Chapter 2

The room emptied. Everyone left. Aria was alone with the small figure sleeping in the bassinet.

She stared at the empty doorway. Then she looked at her son.

Finally, she picked up her phone and made a call.

"Mrs. Thorne. I've made my decision. I want to sever the Bond with Ethan. My only condition is that my son stays with me."

Eleanor Thorne went quiet. "Are you serious? My son went to war with his father just to claim you. You think he'll let you walk away?"

Aria's hand tightened around the phone.

Five years ago, to bring Aria into the Thorne Pack, Ethan had knelt with her outside the Manor gates for three days and three nights. Even then, his father had refused. Ethan threatened to leave the Pack entirely. His father finally gave in.

After they bonded, Ethan knew Aria was uncomfortable around Eleanor, so he bought her a house and rarely went back to the Thorne estate. Aria almost never interacted with Eleanor. She'd always believed she'd mated with the best man in the world.

But that man was rotten to the core.

"He won't let me go easily. That's why I need your help to get the Bond Dissolution Record. I also need new Pack Registry credentials — a new identity."

"Fine. I'll do it. As long as you agree to disappear from my son's life for good — that pup of yours, you take him. The Thorne Pack wants nothing to do with him."

"Pup?" Aria laughed coldly. "If every pup born to someone who doesn't belong to your Pack is worthless, then worthless pups aren't exactly rare around here."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Eleanor tried to push further, but Aria had already ended the call.

She looked at her son sleeping in the bassinet and spoke softly.

"Don't worry, baby. Soon, Mommy will take you far away from here."

After that day, Ethan didn't come back to the infirmary.

On the fifth day, he arrived to take Aria home and register their son in the Pack records.

"Aria, Vivienne's already forgiven you for what you said. You just had a pup — don't let your emotions run too hot."

Aria looked at him and made one request.

"You made a mistake. You owe me. Since you already have another son, this one takes my last name. He'll be a Colton, not a Thorne."

Ethan blinked. "Does that mean you've accepted this? You're okay with Vivienne?"

The hope in his eyes made Aria's chest ache.

"Yes. I accept her. As long as my son carries my name."

"Okay. I promise — he'll be a Colton. Just please, don't leave me. Don't sever our bond."

Ethan was practically bouncing with relief as he carried the baby to complete the Pack registry, then helped Aria walk back to the Manor.

The moment they stepped through the front door, Aria saw Vivienne — and Vivienne's son.

They were sitting on the play mat she'd bought for her own baby. Using the bottles she'd chosen. Playing with the new toys.

Pack servants swarmed the infant, fussing and cooing.

"Oh, the young Alpha heir is so handsome. He's the image of Master Ethan."

"You shouldn't call him that, should you? The Luna's baby is the true heir..."

"Master Ethan said whoever was born first is the heir. And the way things are going, it looks like Miss Vivienne will soon be the real Luna."

"Enough."

Ethan's voice went sharp. "Aria is my mate. That will never change. Anyone I hear saying otherwise gets removed from the Manor."

The servants apologized and scattered.

Ethan immediately turned to explain. "They talk without thinking. It has nothing to do with Vivienne. Don't take it out on her."

"I'm not upset," Aria said. "You're right. Whoever was born first is the heir. My son was never going to carry the Thorne name anyway."

She picked up her baby and moved toward the stairs.

Vivienne suddenly rushed forward and dropped to her knees.

"Mrs. Thorne. I know you don't want to see me. But I moved into the Manor to look after you. Please give me a chance. Let me make up for what I did wrong."

Aria glanced down at her, a cold smile on her lips.

Back then, it was Aria who saw potential in Vivienne and gave her a job. Aria who felt sorry for her and hired her as a personal yoga instructor. Aria who covered her rent when she was broke.

Two years ago, during a bad storm, Vivienne's apartment flooded. Aria had let her stay at the Manor.

That two months was all it took. Vivienne and Ethan had started their affair while Aria was away on a business trip.

Aria remembered those nights — strange sounds she'd heard but written off as nothing.

They'd been real.

She stood there for one moment, and then walked upstairs without saying a word.

She'd barely laid her son down in the nursery crib before the door opened behind her.