“Sounds like a problem with the family.” Diane should pay. “I’m just the stranger you picked up.”
My parents’ mental voices were hoarse. “You’re pushing too hard.” I will give you one day. We’ll file for family relationship termination if you’re not here by this time tomorrow!”
I laughed out loud. “Perfect!” That was what I wanted to hear. I’ve been treated like I’m not part of the group anyway.
“Only cowards give up!””
“Look at your email. My lawyer has already sent the papers to end the contract.
My parents’ mind-link went quiet as they hurried to check. They found the papers exactly where I said they would be.
“You’re serious!””
“Did you think I was kidding?”
My parents were so shocked that they couldn’t think of anything.
“I know you’re unhappy with the sleeping arrangements this time. You messed up our trip, and we haven’t even punished you for it yet. Don’t go too far! Come home now if you want to stay a part of our family.”
“Is there something wrong with your brains? Can I make this more clear? I want to end our family relationship. Put your name on the papers. The house belongs to me. You have two months to look for a new home. If you’re still in my house when I get back, I’ll have the pack council kick you out!”
“The mortgage comes from the account we share!””
“An account that I paid for completely. Look at the records.
“You’re really making us mad now!””
“Okay. Use that anger to sign those papers. Then we’re finished.
I broke the mind-link, smashed my pack bond crystal, and got a new one with a different frequency.
A different mind-link tried to connect with George.
“Please, Scarlett. We need to have a conversation about this. You can’t just throw away a mate bond.
“Watch me,” I said, and then I cut that connection as well.
When my parents couldn’t get in touch with me, they started bothering my friends who were fighting with me.
Not a good idea.
The strongest wolves from three areas were on my companion list.
They didn’t like that my nominal family was trying so hard to find me.
Messages came in on my phone:
“Your adoptive parents tried to break into the building where you work.”
“They’re asking for access to your combat partner records.”
“Diane is telling people that you are backing out of fights.”
“George is telling everyone that your friendship is broken and you need help.”
I called the pack council right away.
My parents got a restraining order within hours.
They weren’t allowed to go into my office building or any of the combat command centres.
George was told by the Goddess’s representatives that he would be punished if he kept making false claims about our bond.
The council made it clear that harassing a pack Gamma would have serious consequences.
Diane put more dramatic things on social media:
“A daughter using her power to bully her loyal parents… Not all things are money… “Real family forgives each other…”
George added, “A friend who leaves their partner during a family crisis needs to remember the sacred bond they have.”
The comments were mean:
“Parents who need their daughter to help them don’t respect themselves!””
“Living off your daughter while buying expensive gifts for other people? Shameless!”
“My family would never make me sleep outside in the freezing cold!””
“A true friend stands by their partner instead of siding with others!””
The status of my nominal parents in the pack hit rock bottom.
George’s family even started to stay away from him. No wolf wanted to be friends with a man who cheated on his mate.
At family events, other relatives would stay away from them, and they had problems in every area of life.
People didn’t want to be around members who put their family at risk.
Robert’s private school called me directly:
“About Robert’s school fees…”
“I am no longer in charge of Robert’s bills. Get in touch with his family.
“But you’ve always been in charge of his education!””
“Things have changed.” Take me off his list of emergency contacts.
