Third Person's POV
Priscilla snapped, "What are you implying? Would Madison stoop to coveting your pink diamonds? They're valuable, but her family has plenty. Besides, her family lacks for nothing."
Adelaide gave a dry chuckle, "Fine, we'll see."
Priscilla seized the chance to rebuke her, saying sharply, "How dare you slander Madison like this? When we return to the Blackthorn Pack, I'll punish you severely."
Adelaide rolled her eyes and ignored her, waiting to see who would end up embarrassed.
The carriage pulled up to Madison's manor. After the werewolf guard announced their arrival, he returned with an apologetic look. "Priscilla, Luna Adelaide, I apologize. I forgot that Madison has gone out today."
Priscilla said to Adelaide, "In that case, let's head back. We'll send a visit request first and return tomorrow."
Adelaide asked the guard, "Do you know where Madison went and when she'll be back?"
The guard replied, "I'm not s
Third Person's POVYvette, who had attended the mating ceremony, suddenly chuckled from the side. "You wouldn't believe how nervous Lance was that night. He wouldn't even let people near the villa. Such a considerate and enviable mate."Margot rolled her eyes at her. "Is your own husband not good to you? I heard he makes you breakfast every morning."Yvette's face turned red in an instant. "Margot!"Adelaide smiled faintly, lifted her water cup, and took a sip.This harmonious atmosphere was truly pleasing.She tried her best not to dwell on unpleasant matters.Celebrating Christmas at the palace, even a hint of sorrow was inappropriate, and she had long grown accustomed to suppressing her emotions.They were discussing Melinda's mate, Dwight—a prideful werewolf who had taken in two breeders.One was a call girl from the red-light district, exceptionally beautiful, for whom Dwight had paid a $300,000 breach of contract fee.The other was the daughter of a businessman. It was said she
Third Person's POVClarissa pulled Cedric close and whispered with a smile, "Tell me, has Priscilla given you any side-eye? Any nasty looks?"She knew her sister better than anyone—if Priscilla disliked someone, her eyes would practically roll to the back of her head."Lycan Clarissa!" Priscilla protested, overhearing. "Why would I treat Cedric poorly? He's such a sweet child; I adore him.""Really?" Clarissa said with a grin, looking at Priscilla. Her eyes held a hint of relief. "That's good to hear. But if I find out you're being unkind to him, I won't let it slide."Priscilla rolled her eyes. "If you don't believe me, ask Zelda."Zelda chimed in brightly, "Priscilla really does like Cedric, and so do I."Clarissa laughed. "I was just teasing Priscilla. I missed seeing her signature eye-rolls while she was away from the palace. Now that I've seen it, I feel better."Clarissa's words set off a round of laughter from Lycan Erasmus and Camilla.Only Priscilla remained sulky, thinking h
Third Person's POVPandora hurriedly inquired about everyone's latest news.Germain approached Madison and greeted her, "Madison, long time no see."Though they were siblings, they shared the same birth year and month, only two days apart.Madison responded, "You haven't returned to the capital for two or three years, have you?""Yeah, my last visit was to help Sidney with the mating ceremony for Adelaide from the Frostfang Pack," Germain said, his eyes cold and devoid of his former simplicity.At the mention of Adelaide, Madison tightly gripped her cloak and stepped aside in silence.Germain followed and asked, "What's the matter? Do you also harbor resentment towards this Adelaide?"Madison replied coldly, "Resentment? I'd sooner strike back at her with all my might."Germain mused, "She is the daughter of Alpha Bentley."At the mention of Alpha Bentley, Madison's eyes brimmed with hatred, her body trembling with it.In a frigid tone, she said, "I can never forget how Alpha Bentley
Third Person's POVPriscilla wasn't adept at comforting others and didn't want to upset Adelaide by mentioning Sidney.She casually remarked, "With the New Year upon us, who doesn't miss their loved ones? Adelaide's just feeling homesick."Hearing this, Cedric's smile faded.Adelaide lifted her spirits—she couldn't afford to lose composure at the royal banquet.She buried her sorrow deep within, as always, hiding it so well that no one could detect her pain.She couldn't let Priscilla's attempts at comfort continue; they were like salt on a wound.Adelaide squeezed Cedric's hand and said cheerfully, "I'm fine. I was just a bit down, but the thought of all the delicious food at tonight's royal court banquet cheers me up right away."Her lighthearted tone successfully deceived Zelda and Cedric, and even Priscilla was convinced.Though burdened by Sidney's death, Priscilla couldn't help but look forward to the royal court banquet. Such grand gatherings were always delightful.The palace
Third Person's POVPriscilla coaxed Lance in a tone one might use with a child, then turned to see him still standing there and promptly asserted her maternal authority. "What are you waiting for? Take Adelaide back. Look at her icy hands—show some concern!"Lance was taken aback by his mother's unusually sharp tone.Though occasionally scolded as a child, since he'd joined the military, his mother had treated him with increasing reverence, and their relationship had grown distant.Especially after he left the palace and became the Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack, their relationship grew even more distant.Their interactions were either polite or dismissive, and this direct rebuke was unprecedented.Glancing at his mother, Lance took Adelaide's hand and led her to their room.Priscilla sat back in her chair, reflecting on how rare it was for her to reprimand him so sternly. Marriage, it seemed, had softened him.Noticing Paisley still sulking, Priscilla thought of Sidney's lonely death.
Third Person's POVGermain's lips tightened, his face a mask of displeasure.His usual guise of affability was gone, replaced by a sullen expression.Maya quickly tried to smooth things over, "This isn't your father's handwriting! Someone must have forged it. Why would he dissolve his mating bond with your mother?"Her eyes darted accusingly at Paisley as she spoke. "You're the one who produced the proof, aren't you? What grudge do you hold against the Blue Abyss Pack? Forging a document to upset her and drive her to illness."Paisley shot back coldly, "You don't even know who I am. When the Blue Abyss pack approached ours for a mating bond, Germain and I had never met. How could I forge his handwriting?""Speaking of forging, Maya, you're always by Germain's side. You're more likely to have written this under his name, hoping Sidney would die sooner," Adelaide added.Germain and Maya's gazes snapped toward Paisley.Germain's eyes flickered with surprise—this was Paisley?Maya's eyes