Sam looked at Lily with unwavering certainty.

"Don't worry. I won't let anyone take our daughter away."

They stood close—too close. Their intimacy was unguarded, natural… the kind that only real mates shared. And in that moment, I became nothing more than a trespasser in someone else's life.

I didn't move until they disappeared inside. Then, slowly, I stepped out of the car and followed them up to the second floor.

At the end of the corridor, just outside an office, a small crowd of staff had gathered. Their whispers, though hushed, sliced through the quiet like silver knives.

"Is that the pup Alpha Sam wants to adopt? She looks just like him."

"Of course she does—she's his biological daughter. I heard this was all part of the plan. Pretending she's an orphan so she can return to his side as the rightful heir."

"God. Who's the mother? It can't be Echo, right?"

"No way. Echo can't have children. I heard she was injured as a pup—something about permanent infertility."

"That's not it. I heard it was because of… messy affairs when she was younger. Multiple abortions. Wrecked her chances. Why else would the Alpha go to all this trouble, pretending to adopt his own kid?"

"Exactly. Lily is Sam's true love. I knew it since we were kids. Look at them—they're perfect together."

Each word, each careless phrase, plunged deep into my chest, bleeding me dry.

For five years, I had failed to bear Sam a pup. He always comforted me, told me it didn't matter. That having me was enough.

Now I understood—he'd already made other plans. Plans that never included me.

My legs gave out, and I leaned against the wall just to stay upright.

Suddenly, the office door swung open.

Sam stepped out, one arm wrapped around Kitty, the other holding Lily's hand.

Our eyes met. Something flared in his gaze—panic.

"Hi, Echo," Lily said brightly, lifting her free hand in greeting. "Long time no see."

Sam dropped Lily's hand as though it burned him and rushed over to me.

"Echo? What are you doing here?"

His voice was quick, defensive. "Don't overthink this. Lily works here as a guard—she watches over all the pups. I just happened to be here to discuss Kitty's adoption…"

He shifted Kitty in his arms, holding her out toward me as if she could somehow change the conversation.

"This is Kitty. Look—adorable, isn't she? She's the most well-behaved pup in the whole orphanage."

I nodded, brushing a hand along her cheek.

"She looks so much like you. If you hadn't said otherwise, I would've thought she was your own blood."

But I could smell it. The scent of both Sam and Lily clung to her—deep in her skin, wrapped in her breath. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't ignore it.

Sam opened his mouth, about to speak again, but Kitty suddenly burst into tears in his arms.

"I'll take her," Lily said, suddenly by his side. She reached out and scooped Kitty up effortlessly, holding her like she'd done it a hundred times before.

Kitty nestled into her chest, nuzzling for comfort, and murmured softly—

"Mommy…"

Sam went pale. His breath hitched, and I could smell the fear radiating off him.

"Don't misunderstand," he stammered. "Lily works here—she's close to all the pups. They all call her 'Mommy.' Once the adoption's finalized, I'll… I'll teach Kitty to call you something else."

But the desperation in his voice only made the ache in my chest deepen.

Was he afraid I'd be hurt? Then why lie to me? Why trap me in this false bond, pretending we were mates while he cast me aside for another woman and her pup?

Why adopt a pup that isn't mine and leave me to face the judgment of every whispering voice and sideways glance?

"Don't worry. I didn't misunderstand." My voice was soft, calm even. "You go handle the adoption paperwork. I'll wait for you in the car."

Sam let out a visible breath of relief, his smile breaking free like sunlight through fog.

"Be good and wait for me, alright? I'll be right back."

I turned and walked toward the parking lot, the weight in my chest growing heavier with every step. I passed several members of the pack. They didn't bother lowering their voices.

"Poor thing. She has no idea…"

"I heard the Alpha's been coming here nearly every day, always with Lily. And they've already registered as mates. Doesn't that make Echo the homewrecker?"

Their words clawed at my back like icy talons, but I didn't stop. I didn't flinch. I just reached for my phone with trembling fingers and sent a message to someone I hadn't contacted in years.

[Dad, I'm tired. I just want to go home.]

It wasn't long after I got home that my father called—video, not just voice.

We hadn't seen each other in five years, and his hair was far more silver now than I remembered.

"Sweetheart," he said, voice tight with worry, "has Sam been treating you badly?"

The knot in my throat broke. I tried to hold it together, but my tears betrayed me.

"I missed you so much, Dad…"

The fight that had driven us apart—the one where he shouted at me, "Get out! You're no daughter of mine!"—felt like a lifetime ago. And yet, here he was, still angry for me. Still loving me.

He sighed, long and weary, but his eyes were full of warmth and regret.

"No matter what's happened, this will always be your home. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow."

After the call ended, I couldn't sleep. Guilt gnawed at me, keeping me wide-eyed into the night—guilt for what I'd done to my family, and for the decision I'd made all those years ago, leaving everything behind to follow Sam.

By the time I came downstairs the next morning, Sam and Lily were already seated at the breakfast table with Kitty nestled between them.

They looked perfect. A portrait of a happy family.

And I... I was the smudge on that perfect picture, the intruder in their painted domestic bliss.

Sam noticed me first. He sprang to his feet, guilt flashing across his face.

"Kitty just moved in. She's not used to the place yet," he explained quickly. "Lily's only staying for a few days to help her settle."

Kitty glanced at me, eyes wary. Then she turned and shouted, "I want Mommy and Daddy to sleep with me every night!"

She clutched Sam's and Lily's hands, pulling them together like she was tying a knot.

Lily gave me a look—a small, apologetic smile that didn't reach her eyes—and said sweetly, "Sorry, Echo. Kitty has trouble sleeping in new places. But you're so understanding. You won't mind, right?"

Sam paled. His mouth opened, closed, then stayed that way—no defense came.

A sharp, breathless pain stabbed through the numbness in my chest.

"Don't be nervous," I said, forcing a light tone as I took my seat at the table. "Of course I don't mind. She's just a pup. Being surrounded by familiar people helps her feel safe. Let's all have breakfast."

Lily, ever gracious, picked up a slice of bread and offered it to me.

"I made this myself. Try it. I even added your favorite—sweetgrass."

She smiled and winked at me.

"Sam told me you liked it. You have to finish the whole thing!"

I took the bread. The moment it touched my fingers, I recognized the scent.

It wasn't sweetgrass. It was something else entirely.

I set the bread gently back on the plate, my voice trembling with restrained fury.

"I didn't know you liked to bake with wolfsbane."

Lily's eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling.

"Echo… even if you don't like it, you don't have to accuse me like that."

Sam's face darkened with disapproval.

"Lily got up early just to make that for you. Why would she poison you? Don't be unreasonable, Echo."

I had just opened my mouth to explain when Kitty's high-pitched voice interrupted, demanding to go upstairs to watch her cartoons.

Sam immediately set down his fork and knife. "I'll take her up," he said, already rising from his seat.

As soon as the sound of their footsteps faded and the door clicked shut behind them, Lily's tears vanished like smoke in the wind. She turned to me, a smirk curling on her lips, her tone sharp with mockery.

"Five years playing the part of a fake mate, Echo. How does it feel? Oh, that's right. You didn't know, did you?" Her eyes gleamed. "Kitty's my daughter."

The next instant, she was gone from her seat and standing inches from me, her presence sudden and oppressive.

"The mate certificate Sam and I have? That one's real," she hissed. "If you have even a shred of shame left, you should leave—now. Stop clinging to something that was never yours."

Before I could move, she grabbed a piece of bread from the table and shoved it against my lips.

"This is what a filthy little parasite like you deserves. Enjoy the wolfsbane."

The bitterness hit my tongue like ash and acid. I gasped—my throat already swelling. Breath clawed at my chest but wouldn't come. I dropped to the floor, body heaving in desperate search for air.

Lily's ears twitched—she'd heard something.

With a swift, practiced motion, her right hand transformed into a claw and she slashed her own chest. Crimson welled instantly, staining her pristine white blouse. She collapsed to her knees with a shriek that echoed through the house.

"Echo! Don't kill me! I'm sorry—I shouldn't have moved in—I'll leave, please, just let me go!"

"Lily!" Sam's voice thundered from upstairs.

He hit the ground floor in a blur, eyes wide with shock as he rushed to cradle Lily's bleeding form in his arms.

"What the hell, Echo? Have you lost your mind?" His voice trembled with fury. "Lily made you breakfast, she stayed to help with our daughter—and this is how you repay her?"

He didn't wait for an answer. "When I get back, I want you to apologize. Properly."

Lily sagged weakly against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Just before he turned to leave, she looked at me—eyes glistening with tears, mouth curved in a quiet, triumphant smile.

Not once did Sam glance my way.

I lay crumpled on the floor, my body burning from the inside out, lungs refusing to pull in air as the wolfsbane worked its way through me. Pain twisted through my stomach. Inside, my wolf howled.

Somehow, I forced myself to my feet, staggered step by step to the bedroom. I fumbled for the antidote on the nightstand, downed the vial in a single gulp. Slowly, the tightness in my throat began to ease.

But relief never came.

Not to my heart.

Not to the place that had once believed in forever.

I looked at Sam and I's wedding photo on the nightstand. I took down the frame. Then opened the drawers.

Every photo. Every keepsake. The mate ring, the wolf fang necklace, the fox-hide satchel, the moonstone, the hand-carved tokens.

All the memories he'd given me.

I gathered them one by one, and destroyed them all.

Even the rose garden in the backyard—planted by Sam's own hands—I ripped it out, roots and all, and burned it.

I didn't want any of it.

Not even him.

Starting tomorrow, Sam would no longer exist in my life.

The werewolves from my birth pack worked fast. That afternoon, my father's people arrived. I signed the withdrawal papers and packed what was left of me.

I left the White Moon Pack without looking back.

In the hospital, Sam sat beside Lily's bed.

He hadn't slept all night. His eyes were shadowed, his hands restless. Lily called his name over and over, but he didn't hear her.

"Sam," she said weakly. "My chest still hurts. But don't blame Echo… she was just jealous of me being with you and Kitty."

Before she could finish, a sharp knock rattled the door.

His Beta stood outside, breathless and panicked, and mind-linked with him immediately.

"Alpha—Echo's gone. She officially withdrew from White Moon this afternoon. She's disappeared."