Ex-Mate and Son Begged Me Back

On my five-year-old son Oliver's birthday, I baked him his favorite allergy-safe cake and he said he wanted my husband's secretary, Rachel, to be his mom.

While I worked hard for my husband and son to have a privileged life, they went to an amusement park with Rachel to eat ice cream together.

I still worked overtime to treat him when Oliver openly denied that I was his mother in the kindergarten and claimed that Rachel was his "biological mother".

I still believe his assurances even after I discovered a photograph of my husband Derek and Rachel from before we met.

I thought being Head Healer of Blood Moon Pack meant I could mend any wound, but some betrayals cut too deep for even the strongest magic to heal.

As it is, it's time for them to know how much I paid for our perfect little family. It's time for them to pay me back for everything I've given them.

Birthday Wishes

Olivia's POV:

"I want Rachel to be my mommy."

Today is my son Oliver's 5th birthday, and I couldn't help but feel my heart shatter when he made his wish. Standing before his birthday cake, his small voice rang out clear and determined: "I want Rachel to be my mommy."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Rachel - my mate Derek's secretary. The woman who's been spending more and more time with my son lately.

As the Head Healer of Blood Moon Pack, my schedule is always packed. Our pack depends on my healing abilities, and the income I bring in keeps our family afloat. Derek's werewolf medicine company hasn't been doing well lately, and most of our expenses rely on my salary.

I've had to make compromises. Sometimes, I ask Rachel to help with picking up and dropping off Oliver at school. I knew Oliver was fond of her, but this... this was something else entirely.

"Sweetheart," I started, my voice barely above a whisper, "you know that's not how it-"I was about to explain to him that he could only have one mother when the door swung open.

Derek walked in with Rachel right behind him, carrying a beautifully decorated buttercream cake. My stomach clenched at the sight.

"Happy birthday, my precious boy!" Rachel's voice dripped with sweetness, her perfect smile lighting up her face. She was wearing a new dress, I noticed - exactly the shade of blue that Oliver had recently declared his favorite color.

Oliver's face lit up like a full moon. "Rachel!" Oliver's squeal of delight felt like claws raking across my heart. He launched himself at her, nearly knocking the cake from her hands. "You came! And you brought me a special cake!"

"Of course I did, angel." Rachel balanced the cake in one hand while running the other through Oliver's hair. "I remembered how you said you wanted a buttercream cake just like the one in the bakery window."

"You're the best, Rachel! Better than-" Oliver caught himself, but I heard the unspoken words anyway. Better than Mom.

My stomach twisted. Oliver is allergic to buttercream - severely allergic. That's why I took a rare day off work to bake him a special fruit cake without any cream. The last time he accidentally ate cream, we ended up in the emergency room with him struggling to breathe.

I cleared my throat. "Oliver, honey, we need to talk about the cake."

"But Mom!" His lower lip trembled. "Rachel got it specially for me!"

Rachel set the cake down, her expression a masterpiece of innocent concern. "Oh? Is something wrong with it?"

"Oliver is allergic to buttercream," I explained, trying to keep the edge from my voice. "That's why I took the day off to make him a fruit cake instead."

"Oh my goodness!" Rachel pressed a perfectly manicured hand to her chest. "I had no idea! Derek never mentioned..." She shot my mate a look that made him shift uncomfortably.

"It's fine," I said, even though it wasn't. "Oliver, remember what happened last time? The hospital visit?"

"I don't care!" Oliver stomped his foot, tears welling in his eyes. "I want Rachel's cake! You're just jealous because she's nicer than you! She lets me have fun things!"

"Fun things won't matter much if you can't breathe, Oliver." The words came out sharper than I intended.

"You're mean! You're always mean!" Oliver's face reddened. "You never let me do anything! You're always too busy healing stupid pack members to play with me, but then when Rachel wants to do something fun, you say no!"

Each word felt like a physical blow. Ava growled inside me, protective instincts warring with maternal pain.

"I only want-" I started.

"I HATE YOU!" Oliver screamed, his small body shaking. "I WISH YOU WEREN'T MY MOM! I WISH RACHEL WAS MY MOM! SHE'D LET ME EAT WHAT I WANT!"

The words felt like ice in my veins. My five-year-old son hates me? All because I'm trying to keep him safe?

Rachel knelt beside Oliver, wrapping him in a gentle embrace. "Shhh, sweetheart. Don't say things like that. Your mommy loves you very much." Her voice was soothing, but her eyes met mine over Oliver's head with something that looked almost like triumph.

"I think," Rachel said softly, standing up with Oliver still clinging to her, "maybe I should go. I didn't mean to cause such upset on your special day, precious boy." She stroked his hair again, and he pressed his face into her neck, still crying.

"No, don't go!" Oliver begged, his voice muffled against her designer dress. "Please stay!"

"I'm so sorry," Rachel said, her voice thick with fake emotion. "I feel terrible about this whole situation. I only wanted to make your birthday special." She carefully detached herself from Oliver, smoothing her dress. "Maybe another time, when things are... calmer."

She left, taking my son's heart with her, while Derek stood frozen between us, his expression torn.

Oliver collapsed onto the couch, sobbing. "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!"

Each 'hate' felt like a knife in my heart. I stood there frozen, watching my son cry over another woman leaving his birthday party. I'd faced countless emergencies as Head Healer, but nothing had prepared me for this kind of pain.

Derek stepped closer, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "Olivia, he's only five. He doesn't understand what he's saying."

"He seemed to understand perfectly well," I whispered, my voice rough.

"No, he doesn't." Derek turned me to face him. "He's a child who wants cake and doesn't understand why his mom won't let him have it. That's all this is."

I looked into my mate's emerald eyes, so much like my own. "Is it? Because it feels like much more than that."

"Trust me," Derek squeezed my shoulder gently. "Tomorrow he'll wake up and barely remember this. Children are like that."

Slowly, Oliver's sobs quieted into hiccups, then into the deep breathing of exhaustion-induced sleep. Derek carefully lifted him and carried him to his room, leaving me alone with the aftermath of our ruined celebration.

I began cleaning up mechanically - collecting torn wrapping paper, storing away the untouched fruit cake I'd spent hours making, wiping down surfaces that had never seen the joy they were meant to hold today.

That's when my phone pinged with a notification. Rachel had posted on social media - a photo taken earlier today. She was with Derek and Oliver at the pack's favorite ice cream shop, all three of them smiling brightly at the camera.

Oliver was wearing the new wolf-themed comic t-shirt I'd gotten him just before his birthday, which he hadn't been wearing when he'd gotten home just now.

The caption read: "Happiness is in this moment.❤"

I stared at the photo until my vision blurred, at my son's bright smile - the one he no longer seemed to have for me. The one he saved for Rachel now.

Some wounds, it seemed, were beyond even a Head Healer's power to mend.

She's not my mom

Olivia’s POV:

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Rachel's social media post. The image of my husband and son, both beaming at the camera beside her, made my stomach churn. So this is how the three of them got along when I didn't know? So close, so natural, so much like - a family of three.

Ava, my wolf, paced restlessly inside me. Her growls echoed my own turmoil.

Looking at the photo, memories flooded back. Six years ago, when Derek and I first identified each other as Fated Mates. He was different then - so attentive, so loving. Every single day, without fail, he'd bring me pink tulips. My favorite.

I remember how the pack whispered about us. Me, the Head Healer, choosing an omega wolf as my mate. But I didn't care. Love doesn't see rank or status.

When Derek wanted to start his pharmaceutical company, I supported him without hesitation. Even as the losses mounted, I stood by him. My salary as Head Healer was more than enough to support us both, and I believed in his dreams.

But now, staring at this photo, something felt broken.

"Derek!" My voice came out sharper than intended. "We need to talk."

He returned to the living room, his expression as gentle as ever, "What's wrong, honey?"

"Do you love me?" The question burst out before I could stop it.

His eyes widened at once, "Of course, darling, you're the love of my life. What's this about?"

"Is there anything you're not telling me?" I held up my phone, showing him the photo. "Anything at all?"

Derek's face softened. "It was just ice cream. Oliver begged to go, and since it was his birthday..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I should have told you, but with everything that happened..."

"So you took him out with Rachel? Before coming here?"

"I didn't think much of it when he offered to get ice cream together at the end of school... "Derek came over and took me by the shoulders, "I'm sorry Olivia, I should have thought about it more. I'll have her delete the picture now. "

I watched as he pulled out his phone and messaged Rachel. Within minutes, the post disappeared.

Shame washed over me. Here I was, doubting my mate when he was just trying to make our son happy on his birthday. Maybe I was the problem. Maybe I needed to change.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I've been overthinking everything."

Derek pulled me into a hug, "You don't need to apologize honey, you've just been so busy lately, I get it all. "

At night, I lay in bed tossing and turning, Derek was right, maybe I had been too busy lately and had neglected my son's feelings. I decided to change myself and get back involved in my son's life, to show him that I was available to him and not just a mom who was always working.

The next morning, I noticed Oliver had left his book bag at home. Perfect opportunity, I thought. I could bring it to him at kindergarten, show him that I could be present in his life too.

When I arrived at the kindergarten, a young teacher stopped me at the entrance. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Oliver. I'm his mother."

The teacher's eyebrows rose in surprise." What? Oliver's mom? But ...... Isn't Oliver's mom right here right now?"

Her words shocked me, and following her gaze, I realized that Oliver was playing ball in the playground, accompanied by-Rachel? I felt the blood rush into my head all of a sudden. What was she doing here?

Ava growled inside me, "It's this woman again, why is she shady. "But I forced myself to stay calm." There has to be some kind of misunderstanding. I'm Oliver's real mother."

I held up his book bag as proof. "He left this at home today. I came to bring it to him."

The teacher looked uncertain. "Let me check with Oliver." She turned toward the playground. "Oliver! Could you come here for a moment?"

My son stopped the ball at his feet and twisted his head happily, but upon seeing me, his expression immediately turned somber, such a stark difference that it broke my heart.

"Oliver, sweetie," the teacher asked gently, "is this lady your mom?"

"Of course not," Oliver said firmly, shaking his head, his boyish voice carrying across the playground." Isn't it obvious? My mom is beside me with me yeah. Rachel is my real mom. She's the only mom I've got."

The whispers started immediately. Parents waiting nearby began pointing and staring at me.

"Can you believe this woman?"

"Trying to pretend she's Rachel's son's mother..."

"Some people are so delusional..."

My face went pale as I realized how this looked to everyone. In their eyes, I was some strange woman trying to insert myself into Rachel's perfect family.

The teacher cleared her throat awkwardly. "Perhaps there's been a mistake..."

"Oliver," she tried again, clearly wanting to be certain. "You're sure about this?"

My son took the opportunity to unleash all his frustration. "Rachel is my real mom! My only mom! I don't want anyone else!"

Every word was like a knife in my heart. My hands trembled as I handed my bag to the teacher.

How had this happened? When had I lost so much ground that my own son would deny me in public? That strangers would look at me like I was trying to steal someone else's child?

Some wounds go deeper than flesh. And this one, I wasn't sure even a Head Healer could mend.

Whispers of "poor Rachel" and "crazy woman" buzzed around me, I didn't know how I was supposed to prove my identity, was I going to have to go home and get my birth certificate? I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I turned around and prepared to leave the place that was embarrassing me.

Photos

Olivia’s POV:

I was about to leave, tears burning in my eyes, when the teacher's voice called out behind me.

"Wait! Please, just a moment." She hurried over, her face creased with concern. "I think we should sort this out properly."

My feet felt heavy as I turned back. The whispers hadn't stopped, but now they held a note of uncertainty.

"Oliver," the teacher called out firmly. "Come here right now."

Oliver dragged his feet as he approached, shooting annoyed glances at Rachel, who still stood by the playground equipment.

"Oliver," the teacher crouched down to his level, her voice gentle but serious. "I need you to think very carefully about what you're saying. This is a very serious matter. Are you absolutely sure about what you told us?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me the same thing?" Oliver's voice rose with frustration. "I already said Rachel is my mom! She picks me up every day! She helps me with my homework! She makes me special snacks!" He jabbed a finger in my direction. "That lady just keeps showing up and saying she's my mom, but she's not! She's never here!"

Each word felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Where was my sweet little boy who used to run to me with skinned knees and bad dreams?

"Oliver James Winters!"

Derek's voice cracked across the playground like thunder. I hadn't even heard him approach.

Our son's face went pale as Derek strode up to us, his expression thunderous. "What do you think you're doing, speaking to your mother that way?"

"But Dad-" Oliver started.

"No." Derek cut him off. "Rachel is my secretary. Nothing more." He turned to address the gathered crowd of parents and teachers. "I apologize for any confusion. Yes, Rachel helps with pickup when my mate - Oliver's actual mother - is busy with her duties as Head Healer. But she is NOT Oliver's mother, and I'm shocked to hear she's been allowing anyone to think otherwise."

"I'm sorry Derek, please listen to me, Oliver didn't mean it. "At that moment Rachel came over to me and for the first time I saw a jittery look on her face as she looked at Derek with a soft gaze.

Apparently, Derek had seen her, too, and his face was filled with rage that, "Rachel. Office. Now. We'll discuss your... overstepping later. And let me be perfectly clear - if anything like this happens again, you'll be looking for new employment. Stay away from my son."

Rachel's perfect composure cracked. "Derek, I never meant-"

"Now, Rachel." Derek's voice left no room for argument.

Tears came to her eyes and she covered her face and hastily threw them away, but before they did, I caught a flash of something in her eyes as she looked at Derek. That something made my stomach twist.

"As for you, young man," Derek turned back to Oliver, "we will be having a very serious discussion about respect and honesty when you get home."

Oliver's lower lip trembled. "But Rachel said-"

"I don't care what Rachel said," Derek interrupted. "This woman here is your mother. Your only mother. The one who gave birth to you, who loves you more than anything. And you will treat her with respect."

The gathered parents began dispersing, their whispers now sympathetic rather than accusatory. The teacher touched my arm gently.

"I'm so sorry for the confusion, Mrs. Winters. If you'd like to talk about this..."

But I couldn't stay. Couldn't bear to see the pity in their eyes or the rebellion still simmering in Oliver's.

I drove home in a daze, tears blurring my vision. When had I lost my son so completely? When had another woman stolen my place in his heart?

Almost without conscious thought, I found myself in Oliver's room. The sight of his toys, his books, his little shoes lined up by the door - it was too much.

I started pulling out boxes from his closet. Baby clothes I'd carefully preserved. The tiny hospital bracelet from the day he was born. The blue blanket he'd refused to sleep without until he was three.

Each item held a memory. The yellow onesie he wore when he took his first steps. The tiny sweater he had on in his first pack photo.

I'd been there for every moment. Every milestone. Every triumph and tear.

Carefully, I unfolded each piece of clothing, smoothing out the wrinkles. The stack of photo albums came next - pages and pages of documented memories. Oliver's first smile. His first tooth. The day he learned to write his name.

My fingers trembled as I opened another box, this one filled with artwork from his early school days. Construction paper cards covered in glitter. Handprint turkeys. A Mother's Day card from last year that read "To the best mommy ever!"

What had changed? When had I gone from "best mommy ever" to someone he would deny in public?

At the bottom of the box, my hands brushed against something different. A worn envelope, tucked away beneath years of memories.

Inside was a stack of photos I'd never seen before. When I pulled them out, my heart stopped.

Derek and Rachel. Together. Young and clearly in love.

Some of the photos are group shots, of a group out on a field trip, and Derek and Rachel are in them with their arms around each other's waists.

Some are pictures of two people together, in the house, outside. Some are of two people hugging and kissing, there's one of Derek cooking with an apron on, and there's a silhouette of two people hugging at sunset.

My hands shook as I reached the last item in the envelope. A letter, dated six years ago.

My Dear Rachel,

I know this isn't what we planned. Olivia is pregnant. As a fated mate, I'm expected to go through with the mating ritual.

But I want you to know - if you'll have me, I'll cancel it all. Pregnant or not, fated mates or not, I choose you. I've always chosen you.

Please say you'll stay with me.

Forever yours,

Derek

The letter slipped from my numb fingers, landing among the scattered remnants of my son's childhood. Among the memories of a life I thought was mine.

Love and Lies

Olivia’s POV:

My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I stared at the photos scattered across the floor. Derek and Rachel, young and in love. The evidence was right there in front of me, but my mind refused to accept it.

Our marriage had been good - hadn't it? Even today, Derek had defended me without hesitation. He'd put Rachel in her place, protected my position as Oliver's mother.

I closed my eyes, focusing on my connection with Ava. My wolf wasn't showing signs of mate betrayal. If Derek was currently involved with Rachel, Ava would know. Would feel it.

But why keep his ex-girlfriend so close? Why make her his secretary? Why hide their past from me?

The loving gestures over the years - were they real or just an act? The morning coffees, the gentle touches, the way he'd support me after long healing sessions...

I gathered up the photos, studying them more closely. Derek looked so young, so carefree. The way he smiled at Rachel in these pictures - had he ever looked at me that way?

The family I'd thought was mine suddenly felt like a house of cards, ready to collapse at any moment. My husband had hidden his past. My son had rejected me publicly.

Everything I'd done had been for them. Every extra shift at the healing center. Every missed social event because someone in the pack needed emergency care.

I'd earned enough to send Oliver to the best schools. Spent countless hours researching ways to strengthen his naturally weak constitution. Used my healing powers to boost his immune system whenever I could.

And what did Oliver see? A controlling mother. A source of rules and restrictions. Someone to reject in favor of the fun, permissive woman who let him eat whatever he wanted.

The sound of the front door opening startled me from my thoughts. I quickly shoved the photos and letter back into their envelope.

"Olivia?" Derek's voice called out. "Where are you, love?"

He found me in Oliver's room, still surrounded by childhood mementos. In his hands was a small gift bag.

"I thought you could use a little pick-me-up." He pulled out a beautiful silk scarf in my favorite shade of blue. "I know today was rough."

I took the scarf, trying to see past the gift to any hint of deception in his eyes. But all I saw was concern.

"Oliver's just young," Derek said softly, sitting beside me. "He doesn't understand that the cream incident could have killed him. He doesn't remember how close we came to losing him that day."

I traced my fingers over a small hospital bracelet from one of Oliver's many childhood emergencies. "Sometimes I think he hates me for trying to keep him safe."

"He doesn't hate you." Derek wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "He loves you very much. He just doesn't like the restrictions. But he'll understand when he's older."

He picked up one of Oliver's baby photos. "Look how far he's come. Remember how weak he was when he was born? His health has improved so much. Maybe we can afford to be a little less strict now."

His words made sense. His voice soothed something raw deep inside me, and as if on cue, Derek leaned in, and his lips found mine—first gentle, then insistent. Our connection was primal, a call from our inner wolves that wouldn't be denied.

Before long, the tender kisses intensified into a heated need that neither of us could resist. In the dim light of the room, he ran his hands over my bare shoulders, igniting a trail of fire along my skin. I pressed against him as he slid his strong hands down my back, each touch both a promise and a plea. With deliberate passion, I led him to the edge of the bed, where the world narrowed to just our entwined bodies and the raw urgency of our desire.

Our clothes became obstacles quickly discarded, pooling carelessly on the rug as we bared all. I could feel every rise and fall of his breathing as his lips traced a path along my neck. The heat between us built rapidly—his kisses deepened, and soon our hands were exploring every curve, every secret place, with bold, unwavering intent. I felt the slick heat of arousal as he pressed himself closer, each of his thrusts and caresses made Ava and I let out moans of pleasure together.

Our bodies rhythmically moved together, his steady thrusts, the friction of skin against skin and the mingling of our breaths. I gasped and moaned as the rhythm of our union increased, each movement drowning me deeper in sensual stimulation. Every explicit claim he made, every intimate whisper, sent shivers throughout my body.

Derek's lips found mine, gentle at first, then more insistent. Our wolves recognized each other, that primal connection that had brought us together in the first place.

When I woke up later, the bed beside me was empty. But the house smelled of cooking, and I could hear Derek moving around in the kitchen.

I stretched, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. Maybe Derek was right. Maybe I needed to loosen up a little with Oliver.

The dining room table was set when I came downstairs, a full meal laid out. Derek had even cleaned up the living room.

This was the mate I knew. The one who took care of me. Who loved me.

I decided then to make a real change. This weekend, I would take Oliver on a picnic. Just the two of us. No rules, no restrictions - just mother and son time.

I grabbed my phone as I tried to tell Derek through the mind link about my weekend plans. Just then I saw a message on my phone from my best friend Isabel.

A video message. Filmed just an hour ago at the luxury boutique downtown.

My heart stopped as I watched:

Rachel is admiring two designer bags. Oliver is at her side, pulling out a familiar bank card-Black Card, mine.

"I'll get them for you, Rachel!" His voice was eager, happy - the way he used to sound with me.

The card he swiped? Mine. Twenty thousand dollars, gone in an instant.

The phone slipped from my numb fingers, clattering on the table.

Break up the relationship

Olivia’s POV：

My hands trembled as I replayed the video. This time, I noticed something in the background - a promotional poster hanging on the boutique wall.

"Buy a luxury bag, get a free silk scarf!"

The same brand. The same blue scarf Derek had just given me.

My "special gift" was nothing but a freebie from the bags my own money had bought for Rachel.

I sank into a kitchen chair, my legs no longer able to support me. The beautiful dinner Derek had prepared suddenly looked like ash.

I'm such a fool that my son prefers my husband's first love and doesn't want me to be his mom. My husband pretends to defend me in public and betrays me in private.

I'd built this family with my own hands. Supported it with my own money. I never cared that Derek wasn't rich - I only wanted his love.

But they'd been consuming me like vampires. Using me. Betraying me at every turn.

I forced myself to watch more of the video. The boutique clerk's voice drifted through the speakers:

"Your son is so sweet! You're lucky to have such a thoughtful boy."

Oliver beamed at Rachel. "I love my mom the most!"

Mom. The word that used to be mine.

Then Derek appeared in frame. My mate. My supposed eternal love. He was smiling at the scene before him.

"That's my boy," he said proudly. "Being a real man means taking care of your mom."

I turned off the video, but the memories wouldn't stop flooding in. The early days of our marriage played through my mind like a bitter movie.

Derek had been so determined to prove himself worthy of a Head Healer mate. Every few months, there was a new business venture. A new "sure thing" that would make him rich.

First, it was importing rare herbs for healing potions. Three months and thousands of dollars later, we discovered the supplier was selling fakes.

Then came the wolfsbane-infused energy drinks. The pack training equipment store. The specialty pharmacy for werewolves.

Each failure ate away at our savings. But Derek kept trying, desperate to show he was more than just an omega wolf who'd gotten lucky with a powerful mate.

Oliver was just a baby then. I remember standing in the grocery store, counting coins to buy formula while other pack mothers filled their carts with premium brands.

Our little wolf was born weak, needing special care and expensive medications. But after another of Derek's failed ventures, we could barely afford the basics.

The other pack children were cruel in that thoughtless way kids can be. I still remember finding Oliver crying in his room after his first day of pack school.

"Why can't I have nice things like everyone else, Mommy?" His little voice had been so broken. "Tommy said my clothes smell like the thrift store."

That night, I signed up for extra healing shifts. Started taking emergency calls in the middle of the night. Anything to earn more money.

Derek's pride wouldn't let him stop trying to build his business empire. But someone had to make sure our son had food on his plate and clothes that didn't make him a target for bullies.

Month after month, I worked myself to exhaustion. Healing other pack members' children while barely seeing my own.

But slowly, things got better. My reputation as a healer grew. The emergency calls paid well. Eventually, I was made Head Healer, and the money finally started flowing.

I remember the first time I could buy Oliver new clothes. Brand name shoes. The toys he'd been dreaming of.

His eyes lit up like the full moon when he saw them. "Are these really for me, Mommy?"

I'd missed his first steps because I was working. Missed his first shift into wolf form because I was healing another pack member's crisis.

But I told myself it was worth it. Every missed moment meant a better life for my son.

When I finally saved enough to give him his own card with $30,000 on it, he threw his arms around me.

"Thank you, Mom! You're the best!"

I worked myself to the bone for moments like that. For his smile. His happiness.

And now he was using that same money to buy expensive gifts for the woman he wished was his mother.

My phone buzzed with another message from Isabel:

"Girl, there's more. They were talking about going on a shopping spree next week too. Using your black card again..."

I closed the message. My hands were steady now, but my heart felt like ice.

All those years of sacrifice. All those missed moments with my son. Working myself to exhaustion so Derek could chase his dreams while Oliver had everything he needed.

And this was how they repaid me.

I pulled up my contacts and found the number I needed: Nathan Wolf, the pack's top lawyer. Known for handling even the most complicated mate separations with discretion.

"Nathan? This is Olivia Winters. I need your help drawing up some papers."

His voice was professional, careful. "What kind of papers are we talking about, Mrs. Winters?"

"A mate separation agreement. As soon as possible."

There was a pause on the other end. Breaking a mate bond was serious business. Not something done lightly.

"All right, I'll have a draft ready in a minute," he said at last." But are you sure?"

"More sure than I've been about anything in years."

Just then, Derek's voice echoed in my mind through our mate link: "Olivia, we need to talk. Something big is happening."

I looked down at my phone, at the boutique video still frozen on the screen. At my son using my money to buy gifts for his "real mom."

A cold smile crossed my face as I typed a response: "Perfect timing. I have something big to tell you too."

The mate bond hummed between us, but for the first time, I felt nothing but ice in my veins.

My phone buzzed again - Nathan sending over the preliminary paperwork. The words "Mate Separation Agreement" glowed on my screen.

Such simple words for such a complicated betrayal.

I opened the document and began to read. Soon, they'd all learn exactly how much their perfect little family had cost me.

And this time, I wouldn't be paying the price alone.

Breaking Point

Olivia’s POV:

I had no idea that the place Derek had sent me to was actually a healing center. My heart was pounding as I followed his psychic link to this place. As I burst through the door, the antiseptic smell of the emergency room hit me, and my instincts as a healer were already on high alert.

"Dr. Winters!" A young nurse recognized me. "They're in Room 204."

I nearly knocked over a medicine cart in my rush to reach the room. The sight that greeted me stopped me cold in the doorway.

Oliver lay unconscious on the hospital bed, his usually energetic face ghostly pale against the stark white sheets. His right leg was heavily bandaged, and multiple monitors created a symphony of beeps around him. An IV drip fed clear fluid into his arm.

"What happened?" I demanded, my eyes scanning the monitors automatically. Heart rate elevated but stable. Blood pressure slightly low. Oxygen levels good.

Derek stepped forward from where he'd been standing by the window. "He fell during rock climbing. The doctors say-"

"Rock climbing?" The words came out as a strangled whisper. "Tell me you didn't take him rock climbing."

Rachel, who I hadn't noticed sitting in the corner, stood up. "It was a supervised activity. All the other pack children were there-"

"Rock climbing?" My voice rose sharply, cutting through her explanation. "Are you both completely insane? You know about his old injury!"

The memory of that terrible day when Oliver was three flashed through my mind. Derek had taken him to an advanced training session meant for older wolf pups, ignoring my protests that Oliver was too young.

"He's fine now," Derek tried to placate me. "That was years ago-"

No problem? I'll close in on him." That injury almost cost him his future ability to shapeshift! Did you know he almost lost his wolf form forever?"

Rachel stepped between us, her face a mask of concern. "The doctors say he'll need surgery. We should focus on that right now-"

"Why were you even there?" I rounded on her. "What gives you the right to make decisions about my son's activities?"

"I care about Oliver," she said, her voice trembling perfectly. "I've been watching him grow stronger every day. He's not that fragile little boy anymore-"

"You don't know anything about him!" The monitors' beeping increased slightly as my voice rose. "I spent months healing that leg. Countless nights channeling my power into those damaged muscles and tendons.A wrong action may completely deprive him of the possibility of future transformation!"

Rachel's eyes filled with tears. "We need to discuss the surgery costs. The specialist is waiting-"

"I had given Oliver a black card," I cut her off, my tone cold." I once gave him a $30,000 card that could be used to pay for medical bills."

The look and tone Rachel gave me was dramatically exaggerated, "How can you be so cold? Your son is lying here injured, and your only concern is money?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "My son? Now he's my son? Funny how he's suddenly my son when bills need to be paid."

"I've been here for him," Rachel's voice quavered. "I've watched him get hurt while you were too busy with your healing duties. I've been the one-"

The crack of my palm against her cheek echoed through the sterile hospital room like a gunshot.

"Don't you dare," I hissed, my hand stinging. "Don't you dare pretend you know anything about-"

"Mom, stop!"

Oliver's voice, weak but determined, came from the doorway. He stood there in a hospital gown, leaning heavily against the frame. His face was white with pain, but his eyes blazed with anger as he hobbled forward.

"Oliver, get back in bed immediately!" I moved to help him, but he recoiled.

"Don't touch her!" He positioned himself in front of Rachel, swaying slightly. Every movement clearly caused him pain, but he stood his ground. "Leave her alone!"

My heart shattered seeing him struggle to stand, protecting her while clearly in agony. The monitors in the room began beeping more urgently.

"Oliver, please," I reached for him again. "You need to lie down. You'll make the injury worse-"

He flinched away from my touch as if it burned. "Don't!"

"Oliver," my voice broke. "I'm your mother. Your real mother. The one who carried you for nine months. Who nearly died bringing you into this world."

The monitors' rhythm became more erratic as Oliver's heart rate increased.

"Do you remember when you were little?" I pressed on, tears burning my eyes. "How excited you were to show me your first wolf tooth? You couldn't wait for me to come home that day. You met me at the door, jumping up and down..."

"Stop it," Oliver whispered, but I couldn't stop now.

"Remember how you'd climb into my lap after nightmares? How you'd only eat the soup I made when you were sick?" My voice cracked. "Do you know how many nights I stayed awake, watching you breathe when you were ill? How many times I wanted to take your pain into myself when you were hurt?"

"Stop it!" Oliver's voice rose to a shout. "Just stop! Rachel is the one who's always there for me now! She comes to my school events! She helps with my homework! She-"

"Because I let her be!" I whirled on Derek. "How dare you act righteous now? This is your doing! You encouraged this - letting another woman play mother to our son!"

Derek stepped forward, his face thunderous. "Oliver, apologize to your mother right now. This behavior is unacceptable-"

"Don't be a hypocrite!" I spat the words like venom. "I know everything. I found the pictures of you and Rachel. The love letters. I even know about the silk scarf - the free gift from the bags my son bought for your ex-girlfriend with my money!"

The room started spinning. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision. The last thing I heard was the monitors' alarmed beeping and multiple voices calling my name.

When I regained consciousness, my eyes were greeted by the clean white ceiling of the treatment center. I sat up, and that's when I realized that Derek was sitting beside me, and next to him in the hospital bed was Oliver. And on the small cabinet in the middle of our beds was a document-the severance of partnership document I'd had Nathan prepare.

Broken Bonds

(Olivia's POV)

The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital ceiling came into focus as I blinked away the darkness. My head throbbed with a dull pain as I tried to push myself up on my elbows. I felt disoriented, my thoughts fuzzy around the edges.

"She's awake!" Derek's voice cut through the fog in my mind.

I turned my head to see Derek sitting between two hospital beds - one I was lying in, and the other holding Oliver. His small frame looked even tinier against the white sheets, his leg elevated and heavily bandaged.

Derek jumped up and rushed to my side, his face a mask of concern. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're alright. You scared us, honey."

His hand reached for mine, but I pulled away. The divorce papers lay on the small table between us, a stark reminder of reality.

Oliver, on the other hand, didn't even look at me. His lips were pursed tightly, his gaze fixed firmly on the ceiling above him. The complete indifference in his expression was like a knife to my heart.

"I told you she'd be fine," Oliver muttered, still not looking at me. "Her wolf is too strong. She's probably just faking it for attention."

My breath caught in my throat. When had my sweet little boy turned so cold? Was this really my son speaking?

Derek shot him a warning look. "Oliver! That's no way to talk about your mother."

"Whatever," Oliver rolled his eyes. He tugged at Derek's sleeve urgently. "Since she's awake now, can we go find Aunt Rachel? You promised we could see her after she finished talking to the doctor."

Aunt Rachel. The words echoed painfully in my head. Every time he called her that, it felt like another piece of my heart was being torn away.

"Oliver, please," Derek began, but my son was already trying to climb out of bed, wincing as he moved his injured leg.

"I want to see Aunt Rachel," he insisted, his voice rising with each word. "She was crying when she left. I need to make sure she's okay."

The concern in his voice for Rachel – when he couldn't even look at me after I'd collapsed – was the final straw. A strange calm washed over me as something inside me shattered beyond repair.

Without a word, I reached for my phone on the bedside table. My fingers moved automatically, opening my banking app. The interface was familiar – I'd spent countless hours transferring money, paying bills, keeping our family afloat.

I navigated to account authorizations and quickly revoked Derek's access to my personal account. The premium credit card that gave him unlimited monthly funds to keep his failing pharmaceutical company running – gone with just a tap of my finger.

With a few more movements, I canceled the automatic payments for Oliver's elite kindergarten. The confirmation message popped up: "Tuition payment canceled." I hit confirm without hesitation.

Next, I forwarded an email to the coordinator of Oliver's extracurricular activities, withdrawing him from the expensive wolf combat training that cost thousands each month. "Please remove Oliver Winters from all scheduled sessions effective immediately," I typed.

Finally, I canceled the standing order for the rare European herbs – over $100,000 annually – that strengthened his weak constitution. These herbs had kept him from having severe allergic reactions, had built up his immune system. But if Rachel was to be his mother now, let her figure out how to keep him healthy.

Derek noticed my focused expression and the rapid movement of my fingers across the screen. His face paled quickly as realization dawned.

"Olivia, what are you doing?" Panic edged into his voice. He tried to grab my phone, but I pulled it away.

I looked up, meeting his eyes directly. "Making room for Rachel."

"What?" His confusion seemed genuine, but I was done with his lies.

"You heard me." I turned to Oliver, who was now watching me with suspicious eyes. "Haven't you always wanted Aunt Rachel to be your mom? Well, I'm leaving now, so why don't you let her be your mom from now on?"

Oliver's face transformed instantly. The sullen look disappeared, replaced by wide-eyed delight. He nodded eagerly, as if afraid I might change my mind. His reaction was like physical proof of everything I'd suspected.

"Really? You mean it?" His excitement was like a physical blow to my chest. "Can we do it today? Can you break the mate bond with Dad today?"

Derek quickly covered Oliver's mouth with his hand. "He doesn't know what he's saying. He's just a child, Olivia. He doesn't understand what breaking a mate bond means."

Oliver struggled against Derek's hand, pulling it away with surprising strength. "I'm not stupid! I know exactly what I want. If she wants to leave, then let her leave!"

He looked at me with such hatred that I barely recognized him as the same boy who once clung to me during thunderstorms.

"Aunt Rachel will make a lot of money too," Oliver continued defiantly. "She told me she used to work at a big company before she came to work for you. She doesn't need your money!"

I stared at my son, feeling nothing but a hollow emptiness where my heart used to be. His words should have hurt, should have made me cry or scream or beg him to reconsider. Instead, I felt nothing. It was as if my last tear had already been shed, my last hope already extinguished.

Ava, my wolf, was unusually quiet inside me. Usually, she would fight for our family, for our pup. But even she seemed to have given up.

Derek's face paled further. He grabbed my wrist, his grip tight. "Olivia, you can't mean—"

My heart races just thinking about what I'm about to say.

The monitor beside my bed started beeping faster, registering my accelerated heart rate despite my outward calm. A nurse poked her head in, concerned by the change in my vitals, but I waved her away.

After so many years of being mates, it was obvious that Derek knew exactly what I was going to do, "You're not thinking clearly," Derek pleaded, his voice dropping to a whisper." You've just been in shock and any behavior now would be an irrational decision."

"I've never thought more clearly in my life," I replied coldly. "For years, I've supported you financially, emotionally, in every way possible. And this is how you repay me? By letting another woman steal my place in my son's heart?"

Oliver suddenly shouted from his bed, "She didn't steal anything! I chose her!"

Those words – those simple, cruel words from my five-year-old son – were the final confirmation I needed. There was nothing left for me here. Nothing worth fighting for.

Thoroughly disappointed, I looked at the father-son duo quietly. Opening my mouth, and said.

"I, from today, will dissolve the mate-bond with you, Derek," I said, my voice was stronger . "In the name of the Moon Goddess, from now on, I and you two father and son will have no more relationship whatsoever. And I will take back everything I previously gave you, including the villa, my support for your company, and Oliver's aristocratic kindergarten."