In the seventeenth year of my mate bond with Koa Wilson, he was accused of neglecting his Luna and favoring his chosen mate, Sophie Silva. The Lycan King summoned me to his court to address the matter.

As I stepped into the grand hall, a series of thoughts flooded my mind, almost like whispers from my wolf: *The Lycan King despises those who betray their mates. This is your chance to strike back.* *Think of your daughter who died because of that woman. Don’t let them get away with it again.*

I knelt before the Lycan King, tears welling in my eyes as I spoke: "There is no Alpha who does not love his Luna, only a Luna who fails to earn his affection."

The Lycan King’s eyes narrowed, his Alpha aura pressing down on me. "Koa intends to pass his Alpha title to that Omega’s son, and yet you defend him?" His voice was sharp, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his tone. "Speak freely. I will stand by you."

The whispers in my mind grew louder: *He’s giving you the chance to bring Koa down.* *Don’t forget how that woman hurt your daughter.* *You can’t let this go.*

I raised my head, meeting his gaze with a calm smile. "Your Majesty, Koa has never wronged me. As for the title, though the boy is not my blood, he is still Koa’s son. Passing the title to him is not unreasonable."

The Lycan King’s brow furrowed, and he paced the room, his Alpha aura rippling with confusion. "As a mother, would you really sacrifice your own children’s future for that man?"

"Alpha and Luna are one," I replied softly. "Koa’s will is mine."

The Lycan King sighed deeply, his Alpha tone softening. "You may leave."

As I stood to go, I added, "Your Majesty, Koa is innocent. May he return home soon? The children miss him dearly."

The Lycan King waved me off without another word, but as I stepped out of the hall, his Beta approached me. "The King has agreed to release Alpha Koa."

"Thank you," I said, my heart lifting. "We’ll go to the pack’s holding cells to bring him home."

The car was prepared with fresh clothes for Koa, and I had asked my Beta to pack some food for the journey. When we arrived, Koa emerged, disheveled but unharmed.

"Calliope?" His voice was hoarse, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I hurried to him, draping the clean jacket over his shoulders, my tears falling freely. "Let’s go home."

He grasped my hand, his own eyes red. "The Beta told me you spoke for me before the King. I... I don’t deserve you."

I smiled, squeezing his hand. "We’re family. There’s no need for such words."

When we arrived at the pack house, Sophie Silva and her son, Palmer, were waiting at the entrance.

"Father!" Palmer called out.

"Koa," Sophie whispered, her voice trembling.

They rushed to him, wrapping him in their arms, while my children, Zendaya and Luke, stood to the side, bowing respectfully. "Father, welcome home."

Koa barely acknowledged them, his attention fixed on Sophie. "Don’t cry, Sophie. You’ll make yourself ill."

Sophie sniffled, her voice pitiful. "It’s just... Birdie has been sick, missing you so much."

Koa turned to me, his Alpha tone sharp. "How could you let this happen? You’re supposed to care for the children!"

Zendaya stepped forward, her voice steady. "Mother has been preoccupied with your case. You can’t blame her."

Koa looked away, his tone softening. "You all go inside. I’ll check on Birdie."

He took Sophie’s hand and hurried off, leaving us standing there.

My Beta muttered under his breath, "Alpha Koa’s loyalty is to the wrong person."

I watched them walk away, a small smile playing on my lips. "He’s just being a good father."

The whispers in my mind returned, sharp and unyielding: *Don’t let him off so easily.* *You’re too kind for your own good.* *They don’t deserve your forgiveness.*

But I brushed them aside. For now, I had a family to hold together.

The night deepened, and still, there was no word from Alpha Koa about whether he would come.

"Mother, you should eat something. Father probably won’t be joining us," Luke said, his voice steady but tinged with disappointment.

I reached out to brush a stray hair from his forehead. "Your mentor says you’ve been excelling in your pack training lately."

"He’s being too generous," Luke replied humbly. He had always been diligent, blessed with natural talent, and never gave me reason to worry.

"Training is important, but so is respect for your Alpha. He’s your father. You mustn’t resent him."

Luke lowered his gaze, silent for a moment before looking up again. "I’ll go pay my respects to him now."

"Take the pastries with you," I instructed, motioning to the box Uriel handed him. "Your father’s favorites."

"Don’t mention they’re from me," I added softly. "He doesn’t care for anything I prepare."

Luke tightened his grip on the box, a flicker of resentment barely visible in his eyes. As he stepped out, Zendaya entered, her energy drained.

"Mother," she greeted, sinking onto the couch beside me.

"Why are you back so soon?" I asked, concerned.

She sighed. "They were so happy together—him, Sophie, and their pups. I felt out of place."

I brushed her cheek gently. She and her twin sister, my firstborn, had been so alike yet so different. Zendaya was vibrant where her sister had been reserved.

"Mother, do I really have to go through with this mark ceremony with Yosef?" she asked, tears welling in her eyes.

"Yes," I replied firmly. "It’s been decided by your father. You cannot defy him."

"But he knows how I feel about Sylas," she protested, her voice breaking. "He wouldn’t force Birdie into a match she didn’t want, yet he’s tearing me away from my mate."

"Sylas is already marked to Birdie," I reminded her gently. "Your father favors them, but you must not speak against him."

She pouted, tears spilling over as she nodded reluctantly. Her ceremony with Yosef was set for the third of next month, barely a week away.

"Come, try on your ceremony dress," I urged, hoping to lift her spirits.

Her tears slowed as she caught sight of the dress. "It’s stunning," she whispered.

Ten seamstresses had worked on it for over a year, finishing just yesterday. She was my only daughter now, and I wanted her to have the best.

"Mother, you’re so good to me," she said, her voice softening. "But sometimes I feel like Father always comes first for you, and it makes me jealous."

I smiled, cupping her face. "Life is long, my dear. Don’t focus only on what’s in front of you."

She looked at me, puzzled but thoughtful.

The day of her ceremony arrived. Birdie watched as the procession of gifts was carried out, envy burning in her eyes.

Koa approached me, his tone clipped. "I thought the pack’s resources were strained. How is Zendaya’s dowry so lavish?"

"These were prepared by my grandfather long ago," I explained calmly. "They arrived only yesterday. Even I was surprised."

His expression darkened, but he said nothing. I swallowed my sorrow as I watched Zendaya leave, her new life beginning.

The ceremony was modest. Koa’s recent fall from the Lycan King’s favor meant few high-ranking pack members attended. Only a handful of his old allies showed, though Kevin Hughes, his mentor and the pack’s Gamma, sent a gift. Koa smiled through it all, but his clenched fists betrayed his frustration.

I couldn’t bear to see him like this. "You’re a gifted Alpha," I reassured him. "The King will see your worth again. Don’t let this setback trouble you."

He nodded, some of the tension easing from his shoulders.

Three days later, Zendaya returned for her first visit.

"How is Yosef treating you?" I asked.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. "He’s kind," she admitted.

Yosef’s father was the Beta of the Northwest Pack, a lineage of loyalty. His aunt was the Lycan Queen. Zendaya had stepped into her role as Luna gracefully.

"My father-in-law is very accommodating," she added. "He’s excused me from most formal duties."

Yosef had lost his mother young, and Zendaya took on the responsibilities of Luna without hesitation.

"But, Mother," she leaned into me, her voice trembling, "I still can’t forget Sylas. I love him."

I glanced at Uriel, who quickly dismissed the others. From behind the screen, a figure emerged.

"Sylas?" Zendaya gasped.

"Only someone who looks like him," I clarified.

I smoothed her hair, now styled for her new role. "This is my gift to you. He’s been given a serum to prevent marking. Yosef and his father will soon be away on a mission with the Lycan King. You may indulge yourself, but promise me one thing."

"What?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"When Yosef returns, you must let go of Sylas completely. Be the Luna your pack needs."