Chapter 28
A Blood Bond Forged in Deceit
To surrender now?
What would that make of their decades of loyalty? Twenty
seasons of shared hunts, shared victories, shared losses? Could a bond of such depth be
shattered by pups born of a few moons‘ acquaintance?s
Determination burned in Benjamin and Adam’s eyes.
Benjamin’s Guardian Wolf pulsed with a fierce protectiveness, its pale grey fur
eeming t to bristle with barely contained energy. Adam’s Shadow Wolf, ever elusive, nonetheless radiated a steely resolve. They spoke in unison, “Let us hunt together. Then, each to their own claim!” Without further parley, they divided their tasks.
Adam secured the few remaining pack portraits from their mothers–remnants of their two–decade–long brotherhood. M
fire that had ravaged their ancestral lands.
Mostly, they had individual puphood pictures.
Better than nothing.
had been consumed by the
or even bribe wayward members.
Benjamin, meanwhile, placed his pack members within the Jackson Pack’s inner circle, attempting to glean intelligence The blood bond ceremony was three days hence; they had much to accomplish. Lanie was anxious, too. She had no desire for further dealings with Benjamin and Adam, but their relentless pursuit was unnerving. Her wolf, still recovering from its recent awakening, felt the strain of their actions. She unconsciously crumpled Zoe Jackson’s shirt, only realizing what she was a moment later. The scent of his wolf – sharp, dominant, and laced with an undercurrent of frustration, only added to her unease.
doing
“Zoe,” she said, her voice strained, “How do we sever this connection permanently? I will not be harassed again.” Her wolf’s perceptive abilities picked up on the undercurrent of threat in her own words. She was determined to break free; she had no interest in further brotherhood. Friendship was impossible. It was done. Their shared memories were precious, but some memories, like a broken bone, are best left to heal.
Zoe understood.
His war wolf’s strength, usually radiating barely contained power, was subdued, a testament to his understanding of her desperation. He patted her shoulder reassuringly. Fear not. I have prepared for this.
After our blood bond, they will trouble us no more.”
She tried to trust him.
On the day of the blood bond ceremony, a grand ceremony took place on the sprawling lawn of the Jackson Pack territory.
The entire estate was decorated in shades of crimson, the color of power and dominance. Countless woven blossoms, their rich scents filling the air, were arranged in intricate patterns. Even the crafted flowers looked strikingly lifelike.
No one, not even Benjamin and Adam, suspected anything. But when all the guests had assembled, the she–wolf and he–wolf were nowhere to be seen. Benjamin and Adam, assuming Lanie had changed her mind and fled, felt a surge of panic.
What followed was entirely unexpected. The Jackson Pack utilized advanced holographic technology to create lifelike projections of Zoe and Lanie, performing the entire blood bond ceremony. Benjamin and Adam’s elaborate plans to disrupt the ceremony were thwarted. They searched frantically.
Their eyes strained, but Lanie was gone.
She wasn’t even at the venue.
They had been outwitted.
The officiant announced, The pair may now exchange rings, and the he–wolf may claim his mate!”
The holographic projections exchanged rings. Then, instead of Benjamin and Adam’s prepared video, a montage of well–wishes for Zoe and Lanie played on the large screen. The deception was complete.
