Seven Years Lost

The moment Ivy appeared, the entire sacred ceremony fell silent.

The pack members who had just been blessing us now held their breath, tension thick in the air through scattered pheromones.

Elder wolves recognized her, shock flashing in their eyes.

"How is this possible... Ivy? Weren't you banished from Blood Moon territory long ago?"

"How dare you enter the sacred bonding ceremony?"

More wolves' gazes fell upon the mixed-blood pup, beautiful as a little angel.

The boy held his head high, declaring with pride beyond his years:

"I'm Lucas! Mama told me my Alpha bloodline father is in this sacred hall!"

His words struck like thunder, instantly shattering the sacred atmosphere of the bonding ceremony.

Five years of exile had left their mark on Ivy. The innocent girl of the past had transformed into a dangerous, mature woman.

She moved like a panther—graceful yet lethal—leading her pup toward our altar.

I felt Ethan's Alpha pheromones beginning to destabilize.

He stared intensely at that familiar little face, his voice emerging hoarse from deep in his throat: "This is impossible... Ivy, this pup..."

Ivy's response was decisive.

"Lucas, go embrace your father."

The pup instantly launched himself at Ethan, his small body clinging tightly to his legs.

"Alpha Daddy! I finally found you!"

Ethan, usually so conscious of his image, now let the child's tears dampen his ceremonial suit, his entire body rigid as stone.

Ivy gazed at him, complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

"Ethan, I know this is sudden, but Lucas is about to enter his awakening period. He needs Alpha bloodline guidance."

"I've endured these harsh years alone, but the child shouldn't bear the shame of being fatherless."

"I only hope you can give him recognition—a true werewolf identity."

Deathly silence shrouded the entire hall.

I finally found my voice, though it sounded strange and foreign:

"Ivy, what do you mean... this child..."

The words died in my throat.

Because that face, those eyes—they were the spitting image of young Ethan.

Ethan and I had grown up together in the pack, our bloodlines connected for generations.

On our eighteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony, we established our mate contract, considered the most perfect union in the Blood Moon Pack.

Through seven years of weathering storms together, I thought nothing could shake our relationship.

Until now...

Ivy suddenly curved her lips into a victorious smile.

"Sophia, if you don't believe it, I can have them do a bloodline test."

Ethan looked like he'd been nailed to a cross, his face deathly pale.

He avoided my panicked gaze completely.

After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice terrifyingly hoarse:

"Ivy... Sophia and I have already set the date for our marking ceremony..."

The boy in his arms suddenly straightened, glaring at me with angry eyes.

"Bad woman! You can't steal my Alpha Daddy! He belongs only to me and Mama!"

His childish voice was clear yet full of hostility, each word stabbing into my heart like a dagger.

And I could only sit there, staring at this man who had suddenly become a stranger.

He didn't deny it.

He didn't even offer a single explanation.

Ivy's voice rang out again, trembling with humiliation:

"Ethan, if we're causing you difficulty, just give us some money. I'll take Lucas far away and never appear before you again."

Ethan sighed deeply: "Let's find a quiet place to talk."

When he stood, he finally looked at me once.

"Sophia, give me some time to handle this..."

He stood there, still the Alpha who had captivated me at first sight.

Noble, composed, flawless.

But now, this most intimate person couldn't meet my eyes.

"You've always been so understanding. Please trust me one more time."

In that instant, I felt my soul being drained, yet I still forced a smile.

"Alright."