Chapter 3

I drove aimlessly through the moonlit night, my wolf instincts eventually leading me to Ethan's private territory.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warm light spilled across the entire den.

The little boy sat at the dining table, playing with Ethan's treasured limited-edition wolf clan emblems.

Heated arguing voices came from the inner room:

"Ethan, you mean this den has room for even a companion dog, but Lucas can't find a place to stay?"

"That's not what I meant..."

"He carries your bloodline! Haven't we mother and son suffered enough these years? When you sent me away from the pack, did you think that blood money would settle everything?"

After a moment of silence, came the man's weary sigh.

"I'll send Storm elsewhere. Lucas can choose any room here."

"I want the biggest den! The most luxurious one!"

The young pup pointed toward the master bedroom, then threw himself into Ethan's arms: "Alpha Father, this will be our territory from now on, right?"

My heart felt like it had been struck hard.

That bed, that room—they had witnessed every passionate night during our seven years of full moons.

Lucas excitedly leaped from his chair and rushed toward the master bedroom.

A look of relief crossed Ethan's face. When he looked up, his gaze met mine directly.

"Sophia? When did you arrive..."

The pup in his arms immediately became alert, his wolf eyes burning with hostile golden light.

"What are you doing here! This is me and Alpha Father and Mother's territory! Get out right now!"

He bared his sharp puppy teeth, looking exactly like young Ethan.

I found myself somewhat absent-minded.

Ethan released Alpha pressure to scold: "Lucas! You will not be so rude to Sophia!"

Ivy lowered her head with red-rimmed eyes, apologizing: "Sorry, the pup has been too long without Alpha bloodline guidance, his wild nature is hard to tame..."

Ethan said nothing more, the air filled with Ivy's suppressed whimpers.

I knew he was waiting for me to say "it's fine" as usual.

Just like countless times before—Sophia had enough good things already, why quibble with others?

I simply curved my lips coldly.

"Ivy, this isn't called lacking Alpha guidance. This is called having no manners."

I walked straight toward the master bedroom door.

A small figure rushed at me, pushing me away.

"Alpha Father said I could choose a den! This one's the biggest and best, I'm claiming it! You're not allowed in!"

Ivy stepped forward to stop him: "Lucas, behave..."

A silver flash streaked past.

The next second, three bloody scratches appeared on the boy's raised hand.

Screams filled the air.

I frowned at the perpetrator Storm, then knelt to examine the wound.

"Bitch! You deliberately set your wolf dog on me! I won't let you get away with this!"

A small hand swung viciously toward my face.

I couldn't dodge in time—burning pain spread across my cheek.

Both Ivy and Ethan's faces changed dramatically.

Since childhood, the worst injury I'd ever received was training scrapes.

Ivy raised her hand to discipline her son but was stopped by Ethan.

He turned to look at the child's angry little face: "Apologize."

"Waaah—!"

Lucas's crying echoed throughout the building.

He still refused to apologize, but slowly lowered his hand.

Ethan's expression softened, his eyes full of self-reproach.

He was still saying something, but I could no longer hear clearly.

Covering half my face, my voice was calm as water.

"Ethan," each of my words was clear as a blade, "our blood bond ends here."