¡¯s leniency, which allowed Dwight to act with impunity,


    After Dwight mated with Melinda, his arrogance knew no bounds, and he looked down on everyone


    Now under suspension and investigation, instead of reflecting on his mistakes, he med others and wallowed in self¨Cpity, drinking and indulging in pleasure.


    Prisci and Paisley arrived in the backyard and were led inward by Georgina


    The dim lighting cast a soft <b>glow </b>on <i>the </i>pale yellow curtains, behind which sorrow seemed to seep <b>out </b>


    09:15 Thu, 17 Jul 6 ?


    Melinda, her eyes swollen from crying, <b>thought </b>it was her mother who had entered and called out eagerly ¡°Mom!¡±


    Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.


    Prisci stepped forward and gently patted Melinda¡¯s shoulder.


    Seeing Melinda¡¯s tear¨Cswollen eyes, Prisci felt a pang of heartache. ¡°Stop crying, my dear. You¡¯re pregnant. You mustn¡¯t cry like this anymore.¡±


    Upon seeing that it wasn¡¯t her mother, Melinda¡¯s eyes betrayed her disappointment.


    But Prisci¡¯s soothing words made her tears flow anew. ¡°Prisci, did my cousin send you here? Please tell her not to worry about me. <b>I¡¯m </b>fine.¡±


    Her voice was thick with tears.


    ¡°Tell me what happened,¡± Prisci said softly. I¡¯m here to support you.¡±


    Melinda had often visited rissa in the past, always finding her elegant andposed. But now¡­


    Now, she was <b>a </b>sorry sight.


    Pregnant and gaunt, her chin sharp, her eyes puffy, making her cheeks appear sunken.


    What had be of the once¨Clively and radiant girl? How could this have happened in just a few months of marriage?


    Melinda¡¯s tears wouldn¡¯t abate.


    Her shoulders trembled, and a faint yet bitter cedar pheromone emanated from her.


    unted them again through


    Although Georgina had recounted the events, Melinda¡¯s omega attendant sobs, her voice quivering with fear. ¡°Ever since, Dwight was suspended, he¡¯s en confined too. But Melinda hasn¡¯t had a single peaceful day,¡±


    ¡°Dwight mes Melinda for everything. Twice, when they encountered the old Luna, he berated her for gossiping, iming that¡¯s why the inspector reported him.¡±


    The omega shuddered at the memory of Dwight¡¯s rage. His pupils had narrowed into dangerous slits, and his Alpha aura had nearly suffocated the nearby omegas.


    ¡°Luna Chloe has been protecting Melinda, but the old Luna favors Dwight, the omega said, wiping <i>her </i>


    The air filled with the faint scent of an omega¡¯s rm pheromones. ¡°While it¡¯s true that as Dwight¡¯s mate, Melinda should prioritize him <b>and </b>not speak ill of him publicly, today¡¯s incident was different.


    ¡°It was Willow who provoked M¨¦linda first. They only met briefly, and Melinda didn¡¯t say <b>a </b><b>word </b>Willow just tripped on the stone steps herself,¡± the omega exined, pointing to the corner of the square <i>table </i>where a trace of blood still lingered,


    ¡°Dwight stormed in<b>, </b>furious and confrontational, and pushed Melinda into the <i>table </i>right here!


    * Free Cons


    09:15 Thu, 17 Juli G ?


    The table corner, though rounded, would have caused severe injury to Melinda, who was pregnant.


    Fortunately, the baby was only disturbed, and there was no miscarriage¨Ca stroke of luck.

 Novel Male 359

    +5 Free Colna


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Paisley! Prisci¡¯s <b>voice </bshed through the room like a whip<b>. </b><b>An </b>icy, oppressive aura erupted from her. pinning Georgina and the omega servants against the walls with invisible force.


    Her golden eyes, narrowed to slits, glittered dangerously. ¡°Go fetch that breeder, Willow. Bring her to the conference <b>hall</b>. I need to have a word with Soulrend Pack <b>about </b>whether such a she¨Cwolf still deserves to run with the pack.¡±


    Georgina <b>and </b><b>Paige </b>stayed behind to navigate the pack politics and support Melinda, so the task of dragging Willow fell to hot¨Ctempered Paisley.


    <b>¡°</b><b>And </b>Dwight?¡± Paisley asked, her knuckles cracking with anticipation.


    Prisci <b>shot </b>her a look, her aura easing slightly but her gaze still sharp as a de. ¡°If Willow¡¯s <bing</b>, do you think he¡¯ll stay away?¡±


    Paisley grinned. Prisci was usually sharp¨Cwitted, but now she was positively brilliant.


    Guided by an omega servant, Paisley burst into Willow¡¯s den like a storm fueled by sulfuric fury.


    Dwight, still seething from his earlier run¨Cin with Georgina where he¡¯d lost two teeth, was in no mood for interruptions.


    Under the cloying pheromones of Willow, he was in the middle of undoing his jacket, ready to embrace her.


    The air hung thick with the scent of impending passion when the door exploded inward with a thunderous crash.


    Dwight roared, ¡°Who the hell-


    His question died mid¨Croar.


    Paisley was already across the room, her hand lunging out. Her fingers, now jagged wolf ws, connected with a resounding crack against Dwight¡¯s face.


    Dwight saw stars, his cheek ballooning instantly.


    Before he could react, Paisley <b>had </b>Willow by the <b>hair</b>.


    She dragged her across the floor like a ragdoll. ¡°Love ying the victim, do we? Today¡¯s your lucky day for a real beating!¡±


    Willow¡¯s screams tore through the air.


    Paisley hoisted her up <b>the </b>stone steps and mmed her <b>back </b>down, again and again. Each time, Willow¡¯s body scraped against the rough <b>stone</b>, her cries growing more desperate.


    By the time Dwight, still clutching his throbbing jaw, stumbled outside, Willow <b>was </b>a mess


    Her hair was a disheveled <b>nest</b>, her face a crimson ruin of blood and bruises.


    ¡°Let her go!¡± Dwight¡¯s heart broke at the sight of Willow. Fury surged through him.


    His <b>Alpha </b>pheromones zed, his very skin seeming to hum with rage. ¡°Who the hell are you? How dare you barge into Soulrend Pack territory and assault us?


    He tried to crush Paisley with his aura.


    Paisleyughed, a cold, sharp sound. In an instant, she erupted with a sulfuric fury that scattered Dwight¡¯s aura like dust.


    She yanked Willow to her feet, her ws digging into the girl¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Remember the name¨CPaisley. I¡¯ve got a special hatred for scum like you.¡±


    ¡°Look at you, Dwight. Pathetic. You don¡¯t know the first thing about honor or decency, yet you call yourself educated? You¡¯re nothing but a beast in a man¡¯s suit,¡± she spat, her fangs glinting with fury.


    Willow¡¯s eyes rolled back, her breathsing in wet, choking gasps.


    Dwight, choked by her words and the oppressive stench of her rage<b>, </b>could barely speak. He was so furious he could barely keep his beast in check.


    Paisley wasn¡¯t interested in his rage.


    She dropped Willow¡¯s cor and stalked toward the conference hall in long, purposeful strides.


    Dwight snapped back to reality with a snarl and lunged after her.


    Prisci was already seated at the conference table, her presence a cier of cold authority.


    Her <b>eyes</b>, sharp as spearpoints, raked over the room. A heavy, suffocating p.


    ire radiated from her<b>. </b>


    She spoke not a word, yet the sheer weight of her silence made every soul in the room¨Cincluding Georgina, <b>who </b>arrived breathless¨Cshiver and shrink back.


    The air thickened with dread, each breath abor.


    The lower¨Cranking omegas turned pale, their legs trembling beneath them.


    On the ride over, Paisley had ryed Adide¡¯s instructions, ¡°Begin with courtesy, but after witnessing Melinda¡¯s battered spirit, <b>unleash </b>every ounce of Alpha aura. The goal was to crush <b>the </b><b>room </b>with your presence¨Ceven the old Luna of Soulrend Pack.¡±


    Paisley dragged Willow into the hall <b>and </b>tossed her roughly to the floor.


    A wave of cedar and rust¨Cred Alpha pheromones,ced with fury, rolled over Willow, pinning her to the ground like a broken doll.


    Prisci¡¯s lip curled. ¡°So this is the she¨Cwolf who dares y games before Melinda, Soulrend Park, where its members stand up for a bully like her and hang Melinda out to dry¨Cwhat do you say, Prisci?¡±


    Luna Chloe despised Willow, yet tolerated her because she was her sun¡¯s treasure<b>, </b>and her son


    ??151


    Luna¡¯s treasure.


    Seeing Willow so humiliated, her breeder pheromones¨Ca cloyingly sweet lc¨Crunning wild with terror. Luna Chloe couldn¡¯t deny a flicker of satisfaction.


    But she maintained her Luna¡¯sposure, her fingers tightening just the slightest bit.

 Novel Male 360

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Prisci didn¡¯t lift her gaze, merely asking coolly, ¡°I don¡¯t know Soulrend Pack¡¯s rules. But in the royal <b>pce</b>, anyone who offends or frames a Lycan Luna faces life imprisonment or exile. Does your pack have no such punishments? If not, surely you have corporal penalties.


    Alpha Manfred <b>knew </b>Prisci was there for Melinda.


    7


    She <b>usually </b>didn¡¯t meddle, so this <b>must </b>be on Adide¡¯s behalf.


    Adide wasn¡¯t here because she didn¡¯t want to be seen as interfering in <b>pack </b>matters. Prisci was different. As the old Lycan King¡¯s New Moon Priestess, and with the old Lycan King being Alpha Howell¡¯s brother, she¡¯s got a clearer path to act.


    She was here representing Melinda¡¯s family. It was not a perfect fit, but it made sense.


    Manfred, already wary of Willow, responded to Prisci¡¯s undeniable aura with his own Alpha calmness, Take this woman away and teach her a lesson!¡± he ordered


    Willow, once proud and aloof, nowy disgraced on the floor, crushed by dual Alpha aura.


    She trembled violently, a choked sob escaping her throat


    Trying to hold her head high and preserve her dignity, her pupils shrank with humiliation and fear. But Paisley showed no mercy, kicking the back of her knee. With a thud, she was forced to her knees.


    Paisley loomed over her, grinding her boot into the ground. ¡°Hear that? You¡¯re about <b>to </b>be punished¡±


    Willow bit her lip till it bled, lc pheromones spiraling out of control.


    Instead of tears, she lifted bloodshot eyes, defiance etched on her face.


    ¡°You powerful packs don¡¯t care about life! Even if you kill me, I won¡¯t submit!¡± She tried moral ckmail to evoke sympathy, her pheromones seething with righteous indignation.


    Normally, being used of ¡°not valuing other¡¯s life would make people cautious.


    But Prisci <b>and </b>Paisley weren¡¯t swayed.


    Prisci mmed the table with a loud thud. A chilling aura burst from her, freezing the entire hall and making the candles flicker.


    Her pupils narrowed into cold, golden slits, <b>and </b>wolf ws instinctively emerged from her fingertips before she suppressed them.


    She ignored Dwight¡¯s outburst and ordered firmly, ¡°Then beat her until she yields¡±


    ¡°Who dares touch her?¡± Dwight roared like a beast.


    Everyone turned to see him ushering the old Luna in


    DETE Thu 77 LGR <ul><li><i>17 </i>Jul G </li></ul>


    She wore a blue¨Cpatterned silk robe over a grey nightgown, her white hair hastily tied.


    She was clearly ready for bed but got word <b>that </b>Prisci was here.


    After a quick tidy¨Cup, and with Dwight hurry to fetch her, she rushed over without properly fixing her hair


    Her face showed annoyance at being disturbed. Though her eyes were cloudy, she still carried herself with authority.


    Dwight roughly <b>guided </b>her inside, then rushed to shield Willow,


    Sensing the lingering aura and her disheveled state, he erupted in rage. His cedar pheromones red with sulfuric fury.


    Fangs bared, he growled menacingly at Paisley and Prisci, ¡°Who gave you permission to harm her?¡±


    He looked at Willow with concern and protectiveness.


    ¡°I did, Prisci said coldly, her golden eyes locking with Dwight¡¯s hostile gaze.


    She despised how he cradled Willow¨Cone moment ¡®too proud,¡± the


    next quivering and feigning frailty.


    ¡°Really? You agreed to have her punished moments ago,¡± Prisci shot back.


    ¡°Soulrend Pack can handle its own affairs. Your Highness Prisci, please don¡¯t overstep,¡± the old Luna of Soulrend Pack said <i>with </i>a slight bow, maintaining her old¨Cschool aristocratic manners.


    She kept her back straight and met Prisci¡¯s gaze directly. She tried to suppress Prisci¡¯s sharp royal air but then straightened up and coldly dered, ¡°Soulrend Pack will deal with this. No need for you to interfere.¡±


    Her calm voice carried authority


    Prisciughed in anger, her cold pressure ring into scorching rage.


    ¡°If your heir acted half¨Cdecently<i>, </i>I wouldn¡¯t bother. What prestige do you <b>have</b>? I wouldn¡¯t trouble myself <b>tonight </b>if not for this heartless, lover¨Cfavoring, mate¨Cneglecting scoundrel!¡±


    She pointed at Dwight and Willow, her trembling finger betraying her fury. ¡°Instead of cleaning up your pack¡¯s morals, you protect and enable. And you use me of overstepping?¡±


    Her rebukeshed out like a whip agains


    Soulrend <i>Pack¡¯s </i>honor.

 Novel Male 361

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Soulrend Pack may have its issues, but it¡¯s none of your business, Prisci!¡± the old Luna of Soulrend Pack mmed her cane on the ground with a resounding ¡°thud.¡±


    ¡°Even a Lycan Luma shouldn¡¯t meddle in others¡® affairs. Besides, Dwight has already been disciplined<b>¨C</b>he¡¯s been suspended and <b>even </b>lost two teeth to Melinda¡¯s assgeintes. Has our <b>pack </b>caused Melinda any trouble?¡±


    ¡°How dare you continue to harass Melinda? Do you even know the meaning of respect? Prisci retorted with a cold snort, showing no respect for the elderly woman.


    Alpha Manfred, noticing the old Luna¡¯s face turning pale, quickly intervened. ¡°Mother, let¡¯s talk this through calmly¡­¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± the old Luna roared, her fury unmistakable.


    ¡°You good¨Cfor¨Cnothing! With outsiders bullying our pack, you still cower here? Move aside!¡±


    Afterposing herself with a few deep breaths, she locked eyes with Prisci


    ¡°Respect? What respect? Melinda, despite her royal blood, became part of our Soulrend Pack. She should follow her mate¡¯s lead. Instead, she sows discord, manipting Adide to report her own mate over trivial matters. She¡¯s embraced the worst traits of jealousy and narrow¨Cmindedness!¡±


    Prisci¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Was she talking about Adide, the one who had always protected her son even before officially joining their <b>pack</b>?


    With a ng, Prisci¡¯s cup hit the floor, shattering into pieces as she roared, ¡°You old hag! Don¡¯t push me to p you myself!¡±


    The


    room fell silent.


    Even the old Luna was stunned¨Cshe couldn¡¯t believe Prisci would act so uninhibited.


    Prisci stood up and strode toward the old Luna.


    Pointing her finger at her, she hissed, ¡°<b>You¡¯ve </b>raised a shameless grandson and have the audacity to speak <b>out </b>of turn before me? using Melinda of inciting Adide to report that despicable creature¨Cwhere¡¯s your evidence? If you can¡¯t produce it today, I¡¯ll tear your Soulrend Pack apart!¡±


    ¡°You.. you¡­¡± the old Luna stammered, her lips trembling with rage.


    ¡°Prisci, this is Soulrend Pack territory! How dare you speak so arrogantly?¡±


    ¡°And what will you do about it?¡± Prisci sneered.


    ¡°You sit there all high and mighty before me? In terms of status, even royal princesses bow to me, not so mention Adide, the mate of the old Lycan King¡¯s <b>son</b><b>. </b>When did it be your ce to rosyip behind


    her back?¡±


    09:15 Thu, 17 Jul G A


    ¡°The inspector¡¯s report on your despicable grandson is a royal matter and has nothing to do with Adide If he were decent, no one could report him. As a graduate of a prestigious school, instead of alleviating <b>Lycan </b>Erasmus¡¯s burdens, he indulges in petty family matters, siding with his lover and neglecting hb. mate. A person like him deserves the public  that the Bloodmoon Pack receives.¡±


    ¡°Vulgar! How uncultured!¡±


    Dwight<b>, </b>pale with anger, set aside Willow in his arms and rushed to shield his grandmother.


    He snapped at Prisci, ¡°Prisci, I respect you as¡­¡­..¡±


    Prisci¡¯s pnded on Dwight¡¯s face with such force that she nearly <b>lost </b>her bnce.


    Fortunately, Paisley caught her just in time.


    Once steady, Prisci swung her hand again and pped him once <b>more</b>. ¡°When did it be your turn to speak? Do you even know your ce?¡±


    After receiving two ps, Dwight¡¯s precious young master image was shattered. Feeling humiliated <i>in </i>front of his beloved, he roared at Prisci, ¡°You bully people with your power! Wait and see, I¡¯ll write an article to denounce you tomorrow!¡±


    ¡°Silence, Dwight!<b>¡± </b>Alpha Manfred, seeing the situation spiraling out of control, barked.


    Other members of the pack stepped in to drag Dwight and Willow away.


    But the old Luna, nearly fainting from rage,manded fiercely, ¡°No one is to take him away! What¡¯s his mistake? Today, they¡¯ve overstepped too far!¡±


    Prisci stood before her and spat coldly, ¡°Shameless <b>old </b>woman! You can¡¯t tell right from wrong. pampering such a good¨Cfor¨Cnothing and neglecting the future heir¡¯s offspring! Your mother was just a breeder. You learned those despicable tricks from your breeder mother, harboring deep¨Cseated resentment toward your noble mate. If you could be a breeder for your Alpha, why did you fight to be his Luna instead?<i>¡± </i>


    She knew it was this old woman who had spoiled Dwight and allowed Wow into the pack.


    The old Luna¡¯s vision blurred, and she nearly fainted <b>from </b>anger.


    -After a moment, she managed to point at Prisci and stammer, ¡°1¡­ I will go to the pce and inform


    Lycan <b>rissa</b><b>. </b>You¡¯ve overstepped!¡±


    ¡°Go ahead andin, you old hag!


    Prisci retorted arrogantly. ¡°rissa is my sister, <i>but </i>she¡¯s reasonable. If she learns how your pack treats Melinda, she might be so <b>furious </b>that your Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory won¡¯t be safe. Then where will you be <b>as </b>your old Luna?<i>¡± </i>


    915 <b>17 </b>

 Novel Male 362

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>#</b><b>5F </b><b>Cons </b>


    ¡°Why do you gef to decide what happens in our pack? Who do you think you are?¡± the old Luna roared, abandoning her cane and shoving Prisci


    Prisci dramatically fell to the ground, eximing, ¡°You actually dared to hit me? Soulrend Pack would assault royalty¨Cthey clearly hold the royal family in contempt!¡±


    The entire Soulrend Pack froze.


    Prisci, who had moments ago been hurling insults with abandon, now yed the wronged party, squeezing out a few tears.


    /, even


    Meanwhile, Adide and Lance had been in the carriage heading to Soulrend Pack for over <b>half </b>an hour.


    Some matters required discretion, but if Prisci was being wronged, intervention was not only justified but necessary<b>. </b>


    This was precisely what Adide had instructed Paisley to convey to Prisci: to berate and even strike first if needed, and once enraged, to fall to the ground, providing ample justification for their involvement.


    As Paisley dragged Willow away. Paige had taken the opportunity to dash to the Silverlight Pack, reporting that Prisci was causing a scene at Soulrend Pack.


    Alpha Howell and Luna Skye were both shocked.


    Given Prisci¡¯s fiery temperament, this could escte into a full¨Cblown feud between the two packs.


    <b>Luna </b>Skye, who had long wished to visit her daughter, had been restrained by Alpha Howell.


    Now, fearing the worst, Alpha Howell hastily prepared to depart for Soulr


    Two vehicles arrived almost simultaneously at the borders of Soulrend Pack..


    Pack


    Lance, holding Adide¡¯s hand, stepped out first. Alpha Howell followed, turning to assist Luna Skye.


    Their eyes met, and Lance greeted them coolly, ¡°Alpha Howell, Luna Skye<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Alpha Lance,¡± Howell acknowledged. The couple¡¯s unexpected presence caught Alpha Howell off guard. ¡°Why are you here?¡± he asked, slightly embarrassed.


    ¡°And why are you?¡± Lance countered.


    Alpha Howell had intended to stop Prisci¡¯s antics but was <b>now </b>reluctant to reveal his true intentions.


    He simply said, ¡°We heard Melinda <b>had </b>an incident and came to check on her.¡±


    Lance¡¯s demeanor instantly turned cold, a sh of ferocity in his eyes ¡°Melinda was bullied? Let¡¯s go inside.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not¡­¡± Alpha Howell hesitated, attempting to exin it was merely a marital dispute, <b>not </b>bullying,


    09:15 100, 1/


    But Lance, already holding Adide¡¯s hand<b>, </b>strode purposefully into Soulrend Pack¡¯s packhouse.


    The high¨Cpitched announcement echoed through the hall, ¡°Alpha Lance arrives, <b>Luna </b>Adide arrives! Alpha Howell arrives, Luna Skye arrives!¡±


    As they entered, the gathered ones rose to greet them.


    Sensing the royal aura, they suppressed their pheromones and bowed their heads instinctively


    Lance¡¯s cedar¨Cscented dominance pressed down like a physical <b>force</b>, freezing the air.


    At the sight of Lance, Prisci¡¯svender pheromones surged with anger.


    Her wolf eyes welled up since she felt wronged, ¡°Soulrend Pack <b>has </b>overstepped! They pushed me¨Cthey <b>hold </b>royalty in utter contempt!¡±


    Her silver ne trembled with her agitation, emitting a faint plea for help.


    Lance¡¯s golden¨Cred eyes scanned the room coldly. His cedar dominance crushed the air, forcing every wolf¡¯s cars to tten instinctively.


    Even Dwight, who had been attempting to project defiance, wilted under Lance¡¯s icy gaze.


    Only Willow held her chin high, her mint pheromonesced with stubborn coldness.


    Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Lance, but when his gaze fell on her, the vulnerability in her eyes. vanished, reced by a defiant green gleam.


    Her lips pressed into a cold, straight line.


    Lance withdrew his gaze, slightly casing the cedar pressure, and walked to the <b>main </b>seat with <b>Adide </b>


    Adide¡¯s soft yet unassable pheromones intertwined with Lance¡¯s cedar aura, creating the royal <b>dominance </b>field that made the surrounding wolves hold their breath.


    Alpha Howell and his wife, entering with them, felt distinctly out of ce. Their oak pheromones betrayed their unease.


    As elders of higher standing, they were nheless suppressed by Lance¡¯s cedar dominance, forcing them -to sit stiffly in the corner seats, their tails tucked between their legs.


    ¡°Who bullied my mother?¡±


    Lance asked as he sat down. His fingertips left shallow w marks on the armrest. His voice was frosty carrying the low¨Cfrequency vibration unique to an Alpha. Each word was like an ice¨Ccoated fang,


    The cedar dominance surged agam, suffocating the wolves present. Omegas even whimpered, instinctively curling up.


    After hearing the first question he asked upon sitting down, everyone¡¯s heart skipped a beat Alpha Manfred quickly interjected, ¡°Alpha Lance, please forgive us, No one has bullied Prisci=¡±


    ¡°Are you implying my mother is lying?¡± Lance¡¯s lone was icy,


    09:15


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Alpha Manfred stammered.


    Though he held a royal position, facing Lance¨Ca battle¨Chardened Alpha¨Cdiminished his confidence.


    Under Lance¡¯s piercing gaze, he felt his scalp tingle and a chill run down his spine. ¡°It¡¯s all a misunderstanding


    ¡°Alpha Lance, are you relying on your royal status to bully others?¡± the old Luna quickly countered.

 Novel Male 363

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +5 From Com


    Dwight¡¯s chest heaved with Soulrend Pack¡¯s signature thorny pheromones. His dark green wolf eyes. narrowed to slits with rage, betrayed his disdain for the royal family¡¯s intimidation tactics.


    ¡°It¡¯s Prisci who¡¯s bullying us with her power,¡± he spat, his fangs piercing his <b>lower </b>lip. Blood and themy pheromones burst forth, openly defying Lance¡¯s cedar dominance.


    Not a flicker of emotion <b>crossed </b>Lance¡¯s golden¨Cred vertical pupils. The icy cedar aura tightened abruptly. like invisible chains strangling Dwight¡¯s throat.


    Too talkative. Tommy, hit him<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Without even looking up, Lance¡¯s royal aura had already frozen the air. Omegas ttened their ears in terror, trembling <b>violently</b>.


    Tommy strode in, his wrist already showing dark blue veins of beastly transformation. Wolf ws burst half¨Can¨Cinch from his fingertips<b>, </b>rust¨Cvored gales slicing across Dwight¡¯s cheek.


    A crisp ¡°<b>smack</b>¡± echoed¨Cnot just a p, but Lance¡¯s aura crushing Dwight through Tommy.


    Dwight was sent flying into a pir. The thorny pheromones burst like crushed berries, mixing with blood and spattering the floor.


    The second p came with Tommy¡¯s fully transformed wolf ws. Steel¨Clike nails scraped Dwight¡¯s jaw, leaving five bloody marks.


    Dwight¡¯s face swelled instantly. His dark green wolf eyes scattered with pain and humiliation, yet he still struggled to release weak dominance.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far, Alpha Lance! he snarled, blood and broken fang were nearly extinguished. <ol><li>ig. The thorny pheromones </li></ol>


    The old Luna¡¯s wormwood pheromones boiled with rage. She rushed to Dwight¡¯s side, ws digging blood¨Cstreaked grooves into her palms, ¡°Lance, are you deliberately sending them to bully Soulrend Pack?¡±


    She tried to release Luna¡¯s soothing aura to protect Dwight but <b>was </b>mmed back by Lance¡¯s cedar dominance, stumbling three steps.


    Alpha Howell, already indecisive, was howpletely flustered at seeing Dwight beaten.


    He was about to speak when Lance¡¯s sudden golden¨Cred vertical pupils pinned him in ce¨Cthe surging menace in them made <b>his </b>nape nds tighten.


    <b>¡°</b><b>Alpha </b>Howell, I suggest you stay out of this between Soulrend Pack and me.¡± Lance¡¯s cedar aura carried a chilling warning.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard Melinda isn¡¯t well. Perhaps Luna Skye should check on her.¡±


    The aura pressed down on Howell, his wolf cars drooping involuntarily.


    13


    Yet he still mustered his oak pheromones of reconciliation: ¡°This must be a misunderstanding give me some time<b>¡­ </b>


    A low growl rumbled from Lance¡¯s <b>throat</b>. Cedar dominance surged, toppling a nearby dining table.


    <b>Amid </b>the shattered bowls, his golden¨Cred eyes locked onto Howell. ¡°He¡¯s already been given time. He <b>chose </b>to reject it.


    The cedar¨Ccharged air froze like a poisoned de, silencing everyone.


    ¡°Soulrend Pack dared toy hands on Prisci and used the royal family of bullying.¡± Lance¡¯s golden- red eyes contracted sharply.


    Cedar pheromonesced with the ckthorn Pack¡¯s bloodiness swirled like a blizzard. Tommy, tell Avery


    His fingertips, edged with anger, twitched toward beastliness, nails glinting coldly. ¡°Have him bring the <b>ckthorn </b>Pack warriors, Use their ws to trim the unruly elites for Lycan Erasmus. Reduce everythin in Soulrend Pack to fragments!¡±


    Avery and his warriors entered, their ckthorn Pack¨Cspecific iron¨Crust pheromones instantly flooding the space.


    Though weapon¨Cless, their beast¨Ctransformed fists were veined and knuckles shone with a dark blue wolf-


    de. w gloss¨Choned by years ofbat into weapons sharper than any


    The sounds of destruction mixed with the <b>wolves</b>¡® <b>low </b>growls. Wooden tables shattered under iron fists, porcin was crushed to powder by beast¨Ctransformed feet, and the tearing of fabric sent Soulrend Pack members curling up, ears ttened, not daring to release even a whimper of resistance.


    The old Luna unleashed intense wormwood pheromones, the Soulrend Pack¡¯s century<b>¨C</b>old glory. Her wolf eyes, enraged and deep¨Cgreen, dered, ¡°Alpha Lance, Soulrend Pack will not be trampled by your ws!¡±


    highest¨Clevel defensive <b>aura</b><b>. </b>Wormwood pheromones, thorn¨Clike,


    She abruptly released the pack entangled Lance¡¯s cedar aura.


    I will activate the Soulrend Pack ancestral Luna¡¯s guardian mark!¡± she <b>vowed</b>, then charged at a cylindrical <b>pir</b><b>. </b>


    Naturally, she didn¡¯t actually collide with the pir<b>. </b>


    With so many pack members in the room and her slow motion, they easily intercepted her.


    Clearly, she was leveraging her status as a senior to pressure Lance.


    Lance¡¯s golden¨Cred eyes remained unmoved. His cedar pheromones suddenly retracted, the stillness before a storm¨Cthis extreme calm was more chilling <b>than </b>the surging aura.


    ckthorn warriors, as if receiving a silentmand, intensified their destruction. Beast¨Ctransformed palms tore paimings to <b>reveal </b>gleaming wolf ws, the crunch of porcin underfoot mingled with their <b>low</b><b>, </b>predatory growls.


    Iron¨Crust pheromones flooded Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory, colliding violently with the lingering thorny scent. Timid she wolves, pheromones quivering like candle mes in the wind, screamed and fled to the


    23


    0216 Thu, 17 Jul


    Jul & @


    backyard, tails tightly tucked.


    After the old Luna was restrained, her wormwood pheromones spiraled out of control. Her green eyes. clouded with rage and humiliation, turned ssy


    Watching the courtyard¡¯s ruin, her knuckles whitened from tension, ws nearly piercing her palms

 Novel Male 364

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    you¡¯re


    ¡°Alpha Lance, yeni re determined to trample Soulrend Parks pride into the mad with ckthor¡¯s s


    Old Luna sensed Lance¡¯s cedar aura, an invisible ner suffocating the entire pack. Even the youngest pops whimpered in corners


    Rage blinded her. She never expected Lance to be so arrogant, unfazed even by her threats of vide


    ckthorn warriors, bound by <b>park </b>taboos, halted at the inner courtyard edge


    Avery stood at the packhouse door, his half¨Ctransformed fist paused mid¨Cair,manding the destructio <b>of </b>the front yard furniture and flower stands. The sound of tearing fabric was shrill in the righ


    Alpha Manfred stood in the shadows, fingernails dug into his palms.


    Soulrend Pack¡¯s thorny pheromones coiled within him.


    He detected Melinda¡¯s jasmine scent mingled with Lance¡¯s cedar aura¨Ca panic¨Cstricken residue from when Dwight shoved her.


    Lance¡¯s fury was clearly fueled by Melinda¡¯s grievance, transformed into ckthorn¡¯s ws to etch an indelible lesson into Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory.


    Manfred¡¯s wolf cars drooped. Watching woodchips fly, he realized this wasn¡¯t mere venting but a direct Alpha warning to transgressors.


    Dwight stood aloof, nursing his broken teeth¨Ca consequence of being pushed.


    Old Luna, heartbroken, spared him further punishment.


    With no Silverlight Pack intervention, Soulredd Pack harbored false hope.


    <b>Prisci¡¯s </bte¨Cnight visit aimed to provoke conflict and draw Lance and Adide in


    Since Soulrend Pack was at fault, they had to endure whatever Lance did.


    If word spread that they¡¯d struck Prisci, a royal insult, the repercussions would be dire


    Worse still, Dwight¡¯s misconduct post¨Cdismissal¨Cabusing Melinda, favoring a nightclub breeder, and causing her to miscarry¨Cwere charges Soulrend Pack couldn¡¯t bear.


    Compared to these, the Soulrend Pack could endure Alpha Lance¡¯s outburst of anger.


    At the very least, after such amotion, the matter <b>would </b>not be further pursued to involve Lycan Erasmus<b>. </b>


    Dwight stood there arrogantly. He¡¯d already drafted several articles in his mind, all condemning Alpha Lance for his bullying.


    He believed that once these articles were public, <b>many </b>would join the condemnation


    1.2


    He had a substantial following of university students who once adored him.


    If he led <b>the </b>outery, articles denouncing Alpha Lance would emerge like mushrooms after rain.


    -5 Free Com


    So, he wasn¡¯t just unafraid. He even hoped Lance would wreak more havoc. The more tyrannical Lance¡¯s actions, the more monstrous Dwight could depict him in his writings.


    Willow, cradled in his arms, was smeared with Dwight¡¯s blood. They appeared as star¨Ccrossed lovers to


    onlookers.


    In reality, this disy unnerved Prisci. Her nonchnt facade belied trembling hands hidden in her sleeves.


    This was her first encounter with her son¡¯s full fury


    The front courtyardy in ruins. Inside the packhouse, everything but the upied chairs was shattered.


    Old Luna wailed, vowing to seek justice at the pce.


    Luna Chloe restrained her, preventing a self¨Cdestructive act


    She wanted to fight desperately, but when she looked at Alpha Lance, she saw no fear in him.


    Adide sat beside him, her eyes colder than his.


    Alpha Howell rose angrily. ¡°Enough! Stop this instant!¡±


    His outburst only chilled Lance further, like a winter de slicing through <b>air</b>.


    Alpha Howell even felt a chill down his neck and shrank back.


    He knew it was cowardly, but he didn¡¯t dare to suppress Lance with his uncle¡¯s authority


    Luna Skye gripped her sleeve, silenced by the chaotic sounds of dest


    <b>was </b>


    being smashed, but cach noise fueled her anxiety.


    She was furious with Adide¨Chow could she be so reckless<b>? </b>


    in outside. She didn¡¯t know what


    This would irreparably fracture rtions with Soulrend Pack, ruining Melinda¡¯s future within the pack


    ¡°Alright, stop!¡± Adide¡¯s voice cut through the chaos


    The destruction ceased swiftly. Avery <b>and </b>the ckthorn warriors lined up outside, awaiting further


    orders.

 Novel Male 365

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    <b>Some </b>members of the Soulrend Pack rushed outside to find the scene as devastated <b>as </b>inside the packhouse.


    Alpha <b>Manfred</b>, pale as paper, took a deep breath and stepped forward. ¡°Alpha Lance, your anger must <b>have </b>subsided by now?¡±


    Lance remained silent, his face cold. Adide spoke up instead. <b>¡°</b>Alpha Manfred, do you harbor any


    Manfred gritted his teeth and forced out, ¡°No, I dare not.¡±


    ¡°Dare not?¡±


    Adide¡¯s face <b>was </b>devoid of warmth. ¡°See that it¡¯s truly so. Otherwise, I assure you, next time the Soulrend Pack will be razed to the ground.¡±


    Manfred recalled Adide¡¯s grand mating ceremony.


    He knew her power¨Cbacked by the ckthorn Pack, Warscar Training Camp operatives at hermand. and even informants within Soulrend Pack.


    She was capable of annihting them without a trace.


    <b>Tonight</b>, he¡¯d lost all face. If tonight¡¯s events went public, he¡¯d be humiliated.


    Struggling to respond to Adide, Dwight suddenly spoke. ¡°Bullies always face retribution!¡±


    Adide turned to him, a cold smile curving her lips. ¡°nning to rally students to denounce us in articles tomorrow? And leverage your Lycan Erasmus¨Cendorsed talents to escte this?¡±


    Dwight froze¨Chow had she guessed?


    He lifted his chin and wiped the blood from his lips. ¡°Afraid now? Toote. Unless you sever my hands, I¡¯ll write those articles.¡±


    Why bother? Adide retorted. ¡°You¡¯re a writer; it¡¯d be a waste not to. Just ensure they¡¯re well¨Ccrafted. citing ssics to explore loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and justice. Of course, only if your actions can rte to such virtues.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget to include your breeder, Willow, in your writings. Detail how she caused Melinda¡¯s miscarriage risk, forcing her to bed/rest for a month,¡± Adide added.


    Dwight¡¯s face flushed a deep red. /Luna Adide, this is none of your business. Melinda¡¯s bed rest has nothing to do with Willow. I was the one who pushed her.¡±


    Adide turned to Alpha Howell and his wife. ¡°You heard him. He admitted to pushing Melinda, leading to her month¨Clong bed rest. The incident started with Willow¡¯s <b>provocation</b>. She tripped on the steps herself, yet Dwight mes Melinda. So, do you stand by <b>Dwight </b>or your daughter?


    C


    1.2


    96%


    The Howells exchanged uneasy nces, their disappointment in Dwight evident.


    ¡°How could you? She¡¯s yourwful mate, Luna Skye angrily confronted Dwight


    Dwight defended. I was furious, Willow didn¡¯t trip¨CMelinda had someone push her. She¡¯s too jealous to tolerate anyone near use,


    ¡°I saw it <b>with </b>my <b>own </b>eyes, Georgina interjected. ¡°She tripped herself.


    Dwight sneered<b>. </b>¡°Who are you to butt in?¡±


    He despised Georgina for assaulting him earlier.


    She retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t unt your future <b>Alpha </b>status before me. Paige and I aren¡¯t your park¡¯s servants; we¡¯re here to <b>protect </b>Melinda. Hurting her, you deserved those punches. You preach morality but are filled with vile thoughts. You¡¯re not half the person we are, yet you call yourself elite? You¡¯re nothing but trash!¡±¡°¡±


    ¡°Outrageous!¡± the old Luna croaked.


    Seated, she pointed at Georgina. ¡°Since you¡¯re not of Soulrend Pack, leave now!¡±


    Paisley snapped, ¡°Old woman, either continue your suicide show or shut your trap. I¡¯ve never seen a pack¡¯s elder as muddled as you, favoring your grandson¡¯s mistress while bullying hiswful mate. Tomorrow, TI broadcast in the streets how you mistreat <b>Melinda </b><b>and </b>aid a red¨Clight¨Cdistrict breeder


    The old Luna, unused to such insult, sputtered wordlessly.


    Willow, in Dwight¡¯s arms, began to cry. ¡°Though from the red¨Clight district, no wolf marked me before I became Dwight¡¯s breeder¡±


    Paisley nced at Adide, who nodded faintly.


    Paisley sneered, ¡°You¡¯re a so¨Ccalled pure dance hall girl? That might fool witless fools like Dwight, but not <ol start="115"><li><b>115</b><b>. </b></li></ol>


    Dwight erupted, ¡°How dare you defame her?¡±


    Paisleyughed coldly. ¡°Defame her? I wouldn¡¯t dare. Willow, care to share your real name? I heard your father, Hunt Shuman, named you Wilorina. But Madison calls you Dance Hall Girl, doesn¡¯t she?¡±

 Novel Male 366

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As Paisley finished speaking, Willow¡¯s mint pheromones abruptly grew chaotic, like gauze shredded by a


    gale.


    Her wolf eyes contracted in shock, their clear green hue clouding instantly, and her face paled.


    <b>But </b>thispsested only a second. The next moment, her eyes reddened and her wolf ears ttened in grievance.


    As tears welled up, her <b>mint </b>pheromones carried a calcted fragility, like a sapling bent by a storm: ¡°W- <b>what </b>are you talking about?¡±


    The wolf eyes of <b>Alpha </b>Manfred and others shrank in <b>unison</b>. Soulrend Pack¡¯s signature thorny pheromones fluctuated violently with shock.


    They stared at Willow as if trying to peel back her refined facade.


    Manfred¡¯s knuckles whitened, his wolf ws curling subconsciously in his palms. The thorny scent trembled with disbelief¡ªwas she actually Madison¡¯s daughter?


    The rest of the pack was in an <b>uproar</b>, whispered conversations tangling pheromones into knots. Madison¡¯s only daughter, Wanda, was well¨Cknown as royalty. How could there be another child?


    Paisley¡¯s cedar pheromones sharpened like a de. She lifted her chin slightly, her wolf eyes glinting with mockery. ¡°You can¡¯t deny it. I¡¯ve uncovered every detail of this affair.¡±


    Her aura pricked Weedles. ¡°You <b>think </b>your little secrets could stay hidden from Luna Adide?¡±


    like


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not true, Willow sobbed, her body shaking.


    Mint pheromones flickered like <b>a </b>dying me.


    She clutched Dwight¡¯s sleeve, her wolf ws leaving faint marks. If I were Madison¡¯s daughter, how would I <b>have </b>ended up in a ce like Red Nightclub?¡±


    Her cries mixed with puppy¨Clike whimpers, softening the thorny pheromones around Dwight.


    Dwight swiftly shielded her with his body. His dark green wolf eyes red with protective rage, thorny pheromones wrapping Willow in a gentle cocoon. ¡°I believe you. She¡¯s just using you to smear Madison.¡±


    His palm warmed Willow¡¯s trembling <b>hand</b>, trying to soothe her <b>chaotic </b>pheromones.


    ¡°Idiot!¡± Lance¡¯s golden¨Cred eyes shed coldly. Cedar dominance pierced the air like icicles.


    One word,ced with contempt, froze Dwight¡¯s thorny <b>aura</b>.


    Adide¡¯s pheromones flowed steadily, carrying <b>unshakable </b>certainty. ¡°She is indeed Madison¡¯s mate Hunt¡¯s daughter.


    Turning to <b>Alpha </b>Manfred, she added, ¡°As for why she infiltrated your pack under this identity, you¡¯d better reflect on that ¡±


    ¡°Luna Adide, Luna Adidel¡±


    In his desperation<b>, </b>Manfred¡¯s thorny pheromones surged. He strode forward but <b>was </b>halted by Paisley¡¯s


    cedar dominance.


    Forced to stop, his wolf eyes bloodshot with urgency, he growled <b>in </b><b>a </b><b>voice </b>tinged with wolf vibration, ¡°Luna Adide, please rify, Is she¡­ truly Hunt¡¯s daughter?¡±


    The scent of Willow¡¯s suppressed pheromones hung like a poorly told lie.


    Paisley¡¯s cedar pheromones turned razor¨Csharp. ¡°Ask me,¡± she said. ¡°I investigated this.¡±


    Her emerald wolf eyes gleamed with icy judgment. Her dominance pricked Willow like needles. ¡°She is Madison¡¯s mate Hunt¡¯s daughter-


    ¡°Born to another breeder in the West Wing¡¯s ¡®nursery


    Paisley¡¯s cedar aura carried mockery as she scanned Willow¡¯s nched face. ¡°Trained from childhood to please men with pheromones, her neck nds bear faint traces of countless Alpha markings-


    She emphasized ¡°markings, her cedar dominance surging. The ¡®innocence you <b>speak </b>of, in the werewolf world, refers to those marked by numerous unknown Alphas, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Tam innocent¡±


    Willow¡¯s mint pheromones erupted in chaos.


    As she flung herself into Dwight¡¯s arms, her <b>wolf </b>ears pressed against her skull, her light green eyes brimming with tears. Her ws left tiny marks on his clothing. ¡°How could she defame me like this?


    Dwight¡¯s thorny aura exploded, encasing Willow in a protective shell.


    His dark green eyes reddened with fury, and he unleashed his highest¨Clevel aura. ¡°She is innocent, and 1 vouch for it!¡±


    Thorny pheromones shed with Paisley¡¯s cedar <b>aura</b>, hissing like live wires.


    ¡°Foolishness suits you, Paisley sneered.


    Cedar pheromones sharpened into ice¨Ctipped darts, overwhelming Dwight¡¯s thorny defense. ¡°Do you think werewolves judge ¡®innocence¡® by appearances?¡±


    Her wolf ws emerged, nails gleaming coldly. ¡°Her neck nds still reek of the low¨Css walves from Red Nightclub¨Ccan¡¯t you scent it?¡±


    ¡°Liar!¡± Dwight¡¯s fury broke his lower lip. Blood and thorny pheromones burst forth as he roared at Paisley ¡°Get out! <b>All </b>of you, get out!¡±


    He strengthened his pheromones to shield Willow further but was shoved back by Lance¡¯s inadvertently leaked cedar dominance.


    +5 Free Colna

 Novel Male 367

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Who do you think we are, delighted to stay in this filthy ce?¡±


    Paisley¡¯s gaze raked over Willow like wolf ws. Her cedar aura was as biting as winter. ¡°We didn¡¯t want to expose your true identity-


    She paused, a sh of contempt in her wolf eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve caused enough trouble in Soulrend Pack, but why <b>go </b>after Melinda?¡±


    Paisley¡¯s wolf ws fully emerged, glinting in the moonlight. ¡°Pick on vulnerable she¨Cwolves, why don¡¯t you challenge Madison<b>? </b>Then I¡¯d at least respect you <b>as </b>a wolf bold enough to bite the hand <b>that </b>feeds it.¡±


    Willow trembled more violently in Dwight¡¯s arms, unable to hide under Paisley¡¯s aura.


    The Soulrend Pack¡¯s pheromones were in <b>chaos</b>¨Cthorny, wormwood, mint, and cedar scents shed like a silent howl


    Willow¡¯s sobs were incessant, her fingers clutching Dwight¡¯s clothes tightly, her eyes dry but her cries brimming with grievance and misery.


    ¡°This is an absolute mess!¡±


    <b>Lance </b>stood up, took Adide¡¯s <b>hand</b>, and said to the stunned Prisci, ¡°Mother, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Prisci schooled <b>her </b>surprised expression, stood up, but cast a nce at Luna Skye. ¡°When I went <b>to </b>see Melinda earlier, she thought it <b>was </b>you and was overjoyed. But when she saw it wasn¡¯t, her disappointment was palpable. No wonder your daughter suffers humiliations¨Cher mother¡¯s so weak. I caused thismotion today, and you know exactly why. If you can¡¯t act like a proper mother and let this slide, I¡¯ll truly despise you.¡±


    Adide said coolly, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Every mother has maternal instincts. I think she¡¯ll know what to do.¡±


    ¡°Adide!¡±


    Skye called out, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°I know you¡¯re here for Melinda, but have you considered that this will make her life in Soulrend Pack even harder?¡±


    ¡°Is her life there easy now?¡±


    Adide countered, scanning the room<b>. </b>¡°Look at them¨Chas anyone stood up for Melinda? If it weren¡¯t for Georgina¡¯s punches, Dwight¡¯s shove would¡¯ve been brushed off with a mere reprimand¡±


    Disappointment filled Adide¡¯s eyes. She couldn¡¯t fathom what Alpha Howell and Luna Skye feared so


    much.


    He was royalty.


    Even without real power or a governinent post, the royal title alone should outweigh this small pack¡¯s influence<b>. </b>


    O


    Yet, despite Melinda¡¯s great wrongs, Skye still med Adide for stirring up too much trouble


    This woman, once not cowardly in Adide¡¯s eyes, had changed so much.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Lance said, leading Adide out.


    Paisley escorted Prisci out, and after they left. Avery and his warriors vanished into the night.


    Soulrend Pack¡¯s lights remained on. All eyes were on Willow, filled with suspicion and coldness


    <b>Luna </b>Skye visited Melinda and found her daughter, though pregnant, thin as a shadow,


    Skye finally burst into tears. ¡°How could he treat you like this? You¡¯re carrying his child. I thought, even if he dotes on that breeder, he¡¯d still treat you decently. I shouldn¡¯t have tied you to him.¡±


    Melinda, dry¨Ceyed, murmured. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I loved him first, and he said he loved me too. Mom. I want to dissolve the mating bond.¡±


    Skye¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°Absolutely not! What will you do after dissolving it?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay here, Mom, Reputation means nothing now.¡±


    Melinda¡¯s eyes were <b>void </b>of hope.


    She wasn¡¯t jealous <b>and </b>could tolerate a breeder.


    But when he pushed her onto the table without a second thought, her heart died.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by Adide!¡± Skye urged. ¡°She dissolved her bond and now encourages you to do the same. She found Alpha Lance; what will you do? What about the baby?¡±


    Melinda wiped her <b>tears</b>, ¡°Mom, if I dissolve the bond, can I return to the pack?¡±


    After Alpha Howell and Luna Skye left, Soulrend Pack¡¯s omegas cleaned up th Dwight and Willow stayed in the packhouse, while other members dispersed. <b>Luna </b>Chloe didn¡¯t stay either. <b>Alpha </b>Manfred escorted the old Luna <b>to </b>rest.


    reckage.


    Before leaving, the old Luna ordered Manfred not to trouble Dwight, ¡°Our young male schrs are few and far between. He¡¯s Lycan Erasmus¨Cendorsed talent. His dismissal is temporary. Every pack has lovers and breeders¡ªjust schemers stirring trouble.¡±


    ¡°Rest now, Mother, Manfred said, ignoring her plea and having his mate help the old Luna to her room.


    Manfred red at Willow, sobbing¡¯in Dwight¡¯s arms. Irritation boiled within him. ¡°Why are you crying? If you hadn¡¯t provoked Melinda today, <b>none </b>of this would¡¯ve happened.¡±


    Dwight defended Willow, ¡°Father, how can you me her? You¡¯ve seen Melinda¡¯s people¨Cthey¡¯re vicious enough to attack me.¡±

 Novel Male 368

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°You coward, silence!¡±


    Alpha Manfred roared, then turned to Willow. ¡°Get out and kneel. Don¡¯t rise without mymand.¡±


    Dwight immediately stepped forward to shield Willow. ¡°No kneeling! She¡¯s been dragged and hurt by that vicious woman. Look at her face¡­


    Alpha Manfred could hold back no longer. He pped Dwight across the face.


    ¡°How dare <b>you</b>! Don¡¯t you realize the disaster looming over you?¡± he bellowed.


    After being struck multiple times, Dwight¡¯s fury reached its peak. Fine! If you all despise Willow and me, we¡¯ll leave the <b>pack</b>! I won¡¯t be the future Alpha<b>. </b>Let whoever wants it have it! Soulrend Pack means nothing to me!¡±


    He had some backbone after all. He promptly returned to his room, packed his belongings, and prepared


    to <b>leave</b><b>. </b>


    Alpha Manfred sat in his chair, listening to reports that Dwight had packed his clothes, valuables, and many of his favorite books, and left by carriage


    Alpha Manfred¡¯s voice wasced with biting coldness, ¡°Did Willow try to stop him?¡±


    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t stop him. She packed her things and left with Dwight, came the reply.


    <b>Alpha </b>Mantred closed his eyes, recalling Luna Adide¡¯s words.


    Madison had used the call girl identity to get her breeder¡¯s child into Soulrend Pack, and he needed to consider her motives.


    Combined with Paisley¡¯s usations, Alpha Manfred was now certain: Willo s sent to disrupt the pack.


    Madison had infiltrated Willow to bring down Soulrend Pack.


    Manfred initially had two suspicions. First, that Willow, being disliked by Madison, was sent to a nightclub.


    Second, that Madison deliberately inserted Willow into the pack to ruin its reputation.


    Now, he was almost certain it was thetter.


    Dwight had once been promising, a royal mate with a bright future.


    But after meeting Willow, he first/tarnished Soulrend Pack¡¯s century¨Cold reputation by making her a <b>breeder</b>, then had rtionship issues with Melinda, and was finally impeached by the inspector, losing his position.


    If <b>Willow </b>stayed, who knew <b>what </b>other chaos she¡¯d cause?


    Especially since Melinda had already suffered a miscarriage risk because of <b>her</b><b>. </b>


    09-10


    Chapter <b>368 </b>


    If Willow stayed, there was no telling whether Melinda would have a smooth childbirth.


    <b>Alpha </b>Howell and Luna Skye hadn¡¯t condemned Willow harshly tonight, but their anger was evident


    They weren¡¯t too concerning, <b>as </b><b>Alpha </b><b>Howell </b>still hoped the couple could reconcile, advising Melinda to endure and focus on the <b>baby</b>.


    The real worry was Luna Adide.


    Would Alpha Lance dare to bring tonight¡¯s destruction to the Royal Court?


    He wouldn¡¯t dare utter a word.


    Just the charge of ¡°offending the former New Moon Priestess was enough tobel Soulrend Pack as insubordinate.


    Moreover, the warriors entered unarmed, using only their fists.


    The damaged items and their injured hands showed Lance¡¯s precise control.


    Dwight truly left the pack.


    The old Luna, unwilling to see him suffer, arranged for them to stay in a pack¨Cpurchased vi and sent ample funds.


    Once settled, Dwight began writing articles attacking the ckthorn <b>Pack </b>


    After finishing, he invited a dozen or so former students over, but only three or four showed up.


    After reading Dwight¡¯s article, the students looked shocked. They quickly excused themselves and left.


    Dwight, confused and deserte grabbed one named Allen and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t any of you willing to help


    me?¡±


    Allen, a former admirer of Dwight¡¯s, hade out of respect but was put off of <b>Alpha </b>Lance.


    e article¡¯s harsh critique


    Allen entered universityst year and once held Dwight in high esteem<b>. </b>However, this was before Dwight mated with that call girl from the Red Nightclub.


    Today, he came merely out of respect for Dwight


    He saw the article was filled with harsh criticism of a wolf general who¡¯d just quelled a southern border rebellion. Itbeled Alpha Lance as ¡°disrespectful to women, referring to Willow.


    Allen <b>was </b>batlled.


    If this article went public, people would condemn him. He wouldn¡¯t get involved.


    So, to Dwight¡¯s question, Allen simply said, ¡°When a leader is upright, his followers behave, when he¡¯s not they won¡¯t, then nodded and left.


    Dwight¡¯s face turned pale with fury. As a royal¨Csponsored elite, how could he be ¡°immoral¡°?


    1473


    <i>Clearly</i>, these people were all sycophants. He¡¯d once thought them principled, but now they feared Alpha Lance¡¯s power.


    He vented his frustration by smashing things in a caf¨¦.


    Yet the owner, unmoved by his royal status, sternly demandedpensation despite Dwight¡¯s heated protests.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 369

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Back at the ckthorn Pack, Lance had been at the Ministry of Justice since that morning. Prisci sar there in a daze.


    When Adide came to greet her, Prisci quickly grabbed her hand and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the real story <b>with </b>Willow? Is she really Hunt¡¯s daughter?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°It¡¯s true. Besides Wilorina¨Cnow known as Willow¨Cother women are likely being sent <b>to </b>powerful packs as well.¡±


    ¡°Why would they do that? Even as a breeder¡¯s daughter, she¡¯s still Hunt¡¯s daughter. Why send her to such a seedy ce? Isn¡¯t that embarrassing for her?¡± Prisci questioned.


    ¡°If no one had uncovered the truth, who would know Willow¡¯s real identity? As long as it¡¯s kept secret, it doesn¡¯t embarrass her,¡± Adide exined.


    Prisci tried to wrap her head around it. ¡°But why go through all this trouble? Just to humiliate Hunt and the breeder? But the breeders were chosen by her for Hunt. If she grew tired of Hunt and didn¡¯t want to be intimate with him, her status shouldn¡¯t make her so disdainful of those children. If this gets out, her reputation will suffer.¡±


    Madison had carefully cultivated her image over the years.


    As the daughter of the former Lycan King, she allowed her mate to have breeders, a sign of her magnanimity that earned her respect.


    Though there had been some scandals, she quickly quelled them and maintained her good name.


    Adide said with a smile, ¡°Some people appear mild¨Cmannered but are cunning inside. Don¡¯t you know Madison? She used the gold jewelry store to get money from you. Even though it was profitable, she imed it was a loss. So, she might be pretending to be generous while secretly disliking them.¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t delve too deeply.


    The intricacies were beyond Prisci¡¯s simple nature. It was enough for her to grasp the basics. Anyway, the truth woulde out soon, and Prisci¡¯s knowledge would align with the public¡¯s.


    Prisci nodded in agreement after hearing Adide¡¯s exnation. ¡°Yes, some people are one thing in public and another in private. Madison might be truly malicious. We should have less to do with <b>such </b>individuals.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. We can still interact, but there¡¯s no need to bring up the old grievances of the gold jewelry <b>store</b>. Just keep things civil on the surface,¡± Adide advised.


    She didn¡¯t want the naive Prisci to sh with Madison.


    They weren¡¯t on the same level, and confrontation <b>was </b>unwise<b>. </b>


    Prisci heeded the advice. ¡°Understood<b>.¡± </b>


    Adide had Paisley monitor Dwight for a few days. Under the old Luna¡¯s care<b>, </b><b>Dwight </b>remained haught


    He carried his articles to the Royal Court, seeking to have them presented to <b>Lycan </b><b>Erasmus</b>.


    But no one in the Royal Court would entertain him.


    Convinced they envied his talent, he seethed with indignation.


    He then turned to the Academy of Literature, but everyone avoided him.


    Once personally reprimanded and dismissed by Lycan Erasmus, and now shunned for doting <b>on </b>a <b>breeder </b>and neglecting hiswful mate, even former elites distanced themselves. Kurors spread that he left Soulrend Pack and abandoned his future Alpha status.


    Worse, it was revealed that another breeder paid a nightclub call girl¡¯s breach¨Cof¨Ccontract fee on his <b>behalf </b>While conservative officials deemed it a minor offense, they condemned it as morally corrupt and were ashamed to acknowledge him as a former high¨Cachieving student.


    Additionally, Willow¡¯s identity surfaced, casting further doubt on his character.


    After days of fruitless efforts, Dwight¡¯s frustration peaked.


    ming Lance¡¯s suppression for his istion, he raged in a bar, ¡°Power exists to protect the privileged! With his immense power and military merits, Lance does as he pleases. Why won¡¯t anyone stop him? The government officials are all cowards!¡±


    Within three days, his rant swept through the capital like a whirlwind.


    Government officials denounced Dwight for his arrogance and self¨Crighteousness.


    A flood of impeachment reportsnded on the Royal Elder Council President¡¯s desk.


    Cyrus naturally reported the situation to Lycan Erasmus.


    When Lycan Erasmus summoned Lance for questioning, the truth of that night¡¯s events came to light.


    Melinda, Erasmus¡¯s cousin, had been gentle and well¨Cbehaved since childhood¨Ca likable girl. Unthinkable that Dwight would harm her so deeply.


    -And Willow, revealed to be the daughter of a breeder to Hunt, raised suspicions for Erasmus.


    Willow¡¯s identity was leaked by Adide to send a message to Madison: the secrets she thought hidden were <i>no </i>longer safe.


    As for how much Adide truly knew, that was left for Madison to guess¨Ca torment without <b>answers </b>


    <b>09:00 </b>Fri 18 Jul (ow

 Novel Male 370

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Over at Madison¡¯s ce, Adide wasn¡¯t worried. Lance and Caldwell were on the case.


    She was more concerned about Melinda.


    Georgina had visited, mentioning that Melinda had broached the topic of dissolving her mating bond <b>with </b>Luna Skye, only to be firmly rejected.


    Since then, Melinda had been dispirited.


    Even though she¡¯d been disappointed in Dwight and the Soulrend Pack before, she¡¯d never been this desperate.


    Adide feared Melinda might do something rash, <b>so </b>she asked Georgina and Paige to keep a close eye on


    her.


    As Georgina left, she said, ¡°Luna Skye might pay you a visit. The other night, I overheard Melinda suggesting dissolving the mating bond, and Luna Skye thought you put her up to it.¡±


    Adide wasn¡¯t afraid of Luna Skye.


    She was extremely disappointed in her and had little to say, but if Skye wanted toe, so be it.


    Sure enough, as the scandal involving Dwight¡¯s usations against government officials raged on in the capital, Luna Skye arrived.


    Prisci had intended to go out andgive her a piece of her mind but was persuaded by Paisley, ¡°You already scolded her the other night. Today, hear her out. If she¡¯s here for Melinda¡¯s sake, forgive her. <i>If </i>she¡¯s here to cause trouble for Adide, you can step in then.¡±


    Prisci was persuaded but still muttered indignantly, ¡°Never seen such a mother. She¡¯s utterly unfit for the role.¡±


    In the packhouse, the aroma of coffee filled the room.


    Beata served some cookies. Outside, it was raining, and her shoes were soaked, leaving clear footprints on the marble floor.


    Adide didn¡¯t speak first. She sat in her chair, slowly sipping her coffee. The two cousins were separated by a tall coffee table.


    The cookies were on the table. Beata left with the tray and stood guard outside the door.


    Adide picked up a cookie and ate it slowly, chewing quietly.


    Luna Skye also took a piece with a fork, eating daintily, biting small pieces, and using a small porcin dish to catch any crumbs, lest they soil her purple dress.


    The purple made herplexion appear even more dull. Her eyescked luster, with dark circles <b>beneath </b>them, indicating several sleepless nights.


    <b>Perhaps</b><b>, </b>after waiting in vain for Adide to speak, she finally put down her porcin <b>dish </b><b>and </b>fork <b>wiped </b>the corners of her mouth with a napkin, and said, ¡°Adide, have we be <b>so </b>estranged.


    Adide¡¯s voice was t. ¡°I thought the distance was on your end.¡±


    Luna Skye let out a soft sigh. ¡°Still about the gifts for Melinda? I apologize. Let¡¯s put this <b>behind </b>us, <b>shall </b>we? We¡¯re family. Your mother would be heartbroken to see us like this.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>If my mother were heartbroken, it wouldn¡¯t be because of me,¡± Adide said, lifting her head.


    ¡°Besides, I didn¡¯t take offense to you returning the gifts for Melinda. So, state your business. No <b>need </b><b>to </b>mention my mother.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s expression wasplicated. ¡°You im you didn¡¯t take offense, but do you know <b>that </b><b>because </b>of you, the Silverlight Pack was restricted from traveling by Lycan Erasmus for a month? We couldn¡¯t even enter the pce for Christmast Eve that year.¡±


    Adide found this amusing. ¡°So, should I me myself for that?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean that,¡± she paused, though she actually felt otherwise.


    The Silverlight Pack had always been low¨Ckey in the capital, avoiding trouble. Being restricted by Lycan Erasmus was unprecedented.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get to the point about Melinda,¡± Adide said, growing impatient.


    Luna Skye turned fully toward Adide.


    ¡°Adide, Melinda is not like you. She¡¯s timid and fragile, with little tolerance for hardship. She can¡¯t handle the gossip that would follow a dissolved mating bond. And with that nightclub call girl forcing her to break the bond, people would mock her mercilessly. She¡¯s too weak to bear it.¡±


    Her tone softened further. ¡°So, I beg you, don¡¯t encourage her to dissolve the bond. She¡¯s pregnant and. vulnerable. Besides, even if Willow is beautiful, the novelty will wear off. In three to five years, her mate will return. Then life will improve.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°You think I encouraged her to dissolve the bond?¡±


    ¡°If not for you, why would she suggest such a preposterous idea? How long have they been mated? Why would she seek trouble now?¡±


    Adide¡¯s gaze was filled with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I never urged her to dissolve the bond. Did it ever ur to you that her fragile nature and pregnancy might stem from feeling extremely wronged?¡±


    Luna Skye said, ¡°What woman doesn¡¯t feel wronged?¡±


    Adide said, ¡°She¡¯s Melinda. Her parents are part of the royalty. She has support and doesn¡¯t need to endure so much.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°Did you tell her that too? Did you make her believe the Silverlight Pack would back her, encouraging her to recklessly demand a bond dissolution?¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>


    <b>09:00 </b>Fri, <b>18 </b>Jul


    <b>1,18 </b>Jul

 Novel Male 371

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    86


    $ Free Cons


    Adide fell silent for a moment. Cedar pheromones slowly coalesced around her into ayer of <i>ice</i>¨Clike coldness<b>. </b>


    Her vertical pupils flickered faintly beneath her irises.


    A suppressed lupine growl rumbled in her throat as she spoke, ¡°Beata, show our guests out.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s fury erupted instantly. The Silverlight Pack¡¯s signature lc pheromones,ced with anxious sulfur, assailed the air. Her pupils shrank to fine lines.


    ¡°Adide, I¡¯m not done talking! How dare you rush to usher me out? I¡¯m your aunt!¡±


    In her rage, her wolf ws partially emerged, and with an Alpha¡¯s aura, she mmed her palm¨Cclenched around a coffee cup¨Cdown onto the floor.


    The sound of shattering bone china echoed through the room. Her chest heaved, and the wolf hairs at the back of her neck bristled with agitation.


    Adide nced down at the shattered cup at her feet. As coffee seeped over her shoes, cedar pheromones abruptly solidified into tangible pressure, chilling the very air.


    She slowly raised her head. Her vertical pupils gleamed with silver¨Cblue coldness in the sunlight, and her voice carried the gravelly texture unique to wolves, ¡°If you dare¡­¡±


    She paused, her fingertips whitening from restraint, yet showing no signs of beastly transformation. The invisible aura made Luna Skye¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°If you can disy such fury in Soulrend Pack, if you can smash a cup in their presence and call Dwight heartless to his face, Melinda would find sce in it, and I would still consider you family. But did you not witness Melinda¡¯s distress that night? You merely yed mediator. When she sought to dissolve her mating bond and asked for your eptance back into the pack, a simple nod from you¨Cnot just endless urgings to endure¨Cwould have offered her immensefort. Perhaps her words about dissolving the bond were born of momentary anguish, but have you considered how your refusal might break her heart, how it might drive her to despair?¡±


    ¡°She cannot dissolve the mating bond!¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s face flushed with urgency, her pheromones chaotic and her wolf ears trembling faintly.


    Baring her fangs, she hissed, ¡°Have I spoken in vain? If I ept her back into the pack while she¡¯s pregnant, how would that situation be resolved? Have you truly thought about her? She holds you in such high esteem; how could you harm her like this?¡±


    Luna Skye rose abruptly, her wolf ws extending half an inch before she forcibly retracted them.


    Tears welled up as she swiped at them with a tissue, yet they kept falling.


    Her voice,ced with a sob and the vibrato of a wolf¡¯s howl, pleaded, ¡°What are the current hardshipspared to the bigger picture? As thewful mate, does she have to fear a breeder from a nightclub? Even if she is Hunt¡¯s daughter, raised in squalor, Dwight will eventually tire of her. In time, he will return to Melinda. Exin this to her, and she won¡¯t insist on dissolving the bond. She¡¯s always heeded your


    words; go speak to her, and she will listen.¡±


    After speaking, she staggered back to her seat, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs as she dabbed at her face with a tissue.


    Her wolf tail swept restlessly under the skirt, spreading sorrowful violet pheromones into the air like rain- dampened petals¨Ca mix of vulnerability and helplessness.


    Adide, seeing the resemnce between Luna Skye¡¯s face and her own mother¡¯s, felt a pang of difort at the sight of her constant tears and runny nose.


    Yet she couldn¡¯t help but raise her voice and ask, ¡°What are you afraid of? What exactly are you fearing?¡±


    ¡°Fearing?¡±


    Luna Skye, her voice muffled as she covered her face with her hands, spoke through a nasal tone. ¡°We fear being expelled from the capital and banished to that barrennd! You know full well where our territory lies¨Cit¡¯s a ce of extreme cold and poverty. How could we endure such hardship?¡±


    Adide shook her head, her tone icy. ¡°You fear the hardships of your territory, so you choose to suffer humiliation in the capital, enduring others¡® disdain and living in degradation, even casting away the royal family¡¯s dignity.¡±


    ¡°And you expect Melinda to be just as cowardly? Has Lycan Erasmus ever asked you to go to your territory? Alpha Howell holds no position in the Royal Court; he¡¯s merely a leisured noble. Whether he goes to the territory or not is of no concern to anyone. The worries that keep you up at night are not even on Lycan Erasmus¡¯s radar.¡±


    ¡°The royal family¡¯s intentions are inscrutable to you,¡± Luna Skye¡¯s voice turned cold.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wish to discuss this further. Our situations differ. When your parents were alive, their military merits afforded us some protection. Now that they¡¯re gone, we must tread carefully in the capital, avoiding even the recruitment of pack warriors. So please, don¡¯t equate the ckthorn Pack with the Silverlight Pack.¡±


    She set down the tissue and stood up. ¡°I won¡¯t borate further. I don¡¯t ask for your pity as family, but for the sake of Melinda¡¯s past respect and affection for you, I beg you not to harm her. Also, recall those two individuals you sent to Soulrend Pack. Withdraw them. A subordinate who strikes their master¡¯s underling is no good subordinate¨Cneither Soulrend Pack nor Melinda needs such people.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    Adide walked to the door, made a dismissive gesture, and said firmly, ¡°They are not subordinates. Before Melinda gives birth, I will not allow them to leave. Luna Skye, you¡¯re not weed to be here at the ckthorn Pack, Please leave.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Adide, you would even drive me away? I¡¯ve always cared for you. How can you treat me like this now?¡±


    Without lifting her eyelids, Adide repeated, ¡°Beata, show our guests out.¡±


    With that, she turned and left.


    Chapter <b>372 </b>

 Novel Male 372

    Chapter <b>372 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    When Prisci heard that Adide was angry with Luna Skye, her amber pheromones <b>exploded</b>. The Alpha aura in them made Beata¡¯s wolf hairs on her neck tten instantly.


    She was so angry that her wolf ws grew half an inch and left shallow marks on the floor after she stamped her foot. ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t be furious hearing such a thing? Adide was just minding her <b>seniority </b>and holding back. If I¡¯d been there, I would have pped her several times!¡±


    Cedar and sandalwood soothing pheromones tried to suppress the anger. She quickly ordered, <b>Hurry </b><b>up </b>and get the kitchen to make her some sweets, like cinnamon rolls or almond biscuits¡­ No, better yet<b>, </b><b>just </b>buy some sweets to cheer her up. It¡¯s not worth getting upset over such spineless people.


    Morgana¡¯s gray wolf ears trembled slightly with eagerness as she was about to turn around, but Paisley¡¯s crimson pheromones had already zed up like sparks. Her fingertips gleamed with the silver light of wolf ws. ¡°I¡¯ll go. I can get there faster.¡±


    ¡°Yes, send Paisley,¡± Prisci said, her pheromones still carrying residual anger.


    Gazing out the window, a hint ofplexity flickered in her pupils.


    Recalling Adide¡¯s restraint, it mirrored her own self¨Ccontrol when she had outbursts <i>at </i>rissa.


    However, Luna Skye¡¯s cowardice couldn¡¯tpare to rissa¡¯s reasonableness.


    When Adide returned to her and Lance¡¯s house<b>, </b>cedar pheromones had solidified into an icy fog. around her.


    She sat by the window, her fingers unconsciously/rubbing the windowsill, her knuckles whitening from the force. The chill in the air seemed to freeze the sunlight.


    As she was furious, familiar crimson pheromones mixed with warm sandalwood wafted in.


    Adide looked up to see Paisley and Prisci approaching, carrying a red octagonal pastry box that glowed with warmth in the sunlight.


    Adide rose as they entered, and her cedar aura softened slightly.


    She nodded politely. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Paisley ced the pastry box on the table. Her crimson pheromones carried a cheerful warmth. ¡°Prisci was worried you¡¯d get upset and wanted me to buy you some sweets. They can sweeten your mood and make the anger melt away.¡±


    She opened the box and neatly arranged the pastries on the tes.


    The sweet aroma filled the air.


    Adide gazed at the intricately patterned pastries. The chill in her cedar pheromones gradually dissipated, and a faint smile curved her lips.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>372 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Thank you. Let me try one,¡± she said, picking <b>up </b><b>a </b>pastry. Despite lingerling unease, her pedar mire softened considerably.


    When Prisci asked how it tasted, Adide met her eyes with a smile, her vertical <b>pupils </b>now a warm silver¨Cblue. ¡°Delicious.<b>¡± </b>


    The thoughtfulness behind the gesture warmed her more than the pastry itself, easing the <b>tension </b><b>in </b>her shoulders.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s expression soften, Prisci¡¯s sandalwood pheromones grew even more gentle. <b>¡°</b><b>Don¡¯t </b>waste your energy on such people. She doesn¡¯t have a single strong bone in her body. What¡¯s so <b>bad </b>about moving to the territory? Wouldn¡¯t life there be more carefree? It¡¯s better than living in fear and self- preservation here.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s crimson pheromones carried a sharp edge of disdain. ¡°Their life in the capital isn¡¯t great either. They dress and spend modestly, always yielding to others. They can¡¯t even stand up to a small Soulrend Pack. What¡¯s the point of living <b>so </b>cowardly?¡±


    ¡°Besides, Alpha Zander has spent most of his life in remote areas. What¡¯s there toin about?¡±


    Prisci added, her sandalwood pheromones tinged with coldness. ¡°In the territory, away from the royal watch, life would be much more enjoyable. With wealth and status, that¡¯s true freedom.¡±


    Adide listened to them, her cedar pheromones finally calmingpletely. The earlier anger had melted away like ice in the sun.


    ¡°There¡¯s more to it,¡± Adide said. ¡°Once in the territory, you can¡¯t return to the capital without an audience.¡±


    ¡°Although Lycan Erasmus is now lenient enough to allow asional returns, hisnd is so remote that going there would mean bidding farewell to the capital¡¯s elite forever,¡± Adide continued.


    ¡°Alpha Howell has other children. Naturally, he hopes they¡¯ll find mates in the capital. But given their current behavior, what good matches can his other children secure?¡±


    Prisci noticed the displeasure creeping back into Adide¡¯s expression and quickly changed the subject. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about those people anymore. No need to lower ourselves to their level!¡±


    Adide offered Prisci a pastry with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m not angry anymore. Try this.¡±


    Watching Adide pick up the pastry with her fingers, Prisci frowned slightly.


    She was still too careless in her manners.


    But after hesitating for a moment, she epted it, thinking, ¡°Never mind, a little dirt never hurt anyone.¡±


    The Royal Inspection Bureau sprang into action again, fullymitted to impeaching Dwight.


    The inspectors used him of immorality and misconduct, publicly insulting all officials, and even implying contempt for royalty


    They deemed Dwight unfit to be a royal schr and requested Lycan Erasmus to remove his <b>name </b><b>from </b>the Roster of Honor.


    09:01 Fri, <b>18 </b><b>Jul </b>W


    They also sought to revoke his status as the future Alpha of Soulrend Pack.


    In other words, Soulrend Pack was to appoint a new heir.


    45 Free Come


    At the meeting, Lycan Erasmus stripped Dwight of his inheritance rights as the future Alpha of Soulrend Pack but retained his title as a royal appointee.


    Since Lycan Erasmus had personally appointed him, revoking it would have been an admission of his own


    error.

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    Lycan Erasmus finally erupted in fury. His white musk pheromones, carrying cial chill, swept the conference hall instantly.


    His dark gold vertical pupils contracted into fine lines amidst his rage.


    When he reprimanded Alpha Manfred, his voice carried the tremor of ancient wolf howls, silencing <b>all </b>officials.


    Post¨Cmeeting, he summoned Alpha Manfred to the Lycan King¡¯s office. The lingering dominance turned the stone floor frosty.


    Erasmus watched Manfred, who was sobbing and pleading in a wolfish cadence, his fingers subconsciously caressing the wolf¨Chead relief on the throne¡¯s armrest.


    In a calm yet authoritative tone, Lycan Erasmus dered, ¡°This is Soulrend Pack¡¯s final chance. Should Melinda suffer the slightest injustice in your pack, your Alpha status ends here.


    Manfred¡¯s pheromones copsed; his pupils shrank in shock.


    He froze, recalling Melinda¡¯s rtion to Lycan Erasmus¨Chis niece. Despite Alpha Howell¡¯s ineptitude, Lycan Erasmus still valued familial bonds.


    Manfred retreated from the Lycan King¡¯s office, his pheromones reeking of sulfur¨Clike fear.


    As he exited, he encountered Alpha Lance, whose cedar and gunpowder aura pricked Manfred¡¯s nape nds.


    Recalling Lance¡¯s blood¨Ccold expression during, Soulrend Pack¡¯s destruction, Manfred shuddered and fled.


    Lance entered the office, his cedar pheromon¨¦s steady.


    Lycan Erasmus, now sipping coffee, had tamed his white musk aura, ¡°Be at ease. Take a seat,¡± he said.


    Lance sat in the armchair. ¡°You had me wait outside. Important matters to discuss?¡±


    Lycan Erasmus waved the other wolves away, leaving only Fabian.


    Fabian brewed coffee, carefully avoiding Lance¡¯s faint aura.


    ¡°Review this.¡±


    Erasmus tossed a file to Lance, tinged with subtle pressure that made Lance¡¯s fingertips tingle.


    Lance opened it and grew solemn¨Cit detailed prisoner exchanges with Dragon Ash.


    ¡°After months of negotiations between Stewart, Abbot, and Dragon Ash, an agreement was reached. Captive warriors are to be repatriated. However, one individual stands out: a warrior who escaped captivity to Dragon Ash and had been supplying Alpha Bentley with their intelligence.¡±


    <b>09:01 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>18 </b>Jul


    ¡°Following Alpha Bentley¡¯s sacrifice, Stewart took over the intelligence reception,ter <b>passing </b>it to another. But his cover was blown, and he was captured,¡± Erasmus exined.


    ¡°Are you referring to Eugenius?¡±


    Lance recalled. Eugenius had been the source of intelligence verifying Adide¡¯s message about the


    infiltrating via Dragon Ash.


    Western Tribe¡¯s?


    His capture sent a jolt of anxiety through Lance.


    Though Lance hadn¡¯t met Eugenius, he knew he¡¯d been captured alongside Alpha Bentley and hundreds of others in a surprise night raid by Dragon Ash.


    Lance hadn¡¯t been there. He¡¯d heard of it from Obadiah.


    The attack involved a nighttime ambush and arson, leading <i>to </i>fiercebat in the ensuing inferno.


    Eugene perished during that battle.


    Later, when Lance assumedmand of the royal army, he¡¯d captured Dragon Ash soldiers multiple times, hoping to exchange them for the previously captured warriors, but was denied each time.


    Exchanges were granted only for those captured afterward, leaving that initial group unreleased.


    Now, with the negotiation sess, Eugenius¡¯s capture by an enraged Dragon Ash Kingdom <i>raised </i>doubts about his survival.


    ¡°Who exactly is Eugenius?¡± Lance inquired.


    When he took over Eugenius¡¯s intelligence from Stewart, he investigated all the wolf generals and captured warriors heading to the southern border but found no one named Eugenius.


    Lycan Erasmus shook his head. ¡°Unknown. Likely no one knows. Alpha Bentley received.the initial intel; he might have known Eugenius¡¯s identity¨Cor not.¡±


    ¡°Eugenius¡¯s escape from captivity indicates he¡¯s no ordinary warrior,¡± Lance mused.


    Lance frowned. When he¡¯d received intel from Eugenius before, he hadn¡¯t inquired about his identity.


    Even if he had, no answer would¡¯vee¨Cit was too risky to include in transmissions.


    ¡°He¡¯s provided invaluable intelligence and deserves rescue,¡± Lance insisted.


    Lycan Erasmus nodded gravely. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m sending you. We confirm he¡¯s alive. Dragon Ash wants to trade him for a city. Reports suggest he¡¯s imprisoned in a border town¡¯s jail, but the exact location is unclear. Your mission: locate him and n a rescue.¡±


    Lance knelt on one knee, resolve/firm. ¡°As youmand.¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    Lycan Erasmus sighed. ¡°Currently, Tad is stalling the negotiationis, but Dragon Ash hates <b>him </b><b>to </b><b>the </b>core He¡¯s likely endured no small amount of torment. Regardless¡­ we must bring him back<b>, </b>dead or alive. At the very least, we need to know his true identity.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll depart for Dragon Ash¡¯s border city tomorrow and hand over my duties at the <b>Ministry </b>of Justice to my subordinates,¡± Lance said.


    Lycan Erasmus advised, ¡°Exercise caution. Bring along skilled individuals and infiltrate undercover <b>as </b>civilians to gather information. Should the rescue prove impossible, do not force the issue<b>, </b><b>understand</b>?


    Lance nodded in agreement.


    Lycan Erasmus continued, ¡°Additionally, Dudley is investigating the massacre case in Union County. <b><i>We¡¯ve </i></b>already uncovered leads regarding the perpetrator. You need not concern yourself with this matter <b>any </b>longer; focus on your mission.¡±


    Lance nodded slightly.


    Lycan Erasmus went on, ¡°And regarding Melinda, I cannot constantly meddle in their family affairs. Ensure Adide keeps a close eye on her. As for Alpha Howell¡­¡±


    Lycan Erasmus shook his head, well¨Caware of Howell¡¯s motives.


    Howell sought to remain in the capital, not out of filial piety, but due to his reluctance to leave the affluent city for his fief.


    His timid nature waspounded by cunning intentions.


    Despite his elderly mother residing with other senior priests rather than with him, he disyed neither true filial respect nor genuine care for his children¨Conly timidity and calction.


    Lance said, ¡°Rest assured. Adide has assigned someone to watch over Melinda. With your reprimand <b>of </b>Alpha Manfred today, they likely dare not neglect Melinda further. However, Dwight has indeed mistreated his mate; such a person is not worth entrusting with important tasks.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus replied with disgust, ¡°How could I be unaware? I¡¯ll retain his academic credentials but remove him from public office. Furthermore, I¡¯ve stripped him of his inheritance rights. With the Soulrend Pack in disarray over selecting a new heir, let them deal with their own chaos<b>¨C</b>so long as Melinda remains unharmed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve considered everything,¡± Lance said.


    Lycan Erasmus inquired, ¡°You¡¯ve heard about the woman from the nightclub, the breeder who bore Hunt¡¯s child, right?¡±


    ¡°I have,¡± Lance confirmed, recalling that Prune¡¯s people had uncovered the information.


    Lycan Erasmus mused, ¡°What does Madison intend? Sending her own daughter to a nightclub and <b>then </b>into a noble wolf pack¨Ccould it be that other packs are involved as well, perhaps under different


    173


    <b>Chapter </b><b>374 </b>


    <b>identities</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Ever </b>the family¨Coriented yet suspicious figure, Lycan Erasmus could <b>spin </b>a <b>web </b>of conjecture fremt slightest hint,


    Lance suggested, ¡°We could dispatch investigators.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus smiled and waved it off. ¡°It¡¯s not urgent. Attend to your own tasks first.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave,¡± Lance said, bowing and exiting.


    At the ckthorn Pack, Adide was packing Lance¡¯s clothes, <b>a </b>subtle worry creasing her <b><i>brow</i></b>. <b>¡°</b><b>Perhaps </b><b>1 </b>should apany you. I can¡¯t bear the thought of you going alone.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be alone. I¡¯ll have Tommy and Caldwell with me. You needn¡¯te. You¡¯ve got Zelda¡¯s <b>mating </b>ceremony to organize, and Cedric <b>is </b>starting school soon,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°How about Caldwell¡¯sbat skills<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide wasn¡¯t overly familiar with Caldwell. Despite his significant role in the pack, he tended to blend into the background.


    ¡°Hisbat skills are average, but he¡¯s sharp¨Cminded,¡± Lance replied.


    Adide remained uneasy. This mission involved infiltrating Dragon Ash¡¯s border city. ¡°What <b>if </b><b>I </b>send Paisley along?¡±


    Lance drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead.


    Her concern warmed his heart. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll have my mentor apany


    me.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Klein?¡± Adide asked. If Klein were going, she¡¯d feel more assured.


    Klein was a strongbatant with an unpredictable presence.


    Sometimes distant, he had a knack for appearing when needed most.


    ¡°Exactly. Rest assured, I¡¯ll bring Eugenius back,¡± Lance assured her, cing another kiss on her cheek.


    The thought of being apart for over a month filled him with reluctance.


    ¡°Eugenius, you said his name is Eugenius?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s been infiltrating Dragon Ash¡¯s supply convoys to the southern border, passing us intelligence, Lance exined.


    ¡°The enemy from the Western Tribe posing as Dragon Ash soldiers was verified through him,¡± Adide added.


    ¡°After we returned from reiming the southern border, we connected with him via Stewart. The <b>n </b><b>was </b>for him to stay in Dragon Ash for a year to ensure no resurgence of conflict before returning,¡± Lance <b>said</b>.


    ¡°Eugenius¡­ Eugenius,¡± Adide repeated the name. ¡°Is this a codename?¡±


    273


    <b>09.01 </b>


    ¡°No¡­¡± Lance paused, then repeated, ¡°Eugenius. Wait, codename? Eugens¡­. The pieces suddenly clicked


    Adide pushed him away, their eyes locking. An unlikely thought surfaced, and they voiced it in ursore ¡°Eugene Hutchinson!¡±


    ¡°Could it be?¡±


    Lance¡¯s heart raced. Why not?


    He¡¯d heard Abbott mention Eugene multiple times during the Southern Border Campaign, praising <i>his </i>youthful bravery and potential for leadership.

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    Lance recalled, ¡°Abbot said the battle was extremely fierce back then. It was urgent, and with Dragon <b>Ash </bunching a surprise night raid and burning the military camp, casualties were heavy


    ¡°The soldiers¡® bodies were buried in pits. Many were burnt beyond recognition.¡±


    ¡°Abbot identified Eugene because he saw him fighting in the nes and then being kicked back into the fire when injured. But Abbot was caught up in the intense battle himself, Adide said.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible Eugene crawled out when Abbot wasn¡¯t looking and was captured,¡± she added.


    ¡°There¡¯s a chance,¡± Lance nodded seriously.


    Adide thought of Eugene¡¯s mother, Sibyl. Since Eugene¡¯s sacrifice, she had stayed indoors.


    At thest birthday party, her appearance was a huge blow to Sibyl.


    If Eugenius was Eugene, then¡­


    But Eugenius was now captured by Dragon Ash and had likely endured much torture.


    Adide hoped Tad could stall the negotiations to buy Eugenius time for rescue.


    ¡°Hope he¡¯s safe. Regardless of whether he¡¯s Eugene, he¡¯s contributed greatly to reiming the southern border. He must return safely,¡± Adide said, her heart heavy with the uncertainty of war.


    Lance decided, ¡°I can¡¯t wait. I¡¯ll leave the city tonight to avoid unexpected issues.¡±


    He knew Tad¡¯s temperament was unpredictable, Dragon Ash sought to exchange Eugenius for a city, and while Lycan Erasmus hadn¡¯t refused, Tad would likely decline.


    Lance feared Tad¡¯s outright rejection might prompt Dragon Ash to execute Eugenius.


    That night, Lance set out with Tommy and Caldwell.


    Meanwhile, an encrypted message was sent to the Warscar Training Camp¨CLance needed to seek Klein¡¯s help.


    After Lance left, Paisley stayed with Adide in the adjacent room, concerned she might feel lonely.


    Adide yfully tapped Paisley¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯m not lonely at all. You¡¯re just bored, aren¡¯t you? Why not visit Avery?¡±


    ¡°No way. He¡¯s all pompous now as the captain of the wolf pack guard, strutting around like a proud rooster,¡± Paisley said, lying on the bed with her hands under her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m not really bored. I just want to chat with you. In a couple of days, we¡¯ll go see the spectacle¨CSabrina¡¯s being sent to the Glenveil Pack as a breeder.¡±


    Adide, hands behind her head, replied, ¡°I know about that. I¡¯m thinking of something else.¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    ¡°Thinking about Wanda¡¯s meltdown?¡± Paisley turned her head, her face full of mischief.


    ¡°Not exactly. I¡¯m also keeping an eye on the Soulrend Pack situation, Adide said.


    Paisley kicked her legs yfully. ¡°Dwight and Willow were living it up a few days ago. Wonder if they¡¯ll cr their eyes out after losing their inheritance.¡±


    Adide offered a faint smile. ¡°Who knows?¡±


    Giggles escaped Paisley. ¡°You don¡¯tugh much these days.¡±


    Paisley tapped her forehead and said, ¡°You gotta cheer up. There¡¯s drama to watch, jokes to hear<b>, </b><b>and </b>someone to kick around.¡±


    Adide turned to look at her. ¡°Paisley, I have a question for you. Suppose we were on the battlefield, and you were mated. But you were reported ¡®killed in action¡®¨Cthough you weren¡¯t really dead, just captured. When you returned and found your mate had re¨Cmated, would you be heartbroken and furious?¡±


    Paisley pondered. ¡°Can¡¯t really put myself in those shoes. I don¡¯t have a mate. You do. Imagine how you¡¯d feel.¡±


    Adide sighed, ¡°I just did. If Lance thought I¡¯d died in battle and re¨Cmatedyearster, I¡¯d be sad but understanding. After all, no one can wait forever¨Cit¡¯s too much to ask.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you¡¯ve been so down,¡± Paisley said, rolling over and looking at Adide.


    ¡°Why are you even thinking about this? Self¨Cinflicted sadness or is there really something going on?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I can share it with you. You know how to keep things confidential.¡±


    Adide told her about the suspicion that Eugenius might be Eugene. Afterward, she emphasized, ¡°It¡¯s just. a suspicion. We won¡¯t know for sure until we rescue him.¡±


    Paisley replied, ¡°After Eugene¡¯s ¡®death,¡® the Hutchinson family was quite kind. They allowed Gloria to return to the Ironw Pack and even gifted her shops aspensation. Eugene¡¯s pension was also given to


    her.¡±


    ¡°If Eugene is really alive, it¡¯s not Gloria¡¯s fault. But why did she ept his pension and the Hutchinson family¡¯s shops when she decided to go back to the Ironw Pack?¡± Adide wondered.


    Paisley considered and said, ¡°If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t have taken it. The Hutchinson family isn¡¯t particrly wealthy. With so many family members lost in the war and numerous widows and the elderly to support, Gloria shouldn¡¯t have taken the two shops and Eugene¡¯s pension. She should have just reimed her personal assets.¡±


    <

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    ¡°Hmm, now she¡¯s used that pension and those two shops to mate Ulrik. If Eugene really <bes </b><b>back</b>, he probably going to be pretty upset,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s such a dilemma,¡± Adide sighed.


    Paisley¡¯s mood turned somber. ¡°If it¡¯s really Eugene, and he didn¡¯t tell Gl¨®ria he was alive out <b>of </b><b>loyalty</b><b>. </b>then her remating isn¡¯t her fault. That¡¯s true.¡±


    It was true, but thinking about the whole thing, it was still really sad.


    As the night wore on, the conversation between Adide and Paisley, who were as close as sisters, <b>grew </b>heavier.


    The intermingling cedar and crimson pheromones in the room gradually shifted from tense to rxed.


    After the Southern Border Campaign, even the asional sh of wolf ws at Paisley¡¯s fingertips <b>carried </b>a newfound steadiness<b>. </b>


    Her thoughts had matured significantly, especially after recently living in the capital and learning about the intricacies of noble families.


    Her crimson pheromones rippled withplexity; the world was far more nuanced than she¡¯d perceived in the Shadow Peaks.


    Life there had been simple¨Cdaily spats with pheromone shes or leisurely strolls with pets, the most severe incident being a beating from another faction¡¯s students, where the shing dominance had been purely youthful.


    As their conversation meandered, both women¡¯s pheromones grew heavy with fatigue.


    Paisley shifted, her wolf tail unconsciously sweeping the bed¡¯s edge as she stepped on Adide, <i>her </i>fangs slightly bared in a yawn, ¡°I really envy you having such a good mother¨Cinw. That New Moon Priestess truly protects you.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Adide replied, her cedar pheromones softly wrapping around Paisley¡¯s crimson aura.


    ¡°Maybe I should marry Alpha Lance too, and have her as my mother¨Cinw¡­¡±


    Paisley¡¯s words were cut short as Adide yfully kicked her out of bed with a thud.


    Paisley¡¯s wolf ears perked up instantly. She leaped back onto the bed, her crimson¨Ctinged fist lightly pounding Adide, her wolf ws/flickering at the tips, ¡°I was just messing around, and you actually did it? The New Moon Priestess has already offered to take me in as her goddaughter. I¡¯ve just been pretending <b>to </b>be aloof, but she adores me.¡±


    Adide kept blocking with her elbow, her cedar pheromones carrying a faint chill.


    Then, with a well¨Cced foot, she pinned Paisley¡¯s thigh and pressed her head into the bed, a glint of amusement in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted. Time to sleep!¡±


    III


    O


    <b>Paisley </b>wriggled free from under Adide¡¯s foot, her <b>crimson </b>pheromones <b>puffing </b>Indignantly burrowed into the thin nket,


    Her wolf tail tip defiantly swept Adide¡¯s ankle. ¡°Good night.¡±


    Their pheromones gradually swirled into a warm eddy, like the softest fur enveloping <b>them</b>.


    The next day, Adide took Zelda and Paisley shopping,


    They headed to the Golden Jewelry Store in the capital to browse new designs.


    They could also have the store send new pieces to the pack for selection.


    However, Zelda, cager to see more styles and escape the pack¡¯s boredom, insisted on going out.


    The royal family had already prepared her mating ceremony essories, but Adide felt it <b>wasn¡¯t </b>enough, and Zelda wanted to buy more.


    After breakfast, Prisci dozed for a while. At lunchtime, noticing Adide hadn¡¯te to greet her and Paisley and Zelda were absent too, she sent someone to check.


    Upon learning the trio had gone shopping without her, Prisci was stunned with rage.


    How dare they exclude her?


    She stormed out, dering she¡¯d visit the royal pce alone.


    Susan and Morgana hurried after her. ¡°Where are you going?¡± they asked.


    ¡°To the royal pce. I need somepany,¡± Prisci snapped.


    The Golden Jewelry Store, located on South Street in the capital, was a renowned establishment.


    Its designs were innovative, some even beyond the royal family¡¯s craftsmanship.


    Royaldies often had pieces purchased from here.


    What¡¯s more, the future heir of the Jewelry Store was a marketing genius. Some designs were made in limited quantities.


    Even though the profit from these few pieces was small, they helped maintain the store¡¯s golden reputation, and passing down this legacy was the top priority.


    The store had three floors: the first for affordable items, the second for higher¨Cquality goods, and the third for limited editions.


    Even the more affordable items bore the store¡¯s unique mark.


    Upon arrival, the driver waited outside as the three women entered hand in hand.


    Adide immediately frowned¨Cshe recognized someone inside.

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    The first floor was spacious, divided into three halls. To reach the upper floors, one had to use <i>the </i>staire. on the right.


    Beside this staircase was a hall where a disy case stood. Several people were gathered around it, and Adide immediately recognized Rosemary, Gloria, and Sabrina.


    They were intently selecting jewelry, oblivious to Adide¡¯s presence.


    However, the future heir of the Store spotted her.


    The handsome young store owner rushed over, his face alight with excitement. ¡°Luna Adide? <b>Is </b><b>it </b><b>really </b>you, Luna Adide? Goodness, when you returned, I watched from the third floor as you paraded through the streets with Alpha Lance. I¡¯m <b>so </b>sorry I didn¡¯t wee you earlier.¡±


    At his words, Rosemary, Gloria, and Sabrina all turned to look at Adide.


    Rosemary scrutinized Adide from head to toe.


    The aura of nobility and dignity surrounding Adide was undeniable, a stark contrast to her past self.


    Rosemary¡¯s gaze was aplicated mix of anger, regret, resentment, and injustice, evoking a sense of sorrow in onlookers.


    Sabrina¡¯s emotions mirrored Rosemary¡¯s but wereced with more jealousy and hatred.


    Paisley remarked coldly, ¡°What a downer!¡±


    Adide merely nced at them before turning away.


    She addressed the beaming store owner, noting the sharp eyes of a businessman who had recognized <b>her </b>despite her in attire that day.


    It was no surprise, as she had visited the store with Prisci before.


    With a smile, she said, ¡°Hi, no need for formalities. We¡¯d like to browse the third floor for some jewelry. Would that be convenient?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s an honor,¡± the store owner replied enthusiastically. ¡°Ladies, please follow me. I¡¯ll personally attend to you.¡±


    The Jewelry Store had its fair share of distinguished customers, from royalty to high¨Cranking officials and affluent families.


    The store owner asionally served them personally, but today¡¯s exceptional warmth toward Adide was


    rare.


    Sabrina watched as Adide and her party ascended the stairs. A cold, wolfish snarl escaped her throat, tinged with envy and bitterness. Her pheromones reeked of jealousy and resentment.


    ¡°Some people, who once fawned over my mother like dogs<b>, </b><b>now </b>turn <b>tip </b>their noses after climbing the <b>social </bdder. They won¡¯t even acknowledge us. Disgusting, she spat.


    Zelda, immersed in the joy of impending shopping, remained oblivious to the malicious pheromange


    She felt Paisley¡¯s grip on her wrist loosen¨Cher crimson pheromones surged, and she <b>bounded </b><b>down </b>the stairs with a roar, her aura shaking the first¨Cfloor tiles.


    Zelda froze, her wolf cars twitching.


    Paisley stood before Sabrina, her crimson pheromones zing like wildfire. Her pupils narrowed <b>into </b>molten vertical slits, and her wolf ws faintly gleamed with silver. ¡°Who are you talking about? Spit it <b>out </b>No beating around the bush.¡±


    Sabrina shuddered under Paisley¡¯s sudden aggressive aura, her pheromones thrown into disarray.


    She instinctively stepped back, hiding like a frightened pup behind Gloria, her wolf ears ttened <b>against </b>her skull.


    Gloria was growing increasingly annoyed. Her fingers flickered with the shadow of wolf ws, and she swept an impatient nce over Sabrina, ¡°couldn¡¯t Sabrina behave for once?¡±


    The birthday banquet¡¯s events were fresh in everyone¡¯s mind¨CSabrina¡¯s shameless antics had been witnessed by all.


    Surely she should be avoiding Adide, not actively provoking her.


    Rosemary maintained a stern expression, her cedar pheromones,ced with restrained authority, gradually spreading. She nced at Sabrina, whose aura shrank under the pressure. ¡°Sabrina, cease your chatter. Her status is beyond our reach now. We cannot afford to offend her. Besides, we shared no genuine bond in the past¨Cour previous interactions were mere performative kindness for public approval.¡±


    With that, she stepped forward and dipped slightly toward Adide on the staircase, her pheromones carrying a meticulously controlled edge. ¡°Luna Adide, please forgive Sabrina¡¯s ignorance. She mistook you for the Luna of old and spoke disrespectfully. I beg your pardon.¡±


    Adide stood midway on the second¨Cfloor staircase. Her cedar pheromones were as calm as an iceke, with only a trace of suppressed dominance simmering beneath the surface like a hidden current.


    As Rosemary spoke, guests on both floors turned to watch.


    Severaldies present, who had attended the birthday banquet, hummed with curiosity.


    ¡°Your Luna? She is the Luna of the ckthorn Pack, the mate of royalty. Don¡¯t presume kinship here,¡± Zelda interjected.


    Her fiery pheromones instantly enveloped Adide, her arm tightly linked with hers.


    She raised her chin at Sabrina, her pupils narrowing with anger. ¡°Who are you to im her as your Luna? Everyone knows you¡¯ve been eyeing my brother¡¯s position as breeder. How dare you speak such words.¡±


    This remark drew snickers, from the crowd, rippling with mocking pheromones.


    #s


    Sabrina¡¯s face drained of color. Her pheromones devolved into chaotic turmoil, trembling with shame sort indignation, her wolf ears drooping in defeat.

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    Under rissa¡¯s guidance, Zelda conducted herself with decorum while retaining her <b>vivacity </b>


    Yet, she inherited a touch of Prisci¡¯s sharpness.


    Normally reticent, she would not bandy words, but this mother¨Cdaughter duo¡¯s audacity to embarrass Adide in public was intolerable. Did they think Princess Zelda was nonexistent?


    Adide felt a swell of pride in Zelda, not for standing up for her, but for Zelda¡¯s inner strength beneath her gentle exterior.


    Previously worried Zelda might be like Melinda post¨Cmating, Adide now saw otherwise.


    Zelda¡¯s mild manners hid a steely resolve.


    Without sparing the duo a nce, Adide said to Zelda, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I brought some pink diamonds today<b>. </b>I want to have a pink diamond¨Cstudded crown made for you. I wonder if the store owner can¡­


    ¡°Possible, of course!¡± the store owner interjected eagerly.


    ¡°Whenever Luna Adidemands, our store is at your service.¡±


    Adide gently poked Zelda¡¯s nose. ¡°Let¡¯s pick out the jewelry. Whatever you fancy, it¡¯s yours <i>today</i>.¡±


    The two ascended the stairs arm in arm. Paisley cast a cold nce at Sabrina and Rosemary before following.


    Sabrina was beside herself with rage.


    A pink diamond headpiece? Adide would gift her any jewelry from the third floor?


    Once, Adide had gifted her jewels and seasonal attire with generosity, even promising a substantial mating gift.


    Now Adide was preparing gifts for others¡­


    Today, apanying Gloria to select essories, Gloria had only browsed the first floor, nowhere near the third floor¡¯s elite pieces.


    Why such disparity between people?/


    Sabrina felt the guests¡® scornful stares and her wolf ears ttened, her silver¨Cgrey wolf hairs bristling with shame. Her Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s pine pheromones sharpened instinctively.


    She spun around and seized Gloria¡¯s arm, her knuckles whitening as wolf ws threatened to emerge. ¡°Luna Gloria, I¡¯m going to the third floor too.¡±


    Gloria seethed internally, her cedar pheromones turbulent.


    She had reluctantly funded Sabrina¡¯s mating jewelry.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>378 </b>


    <b>As </b>the pack¡¯s Luna, she could contribute, but now she was expected to bear the full costs


    Unconsciously stroking the silver chain on her wrist, her knuckles cracked faimly¡ªa sign <b>of </b><b>imminent </b>partial shifting.


    She had never wished to visit the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Prices were exorbitant, and she¡¯d nned to purchase from an ordinary store. But Rosemary insisted Sabrina couldn¡¯t join the Glenveil Pack looking shabby.


    Mating jewelry should be exquisite and costly to showcase her virtue.


    Bound by Rosemary¡¯s words, Gloria reluctantly brought them to the <i>store</i><i>. </i>


    She intended to browse the first floor only, but Adide¡¯s arrival had Sabrina insisting on the third floor<i>. </i>


    Gloria mentally cursed, ¡°Did Sabrina realize their Bloodmoon Pack was a mere shell? Did she not see her family draining her resources? Yet here she was, demanding to go upstairs.¡±


    With numerous eyes upon her, Gloria swallowed her pride. Suppressing her growl, she retracted her ws and forced a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s visit the second floor. The third floor isn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    But Sabrina, in a huff, her silver¨Cgrey wolf ears ring and sulfuric pheromones billowing with fury, retorted, ¡°I want to go to the third floor and make a purchase. Our pack isn¡¯t destitute. Alpha Ulrik has received rewards.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s chest heaved with suppressed cedar dominance.


    The five million dors wasn¡¯t a mountain of gold. Was it inexhaustible?


    Her nape nds warmed with anger, and Alpha¨Cmate pheromones leaked uncontrobly.


    ¡°Go ahead, visit the third floor,¡± Rosemary said coolly.


    Her aged cedar pheromones carried the old Luna¡¯s pressure, like a thin sheet of ice over the air. ¡°Just a piece or two¨Celegance over quantity<i>.</i>¡±


    Her vertical pupils contracted behind her lenses, her wolf tail sweeping the floor beneath her skirt¨Ca gesture that hinted at her intent to observe what Adide would select for the princess.


    Previously, Adide had never gifted Sabrina third¨Cfloor jewelry.


    She was determined to say something upstairs, even just a single sentence, to convey the message to the third¨Cfloor guests. After all, those guests were the true nobility of the city.


    Gloria led them to the third floor, each step like treading on hot coals. The silver chain in her palm grew scorching.


    The third floor¡¯s decor diverged from the first two, favoring elegance over opulence.


    Whilecking the grandeur of the lower floors, a closer look revealed fine wood in every disy case and table.


    Unlike the first two floors, the third housed only one showcase, with the rest being private rooms offering


    09:01 <b>Fri</b>, 18 Jul


    coffee, pastries, and discreet service for leisurely browsing..

 Novel Male 379

    Chapter <b>379 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    They didn¡¯t see Adide but heard the future store owner¡¯s voice from a private room, filled with amazement, ¡°These pink diamonds are the finest I¡¯ve ever seen. Each one sparkles without a w¨Ctop notch gems. Luna Adide, are you really using over twenty of them for a crown?¡±


    Adide¡¯s voice carried a smile, warm like melting snow, ¡°Yes, also a tiara, hair tassel, diamond <b>hairpins</b>. earrings, and a pink diamond¨Ciid gold bracelet. As for the royal touch, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have great <b>ideas </b>


    ¡°Certainly, I¡¯ll ensure Luna Adide and Princess Zelda are satisfied¡±


    ¡°Zelda, pick anything else, it¡¯s all yours,¡± Adide said with a warm, spring¨Cthaw pheromone aura.


    The voices reached Rosemary and Sabrina like icicles piercing their senses. Adide¡¯s pheromones were clear¨Cbearing the Alpha aura of the Frostfang Pack, yet gentle enough to suffocate them.


    Her generosity here was on a whole new levelpared to what they¡¯d seen in the Bloodmoon Pack


    And the pink diamonds were her wedding gift. She was using her own wedding present to craft maring jewelry for the princess.


    ¡°Ladies, this way!¡±


    A store attendant greeted them cheerfully. ¡°We¡¯ve just received new court¨Cstyle hair essories and some exquisite sapphire pendants.¡±


    In a private room, Sabrina nced at the hair essories and her eyes narrowed sharply. Her silver¨C<i>grey </i>wolf hairs bristled.


    The rubies on the hairpiece zed like fire, captivating her gaze.


    She reached out abruptly, her wolf ws flickering before retracting, and dered loudly, ¡°I¡¯ll take this ruby crown and side hair chain. Pack it up!¡±


    She aimed to announce to Adide that she too was making a purchase here. Her sulfuric pheromones crackled in the air like sparks.


    Gloria¡¯s heart raced¨Cwas Sabrina insane? Didn¡¯t she even ask the price?


    Her nape nd throbbed with pain and fury, her suppressed dominance making the crystal chandelier in the private room tremble.


    The attendant smiled and said, ¡°Certainly, madam. Please, have a seat and enjoy some refreshments while I package it for you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t mention the price first as third¨Cfloor clients typically didn¡¯t ask¨Cnot until the item was packaged.


    Rosemary¡¯s brow furrowed at the ruby headpiece.


    She knew such a piece couldn¡¯t be cheap.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>The </b>rubies¡® quality was unparalleled.


    She nced at Gloria and softly said, ¡°If she wants it, let¡¯s buy it. What do you think?


    Gloria forced augh. Did she have a choice?


    The attendant had already begun packaging the item in <i>an </i>exquisite walnut box iid with tortoiseshell and adorned with a row of tiny gems, the edges carved with vine patterns.


    Such packaging signaled the item¡¯s steep price.


    Sure enough, after skillfully wrapping the piece, the attendant handed the box to Sabrina and asked, ¡°Madam, would you like to purchase anything else today?¡± His smile never wavered.


    Seeing Sabrina¡¯s gaze shift to another silver tray, Glor¨ªa quickly stepped forward and said, ¡°That¡¯s all, thank you.¡±


    The attendant smiled and replied, ¡°Certainly, madam. This Rose Gold and Ruby Hair Ornament Set will be thirty¨Csix million eight hundred thousand dors.¡±


    Rosemary gasped in shock, ¡°What? Thirty¨Csix million eight hundred thousand dors for <i>a </i>hair ornament set?¡±


    The attendant was taken aback, and people from other private rooms poked their heads out, their eyes wide with surprise.


    Rosemary quickly covered half her face with a fan, turning to Gloria for help.


    Sabrina, clutching the box, looked to Gloria with a sweet smile.


    She hadn¡¯t expected it to be this expensive. The gemstone¨Cstudded jewelry and bracelets Adide <i>had </i>gifted her before were worth a few hundred thousand at most, with the priciest barely reaching a million dors.


    She¡¯d assumed this hair ornament set, no matter how costly, would top out at a few million.


    Gloria had mentioned a one¨Cmillion¨Cdor limit for jewelry today, but Sabrina, considering her impending entry into the Glenveil Pack¨Ca centuries¨Cold prestigious family figured spending a few million was justifiable.


    To her shock, the price neared forty million dors.


    Yet she knew Gloria could afford it. Between thepensation from herte partner and additional funds from the Ironw Pack, she¡¯d manage to cover the cost.


    So Sabrina immediately hugged the jewelry box close and looked to Gloria.


    She said sweetly, ¡°Luna Gloria, thanks for the gift.¡±


    Gloria stared at her, stunned and furious.


    She¡¯d expected Sabrina to back down after hearing the price, but instead, Sabrina had snatched the <b>box </b>from the attendant and thanked her for the gift.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ¡°Luna Gloria, you said you wanted this one, so I didn¡¯t pick anything else? Sabrina sad incerty o up at her with a mix of obedience and pleading.


    Gloria nced at Rosemary, who nodded. ¡°You did say you wanted it. If that¡¯s your decision m


    it.¡±

 Novel Male 380

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Thirty¨Csix million eight hundred thousand dors? And they expected her to pay without a <b>second </b>thought?


    The attendant¡¯s smile faltered, now seeming tinged with disdain.


    Humiliation and resentment surged within her. She forced back tears and said to the attendant<b>, </b>We¡¯ll pass<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She braced for sarcasm, but the attendant remained polite. ¡°Of course, feel free to browse more or visit <b>us </b>again.¡±


    He gestured for Sabrina to return the box.


    After a long pause, Sabrina still didn¡¯tply.


    ¡°Who said we¡¯re leaving? I want this set. Mother, make Luna Gloria pay,¡± she insisted.


    Rosemary, though internally recoiling at the price, steeled herself.


    With Adide in the next room and onlookers gathering, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose <i>face</i>.


    Her tone hardened. ¡°Gloria, if you don¡¯t have enough cash, send the attendant to our home to fetch <i>it</i>.¡±


    Tears welled in Gloria¡¯s eyes as she pleaded, ¡°Let¡¯s go downstairs and pick out a few more pieces there. As Alpha¡¯s daughter of the Ironw Pack, her pride burned, but she couldn¡¯t muster the courage to speak against Rosemary.


    Her wolf ws dug into her palms, desperate for them to leave.


    Jewelry on the first floor wasn¡¯t cheap either. The Golden Jewelry Store didn¡¯t have any low¨Cquality items.


    Sabrina clutched the jewelry box tightly, her silver¨Cgray wolf ears bristling with defiance. ¡°No, I want this set,¡± she said, her sulfuric pheromones ring like sparks.


    Gloria trembled uncontrobly, her neck nds ming under the onlookers¡® scrutiny. Her iron¨Cgray pupils narrowed to slits.


    More and more heads poked out from neighboring rooms, their mixed pheromones pricking her skin like needles. Humiliation burned within her, almost triggering a partial shift.


    Where would she get so much money?


    Was she to drain her personal assets, even dip into Eugene¡¯s pension?


    Impossible!


    <b>1/8 </b>


    <b>She </b>stood there, trembling and speechless, having never faced such an <b>embarrassing </b>moment in her te


    She turned to leave, but Rosemary¡¯s bony fingers quickly grabbed her sleeve<b>. </b>The aged cer aura enveloped her instantly.


    Her head buzzed as she turned to meet Rosemary¡¯s icy gaze, her pupils barely visible.


    ¡°Why the rush?¡± Rosemary¡¯s tone was gentle, but her eyes were like frost¨Ctipped ws. ¡°You <b>must </b><b>wait </b>for the attendant.¡±


    The old Luna¡¯s aura settled over them like frost. Gloria¡¯s breath grew cold.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± The shop assistant scanned the scene, his nose detecting conflicting pheromones.


    He was at a loss. He¡¯d never encountered such a situation on the third floor<i>¨C</i>customers who neither paid nor returned the item. So he asked, ¡°Shall I head to your pack with you to collect the payment?¡±


    Typically, third¨Cfloor customers could take items and settleter, as they were usually regrs and well- known nobles.


    But he didn¡¯t dare suggest this to them, as their chaotic and weak pheromones raised doubts.


    If he let them leave with the hairpiece, there was no guarantee of payment.


    Gloria, trembling, managed a weak, ¡°No!¡±


    The standoff continued. Gloria kept her head down, avoiding familiar faces¨Cshe couldn¡¯t risk losingposure under their stares.


    Zelda peeked out but was gently pulled back by Adide.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get involved,¡± Adide said, her cedar pheromones wrapping around her like a warm nket.


    ¡°Focus on your own choices.¡±


    Zelda nodded and returned to browsing the jewelry, though themotion outside asionally distracted her.


    Paisley, arms folded, leaned against the doorframe with a smirk, amused by the unfolding drama. The third¨Cfloor rooms had no doors, just beaded curtains often pushed aside to let in light.


    Unless guests asked to lower the curtain fully, attendants wouldn¡¯t block it.


    But why would they?


    On the third floor for jewelry shopping, you might meet someone worth connecting with. With repeated visits, strangers could be acquaintances.


    The store owner, aware of the disturbance, waved over the attendant carrying the jewelry tray and said, ¡°Send the manager up. I¡¯ll attend to Luna Adide and Princess Zelda myself.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The attendant set down the tray and hurried off.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:02 Fri, 18


    Shortly, a middle¨Caged man in a green suit arrived upstairs. With a ingratiating smile, he approached Rosemary and the others and asked modestly, ¡°Madam, you may leave the ruby headpiece with us. We¡¯ll


    hold it for you at no cost until you¡¯re ready to collect it.¡±

 Novel Male 381

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The manager was offering Gloria a way to save face. If she agreed, the jewelry could be stored under the pretense of consignment, allowing her to retain some dignity.


    Gloria visibly rxed, her iron¨Cgrey eyes losing some tension, and she smiled gratefully, tears still welling <ol><li>up<b>. </b></li></ol>


    But this smile looked kind of pitiful. Even her pheromones became softer.


    Before she could speak, Sabrina pouted and left shallow silver¨Cgrey w marks on the jewelry box. ¡°No need for consignment. I¡¯m taking this back to the pack today. You can send someone to our ce for payment.¡±


    The sulfuric pheromones turned sharp again, carrying an air of unquestionable stubbornness.


    The manager looked at Sabrina and said with a smile, ¡°Ma¡¯am, that¡¯s perfectly eptable. We have many. more ruby hairpiece designs in our collection. Would you like to see a few more options?¡±


    Sabrina nced up to see a shop assistant entering with a silver tray.


    She immediately recognized that the jewelry on the tray was nowhere near the caliber of what she was holding¨Cit must have been brought up from the first or second floor.


    She instantly clutched the jewelry box to her chest. ¡°No, this is the one I want.¡±


    Rosemary was clearly growing annoyed. ¡°Why bother looking at more? We¡¯ve made our choice. What¡¯s the issue here? We¡¯ll go back with your assistant to get a check. Enough with the chatter.¡±


    The manager, experienced in dealing with all sorts of customers, knew this wasn¡¯t an ordinary case of a mother and daughter shopping for jewelry.


    The elderlydy didn¡¯t seem old enough to control the family finances. Typically, she would be the one authorizing such a purchase.


    Yet the youngerdy appeared on the verge of tears, clearly struggling to cover the cost.


    It seemed they were pressuring her into buying it.


    In a high¨Cend store like the Golden Jewelry Store, where the youngerdy was hesitant to lose face, she was enduring her tears and feeling helpless.


    As the situation threatened to stall, ady in simple attire emerged from a private room.


    With a gentle presence and soft voice, she asked, ¡°Manager, wasn¡¯t this ruby hairpiece reserved for me? Why is it being sold to someone else?¡±


    Everyone looked up, and Gloria¡¯s face drained of color.


    They recognized thedy¨CLte, whose uncle was Dudley from the Royal Constabry.


    She had married Marsh, who had sacrificed alongside Eugene.


    After Marsh¡¯s death, Lte stayed in the Hornbeam Pack and adopted a son.


    Lte had intended to help Gloria out of kindness.


    Unaware of the public¡¯sparison between the two women following Gloria¡¯s return to the Ironw Pack, Lte, still grieving her husband¡¯s loss, hadn¡¯t realized the external gossip.


    She stepped in, thinking fellow sufferers deserved mutual support, but her intervention backfired.


    Gloria immediately lifted her head and said, ¡°The attendant didn¡¯t mention it was reserved for you. If Sabrina wants it, then she shall have it. Manager, please send an attendant with me to the pack <i>to </i>collect the check.¡±


    Lte and the manager were taken aback.


    Meeting Gloria¡¯s gaze, Lte saw coldness and a hint of resentment in her eyes.


    After a pause, she said softly, ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll choose another set,¡± and hurried back to the private room she¡¯d been in, disappearing behind the beaded curtain.


    Paisley was stunned. Had Gloria lost her mind?


    Thedy had meant to help, yet Gloriashed out.


    Was there some grudge between them?


    Yet thedy seemed utterly harmless, with a kind¨Chearted expression and a look ofpassion towards


    Gloria.


    As Gloria straightened her back and escorted Rosemary and Sabrina downstairs, Paisley returned to the private room. Leaning on the disy case, she asked the shopkeeper, ¡°Do you know who thatdy is?¡±


    The shopkeeper, though not having seen her, likely recognized the voice as most third¨Cfloor customers were regrs.


    He replied with a smile, ¡°Ma¡¯am, that was Lte from the Hornbeam Pack. She¡¯s a very kind¨Chearteddy, and her husband, General Marsh, is highly respected and missed by the public.¡±


    The phrase ¡°respected and missed¡± revealed much.


    Both had lost their husbands in battle, making them kindred spirits. Lte had only wanted to help Gloria, but her attempt had been rebuffed, leaving her embarrassed.


    Adide, upon hearing Lte¡¯s identity, understood the situation but didn¡¯t borate further.


    Instead, she asked Zelda which pieces she¡¯d chosen and mentioned buying another gift for the somewhat naive Prisci, who hadn¡¯t been brought along today and was likely upset.


    The reason for excluding Prisci was her past involvement in the Golden Jewelry Store with Wanda, where designs were copied from others. She didn¡¯t want Prisci to feel ashamed or awkward.


    Once the pink diamond headpiece design was finalized and several other pieces selected, Zelda hugged


    972


    Adide and proimed her adoration.


    The shopkeeper, observing them, couldn¡¯t help but smile unlike the carlier tension between Sabrina and Gloria, Adide and Zelda exemplified genuine closeness and harmony.

 Novel Male 382

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Though a businessman, the store owner deeply admired wolf generals loyal to their country.


    The Alpha Bentley family, from generals to Luna Adide, were all valiant warriors who had rendered great service to the nation.


    Hence, he offered them a discount, nearly at cost price, and threw in some hair essories and small ornaments free of charge. He even personally saw them off.


    In the car, Adide mentioned Lte, the Hornbeam Pack and the past when the public hadpared


    the two women.


    ¡°I heard about itter, so I¡¯m not sure how big a fuss it was. But from Lte¡¯s tone today, she seemed unaware of it.¡±


    After a pause, she sighed, ¡°Whether Lte stayed in the Hornbeam Pack or Gloria returned to the Ironw Pack, neither was wrong.¡±


    ¡°Those who stay endure loneliness, and those who return face their own challenges. Others can¡¯t bear these hardships for them and shouldn¡¯t resent those who¡¯ve made different choices in simr circumstances,¡± Adide said.


    Paisley said, ¡°Yeah, everyone¡¯s choice draws different chatter, but it¡¯s their own path to walk. Lte stayed and faced loneliness; Gloria, after returning to her original pack and bonding again, should let go of the past and live her life.¡±


    ¡°Just because Lte stood up for her, she bought that headpiece on a whim. I wonder if she can afford it. I heard when she went back to the Ironw Pack, Sibyl gave her Eugene¡¯spensation. She¡¯s not using that money to buy Sabrina jewelry, is she?¡±


    She added mournfully, ¡°If Eugene could see this, he¡¯d never rest in peace.¡±


    Zelda felt a pang of sadness.


    Leaning on Adide¡¯s shoulder, she asked, ¡°Adide, what was Eugene like?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°The Hutchinson family has a legacy of wolf generals, but none stood out until Eugene. He was exceptionally talented and brave. He served under my grandfather andter under my father on the Southern Border. Unfortunately, he sacrificed himself there.¡±


    Adide secretly hoped that Eugenius was Eugene.


    Nowadays, the Royal Army was under Tad¡¯smand. Although Tad was brave, he wasn¡¯t as brilliant as Eugene. He was not even as capable as Stewart and Abbot.


    But Tad¡¯s ancestors were werewolf generals, and he held a title, which was why hemanded the Royal Army.


    Lycan Erasmus had always wanted to promote young officers. If Eugenius really was Eugene, Lycan Erasmus would definitely, put him to good use.


    <b>Chapter </b>004


    <b>Paisley</b><b>, </b>gazing out the window, thought of Eugenius. ()


    If he was Eugene, his loyalty and patience were truly rare- he was a hero!


    Ulrik couldn¡¯tpare.


    How could she havepared Eugene to Ulrik?


    Disgusting!


    Gloria was despicable and didn¡¯t deserve Eugene¡¯s memory.


    After returning from the pce, Prisci strode through the packhouse, head held high, ignoring the women inside.


    Adide called out, ¡°Prisci, you¡¯re back?¡±


    Prisci didn¡¯t acknowledge her and kept walking.


    Zelda ran out, clutching her arm. ¡°Mother, look at what Adide and I got for you! Come see!¡±


    Prisci nced at Zelda coldly. ¡°Do I care?¡±


    Zelda¡¯s face fell. ¡°You don¡¯t like it? Adide spent ages picking it out.¡±


    ¡°Humph, ¡®spent ages¡® indeed!¡± Prisci shot another cold look at Adide standing at the door.


    Under Adide¡¯s smile, she raised her chin and said, ¡°Bring it over, but I¡¯m quite particr.¡±


    Adide smiled and invited her in.


    Paisley quickly prepared fruit¨Cvored coffee and recounted the day¡¯s events at the Golden Jewelry Store as Prisci admired the jewelry.


    Prisci ced a slender red coral hair tassel in her bun and shook her head slightly, listening to the pleasant sound of the tassel.


    She was inwardly delighted¨CAdide truly understood her tastes.


    As for the day¡¯s drama, she¡¯d listen but wouldn¡¯t have tolerated being there in


    She would have snatched that ruby hairpiece, appearing overly aggressive.


    She disdained associating with that family.


    Gloria must be out of her mind to spend so much on a hairpiece.


    Looking at their shabby demeanor, they¡¯d never encountered true fine items.


    person.


    No wonder Wanda copied designs from the Golden Jewelry Store¨Ceverything there was top¨Cnotch and expensive, which was why Wanda resorted to giarism.


    At this thought, Prisci¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment.


    Fortunately, she hadn¡¯t gone today.


    Although she¡¯d never directly managed a business, she felt a pang of guilt.


    She suspected Adide had spared her from the visit out of consideration¨CAdide was always thoughtful.


    With this in mind, Prisci¡¯s mood brightened again.

 Novel Male 383

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After dinner, the finance department brought over the ledgers for her to check. She called Cedric to help her go over the ounts.


    Cedric wasn¡¯t good at checking ounts yet, and boys wouldn¡¯t need to manage the finances in the future. But Adide hoped he could read and understand the ledgers.


    Adide had hired a tutor to teach him for a while, so he had some basic knowledge.


    In a few days, Cedric would be heading to Elk Academy. He already had the admission notice in hand.


    Lance had originally nned to apany him on the first day, but now it would be Adide taking him.


    ¡°The financial manager of our Frostfang Pack is amazing, Adide,¡± Cedric said, propping up his chin with bright eyes.


    ¡°Earning money isn¡¯t solely due to the financial manager¡¯s efforts,¡± Adide smiled and patted his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s the hard work of those whobor in our shops and manors that brings in the revenue. So remember to treat those who sincerely work for you with kindness in the future.¡±


    Cedric asked, ¡°How can I tell if someone is genuinely working for me?¡±


    Adide replied gently, ¡°Understanding people¡¯s intentions is one of the most difficult things in the world. It¡¯s especially hard for someone who is uneducated and inexperienced to see through others¡® motives. However, by reading extensively and learning from the wisdom and experiences of those who came before us in books, we can learn to discern right from wrong, truth from falsehood, and good from evil. Once we grasp these concepts, understanding people¡¯s true intentions bes much easier. A disloyal or unprincipled person, no matter how well they pretend, will eventually reveal their dark inner self and give themselves away. And then we will see them for who they truly are.¡±


    Tilting his head, Cedric asked, ¡°So you want me to study hard and understand these principles, right?¡±


    ¡°Clever,¡± Adide smiled and tapped his forehead.


    ¡°The responsibility of Frostfang will one day fall on your shoulders. Inheriting the position of Alpha is no easy task. You must be capable.¡±


    Cedric nodded understandingly, ¡°Yes, I will definitely apply myself. In the future, I want to be well- rounded in both knowledge and physical skills and be the most capable Alpha.¡±


    Adide couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Hmm, the future Alpha Cedric must apply himself. Otherwise, people will say you¡¯re ipetent and only rely on the blessings of your ancestors and fathers.¡±


    Cedric nodded heavily, ¡°I understand.¡±


    At the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s headquarters, only onemp hung on the porch, and in the packhouse, twomps with ssmpshades were hit¨Cthese two ssmpshades were the ones Adide had forgotten to take when she left.


    <b>The </b><b>conference </b>room in the packhouse was pitch¨Cck, with mosquitoes buzzing about.


    A <b>clerk </b>from the Golden Jewelry Store in the capital was waiting in the guest lounge of the packhouse, his- heart pounding with anxiety.


    No one had offered him coffee, nor had anyone lit amp. He waited from daylight till dark.


    He hade to collect the check, but upon entering the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s territory, he was left in the lounge. Then he heard themotion and heart¨Crending cries from the conference room.


    After over half an hour of noise, it finally quieted down. Someone came in and told him to wait, but no one returned.


    In the past few years, whenever a customer at the store didn¡¯t have enough for a check, he would follow them back to their pack or to the bank to collect it.


    Sometimes he had to wait, but the longest was fifteen minutes¨Cusually because the ce wasrge and the host was hospitable, offering him fine coffee and pastries. After he finished eating, they would give him the check.


    Most of the time, he didn¡¯t have to wait long. They would ask him to sit for a moment, and the check would be brought quickly.


    Never had he experienced anything like the Bloodmoon Pack, where he waited until nightfall without coffee or a litmp.


    He felt as if he had walked into a den of thieves.


    He had asked the pack guards, but they only told him to wait.


    So he returned to continue waiting¡ªafter all, the headpiece was already in their possession.


    With so much money involved, he had to collect it.


    After dinner and a bath, Sabrina went to find Rosemary.


    She smelled of the fragrances Wanda had given her. It was said that each bottle cost a thousand dors. Besides being highly fragrant, they also promised to make the skin fair and translucent.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t she returned yet?¡± Rosemary asked after taking her medicine and ncing outside.


    An omega stepped forward and replied, ¡°Luna Gloria hasn¡¯te back yet.¡±


    Sabrina curled her lip. ¡°She¡¯s just going to the Ironw Pack to get a check. Is it necessary to take so long? What if she can¡¯t get it?¡±


    ¡°She said she would buy it herself¡± Rosemary said expressionlessly.


    In reality, her heart was bleeding¨Cthirty million could have been used to grease palms in the official


    world.


    ¡°Mm, Alpha Ulrik hasn¡¯t returned either. He¡¯s probably on night duty tonight,¡± Sabrina remarked, her lips curling in a sharp, bitter smile.


    ¡°When <b>she </b>came back, she caused such a scene, crying and shouting. Anyone who didn¡¯t know would think <b>we </b>forced her. I was about to give up, but she insisted on buying it for me. I bet when Alpha Uirik gets <b>off </b>work, she¡¯llin to him.¡±


    ¡°Let herin.¡± Rosemary said, exhaling slowly, but the gloom in her heart remained.


    She recalled the mating gifts Adide had prepared for Zelda today, even taking out twenty pink diamonds to craft a crown for her. Her heart ached with each memory.


    The Frostfang Pack was really going too far!


    When Adide had mated with Ulrik, no one had given her so many gifts.


    Although her personal assets back then weren¡¯t small, most were in the form of shops, manors, and real estate. Aire was shrewd, it seemed, as if fearing her daughter would be at a disadvantage, had converted the cash into less liquid assets.


    There was cash, of course, and the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s days had indeed been good back then.


    But how could theypare to when she had mated with Alpha Lance? That had been sheer opulence.


    Each time the thought crossed her mind, her heart ached anew.

 Novel Male 384

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria stormed back from the Jewelry Store, screaming like a maniac. She was such a shrew, as bad as Velda.


    She imed she¡¯d get a check from the Ironw Pack, but her tantrum was truly disheartening.


    ¡°Who told her to put on airs? She has no one but herself to me,¡± Rosemary muttered, her mood sour.


    She nced at Sabrina and said, ¡°Stay clear of her these days. You don¡¯t want to be her next target for a tirade.¡±


    Sabrina, sitting on Rosemary¡¯s bed, perked up her silvery¨Cgray wolf cars and snorted with a hint of pride, ¡°I¡¯d never bother her. Before she joined the Bloodmoon Pack, I thought she was something special, even daring topare assets and wedding gifts with Adide.¡±


    ¡°Now she can¡¯t evene up with tens of millions. How pathetic. Though she¡¯s still better than Velda. When Alpha Ulrik mated with Velda, we gave so much cash, yet her personal assets were pitiful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such stinginess, and she¡¯s supposed to be Lycan Erasmus¡¯s chosen one,¡± Sabrina¡¯s pheromones carried a faint sulfurous stench, like a sharp thorn.


    After ranting about Gloria and Velda, Sabrina turned to Tamara, her pupils narrowing in disdain, ¡°Tamara¡¯s been sick and neglecting everything. She hasn¡¯t even prepared my personal assets after my mating. I wonder what she¡¯ll give me. I¡¯d better not expect much; she¡¯s the poorest of them all.¡±


    Rosemary was annoyed by the talk of her three sons¡® mates, none of whom seemed presentable.


    Her aged cedar scent turned sharp as ice, ¡°Enough. Shut it.¡±


    Sabrina fell silent instantly, her wolf ears drooping in fear.


    The light cast on her face, sans baby fat, made her look particrly sharp. Her eyes still held a flicker of


    contempt.


    Meanwhile, Tamara trembled in her room.


    When she heard Gloria hadn¡¯t returned and the shop assistant was waiting, she grew anxious. Her fingertips showed faint wolf w shadows from her nerves, which quickly faded.


    She feared Gloria couldn¡¯t gather the money and would ask everyone to chip in again.


    But Tamara had little cash left. Most of Adide¡¯s jewelry had been pawned.


    She heard Gloria had gone wild, and found out Sabrina bought a ruby set worth tens of millions at the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Her pupils shrank in rage. This was pushing the Bloodmoon Pack to the brink!


    Hearing Gloria was the one to buy it, she was so shocked her mouth hung open.


    d Gloria lost her mind?


    Didn¡¯t she know their situation?


    Spending tens of millions on jewelry so carelessly, and borrowing from the Ironw Pack if short?


    What a disgrace to their pack.


    Vanya also gossiped about it. With such a huge fuss, who in the pack wouldn¡¯t know?


    Vanya shook her head, her cold fir scent tinged with detached indifference. ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack is doomed sooner orter.¡±


    Around eight in the evening, Gloria trudged into the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s territory.


    Her eyes were puffy, makeup smudged, hair loose. Iron¨Cgray wolf fur stuck to her cheeks. Her face bore a clear p mark.


    The cold iron ore pheromones of the Ironw Pack mixed with desperate moisture, almost tangibly so.


    Actually, Eugene¡¯spensation was kept by her mother in the Ironw Pack.


    To get the money, she had to withdraw it.


    The government issued a check for $20 million inpensation.


    Generally, low¨Cranking werewolf generals don¡¯t receive this much. However, Eugene distinguished himself on the southern border and his death deeply saddened Lycan Erasmus.


    Thus, the full $20 million was granted. Sibyl didn¡¯t take a cent and gave it all to her.


    When she left the Hutchinsons, she vowed not to remarry.


    Sibyl, fearing loneliness, gave her the cash and two shops.


    But when her mother learned Gloria wanted the money for Sabrina¡¯s jewelry, she pped her.


    Gloria knelt, begging her mother and Christine, her knuckles whitening, half an inch of wolf w emerging.


    Finally, after her mother¡¯s word, Christine issued the check, though her look was filled with disdain.


    That gaze, like a venomous wolf w, tore at her¡­


    Today, she¡¯d lost all respect.


    She nced at the check, her trembling fingers betraying her humiliation and exhaustion, then handed it to the clerk.


    The clerk checked it under antern, bowed, and left.


    After the clerk left, Gloria copsed to the ground, her wolf ears drooping.


    <b>0/2 </b>


    Holding the omega, she let out a muffled howl, weeping bitterly. The iron ore pheromones mixed with a bloody, rust¨Clike scent.

 Novel Male 385

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    She despised that mother¨Cdaughter duo. If not for their insistence on going upstairs today, she wouldn¡¯t have cressed paths with Lte. And if she hadn¡¯t met Lte, she wouldn¡¯t have spent the money on that ruby headwear.


    Now, Eugene¡¯spensation was being used to buy a gift for that little tramp, Sabrina.


    Her whole body shook with rage, her vertical pupils flushing red with intense hatred.


    Under the dim light, a figure rushed in and supported her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Ulrik.


    Through her blurry tears, Gloria recognized Ulrik¡¯s face and threw herself into his arms, crying even louder and more pitifully.


    Ulrik had never seen her so unhinged. She was sitting on the ground, wailing as if something terrible had happened. He quickly asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? What happened?¡±


    The maid, tears in her eyes, recounted the day¡¯s events. But as she was about to mention that Gloria had used Eugene¡¯spensation, Gloria suddenly roared, ¡°Shut up!¡±


    The maid fell silent out of fear.


    Though the maid only mentioned Eugene¡¯s name, Ulrik, despite hisck of sharpness, put two and two together.


    She had used Eugene¡¯spensation money to buy Sabrina that $30 million ruby set. 1


    ¡°Return it!¡± Ulrik released her and said grimly, ¡°Go to the store tomorrow and return that ruby headwear.¡±


    His tall figure loomed over Gloria.


    Gloria wiped her tears, looked up, and saw his face filled with humiliation and anger.


    She red fiercely at the maid, who, feeling wronged, stepped back and fell silent.


    Ulrik grabbed her hand and pulled her up. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Rosemary¡¯s room.¡±


    Gloria stumbled as he dragged her, nearly losing her bnce. She quickly said, ¡°Slow down.¡±


    Ulrik was seething hadn¡¯t he suffered enough humiliation? How much longer would they be ridiculed?


    He had already lost all face in the Capital Guard. If word got out that Gloria used Eugene¡¯spensation to buy a mating gift for his sister, the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯sst shred of dignity would vanish.


    Sabrina was still in Rosemary¡¯s room, discussing how to act after entering the Glenveil Pack ¨C she needed to ingratiate herself with Wanda while also aligning with her against that breeder.


    ¡°Mother, I will surely secure my position and win Winslow¡¯s favor,¡± Sabrina said, leaning against her mother with a determined look.


    Initially, she had no desire to enter the Glenveil Pack as a breeder. But once the decision was made, she recalled Winslow¡¯s tall and handsome figure, his stable position in court, and his family¡¯s century¨Cold legacy. Even being a breeder wouldn¡¯t be shameful.


    Rosemary said, ¡°But in the beginning, you must obey Wanda and oppose that pregnant breeder. You must be a sharp de in her hand. Only then will she trust and value you. Until then, you must not unt Winslow¡¯s affection for you. Always show her respect¡­¡±


    With a ¡°bang,¡± the door flew open, startling them.


    Seeing the furious Alpha Ulrik and the indignant Gloria, Sabrina instinctively asked, ¡°Gloria, did the clerk leave?¡±


    If the clerk was gone, it meant the money had been paid, and the ruby set was truly hers.


    ¡°Mother!¡± Ulrik looked at Rosemary, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. ¡°Return that ruby set to the


    store tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Return it?¡± Sabrina screeched, ¡°No, I won¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not up to you,¡± Ulrik said, staring at her, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯re a breeder. Are you qualified to wear such a dazzling ruby set? Even if you were, you shouldn¡¯t have Gloria use Eugene¡¯spensation to buy it for you! Do you want all the werewolves to mock our Bloodmoon Pack?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Rosemary hastily threw off the covers and got out of bed, supported by an omega as she walked to Gloria, her face instantly turning cold and fierce. ¡°You used a dead man¡¯s money to buy my daughter a gift? What¡¯s your real intention?¡±


    Hearing this, Gloria stood there stunned, as if struck by lightning.


    Then she began to tremble, her lips moving but no sounding out.


    Rosemary felt faint and nearly copsed.


    Ulrik caught her and immediately set aside his anger. ¡°Get a doctor! Hurry!¡±


    Sabrina cried as she walked up to Gloria, ¡°What are you trying to do? You want to kill Mother with anger? You bought the headpiece in a fit of pique, and now you¡¯re having second thoughts.¡±


    Gloria took a step back, at a loss as to what to do. Helplessness surged within her.


    She felt wronged and distressed¨Cshe had taken out the money to buy Sabrina the headpiece, yet all she received in return was their usations. Was she now the guilty one?


    In the middle of the night, with a/doctor summoned, the pack fell into chaos once again.


    Gloria had to wipe away her tears and use towels to clean Rosemary¡¯s face and hands.


    The doctor diagnosed that Rosemary had fainted due to emotional agitation and overwhelming anger, but there was no serious issue.


    By the time Rosemary woke up, Ulrik¡¯s anger hadpletely subsided.


    Kneeling by the bed, he apologized to his mother: ¡°I was out of line with my words, causing you to faint from anger.


    Rosemary weakly nced at Gloria and said, ¡°As for that ruby set, make sure everyone keeps quiet about it. Whatever you do, don¡¯t let it be known that it was bought with Eugene¡¯spensation.¡± (O

 Novel Male 386

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Cloria looked at Ulrik as he pulled her down to her knees.


    She felt freezing cold. Even though it was June, the chill from the floor kept seeping into her knees.


    But she had to bow her head and apologize, shakily saying ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    As a female wolf who had mated twice, she couldn¡¯t bear the guilt of making the Alpha¡¯s mother sick, no matter how wronged and reluctant she felt.


    Her mate, who had been angry and ready to stand up for her earlier, now only felt regret. There was no hint of wanting to get back the ruby headpiece.


    Her heart felt half¨Cfrozen.


    Rosemary sighed, ¡°That¡¯s enough. You may all leave. Sabrina, stay and take care of me.¡±


    Ulrik said, ¡°Mother, let Gloria stay. She usually takes care of you.¡±


    ¡°No, I want her out.¡±


    Rosemary still looked angry and breathed quickly. ¡°Make sure the Ironw Pack members keep quiet and don¡¯t spread rumors.¡±


    She had to act furious.


    Otherwise, this incident would be used against the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Gloria felt bitter and left the room numbly.


    Ulrik tried to stop her, but she shook him off and kept walking.


    If he had chased her to hold hands like Lance and Adide did, then the money spent might have seemed worth it.


    She had experienced the intimacy of intertwined fingers, a warmth that made her feel valued and loved.


    What she desired was not just polite respect, but the unique closeness between mates.


    Ulrik watched her leave and felt ufortable knowing she used Eugene¡¯spensation.


    He was also annoyed and went to the study alone.


    Gloria waited in the room for a long time, hoping he wouldfort her, but instead heard from an omega that he had already retired to the study.


    She covered her face with her hands as tears streamed through her fingers.


    She recalled what Christine had said to her coldly earlier when she went to get the check. Those words made her feel both icy and burning, as if tortured between ice and fire.


    As Christine handed her the check, she looked down at her with disdain and said, ¡°Remember, you¡¯re not worthy of hispensation. And never forget what you¡¯ve done to wrong him.¡±


    Those words dragged up memories she had tried to bury, exposing them cruelly before her.


    She regretted some things, but it was toote.


    She had made a momentary mistake and wanted to forget, so why did Christine have to remind her so deliberately?


    Outside the window, a ¡°snicker¡± sounded. She jumped up and demanded, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    Velda¡¯s mocking voice came through, her minty pheromones sharp as ice shards, ¡°Congrattions! you¡¯ve made yourself aughingstock.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Gloria clutched her chest. Her iron¨Cgray pupils shrank with anger, and her suppressed iron¨Core pheromones exploded. ¡°How dare you? A breeder¡­ a breeder mocking me?¡±


    Her wolf ws faintly emerged but couldn¡¯t fully shift due to her weakness.


    ¡°Hmph, this breeder has been wellpensated by the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    Veldaughed, her wolf fur under her pauldrons slightly bristling with contempt. ¡°Since joining the Bloodmoon Pack, I¡¯ve eaten the best, used the best. No one dares mistreat me, and I¡¯ve never subsidized anything.¡±


    Her pheromones carried the cold, battle¨Chardened aura of the battlefield, sharp as ice¨Cforged des.


    With that, she left leisurely amidst Gloria¡¯s furious gasps.


    The mix of cedar and mint swept over the threshold, momentarily stifling Gloria¡¯s breath.


    In the entire Bloodmoon Pack, only she could stand aside and mock others.


    Providing Sabrina¡¯s mating gift?


    If Sabrina dared to ask her, she¡¯d p her. Her wolf ws flickered at her fingertips before vanishing.


    Only Gloria¡­


    ¡°How despicable!¡± She sneered inwardly, her pheromones still fierce like lingering gunsmoke.


    After mocking Gloria, Velda returned to her room. Her vertical pupils scanned every corner vigntly. Her fingers brushed the hidden mechanisms on the wall ¨C faint grooves carved by wolf ws.


    She meticulously checked her traps, then ordered the omega not to enter. After changing, she got into bed. The nd at the back of her neck warmed with alertness.


    The Western Tribe¡¯s spy once killed Alpha Bentley¡¯s family. The bloody stench still haunted her nostrils,


    She had heard about the change in the Western Tribe¡¯s Lycan King sessor. Her pupils gleamed coldly as she recalled the true identity of the person she captured in Snowdeer Town.


    nostrils 2/3


    Now she had to be doubly cautious in case more spies were in the capital. Her wolf ears remai the pillow, catching any outside movement


    Ulrik wouldn¡¯te to her room anyway. His cedar pheromones no longer stirred her in the


    Whether he came or not didn¡¯t matter. Staying alive was what counted.


    She closed her eyes and instinctively rested her hand on the dagger under her pillow, crafted w bone of a Northern Giant Wolf.


    <b>Chapter </b>387

 Novel Male 387

    <b>Chapter </b>387


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The Bloodmeon Pack was in chaos, and the Soulrend Pack was no better.


    When Old Luna learned her precious grandson had lost his status as the family heir and couldn¡¯t inherit the Soulrend Pack, she caused amotion for days, insisting on seeing rissa.


    Her tantrum fueled resentment among the pack members¨CDwight wasn¡¯t the only one fit to be heir.


    How could such favoritism not be disappointing?


    Alpha Manfred was also deeply troubled. He knelt and tearfully begged Old Luna, ¡°He abandoned home for a woman. Why still spoil him? You have other grandchildren. If you keep this up, the pack will fall apart.¡±


    Infuriated, Old Luna struck him with her cane. ¡°Nonsense! You¡¯re a useless father! Every parent wants their child to seed, not fail. He was praised by Lycan Erasmus and granted a title at a young age. How dare they nder such talent? Instead of defending him in the government, you let him lose his position and heir status. What future does he have now?¡±


    Alpha Manfred was struck a few times with the cane.


    Though Old Luna¡¯s strength had faded, being caned in public was humiliating for him as the family head.


    Seizing her cane, he said sorrowfully, ¡°Lycan Erasmus warned me. If Dwight continues his antics, our hereditary packnds are doomed.¡±


    Old Luna staggered. ¡°What did you say? Did Lycan Erasmus say this himself?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Manfred replied helplessly. ¡°He said if the Soulrend Pack doesn¡¯t treat Melinda better, we¡¯ll lose ournds. Lycan Erasmus is already considering abolishing our pack. We must stop the chaos. Dwight always heeds you. Make him stop his outbursts and cease his public condemnation of officials.¡±


    Old Luna copsed into a chair, her face pale. ¡°No! The Soulrend Pack¡¯s hereditary status was established by a former Lycan King. How can Lycan Erasmus revoke it?


    ¡°A breeder is a trivial matter. How can it affect the whole pack? Have we treated Melinda poorly? You all rally for her, but only me is protecting Dwight.


    ¡°Look at him! He lost his teeth to a servant¡¯s punch. Now anyone can p him. He¡¯s stripped of his rank and heir status, and even hisints are silenced. This is a clear attempt to drive him to despair!¡±


    ¡°Why only grieve for your son? What about your other grandchildren?¡± Alpha Manfred said mournfully.


    ¡°But none match him,¡± Old Luna insisted fiercely.


    She adored Dwight, her once¨Cpromising grandson ruined by women.


    Shemanded, ¡°Dy the heir change documents. Once I meet rissa, I¡¯ll find a solution.¡±


    At Madison¡¯s manor, Madison berated the middle¨Caged man before him.


    Unbelievablel How <b>was </b>Willowria¡¯s identity exposed to Adide? Did that wretched <b>woman </b><b>confess </b>to Adide¡¯s people?¡±


    <b>Tall </b>and handsome yet weathered, he shook his head.


    ¡°Impossible. Willowria would never speak out. She¡¯s obedient to you, never daring to defy¡±


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Madison said, his eyes shing.


    ¡°Her mother remains in the dungeon. If Willowria wants her freed, she¡¯ll behave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯llply.¡±


    Yet Madison¡¯s anger red at the man¡¯s apparent concern only for his daughters. ¡°Tell Willowria I want answers. Also, warn the others to stay low¨Ckey and avoid exposure. I suspect Adide only exposed Willowria to unsettle me. I won¡¯t fall for it.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± came the reply.


    Madison, unimpressed by his subservience, coldly ordered, ¡°Leave!¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Hunt turned and left. Years of suppression had made his once ¨C tall figure slightly stooped.


    Madison watched him go, recalling another simr figure. His heart, long still, stirred with envy, then erupted in hatred for the man who had spurned him¨Cthe man who had captured his heart decades ago.


    Back in the day, he, a princess, had hoped to mate with him, but he had disdainfully refused, choosing the inferior Aire instead.


    On their mating day, Madison had cursed them to childlessness and misery.


    Yet Aire bore six sons and a daughter.


    They lived in bliss, Alpha Bentley with neither breeder nor lover.


    Madison¡¯s hatred festered over the years. He knew he could never forget the man who had irrevocably disrupted his youth.

 Novel Male 388

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    When news of his death in battle arrived, sheughed wildly, then wept just as intensely.


    Good riddance, she thought¨Cbut why hadn¡¯t it been Aire instead?


    Still, she took grim satisfaction in the idea that Aire¡¯s sons had all perished in the same war. Surely, that would break Aire¡¯s heart.


    And indeed, Aire eventually went blind from her ceaseless tears.


    Later, when Aire¡¯s entire family was ughtered, she felt nothing but schadenfreude.


    The wicked always got theireuppance.


    Yet, the man who had tormented her dreams had probably never spared her a single thought in all his


    years.


    But in the dead of night, her dreams always returned to that first moment she hadid eyes on him¨Cher heart pounding, her face flushed with shy admiration.


    It was the things you couldn¡¯t have that stayed with you forever, searing into your soul.


    With a violent thrust, she sent a cup crashing to the floor.


    As the porcin shattered, she red at the debris, her eyes brimming with venom. If only her father had permitted her to wed Alpha Bentley back in the day, she would never have harbored such deep¨Cseated resentment toward the old Lycan King and the current one.


    ¡°Father, do you realize you¡¯ve doomed me to a lifetime of misery?¡±


    On Begonia Street, a side door swung open.


    A maid ushered Hunt in, reassuring him, ¡°Mr. Shuman, Dwight has returned to the Soulrend Pack today and won¡¯t be back until tonight at the earliest.¡±


    Hunt grunted. ¡°Take me to her.¡±


    This residence on Begonia Street was part of the Soulrend Pack¡¯s holdings, arranged by Old Luna for Dwight and Willow to live in.


    Today, Old Luna had summoned Dwight back.


    Now that he¡¯d lost his status as heir, Dwight was in a panic.


    In his fright, he¡¯d naturally turned to the pack, seeking his grandmother¡¯s intervention.


    In the parlor, Willow¡­ Wilorina rose to greet him. ¡°Mr. Shuman,¡± she said.


    Hunt looked at his daughter¡¯s downcast head and sighed softly. ¡°I¡¯m your father. There¡¯s no one else here. Just call me Father.¡±


    <b>Wilorina </b>lifted her <b>head</b>. ¡°<b>Yes</b>, Father!¡±


    <b>Hunt settled </b>into <b>his </b>seat, his robe swishing around him. ¡°How was your identitypromised? <b>Madison </b>is furious. I¡¯m here to find out if you¡¯ve been secretlymunicating with Adide.¡±


    A chilliness emanated from Wilorina¡¯s eyes and the faintly visible wolf cars peeking through her hair. Her presence was always shrouded in a frosty cedar scent,ced with mockery.


    Even toward her father, she maintained this facade.


    ¡°I came to the Soulrend Pack to be a breeder. How could I possibly have private contact with Luna Adide? If Madison doesn¡¯t trust me, she can simply have me eliminated,¡± she said, her vertical pupils narrowing with undisguised hostility.


    Hunt frowned, his aged cedar pheromones rippling. ¡°What are you talking about? If we killed you, all the resources invested in you would be wasted. Don¡¯t forget your mission¨Cyour mother is still in her clutches.¡±


    His wolf ws curled involuntarily in his palm.


    The mockery in Wilorina¡¯s eyes deepened, and her pheromones sharpened like icicles piercing Hunt. ¡°If you truly cared about my mother, why don¡¯t you stand up to her instead of letting me be treated like dirt, just to keep my mother by your side?¡±


    Her nails glinted faintly silver, as if she were on the verge of a partial shift.


    Hunt¡¯s expression darkened, his pheromones chaotic like a flickering candle in the wind. ¡°You¡¯ve caused quite the stir in the Soulrend Pack. Madison is actually delighted, but she¡¯s upset that your cover¡¯s been


    blown.¡±


    ¡°Your sister has already set off. She¡¯ll cross paths with Alpha Lance on the road. With her stunning beauty andbat skills that Alpha Lance admires, he¡¯s bound to favor her.¡±


    ¡°Once she infiltrates the ckthorn Pack, our n is halfway to sess.¡±


    The faint shadow of his wolf tail swished restlessly behind him.


    ¡°May she sessfully kill Adide,¡± Wilorina said, a sh of ruthlessness crossing her eyes. A tinge of bloodiness mixed into her pheromones, and her vertical pupils swirled with suppressed murderous intent.


    Alpha Bentley was the root of her tragedy and that of all her sisters.


    Though Alpha Bentley was dead, Adide still lived.


    Hunt fell silent, a whirl ofplicated emotions flickering in his eyes, his pheromones murky like stagnant swamp water.


    Finally, he let out a heavy sigh, his breathden with defeat. ¡°Your sister¡¯sbat skills are no match for Adide¡¯s. She can only try to poison her. But if she¡¯s caught<i>, </i>her life will be over.¡±


    ¡°As long as she gains favor, she won¡¯t die,¡± Wilorina said with a scornfulugh, her wolf ears flicking back in disdain.


    ¡°Alpha Lance and Adide have no real affection for each other. As Madison said, it¡¯s a political marriage.


    The <b>Frostfang </b><b>Pack </b><b>needs </b><b>Alpha </b><b>Lance</b><b>, </b>but <b>since </b><b>he¡¯s </b><b>lost </bmand of <b>his </b>legion<b>, </b><b>he </b><b>relies </b><b>on </b><b>Adider</b>. Ssupport


    <b>A </b><b>hint </b><b>of </b>jealousy tinged her pheromones.


    <b>Hunt </b><b>frowned</b>, instinctively shrinking from the topic, his pheromones retreating like a wounded animal. <b>This </b><b>isn¡¯t </b>our concern. Actually, I¡¯m against your sister approaching Alpha Lance¨Cit¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Does your opposition even matter?¡± Wilorina almost blurted out ¡°coward,¡± but held back.


    Her disdain and contempt were in to see, her pheromones like a cold wave that stifled Hunt¡¯s presence.


    Hunt¡¯s temples were already flecked with gray.


    Looking at his daughter, his wolf eyes brimming with guilt, he knew it was no wonder they resented him.


    He had brought them into this world only for them to be pawns of the princess, just as he himself was nothing more than a pawn.


    ¡°I did try to resist,¡± he said, his voice barely audible, filled with timid weakness.


    His pheromones were as faint as a candle in the wind. ¡°But I was powerless.¡±


    Wilorina¡¯s face was expressionless, her cedar pheromones freezing the air around her. ¡°Enough of this useless talk. What are Madison¡¯s next moves, and what do I need to do?¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 389

    <b>Chapter </b><b>389 </b>


    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    <b>The </b>Soulrend Pack is done for, and Dwight can be written off. Find a way to get into the Ironw <b>Pack</b>. <b>Tad </b>currently has only one breeder, but since he¡¯s out leading troops, you can¡¯t get to him. So target <b>his </b>


    <b>brother </b>Leon.¡±


    He pulled out a sheet of paper with some info on Leon.


    Wilorina flicked the paper with two fingers. The fact that Leon¡¯s details could be summed up on one page showed he was hardly remarkable.


    She was sick and tired of these useless people. She¡¯d rather be like her sister, trying to get close to a big shot like Alpha Lance.


    Only someone truly capable and skilled


    was worth her effort.


    She had thought Dwight might have some potential, but he turned out to be just another spoiled good- for¨Cnothing who couldn¡¯t tell right from wrong. Utterly disappointing.


    ¡°Can you cut all ties with Dwight?¡±


    With a indifferent look, Wilorina replied, ¡°Though he canceled my nightclub contract, I never had an official mating ceremony with him and have my ID documents back. Just get Madison to restore my free status for me.¡±


    ¡°As for breaking with him, that¡¯s easy. Having lost his position as heir, he¡¯s in a panic. If my leaving helps him start over at the Soulrend Pack, he¡¯ll agree inwardly, even if he says otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    Hunt, out of things to say, lingered and then asked, ¡°Want to visit your mom?¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Wilorina said coolly. ¡°She¡¯s better off enjoying yourpany.¡±


    Hunt wanted to mention she hadn¡¯t exactly been ¡°enjoying¡± anything, being locked in the dungeon, but he swallowed the words.


    Called back to the Soulrend Pack, Dwight was surrounded by cold pheromones. He still put on airs, insisting he was right. His vertical pupils narrowed in anger.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus was unwise to reprimand and strip me of my heir status.¡±


    Arrogant and self¨Cimportant, he thought himself the only clear¨Cheaded one here.


    His wolf ears were slightly pulled back in contempt for the ordinary folks around him, including his own family. His pheromones openly showed his aloofness.


    Seeing Dwight¡¯s stubbornness andck of remorse, Alpha Manfred¡¯s cedar pheromones surged, Alpha- powered pressure sweeping out.


    Enraged, he pped Dwight, Alpha¨Cfierce pheromones and a cracking sound filling the air. ¡°Apologize to


    Chapter 38Y


    Melinda now! And if you dare utter another word against Lycan Erasmus, leave and never return to the Soulrend Pack or your Begonia Street home.¡±


    Dwight had been worried about losing his heir status.


    After some tough talk, he nned to soften his stance and bring Willow back if his family went along. But no one did. Even his doting grandmother was silent, her pheromones heavy with worry.


    Now, after the p and being forced to apologize, his rebellious streak kicked in.


    Cupping his face, his wolf mane bristling with humiliation and fury, he unleashed a storm of sulfur- scented pheromones against his father¡¯s pressure.


    Snapping his neck and roaring angrily, his wolf ears stood on end with rage, ¡°Fine, take back everything! I won¡¯t apologize to her! She¡¯s the jealous one who couldn¡¯t stand Willow, hurt her, and tattled to her cousin, dragging the ckthorn Pack into our Soulrend Pack¡¯s business. Do you truly agree, or do you just submit to power? Yourck of backbone is your problem. Don¡¯t expect me to share it!¡±


    ¡°You good¨Cfor¨Cnothing son! Are you trying to ruin us all?¡±


    Manfred¡¯s cedar pheromones, thick with gunpowder¨Clike rage, overwhelmed the room.


    He shook with fury, wolf ws faintly emerging.


    Other pack members, cowed by Manfred¡¯s rage, bowed their heads.


    ¡°Dwight, this is your fault. You can¡¯t me others foring to question you.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t fearing power, it¡¯s knowing right from wrong and correcting mistakes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re well¨Ceducated, yet you can¡¯t tell right from wrong. You favored your lover, insulted your mate -it was wrong. Correcting it now, we¡¯d still ept you¡­¡±


    Dwight cut them off coldly. ¡°Shut up. I don¡¯t need your eptance. You¡¯re all mediocre and ipetent, yet you critique me. You look down on Willow¡¯s background, but you heard she¡¯s Madison¡¯s mate¡¯s illegitimate daughter. If Madison imed her, you¡¯d fawn on her too. You¡¯re all sycophants!¡±


    Old Luna, heartbroken at her once¨Ccherished grandson¡¯s harsh words, stiffened.


    Thinking of the Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory, she said firmly, ¡°Forget the rest. Apologize to Melinda and seek her forgiveness. She¡¯s carrying your child. And you did push her¨Cno one can deny that.¡±

 Novel Male 390

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Hearing his beloved grandmother say this, Dwight¡¯s heart sank.


    He sneered, ¡°So, you all want me to submit. Fine, I¡¯ll apologize. If she can take it, I¡¯ll kneel to her. Are you satisfied now?¡±


    You¡­¡±


    Old Luna was nearly triggered a heart attack by his words. ¡°Can¡¯t you speak nicely? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Even if she is noble, you needn¡¯t kneel. Just <i>a </i>sincere apology would do. Melinda <b>still </b>loves you and would forgive you.¡±


    Before Old Luna finished, Dwight stormed to the backyard.


    Luna Chloe screamed, ¡°Follow him! Who knows what he¡¯ll do next!¡±


    Melinda<i>, </i>who had dozed off after medicine, heard the noise outside.


    Recognizing Dwight and Georgina¡¯s voices, she frowned. Why had hee here?


    ¡°What¡¯s happening outside?¡± she called weakly.


    She called out, and the maid standing by the curtain turned around and hurried over.


    ¡°Melinda, you¡¯re awake?¡± she said, lifting the curtains. ¡°Dwight¡¯se in a rage. Georgina and Paige are holding him back.¡±


    ¡°Help me sit up and let him in,¡± Melinda said, her voice frail. ¡°I want to <i>see </i>what he wants.¡±


    ¡°Melinda, are you sure you want him toe in?¡± the maid asked.


    She recalled how he had pushed Melinda into the table, and her voice trembled with worry and anger, her light brown pheromones quivering.


    Melinda, clutching the bedclothes, said, ¡°Don¡¯t fear. With Georgina and Paige here, he can¡¯t touch me.¡±


    Though weak, her determination showed.


    She had given up on Dwight but wanted to settle things face¨Cto¨Cface<i>, </i>if only to honor her cousin¡¯s efforts.


    The maid helped her sit up and ced a soft pad behind her back, saying, ¡°You mustn¡¯t get out of bed, no matter what. The doctor ordered bed rest.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Melinda replied nkly, her face pale and eyes dull.


    Ever since Luna Skye forbade her from ending her partner contract, Melinda had been lying about listlessly, her future uncertain and unknown.


    But today, with Dwight storming in so furiously, she felt a sudden surge of strength. Her usually dormant pheromones rippled faintly. She wanted to do something, to say something.


    At least, she couldn¡¯t let Adide¡¯s efforts on her behalf go to waste,


    The sound of steps grew louder as Dwight stormed in, his sulfurous pheromones hanging thick in the air a telltale sign of his lingering rage.


    But Georgina and Paige nked him, their steady oak¨Clike pheromones forming a protective barrier. Upon reaching the bedside, they firmly blocked his path, preventing him from getting any closer.


    Melinda lifted her head, her eyes locking with his angry eyes, which were slightly red with fury.


    Before she could speak, he snarled, his wolf ws glinting faintly at his fingertips. ¡°Want an apology? Here it is. I was wrong to push you. Sorry.¡± His words dripped with sarcasm.


    Melinda, silent and clutching her nket, radiated an icy calm.


    Her pheromones were like a frozenke¨Ccalm, but with a hint of cold beneath the surface<i>. </i>


    Dwight took a step forward but was immediately blocked by Georgina.


    He shot her a cold re, his vertical pupils narrowing to dangerous slits, and said, ¡°I¡¯ve apologized to you. But you made Willow fall down the stairs the other day. You should apologize to her too. Get up ande with me to say sorry.¡±


    Melinda¡¯s eyes welled up, but sheughed brokenly. ¡°Apologize to her?¡±


    Dwight red, his sulfurous breath intensifying. ¡°I apologized. You won¡¯t, thinking yourself above it? Trying to bully like your fuckin¡® cousin?¡±


    He tried to grab her, ws emerging.


    Georgina pped his hand away. ¡°Talk, don¡¯t touch,¡± she snapped.


    Dwight, furious, kicked the table, w marks marring the wood. ¡°See? You all bully me! You¡¯re so high and mighty, and your people here look down on me too.¡±


    Georgina was so angry that she wanted to p him twice more, her wolf ws were itching toe out. But she looked at Melinda, her heart filled with urgency, thinking, ¡°You have a mouth, don¡¯t you? Speak up! What good are those red eyes if you don¡¯t speak?¡±


    Her oak¨Clike pheromones trembled slightly with her impatience.


    Paige, seeing Melinda¡¯s silence, also wanted to escort Dwight out directly.


    But Melinda suddenly spoke up. Her voice trembled with suppression, and her cedar pheromones from the Frostfang Pack suddenly turned cold. ¡°First, I don¡¯t ept your apology.¡±


    Tears in her eyes, she shook with suppressed rage, her pupils narrowing.


    But it was clear she was trying to control her anger, striving to speak in a calm tone.


    Her voice still trembled as she said, ¡°Your apology is insincere. Even if it weren¡¯t, what you¡¯ve done to me can¡¯t be erased by a simple ¡®sorry. So, I don¡¯t see your apology, won¡¯t ept it, and won¡¯t forgive you.¡±

 Novel Male 391

    Chapter <b>391 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°You won¡¯t ept it? Humph!¡±


    Dwight growled low in his throat, like an angry wolf. His sulfurous pheromones collided violently.


    He red at Melinda¡¯s thin, pale face, his wolf cars slightly forward, about to use her of being narrow- minded, yet found himself at a loss for words.


    Though ¡°it¡¯s never toote to mend,¡± no one says an apology must be epted.


    He sneered, his ws faintly gleaming, ¡°What gives you the right to refuse? What?¡±


    Melinda¡¯s voice rose, her tone cooling.


    Her voice no longer trembled, cedar pheromones carrying clear oppressiveness, ¡°For favoring your lover and insulting your mate; for being arrogant and self¨Ccentered; for betraying your mate and being unfit to be a father; and for iming to be a gentleman while acting like a petty person!¡±


    Her vertical pupils shone through her tears, resolute.


    Dwight, now furious and ashamed, shot back. ¡°So I¡¯m worthless in your eyes? Why did you try every means to mate with me then? Our mating was all your one¨Csided wish. I just gave in to the pack¡¯s influence¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Melinda¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, her lips quivering again.


    Speaking of their mating, she felt both shame and grievance.


    ¡°I did like you back then. And you said your wolf sensed me as your mate, which led to our rtionship. If my Silverlight Pack really had such influence, how dare you bully me like this?¡±


    Despite her efforts, tears slid down her cheeks. Naturally timid, she couldn¡¯t hold back her emotions or tears when speaking these words.


    Her slender figure, struggling to hold back tears only to break down in the end, stirred a fleeting, cheap sense of guilt in Dwight.


    But this guilt quickly faded.


    He had vowed to be faithful to Willow and mustn¡¯t feel any sympathy for other she¨Cwolves.


    Coldly, he said, ¡°I bully you? How about you bullying her? You livefortably in the Soulrend Pack, while Willow and I have to stay at Begonia Street. No, they say Begonia Street is to be taken back too, and my status as the pack heir has been revoked. Willow and I are in such a miserable situation because yo can¡¯t tolerate her. You got Adide to make a fuss and expand the incident, which led to officials impeaching me.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Melinda¡¯s chest heaved with anger. All herposure was gone, and she was left speechless, able only to


    O


    Chapter <b>391 </b>


    <b>grab </b>a pillow behind her and throw it at him. ¡°You jerk!¡±


    The pillow missed him.


    Dwight indifferently remarked, his sulfurous pheromones like icy des, ¡°I¡¯ve apologized. Whether <b>you </b>ept it or not is up to you.¡±


    He turned to leave, but Paige grabbed his cor, her aura irresistible.


    He spun around, his ws iling in panic, nearly falling, his wolf mane bristling with embarrassment. Paige gravely asked, her aura like a sunken log pressing into water, ¡°May I say something?¡±


    Dwight, filled with disdain and his vertical pupils with contempt, retorted, ¡°On what grounds¡­¡± Before he finished, a punch with the force of a wolf¡¯s w swung toward his face like a gust of wind. . Dwight heard a buzz in his ears and went ck.


    When he came to, he was on the ground, the blood from the corner of his mouth tasting coppery. He spat out the blood, fury filling his chest, a wolfish shadow flickering around him.


    About to roar, he saw Paige bow and gravely say, her oak¨Clike pheromonesced with an apology, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m really sorry!¡±


    After the apology, she lifted Dwight back to his feet, her stern expression and aura undiminished. ¡°Do you forgive me?¡±


    ¡°Forgive? I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    Dwight¡¯s eyes bloodshot, his vertical pupils nearly bursting, his wolf ws elongating three inches.


    ¡°If you¡¯re set on killing me, why should she forgive you? Get out!¡±


    Paige tossed him out, dropping him on the porch like trash, then mmed the door shut, the wolf¨Chead door knocker nging.


    Dwight, left on the stone steps, was hurriedly helped up by the omega and pack guards Luna Chloe had summoned.


    He shoved the omega away, his sulfurous pheromones explosive. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. Scram!¡±


    Having been struck twice by the she wolves at Melinda¡¯s side, Dwight felt utterly humiliated.


    His wolf mane stood on end with shame as he left the pack without looking back, a trail of cedar and sulfur marking his embarrassment.


    Wasn¡¯t he supposed toe and apologize?


    He had apologized. Their current anger was fleeting. His grandmother would never abandon him. Sooner orter, she¡¯d take him back/


    Melinda wiped her tears fiercely and asked between sobs, ¡°Am I useless<b>? </b><b>I </b>can¡¯t even argue or find the


    ?


    <b>2/3 </b>


    words to scold him.¡±


    Georginaforted her, ¡°No, you were useful this time. You scolded him and debated, though not strongly. It¡¯s progress. Before, you stood there speechless, which was truly maddening.¡±


    Paige added, ¡°Yes, this time was good. Practice over these days. When I bring him back, you can scold <b>him </b>again. You¡¯ll improve more.¡±


    The omega also wiped tears and said, ¡°Melinda, you were really brave this time.


    Melinda gave a wry smile, ¡°If even you say I was brave, you can see how timid I used to be.

 Novel Male 392

    Chapter <b>392 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Dwight returned to the house on Begonia Street.


    First, he rinsed his mouth, spitting out every trace of the blood. He couldn¡¯t bear to worry Willow.


    Only two servants were at the Begonia Street residence: one bustling in the kitchen, the other likely tending to Willow.


    Alone in the tea room, he swished mouthwash around. His head throbbed, and the left side of his mouth felt split open. After enduring the pain for a while, he forced back his tears.


    Melinda¡¯s heart was truly ruthless, repeatedly having others assault her own mate.


    He had been blind back then, deceived by her gentle and soft demeanor, unaware that deep down she was as vicious as her cousin, Luna Adide.


    His grandmother and father would surely learn of his beating.


    This would justify his angry departure from the pack.


    When the pack sent for him again, he mustn¡¯t readily return.


    ¡°Bring me a towel¡­¡±


    He called out before remembering that the omega tasked with his daily care hadn¡¯t followed him from the Soulrend Pack.


    His employment contract was in his mother¡¯s hands, and she forbade him from bringing the omega along.


    Years of living as a pampered young master made him feel utterly wretched now.


    He recalled his former self,ter mating with Melinda and bing thepanion of a royal family member.


    Though new to politics, everyone had praised his bright future. How glorious that had been!


    Yet the higher he had once soared, the more deste he now felt.


    After rinsing his mouth and cleaning his face, he headed toward Willow¡¯s room.


    Upon entering, he spotted a suitcase by the wall. Willow, dressed and facing away, appeared ready to leave.


    Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail. She wore a light blue denim skirt she had adored when he bought it, paired with a white T¨Cshirt and a dark blue denim jacket.


    ¡°Willow!¡± Dwight called out, embracing her from behind and kissing her cheek.


    ¡°Whose suitcase is this<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Wilorina slowly pushed him away, her once¨Cgentle face now cold as frost. ¡°I¡¯m not Willow. My name is


    <b>Chapter </b><b>392 </b>


    Wilorina<b>.¡± </b>


    Dwight¡¯s arms fell empty. He stared, stunned. ¡°To me, Wilorina and Willow are <b>the </b><b>same</b><b>. </b>


    Wilorina stood up, her eyes icy. ¡°Suit yourself.¡±


    Dwight¡¯s heart raced with panic. ¡°Willow, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Wilorina picked up the suitcase, her tone indifferent. ¡°I¡¯m here to say goodbye. From now on, <b>you </b><b>go </b><b>your </b>way, and I¡¯ll live my life.¡±


    Dwight felt as if struck by lightning. His swollen face froze. ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    Wilorina looked at him, her once¨Cloving eyes now cold and shattered. ¡°I mean, our rtionship <b>is </b><b>over </b>


    ¡°Why?¡±


    His lips trembling with fear, he grabbed Wilorina¡¯s hand. ¡°Did someone from the Soulrend Packe? Someone from Melinda¡¯s side? Did they bully you? Are they forcing you to leave me?¡±


    He fumbled to pull her into his arms. ¡°Ignore whatever they say or do. I won¡¯t leave you. <b>I¡¯ll </b>never <b>cast </b>you aside. I¡¯ve lost everything, but my love for you remains. I won¡¯t let you go.¡±


    Wilorina rolled her eyes, dropping all pretense. ¡°I don¡¯t want you anymore. Look <i>at </i>yourself! You¡¯ve lost your position and your status as the pack heir. You can¡¯t inherit the family fortune. You have a <b>degree </b>but no real use. Your reputation for spoiling lovers and offending friends <b>is </b>all over the city. No one would <b>hire </b>you. I despise you. Don¡¯t contact me again!¡±


    With that, she strode out.


    Dwight chased after her, veins bulging. ¡°You said you loved me!¡±


    Without turning, she spat, ¡°I lied. You¡¯re useless!¡±


    Those words from his beloved shattered Dwightpletely.


    He spun, the world cking out, and copsed.


    After being revived by servants, he sat in the yard, unresponsive, his heart hollow.


    Outside on Begonia Street, Hunt¡¯s men watched.


    When informed, Hunt frowned. ¡°Didn¡¯t Wilorina say she¡¯d break things off properly? Well, he¡¯s useless anyway. The Soulrend Pack¡¯s reputation is already in tatters. Forget him.¡±


    For two days, Dwight neither ate nor drank at Begonia Street.


    Wilorina¡¯s departure didn¡¯t hurt as much as her final words.


    He had always been arrogant, a young elite from a prestigious school, admired by many debutantes.


    He considered himself a genius, born to stand out.


    He had defied conventions to be unique, even to be a moral icon.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Losing his position for Willow hadn¡¯t frightened him.


    He believed their love defied societal norms, and future generations would admire their courage.


    Temporary nder would fade; their love would be remembered.


    But when he lost his status as the pack heir, panic crept in.

 Novel Male 393

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Dwight was well aware that even if he couldn¡¯t enter politics, he¡¯d still inherit the Alpha¡¯s position in the pack. His life would remain one of wealth and nobility.


    The incident on Begonia Street was ryed to Paisley by Wendy, who then informed Adide.


    Georgina had also visited two days prior, recounting the quarrel between Melinda and Dwight.


    Adide advised Georgina to gradually guide Melinda, noting that with her status, once she grew stronger. the entire Soulrend Pack would have to respect her. Dwight would be no exception.


    If affection between mates faded, then strength would prevail.


    Moreover, the Silverlight Pack wouldn¡¯t approve, so Melinda wouldn¡¯t consider dissolving her mating


    contract.


    In the morning, managers from the manor and shops lined up to report to Luna Adide.


    After questioning them one by one, Adide had lunch with them before dismissing them.


    Since taking charge of the


    dck¡¯s management, her responsibilities had multiplied.


    Fortunately, the ckthorn Pack had been well¨Cmanaged under Caldwell and Ralph, requiring no major changes.


    The next day marked the Wall family¡¯s formal engagement. Alger came with his mother and elders.-


    Alger¡¯s mother was of humble origin but had a kind nature.


    As for Alger¡¯s father, a childhood injury had left him with the intellect of a seven¨Cor eight¨Cyear¨Cold, so he didn¡¯t apany them today.


    1


    Prisci had initially hoped her daughter would marry someone else from the Wall family and was less than thrilled with Alger.


    But upon seeing his handsome appearance, proper manners, and articte speech¨Ccontrary to rumors of him being merely yful¨Cshe began to see him in a new light.


    Moreover, Adide had earlier told her that since Zelda¡¯s mate wouldn¡¯t enter the government¡¯s upper echelons, there was no need for him to strive in politics. What mattered was that he was morally upright, caring, and good to the princess.


    Given their mutual affection, their future together seemed promising.


    Prisci observed Alger closely today and grew more impressed.


    As for Alger¡¯s mother, she was easy¨Cgoing, spoke gently, and had no sharpness in her eyes.


    Recalling how she didn¡¯t disdain her husband¡¯s condition and the couple¡¯s loving rtionship, Prisci felt that a happy family upbringing would positively influence their child.


    |||


    O


    After the formal engagement, Prisci felt reassured this seemed a good match


    Whether others were easy to get along with mattered little, as Zelda and Alger would live in Zeke¡¯s manor


    Paisley, following Prune¡¯s instructions, had established a base in the capital.


    Prune assigned Wendy and others to her. These individuals were agile scouts under Prune, skilled in disguise.


    In addition to them, there were a few others unknown even to Paisley.


    They followed Wendy¡¯s lead, sometimes posing as passers¨Cby, sometimes <b>infiltrating </b>noble households as maids, and sometimes working around the capital on standby.


    Today, Wendy reported in a steady and keen tone, ¡°Several suspicious werewolves have entered the capital and checked into the Westin Hotel.¡±


    They were deemed suspicious due to the heavy aura of killing that clung to them<b>. </b>


    This aura was like coagted scabs of blood, carrying a frost¨Cearth stench.


    It was fundamentally different from the gunpowder scent typical of most werewolves¨Ca cold, bloodthirsty stench steeped in countless lives.


    The scouts were highly attuned to this scent.


    Thus, after their entry into the capital, the intelligence team took turns tailing them, observing them check into the Westin Hotel and not emerge since. Only then did they return to report.


    After hearing the report, Paisley went to see Adide. Her mewillow pheromones carried a hint of urgency, like embers about to ignite.


    Adide frowned upon hearing this. Her cedar¨Cscented presence grew grave, her pupils narrowing vertically in thought.


    The capital, the most prosperous and bustling ce in the federation, saw numerous merchants and battle¨Chardened werewolvesing and going.


    ¡°Werewolves with heavy killing auras often carry a distinct scent, as Wendy mentioned,¡± Paisley said, her wolf ears twitching alertly.


    ¡°She thinks these individuals are highly suspicious. Could they be nning to assassinate Lycan Erasmus?¡±


    Adide pondered for a moment, then shook her head. Her voice, now calm as still water, exined, ¡°Assassinating Lycan Erasmus would ideally happen when he leaves the pce. An attempt inside the pce would be foolish. Moreover, with only a few of them, infiltrating the pce for such a strike is impossible unless there¡¯s an inside aplice within the pce walls.¡±


    Her aura of authority spread subtly yet irresistibly.


    ¡°Should we have Ellen investigate the pce guard?¡± Paisley pressed, her fingers tingling with <i>the </i>faint outline of wolf ws.


    ¡°No need,¡± Adide said, raising a hand to pause her. Her gaze drifted to the overcast sky outside.


    Summer brought frequent rain to the capital.


    5


    Recalling the new Lycan King of the Western Tribe, she inquired, her voice tinged with a trace of icy detachment, ¡°Did Wendy mention that these individuals don¡¯t seem like our kingdom¡¯s werewolves? Or that they resemble those from the Western Tribe?¡±


    ¡°To enter the capital smoothly, they must be our kingdom¡¯s werewolves,¡± Paisley replied, her wolf ears pricking up with heightened alertness, her sulfuric pheromones intensifying.


    ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Adide countered, her pupils glinting with probing sharpness. ¡°If they¡¯ve been here long enough, obtaining entry documents to ess the capital wouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡±


    ¡°You suspect they¡¯re werewolves from the Western Tribe?¡± Paisley asked, her tone taut with tension.

 Novel Male 394

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit suspicious. Also, I wonder if it¡¯s rted to Alpha Germain sending people to the capital. But why would Germain send people here? If they¡¯re from the Western Tribe, I guess their target is Velda, to avenge the deceased prince. But as for Germain¡¯s purpose, I really can¡¯t figure it out,¡± she said, a faint edge shing in her cedar¨Cscented presence at the mention of Velda.


    Paisley remarked, ¡°Well, maybe we¡¯re just being overly sensitive. Perhaps they¡¯re merely frencers seeking work in the capital.¡±


    Adide, however, wasn¡¯t inclined to take that chance. ¡°Keep them under surveince. Report any developments immediately.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, we¡¯re on it,¡± Paisley replied, sipping her coffee and widening her eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to rain. I hope it doesn¡¯t pour tomorrow when Cedric starts at Elk Academy.


    ¡°Right,¡± Adide absent¨Cmindedly responded, her thoughts still preupied with the suspicious individuals and their potential motives.


    She wondered if they might be spies from the Western Tribe but couldn¡¯t voice this concern to Paisley.


    The very thought of Western Tribe spies felt like a sharp de piercing her heart.


    She recalled Snke¡¯s assurance that all the werewolves from the incident, except those killed on the spot, had been dealt with.


    His word was trustworthy.


    After a moment of contemtion, Adide said to Paisley, ¡°Find out about Ulrik¡¯s recent duty schedule.


    ¡°No need to ask. He¡¯s on a ten¨Cday rotation. He¡¯s been on day shift these past few days and will switch to night shift on the 20th.¡±


    ¡°Night shift,¡± Adide repeated softly, pondering the potential connections between the suspicious individuals and the night shift.


    She then shook her head. ¡°Wait, no. It can¡¯t be someone sent by the new Lycan King of the Western Tribe. His goal wouldn¡¯t simply be to kill Velda. We¡¯re keeping Velda alive to hold him ountableter. If he were to have her killed now, he¡¯d lose leverage over us regarding the Snowdeer Town incident. He wouldn¡¯t be that foolish.¡±


    Paisley looked at her and asked, ¡°So¡­ not targeting Velda? Then could it be the ckthorn Pack?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Adide said, unable to reach a conclusion for now. After all, only a few individuals with heavy killing auras had entered the capital, and there was no additional information.


    ¡°I need to have Avery strengthen the ckthorn Pack¡¯s defenses. Tomorrow, when I take Cenic to the academy, I¡¯ll have Avery and his men guard outside for a few days until those individuals leave.¡±


    Better safe than sorry.


    napier 694


    With Lance and Caldwell currently absent from the pack, it was wise in take extra precautions and <b>avoid </b>any miscalctions.


    That same day, Avery began deploying the defenses.


    Five hundred pack warriors were stationed in the capital. Although this made Lycan Erasmus somewhat wary, the actual benefits were significant.


    With such arrangements, defense deployment became much more manageable, with three¨Chour shifts and sufficient manpower.


    Since there was no night curfew in the capital, Avery took charge in person during the evenings.


    After all, dark and windy nights were prime times for robberies and violence. The likelihood of individuals storming the ckthorn Pack during daylight hours was extremely low.


    The next morning, the car was ready. Adide and Paisley escorted Cedric outside.


    It was Cedric¡¯s first day at the academy, and though he imed not to be nervous, it was evident that he was a bit anxious.


    Dressed in a blue denim jacket and dark jeans, he looked fresh and neat, exuding the schrly aura of a neighborhood youth.


    The omega assigned to care for him, selected by Frostfang¡¯s Beta Valentine, was named Chase due to his birthday on December 23rd, the eve of Christmas Eve, and was the same age as Cedric.


    Chase carried a canvas backpack adorned with aary design, filled with stationery and textbooks.


    Despite Cedric¡¯s slightly stiff walk, he was well¨Customed to the attention of others. The hardships of his nomadic years had forged a resilient inner strength.


    Paisley looked up at the overcast sky and said, ¡°It¡¯s going to rain. We¡¯d better hurry. <i>If </i><i>we¡¯re </i><ite</i>, finding a parking spot at the academy will be tough.¡±


    Adide scanned the surroundings, confirmed there were no anomalies, then lifted her skirt and got into the car. ¡°Bring an umbre?¡±


    ¡°Yep, and there¡¯s a pic mat and bento box in the trunk,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Notebookputer¡¯s charged too. I can catch up on the news while waiting for him after ss,¡± she added, checking off items on the list.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Adide said to the driver


    The spacious andfortable car pulled up at the academy gate just as the first raindrops began to fall.


    Fortunately, the rain was still light, and there were still parking spots avable.


    Adide grabbed an automatic umbre and stepped out first, then helped Cedric out of the car.


    Chase jumped out on his own. At his age, kids were full of energy.


    As the rain gradually intensified, Paisley handed over another umbre from the trunk. ¡°Don¡¯t get soaked.


    <b>09:04 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>22 </b>Jul M TOD


    I didn¡¯t bring any spare clothes for today.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Cedric replied cheerfully.


    ¡°Good boy, Cedric!¡± Paisley smiled and waved at him. ¡°Go on, we will wait for you nearby after school. With Chase holding the umbre and linking arms with Cedric, they jogged into the academy gate..


    Adide called out, ¡°Don¡¯t run too fast, watch your step in the rain.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking, a ¡°plop¡± echoed, as if someone had slipped and fallen onto the ground.

 Novel Male 395

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide turned at the sound and saw ady in white clothing fallen on her back near a car ahead.


    The maid rushed to help but, juggling an umbre and her efforts, slipped andnded <b>on </b>thedy, who groaned in pain.


    The driver approached but, as a man, hesitated to assist directly<i>. </i>


    The maid, pinned awkwardly, struggled to stand, only pressing harder on thedy.


    Adide jogged over, pulled the maid to her feet, and then helped thedy up.


    Thedy, pale and rain¨Cdrenched, clearly didn¡¯t want to be seen like this.


    She covered her face and murmured, ¡°Thank you so much.-


    ¡°No trouble at all. Are you badly hurt?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°No serious injury¡­¡± Thedy winced as she moved her foot, a sharp pain shooting through her left ankle.


    ¡°Probably a sprain,¡± Adide said.


    Adide supported her and noticed the maid¡¯s palms were covered in blood. They must have been grazed by the rough sand when she fell.


    ¡°My car¡¯s up ahead. I have a first¨Caid kit and ointment. Why don¡¯t youe with me, and I¡¯ll tend to your wounds.¡±


    Thedy hesitated. ¡°Is this too much to ask? I don¡¯t even know who you are¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Adide,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ve met before.¡±


    Thedy was Lte, the same one who¡¯d tried to help Gloria at the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Adide had also seen her during a visit to the Hornbeam Pack with her mother.


    Hearing ¡°Adide,¡± Lte lowered her sleeve and looked closely.


    ¡°You¡¯re Luna Adide! I¡¯m so embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°Lte, let¡¯s get you to my car. Several vehicles areing,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry for the trouble,¡± Lte replied.


    Lte was well¨Caware of her status as a she¨Cwolf who had lost her mate. Thest thing attract trouble.


    ranted was to


    If others witnessed her in such a disheveled state, she could only imagine the gossip <i>that </i>might follow.


    Paisley also rushed over, and together they helped Lte <i>to </i>Adide¡¯s car.


    <b>09:04 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>22 </b>Jul


    s


    Paisley lifted her in, making Lte blush with embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this,¡± she said.


    The maid was also helped into the car.


    With no attendants like Beata today, the car wasn¡¯t crowded with four people inside.


    Paisley recognized Lte but didn¡¯t mention the jewelry store incident.


    Lte recognized Paisley at once.


    That day, Paisley had been standing at the entrance, arms folded, watching themotion. Her striking face, like a fiery red ruby, was unforgettable once seen.


    Recalling the event, Lte felt awkward. Her neck warmed, and her pheromones rippled with unease. ¡°That day, I did admire that ruby set¡­¡±


    Paisley smiled. ¡°I did too, but Luna Gloria bought it first.¡±


    Lte cringed, wishing she could take back her words.


    She realized she shouldn¡¯t have brought up that day¡¯s incident, as it might only cause unnecessary trouble.


    Paisley and Adide exchanged nces, thinking Lte must rarely attend social events if she still dwelled on that day.


    Paisley cleaned the maid¡¯s wounds and applied medicine, her movements crisp and efficient.


    Adide examined Lte¡¯s swollen ankle.


    ¡°Gently rotate your ankle and tell me if it hurts.¡±


    Lte did as told, hissing in pain. ¡°It hurts,¡± she said, her wolf pupils narrowing.


    ¡°I hope there¡¯s no fracture,¡± Adide said, applying salve from Doctor Digby.


    ¡°This ointment is from Doctor Digby. It numbs well, but because of that, you should still see a doctor.¡±


    ¡°Luna Adide, I¡¯m truly grateful and sorry for the inconvenience,¡± Lte said softly, her voice trembling.


    ¡°No need for such formality,¡± Adide said warmly. ¡°We¡¯re acquaintances. Let¡¯s not be so distant.¡±


    At the word ¡°acquaintances,¡± Lte¡¯s eyes welled up.


    She turned away, clutching her hands until her knuckles whitened. ¡°There are more people now. Could I wait until there are fewer and then return to my car?¡±


    ¡°Of course. We¡¯re waiting here until Cedric¡¯s ss ends,¡± Adide said, rolling down the window to instruct the driver.


    Her cedar scent drifted on the evening breeze. ¡°Move the car further away.¡±

 Novel Male 396

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The car pulled up at the northwest co


    closely to avoid traffic jams.


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    of Elk Academy, with the Hornbeam Pack¡¯s vehicle following


    The rain gradually intensified, and more people gathered around.


    Lte, with her injured foot, was in no state to return to her own car. She could only wait until the stream of parents dropping off their children gradually thinned out.


    ¡°Are you here to see your son off to school?¡± Adide asked, knowing that Lte had adopted a son but unsure of his age.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s his first day at school, so I¡¯m seeing him in,¡± Lte replied.


    Her face lit up at the mention of her son, and she became more at ease.


    ¡°How old is he, and what¡¯s his name?¡± Adide inquired.


    ¡°He¡¯s seven, and his name is Gunnar,¡± Lte answered.


    Paisley remarked with a smile, ¡°That¡¯s a name befitting the child of a werewolf general.¡±


    The name carried the meaning of a brave warrior.


    For a moment, Lte¡¯s expression turned distant, her bitter feelings briefly showing in her eyes.


    She said softly, ¡°Myte mate had intended this name for our future child.¡±


    Adide and Paisley exchanged nces at the word te.¡±


    Seeing Lte¡¯s eyes well up, Paisley quickly changed the subject. ¡°Your maid¡¯s hand is injured. Let me help you tidy your hair.¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not proper,¡± Lte waved her hands in refusal.


    But Paisley had already begun tob her hair, smiling as she said, ¡°Don¡¯t let my usual roughness fool you. I¡¯m quite adept at styling hair.¡±


    Lte could only keep apologizing for the trouble.


    To ease the tension, Adide struck up a conversation. ¡°I¡¯m here to see my nephew off to school too. Like your Gunnar, it¡¯s his first day.¡±


    The Elk Academy admitted a limited number of students each year, so the neers would likely be in the same ss<b>. </b>


    ¡°Must be Cedric,¡± Lte said with a smile.


    She knew about Cedric and his significance to the Frostfang Pack. She then said, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡± ?


    Chapter 396.


    <b>45 </b>Fred Coins


    Adide heard the implication in Lte¡¯s ¡°That¡¯s wonderful¡°-the Frostfang Pack finally had an heir.


    Looking at Lte¡¯s still¨Cyoung yet lifeless face, Adide said, ¡°Yes, things will get better. The past is the past; we must live well for those still here.¡±


    Lte nodded, her expression still downcast.


    The rain poured harder, and the school entrance grew noisy with shouts and honks as traffic began to back up.


    Even Lte¡¯s car was stuck.


    While aiding Lte, Paisley noticed she had lost an earring. ¡°You¡¯ve dropped an earring. It must havee off when you fell,¡± she said.


    Lte gasped, her face turning pale as she checked her ears and found the left one missing.


    . She rushed to the car door. ¡°I need to get out and look for it.¡±


    The maid protested, ¡°Madam, let me go search.¡±


    Paisley nced at the chaotic scene outside. ¡°The area where you fell has already been driven over. Yourrge pearl earring might have been picked up by someone.¡±


    Many parents didn¡¯te in person but sent omegas or drivers.


    If someone noticed the pearl earring while dropping off a child, they might have taken it.


    But Lte suddenly covered her face with her hands and cried, ¡°No, I have to find it. It was a gift from my mate, a token of our mating bond. I can¡¯t lose it.¡±


    Wiping her tears, she insisted, ¡°I have to look now, or it¡¯ll be gone for good.¡±


    In her haste, she tried to jump out of the car, but the maid held her back. ¡°Madam, please calm down.¡±


    Adide and Paisley helped her out of the car, holding umbres as they apanied her in the search.


    Back at the spot where Lte had fallen, Adide and Paisley scanned the ground inch by inch.


    But with the crowd and cars maneuvering, shouts for them to move filled the air.


    Finding a pearl in such heavy rain and among so many people was nearly impossible.


    Adide looked up, about to suggest they return to the car and wait out the rain, when she saw Lte kneeling in the mud, dragging her injured foot forward, her hands groping desperately through the muck.


    The downpour drenched her frail figure, and her neatly styled hair was quickly ruined by the rain, making her look disheveled and distraught.


    Adide¡¯s heart ached, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.


    She hurried to pull Lte up. ¡°Please get back in the car. We¡¯ll help you look,¡± she urged.


    restrain/3


    ¡°No!¡± Lte shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Her hands trembled as she tried to restrain


    09:04 <b>Tue</b>, 22 <b>Jul </b><b>MT </b>


    her emotions, but to no avail. ¡°I have to find it. It means everything to me. I must have it back


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    Adide called Paisley over to help support Lte onto her back and swiftly carried her back to the car ¡°Wait here. I promise I¡¯ll find your carring,¡± she assured her.


    Shivering and drenched, Lte¡¯s face was streaked with tears and rain, her lips quivering. ¡°Please, you have to find it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get out of the car!¡± Adide emphasized, her tone firmer now.


    ¡°Take care of yourself. Don¡¯t let his spirit worry,¡± she added gently.


    Lte buried her face in her hands and wept.


    Adide left the driver to keep an eye on her and returned to the search.


    After half an hour, the crowd around them thinned, but the rain persisted, and the sky grew increasingly gloomy.


    Despite their exhaustive search¨Cfour people, including the Hornbeam Pack driver¨Cno sign of the earring emerged.

 Novel Male 397

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As everyone was about to give up, Adide spotted a glimmer near the academy entrance.


    s


    She rushed over¨Cher cedar pheromones rippling with urgency¨Cand found Lte¡¯s pearl earring.¡±


    Carefully, she picked it up, her wolf ws instinctively retracting to avoid damaging the precious pearl.


    The earring was crushed, only the pearl remained, its golden thread and twin leaf settings lost


    It must have been run over and kicked away.


    Adide¡¯s wolf ears twitched in the rain, listening intently for any clues.


    She scanned the area and retrieved only a thin golden leaf, finding no other fragments.


    Her pheromones carried a tinge of regret.


    Handing the pearl and leaf to Lte, Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones wrapped her in careful reverence.


    Lte clutched them tightly, her knuckles whitening.


    Lte wept uncontrobly against Adide¡¯s shoulder.


    Adide held her, her cedar scent soothing.


    When Lte¡¯s cries softened, she wiped her tears andposed herself.


    Her face pale, eyes still glistening, Lte forced a bitter smile.


    ¡°I just¡­ I was afraid it would be like his body, never found. Now it¡¯s back. Thank you, Luna Adide.¡±


    Lte asked her maid to help her out of the car and, after thanking Adide once more, she limped toward her own vehicle.


    Her solitary figure, shrouded in the rain and mist, seemed frail and vulnerable, with an air of lingering sorrow still emanating from her pheromones.


    Adide sat in the car, her damp hair dripping water onto her face, each drop scalding like a hot tear.


    Her wolf ears drooped, betraying the weight of her dejection.


    Paisley hugged her, her pheromones warm andforting. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad. It¡¯s the fate of many werewolf warriors. Remember the southern border battles? Many fell there <i>too</i>.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but their families endure such hardship,¡± Adide sighed, wiping her face.


    Her cedar pheromones carried her weariness. ¡°She¡¯s never moved on.¡±


    ¡°Given the token, they must have loved each other before mating,¡± Paisley mused.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Adide¡¯s voice drifted. ¡°She stayed in the Hornbeam Pack, kept their home, and adopted a son <b>named </b>Gunnar, as they¡¯d nned.


    Pa¨ªsicy sighed. ¡°If Eugenius truly is Eugene, and the rescue seeds, he¡¯ll return to find his mate remated. Lte, who waited so faithfully, will never see her beloved again.¡±


    Why doesn¡¯t the Moon Goddess help truly loving pairs?


    Their pheromones were heavy with helplessness.


    Drenched, they had no choice but to return to the pack. After changing clothes, they asked Avery to arrange for pack warriors to stand guard and collect Cedricter.


    Avery swiftly set things in motion.


    That afternoon, both felt unwell from the rain.


    They took the pack doctor¡¯s medicine and slept, their breathing deep and slow.


    In the evening, Ulrik left the Capital Guard Camp, his cedar pheromones edged with irritation.


    He was here to request leave.


    Rosemary had fallen ill after that day, and Sabrina refused to part with the ruby set.


    She now clutched it daily, serving Rosemary with unprecedented devotion.


    Ulrik nned to take a few days¡® leave to settle pack matters.


    If Sabrina wouldn¡¯t return the headpiece, he¡¯d take it by force. His wolf ws faintly gleamed with resolve. He couldn¡¯t let her use Eugene¡¯spensation¨Cit would disgrace them both.


    His cedar pheromones turned icy with anger.


    He bought a gold hairpiece and ced it in a box. After asking an omega and learning Sabrina was with Rosemary, he headed to Rosemary¡¯s room, his cedar pheromones masking his cold intent.


    Sabrina was indeed holding the jewelry box, her silver¨Cgray wolf ears pricked with alertness.


    Seeing him enter, she stood up, sulfurous pheromones sharp with tension.


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik, isn¡¯t it your night shift tonight? Why are you back?¡± she asked warily.


    ¡°Here,¡± Ulrik said tly, handing her the box. ¡°Got a bonus. It¡¯s for you.¡±


    Suspicious, Sabrina¡¯s vertical pupils fixed on the box. ¡°For me? Why buy me jewelry


    She clutched her own box tightly.


    Ulrik had been insisting she return the ruby set. Why this sudden gift?


    <b>09:04 </b><b>Tue</b>, <b>22 </b><b>Jul </b><b>MTO </b>


    Her knuckles whitened with the effort to hold her box.


    5:79%0

 Novel Male 398

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    ¡°Consider this as a gift for our mating and <i>a </i>thank you for your hard work in caring for Mother these past few days. Emm, just ept it,¡± Ulrik said as he turned to look at Rosemary on the bed, his cedar pheromones carrying a hint of warmth for his elder.


    ¡°Mother, how are you feeling today?¡±


    Rosemary was also taken aback by her son¡¯s actions, her aged pheromones slightly rippling.


    In response to his question, she said, ¡°Sabrina <i>has </i>been working hard to care for me. I feel a bit better today and should be able to get up and move around tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Why not let me help you up now<i>?</i><i>¡± </i>


    Ulrik unveiled the covers and reached out to assist her, his movements embodying the respect an Alpha holds for their elder.


    Seeing this, Sabrina finally put down the jewelry box containing the ruby headpiece and picked up the box Ulrik had given her. Opening it, she found a golden bridal hair crown inside.


    She picked it up¨Cits considerable weight and decent design briefly satisfying her, though a tinge of criticism still crossed her <b>mind</b>.


    The workmanship pales inparison to the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Though disappointed, she acknowledged it was gold and decided to keep it.


    She then looked up at Ulrik, her pheromones softening as she said, ¡°Thank you, Alpha Ulrik.¡±


    ¡°Try it on and see how it looks,¡± Ulrik casually suggested as he helped Rosemary to her feet.


    Before Sabrina could even ce the crown on her head <i>at </i>Rosemary¡¯s vanity, she heard a gasp of shock from behind, the cedar pheromones tightening abruptly. ¡°Ulrik, what <i>are </i>you doing?¡±


    Sabrina spun around to see Alpha Ulrik no longer assisting Rosemary but instead holding the ruby headpiece.


    Her heart leaped into <i>her </i>throat, her wolf ws growing uncontrobly as she screamed in fury, ¡°Ulrik what are you doing?¡±


    Ulrik indifferently replied, his cedar pheromones suddenly as sharp as a de, ¡°You¡¯re a breeder in the Glenweil Pack now and can¡¯t wear such a headpiece. I¡¯ll return it for you<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    With that, he turned and left, his fingers whitening around the jewelry box.


    Sabrina let out a howl, her wolfish silhouette shing as she lunged <i>after </i>him, her ws n air. ¡°<b>Give </b>it back¡±


    dicing the


    Ulrik, however, had already utilized his werewolf agility to leap forward, cedar pheromones carrying an urgent gust as he raced toward the Golden Jewelry Store.


    Determined to return the item and retrieve the money before the store closed, Ulrik found it still open. though nearly empty.


    The capital had no night curfew, but after dark, the jewelry store saw no high¨Cprofile customers and thus closed its doors.


    The air still carried the faint luminescence of various gemstones and a light woody fragrance.


    Ulrik became the Golden Jewelry Store¡¯sst customer of the day.


    The same manager from before greeted him. Upon learning of his intent to return an item, the manager remained as cheerful as ever, his pheromones steady andposed.


    The manager¡¯s demeanor eased Ulrik¡¯s embarrassment. Expecting a difficult process, Ulrik was relieved when the manager promptly processed the return after inspecting the ruby headpiece.


    The cedar chill in Ulrik¡¯s pheromones began to fade as the full refund of thirty¨Csix million eight hundred thousand dors was processed without deduction.


    Clutching the check, Ulrik¡¯s knuckles whitened with the force of his grip.


    The manager escorted him to the door, bowing with pheromones of well¨Cmeasured respect. ¡°We look forward to your next visit.¡±


    Ulrik nced back at the store¡¯s sign, vowing never to return.


    His remaining dignity had been shattered here.


    His cedar pheromones, thick with humiliation, almost took tangible form as he returned to the pack.


    Upon his return, the pack was in chaos.


    Sulfurous and iron¨Crich pheromones collided fiercely in the air like two zing wildfires.


    Sabrina, realizing she couldn¡¯t catch up to Ulrik, concluded that Gloria must have pressured him into returning the headpiece.


    She rushed to Gloria¡¯s courtyard. Her silver¨Cgray wolf ws cut through the air as she pped Gloria with all hermight. Her sulfuric pheromones burst like sparks.


    Gloria, having recently spent a fortune on the headpiece for Sabrina only to be neglected by her mate, was already seething with resentment.


    At Sabrina¡¯s unprovoked attack, her iron¨Cgray pupils narrowed instantly, and she retaliated with a p of her own. Iron¨Cinfused pheromones, carrying suppressed fury,shed back.


    The two wrestled instantly, their wolf ws glinting menacingly as they tore at each oth swirled chaotically in the air like boiling venom.


    When Ulrik returned to the pack, the omegas had just managed to separate them.


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    Both were disheveled, their hair disarrayed, clothes wed and torn, faces marked with scratches and p


    marks<b>. </b>


    Their wolf ears drooped, a sorry sight akin to street brawlers. Pheromones swirled in the air like muddy


    water.


    Rosemary sat panting in her chair, her aged cedar pheromones surging with icy anger.


    She red at Gloria, ¡°She¡¯s about to mate. How will she show her face with her face all bruised?¡±


    Gloria, sitting on the ground, wailed and trembled with grievance.

 Novel Male 399

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik strode in, his cedar pheromones carrying undeniable aura.


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    He helped Gloria up and handed her a stack of checks. ¡°I¡¯ve returned the ruby set. Take the money back.¡°.


    ¡°Ulrik, are you insane?¡±


    Rosemary leaped to her feet in a fury, her cedar pheromones slicing through the air like des. ¡°Returning jewelry you¡¯ve bought disgraces us all! The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s reputation is being trampled by you!¡±


    ¡°Take it back! I won¡¯t return it!¡±


    Sabrina, catching her breath, lunged at Ulrik. Her silver¨Cgray ws gleamed as she pummeled his chest, her sulfurous pheromones erupting like mes.


    Ulrik stood rigid, unfazed by her assault. His face was a mask of indifference, and his cedar pheromones hung heavy, frozen and unyielding.


    He was sick of this life.


    Gloria stood dazed, checks in hand, tears forgotten.


    After a few moments of hammering away at Ulrik, Sabrina spun around and lunged toward Gloria, her lupine ws almost slicing through the air as she made a grab for the check in Gloria¡¯s hand.


    Gloria instantly concealed the check behind her back, took several steps backward, and said vigntly, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mine! You bought it for me!¡±


    Sabrina screamed, fury reddening her eyes, sulfurous pheromones piercing.


    ¡°I regret it,¡± Gloria said tly, voice unchanging.


    Did she regret buying the ruby set, or joining the pack?


    She couldn¡¯t tell. This wasn¡¯t the life she wanted.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was a corrupt swamp she¡¯d fallen into.


    Her second mating wasn¡¯t her choice.


    Mrs. Voss had arranged it, and her mother had exined the stakes: refusal could harm Tad¡¯s future.


    Back then, she¡¯d been lonely, expectingpanionship like in her past rtionship.


    She thought Ulrik would be that person, but he wasn¡¯t.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was iparable to the Hutchinson family.


    At the Hutchinsons¡®, everyone was easy¨Cgoing, treating her like family.


    Their pheromones carried pine¨Cresin warmth, never threatening.


    But the Bloodmoon Pack was a wolfsbane¨Csoaked bramble, filled with hostility.


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    Rosemary¡¯s icy cedar pheromones, Sabrina¡¯s sweet but toxic floral scent, and curses mixed with wolfish howls made the packhouse air tremble.


    Gloria¡¯s neck nd suddenly throbbed.


    She clutched the check, wolf¨Ctipped fingers leaving marks, and left, the draft lifting the wolf¨Chead banner.


    In the lounge, she sat numbly.


    That evening, Sabrina¡¯s howls finally faded, her sugary¨Cyet¨Cbarbed pheromones dissipating into the air.


    . Gloria leaned on the sofa, jasmine and salty tears mixing.


    Her neck¡¯s moon mark tingled¨Cthe remnant of Ulrik¡¯s mark, now mocking her.


    She felt so wronged. Even if Ulrik¡¯s cedar¨Cscentedfort had brushed her nape, or a flicker of hesitation had crossed his eyes, she would have felt some relief.


    But Ulrik didn¡¯t stay.


    After Rosemary and Sabrina left, an omega told her, ¡°Luna Gloria, Alpha Ulrik¡¯s with Velda.¡±


    Gloria wept bitterly. ¡°Why? What did she do? Why treat her like this?¡±


    She¡¯d rather he slept in the study than be with Velda.


    Her nd ached from Sabrina¡¯s aura, yet he went to Velda.


    Did he have even a little space for her?


    And Velda¡¯s disfigured half¨Cface, mottled with wolfsbane¨Clike greenish¨Cck, and the grotesque scar where her ear had been torn off, made her look like a wolf that had been torn apart on the steppe.


    He would rather be with such a shewolf thane to her¡­


    Gloria¡¯s nails dug into her palm, blue¨Csilver blood mingling with tears.


    Ulrik sat in Velda¡¯s room, with nowhere else to go.


    He had been staying in the study for several days, enjoying the tranquility it offered. But thiste¨Cnight quiet filled him with dread.


    Memories of his past wrong decisions haunted him relentlessly.


    As if to prove those decisions right, he had pushed open Velda¡¯s door tonight.


    Yet sitting face¨Cto¨Cface with her, images of her cruelty surfaced, churning his stomach and bringing


    nausea.


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    ¡°You despise me,¡± Velda said coldly, ws glinting in the candlelight.


    Her mint pheromones stabbed to Ulrik.


    She sensed his cedar pheromones¡® hidden revulsion.


    Since his return from the battlefield, his cedar scent never sought her mint. Only when she raised hell did it respond, half¨Cwolfish aura forcing him to react.


    Velda knew the pack¡¯s recent chaos.


    She enjoyed the spectacle, the fools¡® strife.


    Look, without lifting a finger, Ulrik came, reeking of self¨Ccontradiction¨Cloathing yet drawn near.

 Novel Male 400

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes were as cold as ice as he said, ¡°I wish you could tell me that you didn¡¯t do those things in Snowdeer Town.¡±


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    Velda sneered, ¡°You despise me because of Snowdeer Town incident? No, you¡¯re disgusted that I was captured on the mountain, that I was disfigured, thinking me tainted. But let me make this clear: I am innocent.¡±


    Ulrik shook his head. ¡°What happened on the mountain, I feel pity for you, which is why I endured the punishments for you. What I can¡¯t ept is what you did in Snowdeer.¡±


    ¡°Stop deluding yourself, won¡¯t t


    Velda still sneered. ¡°Do you truly believe I was wrong for what I did in Snowdeer?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you aware of your own wrongdoing?¡±


    Ulrik took a deep breath. ¡°Have you still not realized you were wrong?¡±


    Velda was unveiled, themplight casting her face¨Chalf normal, half grotesque.


    Her eyes zed with naked ambition. ¡°Ulrik, it¡¯s not just you who dreams of achievement. I, too, aspire to greatness. As the kingdom¡¯s first female werewolf general, even Adide¡¯s aplishments on the southern border can¡¯t supnt my position.¡±


    ¡°I carved out this status in Snowdeer. Without those actions, how could I have secured my standing?¡±


    The light made her disfigured half even more horrifying. ¡°Do you think those werewolf generals <i>have </i>nevermitted cruel acts? None who survive the battlefield are the least bit soft¨Chearted.¡±


    ¡°Young Alpha Bentley rose to power at a tender age. Do you honestly believe it was solely due to his bravery in battle? No, there are dark dealings behind it all, the extent of which you and I will never truly know.¡±


    ¡°Foolish as ever, you think to earn military glory with your life¨Cyet even if you die trying, you¡¯ll never be Tad.¡±


    Ulrik shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that.¡±


    Velda sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t be stubborn. You know full well why Tad could rece Alpha Lance. Was it because of his abilities? No, it was because of his ancestors¡® legacy. He basks in the glory of his forebears.¡±


    ¡°All I want is for us to attain higher positions and honors, so our descendants might benefit. If we can rise to the upper echelons of society, our children could have the opportunities that Adide and Tad enjoy- achieving everything with minimal effort.¡±


    Ulrik gazed into the me in her eyes¨Ca me fueled by ambition and hatred.


    Once again, he felt he had never truly known Velda.


    Free Calls


    He looked at her and said slowly. ¡°You once told me that the status of she wolves is too low. You see women around the world wasting away in domestic trivialities and childbirth, finding their lives both pitiable and tragic. You said you wanted to seed to elevate the status of she¨Cwolves, to prevent therm from being bullied so easily.¡±


    Velda countered, ¡°Why is there a conflict between these two goals? I want to seed so that try descendants may prosper, and I also hope my sess can uplift the status of she wolves. There¡¯s no contradiction here. I can¡¯t sacrifice myself for others, can I? If I help them, I should reap some reward too. Is that wrong?¡±


    She braced her hands on the table, pressing forward. ¡°Tell me, Ulrik, am I wrong to think this way? Am I in the wrong?¡±


    Faced with her relentless assault, Ulrik wavered for a moment and instinctively shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not wrong, then is it fair for you to distance yourself from me over Snowdeer Town incident? It alles down to my capture and disfigurement, doesn¡¯t it? You think me tainted.¡±


    Ulrik broke free from her line of reasoning and said gravely, ¡°Your desire for sess doesn¡¯t justify the ughter of civilians.¡±


    A sh of coldness crossed Velda¡¯s eyes. ¡°Those were Western Tribe werewolves, not our people!¡±


    ¡°Even so, they were civilians. We had an agreement not to harm them¨Ca promise from the powerful to the people, beneficial to the citizens of both nations. Yet you massacred them. Did you never consider that our Bloodscar civilians might suffer the same fate?¡±


    Velda snorted, her eyes brimming with scorn. ¡°You actually ask such a question, Ulrik. You¡¯re not cut out for the battlefield. Your heart¡¯s too soft, your actions indecisive. Without me, where would your honors be?¡±


    ¡°Even before Alpha Zander, when you sought troops to burn the Snowdeer Town granaries, it was my strong persuasion that swayed you. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t even have that merit.¡±


    ¡°Speechless now, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Veldaughed, as if finally vindicated, andunched into a tirade. ¡°Ulrik, I¡¯ve sacrificed so much for you. What have you done for me? When I was at the peak of my poprity, I chose to mate with you as a breeder, stood by you in your darkest times, yet after dissolving our mating bond, you swiftly mated with Gloria.¡±


    ¡°You think you¡¯ve wronged Adide? No, you¡¯ve wronged me.¡±


    Her words were soft but carried immense resentment, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    ¡°I nned everything for our future. What did Adide n for you? After you marked me, she turned her back on you, secured an order <i>to </i>dissolve your mating bond, and left you heartlessly. Yet you still cling to her goodness?¡±

 Novel Male 401

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°What has Adide ever done for you? Managed the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s finances and internal affairs? Sent your family small gifts and clothes? Cared for your mother? Aren¡¯t these all part of her duties as your Luna? And those tasks aren¡¯t even specifically for you¨Cthey¡¯re what she¡¯s obliged to do. So where exactly have you wronged her?¡±


    ¡°Is it because you failed to honor yourmitment to Aire?¡±


    ¡°But Ulrik, life requirespromises. As a Gamma, I mated with you as a breeder. Wasn¡¯t that apromise on my part? Why can Ipromise, but she cannot?¡±


    A bitter taste filled Ulrik¡¯s mouth as he connected the dots, realizing Velda might be right.


    ¡°You¡¯ve wronged me. You had Adide first, then mated with Gloria. Yet I never caused a scene. I stayed within the Bloodmoon Pack, waiting for a chance to regain honor and working toward our future.¡±


    ¡°Ulrik, was your affection for me back then nothing but a fleeting impulse?¡±


    She covered her face, tears seeping through her fingers, her sobs muffled and agonized.


    After a long while, she spoke through her tears, ¡°Do you have any idea how hard each day is for me? If <b>I </b>were any other woman, enduring what I have, I would have taken my own life long ago.¡±


    Velda¡¯s cries struck Ulrik¡¯s heart like hammer blows, leaving him both bewildered and distressed.


    No matter her actions, she was someone he had once truly cared for.


    He stood and pulled her into his arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s my fault, I ¡­¡±


    With a sudden whoosh, a poisoned bone arrow pierced through the window, its tip glowing with the faint blue of wolfsbane.


    Ulrik¡¯s pupils shr¨¢nk to fine lines, and he instinctively grabbed the back of Velda¡¯s cor, yanking her backward.


    The arrow embedded itself in the oak screen behind them, its wolf¨Chair tassel still quivering.


    A bone arrow? Fired at close range!


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones exploded, and his hand partially shifted into a silver¨Cgray wolf w.


    He spun and hurled a bronze wolf¨Chead shield to Velda.


    Their wolf eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as they pressed against the wall, their ws scraping against the stone.


    Velda¡¯s mint pheromones sharpened with fear, her heartbeat drumming like a war drum


    ¡°An assassin? How could there be an assassin? Could it be the remnants of the Western Tribe? They¡¯re the ones who ughtered the Adide family!¡±


    As Ulrik swept aside the curtain, the two of them slid out the door like wolves ready to pounce,


    The hallwaynterns swayed, stretching their shadows into fierce wolf shapes.


    After a moment of silence, Ulrik thrust his shield¨Cbearing arm out.


    <b>s </b>


    At that moment, his cedar pheromones froze. Three bodiesy on the stone steps outside¨Cthe throats of Velda¡¯s maids torn by wolfish bites, blood seeping down the steps in a dark red stream under the moonlight.


    The bloody scene from the Frostfang Pack massacre shed before Ulrik¡¯s eyes, and he howled, ¡°Father! Mother!¡±


    His cedar pheromones, charged with rage, surged forward, but Velda clutched him tightly.


    Her nails dug into his arm, her half¨Cshifted wolf cars ttened with terror.


    Velda¡¯s face was ashen, her lips trembling. ¡°I think¡­ I think they¡¯re after me.¡±


    Her pheromones reeked of blood, and the nd at the back of her neck burned with anxiety.


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones turned icy, his wolf eyes zing with crimson.


    He realized this was likely revenge from the Western Tribe wolves, drawn by the scent of blood.


    Earlier, when Velda had defended herself so Righteously, her confidence now shattered like a spider¨Cweb in a storm.


    Four ck¨Cd figuresnded silently in the courtyard like night owls, their masks revealing wolf eyes glowing with emerald malice.


    Their bodies exuded a stench of frozen earth and rot, the unique aura of wolves steeped in ughter. The bone des in their hands, coated with wolfsbane, glinted an eerie blue under the moon.


    Their bloodlust was almost palpable, shaking even Velda¡¯s mint pheromones and forcing her ws to


    emerge.


    Suddenly, the four bone des whistled through the air..


    Ulrik dragged Velda back into the room, mming the door behind them.


    He bolted it with his wolf¨Clike arm, while Velda swiftly extinguished the light.


    In the darkness, their wolf eyes glowed faintly. Ulrik and Velda stood back¨Cto¨Cback, their tense jaws reflecting the cold light.


    Though demoted since returning <i>to </i>the capital, Ulrik¡¯s Alpha instincts made him acutely aware of danger.


    In the deathly quiet, he detected the sound of hair brushing against ss¨Ca telltale sign of a approach.


    His cedar pheromones coalesced like a frozen cier.


    ¡°¡®s stealthy


    As expected, the window shattered with a crash, and a dark figure lunged in!


    Ulrik¡¯s cedar¨Cpowered sweep knocked the assassin back.


    The intruder leaped away like a startled night wolf, but not before Ulrik¡¯s bone de grazed his calf, drawing a trail of blood.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 402

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The remaining three intruders burst through the window like arrows,nding and half¨Cshifting into <b>lupine </b>forms, their ws gouging deep grooves in the floor.


    Inside, the sharp ng of bone des and the piercing whistle of wolf ws filled the air.


    But soon, Velda realized her mint pheromones were being overpoweringly suppressed by the <b>assants </b>bloodthirsty aura.


    Her bone sword was batted away by their icy¨Cwed hands, and the aura from their presence pricked painfully at the nd in the back of her neck.


    She now saw that these ck¨Cd figures were far beyond her ability to fight.


    Panicked, she abandoned Ulrik and leaped out of the window, fleeing toward the outer courtyard.


    She screamed, ¡°Intruders! Intruders!¡±


    Ulrik was furious¨Chad she lost her mind? With so many in the pack, how could she lead the intruders straight into their midst?


    The intruders, however, ignored Ulrik and swiftly chased after Velda.


    Velda¡¯s cries roused the Bloodmoon Pack, one by one lights flickering on.


    The pack¡¯s guards sprang into action, with some rushing out to alert the patrol teams and police station.


    The intruders were after Velda, but leveraging her familiarity with the Bloodmoon Pack, she ducked and weaved, eventually taking refuge in Gloria¡¯s courtyard.


    Gloria had just run outside at the noise and saw Velda charging in.


    Thinking Velda was there to kill her, she retreated in fright and snapped, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s two omegas, terror¨Cstricken, their ears bristling with gray¨Cwhite fur, their chamomile pheromones thick with fear, legs trembling like autumn leaves, still spread their arms to shield Velda, attempting to emit faint calming vibes.


    Velda¡¯s mint pheromones sharpened instantly. With elbow blows powered by her semi¨Clupine str she pushed them aside.


    Her ws inadvertently tore the omegas¡® sleeves as she bolted straight for Gloria, her wolfish form crashing into the door.


    With a loud ¡°Bang!¡°, the door swung shut under her aura.


    The courtyard¡¯s doors and windows had been specially made at Adide¡¯s <b>request</b><b>, </b><b>etched </b>with <b>wolf</b><b>¨C</b><b>runes </b>to suppress Alpha aura.


    It wouldn¡¯t be easy for intruders to shatter the windows or doors as before <b>with </b>their <b>bone </b><b>des</b><b>. </b>


    Chapter <b>402 </b>


    The moment the door closed, Velda¡¯s pupils contracted into vertical slits.


    In a swift lupine leap, shended on the table, her bone sword held horizontally across her chest. Silver- ¡ª gray wolf hair prickled on her arms from tension.


    Her mint pheromones fluttered like storm¨Ctossed cobwebs, careening through the cramped <b>space</b>.


    She could distinctly hear the muffled sounds of bone des shing and wolf ws tearing through flesh from beyond the door.


    If the pack guards outside couldn¡¯t hold them off, this door would eventually be splintered by the intruders¡® frostden assault.


    A sudden sting in the back of her neck¨Cthe old wound from Snke¡¯s branding red up.


    The bloody scene of the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre surged into her memory: pups drowned in blood<b>, </b><b>wolf </b>elders nailed to the altar¡­


    Their coppery stench seemed to seep in through the door¡¯s cracks.


    ¡°It must be werewolves from the Western Tribe¡­¡± Her howl caught in her throat, turning into a whimper. ¡°For their Lycan prince and the vigers I ughtered¡­¡±


    They would rip through the Bloodmoon Pack just as they had the Frostfangs, their sulfur¨Creeking ws tearing everyone apart.


    Velda gripped her bone sword until her knuckles whitened, trying to steady her chaotic pheromones.


    As long as she hid here, she would survive.


    Before Gloria could recover from her shock, ck figures crashed through the door.


    The intruders¡® wolf ws, glowing with ck¨Cred bloodlight, dripped with warm sma. Their pheromones, reeking of frozen earth, washed over the room like a tide, clearly having torn through pack guards to reach here.


    Gloria screamed, her wolf¨Ctipped fingers scoring shallow marks on the door as she spun and pounded on Velda¡¯s room. ¡°Velda, open up! Please!¡±


    The omegas¡® chamomile pheromones crystallized under the threat of death. They trembled before Gloria, ears bristling. ¡°Don¡¯te near us¡­¡±


    The intruders¡® ws, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle, left two cool trails along the necks of the omega girls. Silver¨Cblue blood instantly sprayed onto the stone floor, the gushing blood soon trampled into a dark red by the wolves¡® ws,


    Their ws had slit the carotid arteries¨Cbefore a whimper could escape, the girls copsed.


    Gloria slumped to the ground in terror, the nd at the back of her neck numb with fear.


    She pped her hands over her ears and wailed like a wolf, ¡°Help! Help!¡±


    The intruder¡¯s w, gleaming with cold light, shed toward her throat. Ulrik¡¯s cedar pheromones exploded with Alpha aura.


    He kicked the intruder away mid¨Cair, his hand already shifted into a wolf¨Clike form.


    Silver¨Cgray ws gleamed as he barred Gloria¡¯s way.


    ¡°Get inside, now!¡±


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    Ulrik¡¯s vertical pupils locked onto the intruder, cedar pheromones forming a tangible barrier as he shoved Gloria aside.


    Gloria cried, ¡°Velda locked the door!¡±


    Ulrik delivered a thunderous kick to the door.


    The wolf¨Crune totems etched into the wood red with light¨Cdefensive enchantments Adide hadid years ago to cushion Alpha¨Cstrength impacts. The door remained unmoved.


    While battling the lunging intruder, Ulrik roared like a wolf, ¡°Velda, open the door!¡±


    Inside, Velda clutched her bone sword. Her mint pheromones turned icy and viscous, her knuckles whitened around the hilt, yet her wolf ears instinctively ttened against her skull.


    She heard Ulrik¡¯s pheromones thinning but stayed deaf to his cries. Behind the door, her vertical pupils

 Novel Male 403

    Chapter <b>403 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    A deep gash appeared on Ulrik¡¯s shoulder as a bone de sliced through his flesh, silver¨Cblue blood dripping down his wolf¨Clike arm.


    ???? ?? 1:|:??? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1 : : ? ? ? ? ? ? ?


    His battle¨Choned instincts from the Capital Guard barely saved him from a fatal blow, forcing him <b>to </b>stagger back. Despite the blood staining half his clothes, hisshifted arm firmly gripped his bone sword.


    He attempted to lure the assassins into the open courtyard, but they remained fixated on the door.


    Clearly, their sole target was Velda.


    Three intruders mmed against the door, and Ulrik, already strained against one, heard the sound of his bone ws colliding with their des, his breathing growingbored.


    Gloria, witnessing this, her wolf pupils shrank in terror.


    She scrambled to the corner of the porch, her jasmine pheromones faint.


    The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s guards finally arrived, but their weapons were no match for the intruders<b>¡® </b>wolfsbaneced ws.


    Soon, they copsed, clutching bleeding wounds.


    Ulrik, now bearing two wounds, remained upright, his cedar pheromones resilient.


    A seasoned werewolf general forged in war, he pressed on.


    Perhaps the assassins never intended to kill him. Their wolf ws could have easily slit his throat but instead swerved at thest moment, leaving bloody flesh wounds.


    Their goal was to force him aside.


    Themotion had reached Emerson, a civilian werewolf at city hall, who rushed over with his two sons. Their wolf¨Ctipped ears still downy, hands trembling, they¡¯d barely mastered self¨Cdefense.


    Alpha Isaiah, apanied by his sons Simon and Wilmot, also arrived. Horrified by the eight bodies and blood¨Csoaked scene, they turned to flee, crying for help.


    Other pack members screamed and scattered for cover.


    At the shout, Rosemary and Sabrina knew intruders were near and feared for their safety.


    Rosemary grabbed Sabrina¡¯s hand and urged, ¡°Don¡¯t go outside! There could be intruders there too! Let¡¯s hide in the Alpha¡¯s vi. Its doors are reinforced with hardwood Adide arranged¨Cthey¡¯re strong!¡±


    Sabrina, abandoning thoughts of her ruby set, helped an omega support Rosemary.


    Unbeknownst to them, they stumbled upon Ulrik¡¯s desperate fight with the assassins.


    B/I


    His blood¨Cstained clothes showed his injuries.


    Emerson¡¯s group only added to the chaos, getting hurt despite their ineptitude.


    Rosemary, heart in throat, scanned the scene. No sign of Velda fighting alongside Ulrik, but Gloria <b>was </b>cowering in a corner.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Velda? Go fetch her now!¡±


    Rosemary hissed, shoving an omega.


    The omega bolted, while Sabrina fled to her own yard.


    The window eventually shattered. The three intruders leaped inside.


    Velda, alert to the slightest sound, flung the door open and dashed out as soon as they entered.


    The assassin battling Ulrik promptly kicked him away andunched himself at Velda.


    Velda parried but was forced back by his wolf ws, blood rising in her chest.


    Regaining her bnce, she sensed a surge of pheromones behind her. She sidestepped just in time to avoid a w slicing her waist.


    Ulrik, despite his resentment at her earlier hiding, leaped to her aid. Back¨Cto¨Cback, they fought.


    The assassins, previously holding back with Ulrik, now aimed to kill Velda, their attacks ruthless.


    The duo struggled, overwhelmed and bleeding.


    The assassins weren¡¯t there to linger¨Cone dealt with Emerson¡¯s group, while the other three aimed for Velda¡¯s heart.


    Velda, in a panic, dropped her sword and shoved Ulrik in front of her as a shield.


    ¡°No!¡± Rosemary and Gloria screamed in unison.


    Ulrik had never expected this betrayal.


    He was already injured and couldn¡¯t break free from Velda¡¯s grip on his arms. Helpless to defend himself, he could only watch as three attackers lunged at him, their ws aimed straight for his heart.


    Time froze. Everyone was paralyzed with horror.


    Rosemary couldn¡¯t bear to watch her son die.


    In that split second, a dagger flew through the air, striking the assassins¡® wrists and forcing them back.


    A figure leaped down, swiftly retrieved the dagger, and with a silver sh, drove the three assassins back. Before anyone could see who it was, she engaged them in fierce hand¨Cto¨Chandbat.


    Her werewolf w strikes were wild and fierce, each blow tearing through the air with ferocity.


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    <b>08:41 </b>Wed<b>, </b><b>23 </b><b>Jul </b>


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    The assassins, forced onto the defensive, could barely retreat in time. Under her relentless assault, their once¨Csharp attacks lost all their edge.


    Within ten seconds, all threey defeated, their throats bearing fresh wounds, gasping for breath.


    The summer night breeze tousled her hair as she stood under the porch light, slowly revealing herself to the onlookers.


    ¡°Adide?¡± Gloria, trembling with fear, barely whispered.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 404

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide stood tall in a light¨Cgray battle robe, the pack¡¯s totem embroidered at the cor. Her boots<b>, </b>reinforced with iron armor, clicked against the ground. The loose sleeves pped in the wind, entuating her upright posture.


    Yet, her features still carried a lethal aura, and her clothes were sshed with the invaders¡® dark red blood, like crimson flowers on white silk.


    At the height of everyone¡¯s shock, Emerson stepped forward.


    His pheromones wavered with nerves as he tried to stay calm. ¡°Bind them and hand them over to the police station.¡±


    ¡°Call a doctor! Quickly!¡±


    Rosemary rushed over, her blood¨Cstained hair gleaming dully under the light.


    She supported the pale Ulrik, her pheromones sharp with terror. ¡°Where are you hurt? Where?¡± she fretted.


    Ulrik¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. Though his wounds were mostly superficial, the wolfsbaneced cuts caused excruciating pain.


    His cedar pheromones mixed with the sulfurous stench of agony, his breathing heavy andbored.


    When Velda used him as a shield, he had braced for death.


    But Adide arrived just in time.


    A whirlwind of emotions hit him¨Crelief from his brush with death, and anguish from destiny¡¯s cruel


    twists.


    Dragging his bleeding leg forward, his wolf eyes gleamed with an ethereal blue light. ¡°You came to rescue me. How could you? You still care about the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s safety, and about me, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Adide¡¯s pupils shimmered with frost under the dim light. She nced at Emerson¡¯s binding work, then turned.


    Her voice carried the aura of Arctic tundra. ¡°As the Ironthorn Army¡¯s deputymander, isn¡¯t it natural for me to be here?¡°.


    ¡°No!¡± Ulrik¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. His howl¨Clike voice clung to a shred of hope. ¡°You do care about me. You¡¯re just still angry about my mating with someone else.¡±


    His cedar pheromones surged.


    Adide raised an eyebrow. The moonstone pendant at her neck swayed.


    She faced Emerson, her tone brooking no argument. ¡°Emerson, you work at city hall. Once these invaders are bound, send them straight to the police for interrogation.¡±


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>404 </b>


    Her fingers brushed the wolf¨Chead dagger at her waist.


    ¡°Yes, Luna Adide!¡±


    Emerson loudly addressed her by her title, a reminder to Ulrik of her status and a cue for him to silence himself.


    Ulrik¡¯s face drained of color. Snow¨Cpine pheromones escaped his neck nd uncontrobly.


    His nape hair fluffed up¨Ca werewolf¡¯s instinctive reaction to rage or terror.


    Adide watched Emerson tie up the invaders and heard a crowd approaching outside.


    Capital Police must be here.


    She turned to leave, not wanting to linger a second longer.


    But as she stepped over the threshold, she heard Emerson exim, ¡°Velda, what are you doing?!¡±


    Adide spun around to see Velda¡¯s hand morphed into a wolf w, slicing the throat of thest intruder.


    Blood sprayed across her face, blending with her ice¨Cblue wolf eyes in a bloodthirsty tableau.


    ¡°Anyone who dares to harm me must die!¡±


    Her voice boomed with oppressive power, ringing painfully in everyone¡¯s ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re mad!¡± Emerson fumed.


    ¡°They¡¯re already captured. We need to interrogate them at the police station to find out who sent them and prevent further threats!¡±


    Velda met Adide¡¯s gaze, her look intricate and fierce.


    Through gritted teeth, she hissed, ¡°A she¨Cwolf who left the Bloodmoon Pack and dissolved your mating- what gives you the right to return?¡±


    Adide frowned at Velda¡¯s blood¨Csttered face. ¡°You think they¡¯re from the Western Tribe? How foolish.¡±


    Velda¡¯s expression flickered, her malice intensifying.


    Indeed, her greatest fear was that these people were from the Western Tribe.


    If interrogated by the Capital Police, the Snowdeer Town incident would inevitably be exposed.


    Though Lycan Erasmus had not yet held her ountable, if the matter came to light thro questioning, she¡­ she dared not gamble.


    official


    Adide clearly saw through her, <i>a </i>humiliation akin to being stripped bare in public.


    Momentster, Ellen arrived with the Ironw Army and immediately saluted Adide. ¡°Deputy Commander.¡±


    08:41 Wed<b>, </b><b>23 </b>Jul


    ¡°The intruders are already dead. Handle the aftermath,¡± Adide said, walking away without turning bark. dagger in hand.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± came the reply.


    Behind her, Ellen¡¯s acknowledgment echoed, along with Ulrik¡¯s lingering gaze fixed on her retreating figure.


    From her dramatic rescue to herposed exit, Adide¡¯s presencested m¨¨re minutes.


    Though she was the Ironthorn Army¡¯s deputymander and former Bloodmoon Pack Luna, she had no direct jurisdiction over the army¡¯s affairs, making her brief stay appropriate.


    Ellen removed the intruders¡® masks.


    Velda watched coldly, her exterior calm but her insides seething with shock.


    They were not from the Western Tribe!

 Novel Male 405

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    If not the Western Tribe¡¯s wolves, then who would target her?


    Only they would harbor such intense hatred.


    Yet, even if these invaders weren¡¯t from the Western Tribe, they could still be hired killers.


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    The pack doctor arrived with herbs and healing salves, their bitter wormwood and silverleaf scent wafting through the air.


    Ellen directed them to prioritize the severely injured. ¡°Tend to the wounded first, then ask questions,¡± she ordered.


    Ulrik had over a dozen bone¨Cdeep wounds on his shoulder and arm, blood trickling down his muscles, clotting into dark red scabs before it could drip.


    His Alpha healing ability was working overtime, the wounds edged with healthy pink and closing visibly.


    Rosemary trembled at the sight of the wounds, tears streaming down her face. ¡°How cruel! Who could do this?¡±


    Ulrik remained silent, cedar pheromones forming a faint barrier around him.


    He couldn¡¯t identify the invaders but was certain they were after Velda.


    But a sharper question nagged at him¡ªwhy did Adidee herself tonight? The ckthorn Pack had plenty of skilled fighters. Sending someone like Avery would have been safer.


    Her presence gnawed at him like an icy wolf w, leaving a sour ache.


    From the moment Velda used him as a shield to Adide¡¯s dagger saving him, he realized no amount of pride or grudges could outweigh her actions tonight.


    Even as the doctor¡¯s herbs filled the air, he barely noticed Ellen¡¯s question.


    Gloria¡¯s cries pierced the silence.


    He looked up to see servants carrying out an omega¡¯s body, a trail of blood marking their path.


    Gloria sat trembling, her wolf ears ttened with grief.


    The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s guards were dead or wounded, the scene one of utter chaos, reeking of blood and fear.


    ¡°Ulrik, have you seen these people before?¡± Ellen asked again, her silverleaf pheromones u


    him on.


    He shook his head. ¡°Never.¡±


    As he spoke, the deepest wound on his left arm had already scabbed over, leaving a faint red line.


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    Ellen frowned, her gaze sharp. ¡°Tell me what happened tonight. Now that they¡¯re dead, we can¡¯t get information from them.¡±


    Ulrik nced at Velda, who was bandaging her wounds alone.


    Her inint pheromones were heavy with gloom, blood on her face dried into dark stains.


    The wounds on her arm were still bleeding, healing much slower than Ulrik¡¯s.


    The average werewolf¡¯s regenerative ability was clearly no match for an Alpha¡¯s.


    Ulrik recounted the events without reservation, confirming that the attack was targeting Velda and that the casualties in the pack were a direct result of her locking the door.


    As he spoke, Gloria suddenly stood and confronted Velda, pping her across the face<i>. </i>


    She screamed through her tears, ¡°Why did you lock the door? If you hadn¡¯t, they wouldn¡¯t have died!¡±


    Velda¡¯s head snapped to the side from the force of the blow.


    She gritted her teeth but didn¡¯t retaliate, continuing to tend to her wounds.


    Gloria turned to Ellen, wiping her tears. ¡°It¡¯s her fault! The killers came for her! She hid and pushed us omega out. She¡¯s the reason they died!¡±


    ¡°Also, Adide subdued and tied up the killers. But Velda went crazy and killed them all. <i>Please </i>do something!¡± she pleaded.


    Ellen looked at Velda, who coldly said before Ellen could speak, ¡°They invaded the Bloodmoon Pack, killing our guards and omegas. Wouldn¡¯t keeping them alive be inviting trouble?¡±


    was dissatisfied with Velda¡¯s reply. ¡°Their limbs were broken and After checking the killers¡® bodies, Elle. they were bound. They posed no threat. By killing them, you¡¯ve ensured we can¡¯t find the mastermind. That¡¯s the real hazard.¡±


    Velda replied with icy calm, ¡°I apologize. In my grief and rage over the deaths, I failed to consider taking them alive for interrogation.¡±


    Ellen ignored her excuse.


    Gloria pped Velda but was still fuming.


    Recalling how Velda had locked the door in the nick of time, leading to the death of two omegas, and hearing Velda¡¯s response to Officer Ellen, she became more convinced of Velda¡¯s guilt.


    She said coldly, ¡°The killers came for you. Who have you wronged? So many in the pack are dead because of you. You owe us an exnation!¡±


    Chapter <b>406 </b>

 Novel Male 406

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda sneered, ¡°If you want an exnation, ask the invaders. I didn¡¯t kill them.¡±


    ¡°You locked the door, which led to their deaths!¡± Gloria used.


    Velda retorted coldly, ¡°How about this? You were blocking the door, and your omega guards were in front of you. That¡¯s why they were killed. You¡¯re the one who got them killed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± Gloria shouted.


    Velda, with her hair partially obscuring her face, revealed a gloomy expression as she looked at Gloria. <b>¡°</b><b>So </b>many pack members rushed here, yet the invaders didn¡¯t harm them. They only killed your omegas because they were protecting you, and you happened to be in the way.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯d locked the door to keep you out, they wouldn¡¯t have killed you. But instead of leaving, <i>you </i>kept banging on the door. How dare you say it¡¯s not your fault they¡¯re dead?¡± Velda¡¯s words hung in the air.


    Gloria recalled the scene and realized Velda might be right.


    At that moment, she had been standing in the doorway, and the two omegas, though trembling with fear, had shielded her.


    The invaders had intended to kill her, but Ulrik had arrived just in time to save her.


    The thought that she might have caused their deaths overwhelmed Gloria. She copsed to the ground, her body limp and tears streaming uncontrobly.


    Ulrik, listening to their exchange, remembered what Velda had said before the invaders arrived. It was almostughable how he had almost believed her.


    Now, hearing her shift all me onto Gloria, he saw through her ability to distort the truth.


    Before the attack, she had imed to act in their future¡¯s interest, yet when danger struck, she used him as a shield.


    Her ruthlessness was evident.


    No wonder she justified vige massacres as necessary for achievement, believing that murder and arson were trivial if beneficial to her.


    Selfishness was her only concern.


    Even if she gained power, she would never elevate the status of she¨Cwolves but would only elevate he


    If


    How could he have left Adide for such a selfish woman?


    Ulrik¡¯s heart sank like a stone in an icy well. He trembled with rage, wishing to strike her down.


    But he had to wait until the Capital Police¡¯s questioning was done to settle ounts with her.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    08:42 Wed, 23 Jun


    The Capital Police arrived promptly. After Emerson briefed them, he discussed <b>with </b>Ellen <b>from </b><b>the </b>Ironthorn Army. They decided the Police would take the attackers¡® bodies for processing.


    With the case in legal hands, testimonies became crucial.


    Although Ellen had already questioned everyone, the Police needed to conduct their own inquiry.


    To evade answering, Velda pretended her injuries were severe and fainted, carried back to her room by


    servants.


    Everyone was left to clean up the mess<b>. </b>


    After responding to all questions, Ulrik finally copsed from exhaustion.


    Gloria instructed the servants to help Ulrik rest.


    Vanya, upon learning Adide had saved them, confronted Rosemary, usually indifferent to the Isaiah family¡¯s affairs. She demanded, ¡°How did you treat her in the past? Today, she saved all our lives. Aren¡¯t you ashamed? Will you still speak ill of her?¡±


    Rosemary was left speechless by Vanya for the first time.


    The night¡¯s peril had terrified her, and she was yet to recover.


    But her pride wouldn¡¯t let her show it. After several attempts <i>to </ipose herself, she managed a strained sentence, ¡°How did she even know the Bloodmoon Pack was under attack? What if she¡¯s behind it? The authorities are still investigating. Don¡¯t make unfounded usations!¡±


    Vanya scoffed, ¡°So she staged an attack to kill you, then saved you to owe her a debt? To use the


    you think?¡± Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s pride against you, so she can profit from your gratitude? Is that what


    After saying this, Vanya turned and left, wiping away tears of frustration¨Cfor Adide and for herself.


    She began to consider leaving the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Tamara had just found her footing, but Ulrik¡¯s two women¨Cone venomous, the other foolish¨Cwere dragging the pack down.


    Leaving the pack seemed the only way to preserve its integrity.


    Yet, what would they have outside? The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s assets had long been liquidated. Departure now would leave them homeless, unable even <i>to </i>afford shelter. Renting was out of the question¨Chow could they arrange their children¡¯s bonding ceremonies then?


    But staying on the territory was equally pointless.


    Over the years, the Isaiah family had squandered their wealth, and getting even half back was in


    ible.


    Isaiah was ineffectual, Simon worse, and Wilmot like a street hoodlum.


    Vanya¡¯s heart ached. How could they continue like this? It was truly agonizing.

 Novel Male 407

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    After leaving the Bloodmoon Pack, Adide immediately headed back to the ckthorn Pack.


    That night, Wendy reported several ck¨Cd werewolves heading toward the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Adide ordered the ckthorn Pack to tighten security and had Paisley watch over Prisci and Cedric.


    She worried it might be a diversion. The ckthorn Pack must stay alert. She headed to the Bloodmoon Pack herself.


    As there would likely be fighting, she decided to handle it personally. This way, it would be easier to exin to Lycan Erasmuster and avoid involving Paisley and Avery.


    After all, the authorities would definitely get involved in the investigation. With her status as Luna Adide, she could avoid a lot ofplications.


    Back at the pack, everything was calm.


    Paisley and Avery approached quickly. ¡°Any live captures?¡± they asked.


    ¡°The original captives were killed by Velda,¡± Adide said, putting down her dagger and sitting.


    She was annoyed but knew Velda¡¯s actions showed her fear.


    ¡°How¡¯s the ckthorn Pack?¡±


    ¡°All¡¯s well,¡± Paisley frowned.


    ¡°Velda killed them all? Didn¡¯t they need to be interrogated?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d disabled the invaders and Emerson had them bound. But before the Ironthorn soldiers arrived, Velda killed them,¡± Adide exined.


    ¡°This is a cover¨Cup,¡± Avery said, leaning on an iron rod.


    ¡°Not Western Tribe werewolves, right?¡±


    ¡°Our kingdom¡¯s werewolves,¡± Adide confirmed.


    Western Tribe wolves were darker¨Cskinned with prominent noses and deep¨Cset eyes.


    Adide was pretty sure this was Germain¡¯s doing¨Ckill Velda and leave the Western Tribe with no outlet for their rage.


    This could spark a war between the two nations, giving him the opening he needed.


    Adide recalled Dominic, the Western Tribe¡¯s Lycan Prince, and his deep¨Cseated hatred for the kingdom¡¯s werewolves.


    If he became Lycan King, the Snowdeer Town incident would be extremely delicate.


    O


    <b>08:42 </b>Wed, <b>23 </b>Jul


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    Adide felt sorrow for her grandfather, who, past sixty, still guarded the Bloodscar Border and couldn¡¯t return to the capital to enjoy hister years.


    Typically, werewolf generals would retire by this age.


    Adide understood Lycan Erasmus¡¯s intention to promote young warriors.


    But in recent years, there were truly few who could shoulder heavy responsibilities.


    Erasmus had also stripped Lance of hismand.


    Lance, a once¨Cfeared general by the Western Tribe and the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom, could have intimidated enemies if he heldmand.


    In today¡¯s peace, Tad suffices, but in war, he may struggle.


    ¡°Rest early. The case will likely go to the Capital Police. They¡¯lle for questioning tomorrow. Lycan Erasmus might summon me too,¡± Adide said.


    She felt uneasy after the Bloodmoon incident and didn¡¯t want to talk more, especially about Ulrik¡¯s words, which she found both ridiculous and frustrating.


    Fortunately, Lance had left the capital; otherwise, he¡¯d be furious.


    The next day dawned with beautiful weather. The rising sun painted the sky like a colorful silk ribbon.


    Adide, already dressed, was about to ask why Cedric hadn¡¯t arrived when Beata entered with breakfast. ¡°Paisley took Cedric to school early,¡± she announced.


    ¡°So early?¡± Adide inquired.


    ¡°Yes. Cedric said he didn¡¯t understand some lessons and wanted to ask the teacher,¡± Beata smiled.


    Adide sat down, realizing she hadn¡¯t asked Cedric about his lessons the day before. ¡°Is the first day¡¯s content so difficult?¡± she asked Beata.


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Beata replied with a smile. ¡°But I¡¯m d to see him so diligent.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s mature for his age and understands the responsibilities he¡¯ll shoulder in the future,¡± Adide said, a mix of relief and tenderness in her voice.


    In this world, whether in wealthy or ordinary families, true stability requires personal effort.


    Relying solely on ancestral or parental privilege without striving could lead to idleness¨Cor worse, recklessness.


    Frostang raised no such idle werewolves.


    Cedric was to inherit the Alpha position, and as the sole heir, he couldn¡¯t afford to be useless.


    After breakfast, Adide received the pack¡¯s internal affairs team in the lounge.


    Since she asked for only the essentials, the briefing concluded in about half an hour.


    III


    <b>08:42 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>23 </b><b>Jul </b>


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see Prisci. Enjoy this fine weather,¡± Adide suggested.


    Prisci disliked moving, preferring to lie down or sit.


    As they left, Adide saw Paisley assisting Lte, who carried a gift.


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 Novel Male 408

    Third Person¡¯s POV


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    Adide said to Beata, ¡°Tell Prisci that I have guests and will visit herter.¡±


    Beata bowed and also greeted Paisley and Lte before reporting to Prisci.


    Adide took Lte¡¯s hand. ¡°I disturbed Luna Adide yesterday. I came today to thank her,¡± Lte said gratefully.


    ¡°No need for such formality. You should be resting with your leg injured,¡± Adide replied. She and Paisley helped Lte into the lounge.


    Lte¡¯s maid presented a gift. ¡°Our Luna knows she troubled you yesterday. She¡¯s thankful and sends this gift.¡±


    Adide had Jasmine ept the gift and smiled. ¡°It was nothing. Why trouble Luna Madeline?¡±


    Lte smiled shyly. ¡°Luna Madeline said your kindness is rare. She wanted to thank you herself, but her cough has worsened with the rain, so I came in her ce.¡±


    Dark circles lingered under her eyes, visible despite her makeup, showing she hadn¡¯t rested well.


    After some chat, Adide asked, ¡°Can the earring be fixed?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been sent to the Golden Jewelry Store. It should be repairable,¡± Lte replied.


    ¡°Such a valuable item should be kept safely. Wearing it risks losing it.¡±


    Seeing how desperately Lte had sought the earring yesterday, Adide knew it held extraordinary significance for her.


    ¡°I rarely wear it,¡± Lte said, tears welled up.


    ¡°Yesterday, taking Gunnar to school, I wore it to feel he was with me.¡±


    Her voice trembled slightly. ¡°It¡¯s one of the things we promised to do together in our mating. I know it¡¯s self¨Cdeception, but without it, life is hard to bear.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes held pity¨Cfor Lte and for herself.


    ¡°I know someone as strong as you wouldn¡¯t resort to such self¨Cdeception,¡± Lte continued, perhaps starved for conversation or because herte partner was Alpha Bentley¡¯s subordinate, making her seek connection.


    ¡°I have no grand ambitions. I¡¯m neither beautiful nor talented, with a timid personality and little


    she¨Cwolt. But my mate was different¨Ca hero from a young age, handsome, and could choose any chose me, an ordinary person.¡±


    ¡°In eight years of mating, we were often apart and couldn¡¯t have our own child. Fortunately, we have Gunnar. Though not our biological son, I believe his father would have loved him. I have no other expectations¨Cjust hoping Gunnar grows up to be honorable like his father and that one day I can take


    age.


    he


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    him to see where his father fell.¡±


    Looking at Adide, tears in her eyes, she said firmly, ¡°If that dayes, please send someone to guide us to his resting ce.¡±


    Adide replied softly, ¡°I will. When Gunnar is older, I¡¯ll send someone with you. In the Southern Border, locals remember the fallen well.¡±


    Lte smiled through tears. ¡°That¡¯s a relief. Truly, I¡¯m at ease now.<i>¡± </i>


    Seeing her cry, Adide, unsure how tofort her, said, ¡°Don¡¯t cry. He¡¯d be heartbroken to see you like this.¡±


    ¡°Yes, he would be,¡± Lte wiped her tears, a wistful smile appearing. ¡°He said my tears pained him.¡±


    Lte wiped her tears and smiled sadly, ¡°Those memories are truly unforgettable. Every word he said, I recall them over and over in the deep of night. That¡¯s enough. These memories he left me will see me through this life.¡±


    Adide and Paisley exchanged nces, a shared sense of mncholy welling up inside them.


    Lteposed herself and said, ¡°I lost myposure just now. I¡¯m sorry for making a scene in front of you, Luna Adide, Paisley.¡±


    ¡°Getting it off your chest must feel like a relief,¡± Paisley replied, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. ¡°It does, thank you,¡± Lte responded, her eyes and nostrils flushed from crying.


    After her emotional release, she seemed more at peac¨¨.


    Once Lte left, Paisley hugged Adide.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t there for you during your hardest times. It breaks my heart to think how you managed,¡± she said, her voice choked with emotion.


    Adideughed through her tears. ¡°I made it through. Don¡¯t cry, or I will too.¡±


    Paisley let go, fanning her eyes and forcing back tears. ¡°No more crying. We won¡¯t cry.¡±

 Novel Male 409

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Who¡¯s crying?¡± Prisci walked in, seeing Paisley and Adide with red eyes, and asked <b>doubtfully </b>¡°Hmm? Didn¡¯t you say there were guests? Howe you two ended up crying?¡±


    She muttered under her breath, ¡°The guests came and didn¡¯t even think of paying me a visit? How <b>rude </b>


    Adide and Paisley bothughed. Prisci¡¯s little reproachful nce was just tooical.


    At Frostbite Town, Tad was extremely impatient.


    Four rounds of negotiations had taken ce, and Victor wouldn¡¯t budge an inch. He insisted on exchanging Frostbite Town for Eugenius.


    As for the other prisoners, they had already been exchanged long ago.


    Speaking of which, this was actually a losing deal¨Cthe number of prisoners between the two nations was unequal. The Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom had twice as many prisoners as Tad¡¯s sodiers.


    This clearly did not match the number of prisoners taken, indicating how many they had killed.


    Now, the other side was demanding Eugenius¡¯s life for Frostbite Town, which was sheer madness.


    Had it not been for Alpha Lance arriving here two days ago, demanding that Tad drag out the negotiations, he would have t¨Cout refused Victor.


    Abbot and Stewart had been telling him repeatedly that Eugenius was crucial in the Southern Border Remation, but Tad didn¡¯t see it that way.


    He had reviewed the list¨CAlpha Bentley¡¯s legion had no Eugenius.


    Even if there were omissions in the military r¨¦cords, how could Eugenius alone deliver vital intelligence?


    Thus, he believed that the intelligence Eugenius brought back could also be aplished by the front- line scouts and was not that important.


    The negotiations had dragged on for too long, and he was unwilling to prolong them further.


    After all, the prisoners had already been exchanged. If Eugenius was a loyal and righteous individual, he would not want to see the kingdom exchange a city for him.


    The problem was that Lycan Erasmus had dispatched Lance to participate in the negotiations, and upon arriving, Lance had issued amand to stall and then vanished.


    Because Lance was aware of the implications¨Ctaking the me for sacrificing Eugenius, he had gone into hiding.


    With Lance in hiding and not showing his face, Tad remained in charge of the negotiations.


    No matter the decision¨Cwhether to sacrifice Eugenius or a city¡ªTad would be the one bearing the public¡¯s bacsh, not Lance.


    Chapter <b>409 </b>


    Therefore, Tad dispatched men to search for Lance while also submitting <b>a </b><b>report </b>to <b>the </b><b>Royal </b>Council stating that Lance had disappeared upon arriving in Frostbite Town


    With this report in ce, any future decisions would implicate Lance¡ªafter all, why had <b>he </b><b>gone </b>into hiding?


    Once the report was sent, Tad summoned Stewart and Abbot for a discussion.


    Seated in themand center, which was a far cry from the former makeshift facility¨Cspacious, <b>bright</b>, withfortable sofas and a heating system for winter¨Che took a sip of Colombian coffee brought from the capital. The rich aroma soothed his frayed nerves.


    He spoke slowly, ¡°Given Alpha Lance¡¯s current whereabouts are unknown, the negotiations cannot be further dyed. We must report to the Royal Council. In your opinions, when would be an appropriate time to terminate the negotiations?¡±


    Abbot and Stewart exchanged a nce. They knew well that Lance hadn¡¯t vanished or hidden¨Che <b>was </b>leading a rescue mission for Eugenius into the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom¡¯s border city.


    But Lance had ordered them not to disclose this to Tad.


    Tad was impatient and hotheaded; if he knew, his attitude during negotiations might reveal arrogance and indifference, which Victor would surely sense.


    Victor, a battle¨Chardened figure on the Southern Border, was no pushover<b>¨C</b>a smart and brave individual with a sensitive and suspicious nature. Tad was no match for him.


    ¡°What¡¯s your take?¡±


    Tad frowned. ¡°The situation¡¯s tense. Why the daydreaming?<b>¡± </b>


    Stewart thought inwardly, What tense situation? During wars, we¡¯ve faced far more intense scenarios. But he certainly wouldn¡¯t voice that.


    Though he disrespected Tad, as the Royal Council¡¯s appointee to rece Alpha Lance, Tadmanded his respect.


    ¡°I suggest we stall for another ten days, conducting several more rounds of talks. At least the world will see we¡¯ve exhausted all efforts,¡± Stewart said.


    Tad shook his head. ¡°Ten days is too long. Victor¡¯s already losing patience. You saw it in thest negotiation -he¡¯s desperate for a resolution.¡±


    Abbot interjected, ¡°Regardless of his patience, we¡¯ll stall. Lycan Erasmus appointed you to negotiate, but the final decision¨Cmaker is Lance. We need to find him first. Whether we reject the offer outright or trade a city for Eugenius, the choice should be his. <i>Of </i>course, I say this for your sake¨Cto shield you from public bacsh.¡±


    Stewart added, ¡°Exactly. No matter the decision, the public will criticize. If the bacsh is overwhelming<b>, </b>Lycan Erasmus might sacrifice you to appease the masses.¡±


    Though Tad was no great leader, he wasn¡¯t foolish.


    These two had served under Alpha Bentley for years and alongside Alpha Lance for over three. <b>How </b>could


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>08:42 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b>23 <b>JUL </b>


    they now sacrifice Lance for him?


    He didn¡¯t believe it for a second.


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    Narrowing his eyes, he probed, ¡°Are you hiding something from me? Do you know where Lance is?

 Novel Male 410

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where Alpha Lance is. But of course, I wouldn¡¯t harm him. Since Alpha Lance isn¡¯t here and he¡¯s Lycan Erasmus¡¯s own brother, Lycan Erasmus will protect him. But you¡¯re different. We¡¯re with you now, not Alpha Lance. Naturally, we¡¯re looking out for you.


    Tad pondered for a moment, a cold glint shing in his eyes. ¡°Five days. After five days, I¡¯ll tell Victor that it was Alpha Lance who advocated for abandonment, and you two can testify to that.


    Abbot and Stewart were taken aback¨Cfive days?


    And they were to tell Victor that Alpha Lance advocated for abandonment? That would let Victor know Lance hade to Frostbite Town.


    Could Lance rescue Eugenius in five days?


    Capital City.


    On the fourth day after the attack on the Bloodmoon Pack, Adide was summoned to the pce.


    The Capital Police and patrols hadn¡¯t questioned her yet, which didn¡¯t surprise her.


    The police and patrols would investigate using information from the Bloodmoon Pack and report to Lycan Erasmus once progress was made. Only then would he summon her.


    As Adide entered the pce, Ulrik, who had been nursing his injuries for days, finally struggled out of bed.


    His cedar pheromones rippled with pain as his movements tugged at his wounds.


    He headed straight for Velda¡¯s room, each step carrying the heavy aura of an Alpha, as if cracking the earth beneath him.


    He had been bottling up this rage for days. Though his injuries were superficial, they were deep and skeletal.


    ???????


    The dozen w marks were crusting over at the speed typical of an Alpha¡¯s healing, with new tissue. crawling along the edges of old wounds.


    He knew that as a werewolf warrior, if he were left with chronic issues, he would lose all value, perhaps. even his position at the Capital Police.


    Velda had also been lying low for days. Her injuries were minor, and while a regr werewolf¡¯s healing ability couldn¡¯t match an Alpha¡¯s, it was enough to form scabs.


    She could have gotten out of bed days ago but chose to linger, unwilling to move.


    The Bloodmoon Pack had grown hostile toward her. Even omegas eyed her with fear and disgust, avoiding her mint¨Clike pheromones as if they were a gue.


    Yet, no one dared neglect her meals or medicine.


    <b>08:42 </b>Wed, 28 Jul.


    After all, she and Ulrik were mated by Lycan Erasmus¡¯s direct order, a rtionship no one <b>could </b>easily undermine.


    But after that fateful night, Ulrik¡¯s distance was palpable. The warmth they once shared had frozen <b>into </b>cedar¨Cscented chill.


    So when Ulrik stormed in, Velda was mentally prepared.


    Her mint pheromones instantly froze into a barrier, her pupils narrowing into vertical slits in the shadows<b>. </b>


    Ulrik yanked her out of bed. A momentary shift from his rage revealed silver¨Cgray wolf ws piercing his palm.


    His ashen face bristled with gloom, cedar pheromonesced with sulfurous fury. ¡°Why did you push me out there? When disaster struck, did you want me dead? Is this your idea of safeguarding our future?¡±


    Velda red coldly, her mint pheromones sharp as ice shards. ¡°The attackers never intended to kill you. That¡¯s why I pushed you out. Do you think I wanted you to die for me? The attackers were after me that night, yet they held back from killing you. Have you wondered why?¡±


    Her pupils, more vertical with emotion, gleamed like poisoned icicles.


    Ulrik shoved her back onto the bed, the bedboard groaning under the weight.


    His cedar pheromones surged, Alpha aura crashing down on Velda. ¡°Save your excuses. I¡¯m sick of your lies. Even if the attackers didn¡¯t want to kill me, I couldn¡¯t have dodged. When you pushed me out, you gripped my arms so tightly I couldn¡¯t even defend myself. Velda, you¡¯re heartless<b>.¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m heartless? You¡¯re the fool!¡±


    Velda propped herself up on the bed, mint pheromones raging like a blizzard, wolf ears piercing her hairline with anger.


    She lifted her head, face flushed with fury, vertical pupils flickering crimson. ¡°Have you considered why the attackers targeted me but spared you? Why did Adide show up to save you at the eleventh hour? She appeared just as you were in danger. That proves one thing¨Cshe was already there.¡±


    ¡°What are you implying?¡±


    Ulrik stood before the bed, cedar pheromones heavy with winter¡¯s gloom, Alpha aura thick with disappointment, regarding the woman who had shattered his heart.


    Velda roared, mint pheromones erupting with blood¨Ctinged fury, pupils nearly slits. ¡°I¡¯m saying you¡¯re an idiot! Those attackers were sent by Adide. She wanted me dead, which is why they went easy on you.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    Ulrik raised a hand, halting mid¨Cair before withdrawing it.


    Coldly, he said, ¡°If it were Adide, why didn¡¯t she just kill the attackers? Why leave them alive for the Capital Police? You killed them because you feared they were Western Tribe wolves and would expose the


    Snowdeer Town incident.¡±


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 411

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    25 <b>Free </b>Come


    ¡°You¡¯re not as confident as you pretend to be, Velda. You¡¯re actually full of guilt. You know the crime youmitted in Snowdeer Town were evil. You ughtered innocents like a beast, Ulrik said.


    Velda burst intoughter suddenly. After theughter subsided, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.


    ¡°Foolish, truly foolish, Ulrik. Her scheme worked!¡± she eximed.


    ¡°Yes, I was guilty and feared they were Western Tribe wolves. But the moment their masks were removed, I knew it was Adide¡¯s trick. She¡¯s always harbored hatred for you but chose a way to make your entire Bloodmoon Pack indebted to her instead of direct retaliation,¡± Ulrik exined.


    ¡°Look at you now, taken in by her act. You even think she still cares for you. How could Velda sneered.


    you


    be


    so naive<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Ulrik watched herugh wildly, his cedar pheromones sharp with icy disdain.


    He remained unmoved by her words.


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t fed me those lies about ¡®our future,¡® I might have trusted you. But now, I¡¯d sooner trust a dog than utter a word you say. You¡¯ve deceived me from the start. You dodged the truth about Snowdeer Town and still won¡¯te clean. Now you try to turn me against Adide.¡±


    He leaned in close<b>, </b>cedar pheromones coalescing into a palpable aura.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯d believe you? Remember your cowardice that night? You abandoned everyone, using Gloria and the maids as shields. You wouldn¡¯t open the door to their pleas¨Cthat¡¯s not just cowardice, it¡¯s bone¨Cdeep selfishness and cruelty.¡±


    ¡°The omegas and pack guards didn¡¯t have to die. If you¡¯d stood with me, I¡¯d have faced death dly. But you chose flight, sacrificing the entire pack.¡±


    ¡°You value your life above others. Yet you speak of ¡®great love¡®? Where was that love for the women who died? You¡¯re selfish, cruel, and venomous as a snake,¡± Ulrik used.


    Velda¡¯s face froze, her mint pheromones sharp as poisoned ice needles.


    She hadn¡¯t expected him to see through her so clearly.


    With a cold snort, she forced a nonchnt look, though her pupils shrank to slits.


    But Velda¡¯s pupils instinctively narrowed into fine lines. ¡°Think what you will. Any sane person would wonder how did Adide know about the attack? Why risk her life to save you? Don¡¯t call it ¡®kindness<b>. </b>She appeared just as you were in danger. That means she was lurking nearby all along,¡± she said.


    ¡°Dangerous for you, perhaps, but for her?¡±


    Ulrik sneered, cedar pheromonesced with contempt. ¡°Did you <b>see </b>her? She dispatched the <b>attackers </b><b>in </b>moments. ¡®First Gamma she¨Cwolf? You should be ashamed- I am!¡±


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    Chapter <b>411 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Ulrik!<b>¡± </b>


    Velda finally snapped, mint pheromones raging like a blizzard as wolf ws burst from <b>her </b><b>fingertips </b>gleaming dangerously.


    <b>She </b>roared, ¡°If you disdain me so, go to Adide! Test if she still harbors feelings for <b>you</b><b>! </b><b>Defeat </b><b>Lance </b>and take her back!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll yield my ce to her dly!¡±


    Her eyes bled red with fury, radiating a desperate ferocity.


    Ulrik regarded her coldly. ¡°That strikes a nerve, doesn¡¯t it? You care nothing for the pack, only <b>your </b><b>First </b>Gamma¡® title. The irony is, Adide never coveted it¨Cwhat you die to protect means nothing <b>to </b><b>her</b><b>. </b>


    Velda mmed her fist into his face, shrieking hysterically, ¡°Get out! Now!¡±


    The force of her blow reopened her wounds, blood staining her sleeves.


    Ulrik merely rubbed his cheek, disregarding her bleeding injury. ¡°Evil deeds meet their reckoning. I face mine; you won¡¯t escape yours. Beware the Western Tribe wolves you massacred,ing for you in the night.¡±


    ¡°Pathetic!¡±


    Velda cackled maniacally. ¡°I killed them in life; their death can¡¯t touch me. Our enemies<b>, </b>soldiers or civilians, deserved death!¡±


    ¡°Beyond redemption! Why not fight on the front lines instead of ughtering innocents?¡± Ulrik retorted.


    ¡°I was blind to choose you,¡± he added with a coldugh.


    ¡°Reject me then! Dissolve our mating bond!¡± Velda screamed.


    Ulrik¡¯s voice turned cial. ¡°You hide behind Lycan Erasmus¡¯s edict. To reject you would defy royalty. I won¡¯t reject you. We¡¯ll endure this, until one of us perishes. You disdain she¨Cwolves? Then rot in the pack forever.¡±


    =


    O


    1931, Thu 26 C?C

 Novel Male 412

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Velda grabbed a pillow and a nket and threw them at Ulrik with all her might.


    Her wolf ws tore through the fabric, leaving small, jagged rips.


    She yelled, ¡°Get out! Go find your Adide!¡±


    Her eyes were blood¨Cred with fury, and every word felt like a poisoned icicle.


    Ulrik sidestepped the flying objects. He didn¡¯t look back at her, just turned and walked away.


    His shoulders were tense, and his wolf hair stood on end from disgust. Each step he took was filled with cold determination.


    Exiting the yard, he encountered Gloria, her eyes swollen from crying andshes still wet with tears.


    ¡°So, the one you truly love is Adide. What does that make me?¡± she asked, voice trembling.


    Ulrik, recalling the two omegas Gloria had lost, replied heavily, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t protect them.¡±


    ¡°Where do I stand in your heart?¡±


    Gloria pressed, gripping her fists. ¡°Don¡¯t evade this.¡±


    Ulrik leaned against an oak tree, suppressing his anger.


    ¡°I¡¯m not evading. I deeply regret their deaths. As for you¨Cyou¡¯re my Luna.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?<b>¡± </b>


    Gloria¡¯s eyes welled up. ¡°Have you never truly cared for me?¡±


    Ulrik hesitated.


    He wanted to exin that their mating was arranged by Mrs. Voss and approved by Lycan Erasmus.


    It was just a union of two packs, and they only needed to treat each other with respect.


    But seeing her on the verge of tears, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it.


    Gloria forced a bitter smile. ¡°So between us, there¡¯s only the title of mate, not a shred of love.¡±


    Ulrik¡¯s voice turned hoarse. ¡°As your mate, I will respect and protect you-


    ¡°When the attackers tried to kill me, you risked your life to save me. Was that just duty?¡±


    Gloria stepped back, her voice cracking. ¡°Just duty?¡±


    Ulrik thought of how he had treated Adide. ¡°You¡¯re my mate. Protecting you is my duty,¡± he said, the words now tasting hollow


    O


    <b>Chapter </b><b>412 </b>


    <b>Tears </b><b>streamed </b><b>down </b>Gloria¡¯s face. ¡°Since mating with you and joining the Bloodmoon Pack, I¡¯ve managed the pack<b>, </b>cared for Rosemary, tolerated your vile breeder Velda<b>, </b>and even used <b>my </b>personal wealth <b>to </b>support the pack. Yet you tell me you¡¯ve never truly cared for me. What does that <b>make </b><b>all </b><b>I¡¯ve </b><b>done</b>?


    Ulrik was speechless. After a while, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t use your personal funds anymore<b>. </b>I¡¯ll find <b>a </b><b>way </b><b>to </b><b>earn </b>moncy. If the ount falls short, I¡¯ll take a loan.¡±


    With that, he left, wincing in pain.


    Gloria wept bitterly.


    She hadid her heart bare, yet he wouldn¡¯t offer even a false word of love.


    His heart held only Adide.


    Meanwhile, Adide entered Lycan Erasmus¡¯s study.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus,¡± she greeted, kneeling and fist¨Cover¨Cheart in a standard warrior salute.


    ¡°Rise,¡± Lycan Erasmus said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just Fabian and I here.¡±


    After the servant left with coffee, Adide waited for Lycan Erasmus to speak.


    Lycan Erasmus made small talk before getting down to business. ¡°I hear you rushed to the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s aid during the attack. Were you hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m unscathed,¡± Adide replied respectfully.


    ¡°Good,¡± Lycan Erasmus set down his coffee cup, his gaze sharpening. ¡°How did you learn of the attack? Surely you weren¡¯t just armed and passing by?¡±


    Adide knew that going out at night armed and knowing about potential intruders would make Lycan Erasmus suspicious.


    Even though she was the deputymander of the Ironthorn Army<i>, </i>it was just a ceremonial role. She couldn¡¯t freely carry weapons at night, let alone know the intruders¡® whereabouts.


    If Lycan Erasmus grew suspicious, he might think she had informants everywhere and distrust the entire ckthorn Pack.


    Adide met his eyes and exined, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, after experiencing the Frostfang Pack¡¯s massacre, I¡¯ve been on edge since Cedric returned. I feared for his safety.¡±


    ¡°I asked Prune to assign a few people to monitor suspicious individuals in the capital. A few days ago, they spotted several individuals checking into the Westin Hotel. Their oppressive pheromones were unmistakable.¡±


    ¡°They hadn¡¯t left the hotel since check¨Cin, as if plotting something. I feared they might target Cedric, <b>so </b><b>I </b>kept them under surveince.¡±


    ¡°On the night of the attack, they leaped from the Westin Hotel¡¯s second floor in ck attire. noticed <b>they </b>weren¡¯t heading toward the ckthorn Pack but toward Oak Street instead.


    ¡°Worried they might harm Royal Council members, I followed immediately. To my surprise<b>, </b><b>they </b>


    ?


    O


    bypassed Oak Street and headed straight for the Bloodmoon Pack¡±

 Novel Male 413

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lycan Erasmus listened to her exnation. Though he smiled, his eyes remained <b>sharp</b>. <b>Given </b><b>your </b><b>past </b>grievances with the Bloodmoon Pack, why did youe to their ald?¡±


    ¡°Human lives were at stake. The Bloodmoon Pack and I don¡¯t have irreconcble differences. <b>Moreover</b><b>, </b>as the Ironthorn Army¡¯s deputymander, I couldn¡¯t stand by and do nothing.¡± Adide <b>replied</b>.


    Lycan Erasmus nodded slowly. ¡°Your exnation makes sense. But did you know the invaders <b>were </b><b>after </b>Velda?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know at the time. After disarming them, I had Emerson tie them up. I left once Ellen <b>arrived</b><b>, </b>Adide said.


    Lycan Erasmus sighed. ¡°A pity the invaders are dead; we can¡¯t trace their backers. You fought them<b>¨C</b><b>any </b>idea of their origin?¡±


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No clear idea.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus frowned, his imperial pheromones¨C<i>a </i>blend of white musk and dragon¡¯s breath<b>¨C</b><b>rippling </b>with probing pressure. ¡°How long did you tussle with them?¡± he asked.


    Adide paused, her cedar pheromones steady and calm. ¡°I didn¡¯t time it exactly, but it was about five or six minutes,¡± she said, her tone even and detached.


    Unwilling to admit she¡¯d swiftly subdued the invaders, she knew the Capital Police must have investigated -it was impossible to hide.


    During the fight, her ws shifted in an instant. Her silver¨Cgray talons precisely sliced through the enemy¡¯s wrists. She could even smell their inferior pheromones, disrupted by intense pain.


    Lycan Erasmus¡¯s eyes flickered with approval, a dark gold glint in his eyes. ¡°In five or six minutes, you neutralized the threat? Ulrik and Velda together couldn¡¯t do that. You¡¯re far more skilled. If you were a male wolf, you could¡¯ve inherited your father¡¯s position.¡±


    His aura carried a hint of warmth¨Ca recognition of strength.


    Adide shook her head, cedar pheromones tinged with faint sorrow. ¡°I just want to see Cedric grow up well. Among my kin, only he remains.¡±


    Lowering her eyes as she spoke, Adide didn¡¯t meet his gaze. She didn¡¯t see the relief and regret that crossed his eyes.


    The faint aura she exerted waspletely reined in, like a sheathed de,


    If she were a male wolf, she¡¯d be a legendary general like her father.


    Though a she¨Cwolf, she was fully capable of leading.


    It was a pity she was the one Lance desired. Lycan Erasmus would surely <i>try </i>to <b>mate </b><b>with </b><b>her</b><b>, </b><b>clipping </b><b>her </b>wings and barring her from military affairs.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>418 </b>


    <b>Her </b>role as Ironw Army¡¯s deputymander <b>was </b>merely honorary.


    Fortunately, she was sensible enough not to abuse this position.


    Lycan Erasmus studied her. ¡°I know the ckthorn Pack has a Wolf Warrior Guard, led by <b>a </b>Warscar Trainee? And ady from the Stephens family is also with you?¡±


    Adide confirmed, ¡°Avery and I fought on the Southern Border. He earned your reward. <b>His </b><b>pack¡¯s </b><b>tough </b>life led his mentor to send him to the capital for work. As for Paisley, she¡¯s an old friend staying <b>with </b><b>me </b><b>in </b>the capital.¡±


    Erasmus acknowledged, ¡°I was just curious. You may leave.¡±


    Adide bowed and said, ¡°Okay, I¡¯m heading back now.¡±


    Stepping out of Lycan Erasmus¡¯s study, Adide let out a small sigh of relief.


    She was d she¡¯d gone to the Bloodmoon Pack herself. If Paisley or Avery had gone, Lycan <b>Erasmus¡¯s </b>doubts would have deepened.


    Warscar Trainees bearing arms in the capital at night vited regtions, and their ties to the ckthorn Pack would have raised more questions.


    Meanwhile, in the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom¡¯s border city, post¨Cwar military presence remained


    strong.


    0


    Especially now, during negotiations to exchange hostages for Frostbite Town, the prison holding captives was under heavy guard.


    Lance and his team had spent days in the border city, mapping out the fortress where Eugenius was held.


    It was a heavily guarded military fortress on the border, solid as a rock.


    And they had got the prisonyout inside the high¨Cwalled fortress figured out,


    They were unaware of the five¨Cday deadline Tad set.


    Tomorrow was the final day of that deadline.


    Lance knew Victor would negotiate with Tad again tomorrow.


    Though unaware of the deadline, he sensed Tad wouldn¡¯t prolong the talks.


    Lance nned tounch the rescue during Victor¡¯s negotiation.


    Victor had many strong werewolf warriors around him. Once he headed to the negotiation site, they would definitely apany him./


    Having fought for so long on the Southern Border and been defeated by the Roya innate fear and hatred of them


    y, he harbored an


    If Tad had directly rejected their terms, Victor wouldn¡¯t have stayed long. He would likely <b>have </b><b>returned </b><b>in </b>the deep of night the next day.

 Novel Male 414

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    It all hinged on whether Tad could stall at the negotiation site. If he adopted an ambiguous stance to <b>buy </b>time, he could keep Victor at the table. That would dy Victor¡¯s return until the day after tomorrow<b>, </b>giving the rescue mission a more lenient timeframe.


    Caldwell had devised the rescue n: one person would wait outside while three others stormed the fortress.


    Tommy was assigned to the support role, with the operation set for 6 p.m. tonight¨Cthe guard shift change.


    Though the three were formidable werewolves, infiltrating the heavily guarded fortress and rescuing someone from the underground prison was daunting.


    However, Lance and Klein had previously scouted the area several times by night.


    While they hadn¡¯t reached the prison, they had familiarized themselves with theyout and guard patterns, offering a glimmer of hope.


    Meanwhile, in a riverside wooden hut near Bell River, ten individuals sat in a circle.


    Bearded and dressed as fishermen, they blended in with the locals.


    They sat on the ground around a low table, with a blueprint spread out on it.


    The blueprint was hard¨Cearned; they had kidnapped a craftsman who had worked on the military fortress and forced him to draw it.


    Though the buildercked original ns, his memory¨Cbased sketch was a start.


    The craftsman was currently detained in a room, to be freed once the rescue was over.


    ¡°Tomorrow evening may be ourst chance, one man said gravely, pointing to the blueprint.


    ¡°The rescue will be perilous. We know the fortress structure but not the specific troop deployments. Ten of us against a fortress¨Cit¡¯s a David¨Cvs¨CGoliath scenario. So, I ask you¡ªthose in favor of the rescue, raise your hands; the rest, seize the opportunity to leave with Victor tomorrow and return to Frostbite Town, where you can reunite with your families.¡±


    A man on the left frowned. ¡°Mr. Hutchinson, how can you suggest that? We¡¯re the Eugenius Scout Team- we never abandon our own.¡±


    ¡°In wartime, we might have survived at all costs for intelligence, but the war¡¯s over. The Southern Border is reimed. We can¡¯t leave arade to be humiliated here. We stand or fall together.¡±


    ¡°Live together, die together!¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Eleven of us¨Cwe live or die as one!¡±


    live


    Eugenius was moved to tears.


    Chapter <b>414 </b>


    Over the years, they had traveled in disguise across border towns, braving all weathers


    He was no longer the dapper Eugenius but Hutchinson now..


    Since forming the Eugenius Scout Team, hierarchy was dissolved; all were equals with one shared goal- delivering intelligence.


    Eugenius mmed the table. ¡°Alright, the rescue is on for tomorrow at six!¡±


    On the evening of June eighteenth, the ten men raised tin cups filled with water.


    In recent years, they¡¯d had no coffee or alcohol.


    Coffee was a luxury they couldn¡¯t afford.


    Cheap whiskey was avable, but they avoided it¨Cfearing drunken slips could cost them their lives<b>. </b>


    They hadn¡¯t purchased alcohol except once, when they learned of Alpha Bentley and his <b>six </b>sons¡® sacrifice.


    They poured the bought whiskey on the ground and wept beneath their covers that night.


    But griefsted but a night. The next day, they wiped their tears and continued their perilous journey<i>, </i>for the Southern Border was yet unreimed.


    Once the Southern Border was secured and Victor¡¯s army retreated to guard this area, their intelligence- running days ended.


    Crossing the border became nearly impossible.


    Previously, they had smuggled themselves into supply convoys heading to Frostbite Town.


    Now, with no need for intelligence and no way to join the convoys, their situation grew


    dire.


    During this time, they scrambled to find a way out of the border, but their efforts led to Stokes¡¯s capture.


    Despite torture, he never betrayed them; otherwise, the Dragon Ash Royal soldiers would have found them.


    Stokes¡¯s unwavering resolve inspired them.


    Kicking off their worn¨Cout shoes, the ten men bent down to put on new ones.


    They shed their tattered clothes and donned homemade ck night¨Csuits¨Ca far cry from their former battle¨Cworn attire.


    These suits were crafted from ck cloth they¡¯d bought and sewn themselves.


    Once warriors who wielded swords on the battlefield, they had learned to sew out of necessity.


    In the early days, they had no weapons. Escaping the prisoner camp, they were stripped of everything. their clothes in rags.


    Over years of hardship, they acquired reliable arms.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    1351 Thu, 24 Jul


    15 Free Comes


    When not gathering intelligence, Hutchinson and Stokes led them on night runs through the mountains.


    Resilient as desert weeds, their loyalty and perseverance had sustained them to this day.

 Novel Male 415

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The June 18th moon hung in the deep¨Cblue night sky, its silver light cascading like gossamer.


    The stars paled in its glow.


    With palms together and heads bowed, they silently prayed to the Moon Goddess, facing the direction of their homnd.


    If the mission failed, they would perish here. They hoped their spirits might return home, to catch onest glimpse of their loved ones.


    Their pheromones blended with the pine and frozen¨Cearth scents of home<b>, </b>carrying a touch of tragic resolve.


    Setting out with this resolve, every street in the border city was etched in their memory. They could navigate by scent and sound alone.


    Their wolf ears twitched at the faintest sounds in the wind.


    Lance and his team were already in position near the guard post. His cedar pheromones, thin as ice, suppressed the others¡® restless vibes.


    They awaited the 10 p.m. shift change.


    This was the time appointed. Tommy was left at the east bastion.


    Along the towering wall was a tform, originally intended for snipers. But with werewolf warriors guarding it, no sniper was stationed there now.


    He stayed motionless in the shadows. His pheromones quivered alertly, ready to back up at any time.


    The three infiltrators held their breath, their pheromones nearly frozen as they tracked the guards¡® patrol.


    In less than five minutes, the shift change would begin.


    Lance¡¯s nose twitched, detecting the guards¡® armor and sweat. He calcted the shift¨Cchange gap.


    As the shift began, the old guards dispersed, and the new ones arrived.


    They clustered to exchange briefings, leaving patrols momentarily suspended.


    Klein scaled the wall first, his wolf ws briefly emerging as hended like a leopard, soundlessly.


    Lance and Caldwell followed, theirnding kicking up dust in the corner.


    Their pheromones dissolved into the shadows.


    But then, the sharp sound of iron hooks on the wall pierced the silence,


    The three exchanged shocked nces, their wolf ears turning toward the wall¨C<b>heads </b><b>were </b><b>cautiously </b>


    III


    O


    popping up, scaling the wall before disappearing again.


    These neers wore ck night¨Csuits and carried mixed pheromones.


    Their movements, though not graceful, were quick. They scrambled along the wall.


    Lance¡¯s cedar pheromones sharpened like des.


    Who were they?


    And they seemed to be not so skilled. They had to use grappling hooks to climb the high wall. What kind of people could they be?


    Their midnight intrusion into the guarded post raised suspicions. His pupils narrowed in vignce<b>. </b><b>His </b>aura expanded silently, warning his team to stay alert.


    Any noise would jeopardize the rescue mission.


    Hidden in the shadows, their wolf eyes expanded in the dim light, tracking the neers<b>¡® </b>swift approach. They couldn¡¯t warn them.


    Lance¡¯s fingertips shimmered with silver¨Cgray wolf ws, ready for action.


    Time was up¨Cthey had to move before the shift change ended.


    Eugenius and the others also spotted the three hidden figures. Though not fully concealed, their features were indistinct.


    Their pheromones bristled with confusion and caution.


    The neers moved swiftly toward the same destination, pausing the group in uncertainty.


    Could they be here to rescue someone too?


    Their wolf ears trembled, straining to catch any scent.


    But it seemed unlikely.


    Though out of contact, they knew the newmander was Tad.


    Eugene knew Tad well¨Che was his mate¡¯s brother, a strategist but not a warrior.


    Arrogant and pragmatic, he¡¯d always choose the easiest way.


    Regaining hisposure, Eugene signaled preparation for infiltration, his wolf hair bristling with tension.


    The guard post was vast, with twelve buildings. The underground prisony between the eleventh and twelfth, essed via a separate building.


    The air reeked of iron and blood, heightening their vignce.


    Wolf warriors surely guarded that ce.


    They dodged and hid, relying on their keen senses to navigate to the eleventh building.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    III


    Hugging the wall of the eleventh building, they find to was very in ser dia prion crisise- p roum. After a few steps, they spotted the tire par ses body by the wall, one wine


    The area neat the prison was well- The hiding spot, way as she wild


    Their wolf eyes adjusted to the flickering light, clearly outing the neers


    Even in the dim light, Eugene recognized one of them¨CAlpha Latice


    His steady cedar pheromones were unmistakable.


    Eugene mped a hand over his mouth in disbelief.


    His pheromones spiraled with shock. D

 Novel Male 416

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    His heart swelled with fervor. Lance, themander who had reimed the southern border<b>, </b><b>had </b>long been recalled to the capital.


    His


    presence here now could only mean one thing¨Che hade to rescue Stokes.


    Lance had also spotted them. In the darkness, he could only see pairs of eyes.


    One individual¡¯s gaze was th excitement, nearly brimming with tears.


    A spark of doubt flickered in Lance¡¯s mind as he inched closer.


    Eugene removed his ck mask, revealing his true face.


    Though he and Lance had never fought side by side, they were no strangers to each other.


    Eugene had anticipated that Lance would recognize him and shed a grin.


    However, Lance stared at the weathered, dirt¨Csmeared face before him, certain that he had neverid eyes on this man before.


    Yet, seeing the man¡¯s grin, so broad it seemed on the verge of tears, a sudden thought struck Lance<b>¨C</b>could this be¡­¡­


    He clenched his fist, raised it high above his head, and repeated the motion three times.


    This was the signature gesture of the werewolf warriors from Alpha Bentley¡¯s legion.


    Before every battle, the warriors of Alpha Bentley¡¯s legion would perform this gesture, followed by three thunderous chants of ¡°Victory!¡±


    The ten individuals, upon witnessing this, were moved to tears and mirrored the gesture, raising their fists high three times as well.


    They nearly burst into chants of ¡°Victory!¡± but restrained themselves at thest moment.


    Lance felt a surge of warmth and his heart quickened. He silently formed the words with his lips, ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Eugene replied in kind, ¡°Eugene.¡±


    Lance was stunned.


    They hade to rescue Eugenius, whom they had assumed to be Eugene. But if this man was Eugene, then who was the one imprisoned?


    It was clear that one of their own was being held here, as Eugene and his group were evily on a rescue mission as well.


    But there was no time for further inquiry. Klein had already signaled for an immediate attack.


    Lance ced a hand on Eugene¡¯s shoulder and whispered, ¡°You stay here and create a diversion <b>at </b>the critical moment.¡±


    Eugene nodded vigorously, his eyes glistening with emotion¨Chaving Lance here significantly boosted their chances of sess.


    Three dark figures darted forward like arrows released from a bow.


    There was no such thing as a perfect timing.


    The cottage was surrounded by lights. Although it was not as bright as day, it was still possible to discern any movement of objects or people.


    Especially under the watchful eyes of hundreds, no matter how fast they were or how nimble their skills, they would eventually have to stand in front of the cottage and break down the door to enter the dungeon


    Once inside the dungeon, it would be like catching a turtle in a jar.


    Lance and Klein had already grasped this situation during their reconnaissance, hence their n was: Klein and Caldwell would engage the guards, while Lance would enter the dungeon to rescue the prisoner.


    After rescuing the person, they would quickly hand them over to Tommy outside and then return to assist Klein and Caldwell in making their escape.


    Now, with Eugene and his group, the force to distract the guards was even stronger.


    Lance¡¯s figure shot toward the cottage door like a cannonball, his cedar pheromones ring abruptly, the Alpha¡¯s aura sweeping the surroundings with a biting intensity.


    The iron door was as solid as a steel wall, impossible to budge with ordinary means. But his hands had already shifted mid¨Csprint.


    His muscles bulged, silver¨Cgray wolf hair emerging, knuckles cracking, five gleaming wolf ws piercing the soil, sharp enough to tear through steel.


    He channeled all his brute strength into his ws. Each sh produced a tearing whistle through the air.


    When his wolf ws shed with the iron door, sparks flew like fireworks, the thick iron te being torn into three deep grooves, the edges curling like tattered cloth.


    After several powerful strikes, a twisted crevice appeared in the iron door. He raised his wolf¨Ctransformed hind leg and kicked with all his might.


    With a deafening ¡°ng,¡± the iron door was kicked wide open, the door b crashing into the wall and sending a shower of dust into the air.


    ncing back, his vertical pupils narrowed into sharp slits in the dim light.


    Klein guarded the entrance, his bak pheromones steady as a rock, wolf ears slightly trembling in his hair, eyes sharp as an eagle¡¯s.


    Caldwell was already entangled with the heavy¨Carmed guards. Though not a top¨Cnotch grappler, he relied on the werewolf¡¯s signature agility to weave through enemies.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Wolf ws flickered at his fingertips, each movement light as a fox, using his <b>nimble </b>frame to restrain and


    with his ws. n opportunities to slice through their defens


    <b>Lance </b>wasn¡¯t worried about Klein¨Che clearly had the situation under control.


    But Caldwell¡¯s side still tugged at his nerves. Werewolves¡® regenerative abilities were strong, <b>but </b><b>when </b>surrounded, danger could strike at any moment.


    In hisst nce, he saw Eugene and his group charge out as well. Diverse pheromones swirled <b>around </b>them, yet there was an air of fierceness.


    Lance¡¯s tensed muscles finally rxed somewhat.


    Strengthy in numbers. As long as they held the broken door to prevent enemies from rushing <b>in</b><b>, </b><b>he </b>was confident he could rescue the prisoner from the dungeon.


    This military fortress¡¯s dungeon was, in essence, awork of underground chambers and tunnels.


    Lance had underestimated theplexity of these tunnels and chambers.


    Upon entering the lower level, he found the tunnels crisscrossing and innumerable chambers<b>¨C</b><b>easily </b>over <i>a </i>hundred- all interconnected.


    The above¨Cground structures of the fortress were nowhere near this vast, clearly indicating the tunnels extended to other areas.


    Even so, Lance followed the scent of blood and in the third tunnel, within one of the chambers, <i>he </i>found his target.


    The smell of blood was one clue. More important, this door was different from the others. While they were just wooden doors, this one was a strong iron door.

 Novel Male 417

    hapter <b>417 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ??? ??


    The entire underground tunnel and chamberplex was unguarded, as numerous guards <b>were </b><b>already </b>deployed outside.


    Should someone break through the encirclement to enter the tunnel, sending more guards underground would be futile.


    Lance also detected


    Sounds from within and confirmed someone was inside.


    Since he didn¡¯t know who was captured, he knocked on the iron door and called out, ¡°I¡¯m from Alpha Bentley¡¯s legion here to rescue. If there¡¯s anyone from our pack inside, please respond.¡±


    After a brief silence, the breathing grew rapid, followed by a feeble voice, ¡°Yes¡­


    Lance shed through the heavy chain on the iron door with a single w strike and kicked the door


    open.


    Inside the chamber hung a bloodied individual¨Chands suspended above, feet barely touching the ground, with no patch of unbroken skin left on their body.


    Their clothes were in tatters, covered in whip marks and burns, their face swollen and unrecognizable.


    Lance severed the iron chains suspending the person¡¯s hands, causing them to copse to the floor in <i>a </i>limp heap.


    He noticed blood seeping from the person¡¯s knees, clearly shattered and unable to support weight.


    ¡°I¡¯m Lance. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    Lance asked as he helped them up. The individual had chapped lips and sores at the corners of their mouth. Though of simr height to Lance, they were rmingly light, a testament to the torture they¡¯d endured.


    ¡°Sto¡­¡± The voice was hoarse and weak, as if seared by fire.


    Clutching Lance¡¯s sleeve with all their strength, the person¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Are they¡­ safe?¡±


    Lance¡¯s throat tightened. ¡°They¡¯re safe, They¡¯re outside, ready to escort you to safety.¡±


    ¡°Th¨Cthat¡¯s good¡­¡± The person¡¯s hands went limp, their eyes slowly closing.


    Lance quickly checked for a pulse and signs of life, relieved to find they were still alive. He hoisted them onto his back and hurried out.


    Back to the daytime negotiation/Tad¡¯s stance was unyieldingly firm.


    Before the talks, Abbot and Stewart had urged him not to mention Alpha Lance in fron


    Victor.


    But Tad, believing they would side with Lance as his former subordinates, only paid lip <b>service </b><b>to </b>their advice, harboring other intentions.


    Èý


    III


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    In previous negotiations, Tad had haggled repeatedly over the quantity of supplies<b>, </b><b>proposing </b><b>exchanges </b>involving cash and goods for Eugenius.


    However, Victor had rejected all these proposals, leading to a


    This time, Tad¡¯s patience was truly exhausted.


    deadlock.


    To secure Eugenius¡¯s release, he had already made significant concessions, yet Victor remained insatiable, making exorbitant demands.


    ¡°It seems you have no intention to negotiate at all!¡±


    Tad mmed the table, his tone hardening. ¡°I¡¯ve made the utmost concessions, yet you persist in making unreasonable demands. This is sheer absurdity. If this is your stance, then there¡¯s no point in continuing these talks!¡±


    Victor sneered, ¡°Are you certain you wish to walk away? Are you prepared to sacrifice your intelligence operative?¡±


    Tad retorted, ¡°It is you whocks sincerity. If you have no intention of negotiating, then there¡¯s nothing more to discuss. Do as you please. These are Alpha Lance¡¯s words.¡±


    Abbot and Stewart paled- they had agreed not to mention Lance.


    Victor immediately grew wary. ¡°Alpha Lance? You im Alpha Lance is here? Where is he? Why isn¡¯t he at the negotiating table?¡±


    Tad was about to speak when Stewart quickly interjected, ¡°We received orders from Alpha Lance. He genuinely cannot attend the negotiations in person, He has recently been married and cannot leave the capital for the time being.¡±


    Stewart spoke in thenguage of the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom, requiring no trantor.


    Tad, unable toprehend, cast Stewart a skeptical nce.


    Victor fixed him with a doubtful stare. ¡°Alpha Lance is here, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    Stewart smiled. ¡°If Alpha Lance were here, he would certainly wish to meet you. Now that the two nations have ceased hostilities, Alpha Lance actually holds you, Commander Victor, in high regard. Should he be in Frostbite Town, he would undoubtedly seek to befriend you.¡±


    Victor countered, ¡°Even in peacetime, we would not be friends. Alpha Lance, like Alpha Bentley, is a formidable figure. The people of the Dragon Ash have no desire to fraternize with those who inspire fear


    Alpha Bentley had once reimed the southern territory, but the tide turned when the Dragon Ash dispatched reinforcements.


    Alpha Bentley¡¯s dyed support led to his defeat and the southern territory¡¯s recapture.


    Victor had never directly confronted Alpha Bentley.


    He had joined the battlefield after the previousmander¡¯s death. In his eyes, Alpha Bentley <b>was </b>a notorious werewolf.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Tad asked the trantor, ¡°What is Stewart telling him<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Stewart urgently signaled the trantor, but the local merchant, fluent only in the two nations <bnguage </b>and having limited contact with Stewart, tranted Stewart¡¯s words truthfully.


    Tad red at Stewart and then said to Victor, ¡°Yes, Alpha Lance has been in Frostbite Town for several days. He didn¡¯t personally negotiate because he instructed me to act on his behalf. If you don¡¯t <b>ept </b>these terms, the negotiations end here. Do as you please.¡±


    ¡°This is Alpha Lance¡¯s stance,¡± Tad emphasized once more.

 Novel Male 418

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Victor immediately sensed something amiss. He stood up and ordered, ¡°Let¡¯s go back, now!


    Abbot nudged Stewart, who quickly said, ¡°Commander Victor, don¡¯t leave yet. We can continue negotiations. You want Frostbite Town, right? Let¡¯s discuss it further.


    Tad, noticing their unusual behavior, grew suspicious. The negotiations were his to conduct, and he had already dered an end to them. Yet they were trying to hold Victor back. Why?


    Having takenmand after the Southern Border¡¯s remation, Tad knew his subordinates didn¡¯t truly respect him.


    If he couldn¡¯t even control the negotiations, his authority would be undermined.


    He shouted, ¡°Both of you, get back here!¡±


    He then instructed the trantor, ¡°Tell Victor that if theyck sincerity, the negotiations are over. If they wish to continue, it must be on my terms.¡±


    After the trantor ryed the message, Victor nced back at Tad, his impatience evident. Though he didn¡¯t appear confident, Tad couldn¡¯t let his guard down. Victor ordered, ¡°Back to the city!¡±


    Stewart and Abbot chased after him, trying to restrain Victor.


    Stewart bowed and said, ¡°Commander Victor, Alpha Tad doesn¡¯t know Eugenius personally and isn¡¯t willing to trade Frostbite Town for him. But we value Eugenius¨Che fought alongside us. <i>Please </i>wait while we persuade Alpha Tad.¡±


    ¡°If you could persuade him, you would have done so already,¡± Victor retorted coldly.


    ¡°And didn¡¯t Alpha Lance say that without Frostbite Town for the exchange, there¡¯s nothing to discuss?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that. Alpha Lance is on his way to Frostbite Town and should arrive in a few days. He holds Eugenius in high regard. Once he arrives, things might change,¡± Stewart insisted.


    ¡°Alpha Lance is en route?¡± Victor fixed Stewart with a probing gaze.


    Stewart nodded earnestly, ¡°Yes, he should be here soon.¡±


    Abbot returned to apologize to Tad. ¡°Commander, please stay calm. Although we¡¯ve decided to end negotiations, it¡¯s better to prolong them to avoid criticism for being rash.¡±


    Tad, sensing something was off, pulled Abbot aside and demanded, ¡°Tell me the truth. Where is Alpha Lance really?¡±


    Abbot couldn¡¯t disclose the rescue mission, known only to him, Stewart, and Lance. T hadn¡¯t informed Tad.


    vent leaks, they


    ¡°Truthfully, after following Lance for three years, I think he might have infiltrated the Dragon Ash to rescue Eugenius. He likely didn¡¯t tell us to keep it secret,¡± Abbot said.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Furious, Tad asked, ¡°If you suspected this, why didn¡¯t you inform me?¡±


    Abbot thought, ¡°Your emotions are too transparent. If you knew, Victor might guess our <b>ns</b><b>? </b>


    Since Victor now doubts Tad¡¯s resolve, Stewart must stall him.


    Regardless, every minute counts. The rescue is best timed for tonight¡¯s negotiation.


    Abbot said, ¡°It¡¯s just a guess. How could we dare share it without certainty?¡±


    Tad, seething, red at Abbot for a long while.


    He suspected Lance was indeed on a rescue mission.


    If sessful, no exchange would be needed, saving resources and boosting Lance¡¯s military prestige.


    Thus, Tad softened his tone.


    ¡°Whether your guess is true or not, we can¡¯t take risks. Let¡¯s prolong the talks. Use Frostbite Town <b>as </b><b>a </b>bargaining chip.¡±


    Relieved, Abbot followed Tad out.


    The stall wouldn¡¯tst long. Victor was too suspicious. Ever since Tad mentioned Alpha Lance, he¡¯d felt <i>a </i>prick of unease.


    He forced himself to sit and talk a bit more, but Tad¡¯s indifferent attitude was a dead giveaway¨Che <i>was </i>stalling.


    He stood and dered, ¡°No more talks. We¡¯ll head back.¡±


    Tad¡¯s transparent emotions confirmed Victor¡¯s doubts. Victor couldn¡¯t sit idly any longer.


    If Lance was indeed rescuing, the 10 p.m. shift/change would be the likely time. Leaving now might still be in time.


    He shrugged off his coat and strode out, with his subordinates following closely.


    Tad told Abbot, ¡°We¡¯ve done our part. The rest depends on Alpha Lance. If he seeds, he¡¯ll earn great merit; if not, it¡¯s not our fault.¡±


    Stewart and Abbot felt utterly frustrated. Their insincere stalling couldn¡¯t hold Victor.


    Now, they could only hope Lance would save Eugenius before Victor returned to the city.


    Back with Lance, after rescuing Stokes, they found the outside in chaos. Several of Eugene¡¯s group were injured.


    With Klein present, they hadn¡¯t suffered significant losses, but enemy numbers we retreat immediately.


    As Lance charged out, over a dozen werewolf warriors surrounded him.


    <b>¡°</b>owing. <b>They </b><b>had </b><b>to </b>


    Lance nimbly broke through the encirclement, handed the rescued person to Tommy, and swiftly


    <b>273 </b>


    <b>24 </b>Jul


    withdrew into the night.

 Novel Male 419

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance darted back into the fray like a silver¨Cgray lightning bolt, his cedar pheromones sweeping the area with an icy aura.


    He knew that rescuing one person at the cost of several would make the mission a failure.


    When he reached Caldwell, his hands already partially shifted, his wolf ws gleaming against the alloy de.


    His sideways sh, charged with werewolf¨Clike explosive force, pushed the surrounding wolves back. The ng of armor echoed as several knelt under the Alpha¡¯s aura.


    Klein was battling the enemy fiercely. His pheromones intertwined with Lance¡¯s pine scent, creating an almost unstoppable duo.


    Though Victor had taken many top warriors, over ten strong werewolves remained.


    Seeing the rescueplete, Klein knew there was no need to stay. His wolf ears perked up, ws extended, and he fought back in full force.


    He and Lance fought in perfect sync. Their pheromones wrapped around each other like vines, almost making them invincible.


    But the enemy was just too numerous. While they could break free, others were trapped. So they had to clear each siege one by one.


    Each time they saved someone, they roared, ¡°Retreat!¡±


    Lance knew they couldn¡¯t stall any longer. Victor might return at any moment, and the scent of nearby werewolf warriors was already in the air.


    His vertical pupils narrowed to fine lines with anxiety. His pine pheromones turned sharp and icy. He poured all his strength into his half¨Ctransformed arms.


    He swung his arms to hold back several enemies. It was extremely energy¨Cconsuming.


    His pheromones rippled with disorder, but he still gritted his teeth and held on¨Che had to buy time for hispanions to escape.


    Seeing Lance¡¯s all¨Cout effort, Klein led everyone to retreat step by step to the wall tform.


    The wall stood tall like a cliff. Eugene, with a werewolf¡¯s burst of energy, could still barely leap up, but others had to use iron hooks and ropes to climb. <ol><li>dl. </li></ol>


    Lance and Klein exchanged a nce. Klein stayed alone to deal with the pursuing rewolves; Lance turned to grab two people and, with an Alpha¡¯s brute strength, threw them over L


    Each throw was apanied by bone¨Ccracking sounds. His pheromones were <b>now </b><b>as </b>thin as a dying candle, yet he still forced himself to muster strength.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>After </b>sending three people across, a howl came from afar. Lance¡¯s vertical <b>pupils </b>shrank <b>to </b><b>a </b>need point, and his pine pheromones turned as sharp as ice picks. ¡°Victor¡¯s back!¡±


    Ignoring his drained energy, he grabbed one person in each hand, his wolf legs kicking the <b>wall</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>shot out with the two.


    Seeing this, Eugene gritted his teeth and summoned his strength.


    Already injured with a slowly scabbing someone else.


    ound on his back, he could barely leap alone, let alone with


    But when an enemy¡¯s w reached for his back, the scaring pain unleashed his potential. His pupils split into blood¨Cred vertical lines, and he


    crashed through the wall with the person


    When hended, blood from Eugene¡¯s back¨Cboth old scab and new¨Cseeped out. But he didn¡¯t catch his breath. He just stared at the fighting figures inside the wall.


    Three people remained. Lance took two with Klein covering their retreat. The group quickly vanished


    into the night.


    Victor burst in, greeted by blood and carnage. His men were either dead or injured, Eugene had been rescued, and there was no sign of Lance.


    He roared in fury, ¡°Chase! Search every corner of the city!¡±


    Under the cover of night, Lance led the group in


    escape.


    Eugene, with his injured back, copsed after running a short distance. Lance pulled him up and applied first¨Caid to stop the bleeding.


    They had to reach the safe spot Caldwell had chosen and rendezvous with Tommy.


    Victor wouldn¡¯t think to search there right away. If they could dodge the city¨Cwide manhunt, they could


    leave.


    An hourter, they arrived at the Dragon Ash¡¯s warrior cemetery¨Ca ce Caldwell had carefully selected.


    The cemetery, backed by mountains, allowed ess to the prairie without leaving the city. From there, a path led straight to the mountain where Snke had captured Velda.


    Once there, they¡¯d be safe.


    Another reason was that Victor wouldn¡¯t think to look here, and no one would dare search the martyr¡¯s cemetery without Victor¡¯s orders.


    The cemetery was vast, with most fallen warriors buried here. A huge monument stood at the entrance. Further in, there were a few houses for the cemetery caretaker.


    The caretaker had been subdued and tied up in one of the houses<b>, </b>gagged and unable to cry for help. Before the rescue mission, they had already stored food and water here.


    These supplies were mainly for Eugene, who was likely to be tortured. After a defeat, Dragon <b>Ash </b>would surely take out their frustration on them.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Eugene¡¯s injuries would probably be severe, and he wouldn¡¯t be able to travel immediately.


    But they hadn¡¯t expected so many people to be with Eugene, so the supplies weren¡¯t enough.


    When they returned to the cemetery, Tommy was already treating the unconscious wounded,


    * Free Cums


    Lance put down Eugene and immediately handed medicine and bandages to Klein and Caldwell. ¡°Treat the wounds first.¡±


    Eugene, with a back injury, had forced himself to run and had fainted by the time they reached the cemetery.


    Lance gave him antibiotics and tore open the back of his clothes¨Ca wound stretched from his shoulder de to his waist, deep to the bone.


    Fortunately, the emergency hemostasis had stopped the bleeding; otherwise, he would have died from blood loss.


    But using the emergency measures for too long could harm him. Lance hoped the damage wasn¡¯t too


    severe.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 420

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After treating Eugene¡¯s wounds, Lance looked at the group of werewolf warriors before him. Except for Eugene, he didn¡¯t recognize a single one.


    As for the individual who was still unconscious due to severe torture, Lance scrutinized him for a long while but still couldn¡¯t determine his identity.


    Eugene struggled to prop himself up and raised his hand. ¡°Eugene reporting in!¡±


    After a moment of silence, everyone began to announce their names one by one.


    ¡°Josh reporting in!¡±


    ¡°Martin reporting in!¡±


    Lance turned away, and the tears he had been holding back finally streamed down his cheeks.


    ww


    It took a while for him topose himself, his voice choked with emotion, ¡°On behalf of Alpha Bentley¡¯s legion, I wee you all back!¡±


    Eleven people, all alive! No one could fathom the depth of his exhration at this moment.


    They covered their faces, tears seeping through their fingers, yet they dared not weep aloud.


    The Alpha Bentley Legion¨Cthey would never forget they were part of it, even though theirmander had fallen heroically.


    Now, they could finally dere with pride that they belonged to the Alpha Bentley Legion.


    A weak voice came from the ground, ¡°Marsh, reporting in!¡±


    Lance firmly grasped the hand Marsh weakly lifted¨Che couldn¡¯t raise it high like the others, only a feeble motion.


    Marsh opened his eyes, but only one would obey; the other was too swollen to open.


    His face was so bruised it was unrecognizable, with a split lip and a crooked nose.


    The left side of his face was more swollen than the right, and his right eye was nearly sealed shut from the swelling, giving him an almost inhuman appearance.


    He was gaunt, reduced to skin and bones.


    Despite this, the number of wounds from torture was heart¨Cwrenching.


    Tommy, tending to his injuries/couldn¡¯t hold back her tears.


    Burns from branding irons, whip marks, torn fingernails, and punctures from steel needles in his fingers¡­


    The prolonged torture had left his ten fingers swollen like bananas, red, puffy, and pus¨Cfilled.


    He grimaced through a smile, a shadow of his once¨Chandsome fare


    ??? ?se join


    Lance couldn¡¯t bear to look at his smile or his face, feeling as if a mountain pressed on his cheat, making breathing difficult.


    It was clear Marsh had endured unimaginable torment.


    Lance stepped outside, sat at the door, and gazed at the hanging moon.


    The journey home would be long, but he was determined to bring everyone back safely.


    After regaining hisposure, he heard Eugene ask Caldwell, ¡°How are my parents and Gloria? Is <i>my </i>brother Abbot alright?¡±


    Caldwell paused before replying, ¡°They¡¯re all well. But believing you sacrificed, your mate dissolved the mating and moved on. She¡¯s now mated with someone else<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Caldwell chose honesty to spare Eugene false hope, preparing him for the reality upon their return.


    Eugene fell silent for a long while. Lying on the ground, he cradled his head in his arms, burying his face deeply.


    Everyone watched with sympathy, realizing their own mates might have found new mates.


    Of the group, only Griffin had no mate.


    As Sibyl¡¯s nephew and a formermon soldier, he had fought bravely but been captured.


    Magnus, Algier¡¯s adoptive elder brother, wasn¡¯t into books but loved fighting.


    He went to war and became a squad leader before being captured.


    He¡¯d been engaged before leaving, and his ¡°death¡± news had likely reached home. His fianc¨¦e might had married someone else, and Magnus hoped she was happy.


    But it was Eugene¡¯s plight that weighed heaviest on Magnus¡¯s heart. Over the years, Eugene often spoke of Gloria and their life together.


    Marsh had mentioned Eugene¡¯s mate was timid and wouldn¡¯t cope well with his supposed death, likely grieving for a long time.


    Marsh hoped she wouldn¡¯t wait in the Hornbeam Pack, as they might never return.


    Their years of danger, with constant risk of capture¨Ca fate worse than death¨Chad tested their loyalty.


    Their choice to remain faithful had broken their promises to their mates, and they knew they were the ones in the wrong.


    This is for the best. She¡¯s After a long silence, Eugene lifted his head, forcing a wry smile through his to mated again and won¡¯t have to endure loneliness these past years. She¡¯s a social soul; it would have been too much to ask her <i>to </i>stay. I was the one who wronged her. I truly wish her happiness.¡±


    Klein, unable to bear listening, rose and joined Lance outside.


    *** Come


    His usually stern face grew colder. ¡°Two are seriously injured. We¡¯ll have to dy our departure for a few days.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t linger too long. Our supplies are running low,¡± Larice said with a heavy sigh, watching <i>the </i>moon drift through the clouds¨Cnow bright, now dim.


    ¡°We leave in three days at most. Those who can¡¯t walk, we¡¯ll carry¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 421

    <b>Chapter </b><b>421 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Only in Frostbite Town would they be truly safe.


    Klein sighed too. ¡°Let¡¯s do as you say. I¡¯ll help with all my might,¡± he said, ncing back at the house.


    ¡°Can¡¯t stand these sad stories. I¡¯ll patrol outside.¡±


    ¡°Be careful,¡± Lance warned.


    Klein snorted. ¡°With my skills, who in this border city can spot me?¡±


    Tommy had already started distributing food¨Csausage, stewed meat, sandwiches, bread, and water.


    Marsh couldn¡¯t chew, so he soaked bread in water, fed to him bite by bite by Tommy.


    All was quiet, even the wind had stopped.


    Though nearing July, the weather should have cooled, but the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom¡¯s border city, which froze in winter, was now oppressively hot.


    Beyond the sounds of chewing, there was utter silence.


    Long after finishing their meal, Eugene asked Caldwell, ¡°Can you tell me¡­ who her new mate is? Does he treat her well?¡±


    Caldwell patted his shoulder. ¡°Since she¡¯s mated again, don¡¯t dwell on her mate¡¯s treatment of her.¡±


    Eugene sat stunned for a long while, finally grasping Caldwell¡¯s implication.


    The weather grew hotter. Lance still had no word, and Adide grew worried.


    Though he had gone with Klein, infiltrating the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom¡¯s border city to rescue a hostage was perilous.


    Dragon Ash warriors were also amassing at the border, adding to the mission¡¯s danger.


    ording to Wendy¡¯s intelligence, royal werewolf guards in inclothes surrounded the Bloodmoon Pack, changing shifts day and night.


    Lycan Erasmus evidently anticipated an attack on Velda.


    The Western Tribe¡¯s situation remained unclear, but Dudley had returned to the capital to report.


    The mass murder case had been resolved¨Cit turned out someone had fed Taine a drugced with mind- parasite, driving her to kill her family in a fit of madness.


    The culprit was a local small¨Ctime merchant..


    The merchant had confessed and faced justice.


    <b>13 </b>


    The motive was business rivalry; the deceased family¡¯s reputation for false kindness <b>had </b><b>overtaken </b>his business.


    Fueled by resentment and with a mate knowledgeable about mind¨Cparasites, he bribed Dr. Aiken <b>to </b>administer the drug, leading to Taine¡¯s frenzy and the family¡¯s ughter.


    Dudley had the power to act first and reportter. So after the murderer admitted guilt, he ordered <b>the </b>Union localw enforcement to give them death sentences. This was to in tragedy.


    ofort the victims who had died


    Because of this, the case didn¡¯t need to go to the Ministry of Justice for review.


    Adide learned of this from Arnold.


    He reported that the culprit had wept in court, iming momentary folly and deep remorse.


    Dudley, considering his repentance and sparing his children, closed the case.


    Adide felt unease.


    Business rivalries and crimes of passion weremon, but this case seemed meticulously nned.


    Mind¨Cparasites were obscure. Even if the culprit¡¯s mate knew of them, orchestrating the entire plot¨Cfrom bribing Dr. Aiken to manipting the parasite lethally¨Crequired precision.


    It wasn¡¯t that Adide looked down on merchants, but this was a premeditated mass murder. Once Taine was convicted, she would die too.


    A crime of passion would be one thing, but this case was fraught with doubts.


    ¡°Arnold, what¡¯s your take?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the case details, but the culprit did confess,¡± Arnold replied.


    Paisley chimed in, ¡°Even if you see inconsistencies, it¡¯s pointless. The culprits are already executed. Besides, you have no authority to question the case.¡±


    Adide frowned, worried it might be a miscarriage of justice. But as Paisley said, she had no jurisdiction over the matter.


    ¡°Let¡¯s change the subject. You know Dwight¡¯s back at the Soulrend Pack, right?¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Adide said. ¡°I also know he¡¯s ming Melinda and me for Willow¡¯s departure, causing a stir in the pack. A proud man like him can¡¯t ept being abandoned. Even if it¡¯s self¨Cdeception, he¡¯ll cline <b>to </b>it.¡±


    Paisley scoffed, ¡°Georgina said he¡¯s been ranting in the pack, using you of instigating Melinda. But he only dares to cause a fuss in the pack, not to confront you. If he did, I¡¯d respect him.¡±


    ¡°Melinda¡¯s pregnant and having a tough timetely,¡± Adide saidpassionately. ¡°But she¡¯s growing stronger.¡±


    ¡°True. Dwight¡¯s caused a scene at her ce several times, and she¡¯s firmly stood her ground. <b>It¡¯s </b><b>odd </b>that Alpha Howell and Luna Skye keep visiting, urging her to endure Dwight¡¯s antics. They say <b>Willow¡¯s </b><b>gone</b>, and if she can appease Dwight, their future will be smooth,¡± Paisley said.¡±


    Adide rested her chin on her hand, thoughtful. ¡°You think it¡¯s understandable formoners to be cowardly, but Alpha Howell, out of fear of leaving the capital, has been timid andpliant, even at the cost of his daughter¡¯s suffering. Does that make sense to you?

 Novel Male 422

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s not quite reasonable, but that¡¯s just how he is. Do you think there¡¯s something wrong with him?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say,¡± Adide replied, reluctant to suspect any ill intentions.


    Unreasonable things often have special circumstances behind them; it¡¯s just unclear what those circumstances are.


    She continued, ¡°Even someone casilypromising has a temper.¡±


    No one in the capital would pay attention to them. Their existence was too insignificant, their reputation overly timid.


    Paying too much attention to them would seem foolish.


    If Adide said there was a problem, Paisley would naturally investigate.


    She found Wendy and asked her to assign someone to keep an eye on Alpha Howell. She emphasized to Wendy that the surveince must be discreet¡ªno one should detect that they¡¯re monitoring the Silverlight Pack.


    After the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s attack, Adide had to exin things at the pce.


    Lycan Erasmus harbored doubts about the ckthorn Pack, so extra caution was necessary.


    A sudden downpour struck on the day Sabrina entered the Glenveil Pack.


    In the rain, a car drove into the Glenveil Pack¡¯s territory.


    Sabrina had brought no substantial personal assets, casting a resentful nce at Ulrik before boarding.


    Upon arriving, she met Wanda but neither saw Winslow nor Rowena.


    Rowena, however, sent a pair of silver bracelets and assigned her to the border cottage.


    She had brought two omega maids to tend to her, but within half an hour, they were sent back to the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Wanda dispatched a few others to ¡°care¡± for her, though their attitude was far from respectful.


    As a breeder, Sabrina felt utterly disrespected. But knowing she was in the Glenveil Pack, she ha restrain herself, unlike in the Bloodmoon Pack where she could vent her frustrations freely.


    That night, she bathed and dressed up, hoping Winslow would visit.


    After all, it was her first day as his breeder. He should at least grant her that courtesy.


    But by midnight, Winslow still hadn¡¯te.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    She removed her jewelry, hid in her bed, and wept.


    The next day, she learned that Winslow had spent the night in his breeder Hazel¡¯s room.


    Hazel, Winslow¡¯s only mate and mother of his children, was pregnant and in no condition forpany Yet Winslow chose to stay with her rather than see Sabrina.


    Once Sabrina left, the Bloodmoon Pack seemed to regain its former tranquility.


    Ulrik noticed royal guards patrolling outside the pack. He understood their presence¨Cthey aimed to discreetly monitor Velda and prevent further intrusions.


    A sense of foreboding, like the calm before a storm, weighed on him.


    He knew the gravity of the situation. If pursued, the Bloodmoon Pack might face imprisonment.


    This wasn¡¯t solely Velda¡¯s issue; as the relief forcemander, Ulrik bore responsibility for not restraining


    her.


    The mental burden coupled with life¡¯s irritations left him exhausted.


    On his way home that day, he found himself at the Frostfang Pack¡¯s gates.


    Memories of his first visit flooded back¨Cnervous yet hopeful.


    He recalled pledging to Luna Aire never to take another breeder.


    Her relief had shown on her face as she told him, ¡°A man should keep his promises.¡±


    He had sworn, ¡°If I break my promise, may I suffer the consequences.¡±


    And <i>so</i>, Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter became his mate.


    Yet he had broken his promise, betraying both Adide and Aire¡¯s trust.


    ¡°What brings you here?¡± Valentin asked coldly from the border.


    Ulrik snapped back to reality, nodded briefly, and strode away.


    Valentin frowned¨Chad Ulrik regrets?


    He knew the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s vtility; he couldn¡¯t let Ulrik disrupt Adide¡¯s peace.


    He informed the ckthorn Pack of Ulrik¡¯s visit, urging caution to protect her reputation.


    Adide summoned Avery, instructing him to drive Ulrik away if spotted near the ckthorn <i>J </i>


    Avery growled, ¡°If hees, I¡¯ll break his legs<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Paisley chimed in, ¡°Just drive him off. Unlike in the Shadow Peaks, we can¡¯t settle scores in the capital with a fight.¡±


    ¡°Was just venting,¡± Avery muttered.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>12:18 </b>FT1, 25 <b>Jul </b>G G


    +5 Free Cons


    Paisley added, ¡°This mancks backbone. He dodges responsibilities. Thankfully, he didn¡¯t back down during our joint assault; otherwise, he¡¯d have doomed us. Let¡¯s drop it¨Cit¡¯s depressing¡±


    Adide said abruptly, ¡°He and Gloria should reject each other now. It depends on whether he¡¯ll rely on Tad to weather the storm or step up and be a real man.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley and Avery grasped the deeper implications of Adide¡¯s words.


    The Western Tribe¡¯s situation would soon undergo significant changes. When the new Lycan King ascended, he would likelyunch a thorough investigation into the Snowdeer Town incident.


    This would serve three purposes: revenge, consolidating power, and redefining the border.


    If Ulrik had anypassion left for Gloria, he should let her return to her own pack.


    But if he kept her in the Bloodmoon Pack out of familial protection, forcing Tad to speak up for the pack, then he and Velda were essentially the same¨Cboth selfish to the core.


    Paisley, ever the prankster, suggested a bet. ¡°Let¡¯s wager on whether Ulrik will reject Gloria. I say he won¡¯t


    Avery, though disdainful of Ulrik, recalled his battlefield bravery and offered a shred of trust. ¡°He might. He¡¯s shown responsibility in battle.¡±


    The two of them looked at Adide in unison and askek, ¡°Which one do you pick?¡±


    Adide remained nomittal. ¡°I don¡¯t know Ulrik well enough.¡±


    Paisley slid a $10,000 check across the table. ¡°Pick a side. Let¡¯s bet $10,000.¡±


    Avery, rmed by the high stakes, quickly backed down.


    Losing $10,000 would mean a beating at home.


    Adide lightened the mood. ¡°Just for fun. Let¡¯s bet $10.¡±


    Paisley retracted the check, noting Avery¡¯s covetous nce. ¡°Choose, then.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Adide said, ¡°I think¡­ he¡¯ll feign concern for Gloria¡¯s feelings but won¡¯t be honest with her. If she chooses not to reject him, he¡¯ll ept it guilt¨Cfree.¡±


    Paisley snorted. ¡°That sounds like you know him well. But how can we verify? The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s under surveince; we can¡¯t sneak in to eavesdrop.¡±


    Adide shrugged. ¡°So I¡¯ll go with ¡®he won¡¯t reject Gloria.¡±¡±


    Paisley grinned. ¡°Two against one. Poor Avery, you¡¯ll owe us $20 if you lose.¡±


    Avery sighed. ¡°Hope Ulrik doesn¡¯t make me lose money. Be a decent person.¡±


    On June 21st, Lance led Eugene and his group out of the martyrs¡® cemetery.


    Over the past three days, Victor had turned the city upside down in his search. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he thought to check the cemetery.


    Despite Marsh¡¯s severe injuries, they had no choice but to leave, with someone carrying him.


    418


    To cross two mountains, Klein had stocked up on supplies before departure.


    The recent rain made the mountain path treacherous, but for werewolf warriors, it was manageable


    They had to hurry; if Victor discovered their stay at the cemetery, he might guess their route.


    Tommy carried Marsh, while others bore food.


    Once in the forest, they faced snakes, insects, and wild animals. Klein and Lance took the lead, hacking a path through dense vegetation.


    Halfway up the mountain, Lance cut branches from the other side, creating false tracks.


    As expected, after they left, Victor stormed into the cemetery.


    He found signs of Lance¡¯s group in the caretaker¡¯s house and the bound caretakers.


    Learning Lance and his team had stayed there for seven or eight days, Victor roared, ¡°Lance is sly! Chase!¡±


    The group followed up the mountain, pursuing the escape route.


    Victor moved fast. Soon, he was halfway up the mountain. Two freshly cut pathsy before him. ¡°Pathetic tricks,¡± he sneered. ¡°Split up and chase!¡±


    He sent ten men with some werewolf warriors after the left path and led the rest upward himself.


    Not far off, screams erupted from the lower left. Victor¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Did they run into trouble already?¡±


    More screams followed, shouting, ¡°Traps! Traps!¡± Victor leaped to a tall tree and saw vines dragging wooden stakes toward the werewolves.


    Six or seven men down, all from such crude traps. Furiously, Victor barked, ¡°Keep chasing! This is Dragon Ash territory. If you spot Alpha Lance, kill him no questions asked. I¡¯ll reward whoever brings me his head with a million dors!¡±


    On June 19th, Tad dispatched Abbot and Stewart with warriors to await Lance and Eugenius outside Frostbite Town.


    He didn¡¯t concern himself with the rescue¡¯s oue; the relief party had to be sent.


    For his position¡¯s security, every detail must be wless.


    If Lance failed and perished, that was his fate.


    Tad wouldn¡¯t send troops to the Dragon Ash border.


    Stewart and Abbot, with their soldiers, reached the highest peak outside Frostbite Town. Leaving a thousand men on standby, they led two thousand further forward, eager to meet Lance.


    But after cresting a ridge, they halted.


    <b>2/2 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After two days of waiting, Abbot grew restless.


    s


    On June 21st, he said to Stewart, ¡°We can¡¯t just wait here uselessly. Let me take a dozen men across the grasnds and circle the mountain to see if we can find Lance. I¡¯m worried he might¡¯ve been injured during the rescue.¡±


    Stewart replied, ¡°Don¡¯t rush. A dozen men won¡¯t make a difference. This vast mountain, covered in dense forests with no direct paths, makes it nearly impossible to meet up.¡±


    ¡°But waiting here idly won¡¯t help either,¡± Abbot argued, clearly anxious.


    ¡°Actually, deploying so many soldiers here by themander serves no real purpose. If they¡¯ve crossed the grasnds safely, they¡¯re already secure. Whether we¡¯re three thousand or a thousand, none of us can cross the grasnds and scale the mountain.¡±


    Stewart whispered, ¡°He just wants to show Lycan Erasmus he¡¯s fullymitted to the rescue. Whether our three thousand men are useful or not doesn¡¯t matter to him.¡±


    Both sighed.


    They had served under exceptionalmanders and held little regard for Tad.


    Yet Lycan Erasmus had ced his trust in him.


    With no ongoing battles, their current task was to guard Frostbite Town against potential Dragon Ash retaliation.


    ¡°Forget waiting, Stewart,¡± Abbot said, suggesting, apromise.


    ¡°Let¡¯s send ten¨Cman groups across the grasnds. What do you think?¡±


    Stewart considered it. ¡°Let¡¯s do it. We¡¯ll dispatch ten teams of ten men each, crossing the grasnds in batches toward ckcross Mountain. You stay and guard the post; I¡¯ll lead the teams.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll go,¡± Abbot insisted, his expression solemn. ¡°Lance didn¡¯t say much to me, but when he mentioned rescuing Eugenius, he nced at me several times. I suspect Eugenius might be Eugene, my brother.¡±


    Stewart looked at him in surprise. ¡°You think so? Don¡¯t get your hopes up just yet.¡±


    During prisoner exchanges between nations, families eagerly awaited their loved ones, scrutinizing each


    returnee.


    Stewart hadn¡¯t found Magnus, and Abbot hadn¡¯t found Eugene.


    They celebrated with everyone for the returning soldiers.


    As Alpha Bentley Legion officers, they embraced every returnee, offering encouragement and sharing in their joy, drinking beer together.


    But when alone, their tears betrayed their disap¨Cpointment. That night, neither slept


    Stewart dared not hope again after such letdowns.


    Though Magnus wasn¡¯t of the Wall family, their bond, forged in battle with Alpha Bentley, was deeper than blood.


    Ultimately, they decided to go together. The main force stayed put, while one hundred men crossed the grasnds in shifts.


    As expected, the staggered crossing drew no attention from the grasnd sentries.


    They ascended Horace Hill and waited at its peak. From this vantage point, they could monitor any


    movement.


    They dared not descend carelessly, as Horace Hill was jointly controlled by the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom and the grasnd wolves. Missteps could spark conflict.


    Lance and his group had reached the foot of Horace Hill. Beyond ity the grasnds.


    Only ten of them entered the grasnds, avoiding detection by the nomadic tribes. Victor wouldn¡¯t <b>risk </b>pursuit here.


    But the relentless escape had taken its toll. While Lance held on, others were exhausted, their legs trembling.


    Some were injured during the rescue.


    Eugene walked at first, then needed support, and finally had to be carried.


    Lance, though unharmed, was fatigued from fending off guards at the outpost.


    Everyone except Klein was exhausted.


    They had to rest briefly before Horace Hill.


    But after a fifteen¨Cminute break, Klein abruptly stood, listened intently, then announced, ¡°They¡¯reing. We must climb the hill now.¡±


    Marsh was the most concerning. His breaths were shallow, wounds either inmed or slightly healed, relying solely on Digby¡¯s medicine.


    Lance gently pped his face. ¡°We¡¯re moving again. I¡¯ll carry you. Hold on¨Cyour mate in the capital awaits you.¡±


    At the mention of ¡°mate,¡± Marsh¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Weakly, he looked at Lance. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ ab ¡°I¡¯ll carry you. Let¡¯s go,¡± Lance said, hoisting him onto his back.


    Marsh¡¯s tears fell on Lance¡¯s shoulders, his voice barely audible. ¡°If¡­ you have to leave me¡­¡±


    He was drowsy but aware of the danger.


    He wouldn¡¯t rest easy if his downfall dragged everyone else down.


    ¡®n¡­


    JOI


    Lance responded firmly, ¡°Not a single one of us will be left behind!¡±


    Turning to the others, who were supporting each other, he said, ¡°This is thest mountain. Once over it, the grasnds and Frostbite Town are within reach. Don¡¯t you all want to return to our homnd? To see our reimed Southern Border?¡±


    Tears welled in their eyes as they chorused, ¡°We dream of it every day.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost home,¡± Lance encouraged. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

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    <b>Third </b>Person¡¯s POV


    Horace Hill was tall and treacherous,cking the dense forests of previous mountains to carve <b>a </b><b>path </b>through.


    The climb from base to midpoint was manageable, but the higher they went, the steeper the terrain became.


    Beyond the midpoint, the mountain face was a sheer cliff, with only a few resilient trees sprouting <b>from </b><b>its </b>crevices¨Ceffectively, no path at all.


    The cliff face, at least thirty meters high, had to be scaled. Beyond it, the path, though difficult, could be navigated with hacking and shing.


    But the cliff itself was the obstacle.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got iron hooks and ropes,¡± one said.


    Klein replied, ¡°They¡¯re useless here. The cliff face is too smooth¨Cno protruding rocks for the hooks to grip. We¡¯ll have to leap up and grab those saplings for leverage. Only Lance and I can manage it.¡±


    Tommy assessed the situation. ¡°I can do it too,¡± he volunteered.


    If he could leap up and grab a sapling, he could ascend. Though challenging, he was confident he could pull it off.


    Caldwell, nimble and agile, also chimed in. ¡°I can do it as well.¡±


    Time was of the essence with pursuers close behind.


    Klein and Lance exchanged a nce and decided on the only viable option¨Ccarrying the others up the cliff.


    But aside from Tommy and Caldwell, eleven more people needed to be carried, meaning at least five or six trips back and forth.


    In their exhausted state, this was a daunting prospect.


    ¡°Klein, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Lance said apologetically.


    Klein sighed. ¡°You¡¯re my only student, and I¡¯m stuck in a mate with the most stubborn werewolf in the Frostfang Pack. If I won¡¯t look after you, who will?¡±


    Lance wanted to say he was actually happy, but he swallowed the words under Klein¡¯s pitying <b>gaze</b>.


    First<b>, </b>get them back.


    Klein had a rebellious streak. If things didn¡¯t go his way, he¡¯d likely throw a tantrum.


    No time for more talk.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b>423


    <b>Lance </b><b>decided </b><b>to </b>prioritize carrying Magnus<b>, </b>while Klein took Eugene The remaining <b>group </b>cayed behind <b>to </b>guard Marsh.


    ¡°Wrap your arms around me tightly. Don¡¯t move an inch except to breathe, Lance instructed Magnus


    Magnus nodded and secured his hold around Lance¡¯s neck.


    With that, Lance leaped upward, sessfully grasping a sapling.


    He didn¡¯t put his full weight on it¨Cknowing¡¯they¡¯d need to repeat this several times¨Che used it <b>to </b><b>propel </b>himself higher, reaching for another sapling to the left.


    The onlookers below held their breath, their hearts in their throats.


    From below, it seemed Lance was just out of reach of the sapling, as if he might miss.


    But he caught it.


    Relief washed over the group.


    Klein opted for a different route, selecting another set of saplings.


    These saplings probably weren¡¯t rooted that deep. They couldn¡¯t take this kind of treatment repeatedly.


    His path was riskier, steeper, and a misstep could mean a fall.


    Yet, despite the peril, both safely reached the cliff top.


    After securing Magnus and Eugene, Klein and Lance slid back down the cliff.


    Descending required less effort. Once they reached a certain height, they grabbed saplings to pivot and leap back to their starting point.


    Caldwell and Tommy waited to climb until everyone was transported.


    After just one trip, Lance and Klein were already panting with exhaustion.


    They sat down to rest for a moment, then pushed themselves to keep going.


    It took five trips for Klein and six for Lance.


    On the final trip, they returned for Marsh, who had to be strapped to Lance¡¯s back as hecked the strength to hold on.


    Thus, Klein apanied them again.


    ¡°You take him up, and I¡¯ll follow close behind, just in case,¡± Klein said, his back drenched in sweat, hair stered to his scalp.


    Lance nodded. This time, climbing while bent over added to the difficulty.


    Tommy and Caldwell would also assist, effectively forming a three¨Cperson support team.


    Everyone held their breath as Lance grasped the first sapling and stabilized himself. They watched him2<b>/</b><b>3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b>425


    steady his breathing, then leap for the second sapling. He secured it. <b>Reaching </b><b>for </b>the third <b>and </b><b>fourth </b>saplings went smoothly.


    But Lance¡¯s bent¨Cover posture made the climb arduous. When he lunged for the fifth <b>sapling</b>, his finger brushed the trunk only to slip.


    His heart skipped a beat. He quickly ttened his hands against the cliff face. Now clinging <b>vertically </b><b>to </b><b>the </b>cliff, he was exposed.


    Marsh¡¯s head lolled backward, and the two lost their bnce.


    In this critical moment, Klein and Tommy lunged forward. Each grabbed one of Lance¡¯s hands, while <b>the </b>other hand clutched a sapling.


    But due to the distance, they could only hold Lance and not haul him up.


    Eugene swiftly lowered an iron hook rope, its length just reaching Lance¡¯s right side.


    Tommy and Lance exchanged a nce. With a nod, Tommy released his grip.


    Lance immediately seized the rope with his right hand. Then Klein let go, and Lance¡¯s left hand also clutched the rope.


    With both hands on the rope, they now relied on the others above to pull them up.


    ONE


    pter <b>426 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The uninjured few were already exhausted. They gritted their teeth, almost biting through their gums, and managed to drag them up by a measly three meters.


    Caldwell made it up smoothly, but Tommy and Klein weren¡¯t about to leave.


    They stayed on guard, ready to help if the rope slipped.


    But there was the rub: the folks above couldn¡¯t haul them up, and the ones below had nowhere to foothold. Plus, Marsh was out cold, his head lolling back, worsening his injuries.


    Eugene was frantic. He looked around for any vines to splice together, hoping to use, the tree trunk for leverage.


    But the vines here were thin as a hair, useless for the task.


    The situation was critical. He ignored the pain in his back and clung to Marsh¡¯s waist with all his might.


    But this wasn¡¯t a real solution. They had to get up. Otherwise, everyone would run out of strength and just watch them fall.


    Meanwhile, up in the dense forest above, a group emerged.


    Shielded by trees and shrubs, they could vaguely see the ck¨Cd figures below but couldn¡¯t tell who they were. The numbers didn¡¯t add up, and there was no sign of Lance.


    They spotted the people below dragging a rope.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go check it out,¡± Abbot said.


    With over ten men, even up close, the Dragon Ash Werewolves wouldn¡¯t be an easy target.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move!¡± Stewart agreed. The people below seemed desperate. They should go see what was up.


    Abbot heard footsteps behind him. While clinging to Marsh¡¯s waist, he twisted to look back.


    He saw a grouping down the steep slope. As the leader came into view, Abbot¡¯s blood rushed to his head and he shouted, ¡°Abbot! Abbot, help!¡±


    Abbot was stunned¨Cthe voice was so familiar.


    He ran down the slope and saw the ragged men dragging the rope. The one calling him had a voice he recognized but a face he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯m Eugene!¡± Eugene choked out.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Abbot stumbled forward/tears streaming down his face. ¡°Right here! I¡¯m right here!¡±


    ¡°Are you Eugene? Good grief, it¡¯s really you,¡± Stewart eximed.


    111


    O


    <b>Chapter </b><b>426 </b>


    <b>Alpha </b><b>Lance </b><b>is </b><b>below</b>!¡± Eugene gritted his teeth, not loosening his <b>grip </b><b>for </b>a <b>second</b><b>. </b><b>Help </b><b>us</b>.


    <b>Magnus </b><by </b><b>on </b>the ground gripping the rope, not daring to look back. He was <b>at </b><b>the </b><b>front</b>, his face red with <b>effort</b>. Even hearing <b>his </b>brother Stewart¡¯s voice, he didn¡¯t dare to let go and call out.


    <b>¡°</b>Come on!¡± Stewart shouted. The group rushed forward, recing those below one by one <b>to </b><b>grab </b><b>the </b>


    <b>rope</b>.


    Those relieved copsed to the ground, panting so hard they couldn¡¯t lift a finger.


    With Stewart and Abbot¡¯s team, Lance and Marsh were soon pulled up.


    But scraping against the cliff was unavoidable.


    Lancey on the ground as others carefully untied Marsh.


    Magnus threw himself into Stewart¡¯s arms and wept. ¡°Stewart, I thought I¡¯d never see you again.¡±


    Stewart stood there for a moment.


    When he¡¯d first seen this dark¨Cfaced man, he hadn¡¯t thought it was Magnus. He hadn¡¯t expected¡­


    He hadn¡¯t expected him to still be alive.


    Stewart shoved him away and scrutinized him from head to toe¨Cthough his looks had changed, he recognized him.


    Heughed through tears. ¡°You¡¯ve aged and gotten uglier. What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t just reunion. Check on the others,¡± someone said.


    Lance could barely catch his breath, his hands trembling nonstop.


    After Marsh was lowered from his back, he called out a few times, but Marsh remained unconscious.


    Stewart and Abbot looked at the eleven people before them and tears streamed down their faces¨Cthank goodness, so many were still alive.


    But Marsh¡¯s condition was the most pressing.


    Klein was at a loss. Though skilled in massage, this wasn¡¯t the issue. Marsh¡¯s wounds had clearly be infected, causing a high fever¨Ca grave situation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Victor¡¯s roar echoed from below the cliff. He arrived with his men, but how many could scale this sheer cliff was anyone¡¯s guess.


    ¡°This is Dragon Ash territory. Any intruders will die!¡±


    ¡°Move!¡± Lance struggled to his feet, nced at the fuming Victor below, and ordered, ¡°Quick <b>evacuation</b>.¡± Let them climb. Not many would make it up¨Cthose saplings were almost uprooted. ¡°Alpha Lance!¡± Victor bellowed. ¡°You¡¯re sly. No good faith in negotiations, just tricks?¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    ¡°When your Dragon Ash werewolves invaded the Southern Border, there were no terms discussed, Lance countered.


    He waved his hand. ¡°Farewell, Victor!¡±


    He straightened his back and walked step by step. Naturally, after just a few steps, the people below the cliff could no longer see them.


    After walking for a short distance, Lance¡¯s shoulders slumped, and he waspletely exhausted¨Chis hands seemed not to belong to him anymore and couldn¡¯t even follow the movement of his legs.


    Stewart carried Marsh on his back, and Abbot insisted on carrying Eugene.


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>127 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Eugene¡¯s back wound probably split open again. Before they arrived, he was truly risking his life.


    They climbed up the mountain, down the mountain, and split into teams to cross the grasnd<b>. </b>


    The wind on the grasnd was strong, dispersing the stuffy heat and refreshing them.


    After the grasnd, they had to climb the mountain again.


    It was then that they heard cheers, A crowd swarmed around them.


    The members of the Eugenius scout team cried andughed, the scene before them seeming surreal like a dream. Even the cheers ringing in their cars felt as if they wereing from afar.


    Upon returning to Frostbit,


    as they entered the city, everyone wept.


    Except for the groggy Marsh, the remaining ten individualsy prostrate on the town¡¯s soil, weeping silently.


    This was the homnd of their dreams; they had returned!


    The Southern Border had returned too! What tremendous significance this held for them!


    Even if they died, even if they had no ce to be buried, it was worth it. Everything was worth it.


    Tad, hearing of Lance¡¯s sessful rescue and the return of eleven individuals, rushed over immediately. Lance, slumped in a chair, upon seeing him, said, ¡± Dispatch our best werewolf doctors here at once.¡±


    Tad, appearing unusually excited, replied, ¡°They¡¯ll be here shortly.¡±


    The eleven werewolf warriors present were strangers to him, yet he stepped forward and patted each of their shoulders one by one, ¡°Well done, all of you.¡±


    These individuals had once been werewolf warriors of Alpha Bentley¡¯s legion, followers of Alpha Bentley, and did not recognize Tad.


    Moreover, they were so exhausted that they couldn¡¯t utter a single word; even after sitting down and attempting to stand again, their legs trembled incessantly.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities; please remain seated,¡± Tad said with a smile, ¡°I am proud of each and every one of you.¡±


    After speaking, he instructed Stewart to take care of everyone and turned back to write his report. This report had to be sent to the pce immediately, to inform Lycan Erasmus that under his arrangements, Alpha Lance had been sessfully met and all hostages rescued.


    No one paid attention to what was written in his report; everyone¡¯s hearts were preupie


    1 Marsh


    <b>Chapter </b>127


    The <b>werewolf </b>doctor, after <b>examination</b>, stated that Marsh¡¯s condition was sever, and jew <b>whether </b><b>he </b><b>would </b>pull through. <b>Even </b>if he did, one of his legs would <b>likely </b>never walk grams=0


    were shattered.


    her


    <b>Lance </b>said to the werewolf doctor, ¡°Spare no expense in treating him. If he cannot <b>be </b><b>saved</b>, do everyding possible to alleviate his suffering and prolong his life. I will take him back to the capital to seek treatment from Doctor Digby.¡±


    Eugene, gazing at Tad¡¯s back, pondered, ¡°Did he truly not recognize them, or had he never even heard their names, or was he deliberately pretending not to know?¡±


    Let it be, as Caldwell had said, letting go was better for everyone. The most pressing concern <b>now </b>was Marsh¡¯s condition.


    After the diagnosis, the werewolf doctor, with a grave expression, asked Lance for the medicine he <b>had </b>administered to Marsh and inspected it. He then said, ¡°Thanks to this medicine, he¡¯s managed to hold <b>on </b>this long. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have made it.¡±


    The legion had excellent medicinal supplies, but after the werewolf doctor treated Marsh, he still shook his head and asked Lance to step outside for a private conversation.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, I¡¯ll do my utmost, but at best, I can stabilize him for seven or eight days. The situation is truly uncertain. There¡¯s not a single unharmed spot on him. He¡¯s swollen and festering everywhere. Without the medicine you provided, he wouldn¡¯t havested this long.¡±


    ¡°I still have more of this medicine. If we continue using it along the way, can we stretch it to a month?¡± Lance inquired.


    The werewolf doctor shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s already pushed to its limit to havested this long. It¡¯s impossible to make it to a month.¡±


    Lance frowned. ¡°You¡¯ll apany us back to the capital. I¡¯ll speak with Tad about it.¡±


    The werewolf doctor wiped away his tears. ¡°Agreed. It¡¯s been truly tough. I truly admire his tenacity. His willpower is extraordinary. He must be clinging to the thought of his family, refusing to let go. An ordinary person would likely have given up during the torment.¡±


    Hearing this, Lance felt a sharp pain in his heart.


    Having served on the Southern Border battlefield, especially during the intense early battles, he too had struggled on the brink of life and death.


    Back then, driven by his mission and the promise of marrying Adide, whom Aire had agreed to let him wed, he had resolved to survive and return to marry the woman he had loved for so long.


    It was that very resolve that had sustained him through countless trials.


    After requesting the werewolf doctor to do everything possible, Lance approached Eugene and the others to inquire, ¡°Over these years, who has Marsh spoken of most often? Who does he hold closest to his <b>heart</b>?¡±


    insists that <i>as </i>


    Eugene replied, ¡°He must miss his parents. He often speaks of his mate. Every time he mentions his mate. he smiles, recounting how they once made a list of things to aplish in their lifetime.


    a man, one must keep their promises. Yet now, for the cause of the Southern Border<b>, </b>he f¡¢¡­¡­¡­? he <b>might </b>break those promises. He feels he can face the nation but not his wife.¡±


    As he <b>spoke</b><b>, </b>he <b>squatted </b><b>down </b><b>and </b><b>covered </b><b>his </b><b>face </b><b>with </b>his <b>hands </b>


    <b>After </b>the <b>werewolf </b><b>doctor¡¯s </b>examination, a <b>heavy </b><b>weight </b>pressed on <b>everyone¡¯s </b><b>hearts </b>


    They had hoped that once back in Frostbite Town and under the care of the werewolf doctor, Marsh <b>would </b>recover. But the reality was far graver than anticipated.


    Lance¡¯s eyes, too, turned red.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    He sent Adide a brief encrypted message viamunicator, urging her to drop everything and head to the Southern Border with Marsh¡¯s mate and Digby right away<i>. </i>


    Themunicator, brought from the capital, was meant for quick messages.


    Klein had gear too, but this time, only Digby and Marsh¡¯s mate could help.


    Digby would treat Marsh, and his mate might spark his will to live.


    Sometimes willpower beats all odds; if not, at least they¡¯d meet.


    There was no other option.


    Encrypted messages traveled fast. Ade


    Encrypted messages traveled fast. Adide would likely set off soon, <i>so </i>they must be ready.


    Lance suggested Eugene stay and recover before returning to the capital, but Eugene insisted on apanying Marsh.


    ¡°We have always stuck together. I won¡¯t leave him now,¡± he said firmly.


    Magnus also teared up. ¡°We¡¯ll all stay with him,¡± he pleaded.


    Though injured, Magnus wasn¡¯t badly hurt.


    Stewart had wanted him to rest, thinking Marsh would be treated in Frostbite Town.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll go together,¡± Lance agreed.


    But no one felt joyful.


    Back in Frostbite Town, they were of course happy. The excitement was indescribable. But after the werewolf doctor examined Marsh and said the situation was really bad, no one couldugh anymore.


    Lance approached Tad and requested an army werewolf doctor to apany them, to which Tad immediately agreed¡ªthere were, after all, multiple army werewolf doctors avable.


    Tad had already dispatched his report. Once all the political calctions had settled, he looked at the eleven individuals and felt a growing respect for them, especially upon hearing of Marsh¡¯s critical condition, which filled him with deep concern.


    No matter what, he was, at his core a werewolf general. Even though he had once considered abandoning Eugenius, seeing them return safely stirred excitement within him.


    Heroes deserve admiration unless they threaten your status.


    But these eleven returned safely thanks to both Lance and Tad¡¯s efforts¨CTad had sent Stewart and Abbot, after all.


    <b>Chapter </b>428


    He <b>wanted </b><b>to </b><b>save </b>Marsh too, partly for his <b>own </b>gain¨CMarsh <b>was </b>the <b>Hornbeam </b>Park Alpha <b>Tad¡¯s </b><b>position </b>in <b>the </b>military <b>was </b>shaky. He needed strong pack <b>support</b>.


    <b>He </b>hadn¡¯t expected Eugene to be part of the Eugenius Scout Team.


    Gloria had mated again. As a distant rtive, Tad didn¡¯t know how to face Eugene and chose <b>to </b>pretend not to recognize him¨Cafter all, their rtionship was now nonexistent.


    In the capital, at the ckthorn Pack, Adide was jolted awake by Avery¡¯s loud knocking.


    The force almost shattered the door, and his shout, tinged with a wolf¨Chowl, echoed through the <b>night</b><b>, </b>¡°Adide, it¡¯s urgent!¡±


    Avery, usually respectful, now stood at her door. His formality suggested grave news.


    The nds in Adide¡¯s neck tightened abruptly, and the alpha aura of the Frostfang Alpha dispersed her sleepiness in an instant.


    She quickly dressed as Beata opened the outer door, her silver¨Ctipped ears still fuzzy from sleep.


    Avery entered and said, ¡°I just received an emergency message from Alpha Lance. We need to find Doctor Digby and Marsh¡¯s mate immediately.¡±


    Adide took themunicator, which read, ¡°Rescue sessful, but Marsh is badly hurt. Bring Doctor Digby and his mate to Frostbite Town at once.¡±


    ¡°Marsh? Eugenius is Marsh? Not Eugene?¡± she thought.


    ¡°Avery, ready the carriage. Pack supplies. I¡¯m leaving the capital,¡± she ordered.


    She told an omega, Jasmine, to pack practical clothes and fetch her deputymander¡¯s decree.


    Paisley, discussing with Prisci, heard themotion and rushed over. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡± she asked.


    Adide said, ¡°Paisley, go to Digby¡¯s medical center and get Doctor Digby. Tell him someone¡¯s critically injured and I need him in Frostbite Town. I¡¯m heading to the Hornbeam Pack to find Lte.¡±


    She handed Paisley the message and went to change.


    After reading it, Paisley jumped with joy but then grew solemn, ¡°I¡¯ll get Doctor Digby right away.¡±


    Dressed, Adide and Beata headed to the Hornbeam Pack.


    ¡°Beata, what time is it?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Ten p.m.,¡± Beata replied, both nervous and emotional. ¡°Adide, will Marsh be alright?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Adide said resolutely. ¡°Speed is crucial.¡±


    This was why she insisted on leaving immediately¨Cnot a second to lose. Every moment¡¯s dy increased Marsh¡¯s peril.


    1


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 429

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    At 10 p.m., the Hornbeam Pack was already settled for the night.


    Adide¡¯s visit at this hour stirred everyone from their sleep.


    Luna Madeline knew Adide had once aided Lte and even had her bring gifts to thank her. But why thete¨Cnight call?


    ¡°Get dressed quickly, no time for talk,¡± Alpha Theodore said, already dressed andbed, treating Adide¡¯s visit with utmost seriousness.


    Alpha Theodore was tall and naturally authoritative.


    The Packhouse gates opened to wee Adide.


    After greetings and offers of coffee and pastries, Adide waved them off, scanning the room for Lte.


    Seeing no sign of her, she said, ¡°I need Lte for an urgent matter. Have her pack ande with me to Frostbite Town.¡±


    Everyone froze¨CFrostbite Town?


    Alpha Theodore¡¯s eldest son, Leonidas, quickly spoke up. ¡°Luna Adide, Lte has seldom left the house since Marsh¡¯s passing. Is there truly no one else who can go on thiste¨Cnight journey? If not, I¡¯ll go in her stead.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quitete¡­¡± another chimed in.


    Adide interrupted, ¡°Send someone to her now. I¡¯ll exin once she¡¯s ready.¡±


    Noting her grave expression, Alpha Theodore dispatched his most efficient omega to assist Lte in packing and bring her forth.


    As soon as the omega left, Adide exined, ¡°Lance went to Frostbite Town to negotiate with <i>the </i>Dragon Ash Werewolves over a scout named Eugenius. Eugenius, our kingdom¡¯s escaped prisoner, has been passing us intelligence from the Southern Border. But he was captured recently, and the Dragon Ash werewolves sought <i>to </i>exchange him for Frostbite Town.¡±


    Adide¡¯s words quickened the room¡¯s breathing as all eyes turned to her.


    ¡°So Lycan Erasmus sent Alpha Lance to Frostbite Town. The official reason was negotiations, but secretly, it was a rescue mission. Eugenius has been brought back to Frostbite Town and confirmed to be Marsh, though he¡¯s badly hurt. Lance just called me on the emergencymunicator. He wants Doctor Digby and Lte toe along. We need to leave town tonight, no dys.¡±


    ¡°Oh my!¡±


    Luna Madeline trembled with emotion. Overjoyed yet heartbroken at her son¡¯s peril, she insisted, ¡°I¡¯ll go


    too.¡±


    Leonidas steadied her. ¡°Mother, you stay. I¡¯ll apany Lte?


    His voice wavered with tears. ¡°I¡¯ll go as well, Alpha Theodore dered, his tone trembling yet reste


    He forced a smile, eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Well done, Marsh, We¡¯re bringing you home?


    As a stalwart member of the Royal Council, Alpha Theodore had once contained his grief when his son¡¯s death was reported.


    But now, learning his son lived, tears streamed freely.


    Adide said, ¡°As a Royal Council member, you can¡¯t leave the capital easily. Leonidas, however, can go


    Leonidas, holding a minor post in the Royal Guard, could easily take leave.


    He rose immediately. ¡°I¡¯ll pack now, Father. I¡¯ll sort out the leave tomorrow<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Luna Madeline wept openly, even kneeling before Adide. ¡°Please, ensure Doctor Digby apanies us I know he rarely travels this far, but we must ask him.¡±


    She knew Doctor Digby didn¡¯t usually make house calls, especially to such a distant ce. They didn¡¯t have enough influence to persuade him, so they had to ask Adide for help.


    Adide reassured her, ¡°Doctor Digby wille. Marsh is gravely injured in the line of duty. Digby won¡¯t stand idly by.¡±


    Turning to Alpha Theodore, she urged, ¡°We must hurry.¡±


    ¡°Quickly, send someone right away.¡± Alpha Theodoremanded.


    Unaware of the unfolding events, Lte only knew Adide wished to take her to Frostbite Town.


    She was familiar with the town¡¯s location and the route from the capital to the Southern Border, having studied it countless times.


    Perhaps sharing a link with her mate, she sensed something amiss and quickly had her belongings ready.


    The only time she¡¯d run like this was when Marsh left for war, and she chased after him, eager for one more glimpse of his retreating figure.


    Now, she ran again, knowing it was for her mate, who might still be alive.


    In her heart, she never truly believed Marsh was dead, for she¡¯d not seen his body.


    Despite years of silence, she clung to this belief in secret, too afraid to voice it and risk disappointment.


    She just needed to hold on to that hope to keep living.


    ?


    <b>Chapter </b><b>430 </b>


    Chapter <b>430 </b>

 Novel Male 430

    Chapter <b>430 </b>


    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    <b>On </b><b>her </b><b>way </b>to the packhouse conference hall, she noticed Adide and everyone else staring <b>at </b><b>her </b><b>with </b>tearful eyes.


    Her heart sank¨Cshe knew things weren¡¯t as simple as they¡¯d hoped.


    Leonidas, already packed and ready, announced, ¡°Lte¡¯s here. We¡¯re leaving now.¡±


    His mate approached Lte, hugged her, and tearfully urged, ¡°Be careful on the road and bring <b>Marsh </b>back.¡±


    Lte¡¯s lips trembled as she asked, ¡°H¨Che¡¯s not dead, is he?¡±


    Adide took her hand and said, ¡°We¡¯ll talk as we


    walk.¡±


    Lte, tears streaming down her face, didn¡¯t slow her pace, managing to keep up with Adide.


    In the dead of night, Paisley knocked on the Digby Medical Center¡¯s door, where Doctor Digby lived on the second floor.


    He was a creature of habit, strictly adhering to an early¨Cto¨Cbed, early¨Cto¨Crise routine.


    By the time Paisley arrived, he had been fast asleep for hours. Even the best physicians have a bit of <i>a </i>temper upon waking. When informed it was Paisley from the ckthorn Pack, he threw on his clothes and descended the stairs..


    ring at Paisley, he warned, ¡°You better have a good reason, or I won¡¯t treat you.¡±


    Paisley exined, ¡°Sorry to disturb you, Doctor Digby, but Alpha Lance sent an urgent message. He wants Adide to bring you to Frostbite Town to treat Marsh.¡±


    ¡°Marsh?¡±


    Doctor Digby froze for a moment, recalling the supposed¨Cto¨Cbe¨Cmartyred son of the Hornbeam Pack.


    His wolf ears quivered with urgency, and his fingertips instinctively extended half¨Cinch wolf ws as he mentioned the wound medicine. ¡°Han, Mason, pack up ande with me. Bring the best wolf venom serum and¡­¡±


    He paused, a sh of pain crossing his wolf eyes before being reced by determination. ¡°Bring the moonlight grass too.¡±


    Soon, the doctor¡¯s cold fir and herbal pheromones had already settled in the ckthorn Pack¡¯s courtyard.


    He sat on a stone bench, and this seasoned doctor¡¯s wait was never an anxious pace back and forth but rather like a dormant wolf, coiled and ready.


    Before Adide set off, her cedar pheromones carried theposure unique to an Alpha.


    Holding Lance¡¯s message, she found Prisci and said, ¡°Tomorrow, you¡¯ll go to the pce and give this


    <b>Chapter </b><b>430 </b>


    <bmunicator </b><b>to </b><b>Lycan </b>Erasmus. Remember <b>to </b><b>tell </b>him that <b>our </b><b>signal¡¯s </b>stable<b>, </b><b>and </b><b>given </b><b>the </b>emergency that¡¯s <b>why </b>I <b>left </b>the capital in the dead of night.¡±


    Is this really necessary<b>?</b>¡±


    Prisci, as carefree as a wolf basking in the sun, questioned. ¡°With the urgency, I could just <b>exin </b><bter </b>We¡¯re talking about a rescue mission¡­¡±


    Adide cut her off, her cedar pheromones suddenly condensing into an undeniable authority<b>, </b><b>her </b>vertical pupils shing a silver streak under the candlelight. ¡°It¡¯s necessary. Very necessary. Do <b>as </b><b>I </b><b>say</b>. <b>Go </b>to the pce first thing tomorrow. Don¡¯t dy.¡±


    She turned to Susan, the back of her neck warming slightly from the emphasis, ¡°Make sure she does <b>it</b><b>. </b>Thanks.¡±


    Susan¡¯s chamomile pheromones shrank slightly under Adide¡¯s aura, her ears twitching softly <b>as </b>she promised loudly, ¡°Luna Adide, rest assured. Prisci will go to the pce tomorrow and report to <b>Lycan </b>Erasmus exactly as you said.¡±


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m off.¡± Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones sharpened like an unsheathed sword. She knew Susan¡¯s promises under aura were always kept.


    With that, she turned and left, her wolf boots making a steady sound on the stone pavement.


    Prisci wanted to ask more. Looking at the Alpha¡¯s sharpness in her back, she muttered, ¡°She¡¯s like a fighting male wolf, not hiding her ws at all.¡±


    Susan defended Adide, ¡°Prisci, that¡¯s called being decisive. Besides, not just any male wolf canpare to our Luna Adide.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    Prisci nced at her. ¡°Back when Lance wanted to mate with her, you opposed it the most. Now you seem utterly charmed.¡±


    Susan imitated Prisci¡¯s prideful manner, ¡°Now, whoever crosses Luna Adide is crossing me. I won¡¯t let them off easily.¡±


    <i>¡°</i>Oh, so you¡¯ve grown some backbone?¡±


    Susanughed. ¡°How could I not? Luna Adide is so capable; I have to step up my game. Anyway, if I¡¯m not up to par, I¡¯ve still got you, Prisci, backing me up, right?¡±


    Prisci snorted. ¡°That Adide¡¯s nothing but a little enchantress<b>, </b>captivating everyone¨CLance, you, even


    me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got you too,¡± Susan teased. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get some rest. We¡¯ve got to go to the pce early tomorrow.¡± Prisci insisted, ¡°I¡¯m not going, Whoever wants to can go. How dare she <i>try </i>to order me around?¡± Susan, unfazed, kept preparing the bedding and asked someone to turn on the air conditioning.


    She shared a room with Prisci, which had her own small bed.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>3:06 </b>Sat, <b>26 </b><b>Jul </b>


    Prisci hated the heat but loved sleeping in a cool room with a nket.


    45FIM COM


    ¡°Wear that new crimson dress tomorrow. It¡¯s made this summer, brand¨Cnew. Show it off at the pce to Lycan rissa,¡± Prisci told Susan before bed.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Susan took the dress out of the closet and ced it aside for easy ess tomorrow. Though she said she wouldn¡¯t go, deep down, she treated this as her top priority.

 Novel Male 431

    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Adide¡¯s group departed in two batches.


    Leonidas<b>, </b><b>Avery</b>, and Digby left first in a jeep.


    Paisley and Adide weren¡¯t incapable of driving an off¨Croad vehicle, but Lte couldn¡¯t <b>endure </b>a <b>long </b>journey in one and had to apany Adide in a morefortable minivan.


    Traveling overnight was a novel experience for Lte. In fact, she rarely veritured far from home<b>, </b>especially to a ce as distant as Frostbite Town.


    She wasn¡¯t nervous, but filled with worry. During the drive, Adide filled <i>her </i>in on the whole situation.


    Lte didn¡¯t shed another tear¨C his strength would be her strength.


    The car journey was rough. The road was bumpy, and the rushed trip was torturous for Lte.


    The bumpy ride proved taxing. After half an hour, noticing Lte¡¯s pallor and her hand clutching her chest, Adide asked, ¡°Are you carsick? Shall I ask the driver to slow down?¡±


    Lte waved her hand. ¡°No, don¡¯t slow down. I can¡¯t wait to get to Frostbite Town. Despite appearances<b>, </b><b>I </b>can endure hardship.¡±


    Adide retrieved some plum candy from her bag. ¡°Try this. It might help.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Lte popped a piece into her mouth. The sweet¨Csour tang eased her nausea.


    In Frostbite Town, Lance had his car modified with a soft pad for Marsh to lie t and cushion the pain from the bumps.


    A military doctor traveled with them, fanning him and monitoring his condition.


    Tad, who had kept a low profile until now, emerged to see them off He prepared the best off¨Croad vehicle for them.


    He didn¡¯t exchange nces with Eugene, who simply bid farewell and boarded the vehicle.


    As Eugene prepared to leave, Tad called out, ¡°Eugene!¡±


    Eugene turned. ¡°How may I assist you, Alpha Tad?¡±


    Tad, noting Eugene¡¯s weathered appearance, felt a pang of sadness. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re alive.¡±


    Eugene smiled. ¡°Thank you. Farewell.¡±


    Seeing Eugene sit in the car despite his injuries, moving nimbly with good posture and a straight back, it was clear his charm remained!


    Tad actually admired Eugene the most, but it¡¯s a pity that the bond between him and Gloria has han


    severed.


    Stewart and Abbot <b>escorted </b>them to <b>Frostbite </b>Town<b>. </b>With <b>no </b>ongoing conflict, th an issue. Tad didn¡¯t hold them back<b>, </b>understatiding the brothers desire to reunite after yer


    Safe <b>travels</b>, <b>Alpha </b>Lance,¡± Thd called out. Lance waved without turning back <b>and </b>drove off.


    <b>Klein </b>wouldn¡¯t linger in Frostbite Town but would head straight back to the <b>Shadow </b><b>Peaks </b><b>For </b>now, then routes <b>aligned</b>.


    Due to Marsh¡¯s condition, they traveled slowly.


    Klein and Lance sat upfront.


    <b>¡°</b>Without wars on the Southern Border, things would be better. But if war breaks out, Tad <b>would </b><b>surely </b>fail,¡± Klein remarked, his keen insight piercing Lance¡¯s thoughts,


    He¡¯s met Tad only a few times, but he can instantly tell if someone¡¯s weak or strong, cowardly or confident<b>, </b>or a mix of these traits.


    Tadcks the confidence amander should have. His confidence is feigned, revealing an inner weakness<b>. </b>


    Lance acknowledged Tad¡¯s tendency to seek glory. ¡°He¡¯s good at seizing the spotlight. In the capital, he avoids controversy. He¡¯s umted some military merits, probably through luck.¡±


    ¡°Of course, he¡¯s good at grabbing credit. Otherwise, why would Lycan Erasmus value him? He¡¯s easy to control¨Cno real talent, so he doesn¡¯t overstep. The more he does, the more mistakes he makes. Even <i>a </i>fool knows that,¡± Klein added.


    Lance smirked at Klein¡¯s sharp tongue.


    From here to Frostbite Town, Lance could make it in a day driving fast, but at their current speed, it¡¯d take four or five days.


    Coincidentally, it also takes about four or five days to drive from the capital to Frostbite Town at a fast pace, so the timings align.


    Throughout the journey, everyone¡¯s mood was heavy, constantly worrying about Marsh¡¯s condition.


    His high fever persisted, and though the doctor used portable treatment equipment and medicine¡ªgiving him fever¨Creducers and applying ointments¨Cthe effects were minimal.


    Even Doctor Digby¡¯s medicine, while slightly more effective than conventional drugs, couldn¡¯t significantly improve his condition.


    Marsh asionally regained consciousness, weakly asking, ¡°Are we back in our territory?¡±


    Upon confirmation, he would manage a faint smile before slipping back into delirium.


    The military doctor noted that prolonged high fever could cause confusion and memory <b>issues</b>¨Cnormal physiological responses.

 Novel Male 432

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance let Tommy drive the modified jeep and stayed by Marsh¡¯s side.


    #5 Free Coint


    Even as Marsh slipped into unconsciousness, his neck nds pale from blood loss, Lance gently cradled his hand with his warm palm. His white musk pheromones seeped into Marsh¡¯s cold skin like warm water.


    In a soothing tone, he described the rejuvenating Southern Border ins and the amusing antics of his pups learning to hunt. The calming elements in his voice, like moon grass sap, <i>softened </i>the tension.


    When he mentioned Marsh¡¯s mate was on her way, a faint tendernessced his white musk. ¡°She¡¯ll be here soon. You¡¯ll embrace under the full moon.¡±


    At these words, Marsh¡¯s chaotic pheromones steadied, hisbored breathing syncing with Lance¡¯s voice<b>. </b>


    asionally, he¡¯d struggle to open his eyes, the white film over his wolf pupils thinning slightly, a flicker of hope¨Ca desire for reunion¨Clighting his gaze.


    This injured werewolf warrior, relying purely on the indomitable resilience deep within his wolf spirit, clung stubbornly to hisst breath.


    It was the warrior¡¯s obsession with life and reunion that, like a candle flickering in the wind, burned obstinately under Lance¡¯s pheromone reassurance.


    As they neared Frostbite Town¨Csixty to seventy miles remained¨Cthe group was forced to halt.


    Marsh¡¯s breaths grew shallow and irregr, his vital signs fading.


    The military doctor, exhausted his repertoire, nced at Lance with resignation. ¡°I¡¯ve done all I can. We¡¯ve reinforced treatments twice today. I can¡¯t continue.¡±


    The Eugenius Scout Team stood together, hearts heavy.


    They couldn¡¯t bear to look at Marsh¨Chis emaciated, scarred figure was too painful to witness.


    Lance turned to Klein, his eyes questioning.


    Klein sighed. ¡°This is ourst option. If you channel your wolf energy to stabilize his vitals, if we don¡¯t reach Frostbite Town within an hour¨Cwhether we make it or not, and Digby isn¡¯t there¨CMarsh is beyond saving.¡±


    Lance nodded, sorrow etched in his gaze. ¡°I know. Even if we reach the medical station and Digby arrives, if he has no other solutions, the oue remains the same.¡±


    ¡°Rushing seventy miles in an hour is risky. His body might not withstand the speed,¡± Klein added.


    Silence fell.


    The main roads here were far from smooth. The Southern Border, scarred <i>by </i>war, was riddled with potholes. Driving here was nerve¨Cwracking, with the constant fear of overturning.


    Chapter <b>432 </b>


    <b>Even </b><b>at </b>slow speeds, the journey was perilous. Speeding up would be even <b>more </b>dangerous.


    If the vehicle overturned, Marsh would almost certainly not survive.


    ¡°Let¡¯s proceed with this n,¡± Klein said.


    ¡°Have two people lie in the vehicle, cushioned by soft pads. Marsh can rest atop them. Those <b>below </b><b>must </b>use their strength to absorb shocks and keep himfortable.¡±


    Everyone stepped forward, volunteering, ¡°Let me lie at the bottom.¡±


    Caldwell nced at the crowd¨Csome injured, others exhausted¨Cand pulled Tommy aside, saying, <b>¡°</b><b>We¡¯ll </b>do it.¡±


    ¡°We can do it¡­¡± others persisted.


    Caldwell raised a hand for silence, ¡°No more arguments. It¡¯s us. If trouble hits, Tommy and I are quick enough to get us out of it.¡±


    His words settled the dispute¨CCaldwell and Tommy were indeed the most agile.


    Lance sat down, and the white musk pheromones around him suddenly turned into <i>a </i>gentle warmth. He released his Alpha life energy.


    A faint golden energy halo flowed out from his palms and slowly transferred into Marsh¡¯s body through contact with the nds in his neck.


    The energy,pressed into thin threads, flowed into Marsh like a trickling stream.


    Lance¡¯s focused golden eyes trembled slightly with each energy push, apanied by heavy breathing.


    The Alpha energy prioritized protecting Marsh¡¯s heart and neck nds, stimting his heartbeat and following the werewolf¡¯s unique blood flow to reach every limb.


    Like a resilient silver thread, the energy stream connected Marsh¡¯s nearly copsed bodily functions. After the transfer, Lance¡¯s breathing was visibly disordered, and the golden halo dimmed.


    ¡°This is a high¨Crisk gamble. We must reach the Frostbite Town medical station within the hour. Even if we -make it on time, we can¡¯t be sure Digby¡¯s there,¡± he said, his white musk tinged with fatigue.


    ¡°True, with Marsh¡¯s mate along, their speed might be slower,¡± Magnus added, his pheromones heavy with worry.


    Lance shook his head, trust firm in his voice. ¡°No, they¡¯d depart in batches. Adide would ensure everything¡¯s arranged.¡±

 Novel Male 433

    Chapter <b>433 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Caldwell and Tommyy in a custom¨Cmade off¨Croad vehicle. A thick, soft cushion was spread over them. and everyone carefully lifted Marsh on top. Tommy and Caldwell each extended <b>an </b>arm, firmly <b>protecting </b>Marsh¡¯s body.


    The life¨Cand¨Cdeath adventuremenced, with the convoy setting off instantly.


    Given three people were already in the car, to gain switch to another vehicle.


    ed, the Legion werewolf doctor had <b>to </b>exit and


    Caldwell would signal to stop at once if anything happened, allowing the doctor to check on Marsh.


    The car was sweltering. With a soft cushion over them and Marsh on top, sweat quickly drenched their clothes.


    Before long, their hair was soaked too, sticking annoyingly to their skin. It was itchy and ufortable, yet they couldn¡¯t scratch it. The difort was agonizing.


    The driver outside asionally cracked the window a bit to let in some air but couldn¡¯t keep it open long- Marsh, with a high fever, couldn¡¯t be exposed to wind.


    The driver stepped hard on the elerator, speeding up the vehicle.


    On the bumpy road, the car sometimes shook violently and sometimes jolted heavily.


    But with the two using their arms to hold tight, Marsh was rtively less affected.


    Caldwell would check Marsh¡¯s pulse from time to time. As long as it was beating, he could ease a little.


    Meanwhile, Avery led Doctor Digby and his group toward Frostbite Town.


    A sudden storm trapped them a hundred miles away from the town.


    Worried about Digby¡¯s health, Mason suggested stopping to take shelter from the rain. ¡°We¡¯ve been moving at full speed. At this rate, we¡¯ll definitely reach the medical station in Frostbite Town before them. If we stop now to wait out the rain and then continue, we¡¯ll still make it in time,¡± she said.


    But Doctor Digby¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°We must keep moving. It¡¯s better for us to arrive early and wait than to keep them waiting for us,¡± he insisted.


    Leonidas wiped away tears. ¡°Thank you, Doctor Digby. Everyone of the Hornbeam Pack will remember your kindness,¡± he said.


    Digby put on his waterproof jacket. Despite his clothes being soaked, he said firmly, ¡°Enough talk. Let¡¯s go! As long as the vehicle can move, we won¡¯t stop.¡±


    Lightning split the night sky, apanied by thunder.


    Dark clouds filled the sky, and heavy rain poured down.


    111


    Chapter <b>433 </b>


    <b>Several </b><b>off</b>¨Croad vehicles traveler on the main road, struggling to navigate <b>through </b>the storm


    It was truly different over a short distance. Perhaps even the Moon Goddess pitied Lance¡¯s group, as it didn¡¯t rain on their side.


    They finally arrived at the border medical station as the sky turnedpletely dark.


    Lance jumped out of the car and rushed in. The medical station staff greeted him. He immediately showed his military pass and asked anxiously, ¡°Have any doctors arrived early?¡±


    The station chief responded, ¡°No doctors have arrived ahead of schedule so far.¡±


    Lance felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, his blood seeming to freeze¨Chis <b>greatest </b>fear hade true.


    Marsh had barely made it here, but Doctor Digby hadn¡¯t arrived yet.


    When the others entered, they stood there stunned.


    Although they had anticipated this possibility, they had still held onto a sliver of hope.


    Now, that hope was shattered.


    ¡°Settle him in first, carry him into the treatment room,¡± Lance said after taking a deep breath.


    Everyone quickly helped lift Marsh into the treatment room of the medical station.


    Once he was settled, the Legion werewolf doctor checked his pulse and inserted a pill into his mouth with a serious expression.


    However, Marsh¡¯s condition remained critical.


    It was now dark, and given the weather, they likely wouldn¡¯t travel at night.


    Plus, with lightning and thunder outside, a heavy rainstorm was imminent.


    With darkness and rain, the chances of continuing the journey were almost zero.


    So, it would likely take until tomorrow for Doctor Digby and his group to arrive.


    As they spoke, the downpour began, and the rain seemed to extinguish thest spark of hope in everyone¡¯s hearts.


    They had given their all, and it was hard <i>to </i>ept this oue.


    They all stood by Marsh¡¯s bedside, watching his breath grow weaker.


    Marsh forced his eyes open, but his vision was blurry and unfocused. He couldn¡¯t see the people in front of him clearly.


    Yet, he could sense that his battle¨Chardenedrades were by his side.


    He tried to smile, but the simple act required all his remaining strength.


    <b>13:06 </b>Sat, <b>26 </b><b>Jul </b>


    s


    He couldn¡¯t even lift the corners of his mouth¨Cnot from pain, but because his body waspletely numb.


    No one spoke; to open their mouths might mean to give in to sobs.


    Eugene, suppressing his sorrow, whispered in his car after a long while, ¡°Marsh, we¡¯re all here. Hold on. Your mate will be here soon.¡±


    Marsh had truly done his utmost. This time, not even hearing the word ¡°mate<i>¡± </i>could spark a resurgence of life in him.


    His eyes slowly closed, and his breathing grew fainter.


    A pall of grief spread through the room.


    .


    Suddenly, Lance and Klein rushed outside together¨Cthey had heard the sound of a car engine.

 Novel Male 434

    Third <b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    Doctor Digby <b>was </b>still in the backseat when someone picked him up and rushed into the medical station


    He felt dizzy. When he came to, he was already on the ground, standing in front of Marsh¡¯s bedside.


    He turned his head, wanting to see who had carried him in, and heard Lance¡¯s urgent voice, ¡°Doctor <b>Digby</b><b>, </b>quickly, take a look at him!¡±


    Everyone looked at Digby with hoping and tearful eyes¨Che had finally arrived, the highly¨Cskilled <b>doctor</b>.


    Ten people immediately gathered around, tearfully begging, ¡°Please, Doctor Digby, save him!¡±


    Mason had alreadye in carrying a medicine box.


    With just one nce at Marsh¡¯s condition, Doctor Digby knew the top priority was to <b>stabilize </b>his <b>vital </b>signs.


    He took out the Cente nt, shaved off a piece, and handed it to Lance, ¡°Soften it a bit.¡±


    Lance took it and gave it a squeeze. The hard leaves quickly became soft.


    Doctor Digby immediately put the herb into Marsh¡¯s mouth¨Cbut it could only temporarily sustain his vital signs.


    Mason handed over the medical box with the wolf¨Chead emblem. Doctor Digby took out three specially- made syringes filled with a silver¨Cblue¨Cglowing liquid.


    This was a special medicine made from the essence of moonlight grass and silver elements.


    He signaled his assistant to remove Marsh¡¯s clothes. The werewolf battle marking on Marsh¡¯s chest had lost its color, and the nds on the back of his neck were twitching slightly due to toxin erosion.


    Digby urately targeted the arterial nodes on Marsh¡¯s neck and chest. His wolf ws, pressing on the injection spots, instinctively retracted their sharpness.


    The Legion werewolf doctor hurried over, his pheromones carrying anxious sulfur. ¡°Doctor Digby, his blood pressure is already at the danger level. Injecting strong medicine into key arteries might cause blood vessels to burst.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s very dangerous, but without this; there¡¯s no chance at all,¡± said Digby without turning his head.


    His injection actions were as steady as a rock. ¡°His self¨Chealing system has shut down. Fortunately, the millennium moonlight grass can stabilize his wolf soul¡­..¡±


    Digby didn¡¯t finish his sentence and reached for the kingfisher, demanding, ¡°Cardiac gel, now!¡±


    A tube of blue¨Cglowing bio¨Cgel was handed to him. Digby frowned at the slightly congealed g temperature and turned to Lance, his pheromones suddenly sharp. ¡°Activate it! Hurry!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Lance¡¯s palm radiated Alpha¨Cspecific heat, pressing on the gel tube¡¯s thermostat. A ¡°click¡± <b>triggered </b>


    e <b>to </b><b>low </b>


    <b>173 </b>


    Chapter <b>434 </b>


    the <b>heating </b>reaction.


    <b>Mason </b>took the disinfected dedicated injection gun and slowly pushed the melted gel <b>in</b><b>. </b><b>Marsh</b>¡® chest suddenly rose and fell more distinctly, and his dying wolf pupil even flickered with a hint <b>of </b><b>light</b>.


    Outside, Han, Leonidas, and Avery, who were parking the car, rushed in,


    Leonidas tried to move to the bedside, but Doctor Digby stopped him, ¡°Just say a word to him<b>, </b><b>let </b><b>him </b>know you¡¯re here, then wait outside,¡± he said.


    Seeing his brother like this, Leonidas felt like his heart was being pierced by countless needles.


    He cried, ¡°Marsh, it¡¯s me, Leonidas. I¡¯m here.¡±


    His cries somewhat uplifted Marsh, who opened his eyes with a glimmer of light.


    But he was too exhausted, his willpower drained.


    Now, he could only rely on Doctor Digby¡¯s skills and medicine.


    Though Digby¡¯s temper was sometimes foul, especially in critical moments, he ordered everyone <b>except </b>Mason and Han to step back five paces, not to interfere with the treatment.


    The three,ter joined by the Legion werewolf doctor, cleaned Marsh¡¯s wounds together<b>¨C</b>scraping off <b>pus</b>, washing the wounds clean, and applying ointment.


    His ten fingers were badly swollen. A gentle press


    would squeeze out pus


    and blood.


    Such a cleaning process was undoubtedly excruciating. Marsh trembled in pain, tears streaming down. Everyone couldn¡¯t bear to watch¨Cjust imagining it was unbearable.


    Leonidas rested his elbow on the doorframe, burying his face in his arm, silently weeping.


    He couldn¡¯t and didn¡¯t dare to watch¨Ceach scrape pained Marsh and his heart equally.


    He was d Lte wasn¡¯t there. Seeing this might have caused her to faint from grief.


    Hearing the muffled sobs, Doctor Digby snapped, ¡°Cry outside if you must! He¡¯s fighting with all he¡¯s got. Who are you showing your weakness to?¡±


    Everyone immediately quieted, swallowing their sobs.


    Only Lance knew the worse Digby¡¯s temper, the graver the situation.


    It took a full three hours to clean all the wounds, rinse them, and apply medicine.


    Digby wrote two prescriptions: one for wound¨Ccleaning solution and another for oral medicine.


    Mason and Han had brought herbs on their backs.


    The medical station staff immediately used heating equipment to decoct the medicine.


    Mason and Han stayed close<b>, </b>watching every step.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>13:06 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>26 </b>Jul


    15 Free Cone


    The wound¨Ccleaning solution was delivered to the room, left to cool naturally, while the oral medicine had to be fed to Marsh spoon by spoon.

 Novel Male 435

    Chapter <b>435 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    That night, except for Klein, no one got any sleep.


    They were all absolutely exhausted. But Doctor Digby had said the night was critical.


    If Marsh could make it through, he¡¯d have at least a ten percent chance of survival.


    Ten percent¨Cit was a slim hope, but it was enough to make everyone anxious and eager, yet also tormented.


    Doctor Digby simplyy down on the ground and fell asleep. The journey had left him utterly drained.


    Han and Mason took turns keeping watch, each for an hour.


    During the night, they administered medicine five times.


    Starting with just two small spoonfuls each time, by the fifth round, they managed to get half a bowl down Marsh¡¯s throat.


    This night dragged on interminably, each moment a torment like being roasted over a fire<b>. </b>


    They kept ncing out the window, wishing the sun would hurry up and rise.


    Around two in the morning, Doctor Digby woke up and helped reduce Marsh¡¯s fever.


    His eyes were puffy, and he lookedpletely worn out.


    Leonidas mentioned that they had been driving nonstop and only managed a quick hour¡¯s rest at a service area before pushing on again.


    For the young ones, it might have been manageable, but Doctor Digby was in his fifties or sixties and was really struggling.


    Before dawn, after taking Marsh¡¯s temperature again, Doctor Digby told everyone, ¡°He¡¯s made it through the night. But don¡¯t get too hopeful. The fever breaking just shows the treatment is working, but the extent of its effectiveness still needs to be observed. He definitely won¡¯t be moving anytime soon. If any of you want to head back to the capital, feel free. If you¡¯re staying, help out with chores around the medical station instead of just standing around, making even me nervous.¡±


    On hearing this, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief¨Cit was one hurdle ovee!


    After daybreak, Klein prepared to leave.


    He needed to get back to the Shadow Peaks for rent¨Ccollection, which couldn¡¯t be dyed.


    Lance fetched the car keys for him. Klein patted his shoulder and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll pull through. Lance¡¯s eyes lit up, and he asked, ¡°Really? How can you be so sure?¡±


    Klein took the keys, sat in the car expressionlessly, and tossedin a casual remark before driving off, ¡°I


    <b>1/3 </b>


    13:07 Sat, 26 JUN


    <b>Chapter </b><b>435 </b>


    <b>dozed </b>off for <b>a </b><b>bit </b>and hard a dream.¡±


    <b>Lance </b>smiled helplessly and shouted to his departing car, ¡°Thanks, Kleint


    The rain¨Cwashed highway didn¡¯t stir a speck of dust, with only the sound of the car engine fading into the distance as Klein¡¯s vehicle slowly vanished from sight.


    Lance stood at the medical station¡¯s entrance for a while before sitting down


    He missed Adide and wondered how many more days it would take for her to arrive.


    Everyone has moments of vulnerability. He didn¡¯t want Adide to see him like this, but right now, he really wished she were by his side.


    Even just watching her and holding her hand would bring himfort.


    Leaning against the medical station¡¯s door frame, he fell asleep.


    Inside the station, people were sprawled out, sleeping wherever they could.


    Once the tension eased, exhaustion hit.


    Leonidas was finally allowed to sit by his brother¡¯s bedside. Looking at the wounds and swelling on his face, and touching his emaciated arms, tears streamed down Leonidas¡¯s face<b>. </b>


    But Doctor Digby forbade crying in the room, so he kept wiping his tears, over and over.


    Marsh was asleep¨Cwhether in aa or truly sleeping, no one knew. But since Doctor Digby said he was sleeping, everyone chose <i>to </i>believe it.


    Digby, seeing the room full of people sleeping in all sorts of positions, was both amused and touched.


    There were plenty of rooms with beds and bedding in the medical station, yet they insisted on staying here with Marsh.


    On the third day, Doctor Digby announced that Marsh had passed another critical phase. He had gone three days without a high fever. Though still running a low¨Cgrade f¨¦ver, it was a sign of progress.


    Everyone¡¯s spirits lifted briefly<i>, </i>but Digby quickly tempered their hopes, ¡°A low fever can still be deadly.¡±


    His words froze the smiles on their faces.


    And he wasn¡¯t exaggerating. The low fever persisted for several days, leaving Marsh in a constant state of grogginess. He barely regained consciousness.


    It wasn¡¯t until the seventh day of Doctor Digby¡¯s arrival at the medical station that Adide and the others finally made it.


    Twelve days from the capital to Frostbite Town was already quite fast, but the journey had been fraught with ¡®dys due to several days of rain.


    Paisley, usually in robust health, fell ill after getting caught in the rain.


    Lte had been severely carsick the entire trip, barely holding on by sheer willpower.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Upon arriving at the medical station and stepping out of the car, Lte copsed to her knees.


    Her legs were numb and weak; the journey had taken everything out of her.


    Adide helped her to her feet, and Lte urgently said, ¡°Quick, take me to him.¡±


    The worst part of the journey for her hadn¡¯t been the carsickness or the bumps¨Cit was the worry<i>, </i>the fear that his condition might suddenly worsen.


    Adide supported her as they walked inside, and Lance approached them.


    The couple locked eyes, and Lance nodded at her. The nod was a silent message¡ªMarsh was alive.


    Adide let out a breath she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been holding and took a long look <i>at </i>Lance¨Che had lost weight.


    She helped Lte up the steps to the hospital room, and everyone instinctively stepped aside. Standing at the doorway, Lte immediately spotted him lying in the bed.

 Novel Male 436

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lte didn¡¯t move forward right away. Instead, she covered her mouth with her hands as tears <b>quickly </b>blurred her vision, dropping heavily to the ground.


    Just as everyone thought she would break down in tears, she quickly wiped them away, cleaning her face thoroughly.


    After several attempts, she managed a faint, trembling smile and walked toward her mate.


    She sat by the bedside and gazed at Marsh¡¯s face.


    After days of treatment, most of the swelling had subsided, leaving only some bruises. The wounds at the corners of his mouth and eyes had mostly healed.


    However, thebination of bruises, his originally tanned skin, and the application of red medicine made his lips appear purplish¨Cck. His face looked battered and evoked a heart¨Cwrenching sense of fragility.


    As if drawn by Lte¡¯s unique pheromones, Marsh, who had been in a daze, suddenly opened his eyes.


    His wolf pupils were initially cloudy and unfocused, searching aimlessly.


    Then, the scent of morning dew and honeysuckle from Lte enveloped him. His vertical pupils sharply contracted, locking onto her face like a ma¨Ca soul¨Cdeep imprint that even in his confused state couldn¡¯t be erased.


    A low whimper escaped his throat, as if he couldn¡¯t believe this wasn¡¯t an illusion. He blinked several times. Only when Lte¡¯s cool hand touched his cheek, the familiar sensation and pheromones flooding his senses, did the nds in his neck grow warm, confirming this wasn¡¯t a dying man¡¯s dream.


    Lte smiled at him, her fingers trembling with restraint. Her honeysuckle pheromones carried a barely perceptible shudder yet revealed unyielding strength, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±


    Marsh tried to raise his hand to grasp hers, but his arm felt leaden and only trembled uselessly.


    Lte quickly took his hand, and upon touching the gel¨Ccovered joints, she noticed each finger bore deep, bone¨Cexposing w marks, with even the keratin at the base of his ws stripped away.


    Her honeysuckle pheromones turned sharp, her heart clenched as if grasped by a wolf¡¯s paw.


    Tears welled up, but she jerked her/head back to hold them in. When she looked at him again, her <ul><li>pheromones had stabilized. </li></ul>


    Her smile carried unwavering warmth. ¡°I¡¯m here, right here.¡±


    Marsh, who had been silent since arriving at the medical station, moved his lips several ti out a broken whisper that formed three words, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    squeezing


    His wolf pupils, like two glowing nails, fixed intently on Lte. Despite his confusion, he greedily


    O


    13:07 Sat 28 Jul-


    absorbed her presence¨Cthe very thought that had sustained him through torture<i>. </i>


    The scent he had yearned for in captivity now surrounded him.


    The seemingly soft yet steel¨Cstrong power in her pheromones seeped into his drained body.


    She had always been like that: appearing as a honeysuckle flower swaying in the wind, yet her roots were more deeply embedded in the crevices of rocks than anyone else¡¯s.


    ¡°I¡­ will¡­ get¡­ better¡­¡±


    Each word he spoke was like turning a rusty gear, yet a spark lit in his wolf pupils.


    As he spoke, his previously faint pheromones rippled ever so slightly.


    Someone in the crowd let out a sob.


    Though everyone felt like crying, Doctor Digby had repeatedly forbidden it over the past few days. Who would dare provoke him?


    Looking around, they saw Digby jog out.


    After a while, they realized that sob hade from him.


    Once Digby broke down, everyone else followed, tears falling freely.


    Adide, who had stood by Lte, feeling a great heaviness in her heart and unable to hold back her tears, turned and left.


    Lance followed her out and took her hand.


    After a long silence, he whispered, ¡°These past days, I¡¯ve missed you terribly.¡±


    Adide wiped her tears and turned into his embrace, choking out, ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too. On the journey here, I put myself in Lte¡¯s shoes countless times. It¡¯s wonderful that you brought him back. I never expected him to be Eugenius.¡±


    He held her tightly, as if she were a precious treasure.


    This was the first time she had voiced her feelings for him. Even so, he exined, ¡°Not only is Marsh Eugenius, but there are ten others in that room who are also Eugenius.¡±


    Adide pushed him away in surprise. ¡°What? You mean those people in the room earlier? I thought they were escorting werewolf warriors.¡±


    Lance shook his head, his tone still excited. ¡°No, Eugenius isn¡¯t one person, or even Eugene. It¡¯s eleven people¡­ Hey, who¡¯s that over there?¡±


    Only then did he notice a car parked outside, with a person leaning against it, their disheveled hair obscuring their face.


    Adide gasped and hurried over. ¡°It¡¯s Paisley. She¡¯s been sick the entire trip. Ipletely forgot about her.¡±


    She carefully helped Paisley to her feet.


    * Free Coins


    As Paisley rose, like Lte, she nearly copsed but cursed, ¡°Heartless wretch. I traveled with you, and


    you forgot about me. Once I recover, I¡¯ll beat you senseless.¡±


    Weak and leaning on Adide¡¯s shoulder, she continued to mutter.

 Novel Male 437

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide quickly apologized, ¡°It¡¯s my mistake. Go in and rest. I was just in a rush to get Lte <b>in </b><b>to </b><b>see </b>Marsh.¡±


    Paisley, unable to scold her further, urgently asked, ¡°How is he? Is he alright? Huh, I¡¯d love to see their reunion, but I can¡¯t¨CMarsh is injured, and I¡¯m sick.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not in good shape, but I believe Doctor Digby can treat him. Let me help you lie down. Sleep will make you feel better.¡±


    Adide said and called to Lance, ¡°Ask Han toe here¨Cwe have a patient.¡±


    Paisley was ced in an empty ward.


    Exhausted, after Han checked on her and prescribed medicine, she fell into a deep sleep.


    The journey had left her in low spirits.


    Normally in robust health and rarely ill, she was frustrated to have fallen sick at a critical moment, feeling she had let down the Crimson me Pack.


    After the medicine was ready, Adide woke her to take it.


    Paisley drank it quickly, then asked, ¡°How is Marsh?¡±


    ¡°I asked Doctor Digby¨Che said Marsh is improving, especially since Lte arrived,¡± Adide replied.


    Paisley breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll sleep now.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more good news if you want to hear it¡± Adide said, supporting her head to keep it from touching the pillow.


    ¡°What else?¡± Paisley asked groggily.


    ¡°Eugenius isn¡¯t just Marsh¨Cit¡¯s eleven people. All of them were rescued and are now here at the medical station.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s groggy eyes widened. ¡°Eleven?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Eugenius is their team¡¯s name; their scout team has eleven members.¡±


    Excited, Paisley sat up straight. ¡°I want to see them and pay my respects¡­¡±


    Dizzy from the sudden movement, she grabbed Adide¡¯s hand for bnce. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll <b>sleep </b>first. not going anywhere.¡±


    <b>re </b>


    ¡°Sleep,¡± Adide said with a smile.


    Paisley closed her eyes as sleepiness washed over her like a tide, and she fell asleep almost <b>instantly</b>.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>437 </b>


    <b>Lte </b>was truly strong. Since arriving, she took full responsibility for cleaning Marsh¡¯s <b>wounds</b>, <b>applying </b>medicine, and administering his medication.


    After one demonstration by Mason, Lte remembered everything and performed each task <b>more </b>meticulously and carefully than anyone else.


    Under her care and encouragement, Marsh¡¯s condition visibly improved.


    Paisley slept for over ten hours. After a quick freshen¨Cup


    she went to meet the heroes.


    She learned everyone¡¯s names and gave Eugene a few extra looks¨Cshe had always thought Eugenius <b>was </b>Eugene.


    Several of them looked at Adide and Paisley with questions in their eyes but didn¡¯t know how <b>to </b><b>ask</b>.


    Since Eugene¡¯s mate had previously mated with someone else, they wondered if their own mates had done the same.


    Finally, Derrick spoke up, ¡°Luna Adide, is my mate married to someone else?¡±


    Adide was taken aback¨Cshe truly didn¡¯t know.


    Before she could say ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Paisley interjected, ¡°Your mate hasn¡¯t remarried and is still in your pack. Oh, and yours too, your mate hasn¡¯t remarried.¡±


    Paisley knew some family details from Wendy¡¯s investigations.


    Derrick and another team member breathed a sigh of relief but their faces showed guilt and longing.


    After a while, Josh asked, ¡°What about my mate?¡±


    He had mated only six months before deploying with the army.


    Paisley, her voice tinged with regret, said, ¡°She¡¯s remarried.¡±


    Josh couldn¡¯t hide his disappointment but asked another question, ¡°Is she well?¡±


    Paisley shook her head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t look into it specifically.¡±


    Tears welled up in Josh¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I¡¯ve


    Martin also asked Paisley about his mate.


    her.¡±


    His father was a werewolf general under Alpha Bentley, and they had both gone to the Southern Border battlefield. His father had been killed in action first<b>, </b>andter Martin was captured.


    Paisley didn¡¯t have information on Martin¡¯s situation,


    as Wendy hadn¡¯t investigated this family.


    However, Adide knew something and exined, ¡°Your mate fell seriously ill two years ago and was treated by Doctor Digby. As for your mother, after your father and you were both lost in battle, she became distraught and now has mental confusion. Mason has been treating her. You can ask Mason for details.¡±


    Martin covered his face with his hands, too overwhelmed to speak.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>Magnus </b>didn¡¯t ask any questions. He had learned from his brother that his fianc¨¦e had <b>not </b><b>honored </b><b>their </b>engagement, which gave him a measure of relief.


    Others decided to return to the capital with the group first before heading back to their hometowns<b>. </b>


    Griffin, being unmarried, inquired about the Watkins family. Upon learning from Paisley that <b>all </b><b>was </b><b>well </b>with them, he felt reassured.


    ncing at his cousin Eugene, who appeared downcast, Griffin went over tofort him, ¡°Gloria¡¯s marriage to someone else is actually a blessing. We¡¯ve let our families down; we can¡¯t fault thern for moving on.¡±

 Novel Male 438

    Chapter <b>438 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley also nced at Eugene. Since she had initially thought Eugenius was Eugene, she paid him extra


    attention.


    Seeing him press his lips together, silent and with a heavy look in his eyes, she added, ¡°Gloria married Ulrik from the Bloodmoon Pack. Since she¡¯s already with someone else, I think you should just wish her well. Whether she¡¯s happy or not depends on her own choices and abilities.¡±


    Caldwell had said this, and Paisley agreed, but Eugene felt Gloria must not be doing well.


    Given that he didn¡¯t know the full story yet, he was consumed by guilt.


    Paisley, noticing his expression, continued, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t feel guilty. Less than a month after your supposed sacrifice, she left the Hutchinson family. She took your pension with her, and your mother even gifted her two shops. If there¡¯s any debt, the Hutchinsons¡® generosity has more than settled <i>it</i>.¡±


    Eugene nodded gravely, ¡°Thank you for telling me this.¡±


    Paisley said, ¡°Since ancient times, it¡¯s been hard to bnce family, country, and personal feelings. Now, the only ones you owe are your parents and family.¡±


    Eugene nodded slightly, ¡°I hope they¡¯re all doing well.¡±


    Lance approached and suggested, ¡°Those who aren¡¯t injured could head back to the capital first. Marsh¡¯s condition seems stable.¡±


    They all shook their heads. Although they were eager to return home, they had agreed to go back together, and no one wanted to leave before the others.


    Back in the capital¨C


    The morning after Adide left, Prisci went to the pce.


    Instead of going straight to Lycan Erasmus, she sought


    out rissa first.


    Prisci shared the news with her and sighed, ¡°Zelda¡¯s mating ceremony is approaching, but Adide¡¯s


    What are we to do?¡±


    away on a trip. She left all the ceremony pl 25,


    While sending someone to fetch Lycan Erasmus, rissa red at her irritably, ¡°So youe to the pce just to enjoy yourself? Zelda is your daughter. Shouldn¡¯t you, as her mother, take care of her matters? You can¡¯t rely on Adide for everything. Is she your servant?¡± <ul><li>Prisci retorted, ¡°You¡¯re just biased towards her.¡± </li></ul>


    rissa said helplessly, ¡°Count the wrinkles at the corners of your eyes. Still jealous of your son¡¯s mate Careful you don¡¯t sour your teeth.¡±


    Prisci quickly pulled down the corners of her eyes with her fingers and argued, ¡°No wrinkles here. My skin care¡¯s top¨Cnotch.¡±


    rissa looked at her and finally smiled affectionately. ¡°Go check on Pandora. She¡¯s been ill for <b>days</b>. When Lycan Erasmus arrives, don¡¯t stay here.


    <b>Prisci </b>stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave then.¡±


    Shortly after Prisci left, Lycan Erasmus arrived.


    After greeting him, rissa handed him themunicator, ¡°Adide left the capitalst night. She specifically asked Prisci to deliver this news to you.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus read the message and smiled, ¡°She left the capital in the middle of the night; it must have been urgent. She didn¡¯t need to inform me of everything.


    rissa said, ¡°A female wolf leaving in the dead of night with a deputymander¡¯s certificate, of course you need to know.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus acknowledged with a slight bow, a hint of worry shing across his face, I hope Marsh returns safely.¡±


    It turned out Eugenius was him, and the Hornbeam Pack had a powerful background. Although most of the family¡¯s younger generations had gone into politics, there were always one or two who carried on the legacy of werewolf generals¡® dignity and tenacity.


    rissa looked at him, wanting to say something but swallowing her words.


    Some things, if said, might only increase her son¡¯s suspicions.


    Tad¡¯s report arrived at the Royal Elder Council¡¯s office, stating that Alpha Lance had disappeared in Frostbite Town after arriving there.


    Cyrus suppressed the report. He was well aware that Alpha Lance hadn¡¯t gone to Frostbite Town for negotiations but for a rescue mission.


    A few dayster, Tad¡¯s second report came in.


    After reading it, Cyrus was thrilled and immediately sought an audience with Lycan Erasmus.


    Lycan Erasmus, upon reading the report, was equally excited. ¡°Eleven people, actually eleven! They¡¯ve all returned safely to Frostbite Town!¡±


    Cyrus¡¯s voice choked with emotion, ¡°Yes, thanks to you, Lycan Erasmus, they¡¯re all back in Frostbite Town.¡±


    ¡°Reward them! Give them a generous reward!¡±


    Overjoyed, Lycan Erasmus promptly issued orders: ¡°Fabian, have the Minister of Culturee to me. Let them prepare a ceremony to wee the heroes home, and the Minister of Personnel too¡­.¡±


    As Lycan Erasmus was issuing orders, he suddenly paused, looking down at the list. ¡°Chandler, Derric these are Minister Garrett Rog¡¯s two sons.<b>¡± </b>


    Cyrus said, ¡°Lycan Erasmus, we should notify their families door to door first, let everyone rejoice. They won¡¯t return to the capital so soon. Marsh is badly hurt; it might take some time.¡±


    Lycan Erasmus looked at a name on the report and raised his head to Cyrus, ¡°Eugene, Eugene¡¯s mate


    <b>273 </b>


    13:07 <b>Sat</b>, <b>26 Jul </b>


    remarried Ulrik, right?¡±


    s


    Cyrus recalled the matter and replied, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s Gloria. She and Ulrik from the Bloodmoon Pack are both in their second mating.¡±


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 439

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    Lycan Erasmus didn¡¯t say much more. Such a trivial matter didn¡¯t dampen his good mood.


    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    ¡°Fabian, arrange door¨Cto¨Cdoor notifications. No need to visit the Stokes family; they must already know. Inform everyone else. After they return to the capital to receive their awards, they can go home to reunite.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Fabian epted the order and left.


    Cyrus also took his leave. He withheld Tad¡¯s first report from Lycan Erasmus, choosing to suppress it.


    While the report appeared to be a situation update, it subtly implied usations.


    Even if it reached Lycan Erasmus, it wouldn¡¯t significantly impact Alpha Lance. However, some things could cause trouble if they resurfacedter.


    Tad was unaware of the rescue mission because Alpha Lance hadn¡¯t informed him¨Ca decision made out of caution and secrecy.


    But if Lycan Erasmuster recalled and misinterpreted Alpha Lance¡¯s silence as distrust toward Tad, especially after the Royal Constabry¡¯smand was revoked, it could lead to unnecessaryplications.


    Alpha Lance didn¡¯t trust Tade. Was it because Lycan Erasm took back themand of his royal legion and he felt upset about it?


    To avoid this, it was better that Lycan Erasmus never saw the report.


    For Minister Garrett, Cyrus nned to deliver the news himself¨Cjust a short walk from the Royal Elder Council¡¯s office.


    Upon seeing Cyrus at the Department of Culture, Garrett quickly led his staff out to greet him.


    Cyrus smiled and said, ¡°Carry on with your work. I just need a few minutes of Garrett¡¯s time. It¡¯s personal, not work¨Crted.¡±


    Garrett was puzzled¨CCyrus from the Royal Elder Council was visiting him for a personal matter?


    Despite his confusion, Garrett respectfully invited Cyrus into the lounge and offered coffee.


    ¡°What can I do for you?¡± Garrett asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to congratte you,¡± Cyrus said, putting down his coffee cup with a smile.


    Though this news should have been shared promptly, the surprise was <b>so </b>great that it was better to break it gently to avoid overwhelming/Garrett with joy.


    ¡°Congratte me?¡± Garrett was even more puzzled¨Chaving reached his career peak <b>as </b>the Minister of Culture, what was there to celebrate?


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    apier 439


    ¡°On a joy of rediscovery,¡± Cyrus said.


    ¡°Rediscovery? I haven¡¯t lost anything recently,¡± Garrett replied.


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus has ordered the Department of Culture to prepare a wee for the heroes <b>from </b>the Southern Border. Among them are two heroes from your Rog family.¡±


    Garrett felt a heavy blow to his heart, his face pale.


    ¡°Have¡­ have they found the remains of my sons?¡± he asked, inhaling sharply.


    ¡°What remains? They¡¯re alive! Alpha Lance brought back two Rog warriors from the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom. After being captured, they escaped and formed the Eugenius Scout Team<b>, </b>supplying intelligence to the Southern Border,¡± Cyrus revealed.


    Garrett clutched his chest, shaking his head as tears welled up. ¡°Don¡¯t joke about this. They¡¯re dead¨Ctorn from my heart like flesh. This can¡¯t be¡­¡±


    Cyrus stood and patted his shoulder. ¡°They did you proud! I¡¯m proud of them, too<b>, </b>proud of the entire Eugenius Scout Team.¡±


    Tears streamed down Garrett¡¯s face. His lips trembled. ¡°Is it true?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely true. Lycan Erasmus has ordered the Department of Culture to prepare for their wee. However, they won¡¯t return to the capital soon. Marsh from the Hornbeam Pack is severely injured; they must wait for him to recover,¡± Cyrus said.


    Garrett covered his eyes and face with his sleeve, shoulders shaking silently.


    As the Minister of Culture, he knew he must maintain decorum before Cyrus and his staff, yet he couldn¡¯t stem the flood of tears.


    The pain of losing his sons had been like a wolf¨Ctoxin¨Ctipped ice pick lodged deep in his heart.


    He breathed carefully, fearful of shattering his fragile facade.


    His oak¨Cscented pheromones were perpetually frosted, masked by the rust¨Credolent pressure of paperwork, suppressing the turmoil within.


    His two sons, once yful pups in his care, had be two crimson stains on the Southern Border battlefield, their howls forever silenced in mid¨Ccharge.


    As their father, Garrett¡¯s chest burned with oak¨Clike pride for their glory, yet this pride was hollow, <b>gnawed </b>away by endless longing, leaving only bleeding pain.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you be and ensure you¡¯re not disturbed,¡± Cyrus said, a faint ripple of emotion in his cedar pheromones, his voice slightly trembling.


    As Cyrus turned to leave, the deliberate slowness of his steps stirred a gust of air. The moment the <b>door </b>closed, Garrett¡¯s oak aura copsed.


    He dropped to his knees, knuckles whitening with strain, ws extending unconsciously<b>, </b><b>scoring </b><b>the </b><b>stone </b>floor.


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    Bowing his head, he emitted a stifled whimper¨Ca sound not human, but akin to a wolf¡¯s mournful <b>howl</b>.


    15:00 <b>Sun</b><b>, </b>27 Jul GO

 Novel Male 440

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    For years, his role as the Minister of Culture had taught him restraint. Even a furrowed brow <b>was </b>controlled.


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    When a messenger once entered his study with bloodied wolf fur, he froze the room with oak¨Clike aura. In private, he shredded three desks with his wolf ws.


    They were heroes, and as family, his pheromones could only carry pride, never weakness.


    But now, suppressed sorrow flooded his body like melting snow. His wolf ears trembled painfully, and his tail fur uncontrobly red and tightened.


    Fabian personally informed the Hutchinson family.


    Eugene¡¯s mother, Sibyl, fainted from excitement.


    Upon revival, she wept in Genevieve¡¯s arms, ¡°He¡¯s alive! That boy¡¯s so heartless, not sending a word for so long¡­¡±


    Genevieve also teared up but, mindful of Fabian¡¯s presence, quicklyposed herself.


    ¡°He had no choice. Gathering intel amidst life¨Cand¨Cdeath situations was tough enough; he couldn¡¯t risk contact home,¡± she consoled.


    After her outburst, Sibyl realized her faux pas and apologized to Fabian.


    With a gentle smile, he reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s only normal. No need for shame.¡±


    As Fabian left the Hutchinson residence, he still heard Sibyl¡¯s choked words, ¡°What do we do now? His mate¡¯s already married to someone else¡­¡±


    He sighed softly¨Clife¡¯s fortunes were truly fickle.


    The return of a fallen soldier was cause for joy, yet home.


    the Frostfang Pack¡¯s seven heroes would nevere


    Around the same time, the Ironw Pack received a letter from Tad.


    It was for Christine, who, after reading it, sought out her mother and the Leon couple.


    Leon was Tad¡¯s younger brother. He worked in the government¡¯s construction department. Though his position wasn¡¯t high¨Clevel, it was still a decent job.


    But he¡¯d been in this role for four years without promotion.


    His mate, Audrey Holt, hailed from a merchant family.


    Gloria had always disdained Audrey, considering her overly money¨Cminded.


    Upon reading the letter, Luna Cynthia¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Eugene¡¯s alive? And he¡¯s been honored?


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>15:00 </b><b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>27 </b><b>Jul </b>GOG


    This¡­¡±


    Christine quickly reminded her, ¡°Gloria¡¯s no longer his mate.¡±


    Cynthia sighed, ¡°I never expected him to be alive.¡±


    Leon said, ¡°Mother, Christine, this is good news. We should be happy. Being alive is what matters most<b>. </b>


    ¡°This is indeed a joyous asion,¡± Christine said with a touch of sympathy. ¡°When Eugene was thought dead, Sibyl¡­ well, Sibyl from the Hutchinson family was devastated, fainting several times. Now that she knows Eugene¡¯s alive, she¡¯ll be overjoyed, maybe even cured of her grief.¡±


    Cynthia recalled crying with Sibyl after learning of Eugene¡¯s supposed sacrifice.


    Eugene was a man of steel, and she refused topare him to anyone.


    His survival was a cause for celebration.


    Christine said, ¡°I¡¯m sharing this because Gloria will eventually find out. We should arrange for her to return to the Ironw Pack and have a serious talk.¡±


    Christine knew Gloria¡¯s life wasn¡¯t easy. An omega who had joined the Bloodmoon Pack with her was <b>her </b>former subordinate, <b>so </b>Christine was well¨Cinformed about the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s affairs<b>. </b>


    She heard that there had been a recent upheaval in the Bloodmoon Pack, and now Gloria and Ulrik were like strangers, living in misery.


    She feared that upon learning Eugene was alive, Gloria might annul her mateship with Ulrik and try to rekindle things with Eugene.


    Christine would never allow that.


    Not because of anything else, but because she believed Gloria wasn¡¯t worthy of him. She didn¡¯t deserve Eugene.


    So Gloria must return to the pack to be properly disciplined and prevented from entertaining inappropriate thoughts.


    ¡°There¡¯s one more thing. Now that Eugene¡¯s back, the government might reim the death pension he once received. Recently, Gloria used that money to buy Sabrina a gift. Although sheter returned the gift and got the money back, if she stays with the Bloodmoon Pack for long, she might use that money again. I think we should take out funds from the Ironw Pack¡¯s general ount and return it to the Hutchinson family. As for the two shops, we¡¯ll appraise them and give the Hutchinsons the cash equivalent. What do you think of this idea?¡±


    ¡®o <b>you </b>


    ne


    Leon said, ¡°I fully agree with your suggestion. In fact, when Gloria remarried someone else<b>, </b>I thought we should return the death pension and the two shops to the Hutchinson family. I¡¯ve mentioned 1¡® before. Back then, Gloria tearfully vowed never to remarry and to stay faithful to Eugene for li. Hutchinson family, worried about her future suffering, gave her the death benefits and the two shops. Now that she¡¯s remarried, these things should indeed be returned.¡±


    Christine nodded. ¡°But I wonder what Luna Cynthia thinks.¡±

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to use pack funds to fill her financial holes. If we must return the money, take it from my personal funds,¡± said Luna Cynthia.


    She continued, ¡°If she hadn¡¯t remarried, even if Eugene returned and they parted ways, the money¡¯s return would be insignificant. But now that she¡¯s remarried, and Eugene is on his way back, he will likely mate again in the future.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t do for his new mate to discover Gloria spent his death pension; it¡¯s simply uneptable. Christine added.


    Christine turned to Audrey and asked, ¡°Audrey, do you think Luna Cynthia and I are doing the right thing?¡±


    Audrey replied, ¡°She¡¯s never liked me to meddle in her affairs, and she turns a deaf ear to my words. Please, leave the decision to you and Luna Cynthia.¡±


    ¡°Very well, then. Send for Gloria to return to the Ironw Pack,¡± Christine dered.


    A light rain had been falling for several days..


    When Gloria stepped out of the car, her mind was elsewhere, and she inadvertently stepped into a puddle, soaking most of her shoe.


    ¡°Luna Gloria!¡± the omega attendant apologized hastily, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t support you properly.


    Gloria shook off the omega¡¯s hand and snapped, ¡°Just follow me.¡±


    The omega meekly obeyed, trailing behind her,


    Upon entering the Ironw Pack¡¯s territory, Gloria couldn¡¯t help but gawk at the luxury, which far surpassed that of the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Gloria disliked herpanion¡¯s unsophisticated behavior and snapped,¡°Follow me closely. Why are you looking around so much?¡±


    The beta who came out to greet them smiled and said, ¡°Gloria, there¡¯s no need to take umbrage at a servant¡¯s misconduct. We can gradually teach her manners. Don¡¯t lose yourposure over her antics<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Gloria smoothed her hair, aware that the beta was advising her to temper her impatience, lest others perceive her as ill¨Cmannered.


    However, in the Bloodmoon Pack/refined behavior was a luxury few could afford.


    She was at a loss as to how she¡¯d be ensnared in such a quagmire, behaving so crudely with realizing it, teetering on the brink of madness daily.


    ¡°Where is my mother?¡± Gloria inquired.


    ¡°In the Moonlight Study. Please follow me,¡± was the reply.


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    111


    173


    <b>¡°</b>The Moonlight Study?¡± Gloria frowned.


    That was Christine¡¯s sanctuary for reading and reflection. Ever since the check¨Crted incident<b>, </b>she¡¯d refused to speak with Christine, especially in private. ¡°Isn¡¯t Mother the one who wants to see <b>me</b>?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Luna Cynthia is in the Moonlight Study,¡± the beta confirmed..


    ¡°Oh? She¡¯s there?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Yes, Luna Cynthia and Audrey are both there.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Audrey is there as well? What on earth is this about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about a letter from Alpha Tad. Luna Cynthia specifically requested your presence<i>, </i>exined the beta.


    At the mention of her brother, Gloria¡¯s mood brightened instantly. ¡°A letter from Tad? No wonder everyone¡¯s gathered. Very well, I¡¯ll go to the Moonlight Study.¡±


    She strode purposefully toward the study.


    Before long, she copsed into a chair, her eyes wide with disbelief, as if a heavy stone pressed against her chest, making breathing difficult. ¡°Impossible. How could the dead return? I don¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°Believe it or not, that¡¯s what the letter says. He¡¯s seen him with his own eyes. Poor fellow<i>, </i><b>he¡¯s </b>


    unrecognizable now. We can only wonder what sufferings he¡¯s endured over the years,¡± Cynthia remarked with a sigh.


    ¡°Impossible, impossible!¡± Gloria muttered, yet she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°When will he be back?¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t return soon. Marsh from the Hornbeam Pack is in bad shape. It¡¯s said he endured terrible torture after capture. It¡¯s tragic, and it¡¯s uncertain if he¡¯ll make it,¡± Cynthia exined.


    ¡°Lte¡¯s mate?¡± Gloria gasped. ¡°He¡¯s not dead either?¡±


    ¡°Yes, eleven of them survived and have been honored for their service. When they return, Lycan Erasmus will surely reward them,¡± Cynthia said, her voice tinged with emotion.


    ¡°The Hutchinson family must be overjoyed. It¡¯s a pity we no longer have marital ties with them; otherwise<b>, </b>I¡¯d join them in celebration.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and Garrett¡¯s two sons are alive too. Martin, whom you know, is alive¡­ and so is Josh,¡± she added.


    Gloria looked up sharply. ¡°Josh? His mate has also remarried.¡±


    Back then, Jack wasn¡¯t well¨Cknown in the army. So Gloria and Lte were the main topics of discussion. Since neither of them had children, while others did, people oftenpared the <b>two</b>.


    ¡°Josh¡¯s mate, like me, has moved on and remarried someone else,¡± Gloria said.


    Gloria¡¯s voice wavered with a hint of tears, yet her eyes sparkled with joy and excitement.


    In the past, she¡¯d disdainedparisons to Josh¡¯s mate, deeming their social standing too different.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    But now, she eagerly brought up Josh¡¯s mate.


    After allowing the two women to converse for a while, Christine spoke up. ¡°We didn¡¯t summon <b>you </b>here for trivial matters.


    mateship. Your to Eugene was dered dead, the Hutchinson family agreed to dissolved your


    mateship. Your return to the Ironw Pack was understandable, and they were reluctant to stand <b>in </b>the way of your future.¡±


    ¡°But remember, before you returned to the Ironw Pack, you wept before the Hutchinson <b>family</b><b>, </b><b>vowing </b>never to marry again. Out ofpassion, they granted you Eugene¡¯s death pension and two shops<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Christine reminded her.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve remarried, I believe we shouldn¡¯t profit at their expense. I propose we return the pension andpensate them for the two shops. What are your thoughts<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 442

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria¡¯s mind was still numb. Upon hearing Christine¡¯s words, she shook her head instinctively<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>No</b><b>, </b><b>why </b>should we return it? I haven¡¯t done anything wrong. He¡¯s not dead, so why didn¡¯t they tell me? <b>Even </b><b>after </b><b>1 </b>returned to the Ironw Pack, I waited for so many years before marrying someone else.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not asking you to pay. Cynthia and I will cover the costs,¡± Christine said, raising her voice.


    ¡°But you need to take a stance. This can¡¯t just be handled by Cynthia and me.¡±


    ¡°How can I take a stance? I¡¯m pa


    years¡­¡±


    of the Bloodmoon Pack now. Besides, I did wait for him for all these


    ¡°Stop with the excuses. What do you mean you waited for him? You returned to the Ironw Pack less than a month after Eugene was dered dead. Have you really been waiting for him all these <b>years</b><b>?</b>¡± Christine retorted.


    ¡°You just haven¡¯t found the right person. You¡¯ve been anxious about marriage too, and you¡¯ve met with several prospects. You know it better than anyone. Others might not know, but we do,¡± Christine added.


    Gloria sharply countered, ¡°So I¡¯m supposed to wait for him forever? And men take their mates¡® assets after losing them. Why is there a double standard for she¨Cwolves?¡±


    Christine patiently exined, ¡°No one expects you to be alone forever, and you haven¡¯t waited. But you shouldn¡¯t have made that promise to them, saying you¡¯d never remarry. They gave you the pension and shops out ofpassion.¡±


    ¡°I was Eugene¡¯s mate; it¡¯s only right that the pension went to me,¡± Gloria insisted.


    Christine looked at her and said slowly, ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>just, the four of us here¨Cme, Cynthia, Audrey, and you. The omegas aren¡¯t present. I don¡¯t want to be blunt, but we all know the truth. Do I need to remind you that you weren¡¯t entitled to that money?¡±


    Gloria immediately felt guilty.


    Audrey gently advised, ¡°Gloria, you don¡¯t have to pay, but you should take a stance. The Hutchinson family let you go back, and Sibyl treated you like a daughter. I think¡­¡±


    ¡°How dare you meddle in my affairs?¡± Gloria sneered.


    Gloria looked down on Audrey and thought she had no right to butt in on her business.¡°Shut up! If I do return it, I¡¯ll only listen to Cynthia,¡± she said.


    Audrey, used to her attitude, remained silent. She knew arguing would only lead to a shouting match and wanted to resolve things quickly.


    Christine, however, didn¡¯t let it go. ¡°Gloria, when will you learn to control your temper? Audrey, <b>though </b>from a merchant background, has better character than you. Do I need to bring up your <b>past </b><b>misdeeds </b>again? Apologize to Audrey!¡±


    Christine¡¯s years of managing the household gave her an air of authority.


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    Chapter <b>442 </b>


    Gloria reluctantly said, ¡°I spoke out of turn, Audrey<b>. </b>I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Audrey coolly replied<b>, </b>¡°Family doesn¡¯t need formalities. <b>Let¡¯s </b>just resolve this <b>properly </b><b>to </b><b>avoid </b><b>future </b><b>gossip</b>.


    Audrey knew Gloria¡¯s apology wasn¡¯t sincere, but that didn¡¯t matter. She just wanted <b>to </b>resolve things quickly.


    Both Audrey and Christine worried that Gloria might cause trouble, like divorcing Ulrik and pursuing Eugene again.


    To prevent this, they had to return the pension and end her hopes.


    Cynthia agreed with Christine. Gloria, seeing she didn¡¯t have to pay and the Ironw Pack would <b>cover </b><b>it</b><b>, </b>eventually consented.


    Christine didn¡¯t make her appear in person¨CGloria was now the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna.


    She just had Gloria write a letter to Sibyl, signing it as ¡°Luna Gloria of the Bloodmoon Pack.¡±


    This signature meant she returned the money as the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna.


    After finishing the letter, Gloria handed it to Christine and said resentfully, ¡°This <b>is </b>unnecessary. It makes it seem like I did something wrong by remarrying.¡±


    Christine replied, ¡°When you married Ulrik as the Ironw Pack¡¯s Alpha¡¯s sister, no one criticized you. To be frank, I¡¯m doing this to prevent you from entertaining other ideas.¡±


    Gloriaughed bitterly, ¡°What other ideas could I have? Do you think I¡¯d divorce Ulrik to get back with Eugene? What kind of person do you take me for?¡±


    ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t. I know exactly what kind of person you are,¡± Christine warned.


    Gloria was furious. ¡°Everyone makes mistakes. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve ever made one¨CI have no proof. But stop using my past against me.¡±


    ¡°I may not be happy in the Bloodmoon Pack, but Ulrik respects and cares for me. I have no intention of divorcing him. Moreover, I agreed to the marriage for Tad¡¯s sake. Instead of being grateful, you¡¯ve always resented me. Isn¡¯t that ungrateful?¡±


    Christine folded the letter calmly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t take credit where it¡¯s not due. When Mrs. Voss came, allowing you to understand Ulrik before deciding wasn¡¯t coercion. You could have refused.¡±


    ¡°Mother,¡± Gloria turned to Cynthia with a look of grievance, ¡°You know we had to avoid offending Mrs. Voss for Tad¡¯s sake. I wasn¡¯t that fond of him initially.¡±


    Cynthia sighed, ¡°What¡¯s the use of revisiting this now?¡±

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    Chapter <b>443 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria choked back tears and wiped the corners of her eyes. ¡°I just feel wronged. Because of <b>past </b>incidents<b>, </b>Christine always targets me. Does she even consider me part of the family?¡±


    Cynthia said, ¡°Of course we consider you family. Haven¡¯t we been doing this for your own good? Returning the pension will give you peace of inind, free from any debts to the Hutchinson family. <b>Can¡¯t </b>you just focus on being the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna?¡±


    Gloria wanted to retort that once she repaid the Hutchinsons, she¡¯d be debt¨Cfree<i>, </i>but what about <b>Eugene</b><b>? </b>


    She didn¡¯t dare voice this, fearing Christine would bring up that incident again.


    Both the Bloodmoon and Ironw Packs frustrated her endlessly. ¡°Do as you please<i>. </i>I¡¯ve written the letter as you asked. I wash my hands of this,¡± she dered, rising to leave.


    Cynthia, worried her daughter¡¯s hurt, wanted tofort her, but Christine said, ¡°Let her go.


    Frowning, Cynthia remarked, ¡°She won¡¯t actually cling to Eugene. There¡¯s no need to push so hard.¡±


    Christine coolly replied, ¡°Tad nowmands the Royal Army, but his shorings have drawn envy and discontent. We must tread carefully to avoid public criticism. You can¡¯t prioritize her feelings over the Ironw Pack¡¯s situation.¡±


    ¡°How can you speak of your own mate like that?¡± Cynthia expressed her displeasure.


    ¡°I¡¯m merely stating facts. You know his capabilities better than I do.¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s no Southern Border conflict, things are fine. But if war breaks out, do you think Lycan Erasmus would appoint him asmander?¡±


    Cynthia was speechless.


    Regardless of Sibyl¡¯s thoughts, Christine was determined to resolve the matter.


    Since Eugene wasn¡¯t dead, the Hutchinson family would return the pension to the royal family.


    Lycan Erasmus mightpensate them differently, but that was a separate issue.


    After all, it was inappropriate¨Cand poorly received¨Cto receive death benefits while alive.


    Christine promptly took Audrey to the Hutchinson family to meet Sibyl.


    Sibyl, overwhelmed with joy upon hearing the news, had fainted and was still resting in bed.


    Learning that Christine intended to return the pension and the value of the shops, the Hutchinsc was stunned¨Cthey had no intention of reiming these items.


    ily


    Christine smiled and said, ¡°We¡¯re delighted Eugene is alive. Since he wasn¡¯t martyred, the death pension must be returned. Your kindness in giving the money to Gloria ismendable, but now that she¡¯s mated with someone else, it¡¯s inappropriate for her to keep it. This is her wish, and she¡¯s even written you a letter.¡±


    <b>172 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>448 </b>


    Christine handed the letter to Genevieve, who <b>now </b>managed the Hutchinson family¡¯s <b>daily </b>affairs.


    After reading the letter which congratted the family, inquired about Sibyl¡¯s health<b>, </b><b>and </b>was <b>signed </b>¡°Luna Gloria of the Bloodmoon Pack¡°. Genevieve nodded appreciatively.


    ¡°Gloria¡¯s thoughtfulness is evident, and thank you for your consideration,¡± she said with a smile<b>. </b>


    Christine replied, ¡°Focus on Sibyl¡¯s recovery. Once Eugene returns, better days await.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Yes, we can¡¯t wait for him toe home. Every day feels like a year,¡± Sibyl said, her pale face now <b>radiant </b>with joy.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see him soon. Don¡¯t worry, take care of your health, and you¡¯ll have plenty to do when he¡¯s back<b>, </b>Christine reassured her with a smile.


    Sibyl sighed gently, ¡°I just hope he doesn¡¯t resent me for letting them part.¡±


    She knew Eugene and Gloria had been close, but it was she who¡¯d decided Gloria should return to the Ironw Pack.


    Christine, understanding Sibyl¡¯s unspoken words, said, ¡°If it was meant to be, it wouldn¡¯t have been lost. Stop dwelling on the past. The most important thing is that everyone can live their lives in peace.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ve dyed her life for so many years,¡± Sibylmented.


    Although she had witnessed Gloria¡¯s transformation that day, she still cherished the bond they once shared as family. ¡°We¡¯ll keep the pension, but the shops needn¡¯t be returned. I gave them to <b>her </b>willingly, Sibyl insisted.


    ¡°You treated her like a daughter when she was with the Hutchinson family. You¡¯ve been more than fair,¡± Christine countered.


    ¡°Since the shops have already been transferred, we¡¯llpensate you for their value. This way, when Eugene mates with someone else in the future, there will be no resentment between him and his mate over this matter,¡± Christine exined, genuinely concerned for Eugene¡¯s well¨Cbeing.


    After some persuasion, Sibyl finally epted.


    After Christine left, Sibyl asked Genevieve, ¡°What do you think Christine is trying to imply? Is she worried Eugene will still be entangled with Gloria upon his return?¡±


    Genevieve pondered for a moment, then shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it. On the contrary, it seems Christine is concerned that Gloria might try to reim Eugene.¡±


    ¡°How could that be? She¡¯s already mated with someone else,¡± Sibyl questioned.

 Novel Male 444

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Genevieve knew Sibyl rarely concerned herself with external matters and wasrgely unaware <b>of </b><b>the </b>Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s circumstances.


    Not wanting to trouble her with too much information, Genevieve said, ¡°Regardless of Christine¡¯s intentions, returning the pension and the money for the shops signifies aplete severance <b>of </b><b>ties </b>between Eugene and Gloria. This allows Eugene to move on and seek a new mate.¡±


    Sibyl agreed, saying, ¡°That makes sense. Christine is reasonable and genuinely happy for us.¡±


    Genevieve nodded in concurrence, though internally she harbored some doubts.


    Christine seemed to harbor an aversion toward Gloria.


    While conflicts weremon, people usually maintained a united front outwardly. Given Christine¡¯s generally magnanimous nature, Genevieve found her attitude puzzling.


    But she brushed it aside, considering it


    <i>n </i>internal matter of the Ironw Pack..


    Ulrik had already learned of Eugene¡¯s survival and Gloria¡¯s repayment of Eugene¡¯s pension.


    However, he was unaware that the Ironw Pack had fronted the funds for her.


    Since the assassination attempt, Gloria had questioned Ulrik about his true feelings for her, leading to a breakdown in theirmunication.


    Upon hearing of Eugene¡¯s survival, Ulrik hesitated before entering Gloria¡¯s room.


    Gloria sat on the sofa, lost in thought. Seeing Ulrik enter against the light, she was momentarily disoriented, almost calling out another name the one that had been haunting her thoughts.


    Upon realizing it was Ulrik, her expression cooled. ¡°I thought you¡¯d forgotten which way my door opens. What a rarity,¡± she remarked dryly.


    Ulrik dismissed the omega attendant and sat down. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about Eugene,¡± he said.


    Gloria responded coldly, ¡°And what does that matter to you?¡±


    Ulrik said, ¡°I know you¡¯re disappointed in me and harbor resentment toward the Bloodmoon Pack. Now. that Eugene¡¯s back, if he doesn¡¯t hold your past against you and you wish to reconcile, I can grant you that<b>.</b>¡±


    Gloria, furious, grabbed a mug and hurled it at him. ¡°Ulrik, you jerk! What do you take me for? I¡¯m not someone who treats mating bond lightly!¡±


    Ulrik didn¡¯t flinch as the mug struck him, his expression one of bewilderment.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to imply that. I just feel the Bloodmoon Pack has wronged you. If <b>you </b>and <b>Eugene </b><b>still </b>share feelings, I genuinely want to support you,¡± he said.


    Gloria¡¯s anger was tinged with bitterness. ¡°Support me? Clearly, you don¡¯t <b>see </b>me as your true mate. <b>If </b><b>you </b>


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Chapter <b>444 </b>


    <b>had </b><b>any </b><b>real </b>affection for me, you wouldn¡¯t say such things<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Her </b>frustration wasn¡¯t solely directed at Ulrik.


    Had Christine not called her back to the Ironw Pack to handle the pension matter<b>, </b>Gloria <b>might </b><b>have </b>been pleased by Ulrik¡¯s offer.


    Lately, she often reminisced about her times with Eugene, which paled inparison to her <b>life </b><b>with </b>Ulrik.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was now a shell of its former self, having sold off most of its assets to sustain its members.


    Without royal honors andnds, it might have dissolved altogether.


    Ulrik¡¯s future seemedckluster too, with Velda still part of the pack.


    The previous assassination attempt and the ever¨Cpresent threat of intruders added to her unease.


    Eugene, on the other hand, was a decorated werewolf general, likely to be promoted upon his return<b>. </b>


    But Christine had extinguished Gloria¡¯s hopes.


    It seemed she was destined to remain in the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Covering her face, she wept¨Cno one could fathom her sense of grievance.


    Her mating with Ulrik hadn¡¯t been her choice but a result of Mrs. refuse, thinking it Lycan Erasmus¡¯s desire.


    Seeing Gloria¡¯s distress, Ulrik subtly sighed with relief.


    He walked over and embraced her.


    loss¡¯s implied wishes, which she couldn¡¯t


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry. I was wrong to ask. I just felt the Bloodmoon Pack has treated you unfairly. If you and Eugene still have a connection, I want to support you,¡± he said softer.


    Gloria froze. ¡°Truly?¡± she asked, pushing him away.


    Observing the unnatural look on his handsome face, her heart sank. ¡°You¡¯re lying. You don¡¯t love me. How could you mean it?¡±


    Ulrik took her hand, his eyes downcast.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but hearing Eugene¡¯s alive, I felt fear¨Cfear that you¡¯d leave me, I didn¡¯t want to hear you reject me, so I pretended to be magnanimous in asking you this.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Gloria¡¯s tearful eyes began to brighten.


    Though she often criticized the Bloodmoon Pack, she had genuinely developed <b>feelings </b>to. Jlrik.


    If he could be sincere, she was willing to stay by his side.

 Novel Male 445

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik didn¡¯t meet her gaze but held her close again and said, ¡°I¡¯m selfish, aren¡¯t I? I hope you won¡¯t me me for being so selfish.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s tears of grievance flowed anew. ¡°I polite.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d f


    fathers


    were a little selfish with me than have us be <b>merely </b>


    That night, Ulrik stayed in Gloria¡¯s roo


    and didn¡¯t leave.


    there.


    In fact, he spent several consecutive


    Velda began renovating her living quarters. Naturally, the Bloodmoon Pack wouldn¡¯t fund her¨Cshe <b>was </b>using her own money.


    She insisted on the sturdiest materials for doors and windows, going to great lengths to source them and paying premium prices.


    Having left the werewolf army, she no longer hadbat gear.


    She secretly purchased a bulletproof vest and wore it day and night, fearing further intrusions.


    As for Ulrik and Gloria¡¯s newfound affection, Velda paid it no mind.


    She disdained men who had changed their hearts.


    She had vowed not to get caught up in petty jealousies and never to be the person she despised the


    most.


    But did Ulrik truly have feelings for Gloria?


    Velda didn¡¯t believe it for a second.


    Ulrik¡¯s gaze toward Gloria revealed no affection.


    He wasn¡¯t even good at pretending, yet Gloria, in her stupidity, couldn¡¯t see it.


    Or perhaps she wasn¡¯t stupid but simply had no other options.


    Even false affection was better than the previous indifference.


    Velda had no intention of involving/herself in their affairs. The pack would always provide for her <b>basic </b>needs.


    As for her future<b>, </b>she had no immediate alternatives and could afford to wait.


    She wanted to find out who was targeting her, but she wasn¡¯t naive enough to think it wasn¡¯t Adide


    However, by framing Adide, <b>she </b>could make Ulrik stop caring for her.


    It <b>was </b>clear that she still couldn¡¯t let go of her feelings.


    But despite her unresolved feelings, she wouldn¡¯t disrupt Ulrik and Gloria¡¯s superficial <b>harmony </b>


    She knew Ulrik still relied on the Ironw Pack to protect the Bloodmoon Pack


    In Frostbite Town, under Doctor Digby¡¯s and Lte¡¯s care, Marsh improved rapidly.


    His wounds healed, except for a shattered knee bone in one leg.


    Despite the special medicine, there was no progress.


    Yet Digby maintained that the final verdict on his leg would be his to give, to be determined back <b>in </b><b>the </b>capital.


    In mid¨CJuly, the group set off for the capital.


    Zelda¡¯s mating ceremony was in August, organized by Ralph and the Department of Culture.


    But they were determined to return before the ceremony to support her.


    During their stay in Frostbite Town, Paisley had grown close to them.


    Having fought together on the Southern Border, they quickly mated over shared experiences.


    Paisley regaled them with stories of the final two cities¡® recapture, the dangers of the assaults, and Frostbite Town¡¯s liberation.


    Paisley was great at telling stories. She vividly brought the battles to life. Her storytelling was so gripping that it made everyone feel like they were actually part of the war.


    ¨C Additionally, Paisley had taken to viewing Eugene as an older brother.


    Fixated on Eugenius, she assumed Eugene was him.


    In Frostbite Town, noticing Eugene¡¯s frequent mncholy, she oftenforted him.


    She admired and pitied him, and Eugene treated her like a sister.


    Paisley sought a sibling¨Clike rtionship with him, and Eugene, fond of her forthright nature, suggested, ¡°How about this? Consider me your brother. I¡¯ll introduce my mother to you as your godmother, and we¡¯ll be family.¡±


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s be siblings!¡± Paisley agreed happily.


    On the return journey, after checking into a hotel, Adide mentioned to Paisley, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should inform the Stephens family/about choosing a godmother? It¡¯s a significant decision and adds a <b>new </b>connection in the capital.¡±


    ¡°No need. Except for my mating ceremony, I can decide my own matters,¡± Paisley replied <b>wi </bugh.


    <b>ight </b>


    ¡°Moreover, I¡¯m well¨Cfavored in the Stephens family. Just look at how they amodated your <b>mating </b>ceremony.¡±


    Adide knew the Stephens family doted on Paisley but sensed there was more <b><i>to </i></b><b>it </b>than <b>mere </b><b>favoritismi </b>


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    The Stephens family, amercial giant, was involved in diverse businesses, including royal horse breeding and arms manufacturing.


    Safe to say, almost everyone in the country knew the Stephens family.


    They were the nation¡¯s wealthiest family, with riches rumored to match a small country¡¯s.


    But as with the booming prosperity behind raging mes, crises often lurk unseen. Especially since they were in the military¨Cindustrial sector, drawing close military attention.


    At least half of Lycan Erasmus¡¯s focus was on the Stephens family.


    Though the nominal patriarch was Paisley¡¯s grandfather, her father held the real power, as the grandfather was too aged to manage affairs.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 446

    Chapter <b>446 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°What about your mating ns? Haven¡¯t you given them


    a thought?¡± Adide asked.


    Paisleyzily replied, ¡°Nope. Either they¡¯re too good for me and I can¡¯t stand them, or they¡¯re too poor <b>to </b>match up. It¡¯s a no¨Cwin situation. Why tie the knot? Staying single suits me fine¡ªI can go where <b>I </b><b>want</b>, do what I please.¡±


    Adide knew Paisley¡¯s free¨Cspirited nature all too well.


    She was used to absolute freedom. Trapping her in a household would be positively cruel.


    Ssider ordinary families for <b>marital </b>


    The Stephens family, a prominent n, would naturally no


    alliances.


    Yet, if Paisley were to align with another powerful werewolf pack¡¯s Alpha family, the ensuingplex social dynamics would be nothing short of a headache.


    Paisley said, ¡°Several she¨Cwolves in our Stephens family remain unmated. Wealth allows such luxuries<b>. </b><b>As </b>for me, you know I¡¯m in charge of the Crimson me Pack. Managing a pack is far more fulfilling than mating, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Adide looked at her carefree expression and recalled her own past.


    Once upon a time, she had been just like Paisley. They used to discuss mates and mating ceremonies, <b>even </b>joking about never getting mated.


    Now, while Paisley remained resolute in her singledom, Adide had already undergone two mating ceremonies.


    Memories of their past conversations filled Paisley¡¯s mind, and her sulfurced pheromones surged with disdain.


    She nced sideways at Adide, a flicker of mischief in her wolf eyes, ¡°You¡¯re so hypocritical. We once vowed never to seek mates. Yet here you are, having had your second mating ceremony.¡±


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones rippled with a hip


    of mischief, ¡°If you have the guts, say that to Lance.¡±


    Paisley immediately deted, the red fur on her ears drooping slightly.


    The white musk mixed with Lance¡¯s iron¨Crust Alpha aura was overwhelming. Even when restrained, it felt like an invisible wolf¡¯s w pressing/against her throat, instinctively silencing her.


    Paisley admired Adide¡¯s fearlessness.


    Adide seemed <i>to </i>be naturally/immune to Lance¡¯s aura. When facing him, her silver¨Cblue wolf eyes never showed the slightest hint of subordination.


    Lance, too, was a different person outside of battle. The sharpness he disyed when <b>issuing </b><bmands </b>was nowhere to be seen.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>446 </b>


    The journey back to the capital was steady, akin to a wolf pack¡¯s migration, unimpeded <b>by </b>the <b>snowstornin </b>that had slowed their outbound trip.


    Marsh leaned against the modified vehicle, the faint scent of medical gel still on him.


    Lte¡¯s honeysuckle pheromones enveloped him like soft down, and theirbined auras <b>formed </b><b>a </b>stable vortex.


    Lte no longer suffered from motion sickness, and the burning pain of Marsh¡¯s wounds <b>eased </b>under the soothing effects of the pheromones.


    The others radiated an eager restlessness, their longing to return home almost palpable.


    Lance had sent word ahead to the capital via courier stations. He anticipated a grand wee ceremony, especially since the Department of Culture would likely organize something borate.


    After all, the minister¡¯s own sons were part of the returning group, their joy unmistakable.


    At every stop, letters carrying their pheromones were dispatched to the capital.


    The once weather¨Cbeaten men, after a stay at the Frostbite Town station, had lightened inplexion.


    Now, on the road, the sun painted their cheeks a reddish¨Cck, and the new wolf hair behind their ears gleamed healthily.


    Lance was no exception. His shoulder and back muscles were more defined in the sunlight, like <b>a </b>wolf poised for action, yet the softness in his white musk presence was more pronounced than ever before.


    Despite their tanned skin, there was no trace of past p¨¤nic. No longer did they have to furtively pass ¨C messages; thus, they seemed more robust than before.


    Their wolf¨Clike muscle structures were more refined, their lean bodies more muscr, and their gaunt faces slightly fuller.


    With the shadows of the past lifted, they indeed appeared transformed.


    As Paisley put it, their ¡°wolf eyes, bright as diamonds in the sun, noses high and sharp, were much clearer and more handsome to look at.¡±


    Paisley and Adide wore sunhats, shielding their heads and faces. Only their hands on the steering wheel were tanned, with little effect on theirplexions.


    Now, standing beside Lance, Adide¡¯s fair skin made Lance¡¯s face look like ebony kissed by the sun.


    Teasing him, she said<i>, </i>¡°Lance, your skin is thoroughly tanned, as if enchanted by the sun.¡±


    Lance didn¡¯t care about his appearance: ¡°I already have a mate. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    intensified. Since Adide had expressed her longing for him, he no longer hid his affection, always seeking opportunities to be alone with her.


    His gaze


    However, the journey back was filled with trivial matters and constant interruptions from others<b>, </b><b>leaving </b>little time for them to be together.


    <b>45 </b>Free Coins


    Even at night, solitude eluded them¨CAdide shared a room with Paisley, and Lance with Tommy.


    Lance was particrly annoyed by Tommy¡¯s snoring, which showed no restraint.


    In the middle of the night, Tommy would kick Lance¡¯s bed, but Lance would just turn over and fall back asleep.


    Lance was eager to return to the capital.


    On the highway, a car had flipped over, blocking most of the road.


    The off¨Croad vehicle could pass, but the medical van carrying Marsh couldn¡¯t.


    Tommy drove the off¨Croad vehicle forward and saw two people righting the overturned car. Another vehicle was broken down nearby, its engine likely overheated.


    A woman in a wide¨Cbrimmed hat stood at the edge of the road, her maid holding a parasol for her.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 447

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The woman, obscured by a wide¨Cbrimmed hat, was dressed in a peach¨Ccolored dress that entuated her slender waist.


    Though she seemed a little disheveled from the fall, with dirt on her clothes, she looked more pitiable than messy.


    Tommy approached and asked, ¡°What happened here?¡±


    A tall man replied, ¡°Sorry for the trouble. The car overheated and broke down, causing it <i>to </i>flip over


    Before getting out of the car to check, Tommy, being battle¨Cexperienced, took a close look and found both vehicles were beyond repair.


    ¡°The cars are totally wrecked,¡± he told the man.


    ¡°With this heat, and we were in a rush to get back to the capital. What are we going to do now<i>?</i>¡± the man said. Clearly a werewolf guard, he had been driving the lead car, with the other person likely being the driver.


    Tommy asked, ¡°Who are you folks? Why¡¯re


    you heading to the capital?¡±


    The man exined, ¡°We live in the capital. We were visiting rtives in Monterey State. The intense heat


    e car.¡± and the rushed journey must¡¯ve overheated


    Wiping his sweat, he asked Tommy, ¡°Do you have any water? Ourdy¡¯s really thirsty.¡±


    None of the Eugenius Scouts spoke up. As seasoned spies, they quickly analyzed the situation.


    Thedy, though hidden under a wide¨Cbrimmed hat, clearly came from wealth, judging <i>by </i>her clothes, shoes, and jewelry.


    Yet she was only apanied by a maid, a guard, and a driver.


    And choosing <i>to </i>return from Monterey State in such scorching heat?


    Coincidentally, both their cars broke down right here.


    Tommy sensed something amiss but decided to check it out. Hearing the man ask for water, Paisley grabbed a sports water bottle and walked over to thedy.


    The maid reached out, but thedy quickly stepped forward and took the bottle herself.


    ¡°Thank you <i>so </i>much. I¡¯m really thirsty. Thanks a lot,¡± she said.


    Paisley hummed, holding out one hand behind her back, the other waiting to reim the water <b>bottle </b>from the woman.


    The woman turned away, drank several mouthfuls, and returned the bottle to Paisley with another ¡°Thank you.¡±


    13


    Chapter <b>447 </b>


    Paisley nced at thedy and her maid, then asked the maid, ¡°Would you like a drink?


    The maid declined, ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ll just drink from a streamter¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Paisley returned to Adide and offered her the water bottle.


    Adide noticed a hidden note inside.


    She waited until Paisley¡¯s car pulled up beside Lance¡¯s vehicle to read it.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ramona Shuman, the daughter of Hunt¡¯s breeder. Please, Luna Adide, take us with you. I beg <b><i>for </i></b>your help.¡±


    Ramona Shuman?


    Adide recalled Dwight¡¯s breeder, Willow, also Hunt¡¯s daughter, named Wilorina Shurnan.


    She quickly scanned the scene and noticed the maid didn¡¯t show much respect to Ramona but had <i>a </i>werewolf warrior¨Clike aura.


    The bodyguard and driver kept ncing at Ramona, seemingly keeping an eye on her.


    Ramona appeared nervous, clutching her hands tightly, sweat dripping down her face. She used a handkerchief to wipe it away.


    Then, she suddenly stiffened as if in pain. Adide noticed the maid¡¯s hand seemed to be doing something on Ramona¡¯s lower back, though the exact action was hidden from view.


    Adide and Paisley, wearing wide¨Cbrimmed hats, could observe without being seen.


    They pretended to check the vehicles but were actually watching Ramona and her maid.


    It seemed the maid was pressuring Ramona to speak up.


    Sure enough, Ramona approached and bowed to Lance.


    Her voice was melodious yet shy, ¡°Excuse me, our car¡¯s broken down, and we¡¯re in a hurry to get back to the capital. Could we trouble you to give us a ride? I¡¯m willing to pay for it.¡±


    Before Lance could respond, Adide said, ¡°No problem. We can use our two cars to tow yours.¡±


    Hearing this, everyone grew anxious¨Ctaking in strangers like this was risky.


    Eugene leaned forward and noticed something suspicious.


    He motioned for his team to hold their tongues and said, ¡°Let¡¯s follow Madam¡¯s lead.¡±


    Out in public, they referred to Adide as ¡°Madam¡± instead of ¡°Luna Adide.¡±


    The bodyguard and maid exchanged nces, surprised at the easy agreement, especially <b>since </b><b>it </b>came from Adide, not Lance.


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    <b>09:03 </b>Wed<b>, </b><b>30 </b>Jul


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    Thedy had clearly aimed her plea at Lance, using a coquettish manner to attract male attention, which only served to annoy the women present.


    <b>373 </b>

 Novel Male 448

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Their vehicle was hooked to Paisley and Adide¡¯s car.


    The maid repeatedly thanked them and tried to help Ramona into the car.


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    As she attempted to join them inside, Paisley coolly stated, ¡°A maid has no ce in the same car as herdy. You¡¯ll ride with the driver in your own vehicle. It¡¯s just for towing; no need to start your engine.¡±


    The maid was taken aback.


    Typically, a maid would apany herdy in the car to attend to her needs.


    ¡°Ramona is frail. I should stay with her to provide care,¡± the maid insisted.


    ¡°The car¡¯s full,¡± Paisley responded indifferently.


    ¡°We¡¯ll call for you if we need assistance. Wait in your vehicle for the time being.¡±


    In reality<i>, </i>the car was spacious enough to amodate four peoplefortably.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Adide frowned and said, ¡°Enough chatter. If you disagree, we¡¯ll detach the vehicle and be on our way.<i>¡± </i>


    Daring not to protest further, the maid meekly replied, ¡°Very well. Thank you for caring Ramona.¡±


    As the convoy began to move, Lance¡¯s car followed alongside.


    He knew Adide and Paisley were capable of protecting themselves, yet unease lingered in his heart.


    Eugene focused on observing the maid, bodyguard, and driver.


    Although it seemed excessive to be so wary of a mere she¨Cwolf, they had stopped Lance, themander who had reimed the Southern Border.


    Caution was imperative.


    As they had done for years, they preferred to err on the side of caution.


    Once the vehicle was in motion, the strong wind and scorching sun created intense heat. However, the maid showed no difort, revealing her resilience.


    Typically, maids close to theirdies were spared from strenuous tasks and appeared more delicate.


    This maid was clearly different.


    Such a minor trick was insulting.


    Eugene sighed inwardly and shifted his attention elsewhere.


    <b>09.03 </b>wed<b>, </b><b>30 </b><b>JU </b>


    They were ustomed to living on the edge, and such tactics were beneath notice.


    Inside the car, Ramona had removed her sunhat, revealing a face strikingly simr to Willow¡¯s- exquisitely beautiful yet with a cold demeanor.


    With the maid outside, she whispered, ¡°Luna Adide, please save my mother.¡±


    Adide responded in a hushed tone, ¡°But this isn¡¯t the real reason you stopped us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡±


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    Ramona shook her head, a sh of humiliation crossing her cold face as she squatted and bowed, tears welling in her eyes.


    ¡°Madison made me try to drive a wedge between you and Alpha Lance. Please, help me.¡±


    ¡°Why should I help you?¡± Adide asked, observing the tears in Ramona¡¯s eyes¨Ctears that might not signify sorrow but could be tools of intrigue.


    Ramona lowered her voice, ¡°We can make a deal. I¡¯ll share everything I know with you without holding back.¡±


    Adide reached out and helped her up, inviting her to sit beside her.


    Startled, Ramona quickly put her sunhat back on.


    Later, when the convoy stopped for a break, a hand knocked on the car window. The maid poked her head in and asked, ¡°Ramona, are you feeling better?¡±


    P


    Ramona replied, ¡°Much better.¡±


    The maid nced around the car before leaving.


    Adide and Paisley exchanged nces, mentally assessing the truthfulness of Ramona¡¯s ims.


    However, with limited conversation, it was impossible to make a judgment. Regardless of the truth, they needed to find an opportunity for a more in¨Cdepth discussion.


    In the evening, after checking into a hotel and having dinner, Adide deliberately instructed Tommy in front of everyone, ¡°Go out and find out where there are cars for sale.¡±


    Tommy immediatelyplied and left.


    The maid and bodyguard exchanged looks before approaching and inquiring, ¡°Do you intend to part ways with us?¡±


    Adide exined, ¡°It¡¯s for the sake of you all. She¡¯s yet to be mated, and most of our group are men. Traveling together all the way to the capital might tarnish her reputation.¡±


    The maid quickly assured her, /It¡¯s fine. Everyone here is kind¨Chearted, and with so many look out for each other on the journey, making it safer.¡±


    you<b>, </b><b>we </b>can


    ¡°You have a bodyguard with you. Besides, even if we travel separately, the distance between our groups won¡¯t be significant. In case of trouble, we can still assist one another,¡± Adide countered.


    The maid had no rebuttal but grew anxious, repeatedly ncing at Ramona.


    45 Free Coms


    Ramona gently bowed and said, ¡°I know I¡¯m imposing, but the journey back to the capital is long. Having you with us gives me peace of mind. Moreover, purchasing a car is expensive, and I don¡¯t have enough funds with me to afford one.¡±


    Adide frowned. ¡°I see. Which pack and family do you belong to? If we¡¯re acquainted, we could lend you the money for the car, and you can repay us once we reach the capital.¡±


    The maid quickly stepped forward and replied, ¡°Ramona¡¯sst name is Barker, and she resides at 8 West Hibiscus Alley in the capital. Her family is in business. This trip was for visiting rtives. Originally, a brother from her family was to apany her, but he suffered an injury and had to stay behind to recover. We had no choice but to hire a werewolf bodyguard to return to the capital. The journey has been fraught with difficulties, and we fear encountering more troubles, which is why we humbly request to travel with you.¡±


    Adide observed the maid¡¯s movements as she responded¨Cfluid and swift, with a strong and unshaken voice, showing no signs of fear.


    She didn¡¯t resemble a typical maid from a wealthy household but rather a werewolf from a prominent family or a powerful pack who had seen her share of challenges.


    Ramona had already disclosed her identity, yet the maid imed her surname was Barker and that <i>she </i><i>was </i>the daughter of a merchant.


    If this wasn¡¯t a deliberate slip, it might indicate that Ramona was genuinely betraying Madison¡¯s trust.

 Novel Male 449

    napter <b>449 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide whispered to Lance, their voices too low for others to hear.


    The maid and bodyguard strained to listen but caught nothing.


    After a while, Lance nodded, and Adide said, ¡°Very well, we¡¯ll journey back to the capital together<b>. </b>


    The maid breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you, you¡¯re as kind as a goddess,¡± she said.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Adide asked.


    The maid bowed. ¡°I¡¯m Dorothy,¡± she replied.


    Adide then turned to the bodyguard. ¡°And you?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m William,¡± he responded in a rough voice. He appeared burly and simple¨Cminded, but appearances could be deceiving.


    Adide asked a few more questions but garnered no useful information. Clearly, she hadn¡¯t expected to.


    Deep into the night, Doctor Digby discreetly activated a hidden spray in his sleeve. The wolfsbane¨C<b>derived </b>sedative, odorless and colorless, spread through the air.


    The driver, William, and Dorothy¡¯s wolf nds soon rxed, their breathing deepened, and they slumped unconscious.


    This spray was ten times more effective at inhibiting werewolf neural activity than conventional sleeping potions.


    In the room, Ramona knelt before Adide and Lance. Her lc pheromones grew thick with sorrow, like rain¨Cdampened petals.


    Her wolf ears pressed tightly against her head. ¡°Madison wanted me to seduce Alpha Lance, to sow discord between you two and break your mating. Because I have some basicbat training, Madison thought Alpha Lance would prefer that type of she¨Cwolf,¡± she exined.


    Lance¡¯s white musk aura formed an imprable barrier around the room.


    Upon hearing this, his brow subtly furrowed, and a cold gleam shed in his vertical pupils.


    Ramona¡¯s pheromones suddenly sharpened, tinged with a metallic tremor: ¡°But I refused. I knew even if I did, she wouldn¡¯t spare my mother


    ¡°Wilorina and I are twin sisters. She joined the Soulrend Pack andpleted her mission, yet another <b>task </b>awaits her.¡±


    ¡°My mother can¡¯t even move freely¨Cshe¡¯s imprisoned in Madison¡¯s dungeon. <b>It¡¯s </b>damp and <b>dark</b>, perpetually reeking of rust and despair.¡±


    She raised her head, her wolf eyes dting with fear and fury, her pheromones intensifying.


    Chapter <b>449 </b>


    With desperate resolve, she pleaded, ¡°Luna Adide, Alpha Lance, please help me <b>rescue </b><b>my </b><b>mother </b>In return, I¡¯ll serve you however you wish.¡±


    Paisley sat on a sofa nearby, her wolf ws unconsciously leaving shallow marks in her <b>palm</b>. She clearly despised such intrigue but held her tongue, listening intently.


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones remained steady as she finally spoke, her tone calm yetced with a <b>hint </b>of sharpness, ¡°How many siblings do you have?¡±


    She knew Madison had provided Hunt with numerous breeders, their pheromones long suppressed <b>by </b>Madison¡¯s aura.


    Like caged birds, outsiders had never seen their true forms, and the number of their offspring remained <b>a </b>mystery.


    ¡°Eight, but I don¡¯t know the exact number. Only eight of us are still alive. As for any brothers, none have survived¨Cthey¡¯re killed at birth,¡± Ramona replied.


    Paisley seethed with anger. ¡°What about your father, Hunt? Doesn¡¯t he care? Those were his sons!<b>¡± </b>


    Ramona¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°Care? He¡¯s both powerless and terrified of Madison. He dares not cross her, fearing retaliation against our family.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Why these matters can¡¯t be reported to Lycan Erasmus and Lycan rissa?¡± Paisley <b>asked</b>.


    Ramona¡¯s eyes zed with hatred. ¡°Madison is ruthless<b>; </b>she leaves no evidence. Without proof, Lycan Erasmus and Lycan rissa won¡¯t raid her estate.¡±


    Adide exined to Paisley, ¡°Madison¡¯s birth mother was once a favored priestess of the old <i>Lycan </i>King¡¯s father, so he indulged Madison.¡±


    ¡°Some things were turned a blind eye to. Now that Lycan Erasmus rules, he won¡¯t interfere in his aunt¡¯s family affairs unless presented with evidence<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately,¡± Ramona continued, ¡°Madison doesn¡¯t appreciate the old Lycan King. She resents him for not approving her mate with Luna Adide¡¯s father. She despises him intensely.¡±


    ¡°Because my father mated with Madison, and the title continued for two generations, the Shuman family is entirely dependent on Madison. They wouldn¡¯t dare oppose her.¡±


    Lance recalled an old memory. ¡°At a royal Christmas Eve banquet, I saw Hunt crying behind a rockery, drunk. He was young then, and he actually confided in me about Madison¡¯s estate. He told me a breeder had a child and argued with Madison over something. Madison threw the child to the ground, killing it and the breeder.¡±

 Novel Male 450

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley and Adide shuddered. A newborn baby, thrown to its death?


    What kind of heart could do that?


    Ramona gave a mirthlessugh. ¡°Madison¡¯s estate hides countless such atrocities.¡±


    ¡°I had a brother. When my mother was pregnant, she felt it would be a boy. Knowing my father couldn¡¯t protect her, she nned to flee. She knew Madison wouldn¡¯t let a male infant live.¡±


    ¡°But Madison had her under surveince. Once you enter Madison¡¯s estate, you leave only as <b>a </b>corpse<b>. </b>


    ¡°My father said he¡¯d help her escape,¡± Ramona wiped her tears.


    ¡°She believed him, waited for an opportunity. It came when¨CMadison was outte for a banquet.¡±


    ¡°Did they fail to escape?¡± Paisley asked, seething with frustration.


    ¡°They escaped but were caught on the way back. My brother was born in the car, the umbilical cord uncut.¡±


    ¡°When they returned to Madison¡¯s estate, my mother and brother were dragged across the ground, all the way to packhouse. By the time they reached packhouse, my brother wasn¡¯t crying anymore. His skin was torn, his body a bloody mess, already lifeless.¡±


    Even after witnessing countless brutal scenes on the battlefield, they knew such cruelty was ultimately inevitable in the midst of war, where lives were on the line.


    But in a royal estate, how could such madness and cruelty exist?


    How could a heart be so ruthless and twisted?


    Ramona looked at Adide and said with a bitter smile, ¡°Luna Adide, you¡¯ve never met my mother or the other breeders in Madison¡¯s estate. If you had, you¡¯d understand why Madison treats them this way.¡±


    Adide suddenly thought of something and broke out in goosebumps.


    She asked sharply, ¡°Is it because they resemble my mother?¡±


    Tears streamed down Ramona¡¯s face. Yes. My mother was targeted for her seven¨Cor¨Ceight¨Cfold resemnce to Luna Aire. Madison rounds up all women who look like Luna Aire, makes them my father¡¯s mistresses, and tortures them¨Cpouring all her hatred for Luna Aire onto them.¡±


    Adide clenched her fists, a sh of fierceness in her eyes.


    Paisley¡¯s face turned ashen as she gritted out, ¡°Kill her!¡±


    Lance squeezed Adide¡¯s hand and asked Ramona, ¡°What¡¯s your mother¡¯s name? And what¡¯s the connection to the Barker family at 8 Hibiscus Alley that Dorothy mentioned?¡°.


    Since Dorothy had provided an address, they would verify it upon returning to the capital.


    |||


    O


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Chapter <b>450 </b>


    If the information didn¡¯t match, they wouldn¡¯t trust Ramona, and Madison¡¯s n <b>would </b><b>fail</b><b>. </b>


    Ramona replied, ¡°My mother is Aircanna. The Barker family is my mother¡¯s family. <b>They¡¯ve </b><b>been </b><b>coerced </b>and bribed by Madison. Besides, they¡¯re mere merchants, no match for her.¡±


    ¡°Adide, your mother¡¯s name is Aire,¡± Paisley said indignantly.


    ¡°Because of the simr names and resemnce, my mother suffered far more than the other mistresses<b>. </b>


    She bowed her head, her voice choked and shattered, ¡°Luna Adide, I swear on my life that if <b>you </b><b>save </b>my mother, I¡¯ll repay you with my own life. I¡¯m desperate and have nowhere else to turn. I know <b>you </b>dislike Madison. Let¡¯s coborate. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll go to any dangerous ce for you.¡±


    Adide helped her up and said, ¡°Follow me back to the capital and proceed as <b>per </b>their n for <b>now</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°I don¡¯t fully trust you yet. I¡¯ll investigate once we¡¯re back. But if you¡¯re sincere, tell me¨Cwhat¡¯s in the <b>west </b>courtyard of Madison¡¯s estate?¡±


    Previously, Adide had suspected the west courtyard housed breeders, but breeders alone wouldn¡¯t inspire such fear.


    Ramona said, ¡°In Madison¡¯s estate, we weren¡¯t allowed to leave our rooms. Whether practicingbat or learning to please men, it all happened in our rooms. As for the west courtyard, I¡¯ve never been <b>there</b><b>, </b>but omegas say it houses a statue of the Moon Goddess.¡±


    ¡°A Moon Goddess statue?¡± Adide frowned, sensing there was more to it.


    If it were just a statue of the Moon Goddess, why would Madison have been so nervous?


    . Clearly, further investigation was needed.


    ¡°Have you trained inbat?¡± Adide asked.


    Ramona replied, ¡°Dorothy was mybat instructor. I trained with her for years. Since we sisters had to have a skill, she taught us to make use of us instead of letting us be a waste of food.¡±


    Adide nodded. This made sense.


    Madison wasn¡¯t just cruel¨Cshe was strategic, coborating with Alpha Germain for grand schemes and leveraging everyone¡¯s potential.


    ¡°How did your father treat your mother?¡± Adide inquired.


    Ramona exined, ¡°Because my father favored my mother, Madison had leverage over him.¡±


    She seemed annoyed, ¡°My mother wanted to escape Madison¡¯s estate every moment. My father had chances to help her but didn¡¯t. Later, he grew fearful, and it was toote.¡±

 Novel Male 451

    <b>Chapter </b>451


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ramona¡¯s tone was filled with resentment toward Hunt, a feeling that matched her hatred for <b>Madison </b>


    ¡°My mother¡¯s imprisoned in the dungeon to ensure our obedience. Before I left, I saw her <b>starving</b><b>, </b><b>barely </b>recognizable. I fear she won¡¯t make it,¡± Ramona said, her voice breaking with emotion.


    After hearing this, Adide said, ¡°You may return. They¡¯re unconscious, and I¡¯ll have them searched including you.¡±


    The search was an act of caution, aiming to make Dorothy believe they¡¯d gained some trust. They knew <b>it </b>wouldn¡¯t reveal anything significant.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Ramona hesitated.


    Adide added coolly, ¡°We¡¯ll discuss more when we reach the capital. I don¡¯t fully trust you yet.¡±


    Ramona grew anxious. ¡°If I¡¯m not by your side, I¡¯ll be deemed a failure. At least allow me to apany you to the ckthorn Pack. If my mother¡¯s released from the dungeon, she¡¯ll be treated better<b>¨C</b><b>even </b><b>if </b>not kindly, at least she¡¯ll have enough to eat.¡±


    Adide turned to Lance. ¡°What¡¯s your take?¡±


    Lance sat upright and said, ¡°Since she came for you, the decision is yours. I¡¯m just here to listen.¡±


    Paisley snorted softly¨CLance truly couldn¡¯t maintain any air of authority in front of Adide.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Adide told Ramona, ¡°Go back for now. I¡¯ll contact youter. We still have a long journey to the capital.¡±


    With that, Ramona had no choice but toply.


    After Ramona left, Adide looked at Lance and asked, ¡°Should we keep her with us?¡±


    Lance hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°You decide.¡±


    Adide massaged her temples. ¡°I¡¯m not petty. I¡¯m discussing this with you, not out of jealousy.¡±


    Lance smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that¡­ But rationally, there¡¯s no harm in keeping her close. We can verify her trustworthiness easily.¡±


    Paisley stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the body search.¡± This task had to be done by her.


    Regardless of whether Adide and Lance¡¯s discussion was rational or otherwise, Paisley agreed with Lance. Keeping Ramona under watch would prevent trouble.


    If Ramona had truly defected, even if she couldn¡¯t help much, undermining Madison was <b>still </b><b>a win</b>.


    The next day, Dorothy and the others realized they¡¯d been dosed with wolfsbane when <b>they </b><b>noticed </b><b>their </b>belongings had been rifled through.


    09:04 WE3, 30JOL DEAN


    <b>Chapter </b><b>451 </b>


    <b>Though </b>everything was neatly arranged, their cautious nature allowed them <b>to </b><b>spot </b>the disturbance immediately.


    ¡°This works in our favor,¡± Dorothy said, a cold gleam in her eye.


    ¡°They¡¯re nning to take us to the capital, which is why they conducted the search. With <b>nothing </b>found, the next steps will be easier.¡±


    Turning to Ramona, she instructed, ¡°When we rest along the way, try to get some alone <b>time </b><b>with </b><b>Alpha </b>Lance. Subtly let him know you¡¯ve hadbat training¨Che prefers she¨Cwolves with such <b>skills </b>


    Ramona acknowledged the n but then touched her forehead, appearing dizzy.


    Dorothy exined, ¡°It¡¯s normal. The effects will wear off soon. We were all sedated.¡±


    She looked at Ramona and continued, ¡°Remember, you need to get close to Alpha Lance whenever <b>you </b>can. It¡¯s a pity that we didn¡¯t anticipate Luna Adide¡¯s arrival when we headed to Frostbite Town<b>. </b>Madison¡¯s information was just too slow.¡±


    ¡°Since Luna Adide left at night, it¡¯s understandable that Madison didn¡¯t know,¡± Ramona said.


    Dorothy, with her hands behind her back, looking every bit the mastermind, replied, ¡°True, Luna Adideplicates things. But ns can¡¯t change just because circumstances do. Whether through <b>persistence </b><b>or </b>other means, our goal is to create discord between them, sowing suspicion. Ideally, bing the ckthorn Pack Alpha¡¯s breeder would be perfect.¡±


    Ramona drank some water and said, though it was just past seven in the morning, the heat <i>already </i><i>felt </i>overwhelming.


    . ¡°I know. I will do my best. Rest assured.¡±


    Dorothy nodded approvingly. ¡°Good. Madison always keeps her promises. Complete the mission, and your mother will be freed from the dungeon. If you be Alpha Lance¡¯s breeder, her treatment will improve.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Ramona said with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll make Madison proud.¡±


    Dorothy praised herpliance and warned against following in her sister¡¯s rebellious footsteps, mentioning how she had scorned Leon as weak and refused <i>to </i>engage with him until she was punished.


    ¡°How is Wilorina now?¡± Ramona asked cautiously.


    Dorothy sat down, her expression haughty. ¡°Don¡¯t concern yourself with her. She never worried about you. Focus on your task.¡±


    ¡°Wilorina has caused quite the stir in the Soulrend Pack. I wonder if Madison has¡­¡±


    <b>Chapter </b><b>452 </b>

 Novel Male 452

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Rest assured, a doctor has been arranged to treat your mother, and her meals have been <b>improved</b><b>. </b>Whether she can walk out of the dungeon is up to you,¡± Dorothy said.


    Ramona nodded obediently. ¡°I understand.¡±


    The convoy continued on its way. The members of the Eugenius Scout Team didn¡¯t inquire about Ramona¡¯s situation.


    They were adept at reading people and knew Lance and Adide were in the loop.


    Lte, focused on caring for Marsh, was unaware of the intricacies.


    She simply thought they had rescued a woman who was now heading to the capital with them.


    Naive and inexperienced in the ways of intrigue, she saw no red gs in the situation.


    She believed saving someone in distress was a virtuous act.


    Thus, along the journey, Lte, while tending to Marsh, extended extra care toward Ramona.


    Aware that the group was predominantly male, she empathized with Ramona¡¯s potential difort.


    Neither Adide nor Paisley interfered. Lte¡¯s purity was her greatest asset.


    Sheltered by the Hornbeam Pack, she was neither a power¨Cholder nor involved in pack management, allowing her to remain peaceful andpassionate.


    It was important not to let the world¡¯s evils and dangers blunt all kindness and empathy, lest the world lose its charm.


    One day, the convoy rested in a small forest by the main road.


    About a mile from the foresty a crystal¨Cclear stream.


    Drawn by the heat, everyone headed toward the water.


    Ramona washed her hands in the stream, unable to join the men


    for a swim.


    Watching them enjoy themselves, she picked up a branch and began to practice her moves.


    Thoughcking lethal force, her movements were graceful, blending dance andbat in an aesthetically pleasing disy.


    ¡®Inspired, the men emerged from the water to join in the yful sparring.


    Dorothy observed Lance¡¯s gaze fixed on Ramona, a hint of admiration in his eyes.


    Satisfied, she exchanged a nce with the bodyguard William.


    Chapter <b>452 </b>


    <b>As </b>expected, Alpha Lance was drawn to women skilled inbat.


    After a long while, Lance looked away, casting a somewhat guilty nce at Adide<b>, </b><b>who </b><b>sat </b><b>nearby </b>conversing with Paisley, before approaching them.


    Dorothy didn¡¯t miss the guilty glint in his eye.


    Despite someplications and Adide¡¯s presence, Lance had taken the bait.


    Sitting beside Adide, Paisley excused herself to talk with Ramona, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to wield a branch so skillfully.¡±


    Ramona replied shyly, ¡°It¡¯s all for show, more style than substance. Otherwise<b><i>, </i></b>I wouldn¡¯t need <b>everyone¡¯s </b>protection to reach the capital.¡±


    Paisley warmly invited, ¡°Look me up in the capital, and we¡¯ll have a friendly match.¡±


    Ramona nced cautiously at Dorothy, who, upon seeing this, approached with a smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s <b>rare </b>for you to take a liking to someone, Miss Stephens. Ramona will surely pay a visit. But might <b>I </b>ask where you¡¯ll be staying?<b>¡± </b>


    Paisley shot her a sidelong nce, ¡°A maid like you shouldn¡¯t pry so much.¡±


    Dorothy apologized with a bow, ¡°My apologies for overstepping, Miss Stephens.¡±


    ¡°Typical of someone from a merchant family¨Csuch poor manners,¡± Paisley remarked with disdain.


    Undeterred, Dorothy stepped back and stood with her head down.


    Meanwhile, Lance and Adide spoke in hushed tones. ¡°When I looked <i>at </i>her just now, I was actually looking elsewhere,¡± Lance said.


    Adide rolled her eyes, ¡°Honey, I¡¯m not possessive.¡±


    Honey?


    Lance perked up at the endearment¨Cit made them sound like a long¨Cestablished couple.


    Previously, she¡¯d always called him by his name,cking the intimacy of a mated pair.


    He shyly revealed, ¡°Actually, my nickname is Lanceykins.¡±


    Adide feigned surprise, ¡°I know that. But are you asking me to call you Lanceykins?¡±


    ¡°No, I just thought you might not know,¡± he said.


    ¡°Surely I know your nickname. You¡¯re my mate.¡±


    He grinned, his tanned skin making his teeth look especially white. ¡°I never told you, nor has anyone called me that in front of you.¡±


    This made Adide smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t need you to tell me. I investigated everything <b>about </b>you <b>before </b><b>we </b>bonded. Plus, I¡¯ve known you since we were kids. Your Lanceykins nickname <b>was </b>actually from my brother.¡±


    <b>28 </b>


    <b>09:04 </b>Wed 30 <b>Jul </b>


    Chapter <b>452 </b>


    <b>Lance </b>recalled <b>this </b>and almost forgot about it but still asked curiously, ¡°What did <b>you </b><b>investigate </b>about me?¡±


    ¡°Age, height, personality, hobbies, health issues, any secret illnesses, other lovers or mistresses besides <b>the </b>one you mentioned, and whether you frequent brothels,¡± she listed.


    ¡°Secret illnesses?¡± he repeated, shocked.


    ¡°What secret illnesses? And brothels? Never.¡±

 Novel Male 453

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The next day, Dorothy noticed Lance¡¯s irritation and Adide¡¯s hasty departure, sensing a minor <b>rift </b>between them.


    The journey back to the capital passed without further incident.


    As they approached the capital inte July, the Ministry of Culture had already spread the news of their arrival, and the entire city was abuzz with excitement.


    The emotions of themon people were pure and heartfelt. Heroes returning home naturally drew massive crowds.


    Before entering the city, Adide handed her car to Ramona, asking her to return it another day.


    Ramona bowed her thanks and inquired, ¡°May I ask which pack you reside in?¡±


    ¡°The ckthorn Pack,¡± Adide replied.


    Ramona¡¯s face showed surprise. ¡°The ckthorn Pack? Then you must be Luna Adide!¡± <b>she </b>eximed.


    Quickly, she and Dorothy prepared to kneel in respect, but Adide said, ¡°No need for such formality. Come to return it tomorrow.¡±


    With that, Adide took Lance¡¯s hand, and they left together.


    Dorothy noticed the look in Lance¡¯s eyes and felt there was still hope. However, the key was to gain Luna Adide¡¯s trust and enter the pack.


    In other words, they needed to take a detour.


    But this might actually be more effective. If L¨²na Adide considered her a friend, the betrayal of both friend and mate would deliver a greater blow, making it more likely to cause a public scandal.


    So Dorothy said to Ramona, ¡°When you return the car tomorrow, bring a generous gift to curry Luna Adide¡¯s favor.¡±


    Ramona breathed a small sigh of relief and agreed.


    As they prepared to enter the capital, Eugene and Josh helped Marsh into a wheelchair, with Paisley, Lte, and Adide sitting in the open¨Ctop car.


    This had been approved by Doctor Digby.


    Even if something happened, there were people on all sides ready to <b>assist </b>Marsh immediately.


    They had thought it would be a simple ceremony, but they were unprepared for the <b>overwh </b>


    <b>ag </b>


    response.


    As soon as they passed through the capital¡¯s gates, they were greeted by deafening cheers.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>453 </b>


    <b>Security </b>personnel struggled to hold back the crowds, who surged forward <b>to </b>follow <b>the </b><b>procession</b>.


    Amidst the cheers and apuse, the eleven men were moved to tears. They waved with smiles, looking at the faces of the ordinary people¨Cthose they had sworn to protect.


    It felt like it had all been worth it.


    Garrett led the way with his three sons, and the cheers were deafening. They tried to spot Chandler <b>and </b>Derrick in the crowd but couldn¡¯t.


    Garrett had an official announcement to read, but the crowd¡¯s enthusiasm never waned.


    The security couldn¡¯t control it either. Garrett decided to wait until Peace Street to make the


    announcement.


    Peace Street was wide, with a circr flower bed in the center.


    Officials guided the eleven heroes there.


    When Garrett finally read the announcement, it took a while for the sodiers to hear <i>it </i>over the <b>cheers</b>.


    They wheeled Marsh forward, but since he couldn¡¯t even squat, Lte epted themendation on his behalf.


    The majesty of royalty was on full disy, but during the announcement, no one could make out a <b>single </b>word. The crowd¡¯s excited screams never let up.


    Fortunately, it was amendatory announcement, not a promotion decree<b>, </b>so it didn¡¯t matter <i>if </i>people couldn¡¯t hear it.


    Paisley, watching the thunderous cheers and jubnt crowds, asked Adide, ¡°Why is this so grand?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°The Department of Culture must have publicized their deeds first, portraying their experiences as incredibly thrilling and their intelligence¨Cgathering missions as life¨Crisking endeavors. They¡¯ve touched everyone¡¯s hearts.¡±


    Paisley nodded, recognizing the power of a storyteller¡¯s emotional appeal.


    Today, Ulrik was on duty, assisting the security team in maintaining order.


    As the werewolf warriors passed by one by one, memories flooded back. Ulrik recognized each and every one of them.


    When he saw Eugene, he noticed that the once¨Chandsome and distinguished man had changed.


    His heart swelled with mixed emotions and a fleeting sense of inferiority.


    He had once been a hero too, weed home with cheers from the people at the Bloodscar Border<b>. </b>


    Yet now, he had been relegated to a lowly security officer, no longer the darling of <b>the </b><b>masses </b><b>entrusted </b>with significant responsibilities.


    Watching them, he felt the stark disparity and the humiliation that came with it.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>453 </b>


    If <b>he </b><b>ever </b>wanted to rise again, it would likely depend on the help of Gloria¡¯s brother, <b>Tad</b><b>. </b>


    Otherwise, he would have to wait for another war to prove himself.


    How naive he had been in the past, thinking everything would be simple and beautiful. <b>Where </b>could military merits be so easily carned?


    At the Bloodscar Border, Alpha Zander had taken a knife for him and lost an arm.


    In the Southern Border battle, he witnessed the brutality of siege warfare.


    The piles of corpses and rivers of blood made him realize that achieving glory in battle <b>was </b><b>not </b><b>as </b><b>easy </b><b>as </b>Velda had described. How many soldiers had died without fulfilling their ambitions?


    How many, like Eugene and his team, had been captured, tortured, and yet managed to escape <b>to </b><b>form </b><b>an </b>intelligence squad?


    The thought of the torture endured by prisoners sent a chill up his spine.

 Novel Male 454

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Ulrik didn¡¯t know how things at the Bloodscar Border would unfold.


    Lycan Erasmus hadn¡¯t taken action yet, but he¡¯d already dispatched surveince on the Bloodmoon Pack


    It was certain that if the capital¡¯s situation changed, the Bloodmoon Pack would be affected.


    The new Lycan King of the Western Tribes didn¡¯t care about face like Lycan Erasmus.


    While others enjoyed the glory, Ulrik could only scrape by.


    In this moment, he felt utter despair and recalled Velda¡¯s words. She just wanted sess, which was truly difficult.


    He gazed up at those people, as if looking at his former self and Velda.


    But the crowd was too dense, and no one noticed him.


    Everyone followed the eleven heroes and Alpha Lance, who had rescued them.


    Lance didn¡¯t see him either. He was focused on the touching scene before him.


    Garrett¡¯s three sons stepped forward and tightly embraced Chandler and Derrick.


    The Ministry of Culture officials didn¡¯t cry. Their faces were filled with smiles and pride.


    In this setting, he stood proudly, watching his two sons kneel before him and say, ¡°We¡¯re sorry for the family¡¯s sake; we¡¯re finally back.¡±


    He wanted to cry but forced a smile, helped them up, and said, ¡°I¡¯m always proud of you.¡±


    Other families also sent people to greet their loved ones. Every embrace brought tears to people¡¯s eyes.


    Alger held Magnus and wept uncontrobly. Alger, usually yful and cheerful, had no dignity today. He cried like a child in his brother¡¯s arms,pletely forgetting his uing mating ceremony.


    Adide watched them, thinking she¡¯d never see her loved ones again, but joyously reunited.


    Tears streamed down her face.


    She knew such happiness would never be hers. She¡¯d never see her father and brothers again.


    The world¡¯s crueltyy in how close familial bonds could be severed, one by one, with no chance of


    reunion.


    Back at the pack, she secluded herself in her room.


    After rejoicing for others, she was left with her own sorrow.


    Not wanting to burden anyone with her emotions, she locked herself in and spent nearly an hour


    Wed 30 Jul (H


    Lance longed to be by her side but understood she needed time alone to process her feelings.


    So, he sat on the doorstep, preventing others from disturbing her.


    Only when Adide had regained herposure and changed her clothes did he stand up<b>, </b>take her <b>hand</b><b>, </b>and notice the remnants of tears in her eyes.


    Gently wiping her eyes, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go see Prisci¡±


    ¡°Actually, I was just thinking the same,¡± Adide replied with a smile, her post¨Ccry grin tinged with fragility, tugging at Lance¡¯s heart.


    Prisci was wiping her tears, listening to Susan report on the festivities outside.


    She envied themoners who could join in the celebrations.


    Lately, she¡¯d heard many stories about these heroes, deeply moved by their deeds.


    But her tears now weren¡¯t for the joy outside. They were for Adide, who had locked herself away upon returning to the pack.


    Prisci knew why Adide was upset¨Cthe joyous reunions didn¡¯t include her, <b>as </b><b>her </b>father and brother had perished in different battles.


    ¡°Come here!¡± Prisci beckoned to Adide, who approached respectfully, and patted the spot beside her.


    As Adide approached, Prisci pulled her into an embrace.


    With a gentle tug, Adide found herself semi¨Ckneeling into Prisci¡¯s embrace.


    Sitting down, Prisci held Adide close, her voice choked with emotion, ¡°You can always consider me your mother, your family. I¡¯ll protect you forever.¡±


    Adide had initially resisted, trying to shift her position for easier breathing.


    But Prisci¡¯s words struck a chord, leaving her defenseless.


    Her heart swelled with mixed emotions, and her eyes welled up.


    She never expected Prisci, who had always been sheltered <i>by </i>rissa, to offer such maternalfort.


    She recalled that Prisci hadn¡¯t particrly liked her in the past.


    She felt a lump in her throat.


    Honestly, at forty¨Csomething, Prisci¡¯s figure was remarkably well¨Cpreserved. It almost took her breath


    away.


    Lance watched, regretting he hadn¡¯t been the one tofort Adide first.


    Susan wiped her tears, relieved that Prisci was showingpassion.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    After the embrace, Prisci released Adide and invited everyone to sit.


    s


    Having expressed her emotions, she felt closer to Adide, though Adide remained slightly awkward.


    Shifting the mood, Adide asked, ¡°Have you been to the royal pce since I left the capital?¡±


    ¡°I went but didn¡¯t see Lycan Erasmus. rissa had me visit Pandora; she¡¯s ill. I don¡¯t know what rissa and Lycan Erasmus discussed,¡± Prisci replied.


    ¡°Pandora¡¯s ill?¡± Lance looked up.


    ¡°Yes, very ill. The doctor says she¡¯s not doing well. Germainhas applied to Lycan Erasmus to return to the capital with his family to care for her,¡± Prisci exined.


    ¡°Did Lycan Erasmus approve it?¡± Lance inquired.

 Novel Male 455

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°I heard it was approved. When I went to the pce a few days ago, rissa said Germain would <b>arrive </b>in the capital in a few days. The Blue Abyss Pack¡¯s vi in the capital has also started renovation<b>, </b><b>Prisci </b>said.


    The inevitable alwayses to pass.


    Lance sat for a while before getting up. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the pce <i>to </i>report. I¡¯ll be backter for dinner. <b>By </b>the way, where¡¯s Zelda?¡± he asked.


    ¡°She went out with Alger,¡± Prisci replied.


    Since the mating was set, the wedding would take ce in a few days.


    They could stroll around as they pleased. There was no need for constraints.


    Lance said nothing further, nced at Adide, and left.


    Adide inquired, ¡°Has Zelda¡¯s personal property and post¨Cwedding items been packed and sorted?¡±


    ¡°Everything¡¯s been taken care of. Susan and Ralph have been handling it. I haven¡¯t been idle; there¡¯s a list<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Prisci assured her.


    ¡°Have you visited the princess¡¯s vi?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Not personally, but Ralph has. He checked it out,¡± Prisci responded.


    Adide felt it was necessary to visit and suggested, ¡°Since we have time, why don¡¯t we take Paisley and go take a look?¡±


    ¡°A vi¡¯s just a vi, nothing special to see. fissa will have the butler manage it,¡± Prisci said, reluctant to go out in the zing sun and risk harming her skin.


    But seeing Adide¡¯s expectant expression, she relented. ¡°But a visit might be good. We can check if any furniture is missing and prepare in advance. We can¡¯t rely solely on the butler.¡±


    Zelda¡¯s vi, situated in the capital¡¯s most bustling noble district, was a hub for the elite, just three or four miles from Court Street.


    Conveniently, it was also a short half¨Chour walk from the ckthorn Pack¡¯s territory.


    Unwilling to walk far, the group took a carriage.


    The vi already had servants assigned by rissa, busy with cleaning and gardening.


    The garden was lush with flowers, theke crystal¨Cclear, and the gentle stream soothing to


    oul.


    Zelda¡¯s suite, named ¡°Zelda¡¯s Hideaway,¡± featured high¨Cend oak four¨Cposter beds andfortable lounge chairs, all crafted from fine wood.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    09¡ä04<b>¡ä¡ä</b>¡± Wed, 8000) DJ JE


    <b>Prisci </b>looked around andmented, ¡°Many wedding gifts are furniture, but this ce is already well. equipped. No need for more.¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Since it¡¯s on the gift registry, we might as well send it. The mansion has <b>plenty </b><b>of </b>space


    ¡°The materials you chose were top¨Cnotch. It¡¯d be a waste not to use them,¡± Prisci mused.


    After a moment, she suggested, ¡°Actually, Alger has his own vi here and asionally stays. <b>Perhaps </b><b>we </b>


    should send the furniture there instead.¡±


    Given Zelda and Alger¡¯s close bond, they would likely live together post¨Cwedding, making <b>separate </b>residences merely a formality.


    Adide proposed, ¡°Maybe we should also prepare a guest room for you, Prisci, so you can visit Zelda conveniently.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. If I don¡¯t live in the ckthorn Pack¡¯s territory but in my daughter¡¯s vi, that wouldn¡¯t <b>be </b>right,¡± Prisci said.


    Initially, Prisci hadn¡¯t been close to her children.


    Zelda¡¯s affection had bridged that gap.


    Zelda often chatted and hugged her, warming her heart with her presence.


    Over time, Prisci¡¯s maternal instincts had been awakened.


    Reflecting on the past, Prisci remembered giving birth to Lance while still enjoying the pampering of family and her older sister.


    However, once she became a mother, attention shifted to the newborn.


    She hadined about the pains of pregnancy and childbirth, but such grievances were deemed natural blessings.


    In the royal court, women were forbidden frommenting the suffering of childbirth; they had to endure in silence.


    She had confided her discontent to rissa, who had flown into a rage and severely reprimanded her.. The scolding had terrified Prisci and made her realize her selfishness<b>. </b>


    Despite this, she gradually adapted to her role as a mother.


    Zelda¡¯s birth hadn¡¯t instantly filled her with joy. It was Zelda¡¯s dependence and affection that had truly kindled maternal love.


    As for Lance, though not unloved, his growing sternness made him distant.


    Adide was different¨Cmore like an older sister, doting on and protecting Prisci.


    In the pack, Adide ensured Prisci had no worries. Thus, Prisci preferred living with Adide.


    After the festivities died down<b>, </b>everyone returned home.


    * Find Chine


    Eugene walked through the door, and Sibyl¡¯s tears wouldn¡¯t stop. She wept over and over, hugging her son, almost fainting again.


    Amidst tears andfort, they finally sat Sibyl down and began to talk properly.


    The Hutchinson family had few young men left; several had been lost.


    Eugene¡¯s return brought sce to all.


    He greeted the elders one by one, and others dabbed at their eyes.


    After catching up on the past years, Sibyl took her son to her room for a heart¨Cto¨Cheart talk.


    There was something she needed to rify with him.


    Once in her room, Sibyl dismissed everyone. Looking at her son, the scene still felt unreal to her.


    <b>3/3 </b>

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    She heaved a deep sigh and said, ¡°You probably heard about your ex¨Cmate while in the Southern <b>Border </b>but I need to talk to you about it. Your father died heroically in battle. I know how hard it is to lose a <b>mate</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°But I have you and your sister; there¡¯s always hope. It was different for Gloria back then. She hadn¡¯t had any children yet.¡±


    ¡°I thought, since you¡¯ve already served the country, you shouldn¡¯t burden her any further. So I <b>discussed </b>with others, and we all agreed that Gloria should return to the Ironw Pack.¡±


    Recalling the sudden bad news, Sibyl still felt a jolt of anxiety.


    She took a sip of water and continued, ¡°At that time, she didn¡¯t want to leave either, saying she would stay by your side forever. I was worried she might suffer in the Ironw Pack, so I gave her your pension and two shops.¡±


    ¡°Now that she¡¯s mated again, the Ironw Pack recently returned the pension and shops to me, in cash, to settle the ounts. I¡¯m telling you this so you won¡¯t disturb her.¡±


    ¡°From now on, you live your life, and she¡¯ll live hers. Even if you meet again, pretend you don¡¯t know <b>her </b>to avoid causing her trouble.¡±


    Eugene listened quietly to his mother¡¯s words.


    After a long while, he said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯m the one who wronged her. I won¡¯t bother her.¡±


    Sibyl, seeing her son¡¯s heartbroken expression, said, ¡°I can arrange another mate for you¡­¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Eugene replied with a wry smile, shaking his head. ¡°Let it be. I don¡¯t n on mating again.¡±


    Sibyl was taken aback. ¡°Not mating? What are you saying? How can you not mating?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about itter,¡± Eugene said softly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to discuss this now.¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°Do you think you owe her an apology, so you won¡¯t mate again?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only just returned. It¡¯s too soon to talk about mating,¡± he said.


    Hearing the loneliness in his voice, Sibyl grew sorrowful too.


    She had never dreamed he woulde back, so she decided not to press the issue and avoid him further.


    Softly, she said, ¡°Just promise me one thing: don¡¯t seek her out. Don¡¯t disrupt her current life.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Eugene said with a bitter look. ¡°I promise<b>, </b>Mother. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Sibyl sighed, tears welling up again.


    etting


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have persuaded her to leave. If I hadn¡¯t, she¡¯d still be your mate. <b>Everyone </b><b>else </b><b>has </b><b>their </b><b>mates </b>


    <b>1/8 </b>


    back, but you¡¯re still¡­¡±


    Eugene cut her off. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m tired. I¡¯m going to take a shower and rest.¡±


    Sibyl looked at him and sighed deeply.


    It seemed he wouldn¡¯t get over this heartache anytime soon.


    ¡°Onest thing,¡± she said. ¡°When Christine came to return the pension and the money for the shops<b>, </b>she mentioned they were worried Gloria might cling to you. I think there¡¯s something off about this.¡±


    Eugene pondered for a moment. ¡°Got it,¡± he said..


    On August 8th, Zelda¡¯s mating ceremony arrived.


    The royal family¡¯s mating ceremony was far more borate than that of ordinary pack members.


    A day before the ceremony, Zelda and Prisci moved into Zelda¡¯s princess vi, with Adide joining them.


    Princess Yvette and Princess Margot apanied them. Yvette released gentle lily of the valley pheromones to ease Zelda¡¯s nervousness, while Margot whispered advice on getting along with one¡¯s mate and their family.


    Princess Yvette said, ¡°The Wall family of the Styxwarden Pack and the Watson family are the most prestigious academic families in the country, with numerous schrs. On the surface, they¡¯re very harmonious, though their family rules are a bit strict. But aren¡¯t the royal family¡¯s rules even more so? As <i>a </i>princess with your own vi, you won¡¯t need to kowtow to them. Moreover, your mate¡¯s parents are known for their kindness and won¡¯t make things difficult for you.¡±


    Zelda was already well¨Caware of these details.


    When she lowered her eyes, a sh of sharpness from her vertical pupils could be seen beneath hershes.


    Alger¡¯s father had sustained brain damage in an ident at the age of eight or nine, while his mother, being childhood sweethearts with him, didn¡¯t mind his intellectual limitations.


    They have Alger and his sister Gwendolyn, both of pleasant dispositions.


    Zelda wasn¡¯t nervous at all but yed the part for everyone¡¯s sake.


    After all, as long as her performance brought joy to others, it was eptable to her. Life was like a drama, after all.


    On the day of the ceremony, Zelda, adorned in a magnificent wedding gown and with her he ce, looked delicate with palm¨Csized features, exquisite nose, and exceptionally bright <b>eyes</b>.


    <b>ece </b>in


    Unlike other princesses who often exuded sharp nobility, Zelda¡¯s pheromones carried an aura of harmony and warmth.


    Cami attended the ceremony with her children, as Alger was her cousin.


    Tracy stayed briefly, offered a few words of congrattions, and left, her demeanor <b>as </b><b>arrogant </b>as <b>ever</b><b>. </b>


    O


    Before departing, she cast a cold nce at Adide, her vertical pupils narrowing into <b>fine </b><b>lines </b><b>at </b><b>the </b>corners of her eyes, provoking a bristling response in Adide¡¯s wolf fur.


    Tracy¡¯s aura was like an icy wolf w, making her difficult to get along with.


    The ceremony¡¯s host dered the two mated. Alger was overjoyed, hoping for a love as enduring <b>as </b>his


    parents.


    Zelda¡¯s fingers subtly shifted within her sleeve. The keratin of her wolf ws pierced her palm, drawing blood that quickly healed.

 Novel Male 457

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    On Zelda¡¯s mating day, the Styxwarden Pack was in a frenzy of activity.


    Her personal belongings and wedding gifts had been delivered to her vi the previous day, but the ceremony and banquet were held at the Styxwarden Pack¡¯s headquarters.


    Guests streamed in endlessly, nearly filling the pack¡¯s square to capacity.


    Before heading to the Styxwarden Pack for the ceremony, Madison allowed Ramona a brief stop.


    Aireanna remained imprisoned in Madison¡¯s dungeon, where the air was thick with the stench of blood and decay.


    The dungeon was ventted for only one hour daily, a ¡°mercy¡± Madison proimed.


    Other breeders and errant servants were also confined there.


    Once imprisoned, servants never saw the light of day again.


    The so¨Ccalled ¡°stench¡± was, in fact, the smell of blood.


    Ramona entered the dungeon, waves of nausea hitting her, but she forced herself to head straight for her mother¡¯s cell.


    Cells were separated by walls, invisible to one another, with a door featuring a small window for food passage.


    Each cell had a bed and a chamber pot, with a monthly bath allowance.


    Madison insisted Hunt would visit them and demanded they maintain cleanliness.


    If no one screamed or made a fuss within a month, they could have a half¨Cday outing.


    Ramona had been here once before, part of Madison¡¯s scheme to motivate her.


    Dorothy had the door opened, and Ramona rushed into the cell to find her emaciated mother.


    Aireannay on the ground, skeletal, and struggled to sit up at her daughter¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°Mom!¡±


    Ramona embraced her, tears streaming down her face. ¡°The doctor was called. Why are yo coughing?¡±


    ill


    Aireanna held her daughter tightly; her frail body radiated immense strength. ¡°I thought I¡¯d never see you again. How are you? What about your sister?¡±


    Ramona choked back tears, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Madison treats me well.¡±


    Aireanna wasn¡¯t fooled. She wept, ¡°Youing here means she¡¯s decided to use you.¡±


    |||


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    <b>1/3 </b>


    Leaning close to Ramona¡¯s car, she sobbed, ¡°Forget me. Run, as far as you can.¡±


    Ramona replied resolutely, ¡°Mom, trust me. I¡¯llplete Madison¡¯s mission and rescue you.


    Aireanna clutched her daughter¡¯s clothes desperately. ¡°Run!¡± she shouted.


    ¡°Mom, trust me,¡± Ramona nodded, a sh of determination in her eyes.


    ¡°If Huntes to visit, I¡¯ll persuade him to cooperate with my n. There¡¯s no other way.¡±


    Aireanna released her, tears streaming down her face. Ramona inhaled deeply and mouthed, ¡°And the other breeders.¡±


    Aloud, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll follow Madison¡¯s arrangements and handle everything. Once <b>it¡¯s </b><b>all </b>done<b>, </b>we¡¯ll be reunited.¡±


    Aireanna¡¯s eyes widened in terror, her gaunt face appearing more haggard.


    Ramona bowed her head and said, ¡°Mom, remember my words. I will seed.¡±


    She raised her head, her gaze resolute with a defiance Aireanna had never seen before.


    Aireanna, filled with fear, wanted to hold on but let go helplessly.


    She knew she couldn¡¯t hold her daughter back.


    The Barkers and the girls were all entangled.


    She couldn¡¯t die; otherwise, her daughters and the Barkers would suffer.


    In this living¨Chell scenario, they had to make onest desperate attempt.


    There was no way back.


    At the Styxwarden Pack¡¯s banquet, guests were in high spirits.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was among


    the invitees.


    Though its status had dimmed, the prestige from its ancestors¡® glorious wartime deeds stillmanded


    respect.


    Stanley, a government official, naturally had to bnce interests and avoid favoritism.


    The Hutchinson family also received an invitation.


    On the third day of Eugene¡¯s return, every member of the Eugenius Scout Team receimendation decree.


    Eugene was awarded the Gamma rank of Golden, Magnus was promoted to the Gamma rank of Silver.


    Marsh from the Hornbeam Pack, for his unwavering silence and resilience under torture<b>, </b>was granted <b>the </b>title of Earl, with his wife Lte honored as <b>a </b>Lady.


    These unprecedentedmendations aimed to extol Marsh¡¯s bravery and boost morale.


    111


    Lycan Erasmus understood that while Marsh¡¯s injuries left him unfit for frontline duty, granting him <b>an </b>earldom would secure his family¡¯s glory and wealth, demonstrating the kingdom¡¯s reverence for <b>loyal </b><b>and </b>courageous individuals.


    Other members of the Eugenius Scout Team also received significant roles.


    Eugene, Magnus, and Martin stood out in the rewards.


    Even Josh and other ordinary werewolf warriors advanced in rank, awaiting orders for deployment.


    This was Eugene¡¯s first grand banquet in the capital since his return from the battlefield.


    Amidst the crowd, he felt uneasy.


    The Hutchinson family had nned a victory banquet for him, but he declined, feeling dispirited.


    Sibyl, worrying about her son, turned down the invitation on his behalf.


    Eugene¡¯s mental state was far from ideal.


    Nightly nightmares gued him, throwing him back into the life¨Cand¨Cdeath days of the Eugenius Scout Team.


    Once awake, sleep evaded him.


    He deliberately avoided anything rted to Gloria, unwilling to confront that past.


    Reluctantly, he attended today¡¯s banquet, dragged there by Magnus.


    Magnus cherished his younger brother Alger deeply. Though unrted by blood, their bond surpassed that of biological siblings.

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    Third Person¡¯s POV


    At the banquet, Eugene and Magnus felt like two isted inds, often lost in thought.


    Members of the Eugenius Scout Team naturally gathered together, seekingfort in each other¡¯spany.


    Although Marsh wasn¡¯t present, a representative from the Hornbeam Pack attended with Lte, who was there at her mate¡¯s request.


    Lte, new to social events, became the center of attention as an honored Lady.


    Guests approached to greet her and inquire about Marsh.


    Even Madison stopped by to congratte her on her newfound status.


    This spotlight made Gloria extremely uneasy.


    Lte¡¯s sess felt like a public roasting to Gloria.


    Despite no direct criticism, she was filled with shame and regret for attending.


    Originally reluctant toe, she had been persuaded by Rosemary, who stressed that rejecting the Styxwarden Pack¡¯s invitation would be rude.


    Now, surrounded by praise for Lte, she was on edge..


    She got up to find some peace.


    Christine, noticing Gloria¡¯s distress, sent a maid to follow her, worried she might cause a scene.


    Gloria wandered into the garden, where the chatter of guests only heightened her agitation.


    Unconsciously, she passed through an archway into the front courtyard, a space filled with male guests.


    Under the trees, several men stood beneath the shade, surrounded by festive colors and balloons.


    One man looked up and locked eyes with her.


    Gloria froze, as if electrocuted.


    He was thinner and darker, but still carried himself with poise and confidence.


    Eugene immediately looked away/and hurried off upon meeting her gaze.


    ¡°Gloria!¡± an omega from Christine¡¯s group whispered. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Gloria, regaining herposure, said in a low voice, ¡°I heard he¡¯s been promoted to Gamma of the Golden.¡±


    ¡°Who are you talking about? It¡¯s best not to gossip,¡± the omega cautioned, well¨Caware of Christine¡¯s


    O


    173


    intentions.


    Ignoring the warning, Gloria continued, ¡°Before Tad left for the Southern Border, Lycan Erasmus appointed himmander of the Royal Army. Now he¡¯s a regionalmander. Where will <b>he </b><b>be </b>


    stationed next?¡±


    The omega solemnly warned, ¡°Gloria, focus on your own mate. He¡¯s here today too.¡±


    ¡°Why is he being rewarded now?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s voice was bitter. ¡°Lte¡¯s mate carned a title, and she¡¯s an honored Lady, while he¡¯s made a regionalmander. What kind of merit is this? Just for passing on intel? Will werewolf soldiers fighting on the front lines be disheartened by such honors?¡±


    The omega grasped her arm firmly, trying to bring her to her senses. ¡°Gloria, watch your words. This is the Styxwarden Pack¡¯s territory.¡±


    The pain made Gloria start. She snapped, ¡°Who asked you to follow me?¡±


    The omega calmly replied, ¡°Christine worried you might get lost and asked me to apany you.¡±


    Gloria snorted, ¡°Lost? You just don¡¯t want me to embarrass the Ironw Pack.¡±


    ¡°Gloria, if the crowd is too much, I can apany you to the garden for some fresh air. The wind might clear your head. Remember your identity as the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s Luna,¡± the omega urged.


    Gloria red and said, ¡°Enough! If you must follow, stay at a distance.¡±


    She stormed off, unaware that she had drawn attention.


    Every nce felt mocking to her.


    Unable to bear it, she left the Styxwarden Pack without a word.


    The omega reported back to Christine, who frowned¡ªshe had left without informing anyone? And Ulrik was still there.


    Worse, she hadn¡¯t excused herself, causing embarrassment as many witnessed her departure.


    Though inwardly annoyed, Christine kept herposure.


    She summoned Gloria¡¯s maid and instructed her to monitor Gloria closely and report back.


    Only after the banquet did Ulrik learn of Gloria¡¯s early departure.


    Upon returning to the pack, he went straight to her. She was already in bed, and he said with some irritation, ¡°Why did you leave early without telling me?¡±


    Gloria, rubbing her forehead, said, ¡°I had a terrible headache and came back ahead of sch


    Hearing of her difort and seeing her pale face, Ulrik¡¯s tone softened. ¡°You should have informed me. Leaving without a word puts the hosts in an awkward position.¡±


    He gently touched her forehead and asked, ¡°Are you feeling any better?¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>458 </b>


    <b>His </b>tender <b>concern</b>, which would haveforted her before Eugene¡¯s return, now <b>only </b><b>filled </b>her <b>with </b>bitterness<b>. </b>

 Novel Male 459

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria was well aware of the vast difference between Eugene and Ulrik, as striking as the contrast <b>between </b>clouds and y.


    That fleeting nce from Eugene had sent her heart racing.


    In that brief moment, his eyes had conveyed deep affection.


    She was certain Eugene still harbored feelings for her.


    She resented Christine for returning the pension, which seemed like a final severance of all ties, leaving her in a dilemma.


    No, she must see Eugene again.


    Ulrik, noticing her silence and darkening mood, grew anxious. ¡°Still feeling unwell? I¡¯ll send for a doctor right away,¡± he offered.


    Gloria reassured him with a gentle squeeze of his hand, ¡°I¡¯m better now.¡±


    The next day, she dressed meticulously, tucking a fresh red rose behind her ear, and set out.


    She was bound for a ce that might confirm Eugene¡¯s lingering feelings for her.


    At the foot of Yellowstone Mountainy a stream that cascaded into a small waterfall midway up the slope.


    This was Eugene¡¯s sanctuary¨Ca ce he frequented when burdened by sorrow or indecision.


    He had once brought her here.


    Her maid assisted her up the mountain trail. As the surroundings grew deste, the maid¡¯s unease spilled into words, ¡°Luna Gloria, where exactly are we heading? The heat is overwhelming. Are you sure you can manage?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Gloria replied, her own breathing heavier with the exertion.


    She paused to catch her breath and coolly instructed the maid, ¡°Today, you are to remain silent, no matter who we encounter. Understood?¡±


    The maid, though unversed in etiquette, sensed the inappropriateness of their outing.


    The remote and uninhabited area filled her with dread¨Cwhat if danger arose?


    She recalled Christine¡¯s warnings/from the previous night.


    Reaching the mountain¡¯s midpoint, Gloria could already hear the waterfall¡¯s roar.


    Her pulse quickened¨C would he be here?


    Her legs felt like lead, hesitant to take another step..


    <b>1/3 </b>


    |||


    O


    <b>The </b>thought ofing all this way, <b>of </b>spending a sleepless night longing for him<b>, </b><b>only </b><b>to </b><b>find </b><b>him </b>absent. was humiliating.


    After several deep breaths, she followed the mountain path onward,


    To her surprise, a trail now existed where once there was none, likely carved by others who had <b>discovered </b>this scenic spot.


    Memories flooded back¨Cof their past visits when Eugene had guided her through tall <b>grass</b>, the thrill of levitating in his arms.


    Rounding the bend, the scene opened up.


    There, by the waterfall, stood the figure she hade to see. Her blood boiled with excitement¨Che was really here!


    She touched the red rose behind her ear, took another deep breath, and instructed the maid, ¡°<i>Wait </i>here. Do not follow.¡±


    The maid, pale with fear at the thought of Gloria meeting a man alone, protested, ¡°Luna Gloria, this is absolutely improper. If Alpha Ulrik finds out¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s no longer a werewolf general,¡± Gloria retorted coldly.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t speak of it, neither will anyone else. Stay here and keep watch.¡±


    Eugene, hearing the approaching footsteps, turned around. His werewolf hearing had pinpointed the deliberate yet light steps amid the waterfall¡¯s thunderous roar.


    Spotting her, his pupils narrowed almost imperceptibly into vertical slits¨Cwas it truly her?


    As Gloria drew near, tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.


    She deliberately released sweet honeysuckle pheromones, like tendrils with hooks, attempting to ensnare


    him.


    This was the scent that had once softened Eugene¡¯s cedar pheromones during their mating.


    Eugene, drenched from head to toe, stood with his clothing clinging to his lean and tall frame. The temporary mark on his neck, not yet faded, glowed a faint red in the water¡¯s sheen.


    He instinctively stepped back, his cedar pheromones tightening like an icy shell. ¡°Why are you here?¡± he asked.


    Gloria advanced a few more steps, her cries blending with the wave of her pheromones, the undertone of her voice carrying a wolf¡¯s howl. ¡°I had to see you. I¡¯m so d you¡¯re back, Eugene. You¡¯re alive, and I can¡¯t tell you how happy that makes me.¡±


    Her pheromones were more potent than ever, attempting to pry open the sealed nd win Eugene. Eugene looked at her tears, and his wolf ws dug crescent¨Cshaped grooves into his palm. Once, during their mating, his cedar pheromones had rippled with tenderness at her tears.


    <b>2/8 </b>


    5 Free Coins


    Now, those ripples were frozen¨Cwhere the bond had broken, only numb emptiness remained.


    ¡°Thank you for your concern, but we are no longer mates,¡± Eugene stated.


    His vertical pupils shed coldly in the sunlight as he deliberately maintained distance, a barrier that kept Gloria¡¯s pheromones at bay. ¡°You¡¯ve mated with another. We must keep our distance.


    ¡°Keep our distance?¡±


    Gloriaughed through her tears, her pheromones sharpening like shattered ss. Her ears trembled with indignation. ¡°Have you be so heartless?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Eugene stood in the water, watching as she approached the water¡¯s edge, heedless of her soaked shoes. His pheromones red with a warning aura.


    Ripples formed at his feet as he said, ¡°Don¡¯te in. I¡¯lle to you.¡±


    He stepped onto the shore but instinctively moved a few paces to the left, his cedar pheromones forming an invisible wall.


    In the damp air, her pheromones fell like broken pearls, even his sensitive neck nds unresponsive¨Cthe severed bond had rendered their pheromones strangers.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t havee,¡± he said, his voice as cold as ice in the waterfall.


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t meet. If this gets out, it could ruin your reputation.¡±


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 460

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Cloria spoke through tears, her honeysuckle pheromones swirling into a sharp vortex.


    She stepped closer, her damp skirt brushing Eugene¡¯s boots. ¡°I don¡¯t care. What reputation do I have <b>left</b><b>? </b>You must have heard about the Bloodmoon Pack¨CI joined a terrible ce<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    ¡°Eugene, this <b>is </b>all you owe me, <i>I </i>weren¡¯t dead, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± she demanded.


    ¡°Even after dissolving our mating, I waited for you in the Ironw Pack. If Mrs. Voss hadn¡¯t approached me, I¡¯d still be waiting, not mating


    with anyone else,¡± she revealed.


    ¡°In the Ironw Pack, I had no freedom. Christine despised me and was eager to see me gone. When Mrs. Voss arrived, I had no choice but toply,¡± she exined, her eyes narrowing with tears.


    Her pheromones pressed down with intention¨Cthe


    fam cent


    numbness to Eugene¡¯s neck.


    of their bond now only brought


    Eugene¡¯s cedar pheromones dampened like waterlogged cotton. Guilt wed at his nds.


    He had been despondent not just because of her second mating but also due to the grief his supposed death had caused his family, especially his mother, who had fallen ill and only recently recovered.


    He tried to reassure himself that some sacrifices were inevitable, yet he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of owing his family an apology.


    His attempts to make amends left him realizing life couldn¡¯t return to how it once was.


    Even at home, he remained perpetually on edge, his fingers instinctively rubbing the wolf¨Chead dagger <i>at </i>his waist.


    Lycan Erasmus had entrusted him with significant tasks, which weighed heavily on him. A good night¡¯s sleep had be a luxury, and he could only find fleeting peace by sitting by the waterfall.


    Gloria¡¯s usations deepened his guilt.


    All he could do was apologize, his voice tremblin


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve wronged you.¡±


    Gloria cried and sneered, her wolf ears perking slightly through her wet hair. ¡°Why would you feel sorry? Do you think I¡¯m not as good as Lte? She waited for Marsh of the Hornbeam Pack for so many years¡­


    Eugene shook his head urgently, his cedar pheromones swirling with agitation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never thought that. I¡¯ve neverpared you to anyone. Everyone is unique. Your choice was valid. You were young then. If I had made you waste your life waiting for me, I would have felt even more guilty. It¡¯s me who failed you.¡±


    ¡°How could you think that way?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s pheromones carried a mocking chill as she stepped close enough to see Eugene¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple move. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve returned as a hero, with everyone praising you, how could you <b>feel </b>indebted to


    |||


    O


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>mes </b>


    <b>A </b><b>flicker </b>of pain crossed Eugene¡¯s eyes. His cedar pheromones sank heavily, carrying a <b>smoky </b><b>fatigue </b>


    The <b>so</b><b>¨C</b>called hero¡¯s honor was precisely what troubled him.


    He hadn¡¯t sought fame. The credit for reiming the Southern Border didn¡¯t belong to the Eugenius <b>Scout </b>Team¨Cthey had only contributed a little.


    Lycan Erasmus had appointed him Golden Gamma, yet the warriors who had truly bled on the battlefield received no such rewards.


    He couldn¡¯t refuse, as Beta Fabian said it was Lycan Erasmus¡¯smendation for team spirit, and <b>their </b>actions had inspired the troops.


    He sighed deeply, his pheromones crumpling like discarded paper. ¡°You misunderstand.¡±


    Gloria wiped her tears and looked at him. ¡°Do you truly feel guilty? If so, treat me


    better.¡±


    Eugene gazed at her, recalling their past affection. With mixed emotions, he said, ¡°You¡¯ve mated with someone else. We shouldn¡¯t meet in secret.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll dissolve my mating!¡±


    Gloria dered firmly. ¡°Tell me, if I do, will you take me back?¡±


    Eugene was shocked. ¡°You want to dissolve your mating?<b>¡± </b>


    Gloria took a few steps forward, her eyes gleaming. ¡°I will dissolve it. mating with Ulrik was never my choice. Christine forced me, and Ulrik treats me poorly.¡±


    ¡°The¨CBloodmoon Pack has been infiltrated. My two omegas were killed by intruders. In the Bloodmoon Pack, my life is in constant danger. I want to dissolve my mating. Answer me¨Cwill you reject me because I was once mated to Ulrik?¡±


    ¡°Dead?¡± Eugene was stunned.


    He remembered those two omegas who had grown up with Gloria.


    Gloria wept. ¡°They protected me and were killed by the intruders. In the Bloodmoon Pack, I could die at any moment. I want to dissolve my mating. Answer me¨Cwill you reject me?¡±


    Eugene was deeply shaken. Instinctively, he shook his head.


    But his mind was working on the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s infiltration.


    With no significant officials in the pack, why had it been attacked?


    There must be a hidden secret.


    Seeing him shake his head, Gloria breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°You promised not to reject me. Don¡¯t go back on your word. You owe me this.¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 461

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Eugene looked up and asked, ¡°You want to dissolve your mating because the Bloodmoon Pack has been abusing you, Ulrik has been treating you poorly, and intruders have infiltrated the Bloodmoon <b>Pack </b>putting your life in danger¨Cnot because I¡¯m back, right?¡±


    Gloria stepped forward again and suddenly hugged him.


    Eugene was taken aback and quickly pushed her away, retreating several steps.


    Seeing his reaction, Gloria was stunned and then tears streamed down her face<i>. </i>


    She said despondently, ¡°You do despise me. You really do.


    Eugene gazed at her, his emotions restrained as he said, ¡°I¡¯ll look into the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s affairs.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to investigate!¡±


    Gloria shouted, on the verge of copse. ¡°What are you investigating? Don¡¯t you trust me? I¡¯m only asking you this: after I dissolve the mating, will you still want me? Do you despise me or not? Answer me this.


    Faced with Gloria¡¯s relentless questioning, Eugene took several deep breaths and found himself unable <b>to </b>speak.


    His mind felt like a tangled mess.


    He didn¡¯t want to make promises lightly before getting to the bottom of things.


    Yet, he had always felt indebted and guilty toward Gloria. After a long silence, he quietly said, ¡°I don¡¯t despise you. I have no right to.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s tearful eyes brightened instantly. ¡°With this answer, I¡¯m relieved, Eugene. Wait for me,¡± she said, and turned to leave.


    Eugene wanted to call her back but remembered her words. The intrusion into the Bloodmoon Pack was likely moreplicated than it seemed.


    It was a matter of life and death, and Gloria might be in real danger.


    He sighed deeply. He had already let Gloria down once.


    If she was truly in mortal peril and wanted to dissolve their mating, he couldn¡¯t me her.


    And if it came to that, should she return to him, he would <b>have </b>no <b>reason </b>to refuse. He should <b>take </b>responsibility.


    Gloria walked down the mountain with <b>her </b>maid, her <b>steps </b>light and <b>her </b>heart full <b>of </b><b>relief</b>.


    She had guessed right¨CEugene still <b>cared </b>for <b>her</b><b>. </b>


    She needed to find a way to <b>dissolve </b><b>her </b>mating <b>with </b>Ulrik.


    O


    Once dissolved, Eugene would re¨Cmate with her, making her the mate of a Golden Gamma<b>. </b><b>Gaining </b><b>the </b>corresponding social status and respect would then be within reach.


    Compared to her excitement, her maid was terrified.


    She had overheard most of their conversation from a distance.


    2


    Gloria nned to dissolve her mating with Ulrik and re¨Cmate with Eugene, and it seemed <b>Eugene </b><b>agreed</b><b>. </b>


    Back at the pack, the maid used the excuse of shopping to visit the Ironw Pack.


    She was brought before Christine and reported everything she had heard.


    After listening, Christine sighed helplessly.


    She knew that despite all precautions, they couldn¡¯t prevent this oue.


    She thought to herself, Gloria imed to be in mortal danger¨Chow could Eugene not care?


    Knowing Eugene¡¯s loyal nature, she dismissed the maid and instructed her to report any developments.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Christine¡¯s maid asked worriedly. ¡°If she really dissolves her mating with the Bloodmoon Pack, can the Ironw Pack¡¯s reputation be preserved?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s out of my hands,¡± Christine replied after a moment¡¯s thought. ¡°The Bloodmoon Pack is a pit of <b>fire</b>. If she wants to dissolve the mating, I won¡¯t stop her. I¡¯ll ept her back into the Ironw Pack. But if she turns to Eugene, I can¡¯t agree.¡±


    ¡°But Eugene seems to have agreed too, Christine. If she dissolves the mating and returns to the Hutchinson family, it might not be a bad choice,¡± the maid suggested.


    ¡°No way!¡±


    Christine said firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t allow this to happen. After years with me, you should know me well. Besides, some things can¡¯t be hidden forever. When she returned to the Ironw Pack and lost her child, we¡¯ve only ever consulted one physician. How hard would it be to investigate?¡±


    Christine¡¯s maid was aware of this matter.


    Trembling with fear, she said, ¡°Surely we wouldn¡¯t investigate without reason?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± Christine replied, her eyes darkening. She had been bottling up this matter for years, unable to let it go.


    Her gaze turned sharp as she dered, ¡°If she intends to do this, I¡¯ll speak to Eugene my scif.¡±


    ¡°Christine, you can¡¯t,¡± the maid implored. ¡°Luna Cynthia would despise you. Moreover, it¡¯s not proper <b>to </b>air our dirtyundry.¡±


    Christine closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. These issues were causing her immense <b>distress </b><b>and </b><b>a </b>pounding headache.


    The maid continued, ¡°If you reveal this to Eugene and he causes <b>a </b>scene, <b>the </b>Ironw <b>Pack¡¯s </b><b>reputation </b>will be shattered. Please, don¡¯t do this.¡±


    <b>2/8 </b>


    O


    09:37 Fri, 1 Aug <b>GOU </b>


    476%


    s


    ¡°Moreover, if Tad finds out, he¡¯ll be furious with you,¡± the maid added, thinking of Christine¡¯s husband stationed at the Southern Border.


    The thought of her husband only added to Christine¡¯s headache.

 Novel Male 462

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡®s <b>Free </b><b>Coins </b>


    Back when they were in the capital, he used to heed her words. She¡¯d patiently guide him on various issues, preventing him from going astray.


    Their mateship had its fair share of disagreements and arguments. She¡¯d have to calmly break things down for him, persuading him bit by bit¨Cit was like mentoring a son.


    Even when convinced, he¡¯d harbor resentment.


    His narrow¨Cmindedness couldn¡¯t amodate a mate with greater foresight. This became the dilemma of her life.


    No one¡¯s life was perfect.


    Look at Lte now¨Cshe¡¯s better off, but who knows what she endured those past few <b>years</b>?


    Adide and Lance¡¯s strong bond was the envy of many.


    Yet, the deep pain of losing all her loved ones was something no one could truly fathom.


    The Moon Goddess gives everyone hardships. The key is how you navigate them to have a smooth life and future.


    Unlike Gloria, who chased after what¡¯s shiny and new, only to jump ship at the first sign of trouble¨Csuch fickleness showed apleteck of morals and principles.


    ¡°I am the future Luna of the Ironw Pack, and I must consider its interests,¡± Christine dered after a long silence.


    ¡°I won¡¯t stop her from dissolving her mating, but if she clings to Eugene, trying to reim a life of luxury, she doesn¡¯t deserve it, and my conscience won¡¯t allow it.¡±


    ¡°I know Eugene¡¯s character well. Even if he found out, he wouldn¡¯t spread it around or cause a scene. This concerns the Hutchinson family¡¯s reputation,¡± she continued.


    ¡°By telling him, I¡¯ve invited the hatred of Cynthia, Tad, and Gloria,¡± Christine sighed, rubbing her forehead.


    ¡°If I do nothing, no one¡¯s offended. But letting her go back to Eugene would ruin the Ironw Pack¡¯s reputation. Our she¨Cwolves would struggle to mate with others, affecting my daughter. Moreover, if the Hutchinson family uncovers that past incident, the consequences would be dire.¡±


    The maid, feeling for Christine, suggested, ¡°Why not talk to Luna Cynthia? See where she <ol><li>ds. </li></ol>


    ¡°Luna Cynthia won¡¯t agree to telling Eugene,¡± Christine replied


    ¡°If it¡¯s Luna Cynthia¡¯s decision/you won¡¯t be med for anythingter,¡± the maid reasoned.


    Christine sighed deeply. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m just afraid of being med? I just want to be at peace with myself.¡±


    |||


    <b>1/2 </b>


    s


    ¡°Back when she returned, I shouldn¡¯t have helped her. She was still Eugene¡¯s mate then. She <b>tearfully </b>begged me, swearing she¡¯d never err again. I softened and agreed,¡± Christinemented.


    ¡°That¡¯s nothing to do with you. It was Luna Cynthia who asked for your help,¡± the maid pointed out.


    The maid knew the details of the situation. The medicine was prepared under her supervision.


    ¡°Few know about this, but if suspicions arise and someone investigates, the timeline matches when she went to the Ironw Pack for recovery. The doctor¡¯s prescription and her stay there align.¡±


    Gloria had visited the Ironw Pack for recuperation, a fact unknown <i>to </i>Eugene.


    Should the mating truly be dissolved, the Hutchinson family would undoubtedly raise questions. What if Eugene inquires about her illness, wondering why it required over a month of recovery in the Ironw Pack?


    The Hutchinson family hadn¡¯t doubted it then, but if they recall now and link it to Gloria¡¯s recent actions of dissolving the mating with the Bloodmoon Pack, suspicions would inevitably arise.


    ¡°Have Gloria return to the pack tomorrow,¡± Christine decided, using this to threaten her.


    Gloria could dissolve the mating, but she couldn¡¯t go back to Eugene¨Cthis was the bottom line.


    The next day, Christine sent for Gloria, who pleaded illness and said she¡¯d returnter.


    She was devising how to propose dissolving the mating to Ulrik and didn¡¯t want the Ironw Pack involved yet.


    Ulrik¡¯s recent night shifts left few chances for private conversations.


    And without a reason, dissolving the mating would be too sudden. She needed a cause for conflict.


    Ever since her meeting with Eugene, Gloria had been exhausted.


    Sometimes she¡¯d sleep through noon, only to be woken by a maid for dinner.


    She felt unusually tired and sleepy, with a hint of nausea, and her period was days overdue. She feared she might be pregnant.


    Recalling her intimate nights with Ulrik during their happiest marital times, she was frantic with worry, hoping not to be pregnant.


    She dared not send for a doctor and instead, with a maid, visited the clinic for a check¨Cup.


    At the Oak Street Clinic, a seasoned doctor with silver hair smiled and delivered the ¡°Congrattions, you¡¯re pregnant.¡±


    Gloria was stunned. Though she¡¯d had a premonition, the confirmation was hard to ept.


    She was filled with bitterness<b>. </b>¡°Why now of all times?¡±


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 463

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Before Eugene this good news would have left her without a second thought.


    Now that she and Eugene had rekindled their old me, and he had promised to mate with her <b>again </b><b>if </b>she dissolved her mating, the prospect of bing his mate and securing a Lady Honor title seemed within reach.


    Yet the arrival of this child threatened to shatter everything.


    Gloria¡¯s pheromones turned icy cold as she dejectedly returned to the Ironw Pack.


    When she ordered Cynthia¡¯s room to be emptied, her wolf ws instinctively shot out, leaving fine scratches on the door.


    Kneeling before her mother, just as she had years ago, her wolf ears pressed tightly to her scalp out of fear and resolve.


    When she looked up, trembling and filled with panic and determination, her pupils contracted into dangerous vertical slits due to her intense emotions.


    ¡°Mother, I beg you to help me terminate this pregnancy,¡± she pleaded.


    Cynthia¡¯s pheromones exploded with a sharp, oppressive force nearly knocking Gloria <b>over</b>.


    Her voice trembled with shock and fury as she hissed, ¡°What are you talking about? Is this child not Ulrik¡¯s?¡±


    Gloria wept, her honeysuckle pheromones mixed with the salt of her tears, spilling onto the floor. ¡°It is his, but Mother, Eugene and I are back together. He promised to re¨Cmate me if I left Ulrik. I can¡¯t have this child.¡±


    Rage coursed through Cynthia. The Ironw Pack¡¯s distinctive metallic pheromones instantly overpowered her daughter¡¯s sweet scent.


    She struck Gloria with a p, her palm carrying an alpha¡¯s aura that forced Gloria to turn her face away.


    Gloria endured the p, her head turned to the side, yet she stared defiantly at her mother. Her pheromones turned fierce, and her wolf ws extended half an inch from her fingertips. ¡°If you won¡¯t help me, I¡¯ll die right here in front of you.¡±


    Cynthia felt a wave of dizziness. Her pheromones fluctuated wildly, and her chest ached from the bacsh of her alpha aura.


    She clutched her chest and copsed to the ground, her breath weakening instantly.


    Gloria frantically shook her and summoned an omega.


    The pack doctor administered emergency treatment and injected a sedative before Cynthia <b>regained </b>


    consciousness.


    Weakly, she motioned for Christine and Audrey to stay while dismissing the others.


    Gloria wailed uncontrobly, while Cynthia, seething with anger, turned her back and uttered a single word, each sybleced with icy authority, ¡°Get out!¡±


    Once Gloria had left, Cynthia locked the door and drew the curtains.


    Christine already had her suspicions, her warm, woody pheromones carrying a soothing undertone as she asked, ¡°Is this about her wanting to dissolve the mating with Ulrik?¡±


    Cynthia responded coldly, her frosty pheromones cutting through the air, ¡°She¡¯s already sought <b>out </b>Eugene and is determined to dissolve the mating.¡±


    Christine attempted tofort her, her pheromones enveloping like warm water. <b>¡°</b>If she¡¯s suffering <b>in </b><b>the </b>Bloodmoon Pack, as members of the Ironw Pack, we should bring her back. Especially with the intrusion and casualties in the Bloodmoon Pack¡­¡±


    Cynthia interrupted her, her pheromones plunging to an icy depth like a frozenke. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant <b>and </b>ns to abort the child to re¨Cmate Eugene.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Christine and Audrey¡¯s pupils dted in shock.


    After Cynthia recounted the entire ordeal, Christine¡¯s pheromones sharpened like des.


    She didn¡¯t think about the consequences and asked Audrey to look after Cynthia. Then, she resolutely left the house.


    She knew this couldn¡¯t be dyed any longer. She had to let Eugene personally dispel Gloria¡¯s infatuation.


    Her determination was so fierce it seemed to crack the very air with her wolf ws.


    Gloria returned to the room she had upied before her mating, unaware that Christine had already departed for the Hutchinson family. She believed Cynthia was still discussing how to assist her.


    Confident that Cynthia, despite her current anger, would not bear to see her suffer further in the Bloodmoon Pack, Gloria felt assured.


    The Bloodmoon Pack was a perilous ce where her two maids had met their end.


    -Moreover, Cynthia had always held Eugene in high regard. Once she remated with Eugene, Cynthia would


    surely be pleased once her anger subsided.


    After a while, upon learning that Cynthia was out of danger, Gloria decided to return to the Bloodmoon Pack first to avoid Christine¡¯s inevitable scolding.


    She was thoroughly tired of Christine¡¯s stern and didactic demeanor. What authority d she have?


    Wasn¡¯t she merely respected due to her brother¡¯s status as amander?


    And staying in the Ironw Pack required an excuse,


    She decided to im illness, stating that the pack¡¯s doctor understood her constitution and <b>could </b><b>provide </b>proper care, allowing her to recuperate in the pack for a month.


    09:37 Fri, 1 Aug <b>Go </b>


    The Bloodmoon Pack likely wouldn¡¯t suspect a thing.


    <b>70</b><b>% </b>


    s


    To be cautious, she visited the Digby Medical Center, had the doctor examine her maid, and obtained. some body¨Cconditioning medication.


    She could then im to be unwell and needing medication upon her return. Of course, the maid would be the one taking the medicine.


    The Digby Medical Center, thergest in the capital, employed over twenty doctors.


    Prescriptions from this center carried a certain degree of credibility.


    She brought her maid in for a check¨Cup and medication.


    However, the maid was actually in good health. After the examination, the doctor prescribed several boxes of health¨Csupplement tablets.


    While waiting for the pharmacist to prepare the medication, Gloria spotted Adide and Paisley entering the Digby Medical Center.

 Novel Male 464

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Gloria felt incredibly unlucky. The capital seemed too small¨Cshe couldn¡¯t avoid running into people she didn¡¯t want to see.


    As she turned her head, she caught a familiar figure in her peripheral vision.


    Her blood rushed to her head, and her cars buzzed..


    Unwanted memories flooded her mind, making her tremble.


    It was Melvin, of all people.


    Why was Adide walking into the Digby Medical Center with Melvin?


    Her heart raced, but she tried to calm herself.


    Melvin wouldn¡¯t spread that incident¨Cit wouldn¡¯t benefit him either.


    Paisley noticed Gloria and whispered to Adide, ¡°Gloria, you¡¯re here too.¡±


    Adide nced over and saw Gloria hastily turn away, ignoring them.


    She turned to Melvin and said, ¡°Melvin, this way, please.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t react.


    His gaze locked onto Gloria, his face pale.


    Adide felt a surge of confusion and called out, ¡°Melvin?¡±


    Melvin snapped back to reality. ¡°Yes¡­ let¡¯s go to the pharmacy,¡± he said, his steps noticeably flustered.


    He didn¡¯t look at Gloria again.


    Adide, walking a step behind him, suddenly turned to steal another nce at Gloria, who was staring at them, deathly pale.


    Adide and Paisley exchanged worried looks¨Csomething was amiss.


    Melvin was Griffin¡¯s older brother and Eugene¡¯s cousin.


    He and Gloria should have known each other.


    Gloria was re¨Cmated, and the Hutchinson family¡¯s attitude toward her hadn¡¯t changed.


    So why was Melvin so pale?


    And why did Gloria look so shaken?


    What was between them?


    Melvin led them to the pharmacy.


    The Digby Medical Center had a dedicated witch doctor¡¯s pharmacy storing Doctor Digby¡¯s <b>medications </b>and rare herbs, including his prized century¨Cold moonflower.


    When they used part of the moonflower to save Marsh, the nt was no longer whole.


    Doctor Digby was currently out on a house call, but Melvin, in charge of procurement at the <b>Digby </b>Medical Center, could ess the pharmacy.


    Doctor Digby still held him in high regard.


    He began processing the moonflower leaves.


    Adide said, ¡°Prepare plenty and see if there are any constitution¨Cboosting medicines for <b>postpartum </b>women. Oh, and get somebor¨Cinducing drugs ready.¡±


    Melvin replied, ¡°We¡¯ll take thebor¨Cinducing drugs when Galvines. Prepare the moonflower <b>leaves </b>for Melinda first. Some constitution¨Cboosting medicines could be useful during childbirth.¡±


    His voice was dry, as if he were still shaken.


    After collecting the necessary medications and health supplements, Adide headed to the Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory.


    As a mate of Lycan royalty, she was greeted with due respect.


    Disliking formalities, she seldom visited, and only after the formalities were done did she go to see Melinda.


    Melinda was delighted to see Adide and greeted her with a pregnant belly.


    Adide naturally took her arm and gently patted her stomach, asking, ¡°Is this big belly causing you difort?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s manageable, just restless at night,¡± Melinda replied with a smile.


    ¡°The hardest part is over. Back then, bed rest for fetal stability was exhausting and made me nauseous<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide said, ¡°It¡¯ll be better once the baby¡¯s born.¡±


    Inside the room, Georgina and Paige were sitting in the inner chamber, one sewing baby clothes and the other knitting a small nket.


    They greeted Adide upon her entry. ¡°Adide, nice to meet you here!¡±


    ¡°Hello!¡± Adide returned the greeting.


    Another woman in the room, upon hearing Luna Adide had arrived, quickly rose <b>to </b><b>greet </b>her, ¡°Greetings, Luna Adide.¡±


    Adide recognized her as Hayden, the breeder who had joined the pack with <b>Willow </b>


    Hayden appeared gentle and reserved.


    <b>09</b><b>: </b>


    <b>Aug </b>


    Adide nodded slightly, ¡°No need for formalities.¡±


    ¡°She oftenes to keep mepany,¡± Melinda said cheerfully, obviously more outgoing <b>than </b><b>before </b>


    ¡°She shares many interesting stories. Her father used to take his children on business trips, so she¡¯s <b>quite </b>knowledgeable.¡±


    Hayden blushed and said modestly, ¡°It¡¯s not that significant, Melinda.¡±


    Adide, seeing the good rapport between them and Melinda¡¯s improved spirits, felt reassured.


    She handed the moonflower leaves and nutritional supplements to Georgina, instructing that they <b>be </b><b>used </b>whenbor began. Georgina locked them in a cab.


    Dwight, who used to curse Adide daily, fell silent upon learning of her visit.


    He hid in his study, too afraid toe out and disturb the cousins¡® chat.


    On the other side of town, at the Hutchinson family residence, Christine¡¯s arrival took everyone by surprise.


    They had returned the pension during herst visit, thinking that would be the end of <i>it</i>.


    Christine chatted with the family for a while. Eugene returned and, hearing Christine was <b>there</b><b>, </b>came in to greet her.


    Christine, without beating around the bush, asked, ¡°May I have a word in private?¡±

 Novel Male 465

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Those present were slightly surprised, but Eugene had a pretty good idea of what this was about. <b>It </b>seemed Gloria had made good on her words that day,


    He was also investigating the assassination attempt on the Bloodmoon Pack, so he nodded and said, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go to my study.¡±


    Sibyl asked uneasily, ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± Christine smiled. ¡°Eugene¡¯s back from the Southern Border, and I wanted to ask him about¡­ the situation there. It¡¯s not the kind of thing I can discuss with just anyone, so I had toe to him.¡±


    Christine deliberately left her words hanging, intending for them to think she wanted to inquire about whether Tad had taken a lover.


    After all, it¡¯s natural for a mate to worry about such things when their significant other is away.


    Sibyl caught on and smiled, ¡°Go ahead then.¡±


    Eugene¡¯s study was spartan, featuring arge ck desk and a matching armchair.


    Two bookshelves brimming with books nked the room, with several swords hanging on the walls and a battle axe in the corner.


    Two chairs were positioned before the desk, one on each side. Eugene gestured for Christine to be seated and took his ce across from her.


    Christine wasted no time in getting to the point, ¡°Gloria has spoken to you, hasn¡¯t she?¡±


    Eugene, a man of integrity, had no intention of concealing anything. ¡°Yes, she mentioned that the Bloodmoon Pack was attacked, and two of her maids were killed. I¡¯ve looked into it and found some leads. The intruders targeted several individuals in the Bloodmoon Pack, but their main aim was Velda.¡±


    Christine shifted the conversation. ¡°Did she tell you she intends to dissolve her mating with Ulrik and get back together with you?¡±


    ¡°She did mention that,¡± Eugene confirmed.


    ¡°If she dissolves the bond, would you really re¨Cmate her?¡± Christine pressed.


    Eugene fell silent for a long while before meeting her gaze, his eyes brimming with helplessness. <b><i>¡°</i></b><b><i>I </i></b>used to think <i>so</i>. After all, I was the one who let her down first. If she couldn¡¯t make it work with Ulrik and wanted to return to me, I felt I should take responsibility. But after learning certain things, I¡¯ve be conflicted. I believe you¡¯re aware of these matters too. That¡¯s why you¡¯re here today, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Christine was taken aback. ¡°You know? How much do you know?¡±


    Eugene met her gaze, struggling to voice the words.


    This concerned a man¡¯s dignity. He didn¡¯t know how to begin.


    ¡°Do you know it all?¡± Christine asked, studying his expression.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure if I know everything.¡± Eugene replied.


    He took a deep breath and asked directly, ¡°Did she develop feelings for my cousin after I left for the Southern Border? Did they exchange tokens of affection?¡±


    ¡°Tokens of affection?¡± Christine echoed, unfamiliar with this detail.


    Eugene rose and retrieved a drawer from behind his desk, producing a charm pendant. ¡°I found this under the bedside of her former room, lodged between a bedpost and the wall. I recognize it¨Cit belongs to Melvin.¡±


    He gave a wry smile. ¡°Finding it under the bed suggests she might have taken it out at night to look at, always thinking of him. When did she start harboring feelings for Melvin?¡±


    ¡°I always thought our rtionship was strong. I never noticed she had someone else on her mind. Christine, you must have known about this, right?¡±


    At his words, a bitter taste rose in Christine¡¯s mouth.


    This man was too simple¨Cminded, never entertaining the slightest suspicion. Upon discovering the pendant beneath the bedside, he assumed Gloria had taken it out in the middle of the night to gaze upon.


    A man who had escaped captivity, established a scout team, and aplished so much should <i>have </i>been skeptical of every situation.


    Yet, he had never doubted Gloria.


    Christine averted her gaze from his bitter expression andid out the facts, ¡°About half a <i>year </i>after you left for the Southern Border, she returned and knelt before Luna Cynthia, pleading to stay in the Ironw Pack for a month. At the same time, she begged Luna Cynthia for medication to terminate her pregnancy.¡±


    Eugene dropped the pendant, his face drained of color. ¡°What?¡±


    Christine turned away and continued, ¡°Luna Cynthia called me over. Gloria was in tears, saying that on your grandfather¡¯s birthday party, she had drunk too much and retired to her room. Melvin, also staying at the Hutchinson residence and simrly intoxicated, wandered into the backyard by mistake. She, suffering from a headache, had gone out to seek a servant¡­¡±


    ¡°All the servants in her room were assisting in the front yard, leaving the two drunken individuals to¡­ She imed it was a mistake, that she had mistaken him for you¨Cthat¡¯s what she told us at the time.¡±


    The details were the most hurtful part, so Christine spared Eugene the specifics.


    Gloria had not borated on the incident when she first returned either, only giving a vague ount. It was only after Christine pressed/her that more emerged.


    In reality, Gloria had not mistaken Melvin for Eugene. She knew it was Melvin.


    But after a long period of loneliness and with the aid of alcohol, seeing Melvin¡¯s handsome <b>figure </b>and hearing his drunken ramblings about Eugene, she had leaned in and kissed him.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>C </b>


    Christine¡¯s words felt like a hammer blow to Eugene.


    His mind went nk. For a long while, he was speechless.

 Novel Male 466

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    a


    Christine felt a pang


    seeing Eugene¡¯s state.


    Some truths needed to be voiced all at once, or she might never find the courage again.


    +3 Free Calne


    She continued, ¡°As someone from the Ironw Pack, I shouldn¡¯t share this with you. We should hide these disgraceful matters. If she hadn¡¯t nned to dissolve her mating and re¨Cmate you, I¡¯d never have spoken up.¡±


    ¡°You know, today she returned to the Ironw Pack, just like that year, begging Luna Cynthia for medication to terminate her pregnancy. After an abortion, she intended to dissolve her mating with Ulrik and re¨Cmate with you,¡± she said.


    ¡°I¡¯vee to tell you this, against my better judgment, in hopes that you can cut her offpletely. Only then might she abandon the idea of an abortion,¡± Christine exined.


    Eugene was utterly stunned.


    He looked at Christine, his throat choked with emotion, unable to utter a word.


    Despite the sweltering heat, he felt icy cold.


    He would rather believe Gloria had unrequited feelings for his cousin than face this <i>reality</i>.


    Christine turned to wipe her tears and said, ¡°Eugene, this concerns the Ironw Pack¡¯s reputation and our family honor. If you feel wronged or seekpensation, I¡¯ll grant it. But please keep this a secret. I only want to spare you further hurt and deception. For my sake, keep this confidential, will you?¡±


    Eugene nodded mechanically and finally spoke after a long pause, his voice trembling, ¡°I¡¯ll keep this to myself. You have my word.¡±


    Gazing at the shattered charm pendant on the floor, Christine felt a wave of unease.


    She had deliberated for a long time before disclosing this, her heart filled with turmoil.


    The secret had been like a ticking time bomb in her mind, threatening to explode.


    Now that it was out in the open, she felt a strange


    sense of relief.


    She trusted Eugene to keep the secret, but if he chose to reveal it, there was nothing she could do.


    The Ironw Pack must bear the consequences of its own actions.


    Having weathered the trials of war and emerged from the bloodshed, Eugene gradually regained his


    He bowed slightly <i>to </i>Christine and said, ¡°You¡¯ye risked your family¡¯s reputation to tell me the truth, showing genuine concern for my well¨Cbeing. I won¡¯t bring disgrace or scandal to the Ironw <b>Pack</b>. This matter ends with me. No one else will hear of it, and I won¡¯t confront Melvin or her.¡±


    <b>09:37 </b>Fri, <b>1 </b><b>Aug </b>G


    ????


    ¡°Whether she dissolves her mating or continues her mating is none of my business now<b>. </b><b>My </b>mother recently mentioned arranging matches for me. I¡¯ll spread the word first. As for finding the <b>right </b><b>mate</b>, we¡¯ll see how things develop.¡±


    Christine dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, her restrained emotions finally spilling over.


    If all men could be as noble as Eugene, everyone would be truly fortunate.


    Eugene¡¯s eyes also glistened with unshed tears. He was merely holding himself together.


    Gloria¡¯s mate with another was understandable, and he even felt he had wronged her.


    However, the thought of her betraying him with his cousin within half a year of his deployment <b>was </b>too much to bear, leaving him heartbroken.


    At the Southern Border, he had been the most diligent correspondent, often teased for being a ¡°hen- pecked¡± husband.


    Alpha Bentley once told him, ¡°You should write more to ease your family¡¯s worries. A man at war leaves <b>his </b>mate in constant anxiety, only a letter can soothe their troubled hearts.¡±


    He had been grateful for Alpha Bentley¡¯s understanding, believing his letters brought Gloriafort.


    But reality¡­ he couldn¡¯t voice whether <i>it </i>was pain or bitterness<b>, </b>only <i>that </i>his heart ached profoundly. He wouldn¡¯t rush into another mating but would spread the word to dissuade Gloria<i>. </i>


    ¡°Eugene, it¡¯s the Ironw Pack that owes you an apology,¡± Christine said, wiping her tears andposing herself.


    ¡°If you need any form ofpensation, please let me know.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Eugene shook his head and smiled at her. ¡°On the contrary<i>, </i>I¡¯ll tell my mother that you¡¯ve persuaded me <i>to </i>consider marriage. She¡¯s been worried about my marital status and will thank you.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t have to. Your words make me feel even more ashamed. We¡¯re the ones who¡¯ve wronged you,¡± Christine replied.


    ¡°There¡¯s no talk of who owes whom. Everyone makes their own choices. But I understand your intentions today; you genuinely want <i>to </i>help me. I¡¯m reasonable enough <i>to </i>see that,¡± Eugene said.


    Christine sighed deeply.


    Gloria, oh Gloria, what a fine man you¡¯ve let slip through your fingers!


    Eugene escorted her to the door. Upon his return, Sibyl asked, ¡°Was she here to inquire about Tad?¡±


    Eugene replied, ¡°She partly wanted to know about Tad¡¯s time at the Southern Border and also advised <b>me </b>that I¡¯m no longer young and with my career established<i>, </i>it¡¯s time I settled down. I think she has a <b><i>point</i></b><b><i>, </i></b>so I¡¯ll leave my marital matters in your hands.¡±

 Novel Male 467

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Sibyl beamed with delight. ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t listen to me, but you took Christine¡¯s advice, she said.


    ¡°But I won¡¯t hold it against you. When you find a new mate, I must thank Christine properly. She¡¯s such <b>a </b>kind¨Chearted person.¡±


    A sh of sorrow crossed Eugene¡¯s eyes as he said softly, ¡°Yes, she treated me like a younger brother back then. I¡¯ll still respect her like an elder sister.¡±


    Sibyl, however, had no time for such musings. She strode out the door to ask Obadiah¡¯s mate to scout for suitable candidates.


    Gloria was unaware of the situation and returned to the Bloodmoon Pack.


    She told Rosemary and Ulrik that she wasn¡¯t feeling well and that the werewolf doctor had said it was due to shock, rmending some rest and recuperation.


    Her honeysuckle pheromones were carefully subdued, her pupils slightly contracted, as she put on an act of fragility.


    Ulrik didn¡¯t suspect a thing and felt even more guilty.


    His pheromones softened remarkably, his eyes filled withpassion, and his pupils rxed <i>as </i>he said, ¡°Rest well and don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    After all, the pack¡¯s invasion had left her extremely shaken, and the deaths of her two maids had deeply saddened her. Grief could indeed take a toll on one¡¯s health.


    She had nned to rest for a few days before making an excuse to return to the Ironw Pack for


    recovery<i>. </i>


    But on the third day, news spread about Eugene seeking a second chance, which she overheard from the pack¡¯s omegas.


    Her pheromones instantly chilled, her brows furrowing as she dismissed the possibility.


    Eugene had promised her. He wasn¡¯t a man of broken words. Surely, he must have investigated the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s situation and wouldn¡¯t abandon her.


    umors, and <i>I¡¯ll </i>


    Summoning her two maids, she sternly demanded, her wolfish pressure faint but present. ¡°You rarely leave the pack. How did you hear about Eugene seeking a new mate? Spread any m exile you from the pack!¡±


    The two omega maids, tasked with cleaning, were terrified by her aura. Their wolf ears drooped, bodies quivering, pheromones in disarray.


    One of them replied, ¡°Luna Gloria, I¡¯m not spreading rumors. The kitchen omega said it¡¯s all over the <b>city</b>. Many Alpha daughters from various packs are vying to marry him.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Gloria shouted, her pupils contracting into vertical slits, honeysuckle pheromones <b>sharp </b><b>as </b>


    173


    thorns.


    The omega, terrified, immediately knelt, wolf fur on the back of her neck bristling.


    Gloria refused to believe it. She left the Bloodmoon Pack at once and returned to the Ironw Pack


    That day, after angering Luna Cynthia into fainting, she had left without a backward nce.


    Now, upon seeing Luna Cynthia, thetter¡¯s sandalwood pheromones carried a chill, her aura making Gloria instinctively shrink. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Cynthia asked coldly.


    ¡°Mother,¡± Gloria¡¯s eyes were red¨Crimmed, and she disregarded Audrey¡¯s presence, her pheromones unstable with agitation.


    In a voiceced with tears, she asked, ¡°They say Eugene is seeking a second chance¨Cis it true?¡±


    Luna Cynthia replied indifferently, her sandalwood pheromones icy, ¡°His search for a second chance <b>has </b>nothing to do with the Ironw Pack¨Cor you.¡±


    ¡°How could it have nothing to do with me? He promised me,¡± Gloria insisted.


    Gloria red at Audrey, her honeysuckle pheromones tinged with pleading sweetness. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. Audrey, tell me it¡¯s not true.¡±


    Audrey helped Luna Cynthia lie down and turned to Gloria, her woody pheromones calm. ¡°It¡¯s true. With Eugene¡¯s achievements and Golden Gamma rank, his search for a second chance has sparked much discussion. The Hutchinson family is benevolent and loyal, and Eugene, a young hero, is the ideal mate many she¨Cwolves dream of.¡±


    Audrey deliberately phrased it this way, and the truth was close enough.


    Once the news of Eugene¡¯s search for a second chance spread, many she¨Cwolves were indeed drawn to him.


    He had once been exceptionally handsome and charismatic. Now, though a few years older at twenty- seven or twenty¨Ceight, he remained a desirable mate.


    ¡°Impossible! He promised me,¡± Gloria screamed, covering her ears, her pupils dting in madness.


    ¨C Her honeysuckle pheromones turned violent, sharp as barbs, her wolf ws instinctively curling in her


    palms.


    ¡°Gloria, you¡¯re pregnant. Don¡¯t get agitated,¡± Audrey said coolly, her woody pheromones rippling with a hint of soothing.


    ¡°How can I not be agitated? He¡¯s my mate,¡± Gloria snapped, her honeysuckle pheromones sharpening with disdainful aura.


    Audrey retorted, ¡°Your current mate is Ulrik.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Gloria had always looked down on her and now, incensed, she demanded, ¡°Who do <b>you </b><b>think </b>you are to discuss my matters with him?¡±


    Andrey stood her ground, her woody pheromones firm. ¡°Then don¡¯t ask me. Find out for <b>yourself</b>.¡±


    273


    Gloria red at her, her honeysuckle pheromones spiking with fury. ¡°How dare you speak <b>to </b><b>me </b><b>like </b>that? Who do you think you are to meddle in my affairs?¡± Turning to Cynthia, she begged <b>tearfully</b>, ¡°<b>Mother</b>, please go to the Hutchinson family and speak to him. Ask him what¡¯s going on. He promised <b>me</b><b>. </b>


    Luna Cynthia¡¯s breathing grewbored, her sandalwood pheromones sharpening like des. <b>Her </b>aura bore down on Gloria. ¡°You shameless creature. Get out of my sight.¡±


    <b>09:38 </b>FT1 <b>Aug </b>

 Novel Male 468

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Mother!¡±


    Gloria knelt on the ground, weeping. ¡°I can¡¯t go on like this. You and Christine made me mate with Ulrik The Bloodmoon Pack is a nightmare. I can¡¯t stay there. Can you just watch me die there? Are you <b>really </b>that heartless?¡±


    Luna Cynthia, angered and saddened by Gloria¡¯s distortion of facts, closed her eyes.


    Tears streamed down her face.


    Her sandalwood pheromones fluctuated wildly with deep disappointment¨Chow had her daughter <b>be </b>so unhinged?


    She extended a trembling hand, her aura freezing like ice. ¡°Get out!¡±


    Devastated, Gloria felt rejected by both the Bloodmoon and Ironw Packs.


    What was the point of living in such despair?


    Yet she refused to give up. Eugene wasn¡¯t a man to break his word; he must still have feelings for her. She had to confront him and get answers.


    Aware that her current status made visiting him inappropriate, she no longer cared. She would face him directly.


    Her car was parked at the Hutchinson family estate.


    Upon arrival, she strode forward. The guard, caught off guard, blurted, ¡°Madam¡­ no<i>, </i>Luna Gloria.¡±


    She frowned and coldly retorted, ¡°What Luna/Gloria? Is Eugene here?¡±


    The guard, taken aback, instinctively replied, ¡°Yes!¡±


    She marched in, her maid trembling but unable to hold her back.


    How could shee to the Hutchinson family?


    If the Bloodmoon Pack found out, there would be chaos.


    Gloria¡¯s actions left the Hutchinson family at a loss.


    After all, they were no longer family. How could she enter unannounced without even a prior notice<i>? </i>


    Moreover, she demanded to see Eugene right away. With Eugene actively seeking a new mate, her sudden visit could ruin his prospects. This was a dilemma.


    Sibyl, who had once held some affection for Gloria, now had her jasmine pheromones quivering <b>with </b>anger, like a ignited haystack.


    Genevieve ordered no one to speak of this incident and had Gloria¡¯s car moved to avoid <b>detection </b>


    Her pheromones carried a cold alertness, her wolf cars pricked to monitor surroundings.


    Sibyl barred Eugene from meeting Gloria, standing at the hall entrance with such aura that Gloria¡¯s honeysuckle pheromones shrank back.


    But Gloria, resolute, refused to leave the hall. Her pupils narrowed with obsession, her pheromones thick and unyielding like waterlogged hemp rope.


    Ignoring Sibyl¡¯s words, she insisted on seeing Eugene.


    Sibyl, witnessing Gloria¡¯s unprecedented stubbornness, felt her sandalwood pheromones knot with frustration, at a loss for words.


    It was Genevieve who said, ¡°Gloria, as Ulrik¡¯s mate, you shouldn¡¯t be here. This is bad for both of you


    Gloria retorted, her honeysuckle pheromones taut as a drawn bowstring, ¡°I will see him!¡±


    She repeated this, unresponsive to all else, like a statue programmed to repeat a singlemand.


    Eugene naturally didn¡¯te out.


    Through Sibyl¡¯s maid, he sent a message, ¡°Eugene says, if you¡¯ve done something, don¡¯t fear <b>others </b>knowing. He advises you to be careful and hopes you both find peace in the future.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face drained of color. Her honeysuckle pheromones froze, and she stood stunned, pupils dting in shock¨Cdid he know? How could he know?


    Melvin wouldn¡¯t tell him, nor would the Ironw Pack.


    ¡°Eugene¡¯s words are clear. If you understand, leave,¡± the maid said tentatively.


    Gloria rose in a daze, staggering out, her honeysuckle pheromones shattered like stars, footsteps as light as treading on cotton.


    The maid nearly couldn¡¯t support her, worriedly calling, ¡°Luna Gloria, are you alright?¡± Gloria¡¯s mind was nk. She walked briskly, ws subconsciously curling against her shoes<b>. </b>


    Her resolve <i>to </i>see Eugene had turned to loathing at the thought of ever seeing him again. Why hadn¡¯t he died in the Southern Border?


    Why had he returned alive, igniting hope only to crush it? Who had told him? Wh


    She climbed into her car, trembling violently. Her honeysuckle pheromones raged like a tempest<b>, </b>threatening to tear the carriage apart.


    He knew, and the Hutchinson family would find out too.


    Then everyone would know, and without her even suggesting a mating dissolution, Ulrik would cut <b>ties </b>with her.


    Melvin wouldn¡¯t have told, but Adide had visited the Digby Medical Center that day.


    Did Adide investigate her, uncover Melvin, and get him talking?


    Adide wanted her gone and wouldn¡¯t hesitate to tell Eugene. It must have been her.


    Fiery rage consumed her, clouding her reason. Her pupils glowed crimson with madness<b>, </b>and her ws tore through the leather seat.


    A single thought consumed her if she was destroyed, Adide would suffer too.


    She bellowed, her voice sharp as a wolf¡¯s howl, ¡°To the ckthorn Pack!¡±

 Novel Male 469

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Alpha Germain and his Blue Abyss Pack family had settled back in the capital.


    After visiting Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus at the royal pce, he headed to the ckthorn Pack <b>with </b>his new Luna, Sadi, and his breeder, Maya.


    Lance, on leave today, was at the horn Pack. He was rather annoyed by Germain¡¯s visit.


    As royalty and Lance¡¯s uncle, Germain¡¯s visit was hard to refuse.


    Normally, Lance and Adide would visit the Blue Abyss Pack first.


    But now, Uncle Germain¡¯s personal visit seemed to imply Lance was being aloof.


    Lance had to involve Prisci, making it seem like the visit was to her.


    The conversation was stilted and awkward.


    They had little to say to each other, already distant and each with their own agendas.


    Luna Sadi, however, was very enthusiastic with Adide, constantly talking about Paisley to try to build a connection.


    Unbeknownst to her, Paisley refused to meet her.


    Adide remained stern with Germain, unwilling to make even polite conversation. She was still grieving Sidney¡¯s tragic death and awaiting Germain¡¯s return to the capital.


    As for Luna Sadi, Adide felt uneasy seeing her face, which bore a resemnce to Paisley¡¯s.


    Paisley had mentioned that her cousin was determined to mate with Germain.


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re now the Minister of Justice. It¡¯s such a waste of your talents. I feel sorry for you,¡± Germain said to Lance with a smile.


    ¡°The Minister of Justice is just a regr official. You¡¯re a hero who reimed the Southern Border. Lycan Erasmus should let you continue leading the Royal Army.¡±


    ¡°If you well.¡±


    feel it¡¯s a waste, you should talk to Lycan Erasmus,¡± Lance replied. ¡°But I think this position suits me


    He added with a grin, ¡°And don¡¯t you dare make mistakes. I¡¯m impartial, and the Ministry of Justice also handles royal family matters.¡±


    Germain let out a dryugh. ¡°You¡¯re joking.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not joking. He never joke about such things. Old Lycan King and Lance are both too <b>serious</b><b>, </b><bcking </b>a sense of humor,¡± Prisci interjected.


    ¡°So Germain, don¡¯t make any mistakes in the capital. If you do, he¡¯ll handle things strictly, <b>no </b><b>favoritism</b><b>. </b>


    Germainughed. ¡°Thanks for the warning, Prisci. You¡¯re still as witty as ever¡±


    Prisci chuckled.


    She disliked Germain and, knowing about Sidney¡¯s fate, wanted nothing more than to drive such a despicable man away. Had it not been for fear of her sister¡¯s rebuke, she would have ignored them altogether.


    As Germain and Lance talked, he nced at Adide, praising her, ¡°You¡¯re truly Alpha Bentley¡¯s daughter<i>. </i>Both you and your husband are exceptional werewolf generals.¡±


    Adide pretended not to hear, responding to Luna Sadi¡¯s earlier question, ¡°You¡¯re asking about Paisley? She lives in our pack, but today, even though you came, she refused to meet you. Did you two have some falling out?¡±


    Upon hearing this, both Germain and Sadi¡¯s expressions soured.


    Ignored by Adide, Sadi was exposed for her desperate bid to mate with Germain, despite family opposition and ostracism.


    Humiliated and furious, she was suddenly interrupted by a frantic roar from outside,ced with grief and


    rage.


    ¡°Get back! All of you, get back, or I¡¯ll die right here! One corpse, two lives lost. Let¡¯s see how Adide exins this to everyone!¡±


    Adide recognized Gloria¡¯s voice, puzzled by her outburst. Had she wronged her somehow?


    ¡°Adide! Get out!¡± came another hysterical cry from Gloria, followed by the maids¡® <i>panicked </i>shouts, ¡°Luna Gloria, put down the dagger!¡±


    Germain¡¯s eyes betrayed a hint of amusement¨Ctoday¡¯s visit was proving eventful.


    Lance and Adide went outside almost simultaneously. The cedar and cold fir pheromones of the two wolf Alpha¡¯s formed an invisible barrier.


    There was Gloria, her long hair in disarray, one hand holding a dagger to her neck. She pressed so hard that blood had seeped from the wound.


    Her honeysuckle pheromones, mixed with the smell of blood, became sharp and crazy, her pupils shrinking to dangerous slits from excitement.


    Her maid followed behind, her face pale with fear, her wolf ears pressed tightly to her scalp, her pheromones trembling like a candle/in the wind.


    Gloria had bought a dagger on the way; no one could stop her.


    The resolute aura was so overwhelming that no one dared to approach.


    Seeing Adide, Gloria¡¯s eyes reddened, and she roared with a voice trembling like a wolf¡¯s howl, ¡°Adide, what deep grudge do you have against me? Why are you trying to ruin me like this?¡±


    Her pheromones were like poisonous vines, carrying a desperate and ruthless edge.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>09:38 </b>Fri, 1 Aug G


    Adide¡¯s aura made the surrounding air freeze. Calmly, she instructed Ralph, ¡°Send word to the fronw Pack and the Bloodmoon Pack. Have them send people to take Gloria back.¡±


    Ralphplied immediately, his neck¡¯s wolf hair slightly bristling from Adide¡¯s aura.


    Adide said to Lance, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, ¡°You head back. I¡¯ll handle this.¡±

 Novel Male 470

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance nced at Gloria, her wild state and dagger in hand sending ripples of worry through <b>his </b><b>cedar </b>pheromones.


    His alpha aura subtly shielded Adide¡¯s nk. ¡°Be careful not to hurt yourself,¡± he said, then walked <b>back</b>.


    Seeing Germain emerge, he extended an arm to block him.


    The alpha aura descended like a wall, halting Germain in his tracks. ¡°Let¡¯s continue our coffee chat<b>. </b><b>Where </b>were we?¡± he asked.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who dares to barge into the ckthorn Pack like this?¡±


    Germain demanded, his tone stern. ¡°They need to be taught a lesson. No one should intrude on <b>a </b><b>royal </b>family¡¯s territory like this.¡±


    Maya emerged as well, and Lance didn¡¯t stop her.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, isn¡¯t that Luna Gloria from the Ironw Pack? What¡¯s happening?¡± she asked, continued Germain¡¯s words.


    Gloria hade to confront Adide, not expecting Germain to be there. Maya¡¯s question somewhat dampened her fiery rage. She coldly said to Adide, ¡°Let¡¯s talk privately. Otherwise, I¡¯ll take my own life here. You¡¯ve left me with no other choice.¡±


    ¡°Somece private, huh? With Germain here, he¡¯ll surely back you up,¡± Maya said from the porch, feigning understanding.


    Adide called out, ¡°Paisley, take Maya for a walk in the yard.¡±


    Paisley, nearby but reluctant <i>to </i>meet Sadi, leaped down and grabbed Maya¡¯s arm.


    ¡°You love sticking your nose in others¡® business. The koi in the pond are fighting. Come persuade them,¡± she said, dragging Maya away.


    Maya was both anxious and angry but didn¡¯t want to cause a scene in public.


    Germain, pulled back by Lance, could only bitter smile.


    Germain said, ¡°No need for such a fuss<b>. </b>I just wanted to see who was causing the disturbance<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Lance retorted, ¡°Let them handle it. Why involve ourselves? Are you bored in Blue Re State?¡± Germain, silenced, felt humiliated.


    Prisci chimed in, ¡°From so far away, you must be bored. Not like Lance here in the <b>capital</b><b>, </b><b>busy </b><b>with </b>official duties.¡±


    Luna Sadi, noticing Germain¡¯s sour expression, quickly said, ¡°Being carefree is a blessing too.¡±


    Prisci, unabashed, asked, ¡°Why would a young woman like you choose an older mater


    Sadi bristled, ¡°Prisci, Germain is in his prime. How is he old?¡±


    Outside, Adide dismissed the guards and said to Gloria, ¡°Go to the lounge, before walking away herself.


    She was genuinely puzzled. What had driven Gloria to act out like this<b>? </b>


    In the lounge, the two sat face¨Cto¨Cface.


    Adide frowned at the dagger still pressed to Gloria¡¯s neck. ¡°Are you nning to keep that dagger at your neck forever? If you want to die, just smash your head here and save face. These tantrums only embarrass yourself.¡±


    Gloria wiped her tears, revealing a pale and stubborn face. ¡°Adide, it¡¯s despicable to meddle in others rtionships. You¡¯re so malicious.¡±


    Adide sat ramrod straight. ¡°What rtionship of yours did I meddle in? Your issues with Ulrik are your business, none of mine. You really can¡¯t tell right from wrong. I saved you during the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s attack, you know.¡±


    Gloria coldly replied, ¡°That¡¯s one thing, but this is another. You didn¡¯t help us then for my sake. I don¡¯t owe you gratitude.¡±


    Adideughed. ¡°I don¡¯t need your gratitude. What exactly do you think I¡¯ve done to sabotage your rtionship?¡±


    Gloria gritted her teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t y innocent. You know full well what you¡¯ve told Eugene. You couldn¡¯t stand to see me happy, found out about my past, and told Eugene everything. Now that he¡¯s turning his back on me, are you satisfied?¡±


    ¡°Eugene?¡±


    Adide initially thought the conflict was between her and Ulrik, <b>so </b>she didn¡¯t get it <i>at </i>first.


    Then she recalled seeing Gloria and Melvin acting strangely at the Digby Medical Center.


    Suddenly, everything clicked into ce.


    -She realized Gloria had sought Eugene out, hoping to rekindle their rtionship.


    But perhaps Gloria and Melvin had a secret affair that Eugene discovered.


    Now Eugene was spreading rumors


    of seeking a new mate to cut Gloria¡¯s hopes.


    Gloria used Adide of telling Eugene about her past<b>. </b>


    Adide pieced together the situation but was shocked. Gloria, pregnant with Ulrik¡¯s <b>child</b>, <b>still </b>wanted to get back with Eugene.


    She said, ¡°Gloria, I haven¡¯t told Eugene a single thing about you. As for you thinking <b>I </b>can¡¯t stand <b>your </b>happiness, that¡¯sughable. Why would I care if you¡¯re happy or not? I¡¯d rather have nothing <b>to </b><b>do </b><b>with </b>you.¡±

 Novel Male 471

    Chapter <b>471 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide released her grip on Gloria¡¯s arm.


    Gloria stumbled back and fell into the chair, burying her face in her hands as she wailed.


    She asked, ¡°Not you? Then who? Who would wanna hurt me? If not you, then who?¡±


    Adide felt a mix of speechlessness and helplessness.


    Gloria¡¯s outburst didn¡¯t even rile her up¨Cshe wasn¡¯t worth the anger.


    It was clear Gloria had been sheltered by the Ironw Pack and the Hutchinson family, leaving her embarrassinglycking in basic reasoning.


    In short, she was selfish and stupid.


    Adide sat down, took a deep breath, and said, ¡°Look, I gotta ask: what grudge do you have against me?¡±


    Gloria, tears streaming down her puffy red eyes, said, ¡°No grudge? You were Ulrik¡¯s ex<b>¨C</b>mate. Our mating ceremonies were on the same day. You outshone me, made me look bad. Now everyone in the Bloodmoon Pack looks down on me.¡±


    Adide clenched the armrests of her chair, took another deep breath.


    Gloria was such a headache.


    She said, ¡°Outshine you? When did I ever try to one¨Cup you? You were the one trying topete with me ande out on top. You failed, so you¡¯re mad at me. Why should I be mad at you?¡±


    She snorted, ¡°Why would I go out of my way to hurt you? Think about it.¡±


    ¡°But


    you


    and Melvin¡­¡± Gloria started.


    Adide cut her off, ¡°I went to the Digby Medical Center to pick up meds for Melinda. She¡¯s about to give birth. Melvin works there, guards the med stash. Digby wasn¡¯t around, so I had to get the meds from him.¡±


    ¡°As for you two looking shady that day, I didn¡¯t think anything of it. I just figured it was awkward for you ¡®cause Melvin¡¯s Eugene¡¯s cousin.¡±


    Gloria wiped her runny nose, tears still falling like rain.


    She looked a mess¨Cred eyes, red nose¨Cbut stubborn as ever. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Who else would wanna hurt me?<b>¡± </b>


    Adide¡¯s temper red. She mmed the table and said, ¡°Give me one reason <b>I¡¯d </b>wanna hurt <b>you</b>.¡±


    The m shocked Gloria into silence.


    She stared at Adide, then blurted out, ¡°Because I¡¯m mated to Ulrik.¡±


    111


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>09:38 </b><b>Fri</b>, <b>1 </b><b>Aug </b>G??


    Chapter <b>471 </b>


    Adide snapped, ¡°He¡¯s not worth my time. I don¡¯t care who he mates with.¡±


    Gloria shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re lying. You never got over him.¡±


    ¡°I saved him ¡®cause I¡¯m the Capital¡¯s Deputy Commander. I got intel about assassins in the <b>Capital</b>. I followed the lead. I didn¡¯t just stand by while Bloodmoon wolves were in danger. That¡¯s it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. After what Ulrik and Velda did to you, you¡¯d still help them? You¡¯re too good?¡± <b>Gloria </b>said.


    Adide saw the madness in Gloria¡¯s eyes fade, reced by stubbornness. She gave up trying to <b>reason</b><b>. </b>


    No use. Talking to a brick wall. Better wait for someone from the Bloodmoon or Ironw Pack <b>to </be take her away.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the deal. Vent all your hate here and now. No moreing back to badmouth me. I¡¯ll let this slide once. Next time, I¡¯ll hand you over to thew.¡±


    Adide¡¯s pheromones were icy sharp, her aura so cold it frosted the air. Her pupils narrowed to sharp lines in the sunlight.


    Gloria looked at Adide¡¯s cold, almost disdainful face. Her scent nds tightened, shame washing over her like a tidal wave.


    But when she tried to think of real grievances against Adide, there was nothing.


    Her lily of the valley pheromones grew murky with hesitation, her wolf ears drooping in embarrassment.


    After a long pause, she started whimpering, then sobbing, finally crying full¨Cout with her hands over <b>her </b>face, shoulders shaking.


    Adide massaged her temple. Her pheromones were calm at first but soon rippled with impatience.


    Finally, she snapped, her aura bursting like thunder, ¡°Shut it! Go cry in your Bloodmoon Pack. Don¡¯t let me see you cry here. Pathetic.¡±


    ¡°You just look down on me,¡± Gloria cried, her voice a howling mix of grievance and usation. ¡°All ¡®cause you¡¯re Alpha Lance¡¯s mate, high and mighty.¡±


    ¨C Adide sneered, her contempt in to see. ¡°I do look down on you. What you¡¯ve done, none of it¡¯s


    respectable. Felt inferior in the Bloodmoon Pack? Tried to climb back up by attaching yourself to Eugene, the Golden Gamma. And you¡¯re pregnant with Ulrik¡¯s kid. Who¡¯d respect someone like you?¡±


    Gloria red, her pupils dting with rage, lily of the valley pheromones zing.


    Adide stared coldly back, pheromones forming a solid barrier.


    No ns to be friends. Since Gloria came here to make a scene, might as well burn al dges.


    Their pheromones shed violently in the air, sparking tiny energy bursts.


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Novel Male 472

    hapter 472


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Christine arrived with the Ironw Pack, beating the Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s group to the scene.


    Upon entering, she first greeted Prisci. Seeing Germain¡¯s family present, Christine¡¯s face paled.


    This was truly embarrassing.


    Led by Beata, Christine made her way to the lounge. No sooner had she entered than she apologized to Adide, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Luna Adide. Gloria¡¯s behavior was uncalled for. I offer my sincere apologies.


    Adide waved off the apology. ¡°You¡¯re here at the right time. Take Gloria home. I¡¯ve already informed the Bloodmoon Pack, but I doubt they¡¯ll send anyone to the ckthorn Pack. Do us a favor and take her back.¡±


    Gloria looked up with her swollen, tearful eyes.


    Christine nced at her coldly before turning back to Adide. ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll take her home and apologize againter.¡±


    Approaching Gloria, Christine asked icily, ¡°Are you leaving on your own, or shall I have you escorted out?¡±


    Gloria nced at the burly maids behind Christine. Despite her anger, she stood and followed.


    Adide coolly remarked, ¡°First offenses are forgivable, but there won¡¯t be a second chance. Next time, there¡¯ll be consequences.¡±


    Gloria turned her head, wanting to say something to save her pride.


    But under Adide¡¯s cold stare, she froze. Christine gave her a push, and she left, seething with anger.


    As soon as Gloria was out the door, Christine bowed to Adide again and apologized, ¡°Luna Adide, I¡¯m really sorry about this¡­¡±


    Adide cut in, ¡°Was it you who told Eugene about Gloria and Melvin?¡±


    Christine nodded. ¡°Yes, and I¡¯m sorry for the trouble.¡±


    Adide knew Christine¡¯s character. She respected her ability to distinguish right from wrong, even if it meant going against family.


    Having a rtive like Gloria really put her in a tough spot.


    She said, ¡°No need for apologies. Just take her home. The ckthorn Pack is strict, and today¡¯s incident. won¡¯t leave our walls. But you saw the guests in the meeting hall, right?¡±


    Christine felt drained. She hadn¡¯t expected Gloria to use Adide and cause suc


    cene<b>. </b>


    ¡°I can¡¯t fathom why she¡¯d suspect me. I should¡¯ve handled the aftermath better.¡±


    Adide exined, ¡°She saw Melvin and me at the Digby Medical Center that day. She probably thinks


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Chapter <b>472 </b>


    Melvin told me, and I told Eugene. This isn¡¯t your fault. You didn¡¯t know we¡¯d crossed <b>paths </b>there


    ¡°No wonder. She¡¯s impulsive and assumes others act as she would,¡± Christine sighed, <b>weary </b><b>and </b><b>helpless </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for involving you, Luna Adide.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Take her home now,¡± Adide said.


    Adide understood her plight. She¡¯d managed the Bloodmoon Pack before, a real mess. She knew how frustrating it was to deal with unreasonable people.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Adide added, ¡°Germain¡¯s family witnessed today¡¯s events. While they didn¡¯t catch <b>much</b><b>, </b><b>if </b>anyone tries to use this to get close to you or has ulterior motives¡­ I¡¯ll leave it unsaid. Keep your <b>guard </b><b>up</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°Thank you for the warning. Farewell,¡± Christine said with a bow and left.


    Christine stepped outside and felt there was a hidden meaning in Luna Adide¡¯s words. What did she really mean?


    Since Germain and the others hadn¡¯t figured anything out, they were just here for the drama. But whye to her door then?


    Still, she stored thement in her memory. Some things, whether expected or not, need precaution.


    As soon as Christine departed, Paisley entered.


    Adide, massaging her temples, asked, ¡°Weren¡¯t you showing Maya around the garden?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t feel like dealing with her. I left Ivy and a few maids with her. She¡¯s not going anywhere,¡± Paisley replied, sitting down.


    ¡°What¡¯s that madwoman doing here?¡± she asked Adide.


    Adide, ensuring no one was around, recounted Gloria¡¯s antics.


    Paisley was furious. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant with Ulrik¡¯s child and still trying to cling to Eugene? How shameless<b>! </b>Thankfully, Christine is reasonable. Otherwise, Eugene might¡¯ve felt obligated to take her in.¡±


    ¡°Enough. Eugene now knows the truth and will distance himself from her,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Never seen such a shameless person,¡± Paisley huffed.


    ¡°There¡¯s another shameless one waiting outside. I don¡¯t even want to see her.¡±


    Adide knew she meant Sadi. ¡°That¡¯s her choice. Don¡¯t let it bother you. Let¡¯s focus on our own lives.¡±


    ¡°Sadi isn¡¯t stupid. Can¡¯t she see through Germain¡¯s intentions?¡± Paisley remarked.


    ¡°Perhaps she can, which is why she¡¯s eager to mate with him<i>, </i>Adide hinted.


    Paisley¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Really?¡±

 Novel Male 473

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    As Free <b>Coins </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Who knows? Let¡¯s head out. Once they settle in the capital, we¡¯ll run into them often. Also, in a few days, see what rumors circte. They¡¯ll likely exaggerate Lance¡¯s importance, saying even Germain visits him first when returning to the capital. Wonder if Lycan Erasmus will be pleased, Paisley said.


    ¡°No wonder they came. After traveling all the way from their territory, they didn¡¯t settle in first. Eager to visit the ckthorn Pack for this very reason,¡± Adide remarked.


    ¡°Right. Did you send for Ramona?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°People are on the way. She should be here soon,¡± Paisley replied.


    ¡°Good. Let her make a brief appearance in front of Germain. Show there¡¯s still a connection, and see how things develop,¡± Adide said.


    Paisley followed her out. ¡°Has Alpha Lance finished his investigation?¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°He¡¯s looked into it. Ramona is about seventy to eighty percent reliable. But it doesn¡¯t matter. Such cooperator can¡¯t be fully trusted. Neither side willpletely trust the other, each keeping their own bottom line.¡±


    Paisley understood this well. As they exited, they saw Ramona and Dorothy approaching.


    ¡°Luna Adide, Paisley!¡± Ramona greeted with a bow.


    Adide acknowledged with a nod. ¡°You¡¯re here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Paisley invited me,¡± Ramona said.


    Paisley said, ¡°I asked her toe. Let¡¯s go this way.¡±


    Dorothy attempted to follow but was halted by Adide. ¡°Has Ramona found a mate?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Ramona replied.


    Adide frowned. ¡°Alright. Just leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Dorothy stepped back and joined Paisley and Ramona.


    A sly smile crossed Dorothy¡¯s face. Clearly, Alpha Lance had mentioned Ramona. Otherwise, Adide wouldn¡¯t have asked these questions.


    Maya happened <i>to </i>be in the backyard and witnessed Ramona and Paisley chatting as they walked.


    She smiled faintly and said to Ivy beside her, ¡°I¡¯m a bit tired. I¡¯ll head back to rest.¡±


    Ivy responded with a smile, ¡°If you¡¯re tired, go ahead and rest,¡±


    The Germain family also took their leave. Paisley hadn¡¯t exchanged a single word with her cousin, <b>Sadi</b>.


    |||


    O


    This irritated Sadi. She had known Paisley lived in the ckthorn Pack since arriving in the <b>capital </b><b>and </b>had hoped to build a good rtionship for casier ess.


    Unexpectedly, Paisley avoided herpletely, showing no regard for etiquette.


    Lance and Adide spent half their holiday entertaining the Germain family.


    Prisci was also annoyed andined about how tiresome the Germain family was, feeling she <b>had </b><b>to </b>step in to host them.


    ¡°Such heartless men, I despise them. Germain is the brother of the old Lycan King, yet hecks the old Lycan King¡¯s character. He tortured his partner to death¨Ca real brute,¡± she said.


    Susan tried to console her. ¡°They came especially to visit you. It¡¯s fitting for you to host, as Alpha Lance and Luna Adide are their juniors. Your presence is just right, and it¡¯s also a help to Alpha Lance and Luna Adide.¡±


    ¡°I know, but it just makes me so mad.I really feel like pping Germain twice,¡± Prisci said with an ugly look on her face.¡°There are plenty of heartless men in this world, but not many are as cruel <b>as </b>he is.


    Susan thought to herself, ¡°You haven¡¯t met that many men either.¡±


    Lance took Adide back to the vi.


    He said, ¡°Let¡¯s change clothes and go out. We¡¯ll dine outside tonight.¡±


    ¡°Where to?¡± Adide asked.


    Lance replied, ¡°I nned to take you out today, but they dyed us. Only half a day left. We can¡¯t go far. Let¡¯s go to Yellowstone Mountain to see the maple leaves. I heard they¡¯re excep?ionally red this year.¡±


    With one thing after another, they¡¯d barely had time to foster their rtionship.


    Today, with no other ns, Lance wanted to spend some quality time alone with her.


    Eugene had rmended a quiet and cool spot, ideal for a half¨Cday autumn outing to enjoy the maple leaves¨Ca far better option than staying in the pack.


    Adide responded with an ¡°Oh,¡± and asked, ¡°But Paisley¡¯s chatting with Ramona. Should we wait for her?¡±


    Lance said, ¡°Why wait? Just the two of us. No omega, no werewolf guards, not even Beata.¡±


    ¡°Oh, when are weing back? I was thinking since you¡¯re on leave today, we could pick up Cedric together. He¡¯ll be boarding next month. And if we don¡¯t bring Paisley, she might be upset.¡±


    Beata overheard their conversation. Initially delighted that Lance was free and taking his mate soon frustrated by Adide¡¯s response.


    <b>she </b>was


    Lance clearly wanted to be alone with her, aiming to build their rtionship and create cherished memories<b>. </b>


    Adide seemed utterly devoid of romance.


    Lance said, ¡°Everything¡¯s arranged. I¡¯ll join you next leave to pick up Cedric. <b>As </b><b>for </b><b>Paisley</b><b>, </b><b>she¡¯s </b><b>busy </b>


    O


    09:31 Sat, <b>2 </b>Aug GO


    chatting with Ramona. Let¡¯s not disturb them. Come on, change into somethingfortable for horseback riding. Let¡¯s leave now and try to be back before sunset.


    *1 Free Coins


    Eugene had mentioned that watching the sunset from the Yellowstone Mountain¡¯s waist was breathtaking.


    The mountaintop, bathed in golden light, felt expansive and free.

 Novel Male 474

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Okay,¡± Adide agreed, though she usually went ces with Paisley. She felt uneasy leaving her <b>to </b><b>handle </b>Ramona and Dorothy alone, hoping Paisley wouldn¡¯t be upset.


    Before they could head out, Ralph announced, ¡°Alpha Lance, Luna Adide, Mr. and Mrs. Watson <b>are </b>here.¡±


    ¡°Ah? Advisor Doug Watson from the royal court?¡± Lance was taken aback. ¡°Did he mention what <b>it¡¯s </b>about?


    amed worried. Maybe they¡¯re in trouble.¡±


    Ralph shook his head. ¡°No details, but they


    Lance was puzzled. ¡°Trouble? The Watson family has resources I don¡¯t even have as an Alpha.¡±


    Anyway, with visitors at the door, their ns for the day were scrapped.


    Lance had been looking forward to visiting Yellowstone Mountain with Adide for <b>days</b><b>, </b>but today <b>was </b>consumed by entertaining the Germain family and now the Watsons.


    His anticipation for a private outing with Adide was dashed.


    Noticing the disappointment in Lance¡¯s eyes, Adide took his hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s <b>see </b>what they need first. If it¡¯s not urgent, we can still make it to Yellowstone Mountain.¡±


    Together, they entered the meeting hall.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    After hearing Mrs. Watson¡¯s plea, both were stunned.


    They exchanged nces, at a loss for words.


    Mrs. Watson sighed, her eyes crinkling with worry. ¡°We¡¯re counting on you two.¡±


    Adide looked uneasy. ¡°I¡¯m too young for such a heavy responsibility.¡±


    Mrs. Watson sighed again. ¡°Don¡¯t mind theugh, but my granddaughter¡¯s always been picky about mates. We¡¯ve introduced her to many suitors, but she only took a liking to him. Despite our family¡¯s appeals, she¡¯s adamant¨Cshe¡¯ll only mate him.¡±


    So <b>set </b>on


    e¡¯d be


    ¡°She¡¯s still giving us the cold shoulder, not listening to a word her mom says. We figured, s¡® him and he seems like a decent guy¨Cwhy not let her have her way? But he shot it down, <b>sa </b>holding her back. So here we are hoping you two could talk to him. You fought alongside him, and he respects you both. Maybe he¡¯ll listen,¡± Mrs. Watson added.


    Doug continued, ¡°We just wanna know why he¡¯s refusing. This ¡®holding her back¡® <b>excuse </b><b>feels </b><b>like </b><b>a </b><b>cop- </b>out. Don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Adide was stuck.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    111


    O


    <b>Sat</b>, <b>Aug </b>


    45 Free Came


    She knew the real reason¨CEugene had zero interest in mating. He spread the news just to shake Gloria <b>off </b>


    But she couldn¡¯t say that outright.


    Adide remembered Abigail well. At Madison¡¯s birthday bash, when Craig¡¯s painting was called fake. Abigail vouched for it.


    She¡¯s the capital¡¯s top schr, known across half the kingdom.


    With her elite family, everyone knew her.


    If she sought a mate, Alphas would line up.


    Yet she was set on Eugene, who had already been mated.


    If her feelings were just a heat of the moment thing and not well thought out, she might end up hurting both herself and Eugene.


    Melinda dered she¡¯d mate with Dwight the moment she saw him, but soon regretted it. Now <i>they </i>were <b>a </b>miserable couple.


    Dwight was no Eugene¨C they were worlds apart.


    Eugene was a hero now, but once mated, he¡¯d just be an ordinary person.


    The fear was Abigail was idealizing him. If she discovered her ¡°hero¡± had ws post¨Cwedding, that could spell trouble.


    ¡°All we want is an answer to help Abigail move on,¡± Mrs. Watson pleaded with Adide.


    Lance asked Doug, ¡°What¡¯s your take on this? If Eugene agrees, would your family really be okay with it?¡±


    Doug spread his hands. ¡°What choice do we have? She¡¯s stubborn and won¡¯t listen to anyone. She¡¯s set on him, for better or worse. And Eugene¡¯s a decent guy<i>, </i>better than many noble sons. If it works out, we won¡¯t stand in the way.¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s not her first mating,¡± Lance pointed out.


    Doug looked surprised. ¡°With all due respect, Luna Adide isn¡¯t in her first mating either. Don¡¯t be so -old¨Cfashioned.¡±


    Lance was momentarily speechless.

 Novel Male 475

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After Doug finished speaking, he stole a nce at Adide. Seeing she wasn¡¯t angry, he let out a breath <b>he </b>didn¡¯t know he¡¯d been holding.


    He silently vowed to give himself a good scoldingter.


    It was clear that Doug truly adored his granddaughter.


    Abigail seemed to be Doug¡¯s youngest granddaughter and undoubtedly the apple of his eye.


    ¡°Are you two in a hurry? Can we¡­¡± Lance wanted to leave.


    ¡°We¡¯re in a hurry. Abigail¡¯s already in tears,¡± Doug said anxiously, rubbing his knees as if he could will them


    to move.


    He was desperate for them to approach Eugene immediately. ¡°She¡¯s stubborn, but if the Hutchinson family can give her a convincing answer, she¡¯ll let it go. She won¡¯t cling endlessly.¡±


    Mrs. Watson added, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s been given the excuse of ¡®not wanting to hold her back, but she thinks it¡¯s just an evasion. She wants a straightforward answer. Abigail¡¯s like that¨Cshe wants the truth.¡±


    Hearing this, Lance¡¯s hopes for the day sank.


    Today¡¯s n to show Adide the Yellowstone sunset was scrapped.


    He hid his disappointment and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have someone bring Eugene here right away. Do you want to be present or not?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll step back. If we¡¯re there, he might stick to his ¡®not wanting to hold her back¡® line,¡± Doug replied.


    Adide rose to show them out. ¡°I¡¯ll see you


    both out,¡± she said.


    ¡°No need,¡± Mrs. Watson insisted, bowing slightly.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving now. We entrust this matter to you. After you¡¯ve spoken with him, please let us know. Tonight, we¡¯ll finally get some peace. Doug hasn¡¯t slept for two nights straight.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± Lance sighed, agreeing reluctantly.


    He had Ralph and Caldwell see them out. Lance then nced at Adide with a hint of frustration, ¡°Looks like we won¡¯t be visiting Yellowstone Mountain today.¡±


    Adide smiled sweetly, ¡°We can go next time you¡¯re on leave.¡±


    ¡°Next leave, we¡¯re picking up Cedric,¡± Lance reminded her.


    ¡°There¡¯s always time for that,¡± Adide said, though she felt herck of romance showing.


    Companionship between mates isn¡¯t just about mutual respect; it¡¯s about nurturing deeper connections,


    Adide could learn from this and adapt over time.


    OSPION CLIT


    Previously, when Lance had gone to the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom for the rescue mission<b>, </b>Paisley had asked her if she missed Lance.


    Adide wasn¡¯t sure if it qualified as ¡°missing,¡± but she had definitely thought about him.


    However, her primary concern had been the sess of the mission and his safety.


    Paisley said Adide had changed. Once full of enthusiasm for everyone, she now seemed timid.


    Love means caring, and caring means fearing loss.


    ¡°Adide, you¡¯re not as brave as you used to be. You¡¯re being cowardly.¡±


    Adide was about to say something when Lance had someone fetch Eugene.


    No need to change for Eugene. She¡¯d wasted half her day off on his stuff. She hoped he didn¡¯t y games and just gave it to her straight.


    She briefed Lance first, ¡°Eugene might not really want to marry. He¡¯s just spreading rumors to make Gloria give up.¡±


    Lance nodded, ¡°That¡¯s true, but he should have a mate by his side. Life would be much <b>easier </b>with one.¡±


    ¡°Everyone has different views. We can¡¯t force him,¡± Adide said.


    Lance agreed, his eyes taking on a pleading look, ¡°I mentioned earlier that Eugene wasn¡¯t in his first mating. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡±


    Adide smiled, ¡°I know. I was just stating facts. I¡¯m sure Eugene won¡¯t mind.¡±


    Lance looked at her, ¡°Do you mind me saying that?¡±


    ¡°How could I mind? It¡¯s not about me¡­¡±


    Adide¡¯s smile froze, then she said, ¡°Oh, right, I¡¯m not in my first mating either. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m the one to judge¡­¡±


    Lanceughed, his eyes warm as honey, ¡°I don¡¯t mind it at all.¡±


    Paisley overheard this as she entered and immediately stepped back, ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    Adide chuckled, ¡°Why are you leaving? Eugene ising over. Ady has taken a liking to him. We want to ask for his thoughts. Though he¡¯s already declined, we need to find out if it¡¯s because he doesn¡¯t want to marry or if he¡¯s simply refusing this time.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s eyes lit up, and she quickly entered, ¡°Really? Who is it? Tell me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Advisor Doug¡¯s granddaughter, Abigail,¡± Adide said.


    Adide shushed her and said, ¡°Keep this low¨Ckey. There¡¯s no guarantee it¡¯ll go through.¡±


    ¡°Abigail?¡± Paisley, who had just sat down, leaped to her feet in surprise. ¡°Why would Eugene turn her


    <i>C </i>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    down? She¡¯s such a great woman¨Cpolite, loyal, talented, and beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Keep it down,¡± Adide scolded.


    s


    Paisley sat back down, her face beaming. ¡°I got a bit too excited there. But is Abigail really interested in Eugene? He¡¯s my brother now. I hope it¡¯s not a fleeting fancy,¡±


    ¡°Same concern here. I think Eugene might¡­¡± Adide hesitated.


    ¡°Speaking of which, you haven¡¯t formally met with Eugene¡¯s mother yet. It¡¯s not quite right to im him as your brother like that,¡± Adide said.


    Paisley waved her hand dismissively, ¡°No problem. I¡¯ve met Mrs. Hutchinson. She¡¯s thrilled to have me as a daughter.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so eager to im Eugene as your brother?¡± Adide asked, puzzled.


    Paisley¡¯s standards for friends were always high.


    She was selective even in friendship, which was why they¡¯d be such close friends since childhood. ¡°Chemistry,¡± Paisley said, sitting in the chair and swinging her legs. ¡°It¡¯s about connection.¡±


    She didn¡¯t mention that she wished, like Adide, to have one or several respected elder brothers.

 Novel Male 476

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Eugene arrived soon after.


    He was a man of action and efliciency, never one to procrastinate.


    But he didn¡¯t expect that Lance had called him here to discuss his second mating.


    He had no intention of entering a second mating so soon, wanting to settle things first.


    He told them his honest intentions without reserve, aiming <i>to </i>make Gloria give up on him.


    Paisley spoke up, ¡°As long as you¡¯re not mated, she won¡¯t truly give up.¡±


    Eugene replied, ¡°That¡¯s true. But she¡¯s alreadye to the Hutchinsons, and I¡¯ve had the maids <b>ry </b><b>my </b>stance. She should get the message and stop harassing me. So I can put my matters on hold for now<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°By the way, she caused a scene at the ckthorn Pack, thinking I was the one who spread the <b>news</b>,¡± Adide said.


    Eugene froze. ¡°Why would she think you did it?¡±


    Adideid out the whole story.


    After listening, Eugene¡¯s brow never eased. After a long pause, he said, ¡°I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s sunk so low. She¡¯s pregnant. Even if not for herself, she should think about the child.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about her anymore,¡± someone said.


    Paisley turned to Eugene. ¡°Abigail is a great woman, worth your consideration. You can¡¯t stay single forever. Sibyl is eager for you to have your own pups.¡±


    Eugene smiled at Paisley. ¡°My love life is none of your concern. Do I not know Abigail¡¯s virtues? But precisely because she¡¯s so wonderful, I feel unworthy of her.¡±


    Adide chimed in. ¡°Whether you¡¯re worthy is up to her to decide, not others. But I wonder if her interest is a passing fancy or genuine intent to marry you. If it¡¯s thetter, would you truly not consider it?¡±


    Eugene said, ¡°Actually, Mr. Watson had someone reach out. Sibyl was overjoyed, itching to set the mating ceremony date right then and there. I was the one who put a stop to it.¡±


    Paisley could picture the scene and snorted. ¡°Anyone would react like Sibyl.¡±


    Lance stayed quiet, thinking that mating should be with the person you truly desire.


    Like himself, after learning Adide was mated, he never considered mating anyone else.


    Such matters couldn¡¯t be forced.


    He spoke up, a hint of impatience in his voice. ¡°Why not find a better <b>excuse </b><b>for </b>Doug<b>? </b><b>He </b><b>also </b><b>said </b><b>Abigail </b>isn¡¯t the type to be pushy,¡±


    Chapter <b>476 </b>


    Eugene let out a wry smile. ¡°I was the one who spread the news about seeking <b>a </b><b>mate</b>. Now <b>I </b><b>cant </b>backtrack by saying I faked it just to make Gloria back off, with no real intention of <b>mating</b><b>. </b><b>That </b><b>would </b>make me seem dishonest.¡±


    Paisley asked, ¡°But would you consider Abigail if you were genuinely looking for a mate?¡±


    ¡°How could I be worthy of her?¡±


    Eugene repeated, adding, ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t even know her. All I know is she¡¯s famous, probably <b>a </b><b>decade </b><b>or </b>so younger than me, and this wouldn¡¯t be my first mating.¡±


    ¡°But she¡¯s willing,¡± Paisley said.


    Eugeneughed. ¡°Truly willing? It¡¯s just a girl¡¯s heroplex. She¡¯ll get over it. For now, as Alpha <b>Lance </b>said, we need a good excuse to decline gracefully without embarrassing Abigail. Paisley, you¡¯re full <b>of </b>ideas. Help me out.¡±


    Paisley said, ¡°I won¡¯t help you rejecting others. Like Sibyl, I want you to settle down and have pups, so Gloria will stop pestering you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re always saying you won¡¯t marry, yet you¡¯re pushing me to do so,¡± Eugene said with <b>a </b>huff.


    ¡°People say mating is the only way for women, but I don¡¯t believe that,¡± Paisley said, looking at Adide. with a smile.


    ¡°Anyway, if I don¡¯t mate anyone, Adide will take care of me forever.¡±


    Lance gazed outside. The sun was setting, and he knew he wasn¡¯t going out today.


    He nced at Adide, who was listening intently to their conversation as if she was particrly interested in other people¡¯s marital affairs.


    He wished she would show the same concern for her own mate, who was feeling quite frustrated.


    Finally, Eugene said,¡±Actually, there are many she¨Cwolves who say they want to mate with me now, but they¡¯ll change their minds in a few days. Just wait and see. As for Doug, Alpha Lance can reply for me. You decide how to phrase it.¡±


    With a poker face, Lance called out,¡°Send Caldwell over.¡±


    Lance couldn¡¯t handle Doug. He wasn¡¯t good at lying. These scheming tasks were better left to someone skilled.


    Eugene didn¡¯t seem to care much about the matter but wanted to discuss something else with Lance privately in the study.


    ¡°While investigating the assassination attempt on the Bloodmoon Pack, I found that the intruders <b>were </b>targeting Velda¡­¡±


    Lance raised a hand to cut him off.¡°I¡¯m aware of all this. Drop the investigation and <b>just </b>wait for <b>Lycan </b>Erasmus¡¯s appointment.¡±


    Eugene frowned.¡± But once we¡¯re back in the capital, we¡¯ll have nothing to do. With <b>the </b><b>appointment </b>dyed, we¡¯ll be idle, and that¡¯s a waste of time.¡±


    ????? <b>?</b><b>?</b>???


    In truth, he was just restless and uneasy when not busy.


    s

 Novel Male 477

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°I think Lycan Erasmus might send you to the Bloodscar Border or put you in charge of the royal <b>troops </b><b>in </b>the capital. But he¡¯s also watching you all to see where you fit best,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°But Alpha Zander¡¯s already at the Bloodscar Border,¡± Eugene said.


    ¡°There are things¡­¡±


    Lance started to say but stopped himself. ¡°I won¡¯t say more, but stop investigating the Bloodmoon <b>Pack</b>. <b>I </b>know what¡¯s going on. Also, your Eugenius Scout Team shouldn¡¯t be too close to me. I invited you here today for personal reasons. In the future, if there¡¯s anything, maybe Paisley will pass on messages to you?


    Eugene was confused at first.


    The Eugenius Scout Team was


    saved by Lance. Why couldn¡¯t they be close to him now?


    But then he figured it out. Lycan Erasmus had just be Lycan King.


    His power wasn¡¯t secure yet. Naturally, he would be wary of Lance, his younger brother<b>. </b>


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll wait for the assignment,¡± Eugene said with a nod.


    He gave Lance a meaningful look, holding back the words that the Eugenius Scout Team would always be part of the Alpha Bentley Legion.


    And every member of the Alpha Bentley Legion was loyal to both Lycan Erasmus and Alpha Bentley.


    Lance, the formermander of the Alpha Bentley Legion, had led the Royal Army and the Alpha Bentley Legion to reim the southern border, a remarkable achievement.


    When Caldwell arrived, he quickly came up


    with a reason.


    He suggested that Lance could say he had talked to Eugene, but since the royal appointment for Eugene hadn¡¯t been decided, Eugene himself didn¡¯t know where he would be sent.


    Abigail was Doug¡¯s prized granddaughter. If she mated Eugene, she would have to follow him to the border. It might be years before she could return to the capital.


    Abigail was extremely filial. How could she bear to leave her family and go to the border to endure hardship?


    Everyone agreed that this was a great excuse.


    Abigail was very devoted to her grandparents, who were old. She would never leave the c them.


    al or leave


    178


    Since Lance had to go back to the Ministry of Justice the next day to handle matters, Adide and Paisley went to Doug¡¯s house instead


    Abigail came out to meet the guests. She was wearing a goose¨Cyellow round¨Cnecked blouse and <b>a </b><b>matching </b>


    C


    pleated skirt.


    The skirt was embroidered with many butterflies in silver thread. As she walked, the <b>silver </b><b>thread </b>shimmered, as if butterflies were dancing on the skirt.


    ¡°Luna Adide!¡± She curtsied gracefully.


    ¡°Abigail,¡± Adide smiled at her and nced at Paisley.


    Paisley¡¯s eyes lit up with appreciation for Abigail.


    Her demeanor was so elegant and poised. Compared to Gloria, who was like a madwoman, Abigail was <b>in </b>a different league.


    Abigail¡¯s parents were also present. The loving couple had raised such a gentle and refined daughter.


    Adide said, ¡°Since we¡¯re all here, I¡¯ll get straight to the point. Yesterday we had Eugene over. He said <b>the </b>royal appointment hasn¡¯t been decided. He might be sent to guard the border. He knows how filial Abigail is. If she were to follow him to the border, she would suffer and be far from her family, unable to fulfill <b>her </b>filial duties. He would feel guilty.¡±


    After hearing this, everyone fell silent.


    Abigail also stayed silent.


    She wanted to mate with Eugene, but she couldn¡¯t bear to leave her grandparents and parents for years.


    After a moment of silence, her eyes welled up with tears. ¡°So that¡¯s why.¡±


    Seeing Abigail like this, Adide thought she would give up and breathed a slight sigh of relief.


    This matter might not be so difficult to handle after all.


    Abigail looked at Adide and said, ¡°Please tell Eugene that I¡¯ve weighed this matter and now I¡¯m no longer worthy of him.¡±


    Adide was taken aback for a moment.


    Did Abigail mean to find a respectable excuse, or was that really what she meant?


    Adide said, ¡°Abigail, when ites to mating, you have to weigh many factors. It¡¯s not about who¡¯s worthy of whom, but aboutpatibility.¡±


    Abigail said softly, ¡°You¡¯re right, but¡­¡±


    She looked up at Adide, her eyes brimming with tears. ¡°I genuinely wanted to mate him, and my reluctance to leave my family is also genuine. There¡¯s no perfect solution in this world. Since I chose my family, I dare not speak of my admiration for him anymore. I only hope he can be ha


    nd safe.¡±


    Adide was stunned. Something seemed to flicker in her heart, but she couldn¡¯t grasp <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    She just felt a slight ache in her heart. ¡°But anyone would choose their family in this situation,¡± <b>she </b>said.


    Paisley nced at her but said nothing.


    09:32 Sat, 2 Aug G


    Actually, it wasn¡¯t always the case. Some she¨Cwolves would rush in like moths to a me, without considering their family at all, like her cousin, Sadi.


    *5 Free Coins


    Mrs. Watson sighed and her eyes turned red too. ¡°If you want to pursue your happiness, go ahead. As long as you can bear the hardship of the border and don¡¯t regret your choice, I support you.¡±


    Abigail shook her head, her eyes red, and smiled at her grandmother. ¡°No, I¡¯m staying with you and Grandpa. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±

 Novel Male 478

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Abigail threw herself into her grandmother¡¯s arms, burying her head there for a good while before lifting it again.


    Her eyes were red, but they sparkled as if every word she spoke was from the heart.


    Adide and Paisley exchanged nces, both feeling something was off.


    But since their mission was to persuade Abigail to give up, and now they could give Doug and Eugene an answer, they didn¡¯t press further.


    After leaving Doug¡¯s, they headed back to the ckthorn Pack, nning to send someone to inform Eugene of the oue.


    Initially, Adide intended to merely pass on the result, but after a moment¡¯s thought, she decided to have Paisley deliver Abigail¡¯s exact words personally.


    Though Adide was a bit slow in matters of the heart, she could sense Abigail¡¯s barely concealed <b>distress </b>after making her swift decision.


    Could it be that Abigail¡¯s feelings for Eugene were more than a fleeting fancy? Had they crossed paths before?


    It seemed unlikely, given their ten¨Cyear age gap and Eugene¡¯s early entry into the werewolf warrior ranks, which should have put them in different circles.


    Upon hearing Paisley¡¯s report, Eugene simply nodded and said, ¡°Alright, thank you for your trouble, and also thank Caldwell foring up with the excuse<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°1


    Paisley hesitated, then said, ¡°Eugene, Abigail is a truly wonderful woman. She wishes you peace and prosperity.¡±


    Eugene was aware of Paisley¡¯s discerning taste.


    If she held Abigail in such high regard, Abigail must indeed be exceptional.


    He was well aware of Abigail¡¯s virtues. Precisely because she was so wonderful and so young, she deserved a younger mate.


    Eugene smiled and said, ¡°I wish her the same. May she find a suitable mate soon.¡±


    Meanwhile, after Christine brought Gloria back to the Ironw Pack, she confronted her.


    Her pupils narrowed into sharp vertical lines. ¡°You don¡¯t need to go around suspecti was the one who discovered it. He found Melvin¡¯s jewelry in the corners of your beds. cracks in your walls. As for the rest, I was the one who told him.¡±


    Gloria looked at Christine in utter disbelief.


    eryone. Eugene table and <b>the </b>


    Her lily of the valley pheromones went haywire, her pupils dted with shock, and her <b>wolf </b><b>ears </b><b>perked </b><b>up </b>


    involuntarily.


    She let out a howl, ¡°He found out? And you, my own family, instead of covering for me, <b>you </b>added fuel to: the fire and told him everything?¡±


    ¡°What have I ever done to you to make you harm me like this?¡±


    Her voice trembled with a wolfish vibrato, her aura sharp with usatory spikes.


    Christine spoke coldly, her sandalwood pheromones forming a tangible ice wall that took Gloria¡¯s breath away. ¡°Cover for you? What have you done to me and Eugene?¡±


    Gloria¡¯s limbs turned icy, her lily of the valley pheromones falling silent in an instant.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to be betrayed by Christine. Her pheromones raged like torn silk: ¡°But you¡¯re not even rted to him! I¡¯m the sister of your mate. We¡¯re family! You¡¯d harm your own family? Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma?¡±


    She grabbed Christine¡¯s arm, her fingers, agitated, faintly shifting into the pale shadow of wolf ws. ¡°Come with me. Let¡¯s go to Cynthia. Is this how you treat family? I¡¯ve never wronged you. In the pack, you¡¯re almost thew. Everyone obeys you, including me. Isn¡¯t that enough? What more do you want from me?¡±


    Christine shook off her grip. Her sandalwood pheromones burst forth like icicles.


    She pped Gloria across the face, the impact carrying immense pressure. ¡°This p is on behalf of Luna Adide.¡±


    Before Gloria could react, another pnded on her right cheek, the pressure even heavier. ¡°This one <b>is </b>for Eugene.¡±


    Gloria screamed, her lily of the valley pheromones zing with fury, her pupils reddening with rage. ¡°You hit me? How dare you?¡±


    Ignoring her, Christine raised her hand and struck herself fiercely across the face, her tone suffused with self¨Cloathing. ¡°And this p is for myself, for tolerating you all these years, for pouring my heart out to you, for ignoring right and wrong out of familial duty.¡±


    ¡°I knew you were having an affair and got pregnant. I helped you terminate the pregnancy, arranged for your recovery, and personally returned you to the Hutchinson family.¡±


    Her hand shifted slightly as she struck/leaving a faint red mark from her wolf ws on her cheek. Tears streamed down Christine¡¯s face as she delivered the heavy p to herself, using all her strength.


    The imprint on her face was clear, her sandalwood pheromones mixed with the saltiness of her <b>tears</b>, fluctuating intensely.


    ¡°Christine!¡± One of her omegas cried out, stepping forward with woodsy pheromones warm with urgency. ¡°Why hurt yourself? If you¡¯re angry, hit me instead.¡±


    Christine broke free, weeping as she struck herself again with a reckless finality. ¡°This p <b>is </b>for my <b>past </b>foolishness. When Eugene¡¯s death notice came back, you wanted to return to the Ironw <b>Pack </b><b>with </b>hispensation money. I didn¡¯t dare let you go back, fearing it would bring disgrace to the Ironw <b>Pack </b><b>if </b>


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:32 Sat, 2 Aug


    something was found out.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about my reputation anymore. Go ahead and make a scene in front of <b>Luna </b>Cynthia Let everyone know.¡±


    Gloria was terrified.


    She had never seen Christine so out of control.


    Christine was always dignified andposed, never flustered. No matter how grave the situation, the could handle it with ease.


    But now, she seemed like a madwoman.

 Novel Male 479

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    $ Frex Come


    ¡°See? This is you. This is what everyone thinks of you¨Cmad, reckless, shameless, and without a <b>shred </b><b>of </b>dignity,¡± she said, grabbing Gloria¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. You wanted to see Cynthia? Let¡¯s go. Let¡¯s make her furious and then you can die. Then <b>the </b><b>pack </b>will finally have peace.¡±


    Gloria recoiled in terror, her breathing ragged.


    ¡°No, no! I¡¯m not like that. I¡¯m not mad. I won¡¯t go, I won¡¯t!¡±


    An omega helped Christine sit down as tears streamed down her face.


    She reflected on her life since joining the Ironw Pack.


    She had devoted herself to the pack, never neglecting Cynthia, Gloria, Tad, or even Tad¡¯s breeder¡¯s children.


    In the early years, when the breeders caused amotion and Tad sided with them, she had endured a lot.


    She had worked tirelessly to secure Tad¡¯s position and reputation to protect their offspring.


    Everyone relied on her, but not everyone obeyed.


    Over the years, only Leon and Audrey had truly supported her.


    Cynthia was not malicious, just soft¨Chearted. Christine¡¯s rules often fell apart because of Cynthia¡¯s leniency.


    The pack¡¯s issues were one thing, but Gloria h¨¢d caused no end of trouble. First, she made a scene at the Hutchinsons¡® as the Bloodmoon¡¯s Luna, then at the ckthorn Pack. Even with the strict management of the royal house, there were guests and servants witnessing the chaos¨Cplenty of people who loved to gossip.


    If word got out, the Ironw Pack¡¯s reputation, which Christine had worked so hard to maintain, would be ruined in an instant.


    After calming down for a while, Christine said to Gloria, ¡°Have you calmed down? Can we talk rationally? You need to decide: will you dissolve the mating bond and return to the Ironw Pack, or continue with Ulrik? If you choose the former, the Ironw Pack will take you back.¡±


    Gloria was silent.


    With Eugene rejecting her, she had nowhere else to go.


    Returning to the Ironw Pack meant a life offort but loneliness<b>. </b>


    No one would mate with her again; she had already been in two mating bonds.


    Few she¨Cwolves had a third mate, and she had limited options.


    As the Alpha¡¯s daughter of the Ironw Pack and once mated to a Golden Gamma, she could <b>only </b><b>aim </b>for powerful Alphas or high¨Cranking wolves.


    Moreover, she was pregnant. If she returned to the Ironw Pack, she would have to abort the child.


    But after causing a scene at the ckthorn Pack, they had already contacted the Bloodmoon Pack


    She had even threatened to take her own life and that of her child. The Bloodmoon Pack would know about her pregnancy<b>. </b>


    Alpha Ulrik would never let her dissolve their mating.


    In truth, she couldn¡¯t leave the Bloodmoon Pack.


    Though it was in disrepair, it was still an ancient and powerful pack in name.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go back to the Bloodmoon Pack,¡± she said quietly, her face showing the cold calction that followed her madness. ¡°But Christine, that matter is already known. You must ensure it doesn¡¯t spread.¡±


    Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t be able to stay at the Bloodmoon Pack either.


    Christine said coldly, ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything. Gloria, I¡¯ve done my best. Either live well with Ulrik or return to the Ironw Pack after the Bloodmoon Pack is attacked. Then there will be no issues.¡±


    ¡°But you were the one who wanted to go back to the Hutchinsons¡® and cause trouble for Eugene, leading to this mess,¡± she said.


    ¡°If this gets out, it will harm other she¨Cwolves in the Ironw Pack too,¡± Gloria threatened. Christine sneered. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be done about that when your rtives are so shameless.¡±


    Gloria bit her lip. ¡°You don¡¯t have to insult me in every sentence.¡±


    Christine said coldly, ¡°Here¡¯s a saying for you¨Cfruit rots before it breeds worms; people invite shame before they are insulted.¡±


    Gloria¡¯s face froze, rendered speechless.


    Tamara of the Bloodmoon Pack first went to the ckthorn Pack. Later, hearing that Gloria had been taken back <i>to </i>the Ironw Pack, she immediately headed there.


    Since Ulrik was on duty, he knew nothing of the matter.


    With the situation bing so unsightly, Tamara had to drag her ¡°ailing¡± body to the Ironw Pack


    s involved.


    She sighed heavily. Though she wasn¡¯t fully aware of the ins and outs, she suspected Ulr Christine didn¡¯t borate, only telling her that Gloria was pregnant and should return to the pack <b>to </b><b>rest </b>Tamara didn¡¯t ask more but was filled with questions.


    Pregnancy was usually a joyous asion¨Cwhy had Gloria caused a scene at the ckthorn <b>Pack</b><b>? </b>


    <b>23 </b>


    <b>09:32 </b><b>Sat </b>2 <b>Aug </b>C


    However, the news of Gloria¡¯s pregnancy delighted Rosemary and Ulrik.


    In the evening, Ulrik tenderly cared for Gloria as she cried silently in his arms.


    Even she still felt wronged, if Ulrik treated her sincerely, life could go on.


    Yet, word of Gloria¡¯s visit to the Hutchinsons¡® quickly spread, bing the talk of the town.


    09:33 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>2 </b><b>Aug </b>GUT

 Novel Male 480

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Rosemary, who highly valued reputation, sternly confronted Gloria. ¡°You¡¯re carrying my son¡¯s child <b>Why </b>did you go to the Hutchinsons¡®? Whose child are you carrying? Did you and Eugene rekindle your rtionship after he returned, and you¡¯re carrying his child?¡±


    Gloria had long lost all respect for Rosemary.


    She coldly retorted, ¡°We¡¯ll know the father once the child is born. Your ims of a rekindled rtionship and me carrying another¡¯s child¨Cif such talk spreads, won¡¯t it damage Ulrik¡¯s reputation? He¡¯d be <b>a </bughingstock.¡±


    With that, she turned and left.


    Inside, she was seething with tears. Though fallen on hard times, she wouldn¡¯t tolerate being trampled


    upon.


    The Bloodmoon Pack had no right to judge her. After all, she had lost two omegas there.


    Yet Velda still lived freely, well¨Cprovided for andfortably housed.


    Ulrik had learned of Gloria¡¯s visit to the Hutchinsons¡® from his colleagues¡® whispers during duty.


    He felt utterly humiliated. Upon returning to the Bloodmoon Pack, he stormed into Gloria¡¯s room in <i>a </i>


    rage.


    Gloria was prepared. Addressing Ulrik wasn¡¯t difficult. ¡°I went to the Hutchinsons¡® because Christine returned the pension. She¡¯s helped me a lot over the years. I couldn¡¯t bear to let her spend more on me, <b>so </b>I decided to repay her.¡±


    ¡°Now that I¡¯m carrying the future heir of the Bloodmoon Pack, I must clear my name for the child¡¯s sake.¡± she said, gently stroking her still¨Ct stomach,/her face radiating maternal warmth.


    Ulrik didn¡¯t believe her.


    He knew Gloria¡¯s nature¨Cshe must have wanted to rekindle things with Eugene.


    But he suppressed his anger. Watching her caress her abdomen, he felt aplex mix of emotions.


    His feelings for Gloria weren¡¯t deep, but he didn¡¯t doubt the child was his. He trusted Eugene¡¯s character¡­


    ¡°Alpha Ulrik!¡±


    Gloria stood up and encircled his waist. ¡°This is our first child. I¡¯m full of anticipation and will take good care of myself. Let¡¯s protect him together, shall we?¡±


    Ulrik pulled her into his embrace and agreed.


    His unspoken sigh held onto the urge to question her about the ckthorn Pack, but he let <b>it </b><b>go</b><b>. </b><b>Better </b><b>to </b>


    avoid trouble.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>09:33 </b>Sat, <b>2 </b>Aug


    The lost face was irretrievable.


    The Bloodmoon Pack¡¯s safety was fortunate enough.


    The next day, Sadi sent the Ironw Pack a gift, announcing her visit the following day.


    Christine recalled Adide¡¯s words and her expression turned grave.


    After some thought, she instructed an omega, ¡°Prepare a gift. I¡¯m paying a visit to the ckthorn Pack<b>. </b>


    The omega questioned, ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit rude to just show up like this?¡±


    ¡°No. When I took Gloria, I told Luna Adide I¡¯d apologize. It¡¯s not rude,¡± Christine said.


    With the Blue Abyss Pack¡¯s visit imminent the next day, there was no time to lose.


    In the ckthorn Pack¡¯s lounge, Adide looked at Christine¡¯s swollen<b>, </b>red face and the clear finger marks.


    She asked, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Christine gave a wry smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I did <i>it </i>to myself. No one in the Ironw Pack dares <b>to </b><b>strike </b><b>me</b>.¡±


    Adide didn¡¯t pry into Christine¡¯s pack matters. Yet, seeing the weary but still dignified she¨Cwolf <b>before </b>her, she was moved.


    A stable¨Cminded mate was crucial for <i>a </i>pack.


    Adide said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. It¡¯s not a big deal. I don¡¯t hold her in regard. If apologies are due, it¡¯s not your ce to offer them.¡±


    Christine, after a moment¡¯s thought, decided to be direct. ¡°Luna Adide, please forgive my intrusion. My apology is but a pretense. I¡¯vee to ask you something.¡±


    Adide set down her coffee cup, took a slow sip, and her gaze swept over Christine¡¯s face. ¡°Ask away,¡± she said calmly.


    Adide knew what she wanted to ask¨Cthe Blue Abyss Pack had sent the Ironw Pack a gift.


    Every move of Alpha Germain since his return to the capital was under Lance¡¯s surveince, with Avery personally overseeing the watch.


    Such attention was warranted given Germain¡¯s stature.


    Christine tried to mask her anxiety but, exhausted from dealing with Gloria¡¯s affairs, herposure wavered. ¡°Luna Adide, Alpha Germain had Luna Sadi send a gift to the Ironw Pack. You know my mate Tad is at the southern border. Alpha Germain returned, first met with Lycan Era


    then came <b>to </b>


    the ckthorn Pack, and now he¡¯s heading to the Ironw Pack. I¡¯m unsure how to receive him. <b>I </b><b>seek </b>your guidance.¡±


    Her question was artfully framed, leaving no room for misinterpretation.


    <b>It </b>seemed a simple inquiry on etiquette and protocol.


    Yet Christine, well¨Cversed in such matters, had a deeper intent.


    Adide put down her cup and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s likely Luna Sadi or Maya wishes to visit Luna <b>Cynthia </b><b>Luna </b>Sadi is Alpha Germain¡¯s new mate. You¡¯re experienced in such social dealings and know the rules <b>well</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°Luna Adide, you¡¯re right¡­ but if there¡¯s something else<i>¡­</i><i>¡± </i>Christine began.


    Adide interrupted with a smile. ¡°There¡¯s nothing clsc. The Ironw Pack seldom interacted with <b>Alpha </b>Germain before. This is just a routine visit.¡±

 Novel Male 481

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Christine turned every word of Adide¡¯s over in her mind.


    She¡¯de because she suspected ulterior motives.


    She couldn¡¯t be sure of much, but she knew Alpha Germain had returned to the capital iming Pandora


    was ill.


    They were supposed to be caring for Pandora, yet he¡¯d first visited the ckthorn Pack.


    And now, after meeting Gloria at the ckthorn Pack, he was heading to the Ironw Pack. Christine found it hard to believe there was nothing more to it.


    As the future Luna of the Ironw Pack, she had her own keen insight, observational skills<b>, </b>and a knack for sensing danger.


    The capital was home to many powerful packs and prestigious families.


    Yet Alpha Germain didn¡¯t seek them out¨Che made a beeline for the Ironw Pack.


    It didn¡¯t take much to guess why. Tad heldmand of the Southern Border Legion.


    ¡°Christine, take him at face value. Just follow the usual etiquette,¡± Adide said, noticing Christine¡¯s hesitation.


    She knew Christine well enough to guess what she was thinking.


    Christine was quite capable, so Adide decided to give her a little more guidance.


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you. If you think Luna Sadi is approachable and want to befriend her, that¡¯s your choice. But if you think she¡¯s out of your league, there¡¯s no harm in keeping your distance,¡± Adide added.


    Now that Adide had spelled things out, Christine understood.


    She didn¡¯t dare think further¨Cit wasn¡¯t her ce.


    All she could do was ensure the Ironw Pack¡¯s dealings with everyone were aboveboard.


    After Christine left, Caldwell entered.


    He seldom came to see Adide on his own, but he¡¯d been keeping an eye on things since Christine arrived and had overheard part of the conversation.


    ¡°Did I strike the right bnce?¡± Adide asked him.


    ¡°Perfectly,¡± Caldwell replied with a bow. ¡°You can¡¯t be too explicit, Luna Adide, but <b>you </b>also <b>can¡¯t </b><b>leave </b>thingspletely unmentioned. After all, the Southern Border¡¯s werewolf warriors are either part of Alpha Bentley¡¯s Legion or the Royal Army.¡±


    Adide sighed. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true. I can¡¯t just stand idly by. But Christine is now assisting in managing <b>the </b>


    13


    Ironw Pack. She can¡¯t be privy to everything.¡±


    ¡°So, as you said, you struck the right bnce, Caldwell said before taking his leave.


    Adide watched him leave, momentarily stunned.


    She¡¯d expected him to discuss the matter further, but he¡¯d onlye in topliment her.


    Caldwell wasn¡¯t the beta of the pack, but Lance treated him as an advisor.


    In reality, he managed the entire pack¡¯s affairs, fulfilling the duties of a beta.


    Beyond Caldwell, the pack should have had its own gamma, but Lance was picky and hadn¡¯t found the right person yet.


    So Caldwell took on the workload of two, which elevated his status within the pack.


    Caldwell was always busy, rarely seen from morning till night.


    He had a deputy, Ralph, who handled day¨Cto¨Cday operations. Ralph managed most of the pack¡¯s routine affairs.


    Adide sometimes felt exhausted just from meeting with various supervisors every other day to hear their endless reports.


    Though she neverined, Caldwell had taken the initiative to suggest <i>that </i>Ralph screen the matters first, only reporting the essential ones to her and handling the trivial ones on his own.


    He was truly considerate.


    Over the past few days, Ramona had been frequently visiting the ckthorn Pack.


    Naturally, this was because Paisley was learning dance from her. They¡¯d discovered a great rapport, so Ramona was invited to the pack more often.


    Adide, however, maintained a distance from Ramona.


    Today, after Ramona had just left, Paisley went to the vi to see Adide.


    As soon as she entered, she plopped down and said, ¡°Ramona¡¯s a really great person. I think you seem to take a dislike to her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only met her a few times. It¡¯s too soon to like or dislike her,¡± Adide said, ncing sideways at her.


    She instructed, ¡°Sophia, bring Paisley a cup of coffee. She¡¯s all sweaty<i>. </i>Get her a towel too.¡±


    Sophia nodded and left to <i>do </i>as asked.


    As soon as Sophia left, Paisley said, ¡°She¡¯s convinced Hunt. He¡¯s going to cooperate with us<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Adide thought for a moment and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your take on Hunt?¡±


    ¡°I had Wendy/check him out. He used to be exceptionally talented, but now he¡¯s all over the ce and timid. His personality is weak and cowardly.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    2 Aug


    ¡°He¡¯s been in a mating bond with Madison for over twenty years and bullied by her for just as long, <b>Paisley </b>it¡¯s hard for someone to muster the courage to fight back after being oppressed for so long. <b>I¡¯m </b><b>reserving </b>judgment on him.¡°¨C


    ¡°He must be frustrated deep down. With our help, maybe he wants to turn things around. Even the most


    such humiliation forever docile person has some pride. I don¡¯t believe he¡¯d willingly endure


    ¡°It¡¯s certain he¡¯s not content, but that doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯ll trust us. Also, don¡¯t forget his family <b>still </b><b>relies </b><b>on </b>Madison.¡±


    Paisley nodded. At the sound of footsteps, she immediately smiled and said, ¡°Right? I told you Ramona¡¯s fascinating. Next time shees, try herbat techniques with us.¡±


    Adide rolled her eyes at her. ¡°Fine. Since you praise her so much, I¡¯ll join next time. <i>But </i>I bet she <b>won¡¯t </bst three seconds against me.¡±

 Novel Male 482

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Then put it to the test!¡±


    Paisley said with a grin. She looked up at Sophia and asked, ¡°What kind of coffee is this?¡±


    Sophia put down the coffee cup and said, ¡°This is the caramel mhiato brewed by Ivy today.¡±


    ¡°Perfect!¡± Paisley took the coffee and drank it while wiping her neck with the towel. Then she tossed <b>the </b>towel back onto the tray. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. You may leave.¡±


    After Sophia left, Paisley said, ¡°I don¡¯t like her.¡±


    Adideughed and said, ¡°Don¡¯t deny it, she¡¯s quite useful. She¡¯s from the pce, after all. Beata¡¯s workload has been greatly reduced now.¡±


    Paisley smiled and asked, ¡°When do you n to let Beata leave the pack? She should be looking for <i>a </i>mate.¡±


    Adide sighed and said, ¡°I was nning to find her a suitable mate after things settle down here for <i>a </i>while. I¡¯ll miss her, but she¡¯s my age and it¡¯s time for her to start a family.¡±


    ¡°How about Avery?¡± Paisley raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid he might let Beata go hungry,¡± Adide replied.


    Paisley snorted and said, ¡°That¡¯s true. He¡¯s responsible for supporting the pack. How much money would actually end up in his mate¡¯s hands?¡±


    Speaking of which, Paisley sighed, ¡°People like him are better off not getting mated. Do you remember? When he was a kid, he said he wanted to mate you. Then he got chased around by Georgina, who used him of teasing you at such a young age.¡±


    Adideughed, but there was a hint of mncholy in her heart.


    The Shadow Peaks and the capital were like a watershed, dividing her life into two parts.


    Even now, returning <i>to </i>the Shadow Peaks, she could no longer revert to her former state of mind.


    No sooner had they mentioned Beata and Georgina than Beata rushed in breathlessly.


    ¡°Luna Adide, Paisley, Georgina¡¯s here. She says Melinda¡¯s inbor,¡± Beata announced.


    Adide stood up immediately and asked, ¡°Inbor? Is it her due date?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s around the time, but Georgina said there¡¯s some danger. She wants to bring in Doctor Digby, but he¡¯s not in the capital.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Where¡¯s Georgina now?¡± Adide asked urgently.


    Beata replied, ¡°She just dropped by to inform us and headed back. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s <b>happened</b><b>, </b>but she


    <b>1/3 </b>


    looked furious.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, right now,¡± Adide said.


    Paisley took a deep breath and said, ¡°She¡¯s having a baby? I¡¯m not ready for this. I¡¯ve never seen a birth before.¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± Adide said, pulling her arm. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯re the one giving birth. We¡¯ll go and see what¡¯s happening. Georgina¡¯s so angry, there must be a problem.¡±


    The two quickly went to get the car. By the time Beata had called for the driver, they were already gone.


    Beata stamped her foot in frustration. ¡°They didn¡¯t take me again.¡±


    Once inseparable from Adide, she was now left behind wherever Adide went.


    Paisley drove quickly as usual, and soon they arrived at the Soulrend Pack.


    Dwight was tied to a tree outside Melinda¡¯s vi yard by Paige.


    He was bruised and battered, with footprints all over him.


    The former Luna of the Soulrend Pack arrived and, seeing Dwight¡¯s miserable state, shouted anxiously, ¡°Somebody<i>, </i>get him down from there.¡±


    Paige stood coldly in front of them, whip in hand, and said, ¡°I¡¯d like to see who dares to untie him. If Melinda is fine, he¡¯ll be fine too. If anything happens to Melinda, then he¡¯ll be sent for punishment!¡±


    you


    you


    think are? Are you fit to be the leader of the Soulrend Pack?¡± the former ¡°How dare you! Who do Luna demanded. ¡°Guards, seize her and throw her out!¡±


    Paige cracked her whip loudly, intimidating everyone into staying back.


    Luna Chloe came out from inside, sighed, and helped support the former Luna. ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about him now. Melinda¡¯s in a bad way. Georgina¡¯s already gone to fetch Doctor Digby. I think we should also invite Luna Skye over.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s her own fault,¡± the former Luna grumbled.


    ¡°Dwight finally came to his senses and wanted to reconcile with her, but she kept giving him cold looks. Knowing she¡¯s pregnant, she still spews insults. Serves her right if she got hit.¡±


    ¡°You wretched woman,¡± Paige said coldly. ¡°By doting on him like this, you¡¯ll ruin him sooner orter.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± The former Luna¡¯s face, turned livid. She had always been of high status; when had she ever been treated so disrespectfully?


    Just as she was about to order Paige to be punished, a heart¨Cwrenching scream came Adide, it hurts <b>so </b>much.¡±


    The scream was so shrill that even the former Luna shuddered.


    n inside<b>, </b>¡°Ah¡­


    Her expression changed instantly. ¡°Why is she screaming like that before childbirth? She¡¯ll <b>exhaust </b><b>all </b>her strength and won¡¯t have any left for the delivery.¡±


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>09:33 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>2 </b><b>Aug </b>


    Paige, hearing this, was furious. ¡°Roll out of my way! I¡¯ve put up with you for too long. I¡¯ve respected your <b>age</b>, but it seems you don¡¯t even understand basic decency. I¡¯ve never sworn at an elder before, but <b>fil </b>make an exception for you today. I¡¯d better not have to p you. If you can¡¯t control your tongue, <b>il </b><b>sew </b>your mouth shut!¡±


    Paige, known for her respect for the elderly and care for the young, had her limits. If her respect <b>was </b>met with overstepping, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to call it out.


    The former Luna was so angry she rolled her eyes back. Luna Chloe quickly supported her and walked her inside, whispering, ¡°Stop the fuss. It won¡¯t look good when Luna Adide arrives and finds us quarreling like this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of her,¡± the former Luna retorted.

 Novel Male 483

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The former Luna disliked Adide the most. ¡°Adide may be the mate of a royal member, but she has no right to meddle in our Soulrend Pack¡¯s internal affairs. Even Luha Skye hasn¡¯t said anything. Adide <b>is </b>overstepping her boundaries.¡±


    But as cries echoed from the room, she shuddered all the same. ¡°Wasn¡¯t one of Doctor Digby¡¯s subordinates in there? What¡¯s she doing?¡±


    They climbed the stone steps, and in the outer room, all the women were gathered. Behind a single doory Melinda¡¯s birthing chamber.


    Melinda was in agony, writhing in pain. The bleeding on her forehead had stopped, but her face was


    swollen.


    Dwight had pushed her down the stone steps, and Paige and Georgina hadn¡¯t been there to witness it.


    By the time Georgina rushed over, Melinda had already fallen.


    The steps weren¡¯t high, but with Melinda¡¯s heavy pregnancy, her head had struck the corner of the first


    step.


    When Georgina lifted her, blood had already pooled around them.


    Fortunately, Galvin had been there for a few days and quickly treated the wound.


    The midwife, arranged by Adide, was the best in the capital.


    Many noble families sought her services.


    After Galvin tended to Melinda¡¯s forehead, she noticed something was wrong¨CMelinda began to bleed.


    Although it was Melinda¡¯s due date, the fall hadplicated things.


    ¡°Go and bring Luna Skye,¡± Luna Chloe said, half out of her mind with worry, her palms sweating.


    If anything happened to Melinda, the royal family would hold them ountable. Both rissa and Lycan Erasmus held Melinda in high regard.


    Someone rushed out, and the pack guards immediately set off for the Silverlight Pack.


    The male wolves of the Soulrend Pack waited in the conference hall, anxiously awaiting news.


    Alpha Manfred was so furious at Dwight that he wanted to break his legs.


    They had thought Dwight truly wanted to reconcile with Melinda, but it turned out he harbored <b>so </b>much resentment that he resorted to violence at the slightest disagreement.


    They should have left him to rot outside; it was only because the former Luna pitied him that he <b>was </b>brought back.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    09:33 Sat <b>2 </b><b>Aug </b>


    Other members were present too. This was no ordinary childbirth. If anything <b>happened </b>to <b>Melinda</b>, <b>the </b>Soulrend Pack¡¯s fortunes would be over.


    ¡°Luna Adide is here!¡±


    At the shout,


    When Luna Adide w


    mercy.


    s hearts tightened,


    in a good mood, she was truly approachable. But when angered, she showed <b>no </b>


    Without hesitation, Adide, apanied by Paisley, headed straight for Melinda¡¯s vi


    Upon entering, they saw,


    of his mouth.


    Wight tied to at


    rc, bruised and bloodied, with blood trickling from theer


    His once¨Chandsome appearance was gone, reced by a swollen, almost unrecognizable face.


    ¡°Adide, Paisley,¡± Paige stepped forward, her voice choked with emotion. ¡°We¡¯re sorry. We failed you. Georgina and I didn¡¯t take good care of Melinda.¡±


    ¡°How is Melinda?¡± Adide asked.


    Almost immediately, they heard Melinda¡¯s increasingly faint wails from inside, ¡°Ade¡­¡±


    Adide¡¯s heart ached, and she rushed into the room.


    Those waiting in the living room stood up quickly, their pheromones quivering under the aura of Adide¡¯s.


    But Adide paid them no mind, bursting into the room like a gust of wind, with Paisley hot on her <b>heels</b><b>, </b>her Crimson me pheromones zing like fire.


    At the sight of Melinda, Adide gasped.


    Her pupils narrowed sharply¨Chow had her forehead been injured again?


    Her cedar pheromones grew heavy with concern.


    ¡°Galvin, what¡¯s the situation?¡± she asked, first grasping Melinda¡¯s hand, her fingertips faintly wed from worry.


    She sat on the bed, using her sleeve to wipe away Melinda¡¯s sweat and tears, her pheromones wrapping around her gently.


    Galvin was administering an injection. A nket was pulled high, with an IV tube inserted into Melinda¡¯s stomach.


    Galvin¡¯s wooden pheromones struggled <i>to </i>stay steady but trembled with unease<b>. </b>


    Galvin sighed and said, ¡°It¡¯s not just a case of disturbed fetal energy. I¡¯m afraid the fetus has <b>been </b><b>injured</b>. We¡¯ve administered oxytocin, but there¡¯s no sign ofbor. This has been going on for three hours <b>now</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Melinda¡¯s face was contorted with pain, her silvermoon grass pheromones <b>shattered </b><b>into </b><b>fragments </b><b>of </b>


    agony.


    7


    <b>09:33 </b>Sat<b>, </b>2 Aug


    Her voice,ced with the howl of a wolf, whimpered, ¡°Ade¡­ it hurts so much.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid! I¡¯m here,¡± Adide soothed her. Her cedar pheromones flowed like warm <b>water</b><b>, </b><b>easing </b>Melinda¡¯s suffering.


    Turning to Galvin, her pupils filled with urgency


    she asked, ¡°Is Doctor Digby not in the city?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s left the capital to treat someone. Georgina¡¯s gone to find him. We can only hope she arrives <b>in </b><b>time</b><b>. </b>


    Though Galvin tried to stay calm to reassure everyone, her trembling voice betrayed her anxiety and worry. Her wooden pheromones were a tangled mess.


    Paisley turned and left the room, her Crimson me pheromones suddenly sharp and fierce.


    Paige stood outside, her gaze fixed on the Soulrend Pack members<b>, </b>especially the former Luna. <b>Her </b>pheromones bristled with caution.


    This former Luna was a troublemaker who had just spouted some outrageous words. Paige had to <b>keep </b><b>an </b>eye on her, ensuring she didn¡¯t send someone in to utter hurtful words¨Cher aura formed an invisible wall at the door.


    ¡°Paige, what exactly happened here? Why did things turn into such a mess?¡± Paisley asked, her Crimson me pheromones seething with rage.

 Novel Male 484

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    45 Free Coins


    Paige¡¯s face was a mask of fury, her fingers slightly shifting into ws as she pointed at Dwight, tied to the tree. ¡°He pushed her. We let our guard down,¡± she admitted, her pheromones sparking like suppressed mes.


    Paige then detailed the events. Dwight, having somewhat recovered from Willow¡¯s loss, had realized his past mistakes and started visiting Melinda daily with apologies and gifts.


    Every time he showed up, he had a grin on his face and brought some delicious food.


    He kept apologizing for how he treated Melinda, even almost got down on his knees to promise he¡¯d never do it again.


    Melinda didn¡¯tpletely cut him off, but she didn¡¯t really talk to him either.


    After Paige checked the food he brought and confirmed it was safe, Melinda let everyone eat <i>it</i>.


    After seven or eight days of this, Paige and Georgina had let their guard down.


    When he came today, Paige was in the kitchen making a nutrient mix. Since Melinda¡¯s due date was near, Doctor Digby had prescribed something to boost her strength for childbirth.


    Paige didn¡¯t trust the Soulrend Pack members, so she made the mixture herself.


    Melinda, feeling uneasy, asked Georgina to take her for a walk.


    Since she could still walk, she wanted to take a few more steps to make the birth smoother.


    After they went outside, it got a bit cold. So Georgina went back in to grab a shawl. Nobody knew what Dwight said to Melinda in the hallway, but he suddenly flew into a rage, pped her, and pushed her down.


    Hearing themotion, Georgina rushed out and found Melinda injured and bleeding.


    Paige, upon returning, beat and bound Dwight to the tree.


    Themotion drew the Soulrend Pack¡¯s attention. Everyone gathered to see what had happened.


    But with Melinda in severe abdominal pain, there was no time to deal with Dwight.


    Paisley, seething, grabbed Paige¡¯s whip andshed it across Dwight¡¯s back.


    The old Luna, hearing the noise, erupted in a fury, ¡°Is this how the Soulrend Pack is treated? Are we to be bullied by outsiders?¡±


    Luna Chloe, though pained by her son¡¯s plight, knew better than to take sides.


    She restrained the old Luna, saying, ¡°Let it be. The harder he¡¯s punished now, the less angry Lycan Erasmus might be.¡±


    |||


    12:37 Sun<b>, </b><b>3 </b>Aug


    +9 Free <b>Coins </b>


    ¡°The child brought this upon herself,¡± the old Lama insisted, tears welling up as she looked at her grandson.


    Adide, inside with Melinda, overheard their conversation. Seeing Melinda¡¯s pale face and the unceasing blood loss, she realized the baby and Melinda herself were in grave danger.


    Yet the old Luna continued her barbs, showing only concern for her grandson.


    The omegas around Melinda tearfully agreed.


    One said, ¡°Luna Adide, Dwight wanted Melinda to put in a good word for him with Lycan Erasmus to get his old position back. Melinda refused, saying he wasn¡¯t capable enough. That¡¯s when he lost his temper and pushed her. It¡¯s not Melinda¡¯s fault, and the old Luna¡¯s words are really hurting her.¡±


    Adide was furious and strode out, her gaze cold and sharp as itnded on the former Luna.


    The old Luna flinched but quickly steeled herself, thinking that despite Adide¡¯s position as the Luna of the ckthorn Pack, she couldn¡¯t interfere with Soulrend Pack¡¯s matters. She straightened her back and demanded, ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    Adide¡¯s voice was icy as she warned, ¡°One more word from you that insults Melinda, I¡¯ll have you arrested for insulting the royal family.¡±


    ¡°How dare you¨C¡±


    Adide kicked a chair aside with a thunderous crash.


    Shards of wood scattered as Adide¡¯s icy voice cut through the silence, ¡°See if I dare. If anything happens. to Melinda, your precious grandson will pay with his life.¡±


    The threat stunned everyone present. The former Luna, feeling a chill down her spine, dared not utter another word.


    Luna Chloe sighed, ¡°Melinda¡¯s safety is our priority. Let¡¯s calm down, Luna Adide.¡±


    Adide epted a cup of preparedbor¨Cinducing medicine and entered the birthing room, her expression cold.


    Paisley followed, casting a nce at those present before turning to Luna Chloe, ¡°Your son¡¯s mate is in there giving birth. Shouldn¡¯t you be with her?¡±


    Luna Chloe, though intending to hold the former Luna back, decided to enter the room. She instructed other rtives to ¡°keep an eye¡± on the former Luna and followed Paisley in.


    Though Luna Chloe had once indulged her son, she had always treated Melinda kindly. Seeing her in such agony, tears streamed down her face as she took the cup and fed Melinda the medicine.


    ¡°Melinda, listen to me. Don¡¯t think about anything else. Just focus on delivering the baby.¡±


    Melinda, enduring the pain, drank the medicine slowly.


    After finishing it, the pain remained intense. She looked to Adide with pleading eyes, tears soaking the pillow. ¡°Ade¡­ help me, please.¡±


    O

 Novel Male 485

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide was heartbroken. She grasped Melinda¡¯s hand and asked Galvin, ¡°How¡¯s the situation?¡±


    +5 <b>Free </b><b>Coins </b>


    Galvin checked under the nket and pulled out all the needles. ¡°Give her a painkiller and have her take vitamin supplements,¡± she sighed.


    After administering the painkiller and cing the vitamin supplements in Melinda¡¯s mouth, Adide looked at Galvin, who replied with a helpless expression, ¡°We can only hope Georgina brings Doctor Digby here soon.¡±


    But Melinda¡¯s pain intensified. It felt as if a giant hand was twisting her internal organs over and over again, with crushing pressure mixed in.


    She arched her back, trying to curl up, but her swollen abdomen made it impossible.


    Galvin also prevented her from constantly shifting into a curled position, warning that it could increase the risk of suffocation for the baby.


    The agony was overwhelming, robbing Melinda of all coherent thought. She just wanted it to end.


    With no one else to turn to, she clutched Adide¡¯s hand desperately. The intense pain caused Adide¡¯s fair wrists to be marked with several deep scratches.


    She couldn¡¯t help but cry out in pain again, writhing on the bed like a thick worm.


    Unable to help, Adide and Paisley could only watch in horror as Melinda writhed in pain.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we do anything for the pain? She¡¯s in agony,¡± Adide asked anxiously.


    Galvin wiped the sweat from her forehead, her face pale. ¡°Nothing¡¯s working. I¡¯ve tried injections and medications. I¡¯m afraid the centa is detaching. This is very dangerous!¡±


    Luna Chloe nearly copsed, her eyes pleading with the midwife for help, but the midwife was at a loss.


    She had seen many dangerous situations during childbirth in her time, but in such extreme cases, often neither the mother nor the child could be saved.


    ¡°What can we do? What should we do?¡±


    Luna Chloe tearfully wiped Melinda¡¯s sweat whilementing the suffering Melinda was enduring.


    ¡°Painful¡­¡± Melinda kept repeating the word, her eyes desperately seeking help from everyone in the room, but no one could alleviate her suffering.


    Outside the room, hurried footsteps announced Luna Skye¡¯s arrival.


    She burst into the birthing chamber, pushed past Adide, and took Melinda¡¯s hand. ¡°Melinda, I¡¯m here. How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Painful¡­¡± Melinda showed no joy at her mother¡¯s arrival, only fear.


    ||1


    O


    Sun<b>, </b><b>3 </b>Aug


    She tried to pull her hand away, her eyes scanning the room for Adide.


    X371%


    s


    ¡°Endure it. Childbirth is painful. I went through the same pain when I gave birth to you, and I made it through, didn¡¯t I? Just hold on a little longer,¡± Luna Skye said, squatting down and gently instructing Melinda to breathe in and out slowly to case the pain.


    Galvin interjected, ¡°She hit her abdomen in the fall. The baby is in danger, and so is Melinda¡¯s life. This pain isn¡¯t something she can just power through.¡±


    Luna Skye reprimanded her. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. Her father has already sent for the Royal Physician. They¡¯ll be here soon.¡±


    Galvin thought to herself that the Royal Physician¡¯s skills were on par with hers¨Conly Digby could make a difference. But she couldn¡¯t voice this opinion. Disparaging the Royal Physician¡¯s medical abilities would bring trouble to the Digby Medical Center.


    Soon, the Royal Physician arrived. After inquiring about the situation outside, he prescribed some medication.


    Another dose of thebor¨Cinducing drug was administered, but Melinda was too weak to keep it down.


    The intense pain caused her to vomit after just a few sips..


    With no other options, the Royal Physician was allowed in for an examination.


    Galvin handed him the diagnostic records. Frowning, he asked, ¡°Is the cervix not dted at all?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dted a little,¡± the midwife replied.


    ¡°How is this possible? Is there heavy bleeding?¡± the Royal Physician inquired further.


    ¡°The bleeding isn¡¯t severe, but the water has broken,¡± the midwife answered.


    The Royal Physician then asked, ¡°Has thebor¨Cinducing injection been administered?¡±


    ¡°It has, but to no avail,¡± Galvin said.


    The Royal Physician fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.


    Luna Skye urged him, ¡°Please, think of something.¡±


    Listening to Melinda¡¯s weakening cries, the Royal Physician sighed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s nothing more I can do. I apologize.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°You¡¯re the Royal Physician, and you can¡¯t help? Then what are we to do?¡±


    She turned sharply to Adide. ¡°Adide, do something to help Melinda. You know Doctor Digby. Send for him at once.¡±


    ¡°Georgina¡¯s already on her way,¡± Adide said, then instructed two omegas, ¡°Bring more hot water. Apply warmpresses to her abdomen and massage the birth canal <i>to </i>encourage dtion.¡±


    Luna Chloe left to ry the instructions, leaving them to tend to Melinda.


    §¤


    10 Free Coins


    They had to act, even if it might be futile.


    In the waiting room, Alpha Howell grew anxious.


    He had expected the Royal Physician to resolve the situation, but now, hearing that even the Royal Physician was helpless, his nerves were on edge.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 486

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    After over an hour, Melinda¡¯s cries faded to silence.


    Her silvermoon grass pheromones were barely a flicker, and she was drenched in sweat, her wolf fur lifeless beneath her sodden hair.


    Her wolf curled in the depths of her consciousness, whimpering weakly.


    She couldn¡¯t even muster the most basic healing abilities, and every breath she took shook with agony.


    Adide dabbed at her with a towel, her cedar pheromones wrapping around Melinda in a gentle embrace, whispering encouragements to reignite her will to fight.


    But Melinda, drained and in agony, couldn¡¯t hear a word.


    Melinda felt herself slipping away. The wolf that had once run alongside her could barely lift its head, sumbing to the encroaching darkness.


    She forced her eyes open, her gaze vacant and unfocused, her pupils dted with pain.


    In a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, ¡°Maybe¡­ it¡¯s better to just die.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. Doctor Digby will be here soon,¡± Adide said hoarsely, her heart clenched with despair.


    This helplessness was her greatest fear¨Cwatching Melinda¡¯s wolf fade with no way to help.


    Luna Skye¡¯s tears fell freely, her sandalwood pheromones brimming with worry. ¡°Melinda, don¡¯t say such things. Hold on a little longer. Listen to Adide. Doctor Digby is on his way.¡±


    Melinda could only muster weak moans, her eyes zed over. Her silvermoon grass pheromones were nearly extinguished.


    She had no strength left except to fight the pain. Her organs felt shifted, and she couldn¡¯t bear it.


    The silver wolf in her consciousnessy still, its whimpers fading, about to disappear.


    Outside, the old Luna finally fell silent, her fear mounting.


    She thought it was just an early birth from a belly bump, but she didn¡¯t expect such a serious oue.


    She wasn¡¯t worried for Melinda, but for Dwight.


    If Lycan Erasmus¡¯s wrath fell upon them, the Soulrend Pack might not survive, and Dwight¡¯s life would be in grave danger.


    Shivering, she signaled to a maid to free Dwight and help him escape.


    The maid, understanding her intentions, gathered some guards to untie Dwight.


    |||


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    <b>But </b><b>Paige </b><b>spotted </b><b>them </b>and <bshed </b>out with her whip, driving them back. ¡°Who <b>dares </b>to <b>free </b>him? Without Luna Adide¡¯s order, <b>I¡¯ll </b>bind anyone who tries,¡± she dered firmly.


    <b>Paige </b><b>knew </b>the Soulrend Pack folks too well.


    Others might vary, but the old Luna would never let Dwight suffer. If things turned bad, she¡¯d free him.


    She posted herself guard, allowing no one near.


    Just <b>as </b>tensions peaked, Georgina rushed in carrying Doctor Digby on her back.


    His face was pale with frustration. He¡¯d insisted he could walk¨Che wasn¡¯t that old¨Cbut being carried by a woman was embarrassing.


    However, Georgina ignored his protests and stormed straight to Melinda¡¯s side, finally lowering Digby to the ground.


    Digby regained his footing and kicked Georgina in retaliation for his lost dignity. ¡°You¡¯ve shamed me,¡± he snapped.


    Out of breath, Georgina pleaded, ¡°You can scold meter. Just help Melinda now.¡±


    The Royal Physician, separated by a screen, objected. ¡°Melinda is royalty. How can amon doctor treat her?¡±


    Luna Skye hesitated, then tried to bar Digby from approaching. ¡°You¡­ you should stay behind the screen,¡± she said.


    ncing at Melinda, Digby¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°At a time like this, are you worried about her life or your pride?¡± he demanded.


    The old Luna outside erupted. ¡°This is uneptable! It would ruin Melinda¡¯s reputation!¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± Adide bellowed. She pushed Luna Skye aside and urged Luna Chloe to step back. ¡°Doctor Digby, help her. She¡¯s in too much pain.¡±


    ¡°But Adide, we can¡¯t do this to Melinda¡­¡± Luna Skye protested, but Paisley swiftly dragged her away.


    ¡°You stay outta here,¡± Paisley dered, standing guard at the curtain with arms crossed, barring everyone from entering.


    After examining Melinda, Digby¡¯s face grew grave. He palpated her abdomen, assessing the dire situation. ¡°The baby can¡¯t be saved. We must focus on preserving the mother¡¯s life,¡± he announced solemnly..


    ¡°The baby can¡¯t be saved?¡± Luna Chloe swayed but quicklyposed herself. ¡°Save Melinda, please!¡±


    With Adide and Paisley¡¯s backing, and Luna Chloe¡¯s plea, no one dared object.


    Even Luna Skye, after a moment¡¯s hesitation and seeing her daughter¡¯s critical state, gave tacit approval.


    Digby¡¯s mind was set.


    Prioritizing Melinda¡¯s life over the child¡¯s, he ordered an increased dosage of thebor¨Cinducing medication. The Royal Physician watched nervously but held his tongue.


    O


    <b>Digby¡¯s </b><b>reputation </b>carried more weight in this moment.


    III

 Novel Male 487

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Doctor Digby administered oxytocin and blood¨Cclotting agents. The scent of oxytocin filled the air<b>, </b>and everyone turned pale.


    The dosage had to be precise; otherwise, not only would this pregnancy be lost<b>, </b>but future pregnancies would be nearly impossible.


    The royal physician, hearing the prescription, thought only one thing¨C Digby was pulling out all the stops in a final attempt to save Melinda.


    Finally, after the chaos and with the help of the previously administered hemostatic and nutritional agents, Melinda, though exhausted, regained some strength.


    The oxytocin triggered strong contractions. Melinda felt a distinct sensation of pressure.


    The midwife urged her to push. With several difficult efforts, the baby was born.


    Digby left the delivery room, leaving Galvin and the midwife to handle the aftermath.


    The infant was a boy, but he was cyanotic and lifeless.


    Luna Chloe, seeing the resemnce to Dwight, wept.


    Luna Skye also tearfully mourned her ¡°poor grandson.¡±


    Digby coldly remarked, ¡°Worry about your daughter first.¡±


    Melinda was hemorrhaging. Too much blood¨Ccircting medication had been used, and now hemostatic agents and injections were needed.


    The baby was born, but Melinda was still in critical condition.


    Adide stayed by Melinda¡¯s side, holding Melinda¡¯s hand.


    Melinda had already passed out. Following Digby¡¯s instructions, Galvin administered medication and injections, which Adide dutifully assisted with.


    Paisley was in shock.


    She had feared witnessing childbirth, but the tense situation left no room for fear¨Conly hope for Melinda¡¯s safety.


    Seeing Melinda brush with death repeatedly and still in danger, she felt a deep sorrow.


    Why endure such suffering?


    If it were for someone worthy/that would be one thing. But to go through this for an unworthy man, nearly dying and possibly losing her life- it was too much.


    Paisley¡¯s resolve to stay unmated only strengthened.


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    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Her </b><b>body</b>, future<b>, </b><b>and </b><b>life </b>were her own. <b>She </b><b>would </b>not hand them <b>over </b><b>to </b>a stranger.


    <b>No </b>one <b>was </b>worth such sacrifice, not even someone she loved.


    If he truly loved her, he would never let her endure such agony. If he disagreed, his love wasn¡¯t enough, and <b>she </b>shouldn¡¯t force herself.


    But she knew not everyone could feel this way.


    Her confidence and fallback were rooted in knowing the Crimson me Pack would always be her home.


    She decided to support Adide¡¯s women¡¯s education initiative with funds and manpower.


    Now, though, the priority was saving Melinda¡¯s life.


    Luna Chloe took the deceased infant outside. Her cold sandalwood pheromones wereden with grief.


    The old Luna wailed, her silver¨Cgray wolf fur disheveled in tears, her pheromones like shattered ss.


    Ignoring her, Luna Chloe approached Dwight.


    Bound for so long, his face was purplish¨Cred from poor cirction. The wolf¨Chead totem on his neck burned with humiliation and fear.


    ¡°Look at your son,¡± Luna Chloe said, holding the baby up. ¡°You killed him.¡±


    Her tears were still wet on her face. Her voice was calm at first but soon erupted in anger, her a thunderous roar.


    presence like


    ¡°When will you settle down? When will you stop causing trouble? Look what you¡¯ve done¨Cyou¡¯ve killed your own son and disrupted the entire pack. What makes you think you can act this way? Because you think Melinda¡¯s infatuation with you gives you the right to abuse her? She¡¯s still fighting for her life, and you don¡¯t even realize your mistake?¡±


    Her wolf ws silently extended in her palms, her nails digging deep into the flesh until blood began to seep out.


    Dwight averted his gaze, unwilling to look at the child.


    He heard all the dangers and struggles inside. His pine pheromones were as tangled as wind¨Ctorn thread.


    He couldn¡¯t describe his feelings at the moment. He just kept murmuring, ¡°I didn¡¯t kill him. I didn¡¯t kill him.¡±


    ¡°Take him away!¡±


    He muttered, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his pupils constricting with resistance. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see him. I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    But he caught a glimpse of the child¨Ca lifeless body in swaddling clothes.


    This child should have been crying and moving, yet there was no sound.


    He was so handsome, so lovely.


    <b>2/3 </b>


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    Chapter


    It <b>was </b><b>his </b><b>son</b><b>, </b><b>dead</b>!


    <b>He </b><b>let </b><b>out </b><b>a </b>whimper and burst into howls <b>of </b>grief. <b>His </b>pine pheromones shattered<b>, </b>and his wolf <b>cars </b><b>drooped </b>uncontrobly. ¡°Take him away! Mother, I know I¡¯m wrong. Let me down. I want <b>to </b>see <b>her</b>. I <b>really </b>know I¡¯m wrong.¡±


    <b>Tears </b>streamed down Luna Chloe¡¯s face. Her sandalwood pheromones were heavy with grief.


    ¡°It¡¯s toote, Dwight. Everything is toote. Some things, once they happen, can never be undone. Your child can¡¯te back to life, and nothing can ever go back to the way it was.¡± D


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 Novel Male 488

    <b>Third </b><b>Person¡¯s </b>POV


    <b>Every </b>word from Luna Chloe felt like an ice¨Ccoated knife stabbing into Dwight¡¯s heart.


    After venting her fury, her voice filled with sorrow, ¡°You¡¯ve been my pride since childhood. You carned <b>your </b>degree young, were handpicked by Lycan Erasmus, married Melinda, and were set to be the future Alpha. Your life was smooth sailing, but Willow ruined it all.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s Madison¡¯s illegitimate daughter. This was a conspiracy against our pack. You, clever as you are, <b>fell </b>for it, risking your future and abandoning Melinda, who adored you. Now you¡¯ve killed your own child.¡±


    ¡°Now, your mating is over. You¡¯ve lost everything. Your life is in ruins.¡±


    Dwight wailed uncontrobly. No one knew what he mourned¨Clost love, dashed ambitions, his dead child, or perhaps the wife who once loved him passionately.


    His cries were hysterical, filled with endless grief and resentment.


    No one tried to stop orfort him.


    Only the old Luna stood on the porch, shedding tearful sympathy.


    Melinda survived. Doctor Digby dered the bleeding stopped, but she needed rest to recover fully.


    Upon waking, Melinda clutched Adide¡¯s hand and whispered, ¡°Adide, take me away.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, dear. You need to rest. Where could we go?¡± Luna Skye said, wiping her tears.


    But Adide questioned Digby, ¡°Can she be moved?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow. After three doses of medication, she can be carried or borne. But she must leave. She won¡¯t heal here; she might even die,¡± Digby advised.


    ¡°Adide, don¡¯t be foolish. This is her mate¡¯s home. Where could she go?¡± Luna Skye pleaded.


    Ignoring her, Adide instructed Paige and Georgina, ¡°Prepare her things and personal assets. Inform Luna Chloe¨CI¡¯ll arrange for assistance. We¡¯ll dissolve the mating peacefully; it¡¯s the decent thing to do.¡±


    The Soulrend Pack members fell silent, shrouded in a gloom that followed the crisis.


    No pack could escape unscathed from such an event.


    The old Luna, hearing Luna Chloe¡¯s words, realized Dwight¡¯s promising future was now shattered.


    She objected to the bond dissolution.


    But even if she disagreed, she couldn¡¯t muster a single word in the face of Adide¡¯s cold stare.


    Previously, she used Adide of interfering, but when Melinda¡¯s life hung in the bnce, it was Adide who brought Digby to save her.


    111


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    <b>Now</b><b>, </b><b>the </b><b>old </b>Luna <b>turned </b><b>to </b>Luna Skye, ¡°Dissolution benefits no one. <b>Please</b><b>, </b>Luna, <b>persuade </b><b>Melinda </b><b>not </b><b>to </b>let Adide <b>destroy </b>their mating.¡±


    <b>Luna </b><b>Skye </b>nced at Atfide, about to speak, when Adide coldly warned, <b>¡°</b>Say one word to keep <b>her </b><b>here</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>I¡¯ll <b>expose </b>everything. I¡¯ll report the Soulrend Pack and won¡¯t rest until justice <b>is </b>served<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>The </b>Soulrend Pack had been reported before, and the young wolves had been more restrained recently.


    If Dwight¡¯s actions endangered everyone¡¯s future, the she¨Cwolves in the room stood up for Melinda.


    ¡°Since bing Dwight¡¯s mate, Melinda has known little happiness. After nine months of pregnancy, three were spent bedridden. Her suffering is unbearable. She¡¯s fought back from the brink¨Cshe can¡¯t endure Dwight¡¯s harm any longer,¡± they argued.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe we should just let things go. If Dwight wants to chase after Willow, no one¡¯s stopping him. Just don¡¯t drag the whole pack down with him,¡± someone said.


    ¡°Let Melinda leave the Soulrend Pack. How can she heal in such a painful ce?¡± others added.


    Often, fairness is voiced only when interests are at stake.


    Luna Skye swallowed her words.


    Wiping her tears, she said, ¡°What will be of her? Dissolution seems inevitable.¡±


    Resentment towards Dwight burned in her heart, yet she hoped he and Melinda could still make it work.


    Instead of scolding Dwight, she turned to Adide with a mournful tone, ¡°I didn¡¯t refuse your wedding gift out of spite. Look at the oue¨CI didn¡¯t ept it and still face this. Had I taken it, who knows what would have happened?¡±


    ¡°Adide, I¡¯m not ming you. It¡¯s just that since your mother¡¯s passing, few at your ce know propriety. Take Valentin¨Che¡¯s utterly uncouth.¡±


    She brought up the wedding gift again, iming no me for Adide, yet every word used her.


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 Novel Male 489

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    37%


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    Adide didn¡¯t indulge her this time. Her tone was calm, almost cold, ¡°Luna Skye, you¡¯re right. It¡¯s my problem. Almost our entire family is gone. It¡¯s truly inauspicious.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s what I propose. Go back and check what my mother gave you. Return it all to me. I¡¯ll also have Valentin calcte what you¡¯ve given my mother over the years and return it.¡±


    ¡°Once both sides have settled the ounts, there¡¯ll be no more grudges or barriers. You won¡¯t feel the sting of bad luck when you see these items. As for the mating gift for Melinda, it never left our pack.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, you didn¡¯t ept it back then. Otherwise, if anything happened to the Silverlight Pack, I¡¯d be med for it.¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s face twitched. ¡°This¡­ that¡¯s not what I meant. I¡¯m not ming you. I¡¯m saying your people don¡¯t know how to handle things properly. Your mother and I are sisters, blood¨Crted. We don¡¯t need to be so calctive.¡±


    ¡°No more discussion. Let¡¯s do it this way. After you go back and take stock, I¡¯ll send someone tomorrow to return what should be returned and collect what should be collected.¡±


    Adide turned her head away, no longer paying attention to her. Whatever else Luna Skye had to say, she didn¡¯t care to listen.


    In the Packhouse conference hall, Alpha Howell heard that Adide was insisting on taking Melinda away from the Soulrend Pack and dissolving her mating with Dwight.


    He was furious.


    He wasn¡¯t dead yet¨Cwhen did it be Adide¡¯s ce to make decisions for Melinda?


    He was about to have Adide summoned when Lance arrived.


    Caldwell had fetched him from the Ministry of Justice, briefing him on the situation, prompting Lance to leave work immediately and rush over.


    Striding into the Packhouse conference hall, Lance overheard Alpha Howell¡¯s roar: ¡°How dare she take charge of Melinda and push for a bond dissolution? With me around, I¡¯ll see her try!¡±


    No sooner had Alpha Howell finished than a purple figure shed by. Lance strode in, his gaze sweeping the room coldly.


    The Soulrend Pack members all rose to greet him, but he ignored them, focusing on Alpha Howell.


    In a calm tone, Lance said, ¡°Were you just speaking of my Luna? What exactly has she done wrong? Did she save Melinda¡¯s life or did she insist on taking Melinda away from that brute Dwight? Destroying a mating? What kind of mating is life¨Cthreatening? Since you¡¯ve always been tight¨Clipped, keep it shut. Since you don¡¯t fear losing face, endure it. And don¡¯t dare contradict me.¡±


    Alpha Howell¡¯s face twisted in anger, especially with Alpha Manfred and others watching¨Che was utterly humiliated.


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    <


    s


    Alpha Manfred harbored respect and fear for Alpha Lance. He quickly offered him a seat, intending to discuss matters calmly.


    The bond dissolution was now secondary; their main worry was the potential wrath of Lycan Erasmus and rissa.


    Moreover, with Dwight¡¯s current temperament, who knew what further chaos he might unleash?


    This time, Melinda had narrowly escaped death. What if she hadn¡¯t?


    The entire Soulrend Pack could have been dragged down.


    Above Alpha Manfred were the family elders.


    So, regardless of Alpha Howell¡¯s objections, as long as Melinda¡¯s well¨Cbeing was ensured, they were willing to cooperate.


    Dwight, once the pack¡¯s golden boy, was now a liability. Even if they wanted to support him, they had no choice but to cut their losses.


    As Lance sat down, the room fell silent.


    Lance had no intention of borating. He was there to support Melinda; the specifics were left to Adide.


    He trusted Adide to make the right choices for Melinda.


    Sometimes, people hesitate to take decisive steps whencking family support.


    But when utterly disappointed in one¡¯s kin, a supportive figure can be the catalyst for renewed strength.


    Adide, during her darkest times, had been buoyed by her family elders. She understood the importance of support in dire straits.


    This time, no matter the opposition, she was determined to take Melinda away.


    On the surface, it seemed like an overreach into another pack¡¯s affairs, but in reality, there were no other options.


    Adide and Melinda had given Alpha Howell and Luna Skye a chance, but it only led to disappointment. It even almost cost Melinda¡¯s life.


    Caldwell¡¯s detailed reports suggested he¡¯d embedded his people within the Soulrend Pack.


    Adide had deployed Georgina and Paige as precautions, yet there were always unforeseen loopholes.


    If someone was hell¨Cbent on sabotage, it was impossible to prevent every incident.


    Knowing Lance had arrived, Adide had Paige and Paige keep a close watch on Melinda while she updated Lance on the situation,


    Lance, upon seeing her approach, stepped outside to speak privately.


    ¡°I won¡¯t return to the pack tonight. I¡¯m staying here to take Melinda away tomorrow. Keep an eye on Cedric¡¯s studies,¡± Lance said.


    |||


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    Èý


    17:24 Tue, 5 Aug


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    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Caldwell will supervise. Do you need me to stay here?¡± Lance asked, gently holding her long hair.


    ¡°No. Paisley and I will manage. Paige is also here.¡±


    She paused. ¡°Mainly, Melinda isn¡¯t in good shape. With Luna Skye and the old Luna causing trouble, I can¡¯t re

 Novel Male 490

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance asked, ¡°How is she? Did she really lose the baby?¡±


    ¡°She lost it. She nearly bled out. Luckily, Doctor Digby arrived in time to save her. She¡¯ll need to rest for at least half a year to a year. She¡¯s in a deep sleep now. When she wakes up, she¡¯s going to be heartbroken.¡± Adide said.


    Lance sighed. ¡°She carried that baby for ten months. It¡¯s gotta hurt.¡±


    Adide¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°She almost died too. Lance, we can¡¯t just let Dwight off. He should spend a few years in prison, at least.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± Lance said, looking at her. She seemed fragile yet strong in the autumn breeze. His heart ached for her.


    He knew she must have been terrified during Melinda¡¯sbor, afraid of losing her.


    His expression turned cold at the thought of Dwight, anger surging within him.


    ¡°Wait till Melinda leaves before taking action,¡± Adide said, ¡°to avoid unnecessary trouble. If we take Dwight away now, people will likely beg Melinda for mercy. I don¡¯t want her bothered.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head back to the Ministry of Justice. After you take Melinda away tomorrow, I¡¯ll send people to arrest Dwight. Hurting his wife, causing the baby¡¯s death, and attempting to harm a royal member- enough to put him away,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°But he¡¯s still a royal student¡­¡± Adide reminded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Cyrus. Have him exin the situation to Lycan Erasmus,¡± Lance said, recalling that Dwight, though without office, was still a royal student./


    To act against him, his name must first be removed from the royal registry to avoid disgracing the royal family.


    Adide reached out and grasped Lance¡¯s sleeve. Her cedar pheromones carried a subtle hint of aura.


    Her face showed reluctance. Though she appeared strong before others, today¡¯s incident had truly frightened her.


    Her fingers, tinged with the faint shadow of ws from lingering fear, and the tremor in her wolf fur at the nape of her neck, betrayed her vulnerability.


    For a moment, she showed her fragility to Lance, like a wolf pup lowering its guard.


    Lance wanted to embrace her. Her cedar pheromones were as gentle as a moonlit stream.


    But in the Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory, with many around and omegas nearby, he could only squeeze her


    hand.


    The warmth from his palm seeped through the fabric, and his tone,ced with the soothing tremor of a


    wolf¡¯s howl, said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m always here. Whenever you need me, I¡¯ll be there?


    His vertical pupils glowed warmly in the light, and his aura formed an invisible shield around her.


    Adide¡¯s eyes welled up, her cedar pheromones rippling with emotion.


    She choked out a response, her voice barely audible, ¡°Go talk to Cyrus then. I¡¯ll stay with Melinda. I¡¯m worried she¡¯ll be scared when she wakes up and doesn¡¯t see me.¡±


    Alright. I¡¯ll wait till you¡¯re inside before I leave. I need to speak with them anyway, Lance said, his figure tall and steady in the hallway.


    His cedar pheromones were as solid as a mountain, radiating a calming strength that made Adide¡¯s taut nerves case slightly¨Cher wolf fur finally lying t.


    Back at Melinda¡¯s vi, Adide saw Skye sitting by the bed, holding Melinda¡¯s hand and calling out to her.


    Fury welled up in Adide. She unleashed her aura, signaling Galvin with a nce, her fingers tightening slightly from annoyance.


    Galvin understood immediately. Calmly, she stepped forward and said, ¡°Luna Skye, she¡¯s exhausted. Sleep is the best recovery. Doctor Digby said to let her sleep as much as possible. Please don¡¯t wake her.¡±


    Skye had intended to wake Melinda to discuss the bond dissolution, but seeing Adide return, she knew it was impossible. She awkwardly moved aside.


    Adide kept watch by the bed. ncing at Melinda, still in deep sleep, she said coolly, ¡°Galvin and I <i>are </i>enough. The rest of you can leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m her mother. I should stay with her,¡± Skye insisted.


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No. You weren¡¯t there when she needed you, and she doesn¡¯t need you now. If you truly care about her, help her sort out her personal assets and luggage.¡±


    Skye sighed deeply. ¡°Adide, dissolving the bond won¡¯t benefit her.¡±


    Adide didn¡¯t respond. There was no point in further discussion.


    Paisley deliberately said, ¡°I¡¯ll pack everything she can take, everyst item, even what belongs to the Soulrend Pack.¡±


    Hearing this, Luna Skye left with the others.


    If bond dissolution was inevitable, she wouldn¡¯t leave herself open to criticism.


    Once everyone was gone, two omegas stood outside the bedroom, now upied only by Adide and Galvin.


    As for Dwight, after Georgina released him, he wailed on his knees until hoarse.


    Georgina dragged him outside by the cor. ¡°Go wail outside,¡± she said.


    Though she let him go, she kept a close eye on him and didn¡¯t allow him to leave the Soulrend Pack.


    =


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    +5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    Adide stayed by Melinda¡¯s side without rest. Paisley brought a chair and sat guard outside. No one dared to disturb them.


    Luna Chloe had a meal sent over, but Adide had no appetite.


    Paisley took a few bites but, recalling Melinda¡¯s agony, lost her appetite too. She felt terrible.


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 Novel Male 491

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    In the middle of the night, Melinda woke up once. She opened her eyes and called out to Adide <b>in </b><b>a </b>drowsy voice.


    Adide, who had been holding her hand all along, squeezed her hand in response.


    Galvin took the opportunity to give her medicine, which Melinda obediently drank.


    Then, unable to keep her eyes open, she fell back asleep, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.


    Adide wiped away her tears and whispered, ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>over. The worst is behind you. Things will <b>get </b>better<b>. </b>


    Melinda, drained of all energy, was like a dried¨Cupke. She needed to take medicine three times to regain a little vitality.


    She was just too exhausted. After taking the medicine, she fell into a deep sleep again.


    Galvin had rested for a bit and came over to Adide, speaking softly, ¡°Luna Adide, why don¡¯t you <b>get </b>some rest? I¡¯ll watch over her.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not tired,¡± Adide replied with a shake of her head. ¡°You¡¯ve been working during the day. Go <b>get </b>some sleep. You¡¯ll need to administer the medicine again in the early hours of the morning.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Galvin said. ¡°By the way, Alpha Howell has left, but Luna Skye <b>is </b>staying overnight at the Soulrend Pack, right next door in the adjacent room. She¡¯s likely trying to prevent you from taking Melinda away.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t stop me. I¡¯ve made up my mind to take Melinda with me,¡± Adide said.


    Earlier, after Lance left, he had approached the head of the Royal Elder Council,


    The following morning, the head of the council spoke to Lycan Erasmus about the situation.


    Lycan Erasmus was furious. He erased Dwight¡¯s records from the Royal Talent Center, revoked his degree, and assigned the Ministry of Justice to handle the case.


    With the case officially handed over to the ministry, dissolving the mating bond between Dwight and Melinda was no longer an issue.


    The next day, as Adide was leaving with Melinda on her back, Alpha Howell and others from the Soulrend Pack tried to stop them. But they didn¡¯t dare to be forceful, only attempting to persuade them to


    stay.


    It wasn¡¯t until Lance arrived with a promation from Lycan Erasmus and read it aloud that the members of the Soulrend Pack grew anxious.


    They feared that Lycan Erasmus might strip the pack of itsnds in his rage.


    Upon hearing that the promation only called for Dwight¡¯s arrest, many breathed a <b>sigh </b>of <b>relief</b>.


    III


    O


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>491 </b>


    <b>As </b>long <b>as </b>Alpha Manfred¡¯s position remained secure, they were willing to let Dwight <b>go </b>


    Only the old Luna fainted upon hearing the promation.


    She had been trying to help Dwight escape the previous night, but Georgina and Paige were vignt, foiling her ns.


    Today, with the Ministry of Justice taking Dwight into custody, her efforts were in vain.


    Dwight, trembling with fear, realized he was powerless.


    His once arrogance and arrogance turned into groveling as he begged his family for help, showing no backbone.


    Melinda, on Adide¡¯s back, witnessed this scene and saw Dwight pleading with her.


    She closed her eyes and whispered, ¡°Adide, let¡¯s go.¡±


    No one dared to stop them. Adide carried Melinda, with Paisley and Paige leading the way.


    As for Melinda¡¯s personal belongings, she had decided to leave them behind, returning everything to her


    parents.


    As a royal member with her ownnds, she could support herself.


    Luna Skye chased after them to the entrance, tearfully shouting, ¡°Melinda, I¡¯m doing this for your own good. You¡¯re not like Adide; you have no skills. How will you survive?¡±


    Adide ignored her and proceeded to the carriage, taking Melinda to the ckthorn Pack.


    Lance ordered Dwight¡¯s arrest and removal. Alpha Howell stepped forward, pleading, ¡°Lance, show him mercy.¡±


    His voice was pitched just right for the Soulrend Pack to overhear.


    Lance nced at him coolly, noticing many in the pack regarding Howell with gratitude.


    He had been hiding his game really deep, huh?


    Without a word, Lance left.


    The incident at the Soulrend Pack drew a crowd, and it was only a matter of time before the entire capital knew of it.


    Melinda remained frail, aware that she had lost the baby. She had known since Doctor Digby arrived that the child was gone.


    She held back her tears in front of Adide but once they settled at the ckthorn Pack and Adide. stepped out, Melinda cried uncontrobly.


    Paisley wanted tofort her, but Adide stopped her.


    ¡°Nofort will help. She needs to get through this on her own,¡± she said.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Some pains couldn¡¯t be eased by words; they only unearthed more tears and heartache.


    Wendyter informed them that Sadi and Maya had gone to the Ironw Pack.


    Paisley ryed this to Adide, who paused, recalling Christine¡¯s visit the previous day.


    The day had been so long that Christine¡¯s visit felt like a distant memory.


    ¡°Keep an eye on things within reason, but don¡¯t go overboard or draw attention,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Rest assured. They know their limits. Prune trained them well,¡± Paisley replied.

 Novel Male 492

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide nodded and sought out Georgina and Paige.


    ¡°Now, dissolving the mating is unavoidable. Initially, I asked for your help to assist Melinda until she gave birth. It wouldn¡¯t have taken long.¡±


    Adide sighed and continued, ¡°But since Melinda has given birth and left the Soulrend Pack, do you <b>wish </b>to return to Shadow Peaks or stay awhile longer to support her?¡±


    Georgina¡¯s eyes were heavy with sorrow and self¨Creproach. ¡°I¡¯ve already messaged Klein, telling him we¡¯ll return to Shadow Peaks in a few days. We failed to protect Melinda. Yesterday, I shouldn¡¯t have gone back for the shawl. I didn¡¯t think Dwight was so cunning.¡±


    ¡°He never mentioned wanting Melinda¡¯s help to regain his position. Every time he visited, he was ingratiating himself with her. We thought he was trying to reform. It was my mistake, my fault.¡±


    ¡°No matter what, I¡¯ll stay by Melinda¡¯s side through this difficult time.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourselves. You can¡¯t guard against human nature, only against foreseeable events. Both of you have done your utmost. Without you, Melinda might have suffered far worse.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t needfort or payment. We¡¯re not worthy of the fee. We¡¯ll leave only when Melinda <b>recovers</b>, regains her health, and can smile again.¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re absolutely firm on this.¡±


    After speaking, Georgina turned and headed to the kitchen.


    She still didn¡¯t want to entrust the medicine¨Cbrewing task to others. Galvin was already overworked, and she couldn¡¯t be burdened with this task as well.


    Both Georgina and Paige had some knowledge of pharmacology.


    Paisley was intrigued by Sadi¡¯s visit to the Ironw Pack and approached Adide again, asking whether to have Wendy inquire about it. However, such an action carried risks.


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No need. Let¡¯s not take unnecessary risks. We understand the bigger picture- it¡¯s all about courting the Ironw Pack. Besides, I believe Christine will reach out to me again. As the future Alpha of the Ironw Pack, with Tad away, she has no choice but to seek assistance. I¡¯m her best option.¡±


    Paisley nodded. ¡°True. Christine¡¯s shouldering the entire Ironw Pack alone. Leon, as Tad¡¯s younger brother, has no achievements and no significant faults¨Cloyal and kind¨Chearted butcking vision.¡±


    Adide remarked, ¡°Ramona mentioned that Wilorina¡¯s next target is Leon. Why has there been no movementtely?¡±


    ¡°Ramona said Wilorina has grown tired of Leon and refuses to carry out missions, earning <b>Madison¡¯s </b>


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    reprimand. Perhaps she¡¯s injured and needs to recover. Or maybe she¡¯ll return under <b>a </b>new guise<b>. </b>After all, she was once Willow, known to many, including Leon.¡±


    Adide hummed in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s possible. I truly empathize with Christine¡¯s struggles. One crisis. follows another. I hope Leon can hold his ground.¡±


    ¡°He treats Audrey quite well,¡± Paisley said, though uncertain.


    ¡°But men often can¡¯t resist the allure of a beautiful woman, especially someone like Wilorina, trained to manipte men. If she studies Lance and caters to his preferences, she might ensnare him. Then you¡¯d be worried.¡±


    Adide contemted this. ¡°That¡¯s a real possibility. Lance is deeply emotional, making him vulnerable to romantic entanglements.¡±


    Paisley¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I was just specting, but you agree? Don¡¯t you refute it at all? Doesn¡¯t it upset you to even consider it?¡±


    Adide was taken aback. ¡°We¡¯re


    analyzing the situation. Since it hasn¡¯t happened, why would I be upset?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a hypothetical,¡± Paisley said, poking Adide¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°I doubt you truly care about Lance. Though I¡¯ve never been in love, I understand possession. Even the thought of someone eyeing what¡¯s mine would displease me,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Jealous much?¡± Adide nced at her and said, ¡°Save your anger for when something real happens. Worrying over nothing just ruins your mood, harms your health, and damages rtionships. Not worth it.¡±


    She then recalled Paisley¡¯s stance on mating and added, ¡°Besides, if you don¡¯t want to mate or get into rtionships, what qualifies you to lecture me?¡±


    Paisley retorted, ¡°I can discuss feelings without experience. I believe no man deserves me. You¡¯re one of <i>a </i>kind too. But we¡¯re different. You¡¯ll be a royal priestess if you don¡¯t mate, and Lance genuinely cares for you. I have no one who¡¯s liked me since childhood and waited patiently. Why would I mate?¡±


    ¡°By the way,¡± Paisley recalled, ¡°you mentioned starting a school for she¨Cwolves. I think it¡¯s a great idea.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to open abat training course?¡±


    Adide continued, ¡°Why are you suddenly supporting my idea of starting a she¨Cwolf school?¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s not conflicting. We can totally do it together.¡±


    Adide leaned against the door, her gaze distant. ¡°You know, when Ulrik brought Velda home, he said she wouldn¡¯t be trapped by domestic chores. Velda disdained such tasks, looking down on women who focused on family, deeming them only fit for spousal disputes. Yet many women spend their lives dealing with household matters. Many can¡¯t go to war, and mating and childbirth seem their only paths.¡±


    ¡°Even if that¡¯s the case, I hope some women can be like Abigail. Even if they¡¯re confined to family life forever, they shouldn¡¯t be easily looked down upon.¡±


    Paisley leaned beside her. ¡°I may not fully grasp or rte to everything you say, but I¡¯ll <b>support </b><b>you </b>unconditionally and without bounds, whatever you do.¡±

 Novel Male 493

    <em>Chapter 493 </em>


    <em>Third Person¡¯s POV </em>


    <em>Adide said with a smile, ¡°Christine is pretty awesome. She can tell right from wrong. In the matter <b>of </b>Gloria and Eugene, she stuck to principles instead of favoring her own people. In powerful <b>packs </b>and noble families, it¡¯s usually all for one and one for all. But she¡¯s different. She doesn¡¯t y favorites. <b>That¡¯s </b>truly rare.¡± </em>


    <em>¡°Yeah, she¡¯s one of a kind,¡± said Paisley, nodding. </em>


    <em>Paisley rested her chin on Adide¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I wonder what Sadi¡¯s saying to Christine at the Ironw Pack right now. She¡¯s probably trying to get Tad on board with Alpha Germain.¡± </em>


    <em>At the Ironw Pack, it was a hive of activity. </em>


    <em>Luna Cynthia, Christine, Audrey, and some elders of the Olson family were present. </em>


    <em>When Luna Sadi and Maya arrived with a mountain of gifts, it was clear Sadi was being very generous. </em>


    <em>Though not a natural influencer, Sadi tried hard to assert her status as Luna, often letting Maya take a back </em>


    <em>seat. </em>


    <em>Every time Maya spoke, Sadi would interrupt, offering gifts to Christine¡¯s children. </em>


    <em>Despite being repeatedly cut off, Maya remained courteous and engaging in her conversations with Cynthia and Audrey. </em>


    <em>Christine could tell Maya was the real challenge. </em>


    <em>She guarded against Maya¡¯s words. </em>


    <em>She didn¡¯t immediately respond to Maya¡¯s words. Instead, she changed the subject and only gave half- hearted repliester. </em>


    <em>With Luna Sadi present, Christine could politely prioritize Sadi¡¯s superficial questions. </em>


    <em>Maya suggested a stroll around the Ironw Pack, praising the fragrance of American mountain ash in September. </em>


    <em>Christine agreed to apany her. </em>


    <em>But as Christine rose to invite her, Maya smiled and said, ¡°I forgot I sprained my ankle a few days back. I can¡¯t walk around. Why don¡¯t you and Luna Sadi go? I¡¯ll stay and chat with Luna Cynthia and Audrey.¡± </em>


    <em>Though Sadi disliked being directed by Maya, the chance for a private chat with Christine was wee. She quickly agreed. </em>


    <em>Christine internally cursed. They underestimated Maya. If they blurted out anything in the <b>conversation</b>, it would be trouble. </em>


    <em>Maya was shrewd, using feints that were hard to guard against. </em>


    <em>On <b>the </b>surface, Christine acted as if nothing was wrong. She invited Sadi out, chatting <b>cheerfully </b>as <b>they </b>walked, ¡°<b>This </b>mountain ash isn¡¯t easy to grow in the capital, but we¡­ Ouch!¡± </em>


    <em>Distracted by the conversation, she failed to notice the threshold and stumbled forward. </em>


    <em>Sadi was taken aback and quickly had someone assist her. </em>


    <em>An omega hurried to help Christine up. </em>


    <em>Leaning on the omega¡¯s arm, Christine limped back to the hall, hissing, ¡°Oops, how rude of me. Please don¡¯t mind it, Luna Sadi.¡± </em>


    <em>¡°How could you be so careless?¡± Luna Cynthia also felt Christine had acted rudely. Known for her poise, Christine¡¯s stumble today was unbearably embarrassing. </em>


    <em>¡°Seeing Luna Sadi and Maya, I was overjoyed and let my guard down. I truly apologize,¡± Christine said with a self¨Cdeprecating sigh. </em>


    <em>Christine sat down slowly, her face full of apologies. ¡°Audrey, could you take Luna Sadi on a tour<b>?</b><b>¡± </b><b>she </b>asked once seated. </em>


    <em>As Audrey started to get up, Luna Sadi said coolly, ¡°Forget it. Your injury¡¯s my fault for wanting to explore. Let¡¯s just sit and chat.¡± </em>


    <em>Christine said sorry again. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to have let you down, Luna Sadi.¡± </em>


    <em>¡°Is your foot okay? Should we get a doctor?¡± Luna Sadi asked with </em>


    <em>COL </em>


    <em>¡°It¡¯s a bit sore, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s broken. I¡¯m fine without a doctor. Thanks for said. </em>


    <em>concern,¡± Christine </em>


    <em>The pack had arranged a talk¨Cshow performance for the day with an actor. When hosting nobility, entertainment was a must, and all necessary arrangements had been made. </em>


    <em>An outdoor barbecue was also nned, but after checking with the guests and finding no interest in the performance, the event was canceled. </em>


    <em>long, As evening approached, Maya said with a smile, ¡°Alpha Germain¡¯s been in Blue Ridge State for so rarely visiting the capital. We¡¯ve made few friends here. Today¡¯s delightful conversation feels like fate.¡± </em>


    <em>¡°Why not visit the Blue Abyss Pack in a few days?¡± she suggested. ¡°Mr. Raven, the famous astrologer who traveled with us to the capital, will be there too.¡± </em>


    <em>Luna Cynthia¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Mr. Raven? He¡¯s such a renowned figure. Thank you for the introduction.¡± Maya smiled. ¡°Luna Cynthia, it¡¯s settled then. We¡¯d be honored by your presence.¡± </em>


    <em>Christine¡¯s smile stiffened. With this exchange, the two packs seemed to grow closer¨Cat least in appearance. </em>


    <em>This was uneptable. </em>


    <em>Her mind raced. Earlier, she¡¯d clumsily used a fall to avoid the situation. </em>


    <em>Now, with Maya¡¯s invitation epted by Cynthia, declining would be an insult. But epting <b>would </b><b>fuel </b>gossip. </em>


    <em>Was it better to risk offending others or to be the subject of rumors? </em>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 494

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Christine weighed her options, recalling Adide¡¯s advice¡ªavoid unnecessary entanglements.


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    If there were no other entanglements, then there¡¯s no fear of offending others. In fact, it might even be better to offend them.


    She smiled and said, ¡°Luna Cynthia, Maya was just joking. We wouldn¡¯t dare impose. With Pandora ill, both Alpha Germain and Luna Sadi are caring for her at the pce. They¡¯re likely too busy to host. We should wait until Pandora recovers.¡±


    Luna Cynthia, aware of Christine¡¯s tact, yed along.


    She declined Maya¡¯s warm invitation today; there must be a reason for it.


    ¡°Right, how could I forget? With Pandora unwell, you must be worried. You came back to the capital just to take care of her. We really can¡¯t go and bother you.¡±


    Audrey chimed in, ¡°Luna Cynthia and Christine are right. Let¡¯s visit after Pandora¡¯s better. Maybe we¡¯ll even get to meet her.¡±


    Maya, though skilled in persuasion, couldn¡¯t push further.


    After all, they used the excuse of caring for Pandora toe back.


    She agreed, ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll send invitations when the timees. Do promise to attend.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Christine replied.


    The others chimed in too.


    With the matter dropped, Luna Sadi and Maya took their leave as the sun set.


    Assisted by an omega, Christine saw them off. Once they left, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    Then she said, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside, everyone. I need to say something.¡±


    With all the pack members present, she wanted to make her words clear to prevent any leaks from one side while keeping the other side in check.


    Back inside, she addressed the pack, ¡°From now on, if the Blue Abyss Pack invites us alone, always decline. If it¡¯s a formal event with other nobility, we can attend, but never alone.¡±


    The pack members exchanged confused nces.


    Luna Cynthia sensed something amiss and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are we really not to see Mr. Raven?¡±


    ¡®Christine¡¯s tone grew serious. We must avoid the Blue Abyss Pack. Germain¡¯s intentions are unclear. He visited us second after returning to the capital, and we all know why? Better safe than sorry. Remember this and keep it to yourselves.¡±


    Only then did everyone realize¨Cthere were so many packs around, why had theye straight here first? And with suchvish gifts? It definitely wasn¡¯t ordinary.


    The Ironw Pack had dodged the bullet, but the Soulrend Pack was in chaos.


    Dwight¡¯s arrest left the former Luna wailing and threatening hunger strikes to demand his release.


    But he was taken to the Ministry of Justice, it was not that easy to get him out.


    The old Luna¡¯s hunger strike, if publicized, would tarnish the Soulrend Pack¡¯s reputation.


    Despite slim chances, they pulled every connection, pleading with Lycan Erasmus through intermed.


    Alpha Manfred¡¯s contacts ryed a message¡ªif Melinda forgave Dwight, he might go free.


    But who in the Soulrend Pack dared approach Melinda, guarded by Luna Adide?


    Alpha Howell was theirst hope, but it was unknown if he¡¯d intervene.


    When the Ministry of Justice took Dwight away, Alpha Howell spoke up for him.


    He didn¡¯t want Melinda and Dwight to break their mating, so he had to beg them to talk to Melinda.


    Alpha Howell agreed to help, but no one knew if he actually followed through.


    Luna Skye, on the other hand, had been eager to see Melinda all along.


    Now that Lycan Erasmus had issued his decree, the dissolution of the mating between Melinda and Dwight was inevitable. With no room for negotiation, Luna Skye nned to take Melinda into her own pack.


    However, as she was about to bring others along, Adide arrived with Valentin and several omegas. They brought a wagon loaded with gifts, intending to return the presents exchanged between the two parties in the past.


    The gifts, spanning years of sisterhood between two Lunas.


    ording to Valentin and Ivy, among the gifts from Luna Aire to Luna Skye were valuable jewelries andmon items.


    But the majority were precious medicinal supplies from Doctor Digby, primarily for treating battle wounds.


    Given that Luna Skye¡¯s husband and brother were both on the battlefield, stocking up on these medicines was always wise.


    In addition to wound¨Chealing medicines, there were also body¨Cregting and emergency medicines.


    Ivy recalled that Luna Skye had personally requested multiple bottles of Digby¡¯s special medicine.


    These medicines, with their long shelf¨Clife, were absent during Melinda¡¯s critical time of need.


    This left Adide genuinely puzzled. Melinda was Luna Skye¡¯s daughter, after all. The idea that a mother wouldpletely disregard her daughter¡¯s well¨Cbeing seemed unbelievable.


    Normally, when faced with a crisis, a mother would surely gather the best medicine from her pack. Yet Luna Skye had shown up empty¨Chanded.


    Even if she¡¯d been too flustered to think clearly, herpanions should have reminded her.


    The most usible exnation was that she¡¯d either used up all the medicine or given it away.

 Novel Male 495

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°This isn¡¯t reasonable,¡± Adide thought to herself.


    Over the years, the Silverlight Pack had never had close ties with any other packs.


    Adide had made a big deal of this trip, deliberately asking Avery to drive.


    She did this simply because his loud voice could serve their purpose.


    All the way, he proimed, ¡°Luna Adide and Luna Skye are severing ties and exchanging returns!¡±


    This announcement traveled all the way to the Silverlight Pack, catching Luna Skye just as she was about to leave. Her face turned pale with rage.


    Adide stepped out of the carriage and stood before Luna Skye. ¡°I mentioned this yesterday. I¡¯m here to follow through. Are you ready?¡±


    Luna Skye hissed, ¡°Adide, are you mad? You really intend to cut me off?¡±


    Adide¡¯s face was nk. ¡°What¡¯s said can¡¯t be unsaid. Avery, help everyone unload the gifts. If anything¡¯s amiss, Luna Skye can point it out, and we¡¯ll make up for it. Given our years of friendship, our exchanges might not perfectly match.¡±


    With the crowd at the gate, Luna Skye grabbed Adide¡¯s arm and pulled her aside.


    ¡°You mentioned our years of friendship and your mother¡¯s memory. How can you just cut ties like this? Who made you the judge of your mother¡¯s wishes? How will you exin this to your maternal grandfather?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my concern, not yours,¡± Adide replied.


    She called over her shoulder, ¡°Start unloading.¡±


    The gifts were piled outside the Silverlight Pack¡¯s boundary.


    Luna Skye nced at them without a word, her face ashen.


    Adide said, ¡°Luna Skye, if you¡¯re too busy now, you can checkter. If anything¡¯s missing, send word. As for the gifts you received from my mother, including the medicine from Digby¡¯s Medical Center, please return those too.¡±


    Luna Skye turned to leave, coldly remarking, ¡°The medicine¡¯s long gone. How can I return what¡¯s used up? Are you trying to hurt your mother¡¯s feelings?¡±


    Adide responded, ¡°My mother doted on Melinda. If she knew how you¡¯ve treated Melinda, she¡¯d likely sever ties with you too.¡±


    Tears welled in Luna Skye¡¯s eyes. ¡°Adide, how could you be so heartless? You even hurt me, and you¡¯re forcing your cousin to dissolve her mating bond. What have I ever done to you? Is it because I didn¡¯t stand by you when you and Ulrik dissolved your mating?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. I hope you can be decisive about this,¡± Adide said.


    Luma Skye, feigning heartbreak, pleaded, ¡°Can we talk this through? There¡¯s no need <i>for </i>such a scene. Your grandparents would be devastated if they knew.¡±


    Adide stood firm, waiting silently as Luna Skye fetched items.


    Luna Skye studied her for a long moment and knew she was resolute.


    With a gritted smile, she instructed, ¡°Bring out the designer bag Luna Aire gave me. As for the rest, mostly medicine, my health hasn¡¯t been good these years. I¡¯ve used them all. I can¡¯t return what¡¯s gone


    A servant returned with a pristine designer bag, untouched and dust¨Cfree.


    ¡°Take it or leave it,¡± Luna Skye said coldly.


    Adide countered, ¡°I recall quite a few valuable jewels too.¡±


    ¡°Gone, all gone,¡± Luna Skye snapped.


    ¡°Are you really going to haggle with me like this? You¡¯re in the wrong, Adide. You interfered in Melinda¡¯s family matters. I¡¯m still alive; her affairs are none of your business. You¡¯re in the wrong here.¡±


    ¡°Whether I¡¯m right or not, to me, human life matters most,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Besides, your past actions say otherwise. When you and Alpha Howell had your disagreements, didn¡¯t you seek my mother¡¯s help? Why didn¡¯t you turn to our grandparents then, but came to her instead?¡±


    Luna Skye was speechless.


    Their rtionship had long been repaired, and mutual support among rtives was customary inrge families.


    Such cooperation was essential to strengthen their collective power.


    However, Adide¡¯s actions this time had defied their wishes. Luna Skye was deeply diforted by it.


    ¡°Since this is all you have left, Luna Skye, I¡¯ll take it,¡± Adide said, not wanting to linger. Even if there were medicines left, she doubted they¡¯d be returned.


    But if there were, they¡¯d surely go to Melinda.


    ¡°Adide, how is Melinda?¡± Luna Skye asked urgently.


    Adide turned to leave. ¡°She¡¯s not well, but Galvin will take care of her. Once she recovers, if she wishes to see you, she¡¯ll send for you.¡±


    ¡°You could let me see her now. You can¡¯t stop a mother from seeing her daughter,¡± Luna Skye cried out, her voice rising and cracking with emotion.


    The surrounding area, home to nobility, began to draw spectators. While the masters stayed indoors, servants gathered to witness the scene, ready to report back to their employers.


    Thus, Luna Skye¡¯s voice carried, filled with tears and desperation.

 Novel Male 496

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide wasn¡¯t about to let Luna Skye have her way.


    If she didn¡¯t care aboutpletely severing ties or damaging the reputations of the Silverlight <b>and </b>Soulrend Packs, then so be it!


    Adide¡¯s voice sharpened, her pheromones erupting like an ice storm, the air around her frosting <b>over</b>.


    Her pupils narrowed to de¨Clike slits in her fury. ¡°First off, when Dwight was obsessed with his breeder and neglecting his wife, Melinda begged you for help. You stood by and did nothing. As the mate of the Soulrend Pack¡¯s heir, Melinda was subjected to a breeder¡¯s taunts. Where was your pack¡¯s honor then<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Second, when Melinda was severely injured by Dwight¡¯s domestic abuse and had to bed<i>¨C</i>rest, you and Alpha Howell didn¡¯t condemn Dwight. You just sent some measly thing to the Soulrend Pack and told her to endure it, hoping Dwight would change.¡±


    ¡°Third, Melinda¡¯s difficultbor was caused by Dwight pushing her down the stairs, nearly killing her. In that life¨Cor¨Cdeath moment, she called for me, not you, her mother.¡±


    ¡°Now Lycan Erasmus knows the truth and is furious at Dwight¡¯s cruelty. Yet you don¡¯t side with your own daughter but with Dwight, insisting on maintaining this mating.


    ¡°Are you waiting for Melinda to end up like Sidney, dying miserably in a sanatorium?¡±


    Luna Skye¡¯s face drained of color. She stared at Adide, shocked by her unabashed usations.


    Thatst remark was deliberate.


    No one knew Sidney¡¯s true story. The Blue Abyss Pack had covered it up tightly.


    Even though Sidney had willingly gone to the sanatorium, the Blue Abyss Pack had spoken highly of it, preserving their reputation.


    Despite some rumors, even Sidney¡¯s daughters supported their father.


    With no clear truth, people were unlikely to investigate,


    Rumors were flying outside, but it was hard to tell fact from fiction.


    But Germain¡¯s quick mating to Luna Sadi after Sidney¡¯s death had sparked gossip.


    Adide¡¯s mention of it would surely fuel more spection.


    Germain wanted to appear innocent? Impossible!


    Now that they were back in the capital, it was time for a showdown.


    Adide continued, her tone cutting, ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you from seeing Melinda. If <b>you </b>visit her <b>as </b><b>her </b>mother, she¡¯d be d.¡±


    12


    Chapter <b>496 </b>


    With that, Adide picked up the designer bag, her pheromones forming an invisible barrier <b>against </b>the onlookers.


    She climbed into the carriage and left under everyone¡¯s gaze, leaving Luna Skye at the pack <b>boundary</b>, exposed to looks of sympathy and scorn.


    The gazes were like tiny needles, making the back of her neck tingle


    Luna Skye stood there, her sandalwood pheromones surging with humiliation and anger, her wolf ears drooping.


    She turned and trudged back to the Silverlight Pack, her steps heavy with lead.


    Meanwhile, the Soulrend Pack¡¯s old Luna really started fasting. Her silver¨Cgray fur lost its luster, and her weak pheromones barely hung on like a flickering candle. She could barely maintain any presence.


    Alpha Manfred visited the Silverlight Pack twice, his cedar pheromones thick with anxiety.


    Alpha Howell told him, ¡°I¡¯m using connections to ensure Dwight isn¡¯t mistreated in the Ministry of Justice. Tell the old Luna not to worry.¡±


    Alpha Manfred thanked him profusely, his cedar pheromones tinged with guilt and shame for the pack¡¯s failure to support Melinda.


    After a pause, Alpha Manfred asked worriedly, ¡°Will Lycan Erasmus¡¯s anger affect the rest of the Soulrend Pack?¡±


    Alpha Howell was slow to respond, lost in thought with a furrowed brow. His sandalwood pheromones were heavy, like a stone pressing down, which made Alpha Manfred uneasy. Manfred¡¯s cedar pheromones became chaotic, and his fingertips unconsciously revealed the faint shadow of wolf ws.


    No one in their family dared to see Lycan Erasmus now.


    A scolding would be better than having their pack¡¯s title revoked in a fit of rage.


    ¡°Alpha Howell?¡± Manfred called again when Howell only continued to frown in silence.


    Alpha Howell, deep in thought, replied, ¡°I¡¯ve fallen out of Erasmus¡¯s favor for failing to protect Melinda. The bond between Melinda and Dwight will be dissolved. I can protect Dwight from suffering in the ministry, but I can¡¯t guarantee the safety of your pack.¡±


    He added, ¡°But you could try talking to Germain. He¡¯s caring for patients in the pce and sees Lycan rissa daily. Have him plead with Lycan rissa on Dwight¡¯s behalf. While Dwight¡¯s fate is sealed, this might save the Soulrend Pack¡¯s reputation and status.¡±


    ¡°Germain?¡± Alpha Manfred was taken aback but quickly saw the wisdom in the n.


    Germain had recently returned <i>to </i>the capital from Blue Ridge State to care for patients.


    Lycan rissa might still respect him, especially since Germain had left his mother in the capital when <b>he </b>went to Blue Ridge.


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha Howell, I¡¯ll act on this at once,¡± Alpha Manfred said gratefully before hurrying <b>off</b><b>. </b>

 Novel Male 497

    Chapter <b>497 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Pack at the ckthorn Pack, in the study, Caldwell finished his report and sat down for a <b>cup </b><b>of </b>coffee,


    ¡°After Alpha Manfred left the Silverlight Pack, he went straight to Germain¡¯s ce, Lance noted<b>, </b><b>raising </b>an eyebrow.


    ¡°Seems our suspicions were spot¨Con. The Manfred brothers and Madison are indeed in cahoots.


    ¡°Alpha Howell has been lying low. Never would¡¯ve guessed it,¡± Caldwell remarked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been on the southern border these past years. Not too clued up on the capital¡¯s happenings, Lance exined.


    ¡°Right now, they¡¯re not powerful nobles. If they had been, they¡¯d have struck when Lycan Erasmus became Lycan King. Back then, the Bloodscar Border was a mess, the southern border at war, and the old <b>Lycan </b>King had just died. The new king was barely in power. It would¡¯ve been their golden chance, Lance <b>mused</b><b>. </b>


    Caldwell shook his head. ¡°True, but taking over in such chaos isn¡¯t easy. Inheriting a <b>mess </b>like that <b>would </b>be a massive headache.¡±


    ¡°Yet their odds of sess would¡¯ve been high,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°Which shows Germain¡¯s ambition. He wanted it all¨Cpower, reputation, and public support. That¡¯s why he yed the long game. If he¡¯d rebelled during the war, even if he seized the Lycan King¡¯s throne, he¡¯d have been a traitor.¡± Caldwell said.


    ¡°People who want everything usually end up with nothing. He¡¯s probably regretting it now,¡± Lance agreed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep watching for now. Work with Adide¡¯s n, help her take Madison down first. Oh, any news from the Western?¡± Lance asked.


    Caldwell ryed the second piece of news. ¡°Snke was assassinated and critically injured. Now he¡¯s in aa. He¡¯s survived a few attempts before, but not this time.¡±


    ¡°Can we get someone in?¡± Lance asked.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got one person inside, but they¡¯re just a regr guard in Snke¡¯s pack, not close to him,¡± Caldwell said.


    any and


    ¡°So during the attack, they weren¡¯t there. Not that it would¡¯ve mattered. The assassins were to too skilled. Snke¡¯s a great fighter, and his guards are top¨Cnotch, yet they couldn¡¯t stop it,¡± Lance said.


    ¡°What about the Western Tribe¡¯s Lycan King? How¡¯s he doing? Heard he wouldn¡¯tst the summer. <b>Now </b>it¡¯s fall,¡± Lance continued.


    ¡°The info¡¯s unreliable. Even the Western Tribe¡¯s citizens don¡¯t know the truth,¡± Caldwell said.


    Lance sighed. He hoped the Western Tribe¡¯s Lycan King would hold on. Otherwise, they¡¯d <b>face </b><b>more </b>


    chaos<b>. </b>


    179


    <b>19:56 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>8 </b><b>Aug </b>D


    After a moment of thought, Lance said, ¡°Send a message to Prune. Ask if her people can deliver some special medicine to Snke.¡±


    Caldwell picked up his cup again. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve already given the letter and medicine to Wendy Shell handle the delivery.¡±


    Lance raised an eyebrow. ¡°Always one step ahead, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Caldwell, unfazed, said, ¡°Just want you to know I carn my keep, Alpha Lance.¡±


    Lance smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve been through hell and back with me. No need for talk of payment. Just ask Luna Adide for what you want.¡±


    A hint of a smile appeared on Caldwell¡¯s usually stern face.


    His cold cedar pheromones carried a rare warmth: ¡°Not much, just one of Mr. Neil¡¯s paintings.¡±


    ¡°Bouquet of Mountain Ash? We¡¯ve got plenty,¡± Lance said, his cedar pheromones rippling with ease.


    ¡°If it were just Bouquet of Mountain Ash, I wouldn¡¯t bother you,¡± Caldwell said, his expression turning serious.


    His cold cedar pheromones grew heavy with eighteen years of unresolved longing. His pupils shrank into deep, vertical lines. ¡°It¡¯s a portrait, dictated by me and painted by Mr. Neil.¡±


    Lance immediately understood. His cedar pheromones sank, carrying a note ofprehension. ¡°For your sister.¡±


    Caldwell¡¯s gaze deepened. His cold cedar pheromones wrapped eighteen years of unshed grief<i>. </i>¡°Yes. <i>I¡¯ve </i>never given up searching for her.¡±


    Lance¡¯s voice carried a hint of worry. His cedar pheromones gently brushed, as if soothing an old, unhealed wound. ¡°Your sister was seven when she disappeared. Eighteen years have passed. She¡¯s twenty- five now. Even if Mr. Neil can paint her at five, could you find her by that portrait?¡±


    145


    ¡°No. But I¡¯ve heard Mr. Neil has a gift. He can extrapte from a person¡¯s youthful features to their adult appearance and capture it in a painting,¡± Caldwell said.


    Lance replied, ¡°Even if he can, your own art skills are decent. If you can¡¯t paint your sister from memory, it¡¯s already blurred. How can a verbal description suffice?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true that my memory has faded. But when I try to draw her myself, I¡¯m always reminded of the family¡¯s grief after her disappearance. I dare not delve deep. With Mr. Neil here, perhaps if I describe her <i>to </i>him, he could paint her. At least, her image might gradually be clear in my

 Novel Male 498

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Lance knew finding Caldwell¡¯s sister was his biggest regret.


    Caldwell had vowed not to seek a mate until he found her.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll talk to Adide,¡± Lance said, ¡°but Craig might not agree. It does sound a bit far¨Cfetched


    Caldwell remained calm. ¡°Just ask him through you, Alpha Lance. I won¡¯t be disappointed if it doesn¡¯t work


    out.¡±


    After discussing a few more things, Lance headed back inside.


    Adide had just returned from seeing Melinda and was surprised to hear about Caldwell¡¯s request. I <b>had </b>no idea Caldwell had a missing sister,¡± she said.


    ¡°Since he had Wendy contact Prune, why not have her ask Craig too?¡± Adide mused.


    ¡°Caldwell keeps his work and personal life separate. Having Wendy message Prune was for pack business. Asking Craig is personal, so he wants a middleman,¡± Lance exined.


    Adide understood. ¡°I¡¯ll write to him, but I can¡¯t be sure if Craig¡¯s at Shadow Peaks. He¡¯s always traveling.


    ¡°He should be there now. After Klein returned from his trip, he¡¯d want to settle things. Likely<i>, </i>no one¡¯s leaving Shadow Peaks for months,¡± Lance said with a smile.


    Adide¡¯s heart still raced at the mention of Klein, a fear ingrained in her.


    Sheughed and said, ¡°Good thing I¡¯m mated.¡±


    ¡°Especially since your mate is Klein¡¯s only beloved student. You probably get special treatment and leniency from him,¡± Lance said proudly, kissing her forehead.


    ¡°Klein is rather protective,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Not just protective¨Cextremely so,¡± Lance corrected, smudging ink on his hand and calling for water.


    Adide disagreed but then said, ¡°But my mentor is even more protective.¡±


    Lance chuckled. ¡°Oh yeah? When we rescued the Eugenius Scout Team from the southern border, Klein- told me not to cross you. He said if youined to Shadow Peaks, he couldn¡¯t shield me from the whole Training Camp¡¯s wrath.¡±


    ¡°Impossible. Everyone at Shadow Peaks, including my mentor Irene, fears Klein,¡± Adide said.


    ¡°Fear him or not, you¡¯re the beloved of everyone there. If you reported any mistreatment, even Klein would struggle to protect me against the whole camp¡¯s bacsh,¡± Lance said.


    As he spoke, he suddenly said it dramatically, ¡°Even though we¡¯re schoolmates, Irene has a lot <b>of </b><b>students</b>. I¡¯m all alone here. No matter what, I¡¯d be the one getting bullied.¡±


    O


    <b>Aug </b>


    Adide¡¯s eyes softened with pity.


    She tiptoed and flicked his forehead. ¡°So you have to be nice to me.¡±


    As she stood on her toes, Lance¡¯s heart soared¨Chad she finally softened?


    But when the ¡°pop¡± of the flick registered, he realized¨C nope, she¡¯s even more stubborn.


    He pulled her into his arms, cedar pheromones wrapping them in warmth.


    Sitting in a chair, he held her waist and asked with warmth, ¡°How¡¯s Melinda?¡±


    Adide shifted, her spruce pheromones rippling with unease.


    Getting so close before nightfall felt odd.


    She replied, ¡°She¡¯s recovering. Herplexion isn¡¯t as pale, but she¡¯s low¨Cspirited, always crying secretly when we¡¯re not looking.¡±


    Her wolf ears twitched with embarrassment.


    ¡°She was expecting that baby for so long. Of course she¡¯s upset. Give her time. Things will get better.¡± Lance said, his fingers gently stroking her waist.


    ¡°Alpha Lance, your coffee¡¯s here!¡± Beata entered with coffee, calling out before looking up.


    Adide immediately stood up, her spruce pheromones tightening. ¡°Uh¡­ just put it down,¡± she said, her fingers faintly wed from the abruptness.


    Beata, after a moment¡¯s thought, pulled Adide aside urgently. ¡°Youe with me. I need to talk to you.¡±


    Adide followed, her spruce pheromones still carrying a hint of unease.


    Beata led her to the sycamore tree outside before confronting her. ¡°Luna Adide, Alpha Lance wants to get closer to you. Why are you always resisting?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not resisting,¡± Adide said irritably, her pheromones heavy. ¡°Did you call me out here just for this?¡± Her wolf tail flicked under her skirt, betraying her unease at being seen through.


    ¡°Why did you jump up like a thief caught in the act when I walked in on Alpha Lance holding you?¡± Beata demanded.


    ¡±

 Novel Male 499

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Adide¡¯s ears tinged with warmth. ¡°The sky isn¡¯t dark yet,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°So? Beata pressed, her malt pheromones sharpening. ¡°Do you really treat intimary with Alpha Lance like a secret? Must it wait for nightfall? You weren¡¯t like this before. Don¡¯t let Melinda and Dwight¡¯s mesa ruke you recoil from Alpha Lance¡¯s affection.¡±


    Her wolf ws slightly emerged, urging Adide to see reason.


    Adide was taken aback. Was she really resisting?


    Each night, they shared closeness, sleeping embraced.


    Her head never left his arm or chest throughout the night.


    Seeing Adide¡¯s confusion, Beata¡¯s frustration red.


    She blurted out, ¡°Luna Adide, do you want a mating of mutual respect, or one brimming with love?


    ¡°Beata, are you overthinking this?¡± Adide touched Beata¡¯s forehead. ¡°Are you feverish?¡±


    Beata, fuming, demanded, ¡°Answer me!¡±


    Adide turned her head slightly, a few strands of hair fluttering in the sunset.


    ¡°I want both respect and love. Why must I choose? Can¡¯t they coexist?¡±


    Beata hesitated, considering the possibility.


    ¡°But sometimes it feels like you don¡¯t prioritize Alpha Lance¡¯s feelings. He cares deeply for you, and rtionships require mutual effort.¡±


    ¡°I do care!¡± Adide insisted.


    ¡°It just feels like it¡¯scking something,¡± Beata mused, recalling Cedric¡¯s parents¡® genuine love.


    Adide thought back, Every trip home, she saw Randall and Tabitha stuck together. They walked hand in hand. They sat side by side. Randall would sneak a kiss when he thought no one looked. They shared food off each te. They stared at each other like the room was empty.


    She fell silent, pushing down those memories. ¡°Enough. I get it.¡±


    Beata, realizing her misstep, awkwardly suggested, ¡°Are you hungry? Shall I have dinner served?¡±


    Adide walked back without a word.


    Lance noticed her determined stride and asked, ¡°What did Beata say to you?¡±


    Adide approached Lance and stood on her toes.


    111


    O


    Understanding instantly, Lance moved closer, bracing for a head flick.


    Instead, she kissed his cheek.


    He stood there, stunned, before tightly embracing her.


    She whispered in his arms, ¡°My mom gave Luna Skye many medicines back then, including moonflower agents and Digby¡¯s special remedies. None were left. These medicines aren¡¯t to be taken casually. I think they must have been given away, meaning they¡¯ve been interacting with others more than it <b>seems </b>


    Though the topic contrasted with the moment, it was crucial.


    They sat down to discuss.


    ¡°I¡¯m not too familiar with Doctor Digby¡¯s drugs. Aren¡¯t moonflower agents and Digby¡¯s special remedies sold to the public? If nobility buys them, he wouldn¡¯t refuse, right? How would gifting medicines help build connections?¡±


    Adide shook her head. ¡°No. Early on, moonflower agents and Digby¡¯s special remedies were rare, especially moonflower agents. A key ingredient is hard to obtain, requiring collection in freezing conditions and use within twelve hours to prevent drying.¡±


    ¡°So back then, moonflower agents were scarce. After Digby¡¯s research found a substitute, production increased, <i>but </i>it¡¯s still limited. He makes a fixed amount yearly, some for me and Warscar Training Camp<b>. </b><i>a </i>few bottles for himself, and the rest for sale. Once sold out, even urgent requests can¡¯t get more if he¡¯s not in the capital.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. What about those emergency medicines?¡± Lance asked.


    ¡°Those are lifelines, buying time for the dying <i>to </i>settle affairs, dying death by hours or <i>days</i>, Adide exined.


    Lance <i>thought </i>for a moment. ¡°That¡¯s something we can investigate.¡±


    At Dwight¡¯s trial, the court first dissolved all ties between Melinda and Dwight¨Caplete break with no face¨Csaving for the Soulrend Pack.


    Secondly, for abusing his mate and causing fetal death, with Melinda¡¯s royal status and Lycan Erasmus¡¯s order, the Ministry of Justice sentenced Dwight to ten years of hardbor in the Payette Hills, supervised by the local prison and tasked withnd remation.


    The verdict was announced on the spot, with departure set for the next day, leaving the Soulrend Pack no chance to plead


    Alpha Manfred made no further appeals.

 Novel Male 500

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Alpha Manfred had approached Germain carlier.


    60%


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Germain told him he¡¯d already pleaded with rissa on their behalf. So this time, only Dwight would be punished, and the Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory would remain intact. He warned Manfred to keep his affairs in order or risk worse consequences.


    The family didn¡¯t dare tell the old Luna that Dwight was sentenced tobor in the Payette Hills.


    She only knew he was imprisoned but out of reach. She worried constantly¨Cafter all, he was the child she¡¯d raised from infancy.


    When Dwight was taken away, and the omega identally mentioned his destination, the old Luna fainted on the spot.


    She¡¯d already been fasting for two days, weakening her body. Coupled with her advanced age, this outburst of anger and sorrow left her partially paralyzed, with slurred speech and drooling.


    Meanwhile, Alpha Manfred and Luna Chloe, unaware of the old Luna¡¯s condition, waited to see Dwight


    off.


    When the guards brought Dwight out in handcuffs, the sight of his hollow eyes and terrified expression shattered any remaining image of his former vigor.


    Alpha Manfred quickly stepped forward and bribed the guards to speak with him briefly.


    Dwight wept uncontrobly, begging, ¡°Father, Mother, save me! I can¡¯t endure hardbor in the Payette Hills. I¡¯ll die there. Please save me!¡±


    All the old arrogance was gone. His swagger had vanished, and he just stood there crying, a total wreck.


    Luna Chloe was inconsble, her tears threatening to overwhelm her.


    Alpha Manfred, fighting back tears, said sternly, ¡°You brought this upon yourself. You destroyed your bright future. I¡¯ll ensure your safe journey to the Payette Hills, but your fate there is in your own hands.¡±


    ¡°Lycan Erasmus hasn¡¯t yet named his sessor. When he does, there will be special policies. That¡¯s your chance to return. You must survive no matter what.¡±


    Dwight¡¯s hopes withered.


    Waiting for Lycan Erasmus to name a sessor was a gamble.


    His ten¨Cyear sentence in the Payette Hills might as well be a life sentence, given Erasmus¡¯s youth. How could he endure ten years?


    ¡°Father, if there¡¯s any chance, please save me,¡± Dwight pleaded through his tears. ¡°I can¡¯tst ten years. I won¡¯t survive until the policies change.¡±


    Alpha Manfred¡¯s heart ached. He wanted to ask if Dwight regretted his actions but seeing his son in such a


    s


    state, he couldn¡¯t bear to. He only implored Dwight to stay alive, promising to seek his release if possible.


    The guard stepped up. He gave Alpha Manfred a nod. ¡°Time to roll.¡±


    Manfred wiped his face and slid the guard another check. ¡°Please, look after him. If he makes it there safe, I¡¯ll pay extra.¡±


    The guard pocketed the check. ¡°No worries. Fall¡¯s here¨Cheat¡¯s gone. He¡¯ll make it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Thank you.¡± That was all Manfred needed to hear. At least his boy wouldn¡¯t die on the road.


    He was born noble, yet here he was, begging the guards like a nobody.


    He wiped his tears and asked Dwight, ¡°Do you even get it now? If you¡¯re sorry, say it to Melinda. I¡¯ll carry the words for you.¡±


    Dwight¡¯s eyes were nk. He took two steps under the guard¡¯s push, then looked back.


    His voice shook. ¡°Dad, if you see Willow, ask her¨Cdid she ever love me, even a little?¡±


    Alpha Manfred felt a sharp pain in his chest, nearly suffocating him.


    He staggered and fell to the ground.


    Luna Chloe broke down sobbing, drawing a crowd of onlookers.


    The mess between Soulrend and Silverlight was already front¨Cpage gossip, and now the whole capital was talking.


    The crowd just stared¨Crich folks¡® pain was free entertainment, nothing more.


    When Alpha Manfred and Chloe got back, they learned the old Luna had copsed and nowy half- paralyzed.


    Despite strict orders to keep it secret, the news leaked¨Cthe old Luna was gravely ill due to Dwight¡¯s


    actions.


    This stained Dwight¡¯s reputation, marking him as unfilial. Even if he ever returned, he¡¯d be a broken man.


    The old Luna, though barely able to speak, called for Dwight incessantly.


    Haunted by dreams of his suffering and death, her anxiety and exhaustion led to her death within days.


    Her passing burdened the Soulrend Pack with the reputation of having mistreated Melinda.


    Several pack members held prestigious royal positions. In his fury, Lycan Erasmus demoted them all.


    |||

 Novel Male 501

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    701


    g


    The Soulrend Pack¡¯s territory remained intact, but after the scandal, it never recovered its former glory.


    Lance often ran into Alpha Manfred during the daily morning meetings.


    After a few words, Manfred slowly left, his shoulders weighed down with sorrow.


    Meanwhile, at the Medison Manor, Germain finally decided to visit Madison after calling on numerous nobles and powerful packs.


    By coincidence, Alpha Howell was also there that day.


    Germain, the third sibling, and Howell, the fifth, joined Madison, who was just two months their senior.


    Madison and Germain were the same age, with Madison being just two months younger; Alpha Howell was two years younger.


    The three siblings had always been distant. Sometimes when Germain visited the capital, they would meet briefly at the pce, but rarely did he visit her manor.


    Howell had even less interaction with Madison, only appearing at her banquets.


    Madison dismissed the serving omegas and said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s quite a coincidence that three of us are chatting together today. I didn¡¯t expect Alpha Howell to show up too.¡±


    ¡°Yes, quite the coincidence,¡± Howell replied, his former meekness reced by dignity. He sat with his chin slightly raised, exuding aristocratic authority.


    Germain sipped the top¨Cshelf Blue Mountain coffee from Madison¡¯s manor and said, ¡°This is far better than what I had in Blue Ridge State.¡±


    Madison remarked, ¡°I only have two ounces of this. I brought it out specially for you today.¡±


    Germain noticed her weight loss and asked, ¡°Are you troubled by something? Are your subordinates acting out?¡±


    ¡°Only Wilorina,¡± Madison said coldly. ¡°But after a lesson, she¡¯s fallen in line.¡±


    Madison¡¯s eyes were cold. ¡°She just don¡¯t know her ce, really think she¡¯s my daughter.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to fuss over it. If one disobeys, discipline her,¡± Germain said.


    He set down his coffee cup and added with a hint of a smile, ¡°The Soulrend Pack is finished.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a pity about Melinda,¡± Madison nced at Howell. ¡°But you can¡¯t me me. She wouldn¡¯t listen to you, is weak¨Cwilled, and deeply in love with Dwight. Their mating would have strengthened the Soulrend Pack. I had to destroy them.¡±


    Howell forced a smile.


    III


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    Madison continued, ¡°Your initial n was wed. Trying to use Melinda to court the Soulrend Pack and Dwight was doomed to fail. The Soulrend Pack is loyal to the royalty, and Dwight is arrogant and disdainful. It¡¯s better to destroy them than to let them be a thorn in our side.¡±


    Howell¡¯s hands tightened on the armrests, his knuckles whitening. His sandalwood pheromones froze. ¡°Madison is right.¡±


    ¡°Stop concerning yourself with Melinda. She¡¯s your daughter, yet she¡¯d rather follow Adide than return to the Silverlight Pack with you. She¡¯s expendable,¡± Madison said.


    Howell said nothing, but anger smoldered in his eyes. His pupils narrowed dangerously in the shadows.


    His sandalwood pheromones surged with suppressed dark fire. The invisible aura made the air around them heavier.


    Germain changed the subject, his voice taking on a cold, calcting tone. ¡°The Soulrend Pack¡¯s fate is sealed. The royalty won¡¯t back officials with tarnished reputations. Their days are numbered. I¡¯m here for Velda. I¡¯ve attempted to assassinate her, but Adide thwarted me, costing me several werewolf assassins.¡±


    A sh of ruthlessness crossed his eyes as he absently rubbed the wolf sigil on his palm.


    ¡°Killing Velda won¡¯t be easy now. Lycan Erasmus has deployed the Royal Guard, inclothes but verified, to watch the Bloodmoon Pack,¡± Madison said gravely.


    ¡°And Velda¡¯s no fool. She never steps outside the Bloodmoon Pack,¡± Howell added.


    ¡°How about bribing someone inside the Bloodmoon Pack to poison her?¡± Germain suggested, his voice sharp with scheming.


    ¡°We¡¯ve tried. Poison doesn¡¯t work. She has a detector for food. It¡¯s impossible to get close to her,¡± Howell said, his sandalwood pheromones rippling with frustration. ¡°She¡¯s extremely cautious.¡±


    Germain smirked. ¡°Howell, your methods are less efficient than Madison¡¯s. Assassination failed, poisoning failed. It seems you can¡¯t handle Velda.¡±


    Though his smile remained, Germain¡¯s words carried a clear message of dissatisfaction.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find another way,¡± Howell said.


    ¡°Yes, and soon. The Lycan King of the Western Tribe won¡¯tst much longer. We¡¯ve already ced agents close to their future Lycan King. He¡¯s determined to avenge the prince¡¯s suicide.¡±


    ¡°The people of the Western Tribe are also discontent with Snke¡¯s concessions. This sets the stage for them to hold a grudge against our kingdom once their new Lycan Kinges to power,¡± Howell added.

 Novel Male 502

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Alpha Howell said with a hint of confusion, ¡°Isn¡¯t Snke Dominic¡¯s uncle? If this keeps up. Snke will be a target for the Western Tribe.¡±


    ¡°Dominic was already unhappy with Snke for the border pact he made with Velda back then. And when Snke surrounded Velda, he just wanted to rescue and treat the people, not wipe out Velda¡¯s group. He was too emotional to aplish anything significant,¡± Germain exined.


    Madison nced at Alpha Howell and said, ¡°You really don¡¯t get what Germain¡¯s aiming for, do you?¡±


    She continued, ¡°He wants Velda dead. That way, when Dominic bes the Lycan King and looks into this, the royal family can¡¯t use Velda as an excuse. It gives them the upper hand in negotiations.


    ¡°Plus, if Velda¡¯s dead, the me falls squarely on Alpha Zander. No one will care if he was injured or if he lost his son. Without Velda, he bears all the responsibility,¡± Madison added.


    ¡°But even if we throw Velda under the bus, Alpha Zander still has inescapable responsibility. He is themander of the Bloodscar Border,¡± Howell argued.


    ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Germain said, his eyes showing a flicker of disappointment. ¡°The prince whomitted. suicide was hurt and humiliated by Velda. Once thises out, people from both kingdoms will hate her. They¡¯ll want her dead. With such a hated figure, as long as someone speaks up for the Doyle family, they won¡¯t be in too much trouble.¡±


    After a pause, Howell spoke up, ¡°Right now, killing Velda is a tall order. Lycan Erasmus has her back, and he¡¯s already bracing for whatever shiftes out of the Western Tribe. Between the Royal Guard and ckthorn Pack, she¡¯s well¨Cguarded. But I¡¯ve got a y. Listen.¡±


    Germain lifted his cup. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    Howell¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°Velda knows she¡¯s on borrowed time. Send her a quiet message: when this blows up, she ims Alpha Zander ordered the whole thing. She fingers him, she gets to live.¡±


    Germain swirled his coffee, thinking. ¡°Still better if she¡¯s dead. That drops the me right onto the Doyles.¡±


    ¡°Velda¡¯s a coward and a schemer, and half the kingdom already hates her,¡± Howell countered. ¡°Who¡¯d believe her word? Besides, the Doyles have held Bloodscar for years without harming civilians. A good spin job could clear them and leave us empty¨Chanded.¡±


    After a moment of contemtion, Howell said, ¡°But our goal isn¡¯t to destroy the Doyles. We just want to rece them as themander of the Bloodscar Border. We need to insert our people there.¡±


    ¡°Now that Tad hasn¡¯t joined us yet, we must take control of Bloodscar. Once wemand the werewolf armies in both locations or dy them with warfare, we can proceed with our original n to incite rebellions against the royal family in various regions. This will highlight Lycan Erasmus¡¯s failures and make him a target of public outrage. That¡¯s the perfect time for us to speak out,¡± Germain exined.


    As he finished, he stole a nce at Madison, noticing a sh of anger on her face.


    ¡°The Doyle family must die,¡± Madison said sharply.


    Germain frowned. ¡°Madison, don¡¯t let your emotions get the better of you. Howell¡¯s right. Our goal is to remove the Doyle family from Bloodscar. As for how they die and how gruesome it is, you can take your revenge once we¡¯re back in the capital.¡±


    Howell knew Madison would argue with him, but she would listen to Germain.


    And Germain was right. There was nothing more satisfying than watching your enemies suffer and die right in front of you.


    Germain, seeing no objection from Madison, continued, ¡°There¡¯s one thing we need to do urgently, and that¡¯s to rally powerful packs and nobles, as well as influential schrs and celebrities in the public sphere. We need them to praise Lance¡¯s achievements in reiming the Southern Border first. We want themon people to know only Lance and not Lycan Erasmus.¡±


    Madison and Alpha Howell both nodded in agreement.


    Madison sneered, ¡°There¡¯s something interesting, Germain. It seems Lycan Erasmus has taken a liking to Adide.¡±


    ¡°You mean when he said Adide had to enter the pce as the New Moon Priestess within three months if she didn¡¯t mate?¡± Germain asked.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s more than that. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s trying to coax Lance into giving up his armymand. He knows Lance has always harbored feelings for Adide, so he¡¯s using her as a bargaining chip to force Lance¡¯s hand,¡± Madison exined.


    Madison shook her head and said coldly, ¡°That¡¯s not it. Tracy once overheard a statement that when Lycan Erasmus was drunk, he held her hand and called out ¡®Adide.¡°¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Germain¡¯s fingers tapped the rim of his coffee cup as a smile slowly spread across his face. ¡°Fascinating. Brothers fighting over a mate¨Cthis could drive a wedge between them.¡±


    Alpha Howell remarked, ¡°But Lycan Erasmus doesn¡¯t seem to have any intention of taking her.¡±


    III


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 503

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Whether to take her depends course¡­¡±


    on


    Our


    We wait for the right moment and let things take their


    But


    ermain and Howell understood her all too well.


    She sneered, leaving the threa


    Howell remarked, ¡°This won¡¯t be easy. Adide¡¯s an Alpha¡¯s heir; she¡¯s no pushover. Your <b>usual </b><b>tactics </b>


    won¡¯t faze her.¡±


    Madison snorted, ¡°No matter how tough, she¡¯s still a she¨Cwolf¡±


    Germain pondered for a moment. ¡°First, let¡¯s focus on what I asked. As for whether Lycan Erasmus <b>truly </b>favors Adide, I¡¯ll verify it.¡±


    With his frequent visits to the pce, gathering intel was no¨Ctrouble.


    ¡°Also, among the Eugenius Scout Team, Marsh is useless, but Magnus and Eugene are key. Madison, sabotage their matings.¡±


    Madison¡¯s smile grew sly. ¡°There¡¯s someone perfect for Eugene. I was about to arrange it.¡±


    ¡°Who? Reliable?¡± Germain asked.


    Madison¡¯s grin turned enigmatic. ¡°She¡¯s utterly devoted to me¨CI saved her life once<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Her origins? Skills?¡± Germain pressed.


    Madison lounged back. ¡°Details don¡¯t matter. We¡¯ll craft her story. She¡¯s in her mid¨Ctwenties, a skilled fighter. I rescued her from an attack in Fairfax County, so her loyalty¡¯s absolute.¡±


    Germain nodded. ¡°If she¡¯s loyal, use her. Given her age, contact the Hutchinson family to arrange a mate with Eugene.¡±


    Howell interjected dryly, ¡°Did you really save her, or did you first harm her then y the savior? And does she bear a resemnce to those she¨Cwolves in your manor, with a face like Aire¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°How well you know me,¡± Madisonughed.


    ¡°She does resemble Aire a bit, especially the red mole on her lips.¡±


    At the Warscar Training Camp, Craig approached Klein with a letter. ¡°Klein, Lance has written, urgently asking for my help in the capital.¡±


    Klein sat with eyes closed, ignoring him.


    He was still fuming and refused to speak to anyone, forbidding all from leaving the camp.


    Those who usually wandered were now confined; those absent dared not return, like <b>Prune</b>.


    Before departing for the southern border, Klein <b>had </b>repeatedly emphasized that <b>no </b><b>constructions </b><b>on </b><b>the </b>


    <b>10:38 </b>Mon, 11 <b>Aug </b>o


    northern Shadow Peaks, as he had ns for thend¡ªa five¨Cstory observatory tower.


    It would be a ce to admire the


    moon, train, and serve other purposes.


    He intended to break ground next New Year¡¯s Day but returned to find houses already built on the north side.


    The north side of Shadow Peaks was at a high elevation, opposite the waterfall. Building houses there <b>was </b>purely for the residents¡® enjoyment of the scenery.


    Klein deemed such short¨Csighted pursuit of pleasure inexcusable and was livid.


    Now, Irene had publicly announced her retreat from society, iming she would not emerge.


    Let her hide. Klein was vengeful and would never forget this.


    The observatory tower must be built next year; otherwise, he would not let it go.


    Craig, noticing Klein¡¯s silence, cautiously reiterated, ¡°Klein, it¡¯s about Lance. His urgent letter suggests something critical. I¡¯ll return promptly after assessing the situation.¡±


    Though reluctant to respond, Klein barely acknowledged him with a faint ¡°Mm.¡±


    Craig knew this almost inaudible sound was the most he¡¯d get from Klein.


    Had it not been for Lance¡¯s request, he would have surely heard a ¡°Get out.¡±


    He quickly thanked Klein and assured him, ¡°I¡¯ll inform you of any developments. If all is well, I¡¯ll return. immediately after resolving the matter.¡±


    With that, he hurried out.


    Outside, ssmates swarmed around him, even Irene watching from a distance.


    ¡°Is Klein¡¯s anger subsiding?¡± Irene asked.


    ¡°Does this mean we have to demolish the northern leisure vis?<b>¡± </b>


    Craig swiftly announced, ¡°Klein remains furious, but he¡¯s permitted me to leave. I¡¯ll lie low for now. Once his temper cools, you¡¯ll notify me, and I¡¯ll return.¡±


    Amidst jealous sighs, he rushed down the mountain.


    Turning to the crowd, Irene, their instructor, stood with hands on her hips and a coquettish stance.


    She spun around and coolly dered, ¡°I am in seclusion!¡±


    The groupmented when Irene/would summon the courage to confront Klein.


    Meanwhile, Craig¡¯s heart soared with relief.


    Typically, he only stayed at Shadow Peaks in December, preferring to wander through <b>mountains </b><b>and </b>


    rivers.


    03


    <b>10:38 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>11 <b>Aug </b>


    This time, he had seized the opportunity during Klein¡¯s absence to build the leisure vi with ssmates, only to be caught red¨Chanded by Klein¡¯s carly return.


    Upon arriving in the capital, Craig learned he was to draw Caldwell¡¯s portrait.


    Caldwell apologized, exining he would have visited Shadow Peaks himself, but was tied down by pressing matters.

 Novel Male 504

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Upon arriving in the capital, Craig learned he was to sketch Caldwell.


    Caldwell apologized, exining he should have traveled to Shadow Peaks himself, but was tied down by pressing matters.


    With a hint of amusement in his eyes, he added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve been meaning to catch up with Adide<b>. </b>


    Craig was grateful to Caldwell for securing his release<b>, </b>and thus, he was more than willing to amodate Caldwell¡¯s requests<b>. </b>


    However, upon hearing Caldwell¡¯s specific ask, he frowned slightly. ¡°This method isn¡¯t <b>very </b><b>urate</b>. Without a childhood portrait of her, relying solely on your description to create a sketch, and then extrapting her current appearance from that, I¡¯d be lucky to achieve thirty percent uracy.*


    Caldwell acknowledged the challenge.


    After a moment of thought, he suggested, ¡°How about I sketch a rough outline <b>first</b>, and then we <b>can </b><b>refine </b>the details with your input?¡±


    Craig looked at him and said, ¡°You¡¯ve already forgotten what she looks like, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Caldwell¡¯s expression turned pained. ¡°I always thought I¡¯d never forget. But when I try to recall her features, all I can see are blurred smiles and her running toward me, calling out me. As for her exact appearance, I can¡¯t conjure clear details.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, you wouldn¡¯t be able to draw her either,¡± Craig said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t beat yourself up about it. It¡¯s been over a decade. Forgetting is natural. Moreover, it¡¯s a painful memory. Our brains tend to avoid pain, so it¡¯s no surprise you¡¯re struggling to recall specifics.¡±


    He patted Caldwell¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°But if she stood in front of you as a child, you¡¯d recognize her in an instant. People change as they grow, especially women, whose faces can alter significantly with age<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°But don¡¯t worry,¡± Craig continued. ¡°Tell me whatever you remember, especially the facial structure and shape. Remember, the bone structure is crucial. Also, any distinctive features on her face, like moles or birthmarks, peculiarities of her eyebrows, and whether she was plump or thin as a child. Share all that with me.¡±


    Caldwell turned to Lance and Adide and said, ¡°You two can leave now.¡±


    Lance immediately took Adide¡¯s/hand <i>and </i>stood up, heading for the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Yellowstone,¡± he


    said.


    Adide nced at the overcast/sky. ¡°But <i>it </i>looks like it might rain.¡±


    Lance was frustrated. If it rained, they wouldn¡¯t get to see the Yellowstone sunset,


    This n had been dyed for so long without <b>sess</b>.


    ¡°How about we visit Melinda instead?¡± Adide suggested.


    ¡°Rainy days can be a bit mncholic. Let¡¯s bring some cheer to her ce. We can invite Prisci <b>along </b><b>and </b>send word to Zelda too.¡±


    Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Lance swallowed his carlier retort about not bringing Prisci <b>and </b><b>said</b>, ¡°Alright, as long as it makes you happy.¡±


    Prisci was thrilled at the prospect of going out. Previously, when Paisley had free time, she would take


    her out.


    But now that Paisley was often with Melinda, Prisci was practically stir¨Ccrazy.


    At the mention of visiting Melinda, she was naturally delighted.


    She had Susan prepare a multitude of nutritional supplements. Regardless of whether Melinda could consume them all, she insisted on bringing everything over.


    ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t like Luna Skye,¡± she said. ¡°But Melinda¡¯s been a sweet girl since childhood, endearing to everyone. It¡¯s heartbreaking to think of what she¡¯s been through, and that child¡­ born into such a <b>fate</b>, not even getting a chance to see the world. It¡¯s truly disheartening.¡±


    Her voice wavered with emotion.


    As a mother, she couldn¡¯t bear to hear or witness such things.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom how Luna Skye could be so unfeeling.


    Susan reminded her, ¡°Don¡¯t mention any of this in front of Melinda. We don¡¯t want to upset her and make her cry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not foolish enough to rub salt in her wounds,¡± Prisci retorted with a nce.


    ¡°Do you take me for someone utterlycking in tact?¡±


    Susan smiled and ttered her, ¡°Of course not! You¡¯ve always been kind¨Chearted and protective of Melinda. You wouldn¡¯t bring up anything sorrowful or deliberately offer emptyfort. You¡¯d simply chat with her about everyday matters.¡±


    Prisci hummed in agreement, though inwardly she thought, ¡°What about all theforting words I¡¯ve prepared? How disappointing it would be not to share them.¡±


    She had hoped to encourage Melinda to move past her pain and look forward to the future.


    Noticing Prisci¡¯s confusion, Susan added, ¡°Given what Melinda has endured, it¡¯s not something most people experience. Adide once said we shouldn¡¯t disturb her and should let her have her space. Enough time has passed; it¡¯s time to bring some cheer into her life. Otherwise, holding it all in could lead to illness<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Got it. Let¡¯s hurry up and catch up,¡± Prisci said hastily.¡±


    Melinda was already much improved. Apanied <i>by </i>Georgina and Paige, she would take short <b>walks </b><b>in </b>the courtyard.


    Paisley had been visiting for two out of the past three days. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t <b>trust </b><b>Georgina </b><b>and </b>Paige to look after Melinda; rather, she felt there was little else she could do to help.


    Her heart ached for Melinda, prompting her frequent visits.

 Novel Male 505

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Today, with several visitors, Melinda quickly changed and went out to meet them.


    Seeing her ruddyplexion, Prisci immediately felt reassured. Melinda¡¯s checks were even rosier <b>than </b>


    her own.


    After exchanging greetings and


    with Georgina.


    $ing down, Prisci learned that Melinda had been practicingbat


    Prisci thought to herself, ¡°Birds of a feather flock together.¡±


    Melinda shyly said, ¡°I found the days long and boring, so I started practicingbat with Georgina. But I¡¯m not very good¨Cit¡¯s nothing impressive.¡±


    Prisci replied candidly, ¡°Comb happy.¡±


    Susan coughed awkwardly.


    isn¡¯t exactly high¨Css. Don¡¯t worry about it. Do what makes you


    Prisci shot her a nce and said, ¡°Stop coughing. I¡¯m not wrong. Not everything has to be presentable. What matters is practicality¨Cstrengthening your body and protecting yourself. I support you, Melinda.¡±


    Melinda said with a blush, ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m not very skilled. I just follow their movements, work up a <b>sweat</b>, and feel much better.¡±


    Prisci nodded. ¡°Sweating does make you feel better.¡±


    In truth, she disliked sweating and physical activities, which left her feeling sticky and her clothes smelly.


    Lance nced at Georgina. This method seemed effective. No matter how sad one was, punching things and working up a sweat could lift one¡¯s mood a fact he¡¯d verified personally.


    Adide said, ¡°But your body hasn¡¯t fully recovered. You should wait until the recovery period is over before resuming activities. Don¡¯t overdo it now.¡±


    Georgina added, ¡°I¡¯m not letting her train seriously. She¡¯s just moving within her limits.¡±


    Melinda said modestly, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s not real training¨Cjust some light movement.¡±


    Paisley leaned on Adide, separating her from Lance.


    She whispered in Adide¡¯s ear, ¡°Georgina¡¯s too straightforward. If someone spoke like that about me, I¡¯d be furious, whether it¡¯s true or not¡±


    Adide chuckled. Looking at Paisley¡¯s lively expression, she said, ¡°But yourbat skills really are worse


    than mine.¡±


    Paisley grinned. ¡°I admit it.¡±


    They had established this, years ago.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Paisley had hoped that after Adide¡¯s mating, herbat skills might slip, allowing <b>her </b><b>to </b><b>catch </b><b>up</b><b>. </b><b>But </b>during their first battle together, she realized the gap persisted¨Cthough not significantly.


    Before long, Zelda and Alger arrived.


    Zelda, who had returned to the ckthorn Pack twice since her mating, always came and went in a <b>hurry</b>.


    She and Alger were deeply in love. After the mating ceremony, Alger had moved into Zelda¡¯s manor.


    They traveled frequently, spending at least half the month away from home. Their visits to the ckthorn Pack were mere formalities.


    Zelda looked radiant. After greeting everyone, Alger was promptly pulled aside by Lance.


    Alger, always polite and refined in front of others<b>, </b>seemed like a schrly young man on the verge of earning his degree¨Cunlike the yful, book¨Caverse person he truly was.


    Lance was eager to have another man to chat with, as the room was filled with she¨Cwolves and family members, leaving little for him to contribute.


    Alger sat like a little quail, head low, waiting for Lance to speak.


    Lance opened his mouth, then shut it¨Cno point.


    They sipped coffee, nibbled pastries, and stared out the window in silence.


    After a while, Alger stood up.


    Lance casually asked, ¡°Where are you off to?¡±


    Alger replied with some embarrassment, ¡°I need to use the restroom¡­ Would you like to join me?¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Lance picked up another pastry.


    Truth was, he felt the urge too, but the idea of two grown men going to the bathroom together was absurd.


    The visit dragged on until midday.


    ¨C


    Georgina began urging everyone to leave, citing Melinda¡¯s need for rest and the stopped rain as reasons to head home.


    Alger visibly rxed, taking Zelda¡¯s hand and leading the way out.


    After a few steps, he realized his manners had slipped and stepped back to wait for Prisci and the others. Prisci observed Alger and sighed inwardly. He seemed like a dazed goose,


    Once fair¨Cskinned, he was now sunburnt and dark, and Zelda had tanned as well. To the uninformed, one might think Zelda had mated a farmer.


    But Zelda adored him, and his Wall family background added some merit.


    Adide, walking behind, noticed Zelda and Alger¡¯s hand¨Cin¨Chand departure and felt their bond <b>was </b>genuine.


    Suddenly, they stopped, and Lance and Adide found themselves at the front, still hand in <b>hand</b>.


    But something felt different.


    <b>IVIL </b>

 Novel Male 506

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Alger and Zelda held their hands naturally.


    Their grip was lively and affectionate.


    Adide noticed her own handholding with Lance¨Ca stark contrast.


    Their hands hung straight down, motionless, like two pieces of wood glued together.


    She sighed inwardly. Lance reallycked romance.


    <b>Hot </b>tain


    Back at the ckthorn Pack, after seeing Prisci to her room, the couple headed to the study to check on the portraits.


    One portrait was done and set aside.


    12 eyes


    Caldwell stood beside it, eyes red.


    Lance and Adide stepped closer. The first painting was a little girl with twin buns, round cheeks, big almond eyes, a tiny nose, lips a bit full.


    Next to it, another canvas was a couple whose eyes and brows echoed Caldwell¡¯s¨Cclearly his parents.


    Craig kept sketching.


    This time he worked on an adult face, guessing how the seven¨Cyear¨Cold might look grown up.


    On a nearby chair sat the finished version¨C still a round face, but less baby¨Cfat, sharper lines, same features, yet the grown¨Cup vibe was worlds apart from the child¡¯s.


    Craig¡¯s new sheet showed a thinner version¨Cno one knew what life had done to her¨Cstill half¨Cdone.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going? Does it match your memory?¡± Lance asked Caldwell.


    ¡°It does, it really does. Craig¡¯s amazing,¡± Caldwell said hoarsely.


    ¡°How many versions are we making?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°As many as possible. Different body types¨Cfat, average, thin¨Cand everything in between,¡± Craig replied without looking up.


    Adide watched Craig flick his wrist¨Ctwo quick strokes and the brows were done.


    Softer now, not the thick ck arches of a kid. Grown¨Cups trim them, and kids usually start out darker.


    ¡°Caldwell, what¡¯s your sister¡¯s name?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Poly Kirk,¡± Caldwell replied softly, adding, ¡°Our grandfather chose the name for both of us.¡±


    Adide thought the girl in the portrait was adorable, with eyes like polished onyx.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>10:38 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>11 <b>Aug </b>O


    She then watched Craig¡¯s ongoing work.


    As the brush moved, a strange sense of familiarity struck her.


    But when she nced back at the finished adult portrait, the feeling vanished.


    Craig looked up. ¡°You two can go now. This will take time. We might end up with twenty versions<b>. </b>


    Lance stared at the adult portrait on the chair, lost in thought.


    It reminded him of Aire, Adide¡¯s mother.


    Not the Aire he¡¯d seen before heading south, but the woman he¡¯d glimpsed years earlier¨Cback when <b>he </b>was just anky teen.


    Hee..


    Back then, Aire¡¯s face was round and soft, her smile gentle.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Adide tugged at his sleeve.


    Lance looked down at her. ¡°Adide, doesn¡¯t she resemble someone?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Adide asked, seeing nothing familiar.


    Lance quickly changed the subject. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s not disturb them.¡±


    As they left, Lance recalled visiting the ckthorn Pack with Lycan Erasmus as a child.


    Back then, Luna Aire was still young. Adide hadn¡¯t yet been shipped off to Warscar Camp¨Cshe was <b>a </b>rosy, chubby kid, cute as a button.


    Six big brothers ahead of her, the only daughter, she got all the love.


    yful, bouncy, equal parts sweet and sassy.


    The kid in Poly¡¯s portrait didn¡¯t look like little Adide. Adide had been the prettier one by far.


    The grown¨Cup portrait on the chair, though, looked a lot like Aire back then¨C<i>just </i>a few years older, of


    course.


    Lance kept that thought to himself. No need to make Adide think of her lost family.


    day, e


    Lance thought the rain had stopped and the day was still young. He was about <i>to </i>ask Adide if she wanted to head to Yellowstone, but she was already telling Beata, ¡°I¡¯m going to the ounts room¨Chave Avery meet me there.¡±


    Lance swallowed his question and switched tracks. ¡°What do you need Avery for?¡±


    Adide answered, ¡°It¡¯s about Paige and Georgina. They¡¯re refusing pay, saying they¡¯re staying with Melinda to make amends. But Dwight¡¯s mess shouldn¡¯t leave them unpaid, and they¡¯re tight on money. <b>We </b>can¡¯t owe them¨Cevery cent is due.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Lance said. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you in our room.¡±

 Novel Male 507

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    The finance office had three rooms, and Adide usually worked in one separately. So when she called for Avery, it was in this private room.


    Adide noticed Avery, in his ckthorn Pack warrior uniform, looked more dashing than before, <b>with </b>less of his old street¨Cgang vibe.


    It seemed working in a powerful pack could really transform a person.


    But then Avery plopped down, pen in mouth, and mumbled, ¡°What¡¯s up? I¡¯m swamped.¡±


    Adide, resting her head on her hand, silently retracted her earlier thought¨Cno, he was the same old Avery.


    ¡°The wages for Paige and Georgina¨Cthey say they don¡¯t want them, but work shouldn¡¯t go unrewarded. I¡¯m giving their wages to you. You send it back to Instructor Irene. Say it¡¯s a bonus for your good work, not their wages.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t Paige and Georgina know?¡± Avery asked.


    ¡°No. Just say it¡¯s for you,¡± Adide said, wiping the pen on his uniform. ¡°Don¡¯t damage books or pens.¡±


    Avery looked at her, eyes wide. ¡°You¡¯ve changed. Remember when you said weapons shouldn¡¯t be damaged, yet you ruined so many pens, turning them into arrows? Instructor Irene beat you up, and you limped for half a month.¡±


    Adide¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about that. Just send it back.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Avery agreed, knowing Paige and Georgina had endured much in Soulrend Pack.


    ¡°But if I take this money, you can¡¯t tell Paige and Georgina, or I¡¯ll haunt you.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t say a word. Just make sure you don¡¯t bber when you¡¯re drunk in front of Paisley,¡± Adide said, opening the cab and taking out a check. ¡°Send fifty thousand first¡­¡±


    She pulled back a bit. ¡°Make it fifty thousand. Eighty is too much; Irene will get suspicious. The rest can go at year¡¯s end.¡±


    Avery took it with a grin. ¡°Actually, fifty thousand will still make her suspicious. She thinks I¡¯m good for nothing. The million I got from the battlefield was all thanks to you guys.¡±


    He folded the check and said, ¡°By the way, one of Caldwell¡¯s informants in Bloodmoon Pack reported that Alpha Howell sent a note to Velda, but we don¡¯t know what it said.¡±


    Adide was surprised. ¡°Caldwell has informants in Bloodmoon Pack?¡±


    ¡°Yep. We¡¯ve got people in many nobles¡® and packs estates in the capital, though some aren¡¯t deeply embedded,¡± Avery exined.


    ¡°Why are you telling me this? Shouldn¡¯t you inform Caldwell?¡± Adide asked.


    C


    Avery shrugged. ¡°Craig¡¯s been in the study since he arrived. I figured since you¡¯re close <b>to </b><b>Alpha </b>Lance you could pass it on.¡±


    Adide was taken aback. ¡°Why would the informant report to you? Is this your responsibility? Is Caldwell really relying on you that much?¡±


    Avery boasted, ¡°Sure. Caldwell thinks I¡¯m rough but meticulous, so he handed over the informant- handling task.¡±


    With that, he did a few backflips and left


    Adide stared, stunned.


    She always thought Avery was like a wild monkey, suited for training warriors, not for delicate <b>tasks </b>like handling informants.


    If something went wrong here, <i>it </i>could ruin every


    She reported to Lance, who was lounging in a recliner. ¡°So Caldwell¡¯s been cing informants everywhere?¡± she asked.


    Lance leaned back in the chair and pulled her over, letting her sit beside him. ¡°Yep, we slipped people in everywhere we could. Somended as maids or footmen, a few got close to the masters, others signed on as guards.¡±


    Adide blinked, surprised. ¡°That fast?¡±


    She tilted her head, studying his handsome face. ¡°So the quiet spell was just youying this groundwork?¡±


    He exined, ¡°We have plenty of people, but we can¡¯t tantly spy. This method¡¯s simple but effective. Our people are well¨Ctrained.¡±


    ¡°Madison¡¯s been doing the same,¡± Adide said.¡±


    Lance nodded. ¡°But the old¨Cschool packs and nobles have principles. Their ancestors earned their status through loyalty and merit. They still follow their creeds.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d never back a coup unless they had no choice. Take Soulrend¨CDwight¡¯s a mess, but the pack itself can¡¯t be bought. So the only move left is to break <i>it</i>.¡±


    Adide nodded. ¡°I figured. Once Dwight ran off with Wilorina and his name turned <i>to </i>mud, the pack¡¯s star was gone¨Cno heir, no future. After he snapped and hurt Melinda, the hammer fell. Unless another kid rises to Dwight¡¯s old level, Soulrend Pack is toast.¡±

 Novel Male 508

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    ¡°Hmm, yes,¡± Lance said with a knowing smile, his gaze distant.


    ¡°Are you aware which packs Madison¡¯s people have infiltrated?¡±


    ¡°I have a general idea. Aldrich¡¯s ce is included, though his wisdom is beyondpare.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You mean Madison positioned someone with Aldrich¡­ <b>to </b><b>serve </b><b>him</b><b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Likely as a lover. Aldrich¡¯s mate passed away long ago, and his son Lucius was appointed <b>Alpha </b><b>of </b>the Ashen Pack, which holds territory in a remote area.¡±


    ¡°They aim to secure support from local powers. Controlling Aldrich effectively means controlling Alpha Lucius,¡± Adide deduced.


    ¡°Indeed. When Aldrich returns to the capital, he¡¯s alone, with no family around¡­ Speaking of which, <b>he </b>asked me to greet him with you next time I have the chance,¡± Lance added.


    ¡°Ah? Why didn¡¯t you mention it before? Let¡¯s visit him when you¡¯re free next,¡± Adide said.


    Lance sighed inwardly, ¡°Next time¡­ When would they ever make it to Yellowstone?<b>¡± </b>


    The next day, Lance returned to the Ministry of Justice to handle his duties, while Adide checked on the situation in the study.


    Craig and Caldwell hadn¡¯t emerged yet, so she had food sent in but didn¡¯t disturb them.


    Paisley came over and chatted briefly with Adide, who then nodded and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We can drop Cedric back at school on the way.¡±


    Chase and Cedric had be close friends.


    Though Chasecked formal enrollment, he¡¯d learned much from Cedric.


    The car was filled with the children¡¯s chatter.


    Adide listened with a smile, asionally chiming in.


    After dropping them off at school, the car headed to a renowned caf¨¦ in the capital.


    Instead of sitting down, Adide and Paisley exited through a side door and walked through several <b>streets </b>to West Hibiscus Alley.


    Paisley stopped at a house and knocked.


    Ramona answered the door after a moment.


    ¡°Luna Adide, Paisley. My father¡¯s waiting inside,¡± Ramona said softly, <b>her </byender <b>pheromones </b><b>rippling </b>gently.


    Adide inquired, ¡°How did you get here? Weren¡¯t you staying with the Barkers? <b>Isn¡¯t </b><b>Dorothy </b><b>with </b>you?


    Ramona¡¯svender pheromones carried a hint of warmth. ¡°Father¡¯s ill, so I came <b>to </b>see <b>him</b>. <b>Dorothy </b>had to meet Wilorina, so she didn¡¯te along¡±


    Her wolf cars twitched faintly.


    Hunt wasn¡¯t ill at all. He¡¯d merely fabricated an excuse to invite Adide over.


    Adide and Paisley stepped into the study. Hunt looked sick even if he wasn¡¯t. His hair <b>was </b>a mess, <b>his </b>face pale. The scent of old paper clung to him¨Cthin, dusty, like a book left too long in a damp <b>attic</b><b>. </b>


    He sat slumped, shoulders bent, eyes dull and tired.


    Once a man who could silence a room with a nce, now he just looked old.


    ¡°Father, Luna Adide and Paisley are here,¡± Ramona announced, hervender pheromones <b>spreading </b>softly to ease the room¡¯s tension.


    ¡°Seen them,¡± Hunt replied indifferently, his old¨Cbook pheromones deepening.


    His gaze swept over Adide and Paisley with a subtle scrutiny, sharp yet calcting.


    He said, ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    Despite his diminished vigor, his eyes still held a trace of cunning intelligence.


    Adide and Paisley sat down promptly.


    Adide¡¯s cedar pheromones carried a cold edge, reflecting her pride as Luna. Paisley¡¯s crimson pheromones flickered like a wary me, alert and ready.


    ¡°Ramona mentioned you¡¯re willing to help rescue her mother,¡± Hunt began, his old¨Cbook pheromones rippling with urgency.


    His eyes focused slightly on the question, ¡°What¡¯s your n? I need to know.¡±


    The mention of Ramona¡¯s mother brought an involuntary note of concern to his voice, though he tried to mask it.


    Adide countered, her cedar pheromones sharpening like ice spikes.


    Her pupils contracted, her eyes full of challenge. ¡°Before that, Mr. Shuman, why don¡¯t you tell me how many breeders Madison has kept for you? How many children they¡¯ve borne you, and how many have died?¡±


    She stared unflinchingly into Hunt¡¯s eyes, probing for hidden truths in his reaction.


    Hunt¡¯s eyes turned cold, his old book pheromones freezing the air. ¡°I¡¯ve had a dozen or more <b>breeders</b><b>. </b><b>As </b>for children¡­ I honestly can¡¯t keep track. The daughters I¡¯ve seen are only a few.¡±


    His voice was t, as if recounting someone else¡¯s story, but his trembling fingers <b>betrayed </b><b>his </b><b>inner </b>turmoil.


    10:39 Mon, 11 Aug <b>o </b>


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    ¡°What do you mean you can¡¯t keep track?¡± Adide pressed, her cedar pheromones maintaining pressure.


    Her wolf ears twitched, catching every detail.


    ¡°Many have perished, and I choose not to dwell on it.¡± For a moment, pain flickered in Hunt¡¯s eyes as he turned away.

 Novel Male 509

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Hunt¡¯s tone carried an indescribable sorrow. ¡°Just as you probably don¡¯t want to recall the moment <b>whien </b>your father and brother met a tragic death.¡±


    His words were tinged with helplessness, as if crushed by the weight of the past.


    He closed his eyes briefly to steady his emotions.


    Adide and Paisley exchanged nces, their thoughts aligning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t doubt me either,¡± Hunt said, his eyes shing with resentment as he looked at them.


    ¡°I hate her more than you do. I wish she could be torn apart. But I won¡¯t take any risks until I know your n.¡±


    His hatred was genuine and unmistakable.


    Ramona, seeing that Adide and Paisley were nonmittal, quickly interjected. ¡°Please trust my father. He will help us. He loved my mother deeply, but he couldn¡¯t save her on his own. With Madison¡¯s downfall, the Spectrehowl Pack would no longer be under her control. We genuinely want to cooperate with you.¡±


    Adide could see Ramona¡¯s sincerity in wanting to rescue her mother and oppose Madison.


    Ramona had a close rtionship with the Barkers, who had long relied on Madison¡¯s protection while providing her with benefits, harboring resentment as most of their earnings were drained away.


    This was especially true given Aireanna¡¯s harsh treatment by Madison.


    Adide turned to Hunt. ¡°I¡¯ll share our entire n with you, but let me make one thing clear. If you double¨Ccross us or reveal our n to Madison, leading to our failure, I can protect myself, but your daughter will die. You know Madison¡¯s methods.¡±


    ¡°Of course I do,¡± Hunt said, his gaze softening as he looked at Ramona. ¡°I¡¯d die before harming her.¡±


    Tears welled in Ramona¡¯s eyes. ¡°Daddy, to save Mom and punish that evil woman, I¡¯d sacrifice myself.¡±


    Hunt gently motioned her closer. ¡°My dear, I¡¯m doing this for our family¡¯s happiness and safety. No sacrifices are needed.¡±


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    Ramona knelt, her head resting on his knee, her eyes red¨Crimmed. ¡°I¡¯ve longed for this day, hoping <b>you </b>


    side.¡± and Mom could be happy and that my sister and I could stay by your


    Hunt¡¯s eyes also reddened as he stroked her hair. ¡°Get up. Don¡¯t embarrass Luna Adide. You¡¯re not a child. Don¡¯t be so emotional.¡±


    Ramona wiped her tears and stood. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Luna Adide,¡± she said.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>509 </b>


    <b>Adide </b><b>remained </b>expressionless and said, ¡°Before <b>I </b>share my n, tell <b>us </b>what Madison¡¯s been up to <btely </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b>don¡¯t know much else, but she¡¯s nning to get Eugene a new mate,¡± Hunt said.


    ¡°This woman was originally from a circus in Fairfax County, skilled inbat. After the circus shut <b>down </b>she made her own way. Once, she encountered rogues and was chased. Madison saved her and <b>brought </b>her to the capital,¡± he exined.


    Adide frowned slightly but let him continue.


    Hunt added, ¡°When I first met her, I thought she was another breeder for me, but no. Madison kept <b>her </b><b>in </b>her manor, teaching her etiquette and manners.¡±


    ¡°How could the Hutchinson family ept a woman with such a dubious background? She must <b>have </b><b>a </b>new identity, right? What is it?¡± Adide asked.


    Hunt nodded. ¡°She¡¯ll be my distant cousin, the daughter of the Shuman family in Fairfax County, named Astria. If the Hutchinsons investigate in Fairfax County, they¡¯ll find records backing this.up.¡±


    Fairfax County was Madison¡¯s territory. Fabricating an identity there was simple.


    ¡°What was her original name?¡± Adide asked.


    ¡°Asa.¡±


    vlPack or she stil i Madison¡¯s manor? Pality inquired ¡°Has she already moved into the Spectrehowl Pack, or is she still in Madison¡¯s manor?¡± Paisley inquired. ¡°She¡¯s already entered the Spectrehowl Pack as my cousin. My mother made the introduction. Eugene¡¯s grandmother is her cousin. This bond is all but certain,¡± Hunt replied.


    Paisley¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°A woman of unknown origin must not enter the Hutchinson family.¡±


    Adide patted her hand. ¡°This isn¡¯t a major issue. Madison¡¯s goal is to control Eugene. If we can have Eugene stationed in a remote area, even if Madison controls him, he¡¯ll be useless.¡±


    A flicker of scorn crossed Hunt¡¯s eyes. Women, he thought, were too naive, despite ims of a formidable Gamma.


    Paisley frowned and said, ¡°But Eugene was saved by Lance. If he can¡¯t serve us, won¡¯t our efforts be in vain?¡±


    ¡°What kind of person do we need? We don¡¯t have any significant tasks. As long as Eugene remembers this kindness, that¡¯s enough,¡± Adide said.

 Novel Male 510

    <b>Chapter </b>510


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley nodded, ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s the case, we won¡¯t meddle in this matter.¡±


    Ramona grew anxious, ¡°How can that be? Eugene has suffered so much for the kingdorn over the years <b>and </b>is a hero of the Southern Border Remation. He can¡¯t be schemed against. Why don¡¯t <b>we </b>secretly <b>warn </b>Eugene that the woman¡¯s identity is fake and urge him to think twice?¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that alert them?¡± Adide said, her gaze softening as she looked at Ramona, ¡°I know <b>you </b>don¡¯t want to see him fall into a trap. But even if the mating is finalized, we <i>can </i>exin everything to <b>him </b><b>after </b>we take down Madison.¡±


    ¡°Then we must elerate our ns,¡± Ramona said.


    Hunt lifted his coffee cup. ¡°So, can you share your n now?¡±


    Adide replied, ¡°Since we¡¯re coborating, I¡¯ll be straightforward. The operation is set for October 15th, the Wolf Spirit Awakening Festival. I recall that Madison always invites shamans to her manor on this day to set up a moonlight altar, praying for the Moon Goddess¡¯s blessings. Many officials¡® families and noblewomen will be in attendance.¡±


    After leaving West Hibiscus Alley, Paisley immediately said, ¡°You¡¯re right. Hunt isn¡¯t trustworthy. Besides revealing Asa¡¯s information, he wouldn¡¯t evenpromise Alpha Howell. Clearly, he¡¯s not ashamed of being Madison¡¯s mate. But it¡¯s strange¨Cwhy did he tell us about Asa?¡±


    ¡°He wants us to stop Eugene from mating with Asa. Since Eugene¡¯s mate with Asa was introduced by his mother, he doesn¡¯t want to implicate Luna Cassia or sever the ties between her and Eugene¡¯s mother,¡± Adide exined.


    ¡°His heart still lies with the Spectrehowl Pack. Whether he truly cares for Aireanna or loves his daughters<b>, </b>only he knows<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°How can this be!¡± Paisley cursed, then puzzled, ¡°But you told him our n. He¡¯ll surely report every detail to Madison.¡±


    Adide¡¯s eyes sharpened, ¡°Because we never intended to act on October 15th. The real operation is on the Moon Newborn Festival in early October. On that day, Madison will have shamans perform death rites at her manor. Compassionatedies will donate spontaneously. Only the truly kind will attend such a memorial.¡±


    She continued, ¡°As for the Wolf Spirit Awakening Festival on October 15th, the attendees might not be so virtuous. Most are there towork or to perform for Lycan Erasmus. Madison promotes it as a day to seek the Moon Goddess¡¯s favor for the kingdom. We can¡¯t stage our move on such a day.¡±


    Paisley grinned, ¡°I get it. She¡¯ll think we¡¯re striking on the fifteenth, so she¡¯ll let her guard down for t Moon Newborn Festival. But do we have a concrete n?¡±


    Adide shook her head, ¡°No detailed n. Just the Shadow Peaks¡® straightforward and bold approach.


    Paisley was all in, ¡°Raiding sounds great! How many people are you sending in?¡±


    Chapter <b>510 </b>


    <b>The </b><b>Shadow </b>Peaks have their own share of conflicts. When tensions rise, <b>they </b>just storm <b>into </b>radiother territory for <b>a </b>fight. If they lose, they get beaten up; if they win, they regain their pride.


    Adide shook her head, ¡°We need agile individuals to infiltrate as intruders<b>. </b>The rest <b>will </b><b>be </b><b>up </b><b>to </b><b>the </b>Royal Capital Guards.¡±


    ¡°Storming in broad daylight?¡± Paisley was taken aback.


    ¡°Actually, Madison¡¯s Moon Newborn Festival events start at sunset andst until dawn the next <b>day</b><b>. </b><b>Since </b>the shaman¡¯s rites are for the dead, they¡¯ll stay overnight at her manor,¡± Adide exined.


    Paisley¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°And they¡¯d never expect a move on such a day¨Cafter all, most avoid memorial <b>events </b>for the dead.¡±


    Adide said, ¡°In fact, Avery¡¯s mentor does something simr. He prays for the deceased every night<b>, </b>wishing them peace.¡±


    Paisley shuddered, ¡°How do you know? Did Avery tell you?¡±


    Adide smiled, ¡°My mentor mentioned it. She says this ispassion¨Cwhether souls exist or not, those who do this have great love. That¡¯s why, despite their inability to pay rent, no one drives them out<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Paisley said, ¡°Avery¡¯s mentor must bepassionate. Though she seems stern, taking in so many orphans proves her kindness.¡±


    Adide tugged Paisley¡¯s hand, swinging it as they walked, ¡°Yes, there are more good people in this world.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, I should let Eugene know about his uing mating,¡± Paisley said.


    ¡°Are there rogue packs in Fairfax County?¡±


    Adide mused, thinking of rogue packs. ¡°In peacetime, rogues usually only appear in remote states and counties. Madison¡¯s Fairfax County has many werewolf warriors. How would she tolerate rogues there?¡±


    ¡°The ¡®act of saving¡® imed by Asa might even be unknown to her,¡± Adide said.

 Novel Male 511

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Back at the cafe, they ate, paid, and headed to the car.


    Mid¨Cjourney, Paisley stopped at a corner, slipped out, and hid briefly before stepping onto the <b>main </b>street. blending into the crowd.


    She dressed simply for her outings, her only jewelry a silver hairpin.


    Tracking her wasn¡¯t easy, but she stayed


    The Hutchinson mansion wasn¡¯t far,


    gnt anyway


    Paisley walked up and found a car parked outside.


    Eugene was helping Sibyl out, with Genevieve and an omega b


    them.


    ¡°Wow, bad timing,¡± Paisley grinned. ¡°You¡¯re heading out?¡±


    Genevieve smiled, ¡°Long time no see.¡±


    ¡°Been busytely. Just found time today to visit. Didn¡¯t expect you to be leaving,¡± Paisley said. Sibyl pulled her close and said, ¡°Perfect timing. Join us at the Spectrehowl Pack to check out a potential mate for Eugene.¡±


    ¡°A potential mate?¡± Paisley¡¯s interest was piqued. ¡°Is Spectrehowl setting him up with a she¨Cwolf?¡±


    Sibyl nodded. ¡°Luna Cassia came by yesterday. She has a rtive, a girl from the Shuman family in Fairfax County: She¡¯s virtuous and graceful, though a bit older¨Cwidowed. She¡¯s in the capital to find a mate.¡±


    Paisley feigned concern. ¡°That won¡¯t do.¡±


    ¡°Good character is all that matters,¡± Sibyl insisted.


    After helping Sibyl into the car, Paisley nced at Eugene, who looked resigned.


    The driver arrived, and Paisley climbed into the front seat.


    Inside, Paisley learned from Genevieve that many had tried to set Eugene up, but none had impressed


    him.


    This dragged on, and Luna Cassia¡¯s suggestion seemed promising.


    The woman was in her mid¨Ctwenties, kind¨Chearted, and from Fairfax¡¯s Shuman family.


    Plus, she was willing to move to the capital for her mate. If Eugene was posted elsewhere, she¡¯d follow.


    Sibyl, disregarding Eugene¡¯s objections, was determined to meet the woman.


    Spectrehowl Pack had kept a low profile over the years.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>Hunt</b><b>, </b>a royal rtive<b>, </b><b>was </b>particrly discreet and well¨Cregarded.


    Previously, Madison was also well¨Cliked; even after the incident, people¡¯s memories faded, <b>and </b>it didn¡¯t affect Spectrehowl Pack.


    Thus, when Luna Cassia personally rmended her, Sibyl was genuinely interested.


    ¡°Eugene¡¯s too picky. He¡¯s rejected everyone. I¡¯m getting anxious,¡± Sibyl said, worry etched on her <b>face</b>.


    ¡°You know about Gloria. She barged in unannounced. She¡¯s re¨Cmated, yet she still causes trouble. <b>Another </b>scene like that would disgrace both packs.¡±


    This was another reason for Sibyl¡¯s urgency.


    Only finalizing Eugene¡¯s re¨Cmating could deter Gloria.


    Paisley reassured her, ¡°We¡¯ll see. Even perfect matches need mutual affection.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t be so choosy. Join us and advise him if it¡¯s a good fit,¡± Sibyl pleaded.


    Paisley agreed. She was curious about Asa and wanted to meet her. ¡°Sure, if she seems good, I¡¯ll talk to Eugene.¡±


    The Spectrehowl Pack was one of the kingdom¡¯s ancient packs.


    Yet, ancient packs often faced a dilemma¡ªrapid poption growth without enoughnd and resources to sustain wealth and prestige.


    Alpha Quintilian, Hunt¡¯s father, had led the pack into decline.


    Generations offort had rxed pack norms, leading the young to shun the hardships of education orbat training. Reliant on the pack¡¯s reputation, they grewcent.


    Without Hunt and Madison¡¯s mating, the pack/might have copsed sooner.


    Alpha Quintilian held no royal position, and few descendants entered public service.


    Upon entering Spectrehowl Pack, Paisley noticed several ces engraved with the family emblem¨Ca testament to its former glory.


    They didn¡¯t want to be forgotten. There were two family crests in the packhouse alone.


    The packhouse¡¯s decor was a bit dated, but the furniture made of expensive wood showed quiet pride with


    age.


    For mating talks, fewer people were better, so Luna Cassia took them to the lounge before sendi for Astria.


    <b>2/2 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Novel Male 512

    Chapter <b>512 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley sized up Luna Cassia. She seemed well¨Cpreserved, with a resemnce to Hunt, <b>especially </b><b>around </b>the eyes and in her mannerisms.


    ¡°Please, have some coffee,¡± Luna Cassia said with a smile that hinted at warmth.


    Paisley knew Luna Cassia was in on the n. Asa wasn¡¯t her real rtion, nor was her name Astria. The Shuman family identity had to be fabricated by Madison.


    To forge such an identity, Luna Cassia¡¯s cooperation must have been essential.


    The coffee chat was filled with mutual ttery.


    But Luna Cassia kept ncing at Eugene. Paisley understood why¨Crumors of his past with Gloria had caused a stir, only recently dying down.


    Luna Cassia sipped her coffee, thinking, ¡°No wonder Gloria was obsessed. He¡¯s quite the catch.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky. Eugene¡¯s brave and talented, a credit to the kingdom. Once he mates and has pups, you¡¯ll be set,¡± Sibyl said.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m looking forward to the day he bonds and I get to <b>see </b>the pups,¡± Sibyl remarked, revealing her eagerness<b>. </b>


    Luna Cassia called an omega over and whispered, ¡°Tell Astria to hurry. Our guests shouldn¡¯t wait.¡±


    The omega nodded and left.


    Asa was ready but reluctant to go.


    She nced at herself in the copper mirror, torn inside.


    Madison had saved her life and taken her in, giving her a life of luxury.


    She knew it was out of kindness and felt she owed her.


    Madison wanted her to mate, and Asa was willing, even if it meant mating with someone less than ideal.


    But beforeing to Spectrehowl Pack, Madison had talked to her all night. She asked, ¡°You promised to repay me. Still count?¡±


    She was true to her word. Since she had promised, she would definitely do it.


    But after she nodded solemnly, what she heard left her utterly shocked.


    Madison asked her to mate with Eugene to pull him toward Germain.


    If, after her efforts, Eugene was still unwilling, then she must find an opportunity to <b>kill </b>Eugene.


    <b>She </b><b>was </b>terrified.


    13


    <b>19:49 </b><b>Wed</b>, <b>13 </b><b>Aug. </b>C


    Actually, while living in Madison¡¯s manor, she noticed some oddities.


    There were arcas she couldn¡¯t ess. Despite her suspicions, she couldn¡¯t investigate, nor did she dare to


    One night, she was jolted awake by screams. She rushed to the door to see what was happening <b>but </b><b>was </b>stopped.


    They told her to go back to bed, saying intruders had broken in and the wolf pack guards were dealing with them.


    But the screams were clearly a woman¡¯s.


    Women can be thieves, but who would dare to steal from Madison¡¯s heavily guarded manor?


    ¡°Astria, the Hutchinsons are here,¡± the omega urged.


    Asa smoothed her expression and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    She hoped the Hutchinsons wouldn¡¯t want her. With Eugene¡¯s status, he could choose any she¨Cwolf.


    Plus, her identity was fake.


    Her wolf ears twitched with nervousness.


    At the packhouse, she walked gracefully, her skirt swishing.


    She had practiced this walk for days.


    The swish of her skirt against the floor carried a hint of jasmine, soft and deliberate.


    Luna Cassia introduced her. ¡°This is Sibyl and Genevieve.¡±


    Asa curtsied to Sibyl and Genevieve. ¡°Hello, distinguished guests,¡± she said, her jasmine pheromones rippling softly.


    ¡°And this is Eugene and Paisley, Sibyl¡¯s goddaughter,¡± Luna Cassia added.


    Paisley had already been introduced <i>by </i>Sibyl.


    Asa wasn¡¯t one to feign shyness. She curtsied as usual, her jasmine pheromones maintaining a polite distance. ¡°Hello, Eugene. Hello, Paisley,¡± she said.


    Paisley returned the gesture. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    Eugene acknowledged her with a nod.


    Paisley looked her over. She had a well¨Cproportioned face,rge almond eyes, and lips that were just <b>right</b>, with a nice curve.


    Spotting a tiny red mole on Asa¡¯s upper lip, she thought it added a touch of yfulness to <b>her </b>dignified,


    appearance<b>. </b>


    There was no trace of coarseness about her. Her manners were impable.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>512 </b>


    <b>Yet</b><b>, </b>there was a certain air about her that hinted at a history of self¨Creliance, which was <b>hard </b>to conceal Paisley had encountered people like this before.


    Oddly, Adide also had this kind of spontaneity wrapped in rule, asionally revealing <b>itself</b><b>. </b>In <b>this </b><b>sense</b><b>, </b>Asa and Adide were quite simr.


    Speaking of simrities, Paisley nced at her again and felt an odd sense of familiarity, though <b>she </b>couldn¡¯t quite ce it.


    She was certain she¡¯d never met Asa before, but the subtle movements from her bow to her seated <b>posture </b>felt strikingly familiar.

 Novel Male 513

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Just like the familiar resemnce in demeanor between Luna Cassia and Hunt.


    But since Luna Cassia is Hunt¡¯s mom, it¡¯s only natural they share some traits.


    Yet where did this sense of familiarity with Asae from?


    Sibyl was pretty pleased with Asa. Her makeup was just right, she had delicate features, no garish colors, and an air of quiet dignity. Being a few years older, she came across as mature and steady.


    Luna Cassia, noticing Sibyl¡¯s satisfied expression, said softly, ¡°She¡¯s been through some hard times. Engaged early, but her fianc¨¦ passed away, leaving her to face gossip and rumors. In a backwater ce like Fairfax County, folks are quick to me her for the tragedy. So she came <i>to </i>the capital to seek a new mate.¡±


    . ¡°I never expected her to match up with Eugene. But I heard he¡¯s looking for a slightly older and more


    mature mate. Astria seemed like a good fit, so I rmended her.¡±


    ¡°I hope you and Eugene don¡¯t mind that she¡¯s not from a prominent family. But <b>her </b>character is beyond reproach.¡±


    Sibyl was quite satisfied but didn¡¯t think it proper to ask Eugene outright.


    She knew Eugene¡¯s personality all too well. If she were to ask him directly, he might t¨Cout refuse, which would cast a shadow over Asa¡¯s future mating prospects.


    Luna Cassia, well aware of Sibyl¡¯s concerns, said to Asa, ¡°Astria, you may leave now.¡±


    Asa rose<b>, </b>politely bowed to Sibyl and the others, and left.


    As she walked out of the room, Paisley¡¯s gaze followed her. Her posture was straight, her steps much steadier than when she had entered. She moved with calm assurance.


    Clearly, long¨Ccultivated habits had be ingrained in her very being.


    Eugene had noticed it too. She was by no means an ordinary she¨Cwolf. She must have been trained inbat skills, yet she had given no hint of it just now.


    Eugene had been preupied with multiple investigationstely.


    Though Lance had told him not to look into the Bloodmoon Pack, that didn¡¯t stop him from investi other leads.


    g


    Most of the reconnaissance team had stayed in the capital.


    They had grown ustomed to this lifestyle. If there was nothing to investigate, they would feel uneasy.


    Particrly after Germain returned to the capital, the strange urrences following the mating of Melinda and Dwight had piqued his suspicion.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Chapter <b>513 </b>


    <b>However</b>, many of their investigations had yielded little.


    Because they <b>were </b>overly sensitive, they wanted to look into everything, feeling that <b>if </b><b>Lycan </b><b>Erasmus </b>didn¡¯t <b>assign </b>them tasks soon, they would continue like this indefinitely.


    Eugene hade for a blind date today, but his mind was preupied with those irrational circumstances. Re¨Cmating was the farthest thing from his mind.


    ¡°Sibyl, Eugene, let¡¯s cut to the chase. What do you think of Astria?¡± Luna Cassia asked.


    Sibyl was about to say she was quite satisfied when Genevieve chimed in with a smile, ¡°Miss Shuman <b>is </b>indeed an excellentdy, and we like her too. But mating isn¡¯t something to be rushed. How about this? Let¡¯s all go home and think it over.¡±


    ¡°Astria didn¡¯t say whether she likes Eugene either. Since this is their first meeting today, we should <b>at </b><b>least </b>ask her for her thoughts first.¡±


    Luna Cassia replied, ¡°What¡¯s the problem with that? I¡¯ll send someone in to ask her right away.¡±


    Genevieve smiled and said, ¡°We can¡¯t be so hasty. We¡¯re right outside. If you send someone in to ask her like that, if she says she doesn¡¯t like him, she might fear offending us. If she says she does, she might feel embarrassed. Either way, it could hurt her pride and make her seem eager.¡±


    ¡°Since we¡¯ve already met twice, what¡¯s the harm in meeting once more? Her parents aren¡¯t in the capital, <b>so </b>her own feelings are the most important. Don¡¯t you agree, Luna Cassia?¡±


    Genevieve¡¯s words were logical and well¨Cfounded, leaving Luna Cassia no room to argue.


    Mating was indeed not a matter to be taken lightly, especially among reputable packs.


    But she was genuinely anxious inside.


    Though Sibyl didn¡¯t understand why Genevieve was saying this, upon reflection, she found her words made sense.


    If they went in now, would she ept or reject the proposal?


    If she was interested and outright said so, it might seem like she was desperate to mate someone. But if she actually liked him yet feigned disinterest, that wouldn¡¯t be good either.


    Paisley still admired Genevieve. She handled things so prudently, and such caution was indeed necessary. Sibyl smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re right. A day or two doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    With that, Luna Cassia had no choice but <i>to </i>agree<i>, </i>¡°You make a valid point. I¡¯lle to visit in <b>a </b>coup days.¡±


    But as soon as Luna Cassia said this, Sibyl felt something was off


    They had no objections. <i>At </i>least Sibyl had shown her satisfaction. Now they just needed to <b>ask </b><b>Astria¡¯s </b>opinion.


    If she agreed, they could proceed with the formalities. Why was the female party still the one <b>to </b><b>visit</b>?


    Why would the Spectrelhow Pack act like this?


    But Sibyl didn¡¯t say anything. After all, she had initially trusted Luna Cassia because of their kinship.


    However, Luna Cassia¡¯s eagerness to settle the match was making her uncasy.


    She needed to look into Miss Shuman¡¯s background.


    Paisley remained silent throughout. It wasn¡¯t until they left the Spectrehowl Pack that Eugene asked her, ¡°Paisley, do you think something¡¯s fishy here?¡±


    Paisley replied, ¡°Let¡¯s talk once we¡¯re back. There¡¯s a lot more to this than meets the eye.


    <b>19:50 </b><b>Wed</b>, 13 <b>Aug </b>


    Chapter <b>514 </b>

 Novel Male 514

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    On hearing this, the three of them immediately became grave.


    Paisley wasn¡¯t one to speak idly. Though yful and fun¨Cloving, she was always dependable when it <b>came </b>


    to serious matters.


    Her words, coupled with her presence today, likely had to do with Miss Shuman.


    Back at the Hutchinson¡¯s house, Paisley had all the servants leave the room.


    She said, ¡°This Shuman girl isn¡¯t really Astria. Her real name is Asa. The Spectrehowl Pack has a reason for approaching Eugene. We can¡¯t agree to this mating, but we can¡¯t refuse outright either. Since I came with you to the Spectrehowl Pack today, an immediate refusal might lead to some unexined situations and could affect Adide and my uing ns.¡±


    Sibyl¡¯s heart sank, and she felt a pang of sadness. ¡°She lied to me? We¡¯re rted, how could she deceive me like this?¡±


    Paisley responded, ¡°Asa may not be a bad person. She might even be in the dark. But we need to investigate further.¡±


    ¡°Stall them for a month or so. Don¡¯t confirm the mating under any circumstances. Otherwise, not only will your family¡¯s reputation be at risk, but I¡¯m afraid Asa won¡¯t end up well either.¡±


    Sibyl frowned and said, ¡°Why is this soplicated?¡±


    Genevieve stood up and took Sibyl¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go outside and leave Paisley to talk with Eugene. Some things are better left unsaid in our presence, lest we can¡¯t help but speak out of turn.¡±


    Genevieve knew when to keep her distance. Sensing that Paisley¡¯s words held deeper implications, she understood that some details were meant for Eugene¡¯s ears only. Thus, she promptly escorted Sibyl out of


    the room.


    Sibyl wasn¡¯t naive. She realized that if Paisley sensed something amiss<b>, </b>the matter likely extended beyond mere family affairs. There must be some confidential details that needed to be discussed privately with Eugene.


    Once they had left, Paisley filled Eugene in on the details regarding Asa.


    She also touched upon the schemes of Germain, Howell, and Madison.


    However, Paisley held back certain/information, particrly the n she and Adide had for the Moon Newborn Festival.


    After listening to Paisley, Eugenebined this information with his own findings and pieced together a picture that was likely close to the truth.


    He was aware that they would start by taking action against Madison.


    Germain¡¯s power base was in the Blue Ridge State. In the capital, he relied entirely on Madison and


    <b>Chapter </b><b>514 </b>


    <b>Howell</b>.


    Given Madison¡¯s status, he wielded significant influence.


    In reality, Madison had been the one pulling strings for Germain in the capital.


    Without Madison¡¯s support, it would be like severing one of Germain¡¯s arms.


    Howell, on the other hand, was deeply embedded and hard to trace. It was difficult to determine <b>whom </b><b>he </b>had been in contact with.


    Eugene now fully understood why Lance had instructed the Eugenius not to interact frequently with <b>the </b>ckthorn Pack. Initially, he had thought it was merely a precaution to avoid arousing Lycan <b>Erasmus¡¯s </b>suspicion.


    But now, it struck him that by maintaining distance, they could still delegate many tasks to the ckthorn Pack.


    The situation must be as such. Although Lance had not explicitly stated it, nor had Paisley mentioned <b>it</b>, Eugene was convinced that the Eugenius was the ace Lance had kept up his <b>sleeve</b>..


    He carefully reviewed the matter and said, ¡°In reality, Hunt also disagrees with me mating with Asa, doesn¡¯t he?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°He¡¯s worried that getting involved with the Spectrehowl Pack might drag them into trouble. If something really happens, the Hutchinson family might me the Spectrehowl Pack. He¡¯s just looking out for her own family.¡±


    Eugene said, ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll stall on this matter first. I can¡¯t afford to arouse Madison¡¯s suspicion, nor can I let Hunt rest easy.¡±


    Paisley smfled and said, ¡°I came over today to tell you about this. I didn¡¯t expect to actually meet Asa. Hunt said Asa used to be part of a circus. After the circus went bankrupt and disbanded, she started traveling alone and was targeted by a rogue. Madison saved her. But Hunt isn¡¯t trustworthy. We still need to investigate Asa¡¯s background further.¡±


    ¡°Now Craig is in the ckthorn Pack. I can ask Craig to draw a sketch of Asa and then send someone to Fairfax County to inquire. Although the circus has disbanded, its members are likely still earning a living in Fairfax County. Many people must have watched their performances, so it won¡¯t be hard to find out the truth.¡±


    ¡°Alright, hurry back,¡± Eugene said.


    Eugene felt a bit anxious inside and said,¡± Remember, if there¡¯s anything you need us to do,e to me right away.¡±


    Paisley chuckled,¡± Is being idle so bad? You¡¯re always so eager to be busy. I wouldn¡¯t mind having of rxation. I¡¯m off now.¡±


    <b>days </b>


    She waved and strode out.


    Eugene stood up to see her off and gave a wry smile. He thought, ¡°Idle? They <b>were </b>all so idle <b>they </b><b>were </b>going stir¨Ccrazy. What were Lycan Erasmus¡¯s ns?¡±


    <b>19.50 </b>Wed 13 <b>Aug </b>


    Since Lycan Erasmus hadn¡¯t issued any appointments for so long, had he also noticed <b>some </b><b>issues</b>?


    Was he deliberately leaving them hanging to see who would make a move?


    He felt this guess was correct. Lance must have realized it too, which was why he told them <b>not </b>to <b>associate </b>closely with him.


    He pondered for a long while before going out to tell Sibyl and the others about the proposed marriage<b>, </b>saying they should keep stalling, neither epting nor rejecting it.


    Although Sibyl didn¡¯t understand her son¡¯s intentions, she trusted him. If he said they should stall, there must be a reason.


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 Novel Male 515

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley hurried back to the ckthorn Pack and, upon hearing the door to the study open, <b>rushed </b><b>in </b><b>with </b>her crimson me pheromones brimming with eager warmth.


    She had just wrapped up Caldwell¡¯s matter and was nning to have Craig assist her<i>¨C</i>her wolf <b>ws </b>lightly itched with anticipation.


    Upon entering the study, she found it filled with paintings. Lance and Adide were already there.


    The air was a blend of cedar and fir pheromones, calm and steady.


    Adide stood motionless before a painting. Her fir pheromones were as cold as ice, her eyes locked <b>onto </b>the image without a blink, her pupils narrowed with intense focus.


    Paisley approached, her crimson me pheromones rippling with each step.


    Following Adide¡¯s gaze, she froze the moment she noticed the red mole above the lip of the person in the painting. Her pheromones halted instantly, as if frozen.


    She scanned the other paintings one by one, her wolf ears pricking up in disbelief.


    The individuals depicted varied in build and eyebrow shapes, yet there was an uncanny familiarity beneath their eyes.


    Finally, her gazended on a painting near the desk, and she was stunned.


    Her pheromones exploded with scorching shock¨Cthe person in the painting mirrored the <i>image </i>in her memory.


    It was an exact match!


    From face shape and eyebrows to eyes, nose, and the mole on the lip¨Ceverything matched Asa, whom she had met today.


    Paisley felt breathless, her pheromones chaotic like wildfire in a storm.


    This was too absurd.


    She had seen Asa today, and here she was in the painting, vividly depicted by someone who had never met her.


    She turned to Craig and Caldwell, who were discussing a painting.


    Craig¡¯s oak pheromones radiated/steady focus as he said, ¡°If she¡¯s lived a good life, well¨Cfed andfortable, she¡¯d be plumper.¡°,


    ¡°This one¡¯s the same person, but I altered the eyebrows and hairstyle. And this neighboring <b>painting </b><b>shows </b>


    her in hardship, undernourished and poorly clothed, hence the gaunt appearance¡­¡±


    Craig gestured as he exined, his cold camphor pheromones carrying an air <b>of </b><b>obsession</b><b>. </b>


    III


    O


    He waved Paisley away with a hint of impatience in his oak pheromones. ¡°Move aside and <b>don¡¯t </b>get <b>in </b>the way.¡±


    Paisley pointed at the painting, her crimson me pheromones trembling.


    She struggled to speak, ¡°I saw this person today.¡±


    All eyes turned to her and the painting she indicated.


    Lance¡¯s expression tightened. Adide¡¯s fir pheromones sent out sharp ripples, while Caldwell¡¯s cold camphor pheromones solidified into ice.


    Paisley swallowed hard, her eyes wide with shock as she addressed Craig. ¡°Did you go to the Spectrehow<b><i>! </i></b>Pack with me today? Did you see her? Otherwise, how could you paint her so urately, down to the color of her clothes?¡±


    Caldwell had never been so impulsive in his life.


    Known for his politeness, he now grabbed Paisley¡¯s shoulders with both hands. His cold camphor pheromones quivered with barely contained excitement.


    He shook her slightly, his voice hoarse with a uniquely wolf rasp, ¡°What did you say? You saw someone in the Spectrehowl Pack who looks exactly like the person in this painting?¡±


    His pupils dted with shock, and his wolf ears stood erect.


    Paisley, startled, released a burst of crimson me pheromones.


    Seeing Caldwell¡¯s bulging eyes, she instinctively cried out in a quivering voice, ¡°Adide.¡±


    Lance swiftly stepped in, his cedar pheromones forming a steady barrier between them.


    He pulled Caldwell back, his tone brooking no argument, ¡°Caldwell, you¡¯re being rude.¡±


    Adide took Paisley¡¯s hand. Her fir pheromones sharpened instantly as she locked onto Paisley with narrowed pupils. ¡°You went to the Spectrehowl Pack today? Who did you see? Who there resembles the person in this painting?¡±


    ¡°Asa!¡± Paisley said nkly.


    Her pheromones still rippled with shock. ¡°She¡¯s the spitting image of the painting, down to the clothes, eyebrows, eyes, and that mole on her lip. If you saw her, you¡¯d think they were the same person.¡±


    Her wolf ws curled unconsciously in her palm, her fingertips turning white.


    ¡°Asa? The one Madison rescued and is set to mate with Eugene?¡±


    Adide¡¯s expression changed too. Her fir pheromones dropped like ice forming on a surface.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Paisley rubbed her goosebump¨Ccovered arm. A chill of disbelief mixed into her pheromones. ¡°Could Asa be Caldwell¡¯s sister?¡±


    Lance guided Caldwell to the side, wrapping him in gentle cedar pheromones.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    18:12 Thu, <b>14 </b><b>Aug </b>


    He forced a ss of water down Caldwell¡¯s throat to calm him before asking questions.


    The water nearly caused Caldwell to choke.


    5 Free <b>Coins </b>


    After coughing for a while, his cold camphor pheromones were in disarray, his breathing uneven. Yet, with bloodshot eyes, he fixed his gaze on Paisley.


    His pupils zed with urgent fire. ¡°Paisley¡­ please, tell us the details.¡±

 Novel Male 516

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Paisley took the painting off the wall,id it t on the table, and examined it once more. After <b>taking </b><b>a </b>deep breath, she confirmed that it was indeed Asa.


    She finally understood why she had felt a strange sense of familiarity when she saw Asa.


    Comparing the painting to the features of Adide¡¯s mother, Aire, there were a couple of simrities.


    She looked up at another painting that Adide had been staring at earlier; that one probably bore <b>an </b>even stronger resemnce to Aire.


    In herter years, Aire had be quite thin and seemed lifeless due to her blindness from weeping.


    Seeing that there were no outsiders in the study, Paisley said directly, ¡°I have two things to tell you. First, the person in this painting bears a couple of simrities to Aire, Adide¡¯s mother. Second, the person in the painting is named Asa, also known as Astria. She was rescued by Madison and is set to mate Eugene in an attempt to manipte him.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Caldwell was shaken. ¡°Is she from Madison¡¯s side? What happened to her that she needed Madison¡¯s rescue?¡±


    ¡°Caldwell, don¡¯t panic. This so¨Ccalled ¡®rescue¡® might have some hidden story. I was already nning to have Craig draw a portrait of Asa and send someone to Fairfax County to investigate.¡±


    Adide quickly asked, ¡°Does she look like my mother to you?¡±


    Paisley replied, ¡°To be honest, I felt a sense of familiarity when I first saw her, but I couldn¡¯t ce it. It wasn¡¯t until I looked at these paintings that I realized the truth. Craig¡¯s portraits are so detailed and capture even the subtleties of expression, which is why I recognized the resemnce.


    ¡°But Asa is a living person, trained to carry herself like a noblewoman. So when I met her in person, the simrity wasn¡¯t as obvious.¡±


    ¡°Luna Adide, let me ask first,¡± Caldwell interjected, feeling numb from head to toe.


    He couldn¡¯t exin why, but the sense of unreality was overwhelming.


    He and Craig were in the middle of assessing which painting best matched the current description of her, preparing to distribute the most fitting ones for the search.


    Before they could finalize their selection, Paisley returned with the news that she had just seen the person in the painting.


    It felt like a dream¨CCaldwell had braced himself for a long and arduous journey to find her, even enterting the painful thought that she might no longer be alive


    Now, to learn that she was in the capital, within the Spectrehowl Pack, and positioned as Madison¡¯s pawn,


    was surreal.


    Madison¡¯s pawns rarely met happy ends, and Caldwell knew he had to get to the bottom of <b>this</b>.


    <b>III </b>


    Pushing his way to the front, Caldwell looked at Paisley and said, ¡°You mentioned there¡¯s <b>more </b><b>to </b>this ¡®rescue¡® by Madison. What do you mean? Tell me now.¡±


    Paisley, seeing Caldwell¡¯s desperation¨Chis eyes bloodshot and on the verge of tears¨Cprioritized <b>his </b>question over Adide¡¯s for the first time.


    ¡°As we all know, Madison has a penchant for collecting women who resemble Aire and gifting them <b>to </b>Hunt as breeders to bear his children¡­¡±


    Caldwell copsed to the floor, his face pale and sweaty. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Caldwell!¡± Paisley shouted, trying to keep him grounded. ¡°Stay with me! If she had been vited by Hunt, how could she be arranged to mate Eugene? Luna Cassia mentioned that she was engaged at a young <b>age</b><b>, </b>but her fianc¨¦ passed away, dying the mating. Unable to find a suitable mate in Fairfax County, she came to the capital and sought out Luna Cassia. Clearly, she was never Hunt¡¯s breeder.¡±


    Paisley delivered this in one breath, fearing another blow <i>to </i>Caldwell.


    Lance helped Caldwell back into his chair. ¡°Stay seated,¡± he said.


    Adide, observing Caldwell¡¯s mix of excitement and fear, added, ¡°But you need to brace yourself. She merely resembles the person in the painting. The painting itself was Craig¡¯s interpretation based on her childhood appearance and your parents¡® features¨Cit might not be entirely urate. So, this Asa might not


    be your sister.¡±


    Caldwell pressed a hand to his forehead, his voice trembling with a mix of excitement and weakness. ¡°I know¡­ I understand that. But I have to meet her. She was seven when she was kidnapped. She should still have some memories from before, even if they¡¯re faint.¡±


    Lance cautioned, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s wise to meet her so soon. As far as she¡¯s concerned, Madison is her savior, and she likely knows Madison¡¯s intentions toward us. If you approach her or let her suspect you believe she¡¯s your sister, she might exploit that. We need to gather information indirectly.¡±


    ¡°Lance has a point,¡± Paisley said, ¡°but who can we get to do that?¡±


    In the silence that followed, Craig suggested, ¡°Why not Eugene? He¡¯s currently discussing the mating with her.¡±


    Adide frowned. ¡°But they can¡¯t meet in private, right?¡±


    Craig gave a quick shake. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯ve been stuck in the Camp for weeks¨Cgoing a little nuts.¡±


    Adide countered, ¡°But Paisley visited the Spectrehowl Pack today, and they know she¡¯s the goddaughter of Eugene¡¯s mother. She could invite Asa out. Luna Cassia would probably agree.¡±


    Chapter <b>517 </b>

 Novel Male 517

    Novel Male 516


    Chapter <b>517 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Caldwell looked at Paisley with hopeful eyes. ¡°Paisley, please.¡±


    Paisley, full of brotherly loyalty, agreed without hesitation. ¡°No problem. Caldwell, tell me about her childhood. I¡¯ll bring it up when I meet her and see her reaction. Her facial expressions will give away <b>at </b>least seventy to eighty percent of the truth.¡±


    Caldwell stood up, but Lance quickly and firmly pressed him back down. ¡°Sit and talk.¡±


    Caldwell tried to rise again. ¡°No..


    But as soon as he moved his hand,


    pushed him back into his seat, this time with a stern tone, ¡°Sit


    Caldwell said helplessly, ¡°I¡¯ll go get when you meet her, Paisley.¡±


    mething of hers from her childhood. You can take it with y


    Lance released him and said, ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Caldwell stood up and first apologized to Paisley, ¡°I was just so excited, I¡¯m sorry. Forgive me.¡±


    ¡°No worries, I was startled myself,¡± Paisley said.


    She was still shaken from seeing a painting of Asa in the study, identical to the real person she had just


    met.


    She felt inexperienced and naive for not expecting that someone could so urately predict Asa¡¯s current appearance based on her parents¡® portraits and her childhood likeness.


    Though many paintings were done, the precision of this one was astonishing¨Cit was just too shocking.


    ¡°Then I leave it all to you. I¡¯ll go get the item,¡± Caldwell said.


    Caldwell walked out unsteadily. Once outside, he bent over his knees, took a while to straighten up, and slowly adjusted his breathing, telling himself to calm down.


    Lance sighed softly at his back. ¡°I¡¯ve known for a long time about his search for his sister, but with so many people in the world, there was no ce to look. I didn¡¯t expect that his sister wasn¡¯t thousands of miles away but right under our noses.¡±


    Adide said solemnly, ¡°We still can¡¯t be sure that Asa is his sister, so we mustn¡¯t speak too soon.¡±


    Turning to Paisley, she asked, ¡°You met Asa once. What¡¯s your impression of her?¡±


    Paisley recalled, ¡°Her looks are beyond description, exactly like the painting. She only came out to meet us briefly and didn¡¯t say much, but it was clear she was a bit ufortable. She walked slowly when she came in and quickly when she left. At the time, I thought it was because she hadn¡¯t fully learned the rules and still had some street manners. But now I think she might not have been keen on the arrangement herself.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, she gives off afortable vibe,¡± Paisley added.


    III


    O


    <b>1/2 </b>


    ¡°<b>A </bfortable vibe? What do you mean?¡± Adide asked.


    Paisley propped her chin up and rolled her eyes upward. ¡°It¡¯s hard to put into words. It¡¯s like we all have thismon trait where we can sense superficial things about each other. Of course, I don¡¯t <b>know </b>her g thoughts.¡±


    ¡°You sensed that she wasn¡¯t too keen on mating with Eugene?¡± Adide pressed.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. She hardly looked at Eugene at all,¡± Paisley said, trying to describe the feeling


    Adide pictured the scenario and said, ¡°I sec. She values straightforwardness. Madison saved her, <b>and </b>she wanted to repay Madison, but she didn¡¯t expect it to be in this way. And I¡¯m sure she¡¯s heard <i>of </i><b>Eugene¡¯s </b>deeds. So she wants to repay Madison for saving her life but can¡¯t reconcile it with her conscience. <b>That </b>must be why you sensed her internal conflict.¡±


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    Adide added, ¡°This is just my analysis; it might not be urate.¡±


    No one really knew what Asa was like. Making assumptions based on a brief encounter might not be reliable.


    Caldwell brought out a rabbit doll. It looked old, crudely made, with one ear broken. Obviously, it wasn¡¯t store¨Cbought.


    Caldwell exined, ¡°I made this rabbit doll for her in December of the year she disappeared. She was punished by our mother for misbehaving and forbidden to y outside. I intended to buy <i>her </i><i>a </i><i>rabbit </i>doll, but our father forbade it, saying she needed to be properly disciplined. So I secretly made one from y, painted it myself after firing <i>it</i>. The paint has since faded.¡±


    ¡°When she first held it, she was disgusted and threw it on the ground, breaking one ear.¡±


    Caldwell¡¯s eyes turned red. He continued, ¡°She didn¡¯t like this rabbit doll, even detested it, and cried. I think since she disliked it so much, her impression of the doll must be strong.¡±


    Paisley looked at the rabbit¨Crough, faded, one ear gone, ugly as sin, the paint chipped and old. She said, ¡°If someone gave me a rabbit doll like this, I¡¯d cry my eyes out and never forget it.¡± ¡°Yeah, things that are either extremely liked or extremely disliked can leave asting impression.¡±


    Caldwell reluctantly handed the rabbit doll to Paisley,¡°I have other toys of hers from her childhood, but they¡¯re toomon. Any ordinary family might have them. This one, though, is one of a kind.¡±


    <i>¡°</i>One of a kind? Then I¡¯d cry even harder.¡±


    Paisley took it with some reluctance¨Cwell, it couldn¡¯t get any uglier. Even the facial features were blurred.


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 Novel Male 518

    Chapter <b>518 </b>


    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Caldwell nced at her, somewhat hurt. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. I¡¯d never learned how to make <b>one </b><b>before</b><b>. </b><b>This </b>was my first time.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>The back¡¯s all burned ck,¡± Paisley said, turning the rabbit doll in her hands. ¡°Actually, the whole doll is ck. You must have touched it up with paint. Did you keep repainting it?¡±


    Caldwell said a bit embarrassedly, ¡°It kept fading, so I had to keep repainting it. I haven¡¯t touched <b>it </b><b>up </b><b>in </b>the past two or three years, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll recognize it.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Paisley said, ncing at Adide.


    Adide turned her face away, only to meet Lance¡¯s passionate gaze.


    Without thinking, Lance blurted out, his voice tinged with joy, ¡°It¡¯s as special as your scarf back then.¡±


    Paisley snorted, ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking.¡±


    Craig immediately came to Adide¡¯s defense, ¡°No one can be good at everything. Adide¡¯s the most talented one in the Warscar Training Camp. Why don¡¯t you show us your special talents or any exceptional skills you have?¡±


    With that, he cast a cold nce at Lance.


    Lance was taken aback¨Cfor


    het called it


    ugly; it was Paisley who said so.


    Paisley quickly changed the subject, ¡°Caldwell, tell me about some memorable funny moments you and


    ¨C sister had when you were kids¡± a


    Lost in memories, Caldwell had a lot to share<b>. </b>/


    His father was the county executive officer of Garfield County, and the family of four had livedfortably.


    Garfield County was poor and gued by chaos and rogue wolves.


    His father personally led a team to drive away the rogues, restoring peace to the county.


    When Caldwell was five, his mother gave birth to his sister.


    His grandfather, a local schoolteacher, was overjoyed. At seven, Caldwell started school,muting daily with his grandfather, which meant he spent a lot of time with his sister.


    The family was happy and content until his sister¡¯s seventh year, when a bolt from the blue shattered their happiness.


    She had been ying with other children outside the alley when she was snatched by strangers, along with the daughter of the county administrator.


    The kidnappers<b>, </b>two men<b>, </b>quickly fled in a vehicle.


    <b>The </b><b>other </b>children<b>, </b><b>terrified</b>, <b>hid </b>and didn¡¯t <b>dare </b>tell <b>their </b>families.


    <b>It </b>wasn¡¯t until <b>that </b>night<b>, </b>when the Kirks and county administrator families <b>began </b><b>searching </b>for their <b>daughters </b>and questioned the children they¡¯d yed with that day, that the <b>abduction </b><b>came </b><b>to </b>ligin


    <b>By </b>then, half a day had passed, and the kidnappers were long gone. No one knew which <b>direction </b>they had taken, and even if someone had been sent to chase after them, it would have been <b>in </b><b>vain</b>.


    Caldwell said sadly.¡°Poly¡¯s disappearance was a huge blow to our family. My mother wept <b>day </b><b>and </b><b>night</b>. My father resigned from his post and set out with two servants to search for her, only returning <b>home </b>once every two years.


    ¡°My grandfather became the sole support of the family. When my grandmother passed <b>away</b><b>, </b><b>my </b><b>father </b>was still out searching. He didn¡¯t return until the following year.


    ¡°The tenth year of his search for Poly was the year he finally gave up.¡±


    Everyone listened with heavy hearts. The agony of losing a child was too painful to contemte.


    ¡°From the day Poly disappeared, happiness was forever banished from our home. In the first <b>two </b><b>years</b>, due to my grandfather¡¯s and mother¡¯s poor health, I brought them to the capital.


    ¡°My father refused to leave Garfield County. He always held on to hope that one day Poly might remember her way home. Someone had to be there to wait for her.


    ¡°All these years, I¡¯ve never given up either, using royal resources to search for her whenever possible.


    ¡°I serve the royal familywholeheartedly on the condition that Lance lends me help to look for Poly. I know the chances are slim, but not searching would be even more painful. Doing something, even if futile, brings me some peace.¡±


    Craig fell asleep in his chair.


    He had traveled nonstop from the Shadow Peaks and, without even sipping his coffee, had thrown himself into drawing and working. Exhaustion had finally caught up with him.


    In his drowsy state, he still caught snippets of Caldwell¡¯s story.


    Having witnessed countless tragedies in his travels, he hadn¡¯t be desensitized; instead, he was almost certain that this girl was Caldwell¡¯s sister.


    He believed that among the paintings he had created, there must be one that closely resembled Poly now, and with that thought, he could sleep/soundly.


    After hearing all this, Paisley wiped away her tears and sent someone to the Hutchinson family. She asked Genevieve to send a letter to the Spectrehowl Pack, inviting Astria to join them for coffee the next day and enjoy the riverside view.


    Upon receiving the invitation, Luna Cassia brought it to Asa,


    Following Madison¡¯s instructions, the Spectrehowl Pack treated Asa with courtesy.


    However, Luna Cassia was well aware that Asa was merely a pawn, so her politeness <b>was </b>tinged with aloofness<b>. </b>


    ¡°I <b>think </b><b>the </b><b>Hutchinson </b>family wants to spend more time <b>with </b><b>you</b><b>. </b><b>Since </b>you¡¯re <b>not </b><b>from </b>the rapits th <b>can¡¯t </b><b>easily </b><b>verify </b>your character and abilities through inquiries<b>. </b><b>The </b>only <b>way </b><b>for </b><b>them </b><b>to </b>uses you let interacting with you personally.¡±


    <b>Asa¡¯s </b>face remained expressionless as she asked, ¡°And what do you think? Should I <b>go</b><b><i>? </i></b>

 Novel Male 519

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Luna Cassia said indifferently, ¡°Why not go? I¡¯ll have someone follow you to remind you of the <b>rules</b><b>. </b><b>Don¡¯t </b>speak out of turn. Remember, the more you talk, the more likely you are to make mistakes. The less <b>you </b>say, the safer you are.¡±


    ¡°The Hutchinson family¡¯s status is rising. Many noblewomen want to mate Eugene. If Eugene hadn¡¯t specified that he prefers someone older, you wouldn¡¯t have this chance. You must seize it.¡±


    Asa took the invitation and said with a bitter smile, ¡°Chance? You know my goal. I¡¯m not here to enjoy <b>a </b>good life.¡±


    Luna Cassia replied, ¡°How is it not an opportunity? You¡¯re supposed to be his real mate; you just have to make him useful for Madison.¡±


    Asa said bitterly, ¡°But Madison also said that if we can¡¯t win him over, we should kill him.¡±


    Luna Cassia said, ¡°With your intelligence, you can persuade him. Always think positively and don¡¯t focus on the worst¨Ccase scenarios. If he can be used by Madison, you¡¯ll enjoy wealth and honor in the future, won¡¯t you?¡±


    She patted Asa¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°It¡¯s settled. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have you dressed up nicely. Remember your identity at all times.¡±


    After speaking, Luna Cassia got up, wiped her hands with a tissue, and threw it to an omega, Aurora, with disgust. ¡°Follow her tomorrow and keep a close eye on her to ensure she doesn¡¯t make any mistakes.


    Aurora replied, ¡°Yes, Luna Cassia.¡±


    The Sunbrew Caf¨¦ is one of the tallest buildings in the capital.


    From its top floor, you can overlook the northern port and most of the capital¡¯s scenic views.


    However, booking a private room on the top floor of Sunbrew Caf¨¦ isn¡¯t cheap. A regr American coffee costs $100.


    If you order a meal, it¡¯smon to spend over a thousand dors. For a fine dining experience, you might even spend over ten thousand dors.


    As for who owned Sunbrew Caf¨¦, few people knew.


    They only knew that the patrons here were either wealthy or nobility, and the caf¨¦ made a fortune daily.


    Those in the know wouldn¡¯t disclose such information.


    Paisley and Genevieve arrived first. Paisley, known for her people¨Cskills, called Genevieve ¡°Jeanie¡± affectionately, and Genevieve took a liking to her.


    When they arrived at Sunbrew Cafe, Asa hadn¡¯t arrived yet.


    Paisley explored the caf¨¦ and was impressed by its grandeur. ¡°One day, I¡¯ll host a banquet here and treat


    |||


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>519 </b>


    <b>everyone </b><b>to </b><b>a </b>meal.


    <b>Genevieve </bughed, ¡°That must cost a fortune. It would be more economical to <b>have </b><b>the </b>banquet at home. Who doesn¡¯t know my skills in organizing events? Are you not giving me a chance <b>to </b><b>showcase </b><b>iny </b>abilities?¡±


    Paisley smiled, ¡°That would be great. I was just worried about tiring you out and facing Abbot¡¯s <b>criticism</b>.


    ¡°Him,¡± Genevieve¡¯s smile faded, ¡°I can hardly remember what he looks like. I wonder when he¡¯ll <b>return </b><b>to </b>the capital. The war has been over for quite some time.¡±


    Paisleyforted her, ¡°We can¡¯t let our guard down yet. Things are still chaotic there, and it¡¯s <b>impossible </b>to have no troops stationed. With Abbot¡¯s seniority and recent promotion, he¡¯ll likely return to the <b>capital </b>


    soon.¡±


    ¡°Poor man,¡± Genevieve sighed, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for myrge family, I¡¯d take my children and join him.


    Paisley pulled her into the private room and said, ¡°No need. Once things settle there, he¡¯ll be back.¡±


    As they spoke, a waiter led Asa and an


    omeg <ol><li>in. </li></ol>


    Since Genevieve¡¯s omega was outside, Asa¡¯s omega, Aurora, also sat at a small table outside, drinking coffee -the private room fee included this.


    However, the door was open, so everything inside, including the conversations<b>, </b>could be seen and heard from outside.


    Asa was dressed in a cream¨Ccolored stand¨Cup cor blouse paired with a white embroidered pleated skirt. Small pearls adorned her ears, and her green hairpin featured a teardrop¨Cshaped decoration. She appeared elegant and gentle.


    She slightly bowed and said, ¡°Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hutchinson, Miss Stephens.¡±


    The two women rose to return the greeting. ¡°Please have a seat.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Genevieve smiled. ¡°We¡¯re all friends here¨Cno need for formality. Please<b>, </b>sit.


    Paisley plopped down first, and the others followed suit.


    A waiter stood by, served the coffee, and made a ¡°please enjoy¡± gesture before stepping back.


    Paisley said, ¡°You may leave. We just want to chat.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be outside. Just holler if you need anything,¡± the waiter said.


    ¡°Bring some pastries¨Cabout eight to ten varieties, and make them exquisite,¡± Paisley added.


    From Caldwell¡¯s description of his sister, Paisley knew that Poly liked sweets, though adult tastes might change.


    The waiter nodded and left. Paisley nced at Asa, who sat nearby, and took out the rabbit doll that Caldwell had given her. She ced it on the table and began toying with it.


    <b>2/8 </b>


    n


    <b>< </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>519 </b>


    <b>So</b><b>, </b>what do <b>you </b><b>like </b><b>to </b>do <b>in </b>your free time?<b>¡± </b>she asked.


    <b>Asa¡¯s </b>gaze briefly fell on the rabbit doll before shifting away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any particr hobbies, just some craft weaving,¡± she replied with a smile.


    <b>¡°</b>Your craftsmanship must be impressive,¡± Paisley said, stroking the doll¡¯s broken <b>car</b><b>, </b>where the <b>torn </b><b>part </b>had been smoothed over.


    <b>3/3 </b>

 Novel Male 520

    Third Person¡¯s POV


    Asa nced back at the rabbit doll, her gaze locking onto it for a while before she remembered <b>to </b><b>respond </b>to Paisley.


    With a modest smile, she said, ¡°Oh, not really. It¡¯s just a bit of fun.¡±


    The Sunbrew Caf¨¦ offered a wide variety of exquisite pastries. Even a simple honey pancake was <b>sweet </b>without being cloying, soft and delicious.


    Paisley took a bite and said with a smile, ¡°When I was little, I loved these sweet pancakes<b>. </b>Our family <b>chef </b>didn¡¯t make them, so my brother would sneak out to buy them for me. We¡¯d hide under a tree and <b>enjoy </b>them.¡±


    She looked out the window as sunlight streamed in, illuminating her face<b>, </b>which was filled with smiles and memories.


    She continued, ¡°It was often such a beautiful autumn day back then. But in September, it wasn¡¯t as cool <b>as </b>in the capital. Sometimes it was even hot. Sunlight filtered through the trees, and my brother¡¯s <b>face </b>would be bathed in it too.¡±


    As she spoke, she reached out and touched the rabbit doll beside her.


    With a gentle sigh, she said, ¡°But I haven¡¯t seen my brother for a long time.¡±


    Asa was stunned. Images of the scene Paisley described shed through her mind, and her gaze remained fixed on the rabbit doll.


    For some unknown reason, her chest tightened as if something was blocking it, making her extremely ufortable.


    ¡°Paisley, is this a rabbit doll?¡± she couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Paisley nodded and said with a smile, ¡°Yes, it is. My brother made it for me. That year, I was confined to the house by my mother after falling from a tree and wasn¡¯t allowed to y outside. So my brother made this rabbit doll for me. It¡¯s pretty ugly, isn¡¯t it? I didn¡¯t like it either and threw it on the ground. Look at the ear¨Cit was broken when I smashed it in a fit of pique.¡±


    She pushed the rabbit doll toward Asa. ¡°Take a look.¡±


    Asa looked at the doll pushed in front of her¨Can ugly rabbit doll.


    Sounds seemed to echo in her ears!


    Then, out of nowhere, images shed in her mind.


    ¡°You actually climbed a tree? Who taught you? Did it hurt? Are you crying? If you cry again, I¡¯ll forbid <b>you </b>from joining us at the celebration.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t you want a rabbit doll? I¡¯ll make one for you.¡±


    Chapter <b>520 </b>


    <b>I </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>want </b>it. It¡¯s too ugly. This isn¡¯t a rabbit doll at all. I don¡¯t want it, I don¡¯t <b>want </b>it.


    ng


    ¡°Poly, this is <b>my </b>first try at making something.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it, I don¡¯t want it¡­¡±


    The sound of a girl¡¯s crying filled her ears.


    Asa jerked her hand back. Her jasmine pheromones trembled violently with the sudden surge of emotion. Unknowingly, tears had streamed down her face.


    Her wolf ears drooped against her hair, heavy with wordless hurt.


    Taking advantage of the moment when the Aurora outside hadn¡¯t noticed, she quickly wiped away her tears. Her fingertips turned slightly pale from the panic, and her light jasmine struggled to calm down but still quivered like petals in the wind.


    Her heart felt like it was being pricked by needles, withyers of subtle pain emerging.


    Bitterness seeped into her pheromones, and even her breathing shook.


    Paisley watched her, reaching out to take back the rabbit doll, but Asa instinctively guarded <i>it</i>.


    She suddenly hugged it <i>to </i>her chest and said in a choked voice, her voice wrapping with the whimpers of <i>a </i>young wolf, ¡°It¡¯s mine.¡±


    She rose and walked to the window, which faced the port. The wind was strong, driving the river waves to crash against the docked ships.


    Taking a deep breath, memories flooded in like waves¨Clight jasmine rippled with broken ripples, sometimes clear, sometimes vague.


    The rabbit doll and what Paisley had said tore open a wound, releasing the memories buried deep in her heart.


    She didn¡¯t remember much.


    The circus manager found her when she was near death.


    She was left in the little hill outside Fairfax County, her body burning with pain as if on fire, but it was raining heavily at the time. In this memory, light jasmine became scorched and faint, as if still holding the searing pain of that day.


    Her only memory then was hearing the circus manager say, ¡°There¡¯s still a breath left. Whether you live or die is up to fate.¡±


    Her wolf ws instinctively curled in her palm, as if still feeling the chill of near death.


    She survived in the end, but a high fever caused her to forget many things.


    111 13 AUD9


    Chapter <b>520 </b>


    She vaguely remembered being thrown off a vehicle because of her illness.


    Light jasmine sank like waterlogged silk, carrying the dull ache of abandonment.


    She thought she had been abandoned by her family, so she never considered looking for <b>them </b><b>and </b>naturally couldn¡¯t remember them.


    Her pheromones were wrapped in a thick cocoon, shielding the scars she dared not touch.


    Now<b>, </b>she recalled being kidnapped while ying in the alley that day.


    Her wolf ears perked up sharply, her pupils dting slightly with the sudden images.


    She was thrown into a car after being kidnapped, along with another child.


    She didn¡¯t remember the child¡¯s name, only that she was pped twice as soon as she got in the <b>car</b><b>¨C</b><b>it </b>hurt so much. She couldn¡¯t recall what happened after that.


    The pain from the ps still lingered on her cheeks, her pheromones shrinking into a sharp ball.


    But some memories before the kidnapping, faint and vague, were beginning to surface.


    A hint of light gradually emerged in her light jasmine, like a sealed treasure finally seeing a ray of light. The shadow of her wolf tail swept gently under her skirt, carrying a dazed anticipation.


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