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."

The handover ceremony was packed.

Elders, nobles, alliance leaders, and media reporters all gathered to witness the Silver Moon Pack's Alpha succession.

In front of everyone, I announced that Torin would take over as Alpha. I also transferred all my responsibilities as Luna—business, administration, diplomacy—to him.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, I placed the Wolf Fang Crown on his head.

I unrolled the scroll and read aloud, transferring all the property under my and Damon's name to Torin.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

People marveled at the deep bond between me and my son. Their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Torin.

But then—

Elora arrived late, clinging to Damon's arm.

Under the confused and shocked gazes of the crowd, Elora stepped forward, holding a DNA test report and declared loudly, "Aris, the IVF procedure you underwent back then used the fertilized egg of me and Alpha Damon."

When I didn't respond, she continued, "I am Torin's biological mother. You were just our surrogate. After all these years of letting him call you 'Mom,' it's time you return him to me."

The moment her words landed, the crowd erupted in chaos:

"Isn't she the Omega our Luna sponsored? How could she get involved with the Alpha—and even make Luna a surrogate?"

"This is terrifying. Luna helped her so much, and she repays her like this?"

"She didn't claim him earlier or later, but right after Luna announced the succession. She's clearly after Luna's power and wealth!"

"This is disgusting! Using Luna to bear a child was bad enough, but now eyeing her fortune too? How vicious!"

As the angry voices grew louder, Damon spoke, his tone firm and self-righteous.

"For half my life, I was trapped in an alliance bond between two packs. As an Alpha, I tried to convince myself to honor that responsibility."

"But I have feelings too! Countless sleepless nights, I asked myself, is this really the life I want?"

"Aris is exceptional. She has managed my pack for years and treated both me and my son with great care. But deep in my heart, the one I truly love has always been Elora."

"All I want is to pursue my true love. Is that wrong?"

"What Aris is losing is just money. What I've lost is love!"

Damon's words were filled with bitterness, each sentence a forceful accusation, as if he were a victim of an arranged bond, finally breaking free for true love.

I ignored him.

Instead, I turned to my son, meeting his gaze.

"What do you think, Torin? " I asked calmly.

Torin adjusted the wolf fang crown on his head. His voice was steady but cold.

"Mom, this will be the last time I call you that."

"You raised me well for over twenty years, but the truth is—you're not my biological mother."

"The purity of bloodline is supreme. I hope you won't stand in the way of our family reuniting."

With a loud clang, Torin pulled out a small vial and slammed it on the table.

"Drink this potion I got from the witch," he said coldly.

"Break the bond with my father. Get as far away as possible. Set him free so our family can be together."

"Considering you raised me, I'll give you 100 bucks a month."

The crowd erupted in outrage.

"What kind of family is this? They're monsters!"

"Everyone knows Luna Aris doted on her son! She gave him everything, and the moment he gets it, he turns around and calls someone else ‘Mom'?"

"100 bucks a month? Is he treating her like some Rogue? How can he even say that with a straight face?"

"I can't stand this as an outsider! They're going too far!"

The pack members were furious on my behalf. Some even offered to help me appeal to the Alpha King of the werewolf kingdom for justice.

Despite the uproar, Elora and Damon remained calm, as if they had prepared for any outcome.

Meanwhile, I simply smiled, calm, unshaken.

"Alright."

Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone, I tilted my head back and drank the potion in one go, not even a drop remains.

Seeing this, Elora and Damon were momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

Damon clutched his chest, feeling the bond between us break. He should have been in pain, but instead, he smiled in relief. "It's done. The bond is broken," he confirmed to Elora and Torin.

They all laughed.

Seeing their smug smiles, I laughed too.

"Since you've given me such a big surprise, I have a gift for you in return."

(paywall)