Chapter 2

The genetic match report hit my face, papers scattering across the floor.

The hall, which should have been full of celebration, fell deathly silent in an instant.

Lola stood in the center of the hall wearing a blindingly white gauze dress, holding the newborn baby. Her smile stretched practically to her temples. She deliberately raised her voice high, as if afraid Alpha Eldric in the seat of honor wouldn't hear.

"Seren, don't blame me. After all, my child is the only legitimate bloodline of Silverpine Pack. He has to come back and be recognized."

Eldric sat in his wheelchair, his clouded eyes opening slightly. He looked at the child in Lola's arms, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. He said nothing.

Every guest in the hall turned their gaze toward me. Each one waited to see how I, the human woman who'd held the Luna position for three years without getting pregnant, would be publicly humiliated and driven from the pack in disgrace.

I bent down and picked up the report from the floor. My eyes scanned the nearly invisible line of text in the corner, and I suddenly smiled.

I looked at the smug Lola and spoke calmly.

"This child can never inherit any of Eldric's assets."

Lola scoffed at my words, thinking I was just putting on a brave face.

"Seren, don't tell me being Silverpine Pack's Luna has made you stupid."

"The genetic report says it clear as day. Eliot is this child's biological father."

"According to Alpha Eldric's iron law, the first offspring in the family inherits all of Silverpine Pack's resources."

"If you request to leave Silverpine Pack now, I'll even let the child recognize you as godmother."

Just as Lola finished speaking, Eliot's mother Elara's voice came from outside the door.

"My dear Lola, I heard you brought my grandson. Let me see him."

The moment Elara saw the baby, she rushed over.

"The resemblance! Incredible! Just like Eliot when he was little! This is definitely Silverpine Pack blood!"

Afraid I would cause trouble, Elara immediately called two guards to stand in front of me.

"This is the pack's precious treasure. We must take good care of him."

Then she immediately switched to a loving expression and pulled Lola toward Alpha Eldric.

"Lola, you're a hero to our Pack. Sit down and rest, don't tire yourself."

"I'll call the council of elders right now to transfer the inheritance rights to you!"

Then she turned and shot me a disgusted glance.

"Unlike some people who can't even lay an egg after three years."

"If I were you, I'd pack up and leave now to save myself the embarrassment of being thrown out of Silverpine Pack."

But I just stared fixedly at the baby in the nanny's arms.

"No need to call the elders, because she can't get this inheritance at all."

Lola looked me up and down, speaking as if bestowing charity.

"Seren, face reality. You're just a lowly human without our noble wolf bloodline."

"Everyone knows what tricks you used to marry Eliot back then."

"But lowly is lowly. Only a pure-blooded wolf like me deserves to bear Silverpine Pack's heir."

The whispered discussions in the hall grew louder. Everyone had different thoughts, their eyes darting between Lola and me.

After all, this was the richest hunting territory and mineral veins in the North, spanning millions of acres. Countless packs were envious.

Whoever could claim it would become the most powerful Luna in the North.

"This is Eldric's family feast. What are you all causing a scene for?"

Eliot's father Gideon pushed through the crowd. When he saw the child in Lola's arms, his previously tense face instantly bloomed into a smile.

"We've been waiting for you! Alpha Eldric has been hoping for an heir so long his eyes nearly wore out! The council of elders is already on their way. We'll announce the inheritance publicly. No one can find fault with that!"

Elara hurriedly scooped up some herbal medicine and brought it to Lola's lips.

"This is freshly brewed precious herbs. Drink up."

"You're a great hero to our Silverpine Pack. You need to nourish your body properly."

I looked at the three people in front of me, acting like a harmonious family. The sight was painfully glaring.

"Mom, Dad, setting aside that Eliot and I aren't even divorced yet."

"Are you really so certain she can claim Alpha Eldric's assets?"

Hearing this, Lola nearly spat out the herbal medicine in her mouth.

She pushed past Gideon and Elara, walked up to me holding the child, the viciousness in her eyes completely unconcealed.

"So what if you're not divorced? Silverpine Pack would never keep a barren slut!"

"Who knows what you were doing coming home so late every night? You probably can't get pregnant because you've been fooling around with other Alphas."

"When my son grows up, he'll never marry a lowly human like you."

Elara helped Lola sit down, glanced at me and sneered.

"Exactly! This child looks just like Eliot as a baby. If he's not our Silverpine Pack blood, whose could he be?"

"Some people's bodies just can't deliver, and they can't stand to see others succeed!"

Lola's face filled with smugness again.

"Seren, I know you're upset that I gave birth to Eliot's son."

"But genetic test results can't be faked. Are you jealous that I produced a child?"