Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 05

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 05

I walked over and looked through the gifts slowly.

There were Moon-stones, precious and rare.

There were handmade treasures as well.

But most of all… There were things I loved.

The first creation of my favorite wolf-architect.

A tiny wooden cottage nestled in a moonlit mountain forest.

I had fallen in love with it years ago.

John had stopped me from buying it.

“A rough mountain den like that?”

“It will only lower the status of our pack house.”

He had forgotten one thing.

The roof was carved with my favorite moonflowers.

I touched the wooden model.

A warmth spread through my chest.

So this was what it felt like… To be truly treasured.

Back inside the room, I dug out everything connected to John.

Three crystal tickets from the Star-Moon Festival.

Three wolf silhouettes carved from memories of watching the sunrise at the border.

My first journey beyond the territory.

The memory of me bending down to tie my laces while they walked ahead without looking back.

The first of this. The first of that.

But in all those memories… There wasn’t a single image of just the two of us.

None of it mattered anymore.

I threw every photo and journal into the hearth.

I watched the flames devour everything.

My heart became empty.

Then I looked back at the Moon-gifts filling the yard.

And somehow… It filled again.

When the last photo turned to ash, the gate slammed open.

John.

He looked at the gifts scattered across the yard and sneered.

“Betty. Really?”

“Acting angry, but secretly preparing your mate-gifts? Isn’t that ridiculous?”

I glanced at him.

“They were given by my future mate.”

“Still lying?” He looked at me with pity. “Fine. I apologize. Happy now?”

“I was busy. I neglected you. But I’m here now.”

“My mother’s gifts have arrived at the territory gate. Apologize to Eleanor, and I’ll bring them to your pack house. Deal?”

I shook my head.

“No. If they aren’t meant for me… I don’t want them.”

John’s expression changed.

“Enough! I’m lowering myself to apologize, and you still want more?”

“You want a mate bond? Fine. I’ll give it to you!”

“Tomorrow, Eleanor’s heat-calming period begins. I’ll take her to the border for a few days.”

“When we return… I’ll mark you.”

“There. You got what you wanted. Now stop.”

I looked at him. I was exhausted.

Eleven years. It always ended the same way.

Eleanor came first. Everything belonged to her.

Even me.

Only after she was happy. Only after she was comfortable. Would he throw me whatever remained. As if those scraps could keep me chained to him.

But he was wrong.

That chain had already grown wings. It had found its own sky.

I said nothing. John assumed he had won.

He stood up, satisfied. “Fine. Prepare your mate-gifts. I’ll send someone in a few days.”

He turned and walked away.

I reached for his sleeve one last time.

“John, I…”

Before I could finish, he pulled his arm away.

“Listen. I know you’re desperate to be marked. But I already told you. Eleanor needs rest.”

“Two days. Don’t bother me.”

His figure disappeared into the night.

I smiled. Then I turned and went inside.

I put on the mate-robe I had sewn for eleven years.

John reached the territory exit and stopped.

Pack members were gathered there.

They stared at him and whispered among themselves.

When he approached, they immediately fell silent.

John didn’t think much of it.

He walked toward his vehicle.

The engine roared.

And through the noise… He heard it.

Howls. Mate-music. Rolling down from the distant hillside.

Then came the whispers.

“The Moon Goddess!”

“The Lonely Guardian has come for his mate, Betty!”