Chapter 1

Before winter arrived, my partner, Marcus Vale, made an unprecedented move by asking me to put aside my tribal affairs and take my son to a neighboring tribe by the sea for some rest and recuperation.

"You've worked hard all these years."

I thought he had finally noticed how tired I was.

When I returned to the castle with the last grain convoy, I found my trunk and my son's bedding piled up in the corridor.

The door was ajar, and Noah Vale's cautious voice could be heard from inside.

"Dad, I've already given up my room. Why does Mom have to move out too?"

“Aunt Celia’s daughter always wakes up in the middle of the night, so they need to stay together.”

Marcus spoke gently, as if persuading his son to give up a piece of pastry.

"Everything will be arranged when you and Mom come back from the beach."

"But I don't want anyone else to sleep in Mom's bed."

After a brief silence, his voice became more subdued.

"Noah, you are the son of an Alpha. They've already lost their family, and you won't even give in on this little thing?"

My hand rested on the brass clasp of the trunk, my fingertips growing cold.

It turned out that the so-called "rest" was to make room for his first love, Celia Voss, and her daughter.

I brought back enough food for my people to get through the winter, but I couldn't even keep a room for myself and my son.

My son's voice could no longer be heard from inside.

I stood there for a moment, then turned and walked to the end of the corridor. A cold wind blew into the cloak I hadn't yet taken off, and I realized that my palm had been scratched red by the brass clasp on the trunk.

Since he was convinced we should leave, then I would do as he said.

However, this time, I wouldn't bring my son back.

...

Footsteps came from behind.

When Marcus saw me, he was taken aback at first, then reached out to undo my cloak.

"Why are you back so early? Was the mountain road alright?"

The familiar scent of pinewood drew near, but it was mixed with a hint of sweet floral fragrance.

After Celia returned, she often used this perfume balm.

I didn't lean into his arms as usual, but just glanced at the boxes in the hallway.

"Are there no other rooms in the castle?"

His hand paused for a moment.

“It’s warm in the east wing, and her daughter is in poor health. You and Noah are going to the beach soon, so the room will just be sitting empty.”

"But we haven't left yet."

Marcus followed my gaze, his brow furrowing slightly.

"The servants packed up too early. I'll have someone send your things to the guesthouse, so you can stay for a few nights."

He did not have anyone move the things back.

I looked at him, and the urge to get an explanation from him slowly subsided.

"And what about you?"

"I'll stay in the study for now. They've just arrived and aren't familiar with the place yet. I'll feel more at ease if I stay here."

I gripped the edge of the cloak.

Noah had also been very uneasy just now.

"He has you."

He said those three words without hesitation.

It was as if, as long as I was around, someone would take care of all the grievances my son suffered.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Marcus softened his voice and lowered his head to kiss my forehead.

"Don't say that. I'm just taking care of them for a while. You're still my partner, Luna of Greyfell."

After saying that, he walked towards the stairs.

I subconsciously raised my hand, trying to grab his sleeve as I used to.

But he was already instructing his servants to bring dinner to the east wing.

“Celia doesn’t eat cold food. Have the kitchen make it again.”

I lowered my hand, and all that remained in my palm was the melted ice water from my cloak.

Over the years, the clan had always said that Marcus chose the right partner.

He guarded the territory, and I cleared the way for the tribe's food supplies. During the most difficult winter, I led a caravan through the mountains for several days to exchange for enough food to distribute to the children and the elderly.

I once dreamed of opening my own warehouse by the sea, with passing caravans and a house with a view of the ocean.

Later, I stayed and became his Luna.

I always thought that the family we built together would at least not lock my son and me out.

"Mother."

Noah walked up to me without my noticing.

He was holding an old wooden wolf in his arms, with a small piece missing from its ear; it was the toy he was most reluctant to throw away.

As soon as I squatted down, he hugged my neck tightly.

"Are you angry?"

I touched his hair.

"Have you taken everything out?"

He shook his head and glanced at the door.

"There are also storybooks under the bed. Dad said they're resting and we can't go in."

I picked him up and pushed open the door.

The bed was covered with unfamiliar light-colored bedding, and the small blanket that was originally placed next to the pillow was thrown on the footstool.

There was no one inside.

I picked up the blanket, took the storybooks from under the bed, and returned them to Noah.

"These are yours. Take them with you."

He hugged the things tightly before nodding slightly.

Upon arriving at the inn, a servant brought in ingredients for dinner. I told her to go ahead and do her work while I lit a fire and cut the meat into small pieces that Noah could eat in one bite.

In the past, no matter how late the clan affairs dragged on, I would always try my best to rush back to have dinner with them.

Marcus didn't like onions in soup, while Noah liked his bread soaked until soft.

I had never forgotten these habits.

When the broth was ready, Noah was already sitting at the table, glancing at the doorway several times.

I put the bread into his bowl.

"Eat first. No need to wait for Dad."

He picked up the spoon, but hesitated to bring it to his mouth.

A tear fell into the soup.

"Mom, I've already promised Dad."

I stopped.

"Promised what?"

"I'll give them the room. I won't make a scene, and I won't cry."

He tried to hold back his tears, but his voice grew softer and softer.

"Dad said that as long as I'm sensible, you won't be angry. We'll still be a family."

"Please don't leave Dad, okay?"

My throat tightened suddenly.

He wasn't old enough to shift into wolf form yet, and he didn't even understand why he suddenly couldn't sleep in his bed, but he was already worried that he hadn't been obedient enough, which was why the family was in trouble.

I put down the spoon and lifted him onto my lap.

"Noah, this has nothing to do with whether you're a good boy or a bad boy."

He raised his tear-filled eyes.

I wiped away his tears and held his small, clenched hands, which had turned white.

“You did nothing wrong. No matter where you live in the future, Mom will always be with you.”

This time, I didn't reassure Noah that Marcus still loved us.

After Noah fell asleep, I took out the invitation letter that Mara Reed had sent me a few months ago.

At that time, she asked me if I wanted to go to the seaside and run a warehouse with her.

I rejected her twice.

This time, I wrote on new stationery:

“If your invitation is still valid, I will accept it. I will bring my son with me. Please reserve a room for us.”

At the end, I wrote my name.

Elena Ward.

Afterwards, I found the caravan leader, who had been with me for many years, and handed him the sealed letter.

"I'll leave tomorrow morning and hand it over to Mara personally."