No one ever comes to my house.
To them, I’m just the shameless woman who got knocked up before marriage to catch an Alpha.
Not one of them knows I’m his true mate.
So when someone starts banging on my door—loud, frantic—I freeze.
I open it to find a servant sneering down at me.
“The Matriarch says to bring the child to the pack hall.”
Thorne’s grandmother.
She’s never once looked me in the eye, let alone acknowledged my son.
Why now?
When we arrive, the pack hall is already full. All eyes forward.
Thorne stands at the center, holding up Liora like she’s royalty. His hand supports her, his eyes dripping honey.
She leans against him, blushing, her hand resting naturally on his arm.
Her belly is already showing.
The Matriarch speaks, voice full of joy.
“Liora is pregnant. The Wolf God has blessed our bloodline.”
She sweeps her gaze over the room.
“With all clan members gathered, it’s time to fulfill our promise.”
Elder Greymane rises, his voice aged but steady.
“From this day on, Thorne assumes the title of Alpha.”
“He is the youngest heir—and the first to produce an heir before taking office. A cause for celebration.”
I bow my head. Dean clings to my hand as we stand at the edge of the crowd.
No one says my name.
No one asks if I’m still willing to stand beside him.
Thorne rests his hand on Liora’s stomach, beaming.
“I’m going to be a father,” he says, like it’s the first time.
Like my son never existed.
My fingers tremble as I fight the bitter taste in my throat and glance at Dean.
“Mommy, you’re hurting me,” he whispers.
I realize I’m gripping his hand so tightly my knuckles have gone white.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” I kneel and stroke his cheek.
But it’s too late. His voice draws attention.
A younger elder scoffs under his breath.
“That her kid? She actually brought him out?”
Another snickers.
“Unmarked. Unpaired. Unregistered. Bold of her, really.”
“Don’t even say he’s Thorne’s pup. His wolf soul’s unstable. He’s a risk.”
The Matriarch hears every word—but doesn’t stop them.
She simply says, “Tell the outsiders he’s a foster child from a side branch.”
A beat of silence. Then murmurs of agreement spread.
Thorne hesitates, frowning.
“Mother, wouldn’t it be better to—”
Liora gently tugs his sleeve, whispering just loud enough for me to hear.
“Don’t make it look like you still care about her.”
I see it all.
I step forward, my voice flat.
“As you wish. From now on, he no longer carries your name.”
I crouch down and whisper to Dean:
“Sweetheart, from today on… you can’t call him Daddy anymore. Just Uncle Thorne.”
Thorne freezes.
There’s something in his eyes—regret, maybe.
But he doesn’t say a word.
Dean bursts into tears, his little face scrunched red. I gather him in my arms, ready to go.
And that’s when Liora opens her mouth.
“Seraphina,” she says sweetly. “They say purple moonstone helps stabilize pregnancies. Thorne looked everywhere and couldn’t find one. But you just so happen to be wearing one.”
She points to the pendant at my neck.
Would I be willing to give it to her?
I glance at her collarbone, still marked by fresh love bites.
This stone—Thorne picked it with me at the Moon Hunt festival. He braided the cord himself and tied it around my neck, promising to protect me forever.
She’s begged him for it before. He never gave it to her.
Now everyone’s watching me. Pressuring. Already guarding their future Luna.
I look at Thorne.
This time, he looks away.
“You should…”
I laugh under my breath, tear the moonstone off, and toss it into her hand.
“It suits you.”
She lights up, slipping it on.
“See? Even she says it looks good.”
I don’t look back.
I carry my son and walk out of that hall without breaking stride.
Behind me, the Matriarch’s voice rings out:
“Prepare the wedding. May the Wolf God bless this child to be a purebred Alpha.”
