“Protected me? I paid $500,000 to save this pack YOU should remember that.”
I blocked his mind–link. When he tried again, I maintained the block.
An hour later, Victoria posted a pack–wide photo showing off a rare diamond necklace.
Her message read: “It feels wonderful to be cherished. Thank you, my Alexander.”
The necklace cost $50,000. Alexander, who only brought in $3,000 monthly, bought it without hesitation.
He dared because he assumed I’d cover it like always.
Just then, Emma mind–linked me in panic. “Sister, we can’t check into any hotels! All our bookings are gone!”
“How terrible. Ask Victoria to pay – she can afford a $50,000 necklace.”
“That’s different! Alexander promised to pay her back.”
“With whose
money,
Emma?”
She fell silent.
The next afternoon, I finally answered Alexander’s call.
“Where are you? Your transport wasn’t delayed. Why are you taking so long? The whole family is waiting!”
“Why wait for me?”
“For dinner! Hurry up!”
“Go ahead without me.
“We finished eating. We’re waiting for you to provide the money.”
I laughed. Typical entitled behavior.
“Alexander, are you so broke you can’t even pay for dinner? Did buying Victoria’s necklace drain you dry?”
Violent rage colored his mental voice. “This is your fault! If you’d sent me the $50,000, I wouldn’t be drained! If you can’t get here now, just send the money. We need to settle this!”
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“Fine, I’ll send it right away.”
I cut the mind–link and completely blocked my bond.
Then I contacted my bank and froze the joint account I shared with Alexander.
I called the credit card company next. “I need to report unauthorized charges and remove an authorized user…”
Imagining Alexander’s rage when his cards declined improved my mood considerably.
My phone exploded with messages from the family:
Sarah: “Scarlett dear, there seems to be a problem with the cards…
Emma: “Sister, this isn’t funny! We’re stranded!
James: “You disgrace! How dare you humiliate us!”
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Victoria: “Poor Alexander is so stressed. If you were a proper mate…”
blocked them all.
After reaching my luxury suite in the Northern Mountains, I finally opened my bond.
Alexander’s call came instantly.
“Scarlett! You finally answer! Why was your bond blocked? I thought you were dead!”
“Listen to yourself! I traveled alone through hostile territory and you didn’t worry about my safety? You just attack me? What kind of mate are you?”
“You just blocked the bond to avoid sending money! You did it on purpose!”
“Yes, I did. And remember this, Alexander – you’ll never get another dollar from me!”
Alexander heard the finality in my voice and panicked.
His mental voice turned soft, cajoling. “Scarlett, don’t be like this. I know making you travel alone was unfair. I’ll make it up to you. Where are you? I’ll come get you. I got you a gift – a surprise.”
I mentally rolled my eyes.
In all our years together, his most expensive gift was a silver charm costing $99 – and I had to beg for that.
“Send me your location. I’ll come now.”
“Don’t bother. I’m in the Northern Mountains.”
Alexander’s voice spiked. “What? We’re all in the Southern Territory! Why are you in the
North?”
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+25 BONUS
“I changed my plans. Enjoy your trip without me
“What are you playing at? This was supposed to be a pack trip and you just left! What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong? You made your mate travel alone for thirty–six hours through hostile territory while you took an outsider in the protected convoy. What’s wrong with YOU?”
“I knew you were still angry about that. You’re so petty! It was just one solo journey – not like we abandoned you. You should be grateful we included you at all.”
I laughed. “Oh, should I thank you then?”
“Scarlett, I don’t have time for this. Go where you want, but you need to send us money!”
“Oh right, about those suitcases. All your things are gone.”
“What? Gone?” Alexander was furious and panicked. “What kind of mate are you? You lost all our clothes, all Victoria’s designer stuff – everything was in those bags! What are we supposed to do for the next ten days?”
“Not my problem. You gave me eight massive suitcases to handle alone. I’m not a three- headed wolf – I couldn’t manage it all.”
Victoria’s voice came through. “The bags are really gone? My Gucci dresses were in there! And my Cartier jewelry – worth thousands of dollars! All my new outfits too!”
Alexander quickly soothed her. “Don’t worry, Victoria. Since Scarlett lost your things, she’ll compensate you.”
“Scarlett! Send money now! You have to replace everything Victoria lost! We all need new clothes. Send $100,000 immediately – we’ll let you know if we need more.”
I burst out laughing. “Are you mad? I’m not responsible for your things – you dumped them on me and left. And remember what I said – you’ll never get another dollar from me. Did you think I was joking?”
I cut the mind–link and blocked them all – Alexander, James, Sarah, Emma, everyone.
I blocked them from the pack bond too.
Let them figure out how to survive without my money.
My phone started ringing with calls from other pack members.
“Scarlett, why did Alexander’s cards get declined at the restaurant?”
“Scarlett, Emma’s crying in the pack house. Something about cancelled hotel rooms?”
Scarlett, is it true Victoria’s wearing a $50,000 necklace while the family can’t pay for dinner?
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I ignored them all.
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