Chapter 17
Betrayal’s Howl
Benjamin and Adam agreed that no matter who I chose, the other would suppress any forbidden feelings, becoming simply a packmate.
Benjamin’s guardian wolf felt a dull ache, the weight of unspoken longing heavy on his chest. Adam’s shadow wolf mirrored the sentiment, at silent sorrow settling within its depths.
However, neither anticipated my lack of choice.
Why was this happening? Why did it end like this? They looked at each other, their faces grim.
Why had they devised such a disastrous plan?
Even a slower, more delicate approach might have preserved their friendship, making it far less likely they’d see me again.
The Blood Moon Pack transport landed on the roof. Adam and Benjamin were unceremoniously tossed onto the rooftop by Zoe’s enforcers; the transport departed swiftly.
Hearing the rumble on the roof, Qiana hurried to investigate.
Seeing Benjamin and Adam’s bound forms, her healing wolf instinctively reached out, its comforting energy barely perceptible. Her eyes welled
“Are you okay?” she asked anxiously, quickly untying their bonds.
Benjamin rubbed his aching wrists, his expression cold, barely glancing at her as he headed downstairs.
His guardian wolf was restless, the scent of Qiana’s deception clinging to her like a second skin.
Adam, simmering with barely controlled rage, his shadow wolf sharpening its claws, sought an outlet for his fury. Qiana offered them water.
“You went to Blood Moon Pack? Did you find Lanie? How did you know about… me?” She nervously twisted her sleeve, her usual calm façade
wavering.
T
She reassured herself: they’d returned like this because they’d failed in Blood Moon Pack. Lanie had the perfect life, a loving family, everything
she desired.
She shouldn’t compete with her for Benjamin and Adam! She maintained a sweet smile, though her heart pounded a frantic rhythm.
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed, his guardian wolf sensing the deception.
“What? We didn’t tell you we went to Blood Moon Pack. How did you know? What else do you
know?”
Adam’s face darkened, his grip on Qiana’s hand tightening. His shadow wolf sensed the lie.”What have you done? Tell us! Don’t make us
investigate.”
“Did you say or do something that drove Lanie away?!”
Qiana’s heart skipped a beat. Her usual facade of helplessness surfaced.
“I… I didn’t… Lanie’s parents are in Blood Moon Pack. She told me.”
“She wasn’t in Shadowclaw Pack, so I assumed she was in Blood Moon Pack. What? Is she not?”
But this time, there was no softening. Benjamin and Adam weren’t fools. Before, they’d chosen to believe, deceiving themselves, to trigger my jealousy. Regardless of Qiana’s words, they’d sided with her. This was different.
The protective instincts of their wolves were now fully engaged.
Adam’s grip tightened, leaving marks on Qiana’s arm.
“Aren’t you going to tell the truth?”
He turned to Benjamin.”Benjamin, maybe we need to give her a lesson to get her to cooperate,”
Benjamin’s face was devoid of emotion.
His guardian wolf, usually loyal and gentle, hardened in the face of this betrayal. He tapped the table, his voice colder.
“Do you want to keep your position? If you don’t want to lose everything and return to your village, then confess.”
That sealed Qiana’s fate.
The weight of her deception, amplified by the wolves’ keen senses, was too
heavy
to bear.
