Chapter 293
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Third Person’s POV
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As they neared the capital, Adelaide murmured, “Sidney told me Madison and Germain are in cahoots. Germain’s been recruiting many werewolf warriors in Fairfax County, funded by Madison and Maya.
“Never expected that,” Lance frowned.
Who would have thought that someone who seemed incompetent and couldn’t manage his own household would harbor such grand ambitions?
By the time they returned to the capital, it was already on Christmas‘ Eve.
The streets were brimming with festive cheer, every household adorned with decorations and fireworks, celebrating the holiday season.
Yet Sidney had passed away quietly, her death causing not a ripple in the Blue Abyss Pack.
For the Germain family had arrived in the capital, and Germain was likely still unaware.
Upon returning to the Blackthorn Pack, Adelaide learned the Germain family was visiting and Priscilla was receiving them in the parlor.
Paisley, upon hearing this, her crimson emblem beneath her leather coat blazed furiously, her wolf claws piercing through her gloves and searing five smoking trenches into the door. “I’ll flay his wolf sinews for a whipcord.”
“Calm down, Paisley,” Adelaide said gently.
Lance frowned, “They hadn’t reached the capital when I left. They must have just arrived. Why wouldn’t they first pay respects to Lycan Clarissa at the palace and instead visit me here at the Blackthorn Pack? I’ve clearly underestimated Germain.”
Adelaide’s voice carried a faint menace, “He visited the Blackthorn Pack first to send a message to Lycan Erasmus. It’s a declaration to the world that now, only Alpha Lance exists, not Lycan Erasmus. Even when Germain returns to the capital from his pack, he must first call on the Blackthorn Pack.”
Lance, sensing her distress, said, “Adelaide, don’t confront them. Go rest. I’ll see what they’re up to.”
A glint of coldness flickered in Adelaide’s eyes. “Why avoid them? Christmas is the perfect time to deliver the news of Sidney’s death and ruin their celebration.”
Lance grasped her arm, his eyes filled with concern. “Don’t do this. If you’re upset, let it out in tears.” Since Sidney’s death, she hadn’t shed a single tear.
On their journey back, Lance had expected her to weep in his arms. Instead, she’d quietly rest him, silent and still.
rainst
Even when discussing Germain and Madison’s collusions, she remained unnervingly composed. Adelaide shook her head slowly. No tears would come. What good would they do?
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This was but another gash on her already scarred heart.
Tears couldn’t case her pain.
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She didn’t even change her clothes before accompanying Lance to the packhouse council chamber.
Paisley followed without hesitation.
Inside the council chamber, laughter and chatter filled the air.
“Priscilla, you’re truly blessed. Living in the Blackthorn Pack with Lance by your side must be enviable. None of the royal priests in the palace can compare to your fortune,” a voice remarked.
“Maya has such a way with words–what a clever tongue. I like that,” Priscilla beamed.
“Alpha Lance and Luna Adelaide have returned,” Susan alerted from afar.
As they spoke, Lance, Adelaide, and Paisley arrived at the packhouse council hall.
Seated to the left of the door was a middle–aged man in a velvet suit. He was handsome, with a shy and introverted demeanor, and was looking toward the entrance.
Beside him sat Maya. She was dressed in a wine–red satin gown embroidered with gold and silver patterns. In her early thirties, she was well–preserved, with fair skin.
Her hair was elegantly coiled into a bun, secured by two pearl hairpins, and she exuded an air of grace and luxury.
To the right sat Crispin. He strongly resembled Germain but was slender and sat upright, radiating refinement.
There were also two young men, aged fifteen to seventeen. Their clothes were more exquisite than Crispin’s, yet their expressions were more arrogant.
Liz and Carla, the two young ladies, were dressed in lake–blue dresses of the same shade. Due to the roaring fireplace in the hall, they had removed their capes.
Upon entering the hall, Lance and Adelaide scanned the room but remained silent for the time being.
Maya, not in a mate role, rose and curtsied slightly. “Alpha Lance, Luna Adelaide, greetings.”
The others followed suit.
Lance coolly said, “Be seated.”
Germain remained seated, evidently waiting for Lance and Adelaide to approach.
Seeing them stand firm, he forced a smile. “Where have you two been?”
Lance’s gaze turned icy, his tone colder still, “From Greenwood.”
At the mention of Greenwood, the Germain family’s seven members‘ expressions shifted dramatically. Crispin, about to sit, shot to his feet at the words, pressing Germain for details. “Greenwood? Do you know
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how my mother is doing?”
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