Chapter 3

Tomorrow was Leo's birthday.

I had wanted to buy him a gift on my own.

But standing in front of the shop window, his eyes were fixed on a happy family of three. His gaze was full of envy.

I crouched down and straightened his collar.

"Do you want Daddy to celebrate your birthday with us?"

"Yes." He said quietly, "I want Daddy to blow out the candles with me. Just once."

I nodded.

"Okay. On your birthday, we'll wait one more time."

My son hugged me, his face buried in my shoulder.

I didn't tell him that what I was waiting for wasn't whether Damian would show up.

I just wanted the child to see clearly for himself.

On the afternoon of his birthday, I put the cake in the center of the dining table.

My son picked out blue candles and placed a small fork at Damian's usual seat.

The sky darkened. Damian still hadn't appeared.

I dialed his number.

First ring, no answer.

Second ring, declined.

Third ring, finally connected. The other end was loud. People talking. Glasses clinking. Elders reciting prayers.

"When are you coming back?" I asked.

Damian seemed to have stepped somewhere quieter. "Chloe's blessing ceremony was moved up. She's not feeling well. I can't leave her alone at the Moon Temple."

"Today is your son's birthday."

"I know. You two eat first. I'll make it up to him tomorrow."

I looked at my son.

He sat at the table, holding the unlit candle, his eyes fixed on me.

"You promised him."

"I said I'd make it up tomorrow." Damian's tone was impatient. "Mia, don't blow this out of proportion. The elders and Chloe are waiting for me."

I hung up.

My son didn't cry.

He picked up the small fork, cut a piece of cake, and placed it on Damian's empty plate.

"Will Daddy be hungry if he can't eat?"

I walked over and held him.

"No."

He leaned against me. After a while, he asked, "Are we still waiting for tomorrow?"

"No more waiting."

I lit the candles for him.

He closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew them out. He only said one thing. "I hope Mommy can be with me every day."

The next morning, Damian sent a message.

[Bring the child to the pack hall. There's an important ceremony today.]

I thought he finally remembered what he'd promised.

When my son saw the message, light returned to his eyes.

"Is Daddy going to make up my birthday?"

When we arrived at the hall, it was already full of pack members.

Chloe stood by the altar. The necklace symbolizing the Luna lay on a tray.

Damian wore his Alpha formal attire. He was adjusting the cape on her shoulders.

My son broke free from my hand and ran to hug him.

"Daddy!"

Damian was pushed back a step. When he looked down and saw it was our son, his face darkened.

"Why are you here?"

My son's arms were still around his waist.

"You said you'd celebrate my birthday today."

Damian pushed him away.

My son fell to the ground. His palm scraped against the stone floor and turned red immediately.

"Today is Chloe's Mark ceremony." Damian said, "Don't make a scene here."

Chloe looked at my son and let out a light laugh. "The ceremony hasn't even started. How did this kind of child get in here?"

"He is your son." I walked over and helped my son up.

"He is not a pack-recognized heir." She said, "And he shouldn't call Damian Daddy anymore."

My son grabbed my sleeve, his eyes red.

"Mommy, since we're not welcome here, let's go."

I took his hand and walked toward the door. But Chloe signaled the soldiers on either side to block us.

"You broke the pack's rules. You think you can just leave?"

As she spoke, someone beside her shoved me.

I hit the stone pillar. My back burned with pain.

My son rushed forward and stood in front of me.

"Alpha Damian, please don't let them hurt my mommy."

Damian looked at him, shocked. "What did you call me?"

But seeing how pitifully my son was crying, he finally snapped, "Enough. Let them go."

My son looked up at him.

"Thank you, Alpha Damian."

He didn't call him Daddy again.

As he turned to leave, he gripped my hand tightly and said:

"Mommy, let's leave now. We don't need Daddy anymore."

"Okay."

I took my son and left the hall. No one followed.

Damian's message arrived quickly.

[Don't be angry. After the ceremony, I'll come home. We'll talk properly.]

I glanced at it and didn't reply.

There were still a few of my son's clothes at home.

I packed his little jacket, picture books, and the old stuffed animal by his bed into the suitcase. He stood at the door, holding the box of leftover birthday cake.

"Mommy, are we taking everything?"

"Only your things."

"What about what Daddy gave me?"

"Do you want to bring them?"

He shook his head and took the wolf-fang pendant from his pocket. He placed it on the table.

"Not this one either."

I didn't try to persuade him.

I closed the suitcase and took out the lighter I'd prepared. I burned the old photos with our names, the birthday cards, and the letters Damian had sent, one by one...

My son sat beside me and watched quietly.

Before dark, we left with only our luggage.

The moment we stepped out of pack territory, my father was already waiting with an army.

"Welcome home, my princess. My heir to the capital."