Third Person's POV
Cedric 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
Adelaide's POVI held Cedric's hands, my cedar pheromones releasing a calming aura."Digby says you'll be fine. The potent medicine is just purging the Silencing Leaf toxins trapped in your neck. Once you spit them out, you'll speak again. No need to worry," I reassured him.Cedric nodded vigorously.I knew he was anxious, closely following the preparations for my mating ceremony with Lance.I suspected he wanted to offer his blessings in person.Plus, with many wolf guests at the ceremony, he likely didn't want to be mocked as a voiceless wolf.After admiring the wax-plum blossoms and ice crystals for a while, we returned to the room.Galvin arrived just then with wolfsbane ointment for a dressing change.My moon goddess necklace glimmered in the candlelight as I asked, "How's his leg now?""The bone's set well. Even after shifting, there'll be no deformities. Once the silvermoon ointment fully activates the heal
Adelaide's POVAfter settling Cedric in, Ivy and I headed out.The sky was overcast, and the wind was biting. I wrapped my cloak tightly around myself. Ivy handed her water cup to Jasmine and we made our way to the warehouse.I intended to sort out the new assets acquired by the Frostfang Pack.The wind carried Ivy's voice in fits and starts, "It's not about the past. I was at Etainil Dress Shop for our wedding dress when I overheard that Gloria from the Olsons was ordering a dress there. Turns out she's mating with Ulrik."My cedar pheromones rippled slightly, and I absentmindedly rubbed the silver fox fur trim on my cloak.My wolf whimpered softly in my mind.We'd dissolved our bond, yet my wolf still remembered our former mate.I asked, puzzled, "Ulrik's mating again? What about Velda? Did they dissolve their mating bond, or did he cast her out?""Velda was never a true Luna, more like a breeder. Now Ulrik's mating wi
Adelaide's POVDwight spoke with a cold arrogance, "Other people's opinions are based on moral principles and mainstream ideas that everyone generally follows."I nodded and asked, "So, may I ask which of his actions doesn't align with these morals?""It's your new mating bond that's holding him back.""How is my new mating bond related to him? That's my business," I said calmly, showing none of the shame Dwight expected.I asked further, "Is remating legally forbidden, or against social customs? Are there no examples of it today? If the Moon Goddess grants werewolves a second chance, can't a she-wolf remate? If a she-wolf is rejected or cast out, must she live alone forever to meet others' expectations?"Dwight sneered contemptuously. "You're just making excuses!"Unable to counter my logic, he resorted to scorn.I smiled more broadly. "Dwight, the real worry is for someone who doesn't cultivate virtue, doesn't study, doesn't
Third Person's POVLance considered Cedric his lucky star. The idea of treating Cedric poorly was laughable; if anything, Lance was more likely to spoil him rotten.Perhaps it was fate.A fleeting glance had drawn him to Cedric, though initially he'd only sensed a resemblance, nothing more.After all, following the massacre of the Frostfang Pack, Adelaide had been the sole survivor.Yet Lance had been inexplicably certain it was Cedric and had pursued him without hesitation.Despite losing him in the chaos, Lance had eventually brought him back.He liked to think Airella might have regretted her past decision, choosing to bless his relationship with Adelaide instead.That was a comforting thought. There was still a knot in his heart over Airella choosing Ulrik over him.He believed he was in no way inferior to Ulrik. Setting aside status, his combat skills and character were superior.As for looks and physique, Al
Third Person's POVAdelaide's voice carried a rare, lingering resentment, "I've heard those exact words once before. We all know how that ended."She wasn't sure why she said it—it was such a downer.She wasn't one to be so sentimental, yet lately, around him, she felt unusually fragile, like a tearful little girl.Lance looked at her steadily. "Don't compare me to him. For me, there's death, but no rejection—not ever. And abandonment? Impossible. My promises weigh more than gold. If you don't believe me, I'll spend my whole life proving it."Her eyes widened at his mention of "death."He met her gaze, unflinching. "I could die first, you know. Then you won't have to take care of an old, injured man in your later years."Adelaide snorted a laugh. She couldn't picture him old.Probably like the old Lycan King? Though even he wasn't that ancient when he passed.She sniffed, feeling uncharacteristically emotional. "I'll remember every word you said. If you break today's promises, I won't
Third Person's POVLance felt a stir in his heart. It was rare to see her so gentle.Looking at the two layers of gauze on his hand, he chuckled, "It's just a scratch, no need for all this fuss." His voice carried a hint of indulgence, an subconscious effort to ease the charged atmosphere."Why not?" She looked up, her amber eyes wide and shimmering like flickering flames in the candlelight."This kind of wound can get infected and pus-filled if not treated properly. I've been through it. Let me show you my scar," she said, extending her hand to reveal a half-finger-long scar on her wrist, now faintly pink."It was infected once. My wolf healing kicked in, but it left this mark. Your hands are so nice. It'd be a pity if you got a scar... Well, you'd still look good," she added, trailing off as if catching herself.Lance's wolf let out a cheerful whine at her concern.With a teasing smile, he said, "What's the use of a man having nice hands?"Adelaide replied earnestly, "It's better th