Chapter 272

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Third Person’s POV
Lance was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy. “You’re worried about me getting punished by Klein? You do care?”
“Of course I care. Have you never been punched by Klein?” Adelaide’s eyebrows raised slightly.
“Not often,” Lance recalled his time at the Warscar Training Camp.
Truth be told, he hadn’t spent much time there–less than a month in a year. He had been disciplined, but pride wouldn’t let him admit it.
“Always been a good boy?” Adelaide asked curiously.
Even Craig got punished. Was Lance more obedient than Craig?
“Mostly. When I first joined the camp, none of you came to play. So I trained hard. Klein was satisfied with me,” Lance said after a pause.
Adelaide regarded him with admiration. While their classmates had all been punished by Klein, Lance had somehow escaped it.
No wonder he was so capable.
In her eyes, those who hadn’t been beaten by Klein at the camp were truly exceptional.
Lance, seeing her look of admiration, tilted his chin up slightly, pride evident on his face. Those rare instances of discipline were negligible and best left unmentioned.
As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the border of the Frostfang Pack.
Valentin, Jessica, and the pack guards were there to greet them. Paisley also came out with Angela and Avery.
Paisley playfully linked arms with Adelaide. “We’ve missed you! You have to talk to Avery–he dared to come back with us that night as a ‘gift“.”
Avery glared at Paisley for bringing it up.
Adelaide smiled at Avery. “That was all in good fun. You can’t be my gift.”
“Why not? Irene doesn’t want him,” Paisley teased.
She then whispered to Adelaide, “He’s here as a ‘gift‘ but actually hopes to find a j With an income, he can send money back to the Shadow Peaks.”
the royal family.
Adelaide had suspected as much. The Ancient Moon Pack had struggled for years.
With Avery as their only Alpha, the current Alpha refused to let the she–wolves leave to work . They barely made ends meet from fruit and vegetable sales, sometimes even going hungry.
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When they had to borrow money, it took years to repay.
Adelaide knew that Klein had organized aid for the pack’s founding, even lending them construction funds.
Avery, overhearing Paisley, stole a glance at Adelaide but didn’t dare ask outright..
Adelaide asked, “What about your bonuses?”
Avery shuffled his fingers and said sheepishly, “I spent some in the city shopping with you. The rest went to repay debts and buy essentials for the pack. Not much left.”
Adelaide replied, “Stay in the city for now. I’ll look for a suitable job for you.”
Avery breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, “Thanks!”
Lance, following behind, asked, “Why didn’t you stay in the military?”
“Commander, the military has rules. I value my freedom. I still need to visit the Shadow Peaks a few times a year,” Avery said, still addressing Lance as “Commander.”
Lance, aware of Avery’s combat skills, sized him up and made a mental note but didn’t speak yet.
In the main hall, Klein and the others were waiting.
Other guests had left the day after the mating ceremony, leaving only those from the Warscar Training Camp.
Adelaide had threatened Madison yesterday–she could expose her wrongdoings anytime, even after they left.
Since they were now sworn enemies, there would be plenty of future confrontations.
She asked Beata to take Cedric to play and to come back later.
Lance followed Adelaide as she greeted Irene, Klein, Craig, and the others one by one.
Klein’s eyes were half–closed, making it hard to tell if he was actually watching.
But Adelaide knew this was when Klein was most observant–watching for any mistakes.
So, her manners were impeccable, her movements graceful and measured.
Adelaide noticed Lance merely nodding at Klein, without even a bow.
Damn…
But Klein wasn’t angry.
Surprisingly, he smiled at Lance, a smile tinged with relief. “You’ve established your career and family. I
can rest easy now.”
Wait, Klein smiled?
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Lance stood before Klein, adopting a deferential posture as if ready to heed his advice.
Klein was well–pleased and said, “Take a seat, all of you.”
Prunella immediately pulled Adelaide over. She knew Adelaide had endured Klein’s etiquette lessons and suffered.
“Your Luna has such a temper. Life in the Blackthorn Pack won’t be smooth. You must keep her in check and prevent her from causing trouble.”
Klein’s voice carried a note of warning, addressed to Lance.
In his eyes, Adelaide would always be the most mischievous student.
“Adelaide won’t cause any trouble, sir. Rest assured,” Lance replied respectfully, yet staunchly defending his partner.
Klein’s eyes narrowed again, his expression souring.