Chapter 5
Holding the trophy, Qiana showed no joy at my win, no intention of handing it over. Instead, she looked at me with a pitiful expression.
Her healing wolf’s subtle aura felt strangely manipulative.
“Lanie, the Pack Elder asked me to give you this. It’s a prestigious award. You’re so amazing.” She paused, then continued with a hesitant voice, “I was hoping… I’ve never won an award like this before. Could I borrow it for a few days?”
Borrow it? That was the most absurd request I’d ever heard. My perceptive wolf sensed her true intentions – a thinly veiled attempt to steal the spotlight.
I frowned, forcing a smile. “If you know it’s my trophy, then don’t ask. If you want one, enter the competition yourself.”
I reached for the trophy.
My cold tone visibly upset Qiana.
Her face paled, adopting a woe–is–me expression.
Her healing wolfs aura intensified, attempting to influence me.
Lanie, why are you being so mean? I’m not stealing it; I just want to keep it at home for motivation.”
As I reached for it, Qiana clutched the trophy tighter, refusing to let go. In the struggle, the crystal trophy crashed to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.
Benjamin and Adam entered, witnessing the scene. Their wolves reacted instantly. Benjamin’s guardian wolf shifted, prepared for action. Adam’s shadow wolf became alert and tense.
They rushed over.“Qiana!” They surrounded her, their faces etched with concern, carefully checking for injuries. Benjamin lifted Qiana’s pant leg; his guardian wolf reacting to the scent of her blood. He saw a cut on her leg, a sharp intake of breath escaping his lips.
His guardian wolf’s protective instinct flared intensely.
He looked extremely distressed. “I’ll take you to the healer!” Ignoring Qiana’s protests, he practically carried her away.
Seeing the shattered glass, Adam’s face darkened. His shadow wolf’s usually calm demeanor was replaced by anger.
“Lanie, you have everything Why would you fight with Qiana over something like this?”
Fight? I almost laughed.“It’s *my* trophy! Three months of hard work. My achievement. She’s acting all pitiful, hugging it tightly. And “I’m the one fighting?” My voice trembled with anger, pointing to the shards on the floor.
My perceptive wolf was struggling to understand Adam’s reaction.
“And now she’s broken it. I expect an apology from Qiana.”
I expected that to settle the matter, but Adam was even angrier. His voice rose several octaves.
His shadow wolf’s anger was palpable.“I thought it was something important. It’s just a trophy! You can get another one. How does that compare to Qiana? You hurt her. She’s not the one who should apologize, you should apologize to her!”
Without waiting for my response, he rushed after Benjamin and Qiana.
Staring at the mess, I was stunned.
My perceptive wolf was trying to process the unfairness of it all. Adam’s words echoed in my mind. Me apologizing to *Qiana“? The victim apologizing to the perpetrator?* Adam, you’re unbelievable!*
A sharp pain shot through my leg. I realized I’d suffered a long, deep gash, far worse than Qiana’s. Gritting my teeth, I cleaned up the glass and tended to my wound.
Later that evening, Mom sent a mental link, sending images of several wedding mantles.
My perceptive wolf sensed her concern, but my wolf also registered the exhaustion I felt.
I looked them over and called her back. After a few pleasantries, she sensed my exhaustion.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
The events of the day threatened to overwhelm me, but I didn’t say anything, changing the subject.
“Mom, I should be able to finish things here in a week. How’s the wedding planning coming along?”
Benjamin and Adam returned to the den. Hearing my last words, they asked in unison:“Wedding? What wedding?”
