Severed from the Pack The Alpha Matriarch’s Late-Bloom Heir

"Not a copper less, not a copper more—one million in tribute!"

My mate and I nearly lost our footing. One million?

She truly had the nerve to demand such a sum.

"Lyra, do you have any idea what one million represents in pack resources?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "It's just one million. Our pack isn't lacking for stores."

Fenris's brow furrowed deeply, a low rumble building in his chest. "You think tribute flows that easily? Besides, we already agreed—the second pup would carry the Ashenvale clan-mark. Now you want us to pay for what was promised?"

The son-in-law who had been silent finally spoke, his scent carrying that calculating edge I'd learned to recognize. "Alpha Father, Alpha Mother, this one million is merely a small portion of your territory's wealth. But it would ease my parents' hearts greatly."

"Besides, Lyra and I have already decided—the second pup will be raised in your den. He'll bear the Ashenvale mark anyway!"

Garrick's tone carried a petulant challenge, as if daring us to refuse. My wolf stirred with anger, but Fenris caught my sleeve, giving a subtle shake of his head.

"One million then," he said, his voice carefully measured. "From this day forward, Rowan Ashenvale remains in our den. He is an Ashenvale pup, bound to our bloodline."

The moment the tribute transfer was confirmed, Garrick's expression transformed entirely—his scent smoothing into satisfaction.

Later, Fenris told me he understood. After all, the second pup was male, a potential heir. The Hayes clan not wanting to surrender the clan-mark was natural enough.

Consider the million a settlement payment, he said.

From the day little Rowan moved into our den, our home filled with warmth and laughter once more. His small presence brought life back to chambers that had felt too quiet for too long.

My daughter and her mate began visiting the Ashenvale estate more frequently as well.

During one evening meal, Lyra mentioned wanting a new transport—one of those sleek modern vehicles that ran on pack-approved routes.

I chuckled. "If you want to purchase one, go ahead. Since when do you need to report such things to us?"

She smiled, that familiar wheedling tone entering her voice. "I was hoping you and Father might contribute a bit toward it."

My head snapped up, eyes fixing on her. "Lyra, have you depleted your allowance already?"

She shook her head slowly. "It's all gone."

My fingers tightened around my eating utensils until my knuckles went white. The anger in my chest rose like steam from a boiling pot.

Last time, she'd claimed we needed to compensate her in-laws—demanded we transfer one million in tribute as settlement for the clan-mark change.

Then she said we still owed Garrick compensation. After all, he was the pup's sire, a male wolf. Having his offspring bear the Ashenvale mark instead of Hayes had wounded his pride.

So Fenris and I had transferred another five hundred thousand to Garrick directly.

Now, barely a week later, my daughter was asking for money to purchase a vehicle.

Every few days brought another excuse, another demand. At this rate, before little Rowan even grew into his first shift, our pack's stores would be completely drained.

"Lyra! You go too far!" I couldn't contain my fury any longer. "Your father and I don't run a tribute vault for your convenience!"

"Today it's one million, tomorrow five hundred thousand, the day after that it's vehicles and den-houses. We cannot sustain your demands!"

"The five hundred thousand we just gave Garrick a week ago—wasn't that enough to cover a new transport?"

My daughter's lips twisted into a pout. "Well, Garrick's younger brother is taking a mate soon. They need to build a den, purchase a vehicle, gather the bride-price offerings."

"The one million you gave the in-laws, and the five hundred thousand you gave Garrick—it all went toward Kellan's mating preparations."

Fenris and I exchanged glances. His eyes had gone hard as flint, his wolf barely contained beneath the surface.

"They used the tribute we provided... for their younger son's mating ceremony?" His voice trembled with barely suppressed rage.

Garrick stepped forward quickly, his posture shifting to something more submissive—though not nearly submissive enough. "Alpha Father, my brother's intended mate's family demanded a den and transport. You know my birth-pack's territory is poor, so..."

"I couldn't just watch him fail to secure a mate, could I? Besides, what pack doesn't spend resources on mating ceremonies?"

Lyra moved to stand beside him, adding her voice to his defense. "Exactly! We're all one pack now. Why must you always be so calculating about these things?"

I drew a long breath, forcing myself toward calm. "Garrick, so you understand that taking a mate requires resources?"

"Then tell me—what did you contribute when you bonded with my daughter Lyra?"

At my question, Garrick's expression crumbled entirely, his scent souring with shame and resentment.

Unable to bear seeing her mate challenged, Lyra positioned herself directly between us. "Mother, enough! You know perfectly well Garrick's birth-pack had nothing to offer!"

I slammed my utensils onto the table with a crack that echoed through the dining chamber. "When one's pack has nothing, one should recognize their place! One should keep their tail tucked and conduct themselves with humility!"