Chapter 3

I was taken aback. For a moment, I thought I must have misheard him. "What did you just say?"

Rook’s tone remained indifferent, as if his request was the most natural thing in the world. "This room is large, and Anna likes it. Hand it over to her immediately."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"May I remind you, Rook, that Ari is your son? Do you have any idea what Anna said to him today? She…"

"That's enough!" Rook interrupted me. His expression was grim. "Is Ari really my son?! We had only been together eight months before he was born, Rhea. Are you trying to lie to yourself after lying to me?"

I staggered back, his words hitting me like a physical blow. "Is that what you think of Ari?"

He did not flinch. "And Anna is my daughter with Sera. You will treat her well. Whenever Anna is present, Ari will address me as 'Uncle.'"

"I agreed to marry you for the sake of peace between our packs and to make you my Luna. But my love belongs to Sera alone. You should know that you owe me for what you did—drugging me, seducing me. You’ll pay the price for it."

This was the first time I had ever heard Rook say so much. Every word was like a poisoned arrow that shot through my chest. They chilled me to the bone.

Sera approached him, her steps delicate and hesitant. She tugged lightly at his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "Rook, it’s okay if Princess Rhea doesn’t agree. I’ll talk to Anna about it…"

"No," Rook said firmly. "I won’t let either of you suffer here."

"Don't worry. There are no feelings between us."

He turned to leave after that. Sera gave me a big, wide smile and said to me using her mind-link, "Stop dreaming. Rook doesn't love you. Take your little brat with you and get out of Moon Shadow Territory. Rook's heart and body are both mine. Hahaha…!"

This made me downhearted.

The pride of a Heavenly Wolf Pack princess began to surge in my blood and veins. They boiled and roared for me to stand up to all these. Rook could go to hell for all I cared!

However, a mother's love and tenderness pulled me back with a tight rope and bounded all my impulses.

Ari could not be without a father.

He loved Rook more than me.

Rook was a hero to him. His hero had a silver wolf's cape around his shoulders as he held a Darksteel sword in his hand while shouting out the order to slay the rogues.

Ari would be heartbroken if I took him away from Moon Shadow Territory.

I could not give up on Rook now for Ari's sake.

The next morning, Ari swung his little wooden sword around and stabbed the air.

"I want to show Daddy the swordsmanship technique taught by my teacher."

Children have big hearts. It only took one night's sleep for Ari to forget about Rook's coldness and forgive him.

Ari ran down the stairs excitedly.

However, he saw Sera and Anna seated at the dining table while Rook cut some bread for Anna lovingly.

"Daddy, what are they still doing in our house?"

Slam!

"Take note of what you call me, Ari." Rook slammed the bread knife on the table. He looked coldly at our son. "Didn't I tell you to move to the basement? Where's your mother?"

Ari jumped from shock. He gulped but still stepped forward bravely.

"My teacher told me that I can become a warrior if I trained well in swordsmanship techniques. I'll protect you when I grow up, Daddy…"

Before he could finish, Anna trotted quickly over to him. She snatched Ari's wooden sword from his hand and flung it out of the window. It fell into the lake.

"I don't like you! He isn't your daddy. He's my daddy!"