Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 01

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 01

Greenwood Pack had an ancient law:

Every unmated she-wolf had to build a stone tower before the Moon Goddess altar each year.

If she completed the tower and no male wolf came to claim her with a mate’s vow, she would have to join with the Moon Temple’s Lonely Guardian—the wolf-priest who served the Goddess.

I built my tower from the age of eighteen to twenty-nine.

My so-called mate, John, missed every single year.

Every time, he had an excuse.

With my final stone in hand, I traveled for three days on a border transport to his territory.

I thought I would help him settle his troubles first, then bring him back for my mating ceremony.

But the moment I reached his pack house, I heard his laughter from inside.

“Make up an excuse for Betty tomorrow. Eleanor’s heat is coming, and she isn’t well. I need to stay with her.”

His friend sounded uneasy.

“But you’ve skipped her tower for eleven years. Aren’t you afraid she’ll stop waiting?”

John laughed.

“She’s waited eleven years. What’s one more?”

“Besides, Greenwood Pack hasn’t had a Moon Guardian in decades. Who else would she choose as her mate? Become a lone wolf for the rest of her life?”

“Next year, after Eleanor finishes her tower, I’ll go mark Betty.”

I turned around.

The cornerstone I had carried all this way slipped from my arms and fell into the scrap pile.

The stone was stained with the tears I had held back for years.

John didn’t know this was my final year of waiting.

He didn’t know the Moon Guardian who had disappeared from Greenwood Pack for generations had returned this year.

When I finally returned home, covered in dust and exhaustion, it was time to place my final stone.

Pack members gathered outside my territory.

Elders, she-wolves, and pups all stood there, watching me.

“Betty came back alone?”

“This is her final stone. Is she really going to join with the Moon Guardian?”

My mother’s eyes were red, but she forced herself not to cry.

“Stop talking nonsense! The Moon Goddess will grant Betty the best mate!”

Her rough hand held mine tightly.

“Betty, don’t be afraid. Mother will handle this.”

She pulled out her comm to contact John.

I stopped her.

“Mother. Don’t wait for him. He won’t come.”

She looked at me in panic.

“Betty, what are you saying? Everyone in the Pack knows you and John have loved each other for years!”

“Who else could be your mate?”

Before I could answer, a commotion came from behind me.

I turned, and saw John’s face.

That familiar, careless smile.

My heart stopped.

He… Actually came?