Anna, who was earlier laughing and playing with Thane, came to an abrupt halt when her gaze fell on me. Just then, Theon walked in while moving his car’s key in his fingers. His face also turned pale.

“Elena? What are you doing here?” He blurted out.

“It's a Parent-teacher meeting in Thane's school. Where am I supposed to be then?” I asked while narrowing my eyes. Theon chuckled. He tried to cover up his question while saying, “Oh yeah! I thought you would be busy today. That's why I didn't inform you about it. But, it seems like you are already aware of it.”

I didn't respond to him. Instead I shot a glance at Anna, who was holding Thane in her hands, while saying, “You must have come to accompany Thane to lessen my burden. You are so considerate, Anna.”

Anna, not noticing the sarcasm in my words immediately added, “Yes, yes. I know how troublesome it is for you to handle the Pack and Thane at the same time. I just try to lessen your burden by taking care of Thane on your behalf. You have done so much to me. I can only repay you through this.”

“Mommy, You are here as well?” Thane turned to me, his eyes that were shining brightly a few seconds ago seemed to dim a bit. He then turned to his Principal, saying excitedly, “Principal, I’ll attend the meeting with both my mothers today.”

He held my hands with his left hand and Anna's with his right, then dragged us to sit in front of his Principal. He seemed to be excited for having two mothers whereas Anna chuckled. She looked up at me with a pair of apologetic eyes, that were as fake as her smile, while saying, “I don't know from where he has learnt to call me Mamma Anna. I tried to stop him many times. He just doesn't listen.”

“Thane, you shouldn't call Aunt Anna that way. You have only one mother and that's Elena, your Mommy, who is also the Alpha of the our Pack. You should be careful with your words.” Theon also interrupted, “If you call Aunt Anna, Mamma Anna, your Mommy will not like it and feel sad. Do you want your Mommy feel sad?”

Thane looked up at me with a pair of thoughtful eyes. He seemed reluctant and felt wrong for being called out like this. I smiled at him before turning to Theon as I said, “If he wants to call Anna, Mamma Anna, let him be. It can't change the fact that I’m his mother. I’ll always remain his mother. His addressing others as his mother won't change anything.”

Theon nodded his head. While laughing he said, “You are right, Elena. You will always be his mother. It doesn't change anything.”

From that day on, Thane kept calling Anna ‘Mamma Anna' in front of me. Anna too called Thane as ‘My boy’, ‘My son’ and played with him. Theon and Anna thought I was not understanding anything. They took me as ignorant fool who wasn't aware of what was going on in my villa. But, I only laughed at their foolish thoughts.

Days passed by and Thane turned fourteen. Theon always argued with me to take Thane with me to the Elders’ meeting to help him understand Pack's chores. He thought I didn't use his malicious plan behind it. He was in a hurry to get our son inherit my legacy. I didn't decline him either. After all, I didn't intend to stop Thane either. I was ready to give my everything to Thane.

I discussed it with the elders of our Packs and they agreed to give some duties to Thane to test his capabilities. One of the small packs who were in alliance with our pack were causing trouble for us these days and the elders decide to send Thane to talk to the Alpha of the pack considering our long term alliance. It was Thane’s first trial task and he ended up taking the best Knights of our pack to beat the Alpha to the point of making him cripple which resulted in the breaking up of our alliance.

“Do you have any idea what you have done, Thane? How will you lead the pack if you are going to cut all your allies? What do you think the Elders would think about you?” Theon lost his calm on Thane. Thane seemed unaffected by Theon’s tone. He casually replied while turning to me, “I don't care about these minor issues. Mom is the Alpha of the Pack. After her, It is I, who will be the Alpha of the Pack and everyone will have to listen to me, even the elders. Right Mom?”

It was more like a declaration rather than a question. I stared at my son for a while. Before I could reply, Anna intervened between us, saying, “Thane, even though your Mom loves you so much and has no one to inherit her Pack other than you, you should learn the tactics properly. Otherwise, it will be hard to convince the elders for your ownership. You should understand it.”

Theon nodded in agreement. I smiled while looking at them , so concerned about Thane's claim over the pack. They were worried that Thane’s actions could make me angry and I might have other thoughts about him. But I smiled softly while turning to my son, saying in a calm voice, “It's okay! Thane is still learning and it is his first mistake. Let it go. Talking about the elders, I know how to handle them.”

Listening to my voice, they took a sigh of relief. I observed all their expressions. They thought they were making fool of me and were smiling from inside that they secured Thane's claim over the pack. But, they didn't know what was in my mind. I was seeing through their plans. It were them who didn't know what was running in my head. I then turned to Anna as I said, “Thanks Anna, you have been guiding my son quite a lot. It's so nice of you.”

Anna was taken a back with my remark. She masked her awkwardness with a faint smile as she replied, “I’m just trying to help you. That's it.”

“Yeah, I know,” I replied before telling them my plans, “I’m planning to send Thane to my maternal Uncle's Pack. The elders there are good in giving politics lesson. Thane can continue his education in the college there as well and when he returns, I’ll vow the oath with him, giving my everything to him.”

Their eyes shone up brightly and lips curled into smile. They exchanged a meaningful glance with each other before turning to me. Anna said excitedly, “That's a great plan, Alpha Elena. Your uncle will help Thane in growing into a great man.”

“Yeah, I heard the colleges there are also better than those in our Packs. He can develop new skills there.” Theon added in agreement.

Though they were appreciating my plans by saying they liked the idea of his training and studies in my Uncle’s Pack, I knew they were more excited about my idea of handing over the pack to Thane when he returns.

I smiled and nodded my head on their words. Only I knew what was going to happen once Thane returned.

I was planning to leave, letting them celebrate the moment as I could see how desperate they were to do, that I heard Thane’s firm voice, “I won't go,”

Thane's words hung in the air like a challenge, his eyes flashing with a hint of rebellion. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this sudden display of assertiveness.

"Excuse me, Thane?" I asked, my tone measured. "Did you just say you won't go?"

Thane nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Yes, Mother. I won't leave. I want to stay here and learn from you, not some distant uncle I've never lived with."

Anna and Theon exchanged uneasy glances, their smiles fading. I could sense their disappointment, their plans for Thane's further training and then his subsequent takeover of the pack momentarily looked in danger.

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on Thane's as I asked,"And why is that, Thane? Why do you refuse to go?"

Thane's gaze didn't move away from me as he replied,"Because I don't want to leave the pack. I don't want to go somewhere else, Mom. I can't live alone without seeing Dad and Mamma. I’ll miss everybody. How will I focus on my studies and training, then?"

Anna and Theon's faces turned pale, their eyes were moving nervously between Thane and me. They knew if Thane stayed in the pack and didn't train well enough, it would be difficult to convince the elders for him and by anyhow the truth of Thane's birth came into light they would lose everything. They were still trying to convince Thane to go abroad, but he looked reluctant and continued staring at me with hope in his eyes.

I smiled. I couldn't see him like that as I made my decision, saying,"Very well, Thane. You've made your stance clear. But tell me, what do you plan to do next?"

Thane's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll prove myself, Mom. I'll show them that I'm worthy of leading this pack, and I'll do it with your guidance."

I nodded, a sense of hope and renewal washing over me. Perhaps, just perhaps, Thane was not influenced by Theon and Anna yet, and he could really be the brave and upright Alpha of the Pack in future.

From that day on, I thought Thane would be more sensible and would really try to become a better person as he promised me. But, all that he did was clinging to Anna all the time, refusing to do any work assigned by the elders or me, saying it was not up to his standards and when given hard work which could be ‘up to his standards’, he would mess things up.

The next month, he turned fifteen. I called off all my meetings as I wanted to make this day special for my son. He had gone for his training and I utilised this time in making preparations for his birthday celebration. We were having arguments over his training session for the past few days. I thought we could reduce our distance on this happy occasion and was doing everything with all of my heart. I baked Thane’s favourite cake at home. I packed the key of a brand new Ferrari in a small box. It was Thane's birthday gift. I knew how crazy he had been for having his own car. After preparing everything, all that I was doing was waiting for my son's return in a dim light. I waited for a long time, but he didn't come. Usually he arrived at 6:00 PM after his evening training but it had been 8:00 PM now and he hadn't returned yet.

Being worried, I dialed his number. He didn't pick it up. It enhanced my worriedness. I was going to dial his number again when my phone buzzed with notifications.

It was from Thane's social media account. He had been uploading pictures on his social media account. In one of the photos I saw Thane sitting in a restaurant along with Theon and Anna. There was also a caption which read [My Favourite Restaurant! Thanks Mamma Anna for the surprise. I love it!]

In another photo, he was cutting the cake while Theon and Anna were standing on either of his sides, looking like a perfect family.

In another photo, Thane was rubbing the cream of the cake on Anna's cheeks. The picture also had a caption which read [My Favourite Person!]

I stared this post for a long while before I laughed ironically looking at the cake I had prepared by burning my hands. I then switched off my phone, not intending to watch his other posts and threw it aside. I recalled the day when Thane said he didn't want to go abroad because he would miss his Mamma and Dad. Now that I thought about it, I realized the word ‘Mamma’ was actually not directed at me. It was for Anna.

The realization hit me harder and I laughed and cried at the same time. But, at the same time it helped me feel content with my decision that I had made years ago, knowing Thane was not biologically related to me.

I had been staring at the preparation I had made when the main door pushed open and Thane walked in, yelling excitedly, “Mom, whose Ferrari is parked outside? It's brand new and the colour is exactly what I want!”

Theon chased after him, looking surprised. He looked up at me and then the decorations. A sense of guilt and regret appeared in his eyes as he asked, “Did you do all this to celebrate Thane’s birthday?”

Only now did Thane looked around himself and the cake I had prepared for him. He then looked up at me, asking in a spoiled voice, “Mom, why didn't you come celebrate my birthday in the restaurant? Dad said you were busy with your meetings but it looks like you weren't.”

I shot a glance at Theon. He chuckled and immediately intervened to cover it up while saying, “I thought you would be busy with your meetings. That's why I didn't ask you. Anna and I-”

“It's okay,” I cut him off, “I was really busy, Thane. But, I can't ignore my son's birthday, can I?” I said in a soft voice. He smiled and hugged me instantly.

Theon took a sigh of relief. He didn't think much of it and began laughing, thinking that I was just an ignorant fool and hadn't seen through his conspiracy.

After breaking our hug, Thane’s eyes began scanning through the items lying on the table where the cake was placed. He didn't bother looking at the cake I had prepared and instantly picked the small gift box. He then tore it open and took the key out, yelling excitedly, “I knew it! I knew it…”

“It's for me, right Mom? You bought the car for me.” He yelled excitedly. I nodded my head before saying in a soft voice, “It's your birthday gift.”

“Yes!” He jumped in excitement and ran outside after throwing the small box that hit the cake I had prepared. I smiled ironically, staring at the cake while Thane and Theon ran out for a ride in the car. The last word I heard from my son was “Let's call Mamma Anna for a ride. She will love it.”