Chapter 57

Chapter 57

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I didn’t have an immediate answer, so I just indicated for her to follow me out into the garden once more. I handed her a hoe and led her over to where the diseased plants were.

“These plants are sick, so we need to pull them up and burn them.” I instructed, handing her a pair of gloves and putting some on myself. Madelyn nodded and began to work.

We piled the plants into a wheelbarrow and dumped them into the flames.

After a while I said, “I was very alone in my old pack. Most people wouldn’t associate with me. So I know what it’s like to feel alone where you’re supposed to belong.” I stared into the flames, not wanting to look at her while I confessed my painful past.

Madelyn was quiet for a while, then asked, “Somehow it hurts even more when it’s the people who are supposed to be yours, you know p>

I did know.

I thought of my father, who had only told me that I shamed him when my wolf hadn’t manifested, and had threatened to kill me if I didn’t find a husband. My own half-sister had stolen my boyfriend and used it to hurt me. The man who was supposed to marry me didn’t see me romantically.

I nodded and met Madelyn’s gaze, “That’s why we have to build something better. That’s why I want to give you a second chance, and show kindness where there isn’t any.” I admitted. “It might seem stupid, but nothing else I’ve tried has worked, so why not this p>

She gave me a small smile back, then said after a pause, “I told you that Jessica had something over me.

“Yes?” I looked at her curiously.

“I’m in love with her brother.” Madelyn confessed, “I don’t think he likes me that way, he’s always so busy as Beta. I don’t even think he knows I exist p>

She hung her head, “Jessica told me that if I did what she asked, she’d help put a good word in for me, introduce us. I know it sounds stupid, but she seemed so nice at first. When I finally realized she wasn’t a good person and tried to stand up to her, she threatened to tell him bad things about me. Like telling him that I sleep around, do drugs, and worse p>

Tears welled up in her eyes and she turned away, sniffling loudly.

My heart went out to her. I could see how Jessica could easily manipulate someone like Madelyn by playing on her emotions. She was such a meangirl.

“Thank you for telling me your secret.” I said, genuinely. I reached out and squeezed Madelyn’s hand. “Jessica may have some power, but we’re not going to let her win. I’ll put in a good word with Tegan for you p>

Madelyn turned to look at me with wide eyes, “You would do that p>

“Absolutely.” I smiled back. “That’s what friends are for p>

We went back to work in companionable silence, pulling up weeds from the other garden beds and adding them to the new compost pile.

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Chapter 57

+25 Bonus

Finally I stood up, wiping the sweat from my forehead. I stared out over the hills of the village, and squinted.

There was a cavalcade of cars rolling out of the village into the forest.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Madelyn put down her shovel and came to stand by me.

“Oh, Gideon summoned all his warriors to prepare for raids against the rogue encampments.” She said, “My sister is one of his Lieutenants, and she told me they expect to be gone for a few days p>

“Gideon too?” I asked.

Madelyn shrugged, “I assume so. She said he was planning on meeting with the Silvermoon Alpha tonight p>

I bit my lip. Tonight was supposed to be our dinner date!

Was Gideon going to stand me up?

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