Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 07

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 07

The white wolf’s back was higher than I expected.

Liam’s arm rested near my waist.

He never truly touched me.

But I could feel how carefully he protected me.

His hands were large.

Whenever they brushed against my sleeve, he immediately pulled away.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“A little.”

There was a pause.

Then he spoke seriously.

“Don’t be. The Moon Temple has no elders you need to please, no relations you need to endure. Once you enter the temple, you can do whatever you want.”

His voice lowered. “As long as you are happy.”

My nose stung.

“You’ve stayed on the mountain all these years?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Silence.

Then he finally answered.

“The summer you left… I waited at the border through the entire full-moon season.

I said nothing.

That summer, John took me and Eleanor to the sea territory.

For seven days…

I watched their backs.

“Later, your mother told me you had found a mate during school. She said you might never return. So I went

back to the mountain.”

Eleven years… you never came down?”

“No.”

“Then when you received my message… what were you doing?”

His ears turned red.

“Clearing snow from the temple yard. My master said the Moon Goddess sent a dream-someone was coming for me. I thought I was imagining it.”

He rubbed his neck.

“When you said you wanted to form a mate bond with me…. I came down that night. The mate-gifts were prepared in a hurry. I hope you like them.”

I thought of the small moonflower cottage in the yard.

When had he bought it?

All those years alone on the mountain… What had he felt while preparing gifts that might never be given?

“Liam. How long have you been preparing?”

He didn’t answer.

But the arm near my waist tightened slightly.

The white wolf suddenly stopped.

A vehicle blocked the path.

John.

His tie was crooked.

His eyes locked onto me.

Like he would drag me away by force.

“Betty. Get down.”

He took a breath. Forcing himself to stay calm.

“Enough. Come home. I’ll pretend none of this happened.”

I looked at him. The face I had seen for eleven years. His anger used to make me panic. Now… I only felt tired.

“Why did you come?”

“Because you are my intended mate! You’re about to bond with another wolf! What kind of Alpha would I be if I didn’t stop it?”

“And will you mark me?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“When?”

His mouth opened. No words came out.

So I answered for him.

“Next year? After Eleanor completes her tower? After her heat passes? After she stops being afraid of the dark? Then you’ll finally have time for me?”

“Betty…”

“Eleven years. You never came. And now you’re here… not because you chose me. But because someone else did.”

His voice cracked.

“No. I’ve only ever loved you.”

I stared at him.

“What was I to you, John? A tool to keep Eleanor happy?”

He flinched.

“Yes. I tore her robe because she showed me a vision of you and her sharing a bed. And you never asked why. You stripped me. You chained me in the arena. You let the entire Pack watch.”

“I had a fever. You told me to prepare her heat-soup first.’

“On the day of my graduation trial… You said she was upset. That I had to handle it alone.”

“Eleven years. Every anniversary, I was alone. Because you were always with her.”

Every year you came to Greenwood Pack, and every year-you stood in the yard beside hers. Never once in mine.”

His lips trembled. “No. Betty, let me explain.”

“I don’t need an explanation.” I pulled the wolf’s reins. “John. I don’t love you anymore. Leave.”

“Betty-

The white wolf moved forward. Liam’s arm wrapped around me again-still careful, still gentle. This time…

I leaned back into his chest. His heartbeat echoed against my back-fast, loud.

Someone called my name behind me. But the wind was too strong, and the sound scattered like snow. I never

looked back.