Chapter 2

2.

As expected, Kael didn’t come home all night.

When I touched the cold sheet beside me, my heart still gave a painful twitch.

A rude banging sounded on the door.

I opened it to find a Beta guard from the Blackstone Pack, looking at me with scorn.

"Genevieve orders you to bring the child to the main house."

Genevieve. Kael’s mother. The widow of the former Alpha.

From the beginning, she viewed me as a pollutant to their bloodline.

No matter how I explained the spiritual bond of Moon Creek, she only saw me as a woman from the wild with no honor.

Even the way she looked at Finn was filled with disgust.

When the leadership has that attitude, the subordinates naturally follow suit.

When we arrived at the main hall, every member of the Blackstone Council was present.

Kael, who had been missing all night, was supporting Seraphina.

His eyes were gentler than I had ever seen them.

Genevieve stared at Seraphina’s stomach, unable to suppress her ecstasy.

"She’s pregnant! Gentlemen, it is time to fulfill our promise!"

The highest-ranking Council member stepped forward.

He publicly announced that Kael was now officially the undisputed Alpha of the Blackstone Pack.

"Since the pureblood heir is secured, let’s hold the Marking Ceremony as soon as possible."

I looked up.

Everyone’s eyes were on Seraphina. Including Kael’s.

He placed his hand on Seraphina’s lower abdomen as if no one else existed.

"I’m going to be a father."

Not 'I’m going to be a father again.'

But 'I’m going to be a father.'

My chest tightened, and I squeezed Finn’s hand.

"Mom, that hurts," Finn whispered.

I immediately let go. There was a red mark on his small hand.

"I’m sorry, baby. Mommy will make it better..."

Finn’s voice drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

The Council member frowned.

"The Alpha having a bastard with impure blood will shake the foundation of the pack."

"Just a mongrel born of a wild wolf."

Genevieve snorted coldly.

"From today on, tell the public this child was sent here to be fostered by a branch family. He has nothing to do with the Alpha."

Genevieve hated me, and that hatred extended to denying Finn’s existence.

Years ago, she was the one who brokered the "dual union" deal to get the Council to support Kael.

Now that Seraphina was pregnant, Finn was just a stain that needed to be erased.

Kael let go of Seraphina.

"Mother, that’s too much."

He wanted to walk toward me.

But Seraphina stopped him, her hand subtly gripping his arm.

I saw it clearly.

I took Finn’s hand and walked straight up to Genevieve.

"As you wish. From now on, Finn has no relation to Kael Blackstone."

I crouched down, fighting back tears, and explained to Finn.

"Baby, you can’t call him Dad anymore. You can only address him as Alpha."

Kael froze.

He knew Finn was the only reason I had stayed here this long.

He looked into my eyes, searching for unwillingness or begging.

But he found nothing.

A child couldn’t understand this politics. Finn’s face turned red, tears swirling in his eyes.

I pulled him to leave, but Seraphina called out.

"Elara, I heard that wearing a moonstone amulet during pregnancy protects the pup. Kael looked everywhere but couldn’t find a good one. I didn’t realize you had the perfect one right there."

She smiled sweetly.

"Would you be willing to part with it?"