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I stood there, watching as my mom's face twisted in agony. It was as if she was holding onto some kind of terrible secret that she couldn't bear to reveal. I wanted to know what had happened between her and Alpha Bruno, but I didn't want to push her too hard. Whatever it was, it had clearly left a deep scar on her soul.

“Mom, what just happened?”

Mom, who was frozen till now, suddenly lifted her hand to her chest. It was shaking.

I rushed over to her, supporting her body as she began to stumble. I helped her to the bed, making her sit down.

"Mom, please tell me," I said softly. "I won't judge you. I just want to understand."

She shook her head slowly, her eyes distant and unfocused. "It's a long story, August. A painful one."

And then lifted her head to meet my eyes, “It’s- nothing. I had told you Adrian and you are not meant to be together! I warned you so many times, August.”

“Mom, you are scaring me.”

“It’s not about you. It was never about you. But that man- he… he is… August, I