No one woke River and Stone up for school or reminded them about homework. The two children did whatever they wanted at home, staying up late playing video games and sleeping until noon.

Their school bags sat untouched in the corner. Homework assignments piled up on their desks, forgotten. The house felt different without my constant reminders and structure.

Sage and Kael slept in the same bed, holding each other every night. The master bedroom had become their shared space, with Sage's belongings scattered across the dresser and her clothes filling half the closet.

If they slept in too late, the boys would burst into their room without knocking.

"Dad! Sage-mom! You're still sleeping?" River would jump on the bed, bouncing between them.

"Yeah! It's already past ten!" Stone would add, crawling under the covers with them.

Each time, Sage would blush and hide in Kael's arms like a fragile little bird. She would pull the blanket up to her chin, acting shy and embarrassed.

"You two are such troublemakers," she would giggle, triggering Kael's protective instincts.

He would wrap his arms around her more tightly, shielding her from the children's playful attacks. "Leave Sage alone. She needs her rest."

The domestic scene felt natural to him. This was what a real family looked like. Warm, affectionate, uncomplicated.

Soon enough though, reality intruded. Kael had to return to work, and River and Stone had to go back to school. The vacation period was over, and responsibilities couldn't be ignored forever.

"Don't worry, leave it to me. I've got this." Sage stood in front of the mirror, adjusting Kael's tie with careful precision. She smoothed down his collar and brushed imaginary lint from his shoulders.

When she finished, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, just like a real married couple would do.

After seeing Kael off at the front door, Sage closed it behind him and leaned against it for a moment.

She hadn't even reached River and Stone's room when both children came running out, already dressed in their school uniforms.

"Sage-mom! Sage-mom!" They had gotten themselves ready without any prompting, something that had never happened when I was in charge.

They hugged her legs tightly, one on each side. "We got up by ourselves! Sage-mom, we saw you kiss Dad. We want kisses too!"

Their faces were bright with excitement, looking up at her with adoring eyes.

Sage crouched down helplessly, her expression soft with affection. She gave each of them a gentle peck on the forehead. "There, happy now?"

River nodded with a wide grin. "Yes! Thanks, Sage-mom!"

Stone hugged her back and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. "Let's go to school! I want all the kids in my class to know I have a better mom now!"

The two children took Sage's hands eagerly as they headed toward the car. They chattered excitedly about their plans for the day, about how they would show off their new mother to their friends.

They walked around the campus when they arrived, introducing Sage as their new mom to everyone they met. Teachers, other parents, classmates - everyone got the same enthusiastic announcement.

"This is our Sage-mom! Isn't she beautiful?"

"She's so much better than our old mom!"

"Look how pretty she is!"

Only when the school bell rang did they reluctantly say goodbye, waving enthusiastically as Sage drove away.

Sage finally returned to the mansion. The moment she walked through the front door and confirmed she was alone, her gentle smile completely disappeared.

Her face twisted into irritation, all pretense of maternal warmth vanishing instantly.

"School starts so damn early, and I have to drive them there. I've been running around all morning and haven't even had a bite to eat!"

She threw her purse down on the entrance table with unnecessary force.

"And I have to pick them up this afternoon too. Can't we just hire a nanny to do this crap?"

Sage kicked the coffee table and shouted impatiently toward the kitchen, "Get me some food now! I'm starving!"

A maid rushed out of the kitchen, looking startled by the sudden change in Sage's demeanor. She had been expecting the sweet, gentle woman who had left with the children.

"What would you like to eat, Miss Sage?" the maid asked carefully.

"I don't care! Just make it fast!" Sage snapped, collapsing onto the sofa.

The maid hurried back to the kitchen and immediately got to work. Within twenty minutes, she had prepared a full breakfast spread - eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Sage finally took her first bite, but before she could finish chewing, the maid quietly approached again.

"Miss Sage, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time to pick up the young masters. They come home for lunch and a nap before going back to school in the afternoon."

Sage's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "What? Already?"

"Yes, miss. Their lunch break starts in fifteen minutes."

Sage frowned deeply. "Doesn't the school have a cafeteria?"

"Well, yes, but the young masters are used to coming home for lunch. Luna Aria always-"

"Then that's settled! I just got back, and now I have to run out again. Don't I deserve a break?" Sage slammed down her utensils, sending them clattering against the plate.

Her face was flushed with anger. "I'm not their servant! They can eat at school like normal kids!"

The maid didn't dare say another word.

She quietly picked up the dishes and retreated to the kitchen, leaving Sage to fume alone.

Sage lounged around the house all day, watching television and taking a long bath. She painted her nails and tried on different outfits, enjoying the luxury of having nothing to do.

When the afternoon came, the maid approached her again, this time even more hesitantly.

Sage looked up from the magazine she was reading. "What now?"

"Miss Sage, the young masters' regular school day is ending. Time to pick them up," the maid reminded her.

The woman's voice was barely above a whisper, clearly afraid of another outburst.

"Fine, I know. Such a pain." Sage got up with obvious reluctance. "Make sure dinner's ready when we get back, and tell them I cooked it myself. Got that?"

Sage headed out to the school, checking her appearance in the car mirror multiple times during the drive. She wanted to make sure she looked perfect for any other parents who might see her.

River and Stone had been waiting by the school entrance for over an hour. Their teacher had stayed with them, growing increasingly concerned as other children were picked up one by one.

When they finally spotted Sage's car pulling up, their faces lit up with relief and excitement.

"Sage-mom!" They waved and shouted, running toward her. "Look, teacher! That's our new mom. We call her Sage-mom."

The teacher looked surprised, glancing between the children and Sage. "What about your previous mom? Luna Aria?"

River and Stone's expressions immediately darkened at the mention of my name. "That old mom didn't want us anymore. Actually, we didn't want her! Sage-mom is way better."

"Yeah! She's prettier and nicer and she doesn't make us eat gross vegetables!" Stone added.

Sage had walked over and heard what the boys said. She smiled sweetly at the teacher, slipping back into her gentle persona. "The children are just playing around. Aria has some things to handle out of town, so I'm helping take care of them for now."

"I see." The teacher nodded, though she still looked confused. "Luna Aria was always so responsible with little River and Stone. She never missed a pickup. I was wondering how she could possibly not want them."

The teacher's innocent comment hit exactly where it hurt. Sage's smile tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Yes, well, sometimes life gets complicated," Sage said with forced cheerfulness.

She made an excuse about traffic and quickly ushered the children to the car. The drive home was filled with their excited chatter about their day, oblivious to Sage's irritation.

When they arrived at the mansion, the maid had already prepared an elaborate dinner spread. Multiple dishes covered the dining table, making it look like a feast.

Both children's eyes widened in amazement as they entered the dining room.

"Sage-mom, did you make all this? That's incredible!" River exclaimed, his mouth dropping open.

"Our old mom only knew how to make gross health food," he added, climbing into his chair.

"Yeah, Sage-mom is the best!" Stone nodded enthusiastically and couldn't wait to sit at the table.

They threw their backpacks, shoes, and jackets all over the entrance hall floor without a second thought. Sage glanced at the mess they had created and her jaw tightened.

She turned toward the maid and barked orders in a low voice, "Are you blind? Don't you know how to clean up?"

Her tone was cold and sharp, completely different from the sweet voice she used with the children.

The children didn't notice the change in her demeanor and laughed along. "Dad pays you to serve us, so can you work faster? Sage-mom shouldn't have to remind you!"

The maid knelt down immediately to pick up River and Stone's scattered belongings without a word of complaint.

Just as she was gathering the last of their things, the front door opened and Kael's voice carried into the house.

"I can smell something amazing the moment I walk in. Did you make such a feast today?"

Sage turned around with a smile spreading across her face. The harsh expression she'd worn moments before melted away completely, replaced by the sweet demeanor Kael expected.

"I don't have much to do at home anyway. Figured I'd make something nice for you guys. It's nothing really."

She smoothed down her dress and walked toward him, her movements graceful and welcoming.

Kael walked in and saw the table full of elaborate dishes, his two sons eating happily, and gentle Sage waiting for him. A wave of contentment washed over him. This was exactly what he'd always wanted - a peaceful home with a loving woman taking care of his family.

He wrapped his arms around Sage's waist from behind, pulling her close. "Thanks for all this, Sage."

"It's really nothing, Kael. I told you I'd take care of you all. This is what I should be doing." Sage spoke softly, leaning back against his chest. She reached up to brush a strand of hair from Kael's cheek. "You should eat too. You must be hungry after such a long day."

"Yeah, okay." He nodded, hung his jacket on the chair back, then casually asked, "Aria hasn't come down yet?"

As soon as he said it, River looked up from his plate and chimed in, "Mom's not here anymore, Dad! You forgot!"

Stone added cheerfully, "Now we only have Sage-mom! And she's way better!"

Only then did Kael remember that I had left. The mate bond severance, the empty house, the strange quietness that had been bothering him. But he still couldn't get used to the fact that I was gone.

Every time he heard about my absence, he felt confused and unsettled. I had loved him so much for so many years. How could I have actually left? It didn't make sense.

His movements paused as if he was remembering something important, then he quickly moved past the topic. "Right. Of course."

But Sage caught every bit of his reaction. The way his face fell slightly. The pause in his movements. The confusion in his eyes. She filed it all away for later.

That night, as soon as Kael entered the bedroom, a warm, soft body pressed against him. Sage had been waiting for him, dressed in her most seductive nightgown.

"Kael, you can't forget Aria, can you?" Her voice was small and vulnerable. "She'll definitely come back in a few days. Just for these few days, you're mine, okay?"

She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. Her hands rested on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

"Sage, I've always been yours." Unable to bear seeing the woman he'd loved for years look so hurt, Kael held her tightly. He pushed aside his strange feelings about me and focused on the woman in his arms.

Sage wore only a thin silk nightgown that clung to her curves and showed off her perfect figure. The fabric was almost transparent in the bedroom lighting. Her hands began wandering over Kael's body, trailing along his chest and shoulders, making his Adam's apple bob continuously.

"I missed you today," she whispered against his neck.

Just as her hand was about to touch his lower abdomen, Kael grabbed her wrist, his voice already husky with desire.

"Sage, you're the one seducing me."

"Maybe I am," she smiled up at him teasingly.

With that, he picked her up easily and threw her onto the bed. She laughed as she bounced on the mattress, her hair spreading out around her like a halo.

Clothes were carelessly tossed to the floor. Kael's shirt landed on the chair. Sage's nightgown was pulled over her head and thrown aside. Soon passionate moans filled the air.

"Kael, yes..."

"You feel so good, Sage."

He moved above her, his hands gripping her waist tightly. Their bodies moved together in perfect rhythm. Sage wrapped her legs around him, pulling him deeper.

"Kael, no more... I can't..."

But Kael didn't want to stop. The stress of work, the confusion about my departure, everything melted away in Sage's embrace. He gripped her waist, leaving countless marks all over her pale skin. Red marks bloomed across her neck and shoulders.

They made love for hours, changing positions, exploring each other's bodies with desperate hunger. Finally, they collapsed together, exhausted and satisfied.

After their passionate night, Sage didn't have the strength to get up the next morning. Her body ached pleasantly, covered in evidence of their lovemaking. Meanwhile, the man beside her had long since left for the office. There was some big business deal these past few days that Kael said he had to handle personally.

The bed was still warm where he'd been lying. Sage stretched lazily, enjoying the luxury of having nothing to do.

She was still half-asleep when someone knocked on the bedroom door. The sound was sharp and intrusive in the quiet morning.

She frowned and reluctantly opened her eyes. "What?!"

Her voice was harsh, completely different from the sweet tone she used around Kael.

"Miss Sage, if you don't take the young masters to school soon, they'll be late," the maid said from outside. Her voice was careful, respectful but urgent.

Taking the kids again! Sage's good mood evaporated instantly.

She rolled over in bed, pulling the covers over her head, and snapped irritably, "Let them go themselves. They know the way."

Outside the door, River and Stone had been waiting eagerly in their school uniforms. They'd gotten themselves ready again, hoping Sage would take them like she had the first few days. But when they heard her words through the door, the hope in their young eyes died.

River's shoulders slumped. "Sage-mom must be really tired. Let's go to school by ourselves today."

"It's okay. Let Sage-mom rest. We're big boys now," Stone said, trying to sound brave as he adjusted his backpack straps.

The maid looked at the four and five-year-old children, her heart aching. They were so small, so trusting. "Let me call Alpha Kael and have the driver come back to take you to school. What if something dangerous happens on the way?"

The school was several miles away through busy streets. It wasn't safe for children so young to walk alone.

River and Stone shook their heads stubbornly. "No, Dad's working. If Sage-mom wants us to go to school alone, it must be to make us stronger. We're going now!"

They ran toward the front door, their small legs carrying them as fast as they could go.

The maid couldn't stop them without using force, and she didn't dare disobey Sage's indirect orders. Inside the bedroom, Sage had already gone back to sleep, not caring about anything else.

She didn't wake up until afternoon and had no particular reaction when the worried maid told her about the morning's events. She just shrugged and asked what was for lunch.

After that, whether for going to or coming from school, Sage was too lazy to drive them. She let both boys get around on their own, rain or shine. Even when Kael was too busy with work to come home for dinner, she was too lazy to have the maid cook proper meals.

She'd eat first, ordering whatever she wanted, then have the maid give River and Stone whatever leftovers remained. Often it was just bread and cold soup.

Only when Kael came home would she return to her previous gentle demeanor. She'd greet him at the door with kisses and warm smiles, asking about his day and making sure he had everything he needed.

As this went on for weeks, even the two children who had always liked Sage couldn't stand this kind of life anymore. They were tired, often hungry, and confused by the dramatic change in her behavior.

After school one day, they came to Sage's room together. They knocked politely and waited for permission before entering.

"What's wrong, River and Stone?"

Sage was lying on the bed, scrolling through her phone. She didn't look up when they entered.

"Sage-mom, can you cook something for us?" River asked quietly, standing at the foot of the bed.

His voice was small and hopeful. He twisted his hands in front of him, looking up at Sage with wide, expectant eyes.

"But it's already so late. Doesn't the maid make breakfast in the morning? Can't you wait until then?" Sage didn't even move from her position sprawled across the bed.

She was still scrolling through her phone, not bothering to look at the children. Her tone was dismissive, as if they were bothering her with something ridiculous.

"But we're really hungry, Sage-mom." Stone's voice was even smaller than his brother's. "The maid only gave us bread today. Don't you love us at all? We're gonna tell Dad!"

He grabbed onto River's shirt for support, his lower lip trembling slightly.

They just wanted to eat one more meal that Sage had supposedly cooked, hoping to recapture those first few days when she'd seemed to care about them. But they didn't expect her face to completely change at the mention of their father.

Her expression shifted from lazy indifference to cold fury in an instant. She sat up from the bed abruptly and walked over to the two children with deliberate steps.

Stone thought his words had worked and started to smile hopefully, but Sage raised her hand without warning and slapped him hard across the face.

The sound echoed through the bedroom like a gunshot.

River jumped in shock and shouted, "Sage-mom, why did you hit him?!"

His voice cracked with disbelief. Stone's hand flew to his cheek, tears immediately springing to his eyes.

But the next second, Sage's other hand came down and slapped River too, just as hard.

Children's skin is tender. Even though they had Alpha bloodline, they were still too young to shift and couldn't handle much pain. Their wolf healing hadn't developed yet.

Even though Sage was just an Omega she-wolf, she hit River and Stone hard enough to make their cheeks red and swollen immediately.

Tears welled up in their eyes, spilling over and running down their bruised faces. Sage spoke without any trace of caring, her voice cold and threatening.

"If you dare say anything to Kael, next time it won't just be going without food. Got it?"

She leaned down so her face was level with theirs, her eyes hard and dangerous.

"I can make your lives much worse than they are now. You think you're hungry? You think you're tired? I can show you what real suffering looks like."

In River and Stone's eyes, Sage had instantly transformed from the gentle woman they'd known into a terrifying monster. They didn't dare fight back and could only nod frantically, agreeing to whatever she said.

"Good. Now dry your tears and act normal." Sage straightened up, smoothing down her hair.

Just then, a familiar voice came from downstairs.

"Sage, River, Stone, I'm home!" Kael's voice carried up through the house as he pushed through the front door.