Chapter 0083
I like to think that spending years watching folks like this manager and my own Grandmother is what gave me the skills I have today.
At her comments, the staff looks deeply ashamed. After all, these people must have entered this line of work because of their desire to help the pack’s orphaned children. To worry about anything but the children’s best interests would be a dishonor to the Pack House itself.
“Sorry, Cara.”
“My apologies.”
“We overstepped…”
Their voices are sheepish and quiet, like they fear a fresh tongue–lashing from the Pack House manager.
“That’s alright, you didn’t know,” I say to them gracefully.
I understand their mistrust of nobility. I know what it feels like to have noses turned down at you everywhere you look.
When I was an orphaned child myself, I saw far more sneers than smiles from my pack mates, especially from the higher classes. The mean reactions from these staff members is bome from years of mistreatment that low–bors are forced to endure.
But if I have anything to do with it, that will change. Not just for my own Pack BloodyMoon, but for DarkWood, too. I can’t forget where I came from.
One of the staff, a younger she–wolf with wide, teary eyes, steps forward hesitantly. “I didn’t mean to say those things earlier. I just… I thought-” She falters, wringing her hands nervously. “It’s just hard sometimes, feeling like no one cares about us.”
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Another staff member, an older man with graying fur around his temples, nods and adds, We’ve been struggling for so long. When we heard about the donation, we thought it came from… someone else. We didn‘
even know it was you. Please, forgive our foolishness.”
“I was wrong,” the younger she–wolf says softly, her voice cracking. “I judged you without knowing the truth. If there’s anything I can do to make up for it, please let me.”
One of them grabs a basket of freshly baked bread from the counter and hesitates before offering it to me. “Please, take this,” she says. “It’s not much, but it’s the least we can do to thank you.
I shake my head gently, placing a hand over hers to stop her. “That’s not necessary,” I tell her with a warm smile.
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#25 BONUS
“Your apology is enough. Let’s put the past bend us and focus on helping the children.”
The staff nod collectively, more upset, their expressions a mix of guilt and determination. I can see that their earlier hostility has been replaced by genuine remorse and a desire to make amends.
I check my watch and see that I’ve stayed later than I intended. I need to return to the hospital to discuts Mia’s appointment with the doctors.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” I say to the Pack House manager. “I must be going, but please let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
The manager walks me to the door, thanking me for coming and apologizing again for her staff. I’m in the middle of telling her it’s no trouble at all when I’m interrupted by the buzzing of my phone.
I pull the device from my pocket and am surprised to see it’s my brother Aidan.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Cara! Have you seen Ryan?” Aidan sounds worried, which puts me on edge immediately. Aidan is normally the happy one, the jovial joking brother.
“He’s at his house with Ethan…” I start to say, realizing as the words come out of my mouth that Aidan must have already checked Ryan’s house. “Isn’t he?” I ask.
“No… I can’t find him, and he’s not answering his phone…” Aidan says distractedly, like he’s searching for Ryan while talking to me.
I mouth “Thank you” to the Pack House manager while I walk out of the door, still on the phone with Aidan.
Where could Ryan have gone? And is Ethan with him?!
Suddenly I turn and see Ryan’s car pull up in front of the DarkWood Pack House,
“MOMMY!” Ethan happily runs to me..
“He’s here.” I say to Aidan.
“In DarkWood?!” Aidan asks incredulously.
The passenger door of Ryan’s car swings open and I watch with my mouth agape as my son steps out.
“MOMMY!” Ethan happily runs to me.
My heart sinks.
Ethan is here.
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Chaptert
In DarkWood territory?!
+25 BONUS
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