Samantha wiped her tears and faced her father.
“He did it because Father wanted me to become Alpha Oswald’s mate.”
So that was it.
Samantha dabbed her cheeks with a handkerchief and glanced toward Oswald.
“When Alpha Oswald rejected me, Father became furious. Father said I had been promised to the Alpha. He said he had already arranged everything for me to become his Luna.”
Her voice cracked as her eyes shifted toward Vivianne.
“Then he saw you.”
Vivianne’s brows lifted at Samantha’s confession.
“Father said you had taken away the future he had planned for me.”
Vivianne thought it was just a mere jealousy.
But it turned out Elder Miles was way too ambitious for his own good.
He put both packs against each other just for his own benefit.
“Father hated Ophelia too. She was the person Alpha Oswald cared about most in his family,” Samantha swallowed.
“He said that as long as she remained beside him, Alpha Oswald would never be completely vulnerable.”
Oswald’s expression darkened.
“What exactly did he say?”
Samantha hesitated.
“Father said you would be easier to control if Ophelia was gone.”
Silence settled over the room.
So Miles wanted Ophelia gone, then planned to wrap Oswald around his finger.
What a creepy little puppeteer.
SMACK!
His palm slapped Samantha across the face.
“Enough, Samantha. I only tried to protect you!”
She staggered and held her cheek with a tearful face.
“By killing Ophelia?” Her voice trembled, but Samantha didn’t back down.
“We are Betas of Canavar. Our family has served House Theodolf for generations. We are supposed to protect the Alpha’s family, not destroy it for your ambition.”
Miles’s expression twisted.
“I wanted you to become Luna!”
His voice rang through the room.
“I wanted you to have the position you deserved! You were meant to be Alpha Oswald’s mate, and then that damned Phoenix appeared and ruined everything!”
Damned Phoenix?
Goddamn it, old man.
Not only had he officially upgraded me from a random woman to a seductress who appeared out of nowhere.
Now he declared me as a woman who ruined Samantha’s entire future.
Impressive.
“You treated my sister’s life like a pawn just to secure your daughter’s future?!” Oswald roared.
“You even sent your men to murder her.”
Miles’s mouth opened but no answer came.
That was enough to ignite Julian’s anger.
He crossed the room in two strides and punched Miles hard enough that two teeth clattered onto the floor.
“Your men almost killed my fated mate. Had I not been there to elope with her that night, Ophelia might not be here now.”
Miles glared at him.
“You don’t understand—”
Julian folded his arms and spat, “My warriors found me injured after the ambush. Ophelia was with me. They misunderstood Canavar had attacked their Alpha. Then they ambushed your village for revenge.”
Oswald’s jaw tightened.
“And we believed Balto had attacked us without reason.”
Julian nodded.
“Your Elder nearly started a war between our packs.”
The truth was finally sitting in the middle of the room.
A single man’s obsession had turned two packs against each other.
Canavar had believed Balto started the attack.
Balto had believed Canavar attacked their Alpha.
And while both sides prepared for war, Miles had been trying to force his daughter’s way into the position of Luna.
Oswald turned to Julian.
“Then this war was never between us.”
Julian’s expression softened.
“No. It wasn’t.”
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Julian extended his hand.
Oswald hesitated before clasping it.
With the truth finally revealed, Miles and Samantha were taken away from the gathering.
They would face a proper trial for what they had done.
Their punishment would be decided separately, leaving the others to deal with the damage they had caused—and finally put an end to a war between Canavar and Balto pack.
[Ding!]
[Main Story Quest: Star-Crossed Lovers — Completed!]
[Rewards: +5% Affection, +30% Evolution Points, and +50,000 Gold]
Vivianne’s eyes immediately snapped toward the System.
For once, the System had excellent timing!
30% Evolution Points and 50,000 Gold?!
That was nice!
Fifty.
Thousand.
Gold.
Moneeeeeyyy.
Vivianne mentally hugged the System.
She quickly checked her balance.
Her previous irritation over the entire political disaster vanished for approximately three seconds.
Ophelia approached Oswald and held his hands.
“I’m sorry, Brother.”
His stern expression softened slightly.
“For what?”
“For leaving without telling you.”
“You eloped with another Alpha.” His voice was so full of disdain.
“Julian, out of all people.”
Ophelia lowered her head.
“Yes.”
Even Vivianne could see that Oswald closed his eyes and rubbed his temple.
He did his best to not lecture his little sister.
“Why?”
Ophelia glanced toward Julian before smiling faintly.
“Because he’s my fated mate.”
Oswald was quiet for a moment.
Then he reached over and gently rested a hand on her head and stroked it gently.
“As long as you’re happy.”
Ophelia’s eyes softened.
“I am.”
His hand remained there for another moment before he turned toward Julian.
“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
Julian’s lips curled into a smug smile.
“You won’t have to. I’m planning to keep her happy for the rest of my life.”
Oswald’s face scrunched up as if the sweetness had physically offended him.
“Ugh. Don’t say things like that in front of me.”
Ophelia’s cheeks warmed.
“Brother…”
He sighed and shook his head.
“But if that’s what makes my little sister happy, then I suppose I can’t complain.”
Julian’s grin widened.
“So you approve?”
“I said I can’t complain.” Oswald paused.
“Don’t push your luck.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Julian chuckled.
Oswald pointed a warning finger at him.
“Make sure to never make my sister cry or I’ll chop your grass tail.”
Ophelia covered her face.
“Brother, please stop threatening my mate.”
Julian only laughed and swished his fluffy green tail.
“I think I’m starting to like being your brother-in-law.”
Oswald visibly flinched at the title.
“Don’t call me that yet.”
[Ding!]
[Protect the Wolf’s Happiness — Completed]
[Rewards: +5% Beauty, +50% Evolution Points]
Vivianne froze.
Two in a row! Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
And that was a huge boost of Evolution Points.
The second quest….
Oh.
That made sense.
Ophelia’s happiness was Oswald’s happiness.
And helping Ophelia eloped with Julian had completed the quest she had accepted back then like a domino effect.
The System really was counting everything.
At least all the chaos was really worth the pain.
Vivianne couldn’t help smiling.
The two of them really were perfectly matched.
One stubborn Alpha, one equally stubborn woman, and one extremely tired older brother who apparently believed threatening his future brother-in-law was part of the welcoming ceremony.
The immediate crisis was finally over.
Or at least, Vivianne hoped it was.
The packs would need time to settle everything.
Miles would have to answer for what he had done, and the warriors who had followed his orders would have to be questioned.
But for the first time since the attack, nobody was preparing to fight.
Vivianne finally relaxed.
Then she noticed Julian watching her and Oswald, who had somehow ended up right beside her.
His tail nearly brushed against her side.
Julian’s brown eyes moved between them, and his signature scheming smile slowly spread across his face.
Oswald noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Then stop grinning like that. It’s unsettling.”
Julian’s smile widened.
“You know, brother-in-law, I’ve noticed something interesting.”
“Stop calling me that.”
Julian ignored him and nodded toward Vivianne.
“Whenever another male gets too close to the Phoenix lady, you step in front of her.”
Oswald looked genuinely confused.
“Do I?”
“Every time.”
Vivianne’s eyes widened.
Come to think of it, he had done that.
Several times.
Julian chuckled.
“You don’t threaten them. You don’t even seem angry.”
Oswald’s brows drew together.
“Then what do I do?”
“You simply block their view. Talk about being territorial.”
This cocky green wolf was a smart cookie.
Sharp and annoyingly perceptive.
Julian was more like a fox disguised in wolf clothing.
Oswald stared back at Julian as though he had just been accused of something completely ridiculous.
“I don’t do that.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You did it when you visited my den as well.”
Julian leaned back against a nearby chair, clearly enjoying himself.
“Relax, brother-in-law. I’m only pointing out what everyone else can already see.”
Oswald visibly flinched at the title again.
“You’re enjoying this far too much.”
“Absolutely.”
Vivianne watched the exchange with growing amusement.
The Alpha of Balto had discovered something Oswald apparently hadn’t.
Julian’s golden eyes flicked toward her, then returned to Oswald.
“So, brother-in-law…”
Oswald narrowed his eyes.
“What now?”
Julian’s smile turned mischievous.
“Are you protecting your Phoenix,” Julian paused, his grin turning wicked.
“Or are you getting possessive, brother-in-law? Never thought I’d see the day. Should I start calling you a jealous wolf now?”