Chapter 228

Third Person’s POV
45 Free Coms
Madison glanced around the room and said, “Take my words to heart: some people are worth associating with, others are not. Keep your distance from those with narrow minds lest you catch their sour disposition.”
Madison was openly declaring her feud with Adelaide.
Several ladies present were on good terms with Madison, partly due to her past hospitality and occasional favors, and partly because she and Wanda co–owned a perfume and jewelry shop where they got first dibs on trendy items.
Over time, their relationship had grown close.
Additionally, many she–wolves‘ partners were matched by Madison , so there was no shortage of supporters for her words.
A flash of malice crossed Madison’s eyes. With Adelaide absent, she felt free to disparage her.
“Priscilla didn’t invite her, and Alpha Lance didn’t speak up either. Clearly, this future Luna of the Blackthorn Pack isn’t beloved. There must be more to the story.”
Wanda snorted, “What more could there be? It’s like Ulrik and Velda–plotting to get close to Lance on the battlefield and forcing him into a bond.”
This remark stunned the crowd.
“Oh my, could it be true?”
“It’s hard to say. Why else would Alpha Lance mate with her?”
“Exactly.”
Whispers and malicious speculation filled the air.
Skye was present but remained silent, her head bowed.
Rowena spoke up in a deep voice, “Wanda, watch your words and back them with evidence. Don’t spread unproven rumors and cause unnecessary gossip or misunderstanding for Adelaide.”
As Wanda’s mother–in–law, Rowena’s rebuke silenced the crowd.
Wanda, not daring to cross Rowena, turned to her mother Madison.
Madison put down her coffee cup and said coldly, “Truth remains truth; lies stay lies.”
This nonchalant remark seemed to confirm Wanda’s insinuations.
“Priscilla’s dislike of her makes sense now, using such despicable tactics , ” someone muttered.
“As Frostfang Alpha Bentley’s daughter, resorting to this is truly repulsive.”
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“Luna Skye, now I understand why you keep your distance from her
Luna Skye, holding her coffee cup and wanting to speak, caught Madison’s icy gaze and merely smiled bitterly, taking a sip of coffee instead.
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Priscilla was thoroughly displeased. The gathering, meant to serve as a warning to Adelaide, had spiraled into public gossip.
Though Adelaide was Lance’s mate–a fact she couldn’t deny–Priscilla was uncomfortable seeing her maligned.
Yet Madison’s words hung in the air, unverifiable but unsettling.
She sulked, nursing her coffee in silence.
Then a voice broke the tension, “My, everyone’s gathered so early.” All eyes turned to Mrs. Voss entering with an omega.
Bundled in winter clothes and holding leather gloves , she moved slowly but with a cheerful expression.
“Priscilla,” she greeted with a curtsy.
Priscilla, recognizing Mrs. Voss, smiled and said, “No need for formalities. Why the late arrival, Mrs. Voss ? ”
Mrs. Voss explained, “I stopped by the Frostfang Pack first. It was packed, so I headed here .”
Priscilla frowned. “The Frostfang Pack? Why the crowd? Are they hosting a party too ?”
“A horde of men!” Mrs. Voss replied, then curtsied to Madison before sitting down.
“A horde of men?” Wanda’s voice sharpened. “She invited men over? Why did you go, Mrs. Voss? ”
“Because Cyrus was there,” Mrs. Voss said with a’wry smile.
“I tried to refuse, but Cyrus insisted I come along to ‘broaden my horizons.”
Wanda pressed, “What horizons? Do tell.”
Mrs. Voss sighed, “What horizons, indeed? The place was swarming with men–government officials and military generals, half of them already there, the other half likely on their way. I was so unnerved I left promptly.” She dabbed her nose with a handkerchief, still smiling.
“A horde of men surrounding her? What’s she up to?”
Wanda raised her voice again, glancing at Priscilla and covering her mouth with a smirk. “This future Luna’s quite the charmer, isn’t she? No wonder Cyrus went too. That face of hers–it’s captivating.”
Priscilla was fuming. What was Adelaide thinking?
The Frostfang Pack had male members, but why invite government and military officials?
Even Rowena of the Glenveil Pack was left speechless.
Sabrina, the unmarried girl previously humiliated, chimed in, “She’s always like this–fond of mingling2/3
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with men.”
Though it was unseemly for an unmarried girl to speak so, Adelaide’s behavior had stunned everyone , and no one took offense.
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