Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 32

**Benjamin's POV**

I woke up at four with a crick in my neck from sleeping on the couch. The entertainment room was dark except for the faint glow from the bar. Noah was still passed out on the floor, snoring. No sign of Ethan and Layla.

I walked over to check Chris's room. Instead of finding Briony, I found a note: "Gone for a morning run. See you at training. - B"

I texted Max and Chris. They appeared minutes later, messy-haired but alert. We exchanged a look. Noah had asked us to move Briony's stuff from Raymond's house, and now was our chance.

"Noah still out?" Chris asked, voice scratchy.

"Raymond's already gone," Max said, checking his watch. "Let's do this now."

We drove to the Beta's house and had everything moved within an hour. Luna Isabella had prepared a room, so we just followed her instructions. Then we headed for training.

A few students were already warming up when we arrived, but no sign of Briony.

Noah called, sounding worried. "Did you tell her yet?"

"No," Max said. "She's probably still running."

"I'll tell her myself," Noah said. "This was my idea anyway."

**Briony's POV**

I snuck out of Chris's room at dawn, closing the door with barely a click. In the hallway, Noah and Benjamin were out cold. I scribbled a quick note, stuck it to the door, and slipped out the front.

The morning air hit my face like cold water. Silver Pines looked different in the early light, misty and quiet. I started my usual route, feeling yesterday's training in every muscle.

"This counts as letting them know, right?" I muttered, thinking about my hasty note.

*You know they worry,* my wolf teased. *And don't act like you didn't notice that photo by Chris's bed.*

"It was just a group shot," I said, picking up my pace.

*Keep telling yourself that,* she laughed. *Those boys couldn't have been more obvious if they tried.*

I ignored her and focused on running, letting the wind and forest sounds drown out my thoughts. After a good hour, I circled back to the pack house, grabbed a quick shower, and headed to training.

The guys were already there when I arrived, huddled together and whispering. Max spotted me first and waved.

"Hey Lightning!" he called. "Good run?"

"Not bad," I said, "What's on the schedule today?"

Chris bounced on his toes, looking pumped. "Team tactics! And get this - word is the Alpha King might show up for the weekend selection tests."

"Seriously?" I raised an eyebrow. "Where'd you hear that?"

"Just rumors," Ben said. "But Victoria's practically having kittens."

Everyone laughed. Layla joined us, somehow looking perfect despite the early hour.

"Ladies!" Ethan called out. The way he looked at Layla was different now - softer. "Ready to get crushed today?"

Layla snorted. "Big talk from someone who nearly face-planted yesterday."

Everyone was laughing when Noah walked over, face serious.

"Bri, we need to talk," he said. "It's about our house."

"What about it?" I stopped mid-stretch.

"I had your stuff moved to the pack house," he said bluntly. "You don't have to go back there anymore."

My mind went blank. I just stood there, processing.

"You did what?" My voice came out sharp. "When did you decide this? And why wasn't I involved?"

Max stepped closer. "We meant to tell you last night, but we were all having fun and it... slipped our minds."

My head spun. Had Dad kicked me out for good? Did Luna Isabella approve this? Was this their idea of helping me?

I felt tears threatening and forced them back. I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself.

"So you just packed up my life without asking?" I fought to keep steady. "You decide overnight that you can't stand my dad, and suddenly fifteen years gets boxed up?"

I pushed my hair back from my face, trying to stay calm. "That man hasn't loved me since the day I was born. I've dealt with it my whole life. We have an understanding - he ignores me, and I get to do whatever I want. That's how I've managed to train so much."

"You can't just play hero after all this time. That's not how it works."

"Look, I know you meant well. But next time you want to completely upend my life, maybe ask me first? Make sure it's what I actually want, not just what makes you feel better about yourselves."

"Briony is absolutely right." I spun around to see Luna Isabella standing at the entrance, a knowing smile on her face.

She walked over and squeezed my shoulder. "You're teaching these boys an important lesson about respecting boundaries. They tend to charge in like headless chickens when they think they're helping."

Griffin appeared, ready to start training, and other students were trickling in. Layla slipped her arm through mine, giving me a look that said "I've got you."

"Since what's done is done," Isabella said quietly, "let me show you where they've put your things after training. We can figure out what you actually want. You have options."

I nodded, grateful that at least someone was acknowledging I should have a say in my own life.

I pushed my anger aside and focused on the drills.

After training, Isabella led us upstairs, passing through the second floor to a security panel where she punched in a code for the third floor staircase.

"Wait, I'm on the third floor?" I asked, following her up. "With the triplets?"

She nodded as we reached the landing. "After that scene with Victoria yesterday, I wanted you somewhere secure. Regular visitors can't get up here without an escort."

"I don't want to take their space," I hesitated, looking down the hallway.

Isabella laughed. "Trust me, they never use this room. This gives you and Layla somewhere to stay when you sleep over."

She opened the door, and I nearly gasped.

The room was incredible. A king-sized bed with a silver frame dominated one side, topped with the softest-looking blue comforter I'd ever seen. Double doors led to a walk-in closet and bathroom.

A gorgeous fireplace built from Silver Pine wood carved with ancient pack symbols stood on the opposite wall. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling on either side, packed with everything from tactical manuals to old legends.

Two armchairs sat in front of the fireplace, and a desk held my laptop and school things. Huge windows filled the space with light, overlooking the entire forest.

"What do you think?" Isabella asked softly.

"It's beautiful," I admitted, at a loss for words.

"Those boys really do care, even if they show it in stupid ways sometimes."

We quickly got ready and headed to the kitchen, which fell silent when we walked in. Five pairs of eyes locked onto us, their faces a mix of worry and hope. I sat down at the counter, deliberately not making eye contact.

Though I wasn't really angry anymore - the room was amazing - they deserved to squirm a little after what they'd pulled. Isabella caught on right away, bringing us heaping plates while ignoring the boys completely.

"How's the room working for you?" she asked loudly. "Do you need anything else? Maybe another mirror? Some art for the walls?"

"It's perfect," I said honestly. "Better than I expected."

We kept chatting about nothing important, waiting to see who would break first. I was betting on Ethan or Chris - they hated being ignored.

But it was Benjamin who cracked.

"Bri," he said, his voice unusually rough. He cleared his throat. "Are you actually still mad at us, or are you just making a point? Because this silent treatment thing... it kinda sucks."