Chapter 421

421
421
Third Person’s POV
Only in Frostbite Town would they be truly safe.
Klein sighed too. “Let’s do as you say. I’ll help with all my might,” he said, glancing back at the house.
“Can’t stand these sad stories. I’ll patrol outside.”
“Be careful,” Lance warned.
Klein snorted. “With my skills, who in this border city can spot me?”
Tommy had already started distributing food–sausage, stewed meat, sandwiches, bread, and water.
Marsh couldn’t chew, so he soaked bread in water, fed to him bite by bite by Tommy.
All was quiet, even the wind had stopped.
Though nearing July, the weather should have cooled, but the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom’s border city, which froze in winter, was now oppressively hot.
Beyond the sounds of chewing, there was utter silence.
Long after finishing their meal, Eugene asked Caldwell, “Can you tell me… who her new mate is? Does he treat her well?”
Caldwell patted his shoulder. “Since she’s mated again, don’t dwell on her mate’s treatment of her.”
Eugene sat stunned for a long while, finally grasping Caldwell’s implication.
The weather grew hotter. Lance still had no word, and Adelaide grew worried.
Though he had gone with Klein, infiltrating the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom’s border city to rescue a hostage was perilous.
Dragon Ash warriors were also amassing at the border, adding to the mission’s danger.
According to Wendy’s intelligence, royal werewolf guards in plainclothes surrounded the Bloodmoon Pack, changing shifts day and night.
Lycan Erasmus evidently anticipated an attack on Velda.
The Western Tribe’s situation remained unclear, but Dudley had returned to the capital to report.
The mass murder case had been resolved–it turned out someone had fed Taine a drug laced with mind- parasite, driving her to kill her family in a fit of madness.
The culprit was a local small–time merchant..
The merchant had confessed and faced justice.
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The motive was business rivalry; the deceased family’s reputation for false kindness had overtaken his business.
Fueled by resentment and with a mate knowledgeable about mind–parasites, he bribed Dr. Aiken to administer the drug, leading to Taine’s frenzy and the family’s slaughter.
Dudley had the power to act first and report later. So after the murderer admitted guilt, he ordered the Union local law enforcement to give them death sentences. This was to in tragedy.
o comfort the victims who had died
Because of this, the case didn’t need to go to the Ministry of Justice for review.
Adelaide learned of this from Arnold.
He reported that the culprit had wept in court, claiming momentary folly and deep remorse.
Dudley, considering his repentance and sparing his children, closed the case.
Adelaide felt unease.
Business rivalries and crimes of passion were common, but this case seemed meticulously planned.
Mind–parasites were obscure. Even if the culprit’s mate knew of them, orchestrating the entire plot–from bribing Dr. Aiken to manipulating the parasite lethally–required precision.
It wasn’t that Adelaide looked down on merchants, but this was a premeditated mass murder. Once Taine was convicted, she would die too.
A crime of passion would be one thing, but this case was fraught with doubts.
“Arnold, what’s your take?” Adelaide asked.
“I don’t know much about the case details, but the culprit did confess,” Arnold replied.
Paisley chimed in, “Even if you see inconsistencies, it’s pointless. The culprits are already executed. Besides, you have no authority to question the case.”
Adelaide frowned, worried it might be a miscarriage of justice. But as Paisley said, she had no jurisdiction over the matter.
“Let’s change the subject. You know Dwight’s back at the Soulrend Pack, right?” Paisley said.
“Yes,” Adelaide said. “I also know he’s blaming Melinda and me for Willow’s departure, causing a stir in the pack. A proud man like him can’t accept being abandoned. Even if it’s self–deception, he’ll cline to it.”
Paisley scoffed, “Georgina said he’s been ranting in the pack, accusing you of instigating Melinda. But he only dares to cause a fuss in the pack, not to confront you. If he did, I’d respect him.”
“Melinda’s pregnant and having a tough time lately,” Adelaide said compassionately. “But she’s growing stronger.”
“True. Dwight’s caused a scene at her place several times, and she’s firmly stood her ground. It’s odd that Alpha Howell and Luna Skye keep visiting, urging her to endure Dwight’s antics. They say Willow’s gone , and if she can appease Dwight, their future will be smooth,” Paisley said.”
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Adelaide rested her chin on her hand, thoughtful. “You think it’s understandable for commoners to be cowardly, but Alpha Howell, out of fear of leaving the capital, has been timid and compliant, even at the cost of his daughter’s suffering. Does that make sense to you?