After Son's Death, Mate's Departure

The restaurant's warm glow mocked me as Grant and I approached. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat a painful reminder of what I'd lost today. My son. My mate. My life.

"Are you ready?" Grant asked, his voice gentle but firm.

I nodded, unable to speak past the knot in my throat. Grant's presence beside me was both comforting and overwhelming—the Lycan King's aura radiating power that made nearby humans step aside without knowing why.

We entered together, and the scene before me confirmed my worst fears. Adrian and Haven sat at a intimate corner table, feeding each other cake with the casual intimacy of long-term lovers. A small box of jewelry sat between them, its contents already adorning Haven's wrist—a delicate bracelet that caught the light with every movement.

"Adrian." My voice cut through the restaurant's ambient chatter.

He looked up, his expression shifting from shock to calculated calm in seconds. "Cassidy? What are you doing here?"

Haven's smile never faltered. She leaned forward, her fingers tracing patterns on Adrian's hand. "Shouldn't you be home grieving?"

Grant stepped forward, his royal presence making the air itself feel heavier. "Is this the Alpha conference you told your mate about, Dr. Patterson?"

Adrian's eyes widened as he recognized Grant. "Your Majesty, I—"

"Save it," Grant cut him off, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.

I stepped closer, my wolf snarling beneath my skin. "Fifteen years, Adrian? While I was helping you rise to Alpha status?"

Adrian stood, his posture stiffening. "Cassidy, you're confused. Haven is just a pack member who needed counseling after today's attack."

Haven laughed then—a sound so cold it made my blood freeze. She rose from her chair and pressed herself against Adrian's side.

"Is that what you tell her?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery. Then, before I could react, she pulled Adrian down and kissed him—not a peck, not a gesture of comfort, but a deep, passionate kiss that spoke of years together.

When they broke apart, Haven's eyes locked on mine. "We're mates," she declared, loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "Have been for fifteen years."

---

The restaurant's private room door opened with a crash. Ellis stood there, his small frame rigid with anger.

"Mom?" he called out—not to me, but to Haven.

My heart shattered all over again as Haven opened her arms and Ellis ran into them.

"What's going on?" Ellis demanded, his voice carrying through the now-silent restaurant.

Adrian knelt beside him, whispering urgently. I watched as my son's face hardened, his young eyes turning cold when they met mine.

Ellis stepped forward, his chin lifted in defiance. "Sarah," he said, using the pack mind-link so nearby members could hear. "Stop stalking my parents."

The words hit me like physical blows. "Ellis, I'm your mother."

"No, you're not." His voice was flat, emotionless. "You're just Sarah, the nanny. My real parents are Adrian and Haven."

I stumbled back, Grant's hand catching my elbow to keep me upright. "Ellis, please—"

"My son doesn't want to talk to you," Adrian said, his arm around Ellis's shoulders. "Haven is his mother. Always has been."

---

Pack members began filtering into the restaurant, drawn by the commotion and Ellis's mind-link broadcast. They formed a circle around us, their faces confused and curious.

"What's happening?" someone asked.

Adrian straightened, his Alpha aura flaring as he addressed the gathering crowd. "I apologize for this disruption. As you can see, we have a situation with a disturbed pack member."

"Disturbed?" I echoed, disbelief making my voice crack.

Haven stepped forward, her expression a perfect mask of concern. "Sarah has been... unwell. She believes she's Ellis's mother, that she's Adrian's mate."

"That's because I am!" My voice rose, desperation clawing at my throat.

Adrian shook his head sadly. "Sarah has no wolf bloodline. She's been impersonating a pack member for years."

He produced a folder from his jacket—documentation I'd never seen before. "These are her records. No wolf lineage, no mate bond."

The pack members murmured, their eyes filled with pity and suspicion as they looked at me.

"She's been stalking me," Adrian continued, his voice carrying to every corner of the restaurant. "Following me, creating elaborate fantasies about our relationship."

Haven nodded solemnly beside him. "We've tried to help her, but..."

"But she refuses treatment," Adrian finished. "And now she's making these claims about Ellis."

I looked around at the faces of pack members I'd known for years—wolves I'd cared for, healed, supported—and saw only doubt and judgment reflected back at me.

"None of this is true," I whispered, but my voice was lost in the growing murmurs of the crowd.

Grant's hand found mine, his grip anchoring me as my world collapsed around me. "Cassidy," he said quietly, "this is just the beginning."