"So this is the source of the rot! This is what turned the Crown Alpha's territory into a den of vulgar excess!"
He spun around and threw himself to his knees before Rowena:
"Ashton hoarded all of this for his own indulgence, with no regard for the Crown Alpha's reputation or dignity! What kind of wolf does that?"
He was trembling with righteous fury.
That ethereal face of his, all sharp angles and cool detachment.
Like some exiled wolf-spirit descended from the moon itself.
Rowena couldn't look away.
"From this day forward, everything in this territory falls under your authority."
Rowena helped Edric to his feet with her own hands.
"The moon-coins, the staff, the land, and every trade route. All of it goes to Edric."
Everything I had built.
One sentence from the Crown Alpha, and it all belonged to Edric Duskborne.
I dropped to my knees.
"Your Highness, I request a bond rejection."
Rowena stiffened.
She was about to speak, but Edric tugged gently at her sleeve.
"Your Highness, if my brother stays any longer, he'll only taint the dignity of your pack. Better to grant him what he asks."
Rowena swallowed whatever she'd been about to say.
"Granted."