Chapter 184 A Clean Break

    Leslie’s POV

    Finished

    Early the next morning, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a fresh canopy of green outside the window–branches thick with leaves,yered and intertwined.

    Rare and precious moonflower trees surrounded the estate, their silver glow seeping through the gaps andzily crawling across my face.

    A beautiful day… Last night’s unpleasantness faded from memory in an instant.

    I got up and washed without hesitation, then picked up my phone to check thetest stock market updates.

    A message popped up–sent by my eldest brother, Thorbane, at four in the morning: “Lyana has been expelled. Smoke Pack is now officially listed as a hostile pack by the royal family. Sleep easy.”

    That fast? Thorbane had always been fiercely protective. If he acted this quickly, then his methods had to be absolutely ruthless.

    “As it should be,” Asphodel murmuredzily in my mind. “A hyena bold enough to provoke royalty deserves to have her ws ripped out so she’ll never hunt again.”

    Still… I couldn’t help wondering for a moment what role Kirby had yed in all of it.

    The way he looked at mest night—those deep, dark eyes were filled withplicated

    emotion.

    But I hadn’t been in the mood to figure him out, and frankly, I didn’t care. His presence meant nothing to me.

    What mattered was–I’d gotten out unscathed.

    I walked into my massive closet and picked out a limited–edition haute couture day dress from the season’s collection.

    Just as I was about to head out, mym buzzed. It was Astrid.

    I smiled. “Astrid, you’re calling earlier than my rm again…”

    She grumbled irritably, “Why didn’t you tell me what happenedst night?”

    She already knew? I replied lightly, “Well, you know now.”

    Chapter 184 A Clean Break

    :

    Finished

    “I heard some gossip from another pack. Lyana tried to stir up trouble with you, got caught red–handed, then had the nerve to confess to Eric–seriously? And both Kirby and Thorbane showed up! I couldn’t believe it. How did she even have the guts to cause drama on Rogue Pack territory?”

    “Apparently she was sent back to the Southern Continent overnight, bawling her eyes out. And Thorbane made it clear–anyone who sides with Smoke Pack is going against Rogue Pack royalty. Sounds like her pack’s going down fast…”

    I listened calmly, my expression unmoved.

    Thorbane’s decision wasn’t surprising. If it had been me handling it, I would’ve done the same.

    We chatted on the way to the Western Territory headquarters. Once I saw the building up ahead, I wrapped up the call and hung up, ignoring Astrid’s lingering curiosity.

    Pushing open the headquarters‘ doors, I was greeted by a familiar buzz of activity.

    Staff bustled past, heads down, paperwork in hand. The air smelled faintly of coffee, mingling with the soft rhythm of keyboard taps.

    I made my way straight to my private elevator, the hem of my dress swaying with each step. A few people nced over, but I was used to that.

    Inside the elevator, I leaned against the cool metal wall–and Kirby’s deep gaze shed through my mind without warning.

    “Don’t go there, Leslie,” Asphodel scoffed. “No matter what that wolf’s thinking, it has nothing to do with you. Focus. The future of the Rogue Pack royals is your battlefield.”

    I curved my lips. She was right.

    Kirby, Lyana–just passing clouds.

    I pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator doors slid shut, sealing me off from the noise outside.

    In my office, I opened the floor–to–ceiling windows, letting the morning breeze pour in.

    The moonflower trees shimmered in the sunlight. Beyond them, the skyline of Rogue Pack territory stretched grand and still.

    I sat at my desk and powered on myputer. Several new emails popped up. At the top was one from Thorbane, bluntly titled: “Smoke Pack–Follow–up.”

    I opened it. As always, he got straight to the point: Smoke Pack’s trade routes had been severed by Rogue Pack. Their allies on the Southern Continent were backing away.

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    Chapter 184 A Clean Break

    Finished

    Other packs with old grudges had started to bare their fangs.

    Lyana’s influence probably wouldn’t survive the month.

    I closed the email, my heart untouched.

    She had brought this on herself. Anyone bold enough to challenge the Rogue Pack royals should’ve known what it would cost.

    As for Kirby… I tapped my fingers against the desk. He’d shown up so quicklyst night. Could I have been wrong about him?

    i“/iiMaybe /iihe’s /iitrying /iito /iifix /iwhat’s ibetween /iiyou/ii,/ii” /iAsphodel chimed inzily. i“/iiBut /iia /iimale /iwolf’s isweet /iitalk/ii? /iNever worth itrusting/i.”

    I chuckled softly and ignored her. Then I got up to make a cup of coffee.

    Just as I lifted the mug, them buzzed again.

    Eric.

    I raised an eyebrow and answered. His usual smug voice came through. “Yo, Leslie. Sleep wellst night? We got some great nudes of Lyana. Want a peek?”

    “No thanks. My eyes aren’t that desperate,” I said tly. “Get to the point.”

    “Tch. Cold as always.” Heughed. “It’s about the Crimson Moon Pack deal. They’re sending someone today to go over the details. Kirby’s been pretty involved–guess he’s trying to get back on your good side.”

    I took a sip of coffee, my eyes drifting to the window. “Whether he’s involved or not has nothing to do with me. Tell them to talk to my assistant. I’ll meet with them this afternoon.”

    I ended the call and leaned back in my chair, eyes settling on a small moonflower nt at the corner of my desk.

    It swayed gently in the morning light, like it was reminding me-

    No matter what happened in the past, the glory of the Western Rogue Pack was still firmly in my hands.

    Send Gifts

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