The Alpha Who Saved Everyone but His Son

It was three days after my son, Dorian Terrell, received the top-tier wolf evaluation when my mate, Brad Terrell, ambushed us at our front door.

He held a beautifully wrapped box containing homemade pastries—something Dorian used to crave above all else.

Back then, Brad only ever baked them for Finlyn Graham, his first love's son.

The moment Brad saw Dorian and me returning from the training grounds, he straightened up.

He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. Dark circles bruised the skin under his eyes, and dark stubble dusted his jaw.

"Laila, Dorian, I came to apologize," he said, holding the box out toward us. "Dorian, I made these for you. Have a bite."

Dorian didn't take it. He just offered a cold glance, saying, "Alpha Brad, I don't care for those anymore."

Brad's smile froze, and his hands hovered awkwardly in midair.

Watching him standing there, I almost felt like laughing.

Here was the high-and-mighty Alpha of our pack, adored and revered by every pup, completely rendered speechless by his own son.

I stepped in front of Dorian, shifting my shoulder to block Brad's view entirely. "Get out of the way."

Brad lowered his voice. "Laila, let's talk inside. Don't do this on the doorstep of our home—"

"Home? Since when do you call this place home?" I cut him off. "Go back to where you actually belong."

Brad frowned, the remorse fading from his face.

"Do you really have to be this ruthless?" His voice spiked. "I already admitted I was wrong! I told you I'd change. I'm the Alpha of this entire pack! I've swallowed my pride this far, so what else do you want from me?"

I didn't answer. I just took Dorian by the hand and brushed past him.

Brad tried to follow, but the heavy door slammed shut right in his face.

"Laila Sutton, open the door!"

The knocking started two seconds later. It was soft at first, then escalated into a violent pounding, as if he wanted the entire pack to hear how unreasonable I was being by locking him out.

"Dorian, I know you've been wronged! I swear to the Moon Goddess, I'll make it up to you! You can't write me off for life over one single misunderstanding!"

I was sick of hearing the word misunderstanding. In Brad's mind, he was always fair and innocent. Any grievance we held was simply a grand "misunderstanding".

I walked over, turned the deadbolt twice, and headed straight to the bedroom.

At 1:00 am, I received texts from Brad.

"Laila, I truly realize my mistake this time."

"But Finlyn was completely spiraling. He threatened to take poison! As the Alpha, I couldn't just turn a blind eye!"

"It terrifies me to think what would've happened if Dorian got hurt. He's my own flesh and blood. How could I not love him?"

I glanced at the screen, put the phone on silent, and went to sleep.

By the next morning, news that I had locked Brad out all night had swept through the entire pack.

Some whispered, "Laila is so cold-hearted. She actually left Alpha Brad outside all night. Is that really how the Luna should act?"

Others agreed. "Alpha Brad is such a good wolf. He dedicates everything to this pack, and as Alpha, he has to look out for everyone. Laila is just being petty."

Brad had intentionally let those rumors spread to my ears.

I heard every word, but I didn't care enough to explain.