Chapter 2

"Home?" Jax repeated doubtfully.

While caressing his face, I replied, "That's right. It's the home where I lived before I had you."

Jax started crying. "Are we leaving Daddy? I'm already doing my best to play along with Daddy's game by pretending not to know it's him, so when is he finally coming back?"

My heart ached to see how upset Jax was. He still thought that Theo's abandonment of us was merely a game. This whole time, he'd patiently waited for Theo to return.

He had no clue that Theo, who seemed to adore him, scorned him for not having a purer bloodline. Theo had gone straight to another she-wolf and wanted to have a pup with her.

I stroked Jax's head and said hoarsely, "What if Daddy doesn't plan on ever ending the game?"

"That won't happen! Yesterday, Daddy promised me he'd celebrate my birthday with me today!"

As I knew it was Jax's birthday today, I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth. It would be too cruel.

"Okay. I'll wait with you," I said.

Jax and I waited the entire day, but Theo never showed up. Truth be told, I'd used the mind-link to ask his Beta and found out that Theo left with Mia two hours ago.

As I watched how disappointment slowly colored Jax's expression, I tried to think of something to say.

Just then, a maid opened the door and said, "Ms. Olivia, Mr. Theo is asking the two of you to join the others at the event hall."

Jax's eyes lit up at once. "Daddy is throwing me a birthday party at the event hall!"

I had a feeling something wasn't right, but I followed Jax as he scampered off excitedly.

When we got to the event hall, I saw Mia standing in the center dressed in a lavish gown. Theo was holding her affectionately by the waist.

I got a bad feeling, but I failed to stop Jax in time. He'd already jogged over to Theo and hugged him.

"Daddy, are you having a party for my birthday?" he asked.

Theo looked clueless. Clearly, he hadn't remembered it was Jax's birthday.

Now petting her belly, Mia said, "We're about to have our own little pup, so you need to stop calling him 'Daddy' from now on."

My heart clenched in pain as I took in the situation in disbelief. Even Jax was stunned.

Theo glanced at Mia before looking at Jax, saying, "Your Aunt Mia is with pup. That's what we're celebrating. Go back to your seat. Be a good little pup and don't cause a scene."

However, Jax was having a hard time accepting this rather complicated situation. He clutched Theo and asked, "Daddy, are you going to have another pup? What about Mommy and me?"

His words drew the attention of the other guests, who began murmuring among themselves.

"Who is that? Liam's bastard pup?"

"That's the son of Liam's younger brother, the one who died. I guess the poor little pup is still traumatized."

I walked over and pulled Jax into my arms. I wanted to take us away from this ridiculous situation, but Mia abruptly said, "He must be hungry. Why don't you have dinner first before you go?"

Since all the guests were watching, I had no choice but to take my seat with Jax.

"I heard from the healer that Mia's pup is probably a male. I'm sure he will make an excellent future Alpha."

Mia laughed when she heard the guests' well wishes. "Of course. The combination of my bloodline and Liam's outstanding lineage will surely produce an extremely powerful pup. It certainly won't be the same as some Rogue's bloodline."

I ignored her taunts and focused on tending to Jax.

Mia had always been hostile toward me. After all, Liam had initially taken a liking to me as well. However, I was enamored with Theo. Once we became mates, Liam gave up on me and chose Mia.

Now, watching as Theo sat beside Mia as her mate, I found this entire situation ludicrous.

Meanwhile, at my silence, Mia's eyes flashed with displeasure. She continued, "I heard that a guard from one of the northern packs likes you. Why don't—"

"No!" Theo abruptly exclaimed, breaking his silence at last.

Everyone fell silent, and Mia's expression stiffened as she bit her lip and stared at Theo.

Theo rubbed his nose and said, "Olivia is my younger brother's mate. He would be very upset if he found out she became someone else's mate."

What a perfect reason to give, and what a greedy werewolf he was—even though he'd chosen to abandon Jax and me, he refused to let us go.

"But you're Theo, my daddy," Jax said loudly.

He was still confused by everything that was happening.

I could see the panic in Theo's eyes as he snapped, "Jax! I know you miss your father, but you need to learn to behave yourself!"

Jax was deeply hurt by that, and Theo had no choice but to serve him a bowl of seafood soup in the hopes of appeasing him.

However, soon after Jax had drunk a few mouthfuls, his skin turned red. He crashed into my arms, his breathing ragged.

"Jax? Oh, my goodness! Is there cod in the soup?" I asked worriedly.

As I held Jax close, I clenched my jaw and glared at Theo. Even though he was Jax's father, he'd forgotten that Jax was allergic to cod.

Theo wanted to get up, but Mia suddenly exclaimed, "My love! My stomach hurts!"

He retracted his hand, which had been extended toward Jax, and quickly carried Mia.

"Take Jax to a healer," he said to me before dashing off with Mia.

I was shaking as I hugged Jax. What little hope and expectation I had left for Theo instantly crumbled into nothing.