Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 08

Return of the Pack’s Priest Chapter 08

The interruption delayed our journey.

By the time we arrived at the Moon Temple, the courtyard was already filled with Pack members.

My mother stood at the front, twisting her hands anxiously.

When I stepped down from the white wolf, Isaw her eyes were red again.

She was fighting back tears with all her strength.

The neighbor beside her patted her shoulder.

“Don’t cry on such a happy day!”

“And Liam…”

“I knew those wild boar meals I fed you weren’t wasted!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Liam’s face turned red all the way to his neck.

When he faced my mother, he lowered his head, unable to look directly at her.

“Mrs…”

He paused.

Then quickly corrected himself.

“Mother. I’ll take good care of Betty.”

The surrounding wolves immediately laughed.

“Still calling her Mrs.?!”

Liam froze. His ears turned crimson.

“Mother!” He shouted it loudly. Fast.

Like he was afraid that if he said it any later, it would no longer count.

The entire courtyard erupted into laughter.

The elders urged us forward.

“Hurry. Do not miss the Moon Goddess’s blessing hour.”

We entered the sacred grounds. We honored the Moon. We honored the Temple.

Liam’s master stepped forward with a bowl of sacred water taken from the Moon Spring.

He sprinkled it over both of us.

“Moon Goddess above. Two souls bound as one. Never to be separated.”

At that sacred moment- /

The temple gate slammed open.

“I refuse!”

John stood there.

His eyes were bloodshot.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

“Betty…”

His voice was hoarse.

“There is nothing between Eleanor and me! Please. Stop being angry. Come home with me.”

Eleanor rushed in behind him.

Tears streamed down her face.

“Betty… I didn’t mean to. You know I lost my parents. I was only afraid of being alone. I never wanted to take

your mate.”

Mrs. Smith sighed.

Her expression carried practiced patience.

“Betty, child. You’re too sensitive. Your mother and I were only testing you-testing your obedience.”

“And now you’ve taken it too far. Come here, You can still be our daughter-in-law.”

I looked at her gentle expression. And laughed.

“Testing?”

I stepped forward.

Liam held my hand.

He did not let go.

“Eleven years of testing? Every year your son abandoned my tower. Every year he stood in the next yard helping another she-wolf. My mother’s fur turned white from shame.”

“Eleven years of whispers throughout the Pack. All of this… was just your test?”

No one answered.

I turned toward Eleanor.

“You said you had no parents. But my mother cared for you more than she cared for herself. The entire Pack protected you they gave you food, they gave you shelter.”

“When you were sick, my mother carried you miles to the healer. When you built your tower, every wolf in the Pack came to help. What more do you want?”

Eleanor’s sobs stopped.

Her lips moved.

But no words came out.

Mrs. Smith swept her gaze across the courtyard.

Then her eyes landed on Liam.

She sneered.

“She is my son’s intended mate. Who else would take her? This lone wolf from the mountain? A wolf who hasn’t seen the outside world for ten years?”

Her words fell.

Like a stone thrown into still water.

The entire Pack erupted.

“What did you say? Liam is our Moon Guardian!”

The oldest elder rose with the help of his Moon-staff.

His body trembled.

But his voice shook the entire courtyard.

“Liam guarded the Moon Temple for eleven years! He prayed for this Pack! He chanted healing prayers for the sick! He kept vigil for our fallen!”

“He rebuilt the collapsed mountain paths! He carried injured wolves to the healer! When the winter storms came, he delivered supplies to every den-all by himself.”

“Who are you to insult him?!”

Mrs. Smith’s face turned pale. Her lips moved. But no sound came out.

John ignored the furious Back members. His eyes stayed fixed on Liam.

“Betty was my intended mate for eleven years. Doesn’t that matter to you?

Every gaze turned toward Liam. His expression remained calm.

“Betty is my Moon-mate. The sacred flower that bloomed forever in my heart.”

His voice was low. Steady. Unshakable.

“No one insults her in my presence.”

“Remove them.”

Strong young wolves stepped forward and forced John, Eleanor, and Mrs. Smith out of the temple gate.

The elder lifted the sacred bowl, and the bonding ceremony continued.

Liam turned to look at me, his ears still bright red.

I smiled. He blinked, then smiled back. His hand never left mine.