Chapter 4

I ignored her, shook off my adoptive mother's hand, and pointed at the door.

"See? The Alpha and his pup never lack people to take care of them."

Chloe, with her blonde hair and eyes just like Stella's, easily walked into Caleb's private study—a place I was strictly forbidden from entering.

She effortlessly won over the father and son.

My adoptive mother dropped her gentle act.

Her face hardened. "Are you really leaving?"

I said firmly, "I don't want to spend my whole life trapped in this estate, revolving around two men who don't love me."

Slap—

A hard slap landed squarely on my face.

"You half-human mutt! You've always been trash."

"If I hadn't taken pity on you, you would've died on the streets! And now you're biting the hand that feeds you. You're worse than a stray dog."

My birth mother was a regular Omega in the pack.

She had me after falling for a human.

In their eyes, half-bloods like me were the lowest of the low, meant to be trampled on.

My adoptive family only took me in after my mother died to build a reputation for being generous and kind.

But to them, giving me a few scraps of food and keeping me alive until adulthood was the ultimate act of grace.

Even though they just dumped me at school and never checked on me.

I was still supposed to be endlessly grateful.

As her hand came down for a second slap, I caught her wrist.

"Your family raised me, and I paid it back with eight years of free labor."

"We are even."

For eight years, I endured the pain in Caleb's bed whenever he wanted to use me.

I managed every single detail in this massive, cold estate.

And I treated Jax as my own, giving him all my love and time.

I had done everything I could. I had a clear conscience. I owed no one.

The only person I owed was myself.

Seeing I wouldn't budge, my adoptive mother stormed out.

I turned around, only to meet Caleb's dark, deep eyes.

His face was emotionless, like he was looking at a disobedient prey.

And casually tossing it a bone.

"Freya, you're a smart woman. Don't do anything stupid. You know you're nothing without my protection."

"If you think Jax is too hard to handle, you can help Chloe take care of him from now on. I've already had the guest room prepared for her to stay."

In Caleb's mind, I should have been weeping with gratitude.

Then I should have dutifully arranged Chloe's stay, playing the perfect, accommodating nanny.

But I was tired.

"Have the butler do it. I'm leaving."

Chloe stepped out from behind Caleb.

"If Freya dislikes me this much, I should probably just go."

"Miss Freya is from a noble family, I know an Omega with my background isn't worthy of her attention."

Before she could take two steps, Caleb grabbed her arm.

"Don't put yourself down. Status is nothing. I can change that with a single word."

After shooting me a glare, he scooped Chloe up into his arms.

She let out a little gasp, then giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

A few moments later, the sound of heavy breathing echoed from the bedroom.

In broad daylight. It was shameless.

Jax stuck his tongue out at me.

"I want Aunt Chloe to be with Dad. She's not a gold-digger like you."

I took a long, hard look at the boy I raised.

"Is that really what you think?"