My Son Gave My Luna Ring to the Pregnant Mistress

"To ten years of the Rosewood Pack." Nathan raised his glass high. The crystal caught the glare of the ballroom chandeliers, scattering fragmented light across the hundreds of faces gathered below.

I stood beside my Alpha husband. My posture remained perfectly straight. I wore the gold gown he selected, played the role he demanded, and kept my expression entirely neutral.

"We have faced rogue attacks, harsh winters, and border disputes," Nathan announced into the microphone. "But we stand stronger today than ever before. And to the future."

His gaze drifted past the cheering crowd. It locked onto the front row.

Catherine stood there. She wore a fitted crimson dress that highlighted the slight swell of her stomach. Beside her stood Oliver, my thirteen-year-old son.

"Oliver, come up here," Nathan commanded.

The applause faltered. A confused murmur rippled through the pack members. Oliver climbed the stairs to the stage. He wore a tailored black suit, looking entirely too much like his father. He stopped right between us.

"Dad?" Oliver asked.

Nathan placed a heavy hand on the boy's shoulder. "It’s time, son. Do what we talked about."

I turned to my husband. "Nathan, what is this?"

"A necessary transition," Nathan murmured. He leaned close, ensuring the microphone wouldn't pick up his words. "Catherine is carrying the next heir. The pack needs stability right now. Having Oliver pass the ring shows everyone we are united."

"You want our son to strip me of my title?" I asked.

"It softens the blow, Maddie. It keeps it within the family. Just accept the reality of the situation."

"You think this is softer?" I asked. "Making him do your dirty work?"

"He agreed to it," Nathan shot back. "He understands the pack comes first."

Oliver turned to face me. His jaw set in a rigid line. He avoided my eyes, fixing his stare entirely on my left hand.

"Give it to me, Mom," Oliver demanded.

"Excuse me?" I kept my tone flat. The silence in the massive ballroom was absolute. Hundreds of wolves watched us.

"The Luna Ring." Oliver held out his open palm. "Dad says it belongs to Catherine now. Hand it over."

A sharp ringing pitched high in my ears. I stared at the boy standing inches away.

Seven years ago, a Rogue tore through our borders and dragged him into the woods. Oliver was six. When I found him, he lay bleeding out on the dirt, his small chest shredded by claws. I didn't hesitate. I grabbed a silver blade, sliced my own wrist open, and forced my Luna healing blood into his mouth. I poured my vitality into his veins until my heart nearly stopped.

Now, he stood here demanding the symbol of my rank for his father's pregnant mistress.

"Oliver," I started. "Do you know what this ring represents?"

Catherine stepped closer to the edge of the stage. She offered Oliver a wide, encouraging nod. "Go ahead, sweetheart. Tell her."

"I know exactly what it means," Oliver snapped. He lifted his chin. "Catherine told me everything. You just wear the silver. You couldn't even give Dad another pup. But she is carrying the true Alpha bloodline."

He jabbed a finger toward my hand. "It represents the real Luna."

The words slammed into me. All the tension drained out of my muscles, leaving a hollow void behind.

Nathan leaned in again. "Don't make a scene, Madeline. Hand it over. He's just a kid. Don't punish him for my choices."

I looked at Nathan. His eyes held a pathetic plea wrapped in an Alpha's warning. Then I looked back at my son. The boy I bled for glared at me with pure contempt, his mind entirely poisoned by months of Catherine's whispers.

I didn't scream. I didn't cry.

I smiled.

"Good," I whispered.

I twisted the heavy silver band off my finger. It slid free easily. I dropped it into Oliver's waiting palm.

The metal clinked against his skin. He immediately spun around and jogged down the steps. He marched straight to Catherine and pressed the ring into her hand.

She slipped it on. It hung loosely on her finger, but she held her hand up toward the crowd anyway. The pack remained dead silent.

"Thank you, Oliver," Catherine cooed. Her voice carried easily to the first few rows. "You're going to be such a wonderful big brother."

Oliver beamed. "I know. I'll teach him how to fight."

"I'm sure you will," she said, pulling him into a brief hug.

Nathan exhaled a loud sigh of relief beside me. "See? That wasn't so hard. We can still be a family, Maddie. We just have to adjust. You'll still have a place here."

I didn't answer him. I turned my back on the Alpha of the Rosewood Pack.

"Where are you going?" Nathan grabbed my elbow.

I yanked my arm away. "I'm leaving."

"The ceremony isn't over. I still have to announce her official title."

"Mine is."

I walked off the stage. The crowd parted for me immediately. No one spoke. No one reached out to offer comfort. They simply watched the former Luna walk toward the exit.

The night air hit my face as I pushed through the heavy double doors. The silence of the empty parking lot felt vast and cold.

I pulled my phone from my clutch. My fingers moved quickly over the glass screen. I found the contact and hit dial.

It rang twice.

"Madeline?" The gruff voice of my lawyer, Marcus, came through the speaker. "It's late. Is everything alright at the anniversary gala?"

"Marcus, I need you to draft some papers tonight."

"Divorce?" he asked.

"Yes. But that's not the priority." I walked toward my car. I hit the unlock button on my fob.

"What do you need?"

"I want to initiate the termination of my guardianship."

A heavy pause stretched over the line. "Oliver's guardianship? Madeline, you're his mother. You have full maternal rights."

"Not anymore." I opened the car door and slid into the driver's seat. "Draft the relinquishment forms. I am signing over full custody to Nathan. I want zero legal ties to that boy."

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Marcus asked. "Once you file these, Nathan can legally bar you from seeing him. You lose all say in his upbringing."

"He already made his choice," I said. "Have them ready by tomorrow morning."

"I'll draw them up. Where will you go?"

"Away from Rosewood."

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. Gripping the steering wheel, I looked back at the glowing windows of the packhouse.

They wanted a new family. They were about to get exactly what they asked for. And they would quickly learn what happens when a pack loses its only true healer.