Third Person’s POV

“Alpha Ulrik, you should budget better for your wedding–need a loan?” Adide’s taunt followed him.

Ulrik’s boots paused on the marble, then quickened.

He’d rather video–call Velda about cost–cutting than face her mocking silver–blue gaze.

Beata emerged from the kitchen. “If Alpha Ulrik really asks for money, would you lend it?”

Adideb, /bmassaging her aching jaw, replied, “Of course–at Wall Street rates. Due in full, with interest.”

“What if he doesn’t repay?”

“Then daily debt collectors it is. Bloodmoon isn’t going anywhere.”

She nced toward the kitchen, where blueberry pancake aroma wafted. “But he’ll likely convince Velda to simplify the bceremony/b. b‘/bbBloodw /bMedalist’s modest wedding‘ sounds like good PR.”

Adide suddenly eyed the ss jar on the counter. “Any ice cream left?”

“Half tubs of strawberry and vani,” Beata brightened. “I’ll get them. The Frostfang guards deserve some too–they’ve packed their suitcases in the garage, just waiting for Lycan Erasmus’s decree to head home.”

Beata’s gloom lifted.

b“/bYep, just waiting on the Royal Pack’s orders. bThough /bUlrik might bask /bVelda’s parents to reduce thepensation. Velda’s

generosity will probably agree–she’s unlike other she–wolves, after all.”

Beata snorted. “A million–dorpensation? Does she think Bloodmoon’s made of gold?”

Adide hadn’t told anyone yet about Lycan Erasmus’s uing decree nullifying her bond with Ulrik–except her Frostfang guards and Omegas.

Her only worry–Lycan Erasmus might never issue it.

If bshe /bbwas /brejected or exiled, she’d lose ess to Frostfang’s assets.

“But why the dy?‘

“Was Lycan Erasmus waiting until after their bbonding /bceremony?”

The thought was tortureb. /b

Beata’s ears pricked. “Tamara’s bhere/b, with encrypted audit books.”

“Let her in,” Adide said, smoothing the silk cuffs of her shirt. The silver moon–patterned cufflinks gleamed coldly under the

+15 Bonus

floormp.

The handover should bhave /bhappened days ago, but with one thing after another cropping up these past few days, it had been postponed.

Tamara, reluctant to take over the financial mess, entered.

As the mate of a Bloodmoon Alpha family member, she sympathized with Adide.

Simon insisted Velda would bring glory–how the Western Tribe’s surrender hinged on Velda’s heroics.

The royal pack elders remembered, which was why her merits secured the bonding decree.

Her merits secured the bonding decree, so Lycan Erasmus didn’t arrange otherwise.

bNow/b, Lycan Erasmus bwas /bgrooming young wolf generals; with Velda, the Tenar n now boasted three rising stars.

Lycan Erasmus values this, especially with Adide, the Frostfang Alpha’s daughter, whose lineage has served the royal pack

with unmatched valor.

“Frostfang’s served the royal pack well,b” /bAdide said, sliding the ledger toward Tamara. “Here’s the current ount bnce.

Annual rents are itemized. This year’s ie is spent–leaving $90k I loaned to the pack. I’m reiming it. Any issues?”

“Reiming? The ount will bbe /bempty!” Tamara gasped.

“The Tenar family trusts should suffice,” Adide said. “The Royal Pack’s sry covers basics, especially with Alpha Ulrik’s

brecent /bmerits increasing his pay.”

“Why is Bloodmoon so strapped?” Tamara frowned.

bShe /bwas not doubting Adide. Before Adide joined Bloodmoon, the pack was strugglingb. /b

The former Alpha disbanded and exiled some Omegas.

bThe /bguards and servants Adide brought with her? She funded them bentirely/b.

Rosemary’s meds too–Adide’s the reason the pack’s still afloat.

Adide shrugged. “Not sure.”

She bknew /ball too well. Rosemary’s bchronic /bbillness /band costly herbs bhad /bdrained the coffers.

Poor bbusiness /bbdecisions/b–abandoned ventures and sold shops–bhad /bsquandered what little remained.

The only steady ie was Ulrik’s royal sry.

Tamara, aware of Bloodmoon’s bpre/b–existing financial struggles, bhesitated/b. “Adide, I really can’t manage these ounts,” Tamara said, her voiceced with a headache. “Getting the Alpha family to chip in? It’s never easy.

Adide smiled. “No worries. Manage it temporarily. Once Velda bonds with Alpha Ulrik, she’ll be Luna–hand the responsibility

to her then.”

bTamara /brelented, though noting Adide’s newfound firmness beneath her politeness.