4

Theo paused mid-step, turning back with cold eyes.

"You really think this is clever, don't you?" His lip curled in disdain.

"If you think you can threaten me with a mate bond dissolution, go ahead. Submit it."

Then he walked away without another glance.

Sarah's eyes flashed with something like triumph, but she quickly masked it, coming back to apologize.

"I'm so sorry about all this. You know, being an Omega without a wolf spirit, you can't really sense Theo's true status or our pack dynamics. But I assure you, nothing happened between us."

She smiled sympathetically. "He's just very loyal to old pack bonds. He feels bad that I lost my mate and Marcus lost his father. That's all this is - just him being caring. Don't take it personally..."

Before leaving, Sarah insisted on exchanging contact information.

"For compensation," she said sweetly. "For any distress we may have caused."

"Sarah, come on!" Theo called from outside, his voice gentle as he held Marcus.

"Coming!" Sarah hurried after them, her face lighting up.

They hadn't gone far when their conversation drifted back to me.

"Theo, you shouldn't have agreed so quickly when she mentioned dissolving the mate bond. You know she was just angry..."

Theo's scornful laugh cut through the air:

"After all the tricks she used to trap me into this mate bond, you think she'd actually let it go?"

"Her being harsh with Marcus was just a little warning. Give it a few days - she'll be begging me to come back."

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

Oh, Theo. People change.

The desperate Omega who would have done anything for your love is dead.

Now, for my son's sake, I'm choosing to walk away completely.

I was done letting my son be collateral damage in Theo's games.

After Alex's burns healed, he remained withdrawn and sad.

To cheer him up, I organized a fourth birthday celebration, inviting all his young packmates.

For a while, it worked. Alex was actually smiling, playing with the other pups.

Until the blessing video started playing on the screen.

The lights dimmed. Everyone gathered around the screen, excited to see the traditional pack birthday blessings.

Instead, we saw Theo's face in what looked like a recent pack gathering. He was lounging on a couch, drink in hand.

Someone off-camera asked: "Beta Theo, where's your favorite place to mate?"

His casual response froze my blood: "After putting Marcus to sleep, I like taking Sarah to the dining table in the living room."

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Alex, who had gone completely still in my arms.

Sarah appeared almost immediately, her face a mask of concern.

"Oh no, I'm so terribly sorry! There was a mix-up with the videos. I had prepared such a lovely birthday blessing for Alex..."

She glanced around the room, then lowered her voice. "These things happen sometimes. No need to make a scene."

Then she pulled out her phone, starting to show me other clips.

Theo teaching Marcus combat moves. Theo taking Marcus hunting. Theo proudly watching Marcus's first partial shift.

Theo was capturing the moment on camera, his voice full of joy: "That's my boy! Look at those claws!"

"See?" Sarah's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Theo's such a wonderful father figure. He just needs... the right family environment."

Sarah leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's be honest - if you hadn't used that pheromone enhancement five years ago, Theo would never have been with you. You're a talented healer, and quite beautiful for an Omega. You could find someone else."

She showed me one final photo - her, Theo, and Marcus at a pack gathering, looking like the perfect family.

"Just let him go. Let us be a real family again. It's what's best for everyone."

I covered Alex's eyes with my hand, shielding him from more pain.

"I'm done," I said quietly, cutting her off. "We're done."

I pulled out my phone and called Ada, my friend who led a pack in the next territory.

"Remember when you offered me that healing position in your pack? Is it still open? I will be there in three days."