Liora's POV
Morning light spilled through the curtains, gilding Arlo's curls as Liora buttoned his shirt with hands that would not stop shaking.
Mommy.
The word echoed again and again in her mind, bright and innocent—and devastating. He had said it without hesitation. Without confusion. As though the name no longer belonged solely to her.
She forced a smile and brushed a kiss to his forehead. "All done, my brave wolf."
He giggled, arms looping around her neck. "Can I see Daddy today?"
Her chest tightened. "Yes, sweetheart. Daddy's always busy—but you'll see him."
Arlo wriggled free and raced toward the stairs, laughter ringing through the pack house. Liora followed more slowly, schooling her face into calm as the world moved around her, unaware that something vital had cracked open beneath her ribs.
The courtyard was already alive. Warriors trained under the rising sun. Omegas passed with baskets of bread and herbs. Conversations flowed easily, comfortably.
No one saw the fracture running straight through their Luna.
Arlo darted ahead, climbing onto a warrior's shoulders, crowing with delight. Pride and pain twisted together in Liora's chest as she watched him—strong, loved, cherished by the pack.
And then she smelled jasmine.
Her stomach dropped.
The healer stood by the fountain, bathed in sunlight, surrounded by laughing omegas. Her golden curls caught the light, her posture relaxed, assured—as though she belonged there. As though she had always belonged there.
The healer's gaze lifted and found Liora's.
She smiled.
"Luna Liora," she said warmly, crossing the courtyard with unhurried grace. "What a beautiful morning."
Liora inclined her head, her voice cool with effort. "It is."
The healer's eyes flicked fondly toward Arlo. "Your son is remarkable. You must be very proud."
"I am," Liora replied.
Before she could step away, Arlo slipped free of the warriors and ran toward them, arms flung wide.
"Mommy!"
The word rang across the courtyard.
But he didn't come to her.
He ran straight into the healer's arms.
The world stopped.
Conversation died mid-sentence. The courtyard fell into a stunned, ringing silence. Liora felt every gaze swing toward her—confusion, pity, shock flickering across familiar faces.
Her knees buckled.
The healer froze for a fraction of a second—just long enough for Liora to see calculation flicker behind her gentle smile—then she laughed softly and knelt.
"Oh, little one," she murmured, stroking
Arlo's hair. "I'm not your mommy."
Arlo only laughed, pressing his face into her shoulder. "You smell nice."
Something inside Liora tore.
Kael's presence cut through the air like a blade.
He emerged from the hall, tall and commanding, his gaze taking in the scene in a single, assessing sweep. His eyes lingered on the healer's hands on their son—then slid to Liora.
Cold. Measuring.
"Arlo," Liora said, her voice shaking despite herself. "Come here."
Her son hesitated.
Just a second. Barely anything at all.
It shattered her.
She crossed the distance in three strides and gathered him into her arms, holding him too tightly. "Mommy's here," she whispered fiercely into his hair.
Kael's gaze sharpened. "What happened?"
The healer answered smoothly, before Liora could. "Nothing, Alpha. He was excited."
Kael nodded slowly. "That will be all."
The healer bowed and turned away.
"Bye, Mommy!" Arlo called after her, waving.
A murmur rippled through the onlookers before they quickly dispersed. Kael's jaw tightened.
"Control him," he said quietly.
Liora stared at him. "He's a child."
"
"Then teach him," Kael replied, his voice low and edged with something dangerous. "Do not let him confuse the pack about who his mother is."
Her hands trembled. "Maybe you should remember who his mother is."
For a fleeting instant, something flickered in his eyes.
Then it vanished.
"We'll discuss this later."
He walked away.
Liora stood frozen, her heart hammering, Arlo clutching her shirt as if afraid she might disappear.
Back in their chambers, she set him gently on the bed. He played with his wooden wolf, making soft growling noises, blissfully unaware of the devastation he had unleashed.
Liora covered her mouth as tears spilled through her fingers.
Her wolf surged inside her—not weak, not wounded, but furious.
A knock sounded.
Kael entered without waiting.
"What happened out there can't happen again," he said flatly. "The pack saw."
"Did you?" she asked, voice trembling. "Did you see what it did to me?"
You're emotional," he replied. "That makes you careless."
The words struck harder than any blow.
"I am his mother," Liora said softly. "And I am your mate. You have stripped both truths bare."
Kael stepped closer, dominance rolling off him in a suffocating wave. Her knees weakened—not from fear, but from the echo of something ancient stirring between them.
"You don't understand what you're provoking," he said quietly.
"Then explain it," she whispered.
He held her gaze for a long, heavy moment.
Then he turned and left.
The door closed with finality.
Arlo curled against her side and fell asleep, trusting, warm, whole. Liora traced his small fingers, grief and fury tangling until she could no longer tell them apart.
Outside, clouds gathered. Wind rattled the windows.
She lifted her gaze to the glass—and barely recognized the woman staring back.
Her eyes were sharper now. Brighter.
Awake.
A whisper slid through the room, not from her mind but from something deeper.
Break, so you may rise.
Thunder rolled across the hills.
Liora straightened slowly, cradling her son.
This was no longer about love.
It was about survival.
And the pack had just learned what happened when a Luna was pushed too far.