Chapter 7

Vivienne

“Moonshadow!?” Alistair jumped up from the couch, eyes wide, face glowing. “That’s where my new friend lives!”

The word hits me like a slap.

Moonshadow.

My chest tightens. I feel something get stuck in my throat, like I swallowed a rock. My hands freeze in place.

Daisy turns her head slowly, and I feel her stare. She knows. Of course she does. I stayed with her before I left for New York. She always knew where I came from—even if we never talked about it. And she doesn’t know about my baby because I leave too early.

I try to speak, but my lips feel dry. “It seems like your son—”

“That’s not possible.” The words come out fast, too sharp. I didn’t mean to snap, but it’s too late.

Alistair blinks. “Why not, mummy? I wanna play too…” His voice gets softer, like he knows something’s wrong.

My heart aches.

It’s like a knife twisting inside me.

I hate lying to him.

But I can’t let him find out everything. Not yet.

I don’t move for a second. Just breathing.

Daisy’s eyes are still on me. Waiting.

I take a deep breath, then force a little smile. I kneel down to Alistair’s level and brush a curl off his forehead.

“Well,” I say, gently, “you should be very thankful, baby. I’m only going because you made a new friend.”

His face lights up like the sun. “You’re the best, mom!”

He throws his arms around me, hugging me tight. I hold him back. Close. I close my eyes for a second. I don’t want to let go.

I’d do anything to keep that smile on his face.

Daisy walks closer and puts her hand on my shoulder. Her voice is low, almost a whisper. “We’ll talk later.”

I nod. Quiet. I watch her turn and walk away.

Then I look back at my son.

His cheeks are red with excitement.

His little hands are fidgeting like he can’t wait another second.

“We still have to go home to change, baby,” I say, brushing dirt off his shirt.

He grins. “Then I can’t wait!”

I smile back. But inside, my heart beats faster.

Moonshadow is calling.

And I don’t know if I’m ready.

***

I walked back into the Lunar Fang Pack.

The halls were buzzing—warriors talking in low voices, omegas moving fast, whispers floating around like smoke. The Alpha and Luna were still at the Moonlit gathering, probably dealing with the aftermath of the pack’s gathering.

I didn’t want to be seen.

Not right now.

As one of their honored warriors, I knew people would expect me to show up, shake hands, smile, maybe give a speech. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand there while eyes scanned me—a twenty-five-year-old warrior with a kid… and no mate.

The questions would come fast. The stares would sting.

Who’s the father?

Was she marked?

I shut the door to my room and started pacing. Back and forth. The floor creaked beneath my boots. My heart wouldn’t stop racing.

I can’t bring Alistair to that gathering without someone by my side.

I need a name. A face. A fake, even. Anything.

If I walk in there alone, Darius might piece it together.

And he—he doesn’t deserve to know.

He has Lily. A perfect little daughter who he claims in front of everyone. Holds her like treasure. Smiles like he’s the best damn dad in the world.

But mine?

He left mine to rot in the shadows.

Then I remembered.

The nerve. The audacity.

Inviting his fuck buddy to the gathering? Really?

I gasped, out loud. Rage bubbling in my chest like boiling water.

“Baby?” I turned toward my son, who sat on the floor, playing quietly with toy wolves.

He looked up, blinking with wide brown eyes. “Yes, mommy?”

“I need to get something outside. Wait here, okay?” I bent down and kissed the top of his head.

“Sure, mom!”

He smiled so big, my heart hurt.

I walked out fast, needing air. Needing to breathe before I exploded.

And then I saw him.

Zach.

He stood by the hallway, leaning against the wall, dressed in his full warrior gear. His armor hugged his body just right—broad shoulders, sword at his hip, blonde hair messed up like he just got out of training.

Our eyes met.

My chest tightened again, but differently this time.

“Zach,” I breathed.

He turned. That crooked grin slid onto his face as he ran a hand through his hair. “Vivienne,” he said, voice low and a little rough. “Didn’t know you were back.”

I took a step closer. “Yeah. They just… honored me again. Said I’m still one of the best warriors.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You are.”

I shrugged. “Not like you.”

“Oh?” His smile deepened. “Wanna spar and settle that?”

I laughed under my breath, shaking my head. “No. But maybe I’ll do you that favor.”

“A favor?” His eyes twinkled. “What, letting you kick my ass in front of everyone?”

I grinned, relaxing just a little. “Exactly.”

Then—

“Mom?”

Alistair’s little voice pulled us back.

I turned. He was standing at the door of our room, clutching his toy, eyes flicking between me and Zach.

Zach’s face froze for half a second.

“Holy—” he breathed, eyebrows lifting. “I didn’t even know you were… bonded?”

“No.” I cut him off, firm. Not bonded. Not mated. Not anything.

Alistair ran over, small hand reaching for mine. He glanced at Zach again, curious.

“What about this one?” he asked, voice quiet.

And girl, my wolf Shelby was screaming inside me.

“Speak! Just say it!”

“Hold up,” I answered her back in my head.

Zach crouched down to Alistair’s level, smiling kindly. “Hey there, little guy. You’ve got your mother’s face.”

And he’s probably just saying that because he have nothing to say. My son almost looks like Darius’ replica.

Alistair smiled, warm and easy. “Will you be my daddy today?”

My whole body tensed. My face flushed. “Alistair, I told you not to say that to everyone,” I said through clenched teeth, trying not to melt into the floor.

Zach laughed, deep and surprised. “Of course, buddy. If it means your mom’s gonna yell at me, I’ll take it.”

He looked up at me with that same teasing fire. “So? What is it, Vivienne?”

I exhaled slowly, pushing hair behind my ear, avoiding his eyes.

“It’s…” My voice cracked. “It’s stupid.”

He stood up, eyes never leaving mine. “Tell me anyway.”

I swallowed hard. My hands were sweating. My mind screaming.

But I looked him straight in the eye.

“Will you be my partner?”