LOGINThird Person's 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."
He deeply regretted using his two battle honors—enough to secure his promotion to a royal general—for Velda, only to be dragged down by her.
He feared no such opportunities would come again, and if they did, they'd be trivial, like culling rogues.
His future was ruined by a moment of in
Third Person's POVLycan Erasmus leaned back against his chair, tilting his head toward Fabian."Tell me, have I lost my mind? I actually gave him the green light to go sniff around Germain."Fabian offered a flawless smile, keeping his voice low."Your Great Majesty, I believe this simply comes from a place of brotherly trust.""Trust?"Lycan Erasmus repeated the word under his breath, a cryptic gleam flashing in his sharp eyes.Fabian sensibly shut his mouth, not uttering another word.He knew better than anyone that this paranoid Lycan King could never fully trust Lance.No ruler sitting on a throne anywhere in the world would ever truly trust an Alpha who possessed both unmatched combat lethality and overwhelming devotion from the military.For now, if this shred of "trust" was enough to quiet the Lycan King's days of crushing anxiety, it was plenty.Meanwhile, inside the Blue Abyss territory, the manor
Third Person's POVFor a split second, Sidney wanted to scream every curse word she knew at Paisley, but remembering Germain's orders, she forced her voice to soften."Of course I'm not angry. But sweetie, if we have issues in the future, can we just sit down and talk like adults? Let's leave the violence out of it, okay?""Can't help it, you know me. I've always had a short fuse," Paisley said, staring at her like a predator sizing up its prey."Unlike you, of course. You're just so sweet and docile. What's with the tone, anyway? Sounds like you haven't actually forgiven me."Sidney took a deep breath, forcing a tight, awkward smile."Don't be ridiculous! If I were still holding a grudge, why would I come all this way to apologize?""True." Paisley grinned broadly. "In that case, we're totally good now, right?"Looking at that bright, flashing grin, Sidney actually shivered.She couldn't shake the feeling that there was
Third Person's POVAdelaide gently pressed Paisley down by her shoulders, guiding her into a chair.She turned to order Beata to bring some warm mulled mead and roasted nuts from the kitchen, and then smiled."Listen, you do whatever you want. That is hardly a major crisis. Even if it turns into one, Lance and I have more than enough clout to handle it.""Easy for you to say, but I really lost my head today." Paisley ran a frustrated hand through her hair.She'd honestly thought her wolf was getting less volatile, but she'd still gone and flipped out.Adelaide comforted her gently."The Independent Center is our baby, and someone actually had the nerve to drag its name through the dirt. Listen, if you'd told me yesterday that Sidney was the one pulling the strings, I swear I'd have gone with you to beat her up!""Come on, you've never been as reckless as me." Paisley looked up, staring deep into her eyes."Stop trying to make me feel better. Tell me the truth: is what I did today goin
Third Person's POVRaven gasped."Alpha, you can't be serious... No, absolutely not! Paisley is famous all over the capital for her violent temper. You wouldn't be able to control her.""Do you think I have a choice?" Germain growled under his breath."Madison has been captured. My entire network in the capital has been uprooted. Sidney is a moron, and Maya... no matter how capable she is, she's just a commoner. The noble ladies of this city look down on her; they won't even breathe the same air."But Paisley? She's the friend Adelaide would trust with her life. If I could mate with her, think about it—Adelaide would never target us again.""Alpha," Raven said with a bitter smile, "you're moving too fast. We need to calm down and plan this out slowly."Germain interrupted him, his patience gone."How much slower?! I've waited years for that throne! I'm not waiting anymore, and I'm sure as hell not giving up!"The w
Third Person's POVGermain let out a cold laugh."Gamma Adelaide is currently Lycan Erasmus' most trusted confidante, and you actually had the balls to provoke her?"Sidney frantically wiped the tears from her face."I just couldn't stand seeing the once-noble Wanda endure such humiliation, so I spoke up for her."Germain stepped closer, cornering her, refusing to let her wiggle out of it."Then why didn't you just take a squad of guards to the Glenveil Pack and argue her case for her? Or better yet, why didn't you just bring her here to live in our territory?"Sidney flinched back, stammering, "Her mother committed a major crime... she's still in the dungeon. I obviously didn't dare do that."Germain grabbed her by the chin, his grip bruising."Since you damn well know her mother committed treason, you still thought it was a good idea to hang out with her in private? Do you want to drag this entire pack into a treason c
Third Person's POVA long time ago, Germain had ordered Sidney to start winning Paisley over. Since they were family, he figured it would be easier for Sidney to gain her trust.Sidney, however, saw things differently. She had gone to the Blackthorn estate twice, and both times Paisley had refused to see her.She felt completely insulted. Upon returning home, she complained bitterly to her mate, claiming Paisley was too arrogant and declaring she wouldn't speak to her again unless Paisley came to the Blue Abyss territory to apologize in person.Her attitude had infuriated Germain. He felt that as a Luna, Sidney should put the pack's interests first, yet she refused to play the game.Despite coming from the Stephens family, Sidney provided him with zero political leverage.So today, regardless of why Paisley had shown up, Germain decided to use this as an opportunity for Sidney to fix their relationship.It wasn't long before Sidney entered the room, her face lighting up with joy."Oh,
Third Person's POV"Well, it's not just me!" Ellen added with a grin."Right, of course." Ulrik gave an awkward laugh and stole a glance at Adelaide.He continued, "Then I'll organize an evening banquet at Bloodmoon sometime soon and invite all of you to join.""Sounds
Third Person's POVThe little girl wasn't shy at all. When she saw Paisley, who was wearing red, hold out her hands, the child reached right out for a hug.She seemed a little scared of Adelaide, though, probably because Adelaide looked pretty serious.Adelaide asked the nann
Third Person's POV"He's not back yet. I want to stop her before she leaves the palace and get the facts so we can prepare.""I don't believe Stanley has a secret lover," Camilla said icily.Heath had initially believed Lance, but after thinking it through, he was starting to have doubts.After all
Third Person's POV"Lycan Erasmus has to be suspicious of him," Lance said."He's suspicious of everyone right now, but Germain is definitely the main suspect," Adelaide replied."Are you going to Styxwarden tomorrow, or just sending Ellen?" Lance asked.Adelaide said,







