Chapter 1

For ten years, I stayed by Damien Thorne's side, helping him grow from a servant's son to the Alpha of Shadow Pack.

I believed I would eventually see the day he'd claim me as his mate. Instead, he brought home Scarlett Rivers and marked her his Luna. To help his beloved Scarlett and free her parents from prison, Damien handed over my healing potion patents without hesitation.

The television droned on about Scarlett’s parents' joyful reunion with their family following their release from prison. Watching their warm embrace on screen, I realized my years of devotion had been nothing but a cruel joke.

Standing there, I reflected on all my sacrifices. Besides touching my own heart, who else had ever cared?

"Elena Blackwood! What are you doing just standing there? I told you to get the paint supplies. Who gave you permission to slack off?"

A sharpened pencil flew through the air, stabbing deep into my arm and leaving a shocking bloody wound.

The next moment, Scarlett emerged from the room and protectively pulled my son behind her skirts.

"He's just a child who doesn't know better. Miss Elena, please don't take it personally."

"If you have complaints, direct them at me—his mother!"

Scarlett played the perfect maternal figure. Pain shot through my chest like a silver dagger.

I had only been lost in thought for a few seconds, but Marcus had unleashed all his fury on me.

"Mommy, I want to draw a family picture of you and Daddy. This bad woman didn't bring the paints because she can't stand seeing our family happy!"

"Can we make her go away?"

Marcus glared at me with pure hatred while clinging to Scarlett with absolute trust.

My heart shattered into countless pieces. I remembered Damien's words the day he brought Scarlett home.

"Scarlett and I grew up together. Her parents were wrongfully imprisoned. I have to seek justice for her."

"Don't worry. Once everything settles down, you'll be my only mate."

So I waited and compromised. What did I receive in return? My son's disgust for his own mother.

What I earned was Damien's growing impatience with me each passing day.

"This drawing looks terrible! Without proper paints, it doesn't capture my beautiful mommy at all."

Marcus crumpled up his artwork and hurled it at my feet.

"Elena, if you can't manage the child properly, leave everything to Scarlett from now on!"

Damien appeared behind them. He didn't ask about my injury but naturally took Scarlett's hand in his.

The three of them formed a perfect family unit, their harmony undeniable.

I stood there like an unwelcome intruder, completely out of place.

"Marcus! Didn't I teach you to show respect to Aunt Elena?"

"She's just our caretaker. I can treat her however I want!"

Scarlett shook her head with fond indulgence. "You shouldn't say such things!"

A caretaker? How utterly ridiculous!

Yet it was clearly Damien who had knelt before me, begging. He said to temporarily let Scarlett raise my son to secure her position as Shadow Pack's Luna.

"Once Scarlett's parents are freed, I'll hold the ceremony. Everyone will return to their rightful place."

"You will always be Marcus's only mother!"

But I kept waiting and waiting. Scarlett's parents had already been released from prison, yet my son had truly accepted Scarlett as his mother.