2

After hanging up the phone, I let out a quiet sigh. I finished calming down the pack members who had come for the ceremony and was looking for a place to rest when I heard an annoyed voice calling out.

"Aria!"

I looked up to see Marcus approaching.

For some reason, they had come back over.

Marcus held the child in one arm while his other hand was linked with Serena's. What a harmonious family of three.

He walked up to me, set the child down, and said in a low, irritated voice, "What are you still doing here? Didn't I already explain everything to you? This is now my and Serena's mating ceremony."

I answered honestly, "Waiting for someone. To hold a mating ceremony."

Marcus got even more angry. "Why are you being so passive-aggressive? I already explained everything to you. I just found out the child was back too. Everyone has a past, don't they?"

I nodded. "I understand. You're a mature werewolf. It's normal to have former lovers. Besides, you two already have a child together. I wish you both a happy bonding."

Marcus shoved me. "If you understand, then hurry up and go home. Don't make such an ugly scene in front of the child."

I pulled away from his grip and said seriously, "I really am waiting for someone to hold a mating ceremony."

Marcus's face darkened. "Aria, I'm telling you this for the last time. If you keep throwing this tantrum, you'll only make me hate you more."

At that moment, Serena approached with a careful, hesitant expression. "Is Aria angry because she couldn't bond with you?"

She showed off the bite mark behind her ear. "Marcus and I just completed our bonding." Then she pulled out a black card. "This is what Marcus gave me. He said he's sorry for all these years and that this is compensation for me and the child. I can buy whatever I want with it."

Serena stood there smugly flaunting the black card. "If you're unhappy, Aria, I don't need this card. I'll give it all to you. After all, we're the ones who wronged you."

As Serena proudly displayed that black card, I realized it looked very familiar. It was the supplementary card I had given Marcus to help with his expenses.

I stared at Marcus's innocent face. "Isn't this the supplementary card I gave you? So you're using my money to compensate your mate and child?"

I snatched the card away from her, snapped it in half, and threw it on the ground.

Serena turned around looking hurt, her face full of self-blame. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come back with the child..."

Marcus glared at me fiercely and threatened, "Aria, I really didn't know you could be so petty. Since you can't accept Serena's existence, then I can't accept you either. I'll have to reconsider our relationship!"

I corrected him coldly, "You chose to mark Serena. We have no relationship anymore. I have a new mate candidate now. Please leave. I'm the one paying for this mating ceremony."

My indifferent attitude made Marcus pause, but from his expression, he still didn't believe what I was saying.

Serena sensed the awkward atmosphere between us and gently pushed the little boy forward. "Call her auntie. Tell auntie not to be angry anymore."

But the little boy shouted loudly, "I won't call her that! This bad woman is a homewrecker!"

He shoved me hard. "Don't you dare steal my daddy away!"

All the pack members around us turned to look at me. Many of their gazes carried contempt.

I even heard someone say, "Damn, homewreckers are so shameless these days. The couple already has a child together."

I looked at the little boy and said calmly, "Your father and I have no relationship anymore. Don't worry."

"I wish your parents a hundred years of happiness and a lifetime together."

Marcus nodded with satisfaction and said to me, "That's right. From now on, you should always get along well with Serena and her son like this."

He picked up the boy, took Serena's hand, and walked away without waiting for me to respond.

As I watched his retreating figure, I thought silently to myself: "There won't be a 'from now on.' We have no relationship anymore."