Chapter 1

It's been six years since I was bound to my Alpha mate, Damien, by our Fated Bond, and in all that time, he's never allowed our son to call him "Dad."

After he missed our son's birthday yet again for another she-wolf, I finally decided I was done.

I served him with the Mating Bond Severance Agreement and took our son, leaving for good.

The man who was always so calm and collected completely lost control, storming into the office like a madman, demanding to know where I'd gone.

But this time, my son and I aren't looking back.

...

"Marcus, I'm moving abroad next month. This is my letter of resignation."

As the pack's Beta, Marcus looked at me with surprise. "Why so sudden, Ilara?"

I gave him the excuse I'd prepared long ago.

"Leo's father is waiting for us overseas. I'm going to take him there so we can finally be a family."

Marcus nodded.

"That's probably for the best. It's been hard on you, raising a child alone in the territory. We all thought you were a single mother."

I managed a small smile. I wasn't before, but I would be soon.

Walking out of his office, I ran right into Damien and Chloe.

Damien. My Alpha. The father of my child.

Seven years ago, I was his personal assistant. One night, under the full moon, our primal instincts took over. We had a child.

This is the sixth year of our Fated Bond.

And the sixth year he's forbidden our son from calling him Dad.

Damien was walking slowly, as if deliberately matching the pace of the woman beside him.

Chloe held a territory report in one hand, while the other playfully tugged at the hem of Damien's suit jacket. The sight was sickeningly sweet.

As they passed, my heart fluttered against my will, the bond reacting to my mate's closeness. I couldn't stop myself from speaking.

"Damien..."

He stopped, his expression as cold as ice.

"Ilara."

His tone was polite but distant, a clear warning reminding me of my place.

Here at the Pack Headquarters, we were nothing more than Alpha and subordinate.

I understood the unspoken message and forced all my emotions back down.

"Alpha."

Damien grunted in acknowledgment and kept walking, treating me like a complete stranger.

I laughed at my own foolishness, swallowing the news of my resignation.

It's not like he would care anyway.

My phone screen lit up. A message from my son on his kid's smartwatch.

【Mommy, is Daddy coming home for my birthday?】

I froze, instinctively looking back over my shoulder.

I saw Damien leaning down, whispering something to Chloe.

When another wolf passed by, he instinctively pulled Chloe into his protective embrace, his eyes filled with a tenderness he never once showed me.

Pushing down the sour taste in my mouth, I texted Damien.

【It's Leo's birthday today. Can you come home tonight?】

From across the hall, I saw Damien glance at his phone, then put it down less than three seconds later without a single change in his expression.

Staring at the unanswered message, I let out a bitter laugh.

Ilara, when are you going to wake up?

You've always known his heart was made of stone. Why do you still hold out hope?

I shoved my phone in my pocket, took a deep breath, and walked away.

You'll be free soon, Damien.

After leaving the headquarters, I went straight to pick up my son.

The first thing he said when he saw me was:

"Mommy, it's my birthday today."

And the second thing was:

"Mommy, will Daddy be here to celebrate with me?"

Standing on the busy street, my eyes instantly welled with tears.

"Your father, he..."

Before I could finish, my phone chimed.

Damien had finally found a moment to reply.

【I'll be there. Be home soon.】

A wave of pure joy washed over me. I nodded eagerly.

"Don't worry, Leo. Daddy's coming home."

My son clapped his hands and threw himself into my arms, bursting with excitement.

Six years. This was the first time Damien had ever agreed to spend our son's birthday with him.

That evening, I cooked a feast, and Leo finished his homework early.

One hour passed. Then two. Then three.

I sent message after message, asking when he'd be home.

But just like always, there was no reply.

Leo seemed to understand. He looked at me with his big, worried eyes.

"Mommy, is Daddy just really busy?"

A sharp pain pierced my heart. I wanted to make an excuse for him, but I couldn't think of a single lie.

All I could say was, "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy will always be here with you."

He didn't ask again. He just quietly picked up his party hat.

"Mommy, can you put it on for me?"

I nodded. As I reached for it, my eyes caught a new post on Chloe's Instagram.

【Such a wonderful day. I loved today.】