Chapter 53

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Velda’s POV
I stared at Adelaide’s composed face, my throat welling with a question, “Why hide those matters?”
Adelaide lightly flicked her ear tips, cedar pheromones blending with the crisp scent. “It’s merely pack business, hardly worth mentioning. Nothing to talk about.”
Confusion crossed Abbot’s face, and he blurted out, “Dissolved mate bond? Why dissolve it?”
I lowered my gaze, releasing submissive pheromones laced with mint and feigned grievance. I said. “After the Bloodscar victory, Lycan Erasmus approved my joining to the Bloodmoon Pack Jand permitted me and Alpha Ulrik’s bonding. Miss Davidson was upset, so she requested to sever her bond with Alpha Ulrik.”
My words, while not the full story, weren’t lies.
Naturally, I omitted the part about using merits to seek Lycan Erasmus’s approval for the mate bond.
I wanted the Gamma wolves present to see Adelaide as domineering, defying the Lycan Erasmus’s decree.
Adelaide met my gaze, her silver–blue pupils reflecting the candlelight. “You two sought a mate bond via merits. When Ulrik returned, his first words were to ask me to let go. If your love is true, I requested Lycan Erasmus to dissolve our bond–to grant your wish. After all, tradition holds that each werewolf may have but one mate.
Abbot’s hands suddenly shifted into sharp wolf claws:
He shattered the armrest of his chair, his pheromones storming like a tempest. He roared, “Absurd! Using merits not to strengthen the pack but to secure a lover?, Ulrik, you’re an oathbreaker!”
Ulrik’s focus locked onto Adelaide, cedar pheromones mingling with sulfur–a sign of turbulent
emotions.
The mention of our bond stirred fresh strife , and a weary look crossed his face.
Unclear of his thoughts, I sensed his irritation with Adelaide for not prior warning, creating the awkward scene.
I stepped forward, mint pheromones carrying battle intent. “Our merits earned us Lycan King’s permission to bond. It doesn’t strip her Luna status . Ulrik and I fight on the front lines–why can’t she share Bloodmoon Pack’s glory?”
Adelaide’s wolf–head pendant gleamed coldly in the firelight. She said, “The Frostfang Pack has its own glory , no need to cling to others.
+8. Pearls
53
I sneered, “Yes, your father and brothers‘ merits ensure your comfort. Admit it.”
Her voice rose like a wolf’s howl, “Yes, their merits mean I’ll never want for anything. Isn’t that just splendid?”
Suppressing my anger , I retorted, “We can’t compare. We must risk our lives to earn recognition. What pride is there in relying on family?”
Adelaide’s tone hardened, “Pride enough. They sacrificed their lives to protect the wolf kingdom. I’m proud of them.”
Her words struck me like ice picks. Clenching my fists, I dared not erupt before Alpha Lance, instead averting her gaze.
Abbot’s fists, armored in hardened scales, shattered the air with a snow leopard’s snarl.
As his fist neared Ulrik’s cheek, the air filled with pine needle–like pheromones–indicative of a high–rank wolf’s oppressive aura.
In that instant, Ulrik’s pupils dimmed.
Blood and ice shards sprayed as I smelled two pheromones clashing.
“Loyalty–less cur. Luna Airella thought highly of you, approved Adelaide as your Luna. Yet you spurn her. How heartbroken Airella must be, Abbot growled.
His partially shifted punch carried real force.
Ulrik’s lips bled instantly, his cheek swelling.
“Have you lost your mind? This isn’t the Frostfang Pack!” I lunged forward, my hardened nails slicing my palm. My wolf essence surged.
But when Abbot turned to me, his Alpha aura obliterated mine.
Ulrik wiped blood from his lips, ice crystals forming- a high–ranking wolf’s sign of interrupted
beast transformation.
I seethed, “This is our private matter. How dare you strike him ? ”
Abbot glared at Ulrik, fury in his voice , “He breaks Luna Airella’s heart. I strike him. If he resists , let him fight back. Don’t cower behind a coward, letting your woman fight your battles.
Rage shook me. I blurted, “The Airella you speak of is dead. She died when the Frostfang Alpha family, save Adelaide, was wiped out. Did Adelaide not inform you? Why are you here, Adelaide? Hoping your father’s old subordinates will champion you?”
The tent fell deathly silent.
Lance’s gaze snapped to Adelaide. Her eyes red–rimmed, she met Lance’s
stare and nodded
Send Gifts
53
+8 Pearls
Abbot, Scott, and other Alpha Bentley’s former subordinates all cried out in unison, “What?”
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