Chapter 312: Matters of the Heart

**Thelma Zane’s POV** In the quiet moments of my childhood, it was often Rhode who climbed the tree to bring me down. He’d always have a gentle smile on his face and a blueberry ice cream sprinkled with powdered sugar in hand, a small treat to cheer me up. Afterward, he would carry me home, chatting about the evening’s dinner menu. Despite my yearning to stay in the place I once called home, practicality forced me to take refuge in a hotel during this visit. The presence of security personnel made it necessary to avoid unnecessary complications. Still, I arranged for my adoptive parents and Rhode to stay with me. The week we spent together was filled with laughter and joy, but eventually, the time came to focus on the purpose of our trip. Our honeymoon wasn’t the only reason for visiting the Shadow Pack. There was another critical task at hand: the selection of a new Alpha. This was a significant event that required the presence of both the pack members and representatives of