After Sarah’s wedding, it was ten PM by the time I got back to my apartment.
Eighteen missed calls on my phone, all from Ethan.
And a string of texts:
“Sophia, we need to talk.”
“The pack’s situation is getting worse.”
“Blood Moon pack sent an ultimatum this afternoon. We have 48 hours to hand over the territory.”
“Silver Fang pack–sent people too. They’re demanding immediate surrender.”
“Sophia, I know you’re still mad, but this isn’t the time to be stubborn.”
“Answer me! That’s an order!”
That last message really set me off.
An order?
I blocked his number straight away.
The next morning, I was drinking coffee when the doorbell rang.
I looked through the peephole. Marcus and Elder Grace were outside.
I opened the door. “What can I do for you?”
“Sophia, we need to talk,” Elder Grace said, looking exhausted. “About the pack’s future.”
“I’ve already said, pack business has nothing to do with me.”
“But things are really serious now,” Marcus said urgently. “It’s not just Blood Moon and Silver Fang. Even packs on the West Coast have heard about our weakness. They all want a piece of the pie.‘
11
Elder Grace nodded. “Two more packs issued challenges last night. If we can’t get the Moon Goddess’s blessing back within a week, we’re looking at all- out war.”
“Then you should find a capable Luna,” I said flatly…
“Vivian is useless!” Marcus exclaimed. “She tried another purification ritual yesterday and ended up contaminating all the holy water in the pack house!” “And she’s still showing off her wealth online,” Elder Grace said bitterly. “While the pack is fighting for its life, she’s posting Instagram photos of new diamond earrings.”
I took a sip of coffee. “That’s her choice.”
“Sophia,” Elder Grace stepped forward, “we know Ethan hurt you, but please, think about the innocent pack members. They have children, elderly, pregnant women. If the pack is destroyed, they’ll be homeless.”
“Elder Grace, do you really think they’re innocent?” I asked.
She paused. “What do you mean?”
“Did they know Ethan was faking losing the mate bond?”
Grace and Marcus exchanged a look.
“They…” Grace hesitated.
“They knew,” I finished for her. “Didn’t they?”
Silence.
‘When Ethan and Vivian were secretly dating, they pretended not to see. When Ethan lied in pack meetings, they played along. When I was humiliated, they chose to stay silent.”
Marcus looked down. “Sophia…”
“Now that the pack’s in crisis, they’ve suddenly become innocent victims?” I sneered. “How convenient.”
1/3
Chapter B
+25 Bonus
“We know everyone did wrong…” Elder Grace said weakly.
“Wrong?” I stood up. “Elder Grace, you think this is just ‘wrong‘?”
I walked to the window, looking out at the city.
“For five years, what did I give this pack? I put my career on hold, turned down offers from other packs, and even skimped on buying a necklace for myself to save pack funds.”
“We all remember…”
“Remember?” I turned to face them. “Then where were your memories when Ethan was lying for his mistress?”
Neither Elder Grace nor Marcus could say a word.
“Now that you need my abilities, my contributions are remembered. When you don’t need me, I’m just a pawn to be sacrificed.”
Just then, there was a commotion downstairs.
I went to the balcony and looked down. My heart sank.
In the hotel lobby, Ethan was waiting with a group of pack members. They were holding flowers, gifts, and banners with apologies on them.
