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.”

I stood there, frozen in time, as the sound of Thane's excited laughter and the roar of the Ferrari's engine faded into the distance. The cake I had lovingly prepared, now laid in ruins, the small gift box having crushed a significant portion of it.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and betrayal. Thane's words, "Let's call Mamma Anna for a ride. She will love it," cut deep into my heart. It was clear that Anna had become the central figure in Thane's life, and I was just a peripheral character.

As I gazed at the destroyed cake, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I had tried so hard to make this day special for Thane, to show him how much I cared. But it seemed like no matter what I did, I would always be relegated to the background.

The sound of the door opening broke the silence, and Theon walked in, a sheepish grin on his face. "Hey, I'm sorry about the cake. Thane got a bit carried away."

I forced a smile, trying to hide my true emotions as I said,"It's okay, it's just a cake."

Theon's expression turned serious, and he took a step closer to me before saying,"You know, I think Thane is just going through a phase. He'll come around eventually."

I raised an eyebrow while asking in a sarcastic voice,"A phase? You call this a phase?"

Theon's eyes darted around the room, avoiding mine. "Well, you know what I mean. He's just entering his adolescence."

I laughed bitterly before saying in a casual voice, “You are right, it's just his adolescence. Nothing else.”

Days turned into weeks, and the wound of Thane's ignorance still lingered through my heart. I thought that with time, things would get better, but it seemed like Thane's affection for Anna only grew stronger.

One sunny afternoon, I decided to surprise Thane by attending his school's annual sports day. I had been looking forward to it all week, eager to see my son participate in the events.

As I arrived at the school, I was filled with excitement and pride. I spotted Thane on the field, his eyes shining with enthusiasm as he prepared for the upcoming race.

But my joy was short-lived. As I made my way to the stands, I saw Anna already seated, cheering Thane on. She was wearing a bright smile, and her eyes sparkled with pride. But, what caught my eyes was the dress she was wearing. It was a yellow gown, shining brightly in the sunlight. It was the dress I saw in Thane's cupboard a few days ago. A tag ‘Happy Mother's Day’ was stuck to it. I thought Thane was going to surprise me with the gift on the upcoming Mothers’ day as yellow was my favourite colour. After a long time I felt joy of being a mother of a boy.

I waited for the day to arrive soon and when it came I didn't receive any gift from Thane as I expected. Still, I thought he might have forgotten about it and would give it to me when he would recall. But, it was only now that I realized the gift was never meant for me. It was for Anna. But, why must it be on Mothers’ day?

Had Thane already known the truth or it was just because he called Anna as Mamma Anna?

The question lingered within me while Thane finished his race, and as he walked off the field, Anna rushed down to congratulate him. They shared a warm hug, and Anna planted a kiss on his cheek. Thane beamed with happiness, and I felt bitter in my heart.

I tried to push aside my feelings and make my way towards them. After all, it was a big day for my son. But as I approached, Thane's eyes met mine, and he hesitated. Anna, sensing his unease, turned around and smiled at me.

"Hi, Elena! Isn't Thane doing great?" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with sweetness.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my pain. "Yes, he's doing fantastic. Congratulations, Thane!"

But Thane barely acknowledged me. He turned back to Anna, and they continued to celebrate his victory together. I stood there, feeling like an outsider, as they took photos and laughed together.

As the day drew to a close, I realized that I had become a mere spectator in Thane's life. Anna had become his confidante, his partner in every sense of the word. And I was just a footnote, a reminder of a bond that no longer existed.

I turned and walked away, the sound of Thane's laughter and Anna's cheers echoing in my mind. I knew that I had to come to terms with the fact that Thane had chosen Anna over me, and that our bond was irreparably broken.