Chapter 21
Abandoned
Mrs. Adam, her wolf fueled by righteous fury, grabbed Qiana’s shirt, yanking her towards the nearest fountain.
She shoved Qiana’s head beneath the cascading water, the gentle stream turning chillingly invasive as it filled her lungs. Qiana coughed, sputtering, water filling her airways with each desperate gasp.
Her wolf thrashed, panic rising with the cold water.
After a moment, Mrs. Adam roughly pulled her out.
“How does it feel? Do you understand Lanie’s desperation? She could have died, yet she was powerless!”
Mrs. Adam tossed Qiana aside, brushing her hands clean, her wolf radiating disgust.
“Benjamin, Adam. Who’s the idiot who thought making someone jealous would make her realize her feelings? No wonder Lanie chose Zoe Jackson of the Blood Moon pack, not you two.”
This time, there was no maternal defense. Her wolf condemned their actions, their immaturity, and their lack of understanding.
Mrs. Voss nodded, her own wolf mirroring Mrs. Adam’s disappointment.
“You two really messed up. Lanie’s already bound.
Stop bothering her.”
Benjamin’s gaze dropped, his emotions a whirlwind of regret and stubborn pride. His warrior wolf, normally so decisive, was humbled by the harsh reality. Adam, his shadow wolf still resisting, bit his lip, refusing to yield.
They weren’t the type to give up easily; that relentless drive had been their strength.
Their success in business and racing stemmed from that very stubbornness.
Mrs. Voss and Mrs. Adam exchanged weary glances.
They knew their sons; they couldn’t force them to change.
Their wolves sighed, accepting the consequences of their sons’ actions.
After the she-wolves left, Benjamin, his resolve finally broken, had Qiana’s belongings tossed onto the street.
She was left alone, her possessions scattered around her like refuse.
A pack worker approached, waving her away.”No loitering or sleeping here. Move along.” The word “loitering” stung; the indignity was a heavy
blow.
Her wolf whimpered, its pride crushed.
Her belongings, once symbols of her ambition, now looked like worthless trash.
Her face flushed, then paled. She kicked a suitcase, the cheap contents rattling, exposing its shoddy quality.
Her datapad buzzed. For a moment, she thought it was Benjamin or Adam, a flicker of hope ignited, only to be instantly extinguished.
Broken dialect crackled through the datapad. “Finally reached you! Who gave you the right to take all that money? We heard you made a lot. It’s time to pay us back!” Her father’s voice was a menacing growl. Her wolf cowered, remembering the brutal punishments of her past.
She hung up, terror gripping her.”How did they find me so quickly?”
She tried to gather her things, remembering she’d already abandoned her den, the Voss household a distant and unattainable haven.
She had nowhere to go.
She collapsed onto the pavement, despair overwhelming her, her wolf whimpering in the cold harshness of her reality. The pack worker returned, frowning.”You’re blocking the path. Please leave!”
Her wolf offered no solace, no strength, only the bitter sting of defeat.
