LOGINThird 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 POVPaisley had been dead set against helping Wanda, but Adelaide's analysis started to win her over.If a high-society lady from the capital could start over at the Center, it would send a powerful message to all the women who were too terrified to ask for help.They couldn't afford to wait.They didn't want to wake up to the news of another suicide.Worse, Adelaide realized they had no idea how many desperate she-wolves were already dying in silence in the city's shadows.Paisley took a deep breath."Adelaide, maybe... maybe you should go to the Glenveil Pack yourself? Find out if Wanda really has no other options. Though..." she hesitated, "I don't know if Rowena will talk. This is pack business, after all."Before Adelaide could even start digging, a wave of nasty rumors hit the streets the next morning.The gossip was toxic. People were calling Adelaide and Harper hypocrites who only cared about their
Third Person's POVGermain 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 work coming from Lycan Erasmus's mate.After the dinner, people said their
Third Person's POVAdelaide mused with a tinge of sorrow, "I'm afraid her sudden illness is also linked to me."Paisley, who had intended to keep it secret, now spoke honestly since Adelaide had guessed, "Yes, we didn't know at first. It was Maya who deliberately told her. After hearing it, Sidney
Third Person's POV"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," Adelaide replied.Though nominally the deputy commander, Adelaide knew the patrols were Lance'
Third Person's POVAdelaide first checked in with Beta Ralph to get the lay of the land, particularly regarding the Golden Jewelry Store.Ralph assured her that Johnson was under control and the store was under surveillance—no one would leak information.Relieved, Adelaide headed to the pack's fina







