6

With my outburst and shouting, both Sarah and Garrett stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Everyone around us fell silent, all eyes turning in our direction. The medical center's harsh lights seemed to intensify, spotlighting our family drama for all to witness.

Many recognized Garrett, whispering among themselves, their words sharp and clear to our werewolf hearing:

"Isn't that the Alpha and his mate? Who's that other woman with those starving cubs?"

"She just called herself his mate... but aren't the Alpha and that Omega already partners? Look at those poor children!"

"Those cubs look like they haven't eaten in weeks. How could our Alpha allow this?"

The whispered words reached Garrett's ears, draining the color from his face. His jaw clenched as he grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away from the growing crowd.

I stubbornly planted my feet, refusing to budge. My wolf stirred inside me, lending strength to my human form.

Garrett's fingers dug into my arm as he whispered harshly, "Ember, my mate, I know you're angry, but this isn't the place for a scene. You're embarrassing the pack. Let's find somewhere to talk properly."

His eyes darted nervously to the onlookers, more concerned with appearances than the truth.

I bit my lip until I tasted blood and seized the opportunity to wrap my arms around his waist, playing the part of the desperate, loving mate. "Garrett, please don't send me away again. I know I'm not as beautiful or capable as Sarah, but I can learn to be better."

My voice cracked with genuine emotion as I continued, "You said Sarah and her cubs would be bullied in the wasteland as a widow with no protection, so you brought her to Moonhaven and left us behind. It's been three years—can't Sarah survive on her own by now? Or is there another reason you keep her so close?"

Garrett's pulse quickened against my hand. I could feel the panic rising in him.

"Don't worry," I added loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I'm not trying to break up whatever you have with Sarah. I'm willing to join this family. If you don't want that, I can break our bond, but please—" I choked on a sob that wasn't entirely faked, "—don't abandon our cubs. They need their father."

I turned to my children, who stood trembling beside me. "Children, quickly, beg your father not to send us away again."

My two children understood immediately. Ethan's eyes flashed with determination as he dropped to his knees. Lily followed, her small body shaking as they each clutched one of Garrett's legs.

"Father, please don't leave us," Ethan pleaded, his young voice carrying across the now-silent room. "I'll be stronger, I promise. I'll be a son you can be proud of."

Lily's tears soaked through Garrett's pants as she whimpered, "I've never even had a proper bed, Father. Please don't send us back to the cold."

Our combined display left Garrett overwhelmed, his face ashen. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he looked desperately around the room, searching for an escape.

The onlookers' expressions hardened as they finally understood the truth of the situation.

They grew increasingly outraged, making no effort to hide their disgust. A growl rippled through the crowd—the collective anger of pack members witnessing an Alpha's betrayal of his most sacred duties.

"The Alpha always seemed like such a decent man," spat an older female healer. "How could he leave his own blood to starve while keeping another woman in luxury?"

"I always thought they were soulmates," muttered another. "Never imagined he was secretly playing house with his brother's widow while his true family suffered."

Amid these accusations of betrayal and infidelity, Sarah also panicked. She clutched Cain tighter to her chest, her knuckles white. "No, no, we're not... Garrett, say something! Tell them the truth!"

Garrett, although cornered, was still an Alpha. He straightened his spine, squaring his shoulders as he addressed the crowd with as much authority as he could muster:

"Please don't misunderstand the situation. Sarah and I are not mates in any sense of the word. She was my brother's mate, and her wolf cubs are also my brother's. My brother Ryan sacrificed himself eight years ago protecting our territory."

His voice gained strength as he continued, "He entrusted them to me with his dying breath. I brought them under my protection to fulfill my brother's final wish. I have never told anyone that Sarah and I are mates or presented her as such. "

He said firmly. "I swear by the Moon Goddess herself, there is nothing inappropriate between Sarah and me."