After two months of peace, I returned to my villa.
Opening the door, I found the family still squatting in my home.
Sarah rushed over. “Scarlett! You’re back! Was your journey tiring? Are you hungry? I could prepare some fresh meat?”
Her unprecedented warmth made my skin crawl.
“No need, Elder.”
“What are you calling me? I’m your Sarah!”
“Alexander and I are severing our bond. Elder is appropriate.”
Sarah looked desperately at Alexander, who reluctantly approached.
“Scarlett, stop being difficult. See how Sarah cares for you? Why ruin a good pack life?”
“Weren’t you the one demanding severance? Saying whoever backed down was a coward? Have you signed the ritual papers?”
Alexander pressed his lips together, then grabbed my hand. “Enough. You cancelled our hotels, destroyed our clothes – I’ve forgiven it all. Let’s never mention severance again. See how good I am to you?”
I pulled away. “Skip the nonsense. Sign the papers. Let’s end this cleanly.”
Sarah prompted him. “Show her the gift you got her!”
Alexander rushed to retrieve a large wrapped package.
“Scarlett, you always wanted this diamond bracelet, right? James even used his pension to help buy it!”
I glanced at it – even from across the room, I could tell it was fake. The crystals had no natural energy signature.
“Alexander, you spent $50,000 on Victoria’s genuine necklace. For me, you buy flea market trash? If you’re going to lie, at least spend enough for a decent fake. Did you think I wouldn’t know the difference?”
Alexander flushed. “It’s not fake! I got it from the Northern jewelers! I have proof!”
“Then let’s visit their shop now. If they’re selling fakes, the compensation would be massive.”
“It was… in the Southern Territory…”
1/4
“No problem, I’ll pay for your travel permit. Lets go now.”
Emma burst in. “Brother, stop pretending! It’s fake–you brouge for Sovo from the street market! She doesn’t deserve real diamonds anyway–she’s only worth take tracks
Alexander roared, “Silence!”
“Brother, just sever the bond! Victoria’s back–nate with her instead Let her be owl
“You know nothing! Stay out of this!”
Sarah pulled Emma. “Adult pack business isn’t for pups. Go to your roomt
“Wait, Emma. Since you don’t understand, let me explain why your brother and pers resist the severance.”
Emma crossed her arms. “Fine. Explain.”
“How much does your brother make monthly?”
“$3,000,”
“And your parents?”
“They’re retired. No income.”
“What about your private school tuition?”
“$50,000 per term, plus $5,000 monthly for extras.”
“So your brother’s salary can’t even cover one month of your education. This villa costs $ 12,000 monthly in mortgage payments. Your parents get $8,000 monthly allowance. The four of you will be homeless.”
Emma’s face fell. “So what? We have Victoria! She’ll provide for us!”
“Victoria just got fired from her third job in the Northern Territory. From what I hear, she failed every therapy certification. Her family’s business went bankrupt. They can’t help you.”
Emma’s expression darkened further. “The villa is part of the mating bond – Brother should get half!”
“This was my property before mating. Under pack law, severance means you have no claim. Study the old laws, little sister.”
Emma’s face went black, unable to argue.
“Brother, don’t fear her! After severance, you and Victoria can build a new life! We’ll manage!”
Alexander slapped Emma hard. “Shut your mouth!”
+25 BONUS
Sarah dragged her away furiously.
“Into your room! Who told you to speak such nonsense!”
After locking Emma away, Sarah returned. “Scarlett, Emma’s young and foolish. Don’t mind her.”
“Hmph. If I’d known she was such an ingrate, I’d never have paid her tuition.”
“I’ll make her apologize properly!”
“Don’t bother with empty gestures. Alexander, if you won’t sign the severance papers, we’ll take this to the Pack Council.”
As I turned to leave, Alexander grabbed me.
“You just got back – where are you going?”
“Haven’t you noticed my things are gone?” I sneered. “You really don’t care at all, do you? My closet’s empty and you didn’t even notice. Alexander, you’re an even bigger
disappointment than I imagined.”
I turned away. Alexander chased after me.
“Scarlett, can’t we just talk about this!”
Just then Victoria appeared, her face twisted with rage. “Scarlett! You dare show your face! What kind of mate abandons her warrior and pack elders? Running wild for months – in the old days they’d have executed rogues like you!”
I struck her across the face, my claws drawing blood.
“You dare lecture me? At least I didn’t chase another she–wolf’s mate, joining his pack trip like some desperate omega!”
“You struck me again!” She turned tearfully to Alexander. “Are you going to let her attack me twice?”
“He has no right to interfere. Victoria, since you’re here, help convince him to sign the severance papers. Stop dragging this out until I have to petition the Pack Council. We’re severing eventually – making it messy will only lower my opinion of him further.”
As I walked away, I heard Victoria yell: “Just sever the bond with her, Alexander! What could you possibly miss about that she–wolf? I can’t believe you – didn’t you say you couldn’t stand her? Why won’t you agree to the severance?”
“Victoria, you don’t understand. I may not like Scarlett, but I can’t casually sever our bond.
Their arguing faded as I left them behind.
3/4
Three days later, Alexander stood at my office entrance with an armful of rare moon flowers.
“Mate!”
He rushed over, thrusting the flowers at me.
“Come home, please. Emma and the elders miss you.”
I eyed the expensive moon flowers. “These must have cost you.”
“They did, but you’re worth any price.”
$299
first
I laughed harshly. “Alexander, we’ve been mated almost six years. This is your courting gift. I used to dream of receiving moon flowers from you, but you never bothered. What’s the point now? I don’t want them anymore.”
I threw the flowers back at him. “Skip the false gestures. This severance is happening”
“I know you’re angry about Victoria joining the trip, making you travel alone. I was horrible
I see that now. Give me a chance to make it right! Victoria won’t come to our villa anymore. If you don’t want me seeing her, I’ll cut contact. Scarlett, I can’t lose you!”
“You mean you can’t lose my money! Can’t lose your perfect ATM that pays your bills and serves your family! Can’t lose your golden goose!”
“No, it’s because I love you, I can’t bear to-”
“Silence! You disgust me! Keep pushing and I’ll share the bond memories of you and Victoria in our bedroom with the entire pack.”
Alexander paled. “You captured the bond memory? When?”
“Not so confident now? Weren’t you just ‘talking until you fell asleep’? Explain that to the pack and see if they believe you.”
“Delete that memory now!”
“I’ll delete it – after you sign the severance papers.”
Alexander clutched his head in agony. “Scarlett, is there really no hope for us?”
I shook my head. “None.”
“What about the pack politics? The other warriors already mock me. If we sever, my reputation…”
“You should have thought about that before buying Victoria a $50,000 necklace with my money.”
