Chapter 288
288
288
Third Person’s POV
Adelaide mused with a tinge of sorrow, “I’m afraid her sudden illness is also linked to me.
+5 Free Coins
Paisley, who had intended to keep it secret, now spoke honestly since Adelaide had guessed, “Yes, we didn’t know at first. It was Maya who deliberately told her. After hearing it, Sidney spat blood and her condition worsened. Galvin told me and asked if I should tell you.”
“I had a hunch,” Adelaide sighed.
“I recommended mating with Ulrik, though it was at her suggestion. My mother investigated and confirmed the Bloodmoon Pack had been low–key those years, causing no trouble.”
“Plus, Tamara was incompetent and weak. After I arrived, I wasn’t bullied by Tamara, and the Alpha family maintained a facade of civility,” Adelaide added.
“Don’t overthink it. Once we reach Greenwood and see Sidney, we’ll decide what to do next,” Paisley said.
She wasn’t adept at comfort, believing things could only be resolved if one became stronger themselves.
Sidney, as a Luna, shouldn’t be bullied by a breeder, no matter how influential or child–bearing the breeder was.
How could a breeder bully a Luna?
Adelaide nodded, “I know that.”
“Now that I’ve mated with Lance, Sidney should feel reassured,” Adelaide said.
Paisley leaned back against the soft cushion, her fur–lined cloak trimmed with white fox fur, giving her an air of both masculinity and charm.
Adelaide glanced at her, “Anything else you’re hiding?”
“Nothing, just my own worries,” Paisley frowned, “Let’s drop it.”
“Family issues?” Adelaide asked.
“My aunt came for a visit with her rogue mate,” Paisley said gloomily.
“I used to despise her for tarnishing the Stephens family name, including mine. But before coming to the capital this time, I went home to see her and the rogue. Now, I don’t hate her as much,” Paisley explained.
“Oh? Why’s that?” Adelaide asked.
Adelaide knew about her aunt’s situation; Paisley had been angry when mentioning it before.
“Not sure, maybe because the rogue treats her decently,” Paisley said.
“Did the Stephens family let her into the pack?” Adelaide inquired.
O
1/3
94 % 1
288
+5 Free Coins
“No, they rented a house outside. The rogue is poor. After mating with my aunt without the pack’s blessing, he couldn’t secure a government job. Now he sells artwork to get by. My aunt makes handcrafts too; they’re managing somehow,” Paisley shared.
“What about children? How old are they?” Adelaide asked.
“My aunt can’t have children. She’s in poor health and infertile, but the rogue has stayed loyal through thick and thin,” Paisley said.
Adelaide nodded, “That’s rare.”
“I visited her. She wore plain clothes but didn’t look her age–no gray hairs, and her complexion was good. Whether they’re happy or not is evident,” Paisley observed.
Peering at Adelaide, Paisley continued, “I was thinking there are too many heartless men in this world, like Ulrik and Germain. She found a mate who’s willing to stay with her regardless of wealth or poverty–it’s truly rare.”
“Though I’m upset she’s caused gossip in the pack, upon reflection, what’s wrong with that? She simply loved someone, and that someone wasn’t approved by my grandfather. They had to mate in secret to be together. Thinking of this, I suddenly stopped hating her,” Paisley said.
“If my grandfather had agreed to their union back then, they wouldn’t have had to mate in secret,” Adelaide noted.
“You’re saying the fault lies in the rules, in the prejudice of powerful packs against rogues?” Adelaide asked.
Paisley said dispiritedly. “Yes, but my grandfather treated me well. I can’t hate him, so I’m really conflicted,” Paisley explained.
Adelaide acknowledged with a simple, “Hmm. In this world, it’s hard to say right or wrong when such things don’t happen to us. But your aunt was willing to give up wealth, and that rogue knew he had no future yet still insisted–this shows their love is true,” Adelaide said.
Tears welled in Paisley’s eyes as she leaned on Adelaide’s shoulder and softly cried, “I used to wish that mate would treat her badly, that she’d deeply regret it, that he’d also regret it after experiencing life’s hardships, and that they’d end up as resentful spouses, bickering endlessly.”
Adelaide gently patted her shoulder and soothed, “You’re not a malicious person.”
“But I did think that way,” Paisley said hollowly, “I was malicious, you just didn’t know it before.”
Now, aside from Paisley, her family refused to accept them.
“Why did they come back then?” Adelaide asked.
Paisley explained, “My grandmother is ill. My aunt wanted to see her. Perhaps missing the family, she rented a nearby house, hoping that over time, my grandmother would consent to see her. But my grandparents would never agree.”
Adelaide felt a wave of sorrow too. She wanted to comfort Paisley but then she straightened up and said, “I’m fine. Thinking of Sidney and my aunt, I’m just a bit conflicted.”
“Thinking of your past máting with Ulrik and the outcome,” Adelaide added.
2/3
U0.04 IVION, 14
WWM
288
After a long silence, Adelaide slowly said, “Everyone has their own destiny”
+5 Free Coins
Adelaide hadn’t fully grasped Paisley’s feelings until she arrived at Greenwood and saw Sidney. At that moment, everything became clear.
3/3