Chapter 256
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Third Person’s POV
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The design of Adelaide and Lance’s future villa blended intelligence and wilderness—outside the master bedroom was a bath fed by geothermal hot springs. Hot water gurgled through stone channels into an indoor pool, keeping it warm even in the coldest seasons, and it was especially abundant tonight.
The stylist removed Adelaide’s makeup, and even without it, her beauty was striking.
She changed into a purple–red silk nightdress with butterfly embroidery, a plum blossom pattern at the waist, and a matching lightweight robe.
After removing her veil, she tied her hair into a high ponytail with a purple ribbon, looking both charming and radiant.
For the mating ceremony, she had prepared many new clothes.
With gifts from the Blackthorn Pack, her closet was filled with Italian silk and French satin.
Clothes were categorized by season, with over ten shades of red alone, and embroidery as fine as haute
couture.
Fur coats hung in a temperature–controlled closet, five of them in silver fox and purple mink.
Looking at these gifts, Adelaide felt she had enough fabric for a lifetime.
The nightdress she wore was made of deep purple Italian silk with 3D butterfly embroidery, and a matching robe that shimmered like pearls under the light.
Though it was loungewear, the tailoring was exquisite, highlighting her porcelain skin and the beauty mark above her eyebrow.
However, it was a bit thin, but the room’s constant temperature kept her warm even in just silk.
After a hot bath, Adelaide’s stuffy nose from crying cleared up, and she relaxed.
An omega messenger reported that Lance had drunk too much and would return to the villa soon.
It was only nine–thirty, earlier than the time Ivy had anticipated.
Tonight’s guests were exceptionally enthusiastic. Adelaide had never seen a mating ceremony last this long -it was clearly in honor of Alpha Lance.
Ivy quickly ordered the cold dishes to be replaced with freshly cooked hot ones.
All dishes were pre–prepared and re–cooked before serving.
Everything except the champagne was replaced.
Adelaide suddenly remembered something, “Ivy, are there more mating rituals ? ”
She recalled the Bloodmoon Pack’s deliberate humiliation during her mating with Ulrik, with vulgar jokes
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making her feel embarrassed.
“That was intentional,” Ivy comforted her. “It was Ulrik’s brother who hired those thugs–not real guests
As they spoke, Tommy helped Lance to the villa door.
Adelaide hurried to support him. Lance nearly leaned half his weight on her, but her combat training kept her from falling.
He smelled of champagne and cigars, having clearly drunk a lot.
According to Tommy, Lance had enjoyed conversations with the Warscar Training Camp members, drinking champagne from the Ancient Moon Pack. After resting briefly in the outer yard, he returned .
Beata worriedly asked Tommy, “Is the drink ready?”
“The kitchen is boiling honey lemon water,” Tommy whispered, “He just mumbled, ‘Is the scarf still there ? Must be drunk.”
Beata was taken aback, recalling the token Ivy had mentioned, and noticed Adelaide’s blushing ears.
She nodded and hurried back to prepare hot water for Lance’s bath.
Adelaide helped Lance sit on a stone couch covered with thick furs. Just as she settled him, Beata rushed in, sounding urgent, “He was plied with champagne by Irene and Craig. Tommy said he drank out of politeness . ”
Adelaide frowned, a flicker of confusion and anger in her golden eyes, her pheromones carrying a hint of irritation. “Irene actually let them get him so drunk?”
Wasn’t that just bullying?
With so many classmates present, they could drink him to the point of bloodline rupture.
“Yeah, he drank a lot,” Beata said worriedly. “The Ancient Moon Pack’s champagne is usually mild. Why was this batch so strong?”
“Probably Irene spiked it- not the kind the Ancient Moon Pack gifted me.”
Adelaide watched Lance, his cheeks and ears flushed from drinking. His usually well–contained aura was in chaos, reeking of alcohol and hot pine pheromones.
She figured they wouldn’t share the blood–oath wine tonight and that she’d have to eat the roasted meat. and berries alone.
She had so many questions for him , especially about what Ivy had told her earlier.
But now, he was fast asleep.
Jasmine entered with a basin of hot water. Adelaide said, “You all rest . I’ll take care of him.”
“But tonight…”
Jasmine hesitated. Ivy had assigned her to wait outside in case she was needed.
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But Lance was so drunk, he’d likely just sleep it off.
“What should we do now?” Jasmine asked Ivy.
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Ivy sighed, “How could they get him so drunk? Didn’t they care that he hadn’t eaten? How thoughtless of them to force him to drink like that!”
Ivy blamed Irene. Tonight was so important for Adelaide, and Lance was a rare good mate. How could they bear to treat him so carelessly?