Chapter 9
+16 Bonus
Adelaide’s POV
din,
Beata rushed in, her green eyes glistening with tears.
“Your love is your business, but don’t bully Luna Adelaide–or flaunt your battle merits!”
“Insolent wretch!” Velda roared, her warrior presence crashing down like a boulder.
“SLAP!”
Ulrik’s iron–clad paw struck Beata’s face with a crack. “Is this the Omega you’ve raised? Defiance?”
I sprinted to Beata’s side, catching her as her cheek swelled, flushed unnaturally–Alpha pheromones burning her tender glands.
Turning, I summoned my wolf. My knuckles burst into silver–gray claws.
A howling slash raked Ulrik’s cheek, five shallow trenches flipping flesh open, blood droplets falling like rubles.
“Touch my people again, and feel my claws deeper,” I growled, my claws dripping silver–blue blood.
Ulrik staggered back, pupils slitting with pain, cedar musk souring with sulfur.
His wounds healed swiftly, leaving five pink scars branded beneath his eye.
“You dare…” His voice mixed with a suppressed howl, muscles under his iron armor taut as bowstrings.
I shook off the blood from my wolf claws, 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 face, my throat tightened.
Lycan Erasmus had promised the decree dissolving our mate bond was imminent–but how long was “soon“?
Every moment in Bloodmoon felt like a lifetime.
Their bonding ceremony was set for October. Now in August, the Bloodmoon elders buzzed with preparations.
Only I and Vanya, Ulrik’s aunt and the former Alpha’s mate, could officiate.
I’d sworn off involvement, but Rosemary summoned me to the family council, no doubt to pressure me into funding the
ceremony with Frostfang’s wealth.
Bonus
In the council hall, Vanya slapped the ledger onto the table, her tone icy. “Velda’s parents expect compensation 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 accounts have less than ten.”
Ulrik scanned the ledger, frowning “Who’s managing the books?”
“I am,” I said flatly.
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
entire pack. We’ve relied on Adelaide’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.”
Vanya laughed 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–let it be. Once Lycan King’s decree arrives, this will no longer be my
concern.
Rosemary turned to me, smiling as she beckoned, “Adelaide, lend us the money first. We’ll repay you when we’re more liquid.”
Sabrina snorted, “Mother, we’re family. A million is pocket change to her–she can spare it.”
Rosemary feigned irritation. “Adelaide has done so much for Bloodmoon this past year. Remember that.”
All eyes turned to me, even Ulrik’s–still uneasy from yesterday’s slap.
I shook my head slowly. “It’s inappropriate for me to cover the cost. Velda is Ulrik’s new mate. The pack should fund it.”
Turning to Ulrik, I asked, “Alpha Ulrik, what’s your take?”
Ulrik shook his head. “I’ll figure it out myself. No need for your help.”
With that, he left.
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I smiled. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Adelaide, stay,” Rosemary said sharply. “I know you’ve petitioned Lycan King. It’s improper. Velda as Ulrik’s mate strengthens
the pack–it benefits you too.”
I offered no rebuttal. “As you say.”
Satisfied, Rosemary continued, “Then the million isn’t much for you. Cover
