Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 02

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 02

John walked closer.

Then he turned and stepped directly into Eleanor’s yard next door.

Eleanor smiled shyly.

“Betty, John said he has never seen a tower being built before. He wants to watch mine.”

Never seen one?

Eleven years.

He had never stepped into my yard even once.

I caught John glancing back at me.

He was waiting.

I knew exactly what he wanted.

He wanted me to make a scene like I always did.

Last year, he had walked into Eleanor’s yard the same way.

I had lost control and torn apart Eleanor’s mate-robe.

John had dragged me away, stripped me of my clothes, locked me in the arena cage with Moon-lock chains, and forced the entire Pack to watch my punishment.

“Eleanor spent seven days hand-stitching that robe.”

“You owe her seven days.”

“Fair.”

I had curled up inside that cage, frozen for seven days.

And after those seven days… My heart still beat for him.

Like a stray wolf crawling back after being wounded.

But now?

I felt nothing.

I bent down and picked up my stone.

My mother rushed toward John and grabbed his arm.

“Are you insane? This is Betty’s final year! How can you help another she-wolf? What about Betty?”

John pulled her hand away.

“That old belief? Moon-mates? It’s outdated.”

I laughed.

Helping Eleanor was devotion.

Helping me was an outdated tradition?

Maybe the faith had never been wrong.

Maybe I was the one who had been wrong.

I spoke softly.

“Mother. Let him go. I don’t want to be his mate anymore.”

John’s expression darkened.

“What game are you playing now? Trying to make me chase you?”

Eleanor giggled.

“Betty, John is only joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

“Eleanor!”

My mother’s voice cracked.

“You know the tower is sacred. This is not a game!”

“You grew up with Betty! She let you take the best marks, gave up every honor, and even begged John to accept you as his sister after your parents died!”

“And you?”

“She gave you everything.”

“Why do you still want to take her mate?”

My mother didn’t know.

I had almost forgotten myself.

Eleanor and I grew up together.

We trained together.

We left the territory for schooling together.

After John and I became mates, I brought her everywhere with me.

I even begged John to acknowledge her as his sister so she would never feel like an outsider.

But then… John and Eleanor grew closer.

Closer and closer.

Until I became the outsider between them.

Eleanor. The blade I forged with my own hands.

And now that blade was cutting me apart.

My mother’s voice broke. “Betty. What do we do now?”

I smiled. “I told you, Mother.”

“I won’t become John’s mate.”

“But—”

“No buts.”

“The time is almost here. I need to finish my tower.”

I reached for the stone.

Someone grabbed my hand.

Eleanor. Her eyes were filled with tears.

“Betty, are you angry with me? John only cares about me because I have no one.”

“You have your mother. I have nothing. Only him.”

I pulled my hand away.

“Don’t touch me. You’re filthy.”

John pulled Eleanor behind him and growled.

“Betty. One last time. Stop this.”

“After today, I’ll come and mark you. This drama is pointless.”

Maybe he realized how cruel those words sounded.

He reached out, trying to ruffle my hair like he used to.

“I promise. After the ceremony, you can move into the pack house.”

“You can live there just like Eleanor. Okay?”

I bent down, picked up my stone, and avoided his hand.

“No.”

“Move. You’re blocking my Moon Goddess ritual.”