Chapter 260
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Third Person’s POV
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The pine torches on the rock wall crackled and spat, casting interwoven shadows in the flickering firelight. The entire night was bathed in a warm, primal gold.
And wasn’t their life ahead long enough?
The next morning, before 6. a. m., Ivy knocked outside.
The bedroom had an inner and outer chamber, separated by a velvet curtain.
At the knock, Lance and Adelaide sat up instantly–their wolf instincts ever–vigilant.
Adelaide, upon seeing Lance bare, froze before grabbing the velvet blanket to cover herself.
Her cheeks burned.
Lance, recalling the previous night, felt a pang of inexperience and avoided her gaze.
He slipped into his silk robe and cleared his throat. “I’ll get up first. You… put on your robe. I’ll call an omega in to help you dress.”
Why was there such awkwardness?
He couldn’t meet her eyes but glanced sneakily.
Her sleepy, dazed look was like morning dew–stunning.
He opened the door to Ivy and Susan. They bowed. “Alpha Lance,” Susan greeted.
Lance nodded. “Help Luna Adelaide change.”
But Susan wasn’t there to dress Adelaide. On Priscilla’s orders, she was there to check for marks.
When Adelaide rose in her robe, the moon crown mark on her neck oozed silver–blue blood beads. The gland punctured by Lance’s fang was visible beneath her collar.
Adelaide, meeting Ivy’s gaze and thinking of the unmistakable hickey, felt embarrassment surge but kept her composure. “Since you’re all here, let’s get ready.”
Lance, usually attended by omegas, had kept everyone out this time. He planned to let Adelaide choose her attendants.
After years at the southern border he was used to Caldwell’s temporary omega staff, but they hadn’t gelled.
He preferred no females close.
He took his morning suit to the dressing area behind the screen. Just as he was about to enter, he saw Susan examining Adelaide’s neck.
He stopped her immediately. “Susan, what are you doing?”
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Susan, having seen the mark, grinned. “I’m just tidying up yesterday’s clothes for washing
Adelaide’s cheeks flushed again. She started her morning routine, pretending not to notice Susan’s actions
Susan called in two servants to collect all bedding for washing and remake the bed.
Ivy watched with bittersweet feelings–sad that Adelaide had given so much during her year in the Bloodmoon Pack with little substance, yet glad that Lance was the first to mark her.
With this proof, no one in the pack would dare question Adelaide’s standing.
Today required a formal gown for Adelaide.
They were heading to the palace to pay respects to Lycan Luna Clarissa and Lycan Erasmus, necessitating a formal Luna dress.
She donned a crimson velvet gown with symmetrical silver phoenix and rose embroidery, fastened with gold clasps.
Beneath it, a green round–neck dress complemented the look.
On her head sat a splendid headdress adorned with nine silver feathers and a crystal cloud at the peak.
Due to the cold, Ivy added a hooded crimson velvet cloak. The hood rested behind her head, its sides and rim lined with white fox fur, adding an air of dignity with a touch of playfulness.
Lance needed assistance with his formal attire.
Unfamiliar with the cumbersome process, he summoned Ralph and a wolf guard to help him dress.
He wore a sapphire–encrusted hat, a deep blue coat embroidered with five sets of silver scrollwork, and laurel leaves symbolizing power on the shoulders. A wine–red leather belt with diamond pins secured his waist.
The pins featured gold geometric patterns linked by pearl chains, with ribbons in red, white, light blue, and green hanging from the bottom.
A wide sash in these four colors crossed his chest, enhancing his already imposing figure in the tailored
suit.
Adelaide applied light makeup–her natural beauty notwithstanding, a bare face was inappropriate.
Once ready, she left with Ivy and Beata.
On their way, she inquired about Cedric, relieved to hear he was sleeping soundly under Jasmine’s care.
In the outer room, Adelaide and Lance met each other’s eyes.
Dressed formally, they momentarily forgot last night’s intimacy and felt no awkwardness.
Lance extended his hand naturally, Adelaide placed hers in his, and they smiled at each other before walking out together.
Behind them, Ivy discreetly wiped away tears. Though she’d promised not to cry, seeing Lance and
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Adelaide so lovingly united brought tears to her eyes.
Priscilla was already seated in the Packhouse’s council chamber, on a carved velvet armchair she’d specially commissioned.
Despite rarely spending much time there, today she needed to project authority.
As the couple prepared to leave, Caldwell intercepted them.
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