~Ella~

The next morning, sunlight streamed across Finn's face as he finally opened his eyes.


"Baby, you're awake!"

I grabbed his hand excitedly. He threw himself into my arms. "Mom, I missed you so much."

His wolf ears—still unable to retract—twitched as he spoke. Caden took a small bottle from Marcus.


"This is sacred water from Moon Spring Lake. He's in his development phase and will struggle to control his transformation. Only water from the Moon Goddess Spring can help him return to normal."

Finn's eyes widened. "Mom, is this handsome man my dad?"


Everyone's eyes turned to me, waiting for my answer.

I knew Finn had always longed for his father, but I steeled myself. "No, your father isn't here."

The light in Finn's eyes dimmed.

Caden's face darkened instantly.

He visibly controlled his breathing and turned to leave. "I need to speak with you. Come with me, Ella."

The moment we stepped outside, Caden's fury erupted. He grabbed my arm roughly.

He dragged me into a room and pinned me against the wall. His face inches from mine, he growled, "Why are you lying? Finn is my son!"

I couldn't hide it anymore. I closed my eyes briefly, masking my shock. I turned away stubbornly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is that so?" His dangerous voice whispered in my ear. He pinned both my hands above my head with one hand while the other traced my collarbone.

His long fingers slid from my neck to my chest. I stared at his large hands in terror. Then his palm closed over my breast, kneading it through my clothes.

A tingling sensation surged through me, gathering like electricity in my core. Almost instantly, I grew wet.

Finn was just next door. I bit back my moans, squeezing my thighs together, but Caden forced his knee between my legs, grinding against my center.

"...ah."

"Remember now? Five years ago, you screamed with pleasure in my bed, then ran away."

I bit my lip hard.

"You're irresponsible. You abandoned me! And now you won't even acknowledge my child."

I couldn't bear being falsely accused. "Finn is your child," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I left that morning because my grandmother was dying in the hospital..."

Caden's touch grew more insistent. White light flashed behind my eyes as my body trembled uncontrollably. My lips parted in a gasp only to be captured by his mouth.

He swallowed my cry.

I slid weakly down the wall. Caden wrapped his coat around me and lifted me into his arms, kissing my forehead tenderly. "These five years must have been hard for you."

In the hallway, Nova waited in a sexy, form-fitting dress. Her smile froze when she saw me.

"Alpha, how can you carry this lowly human?"

Caden's displeasure was immediate. "Shut up, Nova. This is not how you treat my mate."

Mate? I watched Nova's expression crumple and felt something was off. I struggled to get down.

"Alpha Caden, don't you already have a fiancée?"

"Fiancée?" Caden's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Who told you that? I have no fiancée."

Nova dropped to her knees. "Alpha, you despise human women. I only told this lie because I worried she had ulterior motives."

"Nova." Caden's voice was deadly quiet. "Don't let this happen again, or I'll expel you from the pack. From now on, you'll care for Ella and Finn's daily needs."

Nova's face contorted, her eyes reddening. She was the High Priest's favored female—her future mate should be an Alpha.

"Alpha, the High Priest sent me to serve you! How can I serve humans?"

Caden's eyes darkened. "You're refusing?"

Nova's body trembled as she knelt lower. "I wouldn't dare. I'll take excellent care of them."

She carefully stood and left. Before turning away, I caught a malicious gleam in her eyes that chilled me to the bone.

Finn heard the commotion and ran out, with Marcus following. "Finn was asking for his mother," Marcus explained.

I stroked Finn's head, remembering how everyone emphasized Caden's hatred of humans. My heart sank.

"Five years ago was an accident, Alpha Caden. Don't worry—I won't hold you responsible."

Caden gritted his teeth. "What do you mean?"