Dutiful She-wolf

Dutiful She-wolf
Gwen

I walked back into the Golden Fur Pack’s territory like nothing had happened, my steps light, my expression carefully composed. No one needed to know where I had been, no one needed to know what I had just done. If they suspected anything, they’d see only the picture of a dutiful she-wolf returning home.

When I spotted Billy near the training grounds, my heart gave an eager leap. This was my chance. If I could just remind him of what we had, remind him that I was the one who had marked him, maybe he’d stop thinking about Shanella.

I walked up to him, putting on my sweetest smile. “Billy,” I said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “I missed you.”

Before I could lean closer, before I could even think about kissing him, he pushed me away. His blue eyes flashed, cold and angry.

“I’m going to the Moon Crest Pack,” he said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to see Shanella.”

The words stung like claws raking across my chest, but I forced myself to look sad instead of furious. I let my shoulders slump, my lower lip tremble just a little, and I nodded slowly.

“I… I actually saw Shanella earlier today,” I said in a quiet voice, making sure my tone was soft, almost fragile.

His head snapped toward me, his expression immediately suspicious. “You what?”

“Yes,” I said, pretending to look guilty. “I saw her at the coffee shop. I just wanted to talk to her. I wanted to make peace between us.”

“Why?” His voice was sharp, accusing. “Why would you even go near her?”

I swallowed hard and looked down, playing the part perfectly. “Because I wanted to ask for her help… for my pack. I told her that the Moon Fang Pack has been struggling and that we need support. She said… she said she would visit soon. When she becomes the Queen of all the packs, she promised she would make sure we’re safe.” I looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Is that so bad, Billy? I just wanted to do the right thing.”

He frowned deeply, his hands clenching into fists. For a long moment, he just stared at me, his jaw tight.

Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and started walking away.

“Billy,” I called after him, my voice soft, almost pleading. “I was only trying to help.”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t even look back.

I stood there for a moment, letting the sad mask stay on my face just long enough for the few pack members nearby to see it. Then I turned away, heading back toward my room.

The moment I was out of sight, my expression shifted. The sadness melted away, replaced by a wicked grin that stretched across my face.

“Oh, Billy,” I whispered to myself, laughing under my breath. “Go ahead. Run to your precious Shanella. You’ll only find an empty trail.”

The thought of him arriving at the Moon Crest Pack and discovering that Shanella was gone sent a shiver of satisfaction through me. I could almost see the look on his face, the frustration, the anger, the panic.

He’d blame the rogues, of course. Maybe even Brad. He’d think it was an attack, another threat from outside the pack.

And in that chaos, maybe he’d start to realize that the only one still standing by his side… was me.

I walked slowly back to my quarters, humming softly to myself. Every step felt lighter now, every breath sweeter. My plan was working. Shanella was gone. Terence had her now. And no one here had the slightest clue.

When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and let myself laugh—soft at first, then louder, until it echoed off the walls.

“They all think I’m just some desperate she-wolf,” I said aloud, talking to no one but enjoying the sound of my own voice. “But they have no idea how far I’ll go to get what I want. Shanella thought she could take Billy from me. She thought she could play the perfect little Alpha’s daughter and win. Well, let’s see how perfect she feels when she’s tied up in Terence’s bed.”

My wolf stirred inside me, pleased with my victory, though not yet fully satisfied. We have to be careful, she warned. Billy can’t know we were behind this.

“I know,” I said aloud, nodding to myself. “That’s why I made sure Joseph drives her car back. By the time anyone sees it abandoned near the coffee shop, she’ll be far away. And no one will think of me.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, letting the thrill of what I’d done wash over me. It wasn’t enough just to get rid of Shanella. No. I wanted Billy to suffer a little first. I wanted him to feel the same pain I had felt every time I saw him look at her.

Maybe when she’s gone long enough, maybe when he thinks she’s never coming back, he’ll finally turn to me.

And when he does, I’ll be waiting.

I stretched out on the bed, smiling to myself. Tomorrow, the news would spread. Tomorrow, Brad and Alpha Ethan would start tearing the territory apart looking for her. And Billy—my sweet, foolish Billy—would be caught in the middle of it.

He might hate me now, but hate can turn into love. I’d seen it happen before. And if it didn’t… well, I’d just have to make sure Shanella never returned to take him from me again.