Burn in the Alpha Princess's Wrath novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 Ashes and Politics

Leslie’s POV – Westview Governor’s Mansion

After returning to the Westview Governor’s Mansion, I slept like a baby.

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+8 Pearls

Everything that happened at the ceremony last night seemed to have been swept aside by that heavy round of drinking. I wasn’t going to let the name Kirby affect me anymore. Not in the slightest.

But trouble always had a way of finding me.

The moment I opened my personal terminal, I saw the PackNet across the continent had been flooded with one photo: the “accidental mark” between me and Kirby.

The headline was even more dramatic-“Crimson Moon Pack and Rogue Pack: Signs of a Legendary Reunion?”

The photo was taken from such a flattering angle, the lighting so artfully arranged, it made our clash–our accidental dance–look like a tender, romantic reunion straight out of a dream.

I let out a cold snort and was about to close the page when Astrid’s call came crashing in.

“Babe! What the hell was that mark about? Don’t tell me you lost your mind again!”

I sighed and gave her a brief explanation of what really happened. She finally relaxed, but then burst out laughing like a gremlin. “Girl, check the trending topics! That article’s already been taken down! Quick, look at our group chat!”

I tapped into the chat and, as expected, it was chaos.

Eric: “Dammit! One stupid headline cost me a million credits! These media leeches don’t even blink when they name their price!”

Astrid: “Weren’t you at the ceremony too, Eric? How come there’s not a single shot of you anywhere?”

Amala: “If he’d had any decent camera time, you think he’d have paid to take down the one headline that made it look like he and Leslie were a thing?”

Eric replied with a string of bleeding emojis.

I chuckled and typed back: Next time just wire the million straight to me. I’ll clarify things myself and make a profit while I’m at it.

Eric responded with more desperate bleeding emojis.

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Chapter 53 Ashes and Politics

The banter with my friends lifted my mood.

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+8 Pearls

Later, I arrived at the Governor’s Mansion in my personal sports car. Just as I walked through the doors, the front desk Beta she–wolf greeted me with a huge bouquet of fresh flowers, dewy and vivid.

“Your Excellency, these are for you.”

I glanced at the card. Of course–My dearest Leslie, love you forever! Yours, Eric!!!

I rolled my eyes internally and said coldly to the receptionist, “Throw them in the incinerator. Thanks. And from now on, refuse all flower deliveries addressed to me.”

That fire of his needed to be put out. Completely.

At exactly eight o’clock, the first strategy meeting for the Moon Goddess Relic Project began.

I took the seat at the head of the table and looked over the core team members

They were the elite team I’d brought with me from the Rogue Pack royal city.

present.

“I’ll be leading this project personally,” I stated directly. “I’ve already finalized the names for the execution team. Liam will send out the list shortly.”

Everyone sat up straight. They knew that being part of this project meant glory–and a future brighter than most could dream of.

As soon as the meeting ended, Rowan, of course, rushed over to find me.

“Your Excellency!” Her face was tight with frustration and urgency. “Why… why isn’t my name on the project list?”

I looked at her calmly, raising a brow. “If every person who didn’t make the list came asking me that question, I think the floor outside my office would be worn down to stone. Tell me–what exactly do you expect me to say?”

Rowan’s face stiffened, but unwilling to give up her shot at reclaiming power, she pushed through. “My skills and experience are among the best in Westview! Your Excellency, you can’t let… a minor misunderstanding cancel out my entire worth!”

“Misunderstanding?” I smiled. “I seem to recall that Miss Rowan was very against our collaboration with Apex Industries. I personally believe that someone who questions the project’s legitimacy could damage the team’s morale.”

“No! I fully support all your decisions now!” Rowan Elurted out.

“Shame,” I said with a polite shake of my head. “The list’s already been submitted to the Royal

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Chapter 53 Ashes and Politics

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City Council. I’m afraid it can’t be changed. Maybe next time, Beta Rowan. When another opportunity comes along, I’ll be sure to consider you first.”

I was already gathering my files–clearly dismissing her.

Rowan clenched her jaw and turned to leave, tossing back a parting shot. “You’ll regret this.”

I watched her retreating back and let a cold smirk tug at my lips.

Rowan was never the type to play nice. She’d been scheming behind my back constantly these past few weeks. She really thought I didn’t know.

Even after the lesson I gave her last time, she still hadn’t given up her ambition to seize the Governor’s seat.

Just a Beta–where did she get that kind of confidence?

Might as well take this chance to find out what’s behind it.

Sure enough, by the afternoon, Liam’s secure line buzzed in.

“Your Excellency, Elder Drax of the Westview Council has requested your presence in his chamber.”

Elder Drax. A washed–up old Alpha who barely got into the council through backdoor deals?

I arched a brow. “All right. I’m on my way.”

So Rowan’s backer was that?

She really thought one half–senile elder, already pushed to the edge of local politics, could

scare me?

What a joke.

Send Gifts

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