LOGINThird Person's POVEllen's move was quick, his palm already dusted with light gray wolf hair.But just as his hand was about to make contact with Adelaide's shoulder, her cedar pheromones suddenly shifted, her silver-blue vertical pupils flashed for a second, and her body dodged with the agility of a silver wolf, easily sidestepping him.Ellen immediately spun around and threw another punch, the sulfur pheromones from his fist rushing toward her.The moment their fists collided, Ellen's half-shifted knuckles gleamed, and Adelaide's palm, though not fully shifted, was concentrated with the Alpha power of the Shadowfang Pack.Their pheromones clashed, sending out small bursts of air. The exchange was blindingly fast; onlookers could barely count the rounds.Only Paisley, with her wolf ears perked up, kept a steady count: "Round seven, round eight, round nine…"At the forty-second mark, Ellen finally grabbed Adelaide's shoulder, his fingers reflexively tightening, trying to use a subtle
Third Person's POVBack at her pack house, Adelaide told Lance about the encounter. She quickly clarified, "Just so we're clear: I'm only keeping tabs on him because he's my subordinate and he's in a critical position. I'm not being jealous, just normally cautious."Lance chuckled, pinching her cheek. "You don't have to explain. Do you think I'm that petty? Right now, anyone you catch being too chummy with Germain should raise a flag. You're doing the right thing."Adelaide wrapped her arm around his, leaning in playfully. "I just didn't want you to misunderstand, though I know you're not petty."Lance took off his jacket, pulled Adelaide down to sit next to him, and asked, "I hear you're setting up an assessment for the Royal Guard? Are you planning to spar with them yourself?"Adelaide raised an eyebrow. "News travels fast! Ellen told you, didn't he?""He did. So, is this just because Ampelio tried to disrespect you?"Adelaide smile
Third Person's POVUlrik paused for a beat, then answered seriously, "I think focusing on the job is the most important thing right now. Gloria often talks about you, saying you're a really generous and broad-minded person. So, I figured you'd also prioritize work and wouldn't sweat the small stuff."Ampelio gave a dry laugh, clearly awkward. "Well, now you're making me sound like a petty jerk."He secretly knew Gloria was too high-and-mighty to say anything nice about him besides her brother, Tad.Ulrik was careful not to offend anyone, especially Adelaide.He had just gotten this job, and if he fell off this ladder now, he knew he'd never climb back up.Seeing that Ulrik wasn't biting, Ampelio grew bored and finally left.The thought of the impending assessment already gave him a headache.It wasn't just him; all twelve commanders of the Royal Guard would be involved. He knew he was going to be universally hated—women a
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 good." Ampelio nodded, adding a pointed remark. "I'll definitely be there, but I wonder if Gamma Adelaide will do us the honor."Ampelio was currently in a state of "outward submission, inward defiance" toward Adelaide.He deliberately made that comment to put Adelaide in an awkward spot.Adelaide sat in her chair, narrowing her eyes at the lingering bruises on Ampelio's face.She finally spoke. "Ampelio, for a Deputy Captain of the Royal Guard, your combat skills are terrible. In a few days, I will personally organize an assessment. All twelve commanders of the Royal Guard must attend. Go notify them."Ampelio bristled. "Are we the only ones being assesse
Third Person's POVRamona chose not to run a business but instead started working at the Pearwater Shelter, managing their purchasing.Because many women there were frail, a separate building was constructed—a 'wellness center'—where they could receive nutritional meals and recover.The shelter director had one rule: no slaughtering of live animals on the premises.So, Ramona had to make a daily trip down the mountain to purchase meat and haul it back up.In addition, the hills around the shelter were rich with wild mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and even medicinal herbs, which Ramona gathered to brew restorative soups for the residents.Various officials also sent in batches of common, yet helpful, medicinal herbs.All the others from Madison's estate had been dealt with, leaving only Rosa.Clarissa issued a specific order: Rosa was to deliver meals to Madison at the Royal Detention Center daily. However, she was
Third Person's POVHunt's lips kept trembling, his words tumbling out incoherently in a rush of emotion. "Daphne, you came to see me, didn't you? You came to see me off, right? Daphne, you're the only one who truly cares about me! You're such a good girl!"Daphne shifted slightly, covering her nose with her sleeve. Her tone was flat and distant. "I didn't come to see you. I just wanted to ask what it feels like to be executed right now. Are you scared?"Hunt froze, staring at her as if he hadn't heard correctly. "Wh-what did you say?""I don't know if I'll get dragged into this mess later, but if I do, I might get the death penalty too. So I figured I'd ask about your feelings now, just so I can be ready." There was absolutely no warmth in Daphne's voice.Hunt's chest heaved violently, and his face instantly turned ash-white.He stammered, "How... how can you say that?"Daphne continued, "My mother used to say that bad deeds always come back to bite you, and sometimes the kids get dra







