It was already past ten in the evening.

Thea Gonzales sat on the couch in Alpha Xavier Ford’s office, her laptop perched on her knees as she organized the financial statements for the pack. The expansive floor-to-ceiling windows behind her reflected the city lights, casting shimmering glimmers across the glass facades of the skyscrapers—like countless eyes silently observing the bustling world below. The faint hum of the city outside was a stark contrast to the heavy silence between them.

Alpha Xavier sat quietly at his desk, his broad shoulders tense beneath his tailored suit. His piercing eyes occasionally darted over to Thea, the weight of his Alpha aura pressing subtly against her. Eventually, unable to hold back, he spoke, his voice low and commanding. "Kian isn’t the right fit for you."

Thea paused her typing, her fingers hovering over the keys. "Why do you think that, Alpha?" she asked, her tone deliberately neutral.

"He’s too young," Xavier replied, his gaze unwavering. The authority in his voice was unmistakable, the Alpha tone leaving no room for argument.

"Addilyn is younger," Thea countered, her voice steady despite the tension thickening the air.

"Men and women aren’t the same," Xavier shot back, his jaw tightening.

Thea smirked, though there was no humor in it. "Isn’t it all just about compatibility? Younger wolves have more energy, and sometimes even more experience—who wouldn’t appreciate that?"

Xavier’s grip on the stack of papers in his hand tightened, the edges creasing under the pressure. His eyes grew sharper, more intense, the Alpha aura flaring around him like a storm. "Have you been with him?"

Thea closed her laptop with a decisive click. "I’ve sent the report to your email, Alpha. Take a look at your convenience. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out."

She stood, smoothing her skirt, and walked toward the door, her posture straight and unyielding. As she stepped into the hallway, Thea caught sight of a figure in a pink coat disappearing around the corner.

It was Addilyn Freeman.

Thea recognized that pink coat from photos on Addilyn’s social media, which meant...

Their entire conversation had been overheard from the doorway.

Thea’s stomach twisted, but she kept her expression neutral. She knew better than to let her emotions show, especially in the heart of the pack’s den where prying eyes and sharp ears were everywhere. Her wolf stirred within her, a low growl of frustration echoing in her mind, but she pushed it down, focusing on the steady rhythm of her steps as she made her way to the elevator.

The city’s night air greeted her as she stepped outside, the coolness a welcome relief from the suffocating tension of the Alpha’s office. She took a deep breath, the faint scent of rosemary—her unique mate scent—lingering in the air, a cruel reminder of what once was. But she didn’t linger on it. Thea Gonzales had long since learned to walk forward, even when the past threatened to pull her back.

Celine’s birthday arrived swiftly. She had been persistently asking the Alpha during their video calls to get her a fairytale-themed cake. So, early that morning, Xavier showed up with a cake adorned with whimsical decorations, along with bags full of gifts and treats. His towering frame filled the doorway, his Alpha aura commanding even in its quiet intensity. Thea noted the way his muscles rippled beneath his tailored shirt, a reminder of the power he wielded as the pack’s leader.

While Thea was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch, father and daughter played with Lego sets in the living room. Celine hadn’t been this joyful in a long time, and her laughter filled the air, a rare sound of innocence in the otherwise tense household. Thea watched them from the kitchen, her heart aching at the sight of Xavier’s broad shoulders hunched over the tiny blocks, his deep voice softening as he entertained their pup.

When it was time to eat, Celine clasped her little hands together, closed her eyes earnestly, and made a wish before blowing out the candles. Her tiny fangs peeked out as she smiled, a reminder of her growing wolf heritage.

"Mom, can you guess what I wished for?" Celine asked, tugging at Thea’s hand.

Thea pretended to ponder, "Did Celine wish for a pair of Cinderella slippers?"

Celine shook her head with a cheeky grin, then grabbed her parents’ hands, pressing them together. "I wish for Mommy and Daddy to always stay by my side."

Looking at Celine’s innocent smile, Thea felt a lump in her throat. The smile on Xavier’s face wavered slightly, his Alpha composure cracking for just a moment. His dark eyes flicked to Thea, a shadow of guilt passing over his features before he masked it with his usual stoic expression.

Celine carefully cut the cake into three slices, taking one for herself and giving the others to Thea and Xavier. She savored her piece with enthusiasm, getting frosting all over her face. But suddenly, her expression turned pained, and she began to cough violently.

"Celine!" Thea cried out in alarm, quickly pulling Celine into her arms. Her maternal instincts surged, her body tensing as she felt her pup’s distress.

Celine was scratching at her face, neck, and arms. "Mommy, I’m so itchy... Mommy..." she whimpered, her breathing becoming increasingly labored.

These symptoms had appeared once before when Celine first ate peanuts! Thea’s eyes darted to the cake, her wolf bristling with fury. She turned to Xavier, her voice sharp and accusing, "Alpha, you knew Celine was allergic to peanuts, yet you brought a cake that contains them!"

Xavier’s face paled, his Alpha aura flickering with unease. "The cake was ordered by Addilyn. I had no idea this would happen."

Addilyn Freeman. The name alone was enough to ignite Thea’s rage. Her wolf snarled in the back of her mind, a low growl of warning. Once again, it was Addilyn—her mate, her replacement. Thea’s hands tightened around Celine, her protective instincts surging as she glared at Xavier, her voice trembling with barely restrained fury.

Thea’s mind raced, her wolf pushing her to act, to protect their pup. But she forced herself to remain calm, focusing on Celine’s labored breathing. She would deal with Xavier and Addilyn later. For now, her pup needed her.