The Price of Failing a Bond

Amused by the absurdity, I opened the file.

It was the multi-million-gold hunting ground development project I had recently surrendered to Scarlett.

It was always like this: I did the grueling work. Scarlett took the glory. If a conflict arose with rival packs, I took the blame.

I had refused at first, but Andy used “the greater good of the pack” to guilt-trip me. When I stood my ground, he gave me the cold shoulder for weeks in private. No wonder everyone else thought I was leaving the position, not the pack.

In the world where I grew up, my parents always taught me that in a werewolf partnership, a Luna must respect and yield to her Alpha.

Not wanting our relationship to fall apart, I compromised and gave in.

I foolishly thought Andy would eventually recognize my good intentions.

Instead, when he fought with me to secure the “Alpha’s Guard” title for Scarlett, he went so far as to ice me for three whole months.

Even when I contracted Wild-Wolf Fever and burned with a forty-degree fever in the Shaman’s hut, he refused to visit me once. He forced me into a corner just to hand over the multi-million-gold hunting ground I had bled for a whole month to complete.

That was the moment my heart died.

Now, I left.

Finally. For real!

“I’m not at the pack compound,” I replied calmly.

“Not at the compound?”

Andy’s voice dropped dangerously low. “It’s patrol hours right now, Lynda. Leaving your post without authorization—do you know how much of your monthly income gets deducted under pack law?”

“I know. But I’ve already...”

Just as I was about to state my withdrawal, Scarlett’s gentle, delicate voice echoed from the other end.

“Alpha Andy, if Lynda doesn’t want to do it, don’t force her. Let me handle the map drafting.”

“No way. You stayed up so late yesterday calming the border skirmishes. You need to rest today.”

Andy’s tone turned impossibly tender—a stark contrast to his harshness toward me just a second ago.

Scarlett continued to insist she wasn’t tired, but Andy took a firm stance: “I am the Pack Leader. Resting is an order. Do you dare disobey me?”

Scarlett giggled softly. “I just feel bad making Lynda work so hard.”

“How could her workload compare to yours? You traveled with me on patrol and handled treaties, while she sits at the compound doing nothing all day.”

“Besides, she’s my future mate. The pack belongs to her too—isn’t it her duty to carry her weight?”

Andy let out a scoff.

With a single sentence, he erased years of my contributions in securing resources and managing internal affairs.

I felt no rage, jealousy, or heartbreak—only numbness.

It had happened far too many times.

Sensing my silence, Andy assumed I acquiesced, and his tone softened slightly.

“Lynda, do you really think I’m just giving you grunt work? I’m trying to forge you into someone better. As Alpha’s mate, you need more responsibility and drive for our pack.”

“You should learn from Scarlett. She stayed up until four in the morning verifying border tracks. I’ve never seen an assistant so outstanding and hardworking.”

Scarlett chimed in with a giggle, “I think Lynda is very capable too.”

Her words sounded complimentary, but her tone was laced with condescension toward a Luna.

Andy missed the malice completely and snorted, “If she had half your capability, I’d wake up laughing in my sleep.”

“Don’t forget, all the hunting grounds recovered this year were secured by you.”

The two played off each other flawlessly.

I didn’t utter a word, nor did I care to argue.

Scarlett had snatched every single one of those hunting grounds from my hands. Andy knew it better than anyone, yet he feigned ignorance.

He simply assumed that after five years of living together, a female werewolf like me could never survive in any pack without his protection and would never leave him over “minor” issues.

“Alright, Scarlett and I have a banquet with the Silvermoon Pack later tonight. Finish the draft and send it over as soon as possible.”

Without waiting for my reply, he hung up.

Not even one minutes later, my phone chimed with a notification from the pack’s public network. It was a new projection shared by Scarlett. I knew it was her provocation, only to me. I couldn’t see the projection from Andy’s phone.

The two were seated before a lavish feast of roasted game and Moon Essence. She leaned herself against Andy’s shoulder. On the table stood an exquisite carved-bone box, just the right size for a wolf-fang bonding ring.

I scrolled down further and saw a projection Scarlett posted the previous night. At four in the morning, she and Andy were knocking back an ale at a wild tavern, surrounded by empty casks.

So, Andy’s idea of “hard work” was heavy drinking.

And the “pack banquet” tonight was just a two werewolf party.

I let out a bitter laugh, lacking any urge to confront him.

Confrontation was pointless. He always had a million excuses. Even if I backed him into a corner with logic, it wouldn’t bring an apology or remorse—only endless silent pressure.

In the past, I would do everything to soothe his ego and walk on eggshells.

Looking back, that time would have been far better spent training and accumulating experiencing and knowledge.

An Alpha’s devotion for you will fade, but your personal strength and wealth will never betray you.

With that thought, I walked toward the border with determination and meanwhile, contemplated my next move.

Just as I stepped out of the pack border, my phone chimed again.

It was a transaction alert from my financial ledger.

Andy had tapped into my private vault and withdrawn 200,000 gold coins.