Chapter 25
Adelaide’s POV
I returned to my courtyard and immediately penned a letter, dispatching a former Frostfang guard–shifted and under cover
Warscar Training Camp by night.
The southern border battle gnawed at me like a splinter.
Scattered clues hinted at something amiss, but I’d keep conjectures buried until hard evidence surfaced.
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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, Bloodmoon lacked the warriors to
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 guard captain–all loyal Frostfang members.
The new Beta, now returned from retirement, had served Frostfang before the new Beta took over.
His silver–flecked temples were a stark reminder of his experience.
ral
That night, after a run along the border and a soak in the tub, I emerged to find Beata entering with a letter.
“Alpha Adelaide, a message for you,” she said.
As the note unfurled in my palm, searing pain erupted–wolf claws bursting through my skin.
Before deciphering the script, my wolf erupted in a soul–shattering howl within my consciousness.
Silver–blue blood welled from my elongated claws, carving deep trenches into my palm.
My wolf’s self–mutilation screamed a warning.
The parchment, reeking of cedar and violet pheromones, bore grave tidings.
“Velda massacred an entire surrendered village. Border wolf generals have jointly petitioned in secret.”
Beata’s voice drifted through the fog, “What’s wrong?”
I stared at my reflection and said, “Fetch a bottle of vodka.”
The candle flickered as Heata hurried out. Once alone, I suppressed the rising wolfish snarl
Cedar musk exploded in the air, and the note–now scorched at the edges–was shredded into snowflake–like fragments.
1/3
+15 Bonus
In the swirling ash, invisible claws shredded the script, each stroke disintegrating into dust finer than moonstone powder.
The Western Tribe and our kingdom have always spared civilians and captives–an unspoken rule.
Could Velda have broken it?
Recalling Ulrik’s averted gaze when he spoke of “battlefield ruthlessness,” 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–head engraving on my glass and remembered the day I joined
Bloodmoon. Ulrik had said, “When I return victorious, we’ll share this drink.”
Some victories are built on mountains of bones.
My suspicions solidified–this war was tainted.
Velda’s massacre of an entire village, including civilians, 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 grievances,
Besides, I was Ulrik’s Luna.
But what I didn’t understand is, if Velda did massacre the village, 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, delineating the border and 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 from the Bloodscar Border for answers.
One thing was certain–Frostfang’s disaster stemmed from Velda’s slaughter of defenseless captives.
But why did Lycan Erasmus deem this an achievement?
The Lycan Erasmus I know wasn’t bloodthirsty.
Perhaps he was unaware.
And my grandfather, Alpha Zander, who’s never harmed a Western civilian in decades of guarding the Bloodscar Border–would
he condone Velda’s actions?
Fortunately, Alpha Zander regularly sent intelligence from the border.
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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 village, they’d ally with the Dragon Ash Kingdom to invade the Southern Border.
Alpha Lance, currently stationed there, would face certain defeat with their reinforcements.
This variable was unknown to him, leaving him unable to prepare in advance.
Even forewarned, without aid, Lance would still fall.
