Chapter 1

I gave Alpha Seth a son twelve years ago. He never gave me a bonding ceremony. He never let our son, Leo, call him “Dad.” I’m finally done.

I stormed into the council chamber and threw my resignation on the table.

"What the hell are you doing, Viola?"

Eight pairs of angry eyes glared at me.

The Elders had just denied my request to leave.

So I ripped my life-long Healer's contract to shreds in front of their faces.

"I quit," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "As of now, the Snow Fang pack can find someone else to patch up their wounded."

Elder Marcus slammed his fist on the table. "Are you insane? You're our only High Healer!"

"So what?" I sneered. "Seth always says bloodline is everything. That the weak get left behind. Let him find a 'purer' healer for his precious pack."

"Viola!" another elder stood up. "You can't let a personal grudge—"

"Personal?" I cut him off. "Yesterday, a hunter broke three ribs. Seth snapped his fingers, and I worked all night to save him. But tonight? For his grand alliance ceremony? I don't even get a seat. His 'impure' fated mate might ruin his perfect image."

The old men looked at each other.

"Twelve years," I continued. "I gave everything to this pack. And him? He’s on stage, embracing another woman. As if Leo and I are a dirty secret."

"But the pack needs you—"

"The pack?" I laughed, a bitter sound. "Or does Seth just need his loyal little healing tool on a leash? I'm not bonded. I'm not your Luna. I have no obligation to be chained here forever."

I turned to leave.

Marcus's roar followed me. "Viola! You can't leave the pack without the Alpha's signature! Have you thought about Leo?"

My steps faltered, but I didn't look back.

Leo. My son.

The boy no one knew was the Alpha's heir.

He was leaving with me. As soon as Seth signed that paper.

That night, the pack’s Grand Hall was filled with representatives from every major pack.

The air was thick with power.

I wasn't allowed inside. As "Head Healer," I could only stand in the shadows of a far-off pillar.

Seth wore the black ceremonial robes of an Alpha. He was tall, powerful, his face a mask of cold authority. Every move he made screamed power.

This was the man I was about to give up forever.

"Everyone," Seth's deep voice echoed through the hall. "The old ways held us back. Today, we forge a new future. We choose our allies. We choose strength."

The crowd erupted in howls and applause.

Sarah Blackwood, the Alpha's daughter from the Blackwood pack, walked onto the stage.

She was a beautiful, proud Beta female.

She moved to Seth's side like she belonged there. A true queen.

"Power needs wisdom," Sarah's voice was clear and confident. "The might of Snow Fang and the strategy of Blackwood. We will be unstoppable."

I watched them, a perfect pair. A hand squeezed my heart, tight and painful.

My phone buzzed. A text from Leo.

[Mommy, is Dad coming to my First Howl?]

My eyes burned.

The First Howl. It’s a sacred rite of passage for any pup.

A parent’s presence is crucial.

They shield the pup’s mind.

Without that shield, the pup’s spirit can be shattered.

I promised Leo his father would be there. Swallowing the hard lump in my throat, I sent a private message to Seth.

[It's Leo's First Howl tonight. He's waiting for you.]

A few seconds later, I saw Seth lift his wrist on stage. He glanced at the screen.

His brow furrowed for a split second. Then he dropped his arm and turned back to Sarah, smiling. As if he’d seen nothing.

No reply.

He couldn't even be bothered to type "no."

I stood frozen. It felt like a physical blow.

Our son's most important ceremony meant less to him than this political spectacle.

On stage, a reporter was asking a question.

"Miss Blackwood, what are your thoughts on those who still believe in the old tradition of 'fated mates'?"

Sarah smiled gracefully. Her eyes found me in the shadows, a hint of pity in her gaze.

"True leaders forge their own future," her voice carried. "They don't leave it to fate. Only the weak are trapped by destiny. And the world always leaves the weak behind."

Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

Seth didn't say a word.

I watched them from the darkness, shining in the light.

This was the man I had loved for over a decade. The man I had sacrificed my pride, my freedom, my everything for.

I raised a hand to my empty neck.

He tried to reject me the moment we met.

Then came one drunken night. An "accident." I got pregnant.

For twelve years, I never got his mark.

The tears were long gone. All that was left was a cold, sharp clarity.

"Left behind?" I whispered the words, a bitter smile on my lips.

I looked down at my phone and booked two one-way tickets to Europe. Leaving in two days.

Then I turned and ran into the night. Back to my son. The only one who mattered. The one still foolishly waiting for his father.

It's over, Seth. We're leaving.