Chapter 2

The next day was the day when I would meet Timmy, my son and the Alpha's heir. According to the pack's rules, unmarked mates had no right to raise the pups. Thus, Sunday was the only day I could see him.

However, James' mother had not brought him over by noon.

I called the manor.

The housekeeper stammered, "T-The Alpha came over this morning and took Timmy hunting."

I smiled sadly and hung up. James was punishing me. He always knew how to handle me. If I disobeyed him, he would not let me see Timmy until I admitted my mistake.

I took a deep breath and called his number. It rang twice before it was declined. I tried again, but the phone had been turned off. I thought for a moment and dialed Timmy's smartwatch. It got through.

"Hello? Mom!" A pup's voice rang out.

My heart softened. "Timmy, when are you coming back? I miss you so much."

"Mom, Dad said he's taking me reindeer hunting. I don't want to go back."

"But I miss you. Don't you miss me?"

"No!" he answered without hesitation.

I coaxed him, saying, "Have fun, then. I'll wait for you at home."

"I'm not going back tonight. Daddy said he'll take me to the grasslands tonight. We're going to watch the stars together."

I hung up the phone in silence.

Finally, I sighed, picked up my suitcase, and left. Very well. This pack had nothing holding me back.

To outsiders, I was Alpha James' mate and the Luna. Although we had a grand ceremony, we were not truly mates because James had never marked me.

Three years ago, my grandmother fell seriously ill and was worried about me, who had just come of age. She used my grandfather's debt of gratitude to the old Alpha to pressure the Black family into taking me in. The old Alpha reluctantly agreed for the sake of the pack's reputation.

Fearing they would change their minds, my grandmother urged us to hold a mating ceremony. I told her it was unnecessary and that I could manage on my own.

However, my grandmother felt that I would be all alone after she passed away. I would be too pitiful.

I had no choice.

The Black family did not even like me.

Before the ceremony, James' mother, Lilian, privately approached me. She said she would ask James to mark me after I gave birth.

I thought about it and agreed. At that time, I had only agreed to be with James just to assure my grandmother. I did not mind not being marked.

However, I never expected to fall in love with James.