Traversing to Alpha Dad Stuffing Mom into the Suitcase

Vanessa snarled, "Your carelessness cost me my precious dog. You'll pay for this!"

My father's gaze turned icy. "A daughter's misdeeds reflect her mother's failures." With that, he seized my mom and forced her into a suitcase, slamming the lid shut.

I tugged at the lock, desperation coursing through me. Ketchup seeped out, staining the floor red. Inside, Mom's struggles grew weaker, then stopped.

I raced downstairs, pounding on Dad's car. "Please, let her out! I'll do anything! Just don't punish Mom for my mistake!"

The car shook violently.

Vanessa's cries echoed from within.

When Dad finally rolled down the window, his words were like a dagger. "You're no longer my daughter. Call me Uncle."

"Your mom dared to oppose me. She'll stay in there until she learns her place."

A week later, they opened the suitcase. The sight left everyone speechless.

That same day, Dad returned with Vanessa, her belly rounded. "Where's your mother? Has she repented yet?"

I choked back a sob. "Uncle... Mom is gone. She's never coming back."

......

Richard slammed his fist on the door, Emily beside him curling her lip.

"Chloe! Open up-this reek could choke a direwolf!"

I chewed moldy bread, crumbs falling on my paws. "Uncle says not to let strangers in."

Emily crouched, her tail twitching. "Where's your mom? Your bond scent... it's fading."

I pointed to the suitcase.

"Mom's napping. Uncle put her there 'cause she wouldn't stop howling."

Richard wrenched the lock apart.

Inside, Mom lay still, ketchup staining her . Red everywhere.

"She's cold," I whispered, poking her snout.

"Mom, wake up. The neighbors brought deer jerky."

Emily fell back on her haunches.

"That's no nap. Her throat-"

"Shh!" Richard shouldered her aside.

"The pup's only three. She thinks..." His voice cracked.

"Chloe, sweetling-your mom's gone to the Great Run."

Gone? Like Vanessa's dog?

I hugged Mom's cold hand. "But she promised to teach me to howl at the next full moon."

Richard turned away, fingers-digging into his palms.

"Who does this to a she-wolf? Stuffs her in a box like... like roadkill?"

Emily covered her muzzle.

"And the cub doesn't even know-"

"I know!" I snapped, bread falling.

"Uncle says Mom's just resting. When she wakes up, we'll go to the maternity sanctuary, and she'll see I didn't mean to lose Vanessa's dog."

Silence. Richard's growl rumbled low.

"Your uncle... ."

I didn't understand why they were howling under their breath.

Mom would wake up soon.

The suitcase still smelled like her favorite lavender soap-under the ketchup.

Emily summoned figures cloaked in obsidian - hued uniforms.

They draped a pearlescent shroud over Mom and whisked her away in a midnight - black vehicle.​

In that instant, realization crashed over me.​

My mom was now one of those distant stars...​

"Mom! You can't abandon me! I'm your cub!" I wailed, my voice cracking.​

I chased the car, my feet pounding the cold ground. But they were too swift. I stumbled, crashing to the pavement.​

No gentle licks from Mom to soothe my wounds.​

My heart felt like it was being torn asunder.​

When I lifted my gaze, a towering billboard loomed.

Dad and Vanessa's faces stared back at me, their expressions smug.​

Emily, her eyes filled with pity, reached out and pulled me to my feet.