Chapter 118
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118
Adelaide’s POV
Schmoozing with guests was just a masked ball for me.
Before joining the Bloodmoon Pack, my mother had the Moon Goddess Temple’s etiquette priestess train me with a rod to have the standard noble smile–lips up 15 degrees, eyes with a third of warmth, and a voice like silvergrass.
After all, she groomed me to be the pack’s Luna.
In socializing, we chatted and laughed cheerfully, parting with a touch of reluctance.
Once the door closes, we dropped the smiles, rubbed our sore jaws, hydrated, and prepared for the next
batch.
That evening, Luna Skye and Melinda visited.
Recalling the returned gifts, I still greeted them with a warm smile. “Luna Skey, Melinda, please come in.”
Luna Skye’s fingers, cool as snow despite the dragon’s breath scent, held my hand as she apologized, “Adelaide, I’m sorry. I didn’t accept your gift because I thought you might be short on funds after parting with Ulrik and returning to the Frostfang Pack.” Her voice had the perfect catch.
“You didn’t want me to be at a disadvantage, so you protected my assets on my behalf,” I said, retracting my hand and subtly brushing it against my skirt’s embroidery.
I instructed Beata, “Bring Luna Skye the coffee beans I bought from the Southern Border.”
“I’m relieved you understand,” Luna Skye said sincerely.
Suddenly, Melinda threw herself into my arms, her tears wetting my cloak’s medals.
“Adelaide, I had no idea. When you left the Bloodmoon Pack, I wanted to visit, but I was busy preparing for my bonding ceremony. Don’t be angry with me.”
Compared to Luna Skye’s insincerity, Melinda’s tears seemed genuine.
We grew up together, and she always looked up to me.
Even after I went to the Shadow Peaks, I’d receive gifts from her whenever I returned.
We had endless conversations and a strong bond.
Wiping her tears, I said with a smile, “You’re still such a crybaby even after finding your mate. I’m not angry with you.”
“Really?” Melinda looked at me with tearful eyes.
“Of course,” I replied. Noticing her pale complexion, I asked, “How is your mate treating you?”
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118
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Melinda wiped her tears, but they fell again as she said in a nasal voice, “He doesn’t dare to treat me badly.”
I knew Melinda’s mate was Dwight Santos, the future Alpha of the Soulrend Pack.
Dwight was handsome and popular among female wolves during his time at the werewolf school.
Melinda had fallen for him at first sight back then.
Although Alpha Howell was a laid–back Alpha, he was of royal lineage.
Melinda’s bonding with Dwight from the Soulrend’Pack was seen as a step down.
The Soulrend Pack wasn’t particularly powerful or historic, but its members seemed to have decent jobs.
Dwight worked for the royal family, with a promising future.
Observing Melinda’s expression, it seemed Dwight wasn’t treating her well. Her eyes had lost their shine.
So why do we seek mates? Why did my mother think that finding one ensures a stable life?
After a short while, Luna Skye and Melinda left. I saw them off to the pack border, maintaining a cordial demeanor.
Only when their car disappeared around the corner did the smile fade from my face like a receding tide.
The wolf–head door knocker reflected the cold gleam in my eyes, reminiscent of the Southern Border battlefield when my silver spear brought down the dragon–extinguishing werewolves‘ flag.
Beata commented, “You’re too accommodating. You sent Melinda gifts, but they were returned. Clearly, Luna Skye looked down on us back then. Why be so kind to them today?”
Back in my room, sitting before the dressing table, I said, “Schmoozing is schmoozing. It’s just putting on a smile and making polite conversation. She was nice to me before.”
“I just think it’s unfair. Your breakup with Ulrik was ordered by Lycan Erasmus. How dare she look down on us?”
“Beata, let it go. Life’s too short for all this pettiness.” Looking into the bronze mirror at my tired face, I realized I hadn’t rested these past few days with endless visitors. 1
I never knew there were so many packs and Lunas in the capital.
“You have a kind heart,” Beata said.
Looking into the mirror, I smiled slightly, thinking, “If I weren’t so forgiving, I wouldn’t have survived this long.”
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I treated Luna Skye the same as any other visiting Luna, without genuine warmth.
Humans are inherently selfish. When I dissolved my mate bond, even with the Frostfang Pack’s backing,
its decline was inevitable.
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At that time, Ulrik and Velda were rising stars. Luna Skye kept her distance to avoid offending the Bloodmoon Pack.
After all, Alpha Howell’s principle was to offend as few as possible.
Now, with my achievements and Velda’s lack of merits–and hearing she’s been punished–the Bloodmoon Pack seemed unlikely to regain its former glory.
So Luna Skye came to cozy up, given our familial ties. She probably thought I harbored resentment but could only forgive and reconcile.
I was about to rest when an Omega rushed in and said, “Luna Rosemary from Bloodmoon Pack has arrived. She collapsed at our pack border.”
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