The Scent Never Lies

I take my daughter, Joy Silver, to the healer for a routine check-up. My Alpha husband, Ethan Silver, who has been away on a business trip for a few days, comes to pick us up.

The moment we meet, he possessively pulls Joy and me into his arms. It's as if we are his whole world.

But I catch a faint, unfamiliar scent.

As Joy snuggles up to her father affectionately, I force a smile, ignoring the sudden tightness in my chest.

It isn't until we get in the car that I notice a woman sitting in the back seat.

So it's her scent.

A thought that has circled in my mind countless times surfaces once more—

I want to leave him.

...

The woman had a delicate-looking, captivating face and wore a smart, professional outfit.

She smiled sweetly. "Hello, Luna. I'm the new assistant, Sophia Thompson."

I glanced at Ethan Silver, using the mind-link to ask him why another person was in the car.

He replied calmly, "It was on the way, so I gave her a ride."

But Ethan was the powerful Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack—when had he ever personally chauffeured a subordinate, especially when he was here to pick up his wife and daughter?

Sophia apologetically continued, "Luna, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize."

She handed me a shopping bag with a bottle of hair serum I often used. "I forgot my skincare during my outstation trip with the Alpha these past few days. I saw your serum in his car, but I ended up using it all. I've bought you a new one. I hope you don't mind."

When I didn't take it right away, a flicker of panic crossed her face, and she instinctively turned to Ethan.

"Take it," he said to me, voice indifferent but leaving no room for refusal.

I accepted the bag and set it aside.

Joy Silver, sitting in her seat, was very curious about this woman she was meeting for the first time. Her eyes lit up when she spotted the candy in Sophia's hand.

As Sophia reached out to give Joy a piece of candy, I had to stop her.

"She just had a dental check-up," I mentioned. "She can't have candy."

Sophia insisted, "It's imported premium candy, don't worry—"

"No. Imported or not, it's still candy."

Ethan, eyes on the road, frowned. "Victoria, she meant well."

I stayed silent at that.

But Joy, ever so thoughtful, shook her head. "I'll listen to Mom. No candy!"

Sophia awkwardly pulled her hand back. When the car stopped in front of an old apartment building and she got out, she apologized to me again.

I simply nodded without a word.

On the way home, Ethan spoke in a softer tone. "Don't be upset. That young lady just joined the pack. She's a bit of a perfectionist, and she doesn't even listen to me.

"She's got quite the personality," he added with a smile.

When we got home, he suddenly leaned in and kissed my cheek. I didn't pull away.

From the back seat, Joy suddenly said, "Mom, Ms. Sophia smells like Dad."

Ethan's smile froze.

I forced a calm reply: "Of course she does. Your father's scent would be on his car. It has nothing to do with Ms. Sophia."

"Oh." Joy nodded, not fully understanding.

I got out to pick her up, trying to stay composed even though my stomach was churning.

When I met Ethan's gaze again, he spoke coldly, "If raising Joy is too much for you, I can hire a professional. She's the star of the Silvercrest Pack. She can't fade into the background because of your negligence."

I blinked.

So that's what he thought? Was my silence and tension merely laziness in his eyes?

At that moment, I felt something inside me break.