Chapter 169
Chapter 169 Crazy Old Beta
ADALYN
After I nodded in surprise, Father gave me a small gesture of his own and then. disappeared into the
mansion. I stood there, frozen for the briefest of moments as my heart pounded heavily in my chest.
What did Father wish to speak to me about?
His tone was as serious as usual, but itcked the severity I’de to expect. So, what was the
problem? Did this have something to do with Margaret? Or perhaps with Asher or even Ss?
Whatever it was, I knew better than to leave my father waiting, so I leaned down and ran my hand over
Marco’s soft hair.
“Let’s get you over to Grandma, baby,” I suggested to the young prince gently. “Grandpa and I have
some business we have to attend to.”
Marco’s eyebrow shot skyward, and just as I thought he was about to whine, his expression shifted and
he simply smiled a dimpled smile.
“Okay, Mommy,” he said patiently.
I was a little surprised at theck of argument or whining but didn’t question it. My mind was too
preupied with whatever Father was about to share with me to worry about Marco’s unexpected
behavior.
So, I led him inside the House of Moses. The moment we stepped into the family mansion, the familiar
scent ofvender and lemon reached my nose and I let out a soft sigh. Mother had a strong love of
candles, particrly ones made in the market of Anemond, and for as long as I could remember, the
house always smelled like flowers and citrus.
Mother appeared from the dining room and offered a brilliant smile at Marcus as
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he ran into her arms.
“Oh, my sweet boy!” she greeted him warmly as she squeezed him tightly. Her eyes fell on mine and
she gestured toward the stairs with her head. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Don’t worry, darling, I’ve got him,” she assured me quietly. “Go on up to the study. Your father is
waiting.”
“Thanks, Mother,” I replied, and then I turned to Marco. “Have fun, baby.”
When Marco didn’t respond, I let out a small exhale. Now that he was with his grandmother, it didn’t
matter, so it was best for me to just go ahead and leave them
be.
My heart raced in my chest as I ascended the stairs toward Father’s study on the third floor. The entire
level was Father’s private domain, off limits unless granted express permission.
I remembered once, as a foolish child, I’d daringly climbed up to the third floor to exhibit my courage
and intimidate Ss. I’d stood there in the hallway,ughing at my little brother’s reluctance to follow,
but myughter came to a sudden halt when I felt Father’s grip on my shoulder. His hazel eyes had
zed with an unmatched fury, and that night, I’d been denied dinner as punishment.
Even now, my body was trembling with fear as I walked through the silent hallway. The entire third floor
exuded a quiet atmosphere. The curtains were drawn and what little light remained came from a few
flickering candles. No se rvants were allowed up here, and as I approached the door of Father’s study,
the sound of my heels echoed through the corridor.
I took a deep breath as my head swam with anxiety and excitement, and then I knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Father called out promptly, and without hesitation, I opened the door and stepped into the
room.
The study appeared far more ordinary than I’d expected. It was smallpared to the Alpha King’s,
but it was s acious enough to house arge ebony table and
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jet-ck leather couches. Just like out in the hallway, the heavy curtains were drawn shut, and
lavender candles flickered on the mantle above the firece.
Father sat at the table in a tall wingback chair, examining some papers. Silently, he gestured for me to
take a seat opposite him.
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat as I did. I took a seat and then Father raised his piercing
eyes from his papers and studied me.
“How are you doing, Adalyn?” he asked me casually. “And Prince Marco, is he
well?”
I nodded in surprise. “Yes, we’re doing quite well. Thank you for asking, Fat
“Of course,” he replied.
Though the conversation was simple enough, I felt awkward. Father and I rarely engaged in small talk.
As I observed him closely, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He seemed more exhausted than
usual, which was strange because for as long as I could remember, he’d never seemed tired even
once.
table.
Father cleared his throat and then leaned forward and rested his elbows on the
“Adalyn, how long have you been married to Asher?” he wondered.
“Five years,” I replied, and then I rified. “Well, five years, two months, and seven days to be precise.”
Father nodded slowly. “I’m sorry, darling, that I neverpelled Asher to im you as his Luna. It’s one
of my strongest regrets.”
My eyebrows shot up and the lump in my throat tightened. Father had never apologized to me before,
so it wasn’t a sentiment I was familiar with. I was rendered speechless and then he spoke again.
“Tell me, Adalyn, do you desire to be the Luna of the Crescent Pack or Asher’s wife?”
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I was confused, to say the least. “Forgive me for saying so, but those two
options aren’t contradictory, Father. If Asher imed me, I’d still be his wife, right?”
Father raised a gray eyebrow. “They aren’t contradictory for now, but perhaps soon they might be.”
His tone was as causal as if he were discussing the weather, meanwhile, I was
stunned.
What was he implying?
My eyes widened in disbelief, and then Father smiled at me. It was an expression I didn’t see often,
and that smile sent a chill down my spine. I shivered and then Father leaned in even further.
“You needn’t rush to decide,” he assured me. “I wouldn’t harm Asher. I like the boy well enough.
Though I suppose I should rify… I won’t cause him harm so long as you cooperate.”
Speechless and rigid, I sat there in shock as my brain considered what he was saying. Father’s threats
weren’t to be taken lightly, if the past was any indication, and whatever he was implying… it was likely
something terrible and perhaps illegal.
What was he threatening?
Was Asher in danger?
Was my position in court and my standing in the Crescent Pack in danger?
All of these vague questions and suspicious undertones left me confused. My head ached as I tried to
keep up with what was happening.
Before I could open my mouth to question him and get some rity on this meeting, Father continued
speaking.
“Cooperating with me would be beneficial, my dear daughter,” he suggested with a sly smile on his lips.
“In fact, it might help you with certain desires… such as removing that healer you despise so much.”
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As I gazed into his eyes, my stomach twisted into knots and another shiver ran
through me.
Whatever was going on, I was thoroughly convinced that Father had lost his
sanity.
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