Chapter 3

"Daddy?" my wolf asked incredulously. "W-What's that supposed to mean?"

I stared blankly at the scene before me, biting my lower lip until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. The sharp tang reminded me that this was no dream.

But Cassian had told me that for the sake of my health, we could live without a pup. So, why was there a pup of this age calling him "Daddy"?

I desperately wanted to convince myself that perhaps this was a pup Cassian had adopted out of pity. But the pup's features, which bore an undeniable resemblance to him, shattered that last, fragile hope.

"Daddy, it hurts…" the pup cried, his voice trembling with pain as he held up his scraped hands for Cassian to see.

Cassian immediately crouched down, his face a mask of heartache and concern. But when he turned his gaze to Elara, it was cold and sharp. "What happened?"

Tears welled in Elara's captivating eyes, making her look utterly pitiful. "He insisted on finding you, so he ran into the woods by himself and ended up with all these scratches. The healer has already taken a look at his wounds. They're just superficial cuts and aren't serious."

Through sobs, the pup looked up at Cassian and asked gingerly, "Do you not want me anymore, Daddy? The others all laugh at me for not having a father..."

His tear-streaked cheeks, marked with angry red welts, made him look heartbreakingly miserable.

Cassian swept the pup into his arms at once, holding him close and patting his back with a soothing gentleness. "Nonsense! How could I ever not want you? You're my precious boy."

Elara immediately moved closer, wrapping her arms around Cassian's arm. "That's enough, darling. Let's go home and continue this inside."

As the three of them turned away, they looked every bit the picture of a perfect and harmonious family. And that picture felt like a dagger plunging straight into my heart. Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.

Cassian had never mentioned this place. He didn't own any property here, and yet they called it "home".

I shrank into the shadows outside the window, watching in silence.

"Elias, go play in your room for a while. I need to talk to your daddy," Elara coaxed her pup, Elias Blackhowl.

Elias looked at Cassian expectantly. "Will you stay with me tonight, Daddy?"

Cassian remained silent, but Elara quickly smiled and answered for him, "Yes, of course. He'll even tell you a bedtime story tonight."

Elias' face immediately lit up with a radiant smile before he scampered off to his room. Only Cassian and Elara remained in the living room.

"Why did you lie to him? I have to go. Kaia is waiting for me," Cassian said coldly.

Elara's eyes immediately welled up with tears as she pleaded in a trembling voice, "Please... just this once. Can't you do this for me and for our pup? He was hurt today, and he just wants you to stay with him a little longer. Is that too much to ask?”

Cassian fixed a sharp gaze on her. "Today is my and Kaia's fifth anniversary. The fact that I even came here at all is the furthest I'm willing to go. Don't push it."

With that, he turned to leave. But Elara wrapped her arms around him from the back as she begged him through her tears, "Please, don't go."

Cassian pried her hands away, his movements cold and decisive. But she was undeterred as she clung to him again, her voice urgent. "You have our scent on you! If you return like this, Kaia will definitely grow suspicious. At least take a shower before you leave!"

That seemed to strike a chord with him as he stopped in his tracks. Elara immediately seized the fleeting chance. Her hands slid lower, shamelessly wandering beneath his waist.

"Omegas are weak. She can't possibly satisfy you. I know how much of a pain it is for you to restrain yourself around her. Let me help you. It won't take long."

I watched as the hard expression on Cassian's face slowly faded away. Then, he lifted a hand and unbuckled his belt.

The lights inside dimmed, and Elara sank gracefully to her knees. She swept her hair aside and leaned in toward him.