Soon Thane turned sixteen. It was the time when the Alpha of the Pack needed to move out of the Pack for further trial. Elders call it a necessary test. Every Alpha of our Pack had gone through this test before taking the oath of leadership, even I. It's the toughest phase of an Alpha when they leave the Pack with not much money or belonging. Even their survival is at risk because the wolves from the enemy pack and even the rogue wolves keep their eyes on the attack.

As the day was coming near when Thane had to undergo the test, Anna and Theon were getting worried.

“Thane is just a child. Do you think it's wise to send him off, Alpha Elena? Aren't you worried?” Anna asked, the line of concerns were clearly visible on her forehead.

Theon looked attentively at me before asking in a serious voice, “You are the Alpha of the Pack while I’m your Beta. Can’t we do something hidden to help our son? No one will know about it.”

“Dad, Mamma Anna, why are you all so worried about it?” Thane interrupted, looking very confident. So confident that he made me doubt my thoughts about him. But the next words coming out from my lips shattered all my hope towards him.

“Mom is the Alpha of the Pack. She can absolutely convince the elders to not send me away and just hand over the pack to me. I don't need to go through this useless process. I’m the only Alpha the pack has got. Then what's the use of trial?” He added in a carefree tone. Theon chuckled. He exchanged a glance with Anna before strictly scolding Thane as he said, “Your Mom was also the sole heir of the Pack, the only child of her parents, yet she underwent the process. You are not an exception, Thane. You have to follow the rules.”

“That's because she was a woman, Dad. Anyone could challenge her claim. You could even do that if you wanted. But my case is different. I’m the Alpha, the only heir of the pack. Besides, I’m a man. No one can challenge my claim.” He added confidently. Anna and Theon, knowing the whole truth, felt hesitated. They looked guilty and afraid. Thane then walked ahead and said in a cold voice, “Thane, you shouldn't talk about your Mom like that. Apologize to her now.”

“Stop it,” I cut them off as I came between them. I then turned to Thane as I said in a soft voice, “If my son doesn't want to go through the process, then let it be. I can arrange things for him to work out.”

Thane’s eyes lit up in joy. Meanwhile, Theon and Anna looked stunned. Anna blurted out in a concerned voice, “How will you convince the Elders for Thane, then? What if they don't accept him as the Alpha of the Pack?”

“If they will not accept him then who else would they?” I asked while narrowing my eyes, “Clearly, Thane is the only Alpha in the Pack after me. They have to accept him as their Alpha.”

Theon and Anna were not satisfied with my answer. It's because they knew Thane was not an Alpha. But, I didn't want to expose them now. I had other plans in my mind. So, I added, “I’ll send Thane abroad. He can have fun there and learn more skills. As for the Elders, I'll tell them that he is on trial. They will not know the truth about Thane's whereabouts, not even our enemies. He will be safe and fine.”

Theon and Anna took a sigh of relief. I could see them congratulating each other with their eyes. I forged ignorance towards them and busied myself in making arrangements for Thane's departure.

I, Theon and Anna, we all went to drop Thane on Airport. Anna and Theon seemed so reluctant to part with Thane, especially Anna. She kept on reminding Thane to eat on time, not go out in bad company and always tell her about his whereabouts and so on. I watched them from afar, smiling bitterly.

After Thane left, Anna burst into tears. She cried so much that Theon had to console her while pulling her in his embrace. The scene was so dramatic that people stopped by to look at the scene. A few of them even stopped by me and said, “It's really sad to see your children leave for the first time. The couple are looking so sad. Why don't you go and console your sister and brother-in-law? They are looking really hurt.

I didn't reply to them. Instead, I came out and drove back home to attend my meeting with the Alpha of the alliance packs, leaving my husband alone to console the other woman.

As the day of Thane's return from his training abroad approached, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Anna and Theon, on the other hand, were excited, counting down the days until their "family" could be reunited.

On the day of Thane's arrival, Anna and Theon accompanied me to the airport, their lips curled up into smile with excitement. As we waited for Thane to emerge from customs, Anna couldn't stop talking about all the things she had planned for Thane's homecoming.

When Thane finally appeared, Anna and Theon rushed to envelop him in a tight hug, tears of joy rolling down their cheeks. I was standing back with a faint smile on my face while watching the reunion.

After the emotional greeting, Thane turned to me, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he came up to me and said, "Mom, now that I'm back, it's time for you to step down as alpha. I'm ready to take my rightful place as leader of the pack."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Thane's bold declaration.

"Is that so?" I asked in a calm voice.

Thane nodded. He was looking quite confident as he said,"Yes, Mom. I've been trained by the best, and I'm ready to lead our pack to greatness."

Anna and Theon exchanged a meaningful glance, and their faces were flushed with excitement. I, on the other hand, felt a sense of calmness from inside. I had been expecting this moment for a long time, and I was ready.

"Very well, Thane," I said in a firm voice before adding, "I'll call a gathering of the pack elders, and we'll discuss the terms of the leadership transition."

Thane's face lit up with excitement, and Anna and Theon couldn't help cheering and hugging each other in celebration. But I just smiled, my eyes never leaving Thane's face. Little did they know, I had a surprise in store for them.

As we made our way back to our pack's territory, I couldn't help but think about the events that had transpired during Thane's absence. Theon's infidelity with Anna had become more brazen, and I had caught them on several occasions, sneaking around and stealing kisses.

One particular incident stood out in my mind. I had been out on a walk, enjoying the moonlight, when I stumbled upon Theon and Anna embracing in the shadows. They had been so caught up in their passion that they hadn't even noticed me standing there, watching them.

I had felt a pang of sadness and betrayal, but I had pushed it aside, focusing on my plan for the future.

As we arrived at our pack's territory, I could sense the tension in the air. The pack elders were waiting for us, their faces grave with concern.

The elders were not in favor of handing the Pack in Thane's hands. They had observed Thane for years and knew he was incapable of leading the pack. But, I had given a promise to Thane years ago that when he returned, I would convince the elders for his ownership. That's why after his arrival, he seemed impatient. He kept asking me when I was going to announce him the Alpha of the Pack and I knew Theon and Anna were also looking for the day impatiently.

I didn't hang them for long and immediately called a gathering to make the announcement.

The gathering of the pack elders began, and I stood tall, my eyes locked on Thane's. I knew that this was just the beginning of a long and brutal fight, but I was determined to emerge victorious.

In the presence of all the elders and the alphas of our alliance packs, even the Alpha who was. beaten up by Thane years ago, I announced Thane as the next Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack.

Thane's lips curled into a smile. He finally got what he wanted for years. I had fulfilled his one more wish. But, he didn't know it was not that easy. It wasn't a Ferrari he could easily get from me. I silently observed the sunken faces of the Elders. There was a calmness on their face. A kind of calmness you could see before the typhoon and I knew they were going to burst soon.

I stood before the gathering of pack elders, my heart pounding with anticipation. I had called this meeting to announce Thane's ascension to alpha, but I could sense the unease in the air after my announcement.

The room fell silent, with some elders exchanging skeptical glances. One of the elder wolves, a wise and aged wolf who had raised me along with my mother, Lydia, stepped forward.

"Elena, we respect you and your position as alpha, but are you certain Thane is ready to lead our pack?" Lydia asked, her voice laced with concern.

I shot a glance at Thane before I turned to Lydia and said,"Yes, I am certain. Thane has been trained by the best, and he has shown great potential as a leader."

But Lydia was not convinced. She immediately added,"Potential, perhaps, but has he shown the ability to lead? To make difficult decisions and protect our pack?"

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but Lydia continued before I could respond.

"We have all witnessed Thane's... antics. The time he accidentally started a fire in the forest, the time he got into a fight with a rival pack's member without provocation... These are not the actions of a responsible leader."

Other elders nodded in agreement. I remained still, silently observing Thane’s expressions. Meanwhile another elder added, "And what about the time he forgot to attend the gathering of the full moon? A simple mistake, perhaps, but one that shows a lack of respect for our traditions and customs."

Thane tried to speak up in his defense, but the elders would not be swayed. They didn't let him talk as one of them said in a cold voice, “Children should not interrupt when elders are talking, kid.”

Thane's face flushed red in anger, but he shut his mouth, daring not to speak again.

"We understand that you want the best for your son, Elena," Lydia said, her voice firm but gentle. "But we cannot afford to have a leader who is careless and irresponsible. Our pack's safety and well-being depend on it."

The room fell silent once more, and Thane knew that he had lost. The elders would not accept Thane as the next alpha. After making their points, everyone was waiting for my decision. Thane was desperately waiting for me to speak in his favour. I shot a glance at everyone before I finally spoke up.

“My dear elders,” I began, “I believe you all want the best of the pack, and I really appreciate your efforts you have put for the well being of the pack in the past few years. But, I’m your Alpha and you should all respect my decision.”

“I still want Thane to lead the pack from today. I believe he will appear to be a great leader only if you all guide them as you have guided me all these years. Thanks for understanding,” I added.

With that I ended our discussion and let Thane take the oath of ownership. To respect my decision, all the elders bent their knees in front of Thane and accepted him as their Alpha. According to our Pack's tradition, all the elders and the members of the committee, including me, took the oath that we would always listen to the Alpha's command.

Soon after this the main door of the hall was pushed open. Theon and Anna walked inside, matching their outfits while holding each other's arms affectionately. Everyone's eyes grew dark as they saw how shamelessly my beta husband walked in my meeting hall with another woman by his side. I, on the other hand, was standing calm and still.

They stopped by Thane’s side. Anna’s lips curled into a wicked grin as she said excitedly, “Congratulations son, you have become the Alpha of the pack. I’m so proud of you.”

“Watch your tongue, you wicked omega! How dare you call Alpha Thane your son? It's disrespectful to him and his mother, Elena.” Lydia scolded Anna before turning to me as she continued, “I told you to be wary of this omega. She is trying to snatch your son.”

I remained silent on Lydia’s accusations. She had been warning me against Anna for years. Only did she know that I was already aware of everything.

Listening to Lydia’s words, Anna laughed sarcastically. Her laughter came to an abrupt halt as she spoke up in a cold voice, “Snatching Elena’s son? What a joke it is! She is the one who has snatched my son for years, letting me shed tears in loneliness.”

Anna's words caused the uproar in the gathering, everyone whispering into each other's ears and asking questions to Anna.

Thane stepped forward. He looked deeply into Anna's eyes and asked, “Mamma Anna, what's going on?”

Anna then turned to Theon and asked, “Are you going to tell him or I disclose the secret?”