Chapter 4

Aldric, the healer, arrived quickly and confirmed that Lillian had only been overwhelmed by the Alpha's aura. There was no poisoning or other injury.

Before long, Lillian opened her eyes, wrenched herself out of my arms, and lunged for Caine.

"Daddy, it's Mommy's medicine!

"Ever since I took the stabilizing medicine she gave me, my head has been all foggy. I don't even know what I just said. She must have poisoned me and messed up my memory!"

Aldric frowned. "Your medicine comes from the same batch as three other pups'. The bottles are sealed by the Temple of the Moon Goddess."

"Then she must have switched it! She's the one who always gives me my medicine. Of course you'd take her side!"

I looked at this child who had just been exposed, yet in the very next breath had pinned an even graver accusation on me. Strangely, the turmoil in my chest began to settle.

"Lillian, are you willing to swear to it before the Moon Goddess?

"If you've lied, the oath will turn on you."

She looked at Caine, then at me, and raised her hand through gritted teeth.

"I'll swear. Mommy poisoned me!"

The last thread of my willingness to shield her snapped.

"Fine." I told the guard, "Bring the Elders, Pack Child Welfare, and the rest of the pack here.

"Poisoning is a serious accusation."

Lillian thought I was finally scared. She shrank back into Caine's arms, a hint of triumph surfacing in her eyes.

I knew she was lying. She just wanted to see me humiliated.

But this time, I put away every last shred of softness.

This time, I would let her tell her lies in front of everyone.

Within half an hour, the council hall was packed with Elders, officials, and pack members who had come at the news.

The memory crystal, Lillian's leftover medicine, the seal records from the Temple, and the dual signatures from every medicine pickup were all laid out on the long table.

Faced with this many people, Lillian cried harder.

"Mommy has always been jealous that I have Alpha blood. She's afraid I'll be stronger than her when I grow up, so she's been using medicine to suppress my wolf. Today it only scrambled my memory. Next time she'll poison me to death!"

Aldric tested the last drop of medicine in front of everyone.

"There's nothing wrong with the medicine. She fainted because her wolf couldn't withstand the Alpha's aura."

Marcus pointed to the seal. "The bottles haven't been opened since they arrived from the Temple. Two people were present every time a dose was removed. The Luna had no opportunity to switch anything."

Caine turned to Lillian. "Lillian, do you still insist your mother poisoned you?"

"It was her!" Lillian shrieked. "They all answer to her! She's the Luna. Of course she can change whatever she wants!"

Rowan lowered his head. The Elders' expressions grew darker by the moment.

Caine watched her for a long time before he finally spoke.

"Enough. I've been putting up with you for far too long."

Lillian immediately turned to look at me, her eyes lighting up again.

"Mommy, did you hear that? Daddy's been putting up with you for far too long."

But Caine pushed down the finger she was pointing at me.

"I'm talking about you."

The smile froze on her face.

"That's impossible!

"Daddy, Mommy is just a weak Omega! You'd choose her over me, your Alpha daughter? Why?"

Caine didn't answer.

His silence pulled the last lifeline from her grasp.

Lillian shot to her feet, eyes red, and shouted, "Daddy, you're playing favorites! She's not even my real mother!

"If you're going to believe her over me, then I'll go find my real parents!"

The council hall fell silent.

I was tired of this spectacle.

"Lillian, are you sure? You want to find your biological parents?"

"I'm sure! I've known for a long time. The whole pack has been whispering about it. I was never really yours!" She lifted her chin. "My real parents are both powerful Alphas. They would never let an Omega push me around."

The Pack Child Welfare officers exchanged uneasy glances.

I quietly told my aide to bring the guardianship papers I had signed.

They were relinquishment papers for guardianship of the pack's heir.

I had already had them stamped by the Werewolf Council. If Lillian had shown any restraint, I would never have brought them out.

When the papers arrived, I told Lillian, "Every form has been completed. Once you sign, our legal guardianship ends. I am not saying this in anger."

Lillian glanced at me, eyes burning with fury, and pressed her thumbprint onto the paper without hesitation.

"I won't regret it."

I smiled faintly. "Good."

Then, in front of everyone, I placed a thick stack of adoption papers before her.

"You're right. You are not Caine's biological daughter or mine."

Lillian's eyes lit up.

"And your biological parents are both Alphas."

She looked eagerly at the birth records.

Biological father: Lucius Grey, high-ranking Alpha. Biological mother: Evelyn Grey, also an Alpha.

"I knew it!" She was so thrilled she nearly laughed out loud. "How could I possibly have an Omega mother? My mother and father really are both Alphas!"

She held up the adoption papers and looked around, waiting for everyone to congratulate her.

But no one smiled.

The Elder nearest to her looked away. Aldric sighed. Even Rowan, whom she had just slandered, could only look at her with pity.

The joy faded from Lillian's face, bit by bit.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

She clutched the adoption papers, suddenly panicking.