3 Chapter 73 Three Years Later
Three Years after….
“Addison, are you really leaving?” Silas asked softly, her crimson eyes filled with sorrow as she watched Addison prepare to depart. The younger woman stood tall, her long silver hair tied in a high ponytail, her golden eyes–bright and warm like molten gold- turning back to meet Silas’s gaze with a gentle smile.
“Silas, I’ve spent three years here in the Sacred Land. It’s time I return to my own domain,” Addison said kindly. “My father needs help managing his territory–and more than that, he deserves time to spend with my mother. He’s been begging me to come back, honestly.”
She let out a lighthearted chuckle before stepping forward and pulling Silas into a heartfelt embrace. “You’re always welcome to visit me, you know.”
For three long years, Silas had treated her like a beloved your sister. But Addison
had never forgotten who Silas truly was–the Saintess of the Sacred Land, a woman whose status surpassed even the pope, whose words were revered as divine truth. To the people, she was a living miracle, loved and worshipped. Yet in these quiet moments, she was simply Silas–the one who stood by Addison’s side through healing and hardship.
After eight months of arduous travel, Elric, Maxwell, Hue, and their entire entourage finally arrived at the Sacred Land. They moved with haste, driven by urgency. Though they were granted entry by the Saintess herself, their towering forms and distinctly powerful presence made it clear to the human inhabitants that they were not ordinary men–they were werewolves.
The difference in species did not go unnoticed. Whispers followed them, and wary gazes trailed their every step. But with the Saintess‘ permission securing their stay, no one dared voice an objection.
Their group paid little mind to the suspicious stares as they made their way to the temple where the Saintess resided. The temple was breathtaking–entirely white with elegant gold plating embellishing the pillars, doors, chairs, and especially the sacred chamber. Inside this chamber, waist–deep holy water filled nearly the entire room, shimmering under the divine light.
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At the far end stood a throne, the place where the Saintess would sit or kneel in prayer to the gods. A single, narrow bridge stretched across the water from the grand entrance to the throne, serving as the only path through which one could approach the Saintess when summoned.
When they arrived, the Saintess welcomed them as if she had been expecting their arrival all along. Without waiting for any explanations or requests, she immediately gave an order to bring Addison to the Sacred Land. There was no need for formalities, proof, or persuasion. Elric was stunned. He stood there speechless, unable to grasp how the Saintess already knew their purpose.
Still reeling from surprise, Elric sent a report to the Alpha King, detailing the unexpected development. Shortly after, Addison was sent to the Sacred Land under the escort of the Royal Guards, sparing Elric and his entourage from the need to make a return journey.
To Elric’s astonishment, Addison was warmly welcomed by the Saintess’s people upon arrival. He couldn’t understand why the Saintess treated Addison with such reverence and care, but it soon became clear that her healing was no simple task. The Saintess devoted immense time and energy to the process, and Addison’s path to recovery was long, difficult, and filled with unseen challenges and danger.
Now, after three years of healing, Addison was finally well enough to return. She looked radiant, just like she had before her coming of age. Seeing her like this, Elric couldn’t help but shed a few tears. He was overjoyed and even more eager for the Alpha King and Queen to see their daughter again. They had been waiting anxiously for her return, counting down the days.
In the meantime, the Royal Palace had not remained idle. While awaiting Addison’s recovery, the Alpha King had begun subtly retaliating against Alpha Zion’s territory. He had been steadily suppressing and isolating Zion, making it clear where he stood. After all, no one knew better than the Alpha King whether or not his daughter had ever been truly under Zion’s protection.
And even now, Zion had yet to send any formal report about his Luna’s actions. This silence only confirmed the Alpha King’s suspicions–that Zion was either unwilling or unable to punish his Luna properly. Left with no other choice, the Alpha King decided to take matters into his own hands.
Since the Alpha King was still keeping Addison’s return a secret, he could only make
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things difficult for Zion in subtle ways. However, instead of breaking under the pressure, Zion focused on strengthening his pack. With neighboring packs cutting off trade and isolating him, Zion redirected his efforts and forged new trade routes with neutral species–namely the dwarves and the elves, who preferred their peaceful lives away from the affairs of werewolves.
The dwarves welcomed the trade openly, exchanging their finely crafted weapons and unique inventions for high–quality beer brewed in Zion’s territory. The elves, on the other hand, were far more reserved.
They cherished the serenity of their sacred forest and were not easily persuaded. It took Zion a great deal of time and diplomacy to earn their trust, eventually offering them grains and vegetables in exchange for their exquisite silk and finely made clothing.
Once these new partnerships were established, Zion began to monopolize these exclusive trade routes. The goods from the dwarves and elves quickly became coveted by other packs, forcing even his rivals to maintain loose alliances with him or pay exorbitant prices just to access the valuable items his pack now transported.
Through this strategy, Zion not only kept his pack afloat but strengthened it. His warriors grew stronger, better equipped, and more unified–ready for whatever storm may come next.
But before Zion reached this point of stability, his pack had undergone intense turmoil and repeated upheavals. The entire structure was shaken to its core as Zion unleashed his fury, personally turning the pack inside out.
He had executed several members–specifically those who had gone to the dungeon to watch Addison being whipped. One by one, Zion interrogated his pack members, demanding details of how and when they had mistreated Addison. Those found guilty of inflicting significant pain were either crippled or executed without mercy.
His brutal actions sent a wave of fear through the pack, revealing the depth of his wrath and the weight of his remorse. It was only then that the pack truly realized the value of Addison’s leadership.
Under her quiet, efficient management, life had been peaceful and laid back. But as the saying goes, there is no cure for regret. They only recognized her worth once she was gone and Zion’s iron rule had taken over.
73 Chapter 73 Three Years Lator
From that moment on, Zion’s word became law. No one dared to disobey or slack off. The fear of punishment kept everyone in line. Three years passed, and during that time, everyone had gradually adapted to their new lives.
The atmosphere within the Midnight River Pack had shifted entirely–becoming more intense, disciplined, and intimidating. The entire pack seemed to reflect the cold, ruthless demeanor of their Alpha, who had grown even more distant, indifferent, and fearsome than before. No one dared to cross him or cause trouble, fearing he might erupt again and unleash the same havoc that once shook the entire pack.
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