Chapter 1

Luke Randall's words left both Silas Randall and me frozen where we stood.

It had been 27 days since I realized Silas’ heart had drifted away from us.

Every time he left Luke and me because of Julia, I would ask Luke to address him as Alpha.

It was my way of reminding both of us not to expect anything from a mate whose heart was elsewhere, but Luke didn't see it that way.

He was only eight years old, the age when an Alpha father was still a hero in his eyes.

Every single time, he would bite his lip, hesitate for what felt like forever, and finally whisper in the tiniest voice, "Alpha."

But today, he said it on his own clearly and firmly.

It was as if he had repeated that to himself countless times before.

Seeing both of us stand there in silence, Luke reached for my hand and looked up at Silas.

"Alpha, you should go."

He then tugged gently at my sleeve.

"Come on, Mom. The movie's about to start."

He wrapped his arms around me. He was absorbed by getting into the theater in time.

Watching a movie together was Silas' idea. He had offered it as a way to make up for missing Luke's birthday.

For two weeks, Luke had marked off the days on the calendar, counting every night before bed how many days remained until the movie outing.

I followed him stiffly, but it felt like an icy claw had closed around my heart, squeezing so tightly that I could barely breathe.

I had discovered Silas' betrayal by accident while putting away his clothes.

When he came home, he had forgotten to empty one of his pockets.

Inside were three tickets to Moonshadow Park.

Luke's only birthday wish that year had been for the three of us to watch the Firefly Festival together.

Silas had said pack affairs kept him busy and refused without hesitation.

Yet only three days later, he had taken Julia and her pup there instead.

I found a post Julia had uploaded while scrolling through Silas' phone.

In the photo, Silas had on a tailored black suit while carrying her pup, Aiden, in his arms.

Julia stood beside him as she held onto his arm intimately. Countless fireflies danced behind them.

There was a caption.

[Of course I wanted to share my favorite place with my dad.]

Julia had grown up with Silas.

After her mate died protecting Silas during a territorial conflict, she was left to raise Aiden alone.

That night, Silas and I had the fiercest argument since becoming mates.

I insisted on dissolving our mate bond and leaving with Luke.

Silas frowned and, with the commanding authority common to Alphas, told me I was overreacting.

He said Julia's mate had died protecting him, and that caring for his widow was a responsibility he could never abandon.

Looking at Luke trembling behind the doorway, I dug my nails deep into my palms.

I knew that if I forcibly took Luke away, he would spend the rest of his life longing for his father.

But I also knew that one compromise would only lead to countless more.

I refused to let Luke spend his puphood trapped in endless waiting and disappointment because of Silas' so-called responsibility.

So I chose another path.

I had Silas sign a mate bond dissolution agreement and gave him thirty days.

If, within those 30 days, he truly returned to his family, then for Luke's sake, I would pretend none of this had ever happened.

But if he couldn't, then during those 30 days, I would personally help Luke let go of his dependence on his father.

Today was the 27th day.

Luke had called Silas 'Alpha' on his own.