In the seventh year after we fled to the human world, my thirteen-year-old daughter, Thea, was hailed as an international alchemy master.

No matter how complex the formula, Thea could brew an extraordinary potion.

But there was one potion Thea refused to brew: a simple calming potion. She was afraid that if she ever brewed it, she might be tempted to forgive that man.

So, when the man named Kian Vaughn appeared at our doorstep with a legendary "Tear of the Stars," begging Thea to brew that very potion for him, she just calmly shook her head.

"That's not necessary, sir. I don't brew that potion."

Kian's eyes went red. He lunged for Thea's hand, trying to pull her toward the rare ingredients.

"Impossible! Aren't you an alchemy prodigy, Thea? You've always wanted a Tear of the Stars—and I've brought it for you! From now on, just tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you."

Thea coldly pulled her right hand away.

"That's not necessary, sir. I can earn what I need for my ingredients. You should save this for that little pup of yours."

Kian felt his heart plummet. He immediately pulled Thea into his arms.

"What are you talking about, Thea? You're my only child!"

But Thea just gave him a bewildered look.

"Didn't you say Miss Croft's daughter was the only one worthy of being your child? Didn't you give her the Wolf King's Fang Amulet you promised me?"

At this, Thea gave Kian a faint, chilling smile.

"That's fine, Mr. Vaughn. Since you favor Miss Croft, then you should be protecting her child. My mom is all I need."

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1

Kian Vaughn's mind was reeling. No matter how many scenarios he’d imagined, he never expected his daughter, Thea, to be so unflinching.

What he didn't know was that Thea and I had already given him countless chances, but he had chosen to ignore every single one.

In the five years after our bonding ceremony, he had countless opportunities to tell us the truth—that he was the Alpha of the Stone River Pack. But he said nothing.

Every time Thea offered to brew a potion for him, he would brush her off.

"Of course, but I'm short on cash right now. When I have the money, I'll buy you a proper alchemy station."

For five years, I took Thea to the marketplace every day, where we sold enchanted bookmarks just to scrape by.

And he just watched. For five whole years.

Every time we packed up our stall, Thea would ask me, her voice full of hope, "Mom, did we earn enough for the alchemy station? I want to brew a calming potion for Dad. It's the first one I ever learned!"

Each time, I would count the coins in our pouch and shake my head.

"We're still a little short. We'll save a bit more tomorrow. We're almost there."

Finally, in the month before Thea's birthday, as I counted the bag of loose change, my heart leaped. We had enough to buy the cheapest, most basic alchemy station.

But when I took Thea's hand and we arrived at the werewolves' Moonshadow Market, I saw him. Through a scrying pool in the main hall, I saw Kian standing with his ex's daughter, showing blueprints to a master dwarven craftsman.

My hand trembled as I pointed at the gleaming laboratory reflected in the pool. "What is that?" I asked a werewolf beside me.

The werewolf's face was filled with envy. "That's the alchemy laboratory the Alpha of the Vaughn pack ordered. The whole thing is powered by the Heart of the Wolf King. It's worth an entire mine."

An entire mine. In an instant, the blood in my veins turned to ice.

People had hinted that Kian came from a powerful family, but looking at our drafty little house and threadbare furniture, I could never have pictured him as a mighty Alpha.

Looking back, I can only imagine what a trial it must have been for him, enduring that rundown house for five years.

Seeing my silence, Thea asked, "Mom, is Dad a really powerful werewolf? Did he order that alchemy station for me?"

She was too young to grasp the tangled connections between them all. Looking at her simple cotton dress, I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Thea sensed my unease. "Mom, it looks like Dad has something to discuss with that lady. Let's just go home for now, okay? We can come back for the alchemy station another day."

Her voice trailed off, unable to hide the disappointment on her small face. But I was too numb to notice, just leading her away in a daze.

Back home, I found a territory document Kian had left behind carelessly. On it, I saw his Alpha's seal.

"Stone River, Vaughn Pack."

Even in our remote settlement, I had heard of that pack. They were the rulers of this land. Only the most powerful Alpha could lead them.

Kian had kept us completely in the dark. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking as he watched us set up our stall at the market from dawn till dusk, day after day, rain or shine.

Did he pity us? Or was he laughing at us for trying to punch above our weight? The thought made me laugh at my own foolishness. Then I contacted someone who could sever the mate bond.

I don't know how much time passed before I heard footsteps outside. Kian was back.

Thea ran to the door to greet him, as enthusiastic as ever, but Kian didn't even hug her.

Usually, Thea was used to her father's coldness. But today, she clung to the corner of his shirt and wouldn't let go.

"Dad, can you buy me an alchemy station? My classmate's teacher taught her a calming potion, and I learned it just by listening. I want to brew it for you."

"Of course. When the pack's finances improve, I'll buy you one," Kian deflected, same as always.

"When will that be?"

Thea was unusually persistent, demanding an answer. Kian hesitated before finally making a promise.

Thea hugged my legs, squealing with excitement. "Mom, I'm going to have an alchemy station! I'm going to brew lots and lots of potions for you and Dad!"

I was happy for her too, eager to see her talent bloom. But a day passed, then two, then a whole week. The alchemy station Kian had promised never appeared.

One morning, I found Thea hiding under her covers, using her budding magic to make glowing moss grow for fun. Kian saw it but didn't react.

Instead, his eyes lit up when he saw me. "Perfect. Brew these Bloodmoon Herbs into a tonic for me and put it in this flask. I need it for something."

Bloodmoon Herb. He was preparing it for Rowan Croft.

Restoring ancient texts had taken its toll, the magic eroding my own health and leaving me constantly unwell. He’d seen it but never showed a flicker of concern.

His words were the final straw. Something inside me snapped. Rage shot through me, and the box of herbs in my hand went flying toward his face.

By the time I realized what I'd done, tears were streaming down my face. He was the one who'd been hit, but I was the one crying harder.

His wolf surged with fury at being struck, but the sight of my tears instantly extinguished its rage.

"If you don't want to do it, then don't. Is there a need to throw such a tantrum?"

"What about the alchemy station you promised Thea?"

Kian looked like he’d completely forgotten. A flash of embarrassment crossed his face, quickly masked by impatience. "I'll buy it. Do you have to hound me like a debt collector?"

"I'll buy it." He’d said that a thousand times over five years. His promises were stones dropped into a bottomless well, swallowed by silence without a single ripple.

I stormed into Thea's room and pulled her out from under the covers.

"I'm going to sever our bond with your father. After the ritual, we'll go live in the human world. What do you say?"

The human world was a distant concept for Thea, but it was our only real option. The Vaughn pack's influence was too far-reaching here. Only in the human world could Thea's talent truly flourish.

My entire life savings were just enough for the bond-severing ritual and a one-way portal fee.

Seeing my swollen, red-rimmed eyes, Thea threw her arms around me and whispered, "Mom, can we give Dad one more chance? If he still doesn't remember by my 'First Potion' showcase, then we'll leave."

"Alright."

But it was the last chance we would give him.

The next morning, Thea and I went to our stall as usual. I had a degree in ancient text restoration from a prestigious university, but after having a child, I’d been out of the field for so long that no institution would hire me.

With no other choice, I took Thea to the public market area. I sold my enchanted bookmarks, and she would sit beside me, arranging colorful stones into little alchemical arrays to draw in customers.

Thea’s sweet, quiet nature drew people in. Many werewolves would stop at our little stall, charmed by the sight of her.

"Excuse me, how much are these bookmarks?"

"Three silver coins for one, five for two."

I looked up to see the customer was Rowan.

"I'll take two, then. Quickly, before Kian sees."

She glanced around conspiratorially, pressing a gold coin into my hand and stuffing the bookmarks into her pocket as if they were contraband.

Just then, a large hand shot out and clamped around her wrist.

"Rowan, I've told you a hundred times. You can't touch ancient artifacts with unknown curses. Your power core is unstable as it is."

"We're not buying these."

The moment our eyes met, Kian's expression darkened. Rowan, however, seemed completely oblivious.

"Oh, Kian. Look how adorable her little girl is. Let's just buy two. It's a way to support her."

In that moment, the pity in Rowan’s eyes was a blade twisting in my heart.

"Ah!" I cried out. My concentration slipped, and my hand was sliced by the residual defensive magic on an ancient book. Blood instantly welled up.

Seeing me bleed, Kian frowned and took an instinctive step toward me.

"Kian! I feel so dizzy!"

The next second, Rowan cried out, clutching her forehead as if overwhelmed by the book's cursed aura. At her cry, Kian immediately turned and gathered Rowan into his arms.

Rowan rested her head on Kian's shoulder and gave me a triumphant little smirk over it.

So, she knew. She’d known who I was the entire time.