Mate and Best Friend’s Betrayal

At my five-year mating anniversary celebration, my best friend who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with a six-year-old child. The child's father was my mate, Alexander, I am the Alpha King's only daughter. Alexander was one of the top five Alphas in the northern territories. He pursued me for five years before I agreed to bond with him. We even had an adorable four-year-old daughter together. Yet my mate not only refused to explain his betrayal, but now he expected me to accept my friend and her child into our home. He favored the illegitimate son in everything, even allowing him to harm our daughter. When I finally rejected him and found a new father for my daughter, he used the entire Stormfang Pack to try to win me back. Chapter 1 At my five-year mating ceremony anniversary celebration, my childhood friend who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with my mate's illegitimate son. My mate Alexander was the Alpha of the Stormfang Pack. When the celebration was at its peak, Alexander and I were nestled together, graciously accepting congratulations from the other pack members. my best friend Amber who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with a six-year-old child. Amber had once been a member of our pack. Seven years ago, she disappeared during a territorial conflict between the northern and southern packs. As her close friend, I had even sent five elite warrior squads to search for her. But we never found a trace. Someone gasped and called out Amber's name in surprise. She ignored them, her eyes fixed on Alexander. She nudged the boy beside her forward. The child's resemblance to Alexander was unmistakable. The same strong jawline, the same dark hair that caught the light, the same piercing blue eyes that had captivated me in my youth. It was like looking at Alexander's childhood photographs come to life. The little boy puffed out his chest, his voice clear and proud as he announced, "My name is Connor. Mama told me my daddy is the Alpha of Stormfang Pack, the strongest wolf of all. Where's my daddy? I want to see my daddy!" No. The thought screamed through my mind. This isn't real. This can't be happening. Alexander had gone completely rigid beside me, his face draining of all color as he stared at the child. "Alexander?" My voice came out strangled, desperate. "Tell me this is some kind of mistake." But he said nothing. His silence stretched between us like a chasm Amber took the boy's hand and began walking directly toward us, her movements deliberate and confident. "Amber," Alexander finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "What are you... how did you..." The woman's voice held no hesitation whatsoever. "Connor, that's your daddy." The boy immediately launched himself into Alexander's arms. "Daddy!" Alexander had always been particular about his image, almost obsessively clean. Even our own daughter had to be thoroughly checked for cleanliness before he'd let her get close. But now he allowed this child to smear tears and snot all over his formal suit without the slightest sign of disgust, let alone pushing him away. Amber looked directly at the stunned Alexander. "Alexander, I never wanted to disrupt your life. But Connor is about to begin his hunting training, and you know I'm just an Omega. I can't establish a foothold in the southern territories with a child. He needs his father to have a place in the pack." "I can endure hardship, but Connor is our child after all. He's innocent." "I'm asking you to fulfill your responsibility as a father and give him a complete family. He's your blood, Alexander. Your heir. Surely that means something." Your heir. Under pack law, a male child - especially one acknowledged by the Alpha - held significant inheritance rights. More than a daughter, no matter how beloved. The air filled with prolonged silence. Alexander had pursued me for five years and been mated to me for five years. But this child was already over six years old, old enough to begin hunting training. The fact hit me like physical blows. Around us, the whispers grew louder, more pointed. I could feel my carefully constructed composure beginning to crack under the pressure. "Alexander, what is the meaning of this? I need an explanation. You and Amber, and this child – everything. You must tell me everything. You know I will not tolerate deception and betrayal." But looking at this child's face, my heart already knew the answer. Alexander had been chosen by my father since childhood, receiving Alpha training on my family's territory. We grew up together on the training grounds, sharing all the rigorous courses. We knew each other better than anyone. He pursued me for five years. I was moved by his persistence and sincerity, and finally agreed to bond with him, becoming his mate and the Luna of Stormfang Pack. After Alexander marked me, we never had a quarrel. He always protected and tolerated me. But now, in front of Amber and Connor, he didn't say a word. He just stood there, holding this child who was publicly humiliating me, and said nothing. Did nothing. His silence was an endorsement, a choice, and it spoke louder than any words could have. Amber suddenly smiled, her eyes full of confidence. "Raven, the child is already six years old. We were together long before you two mated. If you doubt it, you can have Alexander take a paternity test." I understood the challenge in Amber's words but didn't respond. Instead, I stared directly at Alexander. Alexander continued to avoid my questioning gaze, sitting rigidly with his brow deeply furrowed. After a long moment, his voice came out strained as he closed his eyes. "Amber, this is Raven and my mating anniversary celebration. You shouldn't have appeared here now." The crying boy in his arms suddenly straightened up, glaring at me with fierce eyes. Spittle nearly sprayed onto my expensive gown as he snarled, "You evil woman! You stole my daddy and bullied my mama! Daddy belongs to me and mama! You bitch, get lost!" He waved his fists, seeming ready to lunge at me, crude beyond his years. His screaming was particularly jarring in the solemn celebration venue, shocking everyone present. In front of all the core members of Stormfang Pack, he relentlessly made a scene, demanding to settle scores with me. Even in Alexander's arms, he used all his strength to shove me, tearing at my gown and trying to scratch my face with his nails. Throughout it all, Alexander never stopped the boy's behavior. He just silently watched as the child insulted me. "You're just going to watch him humiliate me like this, Alexander? In front of all our core members and honored guests, on our mating anniversary?" I looked at my mate again, disgusted by his silent, evasive attitude. Finally - finally - he seemed to register my distress. "Connor," he said quietly, his hand settling on the boy's shoulder. "That's enough. You shouldn't speak to adults that way." He didn't deny the child's existence, but he also didn't dare publicly acknowledge him. Amber's voice trembled with humiliation. "Alexander, if this is too difficult for you,I can leave. I can disappear forever and never trouble you again. But please, I'm begging you - accept Connor. He's your flesh and blood, your firstborn son. Your rightful heir!" The man seemed to sigh. "This isn't the place to discuss such matters. Amber, come with me. We... need to talk privately." He finally spoke, but still never faced me directly. "Raven, give me some time. I'll give you an explanation..." He stood before me, his figure still tall and straight – the same silhouette I'd known since childhood on my father's training grounds, the Alpha who had grown up with me through mud and combat. But now his gaze wandered, unable to truly meet my eyes. "You understand... you've always been the strongest, most understanding Luna when it comes to pack responsibilities. Please... trust me this once. You're the only one I truly love." And then, in front of our guests, Alexander walked toward the exit with Amber and Connor beside him. They looked like a family. I was alone, abandoned at my own anniversary celebration. Chapter 2 I stood alone in the center of the ballroom, still wearing my anniversary gown. Each whispered word was another cut, another reminder of how completely and publicly I'd been humiliated. But I was the Alpha King's daughter. I'd been raised for moments like this, trained to maintain composure under any circumstances. I summoned the Gamma to soothed the guests' concerns, and explained the situation as diplomatically as possible. When I had finally seen off all the guests and was exhausted both physically and mentally, pack members who knew Amber were whispering behind my back. "Wasn't Amber Luna Raven's close friend? Back then, she was just Luna's Omega servant. Luna treated her so well, like a real friend." "Friend? How could the Alpha King's daughter truly befriend an Omega servant? Impossible..." "Poor Amber, an Omega struggling to raise the Alpha's pup all by herself." "Do you think the Alpha's true love might actually be Amber? Did you see how gentle he was with Amber and the child just now?" "I think it's possible. I once saw Amber and Alexander kissing each other in the back hill of our training camp. Amber even cried." "Could it be that Luna was actually the mistress, using her power to force Amber away?" "Given her identity and personality，I think it's very possible." "What are you saying?" I couldn't tolerate it any longer and cut them off coldly. "As pack warriors, you should remember your duties. If I hear you gossiping about your Luna and Alpha in private again, I'll exile you directly." "I don't need to rely on bonding with Alexander to become Luna. I am an Alpha wolf myself." I released my Alpha aura as I spoke. They left right away, but the words of Pack members brought back distant memories. Amber. An Omega. She had once been a servant in my father's mansion, responsible for the training camp's equipment storage. She was intelligent and quiet. She didn't fear higher-ranking wolves, and could even use her intelligence to complete solo hunts – something other Omegas could never achieve. Because of this, I admired, respected, and trusted her. I even allowed her free access to certain areas of the training camp. I often mentioned her in front of Alexander. At first, he seemed somewhat disapproving. Later, he gradually became curious about Amber too. But around me, they always maintained a safe distance. Except for one time. In the back mountains of the training camp, I came across them embracing. Amber's cheeks were flushed and her hair was disheveled. After noticing my approach, they quickly separated. Alexander explained that Amber had twisted her ankle and he was just helping to support her. After that, I frequently caught Amber's scent on Alexander. But out of trust for my partner and friend, I never thought much of it. Now I understood everything. So there had been signs all along. My mate and my most trusted friend had betrayed my trust. Chapter 3 I sat in the car for a long time before finally driving toward the safe house Alexander and I shared. It was a mating gift from my father. Every blade of grass, every piece of furniture and decoration had been personally selected and designed by me. More importantly, my daughter Ella was still at home. I didn't want adult problems to affect her. From a distance, I could see the villa blazing with lights. As I pushed open the door, I heard the boy's crude, malicious laughter mixed with the weak whimpers of our pet dog. My heart sank. Alexander had already brought Amber and her son home. Thinking of Connor's rudeness, I became even more afraid that he would hurt my daughter, so I walked into the house faster. I froze as I heard a man and woman's voices. "Alexander, your daughter lives in a room as luxurious as a palace, yet you want to drive away your son?" "That's not what I meant..." "He's your son! Haven't we suffered enough all these years? Back then, you sent pregnant me to the southern territories to pursue Raven, leaving an Omega to live alone. I barely managed to raise the child, and now you have the heart to let us wander the streets?" After a long pause, I heard the man sigh. "Fine, for now you and the child can stay at my parents' place in the elder district. I'll let him pick a room here and have it decorated according to his preferences. Once I explain everything to Raven, I'll bring you both back. Raven is kind-hearted. She'll definitely accept you both. Just give me some time." Connor was jumping around in the room, his mud-caked boots trampling on expensive custom carpets, his dirty hands leaving stains on walls and furniture. He carelessly threw himself into Alexander's arms, acting spoiled: "Daddy! This dump is huge! So much better than the doghouse me and mama lived in! I want the biggest room." Alexander looked pained, but when he looked up, his eyes met mine. "Raven... when did you get back?" Connor in his arms whipped around, eyes venomous as he spat at me: "Get out! You stinking bitch! This is me and my parents' home! Mama says this will all be mine someday. Get out of my house!" His snarling expression twisted that face so similar to Alexander's. Alexander scolded: "Mind your manners. Amber, is this how you've been raising the child?" Amber's eyes welled with tears. "I'm sorry. Connor has lacked father's love for so long, suffered with me, and no one taught him proper behavior... It's my fault for being useless..." Hearing this, Alexander turned to me and said, "Raven, just let it go. Don't argue with a child. The carpets and walls he damaged don't matter to you. We can just replace them." Amber's affected sobbing reached my ears. I pulled at the corner of my mouth. My mate of five years was actually asking me to yield to his bastard child. "Amber, this isn't lack of father's love. This is lack of proper upbringing." I didn't care how ugly their expressions became after I said this. Since entering the house, I hadn't seen my daughter anywhere. I walked directly toward Ella's room. Connor suddenly blocked my path with considerable force. Alexander stood behind him, seeming to support the boy's defiance. "Daddy said I could pick whichever room I like. This room is the biggest and best, so I'm living here! You can't go in!" Amber pretended to intervene: "Connor, be good." Seeing their coordinated behavior, I grew increasingly worried about my daughter's situation. Ignoring Alexander's attempts to stop me, I forcefully pushed past them and burst into Ella's room. The scene that greeted me stopped my heart completely. The husky Peter lay motionless in a pool of blood, his white fur stained crimson. Multiple deep lacerations covered his small body, and his breathing was so shallow it was barely detectable. His usually bright eyes were dim and unfocused, filled with pain and confusion. Four-year-old Ella was huddled in the corner like a broken doll, her tiny body trembling with fear. A clear handprint marked her small face - red, swollen, and undeniably from a hand much larger than her own. The mark stood out starkly against her pale skin, and I could see finger impressions bruising along her delicate cheek. She was crying, but no sound came out. Just silent tears streaming down her face as she stared at me with eyes full of terror and pain. "No..." The word escaped my lips as barely a whisper. "No, no, no..." The shock hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath and making my vision blur. This was my baby, my innocent little girl who had never hurt anyone in her short life. And Peter - sweet, gentle Peter who had been Ella's constant companion since the day she was born. "Ella?" My voice cracked as I called her name. "Baby, what happened? How did this happen?" The moment she saw me, Ella rushed over like a startled animal, clinging tightly to my legs. Her small finger pointed at Connor, her voice trembling and broken: "Mommy... he... he hurt Peter... it hurt so much... Peter cried... he laughed... he hit me too... my face hurts..." Her little body shook violently. I crouched down, carefully lifting Ella and pressing her tear-stained face against my shoulder. Only then did she finally let go completely, her silent sobs becoming heart-wrenching wails that echoed through the room. The sound of my daughter's anguish broke something fundamental inside me. No mother could hear their child cry like that and remain unmoved. How dare he? How dare this vicious little monster hurt my daughter and torture an innocent animal? And how dare Alexander stand by and let it happen? He was supposed to be here, supposed to be protecting our family, and instead he had allowed this... this savage child to run wild in our home. My grief transformed into fury so intense it felt like fire in my veins. My icy gaze swept past Connor and Amber at the doorway before fixing on Alexander's pale face. Amber shrieked first: "Impossible! Connor is just a child! How could he..." But Connor lifted his chin, his eyes fierce and proud: "Serves them right! Who told that stupid dog to bark at me! The little brat dared to glare at me too!" The color drained completely from Alexander's face. He looked at Connor, his voice strained: "Connor... you..." "So what if I did!" Connor stuck out his neck defiantly, showing no remorse. "That dog deserved to die! That little brat deserved to be hit! Everything here will be mine someday! They all need to get out!" Hearing Ella's heartbroken sobs, Alexander's expression flickered with what looked like genuine concern. His Alpha instincts seemed to kick in at the sound of his daughter's distress, and he took several steps toward us, his arms reaching out as if to embrace both Ella and me. For a split second, I thought he might actually choose us. But then his gaze fell on Amber and Connor standing in the doorway. Connor's defiant expression had shifted to something more vulnerable, more childlike, as he seemed to sense the tension in the room. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze toward me was filled with complex pleading: "Raven... he... after all, he grew up without a father, lacking discipline... his mind isn't mature... he doesn't understand..." "We can get another dog," he continued, as if Peter's life meant nothing. "A better one, maybe. As for Ella's injuries, they're not that serious. Children heal quickly. What's important is that we show Connor what a real family looks like, teach him how to behave properly." Hearing his words, I felt the last vestiges of love I'd held for this man crumble to dust. "Doesn't understand?" I interrupted him, my arms tightening around Ella. My daughter continued sobbing in my embrace. I looked at Alexander, at this mate I'd been with for ten years, at his face as he still made excuses for his bastard son after his own daughter and mate had been so brutally hurt. "Alexander," my voice was unnaturally calm, cutting through Ella's sobs and Amber's protests, "let's dissolve our mate bond." Chapter 4 Alexander froze completely, his face going through a series of expressions—shock, denial, then something that looked almost like fear. “Raven, I know Ella getting hurt has upset you, but Connor is just a child too. Ella has had everything from the moment she was born - love, security, comfort, education. Connor has had none of that. Surely it wouldn't hurt for Ella to... accommodate him a little?” As he spoke, he began moving toward Ella again. But I simply stepped back, holding Ella protectively against my chest. My wolf instincts were screaming at me not to let him near our pup. Not when he had allowed the very person who hurt her to remain in our home. Sensing my displeasure and the protective stance I had taken, he stopped in his tracks. His voice turned gentle, the tone he used when trying to manipulate me into compliance. "Raven, I know you're joking. You don't really mean what you said about rejecting me." His confidence was astounding. Even now, even after everything, he thought this was just female hysteria. "I'm sorry, Raven, but he's still just a child. Without a father to guide him all these years, please understand." He ran his hands through his hair, looking genuinely distressed. "I'll settle them at my parents' place first. Just give me time to sort this out. Wait for me to come back." "A child?" I looked at him incredulously. "A 'child' who tortures animals to death, beats a four-year-old girl, and spews filthy language like a sailor?" My voice rose with each word. "Ella is only four years old, Alexander. Four. She still believes in fairy tales and thinks monsters only exist in stories. But your 'child' is six—old enough to know right from wrong." Yet here we were. My daughter and I were expected to endure the humiliation and harm brought by this bastard child who had suddenly appeared in our lives. And even "understand" his father's favoritism. Absolutely ridiculous. “Raven, I'm an Alpha. I need a male heir, and Connor must stay in Stormfang Pack.” Alexander's eyes subconsciously kept drifting towards Amber and her son, as if he was thinking about how to convince me to accept them. My thoughts drifted uncontrollably to the past, to better times when I thought I knew who this man was. During training camp, his pursuit of me had been bold and public. Every morning he would find excuses to train near me. Every evening he would walk me back to the dormitories. The entire pack knew about his feelings. They called us the "golden couple"—the Alpha King's daughter and the promising young Alpha. At the training camp graduation ceremony, in front of all the pack members and Alpha Council elders, he had made the grandest gesture of all. He pinned the silver moon badge symbolizing Stormfang Pack inheritance to my collar with shaking hands. "Raven," he had said, his voice carrying across the silent ceremonial grounds. "You are my only Luna, my only future mate. If you'll have me." The crowd had erupted in cheers. I had been so happy, so sure of my future. Five years ago, when we finally mated, he filled the entire Stormfang Pack territory with my favorite Julia roses. Thousands upon thousands of them, their scent perfuming the air for miles. The cost must have been astronomical, but he said I was worth it. He set off fireworks across the northern territory sky that night, visible from three different pack territories. It was the most magnificent mating ceremony anyone had ever seen. The night Ella was born, he kept vigil outside the birthing room for twelve long hours. I remember the sounds of his pacing, his worried questions to the healers, his refusal to eat or rest. When our pup's first cry finally rang out, he rushed in like a man possessed. Without even looking at the child, he first gripped my hand tightly. He kissed my sweat-dampened forehead, his own eyes wet with tears. "Raven, you've worked so hard. You're the strongest Luna I've ever known." Only then did he turn to Ella. When he held her for the first time, his eyes were as gentle as melting snow. "I'm going to give you the best of everything in the world, little one," he had whispered to her. Just yesterday evening, during a break from celebration preparations, he had embraced me from behind. His chin resting on top of my head, warm breath brushing my ear as he spoke. "Raven, completing our five-year ceremony with you tomorrow is the greatest honor of my life." His arms had tightened around me. "Ella will become the happiest little wolf pup in all the territories. Our family of three..." His words had carried such longing, such unshakeable certainty about our future. I had felt so safe in his arms. So sure that we were unbreakable. But now his pleading was asking me to understand, to endure, to tolerate this mother and child for his sake. Connor's demanding voice suddenly cut through my painful memories. "Daddy! I'm hungry!" he whined, tugging on Alexander's sleeve with sticky fingers. "Take me to get grilled venison! I want to go to that fancy restaurant! And I want Mama to come too!" Amber immediately seized the opportunity, her voice trembling with practiced vulnerability. "Alexander, from the moment Connor was born, we've never been able to afford fine dining," she said, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "Being a single Omega, raising a child alone... it's been so incredibly difficult. We've lived on scraps and leftovers for years." Alexander's expression grew conflicted. His gaze moved between my tear-stained face and Ella's injured form, then shifted to Connor's expectant expression and Amber's wounded vulnerability. "Raven," he said finally, not quite meeting my eyes. “Can we discuss everything when I get back? I promise we'll work this out.” Before I could say anything more, Alexander had already made his choice. He gathered Connor and Amber, speaking to them in low, soothing tones. I watched from the window as they walked to his car together. They looked exactly like a family of three. Connor skipped between his parents, chattering excitedly about something. Amber's hand rested possessively on Alexander's arm. "Goodbye, mean lady!" Connor called over his shoulder with a smirk. "Thanks for letting Daddy come with his real family!" Amber shot me a triumphant look before quickly masking it with false sympathy. "Take care of Ella's injuries," she said sweetly. "I'm sure she'll heal quickly." And then they were gone. I stood there holding my sobbing daughter, listening to the sound of their car pulling away, and felt something inside me die completely. This useless mate, this failure of a father - we didn't need him anymore. Chapter 5 I quickly pulled myself together. After dealing with Peter's body—wrapping him gently and placing him in the garden we had loved to play in—I treated the bruises on Ella's face with healing salve. Each purple mark on her perfect skin made my rage burn hotter. I coaxed her to sleep with her favorite lullaby, my voice shaking with suppressed emotion. I moved efficiently through our home, packing everything that belonged to us. Then I contacted my father to discuss everything that had happened recently. His fury was immediate and volcanic. Alpha Kings do not take kindly to threats against their bloodline. I also had my father's trusted beta help me draft a mate bond dissolution agreement and submit it directly to the Alpha Council. The legal proceedings would begin immediately. After completing all this, I noticed my phone had been vibrating constantly with messages from Alexander. I read them with growing disgust. "Raven, how is Ella? I'm having my beta assistant send over premium healing herbs. Tomorrow Ella's face will definitely be completely healed." As if expensive herbs could undo the trauma of what she had experienced. "How is Peter? Can he still be saved? I've contacted the best healer to treat him." Peter was dead. Murdered. But Alexander didn't even know that because he hadn't bothered to stay and check. "I had arranged for Amber to have an abortion years ago, but I didn't expect her to escape. She secretly gave birth to the child behind my back." More lies. More excuses. "I swear, after we bonded, I never betrayed you." "Alex, Alex, Connor wants daddy to tell him a story." Amber's voice appeared in the voice message, sultry and possessive. I knew she was doing this on purpose. She was deliberately provoking me. Once, "Alex" had also been my exclusive nickname for him. I remembered the young him standing in training camp sunlight, turning when he heard my voice call that name. His eyes would fill with pure joy, as if hearing his name from my lips was the greatest gift in the world. Then Amber appeared in our lives. As an Omega, she possessed tenacity and intelligence that rivaled any Alpha's. I greatly admired her strength, her refusal to be defeated by her circumstances. We went from master and servant, to friends, to the closest of companions. She also learned from me, began calling him "Alex" in that same affectionate tone. Alexander had been quite displeased about this. He even corrected her face to face one day. "'Alex' is Raven's exclusive nickname," he had said firmly. "You should call me something else." His tone was serious, carrying an Alpha's unquestionable authority. Usually sunny Amber's eyes suddenly reddened with hurt. I rushed to defend her, thinking Alexander was making a big deal out of nothing. "It's just a name," I had scolded him. "Don't be so possessive." Until one day, Alexander looked troubled and took my hand, asking me not to call him "Alex" anymore. "Why?" I had asked, confused. He said he still preferred when I used a special nickname for him, something that was just ours. So I began calling him "honey" in private, thinking I was preserving something special between us. His ears would turn red when I said it, but deep in his eyes seemed to hide a complexity I couldn't understand. Only now do I understand the truth. The exclusive nickname "Alex" already belonged to Amber by then. It had become a mark of his betrayal, a secret intimacy I had unknowingly handed over to his lover. All those years I'd trusted them both. All those times I'd defended their friendship, encouraged their interactions, praised Amber's strength and intelligence to Alexander. I'd been the fool orchestrating my own betrayal. Sleeping Ella whimpered in her throat, trying to get closer to me, as if having nightmares. I gently stroked her hair, whispering softly in her ear: "Mommy will always be with you. I'll never let anyone hurt you again." Ten years of feelings, completely shattered in lies and betrayal. Chapter 6 I had nightmares all night. I jolted awake multiple times, my heart racing, cold sweat soaking through my nightgown. When dawn finally broke, exhaustion weighed down my limbs like lead. When I woke for the final time, I instinctively looked toward Ella's small bed. My heart instantly froze—the bed was empty! The covers were thrown back carelessly, her favorite stuffed wolf nowhere to be seen. "Ella?" My voice came out as a croak. I rushed out of the bedroom, panic clawing at my throat. My gaze swept frantically around the room, then toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that connected to the terrace. The massive glass doors stood wide open, morning's cold wind pouring in. How were they open? I had locked everything last night. Triple-checked every door, every window. The next second, I saw her. Ella. Her tiny body was curled up on the cold terrace stone tiles, unnaturally still. A glaring red bruise marred her forehead. One arm was bent at an unnatural angle. Her face was pale as snow. Her eyes were tightly closed, her breathing weak and shallow. "No, no, no." The words tumbled from my lips as I ran. I screamed soundlessly, lunging forward to gather her ice-cold body: "Ella! Ella! Baby, wake up!" Her skin was freezing to the touch. How long had she been out here? My cries brought Alexander running from somewhere in the house. He had slept somewhere unknown last night—definitely not in our bed. Stubble covered his jaw, yesterday's shirt wrinkled and disheveled. He looked like he'd passed out drunk somewhere. Seeing me holding Ella's limp form on the terrace, his face changed drastically as he rushed over. "What happened to Ella?!" He tried to touch her, but I instinctively turned away to avoid him. "Don't touch her!" The words came out harsher than intended, but I couldn't help it. "She fell from the terrace." My voice shook uncontrollably. "Look at her arm. Look at her head." I wanted to add more, but the words stuck in my throat. The terrace railing height was deadly for a child who hadn't shifted yet. Four-year-old Ella definitely couldn't climb over the barrier herself. The railings came up to my waist—they would be over her head. Unless... unless she was pushed. "We need to get her inside. Now." Alexander's Alpha training kicked in, his voice becoming authoritative. But I noticed he didn't ask the obvious question: how did she get onto the terrace? The pack's head healer was immediately summoned to treat Ella. Old Marcus arrived within minutes, his weathered hands gentle as he examined her small body. "Broken ulna," he announced grimly. "Severe concussion. Multiple contusions." Each word hit me like a physical blow. "These injuries..." Marcus paused, his expression troubled. "They're consistent with a significant fall. How did this happen?" I watched Alexander's face carefully. His expression remained neutral, but a muscle in his jaw twitched. Marcus worked efficiently, setting her broken bone with a splint and applying healing salve to her bruises. The ancient remedies would speed her recovery, but she would still need time. Under the medicine's effects, Ella gradually fell asleep, her breathing slowly stabilizing. Only then did the crushing weight of fear ease enough for me to think clearly. After treating Ella's injuries, I finally found my voice: "I want to check the security footage." Alexander went rigid. "Security footage?" "The terrace cameras." My voice was steadier now, cold with determination. "They record everything." "Raven, maybe we should focus on—" "No." I cut him off. "I want to see exactly what happened to my daughter." The cameras faced the terrace directly. The security office was in the basement, monitors displaying feeds from dozens of cameras around our property. The results were crystal clear. The timestamp showed 3:47 AM. Little Connor had snuck onto the terrace, moving like a predator stalking prey. He made deliberate noise near the bedroom windows, tapping on the glass. Ella appeared moments later, rubbing her eyes, still in her nightgown. She must have been curious about the sound. Then Connor moved fast. He rushed forward and violently shoved her with both hands! Ella was caught completely off guard, her small body instantly toppling over the railing. She fell like a broken doll, hitting the stone tiles below with a sickening thud. Connor even gripped the railing to look down at his handiwork. His face showed no panic whatsoever, only a twisted satisfaction, like a cat that had caught a mouse. Then he quickly ran away, disappearing back into the house. "That little monster," I whispered, my hands shaking with rage. Amber appeared in the doorway at some point, having emerged from wherever she'd been hiding. Seeing the surveillance footage, she shrieked: "Impossible! Raven! It must be a misunderstanding!" Her voice was shrill, desperate. "Connor was just... just trying to play with his sister! He accidentally lost control! He didn't mean it!" Such a pathetic lie. The footage showed clear intent, deliberate malice. I didn't believe six-year-old Connor could have returned to my house alone. Someone had brought him here. Someone had given him access. She rushed over trying to grab my arm, but I violently shook her off. Her expression was less panic than indignation at being exposed. The mask was slipping. "Connor lacks proper discipline," she continued desperately. "I used to lock him alone in the house when I went out to earn money. He's starved for love in his heart, that's why he does things like this." More excuses. More lies. SLAP— I backhanded Amber with all my strength, the sound crisp and loud in the small room. "Poisonous woman! What a fine son you've raised!" "You dare hit my mama!" Connor's voice came from behind us. He charged in like a madman, having appeared from nowhere. His face was contorted with rage as he slammed hard into my waist! I stumbled backward toward the wall, my injured shoulder hitting the stone. Though my wolf reflexes were quick, I was still caught off guard by the sudden attack. Alexander finally moved, but not to help me. He looked at me with what might have been concern: "Raven! Are you alright?" Yet he silently moved to shield Connor behind him. His body language was clear—he was protecting the boy who had just tried to murder our daughter. This action shattered my last shred of illusion. "Heh..." I pulled out an icy smile, straightening slowly. My gaze cut like a blade across both Alexander and Amber. "Connor deliberately harmed the daughter of Stormfang Pack's Luna. The evidence is ironclad." "According to pack law, what is the punishment for harming a pup, especially one with Alpha inheritance rights?" I let the question hang in the air. "The Elder Council's tribunal will welcome him." Amber completely panicked, lunging toward me: "Raven! You can't! He's still a child! He doesn't understand!" Her voice cracked with desperation. "If you want revenge, come for me! Please..." "Shut up!" Alexander suddenly roared, cutting off Amber. His face was ashen, chest heaving violently. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His eyes looked at me with complexity, swept over the surveillance screen, then he opened his mouth with difficulty. "Raven... Connor... he did do wrong. But... but sending him to the tribunal..." He swallowed hard. "He's too young. That would ruin his entire life!" Always making excuses. Always protecting everyone except his own family. "Ella... Ella needs the best healer! I'll immediately contact the best healers in the northern territories! Use the best medicine! I guarantee she'll be fine!" His voice grew more frantic. "I... I'll strictly punish Connor! Send him to the harshest youth training camp for discipline! How about that..." "How about that?" I interrupted him, my voice unnaturally calm due to extreme anger. Yet it carried bone-chilling coldness that made even Connor step back. "Alexander, look into my eyes and tell me." I stepped closer to him, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Last night, I clearly locked all the doors and windows. I specifically instructed that our safe house has Gamma guards 24 hours a day." His eyes tried to dart away, but I held his gaze mercilessly. "How did Connor get in?" Alexander's eyes flashed sharply, his lips pressed tight, avoiding my gaze. The answer was obvious—he had secretly brought Connor and his mother back to my safe house. While I was caring for our injured daughter, he had been harboring her would-be killer. "Your so-called 'strict punishment,' your so-called 'sending for discipline'—those are just desperate measures you thought up after I produced iron evidence and invoked pack law!" My voice rose with each word. "If the cameras hadn't caught it, or if I hadn't insisted on looking, were you planning to classify Ella's fall as an 'accident'? Just like how you brushed off Peter's murder?!" "In your heart, your bastard son is actually more important than your biological daughter, more important than your mate, more important than pack law!" Alexander was struck speechless by my accusations, all color draining from his face. Only pathetic defeat remained. Amber also froze in place, finally understanding the magnitude of what had been exposed. Enormous disappointment and icy fury swept over me. Ten years together. Five years bonded. And in return I got repeated favoritism, deception, and betrayal. Even after he knew his son had violent tendencies that could threaten Ella's safety, he still chose concealment and indulgence. "Alexander," my voice was clear and resolute, no longer carrying any emotion. "I, Raven, reject you as my mate."