#Chapter 178: Crescent Mansion

Ava The grand foyer of Crescent Mansion was dimly lit and smelled sweetly of pine as we entered, causing both Chris and me to inhale deeply on instinct. The butler, a slender man wearing a crisp black tuxedo with coattails down the back, turned to us as the doors shut behind us. “Alpha Chris, Luna Ava,” he said with a slight bow, “Alpha Bernard will be with you shortly. Please, make yourselves comfortable while you wait.” Once we were alone, Chris leaned in close, keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard. “Did you see the view from the driveway?” he whispered. “Not a single tree left standing.” I nodded, my stomach churning at the thought. Even Crescent Moon’s prized redwood tree, which was once so large you could see the base of it peeking out from behind both sides of the mansion, was gone. “Whatever this beetle infestation is, it must be devastating. Crescent Moon has always been so proud of their forests.” “I’ve never seen anything like it