She's not my mom

Olivia’s POV:

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Rachel's social media post. The image of my husband and son, both beaming at the camera beside her, made my stomach churn. So this is how the three of them got along when I didn't know? So close, so natural, so much like - a family of three.

Ava, my wolf, paced restlessly inside me. Her growls echoed my own turmoil.

Looking at the photo, memories flooded back. Six years ago, when Derek and I first identified each other as Fated Mates. He was different then - so attentive, so loving. Every single day, without fail, he'd bring me pink tulips. My favorite.

I remember how the pack whispered about us. Me, the Head Healer, choosing an omega wolf as my mate. But I didn't care. Love doesn't see rank or status.

When Derek wanted to start his pharmaceutical company, I supported him without hesitation. Even as the losses mounted, I stood by him. My salary as Head Healer was more than enough to support us both, and I believed in his dreams.

But now, staring at this photo, something felt broken.

"Derek!" My voice came out sharper than intended. "We need to talk."

He returned to the living room, his expression as gentle as ever, "What's wrong, honey?"

"Do you love me?" The question burst out before I could stop it.

His eyes widened at once, "Of course, darling, you're the love of my life. What's this about?"

"Is there anything you're not telling me?" I held up my phone, showing him the photo. "Anything at all?"

Derek's face softened. "It was just ice cream. Oliver begged to go, and since it was his birthday..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I should have told you, but with everything that happened..."

"So you took him out with Rachel? Before coming here?"

"I didn't think much of it when he offered to get ice cream together at the end of school... "Derek came over and took me by the shoulders, "I'm sorry Olivia, I should have thought about it more. I'll have her delete the picture now. "

I watched as he pulled out his phone and messaged Rachel. Within minutes, the post disappeared.

Shame washed over me. Here I was, doubting my mate when he was just trying to make our son happy on his birthday. Maybe I was the problem. Maybe I needed to change.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I've been overthinking everything."

Derek pulled me into a hug, "You don't need to apologize honey, you've just been so busy lately, I get it all. "

At night, I lay in bed tossing and turning, Derek was right, maybe I had been too busy lately and had neglected my son's feelings. I decided to change myself and get back involved in my son's life, to show him that I was available to him and not just a mom who was always working.

The next morning, I noticed Oliver had left his book bag at home. Perfect opportunity, I thought. I could bring it to him at kindergarten, show him that I could be present in his life too.

When I arrived at the kindergarten, a young teacher stopped me at the entrance. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Oliver. I'm his mother."

The teacher's eyebrows rose in surprise." What? Oliver's mom? But ...... Isn't Oliver's mom right here right now?"

Her words shocked me, and following her gaze, I realized that Oliver was playing ball in the playground, accompanied by-Rachel? I felt the blood rush into my head all of a sudden. What was she doing here?

Ava growled inside me, "It's this woman again, why is she shady. "But I forced myself to stay calm." There has to be some kind of misunderstanding. I'm Oliver's real mother."

I held up his book bag as proof. "He left this at home today. I came to bring it to him."

The teacher looked uncertain. "Let me check with Oliver." She turned toward the playground. "Oliver! Could you come here for a moment?"

My son stopped the ball at his feet and twisted his head happily, but upon seeing me, his expression immediately turned somber, such a stark difference that it broke my heart.

"Oliver, sweetie," the teacher asked gently, "is this lady your mom?"

"Of course not," Oliver said firmly, shaking his head, his boyish voice carrying across the playground." Isn't it obvious? My mom is beside me with me yeah. Rachel is my real mom. She's the only mom I've got."

The whispers started immediately. Parents waiting nearby began pointing and staring at me.

"Can you believe this woman?"

"Trying to pretend she's Rachel's son's mother..."

"Some people are so delusional..."

My face went pale as I realized how this looked to everyone. In their eyes, I was some strange woman trying to insert myself into Rachel's perfect family.

The teacher cleared her throat awkwardly. "Perhaps there's been a mistake..."

"Oliver," she tried again, clearly wanting to be certain. "You're sure about this?"

My son took the opportunity to unleash all his frustration. "Rachel is my real mom! My only mom! I don't want anyone else!"

Every word was like a knife in my heart. My hands trembled as I handed my bag to the teacher.

How had this happened? When had I lost so much ground that my own son would deny me in public? That strangers would look at me like I was trying to steal someone else's child?

Some wounds go deeper than flesh. And this one, I wasn't sure even a Head Healer could mend.

Whispers of "poor Rachel" and "crazy woman" buzzed around me, I didn't know how I was supposed to prove my identity, was I going to have to go home and get my birth certificate? I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I turned around and prepared to leave the place that was embarrassing me.