MATHEW'S POV
She pulled her hand back, but I didn't let go.
"I didn't do anything with him," she said, sharp now. "And even if I did, it's none of your business."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Oh, Elena… I'm your Alpha. You're mine. You belong to me."
She yanked her hand free. "I don't belong to anyone."
I gave a fake smile, but inside I was burning.
"That look on your face," I said. "Is that the same look you gave that rogue seven years ago… after you had sex with him?"
Her whole body went stiff.
Then she slapped me.
"You disgust me," she said, shaking with rage. "You know what? If I still had my wolf… if I could protect Lucas… I would leave the Red Moon pack tonight."
I grabbed her by the arms.
"Damn it, Elena!" I shouted.
"Alpha?" a voice called from outside.
It was Tyler again. "The doctor is here."
I let her go.
She walked out without a word.
I followed her quietly.
We walked through the long hallway, past glass windows glowing from the moonlight, until we reached the healer's room in the Silver Blade Pack's quarters.
Lucas was lying on a bed, still and pale. His chest rose and fell slowly. Too slowly.
The doctor—a tall man in white robes with a silver badge—was finishing his checks. He placed two fingers on Lucas's neck, then looked up at Elena.
"Your son is stable for now," the doctor said gently. "But…"
"But what?" Elena asked.
The doctor stood and faced her. "I need to know who the father is."
She blinked. "Why do you ask?"
He folded his arms. "Because I suspect the boy has Alpha wolf blood in him. Otherwise… he'd be dead already."
I stepped forward fast. "I'm sure you're mistaken."
The doctor didn't even glance at me. "I don't think I am."
I looked at Elena.
She was staring at Lucas now, like her world was breaking.
"If we're going to save him completely," the doctor continued, "we'll need a bone marrow transplant. From his real father."
Lucas stirred. His small hand reached out and clutched Elena's sleeve.
He started shaking.
Elena knelt by his side immediately, hugging him tight.
"It's okay, sweetie," she whispered. "Don't be afraid. I'm right here."
Lucas's little voice came out soft and slow.
"Mommy… I can feel… Daddy."
Elena went still.
Lucas looked around the room, his eyes glassy and glowing faintly gold.
"He's around us somewhere," he whispered. "He's here."
HARRISON'S POV
The next morning, I was in Silver Blade Pack's private sports room, holding a paddle and smashing a ball back and forth across the table.
Alpha Walter was surprisingly good at table tennis for someone in his fifties. Still, I beat him every round.
"Nice shot," Walter said with a tired chuckle. "I heard you had some drama last night. Something about your brother losing his mind because you switched rooms with me?"
I gave a half-smile. "Yeah. Mathew's always been stupid. He thinks everything is about him."
Walter laughed. "Well, he's worse than stupid. He's like his father. A womanizer."
I narrowed my eyes, waiting.
"He sent his Beta crawling to my room," Walter went on, "begging for a doctor for some maid's son."
My hand froze mid-air. "…She has a child?"
Walter looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
I straightened up. "Nothing. Let's get to business."
Walter nodded. "Alright. My offer still stands. You find my daughter, and I'll support your run for president of the Werewolf Alliance."
I gave a slow smile and stepped forward. We shook hands, sealing the deal.
Walter glanced down at the golden pocket watch he always carried. When he opened it, I saw the small, faded picture of a girl—his daughter. She looked no older than ten in the photo.
"If my daughter were still alive," Walter muttered to himself, "she'd have given me a beautiful grandchild by now."
ELENA'S POV – Five Days Later (Red Moon Pack)
The sink water was warm against my fingers as I scrubbed the dishes. Lucas stood beside me, holding a sponge like he wanted to help, but mostly he just kept watching me.
I dried my hands and touched his head gently. "Today is the Alpha's engagement party, okay? Mommy's going to be really busy."
Lucas nodded. "Okay, Mommy."
From outside the kitchen, I heard angry voices.
"...That damn Elena's a dead woman!"
I stiffened.
I knelt in front of Lucas. "Sweetie, you better go to the laundry room and wait for me, okay?"
Lucas held my hand. "Don't worry, Mommy. I'll go find Daddy."
I blinked. "Lucas…?"
But before I could stop him, he ran off.
I turned back to the sink just as Jennifer stormed into the kitchen.
SLAP.
Her hand hit my face so hard I stumbled against the sink.
"You little bitch!" she shouted. "How dare you break my vase?! That was a gift from Alpha Walter!"
HARRISON'S POV
I sat in the back seat of the black car while Luke drove through the Red Moon Pack territory. Rain tapped lightly on the windows.
Luke glanced back at me. "Alpha… are you sure you want to go to Mathew's engagement party?"
I stared out the window. "What are you trying to say?"
Luke shrugged. "You've hated him ever since… well, since your mother had that affair with his father when you were kids. I just thought you'd skip this."
I snapped my head toward him. "Shut up, Luke."
"…Sorry, Alpha."
I took a breath, calmed down.
"I'm not here for Mathew," I said slowly. "Don't you remember? I told you—I found my mate."
Luke's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. "She's a maid… from Red Moon?"
I didn't reply. My silence was the answer.
When we reached the estate, Luke stepped out first and opened my door. The rain was coming down harder now. He held up the umbrella to cover me.
We walked up the stone steps.
Just as I reached the main entrance—
A small figure ran straight into my legs.
I looked down.
A little boy with soaking wet curls wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tight.
"Daddy!" he cried out.