Third Person's POV
Adelaide was worried about Cedric, knowing it might take him a while to accept that there were no family members left at home.
Valentine didn't arrange for Cedric to stay in the original house, which had been renovated, as it might trigger painful memories.
So, he had Cedric stay in the same house as Adelaide.
The house was large enough to provide ample space for both of them.
Valentine considered that after all the suffering Cedric had endured, he would need Adelaide's care and support.
Since Cedric was not yet seven and hadn't found his wolf or undergone his first shift, there was no issue with him living with Adelaide.
At the very least, arrangements could be made after Adelaide and Lance's mating ceremony.
Once Cedric was settled in, Adelaide gathered everyone in the conference room.
"Inform the Thunder Wolf Pack and let Mallory know that once Cedric is more stable, I'll bring him to visit," Adelai
Third Person's POVLance's face stiffened slightly as he turned away, insisting, "I'm not officially part of the Warscar Training Camp. My teacher said I'm just his student, not a camp member."Adelaide smiled brightly. "That's a bit of denial. Since Klein is part of the Warscar Training Camp and you're his student, you're definitely associated with it. When did you join?"Lance forced a smile, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. "We were talking about Cedric meeting Elder Halsey. When do you plan to go?"Adelaide rested her chin on her hand, staring at him without blinking. "Tomorrow, after I take Cedric to see him, Junior Lance."For some reason, knowing Lance was from the Warscar Training Camp eased her tension, making her bolder around him.Lance rolled his eyes. "I'm older than you.""Yes, you're older than me, a senior student," Adelaide teased, laughing heartily.She now understood why he'd always avoided the topic, mentioning only his annual visits to the Shadow Peaks—
Third Person's POVEveryone nodded in agreement.Beatrice suddenly stood up and said, "Adelaide and Cedric should have dinner here before they leave. I'll have the kitchen prepare some extra dishes right away."Adelaide hadn't mentioned dining in, but the Thunder Wolf Pack was eager to host Cedric for dinner.She gladly accepted their kind offer.Beatrice quickly arranged for omega servants to bring out a sumptuous meal.Even Luna Audrey joined them, her spirits visibly lifted.After dinner and a bit more conversation, Adelaide and Cedric took their leave.Luna Audrey promptly gathered everyone in the conference room.Her eyes, no longer dull, sparkled with determination as she addressed the Pahari family members. "When Adelaide's mating ceremony takes place, the Thunder Wolf Pack must help organize it and prepare a generous gift. We need to maintain close ties with her.""You should socialize more. Attend banquets and gatherings—no more hiding at home. Build connections. Cedric will
Third Person's POVAdelaide fingered her Moon Goddess necklace, its moonstone in the wolf-head emblem suddenly warm.Her cedar pheromones, laced with silver fern, rippled through the Thunder Wolf Pack's conference room. "Alpha ance and I have decided that after our mating ceremony, Cedric will live with us in the Blackthorn Pack," she announced.She glanced at Cedric and noticed him instinctively shrinking his neck. A fresh, pale-pink scar from a past rogue attack marred his nape.Softening her tone, she continued, "Cedric trusts Alpha Lance implicitly. It was Alpha Lance who rescued him from that nightmare. Once he recovers, Alpha Lance will hire the finest tutors for him.""A decent person with some education, passing the Frostfang Pack's test and bearing its Alpha status ensures a life of luxury," she explained.Initially, the idea of Cedric living in the Blackthorn Pack seemed odd to the Thunder Pack members.But given Lance's approval and the broader horizons the Blackthorn Pack
Third Person's POVAfter the Frostfang Pack was massacred by the Western Tribe, Mallory bought several ink bottles to ease his guilt, but they remained unsent.His wolf whimpered in his mind—a sound of grief and uncertainty.Mallory squatted down, lifted Cedric into his arms, and choked out, "I didn't break my promise. I bought new ink long ago, waiting to give it to you."His pheromones carried a hint of pine resin, a soothing scent meant to calm his emotions.Cedric's small hand wiped the tears from Mallory's face. His ears twitched slightly, sensing the emotional fluctuations around him.He struggled to get down, wanting to walk in himself.Seeing this, Adelaide's anger melted away."Let him down. He prefers to walk on his own," she said gently, though her voice betrayed her fatigue.But Mallory held tight, not releasing Cedric.The Thunder Wolf Pack's Beta, witnessing this, couldn't hold back his tears. Convinced now that this was Cedric, he hurried to inform Alpha Hancock and Lun
Third Person's POVCedric had been through a lot as a rogue—chased, rejected, and beaten. Deep down, he still lacked confidence.When he heard the Thunder Wolf Pack didn't believe he was back, he thought they looked down on him for his past as a rogue.So when the car reached the Thunder Wolf Pack's border, he didn't want to get out and shook his head at Adelaide from behind the window. Adelaide patiently said, "Don't be scared. I've met your uncle before. He really misses you, and so do the others. It's true."Cedric still shook his head, pointed to his throat, then to his foot, his eyes filled with sadness.Adelaide took a deep breath, her cedar pheromones suddenly strong, making the wolf-head emblem on the car door tremble.She could tell Cedric was feeling inferior.Turning to the Thunder Wolf Pack's guard, she noticed the faint electric patterns on his shoulder armor."Please announce that I, Adelaide of the Frostfan
Third Person's POVAdelaide held Cedric's small hand as they slowly walked out of the Frostfang Pack.Cedric's leg injury made it hard for him to walk fast. Rushing would cause him to limp and risk falling.Valentine turned away, tears streaming down his face. He'd endured leg-breaking pain himself—his leg, crushed by a giant bear years ago, still caused him discomfort. Compared to Cedric, though, he was fortunate.At the royal conference room, Lycan Erasmus and Clarissa waited.Erasmus's icy pheromones filled the air. As Cedric stepped inside, the scar on the back of his neck glowed—a reaction to the Lycan King's aura.Every step he took was cautious, as if fearing to disrupt the fragile peace.His silver-blue eyes betrayed his fear, an instinctive response to Erasmus's power. Yet he strove to maintain his dignity.Clarissa wiped away tears and beckoned Cedric over, her rose-scented pheromones soothing.Cedr