Chapter 4

"I've already explained to you," Kaelen said. "Lydia's with pup. She's alone, and I can't help but worry. That's why I'm spending more time with her."

I didn't want to argue. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. Of course, Luna needs help while she's with pup. You can go do what you need to do."

Kaelen looked at me in surprise, but then he seemed to relax just a little bit. He smiled gently. "I knew you'd understand, Violetta.

"Tomorrow, I'll spend the day with you and Sylvan," he promised.

I held back my disgust and forced a smile as I said goodbye.

The next day, Kaelen was thoughtful enough to prepare a car. He planned to take me and Sylvan out for a day of fun.

When I saw Sylvan's hopeful face, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. But just as I was about to say something, Sylvan's smile faded. His face twisted in pain, and he clutched his stomach, his body convulsing as foam started to form around his mouth.

I was terrified.

"Mommy, my stomach hurts so much..."

"Kaelen, call the healer!" I shouted in panic.

Kaelen's face went pale, and he started to rush over. But before he could reach us, a servant suddenly fell to his knees in front of him.

"Alpha, something's wrong!" the servant cried. "Luna is in pain. She said her stomach hurts badly. She needs the healer to tend to her right away!"

I recognized the servant—he worked for Lydia.

Kaelen's expression changed in an instant, and he asked urgently, "What happened to Lydia?"

Then, he turned to the healer who had just arrived. "Quick! You need to see Luna!"

I stood there, frozen in disbelief. Sylvan was foaming at the mouth and in pain, yet Kaelen was already turning to leave, calling for the healer to go to Lydia.

"Kaelen, don't you care about Sylvan at all?" I asked.

Kaelen stopped in his tracks and frowned, then turned back to look at me.

"Sylvan probably just ate something that upset his stomach. I'll send someone to get another healer. Nothing big would happen to kids.

"Lydia just started carrying my pup. She's weaker than Sylvan right now, and she needs the healer more."

My body trembled uncontrollably with anger, but I couldn't leave my son alone. So, I had to watch as Kaelen and the servant walked away.

I finally gave up on hoping Kaelen would care. I grabbed my phone and called my father for help.

Thankfully, he sent a healer named Ivan over quickly. Ivan examined Sylvan, and after some time, he began throwing up uncontrollably, finally vomiting up a green, sickly substance.

Ivan shook his head. "What kind of monster does this? Poisoning a pup like this…"

My heart sank. "You mean someone poisoned my pup?"

Ivan nodded grimly. "It was a small dose of wolfsbane, but it's enough to kill a pup if it's not treated quickly. His wolf is still too young and unstable. If you hadn't acted fast, he might not have made it."

Even though the healer confirmed Sylvan would be fine, I couldn't stop shaking. I held his tiny hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

When Sylvan finally woke up, I asked him if he had eaten anything strange recently.

He tilted his head and thought for a moment, then answered, "Aunt Lydia gave me some really yummy cream puffs. She said I shouldn't eat too many and not to tell you... but I didn't eat a lot, because I was scared you'd be mad."

I clenched my fists so hard they ached.

Lydia!

Wolfsbane could take down even the strongest Alpha, and yet she had the nerve to use it on my pup?!

Before, I had been able to ignore her constant provocations.

But this was different. My pup was off-limits.

There were only three more days until I left. In these last three days, I was going to make sure Lydia got a special parting gift!