Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 03

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 03

John grabbed my stone and threw it aside.

“Once or twice, it’s cute.”

“But this many times? It’s just annoying.”

“Betty, do you have to humiliate Eleanor in front of the entire Pack?”

Eleanor hurried forward, wearing an innocent expression.

“Betty, you’ve always treated me well. You won’t hold this against me, right?”

“Before my parents died, their only wish was for me to complete my tower. Please. Let John help me.”

John squeezed Eleanor’s hand. “I’ll go with you.”

He turned back to me. His face was cold. “Just wait one more time.”

Again.

Every time it was between Eleanor and me… I was the one who waited.

A high fever burned through my body.

I lay in bed waiting for him to take me to the healer.

But Eleanor said she was hungry.

So I waited.

My graduation trial was approaching its deadline.

But Eleanor wanted to see a moonlight performance.

So I waited.

I thought I had become numb by now.

But I hadn’t.

I was done.

I stepped back. “Go. Eleanor needs you.”

John’s expression softened. He even smiled and pinched my cheek.

“I knew you would understand.”

“Tonight’s feast, I’ll arrange everything.”

I turned away.

I watched him walk Eleanor back to her yard.

His arm wrapped around her waist.

The crowd followed them.

My yard became empty.

My mother looked at me with a broken heart as I picked up my stone and placed it at the top.

The tower was complete.

John. I am going to form my mate bond now.

But not with you.

When John returned with Eleanor and saw my finished tower, his expression darkened.

He made a comm call and began arranging the evening feast.

Every unmated she-wolf who completed her tower would hold a feast at the territory square to announce the forming of her mate bond.

Half an hour later, cooks and servants flooded into Eleanor’s yard.

John lowered his voice. “Eleanor is alone. You have your mother.”

“It’s fine. Let me handle her feast first. Then I’ll arrange yours. Alright?”

I smiled. “No need. I’ve already arranged it.”

He frowned as he studied me.

After a moment, he replied coldly. “Suit yourself.”

Then he turned and walked into Eleanor’s pack house without looking back.

That night, the entire Pack celebrated at Eleanor’s yard.

My yard had only one stone table.

Two cups of weak moon wine.

“Mother. Tomorrow, I go to the Moon Temple. I’ll miss you.”

She blinked back her tears.

“You’re only going to the border. I can see you every day.”

“If your father were still here… He would be so proud of you.”

For years, my stubbornness had brought her nothing but whispers from the Pack.

She was barely past forty.

Yet half her fur had already turned white.

Deep wrinkles marked her face like the ravines across our territory.

Tears fell into my cup. I drank it all.

Late that night, I returned to my room to finish my mate-robe.

I had sewn it for eleven years.

Countless changes. Countless repairs.

Tonight… It was finally complete.

That was when John entered.

The scent of alcohol and Eleanor’s perfume clung to him.

His eyes fell on the white robe.

“So eager to form a mate bond with me?”

“But I’ll tell you this now. Tomorrow, Eleanor will move back into the pack house.”

“You know she can’t endure her heat alone. My mother is worried about her.”

I said nothing.

John’s expression turned impatient. “Betty, here we go again.”

“You always become silent like this, as if I owe you something.”

“Can’t you be more like Eleanor? Understanding. Patient.”

“Every time I go out with you, she waits quietly. Can’t you compromise?”

Wait.

That word struck me like a claw through my chest.

I lowered my head. I stitched the final thread. Then I cut it with my scissors.

I folded the robe carefully. Placed it inside the chest. Then I looked at John.

“John. Our mate bond ends here.”