Evelyn's POV

"Dr. Blackwell, would you mind if we stay overnight?" Beta Zeon asked.

I was annoyed by Calvin's attitude, but Rhys had just recovered from his fever and risked relapsing. Otherwise, I would have certainly thrown them all out.

Seeing Calvin's growing impatience for my answer, I finally nodded. "Fine, you can stay. But just for one night. You'll need to make other arrangements tomorrow."

"We don't want to stay here either," Calvin interrupted, anger evident in his voice. "If it weren't for this storm, we wouldn't be bothering you at all."

"Whatever!" I replied dismissively. "Maria, show them to the rooms on the north side of the villa."

I walked toward the door without looking back. Suddenly, a monitor crackled to life, and Alexis's cry cut through the air.

I froze, then rushed out the door with worry written across my face.

"Was... was that a child crying?" Beta Zeon gasped. "I thought Dr. Blackwell lived alone! Are there other patients here?"

"My apologies for any inconvenience," Maria bowed slightly to Beta Zeon. "Madam has baby monitors installed throughout the house because ouroften needs her mother's care."

I went back to the room to lull Alexis to sleep, and without realizing it, I had fallen asleep myself.

When morning arrived, I woke to my daughter's sweet kisses. My little cub was never fussy upon waking, just lay quietly beside me, gazing up with those big eyes.

I changed Alexis's diaper and dressed her in a soft pink dress before carrying her downstairs.

Niana took Alexis from my arms and placed her in the baby chair.Maria came over and said,"Last night,Rhys vomited, but his condition remained stable. Mr. Calvin cleaned everything up and changed the boy's clothes himself."

"Calvin stayed up all night taking care of Rhys?" I asked.

Maria nodded.

It was almost impossible to picture Calvin, the proud, untouchable Alpha, raising our sons on his own. But had he really been taking care of them by himself for the past three years?

The Moon Goddess knows it couldn't have been easy.

Then again, he made his choice the day he brought Clara back and told me to leave. He replaced me without hesitation.

"Madam, breakfast is ready. Shall I invite our guests to the table?" Niana asked gently.

No matter how much I loathed Calvin, some courtesies still mattered. I gave her a small nod.

The medicine I'd given worked faster than expected. After a full night's rest, Rhys's fever had finally broken.

At the breakfast table, both boys sat quietly, their eyes flickering between me and Alexis. Uncertainty clouded their young faces.

"That woman looks like Mom," Rowan whispered to his brother, just loud enough for me to hear.

Rhys's face filled with a mix of anger, confusion and pain.

"But what about that little girl?" he snapped. "And Mom left us before. She's a bad woman!"

His words hurt me, but I tried to act like I didn't hear them.

Little Alexis was sitting in her baby chair, drinking milk. She was looking at the new people at our breakfast table. When she finished her milk, she gave her bottle to Calvin, who was sitting next to her.

Alexis was just two years old. She could only say a few words, but we could always understand what she meant.

"Take," Alexis said.

I tried to take my daughter's bottle, but Calvin reached for it too. Our hands touched for a moment. I quickly pulled my hand away. Even a small touch from him still made me feel strange.

Alexis thought we were playing a game. She held Calvin's finger and put her small hand on his. Calvin looked at my face, then at our daughter's face.

Alexis soon became interested in something else. She let go of Calvin's hand and waved to Rowan and Rhys who were sitting across from us.

"Brothers, play," she said in a sweet voice.

I held Alexis and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy will play with you now," I said gently.

While I was holding my daughter, I saw Rowan's sad face. He looked like he wanted something he couldn't have. Rhys turned away and wouldn't look at us. These boys had no mother for many years, and I knew they missed having a mother's love.

Calvin's face became hard when he saw how sad his son looked. When he looked at me, his eyes were cold, just like they always were during our mateship.

After breakfast, Calvin and his beta went to find a way to leave because of the bad weather.

I didn't ask the boys to stay longer. Even though we hadn't seen each other for years, and they didn't seem to like me, they were still my children. As their mother, it made me sad to see them so distant from me.

But something didn't feel right. I looked at the heavy rain outside and felt worried. I had a bad feeling.

While I was making coffee, I saw something move. It was Rowan. He was slowly coming out of his room with his favorite toy car. He was trying to get closer to where Alexis was playing.

My little girl, sitting in her enclosure, waved her chubby hands excitedly. "Brother!" she called out.

When I turned around, I saw Rowan standing near Alexis's play area. He looked down shyly when I saw him.

"Dad bought me this new toy car," he said quietly. "I want to give it to my sister."

When he saw I wasn't angry, Rowan held out the car to Alexis. "Here, little sister. This is for you."

Alexis walked to the edge of her play area. She reached for Rowan's hand, wanting him to play with her.

Suddenly, Rhys shouted, "Don't give it to her, brother!"

Calvin came back when he heard Rhys shouting. He looked angry and walked quickly to his crying younger son.

Alexis was holding the toy car in my arms. She didn't understand why this new brother was crying so loud.

Rowan tried to comfort his brother, but Rhys pushed him away. Rowan fell to the floor.

"I don't want brother anymore! Go play with the bad woman's daughter!" Rhys wailed.

Calvin helped Rowan up. Then he spoke seriously to Rhys."Rhys! She is your mother. Say sorry to her and your brother."

But Rhys kept crying."No! She's not my mom! She doesn't love me! Dad, I want Aunt Clara! Can you take me to Aunt Clara?Rowan likes the bad woman's daughter, he's a traitor!"

Calvin looked angry and was about to punish Rhys, but I spoke first.

"Calvin, Rhys is right. I'm not a good mother," I said softly. "It's daytime now. Please leave my house." As a wolfless Omega, many werewolves had said mean things about me. But hearing these words from my own son hurt me deeply.

I was telling them clearly that they should go.

The storm was still very bad. It was even worse than before. We could hardly see anything outside the windows. It was not safe to drive.

Calvin was surprised that I was so cold to them. His Alpha power suddenly felt very strong and cold.

Calvin was born into a powerful pack. He was very successful in everything he did.

Except our mateship, which only lasted five years.

His eyes became cold. "Evelyn, they are your children! How can you make them leave in this storm?"

He sounded angry as he pulled at his shirt collar. As an Alpha, he didn't like being ordered around or told what to do. It rubbed him the wrong way.

"Evelyn, Rhys were just sick with fever. Rhys didn't mean what he said. Can't you forgive a seven-year-old child?"

Then Rowan spoke. "Dad, I gave my new car to my sister. Rhys's car is at home. He thought I gave his car away, that's why he got mad."

Calvin always bought his sons any toys they wanted. When he learned that Rhys was crying about a toy car, he looked angry.

"Rhys, your brother can choose who to play with his toys. You shouldn't cry like this."

Little Alexis didn't understand what the adults were saying. But when she heard "toy car", she became interested. She moved away from me and walked to Rhys with the car in her hands.

She tried to give the car to him. "Brother, play," she said sweetly. She thought this would calm him down.

But Rhys surprised everyone. He turned away and cried even more.

Alexis always felt better when I hugged her when she cried. So she put the toy car on the table and went to hug Rhys. She softly patted his back with her small hand.

"Brother, no cry," she said kindly.

Evelyn's POV

Rhys was not used to being comforted by a younger child. He hugged his father shyly and said quietly, "But I'm not your brother."

His words made everyone feel uncomfortable.His words implied that I, the bad woman, didn't even acknowledge him as my son.

Alexis didn't understand what Rhys meant. She looked at Calvin with confusion. Then she turned away and took her candy jar to me.

"Mommy, I want candy," she said.

I touched her head softly and gave her one piece of candy. Before I could pick her up to go upstairs, she ran to Rowan and gave him her candy.

"This is for my brother," she said.

This candy was Alexis's favorite sweet treat. I only let her have one piece every day. To her, it was the most delicious thing in the world.

I stopped moving when I saw her give candy to Rowan so easily. She had never been so friendly to other children before.

Alexis saw Rhys looking at her. She thought he wanted candy too and offered her candy to him.

But Rhys hit the candy away angrily. "I don't want candy from a bad woman!" he said.

Calvin looked angry at his son's bad behavior. "Rhys! That's very rude. When your sister gives you candy, you should say thank you."

Rhys lowered his head. He looked at Alexis and then at me. He spoke very quietly.

"Thank you, sister."

Kind Alexis laughed happily. She took her whole jar of candy and gave it to Rowan.

"All this is for my brother," she said with a smile. She really liked this brother who played cars with her!

Rowan was very surprised. He held the candy jar and looked at her with big eyes.

Alexis pulled Rowan's shirt and said, "Brother, you need to say 'Mommy'!"

Rowan looked at me. He seemed shy and uncomfortable.

Little Alexis didn't like that Rowan waited so long. In her mind, she always had to say "Mommy" before she could get candy. She didn't understand how her brother could eat candy without saying "Mommy" first.

She held Rowan's hand and brought him to me. She pointed to the candy, then to me, and said "Mommy" again.

Finally, Rowan's face turned red. After waiting for a while, he said very quietly, "Mommy."

When I heard this word, I felt very emotional. I had wanted to hear it for many years. My eyes filled with tears. I had to look up to stop myself from crying. After I felt better, I gave him a small nod.

Alexis smiled happily.

She didn't know about the difficult feelings between the grown-ups and her brothers. She just knew that candy made people happy.

Rhys saw that his brother had a whole jar of candy, but he had none. This made him feel bad. He kept looking at me and thinking. if he called me "Mommy," would he get a jar of candy too? Rowan took a candy from the jar. He opened it and gave it to Alexis. Then he took one for himself and put the jar back on the table.

Rowan gave his candy to Rhys and said, "Brother, you can have mine."

Calvin was always kind to his children. He touched Rhys's head gently and said, "Rowan, you should eat your own candy. Your sister gave it to you. Rhys will get his own candy."

Since they were small, both boys always got the same amount of everything.

Alexis came back to me. She watched as Calvin told Rhys to say sorry.

Rhys quickly said sorry to Rowan.

But when he had to say sorry to me, Rhys looked very uncomfortable. He spoke very quietly and couldn't look at me.

"I'm sorry for calling you a bad woman," he said softly.

He wanted to say "Mommy" but couldn't. He kept looking at me. He hoped I would hug him like I used to. But I didn't move.

I only looked at Alexis in my arms. I could see that this made Rhys feel more and more sad.

Calvin's POV

I watched Rhys as he stood rigidly, staring at Evelyn without moving, his eyes filled with hurt.

In that moment, my heart ached more than I expected..

Last night, he had a fever.In his sleep, he kept calling out "Mom". His voice was weak and shaky. It seemed like he was looking for his mother even while sleeping.

I softly touched his head and said to him,"Don't worry. Mom will be here when you wake up. Please go to sleep now."

I had always lied to him before. But this time, she was really here. Only, I didn't know if she would even look at him again.

For three years, Rhys never mentioned her, but I knew he was always waiting.

Unlike Rowan who showed his emotions openly, Rhys kept all his longing buried deep inside. Like me, he was silent, but never forgot.

Evelyn held the little girl tightly, as if ready to flee at any moment.

This house had me and our sons, yet seemed filled with a past she didn't want to face.

I saw Rowan looking at Alexis, his eyes soft and longing.

Alexis called him "brother" and offered him candy; he really liked this little girl.

He looked at Evelyn, wanting to say something, but said nothing and lowered his head, as if completely giving up.

I recognized that look.

He was thinking. Does Mom like that little girl more? Does she not want Rhys and me anymore?

And I was wondering too.Was that child hers with another man?

Did she already have a new family? Did she abandon us for another man?

But on the day she rejected me, I never got the chance to explain.

She was a wolfless Omega. For any Alpha, this type of mate was considered wrong, particularly for one bearing the responsibility of a pack like myself.

My mother repeatedly pressured me to give her up.

"She can't even shift. Having her as your mate will make other packs look down on you. She's not worthy of the position."

Zeon, my Beta and friend, remained silent for a long time after learning I married her. When he finally spoke, his words were measured. "She's not suitable to be Luna, but this marriage can strengthen the alliance, so I suppose it's worth it."

The choice of his words stung. He spoke of worth and alliance, but never once mentioned happiness or love.

From beginning to end, no one thought she was good enough for me.

But I fell for her at first sight.

She was so beautiful and resilient, with golden hair and emerald eyes, gentle like moonlight.

She was an Omega, yet never showed an Omega's typical weakness or submissiveness.

She had no wolf, and my wolf Cyra couldn't confirm if she was my fated mate, but my heart had already chosen her.

I loved her deeply, yet I dared not admit it.

An Alpha falling in love with a wolfless Omega was considered a joke in the Bloodbane pack.

So I chose to be cold and keep my distance.

Later, my mother brought Clara.

"Having Clara as Luna would be proper. She has good bloodlines, capability. She's worthy to stand beside you."

I thought about it and decided that rather than let Evelyn face the pack's gossip, I'd let Clara be Luna.

I arranged for Evelyn to move out of the Packhouse into a quiet, private villa.

I had even planned our happy life with the twins, but I never got the chance to tell her.

She rejected me and left the pack.

I searched for her for a long time, asking everywhere, investigating everywhere, only to find a note in Rowan's room.

She left without saying goodbye, without any explanation, as if my sons and I weren't worth a second of hesitation.

How could she be so cruel?

Did she ever think of us, even for a second, on some deep night?

I don't know.

Our children have always been good -- brave, quiet, and understanding. They deserve to be loved, to be remembered.

I didn't want to let her just walk away again.

I stepped forward and said, my voice slightly trembling. "Evelyn, we need to talk."

Evelyn's POV

Calvin wanted to talk to me, but what was there left to discuss between us? After he chose to be with Clara, after my twin boys preferred Clara over me, I didn't think there was any room for negotiation.

I loved my twin boys, but only Alexis, my daughter, stayed close to me and loved me with all her heart.

I didn't want Calvin to find out that Alexis was his daughter. In the Bloodbane Pack, hierarchy was strictly enforced, with great emphasis placed on bloodlines and reputation. My daughter Alexis was a wolf without a scent. I worried that other wolves in the pack would treat her badly. I couldn't let Calvin take Alexis away from me.

I shook my head firmly, refusing his request. "There's nothing to discuss. My mate will be back soon. Please leave as quickly as possible."

Calvin's brows drew together, his face darkening as he stared at me. His sharp jaw clenched, and when he finally spoke, his words cut like blades.

"Evelyn, you really don't waste time, do you?" His voice dripped with venom.

"You broke up with your first love and immediately married me, then rejected me only to remated without missing a beat. Now you even have a daughter. You certainly didn't waste any time moving on, did you? How... efficient."

Hearing his accusation, anger surged through me.

I gave up my first love for the sake of our pack's alliance. Did he really think this was the life I wanted?

Still, I forced myself to stay calm. "And what if I did?" I snapped.

I didn't want to argue anymore.

"We agreed you'd only stay one night. Please keep your word and take your sons with you," I said coldly.

Calvin's jaw tightened. "Evelyn, Rowan and Rhys are your kids too. Just because you have a daughter now, you're ready to throw them away?"

Before I could respond, his Beta Zeon stepped in.

"There's no housing available," he said quickly. "The roads are flooded. Even if we wanted to leave, we can't."

"That's your problem, not mine," I said coldly.

"Zeon, take your Alpha and leave, or I'm calling the police."

Just then, my phone rang.

I glanced at the caller ID. It was Eryx.

Without hesitation, I answered, letting my cold expression melt away.

My voice turned soft, deliberately so.

"Honey, when are you coming back?" I said sweetly, loud enough for Calvin to hear every word. "Of course I miss you. Alexis does too. I'll send someone to pick you up soon."

The change in me was instant. One moment I was cold and distant, the next, tender and affectionate, like a woman who had already moved on.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Calvin's expression twist. Fury. Hurt. Maybe even jealousy.

His tall frame swayed slightly, and then he collapsed.

"Alpha!" Zeon rushed forward in panic. "Alpha Calvin!"

I stayed where I was, clutching my phone as though nothing had happened.

Zeon said quickly, "Recently, Alpha has been working tirelessly on the Red Cedar Resort project. His health was already poor, and yesterday he stayed up all night with Rhys's fever. That's why..."

At the mention of Red Cedar Resort, my gaze sharpened. Eryx had told me that an anonymous company was offering high prices to compete with us for this land.

So Calvin was the competitor Eryx mentioned. Was he bringing the kids here to check out the place?

A moment later, Calvin lay in the guest room bed, dressed in fresh pajamas Zeon had just helped him into.

I gazed at his handsome face, flushed with fever. His eyes were tightly closed, long eyelashes resting softly against his skin. His face was pale, so pale, and for the first time, he looked vulnerable.

As an Alpha, Calvin Wolf had always projected an image of strength and authority. He rarely got sick, and even when he did, he usually downplayed it. Yet looking at him now, I saw just an ordinary man, stripped of all titles...

I checked his condition, then handed the medication to Zeon.

"Make sure he takes it on time," I said quietly.

Looking at Calvin's exhausted face, I just couldn't bring myself to throw them out into the storm.

I let out a soft sigh."You can stay for now."

Zeon's eyes lit up with relief."Thank you, thank you, Lu-"

"Don't call me that," I cut him off coldly.

I turned to Rowan and Rhys, who sat beside their father, watching him intently. Gently stroking their heads, I bent down and said, "Let Dad rest now; you can play with Alexis. Don't worry about him; he'll wake up soon."

Calvin's POV

"Calvin, you're not my mate," she said firmly, leaning against another man.

"Don't... don't leave me, Evelyn," I pleaded. "I didn't mean to hurt you with those words, I was just angry that you rejected our mate bond... angry that you left me."

She let out a cold laugh. "It's too late. I've found a new mate."

She looked up at the man, smiling radiantly, a smile that pierced my heart.

"Let's go, darling," she whispered softly, turning to leave.

"No, no! Evelyn!" I tried to chase after her, but it was futile; some powerful force pulled me back, and I fell face-first.

I reached out my hands, "No, no!" My vision blurred as she faded away...

I jerked awake, bolting upright in bed.

When I finally awoke and found myself in the guest room again.

"Alpha, you're finally awake!"

I rubbed my temples and looked around, a dull ache creeping into my head.

"Maybe we should contact Dr. Blackwell?" Zeon asked.

I looked up at him, frowning.

He seemed startled, then quickly added, "Alpha, you're unwell, and she did take care of you, so I just thought--" his voice trailed off.

"No need," I refused firmly.

"Where are Rowan and Rhys?" I asked immediately.

"The young Alphas are sleeping in the children's room upstairs with little Alexis."

I looked up at him, and his smile froze under my gaze. He quickly asked, "Alpha, how are you feeling? Would you like some soup?"

"Hmm, what time is it?" I asked, massaging my temples. At the mention of food, my stomach growled. I hadn't eaten properly since last night.

"It's 4 AM, Alpha. You've been sleeping for about twenty hours," he informed me, making me look up.

Twenty hours? I froze. So for twenty hours, I had been under her care? Damn!

No wonder my head hurt so much and I was starving.

"Could you bring me some soup?" I asked, and Zeon left immediately.

I sighed, tilting my head, suddenly noticing the black silk robe I was wearing. Of course she would have men's clothes here.

Suddenly, the thought of wearing her man's clothes made me sick, and I quickly searched for my own clothes. I found them neatly folded by the coffee table and grabbed them just as my phone rang. It was Zeon.

I snatched the phone from the bed, answering grumpily. "Why did you change me into her man's clothes?" I roared, only to be met with silence.

After a few seconds, he asked, "Alpha, what do you mean? Those are the clothes from your emergency pack."

I blinked, looked in the mirror again, and realized he was telling the truth. Embarrassment washed over me as my forehead creased. "Why are you late? Hurry up with the food!" I yelled at him.

"Alpha, I--" but I hung up before he could finish, tossing the phone somewhere.

Damn! Why couldn't she keep any guest clothes? I stormed into the bathroom in frustration.

Just as I was about to freshen up, Zeon returned with a bowl of hot soup and some freshly toasted bread.

I devoured everything with relish, feeling much better afterward.

My headache had eased considerably, and I decided to check on the twins.

Zeon was right; they were sleeping peacefully with Alexis beside them.

I walked in and adjusted their blankets. Just as I was about to turn away, a gentle touch stopped me.

"Mmm--mmm..." a child's soft whimper tugged at my heart. I turned to find Alexis holding my hand.

Her eyes were slightly open, her little lips pouting.

I wanted to just let go and leave, but I couldn't.

"Mmmm--mmmm..." Her soft whimpers gradually subsided as I found myself drawing closer and gently stroking her.

Soon, she drifted back to sleep.

The child bore a striking resemblance to her mother, especially in her facial features; however, her clear, bright blue eyes held a gentle quality.

I pulled the blanket over her and stood quietly. But my reflection in the bedside mirror made me freeze. In the mirror, I saw myself, or more precisely, I saw my eyes. clear, bright blue eyes.

The thought struck me as I gazed at the sleeping child, and I stiffened. A strange feeling washed over me, my heart tightening with anticipation.

Could I be her father?

Then I thought of Evelyn's new mate and scoffed at myself, "I can't even catch this little girl's scent or feel any blood connection. How could she possibly be my daughter?"

I clenched my fist as I walked away.