Chapter 172 Gifts and Ghosts

    bLeslie /bPOV

    G (32

    Finished

    Guests came forward one after another, offering birthday wishes. I greeted each of them with practiced ease, my smile calm and poised.

    Just as Astrid, Am, and I finally caught a breath, I turned–and there he was.

    Kirby.

    Commanding as ever, striding toward me like he owned the air around him. Three bodyguards followed behind, each carrying a gift box so polished it glinted like it belonged in a museum.

    “Leslie, I brought three gifts. Want to take a look?” His voice was deep, direct,ced with Alpha dominance.

    Every head in the banquet hall turned toward us. Whispers red like sparks in dry grass.

    Asphodel muttered in my chest, “Three gifts? He’s certainly generous.”

    I narrowed my eyes, my mood turning cold. “So that’s it? He’s cornering me in public so I can’t refuse?”

    Am chuckled, trying to keep things light. “Might as well open them! And if Leslie doesn’t like them–she’s not keeping them.”

    Astrid leaned in, whispering, “If they’re worth money, we sell them. Never say no to profit.”

    I smirked, my voice chilly. “Fine. Let’s see what this Alpha brought.”

    The first box opened ito /ireveal a pendant of star–carved obsidian suspended on a chain of lunar silver. A faint pulse of moonlight shimmered off the surface, and I could almost hear a wolf’s whisper echoing from within.

    Am gasped. “Is that… ‘Moon Soul’s Tear‘? A sacred relic of the Moon Goddess?!”

    My pupils contracted.

    Legend said this pendant was once a divine gift from the Moon Goddess to the first werewolf. It amplified wolf spirit power–priceless, irreceable. It was thought to have been locked away by a secret bloodline. And Kirby had it?

    Asphodel snorted. “So he shelled out a fortune for a relic just to put on a show? He really thinks this’ll wipe away the betrayal of three years ago?”

    Chapter 172 Gifts and Ghosts

    Astrid muttered under her breath, “Leslie, does Kirby happen to need another ex–wife?”

    I shot her a re and hissed back, “Please. Hisst one had to bleed out just to earn her freedom. Wanna give it a go?”

    Astrid pulled back instantly. “Never mind.”

    The second box opened.

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    Finished

    A belt woven from gray wolf hide, its edges iid with weathered fangs that radiated an ancient Alpha aura.

    Astrid scoffed. “Seriously? He brought you… that old thing?”

    But I froze.

    Two years ago, I gave him a handmade scarf. He sent me a wolf–hide belt in return–very simr to this one.

    Now he was giving it again. Trying to repay a forgotten debt?

    The ache in my chest hit before I could stop it. I shoved the feeling down and opened the third box.

    A moon–silver dagger.

    Runes lined the de, and a blood–red wolf crystal glinted from the hilt. Power radiated from it—silent, heavy. I recognized the presence instantly: the God of Bonds.

    Gasps echoed around us. The room filled with murmurs.

    “Alpha Kirby gave her the ‘Blood Oath de‘? That thing seals mate contracts!”

    “Princess Leslie and Alpha Kirby really are perfect for each other. Why don’t they just get back together?”

    I flicked my eyes toward the speaker–Liana of Smoke Pack,

    Of course.

    It was my birthday, and somehow the most annoying people still managed to show up.

    Her scent oozed with fake sweetness and subtle challenge. It made me nauseous.

    I gave her a sharp smile and calmly shut the box. “Selling yourself over two fancy gifts? Guess Smoke Pack Alpha hasn’t been getting much attentiontely.”

    b15:53 /bWed, bSep /b17

    Chapter 172 Gifts and Ghosts

    The surrounding guests burst into muffledughter. Liana’s face turned gray with fury.

    I turned back to Kirby, voice light and uninterested. “I’ll keep the gifts. Thank you.”

    His eyes were deep, unreadable. “They suit you.”

    I faltered for half a second. That bitter ache returned, deeper this time.

    b32 /b

    Finished

    Did he really think these gifts could call back what he broke with his own hands? Did he think the past could be patched with silver and stone?