Chapter 110
Third Person’s POV
Adelaide looked at his dazed expression and decided to be direct, “If it’s convenient for you, Alpha Lance, please pass on this message to Lycan Erasmus–I have no interest in the royal priesthood.”
Lance stared at the silver moon grass earrings on her ears, and a hoarse howl rumbled in his throat, “You regard both of us as family?”
His tailbone, under the armor, twitched uneasily–a instinctive reaction when a werewolf’s sore spot was touched.
1
“Yes,” Adelaide straightened the wolf totem on her cloak.
She thought she had made her stance clear to both Lycan Luna and Lance, so Lycan Erasmus should understand her intentions by now.
She said, “I won’t disturb you anymore, Alpha Lance. I’ll take my leave.”
Lance watched the silver–blue cape flutter as she turned around. His wolf ears under the golden crown shuddered fiercely: family?
He cursed inwardly, his nails subconsciously digging into his palm–his inner wolf was restlessly digging in his consciousness.
To hell with that. Who wants to be her brother?
He has a half–sister from the same mother. He doesn’t need another.
After pondering Adelaide’s words, Lance turned back to the palace.
Perhaps she wanted to use him to send a firm rejection to Lycan Erasmus.
When Lycan Erasmus finished dealing with important matters, Lance sneaked into the study again.
Seeing Lance still in yesterday’s clothes, Lycan Erasmus’s irritation flared. The stench instantly overpowered the ambergris in the hall. He snapped, “Did you not change at Priscilla’s? If you have no clean clothes, go back to the pack this instant.”
Lance slumped into a seat like a hoodlum. “I was leaving, but I ran into Adelaide at the door. She said Lycan Luna Camilla summoned her. Want to hear what she said?”
Lycan Erasmus, intrigued by Lance’s smugness, asked, “And what did she say?”
Lance grinned, revealing his teeth. “She said she regards both you and me as older brothers, as family.”
Lycan Erasmus’s quill snapped. Ink splattered across the parchment in a wolf–shaped blot. “Both of us?”
He burst into laughter, fixing Lance with a mocking gaze. “Seems the Frostfang whelp confuses camaraderie with kinship.”
1/3
But Lance, trying to stay composed, said, “At least she refused the royal priesthood.”
He could slowly build a relationship with her. He stood up and left the study directly.
Lycan Erasmus watched Lance leave, his knuckles tapping the wolf–carved table edge. Suddenly, he called out, “Beta Fabian!”
“Here!” Beta Fabian swiftly entered and bowed.
“Relay my order,” Lycan Erasmus said, “If Adelaide hasn’t found a mate in three months, appoint her as the New Moon Priestess.”
Beta Fabian lowered his eyes and responded, “Yes, Lycan Erasmus!”
“Also, inform Alpha Lance of my command. But keep it concise.” Lycan Erasmus added.
Fabian said, “Yes, understood. I’ll get to it right away.”
“Go.” Lycan Erasmus lowered his lids, speaking indifferently.
Shortly after Beta Fabian left, word came that Lycan Luna Camilla had arrived.
Lycan Erasmus, of course, knew why his mate had come. He said, “I see.”
Camilla entered with Omega Medici, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup.
Her voice, like melted silver honey, rang out as the shadow fang wolf–head bracelet on her wrist clicked, “I’ve prepared this deer bone silver moon grass soup specially.”
Lycan Erasmus nodded slightly, “Put it down.”
He picked up the bowl and drained it in one gulp. The blood moon rose scent exploded on his tongue.
Setting down the porcelain bowl, he asked, “What did Adelaide say?”
Camilla, seated nearby, replied gently, “I spoke with her. She was surprised, then declined. Said she’d be happy to take me as her sister.”
Lycan Erasmus nodded, “Hmm, noted.”
Camilla scrutinized Lycan Erasmus cautiously.
He showed no displeasure, but his gaze was strange. Clearly, he cared.
She paused, then said, “I think Adelaide’s proposal is splendid. I have no sister; perhaps I could……”
Lycan Erasmus looked up, his eyes cold, “What? No sister, so you want one? So many she–wolves in the world. Why her?”
Hearing this, Camilla knew he hadn’t given up. She smiled, “I simply like her. If you disapprove, consider
it unsaid.”
2/3
Lycan Erasmus fell silent, returning to his documents. 1
After sitting for a while and seeing he had nothing more to say, Camilla rose. “I won’t keep you then.”
“Mmm, go ahead,” Lycan Erasmus said without looking up.
Camilla couldn’t hide her dejection.
In public, they maintained mutual respect.
In private, Lycan Erasmus was perpetually impatient with her, often not even lifting his head to speak.
Even when priestly disputes arose, no matter who was at fault, he stayed out of it.
The only task he’d assigned her since they bonded was to ask Adelaide about the priesthood–a clear sign of Adelaide’s special place in his heart.
He truly cared for Adelaide.
But why did he value her so much?
Camilla felt despondent. Her status was secure, but without Lycan Erasmus’s affection, what good was it?
Would he only look at her differently if she helped make Adelaide a priestess?
2/2
