Chapter 4

Evan looked at me in disbelief. "What… did Toby just call me?"

I smiled, finding it ironic.

"Isn't this what you've always wanted, Chief Healer Evan?" I retorted.

For the past six years, not only did Evan keep our mating bond hidden, but he even refused to let Toby call him "Daddy".

The only difference now was that he had been the one forcing Toby to call him "Mr. Stone" in the past. But now, Toby was the one who chose to keep his distance.

I looked down and tried to pull my arm free, yet I failed, no matter how hard I tried.

Evan looked at me, his gaze conflicted. "Give me a few days. I'll explain things to Toby."

I reminded him quietly, "Selena is waiting for you. You should let go."

Only then did Evan seem to realize and release my hand reluctantly.

I scoffed softly and took Toby's hand, ready to leave.

But Evan suddenly called after us, "Wait!"

He ran back to his car, grabbed a box of delicate desserts, and handed it to me. "Happy birthday, Toby."

Selena spoke up right then, "This was the cake Chief Healer Evan specially bought for me from the human city. I didn't expect it to also be your pup's birthday. I hope you don't mind, Ms. Lundell."

The box in my hands suddenly felt impossibly heavy.

I was about to return it, but then, I caught the excitement in Toby's eyes.

My heart softened, and I paused in my tracks.

Toby couldn't understand the tension between us adults. He merely looked at Evan with hopeful anticipation. "Can you eat it with me?"

Evan only hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Toby cheered and ran into the living room, urging me to open the cake box.

I ruffled his hair and quickly cut it into slices. But the smile on my face froze the moment the dessert touched his lips.

"Spit it out! Don't eat it!" My voice was sharp with urgency as I snatched the cake from Toby's hand in a frenzy.

Evan's expression darkened instantly. "Have you lost your mind, Harper?"

I looked up, the corners of my eyes red. "Don't you know that Toby is allergic to nuts?"

Panic flashed across Evan's face the moment he heard me. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

He was apologizing again. I'd heard it countless times since Toby was born.

Toby came to his senses and stared at Evan, stunned. The hope in his eyes was gone.

"It's okay. It makes sense that they didn't know."

After saying that, he buried his face tightly in my arms, refusing to look at Evan again.

I no longer hesitated. I stood up and carried Toby outside.

Even after we left the house, I could still feel Evan's apologetic, panicked gaze on us.

But this time, neither Toby nor I would be swayed.

…

After leaving home, I went straight to the healing center and quickly packed up my personal belongings from the apothecary room.

I had planned to bid goodbye properly. But it seemed like it wasn't necessary now.

After I placed the signed rejection agreement on the table, I let out a long breath.

With our suitcases in hand, I brought Toby to the Elder and applied to dissolve our mate bond.

Before it was finalized, I asked Toby, "Will you be angry at me if I make you lose your father and take you away from the pack?"

He shook his head and placed his head close to my face. "Daddy doesn't want me anymore. Mommy is the only one who's always stayed with me. I like Mommy, not the pack. Home is where you are, Mommy!"

My tears finally broke free. All the pain I'd been holding onto turned into a strange sense of relief.

I nodded firmly at the Elder and said, "I, Harper Lundell, reject Evan Stone as my mate."

The Elder then severed the mind-link between Evan and me.

The invisible bond that tied us together snapped, and pain exploded in my chest.

"Mommy—" Toby wrapped his arms around me tightly as I winced from the pain.

I gave him a weak yet free smile, gathering him—my future happiness—in my arms.

Goodbye, Evan. I hoped we never saw each other again.