Chapter 123

123
123
Third Person’s POV
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During the Southern Border conflict, Lycan Erasmus was reluctant to dispatch Lance and his army.
He harbored hope that Alpha Bentley might replicate his past success in reclaiming the Southern Border and repel the Dragon Ash Kingdom’s invasion.
However, as the war dragged on, national resources were severely strained, with food and weapons in short supply.
Alpha Bentley and his men fought desperately without reinforcement until their sacrifice.
Only then did Lycan Erasmus send Lance to take command of the Southern Border werewolf warriors.
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Could Lycan Erasmus not feel apprehensive?
The army was largely built by Lance.
When the former Lycan King was alive, he granted Lance full command, declaring it irrevocable.
Today’s Ironthorn soldiers were a mix of handpicked members from his original army and subordinates of Alpha Bentley.
Though Lance was nominally the Ironthorn commander, Lycan Erasmus retained mobilization authority -a compromise Lance made.
Lycan Erasmus doted on Lance from a young age.
With the Lycan King’s position secure, Erasmus displayed remarkable talent.
However, after Lycan Erasmus ascended to power, things slowly began to change.
Despite maintaining a facade of closeness, the underlying wariness had started to surface three or four years prior.
“Alpha Lance, would you like some coffee?”
Lance nodded slightly and said, “Put it down. Where’s Caldwell?”
Beta Ralph replied, “Caldwell’s at the barracks. Lycan Erasmus assigned them to handle reward distribution and manage pensions for fallen soldiers.”
Lance, in white attire with an air of dominance, still carried battle–honed killing intent.
His cedar pheromones filled the conference hall.
Frowning slightly, he seemed troubled.
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1:04 am
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Lance never hid his feelings from his close pack members, so Beta Ralph knew about his interest in Adelaide and his past request to bond with her.
Ralph’s cypress pheromones cautiously circled the main seat, emitting Beta soothing waves.
“Any decision yet?” Ralph asked softly.
Lance replied indifferently, “Nothing to decide. The war’s over; it’s time to return command. But Erasmus’s approach unsettles me.”
Lance harbored no ambitions for the Lycan King’s position.
Surrendering command was as simple as a word from him.
Yet Erasmus’s actions left him feeling stifled and concerned for Adelaide’s fairness.
Lance felt their childhood relationship was better.
They used to talk freely, with Erasmus giving straightforward advice, unlike now with his indirectness.
Beta Ralph recalled something. “Lycan Erasmus informed us that your mother, Priscilla, will stay at the pack for a few days. We’ve cleaned her villa and bought new furniture, costing around three hundred thousand dollars.”
“So much?” Lance said in surprise.
He went to the villa and saw neatly arranged oak and marble furniture.
The real costs lay in antiques and paintings.
The bedroom’s walnut–carved dressing table, four–poster bed, sofa, and armchair were exquisite, resembling castle decor.
Even after Ralph’s aggressive bargaining, the expense was steep.
Lance advocated reasonable spending and deemed three hundred thousand for two rooms extravagant.
He didn’t want to live with Priscilla, but before deployment, Erasmus had promised to move Priscilla out of the palace upon Lance’s Southern Border victory.
This was less a favor than Lycan Erasmus’s acknowledgment of Priscilla’s financial excesses and interference in palace affairs.
Priscilla, Lycan Erasmus’s aunt and the former new moon priestess of the former Lycan King, left Lance with little room for comment. He had no choice but to turn a blind eye.
Now that Lance had returned victorious, Lycan Erasmus was surely eager to have Priscilla move out to avoid further trouble.
Pampered from a young age by her grandparents and extended family, Priscilla’s appointment as new moon priestess only amplified her arrogance.
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With her sister Lycan Luna Clarissa’s additional support , she grew accustomed to a life of privilege and rivalry , demanding only the finest in all aspects.
“Zelda will likely accompany Priscilla to the villa. Should we assign more Omegas to attend to them?” Ralph asked.
“No need. They’re unaccustomed to it. The omegas currently serving them will relocate. Those who had served Priscilla for years were carefully selected.
“Is Zelda’s house ready?” Lance inquired.
“Yes, next door. It cost a hundred thousand to renovate. ”
Another large expense made Lance sigh. He waved Ralph off. “Let’s head back. Have Caldwell come to the study when he returns.”
“Aren’t you resting? You’ve barely slept since returning from the battlefield,” Ralph pressed.
“I can’t sleep,” Lance rubbed his temples–too agitated to rest.