Six Years Hidden Now I’m Gone

For six years, I was the secret mate of our pack's Alpha, Alaric Thorne.

He never allowed our pup, Rowan, to call him "Dad."

After he broke his promise to spend Rowan's birthday with our son, choosing his mistress over the boy yet again, my heart finally shattered.

I took out the bond severance contract I had prepared long ago and left him forever, taking our pup with me.

The man who was always so composed finally snapped when he learned we were gone, storming into the council hall and demanding to know where we were.

But I will never go back.

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1

"Marcus, I need to leave pack territory. I'm putting in my resignation."

Marcus gazed at me in surprise. "This is so sudden."

I gave him the excuse I had long since prepared.

"I need to go to the neutral territories for further training. I want to take Rowan with me and start a new life."

He nodded, accepting my resignation letter.

"That makes sense. It must be hard raising a pup alone. Take care of yourself out in the neutral territories."

I smiled.

Technically, I wasn't raising a pup alone. Not yet. But I soon would be.

The moment I stepped out the door, I ran right into Alaric Thorne and Briar Lowell.

Alaric was my Alpha, and also the father of my son.

Seven years ago, I was the pack's Chronicler.

On a chaotic full moon night, we were bound by fate. Then we had Rowan.

This was the sixth year of our secret mating, and the sixth year he refused to let our pup call him "Dad."

Alaric was strolling slowly, clearly accommodating the pace of the woman beside him.

Briar held a report in one hand, the other clutching the corner of Alaric's shirt.

She shamelessly rubbed her scent all over him. A cheap, cloying fragrance mingled with the Alpha's powerful aura, washing over me in a nauseating wave.

As we passed each other, I couldn't stop myself. "Alaric..."

He stopped, his gaze landing on me, cold and distant. "Evelyn."

His polite, detached tone was a clear warning.

He was reminding me that this was the pack's council hall. He was the Alpha, and I was his subordinate.

I understood. I immediately fell silent and lowered my head, swallowing the retort that burned in my throat.

"Alpha Thorne."

Alaric gave a slight nod and then continued on his way as if I were a complete stranger.

I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh, swallowing the words I’d wanted to say about leaving the pack.

What good would it do to tell him? He wouldn't care anyway.

A faint ripple echoed in my mind.

It was a message from my pup through our mother-son mind-link.

Mom, will Dad come home for my birthday?

I froze for a second, instinctively glancing back.

I saw Alaric leaning down, speaking gently to Briar.

When someone passed by, he subconsciously shielded her within his aura, his every move filled with a tenderness he never showed me.

I wanted to just say no, but I couldn't bear to upset Rowan.

Steeling myself against the ache in my chest, I reached out to Alaric through our mind-link.

Today is Rowan's birthday. Are you free tonight?

Across the hall, I saw him pause, just for a moment.