Chapter 6

• Erasmus's POV
• Seeing Adelaide leaving my palace left me feeling downcast.
• Adelaide was much like her father and brothers. They were my closest friends and comrades. They died on the battlefield for me.
• Their only wish was Adelaide could live a safe and happy life.
• I promised them that if they died, I would take Adelaide as my daughter and make sure Adelaide would live a safe and happy life. But clearly, I have failed to keep that promise.
• "Lycan Erasmus, Clarissa sent an Omega to ask if you could see her." My Beta Fabian strode in and respectfully addressed me.
• Clarissa is my mother, and also the former Lycan Luna of my pack. Though she no longer held the position but still commanded immense respect within the palace.
• I knew why she wanted to see me. It must be about Adelaide. She had a lifelong friendship with Adelaide's mother, and she watched Adelaide grow up.
• I sighed and told my beta, "OK. I have time for her."
• Clarissa lived alone in the East Tower villa with its private garden, where vibrant flowers bloomed.
• When I arrived, She was sitting in a pavilion at the garden's center, wearing a claret robe and holding a moonstone-staff topped with a lunar crescent.
• Her face looked haggard.
• "Good afternoon, Clarissa," I greeted with a bow.
• Clarissa's claws dug into her seat.
• Frost-laced pheromones crystallized the air, forcing Fabian to kneel ten paces away, his Beta ears trembling under her pressure.
• "You condone this madness?" she hissed, her slit pupils glowing blood-red. "When Frostfang's Alpha spilled seven lives to pave your throne, did you smell the silvermoon grass in his blood?"
• Fabian hung his head, unable to meet her gaze.
• "This was my doing," I said firmly. "Fabian's not to blame."
• Clarissa sighed. "You're all dismissed."
• Her aura lifted. The Omegas and Fabian hurried out.
• "This decree is reckless," Clarissa said gravely. "You dishonor Frostfang's fallen Alpha and his pack. Like Lycan, we're role models for all shifters. How can you violate the Moon Goddess's traditions like this?"
• I knew Clarissa was right. Allowing Ulrik to take Velda to see Adelaide not only hurt Adelaide, but also dishonored her father and pack.
• But I had to do it. Adelaide's father and brothers all died. Her pack had already disappeared. They could not help me anymore. But Ulrik and Velda were different. They were still fighting for me.
• I tried to explaind to Clarissa, "Ulrik earned his right to bond with Velda through battle."
• "Sacrifice Frostfang's last light?" Clarissa rose abruptly, her purple skirt sweeping down a bronze candlestick. Melted wax snaked across the floor like blood tears.
• "Wolf Code, Article Three—No second Luna until the first bond is rejected. When you trampled the code, do you remember who shielded you from the rebels' poison arrow with their fangs?"
• "Ulrik left the day he bonded with Adelaide, without even marking her properly. Now he plans to bond with another. Did you consider how this might destroy her and her wolf?"
• Tears streamed down Clarissa's face. "Frostfang's Alpha and Luna had only one daughter left. How much more can she endure?"
• Seeing Clarissa's tears, I knelt before her, my head bowed.
• "This was my oversight. I should have a better idea to solve my problems, not just sacrifice Adelaide. When Ulrik returned victorious and made his demand public, I know it's unreasonable, but both he and Velda insisted—this was the only thing they wanted. I thought Adelaide was different and would not mind this......"
• Clarissa's voice sharpened. "No! You did not know her! You did not know what she's been through this year! If you did, you would not say this."
• Clarissa was right, though I tried to take Adelaide as my daughter, but I did not really know her until today.
• "but Ulrik's heart has turned. Even without my approval, he'd find a way to bond with Velda. And Adelaide would suffer from it. Besides, Adelaide just asked me for a mutual rejection from Ulrik. I agreed."
• "What?!" Clarissa's voice shot up. "She wants to reject Ulrik? Where will she go after leaving Bloodmoon? Frostfang's already in ruins."
• "She says she'll return to Frostfang and take in any wolf who wishes to join."
• Clarissa sighed deeply. "Can Frostfang even be home to her again? She's seen the bodies of her kin—how can she live there without nightmares?"
• Her heart ached. "Why didn't she come to me? I could've helped her, taught her to handle Velda. Why choose such a hard path?"
• "Adelaide's made up her mind. She won't endure a lifetime of watching Ulrik and Velda despise each other. Keeping their bond intact would hurt her more."
• Clarissa winced—this struck too close to home.
• I knew Clarissa went through what Adelaide is experiencing now, and she chose to handle it differently. I understand Clarissa wanted to share her experience with Adelaide.
• I took a step forward, gently held Clarissa’s hand, and reassured her,
• “Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten everything Adelaide’s father and brothers did for me. I’ve always seen her as my own daughter—and I will help her.”