My Mate’s Regret After Putting Our Child in Jail

Unreasonable? I didn't expect Ryan to see me like this."Then break our mate bond," I said quietly in the car. "Let me and Marcus go.""Never." Ryan's eyes flashed dangerously in the mirror. "You're my only mate. Marcus will be my heir after his... training."The next morning, guards surrounded our house.Ryan forced a silver-laced water down my throat. Wolfsbane. My wolf howled in agony before falling silent.He made Marcus drink sleeping grass tea. My son's eyes grew heavy, his small body collapsing into unconsciousness."It's for his own good," Ryan said, locking us in. "Until the trial."A dozen guards took position outside our door.The next day, voices drifted up from downstairs. Sarah and Katherine – Ryan's mother.Katherine's hand cracked across my face the moment she saw me."We treated Marcus like our own grandson for eight years," she spat. "And you repay us by letting your bastard kill an innocent pup?"She turned to Sarah, stroking her arm. "You poor dear, suffering in sil

After Ryan left, I quickly packed our essentials. My hands shook but I forced them steady. "Get your favorite books, Marcus," I whispered, shoving clothes into a bag. "We're leaving soon."Five hours until Emma and Alexander would come. I watched Gregory, Ryan's "strongest guard," stationed at our door.I called Emma, pressing close to the damp basement wall. "The security's tight. ""Don't worry, sister," Emma's voice held a predator's confidence. "Alexander has a plan. The Blood Moon Pack is ready."Marcus snatched the phone, his small face lighting up. "Aunt Emma! I miss you!"Emma's laugh warmed my heart. "Miss you too, pup. Soon no one will ever hurt you or your mom again. We have a room ready for you both."The basement door exploded inward before I could respond.Katherine flew down the stairs, her shift so fast it blurred. Her massive silver wolf – still powerful despite her age – slammed me against the wall. Bones cracked. Blood filled my mouth."You witch!" she snarled, shi

Ryan stared at me, his eyes dropping to where Marcus's scent should have been. Our mate bond twisted with his growing horror."What are you doing here?" His voice cracked, raw with fear. "Where's Marcus?"I ignored him, turning toward the gate, Marcus's favorite books clutched to my chest. His wolf pendant burned in my pocket.Ryan's hand caught my arm, his grip desperate. The touch that once brought comfort now made my skin crawl."Celeste, answer me! Where's our son?"Alexander's growl vibrated through the ground. "Remove your hand from my sister-in-law, or I'll remove it from your arm.""Dead." Katherine's voice rang out with cruel satisfaction, her silver hair catching the morning light. "The weak little murderer couldn't handle a proper dose of silver. Just like his mother – no breeding, no strength."Ryan staggered back as if physically struck. "Silver? No... No, you didn't-" His face drained of color. "Mother, what did you do?""Your mother did what you were too weak to do," I s

I stared at the verdict in my hands, barely believing what I was reading. My silk dress – a gift from Emma, deep blue with silver threading that matched Marcus's pendant – rustled as my hands shook."The Storm Shadow Pack will be absorbed into Blood Moon territory," Alexander explained, his Alpha authority filling the room. "Complete merger. Their lands, their resources, everything.""They'll never agree," I said, though hope flickered in my chest. The gems Emma had woven into my hair caught the light, a stark contrast to the rags I'd worn in that basement.Alexander's smile was predatory. "They have no choice. We control their hunting grounds, their trade routes. Refuse, and they starve. Their pack dies."Emma squeezed my hand, her own outfit equally regal. "There's more. Alexander's taking evidence of Marcus's murder to the Pack Council next week.""The formal judgment will be then," Alexander added. "We'll take you in the pack helicopter. You should see justice done."I touched Marc