Chapter 5
I sat composed in my car, eyes closed peacefully.
Adrian Blackwood, your reckoning has arrived.
Adrian had been severely injured by wild beasts, torn and bloody, looking dangerous but not actually life-threatening.
So even he didn’t take it seriously, thinking the minor wounds were a fair trade for Stella’s Luna position.
But he’d overlooked one crucial detail – wild beasts carried unknown toxins.
Originally, if he’d followed the pack healer’s orders and stayed bedridden, combined with the detox remedies from the medical wing, he could have recovered with proper care.
But Stella, having leaped from servant to Luna through sheer luck, faced constant snubs from other pack daughters who looked down on her status.
Adrian naturally couldn’t bear to see his beloved suffer such slights, so he’d been forcing himself to accompany her to various social gatherings, giving
her face and status.
The pair flaunted their relationship openly, making everyone envious while people privately praised Stella’s good fortune.
But Stella didn’t realize she was exchanging Adrian’s lifespan for her social standing.
Back at the pack house, I vaguely heard that the palace was in complete chaos.
723
Adrian was the future Alpha King – every aspect of his health affected the whole territory’s destiny. His sudden collapse in broad daylight naturally sent shockwaves through the leadership.
I sat leisurely in my room when a figure appeared on the garden wall.
Kai perched there grinning. “Want to see the drama unfold?”
“Yes.”
The palace was surrounded by people – not even a fly could get through.
Kai had brought two rare healing herbs, using them as an excuse to visit the patient, and managed to bring me along.
Adrian was surrounded by pack healers who took turns trying everything in their medical arsenal, yet he remained unconscious.
Stella knelt on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
The Luna Queen couldn’t contain her accumulated frustration and anger anymore, smashing her coffee cup with a thunderous crash.
Her slender finger pointed at Stella, trembling with rage.
“I knew you were trouble! Adrian was seriously injured and needed rest, but you manipulated him into parading around with you everywhere!”
“You’ve harmed him to this state
–
are you satisfied now?”
“The pack healer said Adrian’s wounds weren’t severe, but without proper rest, the beast toxins have spread through his meridians. This leg might not be salvageable…”
Hearing the Luna Queen’s scolding, Stella felt deeply wronged.
She’d done nothing wrong – why was everyone blaming her?
Just because she was born a servant’s daughter, even earning the future Alpha King’s love and about to become Luna, she could only kneel humbly and beg for mercy?
“Luna Queen, I’m innocent. I’ve never seduced Adrian. It was Adrian who took pity on me and…”
“Silence!”
The Alpha King had just returned from court and immediately kicked Stella to the ground upon hearing her protests.
“If not for you bewitching Adrian, would he have disregarded his own health like this?”
“With Adrian unconscious and unresponsive, I think we should cancel the mating ceremony in a few days…”
Stella struggled to steady herself, looking at the Alpha King in disbelief.
She’d been dreaming of the Luna position, and just as it was within reach, no one could stop her!
Before she could protest, Adrian’s weak voice drifted over.
“Father, Mother… don’t blame Stella. This was my choice… my willing decision…”
“Please don’t cancel the ceremony… I promise I’ll recover before the mating day… please…”
Adrian had somehow regained consciousness.
Even barely able to speak coherently, he still defended Stella with every breath.
Seeing his condition, the Alpha King and Luna Queen couldn’t bear to be harsh.
They only warned Stella sternly: “Fine. If you can restore Adrian to full health, the ceremony will proceed as planned. Otherwise…”
“I will hold you fully responsible!”
Stella nodded frantically, her eyes gleaming with desperate determination to seize this final chance!
After the Alpha King and Luna Queen left, Stella frantically rushed to Adrian’s bedside.
She’d thought his awakening meant improvement, but within moments he’d lost consciousness again.
The pack healers wiped sweat from their brows nervously, their voices shaking.
“The future Alpha King… I’m afraid he won’t make it!”
