Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 04

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 04

John froze for a second. Then his face twisted. “Again with this?”

“You’ve said it a hundred times in eleven years! And every time, you regret it the next day.”

“Grow up, Betty. You’re not a pup anymore.”

I watched him lose control.

And suddenly, I understood.

Eleven years of love. Eleven years of compromise. All of it had been wrong.

He never tried to calm me. He only released his anger on me.

I used to tell myself he became furious because he couldn’t bear to lose me.

I thought it meant he cared.

But now I finally saw the truth. He was angry because his dominance was being challenged.

Because I was no longer the she-wolf who would lower her head and obey.

I stood up and opened the door.

“It’s late. Eleanor is probably trembling in fear already.”

John let out a bitter laugh. “So you are jealous.”

“I already told you. I’ll mark you.”

A voice came from outside. “John? Are you there? I had a nightmare.”

I stepped aside. “Please.”

John gave me a cold look and stormed out.

“Fine. You’re angry tonight. I’ll ignore it.”

“Tomorrow at ten, my mother will arrive. You’ll come with me to greet her.”

The next morning, I went to the border.

Not for John. For respect toward an elder.

But Eleanor arrived before me.

She rushed into Mrs. Smith’s arms.

“Mother! You’re finally here! I missed you so much!”

Mrs. Smith laughed and held her tightly.

“Missed me after only one day? You spoiled pup.”

“Let me see. Did any bad wolf bully you?”

Her eyes shifted toward me. That familiar disgust appeared again.

I used to run to John while crying. Not this time.

I lowered my head politely. “Greetings, Mrs. Smith.”

She snorted. “Don’t greet me.”

“You’re not even marked yet, and you’re already bullying Eleanor?”

“Apologize. Now.”

John stepped forward and pushed me. “Just apologize, Betty.”

I moved aside. “I did nothing wrong. I won’t apologize.”

John’s hand stopped in the air.

His voice dropped into a warning growl.

“Betty. Don’t test me.”

“Do you still want me to mark you?”

Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.

“Betty… You’re still angry with me?”

“If you hate me so much, I’ll leave. I’ll leave the Pack. I’ll leave John.”

“I know I’m just a lone wolf no one wants…”

Mrs. Smith immediately pulled her close.

“Nonsense. I love you most. No one can become John’s mate unless you allow it.”

Eleanor sobbed, struggling for breath. “Mother… I can’t breathe…”

John turned toward me.

“Betty. Apologize. Now.”

“If you refuse… I will transfer every Moon-gift to Eleanor. Every single one.”

He stared at me. Waiting for me to break.

I nodded. “Do it. Give them all to Eleanor.”

“I don’t want them anymore.”

I turned and walked away.

Behind me, John’s furious voice chased after me.

“Fine! I’ll give them all to her!”

“Betty! I’ll be here when you come crawling back and beg me to mark you!”

I kept walking.

I returned to my yard.

The entire space was filled with boxes glowing with Moon-energy.

My mother sat at the stone table.

Her eyes were red as she checked every gift one by one.

“Betty. Your mate-gifts. Do you like them?”