The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 240: Collecting a Debt

James's POV:

The Duskfang Pack had another uninvited guest today.

"Alpha, the Silverpeak Pack's butler, Tom, is here. He brought a few guards. He says he's ... here to collect a debt."

When I heard that, I was in my study, working on this month's training plan for the new recruits.

Inside my head, my wolf spirit, Kenzi, let out a tired, wary growl.

"Collect a debt?" I frowned. "Didn't Cindy take everything when she left? Is there some old debt left?"

Kenzi paced around restlessly in my mind. "This can't be good. She's a Duchess now. We can't afford to mess with her. Go see what they want before things get out of hand."

I straightened my uniform, took a deep breath, and walked to the main hall.

Tom was standing there, back straight, looking even more imposing than me—a fallen general.

Behind him stood two fully armed guards. They weren't holding a ledger, just a thin piece of paper.

"Tom," I said, holding back my irritation and trying to stay polite. "May I ask what account Duchess Spencer says is still unpaid? If this is about old pack accounts, we may need—"

"Alpha Nolan, you've got it wrong," Tom cut me off coldly with a sarcastic smirk. "This is a new debt. From two days ago."

He stepped forward and handed me the paper.

I took one look, and my blood rushed straight to my head.

The handwriting was messy but clear. "IOU: Evelyn of Duskfang Pack caused trouble in front of Duchess Spencer's estate and broke one porcelain vase, owing five silver coins."

At the bottom was a bright red thumbprint. Evelyn's.

"This..." The paper felt burning hot in my hand. "Evelyn ... she went to the ducal estate to make a scene?"

"You didn't know, Alpha Nolan?" Tom raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of mockery. "Ms. Evelyn spent the morning two days ago screaming insults at our gate. Duchess Spencer was generous and didn't bother with her. But the thing she broke belongs to the ducal estate, so it has to be settled. Ms. Cindy said she likes things clean—she doesn't like having messy debts, especially not with the Duskfang Pack."

"Awooo!" Kenzi let out an angry roar inside me. "That idiot! She went behind our backs just to embarrass herself!"

My face felt hot, like I'd been slapped in front of everyone.

Five silver coins.

Back in the day, the Duskfang Pack wouldn't even give that little to a beggar.

But now, for these five silver coins, the Silverpeak Pack's butler showed up with an IOU. It was like my pride was ripped off and stomped on.

"I'm sorry," I said through clenched teeth. I pulled out five silver coins and slammed them onto the table. "I haven't kept her in line. I'll pay for her."

Tom took the coins but didn't leave right away.

He looked at me with a look that felt like pity.

"Alpha Nolan, Ms. Cindy asked me to pass on a message," Tom said calmly. "She's used to mad dogs barking at her and doesn't think it's worth her time to hit back. But if the owner can't even keep the dog on a leash, then it's the owner's incompetence. Take care of yourself."

Then, he turned and left without looking back.

I stood there, staring at the table, my nails digging into my palms.

"Mad dog... Incompetent..."

Kenzi was losing it in my head. "She's right! James, look at you! You can't even control your own mate. She's out there making us look like fools! We're the laughingstock of the whole Royal Court!"

Just as my anger was boiling over, the side door suddenly opened. My grandmother walked in, supported by a maid.

"Who was that? Someone from Silverpeak Pack?" My grandmother's hearing was still sharp. She looked anxious. "What did they want? Did Evelyn cause trouble again?"