All other wives looked at Adrianna. They knew that Adrianna and Dmitri became ill after the wedding rituals were over but they didn't know that the reason. The fact that their Luna's own sister wanted to poison her was even more disappointing.

"What kind of family is she from?" said of the women who knew that Keisha was supposed to be Dmitri's wife and he denied her. That lady only wanted to add fuel to the fire; not because she was Keisha's friend, but because her husband was forced to submit to the supreme alpha.

​​

The gossip started.

"Poor Dmitri, I hope her family stays away from him."

"Did she force Dmitri to be her mate?"

"That is one disgraceful family. How could Dmitri even go in for this union?"

"We have to talk to our husbands about the kind of Luna we will accept as the supreme alpha's wife."

Adrianna's tear rolled out of her eye much to the satisfaction of Cora and Keisha. Cora smiled and looked at Keisha as if encouraging her to go further.

"Adrianna your silence speaks a lot. It seems that you are trying to cover your sister. But the truth is that we all know that she was involved in poisoning you and Dmitri. We feel that Dmitri is not safe in your presence. You should leave him at the first opportunity," said Keisha as though trying to claim her title from Adrianna.

In the meeting, Dmitri could feel the pang of despair in his heart. "Adri…" he whispered. He wanted to go and be with her. He looked miserable and looked at Nate. But Nate gave him a strict glare. There was no way Dmitri could leave the meeting and go to Adrianna. Three chiefs had come to form an alliance and it was a very crucial talk. He admonished Dmitri mentally, "You better stay here."

"So this is my fate," thought Dmitri. He could not be with his wife whenever she felt sad. He had to endure this sadness. Her pain affected him emotionally to the point he got depressed. The blood vow in his hand burned and he fisted his hand to cool the stinging. He reached for Adrianna. "Adri..." he called her.

Just as the tear rolled out of her eyes, she heard him. "Dmitri..."

"Be strong..."

Adrianna smiled and nodded, "Yes..."

"What happened, tell me..." he asked.

"Nothing, don't worry," she replied. That was all the support she needed. Her alpha was with her. He trusted her.

"I hate when you cry..." he said. "I can't concentrate on my meeting."

Adrianna wiped her tear and replied, "Trust me darling. It's nothing. I will manage."

"Okay..." he communicated and resumed talking to the chiefs who had posed a question at him. He looked at them blankly.

One of them repeated the question. "If we form an alliance with you, we need benefits."

"What benefits?" asked Dmitri.

"We would want full control over the Lake Moon Pack," said one of them.

Dmitri scoffed. He said, "Let's put it this way. If you don't form an alliance with us, we will have a war with you. Your pack will be raided and werewolves will be killed for no reason. So you have to choose whether you want war or an alliance. To be honest I want to declare a war against you all because that ways I will have complete control over you, which I may have to compromise when we sign a treaty."

The chiefs got scared. They knew what Dmitri spoke was the truth. He was known to be a merciless killer.

"Give us some time to think Dmitri. But you are really arrogant. We didn't expect this kind of a threat from the supreme alpha," said the one who was talking about benefits.

Dmitri shrugged. "Take it or leave it!"

Back in the main hall where Adrianna was sitting and listening to Keisha spouting nonsense, the atmosphere had changed drastically. From a cordial meeting, it became unfriendly. Everyone looked at Adrianna as though doubting her ability to be their Luna. Most of the women were politically motivated. They tried to show how superior they were and how pathetic Adrianna was.

"Yes. Cora, if her family was involved in poisoning Dmitri, then you should not allow her to stay here. Even if you allow her to stay here you have make sure that all food that Dmitri eats should be first tasted by Adrianna," said one of the older women.

"In my opinion, you should annul the wedding now!" said the other infuriated to the point that she could have slapped Adrianna.

Cora's smile widened. The best time to hit the iron was when it was hot. "Adrianna, you must explain to all the women present here. After all you are the Luna of the supreme alpha. We cannot have someone as tainted as you are."