Chapter 302
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Third Person’s POV
Lance’s heart ached.
She smiled when happy, but hid her tears when sad, showing him only a calm facade.
Adelaide had never declared her love. The only time she mentioned it to Cedric, it sounded like a child’s lullaby.
Yet he chose to believe it, clinging to it for comfort.
Lance harbored some resentment toward Erasmus.
Returning from the southern border, he’d hoped to court Adelaide properly before proposing. But Erasmus’s words turned his plans into a rushed wedding.
Fortunately, Adelaide knew his proposal had been sincere.
Adelaide slept fitfully until dawn.
With Priscilla staying at the palace, she wasn’t expected to pay morning calls.
But soon, New Year fireworks woke her.
After staring at the ceiling for a while, she got up and dressed.
Beata entered to help with her hair, mentioning, “Alpha Lance left early for the packhouse to receive military officials.”
“Did their mates come too?” Adelaide asked.
As the Blackthorn Pack’s Luna, she needed to entertain guests‘ mates.
“No mates. They’re all military personnel,” Beata replied.
“Is Paisley up yet?”
Adelaide touched her pale face. “Put some blush on. I don’t want to scare the guests.”
“If you don’t want to see them, just decline,” Paisley said, walking in unannounced.
“Tsk, which Luna sleeps so late? Only Alpha Lance would pamper you so.”
Adelaide tossed the blush box at her. “Stop teasing!”
Paisley caught it with her toe, kicked it back, and said, “So rude on New Year’s Day.”
Adelaide caught the box and handed it to Beata with a smile.
After finishing her hair, Paisley pouted, “Beata, leave us for a moment. I need a private chat with Adelaide
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Beata laughed. “Just say it, Paisley. No need to be shy
She left, chuckling.
Paisley sat beside Adelaide, examining her own reflection. She knew she couldn’t match Adelaide’s beauty and felt a twinge of jealousy.
In a flat tone, she said, “Wendy sent word. Grandfather refused my mating with Germain. Instead, my cousin Mona agreed to it. She begged outside his door all night, frozen stiff, before he relented.
Adelaide frowned. “Does Mona know what Germain’s really like?”
“Of course. Wendy told her everything,” Paisley said indignantly.
“If she knows, why agree?” Adelaide picked up an elegant hair
Paisley despised foolishness.
She’d thought Mona ambitious, but now saw her
“Mona told Wendy herself,” she added.
accessory.
as a fool clinging to men for status.
Adelaide nodded. “I can understand other women thinking that way. But the Stephens family is a prominent southern clan, centuries–old and ever prosperous. Why should your she–wolves attach themselves to other powerful packs? Wouldn’t it be better to choose a smaller pack and become its Luna?”
“Exactly why I call her stupid,” Paisley said, fastening Adelaide’s pink diamond earrings.
“Germain’s after the Stephens family for more than just wealth. He left the capital this morning. Who knows what kind of funeral he’ll stage for Sidney.”
“Are we surveilling him?” Adelaide asked.
“Of course,” Paisley pinched Adelaide’s cheek.
“Smile! You haven’t laughed these past few days. If I had descendants, I’d want them to laugh every day after I’m gone.”
Adelaide swatted her hand away. “You don’t even have a mate, how can you have descendants?”
“Three–legged frogs are hard to find, but two–legged men aren’t,” Paisley quipped, though her mood darkened.
anyone.
She had no desire to mate with any
Adelaide had chosen well in her mate, but royal affairs were enough to trouble her.
As for Paisley… she deemed no man worthy of her.
The New Year flew by in a blur of hosting and attending feasts.
By midwinter, celebrations were in full swing.
Lance promised to take Adelaide to see fireworks that evening.
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But by noon, freezing rain began to fall–a disaster compared to mere snow.
The fireworks were canceled, and efforts shifted to disaster relief.
45 Free Coins
As Minister of Justice and commander of the Ironthorn soldiers, Lance was overwhelmed. He even sent word for the women to stay indoors.
The cold was bone–chilling, turning water to ice instantly.
In the backyard, several plum trees, transplanted by Priscilla, were crushed by the weight of the freezing rain.
A locust tree in the southeast corner was partially uprooted, damaging a section of the wall.
The Blackthorn Pack was a hive of activity.
Fortunately, Cowdell directed the cleanup of branches and debris efficiently, awaiting better weather for repairs.
The ruined fireworks and freezing rain disaster sparked widespread complaints.
Where there’s disaster, there are plunderers.
Amid the chaos, many households reported thefts.
Cedric’s uncle, Mallory, was frantically coordinating with the Ministry of Justice and police to investigate each case.
However, some took advantage of the situation to file false reports, claiming losses where none existed. Separating truth from falsehood made the investigations extremely challenging.
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