4
The moment they left, I contacted the pack’s disposal service.
They arrived quickly in their truck.
“Take all eight suitcases. I don’t want any of it.
The worker was shocked. “Are you sure? These are quality bags.”
“Just clothes and supplies – nothing worth salvaging. Keep what you can use, dispose of the rest.”
After paying the $200 disposal fee, I watched the suitcases disappear.
Money well spent for my peace of mind.
Then I contacted our pack’s Beta about preparing a mate bond severance ritual.
Next, I arranged safe passage through the Northern Mountain territory – a private, first- class journey just for me.
I’d barely settled into my luxury SUV when Alexander mind–linked me.
“Scarlett, why can’t I find our hotel reservations? Send me the booking details.”
“Oh right, I cancelled all the hotel bookings.”
Alexander’s mental voice spiked with anger. “What? Where are we supposed to stay tonight?”
“That’s your problem now.”
“Are you insane? Why would you cancel our rooms? You did this on purpose!”
“Really, Alexander? You take your childhood sweetheart on a trip and expect your mate to handle all the arrangements? What would other pack warriors think?”
“Everyone will mock me in front of Victoria! Is that what you want?” His mental voice was desperate.
“Oh, NOW you care what others think? When you made your mate travel alone?”
Alexander took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll let this go. Just make new hotel bookings for the rest of the trip. Plan our hunting grounds, arrange territory access, secure everything we need.”
I sent a noncommittal acknowledgment and cut the mind–link.
My wolf purred with satisfaction imagining their panic.
Ten minutes later, Alexander linked again.
1/5
+25 BONUS
“Transfer $50,000 to me immediately. I’m running low.”
“Why do you need so much?”
“We’re traveling – of course we need money! Send it now, I’m waiting!”
“No. You’re awfully bold demanding money from your mate. Living off your mate’s income, are you?”
His mental voice turned threatening. “Don’t forget who protected you when joined our pack.”
you first
“Protected me? I paid $500,000 to save this pack. YOU should remember that.”
I blocked his mind–link. When he tried again, I maintained the block.
An hour later, Victoria posted a pack–wide photo showing off a rare diamond necklace. Her message read: “It feels wonderful to be cherished. Thank you, my Alexander.
The necklace cost $50,000. Alexander, who only brought in $3,000 monthly, bought it without hesitation.
He dared because he assumed I’d cover it like always.
Just then, Emma mind–linked me in panic. “Sister, we can’t check into any hotels! All our bookings are gone!”
“How terrible. Ask Victoria to pay – she can afford a $50,000 necklace.”
“That’s different! Alexander promised to pay her back.”
“With whose money, Emma?”
She fell silent.
The next afternoon, I finally answered Alexander’s call.
“Where are you? Your transport wasn’t delayed. Why are you taking so long? The whole family is waiting!”
“Why wait for me?”
“For dinner! Hurry up!”
“Go ahead without me.”
“We finished eating. We’re waiting for you to provide the money.”
laughed. Typical entitled behavior.
“Alexander, are you so broke you can’t even pay for dinner? Did buying Victoria’s necklace
+25 BONUS
drain you dry?”
Violent rage colored his mental voice. “This is your fault! If you’d sent me the $50,000, I wouldn’t be drained! If you can’t get here now, just send the money. We need to settle this!
“Fine, I’ll send it right away.”
I cut the mind–link and completely blocked my bond.
Then I contacted my bank and froze the joint account I shared with Alexander.
I called the credit card company next. “I need to report unauthorized charges and remove an authorized user…‘
Imagining Alexander’s rage when his cards declined improved my mood considerably.
My phone exploded with messages from the family:
Sarah: “Scarlett dear, there seems to be a problem with the cards…”
Emma: “Sister, this isn’t funny! We’re stranded!”
James: “You disgrace! How dare you humiliate us!”
Victoria: “Poor Alexander is so stressed. If you were a proper mate…”
I blocked them all.
After reaching my luxury suite in the Northern Mountains, I finally opened my bond.
Alexander’s call came instantly.
“Scarlett! You finally answer! Why was your bond blocked? I thought you were dead!” “Listen to yourself! I traveled alone through hostile territory and you didn’t worry about my safety? You just attack me? What kind of mate are you?”
“You just blocked the bond to avoid sending money! You did it on purpose!”
“Yes, I did. And remember this, Alexander – you’ll never get another dollar from me!”
Alexander heard the finality in my voice and panicked.
His mental voice turned soft, cajoling. “Scarlett, don’t be like this. I know making you travel alone was unfair. I’ll make it up to you. Where are you? I’ll come get you. I got you a gift a surprise.”
I mentally rolled my eyes.
In all our years together, his most expensive gift was a silver charm costing $99 – and I had to beg for that.
3/5
“Send me your location. I’ll come now.”
“Don’t bother. I’m in the Northern Mountains.
Alexander’s voice spiked. “What? We’re all in the Southern Territory! Why are you in the North?”
“I changed my plans. Enjoy your trip without me.”
“What are you playing at? This was supposed to be a pack trip and you just left! What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong? You made your mate travel alone for thirty–six hours through hostile territory while you took an outsider in the protected convoy. What’s wrong with YOU?”
“I knew you were still angry about that. You’re so petty! It was just one solo journey – not like we abandoned you. You should be grateful we included you at all.”
I laughed. “Oh, should I thank you then?”
“Scarlett, I don’t have time for this. Go where you want, but you need to send us money!”
“Oh right, about those suitcases. All your things are gone.”
“What? Gone?” Alexander was furious and panicked. “What kind of mate are you? You lost all our clothes, all Victoria’s designer stuff – everything was in those bags! What are we supposed to do for the next ten days?”
“Not my problem. You gave me eight massive suitcases to handle alone. I’m not a three- headed wolf – I couldn’t manage it all.”
Victoria’s voice came through. “The bags are really gone? My Gucci dresses were in there! And my Cartier jewelry – worth thousands of dollars! All my new outfits too!”
Alexander quickly soothed her. “Don’t worry, Victoria. Since Scarlett lost your things, she’ll compensate you.”
“Scarlett! Send money now! You have to replace everything Victoria lost! We all need new clothes. Send $100,000 immediately – we’ll let you know if we need more.”
I burst out laughing. “Are you mad? I’m not responsible for your things -‘you dumped them on me and left. And remember what I said – you’ll never get another dollar from me. Did you think I was joking?”
I cut the mind–link and blocked them all – Alexander, James, Sarah, Emma, everyone.
I blocked them from the pack bond too.
Let them figure out how to survive without my money.
My phone started ringing with calls from other pack members.
“Scarlett; why did Alexander’s cards get decline
“Scarlett, Emma’s crying in the pack house. Som
“Scarlett, is it true Victoria’s wearing a $50,000 dinner?”
I ignored them all.
+25 BONUS
“Scarlett; why did Alexander’s cards get declined at the restaurant?”
“Scarlett, Emma’s crying in the pack house. Something about cancelled hotel rooms?”
“Scarlett, is it true Victoria’s wearing a $50,000 necklace while the family can’t pay for dinner?”
I ignored them all.
