Chapter 2

I collapsed to the ground, and my head slammed hard against the steps. Blood streamed down my forehead, covering my face.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy's hurt! Daddy!" Leon was so frightened that he burst into tears, desperately pressing his jacket against my wound.

But Lucas didn't look back, not even once. He kept running until he completely disappeared from Leon's line of sight.

Leon clung to me with his tiny, frail body. At first, he kept calling for Lucas, but his voice gradually faded until he finally gave up and stopped calling for help.

Using the last of my strength, I comforted him, "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy will be all better in no time at all."

Leon's eyes were hollow as he stared in the direction Lucas had gone. I had no idea what was on his mind. My heart ached sharply.

By the time Lucas returned carrying a tear-streaked Emily, my wound had almost completely healed.

Leon stepped forward timidly, his voice small as he asked Lucas gingerly, "Daddy, do you really not want Mommy and me anymore? Mommy just got hurt—"

All of a sudden, Emily let out a sharp scream. She held up Kyle's hand, which had a shallow red scratch on it, and turned to Leon.

She pretty much went berserk as she shouted at him, "Why did you secretly bully Kyle? We worked so hard to calm his wolf down just a while ago! Why did you have to secretly hurt him?"

Then, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said pitifully, "Luna, even if you hate me, you shouldn't have taught Leon to do such things!"

Right on cue, Kyle started crying, tugging at Lucas' clothes and whimpering that it hurt.

I was stunned. With just a few words, she had dumped all the blame squarely on Leon and me. She sobbed, "Luna, I'm begging you, please let me and Kyle go!"

Lucas looked heartbroken. He raised his hand and slapped Leon hard, sending him staggering. "You've really been spoiled rotten!"

Then, he ordered his Beta, "Take Leon to the punishment camp! A disobedient pup should be properly disciplined."

Leon stood there, his cheek red and swollen, staring blankly at Lucas. Tears welled in his eyes as he murmured softly, "It wasn't me… I didn't do it…"

My heart shattered. I pushed myself off the ground and scrambled to protect my son. "Lucas! He didn't do anything wrong! How can you accuse him of something he never did?"

The punishment camp Lucas mentioned had a notorious reputation in the pack. It was meant for werewolves who had committed serious offenses. The methods were brutal and cruel.

Just last year, it came out that a young werewolf had taken his own life there because his wolf had broken down.

My sweet boy had no business suffering like that!

But at that moment, Lucas only had eyes for Emily and Kyle. He didn't spare me even a single glance.

A prison wagon covered in animal hides soon stopped at the door. Several strong warriors grabbed Leon without a word and dragged him toward it.

My eyes turned bloodshot as I held onto Leon with everything I had, dodging the warriors like a crazed she-wolf. "Get away from us! I'll never let you take him!"

When Lucas' gaze fell on the wound on my forehead, a flicker of softness seemed to appear in his eyes.

But Emily wept bitterly, looking concerned yet trying to be understanding. "Luna, if a pup does something wrong, he needs to be corrected. Otherwise, it will ruin him! The Alpha is only doing what's best for Leon!"

Hearing that, Lucas cast aside all hesitation. He unleashed the Alpha force, and I couldn't move an inch. I could only watch helplessly as the burly warriors roughly dragged Leon into the wagon.

"Mommy! Mommy, save me! Mommy!" Leon screamed desperately, reaching out toward me. But there was nothing I could do. I could only watch as the wagon drove away.

When the Alpha force was finally lifted, all the strength drained from my body. I collapsed to the ground in a daze.

Emily nestled against Lucas' chest meekly, her eyes filled with thick mockery.

"I win," she mouthed slowly.

Lucas seemed to feel sorry for me and reached out to help me up. But Emily suddenly slumped against him and passed out.

"Emily!" Lucas quickly caught her, then lifted her in his arms preciously and strode away.

Behind his back, where he couldn't see, Emily shot me a triumphant look.

Kyle pressed his lips together, gave me a deep, long look, then slowly followed Lucas out.

I stared blankly in the direction they had gone, my mind racing with thoughts of how I could rescue Leon.

Soon, I pulled myself together and went back to packing my things. Only this time, I packed Leon's belongings too.

Then, I gathered the few warriors who were still loyal to me.

I used to think Leon would be better off staying with Lucas. But after what had just happened, I knew I had to take my poor baby away with me.

I had everything ready now.

Wait for me, Leon. Mommy will come and get you out of there tomorrow!

At midnight, Lucas, whom I thought wouldn't be coming home, pushed open the door.