Chapter 70
70
Ulrik’s POV
The final battle was approaching, and everyone was preparing.
I knew Adelaide was training the 15,000 Ironthorn soldiers every day.
After days of training, the warriors were cooperating seamlessly, and all the weapons were ready.
Lance announced the attack would happen within two days. The Ironthorn Army, as the vanguard, needed to finalize every detail.
I would lead 10,000 warriors to assist, responsible for setting up ladders and operating catapults. I had to discuss the cooperation plan with Adelaide these days.
The general strategy was set by Lance. Adelaide and I were just going through possible problems on the sandbox .
I had thought she was just better in fighting skills than others. But during the simulation, I found her knowledge of tactics was surprising.
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She could quickly come up with solutions for any minor flaw.
Watching her explain with focus, I was several times entranced–she was more beautiful than when I first saw her, her eyes bright as if holding stars and fire.
The word “regret” kept turning over in my mind.
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After the simulation, Adelaide stood up, her tone returnin
g to its usual calm, “That’s about it. If you think of any problems later, you can come to me anytime.”
I sat there, looking up and happened to see the line of her jaw.
My throat tightened, “I have a question now.”
“Go ahead,” she said.
I slowly stood, facing her and looking straight into her eyes. “Why did you hide from me that you could fight?”
Adelaide raised an eyebrow and replied, “Does it matter?”
I was taken aback, my voice a bit muffled, “No, but I only found out about your fighting skills on the day our mate bond was nullified. I don’t understand. You know tactics and have excellent fighting skills. Why didn’t you continue the glory of the Davidson family and become my mate instead?” 2
She fell silent, her expression cold.
Her cedar pheromones seemed to wrap around me with ice.
I gave a self–mocking smile and said, “Forget it, I’m not qualified to ask. But may I know why you and your
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mother chose me? There are so many powerful packs out there.
I shouldn’t say this . I’ve chosen Velda. She’s great. I can’t keep dwelling on the past…. I muttered, but she cut me off.
“You’re right , you shouldn’t,” she said bluntly.
My throat tightened, suppressing the sourness in my heart. “I was out of line.”
She spoke rapidly, “I’ll answer your question. My father and brothers all died in battle. I wanted to go to the southern border to take revenge, but my mother feared I’d be hurt and forced me into a mate bond. Naturally, after our bond was nullified, I chose to go to the battlefield–it has nothing to do with Velda.”
I finally understood that Velda had always misunderstood her intentions.
“Did you agree to be my mate out of love, or because of your mother’s arrangement?” I blurted out.
“This question is meaningless.”
“I want to know.”
She frowned and said, “Ulrik, you’ve never understood your place. You didn’t then, and now, as Velda’s mate, you still don’t.”
My tone turned cold, “So you never liked me. You only agreed to the mate bond because of your mother. When I took Velda as my lover, you immediately asked to end the bond. You had no feelings for me, yet made me seem the villain.”
She suddenly laughed, her voice tinged with anger, “After joining Bloodmoon, I took care of your parents and kept my promise to wait for your return. But you? The vows you made to my mother when asking for me as your mate–you came back and used your merits to make Velda your second mate.”
“I’ve fulfilled all my duties as a Luna and a mate. I have a clear conscience. And you? Have you ever kept your promises to me?”
I opened my mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
She glanced at me and left.
I watched her retreating back, filled with regret–I had no right to question her.
Now that I was Velda’s mate, I shouldn’t dwell on the past.
Despite Velda’s flaws, as a righteous werewolf warrior, I ought to be tolerant.
As I was about to leave, I heard Velda’s sharp voice, “Adelaide, what are you doing with my mate in there?”
I rushed out and saw her blocking Adelaide, her face full of hostility.
Adelaide turned to me. “Your mate, you explain.”
With that, she left without looking back.
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15 Free Boing
I turned to go back into the tent but was met with Velda’s accusations, “What were you doing in there with her? No wonder I couldn’t find you. If my soldier hadn’t told me you were alone with Adelaide, I wouldn’t have known.”
Adelaide walked away quickly, seemingly not wanting to hear our argument.
I vaguely explained, “We were just discussing the final battle.”
“Really? Did you talk about anything else?” Velda stared at me.
I suddenly felt impatient and said, “What else could we have talked about?”
With that, I turned and left.
A few days later, Alpha Lance gave the order to attack.
The weather was freezing, and there weren’t enough warm clothes. We couldn’t delay any longer. If we did, food would become scarce, and the Western Tribes and Dragon Ash’s supplies would soon reach Darkclaw Town.