She Took My Son, I Took Everything From Her

It was more like a declaration rather than a question. I stared at my son for a while. Before I could reply, Anna intervened between us, saying, “Thane, even though your Mom loves you so much and has no one to inherit her Pack other than you, you should learn the tactics properly. Otherwise, it will be hard to convince the elders for your ownership. You should understand it.”

Theon nodded in agreement. I smiled while looking at them , so concerned about Thane's claim over the pack. They were worried that Thane’s actions could make me angry and I might have other thoughts about him. But I smiled softly while turning to my son, saying in a calm voice, “It's okay! Thane is still learning and it is his first mistake. Let it go. Talking about the elders, I know how to handle them.”

Listening to my voice, they took a sigh of relief. I observed all their expressions. They thought they were making fool of me and were smiling from inside that they secured Thane's claim over the pack. But, they didn't know what was in my mind. I was seeing through their plans. It were them who didn't know what was running in my head. I then turned to Anna as I said, “Thanks Anna, you have been guiding my son quite a lot. It's so nice of you.”

Anna was taken a back with my remark. She masked her awkwardness with a faint smile as she replied, “I’m just trying to help you. That's it.”

“Yeah, I know,” I replied before telling them my plans, “I’m planning to send Thane to my maternal Uncle's Pack. The elders there are good in giving politics lesson. Thane can continue his education in the college there as well and when he returns, I’ll vow the oath with him, giving my everything to him.”

Their eyes shone up brightly and lips curled into smile. They exchanged a meaningful glance with each other before turning to me. Anna said excitedly, “That's a great plan, Alpha Elena. Your uncle will help Thane in growing into a great man.”

“Yeah, I heard the colleges there are also better than those in our Packs. He can develop new skills there.” Theon added in agreement.

Though they were appreciating my plans by saying they liked the idea of his training and studies in my Uncle’s Pack, I knew they were more excited about my idea of handing over the pack to Thane when he returns.

I smiled and nodded my head on their words. Only I knew what was going to happen once Thane returned.

I was planning to leave, letting them celebrate the moment as I could see how desperate they were to do, that I heard Thane’s firm voice, “I won't go,”

Thane's words hung in the air like a challenge, his eyes flashing with a hint of rebellion. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this sudden display of assertiveness.

"Excuse me, Thane?" I asked, my tone measured. "Did you just say you won't go?"

Thane nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Yes, Mother. I won't leave. I want to stay here and learn from you, not some distant uncle I've never lived with."

Anna and Theon exchanged uneasy glances, their smiles fading. I could sense their disappointment, their plans for Thane's further training and then his subsequent takeover of the pack momentarily looked in danger.

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on Thane's as I asked,"And why is that, Thane? Why do you refuse to go?"

Thane's gaze didn't move away from me as he replied,"Because I don't want to leave the pack. I don't want to go somewhere else, Mom. I can't live alone without seeing Dad and Mamma. I’ll miss everybody. How will I focus on my studies and training, then?"

Anna and Theon's faces turned pale, their eyes were moving nervously between Thane and me. They knew if Thane stayed in the pack and didn't train well enough, it would be difficult to convince the elders for him and by anyhow the truth of Thane's birth came into light they would lose everything. They were still trying to convince Thane to go abroad, but he looked reluctant and continued staring at me with hope in his eyes.

I smiled. I couldn't see him like that as I made my decision, saying,"Very well, Thane. You've made your stance clear. But tell me, what do you plan to do next?"

Thane's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll prove myself, Mom. I'll show them that I'm worthy of leading this pack, and I'll do it with your guidance."

I nodded, a sense of hope and renewal washing over me. Perhaps, just perhaps, Thane was not influenced by Theon and Anna yet, and he could really be the brave and upright Alpha of the Pack in future.