The Forgotten Necklace of the Moon Goddess Chapter 3

The next day, I was woken up by the phone.

It was the staff from the funeral home.

"Ms. Blackwood, when are you going to pay the balance? It's been a month over five hundred bucks."

"If we don't see the money in three days, we're canceling the order. The deposit is non-refundable!"

My voice was raspy as I pleaded.

"Just give me a little more time. I get paid in two weeks, and then—"

"We can't wait two weeks!"

The man on the other end was hostile.

"Never seen anyone like you. Dragging your feet on buying your own urn. Don't you people care about resting in peace?"

"If you're broke, don't preorder the rosewood box. What's wrong with you?"

I tried to explain, but he hung up on me.

My head felt like it was splitting open. I dialed the bar manager, hoping to get an advance on my wages.

The response was even colder.

"Just so you know, don't bother coming in today. You're fired."

"And no, we aren't paying you. Alpha Killian gave the order. Our hands are tied."

My brain buzzed. Panic made my voice crack.

"That's illegal! I'll go to the Labor Union! I'll report you!"

Mick sneered. "Report us? Go ahead. Alpha Killian said he'd handle any consequences."

"The Blackwood legal team is the best in the country. If you want to throw yourself against a brick wall, be my guest."

The line went dead.

A heavy lump formed in my chest, suffocating me.

I felt nauseous, my face turning paper-white. The taste of rust filled my mouth.

Suddenly, I coughed, and blood splattered onto my sheets.

I stared at the bright red stain, and the tears finally broke free.

The once-mighty vitality of a werewolf was draining out of me fast.

It took a long time to wipe the blood away.

I swallowed a handful of painkillers dry.

After that, I had no strength left.

I leaned against the bedframe, thinking back on the last five years.

I realized that every exit I tried to take, my brother had bricked up.

Now, I couldn't even work at a dive bar.

Eating was a problem, let alone buying medicine or paying for my coffin.

I just wanted a dignified end. I didn't want to rot by the roadside like a dead dog.

What was so wrong about that?

I buried my face in my hands and sobbed until the afternoon, finally gathering enough strength to move.

Looking at my trembling hands, I made a decision. I was going back to the manor on the hill.

I had to ask Killian. Why? Why was he doing this to me?