I watched in paralyzing horror as the brute's silver-tipped nails dug deeper into Kael’s fragile neck. The rogue’s foul breath hitched as he stared straight at me.

I could see the feverish excitement in his eyes—he hadn't expected to find the Alpha’s Mate, the Luna, and the heir so easily trapped. His cold threat still echoed in the small, blood-splattered room.

Every instinct screamed at me to shift, to tear him limb from limb, but Kael's life was on stake. One wrong move could cost Kael's life.

My hands—which had been trembling with fear—now steadied with an icy resolve. I slowly reached my hands to my forehead, trying to connect with Julian.

Due to our mate bond, the line immediately connected. A moment of hope flickered through my eyes. But, soon the reality struck me hard.

Julian had disconnected our link.

"Do it faster!" The rogue wolf barked at me, moving his Claws from Kael's neck to his heart. "Or else I'll took your son's out of his chest."

"No please..." I begged before I tried to connect Julian again. Not once, but dozen times. But, everytime the link was disconnected ruthlessly before he finally accepted the connection.

"What is it, Bella? Didn't I tell you I can't leave by Liam's side tonight?"

"J-Julian... We are under attack!" I blurted out immediately, in case he disconnect our connection again.

"K-Kael's life is on stake, Julian." My voice trembled with fear and concern. "They are demanding The White Tulip Water. Give it to them and Kael will be saved."

"That's our pack's treasure, Bella." Julian's voice sounded from the other end, cold and emotionless, "I can't give it to them."

My eyes widened in shock and terror. I could not believe this man, who had once gathered the whole Kingdom's healers just to be careful on his son's successful delivery, to be this reluctant to part with his Pack's treasury when the same son's life was on stake.

"Are you in your mind, Julian?" I could not hold my anguish anymore and yelled at him. "Is the Pack's treasure more important to you than your son?"

Then, a low, almost regretful voice sounded from the other end. "Liam will need the water of White Tulip when he undergoes the surgery of his backbone."

"Liam is all that Elara has, Bella. I can't let her watch his son living a life of a cripple."

I could not believe on what I heard. What did he actually mean?

It's not that he could not sacrifice his Pack's treasure for our son, it's just my son lost the race to Elara's son.

He could not see her son living a life of a cripple. But, he was fine with watching his son die?

"You are choosing Elara's son's treatment over our son's life?" I muttered, my voice dangerously calm.

"Don't be so dramatic, Bella." He replied lazily, "They know Kael is my son, a heir to my pack. They dare not lay their hands over him. They are only scaring you."

"Just hang on a little. I have asked my beta to reach you as soon as possible." He had added, as if doing a huge favour on me.

"What if-" I still tried to argue, to fight for my son's survival. But, the mind link was disconnected from the other end.

I turned to look at the rogue wolf, who had already guessed the outcome. My lips trembled in fear as I said, "You have got the wrong child to bargain."

"You should have gone for Elara's child instead." Only I knew the pain of sting that pierced my heart saying this.

I was Julian's wife, his mate, and the child lying in the pool of blood was his own son. But, the only person he cared about was his childhood sweetheart who had abandoned him on the wedding day and eloped with his lover.

Realising Kael and I were not useful to him anymore, the rogue wolf looted the whole house, grabbed everything that he could and then left, taking all the rouge wolves along with him.

I finally took a sigh of relief and rushed to Kael's side. My fragile son had already fainted witnessing the horror before his eyes.

Just then, Kian, Julian's beta and his so-called helped arrived.

"Luna..." He whispered, entering our room. "Alpha has asked me to escort you safely."

My hands were clenched into fists and the blood was boiling in my veins. I wanted to vent my anger on the first person I saw. But, I had a son to care about.

I let Kian grabbed my son as he took us out and helped us sit in his car.

"K-kael doesn't have much time." I said, my voice trembling, "Get us to Healer's den as soon as possible."

Kian nodded in agreement. But then, his phone rang. He picked it up. Someone on the phone was commanding him, I guessed it was Julian.

Kian's eyes darkened and he shot a pitiful glance over kael, saying, "But Alpha, Kael is really serious now. If we don't get him to the Healer's den right now, I doubt if he will survive to watch the sun next day."

I could not hear what Julian said from the other end, but Kian's face turned complicated.

He looked at me, pity written all over his face when he said, "I have to go, Luna. I can't drive you to the Healer's Den."

I froze at my place. My whole body shook, not with the shock but pure anguish. "Are you even your mind, Kian?"

"I'm the Luna of the pack and my son... He will die if we don't rush to the Healer's Den and you have the audacity to-"

"I'm sorry, Luna." He cut me off, "But Alpha has new command for me."

"And, what's his new command?"

"Liam is having night cravings and wants to eat ice-cream that I had once made for him. Alpha Julian wants me to make the same ice-cream for Liam right now."

My mind went utterly blank. The world narrowed to the sight of Kael's small, pale body resting against my chest, his breaths shallow and ragged.

Ice cream. That was the Alpha’s immediate, life-or-death priority?

My poor son, his life wasn't even as worthy as the night cravings of Elara's son?

A sound tore from my throat—a harsh, desolate laugh that had no humor in it. "Is this a joke, Kian?" I whispered, the words coated in a sudden, frightening calm.

Kian looked away, his eyes filled with a wretched guilt that did nothing to soothe the inferno inside me. "I apologize, Luna. But... an Alpha's command is absolute."

"He says Kael is strong, Luna," Kian mumbled, his hand already reaching for the car door handle. "He's sending a different warrior to escort you in a few hours. Alpha Julian assures me that a few hours won't make a difference for Kael, but Liam needs his Beta's ice cream now."

I could see the effort it took for Kian to speak those words, the shame burning on his face, but it didn't matter. His pitiful sympathy was useless. My son was dying.

"Get out," I commanded, my voice flat and final, laced with an authority I hadn't known I possessed.

Kian hesitated. "Luna, I cannot leave you on the roadside with—"

"I said, get out!" I shoved the Beta's shoulder with such force that it startled him. He scrambled out of the driver’s seat, confusion warring with fear in his gaze.

I didn't wait. Shifting Kael's weight gently, I slid across the car seat. My hands grabbed the steering wheel, my foot slamming the accelerator to the floor before Kian could even fully close his door.

I did not know how to drive a car. I remember begging Julian to teach me. But, everytime he shunned me off saying he can't risk my life and will always drive me wherever I want to go.

But, where was he now? Fulfilling the night cravings of his mistress' son when his own son's life was in danger.

The world outside the car became a blur of black trees and rushing asphalt. The adrenaline flooding my system was the only thing keeping me coherent. I drove with reckless speed, one hand on the wheel, the other gripping Kael's fragile form.

I risked a glance at Kael. His chest rose and fell in shallow puffs. The silver poison from the rogue's claws had done its work, seeping into his small body, slowing his healing factor. He was fading.

"Hold on, my love," I whispered, pressing my lips to his sweat-damp forehead. "We are almost there. Mummy won't let him win."

Just then my sight got blurred with a focus of huge light coming from outside and the next second I heard the sound of my car hitting something huge.

Before I could react or do something, my senses faded. I was fainted. However, in that splits second, I managed to do something I should have done long ago.

I sent an emergency signal. Not to Julian this time. But, someone I had not contacted for years. Someone I could rely on.

***

After an unknown amount of time, I opened my eyes to find myself lying in an infirmary's bed. I got up immediately. I did not look for my son. I did not need to.

Watching me awake, a female healer rushed to my side. She looked somewhat between relaxed and sad. "You are finally awake. I almost thought you would not survive."

"But, you son..." She was struggling to find words to inform me about my son's condition. I made it easier for her.

"I know..." I said, "It was impossible for him to hang on this long."

My voice trembled with pain and anguish. Hands clenched into fists, the sight of Julian holding Liam in his hands, ignoring my desperate call, still fresh in my mind.

I immediately got up from the bed and came out, despite the healer's advice of taking rest. Because, I could not.

I was in rush to go out of the Pack's infirmary when my wolf smelled a familiar scent and my legs couldn't help but moved to the next ward.

There he was, Julian, stroking Liam's hair as he laid on bed. Elara sat next to Julian, placing her hands over his.

Anyone at first glance would assume them having a family moment and not want to disturb their peace. But, I remained still, watching them in silence.

"Thanks for taking care of Liam the whole night, Julian. I don't know what I would have done without you." Elara said, her voice ever so soft.

"No need to thank me, Elara." Julian replied immediately as if feeling hurt to see Elara being so polite. "Liam is like my son. I'll always take care of him."

Elara smiled at him. Julian's eyes lit up watching her happy and immediately pulled her into his arms. "I'm here, Elara. Don't worry."

I felt a pang of jealousy and hurt. He felt necessary to coax Elara and her son. But, what about me and Kael?

Did he have no responsibility towards us, if not love?

Just then, Julian's gaze landed at me. His eyes widened and he immediately broke his hug with Elara and rushed to my side.

"Bella..." He whispered, his voice seemed laced with concern and relieved. "Thank God! You are here. You scared me to death, you know?"

"Where did you disappear last night? My warriors couldn't find you." He said, reaching his hands to pull me into his arms. But, I stepped back, not letting him touch me.

"I can see how scared and worried you are!" I said, pointing at Liam whose bed was filled with a bundle of toys and snacks.

"Bella..." He whispered my name, as if hurt by the accusation, "You are taking me wrong. Liam... He was really critical last night. I just couldn't leave him alone."

"Save it, Julian. I really don't need your explanations."

With that I turned to leave. However, the next words escaping through his lips streamed tears down my cheeks that I had been trying hard to suppress.

"Where is Kael, Bella? Take me to him and I'll apologize."

Julian’s question—"Where is Kael, Bella?"—hit me not like a wave of pain, but like a shard of ice splintering in my heart.

He spoke the name of the son he abandoned, the son he sentenced to death, with casual ownership, as though Kael were a mislaid set of keys.

The tears that had betrayed my resolve immediately dried on my cheeks. The anguish in my voice was replaced by a chilling calm.

"You want to know where Kael is?" I asked, my voice dangerously low. I took a deliberate step back, ensuring the space between us was vast and absolute.

Julian, looked genuinely confused by my lack of emotion. "Yes, Bella. Take me to him. I want to apologize for last night."

His words only fueled the cold, terrifying clarity in my mind. He was still centered on his own narrative.

Did he really think his apology was enough to resolve the damage he had already done?

His apology... Would it bring our son back?

I suppressed the infuriating rage within me as I replied, "It's too late now. Kael doesn't need your apology anymore."

He frowned. Taking a hesitant step towards me, he continued, his hands reaching out to cup my shoulders. "I know you are upset, Bella. But, trust me, I never meant to abandon you. I had sent my warriors to escort you. But, you were gone."

"I'm Kael's father, Bella. I'm equally worried for him."

"Equally worried?" I laughed—a sharp, mirthless sound that made Julian flinch. "He was dying, Julian. The silver poison was spreading. But you knew that. You just didn't care."

I straightened my spine. The Alpha, the powerful leader, the man I had loved, now looked small and pathetic in the sickly light of the infirmary, clinging to the bedside of his former lover’s child.

"I asked you for the White Tulip Water," I continued, each word a hammer blow. "The only thing that could be bargained for Kael's life. And you said no."

Julian’s eyes narrowed, a flash of the Alpha’s defensive rage taking over. "That water is the Pack's most sacred treasure! It's for the future, not for one... one fleeting skirmish! And I told you, Liam needs it for his backbone surgery!"

"You chose his backbone surgery over Kael’s life," I stated simply, letting the monstrous truth hang in the air. "You didn't see him as your son, Julian. You saw him as less important than Liam’s future comfort."

Before Julian could launch into another self-justifying excuse, I cut him off, raising my voice. "You want to know where Kael is?"

My gaze swept over Julian, lingering just long enough to see the guilt finally start to register in his eyes. He took a nervous breath, sensing the change in the atmosphere.

But, before the words could escape through my lips, the female healer previously attending me, rushed to my side and said, her voice urgent, "Miss Bella, you haven't signed on the death certificate of your son."

"I know the process is devastating. But, it's a procedure you must undergo."

"No..." Julian's face instantly turned pale. "It can't be possible! My son, Kael... He-"

"Bella," he whispered my name, his face seemed somewhat in guilt and denial. "What is she talking about? Kael... is dead?"

I did not reply. I stayed still at my place, wanted to see what his reaction would be knowing his son died because he was too busy caring about someone else's child.

Perhaps, he will be guilty. Perhaps, this will be the moment of realisation and perhaps, he will come back to us, his real family.

And, perhaps, I'll forgive him one last time.

'This is your last chance, Julian.' I said in my mind.

Julian staggered backward, his eyes fixed on the death certificate as I signed it before his eyes.

"Bella..." He whispered before pulling me in his embrace, saying gently, "It's okay. Liam is your child as well. We will adopt him and love him like we loved Kael."

My knuckles were tightened on his words. I was enraged on his audacity of talking about adopting the person who was mainly responsible for my tragedy, but I remained calm and said nothing.

He had lost his only chance.

He broke our hug after listening to Elara's voice. Elara walked out of Liam's ward and said, "Liam is not taking his medicine again. He... only wants you to feed him."

"What? The medicine is essential for his recovery. He must not skip them." He blurted out, the curves of worry appeared on his forehead, something that could not be visible on his face when our son was bleeding to death.

He immediately walked away with Elara, sparing no glance at me. Then as if suddenly remembered something, he paused at the door. He looked at me with a pair of eyes, showing guilt and concern at the same time.

He seemed to want to say something, perhaps whispering some encouraging words to coax me. But then, he prioritized Liam over me and walked inside his ward without speaking a single word to me.

But, I did not care. The woman who once loved him, the mother who begged him for help, the wife who awaited his attention, was now dead along with the son whose death I had just confirmed with my signature.

I turned back, my whole body stiffened in cold and vengeance. The last thing I did before walking out of the Pack's infirmary was connecting with the same person through my mind link I had connected last night.

"How is Kael doing?" I asked,

"He is critical. Can't say anything now." The voice sounded from the other end, cutting deep through my heart.

I had just lost my four months old unborn baby, I didn't know I had until I saw the blood gushing out my private part during the accident.

The death certificate belonged to him, which Julian misinterpreted as Kael's.

Kael was the only child I had now. I did not want to loose him either.

"So, what have you decided now?" The voice asked, deep and magnetic.

"I have decided. I'm breaking my mate bond with Julian Moore. Escort me from his pack house. Tonight."