Jaxon brought Alayah and their child back to the Silver Fang Pack estate, his Alpha aura radiating a cold authority as he declared it was merely a mishap from seven years ago and that he now intended to "do the right thing." He leaned close to me, his towering frame casting a shadow over me, and whispered, his voice low and commanding:

"Pierce is sensitive. Just tell him Zora is adopted so he doesn’t overthink it."

"Alayah has struggled to raise Pierce on her own. I owe her a status. Soon, you’ll join me to finalize the rejection papers, but we can continue with our lives as usual."

I didn’t protest. I completed the rejection formalities, packed my suitcase, and left with my daughter, my heart heavy but resolute. Savannah, one of the pack’s Gammas, tried to convince Jaxon to reconsider, but he dismissed her concerns with a cold smirk:

"She’s in her thirties with a child from another man. Does she really think anyone else would want her once she’s left me?"

But Jaxon was unaware that my long-lost first love, Hudson Edwards, the Alpha of the Northern Frost Pack, had returned from abroad last month. He was still unmated, waiting just for me.

As I dragged my suitcase towards the door, Zora suddenly grabbed my clothing, her small hands trembling.

"Mom, are we really leaving? But... Dad finally promised he’d celebrate my birthday with me."

Her eyes were red with disappointment, and my heart ached. Seven years had passed, and Jaxon promised to celebrate her birthday only once, as a reward for agreeing to be labeled as "adopted."

Suddenly, Jaxon’s frantic voice echoed behind us, his Alpha tone sharp and commanding:

"Zora, come back!"

Excited to hear her father’s call, Zora turned back joyfully. As she did, I saw Jaxon snatch the pendant from her neck, his movements swift and decisive. Ignoring Zora’s shocked expression, he placed it around Pierce’s neck, his Alpha aura radiating approval.

Seeing this, I was furious, my own Luna authority flaring as I stepped forward:

"Jaxon, that pendant was given to Zora by your father on his deathbed; she’s the sole granddaughter of the Simpson family. You can’t—"

Before I could finish, Pierce stormed over and shoved Zora to the ground, shouting tearfully, his voice high-pitched and defiant:

"Dad, I’m the real grandson! My sister can’t take my things!"

Zora lay on the floor, her knee scraped and red, but she bit her lip in silence. As I touched her trembling hand, I recalled the card she crafted at the pack’s school for Thanksgiving, which she timidly handed to Jaxon, hopeful he would appreciate it. She had spent an entire afternoon making it, only for Jaxon to dismiss it and toss it into the trash, his Alpha tone dripping with disdain.

"This kind of thing is useless. Don’t bring it here and waste your time. You’re supposed to study at school."

Yet, he had framed and displayed Pierce’s careless scribble prominently in the living room, his Alpha aura radiating pride. Discovering this, Zora was so upset she couldn’t eat dinner. Jaxon mistook her hurt for jealousy, and not only did he harshly beat her hands with a ruler, but he also reprimanded me for leading the child astray, forcing us both into the basement, his Alpha tone cold and unyielding.

That night, she lay fevered and curled in my arms, tears in her eyes as she whispered:

"Mom, is it because I’m not good that Dad is angry with me?"

I stroked her burning forehead, pounding desperately at the locked basement door, begging Jaxon to call the pack’s healer. Through the gap, I saw his cold, indifferent face, his Alpha aura chilling the air.

"Stop pretending to be pitiful. A slight fever will pass."

The suffocating darkness of the damp basement paled in comparison to Jaxon’s words...

"Mom, it hurts..."

Zora’s trembling voice pulled me back to the present. I stared at Jaxon, who was now praising Pierce as he pinched his cheek, his Alpha aura radiating approval:

"Good job! The Simpson legacy should be carried on by my true heir."

Seeing Zora shaking in pain, Jaxon chuckled, his Alpha tone mocking:

"The drama she puts on is just like her mother!"

As his words fell, Pierce’s face suddenly went pale, and with two streams of blood, he collapsed, lifeless as a log.

"Pierce!" Jaxon’s roar seemed to shake the room, his Alpha aura exploding in a wave of fury. Holding the unconscious boy, he turned to me with a fierce hatred that made me shiver, his Alpha tone dripping with venom. In the chaos, Alayah screamed, stumbling down the staircase, her voice hysterical:

"Clara, what have you done to my son?! Even if you resent me, you can’t harm a child!"

I laughed at the absurdity, my Luna authority flaring as I stepped forward: "Are you serious? I’ve never touched him. Besides, Pierce was the one who pushed Zora. Don’t you dare—"

Before I could finish, Jaxon’s rage interrupted, his Alpha tone commanding:

"Take them away!"

Suddenly, guards seized my arms, their Beta authority pressing down on me. Zora cried, trying to shield me, but she was violently pulled away. Seeing her pinned to the ground, gasping for breath, I fought desperately, screaming in fury, my Luna authority clashing with theirs:

"Jaxon, you monster! Zora is your daughter; how can you—"

In the next instant, something struck the back of my head, and I lost consciousness, immersed in darkness.

I awoke to the sound of Zora's faint, tearful pleas: "Daddy, please... don't make me get another shot..."

I sat up in shock, my heart jolting at the sight before me. The pack healer was holding Zora's delicate arm, drawing blood, the dark red fluid stark against the sterile backdrop.

"Stop!" I shouted, rushing forward, only to be firmly held back by a Delta warrior.

Nearby, Alpha Jaxon stood impassively, while Alayah buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing. The healer, adjusting his glasses, explained, "The young master has acute leukemia and requires a bone marrow transplant. His half-sister is the best donor we have."

Even though Pierce's sudden illness was unrelated to us, Alpha Jaxon didn't hesitate to say, "Let's proceed with the bone marrow transplant surgery as soon as possible."

I trembled with fury at his words. "Alpha Jaxon, have you lost your mind? Zora is only seven years old!"

He gave me a look that made me feel insignificant, his alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight.

"Daddy..." Zora reached out weakly, the needle marks glaring on her pale skin. "I'll be good... Please, stop taking my blood..."

Alpha Jaxon frowned, avoiding her touch, then turned to the healer. "Once the match is confirmed, proceed with the surgery using the top anesthetist," he instructed. Then, chillingly, he added, "For the donor, use the minimum dose of pain relief. Zora's health has always been robust; there shouldn't be any complications."

I was dumbfounded by his heartlessness. To ensure I wouldn't interfere, Alpha Jaxon ordered that I be locked in the pack's basement, forbidding me from leaving the room.

Half a month later, Pierce's surgery was successfully completed. Yet, Zora was left in the basement like a discarded item, her body exploited by Alpha Jaxon. Her arms were covered in needle marks and bruises, and in just two weeks, she had lost around 22 pounds.

She felt weightless in my arms, as fragile as paper. "Mommy, don't... don't worry, I'm okay," Zora whispered, pale but resolutely trying to comfort me despite her pain.

She weakly raised her hand to wipe away my tears and gazed at the small window in the basement.

Outside, fireworks crackled, and laughter from the celebration filled the air. Gently, I laid Zora on the damp, filthy mattress and stood, trembling, peering through the window.

I watched a ribbon float to the ground. Beyond the basement, in the garden of the Silver Fang Pack estate, stood a crowd of guests celebrating Pierce's successful surgery.

"Alpha... today is Miss Zora's birthday. Didn't you promise to spend it with her? How did something so important slip your mind?" Savannah, the pack's housekeeper, hesitantly spoke up at the party.

But Alpha Jaxon coldly replied, "The fortune teller said Zora's birth date clashes with Pierce's, causing his leukemia, and for years, they lived poorly with Alayah, which weakened his health."

"Let's not spoil the celebration with negativity. I'm generous for not sending that girl away. Hasn't she been spoiled enough with good food?"

I felt as though I'd been plunged into an ice cave, my body collapsing backward uncontrollably. At that moment, Zora cried out feebly, her body convulsing as she vomited blood.

"Mommy... I... I hurt," Zora whimpered, sending a cold sweat down my spine. I dashed to the door, pressing the call button frantically.

Alpha Jaxon clearly heard the commotion but continued to ignore it, happily cutting cake with Alayah and Pierce, his face radiating joy.

"Help... someone, please help my daughter!" I cried, pounding on the door, waiting desperately until hurried footsteps finally approached.

Nylah, the maid, quickly unlocked the door, looking anxious as she tried to reason with me. "Luna Clara, the Alpha said no disruptions during the party. Please... don't cause trouble, or we'll all be in hot water."

Hearing the uproar, Alpha Jaxon approached the doorway, his alpha aura flaring. "Clara, can you stop? You're constantly getting on my nerves."

"I only planned to confine you for half a month; apparently, my penalty wasn't harsh enough."

He reprimanded me, intending to scold Zora as well, but stopped abruptly upon seeing her, her face bloodied, curled up on the bed, convulsing uncontrollably.

His pupils contracted violently, his face contorting with fear. For a moment, I thought I saw something in his eyes—hesitation, perhaps even regret. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, detached expression I had come to know too well.