Chapter b14 /b

Third Person’s POV

Rosemary’s bedroom glowed with crimson light throughout the night.

When Ulrik announced his n to reject and exile Adide, former Alpha Isaiah objected first. “Exiling her will make you a target

for public outrage–self–sabotage.”

Simon added, “Father’s right. Many wolves loyal to Adide’s father helped you earn your merits. Lose them, and your standing

crumblesb./bb” /b

“But she ckmailed me with my mother’s life!” Ulrik’s face darkened. “I won’t tolerate this!”

Rosemary, recovering from her illness, seethed at Adide’s “treachery.”

She rasped, “No–she must be exiled! Once gone, she won’t take a penny of Frostfang’s wealth.”

Ulrik frowned. “I’m not after her money-

“Why not?”

Rosemary clutched her aching chest. “If she’s exiledb, /bher assets default to Bloodmoon. With that wealth, Digby’s services are assured. You’ve seen our empty coffers–we sold shops to fund your ceremonies!”

Isaiah urged, “Rosemary, focus–reputation or wealth? Choose wisely!”

Posemary’s face twisted in themplight. “Lycan Erasmus needs new wolf generals. Even if the council criticizes you, Lycan

Erasmus will only issue a p on the wrist.”

Ulrik pressed, “I badmit /bthis is rash, but I can’t bear a selfish, jealous schemer as my Luna. I’ve decided that even if it means scandal, the Southern Tribes need aid. Alpha Lance’s stalled campaign cries for backup. If bVelda /bband /bI deliver victory there-

His beyes /bignited with fervor. The Southern Tribes war, dragging on for years, had imed all Frostfang’s male Alphas.

Alpha Lance’s two–year stalemate offered bno /bprogress.

A victory bunder /bUlrik and bVelda’s /bbleadership /bbwould /bbhonor /bbAlpha /bBentley and silence critics.

“I’ll endure the bacsh temporarily,” he said. “Trust Velda and bme/b–we’ll prove ourselves.”

Isaiah and Simon bwavered/b.

Rosemary, triumphant, dered, “Then exile her! She nearly killed me out of jealousy–only the royal pack’s healer saved me

tonight.”

bGreed /bcoiled baround /bRosemary’s bheart /blike a bviper/b.

She forgot Adide’s year of devoted care, the public praise she’d showered on bher /bas a model Luna.

“Her wealth stays,” she hissed. “Exile her to Frostfang’s ruins–let their scraps sustain her. We need her gold to secure Ulrik’s

+15 Bonus

future.”

Ulrik shook his head. “I won’t take her wealth.”

Rosemary, bfrantic/b, snarled, her wolfish fangs elongating beyond her control, venom dripping from their tips.

“Absolutely not! Not a penny leaves with her! Someone–fetch me that asset list now!”

Ulrik lunged to intercept. “Motherb, /bplease hear me I can’t.”

Rosemary, frantic, snarled, “Don’t be a fool! She used your mother as a bargaining chip!”

Ulrik stood firm. “A true Alpha doesn’t seize a mate’s pre–nuptial assets. Tomorrow, I’ll summon Adide’s n elders and the

original bond officiant for the rejection ritual.”

“The officiant bwas /bbSidney /bPreston,” Isaiah frowned. “Aire’s cousin–Adide’s elderb./b”

“Then we omit her,” Rosemary saidb. /b

Ulrik said, “I’m going out for a bit.”

“Sote? Where to?” Simon asked.

“I’m patrolling the pack borders,” Ulrik replied.

He strode out, transforming mid–run into a silver–gray wolf, and headed straight for Velda’s home.

Knowing Velda despised cowards who bbully /bshe–bwolves/b, he needed her to understand this wasn’t about Adide–it was about

justice.

A pebble tapped her window. Velda opened the bdoor /bsilently.

Her room, adorned with enemy fangs, bathed in dim light.

“Ulrik, bwhat’s /bbwrong/b?”

bThe /bbFreeman /bhouse was bmodest/b, bwith /bbedrooms nking ba /bbnarrow /bliving room band /ba bsmall /byard out back.

Velda kept bher /bbvoice /blow, wary of eavesdroppers.

He gripped her shoulders. “I’m rejecting Adide. I need your support.”

“Rejecting her? Whyb?/b”

“Luna Rosemary’s illness bworsened/b. I called Digby, but he brefused /btoe.”

“Is Luna Rosemary all right?” Velda asked urgently

“Stable now, bthanks /bto the royal healer. But Digby’s herbs are the bonly /bcure. Adide hired him–Digby’s bound to her. She denies him bess/b, he refuses treatment.”

Velda connected the dots instantly, “So she’s ckmailing you with your mother’s health to stop our bonding”