Chapter 3

Matteo returned just as expected, arriving around dinnertime.

When he stepped inside, he noticed that I hadn't gotten up to greet him as I usually did. His brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing as he changed his shoes and walked over to me.

"Freya, I'm sorry. I know you're still upset, but Laura and her pack have no one else to rely on. As the Alpha of the pack, it's my responsibility to look after them."

He reached out to pull me into his arms, but I stepped away.

His hands fell to his sides, and he let out a helpless sigh.

"Freya, I've already apologized. You know I love you and Ella. I promise I'll spend more time with the two of you from now on."

Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, I almost laughed.

In the past, whenever something like this happened, he'd always be the first to admit he was wrong. Then he'd wrap his arms around me and shower me with sweet words until I finally forgave him. And every time, I'd fallen for it.

But now, with the sweet scent surrounding him having long since faded, I no longer wanted to keep deceiving myself.

Still, when I saw Ella happily climbing onto Matteo's lap and snuggling against him, I decided I didn't want to start another argument.

"I understand," I replied flatly.

Seeing that I seemed to have calmed down, just as I always did, Matteo's expression finally relaxed.

…

After dinner, Ella eagerly spread out all the craft supplies and urged Matteo and me to join her in making Halloween masks.

We had barely sat down at the table when the doorbell rang.

The butler went to answer it, and Laura's tearful sobs immediately filled the entryway.

Matteo got to his feet almost at once and hurried over.

The moment Laura saw him, she grabbed his hand desperately.

"Matteo, Enzo is missing! I've searched several streets, but I can't find him anywhere!"

Matteo immediately stiffened.

"How could he have gone missing? Wasn't he supposed to be with you?"

Laura sobbed as she explained, "After you dropped us off, I went into the kitchen to make dinner. But when I finished and came back out, he'd disappeared."

Matteo paused for a few seconds, trying to keep his composure.

"Have you checked with the neighbors? Halloween is tomorrow. Maybe one of his friends invited him over to work on some crafts."

Laura glanced at me over Matteo's shoulder, her voice suddenly hesitant.

"No, that can't be it. Enzo hardly ever goes outside. The only place we went today was the mall…"

Before she could finish, Matteo spun around and grabbed my wrist.

"Freya, what did you do?"

I was just about to respond when Laura rushed over, seized my hand, and pleaded through her tears.

"Freya, I'm sorry. I know Enzo shouldn't have fought with Ella over that toy, and he certainly had no right to call Matteo 'Daddy.' But he's still just a pup. Please, I'm begging you. Have mercy and let him go."

I stared at her in disbelief before yanking my hand free.

"What makes you so sure I had anything to do with this?"

Laura stumbled backward, but Matteo quickly caught her around the waist before she could fall.

His voice was sharp with anger and urgency.

"Laura and Enzo have always kept to themselves. You're the only person they've ever had a conflict with, Freya! If you're angry, take it out on me. How could you possibly kidnap a pup just to scare them? I never imagined you could be so vicious."

He fixed me with a furious glare before issuing a warning.

"You'd better bring him back right now. Otherwise…"

I calmly waited for him to finish before speaking.

"So you've already decided I did it?"

He didn't answer, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

Suddenly, I was reminded of the time my father's illegitimate daughter had spread malicious rumors throughout the pack, claiming I was promiscuous and had a scandalous private life.

Not a single member of my family had stood up for me. Instead, the entire pack had condemned me as a shameless she-wolf.

Back then, Matteo had simply said, "I believe her. She will be my Luna for the rest of my life."

At the time, I'd believed that no matter what happened, Matteo would always stand by my side and be my strongest ally.

Yet now, all it took was Laura and her pup for him to turn against me, making baseless accusations and questioning me without a second thought.

Just then, Ella came running over and planted herself in front of me, raising her voice to defend me.

"Mommy has been with me the whole time! Mommy would never do anything bad!"

Matteo briefly closed his eyes before speaking.

"You'd better have nothing to do with this."

With that, he put an arm around Laura and walked straight out.

The moment Ella saw him leave, she burst into tears.

"Mommy, Daddy left again! He promised he'd make fairy lights with me!"

I gently wiped away her tears.

"It's okay, sweetheart. I'll always be here with you."

…

After finishing the crafts with Ella, I began packing our things.

Ella glanced at the suitcase and asked curiously, "Mommy, are you taking me on vacation?"

Pups were so innocent. Seeing the hopeful expression on her face, I smiled.

"That's right! How would you like it if I took you somewhere far away for a vacation?"

Ella twisted her fingers together and bit her lower lip as she thought it over.

"Okay… But won't Daddy be lonely all by himself?"

I didn't answer.

She was still too young to understand the complicated matters between adults.

But if I stayed, all I had to look forward to was Matteo growing increasingly distant. I would never allow myself to repeat my mother's mistakes, nor would I leave Ella behind to endure her father's neglect and lies.