gesture intimate. Together, they looked like the perfect family.
I stood frozen.
Ari, however, had no hesitation. He had spent countless mornings greeting Rook’s picture, and he recognized him immediately.
“Daddy, I want a hug!”
It only ended with Ari falling because Rook moved away to avoid the hug.
Rook frowned, his piercing eyes locking onto me. “What insolence. How dare you let him approach me, Rhea!”
I quickly picked up Ari. I thought Rook avoided the hug because he did not recognize Ari. “He’s your son. He’s been looking forward to seeing you…”
“You know very well whose son he really is.” Rook looked up and stared coldly at me. “Tell him not to call me ‘Daddy’!”
My mouth fell open in surprise. I had no idea why he was losing his temper.
Sera caressed his chest gently. “Calm down, Rook. Princess Rhea didn’t do this on purpose. Don’t get mad over petty things like this.”
“You have a big heart, Sera. If she had the sense to be as wholesome as you, I wouldn’t have left my territory for three years.”
Rook carried another woman’s daughter and left without giving Ari another look.
The memory hurt so much. It was like a thousand needles piercing my heart. Tears fell down my cheek. The despair I felt was suffocating.
“I’m sorry, Ari,” I whispered. “I promise I’ll be there for the next event.”
Ari stopped crying when he heard my promise. He wiped away my tears with his plump, little hand.
“I have the best mommy in the world. I’m not sad anymore, so don’t be sad too, Mommy.”
The more understanding Ari was, the more it hurt me.
I was the daughter of the Heavenly Wolf Pack’s packmaster. I had been in love with the heir of Moon Shadow Pack, Rook, for five years.
That was the reason why I made a deal with a witch.
“I’m willing to sacrifice half of my life if I can be with Rook.”
