Alpha's Betrayal, Luna's Rise

On my daughter’s fifth birthday, Yareli Murphy—a manipulative she-wolf who once held Sean Harrison’s attention—posted a photo on Instagram with the caption:

"Before bed, my little one was crying for his dad, and the wonderful Alpha immediately dropped his work to be there."

In the photo, the man next to her was none other than my mate—Sean Harrison, the former Alpha of the Harrison Pack.

I glanced at the message I’d received ten minutes ago:

"There’s something going on at the packhouse tonight. You and Braelynn don’t need to wait for me."

I liked the post, then called my divorce attorney.

---

Sean came home at two in the morning, his Alpha presence filling the room. The harsh light made me shield my daughter’s eyes immediately. He leaned against the doorframe, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over us:

"Miriam, I’m back. Let’s wake Braelynn, and I’ll celebrate her birthday with her."

In the past, I cherished these family rituals deeply. Whether it was a birthday, the Moon Goddess’s celebration, or a pack gathering, I insisted Sean be involved. I didn’t want Braelynn to go through what I did—only seeing her father through fleeting moments between pack duties. But now—

I straightened the blanket and replied in a flat tone:

"No need."

A flicker of frustration crossed Sean’s face, his Alpha aura pressing against me:

"Miriam, I only went over to help Miguel sleep. Don’t get the wrong idea."

"It’s because you’re always suspicious that I didn’t dare tell you the truth."

I wasn’t mistaken, and I wouldn’t be jumping to conclusions in the future either.

"If there’s nothing else, go to your room and let Braelynn sleep. She has training tomorrow."

Hearing my response, Sean let out a cold laugh, his deep voice echoing in the quiet room:

"Suit yourself, but don’t blame me later for missing out on Braelynn’s growing up."

I turned off the light and gently patted my daughter, who was slightly disturbed. Missing out doesn’t matter anymore, especially since Braelynn’s birthday wish this year was:

"Not to see Dad again."

The next morning, Sean didn’t rush out immediately after breakfast as he usually did. Instead, he sat watching the pack news, his muscular frame dominating the couch. Just before leaving, he picked up the keys and walked over, gently touching Braelynn’s head:

"Today, Daddy will take you."

His words were directed at our daughter, but his eyes were fixed on me. Two years ago, when Braelynn started her training, Sean would drop her off every day. But after Yareli came into the picture, his departure times grew earlier. He claimed pack meetings started earlier, leaving no time to drop off Braelynn.

I believed him until three months ago when Braelynn switched training grounds. At the entrance, I saw him. A man who should’ve been at the packhouse was bending over to lift a little boy from the back seat.

It turned out he wasn’t too busy to drop off Braelynn, he just had more important things to do. That night, we fought fiercely, and from the next day on, Braelynn never asked for her dad to take her again.

Even though I decided on a divorce, Sean was still Braelynn’s father. After a moment’s thought, I didn’t refuse him.

He smirked slightly, bending down to pick up Braelynn, his Alpha scent—pine and earth—filling the air.

As the car door opened, I was taken aback. The back seat was filled with things. Action figures, a toy bow and arrow, a woman’s scarf... and behind the seat, hung a "family portrait."

Noticing my gaze, Sean’s expression shifted slightly:

"Yareli hung it casually, said Miguel would feel happier seeing it."

"Don’t make a fuss over something so trivial."

Earlier, I might have torn the portrait apart, crying and questioning Sean about what Braelynn and I meant to him. But now, I nodded:

"It’s a nice photo."

Sean gave me a strange look, his Alpha aura tightening around us:

"You’re not upset?"

Upset? Perhaps I should be, but for some reason, there’s no emotion inside me, only a faint urge to laugh. Such a clumsy tactic; how could the famously shrewd Alpha of the Harrison Pack not see through it? He simply didn’t care.

"Better get going, Braelynn will be late."

Hearing my urging, Sean pursed his lips lightly and opened the driver’s door.

I was about to lift Braelynn into the car when Sean’s phone rang.

"I have a great dad, a great dad..."

On the other end, a little boy cried, heartbroken:

"Alpha! Alpha! Where have you gone?"

"Aren’t you going to be with Miguel and Mom anymore?"

Hanging up the call, Sean didn’t even glance at us before rushing into the car:

"Miguel’s crying for me. Today, let the driver take you guys."

The sleek black Maybach sped away, and I knelt beside Braelynn, comforting her:

"Daddy has something to do today. Next time, when he has time, we’ll have him take you to training, okay?"

Braelynn’s face showed a maturity beyond her years, her small shoulders squared like a future Luna:

"Daddy won’t have time. All his time has to be for Miguel and his mom."