Chapter 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–Lycan Erasmus’s decree had taken effect.
Adelaide, 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 clan’s reach.
After a long silence, Isaiah, Ulrik’s father, murmured, “Adelaide would’ve made a fine Luna. She managed the pack well.”
Tamara turned to Ulrik. “What did you see in Velda? How is she better than Adelaide?”
Ulrik’s throat tightened as he recalled Velda’s letter–the one demanding half of Adelaide’s wealth.
He remembered her words, “Hesitating? So you do have greed in you.”
Tamara sighed. “Velda won’t care for Luna Rosemary 1
like Adelaide did. Adelaide slept in her room every night.”
“Maybe it was all an act,” Ulrik said, his voice tinged with reluctant doubt.
“An act deserves credit,” Tamara said sharply.
Tamara knew Velda wouldn’t take responsibility for caring for Rosemary. Odds were it would fall to her. “Hopefully, Velda will at
least put on a show,” she muttered.
Ulrik insisted firmly, “Velda will honor Luna 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 her a glare. “Adelaide treated me kindly–gifts and all. Unlike some who take bribes and stab in the back.”
She left, ignoring Sabrina’s flushed anger.
Tamara’s frustration simmered as she juggled pack finances–Bloodmoon was nearly insolvent.
As dusk settled over the Mirror Lake, its surface reflected the bloodmoo’s glow. The temporary mark on Ulrik’s nape, still healing, throbbed faintly.
Velda’s pine scent, laced with snowstorm cold, couldn’t mask the silvermoon grass lingering on his collar.
Velda was unaware of the day’s upheaval. Expecting Ulrik to brief her on the progress of rejecting Adelaide, she was met with his
tense silence.
Unable to contain her impatience, she stopped. “Is it done? Did you secure half her assets?”
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The sunset’s light bathed her wheat–colored skin. Ulrik was suddenly reminded of Adelaide’s pale face, a sharp pain striking his
chest.
Ulrik’s jaw tightened. “No.”
“What? Are you insane?” Velda’s bone claws suddenly elongated half an inch, raking deep grooves 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 steadily. “It’s her wealth, not mine. Velda, are you afraid of a simpler life?“”
“No, that’s not it,” Velda turned away, a flicker of calculation in her eyes. “I just want us to focus on building our future without
financial distractions.”
“We’ll manage,” he said softly.
Velda whirled around. “So she took everything?”
Seeing her disappointment, Ulrik felt a chill.
“Beta Fabian witnessed it. She petitioned Lycan Erasmus to void the bond.”
“What?”
“She said she disdains it,” Ulrik said flatly.
Velda sneered. “Disdain? Who does she think she is?”
“Adelaide….” Ulrik’s voice was expressionless. “Beta Fabian brought Lycan Erasmus’s decision–she’s now Frostfang’s Alpha.
She’ll join the royal council as an elder, and can even nominate her mate for a seat.”
Velda’s eyes widened in shock. “Why would Lycan Erasmus do this? Her mate gets a seat too? So she goes from exile to-”
From outcast to the most sought–after she wolf overnight
“Velda, she can fight,” Ulrik said, watching crimson leaves drift on the lake. He recalled how Adelaide had used her pressure to
turn leaves into blades.
Velda snorted. “Slapping someone?”
“Today, she used her aura to lift leaves and scratched my face,” Ulrik said. “No need to pluck them–she turned falling leaves into weapons.”
Velda sneered. “Leaf blades? Impossible”
“Not impossible,” Ulrik 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–her underhanded tricks are beyond you.”
