Chapter 508
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Third Person’s POV
“Hmm, yes,” Lance said with a knowing smile, his gaze distant.
“Are you aware which packs Madison’s people have infiltrated?”
“I have a general idea. Aldrich’s place is included, though his wisdom is beyond compare.”
Adelaide’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean Madison positioned someone with Aldrich… to serve him ? ”
“Likely as a lover. Aldrich’s mate passed away long ago, and his son Lucius was appointed Alpha of the Ashen Pack, which holds territory in a remote area.”
“They aim to secure support from local powers. Controlling Aldrich effectively means controlling Alpha Lucius,” Adelaide deduced.
“Indeed. When Aldrich returns to the capital, he’s alone, with no family around… Speaking of which, he asked me to greet him with you next time I have the chance,” Lance added.
“Ah? Why didn’t you mention it before? Let’s visit him when you’re free next,” Adelaide said.
Lance sighed inwardly, “Next time… When would they ever make it to Yellowstone? ”
The next day, Lance returned to the Ministry of Justice to handle his duties, while Adelaide checked on the situation in the study.
Craig and Caldwell hadn’t emerged yet, so she had food sent in but didn’t disturb them.
Paisley came over and chatted briefly with Adelaide, who then nodded and said, “Let’s go. We can drop Cedric back at school on the way.”
Chase and Cedric had become close friends.
Though Chase lacked formal enrollment, he’d learned much from Cedric.
The car was filled with the children’s chatter.
Adelaide listened with a smile, occasionally chiming in.
After dropping them off at school, the car headed to a renowned café in the capital.
Instead of sitting down, Adelaide and Paisley exited through a side door and walked through several streets to West Hibiscus Alley.
Paisley stopped at a house and knocked.
Ramona answered the door after a moment.
“Luna Adelaide, Paisley. My father’s waiting inside,” Ramona said softly, her layender pheromones rippling gently.
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Adelaide inquired, “How did you get here? Weren’t you staying with the Barkers? Isn’t Dorothy with you?
Ramona’s lavender pheromones carried a hint of warmth. “Father’s ill, so I came to see him . Dorothy had to meet Wilorina, so she didn’t come along”
Her wolf cars twitched faintly.
Hunt wasn’t ill at all. He’d merely fabricated an excuse to invite Adelaide over.
Adelaide and Paisley stepped into the study. Hunt looked sick even if he wasn’t. His hair was a mess, his face pale. The scent of old paper clung to him–thin, dusty, like a book left too long in a damp attic .
He sat slumped, shoulders bent, eyes dull and tired.
Once a man who could silence a room with a glance, now he just looked old.
“Father, Luna Adelaide and Paisley are here,” Ramona announced, her lavender pheromones spreading softly to ease the room’s tension.
“Seen them,” Hunt replied indifferently, his old–book pheromones deepening.
His gaze swept over Adelaide and Paisley with a subtle scrutiny, sharp yet calculating.
He said, “Take a seat.”
Despite his diminished vigor, his eyes still held a trace of cunning intelligence.
Adelaide and Paisley sat down promptly.
Adelaide’s cedar pheromones carried a cold edge, reflecting her pride as Luna. Paisley’s crimson pheromones flickered like a wary flame, alert and ready.
“Ramona mentioned you’re willing to help rescue her mother,” Hunt began, his old–book pheromones rippling with urgency.
His eyes focused slightly on the question, “What’s your plan? I need to know.”
The mention of Ramona’s mother brought an involuntary note of concern to his voice, though he tried to mask it.
Adelaide countered, her cedar pheromones sharpening like ice spikes.
Her pupils contracted, her eyes full of challenge. “Before that, Mr. Shuman, why don’t you tell me how many breeders Madison has kept for you? How many children they’ve borne you, and how many have died?”
She stared unflinchingly into Hunt’s eyes, probing for hidden truths in his reaction.
Hunt’s eyes turned cold, his old book pheromones freezing the air. “I’ve had a dozen or more breeders . As for children… I honestly can’t keep track. The daughters I’ve seen are only a few.”
His voice was flat, as if recounting someone else’s story, but his trembling fingers betrayed his inner turmoil.
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“What do you mean you can’t keep track?” Adelaide pressed, her cedar pheromones maintaining pressure.
Her wolf ears twitched, catching every detail.
“Many have perished, and I choose not to dwell on it.” For a moment, pain flickered in Hunt’s eyes as he turned away.