Chapter 3

Silas wasn't the sullen, difficult kid the rumors made him out to be. He was obedient, just quiet.

So quiet that sometimes I forgot he was even there.

But that was enough.

I'd gotten a second life and I wasn't going to waste it getting caught up in pack politics or trying to climb any ladders.

I just wanted to lay low, raise Silas in peace, and keep my head down.

Maybe when I was old, he'd come visit once in a while. That alone would make this life worth living.

Silas went to school every day.

One afternoon, I had nothing to do, so I baked some pastries and brought them over.

I spotted Silas before I reached the school.

He was sitting alone under a tree, reading.

On the other side of the yard, Julian was tossing a ball around with three other boys crowding him like he was the center of the universe.

Right. Julian lived with the Luna. Everything he had was the best of the best, and every kid in this pack treated him like royalty.

Last time, I'd been stupid enough to pull him away from all that and make him live with me, a nobody omega with no power and no connections.

Him hating me, resenting me for dragging him down, I guess I couldn't entirely blame him.

I let out a dry laugh and looked away.

My son was Silas now. All that mattered was that we lived our lives in peace.

I carried the box over and sat down next to Silas.

He looked up at me with a flicker of surprise.

"Hungry?" I set the box on the table. "I just made these. Try some."

I'd barely gotten the pastries out when an impatient voice cut in.

"Why do you keep showing up?"

I turned around.

Julian had already walked up close, not bothering to hide the irritation on his face.

He pointed at the pastries, his face twisted in disgust. "The servants at Catherine's house eat a hundred times better than this. I wouldn't touch this garbage. Stop bringing this crap around to bother me."

Before I could say a word, Silas stood up.

He stepped between me and Julian. "She's your mother, Julian. How can you talk to her like that?"

Julian scoffed. "My mother is the Luna. She's nothing."

He waved his hand. "Take your garbage and go. Don't come back."