2

##Chapter 2

I sneered.

Which wolf could stand by and watch her Alpha mate with another female wolf, even bearing new pups?

Unless—she no longer recognized him as her Alpha.

I didn’t argue, nor did I glance at Marcus again. I picked up the crying Dorian and returned to the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

Behind the door, I finally allowed myself to break down.

Tears streamed down, blurring the bouquet of roses on the bedside table. I raised my hand and fiercely swept them to the floor. Petals shattered across the ground, just like my love and dignity, trampled into mud by Marcus.

I pulled out the communication crystal hidden at the bottom of the trunk, bit my finger, and squeezed a drop of blood onto the surface of the stone.

At that moment, a red light blossomed, and the emblem of the Silvermoon Clan emerged.

The air stilled for a moment, followed by a deep, aged voice.

"The noble Alpha of the Silvermoon Clan, I have finally found you."

"I have made my decision, Yasi."

"I, Sylvia, Alpha of the Silvermoon Clan, agree to ascend to the throne."

Another rose from the crystal bouquet was now missing.

...

The news of Camilla’s pregnancy swept through the Erebus Clan like a hurricane. She had become a glory and a miracle in every clan member's mouth.

And I was just that unwelcome outsider. Standing in front of the Moon Altar with a child considered of impure bloodline, pushed aside as these old timers loudly declared Marcus would soon become the new Alpha and marry Camilla in the inheritance ceremony.

The sun scorched my spine as I bowed my head and hugged Dorian tightly. He shivered in my arms, silently staring at Marcus, the man smiling triumphantly in the crowd.

The elder's roar still thundered in my ears. "Alpha Marcus will shoulder the future of the Erebus Clan, and Omega Camilla, favored by the moon, will bear him a pure-blooded heir!"

Cheers erupted uniformly around us.

Only we, mother and child, were like shadows fallen into this celebration.

Whispers started among the werewolves. Eyes swept over me as if viewing an unwelcome stain.

"That child’s moonstone should be handed over. Camilla is frail and needs it to protect her pregnancy."

"What right does she have to hold onto the moonstone?"

Voices grew louder. Several young male wolves even began to approach.

Camilla coughed lightly and grasped Marcus' hand, looking at me. "Sylvia, would you hand over the moonstone to me? I’m just... worried about the child."

Her eyes teared up. Her voice choked as if each word was soaked with goodwill.

I sneered again.

She posed as a victim, asking me to surrender Dorian’s heritage.

"The moonstone is a symbol of my son’s lineage," I stated word by word. "It belongs to no one, especially not you."

Camilla lowered her head as if scolded, while those around us became increasingly agitated.

Dorian was too young to understand why his father’s tribe bore him such malice. He was scared and began to cry.

A hand reached towards Dorian.

"Don’t you dare touch my son!" I exploded suddenly, clutching Dorian tightly in my arms, baring my fangs with my tail stiffened in anger behind me.

I looked at Marcus with utmost coldness. "Is this what you condone?"

He frowned but responded softly, "Sylvia, can’t you be understanding? It’s hard for Camilla to be pregnant. All this is just so she can deliver safely."

I stared into those eyes I once loved, but now, I saw only indifference and calculation in them.

"We’re leaving." I picked up Dorian and walked away from the altar under everyone’s gaze.

The shouts of clan members echoed behind us, but I no longer cared.

Returning to our assigned residence, I put Dorian on the bed; his face buried in my shoulder as he sobbed quietly. "Mommy, does Daddy not want us anymore?"