“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!”
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.”
2/4
+25 BONUS
“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?” 1
“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.
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.‘
3/4
+25 BONUS
“They did, but you’re worth any price.”
I laughed harshly. “Alexander, we’ve been mated almost six years. This is your first 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 see that now. Give me a cria
“I know you’re angry about Victoria joining the trip, making you travel alone. I was horrible – 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!” 1
“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.”
Alexander returned three days later to sign the
papers.
The day of our severance ritual, Victoria attended.
She wore the diamond necklace Alexander had bought her.
“Planning to complete your mate bond right after severing ours, Alexander?”
Victoria wrapped herself around his arm. “Of course. Once he’s free of you, he’s marking me immediately.”
She touched her stomach. “I already carry his pup. We’ll be a happy family of three.”
I laughed at Alexander. “We were mated five years with no pups. I passed all fertility tests but you refused them. Now Victoria’s suddenly carrying? Impressive.”
Victoria shrieked. “What are you suggesting? This pup is definitely Alexander’s!”
“If you say so. Why so defensive?”
The Pack Council members performing the ritual exchanged knowing looks.
They’d all been my therapy clients. They knew Victoria’s pattern of lying about pregnancies to trap males.
After our bond was severed, Alexander immediately took Victoria for their bonding ceremony
They saw me waiting outside. Victoria sneered. “Still here? Why?”
“To take back my villa.”
“The villa? You’re his former mate now. That’s our home!”
“You seem confused. Alexander’s been living in my property. I gave them two months to leave, but they squatted like omegas. So I’m bringing the Pack Council enforcers to remove them.”
Victoria froze. “Alexander, is this true?”
“Scarlett, why be so cruel? You’re wealthy – what’s wrong with us using your villa?”
“Listen to yourself. You’ve bonded with a new mate but want to live in your former mate’s home? Have you no pride?”
I brought pack enforcers to clear my property of these shameless wolves.
Sarah wailed while James and Emma howled curses.
Victoria called the Pack Council president.
She sobbed into the phone: “This she–wolf is abusing her wealth and power to steal our home!
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