Chapter 412
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Third Person’s POV
Velda grabbed a pillow and a blanket and threw them at Ulrik with all her might.
Her wolf claws tore through the fabric, leaving small, jagged rips.
She yelled, “Get out! Go find your Adelaide!”
Her eyes were blood–red with fury, and every word felt like a poisoned icicle.
Ulrik sidestepped the flying objects. He didn’t look back at her, just turned and walked away.
His shoulders were tense, and his wolf hair stood on end from disgust. Each step he took was filled with cold determination.
Exiting the yard, he encountered Gloria, her eyes swollen from crying and lashes still wet with tears.
“So, the one you truly love is Adelaide. What does that make me?” she asked, voice trembling.
Ulrik, recalling the two omegas Gloria had lost, replied heavily, “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect them.”
“Where do I stand in your heart?”
Gloria pressed, gripping her fists. “Don’t evade this.”
Ulrik leaned against an oak tree, suppressing his anger.
“I’m not evading. I deeply regret their deaths. As for you–you’re my Luna.”
“Is that all? ”
Gloria’s eyes welled up. “Have you never truly cared for me?”
Ulrik hesitated.
He wanted to explain that their mating was arranged by Mrs. Voss and approved by Lycan Erasmus.
It was just a union of two packs, and they only needed to treat each other with respect.
But seeing her on the verge of tears, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Gloria forced a bitter smile. “So between us, there’s only the title of mate, not a shred of love.”
Ulrik’s voice turned hoarse. “As your mate, I will respect and protect you-
“When the attackers tried to kill me, you risked your life to save me. Was that just duty?”
Gloria stepped back, her voice cracking. “Just duty?”
Ulrik thought of how he had treated Adelaide. “You’re my mate. Protecting you is my duty,” he said, the words now tasting hollow
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Tears streamed down Gloria’s face. “Since mating with you and joining the Bloodmoon Pack, I’ve managed the pack , cared for Rosemary, tolerated your vile breeder Velda , and even used my personal wealth to support the pack. Yet you tell me you’ve never truly cared for me. What does that make all I’ve done ?
Ulrik was speechless. After a while, he said, “Don’t use your personal funds anymore . I’ll find a way to earn moncy. If the account falls short, I’ll take a loan.”
With that, he left, wincing in pain.
Gloria wept bitterly.
She had laid her heart bare, yet he wouldn’t offer even a false word of love.
His heart held only Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Adelaide entered Lycan Erasmus’s study.
“Lycan Erasmus,” she greeted, kneeling and fist–over–heart in a standard warrior salute.
“Rise,” Lycan Erasmus said with a smile. “It’s just Fabian and I here.”
After the servant left with coffee, Adelaide waited for Lycan Erasmus to speak.
Lycan Erasmus made small talk before getting down to business. “I hear you rushed to the Bloodmoon Pack’s aid during the attack. Were you hurt?”
“I’m unscathed,” Adelaide replied respectfully.
“Good,” Lycan Erasmus set down his coffee cup, his gaze sharpening. “How did you learn of the attack? Surely you weren’t just armed and passing by?”
Adelaide knew that going out at night armed and knowing about potential intruders would make Lycan Erasmus suspicious.
Even though she was the deputy commander of the Ironthorn Army , it was just a ceremonial role. She couldn’t freely carry weapons at night, let alone know the intruders‘ whereabouts.
If Lycan Erasmus grew suspicious, he might think she had informants everywhere and distrust the entire Blackthorn Pack.
Adelaide met his eyes and explained, “Lycan Erasmus, after experiencing the Frostfang Pack’s massacre, I’ve been on edge since Cedric returned. I feared for his safety.”
“I asked Prunella to assign a few people to monitor suspicious individuals in the capital. A few days ago, they spotted several individuals checking into the Westin Hotel. Their oppressive pheromones were unmistakable.”
“They hadn’t left the hotel since check–in, as if plotting something. I feared they might target Cedric, so I kept them under surveillance.”
“On the night of the attack, they leaped from the Westin Hotel’s second floor in black attire. noticed they weren’t heading toward the Blackthorn Pack but toward Oak Street instead.
“Worried they might harm Royal Council members, I followed immediately. To my surprise , they
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bypassed Oak Street and headed straight for the Bloodmoon Pack”