On Thanksgiving Day, Edward Carlson, Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack, found himself embroiled in a scandal when his former lover, Gabrielle Munoz, a rogue werewolf, posted a picture of a bed strewn with rose petals. The caption read: "Thanks to you, my life is complete." The mirror in the image unmistakably reflected Edward’s arm, displaying their matching tattoos—a clear sign of their bond. Amalia Jenkins, Edward’s former mate and an Omega, was livid. She threatened to inform Gabrielle’s husband, Gordon Wells, a Beta in the pack. Panicked, Edward returned to the packhouse, his Alpha aura flaring as he lashed out at Amalia.

"Gabrielle’s mate can’t have pups," Edward growled, his voice sharp with frustration. "I’m just helping her fulfill her dream of becoming a mother. What’s wrong with that?" Even their son, Holden, chimed in, his voice echoing his father’s defiance. "I don’t want you as my mom. I want Aunt Gabrielle instead."

But when Amalia, despite her lowly Omega status, cut off their access to pack resources and sent them packing to Gabrielle, they quickly regretted it. Edward and Holden clung to her, begging not to be abandoned.

Edward stormed into the packhouse, his Alpha presence filling the room as he tossed his coat aside. "Amalia, have you lost your mind? Didn’t I tell you Gabrielle’s mate can’t father pups? I’m just helping her. Do you need to blow this up?"

"Helping her, Alpha?" Amalia’s voice was calm but cutting. "You helped her all the way to bed. If I hadn’t called, would you be in bed together now?" Edward hesitated, guilt flashing in his eyes before his Alpha pride took over. "I was just helping. I don’t have any feelings for her. We’ve been mated for so long—you know what kind of wolf I am."

Amalia observed him, realizing that after years of being his mate, she was only now seeing him clearly. A week ago, Edward had asked for her understanding, explaining Gabrielle’s mate couldn’t have pups and Gabrielle’s dream was to be a mother. Amalia had firmly refused, warning that she’d reject him if he dared. He had promised.

Yet, there he was, with Gabrielle at a hotel. Without Gabrielle’s social media post, Amalia would’ve remained clueless, unknowingly wearing the metaphorical "green hat."

Their son, Holden, overhearing the argument, rushed out of his room. "Why do you always upset Alpha? He’s been working hard for the pack, and you do nothing but spend resources. What right do you have to be mad?"

"Alpha’s just helping Aunt Gabrielle a bit—you taught me helping others is a virtue! You’re an adult and can’t even do that—how can you expect it from me?" Holden scolded Amalia before grabbing Edward’s pant leg and looking up earnestly. "Alpha, what’s going on with Aunt Gabrielle? Will I have siblings soon?"

Amalia was horrified to discover Holden knew—and was okay with it. "Holden, you’re too young to understand what it means for Alpha to sleep with another wolf. Come here," she extended her hand, but Holden slapped it away.

"I understand perfectly. I don’t want you as my mom; I want Aunt Gabrielle. You’re mean and not like Aunt Gabrielle—she buys me treats."

"You never let me eat or play. I hate you!" Amalia’s hand stung from Holden’s slap. Since his birth, she’d cared deeply, making nutritious meals for his fragile health, and banning unsafe activities for his safety. Yet, a single outing with Gabrielle outweighed Amalia’s years of dedication.

"Come on, son, stay with Alpha tonight. Forget your stingy mom."

"Okay, Alpha, Mom’s the bad guy." Holden was indeed Edward’s son—similar in nature and appearance. A well-matched pair.

Anger gripped Amalia until she felt an all-too familiar sensation between her legs. Holden shouted, "Mommy, you’re dirty—you’re bleeding."

***

Visiting Jameson Griffin’s home for the first time, Amalia was anxious. Jameson, a Delta warrior in the Silver Fang Pack, had always been her high school crush. His parents, both respected members of the pack, had once disapproved of her, saying she wasn’t good enough for their son. Now their son was bringing her back—a rejected Omega with a pup. Surely, they’d dislike her even more.

To her surprise, Jameson’s mother welcomed her warmly, shaking her hand and offering coffee, apologizing sincerely. "I was wrong before—too stubborn and prejudiced. You and Jameson should be happy together. I won’t oppose it anymore."

Amalia was bewildered but reassured that it was fine, explaining that everything was done for the pup’s sake, and now she understood better after having a daughter herself. Seeing that Amalia bore no resentment, Jameson’s mother relaxed. "You’re a good wolf; my son has a better eye for wolves than I do."

She offered Amalia a welcome gift—an envelope containing around 14,000 dollars, treating her like a cherished addition to the family. As they were leaving, Amalia asked Jameson, "Why did your mom’s attitude change so drastically?"

Jameson chuckled, "I told her I liked male wolves."

"She believed you?"

"Yeah, with all that happening abroad and no mate in years, she bought it."

Amalia laughed. "I never realized you could be so sly."

"Just give me a kiss, and I’ll show you how devious I can really be."

"Shameless," she said, turning away and blushing.

Genevieve Bailey, the Luna of the Silver Fang Pack, lay in the hospital bed, eight months pregnant and recovering from complications that had nearly cost her and her unborn pup’s lives. The sterile room felt suffocating, the scent of antiseptic mingling with the faint floral notes that lingered on her skin, a mark of her mate bond. Her golden eyes, usually sharp and commanding, were dull with exhaustion as she stared at the figure by her bedside.

Edward Carlson, the Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack, sat in a chair, his towering frame dwarfing the small space. His broad shoulders and chiseled jawline, traits befitting an Alpha, were softened slightly by the quiet focus with which he peeled a pear. The room was heavy with unspoken tension, the weight of their fractured bond pressing down on them both.

Genevieve turned her face away, her gaze fixed on the window. The sight of Edward—her mate, her Alpha—was too much to bear. She could feel her wolf stirring in the back of her mind, a low growl of resentment that matched her own emotions. But she suppressed it, unwilling to let her inner turmoil show.

Edward held out a slice of pear, his deep voice breaking the silence. “Are you feeling alright, Luna?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral, though there was a hint of something softer beneath the surface.

Genevieve hesitated, her fingers twitching as she considered taking the fruit. For a moment, it seemed like he was trying to bridge the gap between them, to repair what had been broken. But before she could respond, their son Holden’s voice cut through the air.

“Mom, you’re just being difficult,” the young pup said, his tone a mix of childish innocence and cruel honesty. “It’s because you’re so fussy that this happened.” He crossed his arms, his small frame mirroring his father’s posture. “My brother and sister don’t want you as their mom either.”

The words struck Genevieve like a blow, and she felt her wolf’s growl rise in her throat. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure. But what hurt more than Holden’s words was Edward’s response.

“The pups notice it, Luna. Why can’t you?” Edward said, his voice firm but tinged with frustration. “You really need to work on calming down.”

Genevieve’s control snapped. She grabbed the pear from Edward’s hand and hurled it at his face, her voice sharp and commanding. “Get out! All of you, get out!”

The fruit hit Edward squarely on the cheek, and he recoiled, his dark eyes flashing with anger. “Fine,” he muttered, standing abruptly. “Come on, Holden. Your mom is being unreasonable.”

As they turned to leave, Holden stuck his tongue out at Genevieve, his childish voice cutting through the silence. “Bad mom, we don’t want you anymore.”

The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Genevieve alone in the sterile room. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to steady herself, but the ache in her chest refused to fade. Her wolf whimpered softly in the back of her mind, a reflection of her own pain.

She thought of Jameson Griffin, the Delta warrior who had stood by her side when Edward’s aggression had become too much to bear. Jameson’s unwavering support and quiet strength had been a lifeline in the storm of her crumbling mate bond. And yet, here she was, still tethered to Edward by the Moon Goddess’s decree.

Genevieve’s hand drifted to her swollen belly, a silent promise to her unborn pup. She would protect them, no matter the cost. Even if it meant severing the bond that once defined her.