Chapter 1

After my Alpha mate broke my heart, my daughter and I chose cash over love. Even on a full moon, my daughter happily let him walk out the door.

"It's okay, Daddy. Just pay up. It's a full moon today, so that’s triple."

The moment Mia said those innocent words, the guilt on Gideon's face vanished. His brows locked together, and his heavy Alpha aura flooded the room, raw and uncontrolled.

"Cora!" he snapped, standing up. "How the hell are you raising this child?!"

I immediately pulled Mia behind me, shielding her from his crushing pressure.

"What else should I do? Teach her to beg for your love?" I said calmly. "Better she learns now, instead of being left with nothing, like me."

Gideon went rigid. He instinctively looked at the mark on my neck. I felt a sharp, violent tug in my chest from our Mate bond. He was speechless, a vein throbbing on his forehead.

Right then, his phone broke the dead silence.

He answered, and Toby's voice rang out. "Uncle Gideon! You promised to take me hunting at the Pack grounds today! I've got all my gear on!"

In the past, Gideon would have left without a second thought. But today, he actually hesitated. He looked down at Mia hiding behind me. A flash of struggle crossed his eyes. His Alpha instinct was screaming at him to stay and soothe his mate and pup.

"Mia," he took a step forward, reaching out to gently pat her head. "Daddy has to go—"

Mia dodged his touch without hesitation. Her golden eyes, once full of pure worship, were completely dead.

"It's fine, Daddy. Just pay."

Gideon's hand froze in mid-air. His face turned dark. "This is insane! You're both out of your minds!"

He spun on his heel and slammed the door behind him.

The newly reconnected Mate bond in my chest gave a familiar, dull ache. I coldly pushed it down.

"Mommy." Mia tugged my shirt and held up her phone. It showed the massive wire transfer Gideon just sent. "Is this enough for the surgery to repair my wolf genes?"

I choked back a sob.

I pulled her fragile body into a tight hug, my heart breaking. "It's enough, baby. After the surgery, Mommy will take you far away from here."

Two hours later, we were sitting in the waiting room.

The werewolf gossip sites had a new headline: Crescent Pack Alpha Spotted at Private Hunting Grounds: Secret Bastard Son Revealed?

The photo showed Gideon beaming at a small wolf—Toby in his new form—with pure adoration, teaching him how to pounce on prey.

Just then, Gideon's mind link burst into my head. Cora, you saw the news. I already had my people take down those fake rumors. Toby is just a pup. I owe Civian my life. I can't let his son be looked down on. I don't want to hurt you over this.

Hurt me? I looked at Mia, her face pale from her genetic defect, and smirked bitterly.

Don't bother, I replied, my voice dead. Since the client rented you by the hour, you should give her the best service. Don't waste her money.

I cut the link before he could reply.

Mia’s test results were out.

The doctor said her defect was well-controlled, and we could schedule the repair surgery for next month.

Relief washed over me, so strong my knees almost buckled. Finally.

I thought back to that rainy night.

I had severed our mate bond.

To punish my stubbornness, Gideon cut off every cent I had.

The very next day, Mia was diagnosed with a genetic defect.

She could drop dead at any moment.

Because of his punishment, my daughter missed the golden window for treatment!

Watching my little girl run high fevers every night, crying in agony, I broke down.

I bowed my head to him. I agreed to take his mark again.

A text popped up from Gideon.

[Alright, enough. Stop being dramatic. Open up our mind link. I made your favorite roasted venison. I’m waiting for you.]

I didn't reply.

Because it was all about to end.

Once the surgery date was set, I secretly contacted a vampire smuggler on the black market.

He could erase our scent from the Pack and help Mia and me escape this continent forever.

With everything arranged, I took Mia back to the territory.

No matter what, we still had to pack some irreplaceable things.

But an hour later, I pushed open the door to the main villa and froze.

Gideon was cutting roasted venison for Vivian and her son. A picture-perfect family.