Chapter 4

Any trace of warmth had vanished.

Dominic's words carried the anger of a man defied, and the air seemed to thicken with pressure. "Jackson is a child. As his guardian and surrogate mother, you failed to guide his wolf properly. I haven't held you accountable, and you dare challenge my authority?"

Mother? I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

Back then, Dominic had fallen for my sister Celeste, a noble pureblood, at first sight.

The Moon Goddess hadn't fated them as mates, but Dominic decided Celeste was his chosen mate.

He ignored the pack's protests and made her his Luna, and just like that, our little border pack went from outcasts to royal allies overnight.

Even without a soul bond, Dominic and Celeste kept up appearances as the perfect couple in front of everyone.

Sadly, Celeste passed away giving birth to Jackson, returning to the embrace of the Moon Goddess.

My pack, fearing the loss of the alliance, sent me, an unloved weakling with feeble wolf strength, to fill the void.

Dominic, devoted to his late wife, rejected all new mate bonds, yet worried the pup would have no one to care for him.

So the two packs negotiated a ten-year agreement, allowing me to remain in Blackwood territory under a guardianship contract, but with no title.

I wasn't the Luna, and I wasn't marked. A single caregiving agreement bought my youth.

Ridiculous that I had been Jackson's mother for ten years. Strictly speaking, I was still an unmarked, single she-wolf.

I reined in my thoughts and said calmly, "I'm not challenging your authority. The contract does expire tomorrow.

"Staying here without a mark or title damages your reputation and your heir's. Other packs will laugh at Blackwood, saying you still rely on a breeder from a border pack."

Dominic's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

His gaze was probing and questioning, but his tone softened, like he was soothing a disobedient pet. "If you bear the pack an heir, I'll register you and the child's names. I might even consider giving you a formal mark."

"No need," I replied.

No wolf would willingly reduce herself to a breeding tool without a soul bond.

In this life, I'd had enough of being treated as a bargaining chip by the pack. How could I bear to drag my child into the same fate, becoming Jackson's subordinate?

I straightened my robe and took out the black card and the master key for pack asset management from the drawer. "I sorted all the accounts a few days ago. The new housekeeper is Celeste's former Beta. She'll take over my duties.

"Jackson's grown. His wolf is getting stronger. He needs a professional combat instructor. I'm only an ordinary wolf. I can't teach him."

Dominic waved his hand dismissively. Priceless checks and documents, along with the contract, were scattered like trash across the floor.

He stepped on them without a care, his leather shoe grinding over my signature. "Harper. Don't test me. For tonight's sake, I'll let it go this once. Stay in your room for the next few days.

"Cool off. Don't force me to resort to an Alpha command."

With a loud bang, the heavy oak door slammed shut, separating us into two worlds.

I stepped onto the balcony, watching fireworks bloom across the night sky, and smiled without realizing it.

The manor was hosting a fireworks display, officially to celebrate Jackson's awakening.

But everyone knew today was actually Dominic and Celeste's anniversary.

The night before I was sent to the estate, my birth mother, that ruthless Alpha female who'd stop at nothing for the pack's gain, had come to me.

She made me memorize everything about my sister, mimic her words and gestures, and even had a witch brew alchemical potions to alter my scent.

She said, "Harper, this is the only way the Alpha will notice you. The only way you'll establish yourself in the pack and secure protection for our wolves."

And she'd been right. Dominic, who never paid me any mind in any other way, remembered this anniversary alone.

It was the only day I looked forward to all year. The only day I felt the false warmth of home.

But every performance had its final curtain.