In less than three seconds, his gaze slid away, his expression unchanged.

When only silence answered me through our mind-link, a humorless laugh escaped my lips.

My inner wolf lowered her head. Evelyn, snap out of it.

You should have known long ago that he would never love you.

What are you still hoping for?

I severed the link, took a deep breath, and turned to stride away.

Alaric, I thought, you won't have to keep up this act for much longer.

After leaving the council hall, I went straight to Rowan's creche to pick him up.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up with anticipation. "Mom, it's my birthday. Will Dad celebrate with me?"

On the bustling streets of the pack territory, tears welled in my eyes.

"Your dad—"

Before I could finish, a vibration hummed through the mind-link.

Alaric had finally replied.

I'm free. I'll be home.

Joy surged through me, sharp and sudden.

I scooped Rowan up, my voice bright with sudden hope. "Of course, Rowan! Don't worry. Your dad will be home today."

Rowan clapped his hands happily, jumping into my arms.

In the six years of our mating, this was the first time Alaric had ever agreed to celebrate Rowan's birthday.

That evening, I prepared a lavish dinner, and Rowan finished his homework early, buzzing with excitement.

Then an hour passed, then two, then three...

The moon rose high and then began to set. I mind-linked him again and again.

I asked Alaric if he was going to be late, but the link remained dead silent.

Rowan seemed to understand what was happening.

He looked at me hesitantly. "Mom, is Dad too busy?"

A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I wanted to explain, but I couldn't utter a single word.

Finally, I managed, "It's okay. I'll always be with you."

Rowan didn't ask any more questions. He quietly picked up his paper birthday hat.

"Mom, can you help me put it on?"

"Of course." I nodded, gently taking the hat from him.

Just then, Briar’s latest social media post caught my eye.

"Having the most amazing night! I'm so happy."

The photo was of exquisitely plated dishes at an upscale restaurant I’d only heard whispers about.

Although no one was tagged, I noticed a shimmering pendant in the top-right corner of the shot.

Engraved on it was the Thorne family crest.

It was the Luna emblem. It should have been mine.

He had never wanted anyone to know he already had a fated mate.

So the emblem that should have symbolized our bond was now just a prop for a date with his mistress.

On Rowan's sixth birthday, he was enjoying a candlelight dinner with another woman at a high-end restaurant.

All my bitterness froze into a cold, hard calm.

I liked the post and then set my phone down.

Then, I turned and placed the birthday hat on Rowan's head.

"Happy birthday, Rowan."

In the candlelight, Rowan closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

"My birthday wish is to be with Mom forever."

I had to capture this moment. These were the moments I would cherish, the only ones that truly mattered.

I studied the photo, my resolve to leave hardening into steel.

"Okay. I promise I will always be with you."

That night, neither of us mentioned Alaric.

It felt like this home had always belonged to just the two of us.

After Rowan fell asleep, I took the bond severance contract I had prepared from the drawer.

My last shred of hesitation vanished.

At two in the morning, Alaric finally came home.

When he saw the slice of cake Rowan had left for him on the table, a flicker of guilt finally entered his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I forgot."

I found it almost amusing.

He could forget, but couldn't the mind-link remind him?

Or was his mistress so enchanting that he could ignore everything else?

I didn't say a word, simply flipping to the last page of the contract and handing it to him.

I forced myself to remain calm.

"You can sign on this—"

Before I could finish, I felt a sharp fluctuation in Alaric's mind. It was Briar’s panicked voice, cutting through our link.

Alpha Thorne, I think there's an intruder at my place! Can you come over? I'm so scared!

Alaric shot to his feet, his eyes filled with concern.

"Wait there. I'm on my way."

After severing the link, he signed the document without a second glance.

Now that I had what I needed, I stepped back and let him go.

Alaric, remember this moment forever, I thought. You're the one who chose to abandon this family.