"Alright, Vivian. Three days from now, I'll be waiting for you at the pack council," Derek said, his voice flat and emotionless.I stepped out of the car with Caleb. Ethan's tear-stained face pressed against the window as he tried to follow us, but Derek held him back.He struggled against his father's grip, crying out and begging me to take him with us. His small fists pounded against the glass, leaving foggy marks that distorted his desperate expression."Mom, I'm sorry! Please don't leave me behind!" he wailed, his voice muffled through the closed window. "I'll be good, I promise!""I won't play video games anymore, and I don't need those toys either. Mom, please don't go!"The car door slammed shut with a heavy finality. Through the window, I could see him pinned down by Derek's strong arms, his little body thrashing in protest. Derek's face was a stone mask, his eyes avoiding mine as he restrained our son.Caleb gently squeezed my hand, his touch pulling me back from the edge of d
Seeing my confused expression, he looked somewhat embarrassed. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a nervous gesture that reminded me of Caleb."She's my sister. Lily is my niece," he explained. "The roses are for her grave.""Two years ago, my sister and her mate were in a car accident..."His voice grew increasingly choked with emotion, and I found myself affected by his pain in ways I hadn't expected. A strange connection formed between us—two souls shaped by loss."Lily had no one to care for her, so I moved here to raise her."The two children, who had been busy playing a game in the corner of the shop, suddenly approached us with suspicious smiles.With mischievous grins, they pushed us together. "You should be friends!" Lily declared, while Caleb nodded in agreement. The moment I touched him, a strange warmth flooded through me. I was shocked to discover he was my second chance mate—the rare phenomenon when a wolf finds another compatible mate after losing their first.My face
Caleb proudly held up his wrist, showing me the smart watch he wore, his eyes sparkling with mischief and pride. "Mom, I just sent our location to Lily. That's how Uncle Garrett got here so quickly," he announced, his chest puffing out slightly. "I told her it was an emergency!"Garrett's cheeks reddened slightly as our eyes met. He ruffled Caleb's hair with gentle affection and winked at him behind my back, clearly thinking I wouldn't notice their little scheme. So this was what it felt like to be cared for—to have someone rush to your aid without being asked, without expecting anything in return. The sensation was foreign but wonderful, warming me from the inside in a way that even my wolf found soothing.Worried I might get wet, Garrett took off his jacket—a well-worn leather one that carried his scent of pine and earth—and draped it over my head. His other hand hovered protectively near the small of my back as he guided me to the car, never quite touching but close enough that
Derek refused to budge an inch. In my memory, he had always been composed and controlled, but now he suddenly erupted in rage.He angrily grabbed Garrett by the collar and drove his fist into the other man's face."Get out! This is my family business. What right do you have to push me away?" he snarled, his eyes flashing Alpha gold.Watching his irrational behavior, I finally reached my breaking point.The sound of my slap echoed in the sudden silence.Derek held his face, looking at me with disbelief. The red mark of my hand was already visible on his cheek.I stepped forward and took Garrett's hand in mine.Smiling, I turned to Derek."I forgot to introduce you. This is Garrett, my boyfriend," I said calmly."So I believe he does have the right to ask you to leave."Derek covered his eyes with his hand, crying in front of me like a child. His shoulders shook with each sob.When we first dissolved our mate bond, I had fantasized about him regretting his choices, begging for forgivenes
After the mate bond dissolution, Derek suffered from insomnia for a long time.He was afraid to close his eyes. Whenever he did, Vivian's image would appear before him.He couldn't even bear to go home. The living room remained exactly as it had been when Vivian left, and each time he stepped inside, he couldn't help but start hating himself.Hating himself for choosing Sarah when it mattered most.He also began to uncontrollably resent both Sarah and Ethan.If Ethan hadn't begged him to save Sarah first, would Vivian have stayed?He finally realized, too late, that it was Vivian he truly loved.As for Sarah, she had merely been a stubborn attachment from his youth.So when Sarah asked if he wanted to perform the mating ceremony with her, he refused without a second thought.Sarah asked tearfully why not, and he looked at her hateful face, practically snarling through gritted teeth:"Because you can't even compare to a single strand of Vivian's hair!"Ethan cried in front of him many t
During the rogue wolf attack, I was stabbed in the heart by a silver dagger while trying to save my son.But when my Alpha mate arrived to rescue us, he ran straight toward his childhood sweetheart who was hiding off to the side."Aunt Sarah is a delicate Omega with no fighting ability, Dad. Save her first! Mom, you're so strong, just hold on a little longer!" my son called out.Through blurry vision, I watched my mate carry another woman in his arms, rushing anxiously toward safety.And my son, whom I had nearly died giving birth to, hovered protectively at her side, worried she might fall, occasionally steadying her with his small hand.Not once did either of them look back at me.My heart ached with bitterness. I was their family, their blood, yet in this life-or-death moment, they abandoned me without hesitation.Today was my son's birthday. I had spent the entire day preparing a surprise party and baking a cake from scratch.In the afternoon, I went to pick up Ethan from school, e
I knew from the very beginning that Derek didn't love me.For three years in high school, my crush on him was no secret. By some stroke of luck, when we turned eighteen and our wolves awakened, we were identified as mates.Unfortunately, he already had his childhood sweetheart, Sarah, and had no interest in a so-called destined mate.Just before graduation, Sarah accepted her family's arrangement to be mated to a more powerful Alpha from a European pack.The night she left, Derek found me, his body reeking of alcohol.He embraced me with bleary eyes, but it was Sarah's name he called.I loved him too much. Even knowing he had mistaken me for someone else, I allowed myself to sink into that moment of passion.It was ultimately a mistake. The next morning when he awoke, he threw my clothes at my feet with a cold expression and told me to get out.I thought it was just a one-night stand, but unexpectedly, I became pregnant.For the stability of the pack, Derek performed the mating ceremon
At this point, explanations seemed unnecessary.I nodded faintly."Believe whatever you want. Seeing me still alive must be quite disappointing for you all, isn't it?""But that's alright..."I raised my eyes to meet Derek's emotionless gaze."Derek, let's sever our mate bond.""I'm setting you free to pursue your true love."I then turned to face Ethan."And you—as you wished, I'm no longer your mother."Watching their shocked expressions, I silently laughed to myself.How wonderful. Everyone can finally be free.I turned to leave, but Derek grabbed my wrist.His voice trembled slightly."Vivian, what are you saying? Just because I rescued Sarah first, you want to end our mate bond?""You're fine, aren't you? Even your pregnancy was a lie. I haven't even blamed you for that, yet you want to break our bond? Is this really necessary?"I didn't bother explaining, silently trying to pull away from his grip.But his fingers only tightened, squeezing until my wrist turned red.Caleb, who ha
After the mate bond dissolution, Derek suffered from insomnia for a long time.He was afraid to close his eyes. Whenever he did, Vivian's image would appear before him.He couldn't even bear to go home. The living room remained exactly as it had been when Vivian left, and each time he stepped inside, he couldn't help but start hating himself.Hating himself for choosing Sarah when it mattered most.He also began to uncontrollably resent both Sarah and Ethan.If Ethan hadn't begged him to save Sarah first, would Vivian have stayed?He finally realized, too late, that it was Vivian he truly loved.As for Sarah, she had merely been a stubborn attachment from his youth.So when Sarah asked if he wanted to perform the mating ceremony with her, he refused without a second thought.Sarah asked tearfully why not, and he looked at her hateful face, practically snarling through gritted teeth:"Because you can't even compare to a single strand of Vivian's hair!"Ethan cried in front of him many t
Derek refused to budge an inch. In my memory, he had always been composed and controlled, but now he suddenly erupted in rage.He angrily grabbed Garrett by the collar and drove his fist into the other man's face."Get out! This is my family business. What right do you have to push me away?" he snarled, his eyes flashing Alpha gold.Watching his irrational behavior, I finally reached my breaking point.The sound of my slap echoed in the sudden silence.Derek held his face, looking at me with disbelief. The red mark of my hand was already visible on his cheek.I stepped forward and took Garrett's hand in mine.Smiling, I turned to Derek."I forgot to introduce you. This is Garrett, my boyfriend," I said calmly."So I believe he does have the right to ask you to leave."Derek covered his eyes with his hand, crying in front of me like a child. His shoulders shook with each sob.When we first dissolved our mate bond, I had fantasized about him regretting his choices, begging for forgivenes
Caleb proudly held up his wrist, showing me the smart watch he wore, his eyes sparkling with mischief and pride. "Mom, I just sent our location to Lily. That's how Uncle Garrett got here so quickly," he announced, his chest puffing out slightly. "I told her it was an emergency!"Garrett's cheeks reddened slightly as our eyes met. He ruffled Caleb's hair with gentle affection and winked at him behind my back, clearly thinking I wouldn't notice their little scheme. So this was what it felt like to be cared for—to have someone rush to your aid without being asked, without expecting anything in return. The sensation was foreign but wonderful, warming me from the inside in a way that even my wolf found soothing.Worried I might get wet, Garrett took off his jacket—a well-worn leather one that carried his scent of pine and earth—and draped it over my head. His other hand hovered protectively near the small of my back as he guided me to the car, never quite touching but close enough that
Seeing my confused expression, he looked somewhat embarrassed. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a nervous gesture that reminded me of Caleb."She's my sister. Lily is my niece," he explained. "The roses are for her grave.""Two years ago, my sister and her mate were in a car accident..."His voice grew increasingly choked with emotion, and I found myself affected by his pain in ways I hadn't expected. A strange connection formed between us—two souls shaped by loss."Lily had no one to care for her, so I moved here to raise her."The two children, who had been busy playing a game in the corner of the shop, suddenly approached us with suspicious smiles.With mischievous grins, they pushed us together. "You should be friends!" Lily declared, while Caleb nodded in agreement. The moment I touched him, a strange warmth flooded through me. I was shocked to discover he was my second chance mate—the rare phenomenon when a wolf finds another compatible mate after losing their first.My face
"Alright, Vivian. Three days from now, I'll be waiting for you at the pack council," Derek said, his voice flat and emotionless.I stepped out of the car with Caleb. Ethan's tear-stained face pressed against the window as he tried to follow us, but Derek held him back.He struggled against his father's grip, crying out and begging me to take him with us. His small fists pounded against the glass, leaving foggy marks that distorted his desperate expression."Mom, I'm sorry! Please don't leave me behind!" he wailed, his voice muffled through the closed window. "I'll be good, I promise!""I won't play video games anymore, and I don't need those toys either. Mom, please don't go!"The car door slammed shut with a heavy finality. Through the window, I could see him pinned down by Derek's strong arms, his little body thrashing in protest. Derek's face was a stone mask, his eyes avoiding mine as he restrained our son.Caleb gently squeezed my hand, his touch pulling me back from the edge of d
The typically calm and composed Derek began to panic. He lunged forward to grab my hand, but I easily sidestepped, leaving him clutching at empty air.Probably because he never imagined I would one day refuse his touch, Derek's entire face registered disbelief. His jaw tightened as his eyes flickered between gold and blue—his wolf stirring beneath the surface.His voice quivered slightly, a sign he was desperately suppressing his anger. The scent of his distress filled the small hospital room, sharp and acrid."Vivian, have you really thought this through?" he asked, his fingers curling into fists at his sides."If we dissolve the mate bond, Ethan stays with me. You won't be allowed to see him anymore!"I kept my eyes downcast, my expression betraying nothing of the storm raging inside me. The silver scar tissue on my chest throbbed with a phantom pain."Fine," I said softly. "Once Sarah becomes his mother, he won't want to see me anyway."To my surprise, Ethan broke away from his fath
I was momentarily stunned, my hand stilling on Caleb's shoulder. The words Derek had hurled at me during our last big fight echoed in my mind. "No one will ever love a selfish woman like you. You're lucky I even claimed you as my mate."But now, this child—this brave little boy who owed me nothing—loved me unconditionally. His eyes shone with it, pure and honest in a way I hadn't experienced in years.More importantly, something was shifting inside me. A seed of self-worth taking root where there had only been doubt and self-loathing. I was beginning to learn how to love myself again."Why are you smiling?" Caleb asked, looking up at me with curious eyes."Because you make me happy," I answered honestly, surprising myself with the admission.I had hoped Ethan and Caleb could coexist peacefully until my discharge from the hospital. Three more days—that was all we needed.But they ended up fighting anyway, despite my careful attempts to keep them separated.That day, Derek wasn't around—
Seeing how casually I said it, Derek's eyes reddened at the edges, the alpha gold flashing through his normally blue irises. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, claws threatening to emerge.He struggled to control his emotions, his jaw working as he tried hard to remain calm. A low growl rumbled in his chest, drawing the attention of passing packmates who quickly lowered their eyes and hurried past.But when he spoke, his voice couldn't hide a tinge of pain that surprised even me. It cracked slightly on the words."Viv, you terminated our baby? Why?" His face looked almost broken, as though I'd struck him. "You should have told me. I would have—"I looked at him as if he were an idiot, cutting him off mid-sentence. The laugh that escaped me was hollow and bitter."Why? Derek, you're an Alpha, not some clueless Omega. You know perfectly well that a chest wound from a silver dagger is fatal even for the strongest wolf." I tapped the bandages visible beneath my hospital gown
At this point, explanations seemed unnecessary.I nodded faintly."Believe whatever you want. Seeing me still alive must be quite disappointing for you all, isn't it?""But that's alright..."I raised my eyes to meet Derek's emotionless gaze."Derek, let's sever our mate bond.""I'm setting you free to pursue your true love."I then turned to face Ethan."And you—as you wished, I'm no longer your mother."Watching their shocked expressions, I silently laughed to myself.How wonderful. Everyone can finally be free.I turned to leave, but Derek grabbed my wrist.His voice trembled slightly."Vivian, what are you saying? Just because I rescued Sarah first, you want to end our mate bond?""You're fine, aren't you? Even your pregnancy was a lie. I haven't even blamed you for that, yet you want to break our bond? Is this really necessary?"I didn't bother explaining, silently trying to pull away from his grip.But his fingers only tightened, squeezing until my wrist turned red.Caleb, who ha