Chapter 3

Chloe gasped in surprise and asked, "Elara, what are you doing in the Alpha's house?" Hearing her words, I instinctively pulled my son behind me, shielding his view. "I..." I started, but Damian interrupted me. "They're distant relatives of mine, staying here temporarily," he said, his tone flat. My grip on the suitcase tightened. It wasn't the first time I'd heard this excuse, but every time it stung like a dagger to the heart. I was about to say something, but my son spoke first. "Hello, Alpha," Leo said softly. I turned to him in disbelief, only to see his reddened eyes. I could tell the boy was trying to hold back tears. "Mom, let's go," he murmured. Every word I wanted to say lodged in my throat. I forced a faint smile and replied gently, "Okay." As we walked past Damian, he suddenly grabbed my arm. His expression was one of disbelief. "What did Leo just call me?" he asked, his voice strained. I smiled bitterly. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Alpha?" For six long years, Damian had refused to publicly acknowledge our bond. He had never once let Leo call him "Dad." The difference now? Before, he forced Leo to address him as "Alpha." Now, Leo chose to distance himself. I lowered my gaze and tried to wrench my arm free, but his grip was unyielding. Damian's eyes softened with an unreadable mix of emotions. "Give me a few days. I'll explain everything to Leo," he said, almost pleading. "Chloe's waiting for you," I reminded him coldly. "Let go." It was only then that he seemed to realize what he was doing. Reluctantly, he released his grip. I let out a hollow laugh, took Leo's hand, and continued walking. But Damian called out again. "Wait." He ran back to his car, retrieved a cake, and handed it to me. "Leo, happy birthday," he said. Before I could respond, Chloe chimed in with a syrupy voice. "The Alpha originally bought this cake for me, but what a coincidence that it's your son's birthday. Elara, I hope you don't mind." The cake in my hands suddenly felt unbearably heavy. I wanted to return it immediately, but I caught the hopeful glimmer in Leo's eyes. My heart softened, and I hesitated. Leo didn't understand the silent battle between adults. He simply looked at Damian with pure, childlike anticipation. "Can you eat the cake with me?" he asked innocently. Damian hesitated, but only for a moment, before nodding. Leo cheered and dashed into the living room, urging me to open the cake. I stroked his hair and quickly cut the cake into pieces. But the moment the cake touched my tongue, my smile froze. "Spit it out! You can't eat this!" I cried, panic-stricken. I snatched the cake from Leo's hands, my voice trembling. Damian's face darkened. "Elara, are you out of your mind?" I lifted my head, tears welling in my eyes. "Leo is allergic to mangoes. How could you not know that?" Damian's expression shifted instantly to one of panic. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." Sorry. How many times had I heard that word since Leo was born? Too many to count. Leo, now understanding the situation, stared at Damian blankly. The hope in his eyes vanished, replaced by quiet resignation. "It's okay," Leo said softly. "He didn't know. That's normal." He buried his face in my arms, refusing to look at Damian again. Without hesitation, I stood, holding Leo close, and walked out. Even as we left the villa, I could feel Damian's apologetic and chaotic gaze following us. But this time, neither Leo nor I would waver. We went straight to the pack headquarters. I quickly packed up my belongings from the office. I had originally planned to say goodbye properly, but now it seemed unnecessary. I left the signed mate bond severance agreement on Damian's desk. Letting out a long breath, I picked up my suitcase and headed to the airport with Leo. Before boarding the plane, I asked him, "Are you mad at Mommy for leaving the pack?" Leo shook his head, pressing his small face against mine. "I just want Mommy." The tears I had been holding back finally broke free. All the pain and anguish melted away into a sense of relief. I took out my phone and blocked every single way Damian could contact me. "Damian Ashford, we'll never see each other again."