LOGINThird Person's POV"Gamma Adelaide, there is something I'd like to ask you, if I may."Adelaide stopped and nodded. "Please, go ahead."Christine's expression was pained. She hesitated for a heartbeat, looking thoroughly embarrassed, before finally speaking."Do you happen to know... why the Royal Marshal's Office is still holding Ulrik? Why won't they let him go?"Adelaide blinked in surprise."Holding him? That's impossible. He should have left the dungeons days ago."The Snowdeer Town case was closed. Velda had been extradited to the Western Tribe.Ulrik hadn't been hit with any major charges—just a demotion. By all accounts, he should have been a free man the moment the ink dried on the treaty.Christine gave a bitter smile."But he's still in there. We sent someone to inquire, and the guards said... he's refusing to come out. I just felt like something was wrong. What Alpha chooses to stay locked in a dark iron cage? I was worried there might be some other reason, so I wanted to
Third Person's POVAdelaide gently kneaded the tense muscles at the back of Paisley's neck, continuing her quiet reassurance."We haven't lived through that kind of pain, so we have no right to judge her choice. We can't force our worldview on them or make their life-altering decisions for them. We can feel regret and sorrow for this tragedy, but we absolutely cannot lose heart. The Independent She-Wolf Center must keep moving forward!""But the options we're offering are the best they could hope for!"Paisley's tone softened, though the frustration still lingered."I know, dear, but why should they trust us? To them, we're the luckiest noble wolves in the country," Adelaide sighed.Paisley let out a heavy breath of her own."I know you're right. It's just such a waste. If she had only come to us, her story would have ended differently.""How about this," Adelaide suggested, her mind racing."Tell Wendy to keep a sharp e
Third Person's POVAlpha Zander cracked a grin. "Doug, you've got a point. That's just the way things are supposed to be."In truth, he didn't exactly have a choice, did he?More than that, he was truly getting old. His wolf often felt frail these days, no longer fit to lead soldiers in holding the line at the Bloodscar border.Luckily, the command was now in Russell's hands.This meant the fangs of the Doyles would continue to guard that land.They drank until they were well and truly wasted.As night fully descended and they prepared to head their separate ways, Cyrus gripped Zander's arm tightly, letting out a heavy sigh."Listen. We might never get another chance to see each other again. Take care of yourself!""Let's all take care of ourselves!"Alpha Zander replied, slamming a fist against his chest in salute.Even though he had downed buckets of strong spirits, he remained standing steady in the wind
Third Person's POVDoug bowed respectfully to Zander, but Cyrus suddenly turned on his heel and stepped back out into the wind and snow.Everyone in the room froze.Just as Lance was about to chase after him, Cyrus pushed the door open and walked back in.He forced a stiff, awkward smile, his voice thick with emotion and a heavy nasal tone."Forgive me, Alpha Zander. Oh Moon Goddess... I just got... a little too overwhelmed."Hearing this, Adelaide stood up immediately.She led Lisa and Melinda in a polite bow to the men and quietly exited the room.She knew Cyrus, that stubborn old wolf, was fighting to maintain his last shred of dignity; he didn't want to break down and sob in front of the she-wolves.She pulled the door shut softly behind her.About half an hour later, Lance stepped out of the study.Adelaide was standing by the fireplace, poking at the burning logs with iron tongs.Sensing his sc
Third Person's POVMelinda was actually amused by Skye's logic."Use your brain for once. Back then, the negotiations hadn't even started, and the King hadn't handed down a verdict. Every official in the city was watching Adelaide's every move. You really think she'd be stupid enough to pull a stunt like a birthday party?"Skye buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled."Whatever. His birthday is over. What's the point of a meal now? I'm not going.""When they dragged him back to the capital, I actually went to the gates of the estate to see him," Skye added defensively. "The guards wouldn't let me in. That's not my fault. I tried my best."Melinda looked at her mother with a mix of disappointment and disgust, as if she were looking at a particularly dim-witted wolf."Fine. I always thought you were just weak. I didn't realize you actually just don't care."Skye's sobs leaked through her fingers."Is seeing him rea
Third Person's POVAfter dinner, Alpha Zander and Lance headed into the study. The soundproofing barrier went up the moment the door clicked shut.Adelaide tried to follow them in, but Zander placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, blocking her path."I have some things I need to say to Lance in private."Adelaide puckered her lips but eventually turned away, heading toward the front courtyard where Prunella and Craig were still lingering.During dinner, Klein had officially announced his return to the Shadow Peaks. He wasn't just leaving on his own, either; he had ordered Prunella and Craig to get out and head back with him immediately.Craig had taken the brunt of the scolding—Klein complained that ever since they arrived at the Blackthorn estate, a swarm of noble wolves had been dropping by just to admire his paintings.Klein worried that Craig becoming too cozy with high-ranking officials in the capital would only bring unnecessary heat to Lance.Prunella couldn't help but grumble pr
Third Person's POVAdelaide didn't wait for him to finish.She answered directly, "I already told you—Styxwarden can choose to guard them yourselves, or you can turn them over to the Capital Guard for centralized management. The choice is yours. If you keep them, you have to e
Third Person's POVMallory even came in person to question Hunt.They had more experience with interrogation and torture than the Ministry of Justice.Even so, Hunt kept denying everything, insisting he knew nothing about the treason plot.The case status was reported
Third Person's POVWhen a person is truly and utterly disappointed in another, they can reach a state of complete indifference.The next day, Heath went to the Pearwater Shelter to pick up Pledge.Adelaide was at the shelter, and Heath asked to speak to her privately. "Please
Third 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







