Chapter 138
Third Person’s POV
Adelaide’s heart pounded, her wolf claws silently lengthening beneath her sleeves.
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She finally grasped Lycan Erasmus’s intent — he was using Velda to undermine Alpha Lance’s military prestige.
And she was a key piece in this chess game.
“Lycan Erasmus, I don’t follow your implication,” she said, straightening her spine, “but perfection in battle is impossible. Resources are limited. Alpha Lance left Velda at the rear; she violated orders. How is that Alpha Lance’s fault?”
Her cedar pheromones surged, striking the gilded wolf–head emblem in the hall like a hammer.
Erasmus locked eyes with her, his gaze inscrutable yet slowly curving into a smile. “I haven’t even started, and you’re already defending him.”
Adelaide was baffled but sensed an odd hostility, or something like it.
His final words, tinged with mockery, sent a chill down her spine what did “already defending him”
even mean?
As the Frostfang Pack’s Alpha, she was attuned to royal nuances.
——
The veiled motives in his words were more terrifying than battlefield blades.
She paused. “Lycan Erasmus, war allows no absolute certainty.”
Her cedar pheromones sharpened, her wolf hair on end. “Especially in decisive battles, it’s often a gamble.”
“Our tactics for Darkclaw Town were sound. Minor errors were forgivable–we reclaimed the Southern
Border and won.”
Lycan Erasmus suddenly burst into laughter, his white musk pheromones spreading like a spring thaw, yet unable to mask the sharp glint in his eyes. “I merely asked a question or two, and look at you, all nervous. No need to be on edge. I was just making small talk.”
He tapped the armrest of his throne, the pupils of the gilded wolf head reflecting Adelaide’s tensed shoulders, “After all, the great victory at the Southern Border is the most celebratory event in the werewolf kingdom in a century.”
Adelaide’s back was drenched in cold sweat. This was no casual inquiry.
His words had been laced with hidden blades, deadlier than the Western Tribe’s poisoned arrows.
Her gaze fell on the royal scepter at Lycan Erasmus’s waist. The moonstone embedded in it, from the same source as the shard in her necklace, now gleamed at her like a heavy icicle, pressing painfully on her glands.
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Chapter 138
His earlier sternness had suggested accountability for Lance post–victory.
But Adelaide couldn’t fathom Erasmus’s intentions.
Better to leave, she decided, bowing. “I won’t interrupt further.”
Clarissa’s expression softened. “Alright.”
At the door, Adelaide took Beata’s sweaty hand–Beata was as terrified as she was.
Lycan Erasmus’s sudden visit, brief and accusatory; had unnerved them both.
Watching Adelaide leave, Erasmus retracted his gaze.
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Meeting Clarissa’s stern look, he felt uncharacteristic apprehension and forced a smile. “Did I frighten her?”
Clarissa sighed. “Why unsettle her?”
“Just amusing myself. She’s usually so composed; I wanted to ruffle her feathers, like in the old days… but she’s changed.”
few years,
Clarissa’s expression turned solemn. “People do change. She’s been through a lot these past facing tough times. Do you take pleasure in teasing her, watching her worry and stress? Does that make you feel good?”
Erasmus conceded, “Are you angry? Alright, I’ll stop.”
Summoning Beta Fabian, he ordered, “Bring the gift list for Lance’s bonding ceremony.”
Upon hearing this, Clarissa’s expression eased somewhat.
Beta Fabian brought over the gift list, and Omega Tracy unfurled it for Clarissa’s review.
As Clarissa scanned the items, her satisfaction grew.
It seemed Erasmus still held his brother in regard. A third of the gifts were from the palace, including a moonstone collar bearing the royal crest and silver tableware engraved with the emblems of generations of Lycans–items stamped with royal authority, naturally not to be sold.
The rest included fine jewelry, premium ready–made clothes, and household goods, all costly.
A dressing table and women’s clothing were also listed.
Clarissa looked up. “Why gifts for Adelaide too?”
“Yes. Some are for her. Percy and I were close. His sister’s bonding ceremony would have been his joy. In his absence, I’ll gift her in his stead.”
Percy Davidson, Adelaide’s elder brother, had been Erasmus’s confidant among Alpha Bentley’s sons, though Erasmus most admired the eldest, Sam.
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“I’m glad you remember and honor him,” Clarissa said, dismissing everyone to speak privately with Erasmus.
