Chapter 55
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Adelaide’s POV
After Ulrik and Velda left, the tent’s atmosphere grew tense.
Abbot crouched, shoulders shaking. Seeing tears slip through his fingers, I realized my words had been cruel.
The other generals turned away, wiping their eyes .
Lance’s eyes were also slightly red.
My own tears welled up but were quickly suppressed.
I’d cried enough. Each time brought a breakdown.
I had to stay strong.
Lance’s throat bobbed. His eyes, though red–rimmed, quickly looked away. His knuckles rapped the table. “What exactly happened?”
My voice trembled as I began, “Eight months ago , as Ulrik’s Luna, I managed the Bloodmoon Pack and cared for the ailing old Luna, Rosemary. The royal guard captain came to tell me the Frostfang Pack was raided by rogues overnight, with no survivors.”
My nails dug into my palms, but I spoke through the pain, “I couldn’t believe it. I rushed back, only to find bloodshed everywhere. My mother, my brothers‘ mates, nephews, nieces, pack guards, Betas, Omegas–no one escaped.
“Especially my mother and my brothers‘ mates, their bodies were all mutilated. Some were dismembered. My brother’s son, his head was cut off… right there on the moonlight altar.”
My breath hitched, a sob catching in my throat.
I couldn’t continue, the agony crashing over me like a mountain landslide.
That scene was forever etched in my memory.
“Who did this ?” Lance asked.
I opened my mouth, having controlled
moles.
my emotions for so long, and uttered, “Western Tribes
The tent fell into an eerie silence, only the candlelight flickering in the wind.
Lance’s eyes blazed with rage.
I knew what he was thinking–the timeline matched Velda’s village massacre and the capture of
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“Everyone, leave us, Lance said suddenly.
As Abbot turned to go, I caught the tear tracks on his face. He opened his mouth but only patted my shoulder.
Once alone with Lance, the only sounds were our breathing.
A cup of wine slid toward me, its amber liquid gleaming in the candlelight.
I drank it in one gulp, the burn from my throat to my stomach doing little to ease the ache in my
heart.
Lance’s hand rested on my forehead, his touch feather–light. This Alpha, who had taught me archery, now had emotions in his eyes I couldn’t decipher.
‘I had no idea… His voice was barely audible.
I saw his throat move and realized he still saw me as that young girl from the training camp, begging to learn combat.
But now, my father and family were with the Moon Goddess.
I’d shattered my cherished mate bond and stood here reeking of blood.
Outside, a horse neighed. I pressed my palm to my temples–no more thinking, no more letting those images erode my sanity,
Lance’s hand was still on my forehead. I smelled the faint gunpowder on him.
I suddenly recalled my father’s words–Frostfang Alphas never show vulnerability.
“I’m fine,” I pushed the wine cup away, my fingertip catching a tear–thankfully, none fell.
Lance’s hand paused, then withdrew, his fingers grazing the cup’s edge.
“Calm down, then tell me everything,” Lance sat beside me, his pauldron brushing my wolfskin cloak. Cedar and gunpowder filled the air.
want to know?”
I clenched my fists, wolf claws “What do you
piercing my skin, silver–blue blood seeping o
His gaze fell on my trembling hands. A low, soothing growl rumbled in his throat, “Everything. Why the sudden mate bond, what happened after, and… the details of the Frostfang attack
I froze.
The mate bond had nothing to do with the war. Why was he pressing me on this?
But my fingers brushed the wolf–tooth pendant at my waist, and the sealed memories burst forth.
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“My mother forbade me to fight. She cried until her eyes blurred, forcing me to swear to stay in the capital…”
“You were never one to back down,” he suddenly said, his slit pupils reflecting the dancing candlelight.
“But the Frostfang Pack was left with only the elderly and weak,” I said, dropping my eyes. “My mother feared I’d die in battle. She hired etiquette tutors to teach me pack management, saying only then could I be a ‘proper Luna .”
At the words “proper Luna,” my voice cracked.
“She chose Ulrik. First, he vowed never to betray his mate, no lovers. Second, the Bloodmoon Pack was in decline, avoiding pack disputes. She said a small, insignificant pack like ours could accommodate me.”
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