Chapter 237
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Third Person’s POV
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With only four days left until Adelaide and Lance’s mating ceremony, Adelaide grew increasingly anxious as Irene’s group failed to arrive.
She approached Craig, who was working, and asked, “Has Irene messaged you? When will they get here ? ”
Graig, carving a moonstone with a bone–patterned knife, looked up and said, “Oh, I almost forgot – Irene said they won’t make it. She wants you to visit the Shadow Peaks with Lance after the ceremony.”
“Not coming?”
Adelaide’s disappointment was evident. “But they promised.”
Craig put down his tool and said with a wry smile, “You know how lazy Irene has become. She’d rather lie down than sit, especially in this snow. She’ll stay by the training camp’s fireplace. You can visit after the ceremony as per tradition.”
“What about Prunella and the others? Surely they can come?”
“If the teacher isn’t coming, the students won’t either,” Craig said, polishing the moonstone.
“Since you left the Shadow Peaks at fifteen and rarely returned or wrote, they naturally assumed you no longer needed us.”
“Feelings have grown distant?” Adelaide felt a chill. “Do they really think that?”
“It’s only natural,” Craig said, beginning to shape the stone for the wolf–pack emblem he’d promised Lance. “You’ve faced difficulties without seeking the teacher’s advice and endured grievances without returning to the camp. They naturally assumed you no longer needed them.”
Adelaide slumped into a seat, acknowledging the truth in Craig’s words.
Over the years, she’d been too preoccupied with her struggles in the Bloodmoon Pack to maintain contact with her teachers. It was only after the Frostfang Pack’s attack that she’d sought help, sending Craig and Prunella to gather intelligence.
“Thank goodness you’re here ; otherwise, I’d have no one to accompany me,” Adelaide said, her cedar pheromones tinged with a whine.
Her Moon Goddess necklace suddenly dimmed.
Craig glanced at her, his fir pheromones blending with a hint of humor. “Not necessarily. Irene just messaged me about an urgent mission. She might leave in a couple of days.”
Craig absentmindedly stroked the wolf–head amulet on his finger. It was the symbol for urgent missions from the Warscar Training Camp.
“Ah?” Adelaide stood abruptly, silver–blue blood beads crystallizing on her fingertips.
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Her vertical pupils gleamed
dark gold under the candlelight, and her cedar pheromones intensified –
“Can’t it wait until after the ceremony?”
The Frostfang Pack’s Moon Goddess incense burner trembled at her outburst, scattering cypress ash onto the table,
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Her long–anticipated reunion was dashed , and now Craig was leaving too.
The Frostfang Pack’s Beta Valentin had talked about hosting a grand mating ceremony, but it seemed it would only amount to a few casual family meals.
She’d once believed the bond between teachers and students was eternal, but she’d overlooked that relationships required nurturing.
But then again, when she’d asked the students for help, Craig and Prunella had set off immediately. This time, Craig had even brought numerous paintings to help her build connections with the Royal Council and pack leaders.
“I’ve been selfish,” Adelaide murmured, her eyes reddening,
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“After the ceremony, I’ll take Alpha Lance to the Shadow Peaks and personally apologize to the teacher and students.”
Craig, seeing her on the verge of tears, softened his fir pheromones.
His wolf claws gently patted her shoulder, a trace of care hidden within.
He knew this was Irene’s deliberate “punishment.”
Imagining her distressed expression, he thought the teacher would never resort to such measures.
On December 22nd, Craig indeed left.
Adelaide pulled his suitcase to the Frostfang Pack’s border. The wind howled, and the sky was overcast- snow was imminent.
“Alas, Craig is gone too. I just hope it doesn’t snow on the day of the ceremony so the car can drive smoothly. That’s all I ask,” she thought wistfully.
Craig smiled and said, “I’ve ordered jewelry for you at the Starlight Jewelry Store. Go collect it. It’s paid for. The receipt is with Valentin.”
“I’ll have Valentin pick it up,” Adelaide replied, watching the car start. The wind stung her eyes, and she felt a pang of sadness. “In such a hurry? Can’t you stay two more days ? ”
“No can do. There’s an urgent
mission.”
He ruffled her forehead. “We’ll meet again soon… You’re going back to the Shadow Peaks, right?”
“Sure!” Adelaide could only remind him, “Be careful.”
12:14 Wed, 9 Jul G G
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“Got it. Don’t see me off. Go back,” Craig said as he got in the car, fastened his seatbelt, and waved to her. “Go back inside.”
Adelaide shook her head. “I’m seeing you off.”
Craig didn’t argue further and signaled the driver to leave.
She stood at the Frostfang Pack’s border, watching Craig’s departure until the car vanished from sight. An indescribable sense of loss welled up inside her.
Why did everyone bail on her now?
Her spirits hit rock bottom.
After returning home and sitting for a while, she collected the Starlight Jewelry Store receipt from Valentin and, with Jasmine, set out to fetch the jewelry Craig had ordered.
The Starlight Jewelry Store was a sizable two–story shop named literally “Starlight Jewelry.”
It offered not only gold jewelry but also various other gemstone accessories. While its designs were decent, it paled in comparison to Golden Crown Jewelry.
Having opened just a few years prior, the store seemed to take inspiration from Golden Crown, yet its robust backing ensured brisk business.
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