LOGINThird Person's POV
Avery didn't care about the big picture, the two nations, or the high-stakes political chess match.
He only knew one thing: if he ever came face-to-face with the people responsible, he'd lunged at them like a rabid dog. He'd tear their throats out regardless of the cost, even if it meant losing his own life.
But he understood why Adelaide was holding back.
She wasn't just Adelaide; she was a high-ranking commander of the kingdom, a she-wolf with
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 POVThe more Adelaide listened, the more the fire in her blood rose. Without a word, she unsheathed her silver-dipped dagger and drove it deep into one spy's abdomen.As she yanked the blade out, hot blood sprayed the frozen ground. Her face remained a mask of stone as she flipped the knife and buried it into the other man's side.She was done trying to reason with brainwashed killers. Most of all, she was done hearing them bark in this sacred resting place, disturbing the peace of her family's souls.Adelaide reversed her grip on the dripping dagger and held the hilt out to Beata. Her voice was cold and steady in the winter wind."Beata. Do you want to finish them yourself?"Beata stared at the bloody blade.She didn't reach for it. Instead, as tears fell into the mud, she slowly shook her head."No... I'm afraid they'll die too fast. I want to watch them bleed out. I want them to suffer every second until the e
Third Person's POVNight fell over the capital like a heavy sheet of black velvet, and within the Blackthorn territory, the magical crystal lamps flickered to life one by one.Adelaide took the silver-plated dagger Prunella handed her, gripped Beata's hand, and stepped out into the biting wind.Lance and Paisley followed close behind.Craig and Prunella had planned to join them, but Klein stopped them."Let her mate and her best friend handle this," he said simply."You two only need to step in if she actually falls."As he spoke, Klein felt a sense of pride. Having come to the capital and watched this pair navigate the shark-infested waters of royal politics and rival packs with such composure, he felt truly satisfied.Inside the Royal Marshal's office, Lucas stood in the blood-scented courtyard, waiting.The Blackthorns were coming tonight to collect the two prisoners, and a transfer of such high-value targets required
Third Person's POVThe iron chains were wound so tight around Velda's jaw that she couldn't even tilt her head back to howl. She could only curl into a twisted, pathetic heap.It was a mirror image of the scene back at Snowdeer Town, where she had locked Lucian in a beast cage.Back then, she had felt nothing but a thrill of triumph; now, for the first time, she felt a fear that made her soul shiver.Beata stood beside Adelaide, her cold gaze fixed on Velda's panicked state.Beata was trembling, tears of fury streaming down her face as she thought of the torture her pack-mates in the Frostfangs had endured."Gamma, can I... can I slap this bitch?" Beata asked, her voice shaking. "I'm just a weak omega. I won't hurt her enough to mess up the prisoner exchange. Could you... could you ask Princess Helia for me?"Adelaide looked at the girl's bloodshot eyes and knew that if Beata didn't vent this rage today, she might never escape the sha
Third Person's POVHelia sat back on her bed, her gaze drifting into the distance.She hadn't revealed a single thing to Digby, yet he had read her like an open book.What made the glands at the back of her neck tighten even more was the fact that he didn't question her political maneuvers like other male wolves often did. This silent validation from an enemy healer moved her in a way she couldn't quite explain.In the carriage ride back, Digby remained silent for a long time before finally speaking."It wouldn't be a bad thing if the throne of the Western Tribe found a new owner."Adelaide understood exactly what he meant. She knew the road Helia was choosing was paved with challenges, and she found herself admiring the woman's sheer guts.If Helia ever became the Lycan Queen, the border conflicts between their two nations could likely be settled with ink and paper rather than blood and steel.Alpha Lance arrived at the the pr
Third Person's POVAdelaide bowed her head. "Yes, Lycan Erasmus."The mark on the back of her neck was burning. She instinctively controlled her scent, her cedarwood scent as faint as possible.In front of a king, any unnecessary show of power was an act of rebellion.
Third Person's POVEllen was already struggling against one assassin, the aura from his opponent making the gland on the back of his neck numb.It wasn't until two members of the guard came to help that he managed to hold his ground.The other eighteen guards were fighting four assassins and were s
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
Third Person's POVThe little girl wasn't shy at all. When she saw Paisley, who was wearing red, hold out her hands, the child reached right out for a hug.She seemed a little scared of Adelaide, though, probably because Adelaide looked pretty serious.Adelaide asked the nann







