"My Alpha, if your Luna knew that the embryo transplanted into her womb was actually our fertilized egg, she was just our surrogate, she'd probably be so furious to kill herself, right?" Elora gasped.

My mate, Damon, the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, was kneading Elora's breasts. "I don't like her either. But if she dies, who's going to manage my pack? You little minx," Damon chuckled, pulling her from the front and ruthlessly pounded into her from behind. "So, we have to keep this a secret. When our child is born and inherits my Alpha position, we'll deliver the final blow to her."

I pretended not to know.

I gave birth to the child and raised him with great care.

Twenty-two years later, after my son Torin completed his studies, we handed over the Alpha position and all my wealth to him.

At the succession ceremony, in front of the elders, nobles, and alliance leaders, Elora walked in arm-in-arm with my mate, holding a DNA paternity test report up to me. "Torin is the biological son of Damon and me. Now, it's time to return him to me."

My son pulled out a small vial, said to me mercilessly, "This is a potion I got from a witch. Drink it now, break the mate bond with my father, and get as far away as possible."

I smiled slightly, "Alright."

"Darling, aren't you supposed to be at the alliance meeting today? Why are you still busy in the study?" Damon walked up behind me and began massaging my shoulders, just like he used to, asking gently.

I closed my laptop, looked up, and smiled. "Torin's teacher mentioned he's been coughing a bit lately. I contacted the most renowned pediatric healer and scheduled an examination tomorrow."

"Every time Torin has the slightest sniffle, you worry so much," Damon said, touching my hair with a moved expression. "When Torin grows up, he'll definitely take good care of you."

I looked at Damon and replied matter-of-factly, "I'm Torin's mother. Who else should I care for if not him?"

Damon smiled tenderly. "Darling, finding you as my Luna and raising a child with you is the greatest happiness of my life."

As I met Damon's loving gaze, I smiled faintly but said nothing.

Damon and I had been in love for three years and bound as mates for seven.

Ten years had passed, filled with countless memories.

When I first met him, he was the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, and I was the daughter of the Alpha of the Golden Moon Pack. After our packs formed an alliance, mine merged into his. I took on all the managerial responsibilities, while he spent his days lazing around, carefree.

I often asked myself why I married someone less capable than me. Was it simply because he provided emotional comfort?

Was it because I believed he loved me?

When I was sick or exhausted, he took care of me with utmost tenderness.

Whether it was a special occasion or just an ordinary moment, he always surprised me.

In moments of passion, he would hold me tightly and whisper that he would love me forever.

"Aunt Elora, you're finally here!"

The sound of my son's excited voice suddenly rang out in the living room.

I immediately stood up and walked out of the study. There, I saw Elora stepping through the front door. She skillfully picked up my son and kissed his cheek affectionately. "Little Torin, did you miss me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Elora suddenly noticed me standing at the doorway, watching her. Her smile froze, and her expression instantly turned uneasy.

Before she could say anything, Damon quickly stepped forward to explain. "Dear, there's a jungle-themed parent-child event at Torin's kindergarten today. I thought you were busy with work, so I didn't mention it to you. I specifically asked Elora to come and help out."

Hearing this, Elora hurriedly put Torin down and nervously added, "Yes, yes, My Luna. You've supported me for so many years, and I've always been grateful to you. I wanted to repay your kindness. As soon as Alpha Damon called me, I rushed over."

Seeing her flustered attempts to cover up, I couldn't help but recall the day Torin was born.

Back then, also on the pretext of visiting a newborn baby, Elora accompanied Damon and waited for me to give birth at the healer lodge.

She was very excited, walking back and forth in the hallway, her hands constantly rubbing together.

The moment I gave birth, she was the first to rush over and cling to my son, her eyes red with excitement.

The midwife, seeing her reaction, couldn't help but joke, "Who are you to the child? You look even more excited than the mother!"

At that time, Elora had worn the same guilty expression, her eyes darting around nervously.

Now, seeing my silence, Elora continued to explain, "My Luna, I just thought Torin was so adorable that I couldn't help but kiss him. You... you won't blame me, will you?"

I smiled gently and replied calmly, "Of course not. I've been so busy with work that I've neglected my family. I should be thanking you for helping me take care of Torin."

Hearing this, both Elora and Damon visibly relaxed.

Meanwhile, Torin ran up to me, his innocent eyes wide as he asked, "Mom, are you going to the meeting today, or are you coming to kindergarten with me and Dad?"

I patted his head and asked, "What does little Torin want Mommy to do?"

Without hesitation, Torin replied, "I want Mommy to go to work, and then Aunt Elora and Dad can take me to kindergarten!"

Seemingly afraid of his son's blabbering, Damon immediately held his son in his arms and explained to me, "Dear, Torin just doesn't want to disturb your work. Last time, he even said you've been working too hard and told me not to bother you unless it's important!"

"Torin is such a thoughtful child," Elora chimed in, nodding. "Only someone as exceptional as Luna Aris could raise such a well-behaved son."

I smiled at Torin and said, "Then we'll do as Torin says."

Hearing this, Torin jumped up and down with joy, completely forgetting about me as he grabbed Elora and Damon's hands and pulled them toward the door.

Watching the happy scene of their little family, I smiled indifferently.

Aris, how can you still smile at a time like this? My wolf pressed her paws down, tilting her head to ask me.

I can smile. The happier they are now, the harder they'll cry later!

It seemed she thought I was especially easy to deceive, never able to sense anything unusual, Elora became increasingly bold.

She used to secretly meet with Damon only when I was at work, but now, even when I was home, she would find all sorts of excuses to come over.

"Luna Aris, I've been teaching myself to cook lately. I wanted to come over and make something delicious to thank you for supporting me all these years."

"Luna Aris, these are herbs from my hometown. They help with wound healing. I brought them especially for you."

"Luna Aris, I want to start a small business and need some initial funding. Could you help me out again?"

......

Although I knew perfectly well that Elora’s real reason for visiting was to see Torin and Damon, I never refused her.

Every time she came over, I welcomed her politely. Whenever she asked for help, I obliged without hesitation.

Damon was quite pleased with this situation. Whenever Elora showed up, he couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes, he would even flirt with her right in front of me, exchanging subtle glances and secret signals.

Even Torin grew increasingly attached to Elora.

This continued until the day of Torin’s succession test for the Alpha.

On the day of the exam, Elora arrived at our house early in the morning to wait for the results with us.

When Torin’s ridiculously poor test scores came in, Damon’s brows furrowed in anger. "How could your scores be this low?!"

His son shrugged indifferently. "So what? I’m the Alpha’s only son. Even if I’m a complete failure, the Alpha position is still mine."

"You can't keep acting like this, no matter how much your mother spoils you!" Damon shot me a subtle glance. Seeing that I remained silent, he continued, "It’s not easy for her to manage the pack alone. You need to step up! Otherwise, how will you help her in the future? How can we trust you to take over the pack one day?"

"Torin, your father is right. This position will definitely be yours, but you still need to prove yourself. " Elora chimed in earnestly. "Otherwise, how will you earn the respect of the elders and nobles once you become Alpha?"

Watching the two of them echo each other's words, I smiled faintly and said calmly, "It's fine. I've already planned everything for Torin. I’ll send him to one of our allied packs for further training. Everything I have will be left to Torin. Once he returns, it will be only natural for him to take over the position."

Hearing this, all three of them smiled in satisfaction.

I smiled too.

They were laughing at how foolish I was.

I was laughing at how naive they were.

The day Torin departed, we stood at the front door to see him off. Damon held his hand tightly, his face filled with reluctance.

Elora came too, bringing a pile of supplies for Torin, as if terrified he would struggle alone in a foreign land.

They both fussed over him, reminding him again and again to take care of himself. The scene was warm, emotional, and touching.

Even after Torin got in the car, they chased after it as it drove off. Tears filled their eyes as they watched until the car disappeared.

After Torin left, Elora stopped visiting as often.

But Damon started going out more.

When he returned, he always looked exhausted, as if completely drained.

I asked where he had been. He said he was meeting friends. Sometimes he said he went hunting.

When I asked where the prey was, he said he’d given it away.

When he couldn’t find an excuse, he sighed and said, "I raised Torin with my own hands. He’s never been away from me for so long. I can't stop missing him." After a pause, he added, "If I don't keep busy, I'll break down."

He really didn’t know I could see through the mind-link. I knew he was with Elora.

I ignored the scent of her bluebell perfume on him. I smiled and comforted him. "Torin will be back soon. When he returns, our family will be reunited."

Damon smiled faintly. His voice was low. "Yes... very soon, the three of us will be together again."

Four years later, Torin returned from his studies in the allied pack.

Elora, who we hadn’t seen in a long time, came over early in the morning, just like before. She joined Damon and me to pick up our son.

The moment they saw Torin, Elora and Damon couldn’t hold back. They rushed forward, holding him tightly, ignoring everyone else.

The three of them cried together.

After they finished pouring out their emotions, Torin walked straight to me.

"Mom, I’m back," he said bluntly, "When will you hold the Alpha succession ceremony?"

Seeing his eager expression, I smiled gently. "Come. I've already prepared the ceremony. Soon, in front of everyone, I will hand everything over to you."