Chapter 3

The anger on Aiden’s face had completely vanished. In its place was a look of gentle sympathy as he gazed at me.

"Raising a kid on your own must’ve been hard, huh?"

I pulled Faelan behind me protectively, my eyes sharp with caution. "No. He’s not your son, and I’m not a single mother."

Unfortunately, Aiden didn’t hear a word I said. He just frowned and scolded me, completely convinced he knew the truth.

"You walked away pregnant back then. Life must’ve been brutal, right? Our child… he’s already over four years old, and look at him! Why is he so weak? Wren, you’re just too damn stubborn! You’d rather suffer out there than lower your head and come back to me!"

I stared at Aiden, momentarily speechless.

Faelan was only three. In fact, because of the excellent care he’d received, he was taller than most kids his age. How in the world did he think Faelan looked like a four-year-old?

"You’re wrong. My son is three. And this—any of this—has nothing to do with you. Now get out of the way and let us through."

My repeated rejection made Aiden seethe. His jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding.

"Wren, you’ve got a lot of nerve now. I swear, the poorer someone is, the more attitude they have! If you walk away now, don’t blame me for refusing to acknowledge that kid again."

He yanked Janine into his arms and held her tightly. "From now on, the only child I recognize is the one Janine gave me. I’m done with all the other mutts!"

Janine’s eyes lit up at those words. She gave a shy little nod and added sweetly, "Aiden, our Rowan will never bring you shame."

I didn’t even look at them. Just took Faelan’s hand and walked away. Once I stepped out of the restaurant and into the fresh air, the pressure in my chest finally eased.

Five years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, I was so thrilled. I was ready to register as mates with Aiden.

Sadly, the moment I stepped into the city hall, he shoved me out.

"Janine’s pregnant," he’d said. "She doesn’t have any other family in the pack. If she doesn’t register with someone, the elders will exile her. Let her have the baby first. After that, I’ll dissolve the bond with her and mark you."

However, Aiden knew that I was pregnant and had no family either. Without a mate, I would’ve been exiled from the Silverglade Pack just the same.

Devastated, I stumbled away from the city hall and was hit by a car just outside. I was thrown several feet, and lost a dangerous amount of blood and the baby. Before the emergency surgery, I called Aiden over and over. Not once did he pick up.

It wasn’t until I saw Janine update her social media that I realized he was too busy celebrating their mating ceremony.

That was the day I gave up for good. I filed to leave the Silverglade Pack, booked a plane, and disappeared.

Later, I met Nolan Crane, Alpha of the Black Rose Pack. The first time he saw me, he said I was his fated mate. He pursued me relentlessly for six months until his sincerity finally won me over.

He gave me the grandest, most beautiful mating ceremony I could have imagined. The entire pack celebrated with cheers and blessings. For the first time, I felt what it meant to be cherished and to be someone’s only one.

Seven months later, I gave birth to Faelan, premature but healthy. Nolan pampered us both endlessly. Faelan and I were his entire world.

Just recently, I found out I was pregnant again.

Around the same time, the Silverglade Pack requested negotiations for a territory merge. Nolan insisted on coming himself and absolutely refused to leave me behind. If not for that, I never would’ve set foot in Silverglade territory again. I definitely never would’ve crossed paths with Aiden either.