< Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The Silver River Howls and the Blood Moon Beckons
Turning back, they made sure I wasn’t angry, and I saw the relief on their faces. Benjamin stepped closer, taking my
hand.
His Guardian Wolf’s usual gentle energy was tinged with a desperate hope.
Menu
“Don’t bother packing. It’s too much. I’ll send the family driver; we’ll move your things to the new longhouse together.”
Adam nodded in agreement. For a moment, I saw a flicker of the old Benjamin and Adam, the ones whose world revolved around me. We were pups once, carefree and happy. Now, youthful promises were just empty words. My gaze drifted to Qiana.
I shook my head.”No, thank you. I need to pack myself.” Ignoring their expressions, I turned and left.
Back at my longhouse, I packed, showered, and just as I was settling into my den, Qiana called. Her voice was smug.
“Lanie, I went to Benjamin and Adam’s family longhouses tonight. Their parents were so nice to me. Don’t you think they…”
They even gave me family heirlooms.
I interrupted her calmly.”I’m not interested in your life. Don’t tell me this. It’s none of my business.” I hung up.
The day before my departure, I met my best friend, Tiffany, for dinner. I didn’t have many friends in the Silver River territory. Benjamin and Adam had strictly controlled my social life from puphood, forbidding suitors, intercepting love letters, even interfering in my friendships with other she-wolves. They’d whined then, “Lanie, isn’t it enough that you have us as your friends? You’re so amazing; other she-wolves might like you, too.” Their possessiveness was suffocating; they wanted me to only see them. And now, they were the ones pushing me away.
Tiffany was already waiting at a new restaurant. Seeing me, she rushed into a hug. The thought of my leaving brought a fresh wave of sadness.
“Lanie, I can’t believe you’re leaving for the Blood Moon pack to be wed. I’m going to miss you. I thought you’d end up marrying Benjamin or Adam and staying in the Silver River territory. Then we could hang out all the time.”
I smiled faintly.”They had other choices. So did I.”
Tiffany’s face fell. Remembering Qiana, her expression soured. “You were so nice to that Qiana she-wolf, and yet…”
I interrupted, laughing.”Forget about her. Once I’m wed, I won’t have to deal with her anymore. Whatever she does won’t affect me.”
As I finished speaking, Qiana walked into the restaurant. Our table was near the entrance. She’d overheard part of our conversation. She approached curiously.”Lanie, who’s getting wed? Can I go? I’ve never been to a wedding!”
I was rarely confronted with someone so lacking in boundaries, but perhaps I’d grown accustomed to Qiana’s antics, and knowing I was leaving soon, I remained calm. Tiffany, however, was furious. She tossed her silverware onto the table, glaring at Qiana.
“My wedding! You’re not invited! Are you happy now? Do you even have any boundaries? Are we close? Do you try every roadside food truck just to see if it tastes good?” Tiffany’s voice was loud and cutting.
Qiana visibly flinched, appearing terrified. Tears welled in her eyes. She looked to Benjamin and Adam, who’d just entered the restaurant, her eyes pleading for help. Benjamin, unaware of the context, saw Qiana’s distress and immediately pulled her into his arms. His Guardian Wolf instinctively sprang to her defense.
“I’m here for you. If you want to go, you can go to any wedding you want.”
Adam chimed in.”And me! Forget weddings. You want the moon? I’ll climb a ladder to get it for you. Don’t worry about those she-wolves.”
Between them, they managed to coax a smile from Qiana.
The scent of their protective pheromones, however, only served to highlight the chasm that had formed between Lanie and her former friends.
