The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34 An Empty Vault and a Beta’s Sigh

Chapter 34 An Empty Vault and a Beta’s Sigh

James’s POV:

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A heavy, decaying smell filled Serene Residence. It was the scent of life draining away. Even without trying to breathe it in, the smell of death pushed straight into my nose.

Grandma stomped her foot hard. Her thin, trembling fingers pointed toward the empty storehouse. Her sharp voice pierced my ears. “She took everything!” she screamed. “She didn’t even leave me a few high- grade healing herbs! How is the Duskfang Pack supposed to keep me alive now? Soon we won’t even be able to afford medicine!”

I watched my grandmother’s face twist with rage and fear. Inside me, Kenzi let out a low, tired growl. It was full of frustration.

As the Alpha, I should have been the pillar holding the pack together. Yet faced with this mess, all I could offer were weak words. “Don’t worry,” I said. “The Southreach front is under pressure. The Royal Court will soon need Evelyn and me to fight. Once we earn new merits, the rewards will come. With that money, we can buy any healing herbs we need.”

Grandma cried until her voice broke. Her breathing sounded like a torn bellows. “How could she be so heartless?” she wailed. “She stepped aside, didn’t she? Why couldn’t she accept Evelyn? She’s an orphan from a ruined pack, but she dares to act like some untouchable duchess!”

The word “duchess” stabbed straight into my heart.

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, trying to smile, but failed.

Because it was true. Prince Adam had personally granted her that title/ She was now the rightful ruler of Northmere. Her standing in the Royal Court was higher than mine.

“She deserved what happened to her pack,” Priscilla cursed bitterly Her eyes glinted with venom. “Absolutely deserved it.”

At the mention of Silverpeak’s destruction, a flicker of doubt passed through my mind.

The vampires were cold and proud, but they rarely broke the Peace Treaty. Slaughtering the weak and defenseless went against their rules and their interests. It did not add up.

The thought vanished just as quickly.

The Silverpeak Pack no longer had anything to do with me.

I forced myself not to think of her eyes-cool and distant-turning pure silver at the moment the bond

shattered.

Cindy will regret this, I told myself in silence. I said it to convince Kenzi. And maybe, more than anything, to convince myself.

The shelves that once held Cindy’s property were now completely empty. Those rare crystals and antique weapons were gone. Not even a single wolf hair was left behind. Priscilla felt as if her heart were bleeding

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Chapter 34 An Empty Vault and a Beta’s Sigh

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She turned and saw Nick, the one in charge of finances, standing under the corridor with a cold, distant look. All her anger rushed out at once. “You didn’t even try to stop her?” Priscilla snapped. “You’re a Beta, not a corpse!”

Nick lowered his head; his voice was flat and steady. “Mrs. Priscilla, she is a duchess protected by Royal Court law. Taking back her own property is her legal right. Prince Adam’s royal guards were right there. I’m only a Beta. How could I dare to interfere?”

Priscilla flared up. “How dare you talk back to me? Are you turning against me now?”

Nick looked up at Priscilla. There was something in her eyes I couldn’t quite understand. Was it disappointment? Or quiet mockery?.

He spoke slowly, “Turning against you? I wouldn’t dare. But Luna-no, Ms. Cindy always does what you want, and what did that bring her? I hope that after Evelyn becomes Luna, she will be willing to use her own blood, sweat, and property to support you, just like Cindy did.”

“She will!” Priscilla glared at Nick viciously. “Evelyn is a powerful warrior. She’s a hundred times stronger than that Cindy who only played with flowers! Don’t mention that bitch again. If she were truly obedient, she wouldn’t have cut off my medicine!”

Nick’s lips curved into a faint, cold smile. “I already sent people to check. Ms. Cindy did not stop your medicine. It was the werewolf doctor himself who refused to come back. He said that our pack is heartless and ungrateful and that he would never step foot here again.”

“What did you say?!” Priscilla shouted.

At that moment, Hannah rushed out from the inner courtyard. She clearly heard Nick’s words. Her fury exploded, her wolf instincts flaring. “Nick! How dare you speak to Grandma like that? Taking an outsider’s side and blaming her? If the Alpha looks into this, you’ll be expelled from the pack!”

Nick’s body stiffened. A Beta expelled without cause often ended up as a rogue. The fate of a rogue was cruel. It was every wolf’s nightmare.

Fear flashed across his eyes. Nick lowered his head, hiding everything. “Fine,” he said quietly. “I was wrong. I can’t offend anyone.”

With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Watching Nick walk away, my feelings were complicated.

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