Cecilia’s gaze was a storm, fierce and unyielding, as it bore into Alpha Albert’s cold expression. Every trace of warmth that might once have existed between them had evaporated, leaving only a simmering hatred in its wake. Albert shifted uncomfortably, visibly caught off guard by the bitterness she no longer cared to hide.
“Cecilia,” he began, his voice carefully measured, almost cajoling. “If you’d just cooperate, there’s no reason why we can’t come to an understanding. I can make sure your son’s birthday is everything you wanted.”
The words landed with a dull, cruel irony. The thought of celebrating now, with Evan gone, seemed like a mockery. What good were empty promises when Albert had already abandoned their son, discarding him for the sake of Cecilia’s own sister, Hailey? Everyone in the pack knew of his preference for Hailey; she had become his companion at gatherings, his confidante in public. Meanwhile, Cecilia, the rightful Luna of the Golden Pack, had been left to bear the shame of her husband’s indifference alone.
Now, he dared to wield Evan’s birthday as leverage, a tool to bend her to his will. The manipulation was almost nauseating, but Cecilia’s expression betrayed nothing as she held his gaze steady.
“There’s no need for that, Alpha,” she said, her voice laced with quiet resignation. “I’m done. I’ll be leaving, and you can carry on as you wish with Hailey. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
Albert’s lips twisted into a sneer, as though he found her decision amusing. “What’s this? No more games? No more pretending you need me here to ‘play family’ for Evan’s sake?”
His tone was thick with derision, each word a deliberate jab. Before Cecilia could retort, Hailey stepped forward, her face twisted into a mask of innocence that Cecilia could see through all too easily.
“Oh, Cecilia, don’t lie to the Alpha,” Hailey said, her voice soft and sweet, yet dripping with insincerity. “If Evan were really in danger, why would you be here by yourself?”
Cecilia’s restraint snapped, her voice sharp and cutting. “Don’t you dare mention my son. You have no right.”
Hailey blinked, her face falling into a look of hurt that was as insincere as her words. “Fine, I won’t speak of him again, if that’s what you want,” she murmured, feigning wounded innocence. “No need to be angry with me, Cecilia.”
Albert’s eyes hardened as he watched Cecilia’s reaction to Hailey. Annoyance crept into his expression, his jaw tightening as if restraining himself from rebuking Cecilia outright. But instead of speaking to her directly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, a smug gleam in his eyes.
With an air of calculated authority, he dialed a number and placed the phone on speaker. Cecilia’s stomach twisted with dread as she recognized the voice on the other end.
“Beta Morgan,” Albert barked, ensuring his words echoed clearly for everyone in the room to hear, “locate my son. Bring him here at once.”
His gaze flicked to Cecilia, his eyes cold and gleaming with satisfaction, as though expecting this simple command would restore order to the chaos. But Cecilia’s face remained impassive, hiding the storm raging within her.
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Beta Morgan responded, his voice tight and careful. “Alpha… Evan… passed away a few days ago. He died shortly after you left the territory with Hailey.”
