Chapter 2

I opened the front door, my body still trembling from what had just happened.

I walked up the stairs, and I stopped when I saw Owen’s bedroom door was open.

I decorated his room to look like the sky. The best part is a big star lamp I hung from the ceiling. His bed is lofted and covered with cozy knitted blankets. Underneath there’s a small couch, right next to a bookshelf with all of his toy cars.

He had always relied on me growing up. Every time he was sick I would give him his blankie and bundle him in a duvet, because he never stopped shivering. I would sing to him and call him my little wolf.

Sleep little wolf,

Lay your head down.

You’ll need your rest before you take your crown.

Sleep little wolf,

Get better soon.

Tomorrow night you have to howl at the moon.

Owen wailed if Landon tried to give him cough syrup but he would take it for me. I told him if he took it, it would make him big and strong. I also said it may give him magic powers, just like in the books I read to him.

I had folded one of the sweaters I knit for him and left it on his bed. I thought he could wear it if he got cold.

I was a good mom.

I let that feeling settle around me like a warm blanket, comforting me.

An idea fluttered into my head like a hopeful bird looking for the sun. Maybe if Owen knew I was his real mom, he would change his mind.

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I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard the front door open and thuds of footsteps coming up the stairs. I walked into the hallway just as Landon reached the top of the stairs.

Owen was smiling. His face dropped as he saw me.

My heart broke for the thousandth time when I saw that.

“Owen, I’m sorry I messed up your birthday party my love. I’ve been your nanny for so long I just wanted to be there for —”

Owen interrupted me. “You need to remember you’re my nanny. Plus, Brianna already agreed to be my mother. I can’t have people thinking you’re my mother. You’re wolfless, and you and Brianna don’t dress the same, or look the same. I don’t want to be made fun of at school, I’d rather die than be with you.

My heart broke into newer smaller pieces. I refused to cry in front of Owen and Landon though.

“You need to respect Brianna, she’s about to be the Luna and can kick you out whenever she wants. If you can’t accept that you can leave. Actually, you should leave my room anyway, I don’t want to see you for a while.” His lower lip poked out in defiance and he had his arms crossed.

While he was mad, my heart broke. I was never truly going to be his mother, or Landon’s fated mate. My dream was destroyed.

Owen slammed the door shut right in front of me with a dull thud. I sighed and then decided to go talk to him. I knocked and knocked until my knuckles were red but he refused to answer the door.

I went to my room and laid down, but even the lavender spray I used on my sheets couldn’t calm me down. As much as I tried, sleep wouldn’t come.

I sighed and turned my pillow over. I’ll never sleep comfortably with all of this going on. Maybe ever. I couldn’t stop playing Owen’s words in my head and seeing the look he gave me when he saw me on the stair landing.

By morning though, I had made a decision. I found Landon at the breakfast table making a cup of coffee. I steeled myself for the worst.

“Landon,” I said, my voice ringing out clearly. “I want a divorce rejection.”

Landon coughed, his last sip of coffee had gone down the wrong way.

“You’re trying to force my hand to give you the Luna position,” he said, and slapped his hand on the table. “You can still be a nanny if Brianna becomes Luna, don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped.

I calmly took out the agreement I printed before coming downstairs.

"You're giving up custody of Owen?" A vein was throbbing in his forehead and his neck was red.

“Owen doesn’t want me either so what’s the point?” My voice was shaking, but I meant every word I said.

Landon’s face got even redder. “In that case, you’ll have to sever your bond with the pack, and the family bond with Owen.” He had a sick, self- satisfied, and smug look on his face.

I understood almost instantly. Landon didn’t want to leave me any room for regret.

“Alright,” I said, swallowing the pain in my heart.

“I’m not giving you a penny since you gave me this,” He snarled, gesturing to the paper in disgust.

I turned my head as he slapped me in the face. I could feel bile rolling in my stomach and my mouth filled with vomit. Sienna do not show your hand and throw up in front of him. I said to myself.

“Fine,” I yelled. My stomach was still turning but a little voice in my head kept saying: You’re free.

Landon put his palm up like he was making the stop signal.

I put mine against his own.

“Sienna Hale, I reject you as my Luna, my fated mate, and the mother of my son. I sever all bonds that connect us together now and forever.” He said, his face losing some color.

“Landon, I reject you as my mate, and my connection to you. I sever all bonds that connect us now and forever.”

We looked at each other: “So be it,” we said in unison.

My stomach and my heart twisted at the same time and I knew it was my wolf crying out at losing the bond, even if it’s toxic.

I stood up from the table on shaking legs and walked back to my bedroom to pack.

I am never coming back here again. I promised myself.